If

The world would be different if…

Have you ever wondered what our world would look like IF everyone lived according to the way God has given us to live in the Bible? I often think about that … and then I am reminded that one day in Heaven it will be so, but until then we have this.

We sometimes complain or grip about “the way things are”, and it has a lot to do with us, our choices that further drive the commotion.

Just think IF… everyone loved perfectly. What would our relationships look like?

Just think IF … everyone helped others who were in need? Could we eradicate poverty all together?

Just think IF … everyone gave freely a portion of their income to the church community they belonged to. What could their local church community do to help others?

Just think IF … (fill in the blank)

Timmy, that’s impossible. Yes, I guess it is for now, but why not reach for that life … it’s a better life …. it’s the best life … it’s the life that Jesus calls us to.

So let’s start with you … what if YOU…? I think together we could change the world honestly!

Gap

All of us have a "gap" in our lives, somewhere ... where we want to be compared to where we are ... where we want our marriage and where it is ... where we want our financial situation to be and where it is ... where we want our spiritual lives to be and where it is, where our life is and where we want it to be ... on and on we could go, but you can fill in the blanks as it relates to your life.

The problem sometimes is that we are comfortable, though unhappy with where something is and where we want it to be, but nothing is motivating us to change ... so we stay unhappy right where we are ... why not change and close the gap?

So, what to do about it?

I think the first question to answer is; WHERE do I want my _______________ to be? Then, what would it take to get it there? Then you must put together a workable plan to get there, then start working the plan!

Unfortunately life doesn't just happen the way we want it always ... we've got to get our hands on the wheel!

Contribute

When I think of people, there are 2 types:

1) Those who contribute
2) Those who take.

I think we all go through times in life that are difficult and/or painful and we sit back and re-charge our batteries and we can’t (and maybe even shouldn’t) contribute for a time; though those times should be far-and-few-between though. In other words, those times should be “the exception not the rule”.

Challenge: Go through life making it better by giving, investing, sharing, loving … CONTRIBUTE!

Jesus said "I came to serve ... and to give my life..."

Economy

I sense in the hearts of people these days much fear as it relates to the present economy, and I want to just encourage you in the Lord with this scripture:

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

May God bless you richly and keep you as you follow Him!

Busy

The one nugget of truth that gives me comfort is that life flows in seasons. Sometimes life is busy, sometimes it’s not-so-busy. We just have to roll with it and maintain control.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

I believe we “maintain control” by controlling our schedule rather than letting it control us. If our schedule is taking us away from the things that are most important then it’s time to reevaluate what we are doing and make the necessary adjustments. Again, remembering that sometimes we just have to endure the busy season for a time… “this too shall pass”.

Bottom line: We should never be too busy for God!

Last Day on Earth

James 4:14 “You don't know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears.”

So, what if today is your last day on earth? Stay with me for just a second here.

For approximately 155,000 people today is their last day. And one day, maybe today, we will die too. Would you live your life any different if you knew today was it? Are there any people you’d call, places you’d go? Are there things you’ve left unsaid that you would now say? What would you do? Who or what would you want to see?

I think we would all have a few things we’d rush to say or do before we breathed our last breath … so why not now? Easier said then done I know, but why not? Maybe you can't fly to Paris today, but maybe you could go to Barnes and Noble and pick up a Tour Guide to Paris, or google "Paris" and see the sights via the internet.

I’ve always said that I do not want to live a life of regrets, “I wish I would have…” is not a phrase I want in my vocabulary.

So, wherever you are, at work, at home, sitting on the toilet reading this on your little Blackberry or iPhone … pause… and make a list of things you would do if today was your last day and make plans to do them.

Have a great day!

Superman

I just watched Superman Returns with my kids last night. I was struck by some of the storyline that I felt related to the Bible story; God sending His only son to save earth, and sacrificing Himself for all mankind.

Interesting how Louis Lane won the Pulitzer for her story “why the world doesn’t need Superman”, which is the view that too many people take in regards to a relationship with Christ. When in fact the world desperately needs Christ, just like in the movie the world did need Superman, and Louis in the end realized that truth.

