John 15: 9 – 17
There are friends, and then there are friends.
Some friends you might meet for a cup of coffee, or when you meet them in a store, you'll talk together for awhile.
Then there are the friends that you will have forever. The ones that we have that we will drop everything to help them when they call.
I've heard it said that if you have one friend like that in your life, you are truly blessed.
I guess that means that if you have more than one of these friends, Boy Howdy, you've got some blessings going on there.
Hopefully you get to marry one of these friends. I know that I married my best friend.
The only thing now is how to define what a friend is.
I think Jesus said it best.
12 This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you.
13 This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.
15 I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.
17 "But remember the root command: Love one another.
A friend is someone that you would lay your life down for.
But if we love one another the way that Jesus loved us, well then, we must be willing to lay down our lives for everyone, because we are called to love our neighbor, and all folks are our neighbors.
I love you my friends.
Roadblock
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
BOND SERVANT
Colossians 4: 1 – 12
There are times when I hate that I have arthritis. For the most part I except it as part of my everyday life, one of those nagging tings that exist in the background that I don't even think about until I have a flare up. The thing that I hate is that it makes it very hard to get on my knees to pray. There are times when I can and others when I cannot.
It just frustrates me.
I have heard it said that there are three types of slavery. There are those who were born into it, those who were sold into it, and those who enter into slavery voluntarily.
The volunteers are known as bond servants. And, those of us whom have chosen that path are walking in some very good company.
One of the tasks that I and others have been called to perform for our master is prayer.
3 Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail.
4 Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! He’s been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do.
13 I’ve watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Now, if we look around. If we read our Bibles, we know that there are many giftings from the Holy Spirit that lay out jobs that need to be done for our King.
It has also been said that if you do something that you love, you will never work a day in your life. So don't choose a job that causes frustration. The only problem is, that as a bond servant, the choice is made for you by God.
Hence my frustration.
Fall into line. Enter into slavery voluntarily.
There are times when I hate that I have arthritis. For the most part I except it as part of my everyday life, one of those nagging tings that exist in the background that I don't even think about until I have a flare up. The thing that I hate is that it makes it very hard to get on my knees to pray. There are times when I can and others when I cannot.
It just frustrates me.
I have heard it said that there are three types of slavery. There are those who were born into it, those who were sold into it, and those who enter into slavery voluntarily.
The volunteers are known as bond servants. And, those of us whom have chosen that path are walking in some very good company.
One of the tasks that I and others have been called to perform for our master is prayer.
3 Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail.
4 Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! He’s been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do.
13 I’ve watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Now, if we look around. If we read our Bibles, we know that there are many giftings from the Holy Spirit that lay out jobs that need to be done for our King.
It has also been said that if you do something that you love, you will never work a day in your life. So don't choose a job that causes frustration. The only problem is, that as a bond servant, the choice is made for you by God.
Hence my frustration.
Fall into line. Enter into slavery voluntarily.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
ONE MASTER OR TWO?
Mathew 6: 24 – 34
Here's another tough one for me. The word tells us not to worry about eating, not to be concerned about money, and never mind that you only have the clothes on your back.
After all, God treats grass and birds really well.
Okay. That's a good thing in concept, but I've grown fond of having the money to afford to have a roof over my head. Without food, I get really cranky and weak. And, lets not even consider what it would be like if I were to wander around without clothes.
I think what God is trying to get across here is that we should not be consumed by these things. Because it is very true that we cannot be pulled in two different directions and still be able to keep our true focus.
24 "You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.
25 "If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.
26 Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
31 What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.
34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
So chill, right?
Just trust in God and go about your day. Work, buy food and clothes, just don't make that practice all consuming.
Here's another tough one for me. The word tells us not to worry about eating, not to be concerned about money, and never mind that you only have the clothes on your back.
After all, God treats grass and birds really well.
Okay. That's a good thing in concept, but I've grown fond of having the money to afford to have a roof over my head. Without food, I get really cranky and weak. And, lets not even consider what it would be like if I were to wander around without clothes.
I think what God is trying to get across here is that we should not be consumed by these things. Because it is very true that we cannot be pulled in two different directions and still be able to keep our true focus.
24 "You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.
25 "If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.
26 Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
31 What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.
34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
So chill, right?
Just trust in God and go about your day. Work, buy food and clothes, just don't make that practice all consuming.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
YES, IT'S...JUST...THAT...SIMPLE!
John 14: 12 – 14
It can't be that easy, we think.
We must have to do some kind of test or task.
There has to be a way to prove up. A way to show that we're ready.
Nah!
It don't work that way.
It comes down to trust.
12 The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it.
13 From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it.
14 Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.
See, it really is a simple thing.
Trust is essential to any fulfilling relationship. If a wife doesn't trust her husband, or the other way around, then that relationship will crumble. When that happens, all the promise that was there in the beginning, both parties will become so hurt and embittered that reconciliation is impossible.
But, it's the simple things that makes the difference. A short prayer can restore someones faith. An act of kindness can remind a person why they got into a relationship in the first place.
Trust in Him.
It's just that simple.
a
It can't be that easy, we think.
We must have to do some kind of test or task.
There has to be a way to prove up. A way to show that we're ready.
Nah!
It don't work that way.
It comes down to trust.
12 The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it.
13 From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it.
14 Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.
See, it really is a simple thing.
Trust is essential to any fulfilling relationship. If a wife doesn't trust her husband, or the other way around, then that relationship will crumble. When that happens, all the promise that was there in the beginning, both parties will become so hurt and embittered that reconciliation is impossible.
