I can't erase the scars from growing up in the '80's

We started our Crazy Love small-group study tonight. I've really been looking forward to it and I wasn't disappointed. Great turn-out, thanks to everyone who came, and good discussion. I hope everybody sticks with it.

But there's a problem: every time I think or say "crazy love," I start singing "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince in my head. And let me tell you, it's hard to focus on falling more in love with God when you're singing Prince and the Revolution. Talk about a thorn in the side.

"Are we gonna let de elevator bring us down?" I hope it's stuck in your head all day.

------------------------

And one last addition to last night's post about Gee-dub. This is one that I wanted to include but didn't because the post was already reaching "War and Peace"-like longevity.

For Heather --This one is in honor of Rev. Gene Wood and "...all them people talking in Irish and Mexican" :

"Amigo! Amigo!" Pres. Bush calling out to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Spanish at the G-8 Summit in Rusutsu, Japan

Okay. I'll stop.

Happy Thursday, mon freres.

Forget the politics, I miss him.

Sarah came by the house tonight and while we were goofing around on the internet, I ran across a website that made me laugh like I haven't in a very, VERY long time. I share some of these with you tonight with the hopes that it relieves you of your cares and concerns for a little while.

Enjoy my tribute to the greatest orator since Mark Twain.

------------------------

"There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee...that says, fool me once, shame on...shame on you. Fool me...you can't get fooled again."

"Our nation must come together to unite."

"I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together."

"He can't have it both ways. He can't take the high horse and then claim the low road."

"For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non-fatal shootings. And folks, this is unacceptable in America. It's just unacceptable. And we're going to do something about it."

"As governor of Texas, I have set high standards for our public schools, and I have met those standards."

"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures."

"Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their, their love with women all across this country."

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."

"We must all hear the universal call to like your neighbor just like you like to be liked yourself."

"Thank you, your Holiness. Awesome speech."

"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test."

"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"

"The most important job is not to be governor, or first lady in my case."

"I glance at the headlines just to kind of get a flavor for what's moving. I rarely read the stories, and get briefed by people who are probably read the news themselves."

"I am mindful not only of preserving executive powers for myself, but for predecessors as well."

"They want the federal government controlling Social Security like it's some kind of federal program."

"That woman who knew I had dyslexia: I never interviewed her."

"No, I know all the war rhetoric, but it's all aimed at achieving peace."

"We look forward to hearing your vision, so we can more better do our job. That's what I'm telling you."

"I mentioned early on that I recognize there are hurdles, and we're going to achieve those hurdles."

"We are ready for any unforeseen event which may or may not happen."

"Natural gas is hemispheric. I like to call it hemispheric because it is a product that we can find in our neighborhoods."

"I understand small business growth. I was one."

"I believe the results of focusing our attention and energy on teaching children to read and having an education system that's responsive to the child and to the parents, as opposed to mired in a system that refuses to change, will make America what we want it to be -- a more literate country and a hopefuller country."

"The administration I'll bring is a group of men and women who are focused on what's best for America, honest men and women, decent men and women, women who will see service to our country as a great privilege and who will not stain the house."

"Do you have blacks, too?" --to Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso

"This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating."

"They misunderestimated me."

"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."

"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."

Well, maybe he didn't make America great, but he made her laugh.

I'll call this one, "Untitled."

As the old saying goes, "The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree." It was Noah's Ark Night in Awana and all the kids looked awesome in their favorite animal costumes. Master Fowler here was going for an elephant, but managed to pull off a very convincing mouse.

Tonight I just want to say that God really is way too good to me. Even with my chronic faithlessness, He graces me with answered prayers.

I spent a great deal of time over the past few days in prayer about a specific issue. I practically begged and pleaded, beseeched even, for God's mercy regarding something that is literally crippling to me. Deep down, I don't feel like these prayers should be answered, even though I really, really want them to be. Let's face it, no one likes to be knocked off their feet no matter how much they deserve it.

But God sees things differently than I do. I'm very glad of that. It seems that the hardest person for me to forgive is me. In the words of the ever wise and philosophical Kimbo Slice, "The enemy is the inner me." But God doesn't see things the way I, and Bro. Slice, see them. His forgiveness is forever, unconditional, and His mercies are everlasting. I can beat myself up over something for years, but God has cast it away.

