2009

This blog was inspired by some questions that Chet Snyder posed at a recent small group bible study. After a few weeks (and some admitted boredom), I decided to answer these. Maybe this will start me in a positive direction for the year.

One thing I want to change in the year 2009 about….

the world…

There are few things I can do to change this world in and of myself, but I can change the things in and of myself to make this a better world. I want to see my brothers and sisters throughout the world as God sees them. I want to be a citizen of the world, as much as I am a citizen of the United States. I want to have a heart for ALL of God’s people, and stop the selfishness that American “patriotism” can bring. Most importantly, I want to live as a citizen of the Kingdom of God, which resides across the globe.

this country…

As a citizen of this greatly blessed nation, my views and actions are a part of this nation as much as I am a part of it. I would like to see this country be the “United” States of America, as the name suggests. In order to do that, we have to lay down our differences and work together to uphold the freedom and blessings we enjoy as Americans. My part in this, in 2009, is to respect the ideas and beliefs of others, to look beyond party lines and to see truth through the eyes of God.

The Church…

There are many things that I dream of seeing happen within The Church. Many I believe I won’t see until Christ’s return, when His Kingdom comes together under one Leader. I can’t wait for that to happen! One small thing I would like to see change in the Church, this year, is for the local churches in the Fairfield community to come together as The Church, more than we currently do. I would like to see members of the Body of Christ in our community, looking beyond denominational boundaries to become the Kingdom of God. I’m not sure how to bring this about, but churches need to step beyond their walls and become a Family.

my local Church…

My prayer is that, this year, our local Church will begin to spend less time and resources on ourselves, and more of those on “the aliens, the fatherless and the widows”. I would like to see our resources going out to those in need, more than it goes into our building and our programs. And, those resources should be followed by the love of Christ reaching those people through those in our Church, ministering to them face to face.

myself…

I want to regain my intimate relationship with God. Somewhere along the way, busy-ness has crept in and I find myself no longer seeking the will of God in my life. Just saying that I want to do His will is not enough. I need to daily seek His will and listen for His voice in every situation that comes my way. I need to start looking at God and listening to Him, as we walk this road together. Instead, I have been hurrying along with my ear buds in, music and noise blaring, while God patiently walks alongside, just waiting for me to look His way. I need to remember my first Love.