11 Days and Counting!

I don’t know about you, but I’ll be glad when this election is over. For me it’s been a pretty big “distraction.” Maybe that’s not a fair description but it’s on my mind almost all the time. I don’t like it but it’s hard to avoid, after all it’s everywhere, on the radio, on TV, and even in video games! (no kidding, there are billboard advertisements in some new video games)

It seems like people are desperate and even in despair about the future of our country and the results of the election. Well I am concerned about the future of our country, but I am not in despair. God is and will be in control regardless of the results of this or any other election. What I am concerned about is that politics seems to have become our (Christians) primary concern and calling. Politics is our concern, but it’s not our calling. Our calling is to be “His witnesses.” That’s what Jesus told his disciples on the day he was taken up into heaven. Acts 1:8

8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

At the time the disciples were being distracted by the politics of their day. They were wondering if this was the time Jesus was going to set up His kingdom. Jesus said, “that’s not your concern. What is your concern is being “my witnesses.” Look at it again. It’s as if Jesus were alive and speaking to us today.

6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

My question today is, whose witnesses are you? Who do you tell people about? Who are you looking for to “save” you. I think the Psalmist had it right when he said,

7 Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but we truest in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7

If the Lord is our Savior, then let’s be first and foremost His witnesses!

P.S. My name is not Barack Obama or John McCain but I approve of this message. Thanks

Think on These Things

Did you know the average person has over 1000 thoughts per hour. If he or she is writing the number of thoughts goes up to 1500. (No wonder we are tired by the end of the day.) What kind of thoughts do you think? If I'm not careful I focus on the things I've lost, rather than the things I have; the things that need to be done, rather than the things that are already done; the things I don't know, rather than the things I know.

Apparently I'm not alone. Look at what the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians in Philippians 4:8

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

He wanted to remind them and us that we need to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. But that's not easy, so after teaching this text I decided to start a journal called "think on these things." It's a place to record the "good" things God is doing in my life. It's amazing how many things I see now that I might have missed if I wasn't looking for them.

Up, Up and Away (sort of)

I've always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon, or at least I said I did, so when I saw one at Homecoming I thought, "here's my chance." I was sure it was my chance when I found out it was free! The only "hitch" was it was tethered. That means it was tied to four cars so you couldn't get any higher than 45 or 50 feet off the ground. Still it was FREE so why not. Besides I could get some pictures of the game from the air. Only disappointing thing was I couldn't get Carol to go with me. Maybe next time.