The Year of Prayer

Prayer is something that I have been severely neglecting in my spiritual walk.  I know how important it is and how many times we are encouraged to do it in Scripture.  Prayer is one of those things that do not come easy for me, so I am going to have to put in a lot of work until I get used to it.  I really want to be a person of prayer, but have been making excuses long enough.  Now is the time to dedicate myself to communing with God.  I plan to pray every morning this year and document the changes it makes in my life.

We Are the Body Part 1

^{Romans 12
4}Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. ⁷If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; ⁸if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

I hope to make this a regular series talking about how we are the body of Christ and how the metaphor works for each body part.  Today we talk about the body overall.

Paul uses the concept of the human body to teach how Christians should live and work together.  Just as the parts of the body function under the direction of the brain, so Christians are to work together under the command and authority of Jesus Christ. Even though we have different functions, we should be united and working together for a single purpose and not looking down on each other for what we do or do not do.  (See 1Cor 12:12-31; Eph 4:1-16)

New Music Discoveries

A friend has turned me on to some cool music out there and I thought I would pass it on. These great groups get no radio air time as far as I am aware. If you know where they are played, please let me know.

Hip Hop/Rap

Lecrae

Flame

116 Clique

Rock

Thousand Foot Krutch

Pillar

Doing a Good Deed

Instead of relaxing in the recliner, I decided to do something nice for someone I was visiting. As I was hard at work, I started to question what would make me do such a thing. I came up with 5 good reasons to act selflessly.

1. It pleases God – Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31
2. It makes me feel good
3. It helps the other person
4. It sets an example for my boys – I want them to be the kind of people that help others without looking for reward
5. It sets an example for my girls – I want them to find that type of guy to marry

Are You Caught Up in the Rat Race?

An interesting quote from “The Man In the Mirror” by Patrick Morley really caught my attention this week:

“The desire for things appears to have become more important than having a meaningful life philosophy.”
I have to admit that at times I find myself falling into the trap of desiring the wrong things. As we embark on a new year and get a chance at a fresh beginning, let’s keep in mind the things that are really important. The Rat Race is unwinnable and unsustainable anyway. For me, the most important things are God, marriage, family, friends, work, fun.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. –Matthew 6:33