Restricted

AUG 15 - AUG 21 2010  — RESTRICTED — ISSUE 167

Totally saw Expendables today. I'm not a fan of people talking about movies in case others haven't seen them, so I won't say anymore. However, if you'd like to know my thoughts on it, head over to Review N Chew Category.  You can also head over to Random Web-tacularness if you want to see some really funny Help Wanted signs and two genius commercials from Dodge. Then you can leave comments to prove you went there, and contact everyone you know about how great the posts were. Then you can wash my car, bake me some home-made cookies, and give me an iTunes gift card so I can spoil myself with new music by House Of Heroes. Or you could just ignore this part of the 'C and skip to the meat. I personally think you should at least consider my demands, but I suppose if you want to move ahead, then that's fine too.

We've talked before (well, I've written and you've read would be more accurate) about how Christianity should be joyous; that our souls should be a thing of happiness, not heavy. Jesus said His yolk is "easy" and His burden is "light." (Matt 11:30) And we know Jesus and God are one, and God cannot lie, so that would mean Christ can't either, and thus His words are true. Yet we all know our walk doesn't always seem easy or light. If anything, at times it feels like concrete blocks are shackled to our feet, holding us in place and inhibiting our every move. And it's those moments, and the reasons for those moments, that I feel like we sometimes don't always address in our lives.

There are times when Christianity can become a restrictive armor. It's great at protecting us but limiting our functionality, gracefulness, and depriving us from the joys that unrestricted movement can bring. If you remember David and his preparation for Goliath, he experienced this.

1 SAMUEL 17:38-40

When he wanted to do something for God, others around him gave their best advice and assistance because their hearts were to help him. Unfortunately, they inadvertently tried to make him fight the way they would do it, not allowing David the option of serving God in his own unique way. Ultimately we know that David took off Saul's armor and faced Goliath with the only thing he believed he really needed, God. He'd been successful before (not-to-mention how those ways make Bear Grylls look like Pee-wee Herman) and knew to return to the lessons God had already taught him.

Advice from spiritual people is an amazing asset to life, and remember that David did try Saul's way before concluding that it would be better to challenge Goliath his way. We too need to be humble to advice and to implement good advice into our lives before doing things our way and assuming the advice won't work. But also don't believe you have to always do everything exactly how others are advising. Sometimes God's already shown you how to approach certain challenges, and you need to trust in Him to grant you victory as He has in the past.

Likewise, when dispensing advice, we need to realize not everyone is the same and not everyone can have success using the same method. We need to be like Saul who did not seem to stop David, argue with him, or assume he would fail, even though David chose not to take his armor.

Don't let your faith be hampered because you're trying to fit into a mold that isn't designed for you. But never forget God is always reshaping us, and advice will often help get you there.

Brett "Advice is great, unless it's coming from Tom Noe" Hibbler