Learning to Imagine Again

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Imagine the world where people do what they say, live according to their values, be who they say they want to be. Imagine the church was known for its people and not its building. 

Imagine.  Just imagine.

Most of my life has been spent in the church either as a member or on staff in some capacity or another.  I have been a part of large congregations with a ginormous staff.  I have been a part of churches with less than a dozen people. One could say I have seen it all. 

Been there done that. Even got the t-shirt.

Through all of my experiences I have come to this conclusion we in the church have lost our imaginations along the way.

Whether it is out of fear or comfort for the way things are we lost the ability to dream big.  Lost our way to trust God’s leadership and dare to see where He is taking us.

Sure we can say with confidence that God created the world by speaking. We don’t doubt that God rolled back the Red Sea so His people, the Israelites, could walk on dry land before their enemies, the Egyptians could catch them.  We have no doubt that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead three days later. 

These and other miracles we know to be true.  The impossible is possible with God.  But when it comes to our own lives we stop imagining the possibility of the impossible. We say it can’t happen.  The impossible are things that God does in the Bible or in someone else’s life, with another congregation.  Those things don’t happen to us or our church.

What if God has already given us the impossible in our hearts?  Maybe He is waiting for us to imagine the what if with Him?

Perhaps He is waiting for us to step into the wheelbarrow and let Him take us across the chasm on a tightrope. 

God is mighty and can do all things.  Nothing is impossible with Him. He invites us to journey with Him.  He asks us to trust Him, to hold His hand and see the great things He is doing. 

What would it look like if we stop trying to keep God in a box and start imagining what God could do?

Imagining is not saying it will happen.  It is about opening our hearts to what is possible. It is placing God front and center as the Lord Almighty of our lives. 

It does mean we will have to leave our personal comfort zones.  We will have to step out in faith and trust God. A wise person once told me that there is no growth in comfort and no comfort in growing.   It will be uncomfortable at times but the adventure is incredible.

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ requires us to surrender our personal will for control and allow God to lead us.  We follow Him.  He guides us along the way as He teaches us how to imagine once again. 

Over the next few posts we will look at what it truly means what to be a disciple, follower of Jesus Christ. We’ll learn from the Gospel of Matthew on how to follow and obey.  As we learn from Jesus’ own disciples we will begin to see in our own lives our imaginations begin to grow again. 

And just imagination what God will do when we all begin to imagining again, trusting God fully, surrendering ourselves to Him.  It’ll be a whole new world.

This Week’s Challenge — Take time this week to imagine dreams God has already placed in your heart.  Listen closely to what the Holy Spirit is telling you.  Write/draw/sing/doodle those dreams and each day watch what God is doing. 

The E3 Adventurous Life

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Life is an adventure. Every day is chock full of its own surprises.  It is exciting to wake up and see what will be. 

It does not have to be mundane.  The same thing day in and day out.

Whether you wake up and go to work or wake up on vacation life is an adventure. Exciting and new.  Come aboard. (Singing “The Love Boat” theme song, are you?)

How can life be adventure? Well, when you wake up you don’t really know what will actually happen by the end of the day. It might be planned but anything is possible. 

It’s also a mindset. If you expect to go on an adventure you will find one in your day.  You will enjoy the small moments and the epic ones. Each are exciting in ties own way.

The E3 Adventurous Life is one that keeps life exciting. Or at least helps one keep the mindset of adventure.

What are the 3 E’s?  Well, here they are:

Explore

Experience

Enjoy

Explore – It’s going out and trying something new, going on a new route to wherever you may go, It’s learning about life, yourself or a skill. 

Experience – Go make a memory with a friend, furry or human.  Share an adventure  together.  Spend time with those you love.  Be truly present with one another.

Enjoy – Have fun! Every one should laugh and/or smile each day. Today will be said and gone before you know it.  Tomorrow is a new day.  So enjoy today for all that it’s worth. Go out on your adventure and have a joy-filled time. 

Begin each day with a hopeful expectation for the adventures that await you that day.  Be excited to explore, experience and enjoy.  

At the conclusion of the day reflect back on the adventure.  Write down how you explored, experienced and enjoyed. Look forward to tomorrow’s adventure. 

May we all embrace this crazy, random adventure that we call life. Don’t be afraid to miss out on something new out of fear. When you do feel fear keep holding on to Jesus’ hand.  He’s not letting go.  Keep holding on. Then go on the next adventure.

