Speak Boldly

The times when our kids speak out can be embarrassing. Once while standing near a man with an artificial limb, our youngest son asked him if he was a robot. Innocent I know but still. I feel sometimes we, as followers of Jesus, are a little embarrassed to talk about Jesus.

We’ll say things like, “I’ll just let my life be my witness.” While that’s an important part of following Jesus, our spoken words about His greatness are equally important. See, our behavior is born out of belief. We speak boldly about what we believe deeply. Case in point…

Peter and John are on the way to the Temple in Jerusalem in Acts 3 when they stop and heal a crippled beggar. Once he’s on his feet, they all three go into the Temple and a crowd gathers because they recognize the man who has been begging for years but he’s on his feet. Peter uses this opportunity to share the story of Jesus. He vocalizes the importance of knowing Jesus. It creates such a commotion, Peter and John are arrested and placed in jail overnight.

The next morning, the authorities begin to question Peter and John and admonish them to never speak in the Name of Jesus again. But Peter replies, “We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

As we live out and tell of the greatness of Jesus, there are four things I want to encourage you to do. Because I believe so deeply in Jesus, I can’t help but speak boldly to myself. Isaiah said in Isaiah 61:1, that “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and I have a message to tell.” You have the Spirit of God within you so use his strength to share the story of Jesus. Remind yourself that you are a “preacher” and didn’t know it.

Because I believe so deeply in Jesus, I can’t help but encourage you. We should be the most encouraging people on the planet. We have an incredible life in Jesus. He blessed us in so many ways. So be an encourager of people. Paul says in Galatians to not give up doing good. Everyday, look for ways you can share Jesus and encourage people on their journey.

Because I believe so deeply in Jesus, I can’t help but lovingly correct you. There are times that I believe God’s mandate so strongly that I must come along side and speak boldly. But speak the truth in love. Don’t be a jerk about it. Matthew 18 is where Jesus gives us the formula for helping people live a better life. Go one on one first. If that doesn’t work, then take a friend with you. If there is still no difference, take your observation to the shepherds at your church. Our goal is to encourage folks to come home, not “be right” and condescending.

Finally, because I believe so deeply, I can’t help but lead you toward Christ. That should be everyone of our goals. Peter and John knew that when they said they could not stop telling about what they know concerning Jesus. My guess would be if you don’t speak boldly, maybe it’s because you don’t believe deeply.

Use every opportunity to speak life into the people that cross your path everyday. I believe we have those chances everyday but make decisions to move past them. May the Holy Spirit give you courage to speak for and about Jesus. May your life be a light on the hill for those searching for a better way. May God guide your steps each time you leave the house. Blessings on the journey.

Be the Light.

My two sons and I were in Boy Scouts together when we lived in Kansas City. I was the troop chaplain and an assistant Scout master. One of the trips we took was to south Missouri to go caving. Once the tents were set up, we donned our hard hats, head lamps and gloves and journeyed into the darkness. Our lights were absolutely necessary in order to see our way around once inside. Without light, we couldn’t see the hand in front of our face. Having light showed us the path to walk. Without, we’d plunge into the water or down the slippery rocks. With the light, everything was illuminated.

Jesus calls us to be certain things as his disciples and followers. He does so at the front end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:13-16. Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Jesus’ audience knew the value of salt. Behind the sun and water, it was a most important commodity to survival. Some scholars believe that early Roman army personnel in remote posts were paid with salt. The Latin word, Salarium (salt money), is where we get our English word, “Salary”. You’ve heard the phrase, “He isn’t worth his salt.”

Today, a salt of the earth person is a really good person. Jesus is saying, “You were a bad person because of sin who has been transformed by a good God so now you will be an influencer for Jesus.” See salt preserves and purifies. Salt living also creates thirst. A dark world sees your life and Jesus and craves the good life you have. Salt living melts hard hearts. Like salt on top of ice while making ice cream, salt living melts difficult hearts.

Jesus is saying you can be that influencer who effects people who’ve been hurt by the world or religion or others.

But Jesus also calls us to let our light shine for others. In Jesus’ day, small clay pitchers were filled with oil then lit at the mouth of that pitcher to create a lamp. If it was windy, you might put a wicker basket over it so the flame would not be snuffed out. Inside the house though, you’d had several lamps around without any baskets over them so the whole house would be well lit.

