Something or nothing

We all go through "stuff" in our lives. The good times and the bad times. In the good times everything is great, life's good, no worries, we're on top of the world and everything is coming up roses. In the bad times we're wondering, "What did I do to deserve this? Why me?"

It seems to me that the good times create memories and the "bad" times create character and wisdom. James 1:2-4 states that we should rejoice in times of trial because the testing of your faith develops perseverence and that perseverence will cause you to be mature and complete, lacking nothing. My prayer has always been, during my times of trial, that God make clear the lessons to be learned.

My point here is: Everything that we go through in life can be worth something or it can be worth nothing. You can learn and grow from your experiences or you can wallow in pity wondering; "Why me?" It's your decision. That's the great part - you get to choose.

So how do you deal with trials in your life? Are they worth something or nothing? If you learn and grow then I urge you to share wisdom with others. If you lean to the other side of the equation, I pray that you will stop spinning your wheels and move forward with your life. We all get thrown curveballs from time to time - mine was divorce. The world keeps spinning regardless of what's going on in our lives so we might as well hang on and...

...enjoy the ride!

Scott

Lift up your Pastor

I read a blog a couple of days ago by Mac Richard from June 29th & 30th. They are titled "Go to Church Somewhere Else." The premise of his blogs is that if your out of town some weekend you should visit a local church. Read them to get the whole story.

I only reference Mac's blog because this is something that my family practices. We do our very best to attend church every weekend regardless of where we are. A few weeks ago while we were in Wichita Falls we visited the First Baptist Church. It was the last weekend that their interim Pastor was preaching and it was a great message. I'm going to list the points of the message below but if you'd like to hear the message go here.

The title of the message is "How to Minister to Your Minister" and I think this is something that we don't think enough about. Many of us probably put our Pastor 2 steps below God and think that they have everything figured out and don't need us praying for them when nothing could be further from the truth. They are under the highest level of spiritual attack because they work so hard to fulfill God's commission.

Here are the points from the message:

1. Pray him up.
2. Pay him up.
3. Expand his minstry. (Acts 20:28)
4. Do not make him drive you to serve.
5. Take away the burden of him being a fund raiser.
6. Protect his reputation with your life. (Matthew 18:15)
7. Encourage him in the work.
8. Bless his family.
9. Do not place him on probation. (You'll need to listen to get this one.)

I hope that you will take the time to listen to the message. If not, take some time to mull over the points listed above. If you don't already pray for your pastor then I encourage you to start today. They are probably under greater attack than anyone you know and they need all of the prayer and encouragement they can get.

I look forward to any thoughts you might have on this topic. In a few days I'll post about what took us to Wichita Falls.

Enjoy the ride...

Scott

Something's missing

Is there something missing from your life? If not, you can probably remember a time when you felt that way. John Mayer wrote a song on this subject. Check out the words here.

He pretty much covers it all in that song. I know that I felt all of those things. I felt alone even when I wasn't, I'd buy myself stuff and that didn't fill the emptiness, drinking didn't help (usually made it worse) and the company of the opposite sex did nothing for me. Nothing in this world would fill the void that I felt inside.

I should clarify that the empty feeling started about 2 years before my ex-wife and I separated. I thought it was all about her and the deterioration of our marriage. I was wrong and I found that out just before the divorce was final. I realized that what was missing was a relationship with Christ. When I accepted Him into my life He filled that empty space that had been nagging me for several years.

Now, I don't know whether John Mayer is a Christian or not. What is obvious is that he knows or has, at least, known that feeling of something being missing. I'd tell him what I learned, He needs Jesus.

How about you? Do you feel like something is missing that you just can't put a finger on? Then call out to Jesus and ask Him to enter your life. He'll fill that emptiness and make you whole. Once you've done that then you can...

...enjoy the ride.

God bless,

Scott