So it was cold when I went to bed. It was cold when I got up. It is cold in my office.

Snow and ice have been following me since my December trip to pick up a bus for missions in Muskegan, MI. It snowed 6 inches that day and the snow reached as far south as Nashville. We drove for 10 hours in ice and snow.

Then a week or two after we were home it snowed in Atlanta. Next while visiting my daughter in Nashville, it snowed 5 inches in one day for a fun trip home. A week or so later, I left for Monterrey Mexico for 10 days of missions.  Warmth! No - it was 34 degrees except for two afternoons. Now there is snow outside my Atlanta window again.

El Nino is dead and La Suegra (don't take it seriously mom!) has taken his place. Global warming is out and global cooling is in. 

It reminds me of the disappearing rain forests. "Thousands of acres a day!" cried Hollywood fundraisers.  20 years later there are still plenty of rain forests. There is always a conspiracy and always a cause but rarely are they checked out thoroughly before the public buys in?

What's the latest Christian craze that we are excited about? What is the latest cause? We need to make sure that we check them against Truth. If not, we might find ourselves to be Al Gore: explaining why his book on global warming is covered in snow in 49 United States.

What does the Bible say about these crazes?

It's a Tuesday morning. I am drinking a cup of two day roasted Brazilian coffee, listening to Joel Brooks (an excellent leader that I had the privilege of leading as a teen), looking out my wall of windows as it snows (again) in Atlanta.

A staff meeting is coming up. I am listing items of discussion hoping that management will be lesser than spiritual leadership.

I was thinking of how one of the last of our great critics' world is falling apart and how tempted I am to think that finally sin is being revealed as I correct my behavior and pray for them. 

Every decision counts - for me. I have a great life but it is a life where my heart is true but still wrestles at times with the "flesh." It is a day where I wrestle even more with 1 John and James as their direct words echo in my heart setting a standard that is so higher than the modern church. The words of these books and 1 Peter were the first words I read as a believer and those words left me, and leave me today, no option but holiness. If not holiness, then not Christ. I gave my word.

Another sip of coffee. Devotions are done. Joel is still preaching about caring for people in the world and for believers. My mind shifts between finding a way to ensure the longevity of WordBloom, planning to help reach 10,000 Mexican teens, and the exciting start of a new church in 2 years and 10 months.

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but {rather} in speech, conduct, love, faith {and} purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:12 

Found this Scripture at a site called Rebelution.com (a site championing excellence in young believers). It supports - so well - the incredible message that God continues to press into my heart.

There is no margin for us as we are walking before a fallen world and other believers. Our faith, our claim to transformation, and our statement of love demand that we show ourselves as an example not only to the lost but to those who believe.

Recently, a group of young people that I know and love headed out for some fun. Without intending to violate the law, set a bad example or create a negative name for their church, youth group or God, these young people didn't think well and did all three.

Did the high schoolers think about the effect on the middle schooler? Did they think about the effect on the families whose property was violated? Nope. They, like so many of us before them, didn't think. I hate that for them because I know that they, like so many of us before them, now have regrets.

All of us need to be conscious of how our lives affect, influence and impact the other believers around us.  We need to remember that we can set a high, attainable standard for those we love.  We can also find ourselves in a better place to serve God with a great reputation built upon great choices. 

What does the Bible say about being an example - find out here?

Everyone else is sleeping, so I snuck downstairs for coffee. The Hyatt Place lobby is warm as I look out at the snow.  Going to Nashville for the latter part of the week has found us a bit stranded in 5 inches of snow and freeze but stranded kills my soul and gives me time to read.  I was reading Cassian, a great follower of Christ, and found an old friend of a quote:

If we want to set our live right and find peace, it is not tolerant attitude for others that will do it for us. It will come about, rather, by our learning to show compassion to them.

This is the almost constant reminder I give to the younger and newer leaders around me. This would be the one lesson I wish that I had learned younger.

It seems easier to ignore than to forgive but ignorance never brings peace.  It seems easier to tolerate than to show compassion but tolerance will sadden you when you realize that you are not love people even as God.

Tolerance isn't even of God. Think of it. Does God tolerate sin or challenge it? Does God want us to rescue our brothers and sisters from wrong or tolerantly leave them there? How can we be at peace if we have not done everything to help one who is wrong?

Compassion doesn't mean saying, "It is okay. It will get better. I understand." Compassion is getting actively involved when it is inconvenient. Compassion challenges, sweats, loves, speaks, and even rebukes. Compassion prays, hopes, and teaches. Compassion recognizes the state of another's soul in light of the state of their own and offers help instead of condemnation. Compassion, whether in challenge or support, always has the goal of reconciling man to God.

Tolerance can never lead to peace because it leaves matters unsettled. The righteous act of compassion settles matters for the one who gives compassion.

For those of you who haven't heard yet, my life was recently revolutionized by Dippin Dots.  That's right a simple, super cold snack that we found out comes in sugar-free flavors.  I brought this up Sunday by way of an illustration where becoming aware of and responding to God was like my first Dippin Dots experience.

The question was, "If it was so great, why wouldn't you keep going back?  Do we forget? Do we get bored?"  In regard to God there are never ending flavors so if I am constantly trying the new things that God puts in my path, I shouldn't find myself bored.  I think most Christians just forget how awesome God is.

All of this was tied to Exodus 13:3 where the Jews after being delivered want to go back to Egypt into slavery. Why would anyone want to walk away from God and go back to slave labor and mistreatment?  Why, I ask, would anyone not want Dippin Dots once they have tried them? (You will have to listen to the whole message to hear about how the Dippin Dots Superstore in Nashville is like heaven)

Anyway, this simple, Sunday illustration about a simple, super cold snack's impact on my life has unleashed a furry of emails, calls and invitations.  IPeople ran up after our worship service to tell me they love Dippin Dots. In the foyer, group after group happily joined me in Dippin Dots glory. A friend, Linda, joins the Dippin Dots fan club and sends me an invitation while Dan writes the following:

I enjoyed your illustration today, and I thought I'd pass along a suggestion (if you haven't thought of it already).  If you want to store a stash of D2's, I'd try a small cooler packed with dry ice.  I know you can get the dry ice at some Publix stores, and Baskin Robbins used to sell it if you asked.  I think the temperature of dry ice is about -70 C, while the Dots only need to be stored at about -30 C.  I think the dry ice would last for at least a couple of days if you use a reasonable amount of it and keep a tight seal on the cooler.

Then there are the three invitations that I now have to join other people for a Dippin Dots trip.  Who would have ever thought that a personal testimony about Dippin Dots would rally so many Dippin Dots lovers?  Who would have thought that a simple claim of the greatness of Dippin Dots would have people asking me to take them next time?

I wonder what would happen if we told them about Christ.  I wonder what a positive, laughing, joyous, "he changed my life" message could do?  How many people would rally?  How many people would ask to go next time?