The Second 50: Reflections on Life and News from the Other Side

The Habit of Reflection

    The habit of reflection is one universally shared. In some form or fashion it is a habit that often focuses on the values we embrace, the actions we take, and our lifestyle decisions.

    The habits concerning our spiritual life are often impacted by an internal vacuum of our need for spiritual direction.  The initial verse in Mark 10 focuses on the habit of the residents to seek out this man called Jesus when he was in the area to hear him teach.

    There is a need within every heart to be encouraged to be a better man or a better woman in a spiritual sense.

 

Mega-Churches & The Silent Miracle Within

    There always has been something about a church building a larger facility that has been heartwarming.  The same is true about the mega-churches of today, and the book, tv and radio ministries which are increasing in size.

    Often missed in the criticism of these organizations is the personal story of those who decide to place their membership there.  There personal story is much like the story of the inner man for you and me.  So many of us suffer from a deep inner hurt that often flows from a career setback, a failed relationship, or a character flaw that leads to an addiction that seems so difficult to overcome.

    The growth of a church into a larger facility often means an inner miracle is taking place.  Individuals do not follow a leader in today's critical world in an absent minded way.  They do so because there is a healing of the heart.  The every day miracle is the daily decision that so many make to live their lives differently according to values and principles which are faith based.

    I take heart every time I see a church building a larger facility, or a tv, radio or book ministry.  I find it encouraging that the spiritual message of faith in God and the principles of the Bible are changing lives, values and convictions in a fellow man.  It results, as it did when the multitudes began to follow Jesus in great numbers, of when man saying to another, in effect of course, 'I think you should really hear what this guy has to say.  God speaks to my own heart when I hear his message'.

    It is hard to reconcile the thoughts that Jesus was simply a great man or simply a good man. The historical accounts show that great multitudes followed him around (Mark 3:7-12) to hear Jesus teach and encourage about a relationship with God.  The actions of Jesus are not the actions of a good man.