First of all, I got this response from one of my GMU readers yesterday. Thought it was worth sharing:

“I sought my God and my God I couldn't find;
I sought my soul and my soul eluded me;
I sought to serve my brother in his need, and I found all three;
My God, my soul, and thee.”

My apologies to the author of that poem, but I would modify it just a bit:

“I sought my God and my God I couldn't find;
I sought my soul and my soul eluded me;
I sought to serve my brother and my sister in their need, and I found all three;
My God, my soul, and my brother and sister.”

We’re all in this together, and together we’re going to make it!

Now, GMU for today

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Romans 12:6

My first paradigm shifting transformational thought about the next section of my chapter is the notion that my gifts and talents are either randomly dished out like the roll of a dice OR that they are specifically designed with me in mind and I am responsible for what I do with them. I’m going with the latter! What I am and what I have is a gift from God based on HIS GRACE not my goodness! The development of those gifts (or the lack of their development) I must be accountable for. Yesterday Paul said we are all important parts of a whole body and I should value everyone for the part they are. Today Paul says to me that I have been given what God knows I will need to fulfill the responsibility for the part of that body that I am.

It’s not about wanting more or being dissatisfied with what I have. It’s about taking what God has given me and being and doing the best at whatever I am, with those gifts, for Him. Here’s the rest of this section of Romans 12:

“If your gift is prophecy, then use it to His glory,

If it’s serving… then serve well

If it’s teaching… then teach well

If it’s encouraging…then encourage well

If it’s giving… then give generously

If it’s showing hospitality… then be very hospitable

If it’s leading… then lead well

If it’s showing mercy… then show it in abundance-- ALL FOR HIS GLORY, NOT MINE!

…And DO IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART!” I am called to responsibly play my part and sincerely value everyone else’s part!

Have a great day building up your part of the big picture,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: “There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. But you have to decide if you want to walk through it.”

uGather @ 10:35am. AROUND THE CLOCKTOWER This week our speaker is Matt Schulte, Executive Director Youth for Christ Lincoln Campus Life | Parent Life | Juvenile Justice Ministry.

“I sought my God and my God I couldn't find; I sought my soul and my soul eluded me; I sought to serve my brother and my sister in their need, and I found all three; My God, my soul, and my brother and sister.”

“I sought my God and my God I couldn't find;
I sought my soul and my soul eluded me;
I sought to serve my brother and my sister in their need, and I found all three;
My God, my soul, and my brother and sister.”