Wow, the last time we did this an amazing thing happened! Thanks!
Be patient! Hold On! Stand Firm! Expect Persecution!
I would hear people talk about how the world is anti-Christian, and to be honest, I didn't believe them. People still respected God and lived out the Golden Rule! But, as he was talking today, I don't know if that's still true. Are we still a Christian nation? Am I ridiculed because of my faith, or am I not ridiculed because I have assimilated into what the culture believes.
He talked about being patient through trials, but the words "If you are not experiencing trials, maybe you're not living the way Jesus wants you to" come back to remind me.
I don't need to be afraid, nothing is going to happen that You and I can't handle.
And I don't have to settle for this life that most people would settle for.
When Jesus talked about life to the full, He meant it. He has a plan for us to have the most incredible life possible. And it comes from really doing what He says, thinking about it, letting it be the purpose.
It's about really living it!
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Monday, May 22, 2017
James 4:13-17
What is it You'd like me to do today?
I don't really ask that question anymore because I'm afraid. I used to ask it and then get deathly anxious about what You might ask me to do - so I think I just let it fade from my mind. Blocked it out. Kind of like when you keep on eating junk food. I know the effects it has on my body, but I just ignore them - pretend like they are not there.
I think that has to drive You even more crazy than when I'd ask and then get totally freaked out when something crazy would pop into my head. At least I was saying No. Now, I'm not even asking. Apathy - that's the word. Not caring! That's a pretty good way to describe my life for the last, heck, maybe year. But, NO MORE!
What do You want me to do today? I know that everything I try to do (oh no, here comes a cliche) on my own - that's no good! When cool things were happening was when I would trust You, ask You, respond to You. Wasn't there a way to set an alarm to remind me? Maybe I should do that today.
I don't really ask that question anymore because I'm afraid. I used to ask it and then get deathly anxious about what You might ask me to do - so I think I just let it fade from my mind. Blocked it out. Kind of like when you keep on eating junk food. I know the effects it has on my body, but I just ignore them - pretend like they are not there.
I think that has to drive You even more crazy than when I'd ask and then get totally freaked out when something crazy would pop into my head. At least I was saying No. Now, I'm not even asking. Apathy - that's the word. Not caring! That's a pretty good way to describe my life for the last, heck, maybe year. But, NO MORE!
What do You want me to do today? I know that everything I try to do (oh no, here comes a cliche) on my own - that's no good! When cool things were happening was when I would trust You, ask You, respond to You. Wasn't there a way to set an alarm to remind me? Maybe I should do that today.
Friday, May 19, 2017
James 3:13-18
Asking for stuff that you think would make you happy - WHOOPS! I can specifically remember times in the last couple of months that I've said, "If I just had this...." or "If this just happened...." like God doesn't know what is best for me, like God isn't looking out for my best interests. I think He even gave me a few just to show me, "Oh, life is still pretty much the same."
To be honest, as I look back at where I've been for a while now, it's a pretty dark place. It's a place of seeking after what is best for me. I've got a pretty good history of doing that, but I took it to a different level during the very recent past. I started to do things I knew God wouldn't approve of, justifying them along the way, and I can see now what it was doing to my soul.
It feels like I'm on the way back - like God and I are getting back on the same page. And I'm glad for both times. I can't remember a time when I've been so anti-God or would consider myself an enemy of God, but these last couple of months - maybe? The good thing about that is I feel (and I hate to use the word "broken") broken, more sure than ever that I need You and that You really do have what is best for me.
Pop, that's a good question!
To be honest, as I look back at where I've been for a while now, it's a pretty dark place. It's a place of seeking after what is best for me. I've got a pretty good history of doing that, but I took it to a different level during the very recent past. I started to do things I knew God wouldn't approve of, justifying them along the way, and I can see now what it was doing to my soul.
It feels like I'm on the way back - like God and I are getting back on the same page. And I'm glad for both times. I can't remember a time when I've been so anti-God or would consider myself an enemy of God, but these last couple of months - maybe? The good thing about that is I feel (and I hate to use the word "broken") broken, more sure than ever that I need You and that You really do have what is best for me.
Pop, that's a good question!
Thursday, May 18, 2017
James 3:13-18
Meekness? Do I have that? I think I did at one point, but maybe it's slowly eroded away. I think a valid critique of my personality is that I do things for the glory - always have. I've always wanted people to notice me, people to praise me, to be the guy that was better than everyone else. But, it's not really about that. I should be my best and I should do things that are great, all the time realizing that there are other people who are doing great things too. That's God's plan. If He has great things planned for me, then He has to have great things planned for others too! It's not a monetary system where there is only so much to go around.
