218 Part II

Pastor Grant Fishbook made an interesting point today. He asked us what sermon we were going to preach this week. We'd like to think that no one elses opinion matters. That may be fine for a non-Christian. But if we Christ followers subscribe to that opinion, we're kidding ourselves. Our reputations and how we live do matter. A lot. We can say we love God all we want, but if our lives and actions don't reflect it, our faith is dead. Alluding to the "vine" analogy, such branches are cut off, thrown into the fire and burned.

This is something that I've had to think a lot about this year. I tend to meet people. Everywhere. And they need to know through my actions and words within the first five minutes of knowing me that I'm a really happy, really outgoing guy. More importantly, I have to reflect Christ to them.

So, I want to preach about love this week. And forgiveness that's only found in Christ. I want people to walk away from me at the rock wall, or my slackline, or whatever, feeling like they met someone that actually gives a hoot about them. And hopefully, they'll see me again, hop on the line, and I can help them know I stand for love in a world that could really care less most of the time.