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Hi Again -
TA DA!! Our new and very cool website is live on the air. If you haven't seen it yet, hop on over to http://www.livingforgod.net/. It's got super fun colors and new jazzy artwork.
We're thrilled and have gotten lots of great comments. (Not bad for amateur techies!!) So why not shoot us an e-mail to tell us what you think. We'd love to know!
And don't forget the blog. It has a whole new look too. Check it out and leave us a comment at http://blog.livingforgod.net/.
What's in this edition:
- Walk the Line
- For Such a Time as This
- Only Me
Blessings to you.
P.S. Please forward this e-newsletter to a special friend who would really appreciate it.
Walk the Line
Where are your priorities? Let s take just a minute to get real. We know all too well that some Christians choose status over humility. Sometimes we're so busy erecting towers of success that we're oblivious to everything else. The pressures on Christians today are great. But as well-known Christian author Dallas Willard asks, "How are you doing at managing your kingdom?"
Fortunately, we all have an example to follow. The Apostle Paul was a man of integrity who shared the love of Christ with eloquence and passion. This well-educated preacher from Tarsus had a reputation as a Hebrew among Hebrews and one who was faultless in righteousness.
But when he was faced with the reality of Christ, he took the popular picture of success and turned it upside-down. He realized his accomplishments didn t count for much. So he laid them aside in exchange for the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.
Paul went after the one thing that really matters. He wanted to become like Christ, to know the power of his resurrection and to share in his suffering. As that old song goes, he was willing to "walk the line" for Jesus.
So how are you doing at managing what s been entrusted to you? When the pressures of status and success threaten to sink you, remember your release valve. Paul gave up the successful image of this world and took on the humble yoke of Jesus. That is true kingdom greatness. Are you walking the line as Jesus did?
For Such a Time as This
Have you ever noticed that Americans can be really self-absorbed? Our consumer mentality is often oblivious to everything but our own needs. In the quest for wealth and status, we run up tons of debt and become slaves to our creditors. Living for God is stepping forward for such a time as this.
Recently churches from Colorado to Missouri asked to reprint last month's column in their newsletters. The article, "Buy Now - Pay Forever" highlights this very issue. Clearly God is making a difference through Living for God. Your donation will carry the message even further. It's a call for such a time as this.
(To make a quick and easy online donation, click here.)
Only Me
"I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
She dials her cell phone excitedly. "Hi, Mom. Guess what? We re having a baby!"
"That s nice, dear. I am so super busy right now. The society ball is next week and I ve got to get just the right dress. Then there s all that flak I m getting from my bridge group. And then& ooops. Gotta go. Time for my therapy session. Bye."
"Why did I even bother to call?" she sighs to her husband.
Self-absorption is our national epidemic. We re endlessly obsessed with our own lives. And no wonder. If each of us is the hub of our universe, then everything revolves around our own personal planet. But we re haunted by a mysterious ache in our souls. Where s the companionship? Where s the sense of belonging? Something is radically wrong.
Self-absorbed people live only for themselves. They are like submarines self-contained and independent. They merely cruise the ocean of life on autopilot and never really connect. In the end, they wind up alone.
So what s the real issue? Our great commandment is to love God with everything we have. But if we re too busy thinking about ourselves, we can t do it. It s a physical principle. Two things can t occupy the same space simultaneously.
God wants to work through us in order to bless others. But when the submarine door is slammed shut he can t get in. The only answer is to shove our self-obsession out the hatch door. Then we can humbly reflect Christ to those around us and build real relationships.
Self-absorption is a membership key to the lonely hearts club. Here s how you can change:
Set your radar screen on bigger sights. Stop focusing on yourself.
Put up your periscope. Look around for ways to serve others.
Stamp out I-dolatry. Keep your sonar set on God.
If you only think about yourself, you ll run out of friends. Selfish people help themselves. Generous people help others. So why not launch out from your submarine? God has a whole school of fish just waiting to swim with you.
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