The Phil Files

I love the following Scripture graphic for Perseverance. The Scripture is from Romans 5:3-4 and the image is right out of a rock climber’s dream. You can download larger versions of this image free:

Keep Reaching Higher

Free download of 1024 x 768 versions of this image from Heartlight.org

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Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4 tniv)

Sometimes images say it better for me than trying to explain things. The biblical truth is powerful and with the image, I hope it is inspirational for you.

Church folks and Christians in general have the reputation of being mostly talk and not much action. In fact, Jesus’ three primary criticisms of the religious leaders of His day in Matthew 23:1-4 are the ones most folks make of church folks:

1. They don’t practice what they preach.
2. They burden people down with guilt and rules.
3. They don’t do anything to lift burdens off of people.

Now we can have serious issues with those perceptions, but we can’t escape that they are out there in a growing number of people. But while we can’t control what folks think about us, we can control who we are!

So in my Heartlight.org article this week, “Putting My Life Where My Mouth Is,” I challenge each of us to put our faith into action. I especially love the way James puts it: “I will show you my faith by what I do” (James 2:18b).

There are all sorts of ways to serve folks in the name of Jesus. The key is for us to get out there and start doing it. But here are some questions for you to consider and I’d love to get your insight into them.

Why do you think that most non-believers see church goers as hypocrites who lay burdens and guilt trips on people and don’t do much to help those around them who are broken?

Do you think this is a fair assessment?

What can you do to change people’s attitude about Jesus’ followers today?

What is one specific thing your church or small group or group of friends do to help serve the broken in your community?

What is one specific thing you could start doing to help serve those with whom you work, go to school, or meet in daily life?

What are things that Christ followers you know are doing today to serve the community around them? (This is to help share ideas with other believers of things we can do to help today!)

Here’s the precious video we used recently to emphasize 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TNIV).

Check the following videos for more blessings and a touch of humor:

Stethoscope — Christ in You the Hope of Glory (3 million views on YouTube)

Groups — What Makes up a Group?

Super First Impressions Lady – How do we welcome guests?

Super First Impressions Lady II — Somebody Needs Me!

These are done by my teammates I call Corbett and Company — Stephen Corbett and his video team at Sotuhern Hills Church of Christ..

Okay, so my last several blogs have been focused on community and some of them have been a bit tough. So I promise to give you some funny and sweet things this week on the video front.

My only regret on the following video is that I didn’t send it out a week ago to all my buds to warn them of the dangers of blowing up Valentine’s week. Thanks to Jonathan Ross for this classic music video of warning for the guys among us. It’s called “The Don’t Song.”

So what’s your reaction to the song?

If you do not see the video on this page, then take a peak at the WorshipHouseMedia.com website!

In my Heartlight.org post today, Comfort in the Season of Mourning, I shared thoughts on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). 

How have you experienced this principle, “we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” in your life?

Were you on the receiving or sharing end of this comfort giving?

How did this bless your life?

Why do we feel that we must defend God when people who have suffered great loss?
In the book of Job, when Job’s life crashes in, sever “comforters” join him in the dust and sit in silence to share his grief. Then, after 7 days of mourning with him in silence, they open their mouths and their comfort turns into an unintended attack on Job because they feel like they have to explain why all this happened to Job.

Why do you think so many people say simplistic and unintended hurtful things to those in grief?

Why do we feel that we must defend God when people who have suffered great loss?

How is sitting and sharing people’s grief in silence better than opening our mouths?

What should we say to comfort people in their grief?

Why do we wait to DO something to help those in grief when we could go buy them groceries, wash their car, mow their lawn, baby sit their children?

If you have suffered deep loss, how did God comfort you and how did He use other people to bless you?

This goes in the file of “I wish I had known about this sooner, it’s cool.”

I was getting ready to share about Bluetree’s new CD coming out on March 1 — “God of this City” with a new verse and some cool other tracks are on it. But then I got this from my friend Rob, who has a real heart for touching the searching:

Phil and all,

Today, the day before Valentines Day, has been chosen as a day for everyone to wear their shirts with the slogan “To Write Love on Her Arms”.  The organization website is at this URL:
http://www.twloha.com/page.php?id=6

My daughter Astrid became interested in this web site after finding it referenced in blogs on an art website.  It is basically an organization targeting teenagers and young adults who feel alienated and unloved, to emphasize their personal worth, and that no one is beyond love or redemption.  Be sure and read the vision statement.  It is very simple: “The vision is that we actually believe these things …” Some of the testimonials on YouTube are pretty moving and very authentic. Astrid bought her shirt from “Hot Topic” at the mall.

The day before Valentines Day was chosen because it is a day when the unloved feel it acutely.  ”To Write Love on Her Arms” is trying to make sure those people know that they, too, as valuable and loved.  The name comes from the practice of self mutilation that depressed people sometimes practice.  The idea is that instead of mutilation, one should write “love” instead (an oblique reference to Isiah 49:16).

Astrid knows a lot of kids who need this kind of encouragement. She dug her TWLOHA shirt out of the dirty clothes hamper.  She then had me smell it (after all, what are Dad’s for, really?).  After I passed it for stinkiness, Astrid wore it to school to advertise to others, that they are not alone.

So who is your valentine going to be? … who needs to hear from you they are important?

TWLOHA!