Casually Alert

As many of you know, riding a motorcycle in traffic is an interesting experience.  Very different from being in a car.

Yesterday I was on my motorcycle, stopped at a light when it occurred to me just how "casually alert" I was.  I knew who was behind me, I caught the eye of my wife on her motorcycle beside me, she pointed to her tank indicating she needed to stop to get gas.  I was aware of all the traffic around me.

That awareness is second nature to those of us who ride.  I call it casual awareness because we are alert, but not paranoid.  Our bodies are relaxed and we're enjoying the experience but at the same time our minds are alert, very much in tune with what is around us.

I occurred to me that is how we need to live in this world.  We need to be aware that we have an enemy, Satan, and watch for his schemes.  But, we should not be caught up in them. 

Reading 1 Peter 4:8, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (NIV)

The best way to do this is to know God's word, and trust what it says.

Being Real

Sometimes I hear a Christian song on the radio, or listen to a Christian broadcast and a part of me just shudders.

I wonder, why is that?  Why I, though I believe in the same message, simply find myself wanting to change the channel?

I think because there is an image of Christianity that seeks to set itself apart from the world so much, that it actually works to hide the truth of our lives in light of being a "good witness".  Some of what I hear seems to sugar-coat life, offer cliche answers and lyrics that cannot reach into the lives of real people.  They appeal to an ideal, but they do not speak of real life.

I understand the motive, we want to put our best foot forward, but in doing so we create a false image that says, "We never struggle, we never fail, we are always cheerful and our children are well behaved...." 

Yet King David, a man after God's own heart, in the Psalms wrote from the whole spectrum of his very human experience with God.  All the joy, yes, but the sorrow too, the feelings of abandonment, the frustration...  And his life was spread out in scripture, the victories as well as the moral defeats.  As an artist, he covered it all in his songs, he hid nothing.

And we are still blessed by his life and his work.

We cannot treat our faith like it must be marketed in a certain squeaky clean way.  This way of thinking creates an image that does not appear genuine simply because it isn't.  And the world sees right through it. 

We have struggles, failures and frustrations.  But as Christians, we continue to try, we continue to press on, because we have that hope.

Perhaps if the world saw more of that, they would see more of Jesus in our lives.

 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2  Cor 4:7-9 (NIV)

Psalm 40

Recently I watched an interview with the singer Bono and author Eugene Peterson, (author of contemporary-language Bible translation "The Message,") talking, among other things, about the beauty and honestly of the psalms.

Bono (lead musician for the band U2 in case you didn't know...) is a student of the scriptures and of the psalms.  He wrote a great song based on parts of psalm 40.

Their conversation inspired me to remember just how beautiful and honest the psalms are.  The lack of pretense, of trying to pass ourselves off as something more than what we are...  it is all there.  Just a raw honest relationship with the Lord.

Something we should all strive for.

Take a moment and read Psalm 40 out loud, and maybe even click on the link below to hear this psalm, performed by Bono

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z_LBNF_-xI

Psalm 40 (NIV)

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;

    he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

    out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

    and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,

    a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord

    and put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the one

    who trusts in the Lord,

who does not look to the proud,

    to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, Lord my God,

    are the wonders you have done,

    the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;

    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

    they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—

    but my ears you have opened—

    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—

    it is written about me in the scroll.

8 I desire to do your will, my God;

    your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;

    I do not seal my lips, Lord,

    as you know.

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness

    from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;

    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

12 For troubles without number surround me;

    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

    and my heart fails within me.

13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;

    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

14 May all who want to take my life

    be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin

    be turned back in disgrace.

15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"

    be appalled at their own shame.

16 But may all who seek you

    rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who long for your saving help always say,

    "The Lord is great!"

17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;

    may the Lord think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

    you are my God, do not delay.

Our Purpose

A tombstone shows the day we are born and the day we die.  But it is the days in-between that matter the most. 

Reading 1 Cor 12:4-5 (NIV), where Paul says, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."

Then he goes on to to describe how the body of Christ works together, each of us doing our part.  This can stir many of us to wonder, "what is my part, where do I fit in?" 

I have to admit, through the years I have often wondered the same thing.  We long to have a life of purpose, to know that the days in-between the time we were born and the day we leave this earth will matter.

But after this discourse Paul says something interesting.  He says, "And yet I will show you the most excellent way." (vv 31) going on to describe love in one of the most well-known chapters in the Bible.  1 Cor 13 is known as the love chapter, often quoted at weddings. 

