When was the last time you really blew it? I mean, really, really blew it? Like, “This-is-the-end-I’ll-never-recover-my-life-is-over, blew it?”
Are you there now? Full of despair like the man in this painting?
[photo by MatoWinyan via Photobucket]
If so, please believe this: Goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen. (Psalm 23)
Here’s how I know this is true…
Continue Reading…
Is suicide a problem, or a solution?
For most of us, the thought of digging a hole and lying down in it to be covered up with dirt is terrifying. But there came a time for Dawn when it was a solution she longed for.
[photo by ill.have.another via Flickr]
Let me tell you about it…
We have seen a recent flood of traffic and comments on our more controversial posts on tithing, and another on tithing, and pentecostalism. And while we are grateful for this interest, we want to remind our readers that Average Us exists to encourage average people like you (and us) to hope more deeply in God who is great — even when our lives aren’t. We hope the Holy Spirit uses Average Us in some small way to nurture in you a more soul-satisfying, God-honoring faith in Jesus Christ whatever difficulties you may face.
So, if you are here to see what all the fuss is about, Dawn and I sincerely thank you for visiting. And we hope you’ll also take a moment to read, comment on, and share one of our helpful archived posts on being average, spiritual life, or emotional health. Here’s a few of our favorites:
Thank you again for your interest in Average Us. If you like, you can subscribe by email using the “Follow Average Us” button in the right column.
For Jesus,
Lon & Dawn
I must learn to hate my sin, and forgive yours.
The Kingdom of Heaven is at stake. (Matthew 5:3,7)
Did you share in Christ’s body and blood Sunday? I did, and I confess, it was a lack luster experience.
["The Last Supper" by Leonardo Da Vinci, photo courtesy of Wikipedia]
Barely a whisper of faith and worship wafted through my mind. The temperature of my heart at that moment seemed set to lukewarm, which was ironic since the sermon was from Revelation 2:14-22 where John records Jesus’ message to the lukewarm Laodician church. To adapt John Wesley’s famous phrase, my heart was not “strangely warmed.”
If you’re average like me, you’ve experienced this, too.
Do you know what it’s like to lead 1,000 people?
No? What about 500? 100? 50?
If you’re average like me, chances are your leadership experience is limited to groups of (mathematically speaking) a handful or so, or thereabouts, give or take a few. Believe it or not, most leaders are just like you and me — leading small groups and influencing in small ways.
Remember that time when you walked into an unfamiliar setting? Lot’s of people were already there, scattered around in noisy, chatty clusters. They obviously knew one another. They had history, something in common.
And they were completely oblivious to you… the new girl, the new guy.
Your heart thumped a little harder, your mouth became dry. You scanned for a familiar face, but didn’t recognize anyone. Your palms grew clammy. You became self-conscious. “Just act natural,” you repeated in your head.
You were beginning feel like the poster child for awkward when mercifully, like an angel from heaven, someone approached you with a smile, extended a hand and said, “Hi, I’m Bob. I don’t think we’ve met.”
Before you knew it, Bob had introduced you to another person or two. You were settling into a group conversation, relaxing, and you realized that what had seemed like an awkward hour, was really about 23 seconds.
“Thank you Jesus,” for the Bobs of the world.
