rants of a beggar

So its Monday..

I got back yesterday, from spending the weekend in Sharon, MA with a bunch of guys from EFC Newport.

It was a great time of fellowship, prayer, teaching, and most importantly Football..

Yes.. Football.. During some free time on Saturday, a game of football broke out.. It was a blast! What was even better, was the fact that everyone played hard.. no one held back.. lol.. it was great.. other than a few minor injuries, and some blood.. lol.. It was an awesome picture, of brotherhood..

The biggest issue for me, that I took home. Was just the need, within our Church, for the Men. Our Mens Ministry has lacked the zeal that most share.. It was evident in the heart of men, as they expressed the isolation, and fear that our culture brings. And the need for other Men to step into our lives, and stand in the gap. The retreat brought that to life, along with my own flaws, and by Gods grace forcing me to step over the line and reach out to that brother in need. To look past my own “schedule” and make time just to chill, or hangout.. I need other Godly Men in my life, to form those relationships.. I have friends, and brothers, but no one close enough be fully transparent all the time..

The whole time up there, I was thinking about my last post.. and was challenged to do exactly that.

Its one thing to talk about it and be inspired.. but it takes a lot of courage to “live dangerously”

I have been praying about these verses… 1 Thes. 3:12-13

What has captured my focus, is the conjunction of the two verses.. “so that”

It amazes me how those little words changes and amplifies the entire meaning of the prayer said by the Apostle Paul.. His prayer for us, is that we “increase and abound in Love for one another.. ”

“SO THAT.. He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before God”..   Thats Amazing! .. lol

It is Loving one Another, that makes this verse so dangerous.. When we Love, the Word of God becomes REAL and APPLICABLE..

Loving people is risky.. Its never easy to open ourselves and allow vulnerability to be hurt.. This forces us to trust, and grow in our faith.. And purifies us, through trials and perseverance.. the result of living this type of life, allows us to be “without blame in holiness before God.. ”

Its amazing how real this verse is, when we love and live together in community..

My prayer is to Live Dangerously, by praying to “increase and abound in love”.. so that His Word, may be real in my life.. and bring me to a place when loving people will cause me to take leaps of faith.. so that God may show Himself faithful..

“Lord.. give me the strength.. to love when it hurts.. to persevere when all fails.. a heart, that is genuine and true.. eyes, that see only as you do.. ears, to listen when I dont want to.. hands, to do what I cant.. feet, to go where you choose.. In Christ name.. Amen”