But why would that chapter come after the talk about the body of Christ fitting together? 

I think it's because we can pursue our destiny and purpose with selfish motives and miss the whole point.  Paul is warning us here that we can do great things with our days, but still live a meaningless life without love.

Maybe rather than focusing on "why am I here?" we should focus on, "how can I better show love to those around me?"

Maybe the two go hand-in-hand.

Spring!

It seems like spring is finally here.  I was sitting on my bike this past Sunday, just feeling the warmth, when it dawned on me how long of a winter it has been.

When the weather is pleasant, I notice the sky more.  The brilliant blue, or the evening sun setting.  It's easy to get so caught up in all that beauty that we miss the message.

Reading Psalm 19 today,

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

    night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

    no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

    their words to the ends of the world." - Psalm  19:-4 (NLT)

There will be many more days now to get out and ride.  As bikers, we can appreciate the nature around us in a way that the other vehicles cannot.

The creation reflects the beauty of the creator.  This season, let's take those moments not only to admire the beauty, but to listen for the message.

Looking Out for One Another

A few Sundays ago my wife and I were riding our motorcycles home from Freedom in Clayton.  A cage driver decided to drive rather close behind us, we payed it no mind and eventually turned off the road. 

It happens.

However, this Sunday we discovered that a brother from church, on his motorcycle, rode a few vehicles behind us that day and saw it happen.   And he did not like the fact that his "brother and sister" were placed in some danger.

He followed the car and had a talk with the man.  He was calm, but firm, explaining in no uncertain terms, why a car should not drive so close to a motorcycle.

I can imagine how this talk might have gone!  I would not have wanted to be on the receiving end of that lecture in motorcycle safety...

And the older gentleman asked him to relay his apologies to us.

Riding home yesterday I noticed this same brother riding behind us and waved.  It was good to know he had our backs.  I kept an eye on him in my review mirror as well. 

Bikers, we look out for one another.

How much more should the body of Christ?

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."" John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Back to Basics

As I have mentioned before, I study Taekwondo. 

There are some classes where all of us, from the lowest rank to the 4th degree black belts will work on basic stances.  Essentially placing your feet exactly where they should be, bending your knees, positioning your hips... It is all exact. 

Chances are if you are having trouble with the more advanced techniques, it's because something has gone slightly off in the basics. 

The answer to this, review and practice your basics until you know them inside and out.

In the same way, many children learn to sing, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

This basic love relationship between ourselves and the Lord has to be the foundation of everything we do.  Because if we lose that, even if we are doing many things correctly, our whole walk can be off.

As Jesus said,"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.  Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."  Rev 2:2-5 (NIV)

Does your walk feel off?  Maybe it's time to go back to the basics. 

Love God, love others and do something about it.

The Impact of our Surroundings

When the weather is nice, I enjoy walking on my lunch break.  Normally this is a relaxing way to spend my time.

Normally.

Yesterday I decided to take the path along the road.  Unfortunately this time a construction crew was tearing up the road, sweeping it down and laying new pavement. 

I walked along the sidewalk for about 15 minutes.  Between the dust, the noise and the smell of new pavement, it was not relaxing at all.

It felt like a harassment of my senses.  When I finally turned the corner it was nice to walk deeper into the wooded part of the path.  First the sights were gone, next the smell and then the noise.

Finally I had some peace and quiet.

Walking through life can feel very much like the first part of my lunch break.  We can often feel harassed in our spirit in a way that can be very burdensome.

Fortunately Jesus offer a solution to all of this.

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

How Do I Measure Up?

Recently I went bowling with a group of people.  A group where my 100 score (out of a possible 300) looked rather good.  None of us were regular bowlers, so compared to them, I was on top.

Had I been with some "real" bowlers...  I'm sure my opinion of my abilities would have been much different.

It's easy to think more highly of ourselves if we are a "big fish in a small pond."

The same could be said of our Christian witness.  How are we living out our faith?

If we compare ourselves to what we see in the world, we can easily begin to get an inflated opinion of who we are.  After all we don't ________  (fill in the blank,) so we come out rather well in comparison.

That is one of the reasons it is good to examine ourselves, not in comparison to the world, or to anyone else for that matter.  But to examine ourselves in light of scripture.

Reading Galatians today.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Gal 5:22-25 (NIV)

I don't know about you, but when I "score" myself according to these verses, I realize I still have far to go.

What Message Are You Sending?

Recently I saw a resume where the applicant used frowning faces for bullet points. 

