So as some of you may know, I am in the process of looking for a career. Something that will set me up and continue me on the path down towards my calling as a Worship Influencer. This is a term I just came up with on the spot and it needs to be fleshed out a bit before I 100% claim it. But thats neither here nor there right now.

I was given a newspaper article from a family member a while back about how to approach job interviews and employers and essentially “put the best foot forward”. Now, normally I disregard these types of Joel Osteen’esk “Be the best you!” type of books and columns. But in desperate times come desperate measures. And one of the first rules was “Dress for Success”. Now, we can’t all look like Will Ferrell and walk into a office building demand a job and they give him the corner office, but I think I can try…

The article went on how you are always suppose to dress for the job you want and not the job you have. But then my logical and often sarcastic mind wanders and I start picturing guys cleaning out septic tanks in 3 piece suits. I guess there’s exceptions to every rule.

When I hear the phrase ‘dress for success’, it brings images of ‘power suits’ and pinstripes. (and when I hear the word power suit I somehow picture Hillary Clinton, weird.) We live in a culture where the pressure of “looking the part” has made many people a slave to the opinions of others. People will spend lots of money to assure that they appear ‘put together’ and to keep the appearance of success. I actually was told once that men should average spending $300 per month on clothing. WHAT!?! Who has that kind of money to spend on that? The truth is that, while appearance is of some importance, don’t get me wrong, it is the inner-life that really matters.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

So, how to respond? How should we dress?

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

The pressure is off to perform for others. It is simply because of love that we respond by ‘putting on’ these virtues. And my favorite part of it is that “love binds them all together.” My prayer is that the life of Christ inside of us with be the thing that people see the most. Colossians 3:3-4 says that …your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. I believe that we will shine with God’s glory when we are clothed with the love of Christ. I pray that when people see you they really see Him.

Amen.

M

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M

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth.

The Earth was Blank. Void. Dark.

And God said, “Let there be Light”. And there was light that covered the earth like a rushing flood. And God said, “It is Good.”

The reason for this blog post is because I have been chatting over the past month or so with a number of people who deal with nothing sort of extreme darkness that encase their lives. As I sit and listen to the heartache, the pain (physical, emotional and spiritual) and the listen to the stories that will forever shape and define aspects of their lives forever I come to realize that only when we are broken can we begin to see the Light.

I’ve mentioned over and over again on how my heart burns for the local church. I strongly believe that the local church will be the catalyst to which Christ has, is and will redeem the generations.

Yet.

I also have said time and time again that we live in a culture and society that in all reality has no physical need for a Savior.

To explain, we live in a country with a church on every street corner that gathers for a hour a week on a Sunday to attempt to meet the spiritual needs of those in the pew.  I say “attempt” because I believe in all reality that we gather to a large part out of our own graces and our own strengths, celebrating togetherness in our glorified social club for the sterilized. We give out of our wealth of finances, time and energies and then cower behind the excuse of business.

Now before my generalizations turn you away from continuing to read this, I don’t write this to offend but rather plead with you AS THE CHURCH.

WE CAN DO BETTER.

Not only that but, WE ARE CALLED TO BE BETTER.

I heard a sermon preached the other day on Isaiah 60 1-3 which resounded so loud and clear. The verse are the following.

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
² See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
³ Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Isaiah 60:1-3

A few things that stood out for me were the fact that we are called to Arise. Why? Because we are/were sitting or laying down. We are called to our feet, called to a state of readiness and to action. Secondly we are called to Shine. Why? Because we aren’t currently. Simple enough.

The church is more than a gathering of like minded individuals to talk about the weather or sports, sit and listen then leave til next week. (Again, I state an extreme generalization)

Rather, the church is suppose to ARISE and SHINE to dispel the darkness. To become beacons for those around to run to. So that they may see His good works and praise the Father.

This is who I want to be. This is who I want my church to be. This is who I want YOU to be.

Amen.

M

M

Me? I would likely fix the problem I have with the bills I got and the lack of moneys I have in the bank to pay them… But! God keeps providing in really cool ways.

Your turn… speak up!

M

This is my all time favorite hymn done so well.

Enjoy.

M

I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

- pursuit of god – Tozer