Missing Normal

Why isn't it funny to think of things that should be going on as ‘normal’?   I will be healthy; I will someday get married; we will never have any problems; if we work hard enough things will work out.  These are just some examples of what we all think of as normal.

What happens when things don’t work out as normal?  The doctor said what; How did the accident happen; I am too young for this; I am too old for this; we didn’t expect this to happen … to us?  These are some examples of what we call real life.

Often what comes mind and what we think are: “Things didn’t happen as we thought” and “Why have I missed a normal life?”  Be honest, you’ve thought that before!  Right!?

Question – what is normal?  Better stated – what are your expectations of normal?  Who controls normal?  How good are You at controlling normal?  I know how not good I am!

My heart goes to that new mother whose baby is born with some type of defect.  Consider a child who loses his parent to a sudden death or divorce early in their life.  A new Christian comes home to strife and disgrace without much hope of an understanding mate.  A teenager sees so many other friends with cars and freedoms of their own.  The businessman working hard everyday seeing others promoted as he continue supporting them.  Are those normal ways?  Sure they are … what is your normal?

Check this out in the New Testament – Jesus speaking … with a man who's hand is withered.

Matthew 12:12-14

How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

Jesus healing on the Sabbath was challenged by the Pharisees.  Really?  What I want you to see is this; the hand was restored to ‘normal’, like the other.  So many times we think our problems are not normal – but they are!  When we meet other people who have gone through or are going through things we get excited because they understand our pain and we understand theirs.  Jesus has to make us ‘stretch out our problem’ at times so we can see them clearly.  Then He does the restoring – to His normal.  The funny thing is the Pharisees wanted to destroy His normal.  Why?  They thought they could control their normal life!

Are you missing normal?  Do you get angry because your life is not like everyone around you?  We all do … but when we look at our loving Lord and know He is in control then He can restore us back and help us accept ourselves so much better than before. 

That's Normal.

With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart: How Should A King Come? Even a child knows the answer of course.

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs!  It's not often heard - please listen to the words!

With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart: How Should A King Come? Even a child knows the answer of course.

The FANS

We've all been there and experienced an event where the crowd is gathering and the excitement is building.  Everyone is getting to their seat who has a ticket, and others are purchasing hats or t-shirts to claim their full support and backing.  These times are electrifying and the anticipation is packed full of wonder!  The FANS are all together in this event knowing what each other agree on ... their TEAM!


What happens if you not yet a fan of either team ... yet?  What if this was your first exposure to this type of event?  You don't really know much about either side or even what will happen next!


Now, pull this same experience into your heart.  Put yourself in this situation from the perspective of someone else experiencing your life, your world, your church.  My church?  What?


Today's fan expects others to know why they are so ... fanatic! Come on - The shirt, the hat, the EXCITEMENT - it's obvious, right!?  Not always.  So many people don't understand the Bible, the purpose of the church, Jesus, or even life!


Taking this person into your "event" is strange to them and even uncomfortable - they are not dressed with the FAN garb or even have the chant down like everyone else!  They sit when others stand, they don't scream when others scream, they are not into what the FAN is doing or even thinking!  WHY?


The FAN is into themselves and their team, not those who are from the outside.  People who are outside the normal American church are not welcomed FANS and don't feel comfortable for many reasons.  Oh, then there are those who quote scripture at people and know they understand everything exactly as King James wrote it!


Bottom line - we all need to enjoy the game.  Not everyone has the same perspective on the game as you or me.  When 'outsiders' come into our world - we must make sure we share the excitement and GIFT of being a FAN.  Otherwise it's not fun for them if we expect them to know it - without sharing it first.


Ephesians 2:4-10

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and SEATED US with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.