Each skill or attribute they wanted to highlight had a little frowning face next to it.  I can only imagine it must have been a formatting error, however the small frown, to me, did appear to hinder the intended message.

Something like this.

:( I'm awesome.

:( I'm such an easy-going happy person.

Get the picture?

I wonder sometimes what the world thinks of us if they see only anger or lack of joy in our lives?  Can they get past our facial expressions to see the truth underneath?

:( Jesus died for me because he loves me.

:( I have such joy in the Lord!

Of course, the answer is not simply to smile, that would just be a cover-up.  The answer is to take an honest look at ourselves.  How do we appear to others?

Then ask ourselves, why?  Perhaps it is the focus of our minds that need to change?

As Paul said, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phil 4:8 (NIV)

When we take this to heart, our faces will reflect what is truly inside.

:) wouldn't that be great?

Our Destiny

I have to admit, I truly enjoy the Star Wars movies, especially the most recent one.

There is a common theme between the first Star Wars (well, for you fans, number IV) and this recent one.

The hero is a  "nobody" who suddenly finds himself with an important destiny to fulfill in an epic battle of good versus evil.

I think the reason this theme is so popular and resonates so much with us, is because it is true.

All of us have been created for a special purpose and destiny.  When we live our lives without them, we are sometimes hauntingly reminded with a movie like Star Wars.

In Ephesians chapter 2, Paul explains how we were taken from one kingdom, the kingdom of Darkness, and brought into God's kingdom to find our destiny and accomplish the works we were created for.

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—  among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Eph 2:1-10 (NIV) emphasis mine

Our task is to ask the Lord daily to show us these works.

To show us our destiny.

Is Your Battery Charged?

I never really thought our motorcycles needed to be on a battery tender. 

After all, this is North Carolina, we ride year round, never going more than a few weeks (at most) before they are cranked up and taken for a ride.  The bikes are also garage kept.  And, for the most part, they start right up.

Well, for the most part.

Occasionally they would act up by not starting right away.  Yet even though we had battery tenders for the bikes, I never thought that was the problem so I never used them.

Then my wife's Royal Enfield just didn't start for her one morning and I finally thought, (men can be stubborn that way) perhaps we did need to use the tenders after all. 

We haven't had one issue since.  In fact, even after a nice long ride, we put the bikes on the tenders and can see they are not at full charge. 

Must be a reason two of our bikes actually came with tenders when we bought them, tenders that up until now have gone completely unused!

It seems that even if your motorcycle doesn't sit, it's just good for the battery to be on a tender.  I'm sure some of you who are reading this are saying... well duh!!!

But the same goes for the Word of God. 

Spending time plugged into the Bible daily is a must for a healthy walk with the Lord, just like the battery tender is for a healthy motorcycle. 

Sadly, there are more unread Bibles sitting around than unused battery tenders I'm sure!

As ridiculous as it seems for me to be putting up with the bikes starting poorly with the answer just a few feet away, it is even more crazy to think we can live in this world without being submerged daily in the Word of God.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Heb 4:12 (NIV)

Perseverance

I have known some people in my lifetime who are amazingly capable.  They can learn something very quickly, with very little effort.

I have also known some who have had to work harder than most to achieve the same results.

The difference in the two is, when the one to whom things come easily faces a trial, they are more apt to give up than the one who has learned to persevere.

Yet we, as a culture are more fascinated by the "naturals."

I wonder if in our admiration we have it backwards.

Reading Luke 18 today, 

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.  And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people think,  yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!'"

 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.  And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" - luke 18-1-8 (NIV)

When it comes to the things we pray for, do we give up too easily?  When Jesus comes into our situation, will he find us with faith?

The Most Important

In Luke chapter 10 Jesus sends out 72 disciples to preach the Gospel. 

What I find interesting is not so much what they say when then return, but what they don't say.

"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." vv10:17 (NIV)

Although the mission was clear, to speak of the Good News of the Kingdom, they do not return and say how many listened or accepted. 

But that they experienced power over demons, and that was what they were excited about.

Jesus quickly puts the focus back where it should be.  He acknowledges the fall of Satan and the power given to them over the enemy, but then clearly points to what is better, their salvation.

He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." vv18-20 

What is more important than a display of even supernatural power is the fact that our names are written in heaven.  That inheritance can sometimes seem far off on this side of eternity - but it outweighs any experience we can have here. 

Nothing is more valuable than our own salvation and pointing others to Christ

Words and Meanings

Before every class of Teakwondo, we recite the ten student commitments. 

