Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11
Huey Lewis and the News, perhaps the last secular rock group I “got” sang the song, “Bad is Bad.” I liked it because I’ve never really liked the idea of calling good bad. I don’t know when the terms good and bad started being used interchangeably. I think calling good bad can be confusing, especially to those who have a difficult time telling the difference. Perhaps that is what the Prophet Isaiah had in mind when he said, Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,…Isaiah 5:20.
It seemed as I was growing up the movies always had a good over evil theme. The good guys wore white hats and the bad guys wore black hats. Their actions made their character more recognizable than their hat color, and the good was accomplished for “goodness” sake. Somewhere through time the motives slowly changed, the good was accomplished for the benefit of “humankind” and the focus became more on the hero’s abilities not of good conquering evil and the end always justified the means; thus “revenge” movies evolved.
And now it seems that the conquest of evil; an increasingly subjective end state, is accomplished by whom, just a few years ago would have been considered the icons of evil. I’ll stay clear of examples to prevent controversies from distorting my point. I’ve always heard that I will imitate what I put into my mind through reading and viewing; GIGO (garbage in, garbage out.) So when engaging in conversation or seeking entertainment I’m going try harder to let Proverbs 8:13 guide me, He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Giving up
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22
I was talking with a brother recently about another brother who consistently has difficulty synchronizing his heart and his actions. It is as if he’s mired in that Romans 7:15 “do loop” that Paul claimed, I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. I have that problem too, more often than I wish were true.
Some brothers, because of a host of reasons, have greater difficulty fighting the urge to not do what we hate. Whether because of a physical or mental addiction, the reaction to a life of externally caused pain, or the sum total of the entire life crisis which surrounds us, we can get painfully stuck in sinful behavior.
So how long do I put up with this? How many times to I accept the excuses, the denial, and the lies? When is it acceptable to just give up? I remind myself, Jesus didn’t give up, he continued to forgive the sinners even when they hung him on a cross and killed him. Matt Redman’s song, “You Never Let Go” reminds me of Gods enduring faith in me and how I cannot let go of that. It also convicts me to continually share that hope with my brothers. In Luke 18:1 Christ tells a parable to illustrate how I should “pray and not give up.” So I won’t, ever.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
I was talking with a brother recently about another brother who consistently has difficulty synchronizing his heart and his actions. It is as if he’s mired in that Romans 7:15 “do loop” that Paul claimed, I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. I have that problem too, more often than I wish were true.
Some brothers, because of a host of reasons, have greater difficulty fighting the urge to not do what we hate. Whether because of a physical or mental addiction, the reaction to a life of externally caused pain, or the sum total of the entire life crisis which surrounds us, we can get painfully stuck in sinful behavior.
So how long do I put up with this? How many times to I accept the excuses, the denial, and the lies? When is it acceptable to just give up? I remind myself, Jesus didn’t give up, he continued to forgive the sinners even when they hung him on a cross and killed him. Matt Redman’s song, “You Never Let Go” reminds me of Gods enduring faith in me and how I cannot let go of that. It also convicts me to continually share that hope with my brothers. In Luke 18:1 Christ tells a parable to illustrate how I should “pray and not give up.” So I won’t, ever.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Far and near
"Am I only a God nearby," declares the LORD, "and not a God far away? Jeremiah 23:23
My job has taken me on the road for a couple of days. Traveling like that and spending the night alone in a hotel room always throws me out of my routine. Even when my prayers and devotion time is only slightly modified, I seem to lose focus and contact and find myself feeling far from God. I remind myself that when God seems far away the real question is who moved? It wasn’t the unmovable, unshakable God. I’m the one who has strayed. But why?
Upon evaluation of the of my heart and mind, I find that somehow being away from home causes a change in my mental state which changes my relationship with God. I hope that is not uncommon in normal people (I consider myself at least an associate member of that club.) Perhaps not, since dramatic changes in other aspects of my life seem to produce a similar effect. I comforted by the words in Deuteronomy 30:4, Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back.
With all this in mind, I vow to maintain a vigilant watch for any evidence of my heart straying from the presence of God as circumstances or environment change. God says, "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15 He’s always here, I just need to do a better job of recognizing Him in a different surrounding.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
My job has taken me on the road for a couple of days. Traveling like that and spending the night alone in a hotel room always throws me out of my routine. Even when my prayers and devotion time is only slightly modified, I seem to lose focus and contact and find myself feeling far from God. I remind myself that when God seems far away the real question is who moved? It wasn’t the unmovable, unshakable God. I’m the one who has strayed. But why?
