Just do it!

Ok Gang, Sorry this is a day late. Maybe it’s cause I was tired or maybe it’s cause the assignment just wasn’t meant to go out yesterday. But as I thought and thought about the assignment my mind grew more and more blank. So finally I just shut down and said we will try again tomorrow. Now tomorrow is today and I woke up with one certain assignment in mind. No scripture to go with it just a you know what to do now do it kind of thing.

We have spent much of our time the last few weeks focused on listening to God. This tells me that if we have been following the assignments; "we have been hearing from God". Hearing is one thing following is something completely different. I have a strange feeling that each of us have been hearing something from God for much longer than just the few weeks the Upside Down Group has been focusing on listening. But have we been diving into what he is saying. If he is telling you to spend more time with him are you doing it? If he is telling you to reach out to someone have you done it? What has God been telling you to do? It doesn’t matter if it’s been the last couple of weeks or the last couple of years if God has been telling you to do something it’s about time we do it.

I know, I know easier said than done. True! But we need to remember who is telling us to do it. If Abraham had ignored God when he said to leave his home where would Israel be? Nonexistent! If David had ignored God when he said to fight Goliath would he be the family tree of Christ? Gods people said no to entering the promised land the first time and they were left roaming in the desert for 40 years. Then they decided to fight and they gained their own land. Israel quit listening to God and they struggled. They turned back to God and they were blessed. We see this time and time again throughout scripture. Now I don’t want anyone to read this and think for a second that I am saying God will curse them if they don’t follow his prompting. But I do want you to realize that by not following you will miss his blessing that is tied to it. But more than the physical blessing we will miss the joy tied to knowing our Lord and Savior in a more intimate way. Hopefully one day the joy of walking hand in hand with my God will out way my desire to be prosperous and safe here on Earth. I will admit that I have a long way to go before that happens but I also know that it will never happen if I chose to play it safe. I must get to a point where I realize that playing it safe is far more dangerous than taking risks whenever God is involved (Hmm, sounds like upside down thinking doesn’t it)

Our assignment for the week? Do what God is telling you to do (Even if it doesn’t make sense) Step out have a good time and most of all lets not forget to “Live it upside down”

How much do you remember?

Here we are once again leading into a new week. As I write this week I am thinking of something that God put on my heart about two or three weeks back. I’ve come close to posting it a time or two but then couldn’t figure out exactly how it fit in with our mission. Once again these assignments are ways to help us focus on God and this will definitely help with that. But we also want them to ultimately help focus you on others and this is where this assignment may fall a little short. But of course when focusing on our creator nothing falls short. RIGHT! With that in mind lets continue on.

During my last read through of the Old Testament something that Gods people kept doing seemed to stand out to me. (Gen 12:7 “Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said to your descendants I will give this land. And there he built an Altar to the Lord”, Gen 26:24 – 25 And the Lord appeared…. So he built an Altar there. Gen 28: 16 – 18 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said “Surely the Lord is in this place”…. Then Jacob rose early in the morning took up the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. Ex 17:14 – 16 Then the Lord said to Moses… and Moses built an Altar and called its name “The-Lord-Is-My-Banner. Joshua 22:26 – 34 … Let us now prepare to build an Altar, nor for burnt offering nor for sacrifice, that it may be a witness between you and us… ) These are just a few examples, Gods people kept building altars to him when he showed up. Why? It seems to me that his people built altars for two reasons. 1. As a place to go worship. 2. As a marker of remembrance. Both are great models that we should follow today. I do think we should each of us have our own place set aside that we go to worship God. But we can go more into that at another time. Today I want to focus on #2. It seems that those closest to God realized just how bad of a memory they had and they recognized the importance of memorializing his actions for us. So when God showed up they would leave a marker of sorts to help them remember and I believe as a statement to others that God is indeed in this place. How do you think Jacob felt when he finally came back home some 20 years after fleeing from his brother he arrives in Bethel and sees the pillar he set up to God who appeared to him in a dream and promised him safety, prosperity and a return home. The promise has now been fulfilled. One look at that marker had to bring back a flood of memories.

