How Great is Our God!

Recent visits to churches outside my own usual stomping grounds have reminded me how truly universal our great God is. These churches, at somewhat differing ends of the theological continuum are filled with people who love each other and want to live for the Lord. They take different approaches, sing songs in different ways and express their praise for God in varying ways, but they show that they truly love God.
I can't help but find some great comfort in that idea. We have historically (since the great fall in the Garden) shoved God into a box that fits our concept of what He ought to be and how He should behave. That box is defined by our own experiences, education, pre-conceived ideas and selfish desires. But when it comes right down to it when we put Him in our box we cut off His great power. When we stop to think about the implications of each of His children putting God in their own little box, it's a wonder that He is able to work in this world at all. After all, each of us limit His ability in our own way.
I don't believe we'll ever get to the point where we allow Him completely out of a box. I don't think we have that ability. Our minds are way too limited, our personal struggles far too great and our selfishness so exceptionally stubborn that probably the best we can hope for is to expand that box to give Him more room to work.
Perhaps the answer to our growing discontent in the church is to find where our boxes overlap. What are the things we can all agree on that God is capable of doing? Are there some limits that others have removed that we could live with? How have larger boxes for God helped other people to be more compassionate, more loving or more accepting of differences? Are there some limits we have relaxed that allow others to see God more clearly? All these questions and so many more could help us to lower the barriers that keep us, God's children, from enjoying the fellowship He has in mind for us...and frankly they might even let us be happy with the life God has given us regardless of what's taking place in that life.

Happies from God

I'm often surprised by people's responses to some of my sermons. Frankly there are times when I wonder if anyone is listening. It's at those times when someone happens to "pop up" and tell me how something I said has changed their life. It came this last Sunday from a lady who said, "you turned on a light bulb for me" with a sermon from two or three weeks ago.

I suppose that what surprises me most is that God has chosen to use ME as a tool to reach some hearts. After all, I know what's in my own heart better than anyone. It's humbling to think that God can take the person I know and make something good for someone else out of him. That gives me more hope than a hundred sermons ever could.

I believe that God finds pleasure in giving us what my Ministry Assistant calls "happies". The little reminders that He's still working in our lives, the thank you's from people you didn't know were paying attention, the hugs when you need them the most. He finds pleasure in that because He knows it will ultimately cause us to say "thank you" to Him.

I pray that YOU will experience a happy from God today. I hope you will be able to see it for what it really is...God's reminder that YOU are important to Him and the people He's put around you!