New Eyes/The Blind Men

Just a quick post: I will have to look up some biblical corrolations, if you got any let me know.

I had Lasik eye surgery on friday, by early saturday morning I could see better than I had since I was seven years old. Even contacts couldn't be this good. I wonder if this is how the blind men were that Christ healed. Were they able to see colors and the world but were unable to recognize objects due to an inability for the eyes to focus properly or did they see at all. I must also thank the Lord for the opportunity to have the surgery done and for the benefits that it provides now and in the future. At work this morning, yes I am already back at work two and a half days after surgery, my boss stated that "It is easy to grow complacent in the fact that we have had such a blessing and opportunity. That we need to be continually thankful." I am glad to be working under and with Christian men. Another thing to be thankful for.

God bless and may the Lord continue to remove the scales from our eyes to see his glory and plans for our lives.

I John---Being Human

Walking in the light
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.


Only one man was without sin and he took on the penalty for all our sins. The thing that struck me the most this morning as I read it is the ending of this passage..AND HIS WORD HAS NO PLACE IN OUR LIVES. That is a saddening and hopeless situation. Do I daily face up to my shortcomings or do I make it as the word is irrelevant and useless.



I will finish with a couple of excerpts from "Being Human" by Ranald Macaulay and Jerram Barrs

Because of this (materialistic) view of reality, people seek meaning in the accummulation of material things, in the continual stimulation of the senses and emotions, and in the techniques which are supposed to condition them to change.

Many Christian homes are little more than passing points for family members who lead totally seperate lives.

Others...turn to spiritual experiences to try to restore a spiritual dimension to their lives which, apart from attendance at church, differ so little from the lives of non-Christians.

Our 'calling' is the same as Adam's was. It is to serve him with our whole life, to love him, to enjoy him, to reflect his character.

Mentoring

2 Timothy 2:2

You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many witnesses. Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.

"In the union of divine purpose and human frailty, God shapes us into the likeness of his Son. He uses people to stretch us, to encourage us, and to lend accountabiliy. A friend older in the faith can see possibilities in us where we see only ineffectual lines on a sheet of paper. Progress in the Christian life comes when we risk relationships with fellow believers who help us bring the picture into fuller dimension.

The apostle Paul knew that. The New Testament letters to Timothy reflect the elder-brotherly concern Paul felt for his young friend. He invested in Timothy, just as he knew Timothy would in turn do for others. The risk was worth it for Paul. It's worth it for us to seek mentors and to be mentors. "

Randal C. Working

Reflection:
Who mentors me? What, if anything, makes me hesitate to risk mentoring another?

Prayer:
Dear God, you have made yourself more real to me through the investment of others in my life. Provide people who will shape me more into your likeness, and lead me to others for whom I can make a difference.

The Church

In my leadership meditation book this morning it used Phil 2:3-4 to describe to purpose of the church.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Reflection: In what areas am I expecting the church to meet my needs? Are any of these areas impinging on the church's ability to reach out?

Prayer: Discomfort me Lord, when I want to get comfortable, and help me to use my church not merely as my personal religious social club but as a rescue station for those who desperately need you.

"The church is not a museum for finished products, It's a hospital for the sick" Bruce Larson.

I saw another qoute on a church a couple of weeks ago, "This is not a shrine for saints, but a hospital for sinners." My thoughts on this come as I have a desire to reach out to the lost, but feel as though I am trapped in the walls of protection provided by friends and 'the fellowship'. Why do I feel as though, we as a church and youth group focus on ourselves and not on others---My personal application would be to examine my life and see what I can change in this area.

As I continue to study the word and speak with friends and family I would ask for input on the purpose and role of the church. (Has anyone posted anything on this--I can't remember if there was a round table on Luke's blog or not?)

Matt 9:11-13
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:16-17
16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 5:27-32
27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Hanky please!!

This last weekend started out with helping out with babysitting at the Peoria church so that couples could take some time to be with one another. It was a most blessed time...especially since I really, REALLY love kids. Saturday I spent the morning reading and hanging out with the Koch family on their farm. We toured their grandma's farm next door, ran on ice til it fall in on us, had snowball fights, and crawled through waterways. I then went to Walmart with the Morton young group to shop for a couple of hurting families. We then went to Brittany and Morgan Kaiser's house to wrap the presents and hang out. Several of the group graded bible studies from the prison ministry, while most of us wrapped and played games(they joined in afterwards). I went to Morton church and had a wonderful time talking with the ministers, older gentlemen, and a couple of guys my age. This mainly included Paul Grimm, Dane Zeller, Ted Witzig Jr., Ted Hirstein, and Dennis Fike. I then hung out at the Koch's house again and read more. Back to the Morton church for a wonderful time of caroling in the community and then a chili supper.

Where the hanky comes in is returning to work today after being with friends (family) the whole weekend, it has been hard in the first day to not have someone to talk to 'right there'. I have been living on my own and the feeling(s) of loneliness come and go. Sometimes it hits like a ton of bricks...it is also included or accommpanied usually with guilt from sin and selfishness. As I continue to grow and learn as a Christian, I am trying to understand how God is talking to me. He of course speaks through his word and the Holy Spirit. How though does he use friends and people, media, etc? That is were I am feeling at a total loss. I do not feel any particular leadings in this area. From a reading today, a man's son got his leading from a billboard and a bumper sticker. The reflection of the day is: Am I engaged in those spiritual disciplines that can help my spirit to be attentive to God's leading? I am such a 'child' in this area!!!! Prayer from reading: Holy God, there are many 'signs' that might be from you --or might not. Grant us the discernment to seperate the imagined from the real, and the wisdom to test everthing according to your revealed Word.

Sharing My Faith Effectively Part 2

CC=Clear Communication

We must be able to present the gospel in a manner that can be understood. I would not go to speech class and speak on riding horses if I have not studied how to ride horses or practiced my speech.
We need to discover our approach or method to sharing our faith:

*confrontational-Peter (Matt 16:15-16)
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

*intellectual-Paul (Acts 17:16-34)
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. 18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. 19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?....

*testimonial-Blind Man (John 9:25-27)
25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

*relational-Matthew (Luke 5)
Friends bring man with palsey before Christ.

*invitational-Samaritan woman (John 4)
27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? 28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

*Service-Dorcas (Acts 9:36)
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.


We must be prepared to have spiritual conversations. Therefore, PRACTICE sharing. Pray. And be willing to be used and led by the spirit.

Sharing My Faith Effectively Part 1

Why is it important to share our faith?

1. Because people matter to God.

Luke 15
Vs. 1-7 "The lost sheep"
Vs. 8-10 "The lost coin"
**vs 10 calls friends and rejoices

Vs. 11-32 "The prodigal son"

2. The cost/benefit ratio is outstanding
My personal costs: time, risk, complications, pride
My personal benefits:purpose, growth, eternal investments

Effective sharing (ES)=HP+CP+CC(tommorow)

HP=high potency
To be able to share our faith we must know what we believe in. How are we able to increase our potency/knowledge? Scripture reading, scripture meditation, **scripture memory**

CP=Close Proximity
Luke 5: Sometimes people came to Christ, but most often those he ministered to/healed were those that were around him as he went about his ministry. i.e the blind men by the road.

Who is around us that we have the opportunity to minister to? Both in WORD and DEED!!!
How can I increase my CP with others?

CC=Clear Communication (more to come)

Lord, Thank you for those that you have put around me in each station of my life. May I first be an example to them with my actions. Then may I also share with them of the hope that I have. Let me not be ashamed of your Truth. Thank you for your son who did not say "that is too hard" but instead came to this earth to be a man and share your wonderful news with man on earth. amen.