If it was so important back then why have we forgotten it today? Some larger organizations still do it. A corporation when setting up a building will still mark the corner stone with their name and the date the foundation was laid. I know of businessmen that frame the first dollar they ever made. But what about God? Over the years I’ve been terrible at journaling (A marker of sorts) But I can pick up the journals I have written and be reminded of so many things God did that I’ve forgotten. My faith gets renewed and I can walk once again with a boldness I had lost. But that takes time to sit and read (Which is well worth it of course.) But it’s not that quick reminder in a time of need or weakness. What do we do then? Why not build markers of remembrance? I recommend we set up two markers. (One will work) When God comes to you, when he speaks, or does something powerful in your life stop a moment look around and mark the area in your mind then if at all possible place a marker there (a rock, carve something in a tree, plant a bush, etc…) This way whenever you walk past this area what God did will rush back into your brain. You’ll find you love to go there because of the memories it brings. Next how about creating a “God scrapbook” When he speaks or moves find something that will remind you of the moment and place it in a scrapbook. (Take a photo of the area then write under it what happened, grab some grass where you were standing and place it in a baggie, a small rock, write a poem about it, whatever works for you) Maybe build a collage and hang it on your wall, ad to it every time God moves. This becomes a great remembrance for you, a great way to teach your kids, and a beautiful witnessing tool. “What do you mean Gods not real? Let me show you my scrapbook or would you rather go for a walk?”

Do you doubt the importance of markers? God doesn’t, read Gen 9:12 – 17 and you find the first rainbow. Read Gen 32:22 – 30 he gave Jacob/Israel a permanent limp as a marker. How about Passover? Read any of the Gospels and Christ gave us the Lords Supper. God is telling us the importance of markers I think it’s time we listen.

Long story short; This weeks assignment is to begin building markers of remembrance to our incredibly awesome God.

Have a great week and as always… “Lets live it upside down”

Swallow your pride!

Here is one rule in life that I’m sure we’ve all heard “Never assume anything”. I remember hearing that many times over the years and usually it was after I had made a bad assumption (“I assumed you knew you were welcome”, “I just assumed you got the message”, “You haven’t been around so I assumed you…”, I just assumed you knew how much I appreciate you, Etc…,) Inevitably whenever anyone got caught making a bad assumption you knew you were going to hear someone say “Never assume anything cause we all know it makes an ASS out of U and ME.” It was a safe assumption. So why is it that we are so prone to making assumptions? I think it’s because it’s easier to assume than it is to converse. After all if I assume someone is mad at me why would I want to ask them? It will only encourage them to yell at me and create an uncomfortable situation. If someone is disappointed in me I don’t want to feel worse about my screw up by talking to them. We would rather live without the confrontation because then we don’t know for sure. Unfortunately that’s usually when the damage begins to happen because we talk as if we do know for sure. (“So and so is mad at me for such and such and I think it’s kind of petty that he/she wont talk to me about it?”, “Fine if that’s the they want it two can play that game.”, Etc…) The whole time we are thinking this way party #2 is sitting innocently in the background completely unaware that such a fury is growing. What can we do to stop this behavior, these misunderstandings? The answer is simple yet incredibly complicated. It’s something that has evaded mankind from generation to generation. Even after I spell it out here and now most of us will still miss it. We’ll laugh when we read it and say “I already knew that” but when the time comes to remember, it will be forgotten once again. The answer “Pick up the phone”, or “Knock on the door”. Find them tell them that you are beginning to wonder if something is wrong and then give them a chance to respond. When we do this the assumptions will end. Why do we always seem to forget this simple rule at the moment of truth? PRIDE! It’s that simple. Next time you are in this situation take a moment and say “Larry swallow your pride” (You can even use my name if it helps but inserting your name would be better.) then immediately, DO NOT WAIT! DO NOT STOP, SKIP JAIL, DON”T COLLECT TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS GO STRAIGHT TO YOUR FRIEND AND CLEAR THE AIR!!! Lets take the time to help others as well. If we hear a friend spewing out what seems to be a bunch of assumptions. Stop them and ask “Do you know this for sure or are you just assuming?” It will make them think. Then gently remind them to swallow their pride and pick up the phone.

