Sometimes Saying You’re Sorry is Messy

Sometimes saying you’re sorry is messy because the reason you’re apologizing is messy.

Courtesy of Stocksnap

Recently I made the mistake of confronting a friend of mine.  I say mistake because I handled it in a manner that caused embarrassment, guilt, and ruined what could have been a great afternoon of spending time together. Instead of winning the respect of my friend by taking him aside and sharing my thoughts, feelings, and frustrations in a safe way I opened my mouth and let my words fly free.

If I would have had the patience to wait, calm down, and remind myself that he is a great friend the conversation would have been beneficial and our friendship would have grown stronger.

Scripture, if we allow it, can speak, humble, teach, and strengthen us.  Shortly after my vocabulary explosion I was reading through the New Testament and just so happened to run into 1 Peter 5:6-8.

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.(NIV)

I was humbled by God’s word.  I was anxious the entire day after that confrontation, but when I cast my anxiety on God and apologized to Him, and my friend, for my actions the stress began to leave.

When we are worshipping God with all of heart, soul, mind, and strength there are times that we will fail, stumble, and fall.  If we continually learn to go to His word we can find the strength to go on.

Life can be messy, but every moment we live for God sweeps away some of the dirt.

Faith the Size of a Lemonade Stand

Recently I was driving to the bank on my lunch break when I came across two girls sitting at the end of their driveway behind a small table.  They had two pitchers of lemonade placed on the table and a small chalkboard easel with prices listed on it sitting off to the side.

(Courtesy of stocksnap.io)

I smiled and continued on to my destination, but seeing those two girls got me thinking…

Does my faith reflect what it takes to run a lemonade stand?

Lemonade stands are usually exciting new opportunities for kids during the summer months when school is out, and it is also a good way for younger children to score some spending money!  I doubt that when those two girls decided to have a lemonade stand they had a strategy meeting, a financial goal, or even a statement of purpose drawn up.

I bet they grabbed a table, some chalk, and told their parents, with grins the size of bananas, that this is what they wanted to do.  I think the thrill of the people coming and purchasing a nice cool cup is all they needed.

That is what faith should be; getting caught up in the excitement of God and just doing something.  How often do we miss out on amazing adventures and new experiences because we wanted to map out every detail?  How often have we allowed our hesitation to get in the way?

I don’t want to miss out anymore.   I want my faith to reflect a love that does.  I want to get caught up in the excitement.  I want to take the lemons that I have been handed, make some lemonade, and wait for the blessings to come rolling in!

What lemons have you been handed in life? What are you going to do with them?

Table Talk

Why ‘the worship table’ as a web address? Are we worshipping a table? No, but I want to stress the importance of the table.

Let’s begin by discussing what I mean when I use the phrase “table it”.  The common use of this phrase gives it a negative connotation, it tells a person that what they have to say or present is of little value and will most likely be overlooked.  I, however, believe that some of the best things can happen around the table.

The table is a place of fellowship, it is a place where meals are enjoyed, a place that hosts “all-nighters” and board games of all genres, it is a place where new relationships are cultivated.  The table also reveals to us the character of Christ and welcomes us into the presence of something magnificent through celebrations such as the Lord’s Supper.

So I invite you to the table,
I invite you to journey with me as I attempt to a live a life of Worship.

May the table be the place where conversations are ignited and passions revealed,  a place where Truth is uncovered and actively pursued, and place where we discover our daily purpose in God’s grand scheme of things!