I had to laugh when I read this chapter this morning. Yesterday I had two conversations with folks that had such similar experiences – thinking that they had to do so much more than God intended from them. Just like Mark thinking he needed to be a theologian to his friend Kyle, the following stories illustrate that this partnership with God calling His own to Himself is more natural and rewarding than we might expect.
“We were trying to find a church!”
I’ve got a buddy who is a counseling pastor. He’s a GREAT counseling pastor. He claims he is a lousy evangelist. [...]

Convicted.
Who am I regularly praying for? Who  have I “given up on” – by my lack of prayer?
The good thing about this conviction is that it is easily “overturned” by simply commiting today. I’m writing down the people who the Holy Spirit prompts me to pray for and praying for them consistently.
How did you respond to this chapter?

This was a walk down memory lane for me. Sometimes I really hate looking back and wincing at all the mistakes that I have made.
Stumbling though life, offending other people etc. etc. etc. Oh well, life is a growing process and recognizing that repenting and moving forward into the image of Christ step by step daily is the path that I am now on.
It’s so simple but sometimes so hard to focus and ignore all the distractions that the world has to offer.
Still, I have read the end of the book and know with Jesus… I WIN!

I’ve been camping at the beach this week and the computer went down, so this is my first chance to check out what you guys have been up to and to share what I’ve been hearing during this adventure. “Living intentionally” keeps popping up.
During this week I’ve been waking up praying “Lord, who and what do you have for me today? Give me eyes to see and the courage and wisdom to seize the opportunities that you trust me with. I lay down my lazy, casual life for You today.”
This adventure is a different way of life. It’s really living. [...]

Today’s chapter deals with atheists. A while back I wrote a six page letter to a dying atheist friend and I will send it to anyone that wishes to read it (there may be something in it you can use some day). Just email me at qualt@hotmail.com with the title “send atheist letter” and I will send it to you as well.  God bless. Joe

This segment hits home.
I think by design I am some what adventurous and  will take a lot of risk…it is just the way I am wired….as far as I can figure.  I have a lot of faith but must be careful it is not misplaced. That has happened in the past and now I am a bit more cautious…a little anyway.
More than once I’ve stepped into something that if not divine intervention I would have been destroyed, one way or the other. Physical, financially, mentally without Gods guidance when mistakes are made it can effect relationships that may never recover. [...]

To me, this chapter is near and dear to my heart.
I know quite a few people who claim to be atheists. This seems to be an emotional issue for them. No logical or historical feedback do they ever provide to substantiate their position…it is always, I think, I feel, I believe or I know. Their position seems to be based on their past or someone somewhere who they guarantee knows what’s true. They say that they just don’t believe or if they do, they believe some part but not enough to follow up, they think every path can lead to [...]

This was a great chapter! IMHO
Strange how many times people will interrupt us by…pouring out their hearts to us or offering their opinions to us when we are engaged in our daily activities and in a hurry to boot.
It’s as if we have a sign printed on our foreheads that invite them to do. I have for a long time now believed that it is God doing the directing. I am now pretty much prepared for this type of …out of  no where…where did they come from contact. Now, I just listen to them…ask questions and realize that maybe a [...]

I went to a business to pick up seeds for planting. The guy who was to help me get these seeds (Larry) was helpful and I said “Remember, Jesus loves you!”
Well, Larry looking surprised, said “And Jesus loves you too.”
So I said, “I just knew you were a brother/part of the Family of God!”
Larry said “I am?”
I said Oh yahhhh! You did ask Jesus to be your Savior didn’t you?”
Larry said, I did but I’ve really backslidden and have real doubts about the reality of God.”
I told him that Jesus reaLLLLy loves the BACKSLIDER and wants him to slide back [...]

Who has really loved you like Jesus?
I think examples of people who have really loved us inspire us to love others. Nothing eternal gets done without love. Post a short example of how someone in your life has been an example of God’s love to you.