Saturday Morning Scriptures and Stuff ... "Better Days"

If you follow me on twitter, you may be wondering about my posts this week with the hashmark #BetterDaysChallenge.  Last week our pastor, Pete Wilson at Crosspoint Community Church, gave a very inspiring and informative sermon that stuck with me all week.  Pete started with these 4 True or False questions. 

1. Extreme poverty is worse than it's been in recent history.  T or F
2. The average American is less healthy now than any other time in history.  T or F
3. There are more deadly natural disasters these days than any other time since weather records have been kept.   T or F
4. Crime rates have risen over the last 30 years.  T or F

I'll bet most of us would answer "True" to all of those questions, however, as Pete pointed out, every one of them is a big "False".

Why is it that our perception of what's happening in the world today seems to be much different that what is really happening in the world today?    

So much of how we feel about our world and even our personal situation is related to our attitudes and what we believe to be truths.  We are constantly fed the message that "Life is Bad.. and it's getting worse".    We are fed that by the media, blogs, friends, and even some of our churches.  All of these are trusted sources, right?  So why would we NOT believe what they are telling us?  No one would tell us lies on purpose, right?   Well.. maybe. 

If you have time, you should watch or listen to this sermon because I think it's really eye-opening.  You can go to the main Crosspoint website here... then you will see the "Audio-Video" button on the bottom left corner.  That will lead you to a link to download the sermon.  You can easily watch or listen in I-Tunes.  

Back to my #BetterDaysChallenge hashmark..... Pete ended the sermon with a challenge for us all.  Try to find 3 things that you can list each day that you are grateful for.   Some days it's easier for me than others.  Some days I have big things to be grateful for, and some days only a little thing like "pizza delivery" is all I can squeak out.   I want to encourage you to try the "Better Days Challenge" with me.  Try it for one week.  Don't go to bed without sitting down and listing 3 things you are thankful for.  It sure helps ME keep things in perspective. 

Gratitude not only leads to more happiness... it leads to hope.  When has pessimism ever changed anything?   When has cynicism ever breathed new life into a hopeless situation? 

I Peter 1:13 - "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming."

There are 3 more weeks of the "Better Days" series at Crosspoint.  All the campus sites and times of services are on the website.  If you are feeling down about what's going on in the world these days.  If you are having trouble finding hope.  If you are struggling with believing that there ARE better days ahead... please join us this Sunday at Crosspoint.   I think you will leave with a smile on your face!

Have a great week friends! --- M