But, it's the simple things that makes the difference. A short prayer can restore someones faith. An act of kindness can remind a person why they got into a relationship in the first place.
Trust in Him.
It's just that simple.
a
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
HOW SWEET THE SOUND
Revelation 5: 8 – 14
The imagery in God's word is awesome.
So, think about the worship team.
They're pretty good aren't they?
But, compared to what is coming when God unleashes His band.
Today is one of those days when I think that it is just better to hear what the Bible has to say.
8 The moment he took the scroll, the Four Animals and Twenty-four Elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. Each had a harp and each had a bowl, a gold bowl filled with incense, the prayers of God’s holy people.
9 And they sang a new song: Worthy! Take the scroll, open its seals. Slain! Paying in blood, you bought men and women, Bought them back from all over the earth, Bought them back for God.
10 Then you made them a Kingdom, Priests for our God, Priest-kings to rule over the earth.
11 I looked again. I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand
12 in full song: The slain Lamb is worthy! Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength! Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!
13 Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing: To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb! The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength, For age after age after age.
14 The Four Animals called out, "Oh, Yes!" The Elders fell to their knees and worshiped.
All glory to God in the highest.
The imagery in God's word is awesome.
So, think about the worship team.
They're pretty good aren't they?
But, compared to what is coming when God unleashes His band.
Today is one of those days when I think that it is just better to hear what the Bible has to say.
8 The moment he took the scroll, the Four Animals and Twenty-four Elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. Each had a harp and each had a bowl, a gold bowl filled with incense, the prayers of God’s holy people.
9 And they sang a new song: Worthy! Take the scroll, open its seals. Slain! Paying in blood, you bought men and women, Bought them back from all over the earth, Bought them back for God.
10 Then you made them a Kingdom, Priests for our God, Priest-kings to rule over the earth.
11 I looked again. I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand
12 in full song: The slain Lamb is worthy! Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength! Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!
13 Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing: To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb! The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength, For age after age after age.
14 The Four Animals called out, "Oh, Yes!" The Elders fell to their knees and worshiped.
All glory to God in the highest.
Monday, September 21, 2009
SAWDUST
Mathew 23: 1 – 13
Used car sales men are rumored to be the most dishonest business men on the planet. It is said that they are capable of doing whatever it takes to sell a car no matter what condition it is in.
A little paint here, maybe some Bondo there it really doesn't matter does it. Sometimes, when there is trouble with the transmission, an old trick was to put a little sawdust in the transmission fluid. It helped the car run smooth as silk for a short time. Usually just long enough to to persuade the new owner that he got the deal of the century.
The car looked good, but under the hood, it is a piece of junk.
There are too many people with sawdust in them.
They look good, act like they have a direct line to God, say the longest loudest prayers, yet they are show. They'd rather look good than do good.
2 "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God’s Law.
3 You won’t go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don’t live it. They don’t take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It’s all spit-and-polish veneer.
4 "Instead of giving you God’s Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn’t think of lifting a finger to help.
5 Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next.
This no time to have sawdust in our transmissions.
It's time to admit all of our defects and blemishes to God. And place our faith in Him.
11 "Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant.
12 If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
Be yourself, not someone you're not.
Used car sales men are rumored to be the most dishonest business men on the planet. It is said that they are capable of doing whatever it takes to sell a car no matter what condition it is in.
A little paint here, maybe some Bondo there it really doesn't matter does it. Sometimes, when there is trouble with the transmission, an old trick was to put a little sawdust in the transmission fluid. It helped the car run smooth as silk for a short time. Usually just long enough to to persuade the new owner that he got the deal of the century.
The car looked good, but under the hood, it is a piece of junk.
There are too many people with sawdust in them.
They look good, act like they have a direct line to God, say the longest loudest prayers, yet they are show. They'd rather look good than do good.
2 "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God’s Law.
3 You won’t go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don’t live it. They don’t take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It’s all spit-and-polish veneer.
4 "Instead of giving you God’s Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn’t think of lifting a finger to help.
5 Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next.
This no time to have sawdust in our transmissions.
It's time to admit all of our defects and blemishes to God. And place our faith in Him.
11 "Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant.
12 If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
Be yourself, not someone you're not.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
HAVE I GOT A JOB FOR YOU!
Luke 5: 1 – 11
They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting to get a different result. As they used to say, in my old Harvard square hippie days, “I grok.”
I can relate to the process of trying the same old thing and even praying to get just a slight change in what the outcome of my actions would be.
The one thing about Jesus though, is that He can give us a different result from our behaviors when we listen to Him, and do as He has asked us to do.
Get off your high horse, and do what you're told.
4 When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."
5 Simon said, "Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets."
6 It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity.
Belief in God, and following His instruction brings us great return. When we listen to what God says, and apply His word to our lives, the reward is beyond expectations.
We can sometimes become overwhelmed at the treasures God has given us, and we can hardly wait to share with others our good fortune.
7 They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.
8 Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. "Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself."
9 When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him.
10 It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women."
11 They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.
The only choice we have left after having such life changing experiences is to follow God and do as He says.
God shows us that we can take the talents and tools that we have been provided with and use them for His purpose, for our greater good. He shows us that by doing the same thing that we have always done, we can expect a different outcome when we work in faith to achieve our goals.
They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting to get a different result. As they used to say, in my old Harvard square hippie days, “I grok.”
I can relate to the process of trying the same old thing and even praying to get just a slight change in what the outcome of my actions would be.
