Daily Buffet

Here’s a follow-up to my post last week about how we should pay attention to this whole ISIS thing. The interest is not from a war mongering perspective, but from a “wow, people are hurting, and as a follower of Christ that interests me” perspective. Take some time to listen to this conversation with Jeremy Courtney of Preemptive Love in a recent Relevant Podcast.  This guy lives in Iraq, reaching out to people there, sharing and helping them with their needs. He talks a lot about the reality of ISIS and what it means to Christians and non Christians in the region. He also makes some great points about how we can live our lives here in a way that can help with things going on there and how that helps with things here.

Really, take the time and listen, and hear some Lecrae as well.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 (NASB)

Did y’all see this story about the couple in Iowa who gave a large tip to an overworked waiter?  That’s pretty cool.  I don’t know anything about this couple, except that they have just provided a great example about how to put others in front of yourself and how to consider those around you as more important than yourself.  But seriously, we’ve all been there, and it is so easy to look inward and wonder why we are not getting good service.  Sure, you are going out, so you deserve it right?  Well, spend a little time thinking about the impact that a gesture like this makes on those around you.

And think about how the Christ sort of said that he expects those who follow him to act that way.  What would it be like if this story was not extraordinary, but ordinary, because those who wear his name realize that this was what we were put here to do!

yeah.. Let’s be Awesome

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

1,440 minutes today. That’s all you’re getting. Make ’em count.

teach us to keep account of our days so we may develop inner wisdom. Ps 90:12

Following up on yesterday’s post about Abraham and his belief.  It’s interesting to me that the Christ had these things to say about belief:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11

Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37-38

Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. ⁴⁵ The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. ⁴⁶ I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.  John 12:44-46

Just somethings to think about on this Friday.

I have been working hard lately on the concept of trust.  The whole idea of letting go of your own wishes and letting the Lord’s timing, style and approach take over.   It seems to be one of the essentials aspects of being a following of the Christ and the Creator. But it is such a hard discipline to conquer.

Yesterday, I was listening to Andy Stanley’s excellent podcast “Your Move”.  This week he was talking about Abraham, and the fundamental aspect of our faith that was highlighted in God’s conversations with Abraham.  This item right here:

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Abram believed.  That’s all.

And for that he was reckoned or counted as righteous.

That’s all.

Hmm.