Celebrity

So I have been standing in line for 2 hours to buy a cookbook. Really? Really. Food Network star Giada di Laurentis is doing a book signing here in Smithfield RI. As I stand here waiting, I started to think about why are people so fascinated with celebrities. What is it about the rich and famous that makes us do irrational things, like stand in line for hours on end. Maybe by meeting someone famous we will feel better about our own lives. Maybe not.

I then started thinking about how I already know the most famous, most important, and most powerful person to ever walk the face of the earth. I'm friends with the Christ, the incarnate God. Just as Giada's family doesn't have to wait in line to get 5 minutes with her, I have direct access to the throne room of God, no waiting, anytime.

So, will I be getting out of line? No, but I'm not here because of her celebrity either. I'm here to say "thank you" to someone who has helped me learn how to cook.

What Kind of Noise is in Your Life

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13

I love that passage of scripture, because well it talks about something that I discovered a while ago. You see, I enjoy getting up early before anyone else is awake and just listen to the silence. It is in the silence that I find clarity. It is also when I silence all the chaos of life that distracts that God speaks. Sometimes we expect God to show up in our lives in all His power and glory, but we forget that He wants an intimate relationship with each and everyone one of us. Seriously if everytime your best friend showed up he acted like a party animal regardless of the circumstances you probably wouldn't be friends very long.

Yes, God is all powerful and glorious, but that is not the side He is showing those who are closest to Him. So next time you are expecting God to show up ask yourself what kind of noise is in your life that is preventing you from hearing Him. Are we filled with anxiety or frustration, or maybe we are just numb from living in the world. Take some time to calm those inner and outer voices and remember all the things God has done and He will show up.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Reaching My One

Our Pastor issued our congregation a challenge this year called Each One Reach One. The idea is that if each one of us reached at least one person with gospel then the Kingdom of God would double in size. Lives would be changed and our own congregation would grow. So I have been giving some serious thought to the challenge of reaching one person this year with the gospel, but even after weeks of praying I still hadn't figured out who my one should be.

Fast forward to last night at our class to get licenced for foster care and adoption. My wife and I were talking about how there were so many children in the system and how great the need is. It was then that I remembered a quote by Mother Theresa "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." I realized I can't help all the children in the system but I can make the difference in one child's life. Let me say that again. I can make a difference in ONE child's life. So now I'm praying for my one, my one that I havn't even met yet, but God knows them and has already chosen them to be a part of our family and His.