Jesus is telling us disciples, don’t hide your light. Be light for a dark world. Don’t cover up your light as a follower. Let your light shine so that others living in darkness know where to go…where to step.

So in your office space, be the kind of employee who has great work ethic and who’s the kind of coworker others trust and go to for leadership. In your home, be the kind of house on your block that all the kids come to…the house all the other parents respect and trust with their kids. In your family, be the spiritual leader who is showing your kids how to pray and daily being in God’s Word. At your church, don’t just be a consumer, be a follower who is actively involved in serving others. In your neighborhood, be the neighbor is offering to help where ever you can.

Jesus called us to be salt and light. This world is full of darkness and so many are exhausted and tired of groping around in the darkness. Help others see the light of Jesus and the better way of living that is available to everyone who follows him. Blessings on your journey.

I am God's Masterpiece

I have had the privilege of visiting the Louvre in Paris, France. The museum is full of incredible pieces of art and at the end of the tour, you’ll be swimming because of so much visual stimulation. One of the pieces in the museum is the famous Mona Lisa by DeVinci. Currently, it’s worth $770 million. But did you know, God has designated you as worth more than that? God says you’re different, unique, priceless. You are created by the ultimate artist, God, to bring him glory and honor in your life.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:1-10, that each of us were living in darkness and sin before we proclaimed Jesus as our King and Savior. In Christ, we are brand new, clean, found righteous and in good standing with God. And our right-standing with God has nothing to do with what we’ve done…everything to do with what Jesus did. We are not saved by our good works but saved for good works.

Ultimately, you were created for the Master’s purpose. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 139 that God knew our story and all our days before one of them came to be. In all of history, you were the perfect person to be born right now to give God glory through your life.

I have used tools before incorrectly. For example, I’m up on a ladder with a cordless drill and I see a nail sticking out, I’ve incorrectly used the handle of the drill to hammer the nail in. That’s not what a drill is used for. In our life, sometimes we don’t know our purpose so we incorrectly use it by filling it with inappropriate sexual relationships or drugs and alcohol or being a workaholic. But you don’t ask the thing what’s its purpose is, you ask the one who created it. So, God reminds us that we exist to bring God glory and honor in our life.

God also reminds us through the Apostle Peter that we have everything we need to do everything God wants you to do (2 Peter 1:3). With you talents and giftedness, your life experience, your relationships, you have all the pieces need to get in sync with God’s purposes for you.

Finally, God uses everything in your life to bring about his purposes. Paul tells us in Romans 8:28, “…we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” “Everything” includes the good things and not so good things. It includes the things you wanted to happen and the things you never wanted to happen. In Christ, God works in all things to bring about his purposes if we remain in Christ and live to glorify him.

You may be saying, “I’m not good enough” but remember, He’s already said you’re a masterpiece. You may be saying, “I don’t like myself”. Then let God remake you. He’s the potter, you are the clay. You’re a masterpiece of God…his crowning love and joy. Once you know who you are, you’ll know exactly what to do. Blessings on the journey.

I am an Ambassador

At the White House, adjacent to the West Wing sits the Eisenhower EOB (Executive Office Building). In that building sits a chair. It’s the same chair the Ambassador from Japan sat in as he dictated a 14-part message about the breakdown of negotiations between Japan and America. At that very moment, Pearl Harbor was being bombed. He was the highest ranking representative from Japan and spoke for the emperor.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5, that we have a message from Christ. In deed, we are the message from Christ. The message is that in Christ, we are brand new. Through Christ, we have been reconciled back to God. Reconciliation means “restored to the Divine”…to take what’s broken spiritually and make it right. So, as followers and believers, we are ambassadors for Christ sent from Heaven to earth to proclaim this message. And when you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.

As an ambassador, you are not elected by people but chosen and appointed by God. See, it doesn’t matter what other people might think of you. God has chosen you, So many times, we let what others think of us dictate how engaged we are with presenting the message of Jesus. Our high school/university friends say, “I know who you are…I’ve seen the things you have done and said. You want to be a follower of Jesus?!” And the laughing begins.

