Don't Stop Believing

That is the most downloaded song written in the 20^th century. “Just Stop Believing” would not have been a big seller. Most people need encouragement to keep going. 

Right now, if you are doing anything at all out of obedience to God, there is probably some reason to quit. You likely face pressure to give up. 

Don’t let the critics, the doubters, or the haters distract you from carrying out God’s dream. "Shake it off!" Keep your eyes on the God who holds your destiny. 

Keep building with one hand and keep defending with the other…and never, ever give up.

Crowd versus Team

To fulfill what God wants you to accomplish involves moving from crowd to team.

• Crowds make noise, teams take action.
• Crowds are impersonal, teams are intimate.
• Crowds gather to be entertained, teams gather to achieve.
• In a crowd you’re a number, on a team you’re a contributor.

Without a team, you will burn out, run out of resources, or fail to contribute to the larger vision. That is why God made the church. We need other as partners, encouragers, suppliers of what we lack. Together we make a difference.

In Christ, we are one. Every part “indispensable,” 1 Corinthians 12:22.

Do Not Resuscitate

I must stop resuscitating sin already declared dead. Too often I find myself trying to keep alive something God sentenced to death. Romans 6:11 urges: “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 

In Christ, the power of sin is broken. It can’t condemn or dominate anymore. It only has the control we give it. Your struggle may be with over-reacting, over-indulging, over-spending. You may be overwhelmed with fear, self-pity, worry, bitterness, or lust. You might allow some habit, hunger for approval, root of pride, or secret sin to stay alive.

Count yourself dead to that.  

5 Observations after Moving to Houston

We arrived here from Pennsylvania in mid-January 2014. I noticed the following:

1. Rather than simply doing what needs doing, people are always fixin’ to do it.  
2. On day one, I received a plaque with all the words to “Deep in the Heart of Texas”. It is sung loudly on multiple occasions.
3. People’s most frequent comment upon hearing I am a new arrival, “You are going to hate it here in August.”
4. Some of the craziest driving I have ever seen, and that includes countries I visited with no traffic laws.
5. Passion for football and college alma maters knows no bounds.

Courtside

A couple months ago, I was treated to courtside seats at a Houston Rockets game. The Rockets were headed to the playoffs, where they would eventually flame out. But we didn’t know that then, and this game was fantastic! 

James Harden almost ended up in my lap going for a loose ball. I talked to the ref. I exchanged pleasantries with the opposing coach. I told Jeremy Lin when to shoot. The Rockets won in overtime.

The problem is that now I’ve been spoiled by courtside seats. It’s like being bumped to first class. Don’t send me back to economy!