Upon evaluation of the of my heart and mind, I find that somehow being away from home causes a change in my mental state which changes my relationship with God. I hope that is not uncommon in normal people (I consider myself at least an associate member of that club.) Perhaps not, since dramatic changes in other aspects of my life seem to produce a similar effect. I comforted by the words in Deuteronomy 30:4, Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back.
With all this in mind, I vow to maintain a vigilant watch for any evidence of my heart straying from the presence of God as circumstances or environment change. God says, "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15 He’s always here, I just need to do a better job of recognizing Him in a different surrounding.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Now I see
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” Matthew 7:3&5
It seems that I am constantly bombarded with messages about how wretched someone or some group is and how out of touch with a Biblical worldview they are. And most of the time I can understand the position from which the writer or speaker is striking out. I often see that the subject of the criticism is not approaching an issue from what nominally might be considered to be a Christ follower’s perspective.
Yes, I concur there are many people not living Christ focused lives and are leading others, voluntarily or involuntarily, down the same misguided path they are taking. But sometimes I have to slow down and step back when I realize I’m elevating myself through this mental transaction to a position of moral superiority of judging a person and not the outcomes and affects of their actions. This self righteousness enters my thoughts so subtly that I sometimes don’t even recognize it.
It’s so radical to the way the world wants me to think, that sometimes I just don’t know what to do with it, but Jesus did say, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37. It’s so countercultural that I find it almost painful to “love my enemies.” God calls me to arms to do battle with evil, but not to enact revenge, in word or action, on another, that I’m leaving to Him. Mahatma Gandhi said, "An eye for an eye just makes the whole world blind." Today I’m going to keep prying on that stubborn plank.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
It seems that I am constantly bombarded with messages about how wretched someone or some group is and how out of touch with a Biblical worldview they are. And most of the time I can understand the position from which the writer or speaker is striking out. I often see that the subject of the criticism is not approaching an issue from what nominally might be considered to be a Christ follower’s perspective.
Yes, I concur there are many people not living Christ focused lives and are leading others, voluntarily or involuntarily, down the same misguided path they are taking. But sometimes I have to slow down and step back when I realize I’m elevating myself through this mental transaction to a position of moral superiority of judging a person and not the outcomes and affects of their actions. This self righteousness enters my thoughts so subtly that I sometimes don’t even recognize it.
It’s so radical to the way the world wants me to think, that sometimes I just don’t know what to do with it, but Jesus did say, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37. It’s so countercultural that I find it almost painful to “love my enemies.” God calls me to arms to do battle with evil, but not to enact revenge, in word or action, on another, that I’m leaving to Him. Mahatma Gandhi said, "An eye for an eye just makes the whole world blind." Today I’m going to keep prying on that stubborn plank.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Something’s missing
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 2 Timothy 2:8
How many times I’ve started on a trip, out of town or just to the office and from the moment I put the garage door down felt that something wasn’t right. Next there’s that fateful stop for coffee and upon reaching for my wallet, oh yes, now I remember what’s missing. Once I even filled my gas tank before realizing my wallet was still where I laid it the night before.
I sometimes do the same thing when I jump into a situation full of self confidence or even sheer panic of uncertainty. There is this question mark which plagues me until I recognize that I haven’t prayed for guidance, strength and discernment, even in what might have been an urgent situation. And when I have the presence of mind to stop, take a breath and talk with God things usually go better, For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3:26
I pray that today I will not forget to challenge myself, when faced with any difficult situation or decision, to remember Paul’s words as he recalled the suffering that he and others faced when spreading the truth of Jesus, But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, 2 Corinthians 1:9
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
How many times I’ve started on a trip, out of town or just to the office and from the moment I put the garage door down felt that something wasn’t right. Next there’s that fateful stop for coffee and upon reaching for my wallet, oh yes, now I remember what’s missing. Once I even filled my gas tank before realizing my wallet was still where I laid it the night before.
