Need Directions?

Do you find it difficult or easy to ask for directions? Are you dependent on a GPS system for your route planning? What do you do to prepare when you are going somewhere you have never been before? What about when you are going to do something you have never done before? Or maybe assembling a new toy for the kids…do you use the directions?

So whatever your method of preparing, we would all agree that some is needed to avoid getting lost, doing it incorrectly, or miss-assembling something, right? OK, glad we can agree on that. But would you go a step further and agree that the problem is not so much in preparing but more in the application of these directions? We seem to think “using” directions is optional. We get an idea of where we need to be or what to do, and have some kind of research done and get just going, knowing we can just figure it out as we go.

Ever been lost because of this? Ever done something incorrectly…ever had to re-assemble something? Ever had a fight over directions? My name is Pat, and yes I have.

Why are we like this? I believe it is because the direction we are going is completely dependent on us. We either believe we are headed in a direction where we are confident we know where we are going or we are confident in the directions we have been given. The problem is most of the time we are either overconfident or over trusting.

No one has ever followed directions to the letter and gotten lost, done something incorrectly, or put together something wrong. I did not say well, that is subjective, right and wrong is not. Right and wrong are based on truth. Truth is just that – true, and is always right.

So when it comes to directions, what matters more than anything else is the source. Clear directions from a notable and trustworthy source are the key.

A mapped out (with current data) route will get you where you want to go, right? Following directions about how to ride a bike will get you riding(sooner or later), right? Reading instructions and following the step-by-step directions will enable correct assembly, right? Then why all the debate? Why do we make it so difficult? It is our nature…we want to trust ourselves and we want to be right.

What about your spiritual life? What are you using for directions? What or who are you trusting with your eternal destination? There is only one truth when it comes to God’s direction for your life, and that is His Word. So, where are you going and how do you plan to get there matters…what you choose to use, and who or what you trust to direct you will ultimately determine where you get to, right? So choose wisely, it will make an eternal difference…and eternity is forever.

So what Path are you on?

IN HIS GRIP,

Pastor Pat

On Assignment?

So have you ever walked into a class of any kind and as you sit down and get ready for class, the teacher asks everyone to take out and pass in their previously assigned report or project? At that moment you realize you did not do it, and your mind starts to race with possible excuses the teacher might believe…know the feeling? Total shock, followed by total panic, and then the procession of excuses…to which the teacher either looks at you with disgust or ignores you all together…AAAAAAAAAAHH!!! So you’ve been there…

Scariest place on earth at that moment, that’s all I can say. Your hopes for freedom from being grounded, extra rules, less chores for the weekend, evaporating before your eyes…you are busted. NOW WHAT? You scramble for ways to keep your parents from finding out…but you know they will at some point. If I had spent one tenth the time doing the project as I did trying to figure out how not to get busted for not doing it...anyway.

Just to confess, I did spend considerable time trying to “make-up” missing assignments and hence a low grade. What a waste, huh? I tell my kids this all the time…and guess what? They have missing assignments. Why is this? Why is this habit so hard to break? It is our nature, that’s why.

We all think we can do whatever we want to do, and have the time to make up for it, correct it, seek forgiveness, and then get it right. I know it is how I lived for most of my life. And as we celebrate Thanksgiving this year we have a tendency to celebrate how much we have…because for a lot of folks our blessings are equal to our belongings.

Belongings will always go back to where they belong…here. Unfortunately, one day we will be here no more, just a fact, and what you have will no longer matter. We are blessed because we have a God who loves us beyond measure and gave us a Savior so that having Him is all we need to get to where we finally have all we ever needed.

God has given us all an assignment, and with no definite “real” due-date…just finish in your lifetime. This kind of assignment just happens to be our favorite kind. This is the kind of assignment we feel we can put off, that we will just get to it one day, so we don’t really have to worry about it now. And herein lays the problem. If we have all the time in the world to accomplish it, why hurry? Why is there any urgency at all? Actually, because we may not have as much time as we think. Tomorrow is not a promise, and when you die the assignment is due:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)

It is a healthy reminder to us all that as believers we all are on assignment – an assignment from God for His purposes and His Kingdom. This assignment comes from and includes the greatest gift ever – a Savior. Accept it and make this Thanksgiving about WHOM you are most thankful for… So what are you gonna turn in when your name is called? Will you have your assignment done, or will you be panicking to figure out the best excuse to use? Just get it done now, accept your assignment and do it…your Kingdom Assignment.

Just sayin…

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

Show Off!

We are approaching Thanksgiving at amazing speed, and it seems that this year is speeding past faster than most, I want to slow us down a bit to reflect on this annual holiday. Most of us know the historical story of the Pilgrims and the Indians and how this holiday came to be. But I really am struggling with a couple of things: First, if there were no holiday, would we ever stop our lives to be thankful? And secondly, what about the second half of the word - "Giving"...how does this fit into our celebrations?

