not fire, not ice...

So this past week's lesson for my wonderful 4th and 5th grade church ladies was about "only God being worth of our worship." And I found myself speaking outloud to 10 and 11 year old eager faces, but the real listener was my own sinful heart. I spend more of my time on TV, food, friendships, and music that please my own selfish soul than I do on praising and acknowledging God.

In order to serve another, you must be selfless. Often to show love, you must be selfless. Going out of your way to show love, praise, affections, and admirations to another...often involves a moment or moments of selflessness. So, today as I played pandora through my earphones at work..Ben Harper's "Not fire, Not ice" became more than a song to please my selfish soul, it became a song of worship. A song of love and selflessness (even if for just a moment) to my God.

self·less: Having, exhibiting, or motivated by no concern for oneself

NOT FIRE, NOT ICE (ben harper)
There is not a river wide
Not a mountain high
And neither sin nor evil
Could change how I feel inside
Could change how I feel inside
Not all the strength of the ocean
Not all the heat from the sun, from the sun
Now, others have tried, I just can't deny
To me you are the one
To me you are the one
The true love is priceless
For true love you pay a price
But there's nothing can keep me from loving you
Not fire no not ice
Not fire no not ice
Like a hero or a champion
You are the best, you're the best
Like religion or superstition
With you I am blessed
With you I am blessed
Now the river may grow wider
The mountain may reach past the sky
But my love shall never die
My love shall never die
The true love you give and take
The true love is sacrifice
But there's nothing can keep me from loving you
Not fire no not ice
Not fire no not ice

to trade or not to trade.

Ok, so I've had quite a lot going on lately. Although I love staying busy, working 6 days a week can get tiring...and I've relocated to a new "temp" home...where we do not have internet. So, working on blogs at night when I used to read and write...just hasn't happened. I'm still reading though...and part of my current job even requires that I gather and read pastor devotionals for my weekly paper. It's been a huge blessing and I feel like they general speak to my soul and uncover some of the sin in my own life...and through prayer and conviction, draw me closer to Christ. I've had some amazing talks with people lately...that I hope I can write about soon when I have more time.

(Reminder to myself: David, Mr. Beard with no Beard, and more).

I look forward to writing some of my own thoughts down soon...But for now I will have to borrow from a pastor devotional. It's a good one though.

"Is your relationship with Jesus something your friends, co-workers or neighbors would be willing to trade for? We always say that as Christians we want to live in such a way that people will see something different in us. I fear that one of the reasons why unbelievers are not attracted to Christianity is because they don’t see the point of giving up what they have for what we have to offer. Unfortunately most unbelievers see Christians as inward looking, outward condemning, know-it-all, holier than thou, judgmental, “come to my church” type people. Instead of seeing Christ-like, generous, hard-working, unselfish, forgiving and hearts breaking for those who do not know Jesus type people. And we wonder why more people don’t go to church?

I pray that our lives and our churches will be a light for others. Not one that is so bright that it is repelling, not a light that only shines in a church building so no one in the world can see it, but a genuine, beautiful light that helps lead people to Jesus." (Written by Pastor Dan Atkins at Discover Church)