Stroll Anyone?

There are times I wish I could have walked along with Jesus as He taught the Disciples.  That would be a stroll well worth taking.  However, given that I don't speak or understand Aramaic...   

Some of the best conversations I have had was on a stroll.  I remember the talks I had with my Grampa as we walked to his favorite fishing hole.  I remember many of the talks I had with my buddies while we were on patrol.  Some of the most interesting things when we walk together.

I remember trying to read a book while walking on a treadmill once.  Only once, for two reasons:  When I walk, I like to actually GO somewhere.  I discovered that I am NOT coordinated enough to read and walk at the same time.  I also learned that treadmills will leave road rash just like falling on concrete. Sorry, my mind wandered for a moment.



God brought to mind that Paul and Barnabas walked together until they had a disagreement over bringing John Mark, then they had an argument so sharp that they went their own separate ways. Scripture tells us over and over that we are to walk in the Spirit, walk with God, walk with one another...but when we walk we must be agreement.  Here's the point of all this: When we walk with God, we learn so much and we learn that we want to walk with Him more and more!     

Chuck Norris Walks The Talk

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.

James 1:22-24

I admit it, you do NOT want me as your navigator!  I am horrible about following a map.  Which is why I was SO grateful for turn by turn GPS!  I have also learned not to leave my phone unlocked on the squad room table for ANY length of time.....last time, the voice on my GPS was changed from Australian to Indian.  Threw me for a loop there.  

Think about this, God has given us a map to follow.  We can read it and say, "Wow, that's a pretty good way, but I like my own way better" or we can read it and say, "Wow, I need to keep reading this and following the directions so I don't lose my way."

I was attending a Bible Study when we read a passage, the leader asked "What does this passage say?"  Guess what?  The first person who answered merely re-read the passage to the group.  Then the Leader said, "Okay, you know how to talk the talk, but how do we apply this so that we also walk the walk."

No one cares what you say if your actions don't prove your words.  Don't just Talk the Talk!  Walk the Walk!

Side By Side

"Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?"

Amos 3:3

 

A number of years ago, Dean Martin performed a song called, "Side By Side".  Think about this, is a journey possible if there is no agreed upon direction?  Is it possible for us to do ANYTHING together if the direction is not agreed?  Can we carry on a conversation when we can't decide the subject to discuss?  If we try then we are to idiots just talking to ourselves.

 

A church youth pastor wanted to emphasize this point by having a "Random Race."  Each of youth was blindfolded (it was held in the gym so there were few obstacles) and they were turned in different directions.  Then with the "BANG" of the cap gun they all started running.  However, the finish line location was never provided and everyone took off in their own direction.  How well do you think the race went?  I'll admit, it was pretty funny to watch, but the finish line location had never been agreed on, nor had the direction of the race been agreed on.  

 

Every day, we must agree on the direction we are willing to go with others.  Who are you willing to walk "Side By Side" with?  

God Has A Purpose For You, Part 2

II. God’s Purposes And Plans Take Time

Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

~Psalm 27:14

  

Ever wondered what your purpose for being on this Earth could possibly be and wish God would just go ahead and show it to you?

May I be honest with you?  Too bad, I'm going to be honest with you anyway.  If God had shown me at age 7 what I would be doing at age 54, I would have become catatonic!  I NEVER imagined that God's purpose for me would be to try to get to know some of the most suspicious people ever, ride with them as they deal with the worst incidents imaginable, attempt to help them realize that they do have love to share with others (especially their families), try to help them make some sense of what they deal with, and try to be God's representative of love and caring for them in the face of all that is portrayed in the media outlets.

What has God purposed you to do?  Maybe it is to show just one person that they are loved.  Perhaps it is to reach out to help someone who is struggling.  Could be that you get in the trenches with someone and walk with them through a tragedy.  But the one purpose we all have is to BE the reflection of Christ in an ever darkening world.

Do The Walk Of Life!

Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.

Ephesians 4:1

 

A number of years ago, Dire Straits performed as song entitled Walk Of Life which detailed some of the things we face as we journey through this adventure called "life."  All of us have a journey on this earth, and God has a way of bringing people into our lives for a time and for a reason.  Sometimes it is to remind us that we are not alone in our struggles and sometimes it if so we may help them or be helped.  But we each have a walk of life that is uniquely ours which we must complete.

 

If you remember in Psalm 23, we are told that we walk THROUGH the Valley of the Shadow of Death, we are not to be afraid.  Walking through!  Not stopping and camping out.  Walking was the major mode of transportation for most people during Jesus' time, and people understood what was being said by Walk Worthy.

 

Are we arrogant when we walk through life?  Are we afraid of walking?  Do we trample our way over others?  Are we graceful?  Are we stumblers?  How is your walk of life?