But life ain't easy!
It appears to me that since we all made the decision to go forward with planting a church, while God has blessed us immeasurably, many of us have come up against some pretty stiff winds.
- I think of a father who is battling prostate cancer
- A child suffering from seizures
- Stomach viruses doing their dirty work
- Houses with unforeseen cracks
- A child suffering from pneumonia
- Vehicles on the fritz
And I am sure that's probably not the half of it. Or the end of it.
Not that we shouldn't expect anything less. Jesus and the apostles kept the hard reality of life in the forefront of their minds. That, combined with the truth that we do not battle against flesh and blood, proves anything God orchestrates the Enemy will seek to frustrate.
Pray especially for the Karant family this week. The hits keep coming. As many of the ladies probably heard last night, Heidi has to keep Ava up all night tonight for a sleep test - somehow that doesn't quite make sense to me, but I'm no doctor!
Suffer me just a bit as I quote from that preeminent theologian, Rocky Balboa, "It ain't about how hard you hit; Nuttin' hits harder than life," the Italian Stallion surmises, "It's about how much you can take and keep movin' forward." (If you say it with a hard Philly accent, it works much better.)
The real theologians call that the perseverance of the saints. Peter challenges me, "Brothers, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ sufferings, that you may rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. "
Just think, if we in our small cadre face such a bounty of issues, imagine what our neighbors and our community experiences without the benefit of praying friends.
I read Oswald Chambers this morning:
"The battle is not against sin or difficulties or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in work that we are not ready to face Jesus Christ at every turn."
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest : Selections for the Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers, 1993, c1935), March 29.
As we persevere through the hits, as we stand firm against a stiff wind, let's keep our eyes up and out. God desires our devotion and people need our attention. If you know of someone in the church who is struggling, give them a ring, bring them a dinner...and if they're not in our church, do the same thing - they'll be surprised you noticed.
In Him,
Brian
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Great Things Start in Stables
That's our new mantra - great things start in stables. Now these aren't just any stables, we never settle here at Renaissance. However, it is a bit surreal walking by a horse on the way to Bible study.
Sewell took some great shots. I'll see if I can upload a few more.
Brian
Do We Just Like the Idea of Serving?
Thought you might like to read a challenging quote or two by David Kinnamen on the reward of serving others in a real way:
David Kinnaman, who directed the study of American lifestyles, commented on the implications of the research. "Americans are a unique blend of contradictions. Mosaics want to be known as activists, but their recycling pales to that of older adults. People think of themselves as engaged in assisting needy people, but the vast majority of Americans merely dabble in helping others. Individuals who have financial means are no more likely than others to assist the poor. Never-married adults envision themselves as independent and self-sufficient, but their levels of substance abuse and sexual behaviors suggest otherwise. Political liberals want to be known for their open minds, but their profanity, cutting remarks, and frequent use of 'payback' undermines their attitudes of acceptance. The respect, patience, self-control and kindness of born again Christians should astound people, but the lifestyles and relationships of born again believers are not much different than others.
“The difficulty," Kinnaman continued, "is that with increasingly personalized and self-oriented behaviors and routines, the contradictions in people’s lives will become even more apparent. Americans will become even less aware of who and what they are. As people become more interested in the latest diversion and more tuned into personal satisfaction, their capacity and energy for connecting with others - or understanding themselves - will diminish."
The president of the California-based firm, Kinnaman suggested the moral challenges facing Americans are tied to how much they help others. "Living morally is not just obeying thou-shall-not commandments, but also actively enriching the lives of those around us. It is easy to criticize Americans' self-indulgences and their moral lapses. It is much more difficult to find creative, customized, and meaningful ways to expose them to the needs of others. By getting the focus off themselves, Americans might experience much-needed transformation within their own lifestyles and perspectives."
David Kinnaman, who directed the study of American lifestyles, commented on the implications of the research. "Americans are a unique blend of contradictions. Mosaics want to be known as activists, but their recycling pales to that of older adults. People think of themselves as engaged in assisting needy people, but the vast majority of Americans merely dabble in helping others. Individuals who have financial means are no more likely than others to assist the poor. Never-married adults envision themselves as independent and self-sufficient, but their levels of substance abuse and sexual behaviors suggest otherwise. Political liberals want to be known for their open minds, but their profanity, cutting remarks, and frequent use of 'payback' undermines their attitudes of acceptance. The respect, patience, self-control and kindness of born again Christians should astound people, but the lifestyles and relationships of born again believers are not much different than others.
“The difficulty," Kinnaman continued, "is that with increasingly personalized and self-oriented behaviors and routines, the contradictions in people’s lives will become even more apparent. Americans will become even less aware of who and what they are. As people become more interested in the latest diversion and more tuned into personal satisfaction, their capacity and energy for connecting with others - or understanding themselves - will diminish."
The president of the California-based firm, Kinnaman suggested the moral challenges facing Americans are tied to how much they help others. "Living morally is not just obeying thou-shall-not commandments, but also actively enriching the lives of those around us. It is easy to criticize Americans' self-indulgences and their moral lapses. It is much more difficult to find creative, customized, and meaningful ways to expose them to the needs of others. By getting the focus off themselves, Americans might experience much-needed transformation within their own lifestyles and perspectives."
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