DUMB SPREADS

Last week, I was talking with my wife about her job. She's a high school teacher and teaches mostly freshmen. She noticed an interesting phenomenon. When smart students sit next to "less smart" students, the smart ones seem to lose their smartness. Like a lack of intelligence is contagiuos. She decided to title the phenomenon - DUMB SPREADS.

This principle is true in our spiritual lives as well. We need to be careful with whom we most often associate. Of course, we need to reach out to the spiritually blind and love the lost, but give equal time to those who build you up. We need to work hard at increasing our time with those that increase our faith. Remember, as iron sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17). Let's do what we can to end the spiritual spreading of dumb.

IS THIS ALL THERE IS?

Do you ever feel like there should be more to this life? More of the good times? More of the days filled with purpose and value? More of those moments of euphoria? More seasons of success? More beauty? More joy? More peace? More love?

These are the days to which God has called us. Jesus told us that we will have trouble in this world, but he came so that we 'can have life, and have it to the FULL!" (John 10:10) Take that in for a moment. God wants nothing but good things for us. Sometimes, we have to go through the fire to appreciate the fun. Difficult days do provide an opportunity for us to become better people. And take heart, better days are coming.

Where ever you are, Jesus won't leave you there. He won't let you fumble through life like someone living in an infomercial that seems to accomplish nothing. He won't let you go. He just won't. And he wants the BEST LIFE for you. Not from you, but FOR you! Look to his Kingdom, and let Him take care of the rest. Chase after Jesus and He will lead you on to extraordinary times!

THE MAGNITUDE OF YOUR ATTITUDE

We are all influenced by dozens of factors in our daily lives. Television and movies can impact our moral positions in life. Musicians and politicians vie for our attention to affect our perspective. But the greatest influencer in our lives is each other. People are most swayed by other people they know. We have the power to impact the choices another person makes. We can alter the path of someones life. We can change another person's world -- through our attitude.

We need to recognize the magnitude of our attitude. The daily conversations we have, the looks that we give one another, the the respect that we show each other. These things can all have a lasting impact on the lives of the people with whom you are living and doing life. So my question is: Do you truly want a better life for those you closest to you? If so, what are you doing to make that a reality?

WE NEED MORE MUSCLE SHIRTS

Do you realize that the mood that you project has an impact on the world around you? No matter what your disposition is, it has an affect on others. So you need to evaluate, do you wear your feelings on your sleeve. We all want to be genuine with others. We want to be ourselves. But there are definitely some times to hold back.

We need to share the good. We need to increase the joy in the lives of those around us. When times are good, let's share it with others. So when you're having a great day. When the sun is brighter than normal, you slept like a baby, and you just got a bonus at work, share the joy. Don't flaunt it or brag, but actually share. If you got a bonus, take a couple of coworkers out to lunch. Actually SHARE the joy.

But on the flipside, when you are tired, frustrated or grumpy, don't dump that on those closest to you. Of course, if you're really discouraged, you should be able to count on some support from friends. But if you had a fight with your kids and then had a rough night sleep, keep that to yourself. There is no positive impact that comes from complaining. So if you are like me and tend to wear your emotions on your sleeves, choose the right times to do so. Or we'll need more muscle shirts.

YOU'VE GOT TO PULL THE PLUG.

Why are we so afraid of letting things end. There are actually very proper times to let programs, minisries and even relationships die. But it's so hard for us to let go. Perhaps it's because we are attached to this specific ministry idea. Maybe we have a real sense of ownership for a program we championed. And of course, we all have a hard time writing someone of as a friend.

We need to pull the plug. The most common phrase heard in churches is, "We've always done it this way." Churches are great at starting ministries, groups and programs, but they are lousy at recognizing when they've lost their value. We should be looking for the best ways to use our energy for expanding the Kingdom of God.

Letting a relationship end is even harder. As Christians, we are taught to value everyone as worthy of Jesus' sacrifice. Everyone is created in God's image and loved the same by Him. But don't let that trap you in unhealthy friendships. We all know that we shouldn't remain in abusive relationships, but what about destructive relationships? What about relationships that just don't necessarily move our lives closer to God? We are called to love everyone and to recognize all people as God's beloved creation, but we are not called to foster relationships with those who do not edify us and bring us closer to our Creator. We must always act in love, but we must also not allow ourselves to be negatively impacted in our relationship with Christ by remaining unnecessarily connected with negative influencers. I guess I'd put it this way, love all men and women, but pursue Jesus with reckless abandon.