Are you interested in joining a BLE Small Group? Study Topics include:
Investing vs. Spending Your Life
Marketplace Excellence
Christian Work Ethic
Heart and Soul of Effective Leadership
God's Plan for Husbands
Financial Principles
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Love
by Steve Stoner
We are born lovers. We love cheeseburgers, ice cream, pizza, dogs,  cats, hunting, fishing, golfing, skiing, shopping, movies, concerts and so on. We love holidays, we love weekends, we love vacations. With the very same word, we describe how we feel about the people closest to us in our lives - spouses, parents, children, grandchildren and friends. It sort of makes one wonder what love is when we use it to describe how we feel about inanimate objects, hobbies, pets, leisure time and people, doesn't it? Then, to distort the picture even further, you throw in the cultural view of love that is communicated through movies, TV shows and popular music. So, let us consider the answer to the question: What is love?
In most cases when we say we love something, it is because of how it makes us feel. Cheeseburgers, pizza and ice cream serve to satisfy cravings we have for things that simply taste good to us while satisfying our hunger.
We love our pets for a variety of reasons that include companionship, their unwavering devotion to us, their dependence upon us or simply because the wag of a tail, a lick on the cheek or a purr makes us feel accepted, approved and appreciated.
We love things like hunting, fishing, golfing and shopping because they challenge us in a way few things do.
We love entertainment because it touches a part of our soul.
We love leisure time because it allows us freedom that often eludes us in our busy day-to-day activities.
But is love more than how something makes us feel? more ... |
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The Free Heart
by Joe Carroll 
A story is told about a basket of apples sitting on a table in a convent school. There was a sign on the basket that said, "Take only one. God is watching." On the other end of the table, there was a plate of cookies. On the plate, there was a note in a child's handwriting that said, "Eat all the cookies you want. God is watching the apples."
Obviously, the message for us is in this anecdote is not about apples and cookies. It prompted me to consider how we handle our desires for wanting more in life. Do you find yourself wanting more in life? I think we all want more but many times we are afraid of pursuing it. Do you know what it is that keeps you from pursuing more of the life God has for you? Do you feel guilty for wanting more? Or perhaps you are hesitant of pursuing more because you are afraid of others noticing? What is the "more" you really want? Can you name what the "more" is?
The Scriptures are replete with men and women who wanted more. - Moses wanted more than palace pleasures and picked up a staff
- Abraham wanted more and made love to Sarah when he was a 100
- David wanted more and he picked up some rocks
- Jonathon wanted more and picked a best friend instead of a crown
- Nehemiah wanted more and risked sharing his heart with the king
- John the Baptist wanted more and lost his head
- Peter wanted more and got out of the boat
- A prostitute wanted more and wiped Jesus' feet with her hair
- Jesus wanted more for you and me and was nailed naked on a tree
The Christian life is about wanting more. The Christian life is about pursuing more. The great men and women of faith all wanted more; and we, just like them, may we end our days still longing for more.
For me, the "more" I have wanted lately is to live life out of a "free heart." Sometimes, I feel like my heart is a magnet, daily attracting a plethora of anxieties. Bad news or strained relationships add stress to feelings of guilt and disappointment. Pressures to perform and the pull to please others can leave my heart shackled with others' expectations. My heart was never designed to carry the load I put it through.
However, when my heart is free I'm not afraid. When my heart is free I am not overwhelmed. When my heart is free, I can find rest even in the midst of chaos. The free heart is not intimidated by life's hassles and demands. The free heart feels and engages in life. The free heart sees God for who He is. The free heart believes God for what He says. The free heart trusts. The free heart obeys. As the psalmist boldly declares, "I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free." Psalm 119:32
Jesus knows the chronic nature of our problem and bids us to "Cast all our cares on Him, because He cares for us."(1 Peter 5:7) He welcomes the weight of our overburdened hearts with His plea to "Come to me all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will refresh you".(Matthew 11:28)
One of the greatest gifts from God is a "free heart."
The more I want today is a free heart. A heart that is free to surrender to Him. How about you? Does your heart feel free today? If not, what is it that is weighing your heart down? Will you join me today in rolling all those burdens onto Him?
And by the way, if you want more cookies, help yourself.
Something to think about... |
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Gaining Perspective - A BLE Testimony
featuring Small Group Member Troy Jessee
 How often do you share prayer requests with your co-workers? Do you openly pray for those around you in the office? Would you ever share your prayer requests with your boss?
Many would probably answer "no" to these questions, but Troy says he has grown in his comfort and ability to do all of those things in his field of commercial and residential construction. He works in an industry made up mostly of blue collar workers, many of whom do not know God. Yet he feels compelled to pray for them, and does so candidly and comfortably.
"We are very comfortable sharing small prayers and support when we can. My office staff openly shares their prayer requests and knows that we try to glorify God in all we do," he says.
Troy has been in his BLE Small Group for nearly a year and a half, and in that time has developed a kinship with the others in this men's Bible Study that meets at the BLE office weekly during lunch time.
"The men are very intelligent and offer huge perspective and insight to the Scripture that I otherwise would have not thought of."
He believes his involvement in this BLE Small Group has given him the support, encouragement and tools he needs to live as a light to others in his workplace.
"This group keeps me in the Scripture, which can be great medicine in a tough world. Sharing similar challenges with other men helps when I feel down or discouraged in life. I have a long way to go as my faith will fade sometimes. Fellowshipping with other Christian men keeps me safe because I know God is present."
While it can be difficult to remain disciplined in attending the weekly meetings, that commitment pays off as the constant fellowship and attention to Scripture shows in how he is able to rely on God to handle changes and curve balls he faces in his daily life.
And what does the future hold for this group?
"Hopefully, it will continue to be a non-threatening and great way to bring people into God's fold with a flexible style that adapts to many people's daily challenges." |
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