Change

Some things need to change...  

Other things should never!!

So far in 2009 there have been lots of things changing.  And there’s more on the way (good and bad).  It’s happening so fast that you can almost feel the ground shaking!  But the church needs to take hard look at what we're called to do and get back to the basics.  It’s not always about the newest and greatest gimmicks to come along.  Sometimes it’s just the preaching of the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ.  After all - - that’s the only thing that is guaranteed to change lives!

Hugh Thomson Kerr said it this way...

“We are not sent to preach sociology but salvation; 

     not economics but evangelism; 

        not reform but redemption; 

           not culture but conversion; not progress but pardon; 

              not a new social order but a new birth; 

                 not revolution but regeneration; 

                     not renovation but revival; 

                        not resuscitation but resurrection; 

                           not a new organization but a new creation; 

                              not democracy but the gospel; 

                                 not civilization but Christ; 

                   we are ambassadors not diplomats.”

Opportunities

Some opportunities only come once in a lifetime -- Don’t miss out!!

I read this story by the Washington Post about a social experiment they put together at a busy metro station in Washington DC.  It seems they had a violinist set up during rush hour with his case open like any street musician. No one knew, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world.  He played some of the most intricate and beautiful pieces ever written.  He played them with a Stradivarius violin worth 3.5 million dollars.  

In the 45 minutes the musician played, hundreds walked within just a few feet, but only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. Most didn't even look up or slow their pace.  About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

The conclusion of their experiment was this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?  

Lord, help us not to miss your still small voice or your gentle nudge.  And help us not to miss out on those unique opportunities that will only come to us once in our lifetime.

If you'd like to read more about the experiment... 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html