Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Common Ground

I had someone come up to me tonight very upset.  It seems she feels like an outcast, someone that nobody likes.  She felt as if she has been trying to get friends, but that she really doesn't have any.  She participates in certain activities at school, thinking that the people there would be her friend.  The problem is... it didn't work.  Now she feels more alone than ever.

We often try to find common ground with certain people, hoping for a friend.  Sometimes, we even change ourselves to be like them.  You've seen the type.  They might dress "Goth" because all the goth people will be accept them.  Same with gangs.  It's all just a search for what we call common ground.  The friendships forged from common ground based on things that are insignificant, like dressing a certain way or acting a certain way, are never strong.  There is, however, something that certain people have in common that makes lasting friendships.  That something has a name: Jesus.

You see, there are many people in my life that under normal circumstances wouldn't really be a friend of mine.  We have nothing in common whether it be profession, family, interests.  But these people are my friends for life.  Why?  We have a common love for a Savior.  In the way that He loved us, we too are to love each other.  For those who go to church but seemed to have missed out on this simple premise, you might want to throw out your religion and embrace a relationship with Christ.  When that happens, the ultimate basis for common ground is met, and there will never be a need to feel alone.

To the girl that felt alone tonight, hold on to Jesus... there is no better friend.  In fact, He's such a good friend, that He will put other friends into your life as well.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

When God Comes Calling...

Sometimes we wonder why we can't ever figure out God's will.  You've heard people say, "I want to know God's will for my life."  They want to know what it is like when God comes calling.

Often times, these same people have already missed it.  God has already told us all several things that are ALWAYS His will for us.  These things include, praying in faith, spending time in His Word, and fellowship with other believers.  How is it that we expect God to tell us what He wants us to do in the future with our lives if we don't do the little things that He has already told us to do?

If we do those things that every disciple is called to do, then we can more easily wait for Him to give us more in His time.  The disciple that remains in Him (see John 15:5) will be given the tools to accomplish His tasks when He is ready for us to do it.

Don't expect God to trust you with the big things, if you drop the ball on the little things.

Then, when God comes calling, you will be ready.

Monday, September 8, 2008

New Happy List Suggestion

On a recent short trip with a few of the youth, a new Happy List entry presented itself.  It was one of the funniest moments in a long time.  So I had to write it down before I forgot about it.

Bring back as many old-school sayings as possible.  Use them frequently.  How tubular would it be if we did that?  It would be totally dope.