So Tony Gettig (@gettig on Twitter) got me thinking this morning. His Twitter post was, “broken hearted by the impoverished kids at school. wish I could fix it.” This simple post opened up a whole flood of emotions, that honestly, I did not know I had. This was like getting punched in the nose. What am I doing about the impoverished kids in my city.

I don’t follow this writer, but this was an interesting take on Jesus as “personal Savior”…

Without a doubt, the decision to follow Christ should be made on a deeply personal level.

But when you limit contemplation to those times when you’re completely alone, you turn your faith into something that is completely vertical — just a single beam between you and Heaven, and the rest of the world be damned. When you start throwing around terms like “personal savior,” you lose touch with the idea of sharing that savior’s impact with the people around you.

Note also how she compares how we read the Bible today to how the early Christians read the Scriptures…

Click here to read the entire article - I’m interested in other people’s thoughts about it… http://www.theporpoisedivinglife.com/porpoise-diving-life.asp?pageID=460

On Thursday, April 3, 2008, while in surgical recovery, I had an experience that will forever change my life. An intimate moment with my Savior! However, before I tell what happened on this most amazing day, perhaps I should back up a bit. Please bear with me as I try to explain how I came to this awesome moment.

Currently Playing : The Postal Service - “Give Up”

So I was at Starbucks tonight sucking down a Venti, Soy, Caramel Macchiato and hanging out with my kids. I find the need to get out and get to coffee shops often. It sparks a better creative vibe than staying at home. Plus I get pumped on caffeine and sugar… YES!!! Home is boring and my coffee sucks too… I let the pros handle it. I digress… I was journaling about spiritual disciplines and my personal struggles with being more discipline. I was thinking about the concept of “being conformed into the image of Christ”.

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

“What think you of Christ?”

Does his blood daily moisten the root of your profession? Is his righteousness that which exalts you out of and above yourself, and daily gives you free and near access to God? Is the sweetness of his love much in your heart, and the fragrance of his name much on your lips? Are your corruptions daily carried to his grace, your guilt to his blood, your trials to his heart?

I think the relationship with God is more pure and authentic when I do my spiritual discipline out of a desire to know Him better and build a closer relationship with Him. I have found myself over the years being trapped by doing spiritual disciplines because of responsibility to perform or teach or “minister” or lead. My prayers become “Lord, I need something for the performance” rather that “Lord, I just want to know you more and fall in love with you in a deeper way”. When this happens, The spiritual life seems dry. It is the wrong approach… It is the wrong motivation. It is like I turn my HOLY father into so cosmic bubble gum machine and all I have to do is deposit my token prayer, twist the handle and get a treat.

From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16

Approaching a Gracious God

I love the stories in the Bible when folks just run up to Jesus and beg him to help out. Visit the centurion with me as he comes barreling up to Jesus on behalf of his sick servant. Jesus had just entered Capernaum and here comes our friend with his passionate request. “Lord,’ he said ’my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” (Mt. 8:6) Notice that the centurion greeted Jesus with a humble heart when he called him “Lord”. Even though he was a centurion and had authority over 100 soldiers he had perspective enough to call Jesus master. He did not try the old heavy handed attempt to force Jesus to help him. He did not pull the old “I’m a centurion and you are a preacher and I command you to come heal my servant.” I doubt that approach even entered his mind. Instead, he knew that he was helpless without Jesus. I bet he believed that Jesus was his last chance. Could we say that he was a little bit desperate? Jesus responded that he would go to heal the servant. He said “I will go and heal him”. It was that simple. The centurion waited for this day and it came. He was willing to get on his knees and humble himself and to do whatever it took to plead with Jesus to bring healing, and in that moment Jesus is more than willing. I am just a little overwhelmed by the look of compassion on Jesus’s face as he responds to our friend. The smile perhaps that crosses his lips as he assures that healing will come by his own hands. The urgent request came to Jesus, and Jesus was ready to act.