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July 6, 2008
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Ruts, by Mike Barres
We have a new house and a new driveway. Our driveway is steep and it's
made of gravel. We have been in the house for 8 months now. About two
months ago, I noticed ruts forming in our driveway. For awhile, I
noticed the ruts -- ironically, I did this every time I drove in them.
Finally, I started driving beside the ruts to wear out the driveway a
little more evenly. Every once and a while, when I don't think, guess
what happens? I drive in the ruts! It is so easy to do the same old
thing that I'm accustomed to doing without thinking about it.
Sometimes, we get into ruts with our lives. We do the same old things
over and over. We become creatures of habit. Breaking out of our
routines can be fun and refreshing. So why not try something new for a
change. Go out to eat at a different place. Do something different for
recreation. Go to a different place on vacation.
Watch out for those ruts!
We can get in to a rut in our churches too if we aren't careful. The
Bible talks about doing "new things" (Isaiah 43:19) and singing "new
songs" (Psalm 149:1). A few weeks ago, I felt like the Lord was leading
me to do something I'd never done before in one of our services. Right
in the middle of the service, I asked for volunteers to go out
visiting. We had 8 volunteers that went out and brought back great
reports of their visits. I have heard of other churches doing things
that they "had never done before." Be open to God's leading in your
church. He may give you some fresh new ideas that open up whole new
opportunities for ministry.
Our personal walk with the Lord can get in to a rut, too. The Lord is
so wonderfully creative. Pray and see if He might be showing you
something new to do, for Him or with Him. Pray in a different place or
in a different way. Read a new Christian book. Start a Bible study with
a friend or family member. The Lord may show you a new ministry, so try
different opportunities that the Lord makes available to you.
And ... watch out for those ruts! We have a tendency to just do the
same things over and over. That's fine if the Lord is leading us that
way. However, pray, watch and listen, in case He wants to show you
something "new." God's steadfast love is providing us new mercies, and
new opportunities, every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
---------
(c) 2008 Mike Barres <mbarres@dnet.net>.
RELATED LINKS:
* Dealing with the Ruts
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200606/20060611_ruts.html
* Keeping Prayer Fresh and Alive
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200110/20011003_prayer05.html
* Singles in a Rut
http://www.heartlight.org/single/sna_980923_rut.html
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200807/20080706_ruts.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
WOW WORSHIP 2006, by Various Artists
Fly away on the wings of the year's best worship songs! Two CDs.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?257
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each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
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