You may think you just received your assignment for the week and yes if you recognized that you’re living with assumptions you did receive an assignment. But not the Upside Down Groups Assignment of the week. Actually, I didn’t mean to go there. I was setting up the assignment and that’s what happened. I saw it going there and thought “Hmmm, let it ride and trust that the Holy Spirit is leading you there.” Which does lead us beautifully into the assignment. You see nine times out of ten it’s not good to assume. But there is a time that assuming isn’t a bad thing. That’s when the outcome is positive either way. For example: Have you ever been in a coffee shop noticed someone and thought “They look like they could use a lift. I should buy their coffee for them”? In that case it is safe to assume that the Holy Spirit is leading you to buy someone a coffee. What could it hurt? If it’s the Holy Spirit he is planning something to come from that (You may not see the outcome.) If it’s not you still brightened someone’s day. What usually happens (At least with me) Is I’ll be walking down the street and hear “You should go up and talk to them.” Instead of assuming I heard from God I assume it was a random thought and decide not to. Why? Because it’s easier that way. If it’s from me I run the risk of making a fool of myself. But on the flipside if it’s from God you could be partnering with him to change the world. My advice: Swallow your pride! I’m going to make one more promise. The more you step out and are willing to assume you did hear from God the more you will learn to recognize his voice when it does come (His sheep follow him because they know his voice John 10:4). Ask yourself, “What is he asking me to do? Will it lead to good? Will it lead to harm?” if it leads to good assume it was God.

The Assignment: Listen for that still small voice of God then follow what it says. I wish I could tell you what he will be asking but he’s God and his clues are sooo much better than mine. I will say try not to limit his voice to specific areas it could vary from asking you to serve someone all the way to allow someone to serve you and many, many things in between.

OK Gang, there ya go. Have a great week and as always lets Live it Upside Down!

A few fun verses about his voice.

1 kings 19: 11 – 13

John 18: 37

Rev 3:13

Rev 3:20

Shut up and Listen

Last week our assignment was to walk and pray for those we saw as we were walking. This week it's a slightly different experience. You see I don't think any of us have too big of a problem talking to God. I know that I rarely have too hard of a time telling God what I want and when I have a question I don't hesitate to ask away. "God why?, what?, who? when? where? HOW?" But I do struggle with actually shutting up and listening for his answer. From what I hear I'm not the only one with that issue. How many of us have ever successfully formed a solid relationship by talking and never listening? The best friendships are formed with dialogue. Two way communication. Now if we are to assume that God is seeking a relationship with us and if we are seeking a relationship with him. Then it's safe to assume that God wants to talk to us as much as we want to talk to him (Maybe even more)

With that in mind our assignment this week is to "SHUT UP AND LISTEN!" Set aside a specific amount of time to just sit and listen to God this week. I recommend a minimum of 30 minutes but if you have more time take it because 30 minutes is barely enough time to clear our heads. Lets try to not go into this with any preconceived notions. Lets not ask God a whole bunch of questions then sit and listen for the answer. This week lets try to let God control the conversation. Now since conversation is a two way street after the 30 minutes is up feel free to respond. Thank him for speaking, If it raised a question ask him, write down what he said so you don't forget. Some of you may be thinking that you just don't have the time to set aside. (Do it anyway) Some may be thinking "I never hear from God so it wont work" (It will) All I can say is please, please PLEASE take the time to follow through on the assignment this week. I promise... You wont regret it. You will hear from God. If you've never heard from him before it will be an exciting moment. If it's been a while since you've heard from him you will welcome the voice like a long lost friend. If you hear from him regularly well there's nothing I can say you already know the joy that comes from hearing his voice. So lets just do it, lets have fun, lets hear from our God.

(Note: Be open to his voice. It may be an audible voice, it might come as a whisper or a thought, it could come through another person, or through some other way. Just listen, be open and you will recognize him. He wants to be heard.)

As always have a great week and of course lets live it "Upside Down"