WEIRD – Because NORMAL isn’t Working

That's the title of a book written by Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of Life.Church which has many U.S. satellite churches plus others around the world that use their resources. Also, from Life.Church has come the free YouVersion Bible app. Our new normal is often reading the Bible from our cell phones anywhere, any time and we can even carry it in our hip pocket!

I still enjoy my flip-through-the-pages “normal” Bible but I also enjoy the new normal of accessing my Bible app or finding scriptures I need for my blogs or my personal enrichment by simply typing in “scripture for joy; or peace; or hope, etc.” on my computer's address bar and all kinds of scriptures pop up.

When Pastor Craig wrote the book, "Wierd", he was referring to his family's lifestyle. It is one of a Christ-centered philosophy of being fully devoted followers of Christ to show people how to break out of "normal" ruts and live lives of authentic devotion to God while practicing the truths of His Word. Many folks would call that lifestyle "weird", but it's the way that has worked in my life, too. After what we've been through in the last months and even years -- I'm holding to the old normal of trusting in God's amazing grace, as well as a new normal of shifting in ways that needed to be changed anyway. Let's face it -- "normal" folks are stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Many of their relationships are strained and, just surviving. So, we might as well abandon our old normal to be a little "weird", different, Christ-centered, Bible-believing,. love-dealing Christians who march to the beat of a different (but better) drum.

What have we got to lose? Oh! That’s easy to answer -- the craziness of "normal". Remember, normal, the quote goes, is nothing more than a setting on a dryer.

Many are longing for their lives to be normal again and to get back to the predictable and comfortable. But, more than likely, we will never have life as it used to be. Things will never be the same. We might as well adapt as we go and even adapt to a Christ-centered life of love and grace for our fellow brothers and sisters. It’s like changes I’ve experienced since “the good old days when chewing gum was the worst offense in school”. Really, things will never be the same. And, honestly, that may be a good thing. We shouldn’t be looking back, when we should be looking forward. Many of the changes we’ve adapted to, just might become our new normal. We have comfort in this -- one thing, rather, our ONE God, NEVER changes.

I don’t think I could say it better than the Christian music group, Jesus Culture, does in their song: “Your Love Never Fails”
[Chorus]
You stay the same through the ages / Your love never changes / There may be pain in the night / But joy comes in the morning / And when the oceans rage / I don't have to be afraid / Because I know that You love me / Your love never fails
[Bridge]
'Cause You make all things, work together for my good
You make all things, work together for my good
'Cause You make all things, work together for my good
'Cause You make all things work together for my good
You make all things work together for my good
You make all things work together for my good!”

I love that line that repeated over and over again. And, it is so true. We don’t have to have NORMAL, as it was, back again, because maybe we needed this SHIFT into a new NORMAL. We just need to keep following He Who never changes – lean on Him and trust Him to give us the wisdom and strength to advance into a new season. 2 Peter 3:14 says: “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”

Stranded or Rescuer

SPOILER ALERT! At our Life Group meeting, last night, we talked about the difference in being someone who feels or is “stranded” – all alone, hopeless and they may have already determined that they wouldn’t make it through their crisis. They’ve quit on pushing on. They've given up on life. We also discussed those who are “rescuers” – those who go in to encourage, support and help rescue someone from being “stranded”.

That discussion was based on the excerpts/clips from the movie “Martian” which were brilliantly used by Pastor Craig Groeschel to make the point about the choices we make. We are either “stranded” or we are a "rescuer". That was the story of Astronaut Mark Watney (played by Matt Damon) when he was left for dead during their mission to Mars. With Watney believed dead, the mission commander ordered the remaining crew to return to their orbiting vessel without him. Mark had a choice to make: he either gives up and accepts that he is going to die or to use his intellect, drive and determination to live.

Eventually, because of Mark's abilities, mental resources and determination, he was able to communicate back to earth that he was alive, and then it was up to the mission commander and her crew to return to save him. The “stranded” and the “rescuers”.