You'd think I would learn that after a while. How many times does God have to show His goodness and love to me for me to get it through my thick skull? Apparently, that question is un-answerable because I'm sure that I will have a time in the near future when I once again take something to God after having judged myself unworthy of blessing.

It seems that I am my greatest obstacle. I know that Satan loves to use my past against me, and I know that God has wiped away that past, "...by a mighty, mighty wave."

Well, hopefully with more of that grace and mercy I will one day realize that my previous sins haven't tainted me, they haven't ruined me, they haven't made me unfit for service to God, and they haven't lessened me in God's eyes. Only mine.

But He answers; He guards, He strengthens, He delivers, and He gives us the ability to carry on in the work we do.

Shout it loud, y'all.

Remember Harry's bathroom scene in "Dumb and Dumber?"

I went to the haunted corn maze tonight, or I should say, the "Trail of Doom!"

It was fun, no doubt. I haven't been that close to an involuntarily bowel movement in years. I tried to be cool but I'm just not. Never will be.

But I learned a few things. First and foremost, Bennett is the man. He was terrified before we even got in line, but afterwards he was laughing. It wasn't easy for him and he had some difficult moments, but he kept walking, facing his fears, and emerged with his chest stuck out. Way to go.

Also, I realized my reaction to fear. I don't get scared often. Let me clarify that, I'm not fearless, I just don't find myself in very many situations that cause fear. But tonight I got spooked several times. What I noticed was that I don't scream (like Virginia), I don't freeze (like Virginia), I don't tear out someone's bicep (like Virginia), and I don't hide my face (like...yeah).

I get this little tingle from the small of my back up to my ears. It's that old chill of fear, I guess, but it's instant and all my senses go numb. There's no outward reaction except maybe a small jerk, but I zone out and my fists ball up. I don't think I ever had the urge to use them but they were ready. I'm sure Michael Myers was shaking in his coveralls.

I recalled the times I've felt this way before, most recently when I fell from a telephone pole. When I stepped up and there was nothing there, I remember feeling that same tingle right before I hit the ground.

Now, what struck me tonight was that I have felt that same tingle at times when there was no apparent danger; no scary-masked people, no chain-saws, and no fog-enshrouded cornfield. It was just me and my normal surroundings.

These times of fear were about people. Sometimes we see or hear things in the lives of those we love that scare us. Our spiritual radar starts humming and it's as if God is warning us that we need to alert for someone. I think the Holy Spirit tips us off at times to harmful things or situations that people are involved in so that we can be prepared, either in prayer, or in confrontation, or literally in a position of rescue.

I wish I had always been attuned to these feelings. I know of a few that I have responded to but I'm sure there were more and will be more. After all, that's partly what the church is for, to look out for each other when we don't see things clearly.

Anyway, just thinking out loud.

The eyes of experience

Oftentimes when we are burdened, heavy-hearted, or perplexed, we seek out someone who will listen and counsel us based on their experience of similar situations. Hoping to hear the one word or phrase that will part the clouds, we pour out our heart and pray for answers.

My counselor today is King David, whom God divinely inspired to write of His faithfulness and deliverance in all situations. If there has ever been a man who knew distress and a heavy heart, it was God's anointed leader of His people, who, for all his faults and weaknesses, was honored by God as, "...a man after My own heart."

------------

O Lord, how many are my foes!

Many are rising against me;

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

------------

Give ear to my words, O Lord;

consider my groaning.

Give attention to the sound of my cry,

my King and my God,

for to you do I pray.

------------

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I take counsel in my soul

and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;

light up me eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him,"

lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord,

because he has dealt bountifully with me.

------------

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins.

------------

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

------------

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders,

the Lord, over many waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;

the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness.

------------

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;

my eye is wasted from grief;

my soul and my body also.

For my life is spent with sorrow,

and my years with sighing.

Love the Lord, all you his saints!

The Lord preserves the faithful

but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the Lord!

------------

Cast your burden on the Lord,

and he will sustain you;

he will never permit

the righteous to be moved.