The one thing about Jesus though, is that He can give us a different result from our behaviors when we listen to Him, and do as He has asked us to do.
Get off your high horse, and do what you're told.
4 When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."
5 Simon said, "Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets."
6 It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity.
Belief in God, and following His instruction brings us great return. When we listen to what God says, and apply His word to our lives, the reward is beyond expectations.
We can sometimes become overwhelmed at the treasures God has given us, and we can hardly wait to share with others our good fortune.
7 They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.
8 Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. "Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself."
9 When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him.
10 It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women."
11 They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.
The only choice we have left after having such life changing experiences is to follow God and do as He says.
God shows us that we can take the talents and tools that we have been provided with and use them for His purpose, for our greater good. He shows us that by doing the same thing that we have always done, we can expect a different outcome when we work in faith to achieve our goals.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
THINK ABOUT IT
2 Corinthians 10: 1 – 11
wil sumbody plez help me? I losed my brane wen I get Chrijen.
Throughout history, those of us whom have chosen to follow God are branded as week minded at best, ignorant fools, and just plain stupid.
Examples of this rally around the whole creation Vs. evolution debate. Evolutionist are painted as free thinking intellectuals and creationists are imbued with claims of being ignorant, fearful, Luddites stomping out any kind of progress.
We are accused of hypocrisy being one way in public and another way in private.
The saying, “Street angel, House devil,” is used by atheists and agnostic alike.
Paul faced that sort of scrutiny.
1 ¶ And now a personal but most urgent matter; I write in the gentle but firm spirit of Christ. I hear that I’m being painted as cringing and wishy-washy when I’m with you, but harsh and demanding when at a safe distance writing letters.
2 Please don’t force me to take a hard line when I’m present with you. Don’t think that I’ll hesitate a single minute to stand up to those who say I’m an unprincipled opportunist. Then they’ll have to eat their words.
He also knew, and wrote of, how the rest of the world looks at us.
3 The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will.
5 We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
I read in ODB today;
David McCullough’s biography of John Adams, one of America’s founding fathers and early presidents, describes him as “both a devout Christian and an independent thinker, and he saw no conflict in that.” I am struck by that statement, for it carries a note of surprise, suggesting that Christians are somehow naive or unenlightened, and that the idea of a “thinking Christian” is a contradiction.
Nothing could be further from the truth. One of the great benefits of salvation is that it causes the believer’s mind to be guarded by the peace of God (Phil. 4:7), which can foster clear thinking, discernment, and wisdom.
Get out there and show people that we are not of two minds.
Defend your beliefs (you have the ability, even if you don't think so)
wil sumbody plez help me? I losed my brane wen I get Chrijen.
Throughout history, those of us whom have chosen to follow God are branded as week minded at best, ignorant fools, and just plain stupid.
Examples of this rally around the whole creation Vs. evolution debate. Evolutionist are painted as free thinking intellectuals and creationists are imbued with claims of being ignorant, fearful, Luddites stomping out any kind of progress.
We are accused of hypocrisy being one way in public and another way in private.
The saying, “Street angel, House devil,” is used by atheists and agnostic alike.
Paul faced that sort of scrutiny.
1 ¶ And now a personal but most urgent matter; I write in the gentle but firm spirit of Christ. I hear that I’m being painted as cringing and wishy-washy when I’m with you, but harsh and demanding when at a safe distance writing letters.
2 Please don’t force me to take a hard line when I’m present with you. Don’t think that I’ll hesitate a single minute to stand up to those who say I’m an unprincipled opportunist. Then they’ll have to eat their words.
He also knew, and wrote of, how the rest of the world looks at us.
3 The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will.
5 We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
I read in ODB today;
David McCullough’s biography of John Adams, one of America’s founding fathers and early presidents, describes him as “both a devout Christian and an independent thinker, and he saw no conflict in that.” I am struck by that statement, for it carries a note of surprise, suggesting that Christians are somehow naive or unenlightened, and that the idea of a “thinking Christian” is a contradiction.
Nothing could be further from the truth. One of the great benefits of salvation is that it causes the believer’s mind to be guarded by the peace of God (Phil. 4:7), which can foster clear thinking, discernment, and wisdom.
Get out there and show people that we are not of two minds.
Defend your beliefs (you have the ability, even if you don't think so)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
GIVING IT ALL UP
Philippians 3: 3 – 12
There is an expression in twelve step recovery programs that goes, “Let go, and let God.”
Basically it means that we have to let go of all the things and ideas from our past, give all that junk to God, and let Him teach you a new way of life.
For some people in recovery it is a slow process while for others it happens in the blink of an eye.
The people that have the slow experience are afraid to completely give up what they relied on for their whole lives and as soon as they claim to turn everything over to God, they take it right back.
For those with the instant experience, the lesson is so profound that they are able to give up the old way of life and not look back.
8 Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ
9 and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.
We all know of the experience Paul had on the road to Damascus.
Don't you wish that your clearing out process was that quick?
I know that I was one of the slow ones in both recovery and coming to know God. I just couldn't let go of the life I had known for all my adult life. It was the only way I knew and I was reluctant to give up my coping skills.
But when I finally did, Boy Howdy, my life really changed for the better.
4 even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree:
5 a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law;
6 a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting Christians; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book.
7 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ.
10 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.
11 If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
12 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.
I like the fact that Paul admits that he doesn't have it all together. And, if we claim that we do, we're lying not only to others but to ourselves.
