Relative Truths

However, I do have to move documents, spreadsheets, music, pictures, etc. from the old computer to the
new one.  Next time it will be easier (macs just migrate stuff), but it has been a hassle.  I have had to look
through through files to see what I need and what I have just been keeping for no good reason, try and get
some music switched over, gets some photos, yada yada yada.  It has been a little bit of a pain, and I still
am not done.  I will probably be moving stuff for weeks.

The point is, changing direction can sometimes be difficult.  I needed a new computer.  However, as much as
the new computer is great and helpful, there is still work that needs to be done, and time that needs to be
invested.  I need to examine stuff to determine what is necessary moving ahead.  The same is true in the
church.  Sometimes we need to move in a new direction.  Maybe we are operating in an old model that was
good, but not working anymore.  However, the move to a new model, paradigm, direction, vision, etc. will
often be difficult.  Even though it is necessary for the good of the Kingdom, it requires examination, work,
and dealing with those tricky “files” that just won’t move on to the new direction. 

The truth is, though, that when we are willing to put the effort into moving along and forward with the direction
that is required to serve God faithfully, amazing things happen.  I have a Mac that doesn’t freeze up in the
middle of writing a sermon, or lock up when I am editing the website.  My computer is a useful tool for what
I need.  When the church is willing to move forward and do what is necessary, it will become the needed tool
for what God calls us to do: make disciples.

There is a lot of pressure on pastors.  The main things we are judged on are worship attendence, money,
and membership.  So, we inflate worship numbers, shy away from reporting membership (it doesn’t matter,
after all, our worship is so high), and always talk about how even though we are behind in the budget,
we’ll catch up. 

Well, I think we all have pressure in our lives, no matter what we do, to inflate things.  Sometimes it is about
the past.  I remember that I could bench 300 in high school (I couldn’t) and run a 4.8 40 (4.8 minutes maybe). 
Or, we talk about how great things are at work to our “friends” when they really aren’t.  We have to sound good
and impressive, right?

Well, the truth is that no matter how great we report ourselves to be, or what accomplishments we embellish, God
is the only one that has done anything worth bragging about.  I never created a universe.  I also don’t know anyone
that could live a perfect life, die on a cross, and come back to life (besides Jesus that is).  So, the Cold Hard Truth is
that we shouldn’t try to impress, like David said, we should just give God glory and trust that if we live as He calls,
that will be enough. 

I had a great time.  One, I love to speak.  Two, I love teenagers.  Three, I love/miss the
teenagers at FUMC.  So, it was the perfect combination (plus I got a little Allen time and that is
always good).  Since I had three nights, I picked the tempation narrative from Matthew 4:1-11.

We looked at how we can be the Ultimate Fighters God created us to be (not to be confused with
my brother’s church, The Vine, and their series).  The last night we invited kids to come forward
and be annointed as God’s ultimate fighter.  It brought me to tears to see the number of kids that
came forward to make that commitment.  I later found out that some kids even changed thier facebook
religion profile to God’s Ultimate Fighter. 

I think God created us to do amazing things for him.  I am always thrilled when people decide to be
the awesome person they were created to be.  To think of a generation of God’s ultimate fighters
rising up gives me chills.

Anyway, are you willing to be an ultimate fighter for God?  Do you want to make a difference? 
Just asking.  God bless.