We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

-2 Corinthians 4:8-9


Over the past couple of weeks, I have been involved personally in many different challenges that people are presently involved in.   From the unexpected death of loved ones to job loss, family feuds, financial set backs, sickness, marriage issues, broken promises and legal issues, you name it.   Some time you just sit on the edge of your seat and say as my friend did tonight, "WHAT'S NEXT?"  In the midst of those trials, it is not unusual to feel alone, abandoned and even defeated but because of God's Word we know this is not the truth.  The scriptures don't tell us to run from difficult times, just expect them.   As human beings, we are frail and weak, and we live under constant pressure to perform.  In the midst of our struggles, we can be assured not only of Christ's presence, but His redeeming work within us.  What will you face this week? Where will you turn?  What will God teach you in your time of tension?


-Sidney

A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

-John 13:34

A couple of months ago, Merideth began a chore chart for the kids listing several responsibilities to complete at certain times throughout the day.  It has been fun (and sometimes stressful) helping them take some ownership of certain duties like making their own bed, cleaning up after meals, picking up play areas and on special days, unloading the dishwasher, taking out the garbage, dusting and even vacuuming.  Another item on the chart is to tell each member of the family that they love them.  It just hit me funny this morning as I heard them running throughout the house proclaiming their love only to be followed by conflicts.

How easy it is to think that love is an expression that needs to be checked off on the chore chart of life.  If I just tell people I love them, that will suffice.  However, Jesus provided for us a different definition of love.  A definition that was backed with action.  The saying, "love is a verb" is appropiate because Jesus taught us that love was demonstrated, not just a verbal affirmation.   If we love, it affects how we live.  How are you loving others today?

-Sidney

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

-Philippians 2:3-8

Christ made a conscience decision to leave His place of authority and power, to lower Himself, and walk among us.  Why? He did it out of love.  He taught us that relationships are not based on positions but sacrifice.  Not once do we see Jesus pull out the God card and say, "don't you know who I am!"  Instead, He suddenly, yet determinedly chose to take the form of a servant and humble Himself for our sake, not His.

How does our relationship with others model the teachings and actions of Christ?  What position will you take?  What is at stake?

Impacting the lives of others is not as difficult as we think.  It is just a question of how far we are willing to go.


-Sidney