This week's song initially grabbed my attention when I first visited my local Christian Bookstore in Derby last week. It's by Steven Curtis Chapman, from his new album called "Re:Creation." The title of the song is "Do Everything" and it's just so uplifting and encouraging for me. I would guess that many Christians find themselves in the routines of life and wonder how what they are doing day-to-day is serving the Lord. I am reminded by this song that everything we do in life, even doing the dishes, can give God glory. It's all about our perspective isn't it? By doing the dishes, I can be rejoicing in the fact that my family is blessed by God in having food every day. By doing the dishes happily, I glorify God in my role as a parent taking care of the needs of my family.
The song starts off with the mundane tasks that so many parents get sick of doing. And then to the working Dad, the student, the missionary, the musician, etc. There is something in this song that everyone can identify with. But what if we did these things in a way that brought a smile to God's face?
You’re picking up toys on the living room floor
for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost
Cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips
and head out the door
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
Well let me remind you it all matters just as long as you
Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
I once met a 17-year old girl that really exemplified this message. In my former life in the U.S., I was a volleyball coach for teenage girls. One of the big events at the end of the year for the State Championship finals in New York State, is a banquet before the tournament. At that banquet, there are about 20 teams from various parts of the state and each team selects a representative to get up in front of all 400+ people to talk about their team, their school, and their home town.
To give you an understanding of the setting, there wer 19 Public School teams represented there, and 1 Christian School...Loudonville Christian School, a very small school, and this was their first time making it to the State Finals. When it came to be time for Loudonville to talk in front of the group, the team captain stepped up to the microphone. She is this bubbly girl, that appeared to be so comfortable speaking in front of the group. She talked about her teammates and her school, and then I was so amazed and proud when she talked about God. She spoke of how her team believes that by playing Volleyball, they are giving glory to God. She compared it to how parents watch their young children playing with toys and feel joy to see their children having fun. She explained how God looks down on her team playing a sport they love, playing to the best of their ability, having fun, and He smiles. Watching us play volleyball makes God smile.
Watching us be kind to someone in the supermarket, makes God smile. Watching us help a coworker, makes God smile. Watching us greet our children at the bus stop, makes God smile. And the list goes on forever. What will you do today to make God smile?
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
May you find ways to take what might now seem to be mundane, and turn it into something that glorifies the Lord and makes Him smile.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Courageous
I mentioned last week that I would soon be sharing another song from Casting Crowns....well, you don't have to wait any longer! This is another powerful song, calling us to action. Some background here...this song was written for the recently released movie, "Courageous" which I am so excited to see. It's playing now in the US, and hopefully it will make it to the UK by November. This movie is about 4 police officers that learn to be courageous in their home lives, by growing closer to God and raising their children in a way that honors God. It is an action packed movie with a strong message for men as fathers and leaders in their families.
While this song and movie are definitely targeting men and their roles as fathers, I think mothers and all Christians can be motivated by this song. When I listen to this song, I am reminded of how hard it is sometimes to be a Christian in this world. Of course, my life as a Christian is no where near as difficult as those courageous missionaries around the world proclaiming the Gospel in lands where religious freedoms do not exist. But I am witnessing how being a Christian in the U.S., and even moreso in the U.K. qualifies me as a minority. My pastor mentioned today that in the UK, only 6% of the population attends church on a Sunday. This fact was made known to me when my daughter was invited to a birthday party that was scheduled for today, a Sunday, at 10:30am. Sunday mornings are not Holy here for most people.
And whether I'm in the US or the UK, I've always struggled with how to share the love of Jesus with my friends and aquaintances outside the church family. Gosh, it's so hard. Even today, when we had friends over for dinner, I felt myself wondering should we pray, should we not? Why am I so nervous about the reaction of others, so afraid that by me mentioning Jesus I will offend or hurt a good relationship. Why am I so afraid of the rejection of my beliefs, the rejection of my God. Why is it so awkward?
I so enjoy the fellowship, learning, sharing and support that comes from a church family, from Bible studies, and other church activities. Sometimes I just long to be able to share those wonderful experiences with my friends. So I will invite them to "Guest Sunday" or to our next Bible study, but then I am saddened when they don't come. Making it harder for me to invite someone again. Unfortunately, I take the rejection personally...but it's not about ME! It's about my friends and their relationship with their Creator, their life here on earth, their life after this earth.
This is where the courage comes in. To share Jesus Christ in a world that worships other Gods like money, career, power, and self. To keep Jesus at the center of your life with all these distractions tempting us.
We were made to be courageous
We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation
That finally breaks the chains
We were made to be courageous
We were made to be courageous
We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we're watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away
Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of our hearts cry
We will serve the Lord
So may you be courageous to create a life for your family that honors God. May you be a blessing to those around you and overcome that fear of rejection that holds you back from spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. I pray this for you and also myself, let's get back to the front lines.
