Life is NOT about our Blessings!

Galatians 6:14 -- 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which6:14 Or whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
It's been a couple of weeks since I updated my Blog. Stephanie and I have been on the road and had virtually NO cell phone or internet service. I don't like it. But, it also has been great getting away from it for a short time. We are up in the FROZEN wasteland of International Falls, Minnesota. Contrary to popular belief, it's not that bad! Although I don't think I would say the same thing if we were visiting on January 25th instead of July 25th! We are here to spend time with our CMA family from both the US and Canada at the "No Borders Rally". This is our LAST HURRAH of the summer as school starts next week. The summer has gone by WAY TO QUICKLY! I am not ready to go back, but I will. I just need to flip the switch in my brain from serving BIKERS to serving STUDENTS. 
Stephanie and I have such a great life. God has blessed me in amazing ways. This summer has been a huge blessing and it would be easy to pat our selves on the back and say how great we were in the service of the Lord. But, I am reminded, it is not about me. It's not about me feeling great about myself. It is not even about my wonderful blessings. Would I praise God even if I lived WITHOUT the blessings I receive every day?  Am I a follower BECAUSE of the blessings I get from following Christ? If I spend my time boasting about my blessings I miss the point. Life is not about our blessings it is about blessing others. IT IS ABOUT SERVING THE LORD through times of plenty and times of despair. We are not to boast about anything except the Cross of Christ and being saved from eternal death. We need to love others and show everyone we meet the love Jesus has shown us. 
Praise God for his love and patience with us. Praise God that he sent his son to die for our sins. Praise God he has given us the mission to serve and build relationships with people so they might know the Lord and be granted eternal life. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
 6:14 Or whomthe world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Enduring the week!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 -- 19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Stephanie and I are in southern Indiana beginning a LONG week of serving the Lord. Don't get me wrong, I love serving the Lord. The Boogie is a secular rally and it is NOT a Godly place. But, it is filled with wonderful people who need to know the Lord. For 5 days we serve these people, 24 hours a day. We serve coffee, water, gatorade, provide relief from the heat with cool rags, provide personal hygiene supplies, and take care of the ABATE of Indiana workers. We pray with these bikers, we bless their bikes, and we just show them the love of Jesus with no judgment. The week is grueling. It's always hot, dusty and is physically, spiritually and mentally taxing. 

So, why do we do it. Why do we put our bodies through this struggle?

God has called us to serve. He has called us to take the Gospel message to the lost. He has called us to use our bodies for his purpose. He has designed us to be able to endure hardship. He has designed our bodies to take the heat, dust, and discomfort in our surroundings. We need to honor God with our bodies. That means using our bodies for his purpose. That does NOT mean sitting on a soft comfy couch in an air conditioned home protecting our bodies from the heat. He calls us to use our bodies regardless of the comfort. 

So, we look forward to this week of ministry. God use us for your purposes. Send us those that need you. Help us to be your hands and feet. Help us to spread your love. Our mind, our soul, our bodies are yours Lord. Use us. Amen!