Dear fellow athletes-in-Christ,
Yesterday at the "Y," I saw a guy wearing a "body-mind-spirit" t-shirt. You've probably noticed work-out clothes imprinted with that phrase...pretty popular these days, even in "Christian" fitness circles. Kinda cool, I suppose...except it's backwards:
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23, emphasis added)
Look at this historic YMCA emblem. They got it right. Staying physically fit is important, as is educating our minds and facing our emotional issues. But ultimately, no matter how much we work out, no matter how many self-help books we read, unless our eternal spirits are born again through the Holy Spirit...empowering us to walk accordingly...it's all academic.
But does the order of the words "spirit, soul, and body" really make much difference? Perhaps not on a t-shirt. However, in view of how easily our Kingdom mindset can become tainted by our daily environment, I think we need to be cognizant of such Biblical distinctions, lest our worldview becomes a mishmash of theological truth and cultural catch-phrases.
The Apostle Paul, who lived-and-lauded a set-apart life as a fellow athlete-in-Christ,* was keenly aware of this all-important distinction...
"And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)
This is our prayer for you this coming New Year...
That whether you're rich or poor by material standards, whether you have multiple degrees or a simple diploma, whether you're white collar, blue collar, or clerical collar by vocation...that you would bear much fruit, far beyon d your human abilities or wisdom, and waaay beyond your deepest desires...that your daily witness for Christ would continually be awash with demonstrations of the power, peace and prosperity of God through His Holy Spirit.
It's been an incredible year. Thanks for being an integral part of it. God's richest blessings to you in 2012!
For His harvest, your servants...
Tom & Deanna
"If the Lord wills..." update
 I'll be sending our faith-blueprints...a head's up: Prayerwalking plans will focus on 70 national breakout regions, coming alongside pastors and leaders from coast-to-coast. If you didn't read my personal prayer request in the last email, please do. (Picture is from a long-mileage training day in a heat-index of 115 degrees. Don't I look happy?)
Important reminder for our supporters
Special year-end gifts received online by midnight 12/31/2011, or, if mailed, postmarked by that same date, will be tax-deductible for 2011. Thank you!
Footnote: The Apostle Paul...our example as an athlete-in-Christ.
P.S. To read any messages you missed this year, please click this button... |