When I once told my twelve step sponsor that all I wanted was to get my crap together, then everything would be alright.
His wise reply was, If I was really able to get my stuff together, all I could do with it would be to show it to other people and say, “Here's my crap.” “Ain't it cool?”
All I know is, if Paul couldn't do it, I guess that I'm in good company.
Let go and let God.
Enjoy the ride.
It's worth it and it's really kind of a hoot.
There is an expression in twelve step recovery programs that goes, “Let go, and let God.”
Basically it means that we have to let go of all the things and ideas from our past, give all that junk to God, and let Him teach you a new way of life.
For some people in recovery it is a slow process while for others it happens in the blink of an eye.
The people that have the slow experience are afraid to completely give up what they relied on for their whole lives and as soon as they claim to turn everything over to God, they take it right back.
For those with the instant experience, the lesson is so profound that they are able to give up the old way of life and not look back.
8 Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ
9 and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.
We all know of the experience Paul had on the road to Damascus.
Don't you wish that your clearing out process was that quick?
I know that I was one of the slow ones in both recovery and coming to know God. I just couldn't let go of the life I had known for all my adult life. It was the only way I knew and I was reluctant to give up my coping skills.
But when I finally did, Boy Howdy, my life really changed for the better.
4 even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree:
5 a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law;
6 a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting Christians; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book.
7 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ.
10 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.
11 If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
12 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.
I like the fact that Paul admits that he doesn't have it all together. And, if we claim that we do, we're lying not only to others but to ourselves.
When I once told my twelve step sponsor that all I wanted was to get my crap together, then everything would be alright.
His wise reply was, If I was really able to get my stuff together, all I could do with it would be to show it to other people and say, “Here's my crap.” “Ain't it cool?”
All I know is, if Paul couldn't do it, I guess that I'm in good company.
Let go and let God.
Enjoy the ride.
It's worth it and it's really kind of a hoot.
Monday, September 14, 2009
FROM FATHER TO SON
Deuteronomy 6: 4 – 9
There are many families that pass on from one generation to the next something that holds sentimental value. Sometimes that value is real (just watch antiques roadshow), sometimes it is just something that was of importance to the family.
An example of this is; My father gave me a watch that was very important to him. It isn't anything special just a watch that was presented to him as a gift. He treasured that watch and wore it almost every day. I have had the pleasure of passing it on to my oldest stepson. My hope is that one day, he will pass it on to the next generation.
Whenever I wore that watch, I thought of my father, what a good guy he was, and how much I love him. I think that is the reason that Moses wrote about passing the word from one generation to the next.
People remember what is given them in love from their fore fathers.
4 Attention, Israel! GOD, our God! GOD the one and only!
5 Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!
6 Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you
7 and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.
8 Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder;
9 inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.
As with that watch, I am also trying to pass on to my stepsons, the love I have for god. That's one of the reasons that I write this teaching, to pass on the word of God as I see it, in hopes that they will keep the word with them in their hearts.
I'm sure that we all have something that we will pass on to our children. It really doesn't matter what the worldly value is, as long as it has value to your heart.
Pass the word on.
There are many families that pass on from one generation to the next something that holds sentimental value. Sometimes that value is real (just watch antiques roadshow), sometimes it is just something that was of importance to the family.
An example of this is; My father gave me a watch that was very important to him. It isn't anything special just a watch that was presented to him as a gift. He treasured that watch and wore it almost every day. I have had the pleasure of passing it on to my oldest stepson. My hope is that one day, he will pass it on to the next generation.
Whenever I wore that watch, I thought of my father, what a good guy he was, and how much I love him. I think that is the reason that Moses wrote about passing the word from one generation to the next.
People remember what is given them in love from their fore fathers.
4 Attention, Israel! GOD, our God! GOD the one and only!
5 Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!
6 Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you
7 and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.
8 Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder;
9 inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.
As with that watch, I am also trying to pass on to my stepsons, the love I have for god. That's one of the reasons that I write this teaching, to pass on the word of God as I see it, in hopes that they will keep the word with them in their hearts.
I'm sure that we all have something that we will pass on to our children. It really doesn't matter what the worldly value is, as long as it has value to your heart.
Pass the word on.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
WHY DO WE DO IT OVER AND OVER?
Mathew 20: 20 – 28
It must be in our nature to be jealous of others and to want to bring them down.
Knock 'em down a few pegs.
Who do they think they are?
You think you're better than me?
They only got there because they know somebody.
There are times when the battle of words stops and violence takes over. Unfortunately, we don't have to look to far or look very hard to find examples of this kind of behavior.
Sometimes it begins with a simple question or request to the boss. Sometimes it is just plain old jealousy with a dash of envy thrown in.
Mathew wrote about an incident in his book that resembles all of the above.
20 It was about that time that the mother of the Zebedee brothers came with her two sons and knelt before Jesus with a request.
21 "What do you want?" Jesus asked. She said, "Give your word that these two sons of mine will be awarded the highest places of honor in your kingdom, one at your right hand, one at your left hand."
22 Jesus responded, "You have no idea what you’re asking." And he said to James and John, "Are you capable of drinking the cup that I’m about to drink?" They said, "Sure, why not?"
24 When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers.
Looks like it's gonna be another example of Apostle on Apostle crime.
Once again it shows us that God's word is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. What happened thousands of years ago goes on today. And, Jesus reminds us that for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction, or consequence as it were.
25 So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, "You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads.
26 It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.
27 Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.
Then He led by example.
28 That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
Rough example, but, effective.
