Month: August 2010

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More on Risktaking

I have been continuing to think about taking risks and I thought I would share one more thought about this before I jump in my jumpy way to some other topics.  I am sure I will return back to this, as it seems there is something risky about the life of a follower of Christ – although we have made it a place of safety. ( not saying there is not a lot of safety and peace in that life as well).

I was talking about risks with one of my friend Jolly Don, and the thing he mentioned about taking a risk was very simplistic.  He was like – “how about talking with your neighbor”.  Funny isn’t it.  We think risks may be packing up and moving to China for a year, which is an incredible thing  to do, and very important.  But maybe the riskiest place for us is next door, or in the next cube or the person at the market?  I dunno, I am sure I could be debated about this, but it seems to be the place to start.  And when our Savior was asked “what do I need to do to inherit eternal life?”.  He responded indirectly with two things in Luke 10:

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 ESV

Maybe this first risk to take is to love God with everything you have, don’t hold back, and love those you meet as you would love yourself. Simple or tall order? Either way there’s no better day then today to give it a try.

“Do this and you will live” – Jesus Luke 10:28

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Video Link

I think the email feed yesterday did not contain the link to the video.  Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA_uwWPE6lQ

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Daily Post

Risks

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the safe little environment that I live in.  Nice comfortable house, water coming from the faucets, a very nice place to work, good roads, internet connections, electricity, all those things that we come to expect, and things that don’t get me wrong are great blessings from God.  However, I think some times they all with the other aspects of life can make us complacent all the way around.

So I have been thinking about taking risks.  I don’t mean bungee jumping off the New River Bridge, or necessarily backing up and moving to the Sudan.  I am thinking about things closer to home that will force me out of what can become the comfort zone of life.  I am not sure what this means yet, but I think it may lead to a good thing. With those thoughts, I have two things to share today.  One is a video that I shared a few years ago with several of you from Francis Chan.  If you can’t see this on your work computer, as I know YouTube is blocked a lot, make sure you check this out at home.

The second is this guy named Ananias from the book of Acts.  God told him to go and see this bad dude named Saul who was persecuted those who followed the Christ, and he after a little bit of hesitation, went.  He took a risk and great things happened

10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9:10-18

What risks are sitting in front of you that you are hesitant to take.  Trust in God and see where he leads you.  Great things are ahead, if we dare!