Under Age
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/09/2009
When is it that we become adults? I know the legal answer is 18. But come on, I don’t think any of us are really under the allusion that we were adults on our 18th birthday. Maybe we could buy cigarettes, vote, and join the army, but at the end of the day we all knew we weren’t actual adults.
Or maybe it is when we go to college, leave our parents’ homes, get jobs, find spouses, or any of the other things that seem to be the proverbial exit ramps of childhood. However, all of us know plenty of people that have conquered any or all of the above milestones, yet adulthood has still alluded them.
I think this is a huge issue in church. I have so many friends, most of them in their mid twenties, who are just floating through life. They are great people, who are making good choices, working good jobs, going to good churches, but no one has ever given them permission to grow up…so when it comes to church they are still waiting for everyone else to call the shots, take the lead, make a difference.
I wonder why so many of us will spend our 20’s pouring our time, energy, passions, and talents into our careers, yet when it comes to church we are spectators at best? What would happen if we quit waiting for permission, quit complaining about the way things are, and quit offering our critiques? What would happen if we simply grew up, and allowed our lives to do the preaching?
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” – 1 Tim. 4:12
Is our generation leading the charge by setting an example for the believers in the way we talk, the way we live, the way we love, and the way we pursue purity? If not, what are we waiting for?
Six Minute Abs
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/07/2009
I was thinking today about this friend I had in college who bought one of those ridiculous ab machines. You know the kind…it is the belt that supposedly vibrates your gut into a rock hard six pack. You’ve probably seen the commercials. They always show some woman from the eighties, with a feathered haircut, wearing a hot pink blouse with shoulder pads and those khaki pants that come up way too high on her waist. Inevitably the commercials show her doing a variety of daily tasks, all the while vibrating her way to better abs.
As ridiculous as this seems, people like my friend from college and millions of others blow countless amounts of cash on workout gimmicks because they buy the lie the ad is selling…”You can have a better body without much effort.”
That basic desire seems to be one of my biggest challenges. I want always want the payoff, but I don’t always want to put in the effort to get there. That is why most of us hit the gym hard in January, but are back to our old ways before Groundhog Day.
This afternoon, as I was reading through 1 Timothy, one tiny verse really captured me:
“…train yourself to be godly.” – 1 Tim. 4:7b
It made me ask the question, “How am I training myself to be godly?”
It struck me that if physical training typically takes a lot of time and effort over a long period of time, then is spiritual training any different? I often find myself longing to deepen my relationship with God, but am I willing to put in the time–day in and day out to get there?
How are you training today to become the man or woman of God you want to be tomorrow? Don’t waste your time on shortcuts.
1 Timothy 1:15-16
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/06/2009
Yesterday as I was reading through 1 Timothy, a verse really jumped out and grabbed my heart. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” – 1 Tim. 1:15-17
I really meditated on this verse yesterday, and it hit me that the reason we so often fail to join God in his mission is because of our failure to truly embody this verse. The times that I give up on people, get discouraged, or feel hopeless are the times when I have forgotten that I alone was reason enough for Jesus to come to this earth. Jesus’ sole reason for becoming human was to save people like us.
That is amazing. Have you lost sight of that? I know I often do.
I was also really challenged by the second half of that verse were Paul says that our new lives now serve as an example of Jesus’ unlimited patience to those who still don’t believe. As you go through your day today…getting ready for the weekend, ask yourself this question:
Is my life displaying the unlimited patience of Jesus to those that don’t know him?
God I pray that our lives will display your mercy and unlimited patience to those we come in contact with today. I pray that your word will transform our hearts, and renew our minds. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Man Verse
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/05/2009
Just so you know, I continually fight the temptation to give these blogs a cool and catchy title. Occasionally I am tempted to rip off a title from some obscure Fallout Boy Song, but I am always scared some of you might think I was being serious.
Anyways, I want to share a short verse that has been challenging me all week. The verse is simple, yet unbelievably challenging. It is the type of verse some guy would get tattooed between his shoulder blades because he likes the way it sounds–but when push comes to shove it is a tough verse to live out.
“Therefore dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
I love the war language.
Stand firm. No matter what the enemy is throwing your way, how tough life has been, the temptations that are knocking on your door, old habits seeping back in, etc…stand firm.
Let nothing move you. Does this define the way you respond to sin, fear, doubt, or temptation?
Give yourself fully to the work of the Lord. I am great at giving part of my life, my work, my thoughts, and my dreams to God, but it is so difficult to give myself fully to his work.
I love that verse. So challenging. Good night.
New Life
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/02/2009
Last night was incredible. The Cannery was packed. I am amazed at how many new faces I see each week. We had several folks that drove a long way just to show their support and encouragement. For a church that is only a few months old — that support means so much.
To be honest, I wasn’t too excited about last night. I had been sick all day, and Will Shinnick (our worship leader) had been sick all week, and to be completely honest I was just exhausted. In fact, last night would have been one of those nights where I would have stayed home if I had the option.
But I am so glad that I was there. William Rowell made the decision to give his life to Jesus last night. After church, about 30 or so people made the drive over to the Mark and Martha’s house where we baptized William. I don’t know if I have ever seen anyone as full of joy as William was when he came up out of the water.
It never gets old seeing someone give their life to Jesus. For those of you at Ethos, now we have the responsibility of praying for, encouraging, and supporting William on his journey. I love you guys and I hope you were living for Christ and his Kingdom today.
