A mind is a terrible thing to waste!

Last Saturday morning I was loading my truck with tools for the day of work on our building. I had the necessary tools all good to go with the last being a portable generator. I think portable is a misnomer as the only thing portable are the wheels on the bottom. The thing is too heavy to pick up by myself especially into the bed of my truck. So, I thought about it for a moment and started to head to the house to get Barbara (my wife (she is stronger than she lets on)) to come out and pick up the other end. Together we would lift it into the truck. In the past I have pivoted the beast on the wheels or legs onto a trailer but no trailer today. It would not be easy but doable.

Halfway to the house my brain turned on with a brilliant idea. So, I said, “hey I own a tractor with a front end loader.” The heavens opened up and angels sang with my thought. Sure enough I put a ratchet strap to that bad boy generator and a tow strap to the bucket and lifted it into the truck and later when I returned lifted it out. It was so easy. I was (and still am) so proud of myself working smarter and not harder.

Fortunately the brain continued to work on Monday and I lifted and held my riding lawn mower as I drilled out a broken bolt and replaced it, twice I might add. It is amazing when a mind does not go to waste. As I thought about these events (with a little pride) it occurred to me that too often I fail to see and use resources that are mine already. All the time I had that tractor and lift capacity, I just failed to use it. I think if we will be honest we have to admit we waste spiritual resources more often than that!

Paul writes to the church in Ephesus:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Consider how many times we have failed to take advantage of “His power that is at work within us” to face and defeat our foe. How many times have we tried to “muscle” it up to whatever level required only to fail when the “power” was sitting there unused because we failed to ask for it? That seems ridiculous but it happens all too often. The fullness of God lives within us a power that is able to do “immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine.”

26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 …which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:24-25 HCSB

Consider “the power that is at work within us.” What can He not do…fail. That is the resource we have sitting there waiting to be used. Because of our “craving” nature we refuse to ask Him

What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have...You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:1-2 HCSB

Rest assured I will be using my tractor in some other ways. The real trick will be die to self and to ask God first for the resources that he has already given and then to use them for His glory and my good.

It’s good when your brain works!

In HIS Service and Yours,

Bro G

It Takes Practice

“They are so immature! Have you heard teenage girls say that of their friends or especially of boys and their behavior? Having two daughters I heard that a lot. Often I would ask the one speaking what was immature about the questioned behavior, it was probably something I had done or was doing. I then asked what would be more mature? Often though I failed to ask them what was mature about their current behavior?

Maturity seems to have different definitions depending upon age. A teenager behaves a certain way. It took me some time to recognize that in students. Seventh graders act like 7^th graders. Regardless of the person there are common goofy characteristics of 7^th graders and boys in particular. Yet a senior adult could behave the same way say sliding down a smooth ramp in their (dry learned from experience) sock feet and the onlookers would smile and envy them and their freedom. Maybe even say that is real maturity! How can that be? Context is everything and as it turns out so is age. Maturity is important in our walk with Jesus says Paul.

No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. Ephesians 4:14-15 The Message

The 21^st century Christian in America believes in Jesus, has received him as Savior, knows they are going to heaven and in their mind is set. In reality regardless of their age they are a babe in Christ. Maturity comes as we grow in our “walk” as Paul speaks of discipleship. How do we grow or “mature” in our walk with the Lord? There are three basic disciplines prayer, reading scripture and meditating on God’s word and his voice. When those basic disciplines are not practiced maturity is slowed or stopped. It is practice that moves us towards perfection.

In a facebook post of Thursday WTOC reported Albert Pujols, nicknamed "The Machine," displays his power while taking batting practice at Benedictine MIlitary School. Why does Pujols need batting practice? Consider this that a successful average in baseball is only hitting the ball safely 33% of the time. That is a terrible percentage except in baseball. If a free throw shooter had that percentage in basketball they would be on the bench. It is THAT hard to hit a ball thrown by a major league pitcher. It takes consistent batting practice to maintain and grow that skill. Maturity comes by hitting the ball.

Maturity as a disciple comes from consistent practice. Once a week (on Sunday) is not enough practice. If you are on a diet one “good” meal a day will not help you lose weight. One exercise time a week will not shed the pounds and lower the blood pressure. It requires more practice than that. How about your “spiritual” practice? Is it more consistent than one day a week? If not, why not?

Come on just do it!

It’s for His glory and Your good      

In HIS Service and Yours,

Bro G

There is no place like home!

It’s good to be gone but it is better to be home. It seems like forever. The ladies in the office at FBC Springfield Emily, Lisa, and Angie acted like I had been gone forever. It really wasn’t that long.

The first week I went as part of a team to paint at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia. Shorter is one of our Georgia Baptist colleges in the state. It was my first time on campus. Our task was to repaint dorm suites in an overall facelift of several 100+ year old building. Our team made up of two adults and 5 students painted 23 rooms. Yes I wrote 23, my son says we painted 29 because the last six needed two coats to cover well. So, I will go with 29 rooms from Monday morning until Friday morning at 11:10am. We prayed for the students who would be living in those rooms as school begins not knowing their names but desiring God’s hand upon them. It was a great experience.

A major component to the great experience was the staff members at the campus. They made sure we had whatever we needed and wanted. As we spoke with them they loved their jobs and the school. They clearly understood the purpose of the school and their role in that. They prayed with us and for us. They prayed for the coming students and to the person spoke with anticipation for the opportunity to interact and share with the students on the campus. They had me there.

The deal was sealed when the AC repair man shared how he looked forward to the third week after the students start class. The first two weeks he said the new students are all “big and bad” with their new found freedom but about the third week they are not feeling so big and bad. With energy in his voice he then said that’s when we come alongside of them and get to share with them building relationships. That is the AC maintenance guy! I am caught hook, line, and sinker. I am proud to support people like that through Cooperative Program giving through the Georgia Baptist Convention.

It’s good to be home!    

In HIS Service and Yours,

Bro G