Walking The Walk

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.   There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.   There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work." ~1 Corinthians 12: 4-6 God calls some people when they're young.  God calls some people when they're older.  Sometimes what God has for us to do is clear.  Other times, what God has planned for us is a little murky.  And sometimes God calls you to do one thing for a long, long time and then calls you to do something completely different--something you don't know the first thing about even! We have to trust in God, and let God lead us to His purpose in our life.  And it's not an easy thing to describe, because God speaks a little differently to each of us.   When God called me to prepare for a ministry, I was well over 50 years old.  I started taking seminary class with no particular direct...

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 (NIV) God gives us all a spiritual gift.  Something unique.  Something we're good at.  Something we excel at.  Something that we can use to further God's Kingdom here on earth.  Sometimes it's pretty easy to know what our gift is.  Sometimes it's not.  Sometimes we really have to work to figure out what God has given us that's unique, and how we can use it.  Sometimes God gives us a huge gift--something so remarkable and amazing that everyone can see it.  And sometimes it's something small, but vitally important to the Body of Christ. You see, we're all part of the Body of Christ.  We're all purpose built....

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." ~1 Corinthians 13: 4-8  One of the things we don't always understand about agape love as it is described in the New Testament, is that love is a state of mind.  Chuck Swindoll describes agape love like this: "Agape implies permanence, unconditional charity, a decision more than a feeling, a commitment more than a relationship.  Agape means loving not for one's own benefit, but for the benefit of others."  Agape love is not based on relationships necessarily or even feelings.  It's an attitude.  It's a decision.  It's how we as Christians have decided each day to view the world and how we have decided to treat o...