Improvement!
Well, we're still waiting on the Lord to send the right person to take over the lease of the house on Capitol Hill. I hope they pray. Maybe they don't pray - maybe they do - but in the mean time all of us will pray for them! Sound good to you?
We're still trusting Him. His plans are way more complex and detailed than mine so I'll just let Him be God.
Since we moved to Virginia I've been riding the metro into DC Tuesday through Friday - that's about 45 minutes. I want to use my time wisely so I've been listening to some different podcasts. So far I've tuned into Andy Stanley and Kerry Shook (Pastor Mark is on my list as well - I just haven't downloaded anything yet :)
Kerry Shook was speaking about living passionately. The first step in doing this is connecting to God or in some instances that all of us can relate to - RECONNECTING to God. I've had to do that last one quite often.
Jesus makes it clear in John 15 - I can't do anything without Him. It's impossible.
This is where 'real living' begins. How connected am I? How connected are you?
Am I consumed with God or consumed with _________________? (Fill it in yourself :)
I know many people who want to be connected but they're to busy being consumed by money. Possessions. Lifestyles. Image. Careers. Unhealthy and sinful relationships. Etc. Everyone is consumed with something. I knew one guy that lost his family because he was consumed with an online video game. He played for 10 - 12 - 15 plus hours a day. He turned on the computer and tuned out his wife and children. Fantasy instead of family. Staring at the glow of a monitor screen instead of the grins of his kids. I like to play a video game every now and then but my wife and kids are precious to me. Priceless. Nothing can replace them. Lord help me to never be consumed with anything that keeps me from seeing You, my family, and others. This story scares me. Sometimes it's good to be scared.
I knew an individual who wanted to become like someone that they adored. They wore their hair like them - dressed like them - made themselves up to resemble them. Tried to take on their personality. This person was completely consumed with their outward image so they began to spend money. Lots of money. Money that this young couple didn't have. How did they do it? Plastic. Being overly image conscious cost them over $25,000....plus their marriage. Think about it. The clothes got old. The makeup was used up. The hairstyle went out of style. Was it really worth it? We can connect with the wrong stuff real fast, can't we? Sometimes somethings end up costing us more than we thought we'd ever pay. Throws a whole new slant on the word 'expense' doesn't it?
You've heard of the same stories.
You know someone.
Maybe you are the someone - maybe the story is your story.
It's a good thing that Jesus is into the reconnecting/restoration business. It's a good thing that He doesn't condemn us. When we come to Him, admit that we've sinned, confess that we've been wrong - He reconnects us and restores us.
Don't misunderstand me - I'm not condemning the people that I've mentioned - I just want to learn from their costly mistakes - pay attention to the warning signs - be accountable to someone. We only live this life once. I sure don't want to look back over my life and say, "Lord, I wish I wouldn't have become disconnected from you - it cost me everything."
So I end today with a prayer that David prayed a long time ago.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Amplified Bible
Connection. Impossible by myself - made possible through God.
I believe I'll plug into Him today.
John 15:5-7
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