Acts 6:8-15

I hate when you are discussing/debating something with somebody and they leave logical arguments behind and jump over to emotional ones. It's like once they realize that they are wrong, or that they need to change, or whatever, they feel they need to bring you down, or bring up something completely irrelevent. It's all part of our stubborn nature. We refuse to admit that we're wrong. I understand that it's no fun to be wrong all the time, but what's so bad about saying "I was wrong" or "I screwed up". I'd rather say that and change my behaviors and thoughts than say something emotional and stupid while continuing to be wrong. JM

Acts 5:12-17

It's tough when there's a new kid in town. When I was in 3rd grade I was the smartest kid in class. Everybody knew it. I was the smart one. I would finish my work first. I did the best in our math games. I knew all the answers. Then April showed up (I can't remember her name, but April will do). April was smart, too. April became the smart girl. I could still take her in smartness, but I had to share my glory. My smartness wasn't quite as amazing because well, April was smart, too. Luckily at then end of the semester she moved to Oklahoma City. I was glad.
The problem with this is that the focus the whole time was on me. Granted, I was 8, but I wanted all of the attention. We never grow out of that. We like to be recognized. To have people appreciate us. That's all well and good, but we get addicted to it. We like that everyone laughs at our jokes. We like that people think we're an engaging speaker. We like that people tell us they like to hear us sing or play guitar. Then rather than doing something to glorify God, it turns into doing something that brings us glory. And God sighs at how pathetic we are. We're just like the kid who thinks he's so smart because he can multiply faster than 20 other kids. JM

Matthew 27:11-14

I can't imagine being wrongly accused of something and not saying anything. Being able to just sit there and take whatever anybody says is so contrary to what we see everywhere else in our society. I'm sure it wasn't any different back then. It's like it takes way too much humility. JM

Matthew 23:5-12

Humility and servanthood. I think the church is just now starting to catch on to these principles. For so long we have set ourselves up as a different way of life. A better way. We've said the only time that we can mix with the general population is when individuals from that population reform themselves to our standards.
But that's so not what Jesus wanted. Jesus lived his life as the greatest example of servanthood. And he had more right to demand respect than anyone.
My desire is to run a ministry and live my life that embraces the ideas of humility and servanthood, respects individuals no matter their lifestyle, and shows them the love of God through service.
One of the great quote's in Contemplative Youth Ministry is that we should see each person "as the only Jesus we may ever know." I've been trying to remind myself of that as I start every one on one conversation. It's an awesome reminder of the importance of really hearing each person. JM

Matthew 18:1-6

Humility is so tough. I actually think I'm pretty good at it. Or at least pretty good at making other people think I am. I mean, I'm a really teachable person, but I almost always think that my idea is right and that I can do things better than other people. What I mean to say is that I feel like I can carry out the vision that is in my head better than I can describe it to someone and delegate it to them. JM

Matthew 15:29-31

Now this is incredible. Jesus is hanging out healing people. Verse 31 says "The crowd was amazed...and they praised the God of Israel for this."
Did you catch that? They praised the God of Israel. Not Jesus. They praised God because of what Jesus did. How amazing is that. Jesus, who is God in the flesh, wanted to make sure that God got all the glory for the miracles that he performed.
Then there's me. I like to try to take the credit for anything that I do. If somebody appreciates or compliments my work or effort, I'm right there with a thank you and an explanation of how I did it. Why don't I just say thank you and let them know that it's God who gave me the gifts. Or that I love being able to worship God by doing it.
Jesus is amazing. JM

Matthew 8:5-13

I wonder how hard it was for this army officer to come to Jesus. I think three things probably made it difficult for him.
1. He was a Roman and he had to ask the help of a Jew. This had to be an extremely vulnerable position for him as the Jews did not appreciate the Romans taking over their land and ruling them.
2. The request was for his servant. Servants are supposed to be dispensible. For some reason he really valued this servant.
3. He had to beg. This must have been uncomfortable for a high-ranking military guy. He probably was used to just giving a command and something being done, but here he had to beg for it. But also in the military, you earn things. You don't beg for them.
Pretty amazing amount of vulnerability shown by this guy. JM