Here is how to join us in reflection of the spirit of this upcoming holiday season.

CHUMMING WITH THE MAFIA: “I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” Matthew 9:13 (MSG)

I really like the reminder from today’s devotional that many people missed Jesus and few looked for Him. But ALL who looked for Him, found Him. Somewhat building on my previous thoughts, I think we need to encourage people to seek out Jesus and a relationship with Him. It’s not about showing them the Bible or dragging them to church, rather it’s about touching the desires of their heart so they will seek out Jesus. It’s also a very powerful mantra that all churches should operate by- the Church exists for those outside its walls, not those on the inside.

Another small comment is that his passage is from The Message translation of the Bible, which is more of a paraphrase in contemporary language. I’ve really enjoyed reading this version of many of my favorite old, familiar stories. The words and phrases the Message uses somehow speak to me on a new level and allow me to gain a deeper understanding of that passage. I’m not suggesting it be your only translation of the Bible, but I think it’s a great supplement to a study Bible and will bring new life to the words and parables.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: My wonderful step-dad helped me out of a bind today when my brand new (1 day old) tire was flat in my driveway this morning. (Just needed a new valve stem).

Here is how to join us in reflection of the spirit of this upcoming holiday season.

Today’s chapter is entitled When Jesus Gets into Your Boat: “They caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” Luke 5:6

The first thing I am inspired to do after reading this passage to to be faithful and obedient. Jesus told the disciples exactly what to do, they were faithful and obedient, and then Jesus blessed them. He desires for us to be obedient because He wants to pour out blessings in our lives and fill up our fishing nets. I’m a very firm believer in the principles that the Bible teaches about money and worldly possessions. Jesus repeatedly instructs us to be obedient with our finances, and goes so far as to challenge us to “Test me” and he promises to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings (Malachi 3:10). I don’t know about you, but I’m doing my best to test God through obedience, waiting with my net wide open and looking toward heaven. I’ve already been so incredibly blessed, it’s hard to imagine how much God will bless my obedience even more.

The devotional goes on to quote the 10th verse, in which Jesus assured Peter that he will become a fisher of men very soon. I think this is a great visual metaphor on how Christians are to evangelize to the world. I often wonder “Who I am to go to people around the world and tell them to believe in the Bible?”. Above all, it was Jesus command to do this so that others may know about him. I think that we reach non-believers by showing them something attractive and getting them to move towards us (using humanitarian food aid or other types of social support). This will bring them to Jesus, not by chasing them around beating them over the head with leaflets or tracts. It’s a touchy and complicated subject, but I think we as Christians need to revisit this topic and open up a new chapter on evangelism.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: It’s sooooooo good to be home with Zoe and my husband!

Here is how to join us in reflection of the spirit of this upcoming holiday season.

On my mission trip to Ecuador a few years back, I was very much struck by this particular passage. It was the first time I’d really departed the “Western World” and entered into another culture so deeply that I witnessed their everyday life, their history, their struggles, and their bravery- in a world that was both literally and figuratively a million miles away from my own.

It was the first time I truly realized how numb and insulated my upper-middle class life in America had made me to others around the world, with a great job, a home in the suburbs, a fully stocked kitchen, savings in the bank that distracts me from the needs of others- both near and far from me. How easy it is to be lulled into a sense of apathy by the standards of my western lifestyle and to think little of those around the world who live a life drastically different than mine. I have the volcano photo framed in my office, with the scripture verse printed below to remind me of the lessons I was taught on that trip.

I also think this specific verse is a great one to study each and every single word, for they are all so powerful and all connected to the power of the verse. I’ve heard several sermons on this verse, and I’m most inspired by the fact that the Christian’s work is to resist the ways of the world and then God will be doing the transforming. Don’t try to transform yourself, because it will be God who will change you from the mind by a renewing. This renewing indicates that it was something that you once had or obtained that just needs to be refreshed. Each and every word of this verse is great for study and is a perfect example of how much meaning can be derived and inferred from the powerful words of scripture.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: I’m headed home to Houston tonight, after almost a week on the road!