I sometimes do the same thing when I jump into a situation full of self confidence or even sheer panic of uncertainty. There is this question mark which plagues me until I recognize that I haven’t prayed for guidance, strength and discernment, even in what might have been an urgent situation. And when I have the presence of mind to stop, take a breath and talk with God things usually go better, For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3:26
I pray that today I will not forget to challenge myself, when faced with any difficult situation or decision, to remember Paul’s words as he recalled the suffering that he and others faced when spreading the truth of Jesus, But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, 2 Corinthians 1:9
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Prisoners
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1
Unless things get a lot worse in the good old USA, I don’t suspect any of us will ever have to physically be incarcerated for our faith, like Paul was on many occasions. And it wasn’t for his radical violent actions that he was convicted, just simply believing and professing his belief in Christ Jesus as his risen Lord and Savior. Being chained in a prison cell for my belief in Christ is difficult for me to imagine. But I know that there are many who today are under imprisonment of mind and body, not in cells, who need the same encouragement that Peter gave, For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 1 Peter 2:19.
There are men who are imprisoned by addictions which hold them as tightly as the strongest chains imaginable. There are those with hurt and anger which bind them so tightly that they find it hard to be positive about anything and with anybody. And those with physical afflictions which bring so much physical pain, they would trade sitting in a prison chained to the walls over the pain.
Each day I strive to make my life worthy of the blessing of health, peace and happiness that are mine, but more importantly I pray that my life displays a gratitude for the grace I receive through Christ even though I am unworthy. And most importantly, I pray for those who are imprisoned by fear, pain, hurt, anger, or addiction as if I were there with them, Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Unless things get a lot worse in the good old USA, I don’t suspect any of us will ever have to physically be incarcerated for our faith, like Paul was on many occasions. And it wasn’t for his radical violent actions that he was convicted, just simply believing and professing his belief in Christ Jesus as his risen Lord and Savior. Being chained in a prison cell for my belief in Christ is difficult for me to imagine. But I know that there are many who today are under imprisonment of mind and body, not in cells, who need the same encouragement that Peter gave, For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 1 Peter 2:19.
There are men who are imprisoned by addictions which hold them as tightly as the strongest chains imaginable. There are those with hurt and anger which bind them so tightly that they find it hard to be positive about anything and with anybody. And those with physical afflictions which bring so much physical pain, they would trade sitting in a prison chained to the walls over the pain.
Each day I strive to make my life worthy of the blessing of health, peace and happiness that are mine, but more importantly I pray that my life displays a gratitude for the grace I receive through Christ even though I am unworthy. And most importantly, I pray for those who are imprisoned by fear, pain, hurt, anger, or addiction as if I were there with them, Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Peripheral living
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11
I went to a movie theater a while back. Before the show started, a very nice young man walked to the front of the theater and a voice exuding the confidence of his full 16 years of age announced, “Let me have your attention please.” I felt a sense of presence from him that I hadn’t felt from the messages flashing on the giant screen in front of me. I actually stopped cramming popcorn into my face to listen. Not everyone in the theater was so captured and there was still a hum of voices which almost distracted me from the warning of dire consequences should I fail to mute my cell phone.
It reminded me of how difficult it is to remain undivided in the world today. There are so many choices, so many options, and so many decisions. As an undiagnosed ADD child, focus and concentration are two things I constantly struggle to maintain. Too often my focus has been on the wrong things; career and leisure, and even obsessive attention to family and church. All these things are important, but aren’t what God wants. He wants from me my undivided heart and mind so that I can hear and see his truth. Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
It has taken me a while but I finally realize that my focus must be on the center of the throne of God, “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17 The rest of my life is guided by the Spirit and the Word, but essentially peripheral.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
I went to a movie theater a while back. Before the show started, a very nice young man walked to the front of the theater and a voice exuding the confidence of his full 16 years of age announced, “Let me have your attention please.” I felt a sense of presence from him that I hadn’t felt from the messages flashing on the giant screen in front of me. I actually stopped cramming popcorn into my face to listen. Not everyone in the theater was so captured and there was still a hum of voices which almost distracted me from the warning of dire consequences should I fail to mute my cell phone.
It reminded me of how difficult it is to remain undivided in the world today. There are so many choices, so many options, and so many decisions. As an undiagnosed ADD child, focus and concentration are two things I constantly struggle to maintain. Too often my focus has been on the wrong things; career and leisure, and even obsessive attention to family and church. All these things are important, but aren’t what God wants. He wants from me my undivided heart and mind so that I can hear and see his truth. Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
It has taken me a while but I finally realize that my focus must be on the center of the throne of God, “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17 The rest of my life is guided by the Spirit and the Word, but essentially peripheral.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Surrender
I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. Psalm 44:6-7
Sometimes the fight is just overwhelming. It might be a disgruntled coworker whose undaunted negativity eventfully, regardless of my efforts to counteract it, brings everyone down. Then there’s the family situation which is just out of my grasp to bring to a joyful conclusion. After a time all my weapons of words and actions are ineffective and I just want to lay down arms and admit defeat. The problem is that sometimes I wait too long to surrender.