This Week’s Challenge

Write in your journal how you Explored, Experienced and Enjoyed the adventure that day.  See how the E3 Adventurous Life mindset begins to set in.  See how this change in mindset impacts your whole outlook. 

Going from Me to We

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I love reality TV!  It is a guilty pleasure of mine.  I was hooked since watching “The Real World – San Francisco”  Pedro is still one of my favorites.  

It is quite fun to be able to people watch from the comforts of my own couch. 

Recently I watched a new series on ABC “Castaways”.  The concept is simple: 12 individuals abandoned on a string of islands in the South Pacific.  There was strewn luggage, sparse resources and some abandoned structures.  They knew there were others but unsure of how many.  They were told they would be rescued but did not know when that rescue would come. They had to learn how to survive.

Some castaways tried to survive on his/her own to preserve resources.  Others from the onset wanted to seek out others to have community while they worked to survived until rescue came.  

As the days passed most castaways quit for their own personal reasons.  The remaining ones slowly came together as one group when rescue did come for them. 

The most interesting piece to me was observing each castaway go from a Me Mentality to a We Mentality.  They each came to value not just companionship but the sense of community.  No one had to be alone.  They had each other in this shared experience.  

One could survive alone but we thrive together.  

God created us for community.  He did not want us to be alone in the good times or in the bad times.  He gave us each other so that we all can thrive together.

Sure, we can be stubborn and insist on doing things on our own.  But isn’t anything more enjoyable when you share with a friend?

When awesome things happen we want to share the great news with someone. As we trek through difficult times it is comforting to know there is someone by our side to journey through it with us.  The mundane days are fun when you laugh with a friend. 

We may not be left on a deserted island but there are times life feels a little too chaotic.  We can feel overwhelmed. If we keep our Me Mentality we may survive but most likely be exhausted through the process.  But by changing our perspective to a We Mentality each of us begin to thrive in ways we may not have thought possible. 

A We Mentality gives us others to learn from, friends to share all of life with, opportunities to thrive as individuals and therefore as a community. 

As followers of Jesus Christ our mentality changes from a Me to We Mentality. It is not just about ourselves.  It becomes about others and the whole community. We see how we each belong to and in community.  

While we all have been rescued from the bondage of sin by the life, death & resurrection of Jesus Christ we can now thrive together advancing the Kingdom of God here on Earth.

I’ll leave you with this quote from the show: 

“If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.”

Which is it for you? Going fast and alone OR far and together?

This Week’s Challenge 

Who is in your community?  List how you thrive together in life.  As you about your week, focus on one of those ways.  Note how it enriches not just you but the whole community.  

Is It Okay to Ask God a Question?

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There is a misperception floating around that one is not able to ask God questions.  The thinking goes that true faith means that one blindly trusts God without thinking or questioning.  Almost like a robot who simply obeys without free will.

I’m here to tell you this is false.  God welcomes questions from us with open arms.  He loves them.

So have no fear to ask questions. Go for it.  Rest assured you are not alone.  Others have questions just like you.

Read through the Bible and one will find faithful man after faithful woman asking God questions and waiting for His response.

Here are just a couple of examples: 

David – Psalm 22
David is crying out to God in this psalm during a time of distress in his life.  Through the psalm he knows God is still with him and caring for him.  He doesn’t lose hope.

Habbakkuk – The whole book (Don’t worry it’s only 3 chapters long)
Habakkuk was an Old Testament prophet who sought to understanding God’s purpose in His actions towards His people.  Habakkuk may not fully understand the why but he remains resolute in giving God praise and worship.

Mary – Luke 1: 26-38
Mary is visited by an angel to learn that she is to given birth to the Promised Messiah, Jesus Christ.  She asks her question as to how it will come to be only to be reassured by the angel that it is God’s doing not her own.  Her response, faithful obedience and trust that nothing is impossible with God.

The mere act of having questions demonstrates a willingness by the believer to grow deeper in one’s relationship with God.  The person is processing what God is teaching her.  She internalizes the experience so her trust in God is strengthen by God’s doing. The questions asked are examples of faith development.

Now when I say question God I am not referring to challenging God in order to discredit Him.  I mean asking questions of clarification for the purpose of learning.  To challenge one’s presuppositions and gain a clarifying understanding of God’s love, grace and mercy.  

What areas of your walk with Jesus Christ do you have questions?

Be confident that you can bring them to God and ask away.  You will find He answers them in many and various ways: through the Bible, in conversations with fellow believers, prayer time with Him.  As God is showing you these lessons remain in community with fellow disciples so together you all can best understand what God is teaching all of you.

