A Cellist in the Tuba Section

1 Corinthians 7:17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.  (ESV). If you read the blog post  Moving into Ministry , you'll know that each of us has been given different spiritual gifts by God. One of the most difficult things to overcome when it comes to spiritual gifts, and life in general really, is the comparison game. So often we feel like we need to compare ourselves to others. We think things like: He's more spiritual than I am because he can speak in tongues. She's prettier than me because she's got a thigh gap. I'm so much better than her because I don't drink. And on and on and on... Comparison is a trap because it takes our focus off of the unique plan that God created for our lives. That causes several problems: we fail to accomplish things that God wants us to do which makes us feel distant from God. In addition, losing our focus causes us ...

Masks You probably think of Halloween. I think of church because all too often, we don't come as we are. We cover ourselves and pretend our lives are perfect when we know they're not. We get so afraid of what others will think sometimes we forget that Sunday is meant for worshipping God, not worrying if anyone will see through your disguise. We hide because we don't want anyone to see our shame but by protecting ourselves we push others away. Others who don't know Jesus. Others who don't know where to turn. Others who are just as broken as we are. I understand: as Christians, we must try hard not to sin but when we do, we must repent and move forward because hiding it is killing us and others. We can't be afraid of "dirty words" like: depression, abortion, homosexuality, attempted suicide, masturbation, abuse, heroine, alcoholic. We all make mistakes. Sometimes we cave into the flesh, but hope is...

Psalm 77 is a perfect example of how we should react to doubts about God's love, faithfulness, mercy, and all other aspects of God. Asaph is the writer of this psalm and he begins by discussing how he cries out to God and believes that God will hear him. He talks about how often he cries out to God; all day and all night he pleads before God. In verses 7-9 Asaph brings his doubts directly to God. He doesn't beat around the bush. He asks the questions that are weighing him down. And then for the rest of the psalm he sets the perfect example for us. Starting in verse 10 he immediately recounts several of the wonders that God has performed in his life, and several of the ways God has proved himself. He ends the psalm with confidence in God's love and faithfulness. So, the lesson here is that when you have doubts, the most important thing to do is lay them down at the throne of God and leave them there.  Instead of picking them back up, rejoice in God's past mercy and l...

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV) Deuteronomy 6:5-9 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (ESV) Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (NLT) When I was growing up, I helped with...