LACK OF CONTENT

I am distinctively remember sometime back in December complaining to someone about how cold it was. I think it was at the Post Office, commenting to a stranger. His reponse was simple: "We will be complaining about the heat when summer comes around..." As I walk outside today and the mercury hits 100, those words come haunting in my ears. I found myself complaining about how hot it is.
WOW...
I cannot be content for anything, can I?
That is how I should be in all things - - -content for what it is not what I want it to be.
Content no matter what...

Just like Paul - Content with the big bank account or beans and toast for breakfast...
Maybe one of these days I will understand.

JC

I'M FRUSTRATED

Why can we not just all get along?
If we are bought with the SAME blood, by the SAME Christ,
for the SAME purpose,
why is there turmoil and stress in the church?
Is this was Jesus had in mind (Matt. 16:18)?
It cannot be, can it?

When will we throw off what makes us divided and put on what unites us?
1 Peter 4:8 - "Love will cover a multitude of sins" (NKJV)
That means that love covers, hides, conceals all the things which separate us...
I just wish we could figure this out!

JC

CHILDISH WAYS

Something hit me this morning when I woke up.
Not literally but in the mind...
I am a big toddler sometimes. I don't mean in the good ways either - I mean in the way I react and handle people, problems, personal issues in my life.
- Throwing tantrums
- Blaming everyone else
- Making excuses
- Acting out instead of acting right

Sad...but I am seeing more and more each and everyday.
God, help me to grow up!

JC

WHEN WILL I BE GREAT

I watched a "Sports Century" piece on Carl Yastremski today, the great Boston Red Sox player from 1961 - 1983. Being a new fan of the Sox, I try to read and watch all I can on their history. "Yaz" was an interesting story...A highly touted player, he began his career with the Sox at at the grand old age of 20. He was said to be the next Ted Williams, the greatest Sox player ever...but he was average, mediocre, and ordinary his first 6 years. Everyone expected and waited for greatness but it just never came. The fans grew weary of waiting for "Yaz" to be great. In the winter of '67 though, something happened. He met up with a trainer that changed his life. He was made to work hard and get in shape. He was pushed to the limit physically. And it paid off...He would hit over 40 home runs in 1968, winning the triple crown as well. He was finally the player he was supposed to be, who he needed to be.
What was the change?
Discipline, hard work, getting serious...
Maybe you have asked that question, "When will I be great for God?"
And you go through the motions spiritually, no discipline, no hard work, not taking your faith seriously...
Maybe you have spent your Christian life waiting to do great things for God, but not putting in the work necessary to be great...

Think about it today - - -Are you as disciplined as you should?

JC

MY "FORMER" YOUTH GROUP

I stumbled on some old pics today...
My old soccer team from Skiatook
The magnificent, spectacular, amazing RED HOTS.

I miss them from time to time.

JC

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES

Yesterday was an interesting day at the Kansas Church of Christ.
On Saturday, we realized that the central air unit was on the fritz and could not be fixed until Monday...So we had an old-fashioned service.
- Fans, windows and doors open, and lots of sweat.

I cut my sermon down to about 13 minutes (good for me)
It is amazing - nobody complained about me talking less (go figure)

It was not bad, however. It was just different
Would I do it all the time? Not if didn't have to.
But I am sure I could get used to it.

God allows us to worship in the fanned auditoriums or the air-conditioned ones
It also had a feel of a some church in another country...

It was a great experience to say the least.
Thanks God

JC

BACK FROM CAMP

I think I have finally caught up on sleep!
After 2 weeks of church camp - I've finally recovered.
Some things that this "old" camper learned last week:

- God is a huge and powerful God
- Praying for a good week works over and over
- Life is not a list of what not to do but one thing alone: Drawing near to God!
- Church camp counselors working together are no different than my old factory days- everyone has a talent and we are all working for a common goal
- Kids of all ages get excited when we as counselors get excited
- I am glad to be home!

JC

MINI-CAMP

We just returned from Mini-Camp yesterday. 3 and a half days with 7, 8, and 9 year olds - was a blast! We enjoyed ourselves - now getting ready for Grove Week - looking forward to greatly...
JC