Remain patient.  God has His own timing in answering questions.  Some He may have you to wait to fully understand.  When He does continue to trust as the Holy Spirit leads you.  The waiting is part of the learning process.

As you go about your day feel free to ask away to God.  Then wait and see how He is answering them.  He just may surprise you.

This Week’s Challenge:

Write down 3 questions you have about faith. Go to the Bible and see how God has answers for them. You can use the search feature on Bible apps to help you find the topic in the Bible. Or try a concordance/index in your paper Bible to help you.  Note what God is teaching you in your devotional time this week. 

What does a Sabbath Really Look Like?

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I love the Minnesota State Fair!  It is twelve days of fun, work and funny stories with friends.  We have a lot of fun together each night at work.  We look forward to it every year with great excitement.  By the end of the twelve days we are exhausted and ready to be done until next year. 

Needless to say the last night is rather bittersweet for us. Relief for it being the final night of work.  Sadness that it will be a few months before we are all together again. 

It can be very tiring to work most nights at the Fair late into the night and then get up early the next morning to go to one’s day job.  There are not many hours of sleep for any of us. 

Each year this is a great reminder to me the importance of keeping a sabbath day in my regular rhythm to the week. 

Our bodies require a period of time to rest and recover.  Not only is it physically healthy to have a rest day but God directs us to remember the sabbath.   

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”
(Exodus 20:8) 

He directs each of us to keep the sabbath holy by setting aside one day each week to put the work aside and rest. 

Rest does not necessarily mean sleeping in and binge watch the latest popular TV show.  It can be going out for a day hike with a loved one or friend.  Or doing yard work. Or perhaps spending time on your favorite hobby.  The specific activity is not limited to a select few things.  Do what gives you life and renews your spirit.  

It can look different each week. Or be the different day of the week depending on the week’s schedule which is why it is important to schedule your sabbath on the calendar as you would any other event in your life.  

Don’t feel guilty for taking the day for yourself. The world will try to distract you and convince you that you will always need to be working.  Taking a day off is not a ‘sign of weakness’.  Taking a day off is actually a sign of strength and understanding what you need to be healthy.

As you prepare for your sabbath set some expectations or guidelines to help you. 

Before the day arrives decide how you will handle technology. Does the cell phone go on Do Not Disturb for the whole day?  Will you watch television?

Who will you spend time with that day?  Would you prefer to be alone?  Would you rather be with friends?

What does true rest look like for you? Will you get some chores done?  Maybe you want to go out on an adventure. 

Give yourself permission to have your sabbath look different as often or as much as you want it to have. Do not put too high expectations on the day. Whatever it is you do or don’t do be content during the day.  Have the mindset of being and not doing.  Be intentional to remind yourself of who you are and Who’s you are.  

This is a healthy rhythm to life and ministry.  Don’t try to be formulaic with it.  Allow each Sabbath to unfold itself to you as a present.  Enjoy the quiet adventure days as much as the daring adventure days.

Enjoy your sabbath day. Whatever it is you do have fun.  I pray you have a smile on your face and in your heart throughout the day. 

This Week’s Challenge

Schedule of Sabbath on your calendar for the next 3 weeks.  Write it on the calendar and plan the remainder of your week accordingly.

Next, think about what gives you life and inspiration.  Write down what does not.  Set boundaries for your sabbath so that it is the rest-filled, life-giving day as God designed it to be from the beginning.  

Lastly, have fun!

Remaining ReSolved to be Surrendered

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 As a follower (aka disciple) of Jesus Christ one surrenders her life to Him. As humans our tendency is to want to be in control not of only ourselves but everything.  We foolishly believe that we know it all. Disciples learn to see how little we actually know and how perfect Jesus Christ is. 

But here’s the tricky part: surrendering is not just a one time event. It is a daily practice. The world does its best to distract and draw us away from Jesus Christ.  Each day is a battle to be surrendered to listen closely to the Holy Spirit, to follow in Christ’s footsteps.  One must be resolved to continue to be surrendered.

The theologian Martin Luther taught how one is to remember her baptism daily so as to be reminded of our new life in Christ.  Look here at what Jesus says Himself in the Gospel of Luke, 

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple
must deny themselves and take up their cross daily
and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Think of it this way, you wash yourself each day as you get ready for the day. You don’t brush your teeth once and then you’re good for a lifetime.  Rather you brush your teeth 2 or 3 times a day. The yucky plaque goes away, even that one piece of popcorn stuck between your teeth. The next day you do it again.

