Monday, May 11, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Build the fire or sustain it?
Hebrews 12:29 says "Our God is a consuming fire". If you spend much time around church, you have probably heard or even prayed for the "fire of God." This is not a bad desire, as a matter of fact I recall praying for and trying to understand exactly what is the fire of God. Not sure I completely understand what it is, but I do know keeping the fire is more important that just getting, desiring, or even praying for it. Let me illustrate:
I heat my home with fire. It is my primary source of heat. However, I don't just look at the fire place and say "FIRE" and bam there it is. No, the process starts long before I even need the fire. Here is what the process looks like:
1. I spend a great deal of time gathering, cutting, splitting, and stacking wood. Make no mistake, this process is nothing but work. From beginning to end, it is heavy, time consuming, heavy,
2. Storing the wood is major. I can't just leave it lying around wherever. It must be stacked and kept dry. Wet wood does not burn.
3. Time. Some of my friends and I have just finished cutting and splitting my first load of wood for next winter. The wood needs time to dry before it is burned.
4. Once the fire is built, it is huge amount of work to keep it. Every few hours more wood must be added. Ashes must be removed from the fireplace. If too many build up, there is no room for fresh wood.
Now here is how God is teaching about His fire:
1. His "fire" does not just happen. Not going towards works based salvation. I am talking about seeking God and staying faithful. The greatest growth I have experienced in my walk with God is when I am extremely intentional and diligent about it. Seeking God and experiencing His fire is a process.
2. Patience-probably one of my biggest character flaws. I am not a patient person. But, I am learning to be more so. Knowing God and being able to sustain a level relationship with Him forces me to learn patience.
3. Sustain it- If I build a fire in my house and don't maintain it, the fire is useless. When God does bring me to that point of "fire", His desire is for it to be used. It's not just a spiritual high, but a launch pad for more. He wants me to be consumed so He can consume others.
I am sure there is much more to say, but this is just something God is doing in me now. What are your thoughts?
MC
I heat my home with fire. It is my primary source of heat. However, I don't just look at the fire place and say "FIRE" and bam there it is. No, the process starts long before I even need the fire. Here is what the process looks like:
1. I spend a great deal of time gathering, cutting, splitting, and stacking wood. Make no mistake, this process is nothing but work. From beginning to end, it is heavy, time consuming, heavy,
2. Storing the wood is major. I can't just leave it lying around wherever. It must be stacked and kept dry. Wet wood does not burn.
3. Time. Some of my friends and I have just finished cutting and splitting my first load of wood for next winter. The wood needs time to dry before it is burned.
4. Once the fire is built, it is huge amount of work to keep it. Every few hours more wood must be added. Ashes must be removed from the fireplace. If too many build up, there is no room for fresh wood.
Now here is how God is teaching about His fire:
1. His "fire" does not just happen. Not going towards works based salvation. I am talking about seeking God and staying faithful. The greatest growth I have experienced in my walk with God is when I am extremely intentional and diligent about it. Seeking God and experiencing His fire is a process.
2. Patience-probably one of my biggest character flaws. I am not a patient person. But, I am learning to be more so. Knowing God and being able to sustain a level relationship with Him forces me to learn patience.
3. Sustain it- If I build a fire in my house and don't maintain it, the fire is useless. When God does bring me to that point of "fire", His desire is for it to be used. It's not just a spiritual high, but a launch pad for more. He wants me to be consumed so He can consume others.
I am sure there is much more to say, but this is just something God is doing in me now. What are your thoughts?
MC
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Journeys
I have just finished reading through the book of Joshua. Lots to learn from it about leadership, life, and trusting God. But one overall thought that keeps coming up is this:
God calls us to a journey with Him. We may not always no where we are headed or what is next (Joshua was with the Israelites when they wandered in the wilderness). Look at some of Joshua's highlights: 1. God promised to give them all the land. 2. Jericho fell just by some trumpets and people shouting. 3. God kept all His promises! 4. God never left Joshua or left Him to lead alone.
All of this points to the journey. All through Joshua's life, he was walking under the directions God gave him. Every new place (31 places conquered while Joshua was leading) God was with Him. Many times the battle plan changed, but God was with Joshua.
Long and short for me is, life changes, God does not! Our economy changes, God does not. God wants us to go on this awesome journey with Him.
Are you ready?
MC
God calls us to a journey with Him. We may not always no where we are headed or what is next (Joshua was with the Israelites when they wandered in the wilderness). Look at some of Joshua's highlights: 1. God promised to give them all the land. 2. Jericho fell just by some trumpets and people shouting. 3. God kept all His promises! 4. God never left Joshua or left Him to lead alone.
All of this points to the journey. All through Joshua's life, he was walking under the directions God gave him. Every new place (31 places conquered while Joshua was leading) God was with Him. Many times the battle plan changed, but God was with Joshua.
Long and short for me is, life changes, God does not! Our economy changes, God does not. God wants us to go on this awesome journey with Him.
Are you ready?
MC
Monday, March 16, 2009
Getting started
I've noticed lately just how important Monday is. I still fight the "holy hangover" from Sunday, but now Monday's are a chance to kick the week into high gear. Or as Perry Noble says "Stomp it".
Today was an awesome day for this. My week is now in headed in a direction that I feel like God can use me the most. This may be my last day or week I ever get, so I better make the most of it.
MC
Today was an awesome day for this. My week is now in headed in a direction that I feel like God can use me the most. This may be my last day or week I ever get, so I better make the most of it.
MC
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Weekly rundown...in the middle of the week?
Okay just a couple of quick thoughts, in the middle of the week. (Because I'm traveling today and conference tomorrow)
1. Yesterday was Chuck Norris' birthday!
2. I am pumped about Unleash.
3. Have some ideas about how to leverage teen culture/technology in our student services. Anybody doing anything with this?
4. I hurt! I started back to the gym this week. I haven't gone in a while, but am back and hurting! (I love it!)
5. I'm out!
MC
1. Yesterday was Chuck Norris' birthday!
2. I am pumped about Unleash.
3. Have some ideas about how to leverage teen culture/technology in our student services. Anybody doing anything with this?
4. I hurt! I started back to the gym this week. I haven't gone in a while, but am back and hurting! (I love it!)
5. I'm out!
MC
Monday, March 9, 2009
Hard...
I guess most have seen or heard about the Pastor who was shot yesterday. It's really hard to grasp just what that whole situation is. But as I think through it two major thoughts keep coming to mind:
1. To the family of Pastor Fred Winters, many of us, your brothers and sisters in Christ are praying for you. I pray that God will comfort and strengthen you during this time.
2. To the family of the gunman. Many of us are praying for you as well. I hope that you also will find comfort and strength from our Lord.
Sometimes life and truth collide in a manner such as this where it all does not make sense. But, this is where God calls me to love everyone unconditionally (just like He loves me!). So now we just keep moving, keep walking, and keep doing this thing called life.
MC
1. To the family of Pastor Fred Winters, many of us, your brothers and sisters in Christ are praying for you. I pray that God will comfort and strengthen you during this time.
2. To the family of the gunman. Many of us are praying for you as well. I hope that you also will find comfort and strength from our Lord.
Sometimes life and truth collide in a manner such as this where it all does not make sense. But, this is where God calls me to love everyone unconditionally (just like He loves me!). So now we just keep moving, keep walking, and keep doing this thing called life.
MC
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