Marks of a True Christian

My study Bible has this heading (Marks of a True Christian) over these verses from Romans chapter 12. I find this incredibly convicting. How often I do not love as I ought how often I do not pray constantly or am impatient in trials. How often I do not bless those who curse me or I think myself wise or fail to do all I can to live in peace with everyone. May God forgive me and conform me more and more each day. May I never take the "least of these" things lightly, for they are all equally abhorent to the glory of the living God.

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Stretching a dollar

I read a few minutes ago about a First Baptist Church that is planning to spend $130 million dollars on a really fancy building renovation. The pictures look great. The building will have green space and nifty fountains and glass breezeways. I'm not claiming to know how a church should spend its money. I don't know all the statistics, but what I do know is that the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has missionaries trained and wanting to go serve internationally, but there is insufficient funding. I know that there are communities all over the United States who need to hear the truth of the Gospel, but there isn't money to fund these either. A missionary is paid around $40,000 a year. $130 million is funding for 3,250 missionaries for one year. I heard about this area in South Asia where there have been bad flooding and a food shortage. The Christians there are a small minority. In this area, everyone only takes care of those who share their religious views and because the Christian community is so small, they don't have many people to help them. A missionary there watched a Christian woman hold her son as he died from starvation in her arms because they would not recant their belief in Christ, so their neighbors wouldn't help them. This happened this month. I can only imagine how much food $130 million could buy in parts of the world that are desperate for help.

I'm no expert; I just wonder if there are other places to invest this money...

Twix

I buy groceries on Sunday because I like routine. The seasonal section that last Saturday was packed with Halloween candy today was filled with Christmas candy and decorations. We seem to have missed Thanksgiving somehow. I was hoping to buy a piece of candy today because, well, I just wanted some chocolate, but it is too early for peanut butter Christmas trees. As delicious as they are, they shouldn't be eaten before Thanksgiving. So, after perusing the selection, I went with my sentimental favorite- the Twix bar. When I was little, my grandfather kept mini Twix bars at their house in their bedroom. Whenever I visited, he would give me one. Whenever I eat a Twix, I think of him. I don't eat Twix bars a lot, it seems a little strange to get teary eyed eating a candy bar. They're both with the Lord now (that's their picture below). What about you? What smell, sound or taste brings up some special sentimental memory?