Life Without Conflict

American Idol reinforces the myth of our modern society
that life is a popularity contest which leads to happiness
for some, but dispair for most who do not receive enough
votes of approval.

Ever feel like you face the same pressure to conform to
a certain style of behavior, dress, or even speech in an
attempt to please the vanities of others? Does work,
school, or even social groups your involved in make you
feel you have to act a certain way to please others who
may hold some degree of higher social or organizational
esteem within the group's pecking order?














Well, if you are like most people, modern life can seem
to be more of a constant struggle to maintain one's
self respect and personal integrity against a mounting
tide of pressure to conform to the worldly edition of
American Idol.

But, what about following that inner voice or feeling you
have when faced with the challenges of conforming to
popularity contests which somehow just "don't feel
right" to you?

Wouldn't it be so much easier to simply say no to those
external pressures the world constantly reminds and
flings at us? How 'bout living your life without
that personal conflict - a life full of peace and
integrity.

Especially, for all those teens wanting so desparately
to "fit in" with the popular kids at school or even
those parents who have to "please" their overly
demanding bosses with the hope to stay gainfully
employed.

"Our purpose is to please God, not people.
He is the one who examines the motives
of our hearts."

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (New Living Testament)

Trust in God's word for guidance when you
have that feeling of what you should do versus
doing what's really good for you.

By following God's will for my life, after trying
to do it my own (wordly) way, there's a profound
sense of peace and knowingness which has replaced
the fear, uncertainty, and doubt that was the result
of attempting to please others just to fit in.

Life has taken on an entirely different sense of security
now - a life without the conflict and drama.

A life from knowing, by God's will and purpose, my needs
will be taken care of on this world and most importantly
the life thereafter.

Thank you, Heavenly Father for all your blessings
and the joy you've placed in my heart to live life
more fully by having the courage and insight to
walk with you and leave the popularity contest
pressures behind forever.

Amen.

Someone Special Is Waiting To Meet You

"There's someone special who's waiting to meet you.
It will positively change your life".

These words from the pastor this morning were one
part an invitation and another part confirmation.

The confirmation part was from a sharing of several
church members on how they experienced God in a
much deeper way than ever thought possible.

The words "amazing" were stated several times
by each of the people who shared their personal
stories to the rest of the church congregation.

I believe the "amazing" similarity to each personal
testimonial was how those individuals felt transformed
and fully empowered by totally submitting to God's will.

You could literally sense, across the sanctuary, the warmth
from their seemingly electrified spirit how each person
who stepped to the podium felt powerfully blessed and fulfilled
in a deeply personal way by their encounter with God during
the weekend retreat.

Back to the central theme - the invitation part.

"The wonderful plan for you to experience, joy, peace, &
everlasting life" were the words which came to me. I did
not just think those words up. They just seemed to naturally
flow from my heart to my hands to the ink pen to finally to
only available piece of paper within reaching distance.

"God is alive and real and wants to know you. He
wants to reveal his plan for your life."

Pastor Rollie
3/2/08

Well, that invitation message had an effect on my son,
seated next to me. He suddenly grabbed the nearest
Bible from the pew and opened it up to what may
have initially seemed to have been a random selection.

Sidebar, as a Christian and believer in God's personal
plan for each and every one of us, I truly felt my prayers
from earlier this week were answered.

My son, a really good but typical teenager, I had prayed
Wednesday night would answer the calls from God to
embrace him and fill his heart with more of a desire to
be closer to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.

Anyway, my son had flipped to the pages within the
Bible the Lord wanted him to hear a particular message
intended solely for him.

My son pointed excitedly to me after he read it. That Bible
verse was:

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and
to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

Amazing! Yes, as my son then copied that Bible passage
to his cell phone so that he could evidently refer to it
later and I guess to share with his other teenage
friends at high school.

Needless to say as a parent, I'm overjoyed for my son
to experience tangible proof our Lord is alive and
working in his life on a level that's personally relevant
to him.

Once again, I believe another of my prayers to God
have been answered and it just reminds me of how
the Lord is alive and providing countless miracles
all around us if we simply take the time to be
sensitive to serving his will.

Thank you, Jesus for answering my prayers.

Amen.

PS: For those who are wondering how this
all got started -or- what's in it for you, please
leave a comment anonymously for a prompt
and honest response.

Thank you.

More to Life

How many of us out there may know of someone facing
major life challenges, but without the ultimate shield.
That shield I'm referring to is Jesus Christ.

The following story is one of redemption. Redemption
coming from a life that by all wordly measures appeared
to be outwardly successful.








The author of that story, excerpted from the Power to
Change website, tells of how a decision to want more
from life ultimately led to discovering Christ:

"One day in my church, I heard a speaker telling
me how I could know God personally. It was the
first time I had heard this; the first time I had
heard that God loves me. It was the first time
I had heard that He has a plan for my life and
I could know Him personally. I was very
interested in that message.

I came home that night, and on my bedside,
prayed a simple prayer. I said, "Jesus, if
it is true that you are real, then I open
my heart willingly for you to come in and
live in me."

Following that simple commitment,
I experienced an inner strength and
a sense of belonging. I did not feel
rejected any more. I became more aware
of wrong things in my life and the lives
of others around me. I also developed a
keen awareness of the importance of leading
a pure life in the presence of God. I became
more aware of the difference between religion
and a personal relationship with God.

What a wonderful story of redemption from
a lady who realized and acted on a yearning.
A story which began with longing, but
ended with hope and peace.

It reminds me of a favorite Bible passage:

"I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me."

Philipians 4:13

Amen.