Window of Opportunity

In a well delivered message there is always "bullet points," points that hit straight to the heart, straight to the marrow of your very being. But along with those messages are additives that give the message more body, make it more pallative. But sometimes those "additives" are more profound than the "bullet" itself. Tim's message was right to the heart this morning, a message that was so right on with how Gods moving today. But even more profound was the "window of opportunity" that we have been given..... in such a time as this. We can watch the world around us as it falls apart but as Tim said this morning, this IS the TIME for the CHURCH. How will they see us respond, how will they see us live differently. Will they begin to look for a greater hope than the economy, then the goverment, than their jobs. Where will they look? If we aren't living our lives daily with that hope.....why would they want too. Hebrews 6:7 says "Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed." In the end it will be burned. "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."
The world know thorns.....and thistles, but do they know the fruits of our labor...joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22) What could 400 people do in a town of 9,000? Four hundred people consciously living out the hope...... could bring a whole community to Christ. And begin to change the way we know life. What will we as Christ followers do with this window of opportunity......
What kind of harvest will we see from the rain of opportunity this year?

Where do we go from here....

Thats seems to be a good question in the world that we live today. All you have to do is listen to the news, open the newspaper or go to your local store. Is it just me or are we an "all about me" society. As I attempt to walk through the store I find myself just attempting to steer myself out of everyone's way. When did we become such a burden to one another, when did it become more important for us to get to the milk isle NOW, then to say, go ahead you first. I opened the door for an older couple today, they looked at me like I had lost my mind.....not in a bad way, but a way that clearly said to me...that nobody does that anymore. Then I wonder why our world is spiraling out of control. Perhaps it is because we have forgotten our purpose. It made me think of Paul saying in Romans that WE have been called, according to HIS purpose......and might I add FOR His purpose. When did we make it about our purpose? Do they see Jesus in us when we perform the small but simple task of opening a door, sending a card, cooking a meal....for the least of these. Let me remind us all that there are alot of "the least of these" out there today. They are not the poor as we would like to think....they are people just like you and me...but yet different. They don't know the hope to which we are called. Don't you think they wonder when someone does a kind act.....what or WHO was behind that act. PEOPLE, its time for us as Christ followers to shake the boat, rattle the waters and make some noise...some joyful noise, heaven knows the non-believers are making enough for all of us. What will people see when they see you.....hopefully not YOU. So where do we go......somewhere where very few go today....we show the world there is a better way, there is a world that's not about me.....and its glorious.

What time is it really?....

On our drive home from N Carolina today...I happened to fall asleep somewhere along the way as we crossed from one time zone into the next. As we sat down for breakfast I asked Bill what time is it anyway? Good question.....he didn't seem to have the answer, not being sure exactly where the time even changes. What really is time that we are so mindful of it? The bible talks about the second coming of Christ and that we will not know the time or hour, that not even the angels know. I think I get it now. We wont' know because we are all still down here trying to figure out exactly what time it is. I talk to my aunt and uncle in Japan and its already tomorrow there. It kinda makes me laugh, because I always ask her....so how is tomorrow....just in case I want to skip it. Our friends in Australia sleep while we are awake, and we sleep while they are awake. It makes me think of the parable of the ten virgins in Matt 25. Ten virgins went out to await the bridegroom, all of them with their lamps, but only 5 took enough oil to await his return. As they await the bridegroom those that did not have enough oil left to go buy more, while they were out the bridegroom came. Those that were ready and prepared went into the wedding banquet with the bridegroom, those that weren't missed the wedding. So what time is it......it's time to make sure that our lamps are filled... that we have enough oil so that we don't miss the bridegroom on his return. Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

TIME....it's really not determined by our clocks.