It's Thursday, and Third Day, or Third Day Thursday. Wait! I know! It's Thirds-day!

Well, it ain't the best picture but you get the... oh.

I went to a concert tonight and I would like to make a few observations. I'll try to be brief 'cause it's midnight and I just got home. (loud, obnoxious yawning noise)

First, at the Coliseum was a contemporary Christian concert. Right next door, at the Civic Auditorium, was Robin Williams. And I mean right next door.

Am I the only one who sees a crazy irony in that? I hope not.

The concert was fantastic. They sang their hits and the really good stuff from their latest release (almost said album) and it was a wonderful time of worship and fun. How can you not enjoy a Christian show that also has "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" in it? Yeah, I know, right?

It really was a special evening and the praise was oozing out everywhere. But literally on the other side of the wall was a comedian who is known for profanity and tasteless humor. It's a shame that someone with great talent has to resort to those means. Honestly, back in middle school, guys like me and Benji would crack up at that stuff. Funny how young boys can't stop snickering anytime a four-letter word is used. But what I kept thinking about tonight was what if the audiences switched?

If the performers carried on, business as usual, but the audiences simply got up and swapped venues, what would happen?

Would the RW fans feel the least bit uncomfortable listening to songs proclaiming Christ? Would they even stay for the whole show?

What about the Christian bunch? Would they feel uncomfortable listening to such talk or would they snicker and squirm around in their seats a little, but sit there so as to not be singled out and counted among the "zealots?"

Tonight there was a physical wall between God and the world. But on a spiritual level, there should always be a barrier between those of us who follow Christ and those who choose to follow the crowd. We are set apart, we should look different, behave different, think and talk different, even opposite, than the world. What we let in determines what comes out.

I've noticed that as my relationship with God grows, I become more and more disgusted with the sinful behaviors that I personally used to have. Language is a big one. When I was in an environment where all I heard was bad language, it wasn't long before I started using it myself. I wonder how many people thought I wasn't a Christian just because I said one word.

Anyway, "evil company corrupts good habits" and all that. My point is that the ways we show our faith and beliefs to the lost world are sometimes as subtle as the way we talk. I've heard the argument about profanity a million times and probably argued it myself. But the more I hear this kind of language coming from the mouths of Christians just to impress the ears of the world, I have to wonder what it sounds like to God.

------------------------------------------------

Second, a word of testimony that you may not care about. That's okay. I'm gonna put it here anyway just for spite.

I've mentioned before that I was never a fan of Christian music. I was into the Southern Gospel thing pretty heavy but only started listening to other stuff a while back.

About a year and a half ago, I fell from my lofty heights of pride and self-righteousness and found myself at God's feet and mercy. My life was "wrecked" and everything I thought I had done right turned out to be a pile of manure. Just about a day or two later, I heard a preview of Third Day's upcoming release, Revelation, on the radio. The song they played was the title track. Almost instantly, the words hit me at the core of my sorrows and I couldn't help but hear in that song one of the most earnest, pleading prayers I could imagine. I made it my personal prayer and thanked God that those lyrics were reserved for me at that time.

After that I was pretty much hooked. My taste in music changed a little, but the changes in my worship and praise to God were monumental as my heart was opened to the truth of what He wanted for me and what He would do to keep me close to Him. I've never looked back.

So thanks to Third Day for being obedient and recording a song that I am sure has spoken to many people. And thanks to God for breaking me to the point that I could hear it.

I don't know where I can turn

Tell me when will I learn

Won't You show me where I need to go.

Let me follow Your lead

I know that it's the only way that I

Can get back home.

Times of refreshing

Today was one of those days that come just in the nick of time. What I mean is it's been one of those days that make you stop and realize that, in the midst of stress and frustration, it really ain't all that bad.

I talked last night about my over-extended schedule and I mentioned that if it got any busier, I would croak. Well, it got busier but no croaking here.

Tonight was supposed to be my down time. I had an early-evening dinner to go to for my brother-in-law's birthday, then a haircut, then nothing. Me time. Couch time. Nappy time.

"The best laid plans..."