Yesterday, I posted a photo of a man slumped-in-his-chair with drink in hand. The tagline said, “Many people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they’re 75." I think that speaks to those who are “stranded”. They are stuck in mediocrity, have given up pursuing their dreams and visions, and serve no one else. They serve themselves with defeat, lack of motivation, and have essentially “died” to a life of potential and possibilities. On the other hand, there are those relentless, selfless, inspiring, and undaunted people who are the “rescuers” – not only are they their personal rescuer, but they rescue others by building them up, encouraging them, loving them through this season of their lives.

Mark Watney said, “I’m not going to die here” and he didn’t. Just maybe it’s time we get the fortitude and attitude that says “I’m not giving up….until I’m taken up! And, while I'm still here, I'll be a RESCUER!"

I'd Rather Be Remembered for Standing Out Than Forgotten for Blending In

Yesterday morning I saw a Harley Davidson billboard that said, "Why fit in when you can stand out?" -- of course meaning that we would stand out if we drove a Harley. Indeed, that would definitely cause me to STAND-OUT! LOL! And that prompted me to post about the great STAND message I heard Sunday by Pastor Craig Groeschel. We all have that option of just blending in with the crowd and listen to, talk about, act like and participate in the things that the "crowd" does. When we're pushed to the limits in our faith, our values, and our beliefs, do we have the courage to take a STAND? If we're STAND-OUTERS, we can't live a life of passivity. We have to make life decisions based on our determination to never compromise our values, and our relationship with God. I loved this quote, "I'd rather be remembered for standing out than forgotten for blending in."

I want to be a difference maker that rises above the noise. I want to STAND OUT when others complain -- I want to steer them to their blessings. When others worry, I'll STAND OUT by giving my worries and cares to God. When others laugh at an off-colored joke, I'm going to STAND OUT by not laughing or walking away. I will FORGIVE in spite of who wronged me or spoke evil against me. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the Bible stood out in total abandonment to their God -- not compromising their belief and trust in Him. I want to be remembered for STANDING OUT, too!!! How about you?

Let's Change the World in THIS Generation

There's the younger generation, mid-life generation or older generation! And, since we’re all alive at the same time, we are all THIS generation. And, if we'd get together, we could change the world in THIS generation. WHATEVER age, color, gender or nationality we are – God has a plan and a purpose for our lives and He needs us to pick up our batons and run this race because we are ALL still young – as long as we are on this earth. Why in the world do we allow society to dictate that at age 65 we retire? I’ve seen active and vibrant people, die when they retire. Why is that? Because they quit and feel obsolete; because they quit living before they need to. And if they don’t have a natural death, they die inside. They quit on life.

I’ve been on a rampage lately -- as I see people “check out” before they’re out! Pastor Craig Groeschel says, “If you’re not dead – you’re not done!” That’s become my personal “tag line”! If I’m still breathing, God has a plan and purpose for my life. You and I have gifts and purposes for OUR generation. Heaven is going to be amazing – beyond adequate words of explanation. But we’re still here, and we have a job to do HERE!

I said it a couple of days ago, and I say it again today -- there is no “retirement” in the Bible! There’s only refirement. Nelson Mandela was 72 when he was released from prison, and later became Prime Minister of South Africa.

Mother Teresa – at 85 was still running her phenomenal mission, because that’s what purpose does. Purpose keeps us young. She had more wrinkles than almost anyone, and she had more life than anyone who EVER pays big $$$$$ for a new and improved version on this side of heaven. We DO NOT have to get OLD. Psalms 92:12-15 “The uncompromisingly righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. They shall be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, They shall still bring forth fruit in old age.”

Shouldn’t that verse describe you and me? Shouldn’t we want to live out our days with zeal and determination? Shouldn’t we want to flourish, be useful and bring forth fruit all the days of our lives? We can! We can be ALL-OUT devoted, full-of-life rockin’ grannies and grandpas – packed full of passion and taking action while we still can! And, I’m proving it can be done…..just ask my grandkids!!!!