But Jesus himself said in John 15, “You did not choose me. I chose you.” Even with our mess ups and poor life choices, Jesus still picked us to represent him on earth. We are called to be the message of Jesus to those around us.

Remember all the issues the Saul (who became the apostle Paul) did early in life? He was an up and coming Pharisee in Jerusalem. But in Acts, he was going to tear the church down. We are introduced to him as he holds the coats of the men who stoned Stephen to death in Acts. Then he’s on the way to Damascus to arrest other Jesus-followers when Jesus appears to him. Jesus tells him to go ahead to Damascus and wait for a guy named Ananias who will teach him, heal him and baptize him. Jesus tells Ananias, “I’ve chosen Paul (despite his previous actions) to be my spokesman.” And that’s exactly what he’s done for us…called us to follow and be an ambassador for him.

Equally, you never represent yourself but you always represent God. Knowing everything he was going to endure for our sake—humiliation, beating, crucifixion—Jesus said in John 6:38, “It is not my will but the will of the one who sent me.”

Jesus has sent you to be his ambassador. That’s a call to get out of your comfort zone and embrace those around you with the message of reconciliation. How many times have you been in the break room at work, or talking with your next door neighbor, or discussing something with the cashier at Wal-Mart and sensed something was not right? That’s the insight of the Holy Spirit reminding you in the moment to ask a question, pray over someone, put an arm around someone and remind them, Jesus is present and with them.

For those of us a little shy and unsure, remember what Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” We are empowered by the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead so go on…be brave…know you’ve been called to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ. You represent the King of kings and Lord of lords. Blessings on your journey.

I am a Disciple

I went to basic training in the Air Force in January 1989. When I arrived at Lackland AFB, I was green and not worth much to the military. But after weeks of training, the drill instructor had stripped away the “old Tim” and a new person graduated.

I many ways, that’s what Jesus does for us. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “…This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” When we follow Jesus, we are new disciples.

Now a disciple is a little different than a “Christian”. In our current culture, so many people call themselves Christians but have no fruit to show they are. When you are a disciple, well that goes a little stronger and deeper. Take when Jesus calls Matthew to follow him in Matthew 9:9-13. Jesus doesn’t say, “Come be a Christian.” Jesus says, “Come be my disciple.” The word Jesus uses is “Mathetes” in the original language. That word means pupil, student, follower, disciple. So Jesus is saying, “Come learn from me and do what I do.” It’s more than just a name, it’s a lifestyle change.

So when we hear the call of Jesus and begin following him, we are more than just Christians, we are disciples. When you know who you are, you will know what to do and how to live. You’ll be a person who lives like Jesus, talks like Jesus, treats others like Jesus did, and loves people like Jesus did.

As a disciple, you will find a need and meet it. It’s what Jesus did in his every day life on earth. In Matthew 19, he’s teaching in the town square when some parents approach with their kids. The disciples try to keep them away but Jesus stops teaching and calls the kids to him so he can bless them.

In the upper room during the last supper in John 13, after everyone has arrived for the festivities, Jesus notices no one remembered to get a servant there to wash people’s feet before dinner. So, despite his position, Jesus got down on his knees and washed the dirty feet of those who followed him.

After his resurrection, Jesus in seen on the beach of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples thought he was dead so they had gone back to doing what they knew to do: fish. They had been at it all night and dawn was breaking. Peter looks and notices Jesus standing beside a fire on the beach, jumps out of the boat and swims to Jesus. Jesus had done some so simple for his boys: built a warm fire and cooked breakfast for them.

If you are a follower, a disciple of Jesus then your life is no longer about you but about being like Jesus and serving those around you. At that last supper in John 13, Jesus reveals how the world will know you follow him. Jesus says, “By the way you love each other is how the world will know you are my disciples.”

There are some reading this that just need to keep doing what you are doing. You are living into the call to look like Jesus. Some of us have a foot in the water checking to see if you want to go in. It’s time right now to jump in with both feet. Some of us need to get off the sidelines. Your family needs you to participate in the call of God.

Together through the Spirit’s power, we can unite to be Jesus in our community, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. As Jesus’ disciples, we are called to look and act Jesus everyday. This year, right now, it’s time to wear the title “disciple” and be Jesus to those around you. Blessings on the journey.

