You Are An Individual

This is just a reminder that God has created you - knit you together in your mother's womb - to be who you are. You may be "weird" or "different", but that is who God created you to be. 

Let your individualism shine through in your words and actions - bringing glory to God through them. 

I'm Lovin' It

I'm lovin' it! From February 2nd to 14th McDonald's is encouraging people - chosen at random - to pay for their order through lovin'. Some people are asked to call a loved one on the phone and them that they are loved, others are asked to do a dance right at the counter, others are asked for a hug or a high five. Then, after the act of love is carried out, the bill is marked "paid in full".

“We want to thank our customers for making our day and hopefully they will make someone else’s as well – that’s what Lovin’ is all about,” a spokeswoman for McDonald’s said.

I went to McDonald's this morning to get a drink and watched a woman with several children break into tears as her lunch was paid for with a a smile. She must have thanked the woman behind the counter a dozen times! 

This woman's thankfulness - and pure joy - over a few sandwiches and a couple soft drinks struck me. It was not the food that stirred her emotions - I don't even believe that it was the fact that she saved some money. It seemed as though she was touched by an act of kindness - love - that was shared with her and love that she then was encouraged to pass on to someone else. She stood near the counter, waiting for her order to come, and continued to smile, thank the woman at the counter, and then share the story with two or three others who stood nearby.

This woman - and her shock that someone would show her love in this way -  immediately drew my thought to Christ's payment on the cross for us. Jesus came down from His throne in heaven out of pure love for us. Jesus lived His life on earth ministering and serving those that no one else wanted to serve - the poor, the leprous, the forgotten ones - out of love. Jesus gave up His life to pay the price that sin demands for all of mankind because He loves.

Out of Jesus' love we see what love truly looks like. Through Jesus' love we can show love to those who need it most.  Because of Jesus' love our debt is paid in full.

This is not about a chicken sandwich, a soft drink, and a few french fries. This is about an eternal relationship with The One that loves with a love that we cannot define - a love that we cannot begin to comprehend. Let us not take God's love for granted - let us be thankful for the love of Jesus - now and forever. 

Choose Love

Recently I had the honor of unveiling our vision to the church; "Love Like Jesus".

This afternoon I was reading Brandon Hatmaker's book, "Barefoot Church" and came upon a passage that struck the heart of this vision to love like Jesus. 

There are so many choices to make where faith and real life collide. We feel the pressure to make the right decisions and lead others, often when we have no idea what to do. 

Here’s a suggestion: when in doubt, choose love. 

• Can’t decide if you should give? Choose love. 

• Can’t seem to swallow your pride on a foolish matter? Choose love. 

• Having a hard time forgiving someone? Choose love. 

• Rather keep your time for yourself than help someone in need? Choose love. 

• What would Jesus really do? Choose love.