Raising the level of risk...

I was enjoying one of my favorite television stations a few minutes ago. I'm a "Weather Channel" addict. I'm not sure why. It's just that when I turn over there I usually know what I'm going to get. I'm going to get the weather. No surprises. No big shock. The Weather Channel exists to forecast the weather. But today they decided to mess with my mind. They were doing this special program about what would happen if a major tornado struck at the heart of downtown St. Louis during a Cardinal's game. Oh boy, it was not pretty. Now to know me is to understand that I'm a Cub fan. But not even a Cub fan wants a tornado to hit Busch Stadium during a ball game. Not even if the Mets are in town. I mean, come on. It's baseball. We love it and we love to argue about it. But at the end of the day we all go to sleep on the same planet and enjoy the same gentle breezes. Nobody would wish that kind of carnage on anybody. As a matter-of-fact if I knew a tornado was moving toward the ball park during a crowded Cardinals / Mets game I would most certainly make the phone call to report it and try to divert utter disaster.

So why is it that we live right here in the wonderful St Louis metropolitan area and another type of horror is taking place every day and yet we do so little? I mean, I hate to sound like "a preacher" or something but I have neighbors who really are rushing headlong into disaster and all too often I find a good excuse to ignore it, turn my head, and occupy myself with other things. Have you thought about what would happen if somebody you see every day at work or at Starbucks or maybe even over the backyard fence were to suddenly meet up with their own disaster and enter eternity without knowing Jesus? The thought of what it would be like for them is unimaginable! We are quite happy to take a meal over after they have been sick or have had surgery. We might mow their lawn when they are on vacation. Possibly could feed their pets too. But so many of them stand on the verge of losing everything. E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. Forever.

I'm not writing this to make you feel lousy. I'm writing this to remind myself that God has given me an opportunity today that I will never have again. And I need to take a risk. I need to step up to the plate and gently, lovingly, offer to share what I know with them. God loves them. He loves them just as much as He loves me. And I am convinced that He loves me a lot. So please, take the chance. Odds are strong that they won't mind. You don't have to drop everything on them at once. Just start loving them toward the Kingdom. I am fully convinced that God will tell you when it is time to take each step in the process.

Hey, just a Saturday night thought.

Paisley's First Crawl ... She gets by with a little help from her friends

This is how people in our family tell you they are pregnant...

Can't wait to meet you,