A Thrill of Hope in the Wilderness

In the summer of 1986, my dad decided to take our family on their first ever vacation. He chose Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. We left Arkansas and finally arrived at Scenic, SD at which point dad announced he would take us in the back way, through the Badlands. Alone and on that gravel road, close to ten miles from any human being, a rock hit our gas tank and we were stranded in the wilderness. So, my brother and I walked through the Badlands back to Scenic where we called a wrecker to come get us.

My guess is you’ve had moments like that in life. Nothing seemed to go well. You felt isolated, alone, and no one knew your situation. We all felt like we were in a wilderness during COVID. Everyone did the best they could but it was a long time alone.

Maybe you’ve been asking questions like, “When do I no longer have to be alone”, “When will I finally get out of debt”, “When will I get a job”, “When will the cancer be gone”, “When will my child come home”. We’ve all had moments when it felt like we were stranded and we couldn’t see how we would ever move forward to a more positive space in our story.

We love the mountain top experiences with God. I mean, who doesn’t? But it’s interesting in the Bible, wilderness moments typically follow mountain top experiences. It happened to Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. He’s baptized by John and then hears the words of the Father, “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.” And right after that, Jesus is lead into the wilderness to tempted by Satan for 40 days and 40 nights.

Maybe you’ve had a bit smaller of a difficult time. Your relationship is great only to discover that person wasn’t being totally honest with you. You thought you had a rock solid marriage only to find out your spouse has been stepping out on you. You thought you were on the road to financial stability only to be laid off.

However, your deepest need becomes a gift when it drives you to depend an almighty God.

There’s a story in 1 Kings 19 about Elijah who runs away from a wicked queen. He runs to Mount Sinai and hides in a cave. The LORD appears to him to remind Elijah who he is and how God is with him, even in the wilderness. So God passes in front of the cave with Elijah standing there. There is a strong wind, an earthquake, a fire, but God isn’t in any of those extraordinary things. There’s finally an ordinary, every day whisper and that’s where God is. God asks Elijah in the whisper, “What are you doing here?”

And why does God whisper? It’s because He’s close…He’s near. He’s right there with you in your wilderness. So, what’s He saying to you? I will never forsake you. I will never leave you. I’ll hold you up with my strong right hand. I’ll stand by you. I will be light in your darkness. I love you more than you can imagine.

The Psalmist says in Psalms 34:17-18, “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” God is close to those who feel they are in a wilderness moment. But he whispers, “Hang on! I’m right here.”

You and I can trust God is Immanuel, “God with us”. He is with you and will never leave. He loves you more than anything. Blessings on the journey.

A Thrill of Hope in the Storm

This year, there were 18 named storms in the Atlantic/Gulf and 11 of those made American landfall. Of those 11, 4 were hurricane strength. On average every year in America, storms do $22.8 billion in damage. Storms are tough and they don’t care who gets hurt or the loss they create.

It’s true metaphorically in our lives as well. Storms are tough. Someone once said, “If you not coming out of a storm or in a storm, there’s one just around the corner waiting on you.” In other words, storms in our lives are inevitable. Some of you are in a storm right now.

For some, it’s going through a tough divorce. For another, it’s watching your adult children make poor life choices. Still others, it’s fighting through financial stress, especially this time of year. Others are hanging on through by their fingernails as they fight depression and anxiety. And of course, we all know older family members who are experiencing chronic and ongoing illness that affect our breathing, movement and heart. What do you do when you’re in the middle of the storm?

You never allow the presence of a storm to cause you to doubt the presence of God. He’s Immanuel (Matthew 1:23)…He is God with us.”

While we like to point to the Devil as the source of our issues (and overall that would be true), sometimes we have storms in our life just because of you. Sometimes there are storms because you spend too much money. You ran up the credit cards and took out a second mortgage and now those bills have come due. Your emotions got the best of you and you said some things during your fight to the one you love that can’t be taken back. You procrastinated. You decided to push off that budget meeting, that homework, studying for the final, buying Christmas gifts and now, it’s the eleventh hour. Everyone told you not to date him but you did anyone and now you are discovering why.

But sometimes, you’re in the storm and it’s really not your fault. Your parents are getting a divorce and as their child, you are stuck in the middle. The company you work for decided to do something different and now revenues are down so you find yourself out of a job. You trusted someone and took their word they’d come through. You did your part but they never showed up and now you are left holding the bag.

