It's Up To You

A couple days ago, after surviving a grueling 60 minute work out known as "Core Class,"  Candi and I were talking about the fact that we wouldn't get as much out of the class if we were doing the class alone.  Knowing that Candi is around, plus the occassional "LET'S GO!" or "THIRTY MORE SECONDS... THIS IS WHERE YOU MAKE YOUR MONEY!" motivated me to not give up and to push just a little bit harder than my mind and body wants to.  Without my highly motivational wife and friends I would probably not even go to the class.  Anyone else with me?  In reality, we were really reflecting on the strength and determination that comes from knowing that we're not alone - the encouragement to push on despite the struggle and weariness - the vibrance which is almost gleaned from others as we drive toward a common goal.

And then I was immediately drawn to the parallel in our relationship with God and our mission between now and eternity.  I thought about how I would quit so soon or not even enter the gym without a partner, an encourager.  I thought about how desparately the individual members of the body of Christ need one another. 

So may this be of some encouragement to you.  Don't try to do something alone that God didn't intend for you to do alone.  I know the pain and frustration that people can cause within the church of God, but I also know that I cannot do anything about the past.  My choice is to draw closer to God in daily prayer, pouring those hurts out to Him, and to wait for God to act.  And while I wait I know that He has commanded me to push on in obedience (to everything else that He has already commanded me to do). 

If you've been walking as a lone wolf, seek the pack.  If you're keeping your distance because of anger or hurt, don't leave it at that!  Do you believe that extending forgiveness is far greater than bitterness or anger?  If today were the last day of your life, would you want to carry the weight of unforgiveness and condemning others to your grave?

Or if you think that being with the church is unnecessary and you can have a relationship with God without it, consider the following:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.  As I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  John 13:34, 35.       It's tough to fulfill this command from Jesus by yourself.

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.  But exort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."  Hebrews 3:12, 13  Two for one deal - warning and an encouragement!  Nice.

"And [the new church] continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers."  Acts 2:42

"so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."  Romans 12:5  Without you, the body is missing some vital part; a solitary hand or foot laying around is just freakish.  It might have worked in the Adams family, but not in God's family.

"But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, ²⁵ that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. ²⁶ And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."  1 Corinthians 12:24-26 And may this passage be an encouragement to those of us faithfully fellowshipping - show no favoritism; judge no one by their appearance; build no cliques; seek out those in the body of Christ with whom you feel you have no connection, because in truth you have more of a connection with them than any unsaved person.  The time you take to make the connection and the love that you show is just what others (and you!) are seeking.

VBS Finale

The kids had their VBS finale show last Friday. It was pretty great. I have more video than pictures because the lighting wasn't that great. This is the first year that the kids really got into the motions and we all practiced them at home throughout the week. I love my kids.

Afterward, our church put on a carnival. Wyatt was obsessed with the dunk tank and dropped the hammer on three of the four dunkees that night. The kids also got a lot of energy out. Nori is becoming quite a good Samurai.

Thanksgiving (to who?)

We went to the Thanksgiving Eve gathering at Christ Community Church tonight. The Pastor, speaking on thankfulness and ungratefulness said this (actually, it's paraphrased because I'm adding some words and thoughts):

Coveting (greed, and lust for anything) looks forward. Thankfulness and gratefulness look back.

Here's another quote that deals with the same idea from another person:

"Remembering" is the fence or boundary that keeps us from ungratefulness toward and disobedience to God.

Chapter 8 of Deuteronomy is entirely about remembering, being grateful, and what happens when we stop both of those. I'm pretty sure we, as a country, have stopped remembering where we came from, forgotten God, and determined to credit ourselves for our wealth and position in the world.

I say this as a member of the country and confess my materialism and greed, also. Thank God that He is a God of second chances. I pray that we, as a country, will ask God for a second chance and then take that second chance to obey Him and give credit where credit is due.

Election research

I was looking at Barrack Obama's website today to find out where he stands on different issues. Here's a quote from the Call to Renewal address that he gave.

"[Conservative leaders] need to understand the critical role that the separation of church and state has played in preserving not only our democracy, but the robustness of our religious practice. Folks tend to forget that during our founding, it wasn't the atheists or the civil libertarians who were the most effective champions of the First Amendment. It was the persecuted minorities, it was Baptists like John Leland…It was the forbearers of the evangelicals who were the most adamant about not mingling government with religion, because they did not want state-sponsored religion hindering their ability to practice their faith…" – Call to Renewal Keynote Address

I have wondered why people call for separation of church and state. It seems to me that if I think my church should not be involved in my government, then (1) I probably don't really believe what I say I do, or (2) I know that what I do believe would exclude and persecute people in its basic tenants.

I can firmly say, without question, that my Christian beliefs would not. My country desperately needs the God of the Bible in its government. The exclusion of God at almost all levels of government has resulted in an increase of every violent crime and the decay of families.

To quote a pastor at our church, the purpose of Thomas Jefferson's personal letter outlining the "wall of separation" between church and state was "to keep the government out of the church, NOT to keep the church out of the government." If you read the link above, you'll see that in the context it does not mean that our faith should be removed from the governmental process.

VBS

It's been a long week. I was a small group leader (that's a big title for "plays with five kids and tells them Jesus is cool") VBS at Christ Community church. It was a great experience and the lady that was our group leader was great to work for. I also had a very long week at work. Basically starting Monday I got up at 0700, returned from VBS at 1230, ate, showered, left for work, returned from work between 1130 and 0000 and crawled into bed as quickly as I could afterward. Whew! I'm glad that is over. It was neat for Candi to have the week "off" (she just had Wyatt from 0800 to 1200). I really got attached to the kids in my group - I wish I could have made the performance Friday night. Uncle Sam had other priorities for me...

Approaching hump day

This week thus far has been one of confusion frankly. I'm not really sure of why I'm in the AF, not really sure of why I'm taking college courses, not really sure we're going to continue partnering with our current Christian community, not really sure why we will if we do, not really sure what following Jesus looks like, and not really sure any of these questions will be answered.

However, I remember Lamentations 3:21-24 and 1 Corinthians 14:33. I remember Proverbs 16:3 and 9. I will remember Deuteronomy 33:29.

What will He do with the rest of the week?