The Big Diehl

I was thinking the other day about Jesus and how when he was here on earth, if he was thinking about 2006. I think he must have been. I mean he had 3 years of ministry on the earth, and he had to make those 3 years of ministry so impactful that the shock waves lasted over 2000 years after he left. Jesus had to have been an expert strategist. What was Jesus’ strategy for changing the world?

People. He invested his life into 12 people.

I think we should adopt Jesus’ strategy here. Everyone on this planet has SOMEBODY that looks up to them or they can help. We need to be about developing relationships and mentoring someone. It’s God’s plan. You don’t have to be an old fart to mentor somebody, either. I was in elementary school the first time I mentored someone. Regardless of personality or age, we can all find someone to pour ourselves into.

Addition: One great way to impact others is to volunteer in a children’s program, such as at a church. My Church, New Hope Christian Center, has plenty of opportunities for you to influence lives of others; the boy and girl scout programs are just two.

Most of the time, my blogging is done on my laptop while sitting in my bed (including right now). I get so comfortable and relaxed. You know that feeling when you get real relaxed? Like if you sit in a nice chair or lay down in bed — you just get really comfortable and you don’t want to do anything except selfish things like switch the channel or drink a Mountain Dew.

But that got me thinking, is it a very priority of God for us to be “comfortable?” No, I don’t think so. At least not in our relationship with him. I think God wants us to actually be UN-comfortable. Check this out: Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. (1 Peter 4:1-2 MSG).

Here’s how I see it. God doesn’t want us to be comfortable. Face it, sin is a pretty comfortable thing; it’s EASY to sin. God wants us to be UN-comfortable! We are to be ready to suffer, even physically, for God. Most of us Americans will never be beaten for simply being a Christian — but our Christ-like suffering should persist all the more. We should be very UN-comfortable every single day as we suffer by saying no to our sinful desires.

I recently got a new CD that I think is pretty sweet, and I want to give it a plug. It’s Lisa Gungor’s album “Canvas.” Although its not with a record company, Israel Houghton produced it — and so its got to be good! Songs with 4 chords in them just don’t cut it for me anymore — it’s too normal. But Lisa Gungor’s music is complex in rhythm and especially in chord structure. It really takes your ears on a musical journey. Check it out! Music can be sampled (and CD purchased) at www.lisagungor.com.

People use the word “casual” to refer to a lot of things. A “casual dresser” is someone who doesn’t dress up very formal. A “casual drinker” is someone who occasionally drinks alcohol. A “casual attender” is someone who attends only sometimes. It most uses, “casual” has come to basically mean “half-way.”

Casual is okay for a lot of things. But I don’t think its okay to be a “Casual Christian.”

God doesn’t want us to just be casual in our relationship with Him. God wants us to go after Him with everything we’ve got! If we really want to find God, we’ll go after God like Moses did in Exodus 34. In the story, Moses repeatedly asked for more of God. Finally, God allowed Moses to see His glory. And you know what happened? Because Moses kept seeking God, God showed Moses His glory. And when Moses was done his face shined so bright that he had to wear a veil over his head.

Don’t be a casual Christian. Go after God with EVERYTHING YOU’VE GOT!

Christian Comedian and Songwriter Aaron Wilburn has found much success with his “bless his heart” joke. According to Wilburn, in the southern culture of the USA, the phrase “bless his heart” basically means, “what an idiot.”

Jim went bankrupt. Bless his heart.

Billy got an F in Physics. Bless his heart.

Everyone in this video. Bless their hearts.

That’s funny, right?

Why do we find humor in other people’s misfortune? Why do we enjoy seeing other people miserable? Perhaps its because we’re glad its not happening to us. Perhaps it gives us some sense of revenge of a past wrong-doing. Maybe we remember going through a similar incident ourselves and laugh because we do know what they’re going through. I don’t have the answers on this one. Maybe you do.

I’m not the type of guy who watches Dan Rather every night. I had to search Wikipedia just to figure out that Election day was November 7. THIS TUESDAY. Geesh. I always vote though (except for that one time). Voting is important.

People throughout history have died fighting to preserve our right to vote. If that doesn’t motivate you to vote, I don’t know what will.

When you vote, make sure you vote for the person who will represent Godly values. Don’t just vote for your party. God is not a Republican. (He’s not a Democrat, either).