I was informed of a meeting tonight regarding the Technology Committee stuff. Then my hair appointment that was supposed to be in lovely (and nearby) South Knoxville was moved to the distant and uncharted land of Farragut. At 7:45 PM. I had to go to the meeting late (8:30), and I just got home from there (10:45).

No me time. No couch time. No nappy time.

This was my mood.

Then I had a conversation with a dear friend that was not much more than catching up, but it slowed me down long enough to make me remember how amazingly wonderful my life is; how blessed I am to have the absolute best people in the world to love; how remarkably blessed I am that when I have a conversation with a loved one, it always results in talking about God; most importantly, how blessed I am to have a circle of friends that are not only fellow Christians, but sincere, devoted Christians to walk along beside me.

Then my hair appointment turned into a long, meaningful discussion about, you guessed it, Jesus. I got to listen to someone share some really tough things that were on their heart and I was blessed to be able to share words of encouragement and affirmation with them. That's always a good day, I don't care who you are.

Then, at the meeting, the frustrating and potentially divisive situation that I had been worried about worked out; more specifically, God worked it out. Feelings have been spared and humility, kindness, and godly wisdom have won out.

See? I told you people to not get all torqued out. :)

Now my mood is this.

"that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." --Acts 3:20

I really, really want to post something tonight

Unfortunately for me, and fortunately for you, I am in the midst of week two of my own personal apocalypse. I'm not sure if I can get any busier right now but if I do, just say some nice, meaningful things over my exploded torso.

I really am unbelievably busy. I don't know exactly what happened to make things this way but once I discover the source, I'm going to be watching for it next time.

But I'm not whining, really. I love this. I remember all too well times when I sat around with nothing to do, not even able to imagine something to do. The best thing is that everything that fills my time right now involves church.

If anyone complains about nothing going on at SCBC, please send them my way.

Our new Sunday school class went well, I think. It was the first day so there's a guaranteed break-in period. But I'm looking forward to loosening up and really getting serious about discipleship and putting our walks with God first and foremost. Our current study is addressing the battles that we face each and every moment and being prepared to stand. This week is about being blind-sided by temptation because of our spiritual arrogance and finding ourselves numbed to God and slipping away from our relationship with Him. Well, actually the lesson is about how to keep that from happening or at least recognizing when it does and returning. Anyway, I'm really thankful to God for making this happen and I hope it bears much fruit.

I was blessed with the opportunity to help out in Can-Do Club on Sunday morning as well. It was a whole bunch of fun. I think I like this radio show thing because I'm invisible, so to speak. No one can see me. For me it's like playing a role in my own head, only out loud (umm...yeah, whatever). Anyway, it is fun. I've done two or three of them now and I must give credit to Jeff and/or the other writers for developing something for kids that still has Scriptural relevance for old folks, too.

The Technology Committee (I'm one/fourth) is presenting a proposal for media monitors in the sanctuary. This is looooong overdue. I really like the solution we have decided on and hope it passes. Of course, there is resistance but I don't know of another church our size that didn't do this years ago. I bet 200 years ago there were alot of folks who thought it was stupid to spend money on a bunch of books with nothing but songs in them. Hmmm....

Well, that's all I have. My noggin is fried. But I hope everyone has a great day. And since I've been studying about falling into deceptions and being led astray, I'll mention how easy it has been in the past for me to do that very thing. I never saw it coming, and usually I followed something that I attributed to the "hand of God at work in my life." Man, we'll believe anything, won't we? Point is, it's not an "out there" kinda thing. Those things are real and if not for the grace of God, we would all become deceived many times a day. Be aware that temptation is a very dangerous thing. Remember what the Bible says that, "even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."

Eyes on Christ, people.

Let's talk.

This coming Sunday will be my first as a Sunday School teacher/leader guy in about six years. I'm looking forward to it, sort of.

The class is for young adults, of which I am one, mainly between the post-college age and the "at-the-little-league-ball-field-every-night" station of life. Mostly it's to fill a gap, not age specific but lifestyle specific. Understand?

