Finite

I have been reflecting lately about how radically finite our lives really are. Every minute passes is a minute we don't get back. We can however, invest in the infinite. Jesus encouraged us to take our finite lives and maker them count for eternity. I have regretted hundreds of decisions with my time, money and energy. Some of those decisions I knew were foolish to begin with, some seemed wise at the time. One investment I have never regretted is an investment in eternity. My family and I have attempted to arrange our lives around eternity which includes investing as much as possible there. We have always given 10% towards our church but we have also in the last 6 or 7 years determined to do more and more. For us, this means making sacrifices in the here and now so that we can invest more in heaven. What's amazing about it, is that although every year we feel called to more and more sacrifice, and to make tougher and tougher decisions, we seem to be more and more blessed. Sometimes I know for me it is hard to make the connection between current sacrifices and eternal gains, but I try to imagine it from the other point of view. Imagine from heaven's perspective, choosing a choclate bar over an eternal soul.

Here's a fun story about that,

There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him.

An angel heard his plea and appeared to him. "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you."

The man begged the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules. The man continued to pray that his wealth could follow him.

The angel reappeared and informed the man that God had decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathered his largest suitcase and filled it with pure gold bars and placed it beside his bed.

Soon afterward, he died and showed up at the gates of heaven to greet St. Peter.

St. Peter, seeing the suitcase, said, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"

The man explained to St. Peter that he had permission and asked him to verify his story with the Lord.

Sure enough, St. Peter checked it out, came back and said, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."

St. Peter opened the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaimed,

 

 "You brought pavement?"

A neat thought from Seth Godin...

PSFK writes about a cafe in Japan with a simple rule: you get what the person before you ordered (and paid for), and the next person gets what you ordered.

Take a few moments to think about that.

Would you go?

What would you order?

Is this an opportunity to give or an opportunity to take...

I think we have Ogori opportunities daily.

Survival, success or significance?

Survival, success or significance? This is a question I ask myself regularly to test my heart and motives.

When life gets busy, crazy, overwhelming, difficult and painful, it is easy for me to slip into survival mode. But I was not made to survive. In fact, God encourages us not to spend time and energy worrying about our own survival. "I take care of the birds, won't I take care of you?...What good will all your worrying do?" (Matt. 6)

When I don't keep a close check on my heart, it can also slip easily over into success mode. Trying to get better and bigger for myself is the unashamed motive of this world. Power, pleasure, possessions, prestige and popularity are the motives of most of the activity in our country.

Jesus invited us to a radically different way. He declared that it was better to give than to receive (and He actually meant it!). He invited us to live to give and to serve. Those who have attempted this way of life have shared the incredible joy and amazing provisions that come with it.

How would my life look different today, or even in the next 15 minutes, if I was to live for significance (to make a difference for others) instead of living to survive or to succeed (a primarily self-centered existence)?

Fundamentally, survival and success are about me and about giving. Significance is about others and about giving.

Love Anyway

One of the great principles of life is to live as a servant of all. It is the way of life Jesus taught His disciples. It is a road less travelled. It is the only way to true joy.

"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
- Attributed to Mother Teresa

Harsh or Kind

Words are powerful. They can do great harm or great good. They have massive effect on the people we speak them to. Harsh, divisive or cruel words wreak havoc in our relationships, our business endeavours and our spiritual influence. Kind, endearing, caring words help prosper our relationships, our business endeavours and our spiritual influence.

Being kind makes good relationship sense. It’s good business sense. And it’s good sense for those who bear the name of Christ. Someone said, “Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.” Let’s carefully choose our words today so that our “conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.” (Col 4:6)

This applies to every area of our lives. But let’s apply it to families for a moment. We are doing a series right now in our church on the whole area of family. I believe one of the reasons families are a source of so much pain in our day is because of the poisonous words that are harsh and cruel spoken in our homes. What if our homes were filled with kind, endearing, and caring words only? What if we stopped making excuses for hurtful speech and just stopped doing it? What if it was outlawed from today forward at your house? What if the air of your home was filled with the sound waves of gracious, loving speech? I believe it would revolutionize our family lives. Who wants to give it a try?

I’m in.

I spend a lot of time at home. I love my family. I will endeavour this day and forward to speak only what is life-giving and never what might tear down in my home. I will be a part of what makes my home a strong, nurturing, healthy environment.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Pet 3:15,16

“When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.” Eph. 4:29

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Eph. 4:31-32