Top Lists of This Year

So, we're coming up on the end of yet another year. It's at this time of year that we are given list after list of top things for the previous year. You know what I'm talking about, top 10 web sites (note that this isn't in that list, sadly), top 10 foods purchased at kosher delis, top 10 online purchases, etc. I tell you, you never get more great info than you do this time of year because without this I know my life wouldn't be complete!

Let me ask you, what were your top 5 activities that you did with your family members this past year? How high up is watching TV (I'm guilty here)? How about outdoor activities? Where is spending time teaching them about God?

Ok, enough beating our selves up on that one, let's try another list: Top 5 ways you spent time with God yourself this past year? Did you read the Bible? Did you pray daily, almost daily, how about weekly?

Yes, I know I've been mean....but when you reflect on the previous year over the next few weeks I'd like to encourage you to take a hard look at what you'd like to be doing, and what you actually accomplished. I think we all can find ways to get better. Maybe your resolutions for the coming year should focus on God instead of yourself? Maybe if we resolve to do more for Him, then we'd be able to accomplish the other things we want to do next year. Why you ask? Because He will be there along with us all, helping us along the way.

Focus

The week before Thanksgiving something strange happened to me. I was walking down the hallway at work when all of a sudden my glasses slipped off my face. Now, I went to catch them when I felt them slipping and noticed that they were falling apart. I was later told that the spring in the glasses was broken and that they needed to be totally replaced. Of course none of the frames they carried would fit the lenses that I had, so I would have to get new lenses as well. Then, since it had been 3 years since I had an exam I needed to do all of that as well. Not exactly where I wanted to be spending all of my money before the holidays, but we do what we have to do.

This whole experience got me thinking about my focus. You see, there are so many things that can take our focus away from God during the holidays. There are presents to purchase and wrap, there are family gatherings and the kids' school events to attend, decorations to put up, etc. And it seems that every year we have more and more to do. How do you get all of that stuff done and still focus on God, the reason for the season?

The answer is to stay in focus. Start your days just as you always do, spending time with Him. Then, throughout the day make sure you reconnect whenever you feel yourself slipping away. Spend those times in prayer, or reading a verse, listening to music, etc. Also, try not to stress about all the things you have to do. If they are supposed to be completed, God will find a way for you to get them all done. If you continue to focus on God all the tasks you have will be easier to do, as you aren’t doing all the heavy lifting yourself.

Priorities

Recently I had a very random thought come to my head, which is far from uncommon for me to tell you the truth. I was sitting in first service a few weeks ago and watched a few kids go past me and then come back a few minutes later. Yes, the fact that someone ran to the bathroom isn't strange during service, but what was strange was it triggered in my head: Why is it that when nature calls people are quick to respond, but when God calls us we are not?

I know there are times when we all feel that God is calling us to do something that either doesn't fit into our personal agenda, or we are even known to put it off because we don't know for sure if it was God calling us in the first place. I've been there and I'm sure most everyone else has as well. What would the world look like if we all stopped what we were doing and answer His call as quickly as we did nature's?

I know that it's not always easy to do what we're called to do right away, but it's not always easy to get ourselves to a restroom either, right? Remember if you have kids the number of times the kids have needed to go and it wasn't a great time? Like when you were next in line at Wal-Mart or going on a trip and being 15 minutes south of Fitchville on 250 going south?

His call isn't always going to be convenient and it's not always going to be easy to achieve. Still, the next time He calls you to do something, think how quickly you'd act if it was nature calling....and maybe you'll get to His priorities a little faster.

Thank You

As I was trying to think of something to write about going into the Thanksgiving weekend, I kept going back in my head to a song that I've known for years. I couldn't think of a better way of celebrating Thanksgiving in this blog than to put the words to that great song in front of you today. Now the song doesn't give direct thanks to God, but it does to someone who was doing His work, and that alone should be motivation to us all. I hope you enjoy.

Thank You for Giving To The Lord
Music & Lyrics by Ray Boltz

I dreamed I went to Heaven, you were there with me.
We walked upon the streets of gold beside the Crystal Sea.
We heard the angels singing, then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man, and he was smiling as he came.
He said, "Friend you may not know me now," and then he said, "But wait -
You used to teach my Sunday School, when I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart."

Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
Then another man stood before you, he said "Remember the time,
A missionary came to your church, His pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money but you gave it anyway.
Jesus took that gift you gave
And that's why I'm in Heaven today"

Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
One by one they came, far as your eyes could see.
Each life somehow touched by your generosity.
Little things that you had done, sacrifices that you made,
They were unnoticed on this earth
In Heaven now proclaimed.

Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
And I know up in Heaven you're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand and you stood before the Lord
He said "My child look around you,
Great is your reward."

Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave,
I am so glad you gave.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Accomplished

I have a friend who has their youngest child finishing off their high school career this year. Recently this child was awarded a number of awards for sports which really hasn’t been uncommon for the kids in this family. They have truly been blessed with a healthy family that is good both academically and athletically.

