Consider the cost
Luke 14 offers some troubling words."hate" my mother, my father, my sister! As I prepared the sermon on these texts I realized that there is a "cost" in following Christ. In an age of instant gratification and cynicism I am a person who looks for long term results and seeks to offer hope.
One of the greatest challenges is to be generous. In a time when I am told we are "running out" of most things and I need to hoard what I have. God tells me that he is a God of abundance and will provide what I need. Too often the idea of scarcity has been disguised in the church as "conservative budgeting" and "protecting what we have." This negative attitude is holding the church from becoming what God calls it to be, an oasis of hope.
Now I realize all of us have limitations due to our economic times and need to wise in using our resources to care of our families. But have we let the voices of the world tell us "You can't"?
God provides enough resources to accomplish the entire mission and ministry he call us to do. But do we trust in that promise? Then pick up your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 9.8
Generosity is a Christian value.

Easter always rises

The Sundays of Easter is our time to let people know that Christ is alive. How will they know?Through our changed lives. When you hear the stories of Peter and Paul you can see something changed them. But can others see that in us? Are we transformed or simply admiring Jesus? Can I get a witness? It is our duty and privilege to live as though we are Easter people not Good Friday people. We need to be good news people in a bad news world.

If you are like me and believe that the grip of the forces of evil and death are slowly slipping away, then was must declare with our lips and our lives that the old order of things is passing away. Because of Easter we know that God gets the last word. That we can climb out of the pit.; we will find hope emerging from despair; God's love will not be kept dead and buried. Why?
Because the stone was rolled away, the tomb was empty and our lives are changed. So let us remember that and remind others. That life is stronger than death and hope will defeat despair.

Just recently a very nice man died suddenly. One of his relatives asked "Did he believe in Christ?" the answer sadly was "I am not sure."
This in itself would be motivation enough to start up a conversation with some one you may have a similar question about? If you are so motivated and have introduced each other the next step is to listen to them. What are they passionate about? What do they value?
This is the part of witnessing we forget about, to listen and then listen some more. Too often we feel it is "telling them ". That is why everyone gets turned off. Witnessing has a lot to do with you genuinely loving them and listening to their story. You can tell God's story later.
Its time to "walk across the room" remember pray before you do it.

Living in 3D

Why would a nice person want to bring up one of those "forbidden topics" in a conversation? You know, religion! Because I want them to know the same wonderful life I have. I have a savior who loves me as I am and offers me to live as I was created to be. So it is not just simply walking across the room and striking up a conversation. It is much more. I want those who share my earthly life to be with me forever. So I do have a mindset as I go about my day. Living a 3D life.*

• Develop friendships- I want to engage as many people I can into a relationship with me and Jesus
• Develop stories - I need to work on a short story with a little personal humor about my life with God
• Discern the next steps- remember the Holy Spirit is in charge so I let her take the lead.

On a scale of 1-10 where would you rate yourself on a 3D life?

*Thanks to Bill Hybels for the idea.

Just walk across the room

What if you knew that by simply crossing the room and saying hello to someone, you could change that person's life forever? Just a few steps could make an eternal difference. it has nothing to do with methods and everything to do with making a genuine interest in another human being. All you need is a heart that's in tune with God and a willingness to venture out of your circle of comfort.
This summer I read a book I think all Christians should read Just Walk Across The Room by Bill Hybels. This book brings the need for all of us to share the wonderful news of Jesus to those whom we rub shoulders with in life. It is an easy book to read and has thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter.
This is what I propose that you go out and buy a copy of the book. ( You can order it on line or get it at a book store.) Then starting Monday September 7 you go to www. Belviderezion.com and click "spiritual web " on the lower left hand side. Now you are set to join in on the conversation.

Pentecost is more than a day it is a season. The problem is that most people know very little about his wonderful festival day. Maybe that is fitting. Since it is about the Holy Spirit. Being holy means that he is divine in nature and can not be controlled or manipulated. Being a spirit he is elusive and yet powerfull. Maybe it is fitting to refer to the third person as "she". When you study the spirits part in the the divine community we call the trinity, you can see that she is to empower, guide and inspire. All of these terms to me are about nurturing which comes more naturally to females than males. What do you think?
Yesterday I read over Ezekiel 37 and saw that I am to "prophesy to the breath or spirit of God". So join me in asking the spirit to inspire God's people to do ministry and to do it in community.

New life nevers coems quietly

New life never slips in the back door quietly or painlessly. Every birth in only the beginning a whole set of disruptions. So is the Resurrection. In the Gospel of Luke the disciples and the women were resigned to the power of death. From the very first words in chapter 24 however the old script is changed. Luke's account of the resurrection begins with a powerful disruption in the form of a single three letter word,but.
2000 years later when our violence world scares us and the economy abandons us we are still disrupted by the simple word., but Luke announces that hope is not dead and the tomb is the beginning of new life.
This new life comes alive in us. How will you show that you trust in this surprising good news?
How will you rebel against the power of sin, death and the devil?