Have you looked in the Mirror Lately?

Recently, I have had the opportunity to work with a partner on my truck. This is a rare occasion because the nature of the work is that I work alone almost 100% of the time. I pick up recycling for a living right now and I happen to have a sore knee, so my boss had mercy and gave me a helper. The opportunity came up to talk about "religion" with him and it was obvious that he has the wrong impression of the things of God. Things like, "Religion has been the source of wars for far too long." My response to this was, "That's not religion's fault, that's our fault... man's fault. We're the ones who've messed things up." He agreed.

Bottom line is that he has a misconception of what God is really about. This is the case for a lot, if not most people who are not followers of Jesus. I mean, there is a reason why they do not want to follow Jesus. What is that reason? Somewhere along the way they have been mislead to believe something that has turned them off to Jesus. God has chosen to use His followers to be His image and representations in the world. This is something you already know. You've probably known this fact for a very long time.

What are we NOT doing to show people who Jesus really is to us? Seriously... why are people so turned off? Are we scared of what people will think and say when people find out that we are followers of Jesus? Is that making us unintentionally scew the image of Jesus to others? Are we being enough of a counter culture so that others will actually see a difference in us... something that is different than the rest of the world... something they find attractive that they might also want, and also makes them ask you why you are so different than everyone else.

This is challenging for the best of them.

In John 14:26-27, Jesus says, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Why are we scared to portray Jesus to people? Jesus promises peace. He promises HIS peace for us in every area if our lives, even being a witness. Yes, in the context of this verse He is speaking to his disciples, but He is also promising His peace to all of those who follow Him after His first followers.

Also notice that Jesus says he does not give as the world gives so this peace He is talking about may not look or feel like what we would expect it to look like. We must trust, in faith, that what Jesus tells us is real and true and, also in faith, step out and be different than the world; much different than the world. Step out and show people what Jesus is really like so that less and less people will have the wrong image of what Jesus is all about. It's a risk to be a counter culture as Jesus was because people inevitably will not like you. Jesus says in John 15:18 says, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

As you are challenged to love Jesus with your life and being the portrait of Jesus in your world, rest in His peace and know that Jesus knows exactly how you feel.

Jesus is what life is all about. Please, don't let anyone or anything tell you anything different.

~Bry...

Ultimate Fighting Championship - Fight the Good Fight!

2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Philippians 3:14 - I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.


Most, if not all of you have heard of the UFC: Ultimate Fighting Championship. The guys would think that it's pretty cool... like myself. Most ladies would probably think that it's just too violent for them. I've had the "opportunity" to stay in a hotel the last few nights due to some flooding in our basement. We don't have cable or anything like that at home, so I have been taking advantage of the free TV here at the hotel. When my wife goes to bed, I like to watch UFC for a little while before I go to sleep.

Something that has occurred to me is just how much preparation goes into getting ready for these brutal fights that these men get themselves into. It's their job; their life, so they have dedicated their lives to being the best fighter in the UFC. They have all the tools available to them to help them get ready: Professional trainers, top of the line training facilities and equipment...etc.

When you watch the fight, you can't help but notice that each fighter gives it everything they have. They punch and kick and grapple and throw down with all the skills and training they have learned and practiced. All they want is that next win... that next victory and they keep that as their main goal in this whole process. As Paul the Apostle put it: "I press on toward the goal to win the prize..."

I can't help but parallel that with our own lives. We have all the equipment that we need to train ourselves and grow with Jesus: Our Bibles, Christian literature, Worship services, fellowship with other Christ followers, Small Bible study groups, Accountability partners, youth groups, young adult groups, volunteer opportunities, mission trips... you get the picture. These are tools that God has given us to grow in our walk with Him and our walk with each other. We have it really good in North America because we have absolutely no opposition, relatively speaking, to our faith. We can utilize these things to the fullest extent that they are meant to be used.

Our busy lives often side track us from the main goal that Paul talks about in Philippians. The challenge is to keep the main thing the main thing. How many of us keep "church things" as just something else in our busy schedule as opposed to making those things the main thing that takes up most of our time? Getting caught up in life is normal this day and age. We just have to slow down a little and refocus and re-prioritise. It's not easy. It never will be. That's why we have God's grace... His free grace. Putting the things of God number one in our lives has to come from within us. We have to ask God for the strength for this because in our own human nature, there's no way we can do this.

Seems discouraging, but God is good. He understands that we are not perfect and He knows it's tough, but He does expect us to use the tools He`s given us to grow and excel in our walk and relationship with Him.

I guess my ultimate challenge here today is whether or not we are doing everything in our power, using everything that God has provided, with God`s help, to make our lives and our relationship with Him everything He wants it to be and pleasing in His sight? Are we setting aside regular time to be with God and be in His Word and be with, serve and love His people? Is God just another thing that we need to fit into our schedule, or is He the main thing we are focussed on?

Like the UFC fighters train hard to be the very best at what they do, let's train hard to be strong in the Lord so we can say "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" like Paul was able to say nearing the end of his life in 2 Timothy 4:7.

~Bry...