Face it, we like to be comfortable, right? I sure do. When we buy furniture or a new bed for instance, what is one of the most important factors? Comfort. Even some thermostats have an area marked as "comfort zone." We like to be comfortable in all areas of our lives, including our spirituality.
I remember one day back in seminary myself and group of classmates were having a discussion while waiting for class to begin. Somehow we got on the topic of church size. Most of us agreed that church size was not a big issue for us and would not mind working in a large congregation. However, one gentleman adamantly disagreed. He, a pastor, stated he did not want his church to be more than 30 or 40 people at most. I was quite shocked by this statement and asked why. He stated he would not be comfortable with a congregation larger than this because he wanted know everyone. In other words he did not want to step outside his comfort zone. We cannot afford to allow our comfort zone affect how we serve our God.
I think back at my own life and wonder how many times did I choose comfort over potential. I then ask myself, "How many times has God opened a door and I close it on Him?" If I really think about I can come up with several instances. However, I cannot come up with one good excuse as to why I did not trust God. I became selfish with my life because I did not want to step outside of my comfort zone.
We need to look to the Bible for examples of men and women who stepped out of their comfort zone and allowed God to work in their lives. Noah built a huge boat while people laughed. Abraham left his home and went to a new land. David conquered a giant. Esther stood before a king to save her people. Peter and Andrew put aside their nets to become fishers of men. Paul was beaten and jailed numerous times and did not once stop preaching the gospel of Christ. It all comes down to this: Great men and women of the Bible and throughout the history of the church have one thing in common - they stepped out of their comfort zone. They allowed the Father to define the comfort zone.
Who defines your comfort zone?
Stepping Out,
Jeff
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Where Does My Help Come From?
PSALM 121
A Psalm of Ascent
Living in the Willamette Valley of Oregon has many advantages. For one there is the rich and fertile soil created from volcanic activity long past. There is the relatively mild climate. Then there are the mountains, to the west is the Coast Range and to the east are the Cascades. Mountains are beautiful and majestic. They rise up out of the earth stretching out towards the sky. Today, mountains for the most part don't pose much of a challenge. Superhighways have been carved out of the landscape and modern jets soar high above their peaks. But not long ago pioneers struggled to cross mountains on their pilgrimage to the west. Many dangers existed in the mountains. Wild animals, thieves, and treacherous terrain are just a few. This was nothing new.
The writer of Psalm 121 also recognized the dangers of the mountains. As often would be the case the Hebrews would have to pass through such hills on their journey to Jerusalem. The hills are thought to have harbored thieves, wild animals and shrines to pagan gods. I remember my Old Testament professor describing the journey. He stated the Hebrews would travel through a valley and as they lifted up their head the could see many shrines which had been erected to honor false gods. To the traveler they would seem to be surrounded by evil and trouble on every side.
Not much has changed in this sense. Today we are surrounded by evil and trouble. Sex, greed and power have become the false gods. Difficulties come at us from every conceivable direction. Where does our help come from? It comes from God.
I don't believe the author of this Psalm was crying out in desperation, but instead making a statement grounded in faith. Maybe he was looking up at the pagan gods on the hills, knowing that there is no real power or help in wood and stone. He was saying, "My help comes from the living God. He is my protector. He is my provider. With Him I do not have the fear the evil which surrounds me." Our God is with us on our journey through life
Where does your help come from?
Serving Yahweh,
Jeff
A Psalm of Ascent
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Living in the Willamette Valley of Oregon has many advantages. For one there is the rich and fertile soil created from volcanic activity long past. There is the relatively mild climate. Then there are the mountains, to the west is the Coast Range and to the east are the Cascades. Mountains are beautiful and majestic. They rise up out of the earth stretching out towards the sky. Today, mountains for the most part don't pose much of a challenge. Superhighways have been carved out of the landscape and modern jets soar high above their peaks. But not long ago pioneers struggled to cross mountains on their pilgrimage to the west. Many dangers existed in the mountains. Wild animals, thieves, and treacherous terrain are just a few. This was nothing new.
The writer of Psalm 121 also recognized the dangers of the mountains. As often would be the case the Hebrews would have to pass through such hills on their journey to Jerusalem. The hills are thought to have harbored thieves, wild animals and shrines to pagan gods. I remember my Old Testament professor describing the journey. He stated the Hebrews would travel through a valley and as they lifted up their head the could see many shrines which had been erected to honor false gods. To the traveler they would seem to be surrounded by evil and trouble on every side.
Not much has changed in this sense. Today we are surrounded by evil and trouble. Sex, greed and power have become the false gods. Difficulties come at us from every conceivable direction. Where does our help come from? It comes from God.
I don't believe the author of this Psalm was crying out in desperation, but instead making a statement grounded in faith. Maybe he was looking up at the pagan gods on the hills, knowing that there is no real power or help in wood and stone. He was saying, "My help comes from the living God. He is my protector. He is my provider. With Him I do not have the fear the evil which surrounds me." Our God is with us on our journey through life
Where does your help come from?
