Joy Meter

Have you checked your Joy Meter lately? We know in Galatians 5:22, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self control". As Christians, we have a Joy Meter. How is your joy lately?

The Greek word for joy is Cara or Chara. It literally means joy, and gladness. It is used 57 times in the New Testament alone. Sometimes I forget to keep tabs on my Joy Meter and I find myself grumbling about things I shouldn't grumble about.

Are you becoming more joyful each day? With the help of the Spirit, our Joy Meter should be tapped out or at least moving a little more in that direction each day.

If you, like I, struggle with this from time to time, would you join me in a quest to tap out our Joy Meters? Just think of the impact we could have on our lives and the lives of those around us. Joy is contagious. Would you join me in spreading it?

Priorities

Sometimes, I unknowingly shuffle my priorities. You know, put myself first or my career by jumping into the "rat-race". I will catch myself from time to time and remember the cost Jesus told us we'd have for following Him. He wants to make sure our priorities are in the correct order. In Luke 14:26, Jesus says, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple".

Now Jesus didn't really want us to "hate" everyone. The point he was making is rather simple. Jesus wants us to make Him the number one priority in our life. That is it. To put away your fleshly desires and follow Him as the number one priority.

When my wife was pregnant with our first child, I was working nights at our church. She called me and said she was having some problems. Believe it or not, to me, I had a problem. You see, I was taught to make work your number one priority. How was I going to leave work? I approached our youth pastor, who was the only pastor on campus, and told him my problem. He gave me a bit of wise counsel that I will never forget. He told me where my priorities should be. Jesus, Family, and all other stuff comes last, including self-and yes, even maintenance at the church.

It's funny, the church in America even struggles from time to time with priorities. You can see it in many churches. Numbers over truth is what I like to say. They are more interested in building a large church and not really about preaching truth at all cost. I also here churches today say they are scaling back so people can spend more time with family and hobbies and the like.

So what priority should be first and way out in the lead, nothing but Jesus.

Why I like Mike!!!

Awesome!

The Book of Acts

I have been doing some intense study of the book of Acts. In addition, I have the pleasure of teaching Acts in a Sunday morning class at my church.

I have to say, "wow", as I read this great book. Through my years in the church, it never seemed this book was preached enough. In Baptist settings in my past, I never really heard about the incredible things in Acts. I guess that had to do with the Holy Spirit and gifts like tongues; maybe a little too charismatic for the Baptist taste.

Through this book, I have really gained an understanding of the Holy Spirit and the importance the Spirit plays in our lives. Without the Spirit, would we really be able to carry on the work started by Jesus?

I am reminded of the story of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and the way they seem to be so in tune with the Holy Spirit. I would encourage anyone to read the books written by Jim Cymbala, Pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle. These books really help you see the power of the Holy Spirit in our world today.

In future posts, I will be discussing some of my favorite moments from this great book, the Book of Acts.

May God bless you on your quest to understand and connect to the empowering Holy Spirit.

Banning Christmas

Well it's that time of year to start my list of those Scrooge stores who have decided to ban the use of the name Christmas in favor of Holiday.

The first on my list is Mrs. Fields Cookies. Yes, old Mrs. Fields has become politically correct in her old age. Well I for one, will not be enjoying any Mrs. Fields cookies this year.

Check back from time to time to see what other stores are added this year.

Have a great Christmas season.

Funny...