Simple Steps, Profound Changes
There is a lot of angst out there about our economic crisis, the direction of our nation, the state of our religious tribe, and the state of Christianity as a whole in the US. I am often asked what we should do about each of these things. I fear my answers are not what the people are looking for… but I’m going to put them here anyway.
In no particular order…
1. If you are married, love your spouse. Find them fascinating. Listen to them, smile at them, treat them with graciousness, kindness, and love. So many wonderful changes could be made to this world if husbands just loved their wives and wives loved their husbands.
2. Spend time with your children. Every study done has shown that the “it’s not the quantity, it’s the quality” line is completely false. They need the quantity. They need your presence more than they need things, entertainment, or the latest running shoes.
3. Every time you enter a room, ask yourself “who am I here to bless? Who needs an act of kindness done for/to them?” Assume that you are on a mission to bless people “along the way.”
4. When you do an act of kindness, accept the thanks, smile, and at most say “Jesus hasn’t forgotten you” or “Jesus says hello” and — this is critical — walk away! Plant the seed of grace and God’s love in their heart and then move along. The Holy Spirit will make sure the newly born spark is worked into a flame in His own time.
5. Want what you have and like what you’ve got. Say “no” to the consumerist culture. Buying a new car won’t make you more important or make you a better driver. Buying a new guitar won’t make you a better player (unless the one you have is unplayable, of course). Buy things only when you really need them… but learn to love what you already have.
6. Decide to love the children God gave you. No, they might not be the children you wanted but, be fair, you aren’t the parents they wanted, either. Enjoy your time together. It ends all too soon.
7. Cut back your media time by 10% and spend that time reading, praying, or walking. If you enjoy that, try cutting back another 10%.
8. Bless the church and charities with you money and time before you offer that time to the world (and make no mistake, paying off bills for new stuff is just a new form of economic slavery).
9. Worry less about what others are thinking about you. Chances are, they aren’t.
10. And remember — when we panic, God doesn’t.
July 6th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Good advice. I was reminded at my son’s wedding Friday how truly blessed I am through my children. There were dozens and dozens of the bride’s and groom’s friends there, and they are all such good people.
July 6th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Excellent thoughts. My opinion is that we spend WAY too much time worrying about this nation and not enough time worrying about God’s Kingdom.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
July 6th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I’m not sure why we are so prone to believe the lies. They are so often proved to be just what they are-blatant lies. Thanks for the reminders here of truth.
July 6th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I had lunch with my son in the student center at Lipscomb on Thursday and was running late for the 2:00 session I had planned to attend in Ezell. So I decided to dash into the arena instead. The Spirit may not deserve the blame for making me late, but He certainly deserves plenty of credit for knowing what I need, and I really needed that lesson. Thank you. The next time you’re within a hundred miles or so I plan to come hear you on purpose.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Loved all ten because they are TRUTH! Blessings!
July 7th, 2009 at 12:17 am
Patrick Mead… I just don’t know what to say! Larry and I took time this weekend to watch all three of your lessons from this years Tulsa Workshop. We were disappointed when each one ended. We loved what you had to say and how you said it. The disappointment was when they ended….we wanted more!
Whatever I say I’m sure you have heard thousands of times over. God has given you a gift, and I know he gives all of us gifts, you just seem to know how to use yours so much better than most of us. I’m thankful you do. I’m thankful for your lessons and your encouragement and for all the good you and your tribe are doing.
I’ll be passing the DVD’s around to our friends. I like your ideas and I know others will too. We have a great ‘tribe’ here and great leaders and preachers. You have a grand sense of humor too!
You are a blessed man and you bless a lot of lives.
Thank you!
July 7th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Excellent thoughts, good advise as usual from you.
Learning to enjoy the gift of contentment is a great joy.
Royce
July 7th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Thanks Patrick, great and practical list. I have a young friend who is struggling within a relationship and has requested some supportive thoughts and readings dealing with trust of God and patience. I tried to look through the list of past sermons/lessons but couldn’t find what I was looking for. Could you recommend something helpful. Thanks Greg
I would recommend the seven part series “God at War” that was just posted. It isn’t a perfect fit, but it should get the marbles moving around in his brain fairly sharpish.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Excellent, Patrick.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:45 am
I twittered this post to others. Wise words, Patrick. I’ve been listening today on my MP3 player to your Day 1 talk from Summer Celebration. You inspire me to love others (all the “nobodies”) like Jesus does, not just in a church-y way. But can I? Will I?