It must be in our nature to be jealous of others and to want to bring them down.
Knock 'em down a few pegs.
Who do they think they are?
You think you're better than me?
They only got there because they know somebody.
There are times when the battle of words stops and violence takes over. Unfortunately, we don't have to look to far or look very hard to find examples of this kind of behavior.
Sometimes it begins with a simple question or request to the boss. Sometimes it is just plain old jealousy with a dash of envy thrown in.
Mathew wrote about an incident in his book that resembles all of the above.
20 It was about that time that the mother of the Zebedee brothers came with her two sons and knelt before Jesus with a request.
21 "What do you want?" Jesus asked. She said, "Give your word that these two sons of mine will be awarded the highest places of honor in your kingdom, one at your right hand, one at your left hand."
22 Jesus responded, "You have no idea what you’re asking." And he said to James and John, "Are you capable of drinking the cup that I’m about to drink?" They said, "Sure, why not?"
24 When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers.
Looks like it's gonna be another example of Apostle on Apostle crime.
Once again it shows us that God's word is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. What happened thousands of years ago goes on today. And, Jesus reminds us that for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction, or consequence as it were.
25 So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, "You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads.
26 It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.
27 Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.
Then He led by example.
28 That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
Rough example, but, effective.
Friday, September 11, 2009
HONESTY
Acts 5: 1 – 11
My parents were a little weird. They told me many things (wise sayings) that we won't go into here, but one that stands out for me was when my father told me,
“You don't go to jail for robbing a bank.” “You go to jail for being caught robbing a bank.”
Kind of a twisted way to look at crime and punishment, but as I said, the folks were a little weird.
If we look around today, I'll bet we will find that most adults will confess to some small bit of larceny. Maybe they were in need of some staples at home and took them from the office. Perhaps a cashier gave them back the wrong change by accident, that was to their advantage, they went away smiling to themselves for the few dollars they just “earned,” or what my folks would refer to as “found money.”
There are so many examples of honest people doing dishonest things thinking that it's okay.
After all nobody got hurt, and the little things that they got away with will never be noticed, or at least, nobody will be able to point the finger of blame at them.
1 But a man named Ananias—his wife, Sapphira, conniving in this with him—sold a piece of land,
2 secretly kept part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles and made an offering of it.
3 Peter said, "Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field?
4 Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to God."
When we commit these little criminal acts, we really are lieing to God.
Sin is sin no matter how we look at it, and God will show us the consequences of our actions.
5 Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That put the fear of God into everyone who heard of it.
6 The younger men went right to work and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him.
My advice would be to ignore the advice that my father gave me and follow the advice that God gives us all.
Live a life of honesty.
Show others that living for God, by example, is the way to go.
I love you guys.
My parents were a little weird. They told me many things (wise sayings) that we won't go into here, but one that stands out for me was when my father told me,
“You don't go to jail for robbing a bank.” “You go to jail for being caught robbing a bank.”
Kind of a twisted way to look at crime and punishment, but as I said, the folks were a little weird.
If we look around today, I'll bet we will find that most adults will confess to some small bit of larceny. Maybe they were in need of some staples at home and took them from the office. Perhaps a cashier gave them back the wrong change by accident, that was to their advantage, they went away smiling to themselves for the few dollars they just “earned,” or what my folks would refer to as “found money.”
There are so many examples of honest people doing dishonest things thinking that it's okay.
After all nobody got hurt, and the little things that they got away with will never be noticed, or at least, nobody will be able to point the finger of blame at them.
1 But a man named Ananias—his wife, Sapphira, conniving in this with him—sold a piece of land,
2 secretly kept part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles and made an offering of it.
3 Peter said, "Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field?
4 Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to God."
When we commit these little criminal acts, we really are lieing to God.
Sin is sin no matter how we look at it, and God will show us the consequences of our actions.
5 Ananias, when he heard those words, fell down dead. That put the fear of God into everyone who heard of it.
6 The younger men went right to work and wrapped him up, then carried him out and buried him.
My advice would be to ignore the advice that my father gave me and follow the advice that God gives us all.
Live a life of honesty.
Show others that living for God, by example, is the way to go.
I love you guys.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
NOT SURE WHAT THE TITLE SHOULD BE.
Psalm 119: 9 – 16
What do you do with the wisdom gained from this scripture?
If we are to apply the word to our lives, then we have some work to do.
I was once given this pamphlet about cleaning a house and about the junk drawer that we all have. In that drawer we keep all the things that we don't know what to do with and want to keep out of sight.
The house is an obvious metaphor for our bodies and our way of life. The junk drawer is that secret place in our hearts where all the sin we have lives.
To be blunt. We need to clean house.
9 How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word.
10 I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
12 Be blessed, GOD; train me in your ways of wise living.
13 I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
14 I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches.
Hey. No pain, no gain.
If we keep checking a map, we won't get lost.
If we follow directions on what to do, well, the house eventually gets a good spring cleaning.
Our houses are worth it. So we can't let our junk drawers become overflowing with the things that we don't want others to see.
15 I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
16 I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it.
What do you do with the wisdom gained from this scripture?
If we are to apply the word to our lives, then we have some work to do.
I was once given this pamphlet about cleaning a house and about the junk drawer that we all have. In that drawer we keep all the things that we don't know what to do with and want to keep out of sight.
The house is an obvious metaphor for our bodies and our way of life. The junk drawer is that secret place in our hearts where all the sin we have lives.
To be blunt. We need to clean house.