This is how the class came to be. Back about April, the College and Career class was going through some changes. I felt very burdened about separating the career types from the college students because of the obvious differences in their everyday lives. Graduating college and exploding into the work scene is potentially difficult, but it is most definitely spiritually challenging no matter how strong a person's relationship with God may be. It really is comparable to moving to the front lines of a battle. No amount of training and equipping the soldier can fully prepare someone for what is to come.

This is where I was when I fell. I was what I thought to be strong in my beliefs and convictions but it didn't take long for me to become enraptured with what we call "worldly things" and fall into the deceptions that are out there. I had heard all the typical sermons and lessons all my life but I never knew how sneaky and subtle those deceptions could be. So for a period of about eight years I lived a life typical of those I hung out with. No regard for God, reasoning out ways to justify my lifestyle and choices, and faking it pretty well when the situation called for it.

So I talked to Benji many times about my way of thinking and he was very supportive and agreeable. We talked about it for several months, actually, because, even though I felt burdened for this particular group of people, I had, exsqueeze me, have certain fears, concerns, and apprehensions. Not about the teaching part, that's what I love. Talking, discussing, challenging, communicating, or basically conversing about God in any way is awesome for me.

Anyway, I dodged surrendering to God about this for a while. He didn't let it go the way I had hoped (funny how He never does). So finally, the burden outweighed the fears, and, voila. New class.

The goals for this class are simple, I think.

1) Discipleship, but on a very real level. Focusing on and diligently pursuing and applying God's standards for our lives is the key to discerning and avoiding the traps and tricks of the world.

2) Accountability. As we are faced with new and unexpected choices to make in our everyday walks, we need like-minded loved ones to lean on and trust, and we need to be willing to be leaned on and trusted. There is no substitute for having those we walk with and worship with and pray with come along side of us in times of confusion and need.

3) and probably most importantly, to develop and cultivate a deep, passionate love for God and an understanding of why He desires for us to live according to His Word. There's nothing wrong with a sense of duty or obligation, but we need to serve and obey Him based on a very real and active love if we want to live a life that pleases Him.

On the less churchy-answer side, this will be a whole bunch of fun, too. My social function planning skills aren't too sharp but I'm sure they'll develop as needed.

So I ask that you all pray for this class, those who attend it, and especially right now for moi. I am totally inadequate for the job and I'm relying completely on God's grace to make it happen and to relieve my anxieties about it.

See ya Sunday. We'll be meeting in Room 206, with all the teddy bears and Cubbies paraphernalia. It's only temporary, I assure you.

Frankly, scarlet.

I have been reading Charles Spurgeon again (Hey! Don't roll your eyes at me!). This book is titled Sermons on Women of the Bible. Self-explanatory.

The one I read today is about Rahab. As I read it I noticed many great points that Spurgeon made and thought I would simply share some of those. There is no marvelous, enlightening conclusion here, just some things that I felt like throwing your way. If it bores you, and it shouldn't 'cause it's about Jesus, just do like me and trust that it will meet someone at their need.

The sermon is titled, "Rahab: The Scarlet Line in the Window." Enjoy.

-------------------------------------------

She was told to tie the scarlet thread in the window, and she did it; there was exact obedience. It was not merely a thread, a line, but the scarlet line. She did not substitute a blue or a green or a white line. The order was this scarlet line, not another, and she took that particular one. Obedience to God will be very much seen is small matters. Love always delights to attend to the little things, and thereby makes the little things great. I have heard of a Puritan who was charged with being too precise, but his answer was excellent, "I serve a precise God."

------------------------------------------

I am not sure that the spies meant by it that the scarlet thread should be the same to Rahab as the blood on the lintel and on the two side posts had been to Israel in Egypt, but it does strike me as being very probable. Those two men were so acquainted with the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, and the consequent preservation of all in this house, that it was very natural that they should give Rahab a sign akin to the token which God had ordained for His people Israel when His angel passed them by in the day of doom. Therefore, trifling as the color of the cord might seem, it had a deep significance; and even so, commands of God, which are little in themselves, are great in symbolic teaching. Great errors have come into the Christian church by the alteration of simple points in God's commands; and, therefore, since a little thing in the sign may involve a great thing in the substance, it becomes us to cultivate exact obedience.

