Category: Life Happens

Grow Up

Posted in Discipleship, Life Happens2 Comments

baby4“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation….” 1 Peter 2:2 (NIV) 

A few days ago, Nadya Suleman, a 33-year-old in Southern California mother, gave birth to six boys and two girls ranging from 1 pound 8 ounces to 3 pounds 4 ounces. I certainly wish them well and pray that God will bless them to live healthy, productive lives for His glory.

As I was thinking about the octuplets, it dawned on me that they all have one thing in common besides having the same mother–they were all born as babies! That is true for all of us. We all begin the same way and we all end the same way. What we do in the middle makes all the difference!

As Christians, we all begin the same way spiritually as well. We all are born spiritually (John 3) through Jesus and begin as newborns in the Lord. Unfortunately, many believers never move beyond that point. Nothing saddens me more than seeing believers that should have long ago become spiritually mature still thinking and acting as spiritual newborns.

Where are you in your spiritual development? Frankly, God expects and commands us to grow up.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Smarter Than A 5th Grader?

Posted in Church Chat, Discipleship, Funny, Life Happens4 Comments

5th-grader4Like American Idol, the recent television program, Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader, has been quite a hit for Fox and host, Jeff Foxworthy. Let’s face it, some kids are very smart, and often, they say the wisest things!  Listen to some of the remarkable wisdom of children from around the country.

  • “When your dad is mad and asks you, ‘Do I look stupid?’ don’t answer.”  Hannah, 9
  • “Stay far away from prunes.”  Randy, 9
  • “Don’t squat with your spurs on.”  Noronha, 13
  • “Puppies still have bad breath after you brush their teeth with dad’s toothbrush.”  Charlie, 9
  • “Never hold a Shop Vac and a cat at the same time.”  John, 9
  • “Don’t wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.”  Kellie, 11
  • “If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.”  Naomi, 15
  • “Felt markers are not really good to use as lipstick.”  Lauren, 9
  • “When you get a bad grade at school, show it to your mom when she’s on the phone.”  Alyesha, 13

Two of the saddest things in this world is a child who can’t learn and an adult who won’t.  Every day you and I can learn something that will make us a better person and a more devout follower of Jesus. Every week our church can learn ways to be more effective at assimilating newcomers and helping our members to become fully-devoted followers of Jesus.

Prayer: “Lord, help us to stay curious. Help us have a hunger for You and a thirst for knowledge. Help us to be content in our salvation, but discontent in our level of spiritual maturity. Help us to do whatever it takes to be more like you in our thoughts, in our ways, and in our heart! Amen.”