I’m not sure this is correct grammatically but I think rut is the plural of routine. While we need routines, too much and too many can leave us like the little slot car racers – running at top speed around and around in our little slot, never seeing or doing anything new, challenging or horizon expanding. Growth requires we let God pop us out of our predictable race car “slot” sometimes and “go where no man has gone before”. (OK, somebody at sometime has probably gone there before. I just couldn’t resist the Star Trek reference.)
But I have found when God takes us to a new level – you know, that “glory to glory” thing – that we always walk close to the slot, the old rut. When we get tired, discouraged or just lazy, it is easy to kick back into the old habits, the old way of doing things, the familiar “rut-ine”.
Most problems in the church today are due to the fact that so many Christians are still trying to decide if they want to be followers of Jesus Christ.
When I first read this quote (which I actually paraphrased above) it left me thinking, “Huh?” But I quickly realized what was being said. I understood it because I know I often have to decide “do I want to be a follower of Jesus” in this situation. Obviously, that wording doesn’t go through my head but essentially, when I am trying to decide how to respond to an offense, a temptation, an opportunity to be less than honest, a less than lovable person or a thousand other daily decisions, I am deciding, “Do I want to be a follower of Jesus at this moment?”
Of course, since I am a pastor, I always make the right decision. LOL!!! Forgive me, but I can’t help but Laugh Out Loud even typing that. What a ludicrous and totally hilarious thought.
I am just a dissertation away from my PhD in Pastoral Ministry and I can see that the hours upon hours of study and reading have really helped my preaching and understanding of God’s Word. Especially the studies of church history have given me a confidence in dealing with much of the pseudo-bible teaching floating around today. Seems there really is nothing new under the sun. Every weird idea and concept floating around today was dealt with and answered in the first 300 years of the church.
You can’t stop it. Valentines Day approaches. For the romantically challenged that can produce cold chills. “What do I say? How can I express my thoughts? I really love him/her but my mind draws a blank when trying to express it. Awk!!”
If you are like me you could probably use some help putting your feelings into words. I recently discovered an awesome resource that I am willing to share with you but this is so good I have decided I want to “savor the flavor”, you know, stretch it out and make the most of it.
So here is the deal, I’m not going to tell you what to say – now that would really be dumb wouldn’t it? – but I have discovered a list of thought provokers that will help you reach down into the deep recesses of your heart and find the Cyrano de Bergerac within.
About once a week I’ll post a couple of these idea starters on this site to help you keep the flame of “amore” alive in your relationship. Also, if you would prefer, I’ll send them to you via email when they are posted. What a deal. You gotta admit, I got your back. I’m looking out for you. If you want to get the posts regularly, click on the logo in the upper left hand corner of this page where it says “Subscribe”. If you prefer to get them via email, send your email address to: info@TheSummitChurch.cc Put “fuel the flame newsletter” in the subject line and type your email address in the text area. EZ, eh?
So here is a sample to get you through Valentine’s day. Fill in these blanks and share your thoughts with that special one in your life.
If we had met in a comic strip, the thought bubble above my head would have said _________________.
As I got to know you, I became even more interested in you because _________________________.
That should give you a good start and pour some gasoline on the embers. Have fun.
“To hear a heartbeat you have to move in close, listen carefully and avoid all distractions.”
– rm
The topic of drawing closer to God and living in a place of intimacy with Him is certainly not a “hot topic” in the church of today. Sadly many of us are so busy seeking His hand (what he can DO for us) that we have forgotten how to seek His face (to know His identity). This series redirects our attention to knowing Him in a more passionate and intimate manner.
Four things we see in James 4 about how we can draw closer to God.
1. Spend time focusing on Him – which requires leaving the distractions of the world behind. (vs. 4,5)
2. Be honest, genuine, real, humble – no false religious facades when talking with Him. (v. 6)
3. Resist the lies Satan will tell you: “You are too far gone. God won’t forgive you – again.” (v. 7)
4. Be prepared to get cleaned up in actions (hands) and attitude (heart) but this happens as you come near to God. Notice, it says come near and then the washing and purifying are to be done. (v.8)
If you wait until you have your life all cleaned up before you approach God, you will never “come near” to Him. In fact, if you could clean up your own life, you wouldn’t need Him at all. Here is how that purification takes place:
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Share the true meaning of the season by gathering family and friends to read the Christmas story. Here it is in chronological order.
If you have young listeners be sure to choose an easier to understand version like The New International Version or New Living Translation. If you have really small, or impatient listeners, read only the sections listed in bold.
A tradition we enjoyed when the children were small was to have them use the pieces of a non-breakable nativity set to act out the action while Dad read. (See the video below to see that this does not have to be some high and holy experience. Have fun with it.)
Print this out and store it with your decorations and you’ll be ready to do it again next year.
Have fun and a Merry Christmas.
THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOR
John 1:1- 5, 14 (Eternal Word made flesh)
Luke 1:5-25 (Zechariah’s vision)
Luke 1:26-56 (Mary’s vision and trip) Matthew 1:18-25 (Joseph’s first dream) Luke 2:1-20 (Bethlehem & Shepherds) Matthew 2:1-12 (Magi) Matthew 2:13-23 (To Egypt and Nazareth)
Want to see how this works?
Jonathan dug up an old home movie of one of our Christmas readings.
Check it out here.
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I’m not sure this is correct grammatically but I think rut is the plural of routine. While we need routines, too much and too many can leave us like the little slot car racers – running at top speed around and around in our little slot, never seeing or doing anything new, challenging or horizon expanding. Growth requires we let God pop us out of our predictable race car “slot” sometimes and “go where no man has gone before”. (OK, somebody at sometime has probably gone there before. I just couldn’t resist the Star Trek reference.)
