to sum it up

In the weeks to come there will be much to say about Joplin.  I have also not finished with my posts from the Jamaica dental trip, but I cant find the documents that I wrote in Jamaica now, so that will have to wait. 

So, in the light of what has been going on in our world, I had a thought.  Have you ever tried to sum up the Christian faith?  or boil down the Christian faith?  Here is my attempt for today.

The successful pursuit of the Christian faith does not lie in the saying of a special prayer; the acknowledgement of 4 spiritual laws or the mental assent to the leadership of Jesus. 

Instead, the successful pursuit of the Christian faith is wrapped up in taking up ones cross; living outside ones self and investing in others to the glory of God.

When one lives like this, all prayers are said, all laws are followed and Jesus really has become Lord.

When we see our friends hurt in Joplin, it should be clear to us that the Christian faith is all about living outside of one's self.  Taking up the cross.  Discomforting ourselves so that those in need might be helped.
When we choose to live like that it really is a beautiful day in god's world.