be a giver (and more)

There are many things to think about during this down time. Wait, this is now down time. This is being told to stay home time. Maybe life has taken a weird turn for you as it has for others. That simply means for a while things are going to be different. But honestly many things may never be the same.

As I think through that life was life just a few weeks ago and what it is like now there are some things that have to continue. I do not apologize for sharing what I am today. Yet I do ask that you seriously consider some things that are important.

Be a witness.

Share your faith in your social media posts, in your daily interaction with no matter who you encounter. Faith over fear. Worship over worry. Christ over all the chaos.

Matthew 5:16 NASB

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Be a giver.

This is one that we cannot miss. Tithe and give to the church as you have in the past. For our church go to the church website www.thecommunityfellowship.org and click give online. Whether you can attend in person or not, give as you know is right. The church and the ministries you support need you more now than ever. Be a generous giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NASB

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Be a prayer warrior.

Yes, I sound like a broken record, but while we are home or social distancing, pray. Pray for the people that come across your mind or across your screen. Let people know you are praying for them. This might be an encouragement that keeps someone going.

Psalm 142:1 NASB

I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord; I make supplication with my voice to the Lord.

Be a thermostat.

The difference between a thermometer and a thermostat is huge. We should be the ones who set the atmosphere wherever we go. Christians should know peace and have wisdom. That gives us the ability like a thermostat to set the mood, the attitude, the strength and the joy of the places we find ourselves.

Don’t let the coronavirus make you lazy or unfaithful. Seek to be a change maker, a hope giver and a blessing in many ways. Include the things I just mentioned. Be a witness, a giver, a prayer warrior and a thermostat.

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog