“Put some gas in the car!”

“What? Don’t you understand my car won’t go. I don’t know what to do.”

“Why won’t your car go? What might be wrong?”

“I think I’m out of gas. I don’t know what to do.”

“Put some gas in the car!”

This is the kind of conversation happening all over the place today. Not just with cars, but with marriages, parenting, career issues, etc. It’s especially happening in the spiritual lives of almost everyone!

“My marriage just isn’t working. I don’t know what to do.”

“Is it on empty?”

“Yes.”

“I’d recommend a fill-up.” Put some gas in the car …

“I don’t know how to do that.”

“Yes, you do. But you won’t …”

“Well, my life with God isn’t any better. In fact, it may be worse.”

“On empty?”

“Yes.”

“Needs a fill-up.”

“I don’t know how to do that.”

“Yes, you do. But you don’t.”

Dear Dayspring Family,

This is a good time to remember our extended family, Eddy and Sarah Trussell, in Bogota, Colombia, South America. We wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and let them know they may be out of sight, but not out of mind! I’m sure they wouldn’t turn down a little Christmas Cheer, of the green kind, if you have any left!!!! Ho Ho Ho, let the sleigh bells ring and the Spirit be all over you, as Jesus visits us this special time of year!

Blessings to you all,
Pastor Skip

This is from an Australian guy who did his own documentary, and it is terrific!!!

1. Is being overwhelmed being out of order?
2. Have you gotten over it?
3. Can you say “no”?
4. Can you be cared for?

There’s an old joke about the minister delivering his Sunday sermon, and at the height of a particularly bold point one of the congregants mutters “Now you’ve gone from preachin’ to meddlin’.”

Permit me to meddle.

Each of the above questions is meant to provoke not only your thoughts, but some specific action. Each one has come about from the Biblical office of “pastor,” one who cares for and leads the flock of God, during this time on earth before Jesus comes again. I think the answers you give will be not only revealing, but potentially helpful if you’re interested in the transformation Jesus offers.

But, you may ask, why these questions, and why at this time? After all, it’s almost Thanksgiving!

Yes, when we’re overwhelmed, we’re out of order. Meaning, we don’t function as we should. I don’t believe God wants us overwhelmed. I believe He wants us walking in His Spirit, with joy, peace, and happiness. Not realistic, is it? Or is it? If you’re overwhelmed, consider why, and then consider what it would take to get back to joy, peace, and happiness?

It seems to me that in this American life of absolute wonder and abundance, there is way too much bitterness. We who have so much seem too angry, at too many, especially within the Church! Has someone offended you? Get over it. Your bitter attitude isn’t making it better, is it? Your anger isn’t resolving the issue in a favorable way, is it? We need to do a lot more than read about forgiveness, we need to practice it.

Point 3 may be the answer to point 1. Well, can you? It’s a wonderful word, and it yields a lot of peace. Saying “no” creates time, out of nothing, and prevents so many misunderstandings, judgments, hostilities, etc. Try it.

We’re supposed to care for one another; we want to care for one another; we are gifted to care for one another. Yet there seems to be something in the way. I don’t think the Church of Jesus Christ lacks care GIVERS as much as care RECEIVERS. It requires humility to receive, which may be the greatest obstacle we face, and it also requires submission, a bad word in our “modern” vocabulary. Perhaps the biggest obstacle, however, is that we want to be cared for “our way,” rather than how Jesus offers.