Paul knew disappointment. He writes Timothy in Ephesus in 2 Timothy 4:16-17 and reminds him that even when everyone left him and walked away, God stood with him. Because God is Immanuel, God with us.

There’s a popular story in Mark 4. Jesus and the disciples are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee at night when a massive storm comes up. These experienced fishermen thought they were going to drown. They thought life was over until Jesus stood up to calm the storm. With Jesus’ words, the sky cleared, the waves stopped and wind was gone. See, peace is not found in the absence of the storms but in the presence of Jesus. Jesus told John, “In this world, you will have trouble but take heart, I have overcome the world.”

See my faith isn’t about what I see but in what God says! My faith isn’t in a boat but who commands the wind and waves. My faith isn’t in a ship but the one who created the trees that built the ship. You can’t control how big the storm is in your life or the damage it may bring but you can control what you believe about Immanuel and recognize He is with you in your storm.

The Psalmist writes in Psalms 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” No matter the storm in my life, I am trusting God Almighty. He has told me He will never leave me. He walks with me. He’s already in tomorrow preparing a place for me. My peace is not in the absence of the storm but in the presence of my God. Blessings on the journey.

A Thrill of Hope in the Valley

Christmas is here and we all love this time of year. Family and friends exchanging gifts and well-wishes, it is a “feel good” time. While all of that is true for most of us, for some, it’s a tough time of year. I mean, we all love the mountain top experience with God but what about the valley moments? It’s difficult to sense God’s presence when you are in the valley of your story. Some of us are dealing with the finality of a divorce or the news you can’t get pregnant or the news that the cancer is back. Many of us deal with a dark moment in our story that’s relieved every December, usually the death of a loved one.

The thing is while we may enjoy God on the mountain, we get to know God intimately in the valley. Psalm 84:5-7 reveals pilgrims ascending up to Jerusalem through the Valley of Baca. Baca in Hebrew means “weeping, loss, tears”. See, in the valley, one has to deal with thorns, wild animals and bandits. The valley gives a picture of difficulty. But verse 5 reminds us, “What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord.”

Here in America, we idolize independence. We love saying the phrases, “I don’t need any help.” or “I can do this on my own.” But the text doesn’t say, “blessed are those who can pull themselves up by their own boot straps.” No…as Jesus-followers, we have access to supernatural power. For all who believe in the baby born and placed in a manger, there is bigger power that will get you through your valley.

One way to focus on getting through your valley is Paul’s reminders in Colossians 3:1-2 and Philippians 4:8. What you think about matters. So, according to Paul, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

So, your heart may be racing but your mind is on Jesus. Your soul may be aching but your mind is on our Savior. Your emotions may be many but your mind is on Immanuel (Matthew 1:23). Greater is the one in me than the one in the world. My God is going before me to prepare a place for me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am more than a conqueror. I may be in the valley but my mind is set on Jesus.

So this holiday season, you may find yourself working through a difficult relationship, health news that wasn’t that great, the loss of someone who meant so much to you, a dark cloud of depression or loneliness. Remember if you know Jesus, he’s with you in that valley. He’ll never leave you. He’ll always be with you. He is Immanuel, God is with us. Blessings on your journey.

Be Influential.

Almost every American has some type of social media platform. It may be Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X). We do our best to stay informed about who is doing what and we want the world to know what we are doing so we post. We hope our postings gain followers so that our influence will be felt. But whether or not you have a platform, you have influence.

You have no idea how one conversation, one word of encouragement or one expression of love can change someone’s life forever.

Jesus calls those that follow him a couple of things: salt and light in Matthew 5:13-16. Salt purifies, preserves and adds flavor. Light a match in a dark room and it illuminates. So, as people who believe, Jesus says you have influence. Each of us have a circle of influence in our lives. These are people you have access to and no one else does: family, friends, neighbors, coworkers. Jesus is reminding us that influence always starts with people, never a platform.

So, read the story of Jesus’ interaction with a woman who was not wanted or seen in her community. She was broken, messed up, divorced 5 times, shacking up with her boyfriend and a community outcast. Yet, Jesus interacted with her and in doing so, unlocked her ability to influence others for Jesus. That story can be found in John 4 and it’s a wonderful reminder to all of us, God only uses broken people in his story. You don’t need anything but Jesus.

