Monday, June 23, 2008
growth, labels, and biking across the path
Greetings from the intellectually curious! Another interesting LIFE group at church this week...one of two I will be attending as we study the mind of willow creek pastor Bill Hybels. For those of you needing more on what that amazing (and HUGE) ministry is all about...http://www.willowcreek.org/MiniSite/default.asp
Anyhoo...I have seen alot of growth in people throughout my 3-plus year tenure at Journey...and of course...also some "relapsing"...but I won't discuss any of that in this blog...because it is simply counterproductive to do so. It happens...we love and discuss...and we move on. Ever since I have fallen in love with following the teachings of Jesus Christ, and have come to falling in love with him as my savior...I have remained mindful of how I must let others work out their struggles(yes, I did say "remained"...because I always have carried that attitude, and have only begun to see the enemy trying to break me out of that mold since baptism)...and if the occasion arises...which it rarely has, to be honest...I put my two cents worth in.
I have recently prayed for people who are getting ready to accept christ as their personal savior this July 4th. I can admit I am very afraid for them, having gone through alot of months of struggling with how I want to be a disciple of Jesus...and feeling those taps on the shoulder from the enemy every once in a while to go back inside my shell. I am very grateful for the continued support and love of longtime brothers and sisters, and even more so, now that I have moved back to a spot I want to be at...amongst them and helping extend my time further towards the cause of bringing others to know Jesus.
A church sister brought up a thought I have been going over in my head and heart today. The thought of how we "label" others we first meet in our lives. This thought was expounded upon by others at LIFE group as well, and to some extent...regarding a buddy of Pastor Hybels...who after 7 or 8 long years of friendship...finally said he was "good to go" and become baptized(hilarious...you can see more of what the series is about at http://www.justwalkacrosstheroom.com/faqs.aspx )
I testified at LIFE group that I have been surprised by MANY people at my church as they have grown and came to know christ...and like many others...am excited to see where christ might bring seekers. It truly has lit a fire under my butt to continue extending myself beyond "the comfort zone" of laying back and watching life go by and NOT helping others. I know that I am commanded to help others by Jesus. There is one person inparticular that really helps me, because she has shared her story before and will do so again soon...so I know better who she is and what she is about and can't label her anymore as this grumpy curmudgeon when she first started to come to church...and it is the most awesome thing in the world to see that change happen with not only her...but many others.
Another good friend of mine emphasized to some extent what a video clip at church of a golf outing between friends...one a church goer, another not...showed...
We were biking together and meeting others along the path coming the opposite direction. A simple little "hello" to each person...especially if you might get a routine of time each day going, and they happen to go along a similar timeframe and path...that simple little "Hi" each time may just open something up...you never know with the lord! Now...how about a crazy story recently of the game of baseball for you that I caught this week. Have a good one!...Happy to be back in Rochester!
In Addition, here is a link to a site that has the "official" switch pitcher rule put in place in the wake of this...
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/03/the-switch-pitcher-rule-change/
Anyhoo...I have seen alot of growth in people throughout my 3-plus year tenure at Journey...and of course...also some "relapsing"...but I won't discuss any of that in this blog...because it is simply counterproductive to do so. It happens...we love and discuss...and we move on. Ever since I have fallen in love with following the teachings of Jesus Christ, and have come to falling in love with him as my savior...I have remained mindful of how I must let others work out their struggles(yes, I did say "remained"...because I always have carried that attitude, and have only begun to see the enemy trying to break me out of that mold since baptism)...and if the occasion arises...which it rarely has, to be honest...I put my two cents worth in.
I have recently prayed for people who are getting ready to accept christ as their personal savior this July 4th. I can admit I am very afraid for them, having gone through alot of months of struggling with how I want to be a disciple of Jesus...and feeling those taps on the shoulder from the enemy every once in a while to go back inside my shell. I am very grateful for the continued support and love of longtime brothers and sisters, and even more so, now that I have moved back to a spot I want to be at...amongst them and helping extend my time further towards the cause of bringing others to know Jesus.
A church sister brought up a thought I have been going over in my head and heart today. The thought of how we "label" others we first meet in our lives. This thought was expounded upon by others at LIFE group as well, and to some extent...regarding a buddy of Pastor Hybels...who after 7 or 8 long years of friendship...finally said he was "good to go" and become baptized(hilarious...you can see more of what the series is about at http://www.justwalkacrosstheroom.com/faqs.aspx )
I testified at LIFE group that I have been surprised by MANY people at my church as they have grown and came to know christ...and like many others...am excited to see where christ might bring seekers. It truly has lit a fire under my butt to continue extending myself beyond "the comfort zone" of laying back and watching life go by and NOT helping others. I know that I am commanded to help others by Jesus. There is one person inparticular that really helps me, because she has shared her story before and will do so again soon...so I know better who she is and what she is about and can't label her anymore as this grumpy curmudgeon when she first started to come to church...and it is the most awesome thing in the world to see that change happen with not only her...but many others.
Another good friend of mine emphasized to some extent what a video clip at church of a golf outing between friends...one a church goer, another not...showed...
We were biking together and meeting others along the path coming the opposite direction. A simple little "hello" to each person...especially if you might get a routine of time each day going, and they happen to go along a similar timeframe and path...that simple little "Hi" each time may just open something up...you never know with the lord! Now...how about a crazy story recently of the game of baseball for you that I caught this week. Have a good one!...Happy to be back in Rochester!
In Addition, here is a link to a site that has the "official" switch pitcher rule put in place in the wake of this...
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/07/03/the-switch-pitcher-rule-change/
