Jesus Uses Failures

Wednesday at our ALIVE meeting, the girls and I had a TERRIFIC bible study, I just HAD to share about it. I am thoroughly loving this group we’ve got right now. They’re consistent, committed, teachable and uplifting. But anyway, back to the bible study from last night. I’m not quite sure why this question popped into my mind about a week ago, but suddenly I thought to myself “Hmmm, I wonder why, after Peter had denied Christ the evening of his seizure, did Jesus later respond to Peter with ‘Feed my sheep’?” Or to put it in another way, why, of ALL the things Jesus could have said to Peter - such as “you idiot…” or “you’re forgiven, no worries…” or “told ya so…” or “Hey bud, I love ya…” did he say “Feed my sheep?”

John 21 - Feed my sheep.

Could Peter have ever seen that one coming? And when we fail big time like Peter (especially when we’re sturdy and self-assured like Peter was during the Last Supper - ‘Oh no, I will NEVER fail YOU, Lord!’) what might it mean to us that Jesus said “Feed my sheep” to his fallen disciple?

So we discussed this question. Here are some of the points we made:

- Peter needed to know that Jesus was confident in his ability to continue as a leader

- Peter needed to be reminded that he was called to do in the first place - despite a failure along the way

- Peter needed to get past the self-pity, not wallowing in his failure and focus on the future

- Peter was chosen to be USEFUL, not paranoid about failing

- Peter needed to be strong for the other disciples and ministry leaders he would coach very soon

- Peter had already been taught and shown what he needed during his years with Christ, he didn’t need to be reminded of all of that, he just needed a statement of send-off

- Jesus knew the Holy Spirit would be sent soon, Peter would soon have that resource to help him in temptation

Above all, we concluded that Peter is a perfect example of how Jesus DOES and CAN use us - even after we fall or have failed. Here is a fantastic article from Desiringgod.org that sums up our conclusion: Jesus Chooses and Uses Failures

James Dobson Focuses on Obama

Dobson accuses Obama of ‘distorting’ Bible

Excerpt - “COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - As Barack Obama broadens his outreach to evangelical voters, one of the movement’s biggest names, James Dobson, accuses the likely Democratic presidential nominee of distorting the Bible and pushing a “fruitcake interpretation” of the Constitution.”

BNI = Barf Nausea Insanity

I have been moping around the office all day.

Like a small child.

Why is there a flea buzzing around my face right now.

I’LL KILL YOU, FLEA!

Flea doesn’t get it.

I had a disastrous Monday. A tense Tuesday. A nauseating Wednesday. And I would be on my way to recovery today, but nooooo, I had to go to BNI.

What is BNI all about, you may ask.

Well let me tell you.

BNI = Business Networking International. Sounds harmless enough. It’s not. Don’t be fooled.

Those who are members of BNI like to think they’re participating in a wonderful, well organized, very effective networking group of local business owners. They like to think they’re spending their once-weekly meetings conversing and gaining insight into strategies, marketing, and profiting. They would tell you their BNI meetings are an intrigal part of their business success.

Two of my co-workers are members of separate BNI groups. This morning I was sent as a “substitute” to one of these meetings. It was my FIFTH time substituting in the past month. What my co-workers do not realize is that no, it’s not o.k. to use Lindsey as their BNI substitute whenever they are simply too busy and can’t make it. Lindsey has this issue with giving presentations. It does not matter that the presentation is only a 45-second introduction of oneself and one’s company and one’s ideal referral at the beginning of the meeting, Lindsey can hardly give a FIVE second presentation without wanting to die. Lindsey has a terrible history with this stuff. Lindsey has written many a blog about her social phobia rediculousness. Don’t they know this?

BNI to outsiders like me is a weekly excuse for the community extroverts who love mingling and presenting and public everything to get together and get their extrovertedness out of their system. It’s a chance for them to feel important and glow at the testimonies about them from others and lavish in the swapping of names and numbers. Barf.

I have been humiliated in one too many BNI 45-second presentations. I have choked up, teared up, shaken up, and brain-freezed up in front of all those extroverted eyes. And I went through it again this morning. I hate BNI.

And that is why I have been moping around the office.