Category: Thoughts

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No Name Heroes

In this CNN video, a soldier recalls being shot numerous times by the Terrorist who killed 14 people and wounded 30+ others at Fort Hood last week. He tears up towards the end of the video as he recalls other soldiers who assisted him in getting to safety. Sgt. Kimberly Munley was the civilian police officer who shot and took down terrorist Nidal Malik Hasan. Sgt. Munley will easily be remembered by many for her brave act of heroism, and rightfully so, but after watching this video, I wonder how many of us would be as willing to risk our lives for another or to act with such courage, if we knew that the person we helped or saved in a distressful situation wouldn’t even know our name? How many of us would still ‘risk it’ if we had no chance of having our names posted on the front page of news sites all across the world? Check out the video…


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Revolutionary Change Globally

vietnam-kindergarten

One of our core values at New Passion is to create Revolutionary Change through our Local and our Global Influence. As I get the opportunity, I like to celebrate what others are doing to create revolutionary change in their sphere of influence. I’ve had the opportunity to meet Jon Acuff a couple of times at two different blogger events, we’ve not really had the opportunity to have an in-depth conversation, but from what I can tell, he is a normal guy, who God has gifted greatly, and he is using that gift to bring humor and insight into people’s lives. He started a website called “Stuff Christians Like” – If you are not familiar with the site, go check it out…a great start is his About Page.

Jon had a new post the other day entitled, “What If?” – In the post he made the commitment to use his sphere of influence through his blog to raise $30,000 by December 31, 2009 to build a kindergarten in the in Hoang Then village in the Phong Tho district of Vietnam. 18 Hours later, ALL of the money was raised! Yes, $30,000 in 18 hours! This in itself is an incredible and an amazing story. The bigger story is that Jon was able to influence revolutionary change globally through his sphere of influence. 240 children will now have a brand new kindergarten to begin their education in. God gave Jon a vision, he shared it and God used everyday people to make it happen.

Think…what kind of change can you influence locally or globally right where you are? How many of us sit back and do nothing because we are looking for this huge opportunity to come our way or we are waiting for someone to ask us or to hire us? Look at the influence God has given you…and use it. I close with Jon’s words of encouragement, “I believe with God, in God, through God, we can all be bigger than ourselves.“


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Hope in Despair

We kicked off our new series yesterday “There’s An App for That” – Cyndie one of our vocalists shared her story after the message before the closing song about her hope in despair during a recent scary event in her life. If you don’t want to watch all of the music, the intro video, and message, Skip to 53:03 on the video to go directly to Cyndie’s story. After you watch it, Join the Conversation and share with us how Jesus has been a “Hope” during a despairing time in your life.

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I Consider Love as Wealth

close-earsI met today with George Robertson, the pastor of First Pres, where I work my day job. I asked him if he came across anything of value for a new, young pastor in his reading to feel free to recommend it to me.

He immediately grabbed something from his desk and said he did have something. He told me it dealt with handling criticism, which he was sure I had not heard any, but told me I could make a copy. I read it as soon as I got back to the office and thought I would post it hear on my blog for you all to read.

Now, I will be the first to  admit. Okay, maybe my wife would be the first to admit about me and then I would be the second, that I am no stranger to being a critic. I feel I have made great improvements in keeping my mouth shut and my heart right towards people, but there are times I allow myself to be critical of people; so I am a work in progress and I know first hand that this practice is much easier said than done. I thought this would be healthy for anyone, check it out:

Handling the Criticism of Others That You Hear

Charles Simeon, Anglican Minister of the Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, England from 1782 to 1836, speaks to the issue of protecting another’s reputation by the things we say and the things we believe. He wrote in July of 1817, “The longer I live, the more I feel the importance of adhering to the rules which I have laid down for myself in relation to such matters. First, to hear as little as possible what is to the prejudice of others. Second, to believe nothing of the kind until I am absolutely forced to it. Third, never to drink into the spirit of one who circulates an ill report. Fourth, always to moderate, as far as I can, the unkindness which is expressed towards others. Fifth, always to believe, that if the other side were heard, a very different account would be given of the matter. I consider love as wealth; and as I would resist a man who would come to rob my house, so would I a man who would weaken my regard for any human being.”

A huge task, but one I want to Conquer.

Join the Conversation…What’s your Thoughts?

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Under Construction

construction_road_closedLast night I was driving back from the Bloggers Meet-up in Atlanta with Billy, when I had a typical thought that comes to my mind as I drive through Atlanta.

“I’ve never been to Atlanta when they have not been doing some type of road construction” – Or at least that I can remember!

If you’ve ever been stuck in rush hour traffic in Atlanta, you would understand why they are continually having to improve the roads, expand them, and create new paths to help get people where they are going.

It made me think, which is not always a good thing, but I believe this time it was safe. Shouldn’t that be how we are as Christ Followers? Always under construction? Always growing and expanding. Always improving. Always finding ways to be more effective in what we are called to do in our faith journey?

I love the verse 1 Peter 2:2

“Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation…”

“…so that you will grow into…”

A clear indication that we are not all where Christ wants us to be. At salvation we are given a totally brand new life, but that does not mean every habit, every sin, and every struggle will magically disappear. Becoming like Christ is a process…it takes time. Don’t get frustrated when you realize that you still have a ways to go.

Join the Conversation…What is an area that you’ve seen God working on in your life lately?