9 How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word.
10 I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
12 Be blessed, GOD; train me in your ways of wise living.
13 I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
14 I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches.
Hey. No pain, no gain.
If we keep checking a map, we won't get lost.
If we follow directions on what to do, well, the house eventually gets a good spring cleaning.
Our houses are worth it. So we can't let our junk drawers become overflowing with the things that we don't want others to see.
15 I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
16 I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
IF I JUST HAD THIS, I'D BE SET.
Luke 12: 13 – 21
It happens every day.
People running, clawing, scratching, doing anything that they can to make a buck more than the next guy.
Unfortunately some don't care what they have to do whether it is legal or not.
I just read something that caught my attention, and really made me think.
Jesus taught more on the subject of money more than anything else.
Seems weird don't it?
When we think about Jesus and His teachings, we usually think about the “sermon on the mount,” or “My Father's house should be a house of prayer,” Even all the parables.
But, money?
It just doesn't seem kosher.
13 Someone out of the crowd said, "Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance."
15 Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."
What does it matter how much money we make? We're not going to be able to spend it when we die. Who will get the benefit of our labors?
Certainly not us.
17 He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’
18 Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods,
19 and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’
20 "Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’
21 "That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."
Take from this what you will.
It happens every day.
People running, clawing, scratching, doing anything that they can to make a buck more than the next guy.
Unfortunately some don't care what they have to do whether it is legal or not.
I just read something that caught my attention, and really made me think.
Jesus taught more on the subject of money more than anything else.
Seems weird don't it?
When we think about Jesus and His teachings, we usually think about the “sermon on the mount,” or “My Father's house should be a house of prayer,” Even all the parables.
But, money?
It just doesn't seem kosher.
13 Someone out of the crowd said, "Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance."
15 Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."
What does it matter how much money we make? We're not going to be able to spend it when we die. Who will get the benefit of our labors?
Certainly not us.
17 He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’
18 Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods,
19 and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’
20 "Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’
21 "That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."
Take from this what you will.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
WALK WITH ME A WHILE
2 Corinthians 1: 3 – 11
I've had some pretty miraculous things happen in my life which have left me with a lot of questions.
The most common question is, Why?
For instance, God healed me of a broken back, ribs, and internal bleeding, yet He allowed me to continue to suffer from Arthritis which will sometimes be so severe that I can hardly walk, and sleep is out of the question.
So, Why?
Paul wrote that God had told him that His grace was enough so I went along with that philosophy.
I can't possibly be alone in these feelings. I've heard many people utter those two little words,
“Why me?”
9 We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead!
One of the reasons that we go through things is that we can help someone else through their hard time because we can relate to each other from common experiences.
4 He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
5 We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.
6 When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times.
No matter what, God has a plan for us. He works with us and through us to help others.
When we go through the storms of life, remember that God is walking along beside us and keep on walking.
I've had some pretty miraculous things happen in my life which have left me with a lot of questions.
The most common question is, Why?
For instance, God healed me of a broken back, ribs, and internal bleeding, yet He allowed me to continue to suffer from Arthritis which will sometimes be so severe that I can hardly walk, and sleep is out of the question.
So, Why?
Paul wrote that God had told him that His grace was enough so I went along with that philosophy.
I can't possibly be alone in these feelings. I've heard many people utter those two little words,
“Why me?”
9 We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead!
One of the reasons that we go through things is that we can help someone else through their hard time because we can relate to each other from common experiences.
4 He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
5 We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.
6 When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times.
No matter what, God has a plan for us. He works with us and through us to help others.
When we go through the storms of life, remember that God is walking along beside us and keep on walking.
Monday, September 7, 2009
ABOUT THAT UNANSWERED PRAYER.......
Luke 7: 1 – 10
Don't you just hate it when you perceive a prayer as going unanswered?
I mean, after all how long do we have to wait for some results to our request?
Is it us?
Are we out of line?
Is God listening?
Do we have enough faith?
These questions and more will rattle around our heads when we think that God has turned a deaf ear to us and our requests.
The thing is, we are depending on our own timing and selfish desires. Waiting is not really in our nature.
We want what we want when we want it.
I guess it really comes down to trust.
Do we have the faith to trust God and his judgment?
6 Jesus went with them. When he was still quite far from the house, the captain sent friends to tell him, "Master, you don’t have to go to all this trouble. I’m not that good a person, you know. I’d be embarrassed for you to come to my house,
7 even embarrassed to come to you in person. Just give the order and my servant will get well.
8 I’m a man under orders; I also give orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it."
9 Taken aback, Jesus addressed the accompanying crowd: "I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how he works."
We don't have to run those crazy thoughts through our heads.
It's not about us and our fears and impatience.
It's about trust in God.
He knows what is best and when the timing is right.
Don't you just hate it when you perceive a prayer as going unanswered?
I mean, after all how long do we have to wait for some results to our request?
Is it us?
Are we out of line?
Is God listening?
Do we have enough faith?
These questions and more will rattle around our heads when we think that God has turned a deaf ear to us and our requests.
The thing is, we are depending on our own timing and selfish desires. Waiting is not really in our nature.
We want what we want when we want it.
I guess it really comes down to trust.
Do we have the faith to trust God and his judgment?
6 Jesus went with them. When he was still quite far from the house, the captain sent friends to tell him, "Master, you don’t have to go to all this trouble. I’m not that good a person, you know. I’d be embarrassed for you to come to my house,
7 even embarrassed to come to you in person. Just give the order and my servant will get well.
