Paula Wiseman

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Home » Christian living

GP: Are You Alive? 5 Sure Signs

By Paula

 

iStock_000002720632XSmallI grew up in the country. I know what a dead animal looks like. And smells like I know what a living animal looks like. Sometimes the living animals don’t smell much better than the dead ones. There are times when the line between living and dead is hard to discern.

Biologically, living things possess these properties.

  • Metabolism
  • Growth
  • Reproduction
  • Adaptation
  • Response

Metabolism is taking in air and fuel and disposing of waste. This is prayer, Bible study and confession. Which of the three is most important? All of the above. All three have to be functioning for us to be spiritually alive.

Growth. None of us have to tell our children to grow. If they are healthy, eating, drinking exercising like they should, they will grow. Really, we only worry when they don’t grow. In our spiritual life, how many of us are in the same place we’ve been for the last 2, 5, 20 or more years? We should be growing in the fruit of the Spirit daily and in a year’s time, we should see more maturity in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Reproduction. If a species doesn’t reproduce, it doesn’t last long. Spiritual reproduction is seeking new converts for Christ’s kingdom. We should be relentless in sharing the gospel. We should use every opportunity to share the gospel.

Adaptation is changing to survive in a changing environment. The gospel never changes, but we must change our language to be understandable to the culture. It doesn’t matter how good the message is (and the gospel is a great message) if the hearer cannot comprehend what is being said. Know the culture or today ‘cultures’ around you. Know what clicks. Look for examples of the gospel in their lives and share the truth of the gospel in their language. My son was saved after we talked about LEGOs because that is what he understood.

Response. Living things respond to an external stimulus. That opossum in the road doesn’t change position with a poke of a stick because it is dead. If the church—and we are the church—doesn’t respond to the situation of the world, we are dead. We do not have the ‘social’ gospel, we have THE gospel. However, if we see injustice, evil, marginalization, hunger, belittling and a host of other social ills and respond only with words, how can we call ourselves living? The church should be known for getting things done.

 

If you are a believer in Christ, there should NEVER be any question that you are alive.

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(This post was adapted from an address Jon gave to the annual meeting of our local association of churches. He is an engineer by day, seminary student by night, runner and handyman by weekend, and an amazing husband, father and man of God all the time. One of the few things he doesn’t do is write his own bios.)

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: Christian living

What is the most difficult thing about living a Christian life?

By Paula

 

This isn't like my typical posts, I know, but I have a question for you.
 
Introducing a study of Romans, I asked my study group:
 
What is the most difficult thing about living a Christian life?
 
 
  • Keeping God's commands?
  • Staying focused?
  • Meeting expectations?
  • Discouragement?
  • Witnessing?

 

I don't have an answer. At least not an overarching, one size fits all kind of answer. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Filed Under: Living Tagged With: Christian living, Romans

To the Fullest

By Paula

 

This past Saturday, I ran my first race. I've run for a couple of years now, but never really had much interest in racing. This was a nice easy 5K here in town and after some persuasion from a friend, there I was. I had three goals: Don't get lost. Don't lose my keys. Finish in under 36 minutes. (That's a little under a twelve minute mile pace. Not very fast.)
 
I met my goals. Maybe the reason I met them is they weren't especially audacious. I was number 82 out of 171. Runners and non-runners alike were very supportive and encouraging. 'You ran a race- that alone was a great thing,' they said. Truth be known, I should have been able to finish in under 33 minutes based on my times from this past summer. With training, effort and commitment, 27 minutes isn't impossible. But then again, maybe it is. 30-33 minutes sounds better to me. Doable, but not too taxing.
 
The thing is, that complacency invades the rest of my life, especially my spiritual life. I tend to settle for a life that qualifies as Christian, but doesn't require much effort or investment. I get satisfied with showing up and going through the motions.
 
In John 10:10, Jesus says "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." More abundantly. In the Greek, that's beyond abundant, superabundant even, or superior (in quality), exceedingly, beyond measure. Life to the fullest. 
 
The best part about it- I don't even have to break a sweat. The hard work has already been done. 
 
Are you living that superabundant life? What's holding you back?
 
 
 
 
 

 

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Filed Under: Running Lessons Tagged With: 5K, Christian living, John, Running

Labor Day

By Paula

 

work gloves"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24
 

Happy Labor Day!

 

Filed Under: Monday Meditations Tagged With: Christian living

When It Doesn’t Fit

By Paula

 

TunnelAs Jesus worked His way toward Jerusalem for the last time, He concentrated on preparing the disciples for what was ahead.
 
Knowing what we do now, it's hard to grasp how utterly beyond their imagination His death and resurrection were. Experience, culture and presuppositions gave them an unshakeable picture of how the kingdom of God would happen. Their picture was vastly different from His. They had faith in Him. They believed His words, but they just couldn't fathom what He was about to do. It didn't fit.
 
I've been there. I have faith in Jesus. I believe His words. I know Scripture is telling me the truth, but I just can't… make it fit.
 
Here's how the disciples worked through that.
 
1. They stayed close to Jesus. Unlike the crowds who walked away, they knew He was their hope, even if they weren't sure how. 
 
2. They kept listening. Jesus kept teaching. They didn't understand it, but they listened. Later, all those things made sense. 
 
3. They got even more confused before it was over. The Last Supper. The Garden. The silent Saturday spent in hiding. During those dark, anxious times, the disciples were sure they had everything wrong. 
 
4. The quest gave way to worship. Face to face with the risen Redeemer, the questions and the need for explanations faded away. 
 
 
How do you work through faith struggles?
 
 

Filed Under: Devotional Tagged With: Christian living, faith, trust

Milestones

By Paula

 

 
My youngest starts kindergarten tomorrow. I realize that a lot moms my age are packing their babies off to college right now. Obviously God knows I'm not ready for that. 
 
There are lots of profound observations I could make, I suppose. New beginnings, letting go, equipping my kids. All the usual things.
 
But here's what hit me. Rachel can't wait to go to school. She's heard about it. She's been in the building. But she's never experienced it. Her enthusiasm is based in large part on seeing her older brother and sister go to school. She wants what they had.
 
The people around me determine whether they want anything to do with Jesus Christ based on how I – or other believers they know – act and react. If living the Christian life comes across as pure drudgery… nobody wants that.
 
But if I have that joy and peace… If they see Jesus is that  vital sustaining presence that keeps me going…  they are much more likely to want what I have.
 
 
Let your light so shine before men… Matthew 5:16
 
 

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Christian living, Matthew, Rachel

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