"When the world pushes you to your knees, you are then in the perfect position to pray."

~Rumi

As you start the week...

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily."

-Sally Koch

Pi Day

It is March 14, 2012 (3/14/12).  

Some of my more academic (dare I say, nerdy) friends call this day Pi Day based on the mathematical figure that begins 3.14 and carries on into infinity.  Other friends will be marking today as the halfway point of Lent as they are on their journey to the cross.  For me it is Wednesday, the day in the middle, never my favorite day.  Wednesday seems so far from the social times and fun of the weekend ahead and also so distant from the refreshment of last Sunday's worship.  The vast majority of our lives it can seem are spent in the middle...looking back on past failures and successes and dreaming of future adventures yet to come.

Learning to live well on days that in all ways seem ordinary is a skill that it is wise to develop.  Not everyday can bring excitement and if we had excitement everyday it would no long excite us.  Not everyday can lead to breakthroughs and beginnings for us.  Some days are just in the middle of life and have no outward specialness of their own.  We don't grow most though on our birthdays, but rather we grow on the 364 days between the lighting of candles and eating of cake.  Never forget that even in the most ordinary of days you have an opportunity to grow.  Whether it is in renewing a friendship, expanding your mind or being good to your body, the small acts of kindness you pay to yourself will in the end define your days.  Be gentle with yourself and use the ordinary to grow better and bolder.

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Eternal Value

"I value all things only by the price they shall gain in eternity."

-John Wesley

Over the last few months, I have gained several items that have made my life much easier by their presence.  A smartphone, a new and better computer, a upgraded printer and a raise in salary from our church have all come my way recently either as purchases or gifts.  The greater technology makes life easier, the upgraded equipment makes daily tasks quicker to perform and the additional income eases the burden of paying back college loans and medical bills.

That being said, I would have survived without each of these items.  They are lovely additions, but not necessary to sustain my life.  What do we value most in life?  Family photographs, our Bibles, heirlooms and keepsakes are most likely very dear to us as physical possessions.  Relationships, words of advice, friendly smiles and memories shared with loved ones are less tangible but probably much more valuable to us.

We must learn to see things as tools: tools that are to be used to give glory to God and help build relationships with others.  Wealth is not meant to be hoarded, but it is rather to be shared.  I must be sure I am placing proper emphasis on using my blessings for good and for God.  My home must be a welcoming place, my vehicle must be transportation for others, my technology a tool to reach out to others and my money a device by which to influence people for the cause of Christ.

May we learn to value things in view of eternity and use our blessings to bless others.

"I never knew you were a Christian!"

"I never knew you were a Christian!"

I went into an unfamiliar bank while I was on my way to Memphis to an appointment this week.  I was handed over my check from the church and the teller looked it over and then looked at me.

"Do you attend this church?" she asked.

"Yes, in fact, I am the minister there," I responded.

"That is wonderful!  I am a member of the church too.  I attend the Jefferson Street congregation here in town," she gushed.

I immediately became conscious of what I was wearing, whether or not I had smiled at the teller, and if I had been friendly.  Have you ever been in a social situation and discovered a coworker, an acquaintance, or a teacher/student was a Christian?  Did this information shock you when you compared the standards of Christianity with this person's behavior, language, or dress?

We probably have all been surprised to learn certain people were Christians, but why not think about that scenario in reverse?  Has anyone ever found out you were a Christian and a look of shock passed across his or her face?

People that know us beyond a passing conversation should be able to recognize that Jesus has played a part in who we are.  We ought to become very comfortable with people knowing where we worship and with them knowing that worship is a priority in our lives.  We ought to have the type actions, speech, and dress that strengthens rather than discredits our claim of being a Christian.  We never know when our conduct in school, business, or recreation will influence someone about Christ.  Let's be sure that the message we send about Jesus is a positive one and that when we tell people that we are Christians they will say,

"That was obvious from the moment we met."

We are God's lips, hands, and feet

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world."

-Mother Teresa

Wouldn't it be great if we all viewed our lives in this way?  If we viewed our lives as an instrument of  communication from God to our fellowmen?  We must, of course, realize that we are but a small part of God's message to mankind, but that we still are a significant part of that message.  As the old song says, "We are the only Bible the careless world may read..."  Let us be sure that today and everyday that we are sending out a message that causes people to desire what we have: a relationship with the Father.  Let us let people see our good works, not for our own glory, but to cause them to seek the the One to whom our lives are dedicated.  Let us learn that every erring word, every falsehood, every misspoken phrase is something that has the potential to hinder a fellow sojourner in his or her walk with God.  If we realize this, we will be far more careful with the precious words we speak to others.

"Your extremity is God’s opportunity. The difficulty all along has been to get to the end of you; for when a man gets to the end of himself, he has reached the beginning of God’s working."

-Charles Spurgeon

Opportunities to help

Each trip to my mailbox these days has brought more letters and requests for help on various projects.  It seems the phrase "one-time donation" did not convince these faithful organizations that I was, in fact, only going to help out one time. 

I am thankful for all the great organizations I have been able to be a part of over the last few years.  I am even thankful that they send me requests for more funds.  This allows me to know that they are serious about whatever cause they represent.  We have so much in the world that needs doing and we are the ones to do it.

One organization that I am particularly proud to partner with is Compassion International (see banner in sidebar).  For only $38 a month, I am able to help Compassion raise a child out of poverty.  I enjoy receiving letters from Oswaldo, my 11-year-old sponsored child from Ecuador.  I am able to send him notes, cards and letters and we talk about many things (with the help of translators).  In his last letter he asked me, "Did Jesus have children?"  His innocence and sense of wonder is astounding.  I am so glad I get to be a part of his life.

Whatever way you choose to help others know that people do appreciate your efforts.  From putting change in a jar at the checkout line to writing a large check to volunteering your time, we all need to find ways to make a difference.

Have a blessed day helping others!

"I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done."

-Hudson Taylor

"The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity."

-Leonard Ravenhill