One Lump of Sugar or Two?

Colossians 4:5-6
"Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out."

I was chatting with my wife this morning about the Christians who fear loving people right where they are because they feel you shouldn't "sugarcoat" the gospel message, or "the truth" as they put it.

Do these quotes sound eerily familiar?
"The truth hurts", "people shouldn't be comfortable in their sin", "I am just telling them what they need to hear... because I love them"... I will stop there, but you get my drift!

These kinds of "Christians" forget that the NUMBER ONE command of the ONE we are supposed to represent and imitate: Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself..." I also like what Stephen Covey said, "Seek to understand rather then to be understood".

Yet one more quote: "Its God's job to judge, my job to love, and the Holy Spirits job to convict" - Billy Graham

Childish

James Dobson, Obama, McCain, President bush, Vote, Elections, BrackI recently heard about a "Christian" talk show personality who said that if the presidential candidate that he was supporting wasn't nominated to represent his political party in the presidential race... he would not vote for the first time in X amount of years.

How childish is that! It reminds me of when my kids were 2 and 3 years old and we'd serve some dinner and they'd pout and say they weren't going to eat it because it wasn't pizza.

I must admit I am amazed daily at the antics of the ultra conservative right-wing "Christians" all in the name of God.

It reminds me of all the actors who said they'd move to Canada if Bush became president. Guess what, Bush became president and these actors are still here making movies.

Honestly, it just makes them look nutty.

It's crazy really... you talk to 5 different "Christians" and they'll each have a different candidate that "God told them to vote for"... is God confused? Is God undecided? Does He not know the future? Is God democrat or republican? (Personally I think he may be Independent, but I don't know (I chuckle!))

Listen, I am passionate about some major "issues" facing our country as well... but let's remember that the Bible says in Psalms 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases..."

Let's make sure we pray that the right person will get in office, whether it's who we "supported" or not. I don't claim to be a spiritual giant, but I just have faith in God, no matter what that it will all work out for the good.

And part of that coming true means; 1) I must do my part (vote and pray), 2) God must do His part (He will)... then all I can do is trust!

Happy voting!

Learn

Here are 5 questions we should all ask when we hear a message:

1. What is God saying to me through this message?
2. How does my life measure up to what was taught?
3. What actions do I need to take to better my life?
4. What do I need to study further?
5. What truth can I share with those close to me?

In my last blog I explained that I have never heard a sermon, and I have heard a lot of them, that I haven't got something from it. Why? It's not because I am anything special, it's just I ask questions of myself about what I have heard. I take the sermon personal.

I very rarely think how the message I just heard can help someone else... okay, I do that a lot... but I also think how it can help me. Ha!

Deeper

In regards to spirituality, what does it mean to “go deeper”?

I am sure you, like me, have heard Christians say, “I want to go deeper”. And when I have asked them, “what do you mean, deeper?” They usually say something about “more praise and worship, or deeper bible teaching”. But when I pry more to find out what “deeper bible teaching” is, they really can’t tell me exactly. But if I continue to dig I find out - it is sometimes, that they come from a Charismatic background and want to see the “gifts of the spirit in operation”. (That’s a subject for another blog at a later time)

There are some teachers who teach verse by verse using greek and hebrew, or some, like me, teach from Old Testament and New Testament stories and pull the life lesson we learn from it, or what I like to call the “useable life applicable portion”… in other words, what does they bible mean for me today, in the 21st Century! Neither style is wrong, just different. I guess I honestly don’t care about the dimensions of Noah’s Ark; but what I do want to know is what I can learn from Noah’s life story… how his experiences relate to my experiences here and now.

I think we pastors must always be aware of those who are coming to our services… for us, we have all types; some long-time Christian, some non-believers, some new believers, and some anti-Christians (believe it or not).