8 I’m a man under orders; I also give orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it."
9 Taken aback, Jesus addressed the accompanying crowd: "I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how he works."
We don't have to run those crazy thoughts through our heads.
It's not about us and our fears and impatience.
It's about trust in God.
He knows what is best and when the timing is right.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
IT'S ALL GOOD.
Romans 8: 31 – 39
Ever seen those clothes with the smiley faced stick figures that say, “Life is good?”
To me, that saying is a truth.
Life is good.
Especially if we have a relationship with the living God.
There are those who wear that clothing line just because the shirts and hats are cool. Or, they may be worn by someone who thinks that the figure on the clothes is funny.
But, when trouble comes to their door, well, life doesn't feel so good to them anymore.
31 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?
35 Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
No matter what comes our way, as long as we have a relationship with God, we can face the trouble without a worry. We know that God will help us through the storm and whatever the out come,
“Life is still good.”
36 They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
37 None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.
38 I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow,
39 high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
Ho Daddy!
How many non-believers do you think can stand by and feel that everything is gonna be okay when going through this sort of trouble?
In his song, “There's a Rainbow,” Marty Stuart reminds us that,
“There's a Rainbow at the end of every storm.”
knowing these things.
Knowing what Scripture tells us.
Knowing that Deep in our heart's that we have a relation ship with the King of King's!
Life is truly good.
And, we don't need no t-shirt to tell us that.
Ever seen those clothes with the smiley faced stick figures that say, “Life is good?”
To me, that saying is a truth.
Life is good.
Especially if we have a relationship with the living God.
There are those who wear that clothing line just because the shirts and hats are cool. Or, they may be worn by someone who thinks that the figure on the clothes is funny.
But, when trouble comes to their door, well, life doesn't feel so good to them anymore.
31 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?
35 Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
No matter what comes our way, as long as we have a relationship with God, we can face the trouble without a worry. We know that God will help us through the storm and whatever the out come,
“Life is still good.”
36 They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
37 None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.
38 I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow,
39 high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
Ho Daddy!
How many non-believers do you think can stand by and feel that everything is gonna be okay when going through this sort of trouble?
In his song, “There's a Rainbow,” Marty Stuart reminds us that,
“There's a Rainbow at the end of every storm.”
knowing these things.
Knowing what Scripture tells us.
Knowing that Deep in our heart's that we have a relation ship with the King of King's!
Life is truly good.
And, we don't need no t-shirt to tell us that.
Friday, September 4, 2009
THE HEAVENS DECLARE.
Psalm 19: 1 – 6
When the great physicist Albert Einstein was asked if he believed in God, he responded: “We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human beings toward God. We see the universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws but only dimly understand these laws.” (ODB)
1 God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
2 Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
3 Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded,
4 But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome!
5 The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.
6 That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
There are times, especially in the Autumn, that I sit in an Adirondack chair out in my yard and watch the sky as it turns from day to night. There is a special time called the Gloaming when the sun gives everything a kind of golden hue, then comes the dusk and finally evening. As I watch the sky change from blue to black and the stars slowly appear, I just marvel at the daily miracle God has provided for us to witness.
It is at times like this that I wonder, “How can some people doubt that God exists.”
The next clear night we have, go out and see the miracle of God written in the heavens.
You will be impressed.
When the great physicist Albert Einstein was asked if he believed in God, he responded: “We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human beings toward God. We see the universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws but only dimly understand these laws.” (ODB)
1 God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
2 Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
3 Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded,
4 But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome!
5 The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.
6 That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
There are times, especially in the Autumn, that I sit in an Adirondack chair out in my yard and watch the sky as it turns from day to night. There is a special time called the Gloaming when the sun gives everything a kind of golden hue, then comes the dusk and finally evening. As I watch the sky change from blue to black and the stars slowly appear, I just marvel at the daily miracle God has provided for us to witness.
It is at times like this that I wonder, “How can some people doubt that God exists.”
The next clear night we have, go out and see the miracle of God written in the heavens.
You will be impressed.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
THINGS JUST NEVER WORK OUT THE WAY I WANT.
Philippians 1: 8 – 18
Do you ever feel frustrated over plans that you made that just won't go the way you planned?
Funny thing is, when things don't go the way that we want them to, it's not always a bad thing.
God has a habit of making things work for His glory, all the while dragging us along for the ride.
And, what a wild wonderful ride that is.
Paul had times like that. He knew that God wanted him to go to Rome and bring the Gospel, he just didn't know that he would go there in chains.
God took advantage of Paul's discomfort (?) and used his imprisonment to spread the word to the Roman guard, to the faithful already in Rome, and to the preachers both true and false. It didn't matter to Paul how he was treated, or how the Gospel was spread to others, the fact that the word got out there,
was good enough for him.
And, by the way, it was okay with God too.
15 It’s true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they’ll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world.
16 One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help.
17 The others, now that I’m out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.
18 So how am I to respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on! And I’m going to keep that celebration going
So, there it is laid out for us to see.
God makes sure that His truth gets out there by any means necessary.
There is an old saying that goes,
“If you ant to see God laugh, tell him the plan that you have for your life.”
There's another one that says,
“If you feel as if God is calling you to preach His word in China, it's probably because there is one baggage handler at Logan Airport, that needs to hear the Gospel.”
Go out there. Make the plans that you need to, and sit back and watch how God changes things for His agenda.
Do you ever feel frustrated over plans that you made that just won't go the way you planned?
