Adrian Cole

Our Thinking vs. God's Promises

An unknown author has made a list which they called, "Our Thinking vs. God's Promises." Several people have asked me for this list. Here it is.

• We think: "It's impossible"
• God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

   

• We think: "I'm too tired"
• God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

   

• We think: "Nobody really loves me"
• God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

   

• We think: "I can't go on"
• God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

   

• We think: "I can't figure things out"
• God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

   

• We think: "I can't do it"
• God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

   

• We think: "I'm not able"
• God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

   

• We think: "It's not worth it"
• God says: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)

   

• We think: "I can't forgive myself"
• God says: I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

   

• We think: "I can't manage"
• God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

   

• We think: "I'm afraid"
• God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

   

• We think: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
• God says: Cast all your cares on Me (I Peter 5:7)

   

• We think: "I don't have enough faith"
• God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

   

• We think: "I'm not smart enough"
• God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

   

• We think: "I feel all alone"
• God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

The Life Journal Online!

On June 20th I referred to Bishop Dick Wills. Not only did Bishop Wills share his illustration about “Turning a Tanker”, he was the person who shared with me the “Life Journal.” He is the guy who gave me my first Life Journal. When I was browsing the Tennessee Conference website I discovered a link that Dick Wills has included regarding instructions for using the Life Journal. http://nashvilleareajournal.org/ On that site you can do your Life Journal online. He includes the daily scripture reading and an explanation of the concept. You can read his daily reflection on that days scripture reading.

Surrender

I was reading John Elderedge's reading on Wednesday and was struck by the power of what he was saying. I would like to share his spiritual insight...

“The time has come for us to quit playing chess with God over our lives. We cannot win, but we can delay the victory, dragging on the pain of grasping and the poison of possessing. You see, there are two kinds of losses in life. The first is shared by all mankind—the losses that come to us. Call them what you will— accidents, fate, acts of God. The point is that we have no control over them. We do not determine when, where, what, or even how. There is no predicting these losses; they happen to us. We choose only how we respond. The second kind is known only to the pilgrim. They are losses that we choose. A chosen loss is different from repentance, when we give up something that was never ours to have. With a chosen loss, we place on the altar something very dear to us, something innocent, whose only danger is in its goodness, that we might come to love it too much. It is the act of consecration, where little by little or all at once, we give over our lives to the only One who can truly keep them.

Spiritual surrender is not resignation. It is not choosing to care no longer. Nor is it Eastern mysticism, an attempt to get beyond the suffering of this life by going completely numb. As my dear friend Jan describes, ‘It is surrender with desire, or in desire.’ Desire is still present, felt, welcomed even. But the will to secure is made subject to the divine will in an act of abandoned trust. Think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.”
(The Journey of Desire , 192–93)

Powerful words, but true for each one of us. Reread this reading and ask yourself what this means for you, in your life and in your situation, for your walk with Jesus. What do you need to surrender to go deeper with God?

What's Your Dream?

What's your dream? Dreams and gifts, they go together. God gives each of us gifts... gifts that He can use to build the kingdom and touch others. Do you know what your gift is? If you do, are you using it? Tomorrow I am going to share two stories about two ladies He is using to build His kingdom. Until then watch this video clip...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

Deepening Your Effectiveness

A week ago today Sam Bass, Shelley Johnson, Melanie Hummel and myself attended a workshop in Tulsa called "Deepening Your Effectiveness" (Sam is not in the picture because he had to leave early). The workshop was conducted by two friends of mine that I first knew from Ginghamsburg UMC in Tipp City, OH back in the late 90's. Dan and Claudia were on staff there and they were working on and in discipleship. I had lost connection with them over the last few years but last fall we hosted a conference here at NC for the Oklahoma United Methodist Church called Building Disciples. One of the surprises of that conference was Dan and Claudia. They were presenters and they came to talk about discipleship. In the years that we were disconnected they have been working to help churches clarify the process for people of discipleship. What a need and what a gift!

"When a church neglects to offer clear direction, people begin to guess and try to figure out their own course of action. They connect with a class here and serve there. They try out this event and that opportunity. They reason that a little of this and a little of that just might result in spiritual growth. They eventually group together with other directionless travelers exploring the same path and hope it will lead to their spiritual destination. Before we know it, the church is filled with numerous people groupings, each moving in a different direction." (Deepening Your Effectiveness, page 143) 

God is using Dan and Claudia to help churches (help us) be clear about what we say we are about. Are you clear about our mission? Their book is a great read! Pray that God uses us to clarify for others what His plan is for us all. Shelley Johnson has been asked to put together a team to work toward this goal. Be in prayer.