Walking with Jesus Christ is a daily surrender. While the world tries to distract, you remain resolved to be close to Jesus Christ. Stubbornness is required to ignore the world and listening to the quiet voice of Jesus Christ. 

Being resolved is a mindset of determination to remain surrendered to Jesus Christ. Dig one’s heels in and have an outright refusal to the world and a humble yes to Jesus Christ each day.

So the question is, how do you personally remain resolved to be surrendered?  Think of how you go about your day and listen to God’s voice above all others. What is your reminder to turn back to Jesus Christ and not drift away? 

Remember when you first surrendered your life to Jesus Christ.  The joy in anticipation of the new life beginning in Him. Return back to that moment in the difficult times ignoring the world.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the resolve to persevere and continue to surrender.  

This Week’s Challenge
Look to develop a discipline/habit to be resolved to daily surrender to Jesus Christ.  Have a reminder to help you continuously practice this discipline throughout each day.  Watch how you grow closer to Jesus Christ by noting it in your journal.

My Favorite Bible Verse

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Ecclesiastes 12:13.  This is my favorite Bible verse.  I love it so much I had it tattooed on my right wrist.  

I know who has a favorite verse from Ecclesiastes that isn’t from Chapter 3?  Right? Me.  That’s who.  I may be in a minority of people who studied the entire book but I live my life by that verse.

It all started when I was first reading “40 Days of Purpose” by Rick Warren.  It is a great resource for any person looking to reevaluate their life and hit the reset button.  I highly recommend it if you have not read it yet.

The structure of the text is broken down by days instead of chapters per se.  At the end of the last day Rick Warren challenges the reader to write his/her life purpose statement.  Think of it as a mission statement for yourself.  

Interestingly enough and in God’s perfect timing I was studying Ecclesiastes at the same time.  Ecclesiastes is a book written by King Solomon, David’s son.  He is considered to be the wisest man in all of human history.  He had it all, wealth, leadership, wisdom, wives (and mistresses).  Ecclesiastes was his treatise for all the wisdom he gained in his life. 

Throughout the text he examines life and what is the point of it all.  He states how there is a time for everything (Chapter 3 and a Beatles song).  He goes through life and what he’s learn and what does it really mean in the end.  At the conclusion he summarizes it all with chapter 12, especially in verse 13:  

“Now all has been heard;

here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep his commandments,

for this is the duty of all mankind”

See when I first read this verse was immediately after reading the last chapter of “Purpose Driven Life”.  Rick just gave the directive to write your own purpose statement and I had no clue what to put down. In some ways once I read verse 13 I thought copped out of the homework assignment thinking I was set with using God’s words for my life purpose statement. But as the verse sat with me I realized the verse was perfect for me. 

After all is said and done the only thing we truly need to do with our lives to love God with all our hearts and do what He tells us to do.  Nothing more complicated then that.  We are created to be in relationship with God and serve Him with our whole lives. 

Each day I strive to love God with my whole heart and be obedient to the calling on my heart.  Some days are easier then others. But still as a whole this is the purpose of my life.  As I contemplate new job or ministry opportunities or general life decisions I run them through Ecc. 12:13.  Am I loving God with my whole heart with this decision?  How I am remaining obedient to Him with this decision?

It serves an anchor point for my life.  If I start to wander I look at my right wrist and return to my anchor point.  If I question life I glance at the ink and find all the answers I am looking for at that moment.  Ecc. 12:13 is my favorite verse because it helps me remain resolved in my faith and my relationship with Jesus Christ.  That’s why it’s tattooed on my wrist so I will never forget it.

So what is your favorite Bible verse?  

What verse helps you remain resolved in your journey with Jesus Christ?

It’s okay if you don’t have one right now.  As you are reading the Bible note any verse that jumps out at you causing you to say, “That’s how I’m to live my life!”  Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you to your favorite verse.  Be open to what God is teaching you.  See what gifts He has to share with you each day.

Hey if you need a place to start try your birthday.  Take the number for your birth month (January = 1, February = 2 etc.) and birth date (1st = verse 1, 2nd = verse 2).  So if your birthday is April 6th you look at the 4th chapter 6th verse and see what that verse has to say.  Don’t be overwhelmed.  Some books of the Bible only have 1 or 2 chapters in it.  So if you are born in November you will have far less books to check then if you were born in February.

My prayer for you is that you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ you discover His purpose for you and you remain resolved in that purpose.  One day your favorite verse may just become your own life purpose statement.