By the end of the story in John 4, this woman that her community had kicked to the curb brought the entire village out to meet Jesus. And the story ends by saying many of them believed in Jesus as the Messiah before he left the village. It just goes to show you, no matter what you have done, no matter where you have been, Jesus can use you in his story.

This is a season of giving upon us. So it’s our opportunity to be Jesus to those around us and show them how Jesus can change their lives for the better. It’s a chance to be salt and light in your life. You don’t need 4000 followers to be an influencer, just focus on the one person standing right in front of you. Blessings on the journey.

Seek the Kingdom

Usually about an hour after I eat dinner, I’m back in the kitchen looking for something sweet. I look in the fridge, in the pantry and on the countertop, narrowing down the choices for my sweet tooth. But I’m looking because there something I don’t have. If I was satisfied, I wouldn’t be in the kitchen.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the Kingdom and live righteously and God will give you everything you need.” Notice he didn’t say everything you want. Jesus is calling us to seek the kingdom or look for kingdom living because he knows we don’t yet have it. We are missing something. We aren’t satisfied and we end up trying all kinds of things that aren’t good for us. Jesus knows exactly what we need to be satisfied: His Kingdom.

So, Paul calls us to imitate Jesus in life and character in Philippians 2:2-3. He calls us as followers to have the posture of Jesus. As followers and believers, we acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, the Chosen One, the Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Yet, Jesus left all that to be killed for you and me so we could be reunited with our Heavenly Father. See, Jesus posture preceded his position. And we are called to that kind of living as well. Seeking the right posture yields righteousness, not because of anything I’ve done but because of all that Jesus has done and is doing.

So if we are going to be formed into imitators of Jesus, there are some things we can do in our lives to be better molded to look like Jesus. There are four things to know that will help build a Jesus’ posture in your life.

Be a part of community. Robin and I have been married 33 years. I’m grateful for what we have. But since the first week of our marriage, people who are believers have pulled us in and walked with us on our journey. Randy and Robin in Minnesota, Larry and Cindy in Ponca City, John and Sharron who known us since the mid-90s. Being in community or part of a church faith group is paramount. That family of believers gathers around you and helps shape you into someone who looks more like Jesus. You can’t have Jesus without the church.

Secondly, giving your resources helps build a Jesus’ posture. When we talk about money and possessions, we tend to get uncomfortable…nervous. But 15% of Jesus’ preaching was about this subject. It’s clear we are to manage our resources and not them manage us. There is a principle Robin and I use called tithing; giving 10% of our income back to Jesus/the church. We want to do what we can so that other’s can hear the message of freedom…the message of Jesus. When you decide to give back, you’re saying, “God, I think you can do more with my 90% than I can with my 100%.” It’s trusting God will provide and I share the blessings I have recieved.

Jesus said he had come to serve not be served. That’s our third shaping characteristic. When we serve others, we look like Jesus. There are so many ways to serve in the context of a spiritual family but also ways to serve our country, city, and schools. The principle of Jesus in this vein is that others are more important than you, which is a breath of fresh air in our culture. Americanism claims you are number one and you are all that’s important. In Jesus’ upside down kingdom, putting others ahead of yourself is looking like Jesus.

Finally, living an authentic life is how we are called in Jesus. The biggest knock against the church is that we say one thing and do another. That’s called hypocrisy. David Kinnaman, president of Barna, wrote two informative books using data his company collected that measured culture and church. The world doesn’t want any part of the church because we tend to be hypocritical. Three of the six things Barna discovered where the church is judgmental, hypocritical, too political, and too sheltered. There were more findings but these would remind us of the need to be authentic: making our voices and lives mirror Jesus.

As believers, we want a life and story that match our declaration that Jesus is Lord and King. To call for us as believers as that we’d count the cost of following Jesus and sign up. That we would be the kind of people who have a life that looks like Jesus full of mercy, compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice, unconditional love. To help mold us better into that person make sure you are part of a community of believers, that you give freely of your resources, that you serve those around you and live an authentically real Jesus life. Blessings on the journey.