I hope and pray that people will no longer just have a loose vague belief in God, but a true heartfelt understanding that a relationship with Chrsit is absolutely key to a fulfilled meaningful life here on earth.

There is a difference I am learning between people who simply have a “loose vague belief in God” and those who have a “healthy growing relationship with Christ”.

I hope my life reflects that I have a healthy relationship with Christ. What about you?

Confessions of a Pastor – 10 of 10

My Confession: That’s just it … you’ve got to confess!

The reality is that no matter how good of a Christian you are, or think you are, you sin (miss the mark, mess up, do the wrong thing, say the wrong thing or think the wrong thing).

Can I just vent here for a second? There is nothing more irritating than a holier-than-thou Christian who “thinks” they are so spiritual that they don’t even recognize their own sin because of their high minded religious spirit. We’ve all seen so called “mature Christians” who backstab, backbite and gossip all in the name of Jesus… what a shame and a disgrace to Christian community … this my friends is why un-churched people stay clear of church AND why so many people leave the church today … we Christians are so un-Christian! God help us all!

Okay, back to my little thought on; what to do when you sin:

1) REPENT of your wrong doing.
2) RECEIVE God’s forgiveness.
3) CONFESS to someone.
4) TURN from the bad behavior.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

It’s so important to repent of our sin, not just to God, but to those who were affected by our sin. I feel it is so important, if possible and if you can, to ask the person who you sinned against to forgive you (whether they do or not is between them and God, you just do your part). Then, if you have a sin you struggle with it’s always important to have someone you can confess to … what many people call an accountability partner. Of course we are only accountable as far as we are honest. Accountability partners often times are a joke, because we don’t tell them the truth, therefore it’s pointless. Also a true accountability partner is not just someone you can tell what you did bad so you can feel better for telling someone… they hopefully hold you accountable to turn from your bad behavior.

The best form of accountability is self- accountability! Then having 2 or 3 trusted friends who love God and love you to help you live the way you really want to live.

Much love!

Confessions of a Pastor – 9 of 10

My Confession: I want to do bad things!

I have had many pastors and parishioners, tell me that they so appreciate my candor and my courage to be so honest and open about my humanity. Can I just be honest here and say I do appreciate it, but I don’t look at it as courageous actually; it’s just me being honest with myself; which is where I think it starts. Maybe I should be more proud of it, but it’s just who I am … if I was any other way, then it wouldn’t be me.

People often ask me; “Timmy if you struggle like me, and want to do bad things, how do you keep from doing them?” Great question! I am not always 100% successful with this, but this is what keeps me from ruining my life.

There are a few things I have learned over my 30 plus years as a Christian:
1) I can feed the good in me or…
2) I can feed the bad in me…

...by what I look at, read, listen to, watch, and hear, what I do, where I go and who I go with will either feed and encourage good behavior or feed and encourage bad behavior.

A third thing I have learned is that you can not have secrets! I heard a message from Ted Haggard about this very subject, but apparently he did not practice what he preached. Very unfortunate! Seriously, I can see how this can be difficult, but it can be done if you surround yourself with the right people! This is key!

There have been times in my life I have had secrets, and it’s easy to convince yourself to keep them secret and they slowly eat away at you until one day they will eat you up. At this point in my life, and I hope its forever, I have no secrets. My wife along with three close friends know everything there is to know about me, my weaknesses, my strengths, my struggles, my victories, my fears, my inner desires, and my temptations.

I can not stress this enough … do not have dark places in your life, they will one day destroy you.

Confessions of a Pastor – 8 of 10

My Confession: I do not feel successful a lot of times!

Earl Nightingale said that “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal” (or worth while goal). I like that. If you are doing the things that are moving you toward the attainment of your goal today, then you are “successful” even if you are not where you’d like to be yet.

I guess the reason I love that definition is because I am moving in the right direction, but definitely have not reached the desired goal, yet.

I’ve also had a good friend tell me years ago just after graduating Bible College, “Timmy enjoy the journey, and then each day on your way is a success”. I need to remind myself of that every day as of late.

So, no matter where or what you are … have a plan and head in that general direction and each day you will be closer to your goal.