Friday, July 27, 2007

Stirring the Passion

This week has been all about renewing the passion in my heart for God. It started when Amanda asked me how things were going with me. I told her with the transition at the church as we search for the next senior pastor and the extra work at home with 2 babies now, that I was just, "trying to survive."

The more I thought about that comment and realized it was true, the more motivated I became. To do what? To make sure that I live every day passionately for God, even if i am tried and feel like I don't have anything to give to Him.

My uncle was officiating the funeral for his grandson (my cousin), Gabriel David Savon, who lived for only 2 hours last week, and this is what he said that stuck with Amanda and me, "When prayer is most difficult, prayer is most necessary. When worship is most difficult, worship is most necessary." WOW! How true are those statements?

The bottom line for me is I've heard that we should live every day like it's our last. I was not as I tried to "survive." At least learning that I was in a funk challenged me to stir my passion for God. He has so much for me and I want to experience it now, not after I get through my difficult time.

Psalm 63:3 "Because your love is greater than life, my lips will glorify you!"

Friday, July 6, 2007

Fireworks vs. Bang Snaps

Happy 4th of July week to everyone. Does anyone else ever wonder if people are actually reading your blog posts? If you read this, humor me and shoot me a quick e-mail for encouragement. (Go back to the staff page and click e-mail) I saw my fair share of fireworks this week. It started at the Sanctus Real concert in Sylvania, then it was the Toledo show, and I caught some of BG's show as well (From my house! I am definitely charging for parking next year).

The big fireworks shows are great. I mean, there is just something about a real loud bang and a masterpiece of colors sprayed across the sky. You also have the grand finale. I personally love it when someone says, "oooo, that must be the finale," when it clearly isn't. Come on! You'll know it's the finale when you see it, it's the highlight of the show.

Think back to when you were just a kid. Maybe you were throwing some of these this week. What am I talking about? Bang snaps. You know, those little white wrapped up things that snap when you throw them on the ground. What do they put in those to make them do that? Bang snaps are nowhere near as flashy and showy as the grand finale, but they still are vital to the arsenal of 4th of July materials.

This reminds me of our walk with God. Everyone loves the big show, the lights, the flair, the high energy and emotional displays that happen occasionally, but what about the bang snaps. The everyday, non-flashy and non-emotional events in our walk with God. Our foundation should be built on these moments, not the grand finales. Now, don't get me wrong, big events aren't bad, emotional times with God are not to be taken lightly, but our Christianity should not be built on the show and the hype.

Your bang snaps might be your personal quiet time with God, a challenging conversation with a Christian friend or family member, or serving someone you know. Don't wait around for the grand finale and expect to make it. Live daily embracing the bang snaps and your foundation will be solid, unless of course you get blindsided by an m-100.

Happy 4th of July!