The Power of Seeking a Consistent Christian Lifestyle

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).

Last year, while visiting family members in Arkansas, we heard their minister Jackie Chesnutt make a powerful point in a sermon that Sunday morning. He asked the congregation, "How would you like to be able to donate $5,000 to an orphanage?" Jackie explained that he knew that few members of the church could make such a large one-time contribution. However, he told the story of a member of the congregation who had donated $25 a month for over 20 years to a Christian charity. He never could have made a large one-time donation, but his small donations over a number of years added up to a large sum of money. Jackie was illustrating the impact of our small but consistent good deeds for the sake of Christ in the world.

Jackie's story gives hope to those of us who may never be able to accomplish anything close to what we would like to do. I may never be able to give a $5,000 donation to an adoption agency, but I can give some money every month. I cannot match Bill Gates' donations to alleviate global poverty, but I can sponsor a child in the Dominican Republic for a few dollars every month. I may not be able to fill stadiums around the world with people eager to hear me talk about Jesus, but I can put in a good word for him on my job (or even on my blog). I may not be able to reverse the divorce rate in America, but I can love my wife. I may not be able to prevent every case of child abuse or neglect in the world, but I can love my son.

I can't do everything I would like to do, but by the grace of God, I can do something. I simply need to persevere. Eventually, I hope to see a positive cumulative effect from consistently seeking to honor Christ and love people.

(Please check out Jackie Chesnutt's blog in my blog roll. You will find consistent encouragement in your walk with God.)

Interesting Items on the Internet

Here are a few interesting items on the Internet this week:

Jackie Chesnutt wrote about "Behind the Scenes Greatness" on his blog at http://sscocrogers.org/jackie/?p=59. He mentioned several of the great things happening at the Southside Church of Christ in Rogers, Arkansas, where he serves as a preacher and elder. Jackie noted that the good being done could not happen without the people behind the scenes who are serving and honoring God in quiet ways. (I think that some of those "behind the scenes" people might be some of my family members. My mom, her husband, my sister, brother-in-law, nephews, and niece attend the Southside Church in Rogers.)

Whatever happened to A.C. Green, the professional basketball player for the L.A. Lakers who made a commitment to remain a virgin until marriage? Did he succeed or fail? An update on A.C. Green may be found at http://www.familylifeculturewatch.com/2008/07/i-took-a-stand.html.

Finally, the NAACP held its annual convention this week. It received some media coverage, but something important received little attention. African American pro-lifers held a demonstration in which they attempted to persuade the NAACP to change from a neutral position on abortion to a pro-life position. I would love to see the organization known for protecting minorities broaden its fight for justice to include seeking legal protection for pre-born children. It has not happened yet, but the time could come. More of the story can be found at http://www.nrlc.org/news_and_Views/July08/nv071508.html.

Blogger Reflection Awards

Allen Hickerson has given me his auspicious Blogger Reflection Award and made some kind comments about my blog and Janet's blog (see http://allens-brain.blogspot.com/2007/10/blogger-reflection-awards.html). By the way Allen, we ran into your parents, sister, and nephews a couple of days ago at the Tulsa State Fair.

Here are the rules for the awards (some of which I will follow):

1. Copy these rules.

2. Reflect on 5 bloggers and write at least a paragraph about each one.

3. Link to this post so others can read it, too.

4. Leave chosen bloggers a comment to let them know they have won a Blogger Reflection Award.

5. Show the Blogger Reflection Awards image in your post. (Sorry, Allen. I still cannot figure out how to post images on my blog. If anyone wants to see the image, please go to the link to Allen's blog above.)

These are a few of the blogs I read:

1. Arron Chambers (http://www.christianstandard.com/MyLordandMyBlog.asp) serves as a preacher with Christ's Church in Jacksonville, Florida. His blog usually centers on some good thoughts about his local congregation as well as some encouraging words about following Jesus.

2. Jackie Chesnutt (http://www.southside-church-of-christ.org/jackie) is an elder and minister with the Southside Church of Christ in Rogers, Arkansas. My mother, step-father, sister, brother-in-law, nephews, and niece worship with the same congregation. It's good to be able to keep up with their preacher (who happens to be a great speaker and great guy). I like the fact that he says he started his blog as an alternative to therapy. I know that feeling.

3. Tony Dungy (http://www.mycolts.net/tonydungy/blog/Dungy_Perspective) coaches the Indianapolis Colts. I have followed his career for a few years now, after hearing him interviewed on the FamilyLife Today radio program. On his blog, he focuses on football, but he often mentions family and faith as well. He has made a Colts fan out of me.

4. Janet Laudett (http://360.yahoo.com/tjclaud) is my wife. She writes more about our family than I do, but I agree with Allen...she does not post often enough. If you want to know more about our everyday lives, Janet gives much more insight about us than you may find on my blog usually.

5. Bobby and Tamie Ross (http://www.therossnews.com/) are editors and writers for the Christian Chronicle, an international newspaper for the Churches of Christ. They are also fellow alumni of Oklahoma Christian University. (Bobby and I were in the Class of 1990.) You will find a good sense of humor on their blog. Sometimes you will find something inspirational (especially when Bobby writes about his parents and their 25 years of service as house parents for a children's home). Sometimes you will find something that challenges you (like when Tamie wrote about signing up to be tested to become a bone marrow donor...she inspired me to do the same when the opportunity arose on my job at the post office several weeks ago). Their blog is very entertaining, but like Janet, they need to post more often.

Please check out all of these blogs. I think you will like them, too.