Who is Your Nineveh?

I've been looking at the story of Jonah lately, and getting past the fish thing, I began to think about this city that he didn't want to help. A bit of background. God called Jonah to go to Nineveh to deliver a message of judgment, and Jonah immediately ran in the opposite direction. His reasoning? He couldn't stand the city or people of Nineveh. And to make matters, worse, he knew that if he gave those people the message, God would show them mercy and grace, just like He'd done for His chosen people, Israel, time and again. But Jonah didn't want that, so he refused to take the message to Nineveh. The reason...... he didn't think they were worth God's compassion, or Jonah's time. So, Jonah put his prejudices before God's will. How many times have we done the same? Think..... about what group or individuals do you have that same attitude? Are there those who you think are completely out of consideration for love and acceptance, especially in your eyes? It could be anyone you don't see eye-to-eye with, making them "wrong" or "the wrong people", undeserving of love. But, Jesus says, "Love your enemies, and pray for your persecutors." Aren't we to follow those, or are they just some nice suggestions? Jesus also states, as the greatest and second greatest commandments, "Love your God with everything you are and have, and also, love your neighbors as you love yourself."
So, I find myself looking at my own attitudes and practices, and trying to identify my own Nineveh. I shudder to think what would happen if I was on God's list of the unworthy of grace. God help me to love God, love others and serve the world.

Almost Missed the Boat

There are many times when we find ourselves in situations where we can sense something is happening, but we can't put our finger on it. We either don't have enough information or we haven't been paying attention. So, how can we avoid those times? We need to keep our eyes open, our minds alert, and our senses ready. Realize that burning in your heart means something, and if we seek out that which causes it, out vision will be brought to crystal clarity at the proper time. Don't dismiss those feelings of anticipation. Specific chances only come once, but can be replaced by other, similar opportunities. Stay awake, for these things can come anytime, in broad daylight, or like a thief in the night.

Rejoice in the Beautiful Game

A while ago, I posted the phrase "Let's rejoice in the beautiful game" on facebook, likening it to an attitude to have about life. Well, I received some nice responses, but one in particular stuck with me. This person said life is NOT a game, and we shouldn't be playing at, since life is serious. Well, that's been ruminating in my head for some time, and I think I've come up with something. You see, life is a game, depending on how you look at it. Games have rules, and the game goes better when they are followed. Such is life. Games have a goal, which is nice to achieve, but the true thrill and joy comes in perfecting your skills and pursuing that goal, not as an end in itself, but as motivation for the effort. Such is life. Games usually take a great deal of cooperation, support and encouragement from team mates, coaches, and fans. Without this, they can go on unimproved and sort of stagnate after a bit. Such is life. Play the game with wild abandon, risking your heart, and see what happens. to quote Kna'an: "When I get older, I will be stronger. They'll call me freedom.............Let's rejoice in the beautiful game, and together at the end of the day, we'll all sing..........."

Bold Balance

Is a kinder, gentler faith and presentation of the Gospel really beneficial? When we take the Lion out of the story and play up the Lamb, do we do a disservice to believers and unbelievers alike? We need to strike a firm, bold balance, including not only the promise of redemption, but also words of warning and caution about what awaits those who don't acknowledge His Kingship. We should be careful to not only inform, but work to also transform. This comes by using strong terms lovingly, standing our Spiritual ground. "The call of the Cross, therefore, is to enter into the passion of Christ. We must have upon us the print of the nails." - Gordon Watt

Give us...........!!

     If given the opportunity, which Barabbas would I choose over Jesus? Which temptation would I follow, and which selfish desire or self-righteous way of thinking? Which perceived danger to my way of life? Which threat to my status quo? This man, this Messiah promised to turn all my comfort on its head the way He cleared the money changers from the temple. He says families will divide, friendships end, and congregations split, all because of Who He is and what He speaks.
     Truth be told, we'd prefer the evil with which we are familiar to the unknown blessings that come when and if we trust and obey Jesus. Why are we so reluctant? Do we look at the history of His church and followers and fear death? Death only brings us home to be with Him eternally.
     Don't we realize we are all slowly dying anyway, and the darkness of this world works hard to cover that fact as we strive to remain young, working to postpone our inevitable mortality?
     Why not put effort into living in and for our Creator, and put more joy into our lives and this world, instead of trying to elevate ourselves by diminishing the status of others?  Our strongest efforts should be in living as servants to our fellow travelers in this life.
     To be more like Christ and less like us should be our goal. Let Him be seen when people look into our eyes.