Turning Away, Turning Towards!

Scripture reminds us that we live in a fallen world. There is good and there is evil; those things that protect and those things that will destroy. Not all have the same choices but all have the same opportunity. There are opportunities that heal and choices that can destroy. 

Psalms 97:10 reads;

You who love the LORD, hate evil!

He protects the lives of his godly people

and rescues them from the power of the wicked.

Godly and good are synonymous. Though Jesus indicated that only God is good, yet, as followers of Jesus, we can provide an avenue for goodness. It is a part of the fruit of the Spirit! It is birthed by the Spirit of God! It is what God provides when we become a child of God, through Christ! Those around us benefit by our godly living. Those who come near can be blessed. In fact, the Bible speaks of being a blessing and blessing our children. 

We, as followers of Christ know that we are to be a blessing! We know that it is always welcomed. It is always just on-time if done in the Name of Christ! When we pray, God will lead us in how to bless others! 

The ministry to others is the result of what God is doing in our lives! Those who love the Lord turn from evil. As they turn away from evil, they turn towards good. Those that follow after God know how He protects our lives and rescues us! 

As we follow God, in Christ, we turn away from evil and toward God! 

Pause.

Is taking time out easy for you? Me, not so easy. I am surrounded by noise all day long. Me, not finding time to just sit and pray. Me, not being silent. Me, not being present.

It is a new discipline that I am trying to find rhythm for. 

My journal reflects this. My schedule reflects this. My time with others reflect this. I am hurried and setting goals just for me. They are my inner commands to rush - achieve - do! 

I am finding it hard to spend time - quality time with God. 

I am finding a renewed meaning with spending time - quality time with those I love! Yet, this is slow. I feel the need to do. I do the dishes. I do the other things. I fill my space with stuff! My family appreciated it but why do I need to do it? 

40 hours of work.

20 hours of “my scheduled” stuff. 

60 or so hours of sleep. I have no trouble sleeping.

20-25 hours wasted? Where did this time go? TV. YouTube. Reading. Other tasks that mean nothing. Personal Worship. Corporate Worship.

How did I get to this decade? 

Did stuff carry me here? Did duty bring me here? Did self get me here? Perhaps this is why I am weary.

What have I experienced in Christ? Leading others to Christ. Prayer. Worship. Purposeful study. Fellowship with others with no agenda!

Who benefited by the wake I made in life?

Who have I damaged in the waves I created? 

Rest. Patience. These are my most recent themes. They have taken me somewhere - all year and into 2024. 

Worth: How Much Is One Life?

We have all heard it. We do it each day. We compare the cost. We may even consider how to find the bargain. 

One life is worth it - priceless! Priceless! 

We want to find the deal. We may even want to cheapen the cost. We may be tempted to find a cheaper way. 

What is one life worth? Now how much does it cost. It is the price we will pay for just one life? 

If it was for one of our own? We would do anything! We would pay any price!

Today, I am hearing a message that remind me that nothing, NOTHING is too much to pay for one life. 

What do you have in your hand? Moses was asked to give what he had to give. Interesting but we know that even the staff he held was God’s resource we need to use to pay the price! 

How much time do you have? It is too hard to give those extra few moments to listen? It is too costly to wait and listen? Is your time too costly to give away. 

How many fish do you have? The young child said, “I have my lunch.” What can Jesus do with such a small offering? Watch Him! Jesus fed thousands. How? He took what was not our to own to give it for God’s Glory. It is for God’s gain! His Kingdom come! Is it too much to give when God can multiply? 

Woman, give me something to drink! Jesus invited a woman to give. She was one whom culture said that she was not worthy. Jesus took her offering - something that was not hers to own. It was from Jacob’s well. Yet, she discovered a living water that shall always fulfill her greatest need! 

You? Me? Those that need our investment. Time. Possession. Talent. Only a little will produce much when it is given to the Master. 

Little is much when God is in it! 

Okay, so the world is not ok. It needs seed to grow. It needs nurtured. It needs watered. It needs what only God can give. 

It is too much to give away? Is it too much to let go of? 

What are you afraid of? Will you need it? Can’t God multiply your tithe? How about your time? What about your _______?

Worth. What is the cost of one life? 

Fly The Friendly Skies!

In the early 60’s Leo Burrett and his team landed on a marketing idea that stuck for decades. Chicago based marketing firm and United Airlines (also Chicago based) agreed upon a statement that was universally known as the United Air brand. This contributed to TV and Radio ads as well as print. It seemed like the sky was the limit on what a local marketing firm could develop. It launched them internationally. This was the phrase, “Fly The Friendly Skies!”

The creator of “The Marlboro Man,” Leo was growing his firm to what is even today the most successful in the advertisement world. This iconic brand appeared everywhere. Smoking was officially a mocha man brand. (Later Leo’s team hired their first black woman to lead and introduce a more female friendly icon for smokers.) I know, this is not a welcomed habit but in the 40’s through the 80’s it was a mainstay for most people. Not until the late 90’s was smoking indoors and at restaurants banned smoking. 

Why do I start this blog with this bit of history (& on such a terrible habit by today’s standards? It related to how culture is defined and how people follow. 

Ideas and crowd-sourcing branding is powerful. Ideas catch on. Culture responds to these kinds of well-delivered brands. Name any familiar brand like Coke, (Dr. Pepper is my favorite), McDonalds, and thousands more. Themes catch on and especially with a catchy song. 

Themes are common to all genres and groups. Today is no different. There are many more naturally since there are many ore channels and tools available. 

The Super Bowl is just around the corner and brands compete for top billing. Just watch which brand is on top. Doritos, Insurance Companies; tastes in food and drink will also be represented. 

I am watching too. I hope to see the now popular commercials that speak about God’s Love that Hobby Lobby has been funding. The elevated stage and audience will present hope to millions! This is literally Good News! 

The Gospel will go out to millions in those powerful but brief 30-Seconds. They will impact the lives of many who are lonely, in need and overwhelmed by their circumstances. I usually pray during these commercials for those that need to hear this powerfully positive message. 

All this today that we need to people who carry the message of hope to those we encounter. It may be that the life we lead, the time we spend with people and the words we say will impact the life of someone we are praying for!  The memorable words of Jesus can bring people to the incredible message of hope! 

For God so loved the world….

I go to prepare a place for you….

I will not leave you as orphans….

I offer living water….

I am the bread of life….

I am The Way, The Truth, The Life….

As we live out the words of Jesus and the hope of the world, we can change culture, provide hope, reach the least, lost, last, and lonely. 

Let us take time to listen and share the hope we found in Christ. 

They say that the best form of marketing is word of mouth. What is it that you are saying that others are hearing? What can we do to reach others as God’s Ambassadors. 

As I write this blog, I am 35,000 feet from the earth’s soil. There is a mission all around me and you. I know that the landscape looks and feels different at the surface so before you act, take time to pray. Take time to care for your neighbor. Take time to share the hope you have with another. No matter the obstacle you may face, may the Lord find us faithful. (Matthew 25.)

Take 2 minutes to write down those names of people you know that need the Good News. Take 4 minutes to pray for them. Take 8 minutes to bless them. Take 16 minutes to listen. Take 32 minutes to serve them. Or visa versa if you prefer. But, take the time you need to build a relationship with them at the speed of trust!