The Right Tool

When we bought our house, we had visions of finishing the basement. We envisioned a bathroom, a bedroom, a family room and adding some storage. These visions started becoming a reality over the long weekend. But in order to make this happen, I needed someone who knew what they were doing. I could envision the building process and how it was suppose to look, but really, I had no idea of what had to happen. I had a book that shared how to stud a wall, but I didn't own the right tools and was kind of frighten that I might mess it up. So my Father-in-Law came up this weekend and in one day, the basement is studded and we are preparing for the next step. He had the knowledge and the tools to do it. Me, well, I had the vision, but building a wall, you can say, isn't my strength.

We all have been given gifts by God. These gifts are given to us to be used. According to Ephesians 4:12, we need to use these gifts "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up". Let's think about this. I could try to build a house, but will it stand? My gifts are not in building homes. I needed someone to come and use their gifts to help. But together, my father-in-law and I built those walls. He had the knowledge and the tools to do it. I had the opportunity to work along with him. Our church is in need of people to stand up and share their gifts. We know that we are all not gifted in the same way, but each gift is unique and can help build up the body of Christ. You may have the gift of speaking, others don't. You may have the gift of teaching, other's don't. Some can build walls, some can make banners, some can teach Bible Class, some can share with complete strangers the gospel. Now is not the time to hide these gifts; now is the time to use them. As you use them, others will work side by side with you. God has blessed Living Word with so many talented people in so many ways. Take the time and pray for God to help lead you to share your gifts or to help show your gifts. Together, the body of Christ will be built up.

Where the dogs walk

I guess you can say that I am a little paranoid about homes that have dogs. When I know that a home has a dog, I walk a little differently. When a home has a dog and I'm not walking on the sidewalk or their driveway, I'm looking down. Yes, my eyes are looking down. When I see the gift that the dog leaves behind, I tell others so they don't accidentally find that gift also. When we walk in parks or other areas that dogs might have been allowed to run, guess what, I'm looking down. I'm very concerned when my children run ahead. If I'm following and see that gift left in the grass, I pray that my children didn't find it also. Yes, this is a little strange. If you accidentally step on that little surprise, it not only flattens on your shoe, but it goes into the cracks on the bottom. You have to scrape, wipe and wash to get it off. Even then, there still may be a hint of the stench and you have to start the cleaning process again until it is gone. This is why I'm a little paranoid.


Each time we sin, we create that stench around us. When we sin, we didn't listen or heed the warning of God who is watching out for us. It is that sin that if not cleaned will drive people away from us. It is those unkind words, the rumors, the unkind actions, unkind thoughts, it is all these things that will keep people away. We must ask for forgiveness, not only from those we hurt, but from God. God will wash us clean. He won't ignore us. God hates the stink. He can smell it even before we do. It is beccause of His Son, Jesus Christ that the stench is gone. Jesus is the one that cleans us from our sin, from our stench all out of love for us. Sure we still have to watch where we walk and heed the warnings of God, but when we slip up, He will make clean.

Dancing with Christ

Last week, I was in New Orleans with the National Youth Gathering meeting. It was a chance to discuss the theme of the gathering, to prepare ideas, to connect. A lot of work but also a chance to enjoy time with each other. The team I'm serving with went to dinner on Friday evening at a place called Mulates. It is known for Cajun cuisine and Cajun music. As a music person, I didn't know that there was a such thing as Cajun music, now I do. This restaurant has a dance floor. We were seated next to it. During dinner, many people got up and danced. Some had rhythm while others, well, let us just say that they are movement challenged. As we were enjoying our dinner, a couple comes up and starts dancing. They moved with grace. Their movements flowed together. They were outstanding. When the song was done, people clapped. The next song played and they were up again dancing. Again, true grace. They floated along, spinning, shuffling their feet, totally smooth. Again clapping when the song was done. Each time they got up, people stopped eating, stopped talking, stopped doing what they were doing and watched that couple glide across the floor.

There are times when we forget to allow Christ in our life. We fail to keep the beat, we fail to move together, we struggle, we become movement challenged. People might look, but then they turn away for there is nothing good to see. Christ isn't seen in us. When Christ leads, we move along like that couple. Our movements are smooth, our steps in beat, we move together. People stop and look, they notice something different about us. We show Christ. Our words, our actions, our life portrays Him in us.

What is on your report card?