----------------------------------------------------

I believe that, when the house and the church pull together, things are right; but when religion is made to be a thing of the church, and not of the house, when the priests are looked to instead of the father, when men cease to be priests in their own houses, then the very sinews of vital godliness have been cut. If I had to give up all weekday services, and shut up every place of worship in Christendom from Sunday to Sunday, I would prefer to do that rather than lose the morning and evening gatherings of devout households worshiping God.

I wonder how many houses represented by you come up to Matthew Henry's third standard. He says, "Those who pray, do well. Those that read the Scriptures and pray, do better. Those that read the Scriptures and pray and sing, do best of all."

-------------------------------------------------

I notice that there are other things besides family prayer which should be like the scarlet line in the house. For instance, there should be, in every Christian house, a scarlet line put up in the selecting of the company that is kept. The Christian should carefully select his friends and associates. He should say, "He that tells lies shall not tarry in my sight." As for the drunkard and the swearer and those who use unchaste language, let them be what they may, they shall not visit within our doors, we will not tolerate them. If we are masters of our household, we try to find our children friends whom we should like to be their companions in eternity. Some parents introduce their children to young men and women who happen to be "very respectable," as they say, but who are worldly and ungodly, and thus they do much to ruin them. It should not be so. Hang the scarlet line over the door, and if they do not love that scarlet line, religious conversation will before long make the place too hot for them.

----------------------------------------------

One thing I would like to observe is that from the time of Rahab, around 1400 B.C. (give or take), the color of scarlet has been associated with prostitution, sexual immorality, adultery, etc.; things like The Scarlet Letter, "Red Light" district and so on. But I like what Spurgeon wrote about its relation to the Passover. We think of scarlet as symbolic of sin, when maybe we should think of it as symbolic of salvation.

In His Steps

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. --1 Peter 2:21

"What I am going to propose now is something which ought not to appear unusual or at all impossible of execution. Yet I am aware that it will be so regarded by a large number, perhaps, of the members of this church. But in order that we may have a thorough understanding of what we are considering, I will put my proposition very plainly, perhaps bluntly. I want volunteers from the First Church who will pledge themselves, earnestly and honestly for an entire year, not to do anything without first asking the question, 'What would Jesus do?' And after asking that question, each one will follow Jesus as exactly as he knows how, no matter what the result may be."

"Our motto will be, 'What would Jesus do?' Our aim will be to act just as He would if He was in our places, regardless of immediate results. In other words, we propose to follow Jesus' steps as closely and as literally as we believe He taught His disciples to do."

Rev. Henry Maxwell, from Charles M. Sheldon's In His Steps, 1896.

--------------------------------------------

In preparing for tonight's lesson about passionate humility, I thought alot about what Christ-like humility would look like if we really got it right in our lives. I remembered reading this book several years ago and almost laughing aloud when I learned that the "WWJD" phenomenon was recycled from over 100 years ago. So much for turning up our noses at the "old ways."

I think we over-complicate things. It isn't so much about wondering,"What would Jesus do?" I think it's more like, "What Jesus did do." I don't think there is any great mystery in determining how to best handle a situation the way Jesus wants us to handle it. The Bible and the Holy Spirit plainly communicate to us how we should behave (oh, behave!) as His children. The complicated part comes when we put ourselves in the way and try to make the situation work out the way we believe it should. That's where humility comes in handy.

Humility is such a visible attribute. You can literally see it on someone. And those are usually the people that are the most pleasant to be around. You can feel God's Spirit when you are in their presence, and you know that their words are backed up by the way the live. I think that's where we go wrong so often. We talk a good game of Christian living and we wear the masks well, but it stops there. Our real lives portray worldly desires and actions, filthy language and selfish motives, and hateful, prideful attitudes. As the old saying goes, "Actions speak louder." I doubt anyone will be introduced to Christ through a false witness. They have to see us living out our faith.

Jesus' examples of love and humility are the only things that will show the world that we are truly set apart, that we are different. I challenged the high school kids tonight with the same challenge that was set before me this past week during my lesson preparation. That is to put away the motives and self-seeking attitudes that our culture teaches and focus on Christ's way of doing things, allow God's brokenness to transform our hearts into something usable, and show Him to the world.

Have a great Monday.