For some Christians, church is all about them. They forget about all the “new believers or non-believers” who sit in a Sunday service soaking up every part of the service and it’s our (Christians) responsibility to serve them. Jesus, the most mature and spiritual believer who has ever walked the planet said, “He came to serve NOT BE SERVED”. He gave of Himself, which is what we should do as “mature” Christian … give of ourselves to help people who do not know Christ. I look at it like this; I have just one life to live here on earth, approx 90 -100 years worth, and I've got a job to do... when I get to heaven I will have eternity to "go deeper" and learn all the mysterious stuff of the Bible, but now... I am on a mission!

I have a heart and desire to grow as well as anyone who hungers for God… therefore I take responsibility for my growth and read. But can I just tell you, I haven’t heard a sermon, even after I had been to Bible College (and learned it all – ha), as simple as it may have been that I wasn’t challenged at some level. I am not living 100% perfect… therefore any sermon I hear challenges me in some area of my life to do better.

I think what we get from a message, is pretty much based on what kind of heart I have. If you have a teachable open, humble heart, you will receive so much from God, but if you have a prideful, religious, self-centered heart… not much can penetrate that.

Bible’s translation of “Deeper” – is a more committed relationship to Jesus Christ, which is a life committed to LOVING our neighbor as our selves! Going deeper should lead us to treating people with more love and respect. Deeper is being more like Jesus in every-way! Using your gifts to help other people is going deeper! Serving in the local church is going deeper. Going deeper is the responsibility of each believer!

Someday, when each of us stands before God to be judged for our lives He will not say, “So, Joe Smith, how did your church help you go deeper?” No, He will say something like, “Joe Smith, what did YOU do to grow spiritually, and how did you serve those around you?”
My opinion on the whole “deeper” thing is that it’s pointless to learn “new” deeper things in the bible until we are able to live the most basic and important of commands – LOVE!

Shalom!

An American Privilege

I heard about something that our Fox 4 has on their site... you answer some questions and it will match you to the candidate that best matches your thoughts and values... I found it to be an interesting tool.

http://wdaf.4wmt.com/cmm/

I want to encourage you - as a Christian and as an American to VOTE! Whether Republican or Democrat we have a responsibility to participate!

There is nothing worse than someone complaining about the “way things are, or the decisions being made” when they themselves didn’t cast a VOTE! I would say it borderlines ignorant, just to be honest. If you do not vote, that is your choice… and I have no problem with that, but please shut your yapper! I say that with all the love I can muster up. Ha!

I often am asked, “Timmy who are you voting for?” I will not say, but I will say that I probably am not going to vote for who you think I would vote for… but here is how I do make my decision:

1) Who do I trust has this countries best interest at heart
2) Who do I think can lead this country well (a strong leader)
3) Who has a good track record
4) Who has strong morals & Values (that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be a “Christian”)
5) Who will be able to make the changes necessary to make our country great
6) Who has an agenda (or vision) for doing good

I also have a distain for candidates who are arrogant and/or prideful… if they seem to want the office for power and prestige rather than to serve, then I will certainly not vote for them!

Lastly, I pray for God’s direction in this process!

What Women Need

MEMORY VERSE

Ephesians 5:33

“But each one of you must love his wife as he loves

himself, and a wife must respect her husband.”

1 Peter 3:7 “…husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” - ESV

What Every Wife Needs is LOVE!

1) CONNECTION.
2) SUPPORT.
3) FAMILY commitment.

CHALLENGE: Husbands, love your wives more this week then you did last week!

DIG DEEPER

HOW CAN I BETTER SHOW YOU LOVE?

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I AM DOING THAT YOU DO NOT LIKE?

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I AM DOING THAT YOU DO LIKE?

Frustration

John 14:1

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God”

With the economy like it is, or at least like they say it is… the housing market and on and on it goes…. Frustration can creep in! And our hearts can become troubled, or fearful.

I love the scripture above; it encourages me to put my trust right where it belongs. And right where it’s safe… in the arms of God! But its not always easy!

I experience frustration, often actually! And I have to remind myself to “Trust God”. I think frustration comes when you expect one thing and get another. At least for me this is often the cause… I want or expect X, then I bust my hind-end and get Y… frustrating!