This Week’s Challenge Begin searching for your favorite verse of the Bible.  Once you find one, either starting now or you already have one, journal why you love this verse and what the Holy Spirit is teaching you through it.  Pray to live your life as this verse teaches so that others may see you and give glory to your Father in Heaven.

Want to Go On a Treasure Hunt?

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This past spring I finally went on my dream vacation.  I visited ireland with my best friend!  For 10 years I wanted to go to the Emerald Island and explore.  To sit in pubs, meeting new people and experiencing the culture was a dream to me.  I Could. Not. Wait.

The original plan was to go after Seminary graduation.  Well, graduation came and went.  Due to many different circumstances the trip did not get planned and put on hold.  

This spring we made the decision to just go.  We booked the non-refundable tickets and the excitement started to build.  Let me tell you it was well worth wait.

One day we explored the village of Howth, along the coast east of Dublin.  The weather was perfect.  We hiked the Cliff Walk and saw some great views along the way.  I was in heaven!

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A scenic overlook at Howth, Ireland

Isn’t that view incredible?  I wouldn’t mind living there one day.

For lunch we found a quaint eatery in town.  The restaurant featured fresh seafood in a relaxed environment.  While waiting for our food to arrive I looked up at one of the walls and saw this sign.

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Some great advice from a sign in a quaint restaurant in Ireland.

 

Isn’t it great?

I don’t know about you but there are definitely days that I need to hear these words.  So much so it is the background on my watch.  It’s a nice daily reminder on those not so great days.

Days like the one I spent in Howth are not only good days but INCREDIBLE days.  However, some days are not so great.  To survive the day can be considered a success.  Am I right, or am I right?  Regardless of what the day brings there is always something good in it. 

Our God is a loving God Who loves us unconditionally.  He journeys with us each day, on the perfect days and not the so great days.  He knows and feels our joys and pains.  The best part He shows us how He loves us every day.  It is like a little treasure hunt every day!

When we wake up in the morning we get to go out on our adventure searching for the joy He has planned for us.  Some days it is a sign of His great love.  Other days we are reminded how He provides for our daily needs.  Still other days He gives us a glimpse of how He works through us to reach out to others.

While the Israelites, God’s chosen people, were wondering in the Wilderness before going into the Promised Land God provided them with manna (literally means “What is this?” It was like coriander that they ground up and baked into cakes). They picked up what they needed for the day (twice as much the day before the Sabbath) knowing full well God will bring more the next day.  It was a daily blessing from God to them.

Go read Exodus 16:1-5 to see it for yourself.  You’ll see without fail every day there was manna on the ground with the morning dew to provide nourishment for all of God’s children. 

So be resolved to go about your day today to find your own manna from Heaven.  How is God taking care of you?  What is the good in your day?

It’s pretty fun to go on a new treasure hunt each day.  I love not knowing just how God is leaving manna in my life and then discovering it at some point during the day.  Happy hunting!!!

This Week’s Challenge:  At the end of each day, write down in your journal how your day went.  Was it a great day?  A not so great day?  

Next write down the good in the day.  How did God show His love?  How did He work through you to show love to someone else?

Give God all the glory and praise.  Thank Him for His loving grace and mercy. 

Learning to See from a Whole New Perspective

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Take a look at the doodle.  What do you see? . . . .  

Learning to change your perspective

What do you see in this doodle?

Now look at it again. Focus on a different aspect of it.  

What do you see?  Is it different from your first glance of the doodle?

I began doodling crazy patterns like this one WAY back in high school.  Being bored in class can lead to some interesting discoveries of hidden talent within yourself.  In order to stay awake in class day in and day out I would doodle.  Twenty plus years later I am still doodling and still discovering new patterns. (Disclaimer: Now it is not out of boredom but as a way to brainstorm and stay focused in meetings.)

The biggest takeaway from all of these doodles (I have a notebook that I keep all of them in) is how you can look at a pattern from one angle and see certain aspects of it.  Then you look at the very same pattern from a different angle and completely new aspects begin to pop out.  Crazy!

These lessons also apply to discipleship.  When one becomes a ReSolved disciple of Jesus Christ the world and the people around him begin to look completely different.  They have not changed at all.  But his perspective, or the lenses he sees them through, has changed. 

No longer do the quick judgments come and go without a thought but they may still come and one is aware of the judging and does his best to repent and do better next time. Instead of keeping to one’s self there is more of a willingness to go meet someone across the room and start a conversation.  Seeing a need in the community and the joy to be used by God to meet the need.

You begin to focus on different things because you are beginning to see the world as God sees the world. 