Therefore, at testing time, some of the children were asked to repeat them.

What I found interesting was how many of the children would say the first few words of the commitment, kinda mumble through the next few, and then have the last few words correct.

"Practice Teakwondo... mumble mumble mumble, and others."

It appears they had memorized the sounds of the words, not the meaning.  The sounds had become so ingrained that the meaning was not as important.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)

We can say it easily... every word.

Do we truly understand the meaning?  How much he loved, and the value of what he gave?

Achieving Greatness

Recently I saw a video about a teenage girl who is considered to be one of the best rock climbers in the world.  It was pretty amazing to see her doing what for most of us would simply be impossible.

I think we are all fascinated when we watch people who excel in their fields of choice.  Whether it's rock climbing or cross country skiing (I read another article about a man who skied to the north pole... by himself) or whatever it is, we marvel at the accomplishments of those who achieve greatness.

Yet the common thread in many of their stories is the amount of old-fashioned grit they display to keep going.  Perhaps it is that process, pushing past trials and tests, victories and failure that actually hone the talent they already possess. 

Perhaps that's what marks the difference between those who win the race and those who do not?

Maybe that is why James tells us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 (NIV)

To get to a place of maturity in our walk with the Lord, we have to go through the trials, not around them.

Restoring Hearts

Recently, during a belt test for Taekwondo, I observed something very interesting.

A young boy, a level one, 7-8 years old, began crying when his name was called.  One of the instructors immediately went over to him to find out why.

"I'm not good enough," he said through tears.

What happened next really struck me.  The instructor took him into a back room and about five minutes later they came out together. The boy sat down while his group finished testing their segment, sparring with each other.  Next, he was brought in front of all the students and made to spar a black belt!  As he did, all his classmates cheered him on.  Obviously the black belt, a young man in his teens, was not going all out, but sparring on the young boy's level.

Together, the class restored that little boy's heart and the testing continued as normal.

Do we take that time, to encourage one another's hearts?  That is one of the reasons we gather together, to strengthen one another.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

Next time we gather, pray, and ask the Lord, "whose heart can I help restore?"

Unity and Community

There is an interesting scene in a movie called "The Postman".  This movie is set in the future where society has broken down.  Instead of democracy there is a feudal system in place where  man named  General Bethlehem uses fear to keep people in line.

At one point, after a group of people have reinstated the postal system, the generals's men get hold of a bag of mail, .  They think it is nothing, just letters about family, or seemingly unimportant news.  But the general is furious as he tells them "it's not nothing, it's everything."

What the General fears is communication and unity, which is what comes from sharing lives together.  All the little  seemingly insignificant details we share help build community. 

The enemy, like General Bethlehem, would have us in small pockets, isolated from each other.  He does what he can to divide.  But the church of Jesus Christ is a powerful force when united and strong.

"Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 16:17-18 (NIV)

What is it About Him?

It's still tax time.

Even though I've already done my taxes I am reminded of it every time I drive home.

On the corner, at one of the lights, there is a man dressed as the Statue of Liberty, holding up a sign that reminds  us it's tax time.

Hot or cold, sunny or cloudy, he is out there.

What sticks in my mind about this gentleman is not the crazy costume his employer makes him wear but that every time I see him he is... dancing!

He has earphones and is just singing and dancing to whatever music he is hearing.  And there is no halfway with this guy!  His body is just moving and you can tell by his facial expression he is completely into it.  He never stops, he is always the same.

He looks like he is having so much fun.  I wish I could just go over and ask him what he is listening to that could make him seem so happy!

What is his secret?  How does he keep that up?

I wonder, do people look at us and ask the same question?  Are they seeing something so unusual that they want to know what it is?

Maybe if no one is asking, we need to examine ourselves.

1 Peter 3:15 tells us, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

Be prepared, that's the easy part.  But are we living in such a way that people are asking?

One Word

Sometimes convictions can come in the smallest details in the scripture.

 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,  so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV)

Reading these few verses in Matthew quickly, it's easy to miss.  But sometimes the Holy Spirit can make a few words jump out more than others.

For me, today, it's that very first word.

When.

Not if you fast.

When you fast.

Here, Jesus is not teaching us to fast  (as in we should,) he is assuming we are fasting and then teaching us how to do it with the correct attitude. 

Fasting is not a popular discipline.  In fact, the number one reason I personally hear people (including myself) say they don't is because "I don't get anything out of it."

