I USED TO...

...be that "religious" person that's in so many churches that I can't stand anymore.  Now, I dwell on the fact Christians are called to be holy not religious.  The difference is only God can make us holy.  Too many Christians are trying to do it on their own.  That's the definition of being religious.

...lack confidence in a few aspects of my life.  Now, I have enough leftover confidence for others.  The change has been in acquiring divine confidence.  That confidence comes from realizing there's no such thing as self-esteem without spiritual significance.  And once I realized how spiritually significant I was...look out, folks!

...be so young and naive.  Now, I've learned a few things about real life here and there.  I'm wiser for it but there are some lessons I'd rather have left in the classroom.

...be a people-pleaser.  Now, I've learned what an oxymoron that really is.  It can't be done.  Other than the obligatory efforts towards our teachers, bosses, etc., we shouldn't ever try.  A wise man once looked at a snapshot of my life and told me he could tell I'd been held to a high standard of expectations all my life.  He told me that was fine but be careful and not let that steal away my freedom in Christ to live the abundant life He has for me.  That man was Dr. David Abernathy and I've never met a wiser man in 34 years on this earth.

...picture what life would be like with the girl I was going to marry.  Now, I can't picture life without her.  Heck, I can't even find my phone, wallet or keys without her :)

...used to think, feel, sense, plan, dream, pray, act, talk, walk, run, play...DIFFERENTLY.  Now, I've realized it's ok to change.  Life's about change.  Actually, this changing, temporary life is just preparation for the life we were created for, namely eternity.  The big picture is our life here is "but a vapor that appears for a little while then vanishes away."  We must invest in the lives of others.  We must leave a legacy that will demand more than a 15 minute funeral of mostly depressing, elevator style music.  We must learn, grow, change, adapt, teach, mold, and disciple...before the vapor vanishes away. 

THE "APOSTLE"

Sitting here watching one of the best actors of all time, Robert Duvall, in a strange yet sincere role as "The Apostle."  I remember first seeing this movie on DVD back when it came out, mostly because he was in it and partly because Farah Fawcett was in it ;) 

I must say it never occurred to me that beating a man to death with a baseball bat, skipping town and starting a brand new church in the middle of nowhere, would be an effective ministry strategy but it works for him!  Lol.

As Yoda would say it, "Thought provoking, this movie is."  As the pastor of a new church in a new town ("The One Way Road To Heaven Church") ol' Robert Duvall becomes very popular.  He attracts a large radio following which leads to more folks getting on the bus he drives to pick up people for church.  Others are gracious enough for the food boxes he and church members deliver that they, too, begin to attend.  Everything is going well...until his past catches up with him...but I'll not spoil it for you, in case you haven't seen it.

There are so many strategies for ministry/evangelism/discipleship/fellowship/worship nowadays.  I wouldn't even make an attempt at listing them or debating the merits of the more popular ones this late at night.  However, while watching this I'm reminded of the importance of having one.  To me, that means we know the purpose behind everything we do as a local body of believers.  There's a reason (or several reasons) for this trip, that new class, the upcoming community work day, next month's picnic, the order/style of worship, etc. 

Surely, we won't allow ourselves or our churches to become people or places of God that have "just done" things a certain way for so long that we don't even know why.  Surely, if some thing/class/project/style/etc. has become ineffective in bringing people to Jesus, we will notice it immediately and cease to do it for that reason alone.  Surely, I'm right...right?

P.S. - Yes, I did just include Robert Duvall, Farah Fawcett, and Yoda in one blog.  Billy Bob Thornton is in it, too.  I'm G-Smooth and that's how I roll, people ;)