Overflow Series: Ryan Skoog on Courage

"What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love." Galatians 5:6 (The Message).

Taking a step of courage is well, a step of faith. In Galatians 5 Paul is writing about how as Christ followers we are under a new covenant (vs. "The Law"); one where circumcision has no bearing on one's spiritual connection w/ God. Faith applied in love is a new goal- not mere outward facades. Faith takes courage, and love is rooted in compassion...

Have you ever witnessed, or even just heard of some situation that absolutely broke your heart? Innocent children brainwashed into soldiers in Northern Uganda. Massive sex trade in the Phillipines. Unbelievably abusive parents in Minneapolis. When these things "wreck" you, it is the heart of God overflowing out of your own. What makes your heart melt with compassion? Your life will have meaning when you invest in the things that God has made you passionate about!

Give- time. money. thoughts.

Awareness- raise it for your cause... make T-shirts. write a blog. fundraise creatively.

Prayer- get on your knees and connect to Heaven about what needs to be done.

"When Courage meets Compassion, that's when the miracle happens."

Being bold ain't easy, but it sure isn't boring!

"I never wanted anything in this world that I couldn't stand losing" (Henry DeTamble, The Time Traveler's Wife)

How tight do your fingers grasp the possessions around you?

In the middle of Luke 12, Jesus points out that the location of our treasure is synonymous w/ where our hearts will be found. If you actually accounted for every dollar you spent (be real- do you actually balance a checkbook?), someone could look @ the list of all the ways you spend your $, and be able to tell what is most important to you.

Jesus challenges us to live for greater things than just mochas and movies (even though HO HO MOCHAS are officially in season @ your local Caribou, and UP was just released on DVD). What if we had the vision to see just how our acts of obedience could lead to change in the life of an orphan? That is your opportunity to be stretched. As you've learned from the Overflow series, God's heart is after caring for the orphan (read James 2:1-13), and that will be ONE's focus this year in One To Another. How will you invest? While the dolla dolla bills come to mind first, also consider giving of your time and the abilities you have (raising awareness through campaigning, being a voice for the invisible, etc- be creative!). What radical things are you committing to letting go of so that your delight will rest in the heart of God as you make the things that are important to Him important to you?

introducing:

Ever read a page in a book and upon finishing and being ready to flip to the next, you realize you had no idea what exactly it was you just read?

Far too often we sit back and let life pass by. You were called to be greater.

How many times do we walk away from a message w/ little more than temporary thoughts? What is the point of learning if there is no challenge; nothing to change (or continue)? This simple blog is a tool to help you remember...

ONEthoughtThursdays will feature a new post every Thursday, connected to a thought from the previous night's "ONE" (River Valley Church's youth ministry located in Apple Valley, MN). Keeping ideas fresh will make them last and prayerfully further application!