Transformed: The Parts

I hang around many people that watch F1 and as much as the races last long…around 59 laps, I have skillful learnt how to avoid the race and watch what I think is the most beautiful show in motorsports…the pit-stop!
For those that probably have no idea what a pit-stop is, check this video out.

What is happens during a regular pit-stop?
• All four tires are changed
• The vehicle is fueled
• Windscreen is wiped
• Driver’s helmet is cleaned
All in less than 7 Seconds!
Arguably the fastest pitstop was conducted by team benneton in 1993. They clocked 4.3 Seconds!!
The F1 is a sport where the winner clinches victory because he was faster than the number 2 by less than a second. So every second counts and any bad move that costs you time haunts you for the entire season!
The driver depends on his team to help THEM win…
It takes about 20 Pit stop technicians to perform the pitstop, each with a separate duty
There is the guy who carries his one tire. There is a guy who waits for the incoming tire. There is a guy who will unscrew the tire and screw the new tire in…
They all know what part they play in the overall team strategy. They even keep their helmet on the whole race (About 1.5 Hrs) just incase they need to service the car.
For the team to win, they have to do their job and do it well! If one botches up his tire change, they loose precious seconds… and they cant win.
Its not just about who is driving!
Its about the guy carrying the tire.
Its about the guy lifting the vehicle
Its about the the guy cleaning the helmet
Its about all of them!
I would like to read from Rom 12:3-8. (NIV)
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
I was reading somewhere once (For the sake of those in University I am sorry, I cant give proper references) that if a sound was loud enough, the eye would be able to hear! I am not sure exactly how loud that is!! At conception, different cells morph into the specialized cells. At one time the cells that formed your skin and the retina were actually alike. (Embryology)
Now imagine that your eye decided to hear, or your ear smell. That would be awkward! 1 Cor 12:12-31 (Paul and his ear and eye epiphany)
Paul while speaking to the romans in this book taught them on doctrine in the first 11 chapters then got down to the practical matters and application from chapter 12. That’s the reason it starts with the word therefore. If you ever see this as you are reading the bible, know that it is referring you to a previous thought. In this case, Paul is referring to the previous 11 chapters.
In the passage we read it says “Test and approve what God’ will is…his good and pleasing will.” As you get to verse three, the assumption is that you have been transformed and have known and proven God’s will.
So what is the role that God has given you wherever you have been placed? For some it is a general calling…
For a while my calling was very general. I started in drama, then I joined the worship team (I play the drums and the bass), then I had a stint in stomperz (Dance group). I planned events, I was MC at many church events, I did it all!
We have all been called to different places.
We all have different skills, We all have different gifts
Do not think that these skills have no use in the body of Christ.
There are many places where God can use you to cause an effect in His church.
In all the while that I have served in ministry, I have never lacked. I have heard of many people who take breaks from church so that they can study for their exams or concentrate in school. The word says in Matt 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. The one place you would rather be is seeking the kingdom of God
We were created for service and we all have different talents. Waste them not…serve

Try out these questions for size…
1. What do you think are your talents?
2. In what area do you think you can apply your talents to serve?

Of Pastors and sign posts

The goal that every Christian has is to make it to heaven and into God’s rest. I think that every Christian should have a passion of telling others of this great place that they are going to…hence the word ‘witness’
As a pastor, this is a life mission. A pastor buddy of mine says that many pastors are like sign posts…they point to the direction that people should go but have never been there or will never go to that place. Isn’t that just tragic.

I pray that I am a Christian first, and a pastor second…that I am what I preach…and that I know I’m on the road to heaven and not just a signpost giving directions.

A wooden cross…with neon lights!

I have wanted to write here for the longest time, my only problem has been…what do I write?

I thank God daily that I have a job that I love. Honestly I don’t struggle to wake up in the morning, I have a hard time breaking for lunch and I go home a fulfilled man. I work in a Church, as a pastor…a youth pastor! (That sounded a lot like a super hero’s intro!)

Pastoring is dangerous work…I rank it right up there with explosives engineer and career suicide bomber. Why you may ask? Let me detail it to you.

Daily people walk in and out of your office seeking prayer but more specifically, advice. You are put in a position of authority…these people will hold your every word with high esteem. Now here comes the dangerous part…Pride. If you are not careful, you can start associating people’s victories to your well-researched answers. You start thinking that there is no problem that is thrown my way that I cant solve “…who can I speak to about that world peace problem that has plagued the Miss World finals for years…” I digress!

I am a creative chap…I can dream things into reality! And that’s why I love writing sermons! Writing a sermon to a young crowd is not easy. There is a process that few understand and the majority don’t even know exists. In this day and age, Media rules! Your sermon has to be punctuated with illustrations and mind-opening phrases. You need to research heavily and package carefully. Sermons are actually a mix of a persons creativity and the work that God is doing in that persons life.  (check out this blog http://www.thehighcalling.org/faith/redeeming-sermon)

I need to daily be in tune with God. Put to death my flesh and submit wholly to the will of God, so that the sermons I write will be about Him and not me. That the sermon will bear the simplicity of the wooden cross, without the neon lights attached to it!