Funny thing is, when things don't go the way that we want them to, it's not always a bad thing.
God has a habit of making things work for His glory, all the while dragging us along for the ride.
And, what a wild wonderful ride that is.
Paul had times like that. He knew that God wanted him to go to Rome and bring the Gospel, he just didn't know that he would go there in chains.
God took advantage of Paul's discomfort (?) and used his imprisonment to spread the word to the Roman guard, to the faithful already in Rome, and to the preachers both true and false. It didn't matter to Paul how he was treated, or how the Gospel was spread to others, the fact that the word got out there,
was good enough for him.
And, by the way, it was okay with God too.
15 It’s true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they’ll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world.
16 One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help.
17 The others, now that I’m out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.
18 So how am I to respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on! And I’m going to keep that celebration going
So, there it is laid out for us to see.
God makes sure that His truth gets out there by any means necessary.
There is an old saying that goes,
“If you ant to see God laugh, tell him the plan that you have for your life.”
There's another one that says,
“If you feel as if God is calling you to preach His word in China, it's probably because there is one baggage handler at Logan Airport, that needs to hear the Gospel.”
Go out there. Make the plans that you need to, and sit back and watch how God changes things for His agenda.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
PATIENCE? I GOT YOUR PATIENCE RIGHT HERE!
Genesis 40: 1 – 14, 23
Patience.
That word really is a hard one for me. I dislike standing in line, sitting there with that restaurant buzzer hoping to get to a table soon, and waiting for a bus makes me grind my teeth.
Other things that really fry my bacon are the forgetfulness of others, and especially my own.
13 Within three days, Pharaoh will get you out of here and put you back to your old work—you’ll be giving Pharaoh his cup just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.
14 Only remember me when things are going well with you again—tell Pharaoh about me and get me out of this place.
23 But the head cupbearer never gave Joseph another thought; he forgot all about him.
I can't even imagine how Joseph must have felt. Being in jail for something he didn't do is one thing, but having a way out and then being forgotten about. Well, for me, that would lead to anger, agitation and then depression.
It's the poor me's that get you in the end.
Anger can be managed, impatience dealt with, but the lack of perceived justice, can really “take the rag off the bush.” (Jed Clampett)
That's all for today.
Deal with patience and frustration.
We do it all the time, but we have to learn to do the dealing in a positive way.
Patience.
That word really is a hard one for me. I dislike standing in line, sitting there with that restaurant buzzer hoping to get to a table soon, and waiting for a bus makes me grind my teeth.
Other things that really fry my bacon are the forgetfulness of others, and especially my own.
13 Within three days, Pharaoh will get you out of here and put you back to your old work—you’ll be giving Pharaoh his cup just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.
14 Only remember me when things are going well with you again—tell Pharaoh about me and get me out of this place.
23 But the head cupbearer never gave Joseph another thought; he forgot all about him.
I can't even imagine how Joseph must have felt. Being in jail for something he didn't do is one thing, but having a way out and then being forgotten about. Well, for me, that would lead to anger, agitation and then depression.
It's the poor me's that get you in the end.
Anger can be managed, impatience dealt with, but the lack of perceived justice, can really “take the rag off the bush.” (Jed Clampett)
That's all for today.
Deal with patience and frustration.
We do it all the time, but we have to learn to do the dealing in a positive way.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT
Philippians 3: 12 – 21
13 Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.
14 I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
I've been sitting here trying to figure how I'm going to relate the whole run the race thing. Every time I have read this passage before I picture an Olympic stadium and guys like Michael Johnson running the 100 or 200 meters on the ¼ mile track, all gold Nike's and blinding speed. I'm talking trained to perfection athletes who are focused on breaking the tape at the finish line.
But, today, after reading the Message translation, I began to picture (Boston Billy) Bill Rogers the skinny little guy who dominated the Boston Marathon in the 70's.
He looked like a regular guy, not some steroid built muscular freak of nature. But, what he had made all the difference that set him apart from other people.
Billy knew his target, and once he left the starting line, he never looked back..
18 There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross.
19 But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
I can't even count the different paths that I have run, looking to finish on “Easy St.” That was before I discovered my faith. Then I was given a map with a clearly defined route and a goal to attain.
No more running around all Willy Nilly searching for the road that will lead me to “Nirvana.”
As Satchel Paige used to say, “Don't look back. They might be gaining on you.”
So find the right marathon course, and go for it.
Remember life is not a sprint.
13 Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.
14 I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
I've been sitting here trying to figure how I'm going to relate the whole run the race thing. Every time I have read this passage before I picture an Olympic stadium and guys like Michael Johnson running the 100 or 200 meters on the ¼ mile track, all gold Nike's and blinding speed. I'm talking trained to perfection athletes who are focused on breaking the tape at the finish line.
But, today, after reading the Message translation, I began to picture (Boston Billy) Bill Rogers the skinny little guy who dominated the Boston Marathon in the 70's.
He looked like a regular guy, not some steroid built muscular freak of nature. But, what he had made all the difference that set him apart from other people.
Billy knew his target, and once he left the starting line, he never looked back..
18 There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross.
19 But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
I can't even count the different paths that I have run, looking to finish on “Easy St.” That was before I discovered my faith. Then I was given a map with a clearly defined route and a goal to attain.
No more running around all Willy Nilly searching for the road that will lead me to “Nirvana.”
As Satchel Paige used to say, “Don't look back. They might be gaining on you.”
So find the right marathon course, and go for it.
Remember life is not a sprint.
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