Matthew 22:23-33

So many times we fail to grasp the spiritual. To some extent it's not really our fault. Everything around is physical, and so we try to take spiritual concepts and constrain them into the physical realm. I love that Jesus constantly tries to push us to think outside of that context. Imagine how different your life would be if you really accounted for the spiritual. If you saw people not as somebody that is in my way, but rather as a soul that Jesus loved so deeply he sacrificed his life. We are so easily mired in the physical.
JM

Arrogance and Running Late

I think one of the rudest things you can be is late. Last night we went to a community wide youth event that was supposed to start at 7:30 and end at 9:00. It didn't start until 7:45 PM. In fact, they didn't even open up the doors until 7:30. I'm sure they were doing something spiritual like praying or blessing the service or cramming in one last practice song, but at some point (15 minutes before) you have to open the doors, and you have to start on time.
So then they ran over on the end until 9:15 PM. Groups were leaving because they had to make it back to their church. The band played on, though. Caught up, I'm sure, in some rapturous spiritual moment. Whatever. Anytime someone runs over like that or starts late like that, or DOESN'T OPEN THE DOORS, it comes across as arrogance to me. I hate it. JM

Spiritual Accountability And Intimacy

I think one of the biggest mistakes I've made so far in my marriage is not pushing for more spiritual accountability between me and my wife. It almost makes it hard for us to discuss spiritual matters. I'm working on fixing it, but I wish that we would have started our marriage doing it. JM

Spiritual Sensitivity

Saturday night during our final Disciple Now woship session, I could totally feel the Spirit moving. I mean it was like wicked thick. I had just finished doing my stupid little dancing game (which I'll post about later), the band went into a song, and the spirit just fell. It was an awesome time to praise my creator.
At least for most people. I know the student that was sitting next to me is not a Christian. During the song I wanted to turn and ask him if he could feel anything, but I couldn't figure out a way to phrase the question without making it awkward. I mean, I know he's not going to be as spiritually sensitive, but I just wondered if he noticed that something was different. Maybe the soul inside of him was groaning in hunger to commune with his creator. JM

Matthew 10:26-33

I can't imagine disowning God in front of other people. I mean, when i am called to speak about my faith or my God, I always represent, and represent him well. The problems come when I'm not asked about it.
I mean I don't like do things or behave in a manner that is unbecoming of someone who calls themself a Christian. I just don't bring up my faith. If the door is open, I'll take it. But it has to be open like wicked wide. I have trouble seeing the spiritual conversation that lies beneath every conversation.
That's where I need the most work. Not that I need to bring it into every conversation, I would just like to be more aware of when i can turn conversations spiritual. JM