How do I show love?

I don’t know if any one out there can relate to this but there are times in ministry that the role you stand in is a very uncomfortable one. There are times when the ones you love require more than an embrace and a pat on the back. The Bible indicates that if what we do is not out of love it is sin, but love manifests itself in many different ways. Does it show love to allow a drug addicted child to continue in their lifestyle without confronting them with the realities of their choices? We may say “we don’t want to offend them and lose our place to speak into their lives” but I question whether we have a place to speak so we can use it to help them see the truth. When we deal with people’s lives and minister to people God has placed under our oversight and care there are times when my properly “relating” to them is going to be a death for me to die. There are times when their needs must overcome my self preservation instinct, and need to not have people upset with me. If we love people sometimes we must do that which is uncomfortable for us so that they can receive the ministry that they need. May God give us all the grace to do what is required so that those we minister to can have what they need.

Can any one relate?

My Secret Love is………. the Roller Coaster

 

My family and I love rollercoasters! We spent the weekend in Tennessee with my brother’s family. We went to Dollywood after church and had a great time. They have some great coasters, but Rockin Roller Coaster at Disney Studios is still my favorite! If I could parlay my coaster addiction into a living I would. I really had a great time in Dollywood but Disney World is still the happiest place on earth. I wonder if I could start a church in Orlando? We could have church socials at the Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland. Would Wednesday night services on It’s a small world qualify as cultural diversity?

Place Of Grace

For the last couple of days I have been hearing the Lord speak to me about His grace. I have come to realize that some of the things I wrestle with have to do with the grace of God. As I know most of you are aware the Grace of God has been historically defined as “God’s unmerited favor”. While that is accurate, it stops a little short for me. I would also add that God’s grace is “God’s ability” and even “God’s enabling”. So to have the grace of God in a situation is to walk in a place that is past your own ability and into a place where God is supplying His ability for a situation through you. It also occurs to me that there are situations where God allows His grace to put weight on your words and other situations where He chooses not to. I believe that it is the design of the Lord for a leader’s words and insight to have influence into certain areas and less into others. I also believe that ultimately the Lord makes the determination where your words have weight and where they do not. It is up to me not to try to exercise grace where there is none and not attempt to extend influence where Jesus hasn’t given me any. Who knows? Maybe what we all need is a dose of His discernment to see where God’s place of Grace is for us.

What would for you define where God’s place is for your life?

 May you find your “place of grace”.