Sometimes God gives us a job to do that might be kind of similar to some of those jobs – the hard or dirty jobs that not many people are willing to tackle.

If God called us to serve in dirty places, or serve dirty people, where there isn’t much glamor or notoriety – would we serve humbly and joyfully there, if we even served at all?  I think most of us would say that we would, myself included.  But sometimes I wonder if I’d be able to serve in an uncomfortable, dirty job with joy and humility.  I might be apt to complain a bit, or be disappointed that I wasn’t involved in something, well, less dirty.

Being a servant basically comes down to the greatest commandment – love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor.  We’ve all heard this many, many times.     It sounds so simple, but that whole loving your neighbor part – you know, loving even that impatient guy in the car behind you at the light who is laying on his horn, cursing aloud about you turning left (because he’s so passionate about it you can read his lips), or that kid at school who keeps talking smack about you, or that fellow member of the church committee we serve on that we have a major disagreement with – that can be difficult.

However, if our service to others is about serving God, and loving Him – and not about our need for some sort of notoriety, our need for people to think well of us, our need to be right, or our need to be comfortable – in other words, if we have the proper perspective – then loving our neighbor and serving our neighbor humbly and joyfully becomes easier.

Paul writes about love in Romans chapter 12, verses 9 through 14, and I believe that the principles he speaks of in this passage of scripture also apply when we are in service to others.  It says:

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.

Oswald Chambers wrote in the devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest, “The power of the saint lies in the coming down and the living that is done in the valley.  Paul said ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) and what he was referring to were mostly humiliating things.”

Brothers and sisters, Jesus didn’t promise us glamor or notoriety for being one of His servants.  May we – may I – remember that even though I may be placed into serving others by doing one of those unwanted dirty jobs, that it is an honor and a privilege to do that job.  May I humbly go where I am called to serve, and may I do so with joy and a loving heart.  Amen.

1.  Get On
2.  Have Mercy
3.  Took My Place
4.  Otherside
5.  Tunnel
6.  40 Days
7.  Rockstar
8.  Shake
9.  Caught Up in Yourself
10. Peace

Do you work out with Third Day’s music?  If so, what are your favorites to exercise to?

Did I really express an opinion in such a way that warranted a snarky response?

I can’t be a part of an activity, and not be subjected to the ever-so-judgmental, “Why would you want to do that?!? That’s boring!” from certain individuals?

World, I am so very, very sorry that it has taken me so many of my 27 years to realize that I don’t care anymore what you think about me.  Despite the crap that I’ve tried so hard to avoid by being “the quiet one”, I have something to say, and it’s going to be said.  Why is that so offensive to you?

I cannot please you, world.  Nor do I want to.

The Third Day I know and love is back on Revelation…and then some.

Tracks like Otherside, This is Who I Am, Ready and I Will Always Be True throw back to that Southern rock sound that sets them apart from the majority of other bands out there.  Slowdown, which features background vocals from Chris Daughtry, is a song that would fit right in on mainstream rock radio.  Run to You and Born Again features guest vocals from Lacey Mosley, lead singer for the band Flyleaf, and are very good songs as well.

Every song on the disc is solid, and the mixing and sound is, unlike a lot of Christian CDs in the past, on par with anything out there in the mainstream.  This is definitely a rock album, and it has the big sound that a rock album deserves.

If you haven’t picked up this CD, I would definitely recommend it.

More on Third Day’s Revelation:

Revealing a New Chapter - Christian Music Today
Third Day: Bold Revelation - CCM Magazine
Third Day’s ‘Revelation’ comes at right time - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Revelation Sneak Peek (EPK) - PMG/SONY/BMG Channel on YouTube

1. I can juggle. Really.
2. I own a Volkswagen Beetle.
3. Matthew West is one of my favorite songwriters.
4. I am a weirdo and don’t have one favorite color…but there are a lot of colors that I love.  Except seafoam green.  That color should be outlawed!
5. Favorite Bible verse:  John 16:33 (look it up.)
6. I sing.  I’m no diva vocalist by any means, but I get complemented so I guess the singing isn’t hideous.
7. I write poetry. (Look under the ‘Poetry’ tag over there —> to read some of it.  Facebook friends, click here.)
8. I like playing with my camera and taking pictures.
9. I was born in Landstuhl, Germany
10. I like to cook.  Sometimes I get creative, and experiment with recipes a bit, or just throw some things together to make whatever.  I completely suck at baking though…I always burn something.
11. I enjoy painting.
12. dark chocolate > milk chocolate
13. I like road trips.

Now it’s your turn — post thirteen random facts about yourself.

“We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers - but never blame yourself. It’s never your fault. But it’s always your fault, because if you wanted to change you’re the one who has got to change.”

“My greatest strength is common sense. I’m really a standard brand - like Campbell’s tomato soup or Baker’s chocolate.”

“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything.”

“Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don’t do that by sitting around.”

“Life is hard. After all, it kills you.”

“It’s a rather rude gesture, but at least it’s clear what you mean.”

“It would be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wisecrack.”

“I think most of the people involved in any art always secretly wonder whether they are really there because they’re good or there because they’re lucky.”

“I never realized until lately that women were supposed to be the inferior sex.”

“I can remember walking as a child. It was not customary to say you were fatigued. It was customary to complete the goal of the expedition.”

“Enemies are so stimulating.”

But how often do we look at ourselves and say that?  How many times do we act thoughtlessly and unwisely?  How many times do we squander opportunities to do good?

Ephesians 5 verses 15 through 17 says, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

I can think of times in my own life when I have chosen to participate in gossip, when in hindsight I probably could have stopped it altogether.  I can think of instances when I have had the means to help someone in need and thoughtlessly have chosen not to.  I can think of a lot of times, recently even, where, instead of listening the what God would have me to do, I’ve foolishly done what I want to do, and rightfully suffered the consequences of doing those things.

Why do I act this way?  My standards should be higher!  I should be living a thoughtful, Godly life.

I am a fallen, broken human being, and as much as I would like to be, I’m never going to be perfect on my own merit.

Father God, thank you for Your grace.  Thank you for the unending forgiveness when I fall short of the standards You have asked me to live up to.  Help me to be thoughtful, to do good, and to listen to what you would want me to do.

He was pierced for our transgressions

crushed for our sins

the punishment that brought us peace

was upon Him

and by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice

by the life that You gave

we are healed for You paid the price

by Your grace we are saved

we are saved

By His Wounds from the Glory Revealed project

First off, I am not a fan of the black eyed peas. (The food, not the band…but then again, the band sucks too…) I don’t eat them on New Year’s Day, even though certain family members try their hardest to harass me into doing it…saying things such as, “You’ll have bad luck!” You say that every year. Has it changed my mind yet? Just saying…

The second thing is tartar sauce. It makes me nauseous. Seriously.

Third…mushy, boiled oatmeal. You know, the breakfast kind that lowers your cholesterol, with the Quaker dude on the box. Oatmeal cookies, however…nom nom nom nom!

Next, lima beans. I will by the more expensive frozen mixed veggies just because they don’t have them.

I’m not a huge fan of okra either…I can eat it in gumbo, but any other way, and the sliminess of it puts me off.

I’m also not a big fan of fish, with the exception of salmon and tuna.

Other than that, I’ll eat most anything. I’ll at least try it once.

How ’bout you??

Question via Question of the Day.