Christianity: Is it your life or just a part of your life?

I know it has been a while since my last entry, but as I'm sure you know (if you know me personally or you read my wife's blog) I have been out of town. But I'm back now, and I wanted to share what God is doing in my life a little bit... maybe to encourage you... maybe to get you thinking... or simply to share what's going on in my heart and mind.

Something that I know (and have known) in my mind for a long time, but need to be reminded of for practical reasons... is that the Christian faith... My Faith... should not be just a part of my life, but in reality IS my life. As a Christian, I am a Christian no matter what... regardless of where I am or who I'm with. I guess I have been thinking about this lately because I have begun to question how I spend my "off" time. For example, what do I do when I go home after dinner, 0r what do I do on my day off, or what is my mind-set when I'm out on a date with my wife.

Now, before you get terribly worried that Pastor Travis is leading a double life and doing horrible things in my free time, I'm not. But in all honesty, there are times when I believe there is too much separation from my ministry or "my job" and the rest of my life. For example, when I go on a date with my wife... am I just as intentional about trying to share my faith and having a witnessing encounter with the waitress in the same way as I would be if I was out to lunch with church member or co-worker? Or when I'm at home after dinner and my kids are in bed, why am I choosing to relax by watching some meaningless, pointless movie that is doing absolutely nothing for me spiritually... as opposed to watching a movie with a Christian message that will encourage me or even sitting down with a great Christian book that will feed my spirit while I relax? How did great men of God in times past relax and unwind, before all the technical luxuries we have today like Direct TV? How did they spend their evenings?

Something I believe that the Lord is reminding me of again is, that it is WAY too easy for anyone in a vocational ministry like myself... to separate my ministry from the rest of my life. I can put in 50 hours of "work" (aka ministry) in a week no problem... and then do absolutely nothing spiritually uplifting for myself or in service for someone else and still think pretty good about myself. "Wow... I put in 50 hours this week... I've spent 20-25 hours in the Word of God, I've spent 7 hours or more prayer... wow, look at me." But wait a minute...what about those other hours... what about all that other time? Why am I compartmentalizing my life? My Faith is all of my life... Jesus Christ is my Total life... not just the 40-50 hours part for which I'm being financially supported for by my church. Why am I not reading my Bible on "my" time? My church members can't read their Bible while they're "working." Why can't I spend time in prayer or in silence before the Lord on "my" time? My church members can't spend time in prayer or in silent meditation if they're busy at their jobs (unless of course, they have a special job). This is something that the Lord is dealing with me about right now.

But what about any of you who are Christians, but are not full time/vocational ministers? Are you compartmentalizng your life? Do you give Jesus Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights and thats it? Or if you're really spiritual, Sunday mornings AND Sunday evenings + Wednesday nights... but that's all? What about in your "down" time? What about when you're relaxing in your easy chair? Are you meditating on God, or listening for Him? Or are you just vegging out in front of that one-eyed monster like every other person? Do you have any form of ministry to others outside of the appointed "church" times of Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday nights? Is Jesus really your life or just a part of your life? Just something to think about.

2008 - A New Year - Another Resolution, or Just a Repeat.

Well, it's 2008... another year has come and gone. Wow, time is really flying. Sometimes it really boggles my mind how fast time is moving. I hope I can quickly get to writing "2008." Something kind of funny about that happened to me about 4 months ago. I can't remember what I was signing or where, but when I wrote the date I wrote "2004." Why? I have no idea... all I could do was laugh about it.

So, it's that time of year again... time for new year's resolutions. My new year's resolution isn't really a new one... just a revived one from the past. I need to eat better! No, seriously... I really do. In the past 3 months, I have really let myself go without restraint. In fact, in the last 4 months, since Andrea and I have moved here, I have gained like 6 lbs. Of course, it doesn't help very much when you have a church full of so many good cooks like we do!

But what has really been getting me is a resurgence of fast food, late night snacking, and drinks (like Mt.Dew, Coke, Pepsi, etc.) Back during the summer, I had cut out all 3 of those things except for Sundays, when I allowed myself one free day to eat what I wanted. But the rest of the time, I was incredibly disciplined... and in 3 months time, I had lost like 10 lbs! I really did feel great.

But recently, I've really let myself go... eating burgers and fries 2-3 times a week, snacking on chips, chocolate, peanut butter, and really anything at like 9 or 10 pm at night. And I have virtually stopped drinking water, concerning which I was drinking a gallon per day back in July.

So, there it is... my revived New Year's resolution. I don't look forward to the battle, but I know I really need to do it! Pray for me! :) ... No seriously... pray for me!