So I am currently reading Uprising by Erwin McManus.  I am slightly over half way through, and have been finding some pretty good stuff within the book for practical application.  Within the section A Quest for Honor is Chapter 5: Brave Hearts is the pages in the 90's. (good round section)

Within the chapter Erwin talks about Joshua, and how he took over watch

of the Israelites after Moses passing.

When we receive responsibility we get the idea that God is going to help us through. 
The thing is though, that if God trusts us with something, he expects us to do something with it. 
He isn't going to get up and do the work, sure it may be inspired by Him, but we have to do the work.

(Here is the book embedded)





This is an idea that I think people miss alot, they believe God's going to do something. 
The thing is, that with God inside of us, we are supposed to be doing something! 
Sure where two are gathered he will be there, but we are expected to act as well. 
If God has talented you with something, then you are supposed to be using it, you aren't 
supposed to sit around and expect someone to find you. They may find you, but chances 
are you have been running from God the entire time that you go without using your talent.


This is why the book is called Uprising. It brings forth ideas that are supposed to bring an Uprising from Christians. When God gives us a direction, we are supposed to start walking, we aren't supposed to sit there til he hands us everything on a plate. When Abraham was called he went, is what it said in Hebrews. So keep this in consideration as you seek what it is that God wants in your walk with Him. Don't be bashful, step up, and live out your faith.

Leaders and Soul Environments

So I asked the question in an earlier writing, should not all Christians be judged the same.  Then last Thursday I was sitting in my bible study and this verse was brought to my attention James 3:1-12.  In this passage James is speaking of taming the tongue later on, but at the beginning, he says that teachers will be judged stricter than others.  Though he also says in verses 2 and 3 that no person is without fault, because if they were they'd be a perfect man.  The Scripture states however that there is no perfect man.

So as teachers we need to watch ourselves.  We need to constantly be examining ourselves to make sure that what we are doing is correct. Galations 6:1-10 talks about this, how we should examine ourselves and make sure that what we are doing is for the correct reasons.  If we do not watch ourselves then we will be judged accordingly in the end, but if we do examine ourselves, and we stay focused on righteousness, then we will inherit great rewards.

So here it is, another blog, recently I've been listening to podcasts from Mosaic Church in California, where Erwin McManus is the pastor.  It has been good listening to sermons that focus on how we should live as a church, and then taking those same concepts and putting them into how we should live as individuals.  The podcast I've been listening to is a series entitled "Soul Environments."  There is a group of promo videos for each sermon on youtube, below is the promo for the sermon titled Wood.  If you have the opportunity to listen to all five of them I would suggest them.

One of the Preacher Dudes

         So tonight I ate supper at Wendy's with some college friends.  While in line one of my students from London came in, and was explaining to her parents who I was, and referred to me as "One of the Preacher Dudes" so I figured I'd use that as my title for tonight.
          How is it that we get these titles?  I mean sure it is part of my job, ministry, yes I get paid to go to church essentially.  We get these titles because we are defined by what we do, our daily actions, be it work, play, ect.  So being defined by our actions is an interesting thing.  If we call ourselves Christians then we had better live like that, because we have just defined ourselves.  Erwin McManus has this thing, he hates Christians, which is weird, cause he's a pastor, of a very large church in California.  Here's why he hates them: they give him a bad name.  Crazy stuff right? but isn't it true, I know I can be a lousy disciple of Christ.
         I've been dealing with what I've been defined as this past week, and it's really something to think about.  What is it that we need to look like as Christians?  What will it take for us as Christians to change the negative stigma that comes with the title of "Christian"?  While I'm asking questions, why is it that "Pastors" are held to a higher standard than non-pastors, aren't we all just regular Christians?  These questions are part of the reason why I changed the title of my blog to "ReThink:Christianity."   Cause I can guarantee you there's no merit system, no visible way to tell who is "better" than the other.  Sure we are going to get rewards in heaven, but guess what, we are all going to be there, and if someone who isn't a pastor, lives just as much for Christ as the pastor does, they are both going to receive the same amount of heavenly rewards.
          Some food for thought for this week, I may start answering some of these questions eventually, just depends on how much free time I have.