Where Are You Standing? // relationSHIFT // Ryan Kramer

In 1991, McDonald's launched the "McLean"—a healthy burger that people said they wanted, but no one actually bought. This phenomenon, known by psychologists as the "intention-action gap," doesn't just apply to fast food; it is the primary reason many Christians feel distant from God. In this opening message of the relationSHIFT series, Ryan Kramer explores James Chapter 4 to diagnose the root cause of spiritual drift. Using the powerful imagery of a campfire, he explains that God never moves away from us; we simply step back until the cold makes us numb. If you are tired of a casual faith and ready to reignite your relationship with God, this message offers the practical path back to the heat of His presence. -- The "Intention-Action Gap" explains why we often fail to do what we know is good for us, creating a disconnect between our beliefs and our daily lives. -- James Chapter 4 serves as a wake-up call to believers who have developed a casual faith, highlighting how unchecked desires create conflict and distance from God. -- Spiritual drift is rarely caused by a sudden rejection of God; instead, it is a slow accumulation of small steps away from Him caused by the busyness of life. -- God is like a fire: He does not change or move. Our experience of His warmth is entirely dependent on our proximity to Him. -- "Paradoxical heat sensation" is a physical condition where freezing to death feels like burning up; similarly, spiritual drift eventually numbs us to the reality of our distance from God. -- The solution to a cold spiritual life isn't a massive overhaul, but a single intentional step back toward the fire. Scriptures for Further Study -- James 4:1-10 +++++++ Join us for church this Sunday. For service times and meeting location please visit https://transformtlh.com/