We don't really have to be better than anyone else; because in God's economy that's not how it works. He really does set it up where we are really only competing against ourselves.
"Here's the job I have for you. Did you do it?"
"Here's the talents you have. Are you using them?"
"Here's the situations you were in today. How did you handle them?"
"Here's the people I put in your path. What did you do with them?"
I loved when he talked about having people give the glory to God. I don't exactly know how that would work. I'm trying to think of a time that I did something and somebody said, "God is so good!" Yeah, I guess that is a good example. The Boys from Durham. I can't remember them saying anything great about me or being impressed with my personality or who I was. But, some of them started reading the Bible, going to church, moving toward God. I just showed up and great things happened. Actually, as I look at the race. I didn't do anything huge. No one said, "Wow, Tony what a great job!" But, a lot of people said, "That race was awesome!"
Doing things in such a way that the praise doesn't come to you, but that it goes toward the greater good. The end goal is that John 10:10 would happen - not that we are looked at as awesome. Meekness. Wisdom.
We don't really have to be better than anyone else; because in God's economy that's not how it works. He really does set it up where we are really only competing against ourselves.
"Here's the job I have for you. Did you do it?"
"Here's the talents you have. Are you using them?"
"Here's the situations you were in today. How did you handle them?"
"Here's the people I put in your path. What did you do with them?"
I loved when he talked about having people give the glory to God. I don't exactly know how that would work. I'm trying to think of a time that I did something and somebody said, "God is so good!" Yeah, I guess that is a good example. The Boys from Durham. I can't remember them saying anything great about me or being impressed with my personality or who I was. But, some of them started reading the Bible, going to church, moving toward God. I just showed up and great things happened. Actually, as I look at the race. I didn't do anything huge. No one said, "Wow, Tony what a great job!" But, a lot of people said, "That race was awesome!"
Doing things in such a way that the praise doesn't come to you, but that it goes toward the greater good. The end goal is that John 10:10 would happen - not that we are looked at as awesome. Meekness. Wisdom.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
James 3:1-12
I'll take it one further. I don't just want to use the tongue not to do bad stuff, I want to use the tongue to encourage, to challenge, to change the lives of people I meet.
Have I done that lately? Not really, but I think it's in me. I do like to encourage people - just haven't thought a lot about it lately. Let's do that today!
And could we help Luisa with her job - let that go well.
Have I done that lately? Not really, but I think it's in me. I do like to encourage people - just haven't thought a lot about it lately. Let's do that today!
And could we help Luisa with her job - let that go well.
Monday, May 15, 2017
James 2:14-26
Were there any actions? I did call in that person and clean up the signs and get here at 6 and help out at the homeless shelter and pick up a balloon - so there were some actions. I actually think this is one of the things I do pretty well - I'm not a big talk guy or big worship guy, but I do believe you show who you are by how you treat people, by what people you hang out with, by who you value.
As I go through this goofy time, let me not forget that is who I am - a James type of person. And today, can you help the shelter get filled and encourage Luisa.
As I go through this goofy time, let me not forget that is who I am - a James type of person. And today, can you help the shelter get filled and encourage Luisa.
Friday, May 12, 2017
James 2:1-13
What would I do if I knew that Javy Baez, Jimmy Butler, Nana Akenton, Chris the actor, Adam Sandler and a whole bunch of famous people were going to be at the homeless shelter on Tuesday? It would be a big deal! I probably wouldn't change to be honest with you, but there would be a different vibe because something unique was happening. We don't get a chance to hang out with those types of people that often.
I think about the times that I've been in the presence of "famous" people. Jeff Joniak, Hub Arkush, the Bears news people, Larry Brown, Tony LaRussa, - to be honest, not that big a deal (except Hub Arkush, just really like that guy!). I do think that I'm more excited when I see one of my homeless buddies at the library or meeting the kids at the Compassion Center. That's not as big a problem for me.
But, my favortism comes in with the pretty people. At work, I do find myself looking forward to talking to the pretty people more than the - ok, is that really true. Maybe it's not. Maybe I'm starting to get a more realistic view of life. Maybe, just maybe, I do pretty good here. Sure, there are some people I like more than others, but I think I most often treat everyone the same.
God, let's improve on that strength. And, I would love for Grace to dominate that AP test, or at least score pretty well so that she can have no pressure on any future AP test or feel like she has to do more (or be made to feel like she has to do more.) Also, help Sof's disappointment lead to better things.
