Need a Push?

 

Need a push? Those words can apply to a child on a swing, a teen at the top of a ski slope, a clueless adult walking beside a pool, a car stalled in the road, or for anyone who grew-up in the church - it could mean the church bus broke down on the way home from summer camp.  Synonyms for "push" are: shove, propel, ram, bump, prod, poke, nudge, impact, etc. The idea is to get something moving again.  

The word "push" can also mean to encourage someone to improve or move beyond mediocrity. It can mean to help someone over a hurdle. In one sense, we can help "push" people past their fears.  My kids usually needed me to "push" them to try new things. I would "push" them to go on roller coasters, to go down tall water slides, etc. Once they tried it, they loved it and wanted to do it again and again. In a spiritual sense, we all need a little push to help us keep or regain our momentum.  

January is the start of a new year, and it provides a great time to "push" ourselves forward spiritually. Maybe you lost some spiritual momentum during COVID -- you don't attend church services as often... you stopped serving in a ministry... you got in the habit of staying in your PJ's and watching online... etc.  If there were good spiritual habits and disciplines that you engaged in prior to COVID and have not yet resumed them, now is a great time to "push" yourself to restart. As you start to gain momentum, look around to see if there is someone else you can help "push." Continue to find others who are stopped or stuck spiritually and "push" them forward in their faith.  

A car needs all cylinders fully functioning, if it is to run properly.  A team needs all of its players healthy and working together, if it wants to have a chance at winning. The Church is the same way -- we are a Body made-up of many parts. We need all of our parts in order to function properly and fulfill our God-given purpose. So, we need you to get unstuck! We need you to get off the sidelines and back in the game! We need you to get out of your PJ's and back in the pews! We need you to stop sitting and start serving! We need you to help us push forward in the mission God has assigned to His Church!

The Apostle Paul wrote about this in 1 Thess. 5:11 - "Encourage one another and build each other up."  The author of Hebrews said, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works." I read these passages as let's "push" each other toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. I'm planning to push you in 2022, and I hope you will push me. If we do this for each other, then together we can cross the finish line and hear the words, "Well done, My good and faithful servant." 

Top 10 Memorable Events of 2016

Each year, people compile lists of important events that occurred over the course of the previous year. In this post, I want to briefly mention 10 things that I will remember about 2016:

1) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
The US Presidential Election surprised everyone, but made it loud and clear that Americans are tired of "politics as usual" and were ready for some strong leadership. We learned never to believe the media, the polls, or the neighbor's opinion. We learned that honesty does matter to the public and that people aren't as dumb as politicians think we are. We learned that President Obama is delirious in his recollection of success, as due to his leadership we now have a Republican President, Congress, Senate, and additional governors. The tolerance the liberals champion is dependent upon whether you agree with their viewpoint. The projected plunge of the stock market has turned out to be an incredible surge of 7.7% since Donald Trump won the election. Bottom-line is that I'm glad the election is over and no President is as powerful as they think they are!

2) ZIKA VIRUS
Many had never heard of the Zika virus, but it got national attention after cases were reported in almost every state whether contracted locally or by those traveling. Scary to hear the CDC say there is no vaccine and the virus can cause microcephaly, along with other brain defects.

3) CHICAGO CUBS WON THE WORLD SERIES
It's been 108 years since the Chicago Cubs defeated the Detroit Tigers in 1908 to become the World Series Champs, but they reclaimed the title in game 7 against the Cleveland Indians! The curse is broken!

4) NC BATHROOM LEGISLATION
NC found themselves in the news and the target of boycotts for wanting people to use the restroom associated to the plumbing they were born with. There is a small part of me that could understand the problem such legislation causes for those who have completed sexual reassignment surgery; but no part of me comprehends restroom usage simply based on which gender he/she "identifies" with on a particular day. Such absurdity opens the door for perverts, pedophiles, and more. Some argued NC's legislation was an attack against the gay community, while others argued it was an attack against common sense.

5) POKEMON GO
Released in July 2016, the game uses the GPS in mobile devices to locate and capture virtual creatures, called Pokemon. The game has become a phenomenon and extremely profitable for its creators.

6) RIO OLYMPICS
The summer "Games of the 31st Olympiad" were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with more than 11,000 athletes participating from 205 countries/regions. The USA won the most medals, but was plagued by the dishonesty of 3 members of the men's swim team. Ryan Lochte got a 10 month suspension for his elaborate story and effort to hide the scandal.

7) TERRIBLE DECISIONS: IRAN NUKE DEAL AND US VOTING AGAINST ISRAEL
What more can be said about either of these issues other than ASININE! God protects those who stand with Israel and this is just one more proof of President Obama's sympathy toward Muslims.

8) SCARY CLOWNS
The first scary clown sighting was reported in WI and quickly spread to SC, to at least 20 other states, and continued worldwide. They have caused school closings, led to several arrests, and caused a ban against clown costumes on Halloween. No doubt some are just pranking, while others are certainly up to mischief.

9) DEATH OF A DICTATOR - FIDEL CASTRO
Fidel Castro was a Communist dictator- period! Read the stories and talk to Cubans who have come to the US and you'll hear of hardship, poverty, shortages, rations, etc. All one had to do was watch the joy, jubilation, and celebration by the Cubans on the streets of Miami and in Little Havana and you would know the type of ruler Fidel Castro truly was. He lived his life and protected his lifestyle at the expense of everyone around him.

10) 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEARL HARBOR
With the kneeling protests of so many during our National Anthem, I want to make sure we remember this 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. I have a great respect and appreciation for those who serve or have served in our military. I realize that the freedoms I enjoy are a result of their sacrifices. Having traveled to many other countries, I've know that not every place is like this place! The United States of America is the greatest nation on earth and I am proud to be an American!

So, those are my top 10 memorable items from 2016. Your list may be different; but the point is to look back, appreciate, and learn from our experiences. Let's use what we learned in 2016 to make 2017 even better! I wish you and yours a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!