This post is from Jeff Benson (Facility Manager)
What separates us Christians from non-believers? If you are only looking at the exterior of many people, probably not a lot.
Look at how so many of us live our nice and cozy safe lives, just like our non-believing neighbors. Now I do understand that we live in a country of peace and safety and I truly thank God for that privilege. With that understood, how do others identify us as Christians?
In Chapter 6, Mark Batterson states “There are basically two approaches to life: playing to win and playing not to lose….too many of us are tentatively playing the game of life as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death”.
Everyday (most times) I thank God for all I have, including family, health and daily bread. But even most of the unbelievers have these things as well. We are suppose to be the light of the world, right, yet we live our lives at a dull 40watts, just like our non-saved neighbors.
Chapter six directly addresses that the Holy Spirit desires to crank up the wattage in our lives. Let’s be 1000watt bulbs that shine throughout our community.
If you’re like me, I read a book like this, get all pumped up having visions of selling my possessions, quitting my job, packing up the family and sailing around the globe spreading God’s word. Then after a few days my ‘reality’ sets back in and I actually feel worse because I’m still living exactly as I did before. In appearance, it’s living life all or nothing, or is it? How about instead, let’s turn up the wattage in our lives bit by bit. You want to try something really radical and crazy. I mean this is adrenaline packed, sweaty palms type of living. Try spending ten minutes today introducing yourself to a neighbor and tell them what Jesus has done for you. Wow, crazy high octane living! These are the small type of Butterfly Effect moments that help prepare us for the next more challenging opportunity. It allows living a content happy life today and yet shows God we are willing vessels for tomorrow’s new adventure.
May God bless you richly,
Jeffrey Benson
Life's Uncertainties
Monday, July 20, 2009
This post is from Dave McCormack
The main theme of Chapter 5 of Mark Batterson’s book In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day revolves around uncertainty, and the inescapable fact that life is filled with it. I truly believe that God has a plan for my life. What I don’t know is what that plan is and when God will change my direction to accomplish His plan. Enter the element of surprise (and hence, uncertainty).
Life would be so easy if I knew what/when every occurrence would happen for the rest of my life. I would feel safe and secure. On the other hand, that would make life rather boring. The element of surprise adds a little “zip”. Personally, I look forward to a little uncertainty, as long as I don’t forget that “…God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). Maybe that makes me a lion chaser (amateur status).
On page 88, Mark says “…the greatest moments in life are unscripted. They are unrehearsed and unplanned and unpredictable, and that is precisely what makes them unforgettable.” Looking back, the most significant events that drastically changed my life are the ones most easily remembered. I went from living in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Virginia, Minnesota because God gave me a change in jobs. Upon arriving in Virginia, my first thought was “What am I doing here?” I didn’t know anyone, so I was starting over completely from square one. I never dreamed God would use that circumstance to further my career, meet my future wife, and bring me closer to Him. I even became a Board Member at my church. Go figure!
Chapter 5 made me take stock of my life and I realized that the uncertainties (and resulting outcomes) prove that God exists and that He is definitely on my side. The events that have taken place could never have happened by random chance. They had to be carefully orchestrated by design. My faith has increased tremendously because of this realization. On page 89, Mark Batterson says “Faith is embracing the uncertainties of life. It is chasing the lions that cross our paths. It is recognizing a divine appointment when you see one.” Thank God for life’s uncertainties.
Mark Batterson sums up this chapter on page 89 by saying “Embrace relational uncertainty. It’s called romance. Embrace spiritual uncertainty. It’s called mystery. Embrace occupational uncertainty. It’s called destiny. Embrace emotional uncertainty. It’s called joy. Embrace intellectual uncertainty. It’s called revelation.” If I can discipline myself to embrace uncertainty like Mark outlines in the above statements, I know that I will truly live life the way that God intended for me to.
Dave McCormack
The main theme of Chapter 5 of Mark Batterson’s book In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day revolves around uncertainty, and the inescapable fact that life is filled with it. I truly believe that God has a plan for my life. What I don’t know is what that plan is and when God will change my direction to accomplish His plan. Enter the element of surprise (and hence, uncertainty).
Life would be so easy if I knew what/when every occurrence would happen for the rest of my life. I would feel safe and secure. On the other hand, that would make life rather boring. The element of surprise adds a little “zip”. Personally, I look forward to a little uncertainty, as long as I don’t forget that “…God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). Maybe that makes me a lion chaser (amateur status).