It is that time again. The most dreaded time for a lot of students in school. Right now, that time has come again for my children. What is this event, you might be asking? It is report card time. Yes, that dreaded time when a lot of kids worry if they will have their freedom after their parents take a close look at their grades. Yes, that dreaded time for a lot of kids wondering what comments their teachers made about them. Yes, oh yes, some parents look at that report card with big eyes wondering if their child will still get into Harvard or if they will ever become something, like President of the United States. The dreaded time is here. So I open the report cards from my children and...I'm happy!

Now imagine if we had to receive this dreaded report card about how we lived as a Christian? What if God gives us a report card about how we handled ourselves in tough situations? What if God gave us a report card about our thoughts or words about others? What would be on your report card? It is a pretty scary thought. But we do receive a report card. Yes, believe it or not, we do get one. God looks at us and how we live our lives and grades us. He looks at you and me, looks at our behavior, our actions, our words, our thoughts, everything. But He takes our report card and gives us all A's. That is right, we all get A's. Why? You might be asking what you did to deserve an A...an A from God. The answer is...nothing! God sent his Son to die on the cross, to wash away all those bad behaviors, bad actions, bad words, bad thoughts, bad...everything. Because of His death and resurrection, because He washed us clean, our report card just has A's on it.

We May Wobble

I have no idea why this came to mind, but I was sitting in my office on Thursday. I was review music for the weekend and it hit me. I couldn't believe it, but I caught myself singing the jingle to the tv commercial, weebles wobble but they won't fall down. Over and over, I was singing this jingle. I still have no idea why or what made me start the jingle. Weebles wobble but they won't fall down. I remember playing with them and you know what I tried to do, it was a challenge, it was my quest, my destiny, my goal in life (at that time). I was going to make the weebles wobble and fall down. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do it. I would lay them down and they pop back up. I would throw roll them and they would pop back up. Drop them to the ground and they would pop back up. Next to breaking them, every thing I did, the weebles popped back up. Weebles do wobble and they don't fall down.



What about us? When the tough times hit, do we just fall down and stay down or do we pop back up? When we sin, do we just say down or do we ask for forgiveness and pop back up? As Christians, we need to realize that we are just like weebles. Because of our sinful nature, we wobble. Satan tries to knock and keep us down. It is through the grace and love of Christ Jesus, through His forgiveness that we receive, that allows us to pop back up. Just like to weebles, we may wobble but we won't fall down.

Cheering Us On

My daughter, Becca, plays indoor soccer. I have the opportunity to watch most of her games (if they don't interfere with Saturday worship services). She loves it when I come to her games, not only to watch her, but to offer her support. When she does something good, she can her me tell her "good job" or "way to go". When something doesn't go right, I offer her encouragement or to help her prepare for the next play. Whatever the situation, Becca can pick my voice out from the crowd. She knows I'm there to support her and her team. If she can, she will take the little peek over the stands to see if I'm watching and get that extra sense of comfort. There are times after a game when she asks me how to do something or she just wants to share what happened in the game. Even if I saw the play, to see that excitement brings joy to my heart.

Our Christian walk is like this. We are out in the world striving to do what is right. We are out in the world trying to make the play. As we work on playing the game of life the way God wants, He is there, cheering each one of us on, watching what we are doing. Sometimes He is telling us "good job", other times, He is encouraging us and preparing us to do the next play. When the play is done, talk to God about it. Talk to God about the day and he listens. We ask Him what we need to do and He responds. Even though He knows what we did, telling Him brings a sense of love and excitement to His heart. What a wonderful God. Look around you. Look and see that He is there. He is the one who is cheering you on. He wants you to play the game the best you can. Look and listen...can you hear Him?

Not a Resolution, but an Opportunity

It is 2009! A new year. A new attitude. A new feeling. People want to make things new. Henceforth, a New Year's Resolution. I have been asked what my New Year's Resolution will be. Honestly, I never make one. I get a lot of gasps, dirty looks, the "oh my...", or the "well mine is..." responses just because I don't make a New Year's Resolution. I just don't make one. Plain and simple. Why? Because I would start it and then stop or forget about it after a month or so. I see people get so caught up in making these resolutions. They are going to change something. They are going to make life better in some way, shape, or form. It is a promise that they make to themselves and they intend to keep it. Very few do, most don't. People are so caught up in making this resolution and then after a while, they forget about it, break it, or just make excuses to not keep it. It is hard to keep a New Year's Resolution all year. So I don't make a resolution because I know that I would break it sometime or give up on it or just forget that I made it. But I do take the time to refocus on how I should live my life. I do take the time to ask God to help me remember to make Him first in all I do and say. I do ask God that throughout this year, I would be a better servant and work to better His Kingdom. I don't like calling it a resolution, but a opportunity. An opportunity to bring someone closer to the Kingdom of God. An opportunity to serve.