Google Wiz Kid and Faith

While pursuing the NY Times and downing a latte at Starbucks before the outside Easter service at The Loft yesterday, this headline gapped my attention---“A Google Whiz Searches for His Place on Earth.”

Sanjay Marvinkurve, a key engineer in Goggle’s mapping team, has a U.S. work visa but his wife does not so they live in Canada. He works in Toronto at Goggle's sales office and flies to Google headquarters in northern California for important team meetings...thus the title for the article on U.S. immigration.

“...his place on earth”---I like that phrase; it has a great ring to it for Jesus Followers for we are called to have a place (purpose) on earth. We’ve all heard much about our purpose on earth since Rev. Rick Warren’s mega best seller The Purpose Driven Life hit the scene in 2002.

                                                                                             

Lofters intellectually know the importance of discovering one’s life purpose at any season of life; Andy and Terence talk about it often. We understand that our specific purpose and calling may change somewhat over time and that we should spend time in study and reflection to refine our calling from God. Our challenge is to move all that head knowledge 18 inches to the heart, isn’t it?

So, here is my scribble to us today. Ask yourself, did I spend any time during Holy Week musing about my calling from God...asking the Holy Spirit to help me refine it and sharpen it for the Kingdom?  Ouch.

Need some help with this challenge? You might want to go to Warren’s web site and work through his suggestions on purpose statements for each area of your life. Here’s the link.:

Might I also suggest that you share your findings with other Lofters in community? Why not?  I'd love to hear from you. You can also follow my daily tweet muses on Twitter.

More later,

Selah

Up to the task

I was an entrepreneur almost my entire working career beginning several firms and partnering with others to form larger private corporations. It was satisfying and rewarding in many respects and I was willing to take risks because I felt strongly about my capabilities and those with whom I associated. Fortunately, we “won” much more often than we “lost.” That said...my first thoughts when International Leadership Institute approached me about spearheading a new initiative for them to create a product line of new curriculum, I said to myself, “sure I can do that. I’ve written audio tapes, a lot of articles published on the Internet, contributed to books and resource guides and really have enjoyed designing or “retrofitting” Christian teaching and studies for small groups and other venues.”

As it developed into much a much larger Kingdom project than either ILI or I first envisioned, I began thinking “wow...I’ve prayed about enlarging my territory for Kingdom purposes (1 Chronicles 4:9-10), but this may be over my pay grade”, as a certain Presidential candidate would declare in a debate setting.

As I scribble this, I wanted you to know what I was thinking...for a little while. Isn’t Kingdom living and accepting Kingdom purposes all what being a devoted Jesus Follower is all about? This new initiative is above my pay grade...and I’m thankful about that. I desire earnestly to have a deeper walk with Jehovah; I look forward to being entirely dependent on Him for this Kingdom adventure.

So this brings me to your journey. Is God speaking to you about stepping out in faith? I don’t know what that may look like for you...leading a Bible study for youth for the first time; entering TWUMC Special Blessings shadow ministry, becoming involved in September Serve, organizing a mission effort locally or internationally, becoming involved in a church plant or helping The Loft launch its new Saturday night service---I just know this---until you are willing to enlarge your territory, kick out your preset boundaries and ideas, and let God be God, you really aren’t being truly sold out to Jehovah for His Kingdom purpose in your life.

“How do I start”, you ask? First, earnestly seek God and His purpose for your life...for this season of your life.   I’ve said this many times before, but just “Find out when God is working and   be willing to join Him there."

On a personal basis, pray for ILI and their Kingdom purposes; for wisdom and direction with all their new initiatives and for the resources necessary to continue to enlarge their territory through changing lives every day in more than fifty nations by accelerating the life-transforming spread of the Gospel.

Selah

I AM is Who I Can Become

Laurie Beth Jones in her book, Jesus CEO, has an interesting chapter titled "His "I AM" Statements are What He Became."

She states, "Jesus did not look back on the events of his life and say, Hmmm...I must have been the Son the God." He declared himself to be the Son of God, and the proof followed.

Do you believe that words have power?  I do..I hope my life is a testament to that.  In the last ten years or so, God's spiritual gift in me of exhortation has really taken off...I'm much more encouraging to others than I used to be.  Maybe, I finally grew up or maybe I AM who I can Become?  Yes, early on I realized that I had the gifts of leadership and teaching and these were confirmed in the body of Christ.  But, its only been these last few years that I've realized that God was calling me to be more---a special encourager. 

I have to confess that I like it.  I like who I am becoming.  The 2008 Olympics reminded me again how important "self-talk" really is---not only in athletics, in politics and in mega-corporations, but to YOU AND I as Jesus Followers. 

So, here's the deal.  If Jones is right in her book that Jesus' I AM statements are what he became, do you think it might just be a little important for us Jesus Followers to follow suit?

Here's something to try at her suggestion: "Whom do you tell yourself you are on a daily basis?  Remember, words have power.

Selah.

Passion: You know it when you have it and when you don't

For some, it is difficult to pin down a definition of passion.  Gordon MacDonald in his book, Renewing Your Spiritual Passion, says it's hard to measure and difficult to pin down.  But he goes on to say, "But you know when you have it, and you are quite aware when you don't.  So, I often return to this book...its a good read and one that I "go to" annually.

Why you might ask?  It's easy...I have to work to retain a balance in my life; I learned that many years ago, so I always ready Renewing and also Ordering Your Private World each year.  I've mentioned this before in my blogs.  Simply, I do not want to drift away even a little bit from being passionate about being a Jesus Follower...not any more. 

So I ask you.  What's driving you these days?  Is it passion?  Or is it habit?  If it's habit, may I recommend that you check out TeamLoft's newest blog, JavaTalk.  It's purpose to to help us understand the importance of eight precepts that will keep us Jesus Followers on track. 

Let me give you one example, if I may.  I try to ask myself at least weekly a simple question---When am I at with God right now?  I've come to realize that if I drift a little away from being passionate about God, I will become restless and, frankly, a little bored.  I know that I'm at risk saying this to my friends...but I'm being honest.

So, Lofters....what's driving you these days?  Is it passion?  Or is it habit?  I'd love to hear from you.

Selah
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