You have a 'friend request' from God

"The easiest kind of relationship for me is with ten thousand people. The hardest is with one." (Joan Baez)

In our current world of mobile technology and online networking, it is literally possible to have conversations with tens or even hundreds of people a day. Whether its email, cell phone, texting, Facebook, Skype, or Twitter…our connectability with others has become virtually unlimited. In fact, I’m Facebook chatting with a friend as I’m writing this blog. There are some definite drawbacks, however, to take notice of.

With most of this online networking, we lose so much of the voice tone, body language, and sharing of emotions. If there’s a problem in a relationship, we’ve grown to take the ‘easy’ route and simply email our concerns and frustrations to the offending party. If the issue is too uncomfortable to deal with, we then simply ignore emails and texts as if there were a technical problem.

Now let’s turn this around to examine this dynamic between us and God. Do you suppose that many of us tend to treat our relationship with Jesus in the same manner at times? Sure, we may Skype him via video chat when we REALLY need him, but most of the time it might just be a simple prayer text or wall post on Facebook that he might happen to notice. Check out this Bible Tweet…

Romans 5:11 reads:

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. (NLT)

Jesus intentionally made us (you and I) friends of God! It doesn’t stop there though. This is not the same reference as the kind of friend you went through school with. Looking deeper into this text, especially at the Greek translation, the issue of atonement comes into play. You see, we are not just BFFs with God the Father, Jesus made us RIGHT with him. He ‘fixed’ our relationship. All God asks of us is to actively enjoy growing close to him!

This week, may you NOT miss out on some personal time with God. Invite him to Starbucks and chat over a hot latte. Ask him to go for a walk with you in the park. Whatever it is, may you discover the joy in that ‘wonderful new relationship’ this week. He’s got his cell phone on….and he’s not screening his calls!

Those Crazy Blessings!

It’s Thanksgiving time, and for our family one additional thought comes to mind other than turkey. ‘Black Friday!’ That’s right…we are some of those fanatical people that will do almost anything for a good deal. We are usually up and out the door between 3:30 and 4:30 a.m. standing in line with a couple hundred like-minded (crazy) souls. My wife and I, however, differ a bit in what we enjoy about this annual holiday scurry. She is all about strategically planning her ‘attack’ on the retail front, while I simply tag along enjoying observing society in full throttle. I know it sounds sick, and it probably is…but we really enjoy it!

This year we had an idea that would add a fun little twist to our adventure. If you have ever been out when the stores open on black Friday you know that emotions, time of day, desperation, and frustration can be a challenge for anyone. Back-pew Betsy easily transforms into fire-breathing Fran. This led us to think that there are probably endless opportunities to bless total strangers who are having a really bad day.

I’m sure you’ve heard of random acts of kindness? It’s when you simply do something nice, spontaneously meet a need, for a total stranger. Well, we decided as a family that this was going to be our objective on Black Friday this year while out finding our bargains. We are taking a portion of our Christmas funds and dividing it six ways, then keeping our eyes open for windows of opportunity to meet a need for someone this Christmas season.

Matthew 14:13-14 tells us of Christ’s character after receiving news that his cousin

had just been killed.

As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

In this account, Jesus not only takes note of a need but sets his own needs aside long enough to bless someone else. How could he do this after having just learned of John’s death? Because he was moved with compassion for others. Here’s my encouragement for you this week. May you strive to notice a need between now and Sunday, and then act on it. And may you be blessed from being a blessing to a neighbor in need.

Church Trends Open Discussion

Barna Group (2005)

Trends related to the American church

1) Barna noted that most local churches essentially ignore three critical spiritual dimensions: ministry to children, ministry to families, and prayer.

2) Congregations are rapidly incorporating new technologies into their activities. The integration of these applications into the church’s normal process conveys an image of cultural sensitivity and relevance to those who are trying to determine if the church has something valid to offer.

3) The slow demise of the African-American church community. There is an intriguing - and unfortunate - correlation between the economic rise of the African-American population and the deterioration of its faith in Christ.

4) The "changing of the guard among the leaders of the leaders." Referring to the individuals whom the media and general public, as well as pastors, perceive to be the leading spokespersons for the Christian Church in the U.S.

Trends related to people of faith

1) Evangelicals are by far the most active in evangelism, most likely to read the Bible, to pray, to attend church services, to volunteer at a church, and to engage in a small group during the week, and give away almost three times as much money as do other Americans.

2) American Christians are biblically illiterate. Although most of them contend that the Bible contains truth and is worth knowing, and most of them argue that they know all of the relevant truths and principles, the Barna research shows otherwise.

3) The rise of revolutionaries. Revolutionaries are individuals who are deeply committed to Christ, and want more of God in their lives. Frustrated by churches in the attempts to satisfy that longing, these individuals have crafted entirely new spiritual environments that draw them closer to God and other believers, without the help of a conventional church.

4) The faith trajectory of the young adult generations (the Baby Busters and the Mosaics). Overall, they are interested in matters of faith, but they have few assumptions about what a life of faith must entail.


These trends should easily evoke multiple thoughts and insights in believers. What are yours?

Searching for Hope

Psalm 25:21 reads:

"May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you."

For this week simply meditate on this verse each day. Ask yourself what you need protection from...and where you get your hope.

My Unplanned Life

Let me start off by asking you a question. Have you ever had life simply not go your way? Maybe an emergency or an unexpected situation pops up! Don’t you love it? I mean, come on…don’t we deserve to have these things submit a request to our day-planner like everything else?

The fact of the matter is life is going to continue moving straight ahead whether we are keeping up or not. Some of the things that tend to catch us off guard are as simple as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet other times it is a direct result of an untimely or unwise choice we made. God is not necessarily there placing some obstacles in our path and removing others. He is there guiding us throughout the journey. Sometimes he gets our attention by shouting our name, and other times he simply whispers. Either way, his intention is to draw you to himself…to keep you focused and not distracted. The closer we see and feel him near us, the more insignificant life’s trials appear. The contrary is also very true. If we are not walking, talking, and fellowshipping intimately with our creator the small negatives in life can virtually blind us of his presence.
Check out the verse below…

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

You see, Jesus never promised us that life would always be a bed of roses. He did, however, conquer the thorns, broken glass, fiery coals, and anything else that could otherwise tear us apart. This week, may you know the person of Jesus each day. May you also trust him enough to share your happiest moments…and your most devastating struggles with him. He longs to be there for both.

Love Comes Even Closer

Psalm 34:18 reads:

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

As believers, we know that he is always there for us. We can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, especially the more active and mindful we are in our time of prayer and reflecting on the Word of God. This verse, however, offers something extra special. When God’s children are brokenhearted, barely hanging on during life’s lowest moments, he is ‘intentionally’ close to us. Not only is he close, but he takes action in those weak times and holds on to us until the storm passes.

God is not in any way obligated to rescue you. It is not in his job description. He is accountable only to himself. This week may you be reminded of this, and that God is actively close simply because he actively loves!