Serving Yahweh,
Jeff
Friday, May 4, 2007
Conditioned to Complain
I was out with the family last night. We went out to dinner, and then stopped by a couple of stores to pick up some needed items. We walked into the first store (specialty type), and were immediately greeted by two store employees. One of them even greeted me with a handshake. Pretty cool. Every time we passed by an employee we were greeted and even engaged in a brief conversation at times. The employees of this store truly had a genuine interest in our being there and how they could help us. Anymore this kind of service has become a thing of the past. This was not the typical "Hi, welcome to (insert store name here)." And that is the last you hear from them. It truly was really great service.
This morning I called the store and asked to speak to a manager. Now, I will admit to having a little fun with this. The conversation went something like this:
Me: Hello, may I speak to a manager please?
Manager: Yes, my name is Bob and I am manager. How can I help you.
Me: Yes, I was in your store last night and I have not received service like I did last night in a long time.
Manager: I am sorry, I...
Me: No, no, no. You don't understand. The service I received was extraordinary...
I went on to explain the great service I had received. I then called the corporate customer service number (they are a national chain) and the person I spoke to there also seemed surprised to be taking a call with a compliment.
This led me to think, "Have we become conditioned to complain?" The manager was ready to hear a complaint as was the customer service rep. We have become a society in which we live to complain. We say things like: "The food is cold." "The service is too long." "The music isn't the right style." "I can't believe they don't open more lanes." We don't we think to stop and say a word of thanks and gratefulness when we receive good service or when we appreciate something someone did.
"So encourage each other and build each other up. . . " 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Make it a point today to build someone up giving them words of encouragement and appreciation. Let them know of a job well done! Let's become a society in which we are conditioned to encourage.
Thanks for stopping by,
Jeff
This morning I called the store and asked to speak to a manager. Now, I will admit to having a little fun with this. The conversation went something like this:
Me: Hello, may I speak to a manager please?
Manager: Yes, my name is Bob and I am manager. How can I help you.
Me: Yes, I was in your store last night and I have not received service like I did last night in a long time.
Manager: I am sorry, I...
Me: No, no, no. You don't understand. The service I received was extraordinary...
I went on to explain the great service I had received. I then called the corporate customer service number (they are a national chain) and the person I spoke to there also seemed surprised to be taking a call with a compliment.
This led me to think, "Have we become conditioned to complain?" The manager was ready to hear a complaint as was the customer service rep. We have become a society in which we live to complain. We say things like: "The food is cold." "The service is too long." "The music isn't the right style." "I can't believe they don't open more lanes." We don't we think to stop and say a word of thanks and gratefulness when we receive good service or when we appreciate something someone did.
"So encourage each other and build each other up. . . " 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Make it a point today to build someone up giving them words of encouragement and appreciation. Let them know of a job well done! Let's become a society in which we are conditioned to encourage.
Thanks for stopping by,
Jeff
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
My Amazing Daughter
Like most any Dad, I like to brag about my kids. Tonight my six year old, Aimee, said some really profound things. My wife sent me the following email:
Wow... such insight from a six year old. But she is right, no matter what we do, no matter how badly we mess up, God still loves us! God could, and yes, should condemn us for some of the stupid things we do. But...
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1,2
Read that again. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!" Aimee had it correct. Even though we disobey, God still loves us and doesn't want to get rid of us. Read the rest of chapter 8 sometime today. Meditate on what Paul wrote. Who will you live for?
Forgiven & Loved,
Jeff
Tonight Aimee and I were at the table, working on math problems. I was sitting in my usual spot, she was standing next to me. Aimee backed up to walk around to the other side of the table, then screamed, ran around the table, and started crying. Autumn was sitting nearby, so I asked if Autumn scratched her. "Yes," was her teary reply. I said, "Bad kitty!" Autumn was surprised at that, she thought when I got up I was going to feed her! She cowered back a little, then came right back to me and rubbed against me, I guess to ask for forgiveness... I checked on Aimee and her ankle was bleeding a bit. So I got her a wet washcloth to cover it with. I told Autumn I hoped we didn't have to get rid of her, but I don't want a bad kitty in the house. Aimee said, "Mommy! It was probably my fault! I probably got too close to her face. It's ok, Mommy, she wasn't trying to be mean!" Then she said something that I really liked. Aimee said, "Mommy, it's like with God. Even though sometimes we disobey, he still loves us and doesn't want to get rid of us. So even if Autumn is mean sometimes, we still love her, and shouldn't get rid of her." Quite the insight from a little girl who just got scratched, unprovoked.
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1,2
Read that again. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!" Aimee had it correct. Even though we disobey, God still loves us and doesn't want to get rid of us. Read the rest of chapter 8 sometime today. Meditate on what Paul wrote. Who will you live for?
Forgiven & Loved,
Jeff
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