This is when I personally ask the tough questions; am I expecting too much? Do I need to change? Does something else need to change? Do I just need to keep pressing on?

Then, we wait to hear from God! And guess what? He always speaks. Not auditable of course, at least I have never heard an audible voice, as much as I would dig that it hasn’t happened.

Listen… God is speaking!

Public Speaking

Listed at the top of most people’s list of “things they fear the most” is PUBLIC SPEAKING!

I remember being scared to get in front of people years ago, I obviously have gotten over it, and though there are times I get more nervous than others; speaking to an unfamiliar crowd and small crowds (10 – 15 people). I know, weird huh?

But for those of you who may have to FACE the FEAR of public speaking someday… a few helpful hints...

When preparing the material ask yourself the following 2 questions:

1) What ONE THING do I want them to KNOW?

2) What ONE THING do I want them to DO?


There are a million ways to build a talk; here is the format I use:

The Big Idea: The main thought of what I am trying to communicate.

Introduction: Tell em what I am going to tell em.

Message: Tell em!

Closing: Tell em what I just told em.

Challenge: Get em to DO what I just told em.

Then on the natural side I would say just do your due diligence to study the material, be secure in the message (content) and have faith that God will do His work. Pretty simple, I know!

Each week I prepare a talk and I only want what is best for the audience I am speaking to! Pure and simple. I do enjoy speaking, but if I can’t speak about something I truly feel will help people have a better life, forget it! Meaningless.

So, make sure you have a message you feel passionate about, and go for it!

Let me know how it goes.

Window to the Past

MEMORY VERSE:
Romans 8:28
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those
love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”

Introduction: Here are the notes from our Sunday service that concluded our DREAM series. In this series we talked about the DREAM, or VISION of Olathe Life Fellowship and also the dream of each individual person. Yes, YOUR DREAM! What is your dream? And I am not talking as it relates to your church... but your dream for your personal life here on earth?

When we were kids didn't we have dreams of what life could be, or should be? I did! I still do. Though I must admit sometimes I get so caught up in the day to day grind that I forget to DREAM.

One day I will die (hopefully not anytime soon!) and I will stand before God... and the nagging thought I have (that almost haunts me actually) is, "did I accomplish my purpose? Did I fulfill God's dream for my life? Did I do what I was created to do? Or, did I just survive?"

Maybe those thoughts don't ring in your head, but they do mine. I've got maybe 90, and if I'm really blessed 100 years to live here on earth... i want to make something of it! Don't you want to make something of you life? I hope so!

I could write for hours on this topic... it fascinates me.

1) Define our CORE VALUES.

Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”
Core Values help our AIM in life!

2) Spiritual GIFTS.

Romans 12:6 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” 1 Peter 4:10 says we “should use whatever gift (we) have received to serve others…”

3) Past EXPERIENCE.

CHALLENGE: Begin to explore your past experiences to determine your sweet spot…and then live your dream!

DIG DEEPER

EXPLORE YOUR CORE VALUES

What do you feel are your core values?

EXPLORE YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS

What do you have a passion to do, and enjoy doing?

EXPLORE YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES

What have you learned from your past?

How can you help others from what you’ve learned from your past?

Thinking about your past, is there anything unique that could be used to inspire others? (i.e. Death of a parent, death of a spouse, overcoming illness, overcoming addiction, etc.)

Living Your Dream

MEMORY VERSE:

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

1) Define our CORE VALUES

Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”

• Core Values help your AIM in life!

2) Spiritual GIFTS

Romans 12:6 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”

1 Peter 4:10 says we “should use whatever gift (we) have received to serve others…”

3) Past EXPERIENCES

CHALLENGE:

Begin to explore your sweet spot… and then take aim, and when you shoot you’ll hit your target.


GO DEEPER

EXPLORE YOUR CORE VALUES

What really angers me?

What really excites me?

What do you feel are your core values?

EXPLORE YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS

What do you have a passion to do, and enjoy doing?

What do you do that seems to have a significant impact on others?

What do you secretly believe you can do, but have never tried?

What is your dream?