Thinking about those Untouchables

So, the challenge this week is what can you do to touch other people's lives? What is holding you back? Is it what other people might think of you if you were to socialize with an untouchable?

Romans 2 says You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

What do we need to do? Is it someone in the neighborhood? Someone at school? Someone in the youth group? I can't tell you how sad it would be for someone to feel unwelcome within our own body.

Remember Shallow Hal? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGaqlO9bClk

Ask God in your daily life to be able to see people the way he sees people. Change your perspective. Change other people's lives.

Victoria Secret Bombshell

This one is for the fellas.

victoria's secret bombshell. Sexy today. Sexy tomorrow. Sexy forever.™ A glamorous blend of purple passion fruit, Shangri-la yellow peony & vanilla orchid.

I don't know what to say except she is really smart. She's doing a great job. And no, you can't come visit me.

What do you do with your hands?

The big question up front is - Why not lend a hand? A quick walk through Romans 12 should be convicting enough. Don't think of yourself as "above" this chore or responsibility. And further, it instructs us to overcome evil with good.

Think about your world. How many times do you walk by an empty paper cup right next to the trash can. What about the injustice of someone getting talked about in a demeaning way? Can you grow some kahunas and get involved?

When we think about the example of Jesus, some people think he was weak - but I believe that it is easier to walk away and do nothing than it is to do the right thing.

So, what does it take? It takes your hands and feet. Walk to the point of getting involved, and touch the world around you. Overcome this world with good. As others watch you, they will inquire what makes you different. At that, you have an open door to touch them with the truth of Jesus Christ.

Where is my Heart?

We have all heard that you can tell where your priorities are by where you spend your time and money. But I'm trying to figure that one out.

So ask yourself, where do you spend your time? What is most of your day consumed with?

Where do you spend your money? What is most of your money spent on?

Time goes to work and sleep without a doubt. And I'm not fond of my job at all. Sleep I like. But the job?

Where does my money go? Well, the house payment, the food bill, gas is getting pretty high up there, Sounders are nabbing a good chunk with those season tickets and my boys playing soccer gets in there - sort of.

But what is my mind consumed by? A desire to read more, to study the word. A desire to work on improving my house. Investments. I want to beat my broker more than anything. I want to work out - get back in shape so my body doesn't quit on me.

⁴ Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

This feels like a name it and claim it verse. I'm not sure it is that easy. I believe that I need to chase after God with all my heart and then the desires of my heart will be His desires.

And so when I sing "Here is my heart, I give it Lord to you" Am I really giving him permission into my life?

Are you?

How do you respond?

Today we got news of a devastating earthquake in Japan. Literally, the earth has sped up as the plates shifted. Our days literally just got shorter.

And thanks to twitter, youTube and facebook, we've seen devastation of an industrialized nation and it wrenches at our hearts.

How do you respond? What is my attitude the same as Christ Jesus?

First, I felt souls being carried to Christ. And I physically cringed. How many lives were snuffed out without Christ? What of them? Why God? Why?

My second attitude was to pray for a quick end to the trouble. Twelve aftershocks. Each "nothing" compared to the first, but worse than many. Fire and a nuclear meltdown. No water. No electricity. My soul ran to pray for these people. First, for the separated families. Next for the safety.

Last, I have a verse posted in my office from the first few verses of Psalm 46:

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

We will not fear. God in you we put our trust.

What's the difference?

So, We started with the question of "what is the big difference between Christians & non-Christians?"

Well?

I think that we came to the conclusion first and foremost is that Christians live a life submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That's the key difference. Mainly because anybody can be good or do good. But that's not Christianity.

Are you a Christian? Are you living submitted to Christ?

Read Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life that live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

What's the difference in your life?

(If you want to hear an old song I listened to in College, use http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rLoADgvxwY about 2:22 in you'll hear the verse above).