Where's the brakes on this thing?

One thing I've found from owning a car, is that things go wrong and those things cost money. So every now and then when someone else says "I think there's something wrong with you're van", my response is "Eh it's probably nothing."

In this case my brake light had been on for quite some time. Over time the problem got worse. I'm not sure I would have noticed it, if my dad hadn't driven it. He noted that in order for the brakes to 'actually work' you had to push further than you're supposed to. When there's a problem with the brakes, it can be a BIG problem. (Course everyone knows that.)

We as humans have a built in "brake" system that helps tell us when we're about to do something wrong. It's better known as our conscience or our moral compass. As we grow closer to God and dig into the bible that moral compass gets more and more accurate. But it has a weakness. When we do something wrong and get away with it, when a second opportunity comes up the red flags aren't as strong. So it's easier to not stop. Before long you're whole "brake system" is messed up but someone else might notice before you do. 

1 John 3:6 - No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 

That's heavy, but that's why we have to keep our brakes in check. And constantly monitor our attitudes and actions. 

Lord help separate me from the sin that tempts me each day. Keep me in check and help me to keep my eyes on you. 

Until next time, continue to make ripples from pebbles. :D

Rippling beneath the Surface

"Are you  ready? You'll want to hold your nose. Joseph I baptize you in the name of..." Those were the last words I heard before I was dunked under the surface of the lake.  With it being at the park, it wasn't as cold as it could have been. In fact the weather was pretty near perfect. (Yes that's my shoe.) It didn't occur to me till afterwards just how pretty that spot is. I've been a Christian since my early teens, but wasn't baptized till  a couple weeks ago. So why now? In part because it had never been done. That was mostly due to not fully understanding what it was/why it's necessary etc. It wasn't really promoted much and it didn't come around very often. At this point in my ministry journey I decided it was important to go ahead even though it was so much later. For one because I knew I would be encouraging others to make the same step. I also realized that baptism is an important action in our faith. Why is something that gets you wet and only lasts a couple minutes so important?

Facts about baptism:

• The practice of baptism is continued today out of obedience to what Christ asks us to do. 
• If you've been baptized it's not necessary to do so again. (Even if wandered away, or if it was done as a baby.) However you can renew your baptism vows as you would marriage vows. (Water isn't essential the second time.) 
• You don't have to "prove your a christian" before you're baptized. Baptism is simply an outward expression showing that you've made an inward decision. Growth and transformation will happen over time, not a requirement for baptism.

Here's a Q&A about Baptism from Whitehorse Church of the Nazarene

 (not connected in any way with this blog. Given as a resource for more information.)

I love the beauty in the picture above. The trees changing, the sky color, but also the ripples in the water from the baptism in action. I've experienced God's comfort in so many situations, and I know I wouldn't be able to do any of this without him. My prayer is that he continues to make ripples through my ministry, None of this is about me, it's all for God's glory. I'll just keep throwing one pebble at a time, and see how far God takes the ripples.

Last Chance?

Baseball brings out the best and worst in the fans that follow it. The Cubs series against the Brewers is coming to a close and my nails are nearly non-existent. Virtually ANYTHING can happen at any moment for the losing team to sneak ahead of the other.

 In the case of this specific series, three of the four games went into the tenth inning. Two of the three clinched by the Cubs. If you've been following this season, there was a lot riding on this series, and the one to come against the cardinals. One of the best parts of baseball is seeing if the losing team can make a comeback. It's better if it's the team you're rooting for, but usually you can nod your head and say "That was a great play."
During this series people keep saying, "This is playoff baseball for the Brewers." They're putting in everything they have right now because they know the end of the season is coming. And they're only a few games shy of the wild card right now. They're putting in everything they have to keep it from being their last game. At the beginning of the season it's easy to say " We'll get the next one" and it's almost taken for granted. However, every game in baseball eventually leads to who makes the playoffs.

What if we lived as if each decision or interaction could cause the world to plunge out of orbit and change the way of life for all as we know it? A little dramatic? Maybe. So let's look at it this way. If you learned that today would be your friend's last day, how would you treat him/her? You'd do everything within you're ability to make this day memorable right? Maybe you'd be careful with what you say and treat this person to ice cream or maybe an amusement park? What if you treated each day, each interaction with anybody, as if that could directly impact their next moment? I know that's heavy. Each moment and interaction we have is a chance to show God's love. All this is temporary. The next moment isn't guaranteed. James 4:14 compares our life to being a mist. Appearing only for a moment and then vanishing. Life is as unpredictable as Cubs baseball. You never really know what could be coming, so treating each moment like it's precious is our best option.

I wrote most of this yesterday. So as I was typing it, I was keeping tabs on the final game in the series against the Brewers. 3rd inning no outs, 0-0. Next moment? one guy singles, another doubles and SCORE!!! Cubs lead 1-0 top of the 4th inning, nobody out. The players were giving it their all to win the game. (The Cubs won by the way!) As they move into the next series against the cardinals, they're preparing physically and mentally to give it their all. Are we giving it our all, to live each moment to make an impact for the kingdom?