Religion -No thanks...

I am brought back to recent conversations I have had one-on-one with new friends. They refer to my moral compass completetly different Than I do. Have you run into people who refer to their beliefs or faith as "religion"? It may just be semantics or church culture but I almost cringe when I hear about a life following after Jesus as "religion."
I am aware of the response from those who may have a longer church history than others. They may go after the person without truly listening and taking time to understand them. Often well meaning responses are taken offensively by those not knowing the church jargon. The suggestion for those who would immediately respond with the it's not religion but a personal relationship is to try a new approach. Try talking to the person about why it's more meaningful than just a ritualist activity once a week. Try talking to them about what Jesus has meant to you personally. Try to talk about how he has made your life better, not just when you made a personal decision, but last month or last week. Talk about how The Father has helped you through tough times or made a bad thing work out for good. That will help them get that it is way more than religion...the catch is you need to have something to say. Take time to make your relationship with Jesus more than religion. Most of those outside of the church would say yes to that type of faith.

New Beginings

I love new beginings. Like when you were a kid playing baseball & you hit the ball over a wall or fence you would yell "do over"! When everyone agreed you got a fresh start. In the old Testament the Jewish feast could be viewed as at least 3 different times to start fresh and "do over". The psalmist goes so far as to say, "His mercies are new every morning". Isn't that great! We get a new start everyday it's like a gift to start fresh every day. What a present Jesus offers us. Now it is up to us. What will we do with such a great treasure? How will we use such a treasure? Perhaps we will let it sit while we think how it could have been. Maybe we will dispise today because we will compare it with another persons more fortunate. The treasure of today might be spent in celebration of a God who loved us so much that he enabled us to enjoy one more sunrise & sunset. That we could embrace fully whatever The Lord has for us to walk through. I am thrilled for new beginings and new days. I trust you will choose the joy found in a fresh day!