Trading Off

Have you ever noticed how often in life we have to compromise? We have a pop up camper which requires a certain size vehicle to pull, we also have 4 kids at home so when we go somewhere together we need seating for 6 or more if they bring friends. When our minivan was totaled we had a dilemma. We had two little cars, both very economical but they only seated 5 people and neither was big enough to pull our camper, what to do? A new minivan would cost well over twenty thousand dollars and we already had a loan on one our cars. So, I did it, I bought a used SUV, not just any SUV, a Chevy Suburban (translation- a small ocean liner). Found a great deal, low mileage, good price and I have to confess, I love my new used TRUCK! I love all the room, I love sitting high above the traffic and I love the safety such a well engineered vehicle provides my family. But, there was a trade off, the gas mileage is pretty abysmal, a Prius it's not. Our other car gets 25-32mpg so we can drive it the most but when we need the room and the power, the Suburban is ready to go.

In life we have to make sacrifices, mpg for size is just one example; how about some more? Less fatty, salty, yummy junk food for a slimmer waist line and healthier heart. How about patience in our purchasing so that we pay with cash rather than getting ourselves deeper in debt and paying those crazy interest charges. Try this one on, listen more and talk less then have more friends than you have ever had before!

In our walk with the Lord we make sacrifices to deepen our relationship, sacrifices like giving up a little of our sleep so we can spend some time in prayer and Bible study before we face the struggles of the day. In our service to God we may give up some of our precious time to go and bless someone else; whether we are feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, teaching English as a second language, or whatever God may lead us to do. At first it may seem like a bother but I can almost guarantee that after serving God's children you will be even more blessed than they.
What are some areas that you might want to sacrifice to grow closer to the Lord?
pc

He is Risen!

Christ the Lord is risen today, alleluia! As I look back over this day I am grateful for the celebration that we experienced as a family of believers. This year I was especially moved by the Holy Thursday and Good Friday gatherings. When we walk the Holy Week journey with Jesus, we experience Resurrection Sunday in a more powerful way. I am so grateful for the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross and His victory over death. A victory that we share in as we trust in Jesus as our Savior. Just as our church celebrated Christ's resurrection, so did believers all over the world, all of us rejoicing in the common theme of an empty tomb. Christ is alive, let all the world rejoice!

God's Blessings!

PC

The Pressure to Connect

Well, it has been awhile, sorry... wait a minute why do I have to apologize, blogging is not a job responsibility, family chore, friendship requirement or is it? Do I really need to check my Facebook twice a day, three times a day, hourly, is it really necessary? What if I have a life away from my laptop? How often do I need to look over my emails, is it absolutely crucial for me to have a Blackberry which allows me to check my email continually through the day? Is it rude for me not to get back to the 50+ people that email me every day, what if I don't get a response out to them for 3 days, does that mean I don't care or does it say that I am overwhelmed because I am trying to keep connected with 300 other people at the same time.

This staying connected can be a blessing and a curse, I was talking to someone recently who practices a weekly electronic sabbath, no email, no Facebook, no computer, no TV (sports too?), no video games. What a great idea! I haven't tried it yet, but I plan to.

Hey, here's a challenge for you, turn off the computer and go spend some face time with a real person.

God's Blessings!

PC