Devotion: On Fire

"Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shake, let us be thankful, and worship God with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" Hebrews 12:28-29

Last weekend, I was hosting an Indian Princess gathering for my daughter. I had hoped to build a fire in the backyard, but after two days of rain, the wood was wet. As I tried frustratingly to get the fire started I watched as the wet would individually would not light, but after a while the twigs began to dry out and slowly as the fire got hotter the new wood would dry quicker. As individual twigs it was near impossible to get them to catch fire, but as they were bundled together and set on the warming coals of the fire they became more useful.
As the smoke filled my eyes, I realized, we are all like the wet wood. Individually it is hard to catch the fire of our faith; to burn with love for Christ. We are wet with our individual issues of sin, and shame, and guilt that keep us from thinking God could use us in His ministry. However, if we gather ourselves together and surround ourselves with others who are burning with the love of Christ, we will notice how our lives change. By setting ourselves in relationship with other Christians who can inspire us, who can call us to strive forward in our journey of faith, we will discover that God will change our hearts.

Has life made you feel soggy and water-logged? Who is someone "on fire for Christ" in your life? What does that look like? How might they encourage your faith?

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JWB::1-on-1

Jack and I went to the NASCAR Hall of Fame today. Last year on MLK day Elli and I went, and that was the only other time I've been. Let's just say Jack and I had a near run of the place. Though not sure going to the NASCAR Hall of Fame is an appropriate MLK celebration.


But as the car lover he excitedly ran up the ramp screaming each car's color as he passed by. His favorite activity was the riding in the simulator, and making me crash 4 times.

In the end we took the train to Pikes and had an ice cream.

Up next Tman.

1-on-1

So last year was all about giving stuff up. This year, each month I am going to do a one-on-one event with each of the children.

Ellie and I went to a Davidson basketball game;

But James and I discovered an awesome event. Twice a month, Lowes hosts a Kids Build and Grow gathering for free (at least I hope so, otherwise I owe some money to Lowes).

They gave him an apron, a pair of googles, loaned him a hammer, and then gave him a woodset that eventually turned into a castle.

When we got home, he napped in his googles and apron--and each other child has jealousy tried to swipe his builders gear.

Definitely a cool event to check out again.

Devotion: Store up stuff

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”  Matthew 6:19-20

 

Recently a family went to an estate sale at a very large home in the area.  As they walked through the house, they found a pair of crystal candlesticks.  They thought they were beautiful and bought the pair.  While paying the grand-daughter, they learned that the deceased couple had gotten these candlesticks as a wedding present, and they had remained in their home for the 50 years that they were married.  Knowing the story behind the piece, they excitedly took them home and placed them on their mantel hoping that some of that “luck” would rub off on them.  6 weeks later, their 5 year old son was playing in the house and the candlesticks came crashing down shattering into pieces.

 

What is a prized position of yours?

Have you ever lost something precious to you?  How did you make it through?

What do you desperately hold onto as a symbol?  Money?  A job/degree?  A relationship?

What would it mean for you to store up treasures in heaven?

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

         For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte

Associate Minister for Evangelism and Administration

         (e) wbarry@firstpres-charlotte.org

         (o) 704-927-0240

         (w) www.firstpres-charlotte.org

 

WTHeck Week

Monday

Day off...

discovered that one of my beer brews got over carbonated and exploded (hope that my Xmas presents to others didn't!)

Tuesday

Lindsay's car dies while in the carpool line

My cell phone battery is dead preventing me from get her distress call.

Wednesday

Realized I have lost my Starbucks Goldstar Card

Thursday

Lindsay's car won't start

I cannot get a computer in the office to hold a video conference chat

After 3 hours at the dealership they cannot figure out what was wrong with the car.

Friday

The garage door spring breaks and won't let me get my car out of the garage.

On the way home from Lowe's I get rearended by an old woman who refuses to get out of the car. She just roles down the window slightly and says, "Is it okay, can I just go? My slipper fell off and got stuck. Can I go now?"

Preaching Sunday...pray that it does not capstone the week.

Devotion: New Year, New You?

It’s a new year?  Is it a new you?

People complain about those who make New Year’s resolutions, thinking they are just meaningless goals that we will all drop.  But I find the discipline in goal setting (not just on January 1, but throughout life) to be an important spiritual discipline.  It claims that God has the power to recreate and reshape me.  That life has meaning and direction, should I be willing to follow God’s leading.

I started the year off by reading the book of Ecclessiastes (not the biggest pick me up book).  It is a story about King Solomon, one of the wealthiest kings with a large harem of wives, and how he has found life is utterly meaningless.  He is given the credit for making the line “There is nothing new under the sun.”  It is interesting that many hold onto that belief, when the rest of Solomon’s rant is about how meaningless life is.  I’m not quite willing to subscribe to the rest of his thinking.  He is right that the pursuit of money, power, prestige (and harems) will leave us feeling inadequate and meaningless.  That is not a new way to resolve, but if we resolve to reshape our life in pursuit of Christ that is life changing.

The story of Christ shows us that there is something new under the Son.  Paul says in Corinthians that “If anyone is in Christ, their old life has gone, and a new life has begun.”  Christ’s promise is that if we strive to follow God, new life will emerge.

 

What did you resolve to do this year?  Is it to your benefit or God’s?  It’s never too late…what might God desire for you in 2012? 

Thou Shalt Nots...

2011 Goals Completed:

Give up one thing per month (cannot recall them all)

• January: Texting while driving
• February: Internet
• March: Soda
• April: Alcohol
• May: Processed Food
• June: Television
• July: Work Email after hours
• August:
• September: No Screens Past 8
• October: Credit Cards
• November: Coffee
• December: Shopping at chain stores

Ran 575.5 miles

(like going from Charlotte to Tampa Florida)

Biked 1779.18 miles

(from Charlotte to Phoenix--by air)

Swam 61.53 miles

(nearly from West Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island)

Total of 2416 miles (Charlotte to LA)