If you know me at all, you know I like tech gadgets.  I like to be current with technology, if not a little bit ahead of the curve.  However, you may consider me pre-historic because I don’t have the latest cell phone technology with a data plan–mostly because I haven’t been able to justify the cost.  Sure, I would love the convenience of the virtual world at my fingertips everywhere I go!  I’ve always dreamed of having the all-in-one device that plays music, videos, gives me directions with the latest maps, tells me what song is playing in that store at the mall, helps me navigate the constellations in the sky, checks my email, follows my social networks and makes a phone call.  All of those things in one device would not only be entertaining but it would make my pockets lighter.  But it comes at a price!

I remember having a conversation with a representative of my wireless network a few months ago.  I was telling him that I couldn’t justify or afford the extra $30 a month for the data plan that comes with the latest smartphone.  His question back was, “Do you have an extra dollar a day?”  Wow, that makes it sound a lot cheaper, huh?  Since then, I still have not added the data plan.

It wasn’t the thought of not having the data plan that haunted me last night–it was the salesman’s question.

There’s an organization that I hear about and see often at concerts and events that used to use the tagline, “For just a dollar a day…”  Since then, the price has gone up a little bit due to the worldwide economy but Compassion is just one organization that helps provide food, water, shelter, clothes and education for children in poverty.  The price to sponsor a child is $38 a month.  Compare that to the $30 data plan.

Feed my need for technology or hear the cries of the oppressed?

I’m not a spokesman for Compassion, just a guy thinking about what really matters in life.  At this point, I don’t sponsor a child OR subscribe to a data plan with my wireless carrier.  I’m not sure what I’m going to do at this point…but at least I’m thinking about it, right?  There will come a point in time where I need to put my thought into action.

I know God doesn’t need more apathetic philosophers to talk about what the Church is doing wrong but He needs some revolutionaries to show the Church what to do right!

I like what C.S. Lewis writes in his book Mere Christianity,

“But it [Christianity] also thinks that a great many things have gone wrong with the world that God made and that God insists, and insists very loudly, on our putting them right again.”

• Taking and being the Church in a non-church environment.  (Matthew 28:18-20 *note:  ”all nations” has no boundaries of social class, job environment, race, religion, nationality, etc.)
• Hearing ‘their’ cries.  (Exodus 3:7-9)
• Restoration.  (Romans 8:18-24, Revelation 21:3-5)

Funny, after writing these out, I realized how much they go hand in hand.

Until next time.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I’d even lived one day. (Psalm 139:16)

May you rest in the fact that your story has already been written!  Consider stepping into that which He has already prepared for you.

I remember coming home from kindergarten around lunchtime and every once in a while my dad would be there to greet me.  He would make me a PB&J sandwich with a side of Conn’s Potato Chips and give me the constant beverage we had in our house, Coca-Cola Classic.  I would take my lunch into mine and Eric’s bedroom, fire up the ol’ black and white tube television and play Super Mario Bros. on Nintendo.

I’m not sure why that memory crosses my mind so often but it’s always interesting to think about my journey, how my life has changed since then and where I’ll be the next time I eat a PB&J sandwhich, Conn’s Potato Chips and tasty Coca-Cola Classic.

Thanks for the memory, dad.

God, give me YOUR EYES to see the injustice, the hurting, the hopeless and the helpless around me.  Give me YOUR Heart to love with.  Give me YOUR MIND to think with.  Let me be attentive to the One who already lives through me.  I want to step into YOUR STORY and join whatever you’re already doing and whatever you want to do.

This may or may not be related to my recent prayer but a week ago Julie and I went to a local produce market to pick up some groceries.  We ran into an elderly lady who was noticeably frail in her speech and in her walk.  She asked if I could lift a bag of oranges into her cart.  As I was assisting her–she went on to explain, “I just had a chemo treatment and I can’t do much.”  I asked her if there was anything else I could help her with.  She said, “No, my husband is waiting for me out in the car.”  I hope that as I performed this act–Jesus radiated through me.  I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her or praying for her.

Sometimes, when you’re on your hands and knees in the filth and chaos serving others you’re taken advantage of by the very people you’re trying to show God’s love and grace to–especially, when you’re serving QUIETLY and behind the scenes.  It’s like, while you’re on the ground attempting to build Christ’s Kingdom you’re being kicked in the ribs over and over again…but you continue serving and submitting anyways because you know it’s what God is calling you to do.  It’s insanity!  Same act–same result.

Then, I think about Jesus!  He served QUIETLY while being kicked in the ribs over and over again and hung on a cross to rescue mankind.

Is this what it means to share in Christ’s sufferings?

What’s the hardest thing about serving to you?

*By the way, I’ve written and re-written this post and cannot figure out the clearest way to demonstrate this thought.  Maybe you can help me out

“The church has a responsibility to be innovators, not duplicators.”