Defeat

Living in Pittsburgh, I’m swimming upstream being a Baltimore Raven’s fan.  And yesterday, great fun was had by all at my expense.  But I asked for it, huh?  After the game it was hard not to be a bit disappointed – seeing my team fight so hard and make it to the AFC Playoffs.

Defeat confronts us all, but what we do when we face it makes all the difference in the world.  Some quit when they face defeat, some live in denial and blame everyone else for their defeat, some wallow in “poor me” and long for a good pity party.  All these really are not an option  for the Christ follower.  Defeat can be a chance to improve, and challenge for a new day, and a great time to learn to trust God.

Hungry, but not for food

We have all read in the Bible where Jesus said – My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me.  I have read that time and again, and probably preached on it.  As I write this blog, I am in the middle of a week of fasting (the Daniel fast), and really am not that hungry.  But my hunger to see those that don’t know Christ come into a relationship with Him is becoming insatiable.  I am reminded of Jeremiah – when he said – it’s like a fire shut up in my bones. 

I have been inspired and challenged by Chris Tomlin’s song – God of This City.  “Greater things are yet to come in this city,” he writes.  I am challenging our church to break free of our personal paradigms of church and remove barriers to the gospel so that we can reach as many as possible for Him this year.

I Hate Tests

This week I finally go to take my test for ordination. I have been licensed with the AG for 13 years, so I guess it’s time to upgrade. But I hate taking tests. I guess it is all a part of the process. Let me write a paper – and I’m in my glory – but tests make me nervous.

Are you a paper writer or test taker?