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The Challenge of Convenience
I well remember rotary telephones. Along with finger dialing and operator-assisted long-distance calls, there were party lines. These party lines had nothing to do with waiting your turn at a social function; it meant sharing your line with another person or family. At one time having a party line was a real privilege, technology of yesteryear. A convenience of that time. Technology lasted longer then. What was good for Dad and Mom seemed good enough for the next generation. The most creative changes were found within the pages of comic books, like Dick Tracy and his wrist T.V. Those were the days my friend.
Fast forward to the present. Who needs a rotary phone when most have something that can call anywhere in the world? Plus, it takes pictures/videos, and you can watch a television screen the size of your wrist, thereby proving that Dick Tracy was years ahead of his time. Don't leave home without your phone.
Where does it end? At what point will there be enough conveniences? Will the new conveniences outlast even a single generation? The inconvenient truth is that knowledge is increasing in these last days. What once lasted 50 years now lasts for 5, or less. Herein lies the challenge of convenience: getting used to something long after its replacement has come-and gone.
The same mentality is true in the Church world. What worked for generations isn't always working today. This is especially true with methods-particularly with the technologically-advanced generation, better known as our future. These are those young adults, both single and married, between the ages of 18-25. Perhaps even beyond. These fascinating young adults are desperately wanting the truth, but without the rotary-phone approach that worked so well for decades. Affected by sight and sound, this sight-and-sound generation won't respond to hymnbook-based worship or marathon messages. As someone astutely pointed out: your spirit can't receive more than your seat can endure. Sometimes less IS better.
The challenge of convenience is enjoying something temporal, while being open to new ways of serving the timeless. Whether a modern oven for that family recipe or screens and lights for worship, let's be open to the next convenience, all while enjoying what's before us now.
What challenges are you experiencing with what presently conveniences you?
LifeChange, Episode Fifty One
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LifeChange, Episode Fifty
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LifeChange, Episode Forty Nine
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Thermometer or Thermostat?
Many homes have thermometers, both inside and out. Outside thermometers are usually in the shade, whereas central heat/air conditioning units have an indoor thermometers with their thermostats. Both indoor and outdoor thermometers serve the same function: to measure actual temperature at any given moment. Thermostats, however, allow occupants to change the surrounding temperature from what is to what is desired-either higher or lower. I have never seen an outside thermostat. If it's 90 degrees in the shade where you live it will remain that way, until weather changes raise or lower the temperature. As I write this, the outside temperature is 69 degrees at noon, which is great for the middle of May. For an Oklahoma July or August? Just wishful thinking.
Inside, however, we can change the existing temperature to be either warmer or cooler, depending upon personal preference. We do this by setting our thermostat to the desired temperature, up or down. Thermostats direct the air conditioner or heater to come on, thereby producing a change in temperature-either warmer or cooler. Thank God for working thermostats!
Our tongues can be either a thermometer or a thermostat, telling the way things are (thermometer) or declaring the desired result (thermostat). Telling things the way they are results in things remaining the same, or changing without your permission. Calling for change in your situation demands making a change in your words. From what is to what you desire. From the way things are to the way you want them to be based, of course, on the promises of God's Word.
Perhaps you're in a situation that needs changing. Whether it's your health, finances, job situation, relationships, or your walk with God, it can change. But as long as you talk about just what is things won't change. Like that thermometer, your words will be an indicator of what is. On the other hand, beginning to speak what God's Word says about your situation will initiate change in your life. Your tongue will be like that thermostat, demanding your circumstances change from what is to what's promised to you by God, in His Word.
Are you a thermometer or a thermostat? Are your words declaring what is or what's desired? What are you doing to see your circumstance change? How has reading this post helped? Who can you share this post with, to see change in someone else's life?
LifeChange, Episode Forty Eight
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LifeChange, Episode Forty Seven
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