Go ahead make______day

So many of us get frustrated at things that we totally have no control over. People get down and out, even fall into depression because they can't control things in life. NewsFlash! Life is always going to be throwing stuff at you and I that we cannot control. At best we learn to navigate through them. Sometimes we spend a lifetime trying to figure them out. It can be an endless cycle if you get sucked into that Blackhole. ---How about trying something different? Do what you can to make the environment around you better. Pour good stuff into those around you, and sooner than later you will see good stuff coming out. It's easy to get frustrated, because there is always something or someone around the corner getting into "your" business. Instead of getting sucked in and falling into the old trap of blaming others for your problems, be proactive. Take charge. Do the best you can with what you've got. For your first baby step today, do one thing for one person today to make their day. Then start taking more steps. Soon you won't have time to be frustrated. Go ahead, make someone's day!

The Shipwreck that Wasn't a Shipwreck

In Acts 28:1-10 (read preceding chapter)God's purpose is noticeably served through trials and suffering. Sailors, soldiers and prisoners were on a wild two-week ride battling a storm of hurricane magnitude. It was a physical, emotional and yes, even a spiritual battle. Every anxiety associated with being enclosed or on the open waters came to be. And then as the reality of being shipwrecked began to set in, orders came to start throwing things overboard starting with least importance. They were totally committed when the last of the food was tossed over board.---Fast-forward to the ship wreck and landing on shore (well swimming or riding a plankboard).Once they arrived safely on shore (no one hurt, no loss of life, no loss of prisoners, everyone accounted for---All God Thing)they found the island had a name and the people were hospitable. It just reminds me of those places that seem out of the way, just a dot on a map, and God knows they are there and the people have a name. The islanders prepare a fire to warm the island crashers up. In the middle of serving (helping with the fire) Paul is bitten by a venomous snake. It literally latches on to him. Immediately, the islanders believe that Paul must have been a murderer because why else would someone survive a shipwreck only to be attacked by a poisonous snake(bad theology-karma). But Paul was not hurt at all. So, then they think he is a god, so Paul and company get the real hospitality and are led to the home of the chief official of the island. The man's father was severely sick, and Paul heals him. Party is on, healing party that is! They bring all the sick on the island to Paul and he heals them. You know Paul preached some Jesus! So God used this shipwreck to get Paul to these "forgotten" people. He used the snake bite to get Paul the platform to speak and teach. I don't know who was running this boating excursion, but in a matter of a couple of weeks I can tell you that Paul was now the head man. How could that have happened so quickly? A great spiritual awakening took place on the island of Malta...not a ship wreck. They were there three months. Next time you get derailed...off course...shipwrecked...ask "What is God up to?" The purpose in all this: so the people of Malta (a forgotten, unknown people group) would come to know Christ. The God of the universe cared enough to send some wind at the right place, at the right time, with the right man, with the right attitude on the ship.

Proud of People

It is such a wonderful thing to watch lives transform before your very eyes. God has an incredible purpose for each and every human being, yet only a few realize or actualize that purpose. It is great to see people serve with excellence the way God made them. They can do things the rest of us can't do or can't do as well. Monday morning, I reflected on all the things different people did the last week and on Sunday morning at church. Many of these people didn't know Christ as Savior that long. But as they have grown in their relationship with Christ, the skill-set God had prepared in them from the beginning has begun to shine. Thank you Jesus for people that step up,step out and step in. For Your church to reflect you very well, it will take a bunch of people being that very poem you had in mind at creation. Thank you for people.

Amazed That People

I'm amazed that people can spend no time or little time in God's Word, praying, hearing God's Word at church; and then wonder why they aren't growing. None of us expect to know another person better by spending no time with them. If we want to get to know someone better, we have lunch with them or something like that. We ask questions...we talk and listen. But when it comes to God, people will drain down to nothing spiritually and wonder why. There is a reason we meet together at least once a week. WE NEED IT. Haven't you heard, the "spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"? You have to feed the spirit nature or the flesh will take over. We don't just "do" church. We are the church, and the church needs to kindle one another like kindling wood to a fire. If you are so desperate for God and that warm feeling you get when you are really close to God, then SPEND some TIME with GOD. ---And don't give me that I spend time alone with God. That's bologna, because if you spend time with God, He will send you out to the crowd. Read all the "one anothers'" in the Bible.

Why the Growth in the Summer?

Why the Growth in the Summer?

A strange phenomenon is taking place right now. It’s summer and our church is growing. That doesn’t happen, normally. I don’t know for sure. Maybe every church is growing right now. I have some ideas. I think more people are serious and committed about their faith and the unity of the church has never been greater than it is right now at LTC. But I also know that more prayer is taking place than ever. I know personally I have been praying in “crisis mode” for our growth, because “if you ain’t growing you’re dying.” Dying would be a crisis to me. So, I’m praying like that and hope that you will adopt that prayer for Living Truth.
We’ve had a number of new people that have come into Living Truth and fallen in love right away. They are experiencing true worship and have observed authentic community. Those are code words that every church wants to hear. But you have to live it for it to really mean something. Pockets of our church are really living it. My encouragement to the rest of you is to jump on the bandwagon. There’s room! Invite people into your circle. Intentionally look for people that seem to be in search mode (even if they don’t look like you) and invite them in. Be consistent in a CPR Group. The greatest stories that I am hearing are coming from the people that are in love with their CPR Group. People are genuinely doing life together. Finally, be a proponent of unity within the church. Let’s go and bring the lost in and make disciples.

Don't stop what got you there

It's been incredible thus far watching God fight for me on the 4C's(the 4 things that I am praying for in "crisis mode"). Today is kind of a holiday, and the temptation is to take the time off from my routine (that routine that has blessed me). So the temptation is to stop (even if it is for just a day)doing what got me to a better place. However, I am reminded Satan takes NO days off. I've got to be faster and stronger spiritually. Stick to the plan. So, I pray in crisis and be still and watch God fight for me (Ex.14:14).Meanwhile, I thank the God of heaven for His great mercy and intercession and deliverance and on I could go.

Cool Change

What are you known for? Being a whiner...someone people can't count on...the person that's always late...the person that always makes excuses...the person that blames others...the person that always cancels at the last minute...the person that is too busy for friends or church... the person that's always needy...sketchy...always changing your mind...non-committal---Who is someone you admire? What are the qualities about them that you like?
Maybe it's time for a cool change.
Be the person God created you to be. Be the best at that.