Closet Tongue Talkers Unite!

Few subjects conjure up strong images and opinions as Speaking in Tongues. I’ve personally found that using my prayer language is incredibly beneficial. That being said, I’ve still had a back and forth/up and down relationship with this aspect of my spiritual journey. If there exists an island for theological misfits, I belong there. I’m fortunate enough to belong to a family with Assemblies of God grandparents, Southern Baptist “Step” Dad, in addition to being raised in a Wesleyan Methodist church and schooled at Oral Roberts University. I’ve heard both ends of the spectrum from people I respect very much. Some say you are less of a Christian if you don’t, some say you are less of a Christian of you do! Who’s to believe?

I came across this sermon podcast last week and found it to be an incredibly helpful review. Pastor Ed Gungor takes a look at this topic from a Biblical perspective that tongue talkers and non-tongue talkers alike would appreciate. Please give it a listen. It’s not long. Don't forget to give us feedback on our posts by commenting below! Thanks! - Mike

This week's leadership thought came from a common theme in my conversations this week. I noticed the fight in my life and in the lives of others against the tenancy to coast through the last several weeks of the calendar year. It seems that many people get into a "Christmas Mode" and take it easy. Not that I'm against rest, it's just easy to let important stuff slide in the name of YULE. If I'm not careful, I'll let my health go, eat extra cookies, skip workouts because it's colder, and to forget a time with God or three. There is a dangerously sneaky that that can creep into all our lives that would have us believe, "I'm done for the year. I'll start everything up again in January."

Earlier this week it occurred to me that it would be much better to begin 2010 strong instead of digging myself a hole from which I'd expend massive amounts of emotional, physical, and spiritual energy attempting to pry myself out of...quite literally if I eat those stinkin' cookies! So I'm starting now.

Don't get me wrong. Breaks are great! Catch sabbath moments when appropriate, but I'm not going to tank the rest of my year just because it's Christmas time and it's fun to be cozy. There is too much at stake. My family needs me to be present for them, not a lump on the couch. My church community still needs attention. There are college kids coming home from there first semester and tons of projects cooking for 2010. My body and soul still need attention. I don't want to check out and disconnect with God just because there are dozens of Hallmark Christmas movies on our DVR. What a great time to spend extra time with Jesus by our firepit in the back yard!

Please don't take this post as a guilt trip. I just want to remind you that life is precious and to glean all you can from this holiday season. Don't forsake meeting with those you love, your church, and your God. They need you and God has a plan for you that doesn't finish in mid December. Start new healthy habits now! You can also surrender some unhealthy ones too. It only takes 21 days right? How great would it be to start the new year on the run?

This week we’d like to continue our exploration of what it looks like to be a part of what it means to serve at Shoreline. These are not pronouncements to pull ourselves up by our boot straps and work harder in our own efforts. This is a reminder to surrender to and depend on Christ’s finished work on the cross and to focus so much on the beauty of His love that we cannot help but live a transformed life. We want to interact with you more about these thoughts. You can do so at shoreline.net/lift or liftyoungadults.com. Please click over there and give us your thoughts.

Now for the leadership thought!

Our mission is to unveil God’s love. As those who serve in lift, we are actually responsible for that vision. It's not enough for us to merely get behind it. We must own it. We can’t sit back and wait for Pastor Rob to do the work. It is not enough for us to clap for him when he preaches, and admire how beautiful our mission statement looks written on our screen in weekend services. As leaders, volunteers, youth workers, or whatever we are – WE MUST OWN THE VISION for ourselves. It must bleed into every area of our lives.

So what does that look like? Please comment and tell us what you think. How do you “unveil God’s love” at work? In Your neighborhood? Campus? In your family?