Better Vision

A Little Optimism Please...

So this morning Abby and I covered a news story on how being optimistic can actually improve your vision. Volunteers in the study were told to just focus on the faces they were to be shown. Those who were of the optimistic nature were able to make out more than just the faces, they saw location detail and expressions using their peripheral vision. Those who were of the pessimistic nature were only able to recall the face they were told to focus on.

When I read that, it was like God opened up my eyes in a sense to how spiritually relevant that was. How often in life, when something bad happens do we just focus down on only the problem? I do it all the time. Something bad, (we'll call it XYZ) happens in our life. We will spend countless hours in worry and stress and be so consumed by the XYZ situation, that we can't see anything else in our lives. All of the other blessings that God has done, how he provides and is a shield in the midst of trouble. We can become so consumed by the problem that we never see the solution.

I was talking to a man after the New Faces, New Music tour the other day and he told me he had lost his job 6 weeks earlier. But during all of it, he saw how God took care of his family, how God made a way and has been providing for them. He's taking an optimistic outlook on his very negative situation. Instead of being consumed by the situation of being unemployed he has turned it over to God and said, "I can't handle this alone, I need your help and provision over my life and my families life". Now he is able to see God's grace and goodness in the midst of a trial in his life and feels a whole lot better not being bogged down in stress and worry all the time.

If you're facing something large in your life, a situation XYZ, turn it over to God. No matter what it is and you'll SEE His grace and provision over your life.

1 Peter 5:7 says "Give all your worries to Him, because He cares for you"

Matthew 6:25 says "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Psalm 91:1 says "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Stop staring at whatever situation XYZ you've got going on in your life and look around you to see that God is there, He loves you and will forever take care of you.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

My Boy Barnabas

Son of Encouragement

Encouragement, from time to time I sure could use a dose or two of it. Well let me introduce you to the man in scripture known as the son of it! My boy, Barnabas.

Barnabas doesn’t get very much press in the New Testament. He shows up in only 33 verses, but in those few verses, you get a pretty good picture about who he was in the body of Christ, one who is selfless when faced with the Gospel.

So, what can we learn from this cousin of John Mark? He’s of the tribe of Levi, from the island of Cyprus, and at one point he sold one of his fields and gave the proceeds to the apostles.
He’s no poor schlub, but a pretty well off guy with a solid Jewish heritage. Yet, he heard the proclamation of the Gospel of the Crucified and Risen Christ, and understood the importance of proclaiming that Gospel to the ends of the earth.

He was sent by the Jerusalem church to Antioch to keep the fledgling church there humming along. Eventually, he set off with Paul on his first missionary journey as his right hand man.

His name, “Barnabas”, means “son of encouragement.” It’s a rather appropriate name for one who would serve not as a proclaimer, but as one who accompanied and encouraged one of the greatest proclaimers of all on his Gospel missions.

Thank God that not everyone He calls is a preacher! Every Barnabas that pops up in the church is indeed a treasure. As Paul said, the Body of Christ needs more than mouths. It needs the hands and arms and hearts of the Barnabases of the world, too.

If not for someone in my life like Barnabas, I know I would have given up on my dream long ago. Why? Because life is hard. It's easy to give up especially when it's God that has called you to do something. It's like even more things come to get in the way. We all could use a Barnabas or two and I'm sure we know someone we could be like Barnabas for. Think about that. God Bless.

Carlos

Pillars of the Church

Today we celebrate the feast of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul. I find it interesting that these two men share a feast day. Meanwhile, and this is no knock on him, St. Argymirus gets his own day, June 28th. Are you familiar with St. Argymirus? Me neither. But if you ask any Christian, chances are they can tell you quite a bit about Peter and Paul. These two men, pillars of our Church, share a day. I suppose that's because they both gave so much, yet so differently to the formation of Christianity. This goes to show that we're all in this together and we need to appreciate the different strengths and failings of one another.

I read this about P&P: Peter and Paul represent two strikingly different approaches to discipleship. Peter, our first pope had to learn slowly, make many mistakes along the way, but always experienced the compassionate forgiveness and encouragement of Jesus. Paul, on the other hand, came to the Faith immediately and never backed away from his zeal for Christ after that. Many of us can see both these great Apostles in ourselves. Like Peter, we sometimes fail yet persevere. Like Paul, we must always be on fire for the Lord, and proclaim Him to everyone and in every situation, no matter how difficult it can sometimes be to do so.

If you identify with Peter or Paul, or both, I encourage you to take sometime today to reflect on their journeys of faith and ask them to pray for you. Ask Peter to pray that your faith will increase or that you'll show more perseverance when tested. Ask Paul for help in witnessing to a friend or ask him to pray for a conversion in someone. They are so real in their sufferings, failings and trials, but more than anything, Peter and Paul loved Jesus. They would do anything in their power to get just one more person to know Him. If we can live each day like Peter and Paul then I think we'll be doing ok.

- Abby

OH! - and have you read about the testing on the bones of St. Paul? Off the AP Wire yesterday: "The first-ever scientific test on what are believed to be the remains of the Apostle Paul 'seems to confirm' that they do indeed belong to the Roman Catholic saint, Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday." Read the whole article here. This was released just after an article about scientists finding what they believe to be the oldest image of Paul. Pretty neat stuff!

He Knows Your Name

Your Name Is...?

I am not very good with remembering someones name. I can remember a face, that I won't forget, but a name, no way. It's not for lack of trying, I do, I really try and want to be that person who seems to know everyone and everyone's name. I feel horrible when I meet listeners for the second or third or tenth time and I still can not recall their names. I know that if I were on the other end, I would want to be remembered. Did I mention that I'm trying to get better at that. You have my sincere apologies if I have ever not remembered your name, please know that I am trying...

This morning, Abby and I did a story on what Dave Meurer wrote for christianitytoday.com. He told his story of not remembering his own wife's parents names! Ouch. But he ended it with a great thought on God and how He knows us by name.

I therefore take enormous comfort in a moving passage from the Bible where God declares to his people, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!" (Isaiah 43:1).

"I have called you by name."

He knows who I am. We are sometimes tempted to think of God as so lofty that he sees us as a mass of humanity, not as individuals. But here he is, calling us by name. Others may forget you, but the God of the universe knows your name. And he will never forgot.

After reading that thought, my entire outlook on my day changed. How great is it to know that the giant God of the universe who created all of mankind and all the heavens loves each and everyone of us as individuals, not as just a giant blob of His followers. The bible says, Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. That is how well our God knows us and loves us. Each.

Be blessed today,

Carlos

One Liners

If Only Rodney Dangerfield Had Done Christian One Liners...

While I was doing my prep for the show tonight I came across a website loaded with "one liners" those classic quick jokes that Rodney Dangerfield was famous for. After the first few jokes I caught my self ending each one with "no respect...I gets no respect". The funny thing is that a few weeks ago a bunch of us at the radio station had the discussion, who was/is "The Greatest Comedian of All Time". Rodney's name came up. So in honor of who once was a great comedian, here is the list of Christian "one liners" that I found. Some are funny, made me laugh, some are not meant to be funny just make you think, but few can touch the level of Dangerfield. Enjoy!

Christian One Liners

Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?!

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

God loves everyone, but probably prefers"fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

We don't change the message, the message changes us.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails= 4 given.

Carlos