For more information on the "Courageous" Movie, visit http://courageousmovie.com/
While this song and movie are definitely targeting men and their roles as fathers, I think mothers and all Christians can be motivated by this song. When I listen to this song, I am reminded of how hard it is sometimes to be a Christian in this world. Of course, my life as a Christian is no where near as difficult as those courageous missionaries around the world proclaiming the Gospel in lands where religious freedoms do not exist. But I am witnessing how being a Christian in the U.S., and even moreso in the U.K. qualifies me as a minority. My pastor mentioned today that in the UK, only 6% of the population attends church on a Sunday. This fact was made known to me when my daughter was invited to a birthday party that was scheduled for today, a Sunday, at 10:30am. Sunday mornings are not Holy here for most people.
And whether I'm in the US or the UK, I've always struggled with how to share the love of Jesus with my friends and aquaintances outside the church family. Gosh, it's so hard. Even today, when we had friends over for dinner, I felt myself wondering should we pray, should we not? Why am I so nervous about the reaction of others, so afraid that by me mentioning Jesus I will offend or hurt a good relationship. Why am I so afraid of the rejection of my beliefs, the rejection of my God. Why is it so awkward?
I so enjoy the fellowship, learning, sharing and support that comes from a church family, from Bible studies, and other church activities. Sometimes I just long to be able to share those wonderful experiences with my friends. So I will invite them to "Guest Sunday" or to our next Bible study, but then I am saddened when they don't come. Making it harder for me to invite someone again. Unfortunately, I take the rejection personally...but it's not about ME! It's about my friends and their relationship with their Creator, their life here on earth, their life after this earth.
This is where the courage comes in. To share Jesus Christ in a world that worships other Gods like money, career, power, and self. To keep Jesus at the center of your life with all these distractions tempting us.
We were made to be courageous
We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation
That finally breaks the chains
We were made to be courageous
We were made to be courageous
We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we're watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away
Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of our hearts cry
We will serve the Lord
So may you be courageous to create a life for your family that honors God. May you be a blessing to those around you and overcome that fear of rejection that holds you back from spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. I pray this for you and also myself, let's get back to the front lines.
For more information on the "Courageous" Movie, visit http://courageousmovie.com/
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Glorious Day
This week's song takes us back to the story of the Gospel. I don't know about you, but I've been finding myself focused on God's love for me, His compassion, His plans, etc., but not reflecting as much on Jesus, the gift he gave us all, and the fact that without him, I wouldn't really know my God. So this week's song is the story of Jesus...who he was, how he was, what he did, and what was done to him. It's a song called "Glorious Day" by Casting Crowns. This band is very likely my favorite Christian Band. I just love the harmonies that they create in their songs, but also there are some serious messages in their music. I'm really quite shocked that this is my first Casting Crowns song on the blog. There are definitely more to come....likely soon.
Sometimes as Christians we may forget how blessed we are to have full access to God, we can talk directly to Him...and this is only because of the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we are able to do so. This is the Good News! By believing in Him we are promised life with God forever....without deserving it at all. Our sins are forgiven, no matter how bad they are. Therefore, there is nothing that stands between us and our Lord, the debt has been paid.
So for all of us who have truly accepted Jesus Christ in our hearts, we can look forward to reuiniting with him again...in our death from this life on earth, when Jesus returns to Earth, or perhaps some combination of the two. I don't know when or how that will be, but I have faith that someday it will be, and until then we can work to enable God's "kingdom" to come, His "will to be done," here on "earth as it is in heaven."
Living He loved me, dying He saved me
Buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified, freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
So may you remember how Jesus changed the world and changed your life. Remember His life, what He taught us, and His purpose. Be filled with joy in this knowledge and let that joy pour out of you into this world, his creation. I hope to see you on that "Glorious Day."
God Bless!
Sometimes as Christians we may forget how blessed we are to have full access to God, we can talk directly to Him...and this is only because of the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we are able to do so. This is the Good News! By believing in Him we are promised life with God forever....without deserving it at all. Our sins are forgiven, no matter how bad they are. Therefore, there is nothing that stands between us and our Lord, the debt has been paid.
So for all of us who have truly accepted Jesus Christ in our hearts, we can look forward to reuiniting with him again...in our death from this life on earth, when Jesus returns to Earth, or perhaps some combination of the two. I don't know when or how that will be, but I have faith that someday it will be, and until then we can work to enable God's "kingdom" to come, His "will to be done," here on "earth as it is in heaven."
Living He loved me, dying He saved me
Buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified, freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
So may you remember how Jesus changed the world and changed your life. Remember His life, what He taught us, and His purpose. Be filled with joy in this knowledge and let that joy pour out of you into this world, his creation. I hope to see you on that "Glorious Day."
God Bless!
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