I think about the times that I've been in the presence of "famous" people. Jeff Joniak, Hub Arkush, the Bears news people, Larry Brown, Tony LaRussa, - to be honest, not that big a deal (except Hub Arkush, just really like that guy!). I do think that I'm more excited when I see one of my homeless buddies at the library or meeting the kids at the Compassion Center. That's not as big a problem for me.
But, my favortism comes in with the pretty people. At work, I do find myself looking forward to talking to the pretty people more than the - ok, is that really true. Maybe it's not. Maybe I'm starting to get a more realistic view of life. Maybe, just maybe, I do pretty good here. Sure, there are some people I like more than others, but I think I most often treat everyone the same.
God, let's improve on that strength. And, I would love for Grace to dominate that AP test, or at least score pretty well so that she can have no pressure on any future AP test or feel like she has to do more (or be made to feel like she has to do more.) Also, help Sof's disappointment lead to better things.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
James 1:13-18
John 10:10 Moments - those moments when temptation is creeping you. You know something is the wrong thing, but you want it, and there is a crucial decision to make. Sin, which leads to death, or John 10:10 - Life to the Full. Jesus offers life to the full. He knows we are going to be tempted, but He's also promised us that His ways lead to life, and life to the full.
So, now I have a decision! Temptation is going to come. It always does. Do I choose that which I want or John 10:10?
So, now I have a decision! Temptation is going to come. It always does. Do I choose that which I want or John 10:10?
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
JAMES 1:1-12
I guess trials can come in many forms. I usually think of them as like death in the family, lose a job, get beaten in the fantasy football playoffs. Events, specific moments, things you can mark on a calendar. But, as I listened today, I thought about just being in a bad place - a down time. My trials these days seem more times of boredom or lack of enthusiasm. Right now, my biggest struggles are that I really don't have passion for anything, and the things I think about doing, I find some reason not to. I fill up my time with watching shows or sports or reading or things that really don't have any significance. And I give up things like family, helping the poor, teaching.
I guess I could get down on myself for those things, or I could look at this as a time of trials - a time when God is helping me become more like Him. Maybe you are trying to teach me that I can't earn your love, that it's not about what I'm doing but who I am. Maybe I need to go through this time when I'm not doing anything great (and don't even want to) to help me realize that I don't have to do anything great. Maybe these trials are a reminder that my life can be best lived by being like you in normal, everyday circumstances.
Has my family, my job, my volunteering driven the life out of me - I don't think so. It's just a time I'm going through, a time of trial perhaps, that is helping me become more like you. As I think about it, I probably am more like you during these times.....ok, that's wrong. But, I do feel like I could use a little toning down on the inappropriate stuff, on the unhealthy habits. What am I even talking about right now?
I guess it's becoming the Tony Melton you created me to be. I've strayed a bit from that. I'm more of a positive leader than I've become. I'm more determined, more focused. OK, maybe that's not true either. Maybe I should ask You - maybe even spend more time with You and let You lead me to whoever it is You want me to become. Let's do that! Let me take whatever comes and let You guide me in it!
Today, can you help all the race stuff get done, and help Sof and the others who tried out grow from whatever happens. Also, if by some miracle, you could have Grace do great on the AP test because I really struggle with what is the right thing there.
Thanks for this time. It's been good!
I guess I could get down on myself for those things, or I could look at this as a time of trials - a time when God is helping me become more like Him. Maybe you are trying to teach me that I can't earn your love, that it's not about what I'm doing but who I am. Maybe I need to go through this time when I'm not doing anything great (and don't even want to) to help me realize that I don't have to do anything great. Maybe these trials are a reminder that my life can be best lived by being like you in normal, everyday circumstances.
Has my family, my job, my volunteering driven the life out of me - I don't think so. It's just a time I'm going through, a time of trial perhaps, that is helping me become more like you. As I think about it, I probably am more like you during these times.....ok, that's wrong. But, I do feel like I could use a little toning down on the inappropriate stuff, on the unhealthy habits. What am I even talking about right now?
I guess it's becoming the Tony Melton you created me to be. I've strayed a bit from that. I'm more of a positive leader than I've become. I'm more determined, more focused. OK, maybe that's not true either. Maybe I should ask You - maybe even spend more time with You and let You lead me to whoever it is You want me to become. Let's do that! Let me take whatever comes and let You guide me in it!
Today, can you help all the race stuff get done, and help Sof and the others who tried out grow from whatever happens. Also, if by some miracle, you could have Grace do great on the AP test because I really struggle with what is the right thing there.
Thanks for this time. It's been good!
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