But maybe that's the point.  We go without food for a period of time to devote ourselves more to prayer or reading the word.  And maybe we see the benefits right away, or maybe we don't.  But the very fact that the lack of "instant gratification" prevents us from trying again should probably be telling us we have some work to do.

Our very avoidance of fasting is a symptom that we should be doing it.

Yeah.. one word from Jesus can just shoot right to the heart.

Empty Vessels

I have this small bottle of computer screen cleaner.  I've had it for years. 

A lot of years actually...

Now the strange thing about this is, it always feels empty.  Yet when I use it to clean the face-shield on my helmet I always get enough to clean it.  Each time I think that's the last time I'll use it.

Then I use it again, and again.

Like I said, it's strange.

We can often feel like that bottle, empty.  When we are left to our own strength, we are.

But it is at those times we realize that we are, in fact, still standing.  It is at those times we can recognize that a strength, not from ourselves, keeps us moving on and being useful.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body." 2 Cor 4:7-11 (NIV)

Chain

As we all know, a motorcycle chain is made up of links.  Each link is vital to the chain and there are exactly the amount of links needed.  No more, no less. Together each link does its part so power is transferred from the motor to the rear wheel.

If even one link breaks, the rest will feel it as the chain goes flying off and the motorcycle is no longer propelled forward by the engine. 

The church is just like that.  We are all needed, linked together and doing our part.  That is how we remain strong, that is how we move forward.

"...But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,  so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." 1 Cor 12:24-26 (NIV)

The Call

Road trip.

Those two words can mean different things to different people.  To a family in a minivan it can mean a weekend visiting grandparents.  Certainly an adventure of sorts! 

But to a biker, it speaks of adventure and risk.  The road ahead is unpredictable for those of us who ride.  Weather patterns can change our ride from pleasure to survival in a heartbeat.  And the longer the trip, the greater the risk. 

Recently I watched a documentary shadowing four men starting out from California and headed to the east coast on a 21-day journey, riding classic choppers.  Not new motorcycles, but bikes created by each one of them and chopped down to the bare essentials. 

I'm challenged by their willingness to leave everything, including the safety of what is known, to head out to the highways where any number of things can, and often do, go wrong.

But the open road was calling and they had to answer the call.

It made me think of the first disciples.  Reading in Mark today, 

"As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."  At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.  Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him."  Mark 2:16-20 (NIV)

These men dropped everything and headed out on the road with Jesus for three years, and their lives were never the same.  They left security behind for a chance to follow Jesus. 

I wonder, if asked, what would we give up for that call?

In the Center of our Thoughts

What do you spend your time worrying about?  What do you use your time, talent, and treasures pursuing?

It's a fine line, enjoying life here on earth, yet not getting too caught up in it.  Without a doubt  the Lord blesses us with relationships and things to enjoy during our time here, but we need to be careful that none of these things take on more value than following Jesus and building his Kingdom.

For example,  I truly enjoy riding my motorcycle and I have no doubt at all this gift has been given to me from the Lord.  However I have to  be careful that the gift does not become more important than the giver. 

It is so easy to lose sight of the fact that our time her on earth is like vanishing smoke compared to our time in eternity with the Lord.

Yet the experience we will have then is impacted by the choices we make now.

 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

May all our daily choices have the Kingdom in the center of our thoughts.

The Example of Jesus

Once in a while I just read something in scripture that really says so much...  I feel I have nothing to add.

This is one of those times.  The example of Jesus, who is everything, yet laid it down to simply serve...  can we do any less?

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

 Who, being in very nature God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

 rather, he made himself nothing

    by taking the very nature of a servant,

    being made in human likeness.

 And being found in appearance as a man,

    he humbled himself

    by becoming obedient to death—

        even death on a cross!

 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name,

 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father. - Phil 2:1-11 (NIV)

Heaven

Last night at ReFuel our praise team, Diversity, joined us and led a special worship service.

At one point, Brad (the praise team leader) said something that stuck with me.  He was talking about sharing Jesus and said something like, "Do we reach out to people not so that they won't go to hell, but so that they won't miss out on heaven?"

I had never thought of it in that way before.  Do we think about heaven at all?  How amazing it will be to be in an unimaginable paradise with Jesus forever?

Sure, we may warn people about hell, and that is very real.  But do we understand that they are also missing out on heaven? 

I'm challenged by this...

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going."

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. " John 14:1-6 (NIV)

Amen, we do know the way and it is up to us to show others.