When I heard about the recent accomplishments of this child I started to think to my own family. I started to think on the fact that we’re beginning that journey with our kids and the accomplishments they are striving towards, etc. I started to think about how Noah’s team won their division in baseball this year and how I felt that day as he got his trophy. I was so proud of all that he accomplished and how he really stepped up to lead the other kids on that team and teach them to be better players. I began to think of what may be to come for all 3 kids both athletically and academically in the future and how much fun this journey is going to be.

That thought process then took me another step further. I started to think what it’s like as a parent to have those accomplishments displayed in a house. The pride one must feel when they walk by that area dedicated to showcasing all that has been done by one’s children.

Of course, I didn’t stop there….my thought process went towards our Heavenly Father. Can you imagine what His “wall/mantle” looks like with all the accomplishments of His children? The person who lead 20 people to Christ in the past year? How about that trophy for the person who talked about God for 15 years to their neighbor and were able to lead that person to Christ last week? How about that one for the Pastor who faithfully lead his flock for 5 years then went on to another church? Oh, and that great looking certificate for the missionary who has worked for 35 years in another country spreading the gospel – man, that thing is impressive!

What have you done lately for your place on His wall/mantle? He wants to have your accomplishments on display for all to see! He is already a proud Father and loves to have you as one of His children and is so proud of you. Yet, I’m pretty sure that every time He sees that accomplishment that you have done in promoting His kingdom He has a great feeling of pride for being your Father. He knows every time you pray for someone else, every time you read the Bible or do a devotional. He knows when you talk with others about Him. He loves to show all the angels in Heaven what you have accomplished. It’s not hard to be up there with everyone else….all you have to do is accept Christ into your life and promote this same thing to others.

Stuff

I tell you what, we’re coming up on one of my favorite times of the year. I just love Thanksgiving and Christmas time as most people really start to focus on family. There are tons of events to go to and time spent with others. Most people seem to be in a better mood, even here in Ohio where it’s freezing cold most of the time.

With that said, I’m sure you’re starting to wonder why I titled the blog the way I did. Well, with this time of year comes Christmas shopping. It’s the time when we all fight through the crowds and get stuff to show others how much we care about them. Now, I cherish these events so don’t take what I’m about to say the wrong way. I love to give gifts to others. I love the look on someone’s face as they get that very thoughtful or desired gift. I also love to get gifts and gain new things. But, let me stop right there for a minute…

You see, I want to remind everyone today that in the long run those gifts are mostly just stuff that fills our lives in one way or another. These are items that we didn’t have before and are probably not really needs but more or less wants. Yes, some gifts do fill a need that you had, or you wouldn’t have asked for it. But, most items are more like the add-ons that you purchase with a vehicle. I mean, do you need power windows and doors? Probably not, but they are nice to have. Same thing with the A/C and cruise control, right? The same thing goes for the stuff that we get at the holidays. Do you need a new set of Japanese steak knives, or did you want them? Do they somehow improve your quality of life (other than when eating steak?)?

As we head into the holidays this year I wanted to put everyone to the test this year. I want to challenge you to look at the stuff in your life that the world says you should need. Look at those things and see if they are helping you get to God, or keeping you apart from Him. Do they eat up the time you could spend with Him or for His Kingdom? If you really wanted to give someone a gift, maybe the best thing you could give them is your time. Maybe that time allows you to get Jesus into their lives or helps them get a better relationship with Him.

I’m not saying that this year you shouldn’t give the fun little gifts that you have a knack for giving. What I want to stress is that this year, if you haven’t already, start to look for gifts that can keep on giving. Give a friend a coupon to baby-sit their kids for a night so they can spend time with their spouse, getting them closer to each other and God at the same time. Give your children your time and attention, playing that game you give them this Christmas. Give your parents the love that your Heavenly Father shows you daily. All of these gifts can multiply themselves and also be paired with that item you find on Black Friday. (I’ll be out there with you other nut cases as I have been for the past 16 years.) Gift the gift of Jesus into the lives of everyone you contact, and this year your gift won’t just be on the shelf with the other stuff you’ve given before.

What a Waste...

Have you ever not given something to someone because you know all they are going to do is ruin what you are giving them? How about a little kid? You know that they aren’t old enough to handle the responsibility of having a Nintendo DS for example. When they ask for it over and over again you tell them that you will give it to them when they get older and are mature. You are afraid that they might waste the opportunity and eventually break the item.

Now, let’s take that another step….Have you ever done that with the Gospel in regard to people around you? Have you ever not gone up to someone because you just know they aren’t going to get it or it’ll just be a waste of your time? What if God did that with you? If he waited until we were all “ready” to be exposed to Christianity how many of us wouldn’t be a part of his Kingdom now?

Just like with the child you aren’t sure of giving the item to, if He wanted us to wait until others were “ready” then many would never be saved. Sometimes the person you approach will waste what you are giving, but I’m guessing that it’s never really a waste of your time and effort. God is just preparing their hearts and the exposure to Him is always good for them. Just like the food that you prepare, sometimes it’s ready the first time when you check on it, but often you have to put it back in after checking because it’s just not ready yet.