March 12, 2009

The fact that I am technologically challenged has been well documented among my friends. This is my first attempt at blogging. I am not sure what it is but here it is. Thank you for taking the time to read it.

As a part of my daily ritual I browse several news outlet web pages. The last couple of days, two things have caught my attention. First, a recent study has revealed that more and more people are claiming they do not have any religious affiliation. For those that do, less designate Christian as their religion of choice. Second, another study has revealed that every human being has at least three “god spots” on their brain. A “god spot” is a part of the brain linked to religious beliefs and thoughts.

These two findings seem to contradict one another. They raise the question, “If our minds are geared for religious thought, why are more and more people claiming to have none?” Those in the church tend to blame this decrease on various societal problems. We place the blame at the feet of Hollywood, media coverage, public education, etc. While all of these things are contributing factors, we would do well to look closer home and ask ourselves what part we play in the decline.

The first paragraph of the reflection, “Limitations or Possibilities”, found in my book, 101 Reflections, may have the key to our responsibility for what appears to be a losing battle.

During Sunday school, a little girl was naming the books of the Old Testament. When she came to the prophets, she named Isaiah, Jeremiah, Limitations, Ezekiel and Daniel. Of course, she meant Lamentations, but she may not have been as wrong as she sounded. While it may not be recorded in the Bible, a “Book of Limitations” is firmly entrenched in the thinking of some people. It may not be in writing but it is demonstrated everyday in their actions. This book limits the person of God by reducing God down to the friend next door.

The problem with the “Book of Limitations” is it destroys the ability for people to envision big things. It makes them content to rely on what they can do, rather on what God can do. If the church in America is to rise to the occasion and overcome the obstacles to reaching the people of our great land, it must throw away the “Book of Limitations” and once again expect God to do great things.

We must once again embrace the God of Jeremiah: “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You” (Jeremiah 32:17 NASB). We must believe in God as Paul did: “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NASB). When we accept our inabilities, God will replace them with His possibilities and we will see Him do marvelous things in our midst.

The purpose of Entrusted Ministries is to assist local churches of all sizes to put away the “Book of Limitations” that hinder them from being all that God wishes them to be and to live in God’s Word, opening a world filled with possibilities.

Until next time, may God place ideas in your mind that only He can bring to pass.

In Christian Love,

Dennis Lynn
www.entrustedministries.org

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