So ask already!

Why are we afraid to ask questions?

As I was driving in my car yesterday I was pondering this thought and the reality of what we rob our lives of when we remain in silence. Whether we are afraid of looking stupid, having confrontation, rejection or being forced outside their comfort boxes…questions can be daunting.

It is through asking our questions that we can push into new levels of knowledge, relationship and change. But it takes the courage of opening our mouths.

Think of the missed opportunities…

“How are you doing…really?” – A friend is struggling thru something and just needs someone to care enough to ask.

“So what did you mean when you said…” – Something offended you in a conversation, but maybe it was misinterpreted on your part, and a quick question could heal the friendship.

“How about grabbing a coffee sometime…” – An opportunity to forge a friendship with someone new.

“What do you believe?” – A chance to hear where someone’s heart is…and a challenge to yourself to find out what is in your heart.

“Why am I here?” – A great quest in anybody’s life in the search for purpose.

“Do you know Jesus?” – A bridge into the life of a friend or stranger that could be change their destiny forever.

My challenge to you is to get out of your safe boxes…don’t be afraid! Be intentional about building your relationships with questions. Be available to change someone’s life by your questions. Be prepared to grow in your knowledge, faith and purpose simply by asking.

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.” – James 1:5

 

school cancelled…

even if it was only a half day…

 

Relying on God…

Today most of us said our good-byes to the 9 students leaving for a 3-month co-op in Belize. They will face various trials and circumstances that will change their outlook on life and faith. They will have to make adjustments and persevere thru challenges…
The following verses came from my devos in 2 Corinthians 1…

“…We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us.

May we learn, wherever we find ourselves in life, to rely ONLY on God…and may we never forget to help others thru our prayers – whatever they may be facing!

 

if I were a body part…

Here’s a thought to start off the week…

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other  parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” – Ephesians 4:16

What body part are you?

 

One Person…

Have you ever been faced with a situation that you wanted to change, but felt overwhelmed by the vastness of barriers that lay between you and the solution? I have been following the AIDS pandemic in Africa for years, desiring in my heart to help, but at a loss as to what one person can do. How one individual can truly make a difference.
Our problem is that we try to see the solution before we embark on the journey. We can accumulate the amount of miles that it will take us to get to a destination, and figure out all the facts or prepare for possible scenarios…or we can take the first step. To see change we mustn’t try to see so far in the future that we forget to take the little steps that will get us there. Change happens one step, one person, one conviction at a time.

Coming out in theatres today…the true story of William Wilberforce. One man who fought to end the slave trade in England. One man who stood up for truth and changed history. One man who was faithful to God’s call in his life. He was only ONE MAN.
You have one life to live…what will be the footprints you leave behind?
For more information on this movie, please visit the official Amazing Grace movie site!

 

changing the world

I read this story the other day and thought it was an interesting perspective…especially since it was written by a monk in 1100 AD!

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.

 

Rescued

I love reading Readers Digest. My favourite section was always “Drama in Real Life“. Packed with stories of people defying all odds,  human ability, and even death – it fed to my inner appreciation for overcomers.

One thing I would always notice in every story, was that when the person was at their lowest point, there would always be some sort of prayer appeal to a higher power to step in and intercede in their situation. Regardless of religious convictions, when people are pushed to the limits they are often faced with the reality of their inadequacy, and ushered into the realm of pondering the existance and power of God.

“We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him and he will continue to rescue us…” – II Corinthians 1:8b-11a

Whatever “drama in real life” we may have to face, may we learn not to rely on ourselves…but place our confidence in the One who will rescue us…

 

verse of the day…

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10

 

Welcome to the train wreck…

I don’t usually like to include names of the rich and famous in my blogging world…and I know that everyone’s probably heard enough about Britney to last them a lifetime, but when I saw this picture I couldn’t help but feel sorrow for her…

Not because she razored off all her hair, has a new party posse to live it up with every nite, is going thru divorce # whatever, faces the possibility of losing her kids, and is checking herself in and out of rehab more than I’ve been using my bank card this week…while the public looks on and sells papers and photos and whatever else can be marketed off such a train wreck!

No, what really makes me feel sorrow for her is the destruction of a life…a soul…God’s image. Here is a girl who’s got it all…fame, fortune, beauty…what most people dream of and aspire towards. She’s got the clothes, the cars, the house, the kids, the guys…and yet she is broken. She is lost. She is empty.

I could choose to be cynical…well, there’s the consequences for your choices! You make your bed, now you have to sleep in it. Suck it up princess…

And yet, as much as I would like to dislike her and everything she has stood for…I find myself grieving for the image of God that she bears that the enemy has worked at great lengths to destroy. A public tragedy…and yet we face the same train wrecks in our circles.

That which seems so important – popularity…beauty…fitting in…being “famous” – can be the very means the enemy uses to destroy what God purposes for our lives. It’s a gradual path that leads down to destruction…grey area choices that seem so trivial. Compromises that appear harmless. The very things that we crave to become may be our very undoing…take a lesson from Britney.

 

Ever wonder what you’re worth?…

Just a random thought for the day…was  contemplating humanity and the diversity of people in general. I really wish I could see others as God sees us. We often get caught up in the externals…in the superficial…in the measuring scales of the world that seem to discard those who aren’t rocket scientists, gifted athletes or barbies. Sometimes we can look with a critical eye and deem someones importance by whether or not they hold certain qualities.

“The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see -

A splendid crown in the hand of God.” – Isaiah 61:3

I wish all would feel the value that God places on them…He is the only one who sees past the shell and into the heart. We are His treasure…if only we could let it come out in ourselves.