Saturday, July 11, 2009

what kind of dirt?





I've been thinking about dirt a lot recently. What kind of dirt am I? My friends and my church - what kind of dirt are they?

Jesus told a story, a parable, to describe what happens when someone hears His message of God's Kingdom. He listed four types of responses - four types of dirt.

One kind is hard packed. Someone who hears about Jesus, never understands, and the enemy steals away the possibility of new life.

The second kind is thin. Someone hears about Jesus, gets into it - all excited. But some trouble hardship comes up because of Jesus, and they fall away. No Root Syndrome.

The third kind grows up with thorns and weeds. Someone who hears about Jesus, gets into it and starts to grow. The problem is that the weeds and thorns are growing alongside this person, and they are using up part of the critical air, water and minerals, choking the new plants growth, and this plant never bears fruit, it never matures and multiplies. Jesus said the thorns are the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth.

The forth kind of dirt is good, ready to support growth to maturity. Someone who hears about Jesus, gets it, is all excited, understands what has happened, and unhindered by competing threats, has room to grow roots, and takes off!

I want more good dirt - the kind that grows up and multiplies.

What kind of dirt are you?

What kind of dirt are you cultivating in your church?

UPDATE, later that same day...
One of my employees has been looking in distress this past week. She broke up with a boyfriend - there was obvious drama. I told her I was praying for her, because I was.

Today, three hours ago, I was at the laundry working, and after some conversation, I asked her if anyone has ever told her the Gospel of Jesus in a way she could understand it. She said no. I asked if she wanted me to tell her. She said yes...

An hour later, Tanya expressed to God her faith in the power of the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, and how she wanted to follow Him as Lord!

Tanya said she had no Christians that she was aware of in her world. So I started working my friends in her area to try to connect her to a healthy Bible-believing church, and some cool women in love with Jesus who could walk with her in her new life in Christ. I'm praying for that now.

Because I want Tanya to be that 4th kind of dirt. God wants that too!

Go Jesus! paul

Isaiah 40:26

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Coolest Things of the Day...

  • I am now the College-Age Minister at my church...Wow, do I need Jesus!