As Christians we are not to act differently than the world, were to be different. When people choose to become Christians they segregate them selves from the world and do "Christian" things. Like go to church three to four times a week, give money, teach a Sunday school class, but usually it's in the safe environment of the church building. And when the church does step out to "outreach" it is usually in away that turns people off to the church. Why is that?

It is time for the church to leave their pew and go back to the back alleys and bars that they came from. You see the world doesn't like the church because we do stuff they have no interest in and when the real things they are watching us for fail they loose faith. Christians and non-Christians alike have to deal with life. We all have the same problems; sickness, finances, children, career, marriage, etc. But should we both respond the same way to these things? This is the fall back of the church. Christians should respond differently to life, according to the fruit of the spirit. But we usually freak out and stress out just like the world. That's what the world is looking for. Peace under pressure. A struggling marriage becoming strong. Loneliness being filled with fellowship. The world doesn't care about what we do or don't do. They care about how we live, and how we respond to life. Because that's what they need. I they won't see it unless we walk among them.

So what do we as Christians do? First we need to get out from under our shells and get back involved with the community. Become part of the community, not a segment of the community. Secondly, we need to be Christians. That is, live life in the spirit and producing the fruit of the spirit in our lives. That's what attracted people to Jesus and that's what will attract people to us. Then they'll want what we have to offer them.

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After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No."

He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish.

That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast."

Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. (John 21:1-14, RSV)

There was a purpose to the disciples catching nothing. It was so they could have something—but only from Jesus. Their efforts came up empty, but that’s so Jesus could be the one to fill their nets. That’s what Jesus wants for us, too: He wants us to stop trying to fill our nets with our desires. He alone wants to be the one to provide for us. He wants us to recognize him on the shores of our lives.

Two great quotes from http://www.youthspecialties.com/articles/topics/spiritual_life/breakfast.php Take some time to read the article its really powerful.

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Well it's a new year and like most people I've tried to make some goals for postive change in my life for 2003.

I will set goals within the areas of relationship and stewardship, they are as follow:

1. Relationship with God, family, people in church and colleagues/ friends ...
-I'm going to keep a more consistent time with God and protect that time; not allow other things to take priority.
-I will be more affectionate to Kari. Like I use too. To romance her.
-I will create a loving, safe environment for Becca and Kimmi to grow up in.
-I am going to be proactive in building relationships with families in both the church and community.
2. Career
-I will get my credentials through IMF.
-I am going to begin advertising my web design services.
-Promote my website and create income through advertising.
-Continue looking at potential of writing children's books.
3. Financial matters
-Stay on a working budget.
-Retire all credit card debt.
-Increase income through side jobs in order to increase debt reduction.
4. Personal interests/past times
-Begin exercising and work on eating healthier. I want to lose a 100 lbs. by the end of the year.
5. Home Schooling
-Begin looking at what we need to do to home school.
-Estimate costs and begin looking at curriculum.
-Begin formal teaching with Becca in the Fall.

On top of these, I've decided to start blogging. I can't say it'll be interesting but stop by from time to time and check in on me.

Happy New Year!

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