OnFire #111 Half-Miffed After Lawn M owing

Hi Folks:

The big news this week is about Mark's speed stacks competition last Friday. Teams competed in individual and team events to earn points toward an overall team finish. First prize was a Sony PS2 Slim plus Dance Revolution and two dance mats. This is an interactive video game where people move to instructions on the video screen, and worth a fair amount.

OK, enough drama. Who won? Mark's team won top place in the grade 4-6 division over 7 other teams. Mark put in 10.18 seconds for the cycle, a very good time. Mark and his team won the game for their school. The picture of the team is on the website, www.onfireletter.com.

Father's Day was Sunday. The youth band played in church. I got a wallet, canoeing book, and a t-shirt with the "I Am Canadian" rant. I took the boys for a little boat ride in the waves out in the harbour, and we barbequed lots of steak. A great day with my family.

Blessings for your week.

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I came in from mowing the lawn tonight about half miffed. A wheel fell off the lawn mower - again. So I'll have to fix it before I can finish mowing, and that won't be until Thursday. Then there was the pile of gear at the door, waiting to be taken in. How many people walked past it and left it for me to do? I went to the fridge to get a glass of cold water, and the jug was empty. Doesn't anyone care that I'm hot and tired? I even moaned to let everyone know I wasn't pleased, but no one answered.

I clicked out of this little episode when it occurred to me how much I had in common with the people Paul was writing to in Rome. I turned a few minor inconveniences into a self-centred, self-indulgent, pity party. For a few moments, I let the old selfish me rise up and make everything about me. I thought I was the most important person in this house.

This is what happened in the church at Rome. They all thought they were the most important people in the church. The preacher thought the message was the most important part of worship. Those who were serving thought their ministry of meeting needs ought to have priority. Those with money thought they ought to have special consideration, while others resented that people always turned to them in times of need. Leaders thought they deserved a place of honour, and some loved the appointment but not the work. Just like my little pity party was "me syndrome," so was the problem in the church at Rome.

RO 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment."

In the up-coming weeks we're going to talk about the spiritual gifts that prompted Paul to write as he did. For now, however, we're going to stop at this part. In effect, Paul says, "Grow up. Its not about you."

We look at examples like spiritual gifts, and maybe we think, "That's not me. I don't have that problem." But when we look at it this way, we all have a little bit of "me first" in us. At best, we have a little pity party. Poor ME - no one appreciates what I do. At worst, we rant and rave, storm and spit because WE didn't get OUR way. That's what led to the problems with the spiritual gifts.

When I realized what had happened, I adjusted my attitude, filled the water jug, and made "S'mores" for Jan and the boys.

I hope this helps. Be on fire.

Troy

ON FIRE is a weekly letter of encouragement by Troy Dennis. To be added to or removed from the ON FIRE list contact him at onfire@eastlink.ca . This letter published June 19, 2006.