Bick's Quicks

Contrast

Typically most of us spend some time thinking through our lives and evaluating where we are at the end of each year.  Some are able to celebrate progress, others feel the pain of good intentions that never played out because they lacked the discipline to turn them into actions.

Others find themselves in circumstances and situations that they didn't ask for or contribute to-it just happened.

In reading through Job this morning I just about fell over-the relevance of this passage to our current economic reality is huge.

Here you'll find honest words from a fellow traveler who struggled to make sense of his current situation-it could not have been more opposite of where he had been.

If you're struggling with life right now, you'll find a voice for your own inner turmoil.

Soft on Sin?

Survey the evangelical landscape and you'll find that accusations abound from one group to another regarding the issue of sin. Some say others have grown too accepting and actually end up watering down grace by their open acceptance of the errant.

Others stand firm behind their ultra-strict and perhaps extra-biblical guidelines ensuring their isolation and insulation from a sin marred world.  They receive criticism from those with open hearts and arms.

And the Kingdom waits. 

For those who will combine faithfulness and devotion with grace and compassion, those who do not fear for their reputation nor the accusations of their critics.  Those with fierce devotion to the ways of the Father.  Those who are like Christ.

Jesus was not like the sinners He came to save, yet those are the ones who liked Him most.

What Your Busyness May Be Hiding

In Les Parrot's book 3 Seconds he makes this observation:  "The primary, or conscious, gain that we receive from busyness is often productivity.  We feel productive because we look productive.  But just under the surface, we may be pursuing busyness because it alleviates some anxiety.  Being too busy might even provide the excuse we need for not doing something we fear failing at.  Because being busy gives us license to arrive late, slip out early, or be absent altogether, we can rationalize that we don't have time to do what would help us realize our dream.

Football and Faith

Here's something fun for a Monday...those days when we feel like the game is about to be over.  Don't give up today....

Board Up or Bail?

I've been keeping an eye on Hurricane Dean.  As a former Texas coastal bend resident storms like this capture my attention, I know people who could be directly impacted.  If you were in the storm's path what would you do?

• Board Up-and ride it out.
• Bail-head inland to safety.

Some of my friends are heading to the beach to surf....they live for moments like these.

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Barriers to Faith

Life is full of barriers, both external and internal.  When facing them you have a choice, back down or be bold. I've always admired Caleb's response when he and God's people encountered giant sized barriers.

We can do more than we think, more than the crowd says, more than our fears tell us. 

Because God is with us.

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Glowing Moses

Several years back I met some guys from Alabama who had formed a band named: Glowing Moses. I don't know if they produced a CD, toured or had t-shirts but they certainly had an interesting name. 

Taken from this passage...the guys believed that those who know God, who spoke with him should reflect God's glory-they hoped this was true of their band.

This morning as I was reading I began to wonder what others see in my face?  What do I reflect?  Too often it may be busyness (Recently, I've had others say that they don't want to bother me because they know I'm busy).  Look into the faces of others and take a look in the mirror and consider what is being reflected.

Edited Prayer

Prayer has never been an easy thing for me.  I get distracted by noise, my agenda for the day, random thoughts.  A few years back I picked up the practice of writing (typing) out my prayers.  One of the benefits for me is actually seeing my prayer hit the screen.  Often, I find myself hitting the backspace button...doing a bit of editing.   I have a tendency to pray selfish prayers--prayers that are me centered...help me, give me, lead me, show me, guide me....these aren't off limits when praying but if "me" is high in the word count...it's probably more about me that it is about what God wants to do.

Today I'm beginning a journey along with others at my Church.   For the next four weeks we'll be asking God to reveal how He is calling us to participate in our Imagine Campaign which is designed to make more space for those who aren't yet here and to provide hope and healing for an AIDS ravaged area in Kenya.

Here's the last thought from today's devotion.....

• Write out your next step in practical terms for asking God to do something bigger than you've imagined.

        God use me to help build your Kingdom and Church-use me if  where needed.

There is no doubt that God will build his Kingdom and Church.  He can do this with or without me...He invites me to be a part of what He is doing...at times I try to define how I want to be used... "I'll do this for you God...but not that."  With that attitude I'm better off sitting out.  So today I'm saying, "God if you have something bigger in mind beyond what I can imagine or ask for-I'm open to it.  I'm here to work, serve and give-where needed."

Open Doors and Opposition

I've heard people say this a lot...."I'm looking for God to open a door"   Usually this means they are looking for an opportunity to present itself and for clarity to seize that opportunity-they want to know that it's from God. 

What happens when the open door starts swinging shut?  Many take this as a sign that this opportunity isn't from God and they allow the door to close, often with very little fight.  I'm learning that.....

Opportunity and Opposition are often bound together.

• You want to start a new process at work or in your organization and others push against it.
• You want your marriage to go to the next level and your spouse is hesitant.
• You see the opportunity and need to challenge your kids to grow in character and commitment and they roll their eyes.
• You begin a new fitness plan and your body revolts in the morning.
• You determine to spend quality time with God early in the morning and your sleepy head wants to stay on the pillow.
• God is calling you to a new ministry and you have an immediate list of reasons why this can't be His will.

Just because the door is swinging back toward you don't give up-it might be time to push back.

The Middle East

Unless you've been living in a hole or at Baptist youth camp over the summer without access to media,  you no doubt know about the conflict in the Middle East.  Troubling.  As I have grown in my understanding of the Old Testament and the historical roots of this conflict I grieve over the pain and hurt that have resulted from sin for hundreds and thousands of years.

Tally rightly adds:   As I read the blogs from my Christian pastor friends... I see no mention of what is going on over there. If someone had my bloglines as their only 'eyes' to the world, they'd never know that anything was going on in

Israel

.  My blog has been silent as well so I'd be part of the problem.

Thanks for going public Tally....

Driscoll provides some backstory in his 911 message-hang with it and give it a listen to the end, I think you'll be informed if you aren't familar with the Biblical roots of this conflict.

It's not time to circle the end-time wagons and wait....it's time to  listen to God, and turn toward Jesus and make Him known.