Want Something More???

We all long to live above the rest. We want to do something bigger, something better, something that matters. Yet from birth we are encouraged to conform to the world around us. Simple life is found as soon as we are able to find out what the norm is and be as close to it as possible.

Yet, when we live as others live, move as others move, think as others think, we find that there is nothing unique about us that sets us apart from the rest of the group.

In response, many seek to externally change the way they look to be an individual. They wear different clothing. They get body piercings. They color their skin, hair, eyes, etc just to be different. But have you ever noticed that they also tend to converge with others that have made similar changes? Their uniqueness (however aquired) becomes a "norm" for their new group.

God's way is different. Better! If you want to stand out from the crowd, allow God to change your thoughts, your mind, your passions, your heart. When the rest of the world calls for justice, God may call you to compassion, grace and mercy. When the rest of the world calls for leniency, God may challenge you to boldly and lovingly confront and challenge. When the rest of the world seeks wealth and position, God may call you to servanthood and poverty.

The difference??? The change you experience is personal. God transforms you into the being you were created to be, and uses you for the task you were created for. I no longer need to seek purpose. I no longer need to seek value. Both are met as I allow the Creator to transform my mind to be like His. No longer conformed to this world, but rather transformed by the renewing of my mind - that I may be able to perform that which is perfect and pleasing to Him. (Rom 12:2)

Can you take a picture of FAITH?

I was looking for an image that would best describe faith, so I did the usual web searches, and here is what I found. This picture displays an eye obviously reflecting the interior of a church with it's stain glass windows. What you might not be able to see is the word "God" centered on the pupil. I think this is a great depiction of faith.

However, if you think about it, faith cannot be caught on camera. It cannot be recorded on video. It is only the actions, or the "work" of faith that can be seen from the outside. Even that has it's limitations, since a deed can be done but the object of the faith cannot be evidenced - even though one speaks to the origin of the deed. In other words, something done in the name of God, or as a claim to His greatness, can be motivated by a heart that wishes to promote itself and therefore has as itself as the object of it's faith.

This being said, we need to be careful not to judge the hearts of others, or the actions of others as true evidences of their faith. We need only stand before our Father and open ourselves to His scrutiny to determine if it is by faith that we walk and talk, live and breathe. Allow God to be the photographer of your faith - cause only He can see it anyway!

Why did you get up this morning?

Wake up, work out, wake up the kids, eat breakfast, get ready for work, take kids to school, go to work... Sound familiar???

So much of life is routine, but I would like to encourage you to live above the norm. Find your purpose in life - not just purpose in life, YOUR purpose in life.

A manufacturer designs a product to be used for a specific purpose, and the more specific it's purpose, the more special the item. A hammer can be used to drive nails, or you can use it to drive screws (not as easily or effective, but it does work). You can use it to fix your starter on your car (yes, I have done this), or you can use it to break open a coconut (again, personal experience). However, a hammer is designed to drive nails. The hammer can be used for a variety of purposes, but it only has one real design.

Where am I going with this?? I just want to know if you are living with your specific purpose in mind, or are you just "going with the flow". Your designer created you with a specific function, and to be used any other way is less than your potential.

If you are a "House" fan, episode #9 "DNR" the patient talks with House about that "one thing" that drives him to live. Devoid of God in your life, that one thing could be anything. With the designer in mind, that "one thing" is crucial to finding real satisfaction and meaning in life.

How do you find out what God designed you for? Contact me and I would be delighted to help you out.

Amazing Father... Baffled Childred

Have you ever noticed children who are "spoiled", given everything their hearts desire? Have you noticed how often they are not satisfied with what their parents give them? They want more. They want better. They want something else. They want... They want... They want...

It is interesting that often the parent of this type of child - when they realize what they have created, begins to withhold things that they would freely give to their children, and actually things that they would love to give to their children. They begin to give less, and watch for responses of the child to dictate what to do next. If the child acts "spoiled" - do not give anything more - withhold more. If the child learns to be thankful - they are willing to lavish them with more.

Interestingly enough, the children have no clue what is going on - they realize something is different, but not really sure how to respond. Hopefully, they learn the lesson of thankfulness, but often they learn to manipulate.

Such is the relationship with me and my Father, my heavenly Father. By nature, I want more, something different, something "better". By design, my Father withholds His blessing when I respond this way to His gracious giving.

Here is what I have learned, though. What God gives is more than I could ever have desired. What God gives is better than I would have chosen. What God gives is perfectly satisfying when I receive it with thanksgiving.

How about you???

What have you missed so far this year?

January 8 - 23 A group from AMG International made the trek to Uganda, Africa to minister to a group of children and adults.

February 2 - 13 A construction team representing AMG International went to Guatemala to work at the child care centers.

February 28 - March 7 AMG lead two teams from Cedarville College, led by Ron Stokes and Traci Ragan of AMG, left for Peru and Mexico to minister to children and families.

March 7 - 14 A group of Bryan College students, lead by Pete Lafakis of AMG, made their way to Haiti to minister to kids in extreme poverty.

Five opportunities to serve Christ throughout the world so far this year, gone, seventeen more to come...

March 14-21 - Guatemala
March 14 - 27 - Greece
April 16 - 21 - Haiti
April 20 - May 2 - Uganda
May 12 - 19 - Haiti
May 12 - 24 - Greece
May 22 - June 2 - Peru
June 6 - 14 - Guatemala
June 18 - 28 - Peru
June 24 - July 1 - Greece
July 2 - 7 - Haiti
July 9 - 19 - Peru
July 30 - Aug 13 - Uganda
October 16 - 29 - Philippines
October 24 - 30 - Mexico
December 4- 12 - Peru (Bundles Trip)
December 4 - 12 - Guatemala (Bundles Trip)