So first, we all love the national holiday...time off work, right? It also gives us an excuse to get together and even to do some things we like without having to apologize (overeat and watch football). It is a great time! Nothing wrong with this. Some families even have a tradition of going around the room and having everyone share something they are most thankful for over the past year. But what would happen if the nation decided it was no longer economically responsible to keep celebrating it and abolished the holiday? Would we protest because we demand a national holiday to recognize our thankfulness, or would we be up in arms because we lost a paid holiday from work? Think about it, and what I will say on this is, Thanksgiving needs to be more than a celebration about a day off work, that's all.

Next, what about the "Giving" part? When you think about it, giving is active, while the act of thanking can be passive - "I am thankful my team won the World Series, etc...". How do we take thanks to the next level? I believe we need to make it active and apply the giving part. Go out of your way with your thankfulness: make it a point to "show" those you are most thankful for how you feel, beyond just telling them. Offer to do things you would not normally do - around the house, for your spouse and kids, or around the office for your bosses or employees, and see what happens. Take this perspective:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters," (Colossians 3:23 NIV)

With this Scripture in mind, here is an idea - Take whatever your "Part" in whatever you do - husband, wife, mom, dad, sister, brother, friend, employee or employer and switch it up...do MORE than is expected. Then when you are asked why, simply respond with how you wanted to show them how thankful you are for that you get to do your "part" everyday. This practical, physical act of giving thanks might have a twofold effect. First, it might shock those around you and help them to realize how truly thankful they are, but more importantly it might help change you a little on the inside into becoming an active over passive "thanker"!

So this year, continue the tradition or start a new one where each person you are with shares what he or she is most thankful for...and as for you - be the thankfulness show-off!

Might change everything, just saying...

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

Gratitude?

How grateful are you?

What determines one's ability to be grateful? Is it the size of the gift or offering of kindness that creates a demand in us to respond in a kind or grateful manner? Is gratitude something we only use in response to something that happens to us? Like kind words, a thoughtful act, or a gift? What is it that determines the level of our gratitude?

I believe it's two things. First, it's our perspective. How you look at things. Do you look at things in this world by how they relate to you and your life primarily? I mean simply, are you your number one priority? Ouch...this is a daunting question, because if you aren't your number one priority, then who would make you theirs?

Next, I believe it's our attitude. Seriously, attitude is the determining factor to a whole lot more than we think. As a matter of fact, attitude pretty much has an effect on everything. A positive or negative attitude determines a person's demeanor, actions, reactions, and all-around temperament, agree?

So what to do? We need an Extreme Makeover: Perspective and Attitude edition. Just like most of the houses on the reality TV show of a similar name, you just can't fix them; they need to be torn down and a whole new one built. There is only One who can accomplish this task, and it is not Ty Pennington, it is Jesus.

'You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV)

There is no other way to make the change. We can't fix what has been broken for so long, we just need to be made new. The great thing about this...unlike Extreme Makeover which happens once, we can and should be made new in Christ over and over. Living each moment with that newness, and not being hindered or defined by a mistake or problem. Recognizing the direction you are headed and who you are following.

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

To Be or Not To Be or Feelings?

Now that is a question! What's the difference? Well when it comes to being thankful I think it is as different as night and day.

Feeling thankful is based on emotion and can change depending on numerous factors including internal or external influences. Simply put, feeling thankful is based on how you feel at the moment.

Being thankful is an action, not a reaction to an emotional state. If you are thankful, you will act to express it either by word or deed. If you simply want to feel it, the goal is met when you feel it, and no further action is required.

Breaking it down a little further you could say that feeling thankful is about you and being thankful is not. Sad thing is feeling thankful to some is like feeling happy and some believe they are entitled to it. Which if you consider that for a moment would then mean that if you think you are entitled to feeling thankful, then you believe people need to do things for you so you are...kind of tough when its put that way, huh?

The key to becoming thankful is all about the object of the thanks. Think about it...wanting or trying to create the "feeling" of thankfulness is all about the person wanting to or trying to feel thankful, right? Makes sense. But if we are to "be" thankful, we are focused on something outside ourselves. The point is not to create a feeling, but to respond to something or someone.

Look at this verse:

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 107:1 NIV)

If we can focus our thanks on God, for how He loves us, we can escape the cycle of emotional ups and downs that come with trying to feel thankful. This might sound simple or even stupid to you, and I apologize if it does...ok I don't...I am not sorry. OK, I am sorry about that...yikes, that's enough of that.

Anyway..."being" thankful is accomplished when we stop thinking that thankful is a by-product of something that has to happen to or for us and we accept what God has already done. There is no way we can express human gratitude for the supernatural gifts God has given us, that a simple choice can be the difference-maker between heaven and hell.

That makes me thankful. As a matter of fact, it makes anything anyone might ever do for me or even to me pale in comparison. That being said, I can be in a state of thankfulness all the time, even when it would seem to the world I have nothing to be thankful for...so thanks Jesus!

Again...thank you Jesus...and let this year be a season of being over feeling.

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat