WHAT IF....?

I am on vacation this week, in beautiful Chicago Illinois. Today, we venture downtown. We thought about riding the train, but it is kind of pricey, so we are driving... We will go to the Navy Pier, Sears Tower, walk ( not shop) down Michigan Avenue and wander around... Should be fun. We waited until today because the weather was supposed to be good, and it has turned out really good. ( high of 75 degrees and sunny.) I miss that about the north. In the summer the weather fronts clear out the humidity and you get a break. Of course, it all comes around in the winter with 12 straight weeks of wind, cold and snow. God has a hard time pleasing me...but then again that is not his objective is it?

Time off gets me to thinking a bit... So I write some conclusions to the question "What if?" ( Actually they are not conclusions at all, just something to think about.)

WHAT IF...churches really cared about the lost?

WHAT IF ....church members focused more on taking the gospel to those who need it than with protecting their own turf in regards to worship style, preaching style, buildings and programs? ( I guess I am sick of all the ranting and raving about who is doing what and whether it is right or not.... here I go, "ranting and raving.")

WHAT IF ... we all were willing to take a life altering risk once a year? BRIEF COMMENTARY: I mean a real risk which had the potential to go either way. Certainly it should be "God-led." But as I read more about Jesus I see him more as a revolutionary and less as a Mr.Rogers type. He was a dangerous man who called many people to take the biggest risk of their lives. I don't think there is alot of risk in accepting Christ. The ressurection settles it for me. But there is alot of risk in being an "Ambassador of Christ." That can blow away our world.

WHAT IF ... we were free to speak what is really on our mind, instead of what we think the other person wants to hear?

WHAT IF ... relationship really took precedence over programs in the church?

WHAT IF ... we really believed that Hell was real, and Jesus saves?

WHAT IF... we were committed to laugh and smile more and complain and frown less?

WHAT IF ... we woke up in the morning with ONE prayer .... "Lord this is your day... I am your child. Take me where you want, use me where you will, and at the end of the day let's both say, 'It was a good day.'

WHAT IF .... we went to bed at night with ONE thought on our mind... "Lord you were really great today."

WHAT IF .. we had time on a regular basis to ask the question, "What if?"

WHAT IF ... we asked the question "What if?" and it actually led to some sort of change in our life ( for the better)

WHAT IF ? Well who knows...unless you ask the question... and look for the answers.

Vacations do this to me... Sorry. But it is good for me. And better for you as well.