Joy, Simplicity, and Mercy

I have been blessed over the past few weeks to meet early Thursday mornings with a small group of men. We share breakfast, pray together, and explore ways to use spiritual practices to deepen our relationships with God. We're encouraging one another in discipleship. Thursday is my day off. I used to sleep in. But the benefit of those relationships far outweigh a little (albeit, much needed) beauty sleep.

In exploring the practice of fixed-hour prayer, often titled "The Daily Office", I came across a prayer that asked this of God:

"Keep us in the spirit of joy and simplicity and mercy."

I've been pondering these three virtues or qualities today. Joy and simplicity and mercy. How would my life be different if I became very intentional about practicing joy and simplicity and mercy every day? How would those things impact my family? My neighbors? My church? The world?

When you think about "joy and simplicity and mercy" what comes to mind? How would your life be different if you committed more to these three qualities every day?

I Will Go First

I'm always reminded this time of year of one of God's great promises: you can have a new start.

For me, that's the beauty of changing the calendar from the old year to the new year. I believe it is a true gift from God. With the new year here, we all have the same opportunity to begin anew with our Lord.

You remember God's people were given the same opportunity? After such a long time of wondering in the desert, it was time to fulfill the promise of God and cross into the promised land. An entire generation had known nothing but the desert and they stood at the edge of the Jordan river waiting to cross into the new. (Joshua 3)

God gave a very specific order to the people: I will go first and you will follow me.

How often do we take that idea into a new year? Will 2009 be walked first by God or by you? Will this year be different, not because of what you want how you will do things but because of how you allow God to be apart of you?

We stand at the edge of a river. We stand ready for a new year to come, to say goodbye to the old and look forward to the year that awaits. Challenges will come. Joys will follow. Tears will be shed. Hugs will be shared. But, what will be different for you as you, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you"?

Extra Touch

Last night I had the opportunity to join 36 of our teens and 80 other teens across the area at our Arlington Area Extra Touch. This night is dedicated to following up with home owners from last summer's Arlington Work Camp. We get in groups and deliver Christmas baskets to them and spend time talking, singing and praying with them as well. It truly is an extra touch.

We had over a 100 teens take an evening and decide they were going to do something special. Not big. Not overwhelming. Not earth shattering for most people. Simply special. They wanted to add an extra touch to a family that may not get anything special at Christmas.

Isn't that amazing? The light of Christ was truly bright last night in our community. And as I told our teens last night, being the "light" of Christ (at least for me) is the hardest challenge of anything Christ says in the Gospels. It's difficult and seemingly impossible. When you think about the darkness of this world, the priority that evil has in our culture and the strong hold that corruption has, being that simple light is no easy task. Yet, we are called to it and regardless of what is around us and who may attack us we are called to shine and be bright. Amazing.

Simply joining with others and getting in a van and going to a home and delivering a basket to say "Merry Christmas" is being that light. It's living that Godly decree and standing in the darkness around us. It's amazing and bright because those homes with those families were touched. They were personally shown the love of our loving Savior. They experienced the embracing arms of our God.

The challenge however, is to continue being that light beyond a special evening like last night or simply, beyond a Sunday. Christ didn't stand on the side of a mountain and speak to the masses and ask them to be light when convenient or only on the first day of the week. Doesn't sound like him. He called us into action and into a life that is different, holy, pleasing, outstanding and Godly. So, the big question is how will you be that light at 7am? In staff meeting? At lunch? At the gym? How will the darkness know that you belong to the loving Christ? How people know that you give that extra touch everyday?

The Million Dollar Word

Its a word that I've come to value (and use) quite a bit over the past few years of ministry. Its a word that applies to every area of our lives as individuals and as a church family. This word has power to change the way we live and to make visions of the future become tangible realities. I'm hearing this word more and more, as in this post from another blog I subscribe to:

"I’m learning if you don’t put some intentionality behind your actions, you really will be less effective, less healthy, and way more stressed out."

Did you catch it? Its the same word that Ryan used in his message Sunday morning--intentionality.

OK, I don't know that 'intentionality' can be classified as a "million dollar word" (perhpas its only worth the two bucks Ryan tossed on the carpet Sunday morning), but I do know that the only way we can accomplish anything in life is through intentionality. Its true in our relationships, our careers, our health, and our walk with God. If you want to be more romantic, increase your endurance, raise your GPA, boost your marketability, develop a servant lifestyle, or live with compassion and generosity, you must become intentional about these things. And the things we are intentional about have a funny way of revealing our priorities in life.

So, as we look toward a new year, consider this question, "What things will you be intentional about in 2009?"

Coming Soon...

I love the previews before a movie. They are fun. Not knowing what the movie is entirely about. Getting a glimpse at the story. I think that is what makes it a fun part for the whole movie experience.

Well, think of this as a movie trailer....

Coming early December 2008. A new place. A new home. A new look.

PleasantRidgeChurch.org is ALL NEW with a new look and new features coming early December.

Get ready!

Henry the VIII...I'm Not

I thought Ryan's Sunday night message was great (perhaps Travis will post it on the website soon?). =) There are so many ways to apply the point that the subsequent "verses" of our lives are not the same as the first. Whether its our relationships, our jobs, our spiritual lives, or our church, we cannot continue to do things throughout the years as we have done them in the beginning. Change is happening all around us. The future is not in full view. And to be "successful" with what God has entrusted to us, we must constantly adapt--we must do things differently.

So, as 2008 comes to a close and you look toward 2009, let me encourage you to consider what "verse" you're playing in the various engagements of your life. Ask yourself: What things need to be looked at, handled, or done differently? Remember, the second (or third or fourth...) verse is NOT the same as the first.

Replace an Attitude of Complaining...

Have you ever thought about your attitude taking away from your relationship with God? Yeah, I asked about your attitude. The attitude you carry, I believe, can be a barrier, a block and problem with your relationship with God.

For the next several weeks, Peak of the Week will be looking at our attitudes. What attitudes are we carrying and how are they interfering with us and God? I hope you can join us Wednesday evenings in the auditorium at 7pm for our mid-week praise devotional.

One attitude that we are good at is the attitude of complaining. Gotcha ya? Man, this is a tough one because WE ARE SOOOO GOOD AT COMPLAINING! Right? I mean, there are TV channels dedicated to complaining. There are magazines that do nothing but complain. There are reporters in new papers who make a living off of complaining. And there are people who see there spiritual gift as one of complaining! This attitude does nothing, zero, zilch, nadda for our relationship with the Lord.

In fact, this attitude, I believe, takes us out of relationship with Him. Remember this: God does not answer complaints.

When God's people are being led by Moses from the land of slavery, they reach the Red Sea. They are stuck at an ocean with the Egyptian army coming for them. God's people begin to complain. Moses goes to prayer for God's guidance.

When God's people are wandering in the desert, they get hungry and thirsty. They are tired people who are uncomfortable. God's people begin to complain. Moses goes to prayer for God's help.

God doesn't answer the complaints of His people. Why? Complaining is un-holy. But lifting the situation, the circumstance and your feelings to God in prayer draws you closer to Him. He can hear you and more importantly YOU CAN HEAR HIM.

Complaining is natural and so easy. But, that does not make it healthy. Just because you are good at it, does not mean you should. When we complain we are taking everything in our own hands and driving an attitude of selfishness. We go to God and express ourselves to him through prayer, we are allowing God to drive.

Join us on Wednesdays this month as we explore other attitudes that we must replace.