DC Talk did a song years ago that had a lyric, time keeps ticking away, tick, tick, ticking away…”  And though it was a upbeat song the reality of passing time is “heavy issue” which we should consider as I think it is imperative to a life well lived.  Sadly it is not until we are confronted with death that we usually have our minds opened to the fragility of life. 

As an avid sports fan and a die hard Braves fan I was saddened by the death of long-time play by play announcer Skip Carey.  I can remember listening to him on my radio at night while in my bed trying to sleep, back when the Braves were terrible (of course they have begun to return to some of that “terribleness” form in recent years).  But as I listened to a tribute they played of his announcing past games last night I got a little choked up because he was such a familiar voice to me for at least 32 years (don’t know when I exactly started listening, but somewhere around 6 or 7 years of age).  That is a long time to listen to someone speak or annouce a particular event.  I do not know the spiritual condition of Mr. Carey’s heart, only God does, but the finality of his eternity is even more sobering.  It also was a stark reminder that I am getting older as well and time keeps moving on…

So as I live day after day what impact will my life have?  What legacy will I leave?  How about you?  It is in these moments we should seriously ask ourselves these questions, (whenever these moments come for you).  My eternity is secure, but the impact of my life is a story still being written.

Tax free days are here and the local stores are a mad house already.  We dove right in and went for the tax free school supplies today and there were a lot of other folks there as well.  So as we bought glue, paper, erasers and on and on I thought back to my days of going to school and how excited I was to get new school supplies each year (nerdy?  maybe…).  So in honor of the good old days of the school supplies cart that would come by your homeroom each day with Ludens Cherry cough drops (what is up with that?) I ask you all (all five of you who read this blog), what is your favorite school supply?

I would say mine would have to be those little pointy erasers you put on the top of your pencils.  I don’t know why, but I always liked those things.  The cool folders to hold your homework run a close second, and Ludens cough drops a distant third (why were they a school supply?).  How about you?

I have to say one of the things about what I do that keeps me pressing on is the testimony of people whose lives were changed by the love and saving power of Christ.  I don’t believe you could ever get tired of seeing, hearing or personally being involved in the process of the miracle of someone’s life being transformed by God.

How often have you had the opportunity to make the difference of an eternity for someone in your life or someone that divinely collided with your life?  If you are like me you wish it was far more than the reality of what it has been.  This is where we must press into God’s heart and ask Him to cause us to be consumed with the things that consume His heart.

I recently read a quote that said:“whatever consumes you will pour out of you”

I believe that Jesus made it clear that there are two things that are to consume us, love for God, and love for people.  They go hand in hand; they cannot be accomplished without the other.  The genuineness of our love for either is seen in our love for the other.  Get that?  How much I truly love God is directly in proportion to how much I show that love to people, and how much I have the capacity to love people is directly proportional to the love that I have for God.  So what should we do?  Passionately pursue a love for both that is exhibited not merely in speech and hyperbole, but in action and humility.   This is why Jesus’ last command to us was full of verbs, go and make (among a few others).

The result of this passion for God should be changed lives around us.  Our obedience to God changes our lives and then consequently should affect others in a way where their lives are changed as well.  If we would be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in our lives I believe that our opportunities would increase dramatically and the results would be much more fruitful.

I inserted this video because I think it testifies of what I am talking about here.  I have seen presentations like this in live services, on you tube, on video and no matter how many times I see them I break down with a desire to see this line of testimonies follow in my wake of love for God and people.  Here’s hoping changed lives follow you wherever you go…

The reality is there is only one whose power can be the answer not only for our country, our families and our lives, but the entire world. Our complete trust in the God of the Bible is our source of peace and strength, knowing He is in complete control no matter what is going on around us. Troubling is the fact that this mindset sometimes keeps us huddled away from the world forgetting we have the only answer that can bring true change and lasting hope. We do have a responsibility as Christians to express our world view that speaks to every area of life, including government. The “Politics of Power” will be our effort to look at our responsibilities when it comes to government, as well as our confidence in the one who holds all power. When we look at Romans 13 we see the truth that is there is no governing power that God has not established. How does this affect us and what is our response?

You will hear a lot of promises in a campaign year and people would want you to believe that when a certain party or person is in power that life will change for the better. No political power is capable of doing that. There is only one who has never failed, has never broken a promise, can bring to pass whatever He says, and holds even the keys to hell and death in His hands.

Jesus came to establish the kingdom of God (Isaiah 9:6-7) and He has given us the responsibility to continue His mission. His platform has been and always will be humble service and amazing love. He has given us the power to live and spread this message, and we must continue to do so.

Since we are now into our new series at In Focus Church entitled the Politics of Power I thought I would put something in here concerning the subject matter we are covering for the next few weeks.

Power struggle. Ever hear that term before? We live in a world where almost everything is a power struggle on some level or another. There are power struggles on playgrounds and in boardrooms, there are people jockeying for power and influence in country clubs and churches, and all over the world human beings think that power is the answer to all of life’s problems (along with a truckload of money of course). History tells us otherwise, but if we learned from history Sylvester Stallone would not be making Rambo V right now (if the people don’t like Rambo 4, then don’t do another one).

That may be a bad analogy but my point is if something has never been true it never will be true. No amount of power can give you peace and security. No matter how powerful you become in life you are still powerless in the grand scheme of history, just ask Napoleon among plenty. In a controversial movie a few years ago a fellow by the name of Bruce got the ultimate power wish and got to be God. Whether you liked the movie or not the ensuing hilarity of Bruce trying to do all the things that God does everyday was eye-opening. It drove home the point that having and/or wielding power is not the answer. If as the old saying goes money doesn’t make you smarter, then power could possibly make you “dumber” (I know that is not a word for all you people correcting my grammar right now).

But regardless of the truth we continue to press on in search of the position, title, or job that will provide just the right amount of power to make life easier. And even if we don’t ask to be God for a day we hear, and have maybe even said things like, “If I was in charge!” “Life would be easier if I was the boss and could do what I wanted.” “If I was President for a day…”

It is these thoughts that led us to our three part series starting July 13^th. Though we may not be able to become President for a day, every four years we do get the opportunity and privilege to vote for who we think should be President. This year marks one of those voting years and the quest for power is in full array. Political parties, special interest groups, government agencies, and multitudes of other groups are vying for position and the politics of power are ruling our nation. What I mean by that is you can see how all kinds of tactics and strategies are being used to ensure that someone (whoever that someone is for you) gains the power. We falsely believe that someone’s position of power will be the answer for our country, our families, and our own personal lives. Who holds the future of your life? Who has power over your well being?

To be continued….