The chorus from “Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath beautifully illustrate this change:

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see,

Everything that I keep missing,

Give your love for humanity.

Give me your arms for the broken-hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach.

Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten.

Give me Your eyes so I can see.

Changing one’s perspective can be scary.  You don’t always know what to expect.  You are out of your comfort zone, unaware of what is coming next. But isn’t that the exciting part?  That’s where the adventure lies. This is where faith truly begins.  

ReSolved disciples are daily being transformed, changed from the inside out, by the Holy Spirit. Their perspective on themselves, their community and the world changes.  We are given a glimpse to seeing the world as how God sees it.  It is not a lot but boy does it change our entire perspective!

The ‘doodles’ we have seen in our lives previously are now seen from a different perspective.  Our hearts become broken for people or situations that may not have impacted us previously.  We become passionate for new things.  We are forever changed and therefore have a permanent new outlook on life and people. 

So as you go about your day today note how the world looks different to you.  Pray to see the world as God sees it.  Be ready to be amazed.  The new perspective just may change you in ways you never thought possible.  But have no fear God is with you always.  Just follow in His footsteps and take in the new views.   

This Week’s Challenge:  What is one area that God has changed your perspective since becoming a ReSolved disciple?  Journal how you used to perceive that thing/person and specifically how God has changed your perspective. Now what will you do being aware of this transformation?

4 Simple Ingredients An Infinite Number of Possibilities

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Water, Hops, Barley, and unknowingly at the time, Yeast.  Four simple ingredients. Over five centuries ago German law makers set the ingredients for all the beer made in their country.  Their original intention was to regulate the demand on barley so a pricing war did not develop between the bakeries and the breweries.  This short-term decision has had a lasting effect on the craft beer industry ever since.  Each beer made has these four ingredients in it.  While over time other ingredients have been added these four remain the base ingredients for beer.

There are a wide variety of beer styles but they each have these four ingredients in them.  Water may vary based on its origin.  The Hops differ according to the flavor profile the brewer wants to achieving.  The Barley changes as the color and malt base is considered.  As a craft beer enthusiast it is quite exciting to see what the imaginations of the brewers craft from them.

The Missional Life Habits (MLH) are similar.  They remain the same for each ReSolved disciple but they play out differently based on the individual disciple and their particular context.

Each ReSolved disciple lives out each MLH in her life as God has called and gifted her. They shape her life and interactions with others. They become natural and begin to influence each aspect of her life.

Each disciple strives to Be Present, Listen to Learn, Serve, Share.  These 4 Missional Life Habits are simple but yet so comprehensive.  They infiltrate our whole beings and help transform us.  As each one of us is created differently we employ the MLH differently.

Just as each craft brewer finds a unique combination of water, hops, barley and yeast producing a new beer, a ReSolved disciple finds her own unique way to live out the MLHs.  Not only for herself but also within her own context. 

The possibilities are endless.  There are as many as there are disciples out living out the MLHs.  As we grow in our faiths and ministries the practical application of the MLHs in our journeys will change.  One will see herself perhaps naturally applying one more then the other 3 but still they all remain.  Helping us reach out to those in our lives with the Gospel and showing how we all have been resolved by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

So the question for you is how can you best live out the MLHs in your life? In your context?

What ways can you be truly present with the people God has surrounded you with?

How are you listening to others to learn about them as a child of God?

In what small ways do you serve someone meeting their true needs?

When are you sharing the Gospel in word and deed with those who have not heard yet for themselves?

The Missional Life Habits are intentionally simple so that they become natural to each of us as we live out the ReSolved disciple’s life.  They can be adapted to fit our own giftings and contexts.  As you go about your daily life look for those moments the Holy Spirit is leading you to put into practice each or all of the MLHs.  Pray for the words to share.  Seek the moments to listen to learn.  Step through the doorway to serve and then share.  

Be not afraid, fellow disciple.  Have courage.  Take comfort in knowing the Holy Spirit is with you always providing the words and opportunities to live questionable lives in the world.

This Week’s Challenge:  Focus on one of the Missional Life Habits this week to look for opportunities to practice and grow in it.  

        • Do you find yourself talking a lot in conversations?  Perhaps focus on Listen to Learn.  
        • Have you found yourself distracted by your devices?  Challenge yourself to put it away and truly Be Present with those you are with.
        • Is there a friend/neighbor in need?  How can you serve them this week?
        • Who has not heard the reason why you love Jesus?  Pray for the opportunity to share it with them.