Made her day

Thanks Patsy Smith. The pie made Bernice Earnest's day!

Too Big to Fail?

Could Facebook be too big (in the economy) to fail? What happens if this determination is made by the government? Then suddenly the government has an invested stake in the information of 900 million people.

I am not a conspiracy theory guy but...this would make me say hmmmm.

Being Faithful and Wise

Devoted focus and faithfulness to stick with an assignment is the call of a disciple.  Amid many distractions and competing priorities, a follower of Jesus stays in step with his master.

Consider this passage about faithful awareness:

Matthew 24:45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.  50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When you are on task at work, there is no change in your blood pressure when the boss walks into the room.  If you have been "dilly-dallying," then shame, guilt, and anxiety swells in your heart. 

The point of this parable like the ones immediately before it in the context is one of preparedness.  Be ready, watchful, and aware.

This Sunday I will be talking about the use of our time.  Two great temptations confront us with our use of time. One is the "Rip Van Winkle" approach.  This temptation is to nod off for a while.  Sleep walking through our education years, early marriage, career, children, and recreational activities.  Then we wake up to discover that much our life is gone.  There is ensuing regret over wasted time that we can never get back and anxiety about the future.

Another temptation is to live like "Peter Pan." Everything is fun and games.  Avoiding all responsibility for as long as possible, this approach leads to a perpetual adolescence.

Neither use of time produces treasure for this life or eternity.

A wise and faithful servant of Jesus has a sober view of precious time ticking by.  Without regret or worry, the wise servant is making her time produce valuable treasure for this life and eternity.  Live with awareness, devotion, and focus.

When trouble comes the wise are able to persevere. Prepared.

Day 30

Last day. First day of a new ending.

Passion

Love
Integrity
Forgiveness
Enthusiasm

Time to start really living. No regrets.

What has made the greatest impact on you during this month?

Day 29

Being prepared for the resurrection means investing in eternal things: God's word and people.

By investing I mean put my effort, time, and energy there. How much time will I give to people and practicing the word of God today?

Making it last for life...and even longer.

People to see today:

Bee Brock
Destin Wendlandt
Kris and Julie Hembree
Becca Powers
Monica, Josiah, Gabriela, Emily, and Ezra

And I might see you.

People and the word...worthy investments.

Day 28

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live." Jackie Windspear

Ask God to reveal His grace to you in a new way, one that helps you better grasp the fullness of His love for you. Then go to someone you've offended or hurt and ask for forgiveness.

Is there someone that needs your forgiveness?

Clear up relationships ASAP

No regrets

Day 27 No Regrets

Scatter joy and not pain. Refuse to be dismayed. Strive to make a difference where we can and when we can. We are transformed as we help others.

The goal of maturity is to move beyond ourselves and our own desires...we must be willing to change our goal from one of safety to sacrifice.

You may want to go back and read that again.

This sacrifice with others can change the world.

See Romans 12:1-6

Day 26 in the Challenge

When we delight in (God), our desires often change. We no longer want our way; we want His way.

Relationship. God's plan for us.

God's pattern for leading us: invitation to trust Him, we commit to him, and then he shows us the way forward.

Our preferred pattern: God to show me the way forward, then I will commit to follow (obey) and spend time with you (relationship).

Trust, obey, discover His will.

This order is crucial. Father wants me and you to trust Him, really.

What is The greatest barrier to trusting God in your life right now? Talk to Father about this. Communication is key. He is ready to listen and speak.

Day 25 Reflections

If you get to worship with us Sunday at Pleasant View, I will be sharing a message on these same points. So you read this, and you will be a step ahead.

The building materials with which we build our lives will be tested with life and death. Only materials with eternal value will stand the test of time. Here are 3:

Convictions: values based on God's word.

Character: integrity

Community: people more important than things.

What are 5 convictions that you hold to be timeless? Do these square with God's word?

What are character traits you want to be remembered by?

Who are 5 people (non family or co-workers) who share your convictions and commitment to godly character? How can you encourage them today? When can you plan to spend time being with them?

No regrets.

Day 24 Reflection

"Is it possible to live in such a way that the impact of our lives is felt forever? I not only believe it's possible; I believe it's the kind of life we were made for."

What kind of lasting legacy/impression am I leaving behind?

The future grows from what we are planting today. What kind of crop am I sowing for the future (even long long after I am gone)?

Seeds are sown by faith.

Without faith we careless drop seed or in fear or selfishness we fail to plant at all.

I want my time and energy to be put toward planting seeds that will grow into a lasting future and even eternal impact.

Make a list of nonessential commitments, responsibilities, and obligations that may be worthwhile but will not last or eternity. Think about ways to transition these items out of your schedule, if not permanently, then at least for a season.

Write down values you hope to leave behind and who you hope will inherit them from you.

My children and grandchildren.
Values:

Faithful to God and people
Initiative
Obedience to God and His ways
Sacrificial in the battle for good

Day 20

Earthquake proof your life: put Jesus'
words into practice:

How much will you live out what you know about God's instruction?

What does your life revolve around right now. If that was taken away suddenly, where would you turn? Faulty foundations leave our lives in shambles when trouble hits.

Use the help of others to help you recognize cracks in your foundation or sandy foundations. People who love you will tell you truth. Try asking them.

Center on the presence and power of God, by living His way, following His instruction. Trouble will hit. You will stand.

Friendship Quilt

The girls NRG zone class made this paper friendship quilt. It looks amazing. Great job girls!

Day 18 thoughts

"Change is just part of life."

"You can waste a lot of time and energy trying to fight it."

"If we don't learn to adapt to the winds of change, we'll never enjoy life."

Immaturity: demanding reality to adapt to you.

Maturity: adapting oneself to reality.

"Change can clarify our priorities and illuminate what is really important."

Priority one that rises to the top: relationships.

If I had one month to live what material goods would I give away, sell, or trash? What items in my schedule would be the first to go? What makes me keep clinging to this stuff?

Focus and essentials become apparent when considering the brevity of life.

Day 17 in One Month to Live

How do you discover what God has given you (gifting and abilities)? Ask yourself what you do well and answer honestly. Ask the Creator, the one who made you. Ask family and friends, "What do you see as my main gifts, my primary strengths? Where do you see my talents most clearly on display?"

Are you going to do this? Me too. Comment below and let me hear what you discover.

"It is not too late to become what God created you to be."

Great "make it last for life" applications at the end of this chapter. Take the challenge to do them.

No regrets.

Day 16 reflection

Kerry and Chris Shook: "Our greatest potential lies in the areas of our greatest strengths."

Make a list of your strengths- everything you can think of.

Here is mine:

Analytical thinking
Evaluating situations
Reading people
Processing information quickly
Physical strength and endurance (for an old man)
Planning events and direction
Organizational visionary

Now beside each of these I am to record how much time this past week did I actually spend devoted to using each gift.

Hmmm. This should be interesting.

Looking it over: not enough.

Take the challenge and try it with me.

Refocus needed often.

Project Pray day 2

Delivering snacks and praying. Today Pleasant View blessed the employees at Carrollton Elementary School.