Quote from A.W. Tozer

I have two books from the pen of A.W. Tozer in my library, way down on the bottom shelf with all the heady, high minded stuff (I borrowed those words, "heady," and "high minded" from the King James Version of the Bible; just so you know, we're not supposed to be that way).

Powerful stuff. In one of them is a quote I can't find, but it's been used again and again until its uselfulness has just about run out, but it says a lot if you stop to think about it.

"Refuse To Be Average."

My inspiration to write about this state of being came from my good friend Mat, who sent me a blog that he wrote about Misconceptions. I find that the people who act, talk, and behave in a certain way are much too predictable and represent what I call "average" Christian people. Nothing wrong with being average, but it seems that people who are average tend to be predictable and banal. We need to start thinking outside the hymnal and church bulletin. For those innundated with commercial media, this is the same concept as thinking outside the bun.

I want to step out of the frame of averages and be unexceptional.

I want my attitudes and actions to reflect what Christ would do, not what the average (there's that word again) believer does. That means being open and honest with Christ follower friends, being genuine, loving, compassionate, and grace motivated with people who don't believe, loving them not for whether they agree with me on everything or not, just letting them be who they are, yet trying to bring Christ into their existence to make Him part of their daily reality and walk. I've a lot of work to do to make that happen.

I think I'll start with myself. . . .



Blessings to the following un-average people:

Our Pastors, John and Jim, who love with compassion beyond the necessity of job description

Steve, studying in Germany, who has taught me a lot about grace and challenging accepted notions; he's faithfully emailed me for the last three and a half years from wherever he's been in school. We occupy the same place at the same sandwich place here in town and usually order the same thing each time. Only the topics of conversation change. He's the guy most unlikely to love Harley's, but he does.

Mat - we've done some rail fanning in Indiana and caught a circus train highballing through Napanee. I was able to get some awesome photos from a camera I had never used before. Although his life has not been easy at times, his faith has remainded steadfast.

My wife - she constantly reminds me that if it were not for grace, I would be in as much trouble as the people I tend to get on a soap box about.

Kevin, our son - he tends to be like me in many ways (is that scary or what??) but he's a best friend. We share with each other, he offers a new and interesting perspective and is way out of the "average" box. God's got His hand on him, and there's no telling where he'll be blessing the next person through his gift of grace and musical ability.

Melissa, our daughter - mother of the best and the cutest granddaughter anyone could have. Melissa is like the rest of us, moving more and more toward Christ. She inspires me with her determination.

Van, our son-in-law - why did he ever sell that beautiful Buick Grand Natiional??