On page 88, Mark says “…the greatest moments in life are unscripted. They are unrehearsed and unplanned and unpredictable, and that is precisely what makes them unforgettable.” Looking back, the most significant events that drastically changed my life are the ones most easily remembered. I went from living in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Virginia, Minnesota because God gave me a change in jobs. Upon arriving in Virginia, my first thought was “What am I doing here?” I didn’t know anyone, so I was starting over completely from square one. I never dreamed God would use that circumstance to further my career, meet my future wife, and bring me closer to Him. I even became a Board Member at my church. Go figure!
Chapter 5 made me take stock of my life and I realized that the uncertainties (and resulting outcomes) prove that God exists and that He is definitely on my side. The events that have taken place could never have happened by random chance. They had to be carefully orchestrated by design. My faith has increased tremendously because of this realization. On page 89, Mark Batterson says “Faith is embracing the uncertainties of life. It is chasing the lions that cross our paths. It is recognizing a divine appointment when you see one.” Thank God for life’s uncertainties.
Mark Batterson sums up this chapter on page 89 by saying “Embrace relational uncertainty. It’s called romance. Embrace spiritual uncertainty. It’s called mystery. Embrace occupational uncertainty. It’s called destiny. Embrace emotional uncertainty. It’s called joy. Embrace intellectual uncertainty. It’s called revelation.” If I can discipline myself to embrace uncertainty like Mark outlines in the above statements, I know that I will truly live life the way that God intended for me to.
Dave McCormack
Learning To Worship
Monday, July 13, 2009
This post is from our secretary Elaine Bray
This book has spoken volumes to me. I am going through it for the third time. Some things that stood out in chapter 4 was what Batterson wrote on page 67. "Reframing problems is about shifting focus. You stop focusing on what's wrong with your circumstances. And you start focusing on what's right with God." That grabbed my attention since I was focusing on a number of circumstances in my own family; over which I had no control. They seemed to be taking a downward spiral and I could do nothing to fix the problems. Batterson went on to talk about Paul and Silas and how they could have zoomed in and complained about their circumstance. After all, they were on a missions journey and they had cast out a demon. Was this what they got? But they chose to worship God in spite of their external circumstances. In my won circumstance, nothing much has changed, but I have a peace. I can worship forgetting about what's wrong in my family and remember what's right with God. Like Batterson said at the bottom of page 67. "Nothing is more difficult than praising God when nothing seems to be going right. But one of the purest forms of worship is praising God even when you don't feel like it, because it proves that your worship isn't circumstantial."
Elaine Bray
Taking On A New View
Monday, July 6, 2009
This post is from one of our Board Members, Byron Niemi
God knew chapter 4 was where my greatest life testimony other than my salvation was scattered among the pages, meant to be read, reviewed and shared with a reframed mind.
At the age of 37 my priorities in life were out of balance. Over commitment in the church, not fully counting the human cost of building a new home, long hours at work and not being able to say no to requests for help, I spiraled into fatigue, depression, despair and bewilderment. Afraid to share my plight because of my pride, I became mired in a pit facing the life sucking tentacles of the enemy.
What God allowed me to go through over the course of 6 years brought me to a new appreciation of my family, my work, time, my (His) church and God Himself. One of the most difficult things I experienced was when God started to show me who I was. God began to renew and reframe my mind and open my eyes to many spiritual realities. Page 64 sums up most of what was happening to me. I was looking for a scapegoat, someone or some circumstance to blame for all my problems. My problem however, was one of wrong perspective and that began to change as I viewed life in His expanding light toward me. The turnaround accelerated when I began to worship God more than just on Sunday and began giving Him thanks in all things, even my troubles (P. 65-70). The patience and time God took with me helped me survive and find the real born again life to live. He is why I am here to honor Him today.
Byron Niemi
God knew chapter 4 was where my greatest life testimony other than my salvation was scattered among the pages, meant to be read, reviewed and shared with a reframed mind.
At the age of 37 my priorities in life were out of balance. Over commitment in the church, not fully counting the human cost of building a new home, long hours at work and not being able to say no to requests for help, I spiraled into fatigue, depression, despair and bewilderment. Afraid to share my plight because of my pride, I became mired in a pit facing the life sucking tentacles of the enemy.
What God allowed me to go through over the course of 6 years brought me to a new appreciation of my family, my work, time, my (His) church and God Himself. One of the most difficult things I experienced was when God started to show me who I was. God began to renew and reframe my mind and open my eyes to many spiritual realities. Page 64 sums up most of what was happening to me. I was looking for a scapegoat, someone or some circumstance to blame for all my problems. My problem however, was one of wrong perspective and that began to change as I viewed life in His expanding light toward me. The turnaround accelerated when I began to worship God more than just on Sunday and began giving Him thanks in all things, even my troubles (P. 65-70). The patience and time God took with me helped me survive and find the real born again life to live. He is why I am here to honor Him today.
Byron Niemi
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