Sometimes I act like King Zedekiah when he refused listen to the Prophet Jeremiah who passed along instructions from God. Zedekiah was to surrender himself to the king of Babylon, but instead his fear and a lack of trust in God kept him from taking the right path and things didn’t turn out so well [Jeremiah 38:21.] That path of surrendering everything to the will of the Lord all too often runs counter to my “I got this, I can handle it” attitude.
I’m learning that the sooner I yield my will, my fears, and my anxiety to God the sooner situations seem to resolve themselves. I still have difficulty accepting that because things don’t usually turn out like I think they should, that it may be what God wants. One of the most difficult things for me to do is give up, and I’m still not likely to lay down my sword at the first flash of battle, but I am trying to always rely on Gods promise that as long as I am acting honorably, not out of self interest, he’s got my back. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Sometimes the fight is just overwhelming. It might be a disgruntled coworker whose undaunted negativity eventfully, regardless of my efforts to counteract it, brings everyone down. Then there’s the family situation which is just out of my grasp to bring to a joyful conclusion. After a time all my weapons of words and actions are ineffective and I just want to lay down arms and admit defeat. The problem is that sometimes I wait too long to surrender.
Sometimes I act like King Zedekiah when he refused listen to the Prophet Jeremiah who passed along instructions from God. Zedekiah was to surrender himself to the king of Babylon, but instead his fear and a lack of trust in God kept him from taking the right path and things didn’t turn out so well [Jeremiah 38:21.] That path of surrendering everything to the will of the Lord all too often runs counter to my “I got this, I can handle it” attitude.
I’m learning that the sooner I yield my will, my fears, and my anxiety to God the sooner situations seem to resolve themselves. I still have difficulty accepting that because things don’t usually turn out like I think they should, that it may be what God wants. One of the most difficult things for me to do is give up, and I’m still not likely to lay down my sword at the first flash of battle, but I am trying to always rely on Gods promise that as long as I am acting honorably, not out of self interest, he’s got my back. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Wet Hornets
Complain if you must, but don't lash out. Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking. Build your case before God and wait for his verdict. Psalm 4:4
I once lived in a home with a swimming pool and next to it was a tree in which every summer bald face hornets would construct one of their most interesting paper mache nests. Initially they built them in the top of the tree and were nearly invisible, but each year the nests were lower and closer to the pool. I refused to do anything about them until the one year the nest was at chest level built over the pool deck. The nest got splashed and the hornets began to swarm which brought light to my mother’s saying, “madder than a wet hornet.”
Aristotle said, “Anyone can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person at the right time, and for the right purpose and in the right way - that is not within everyone's power and that is not easy.” How true that is; “but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. James 3:8-9
As I reflect on the things which have caused me to be angry, the worst of them was pride. Pride only breeds quarrels, Proverbs 13:10 Someone once said when you’re angry count to ten and if that doesn’t work repeat. I find it helpful as Pastor William Arthur Ward put it; “…to direct your anger towards problems -- not people; to focus your energies on answers -- not excuses.” But ultimately I must remember this. for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:20
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
I once lived in a home with a swimming pool and next to it was a tree in which every summer bald face hornets would construct one of their most interesting paper mache nests. Initially they built them in the top of the tree and were nearly invisible, but each year the nests were lower and closer to the pool. I refused to do anything about them until the one year the nest was at chest level built over the pool deck. The nest got splashed and the hornets began to swarm which brought light to my mother’s saying, “madder than a wet hornet.”
Aristotle said, “Anyone can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person at the right time, and for the right purpose and in the right way - that is not within everyone's power and that is not easy.” How true that is; “but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. James 3:8-9
As I reflect on the things which have caused me to be angry, the worst of them was pride. Pride only breeds quarrels, Proverbs 13:10 Someone once said when you’re angry count to ten and if that doesn’t work repeat. I find it helpful as Pastor William Arthur Ward put it; “…to direct your anger towards problems -- not people; to focus your energies on answers -- not excuses.” But ultimately I must remember this. for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:20
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Disclaimer
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26
A small publishing company in Virginia recently reprinted copies of some of Americas founding documents: the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, Common Sense, etc. The publisher posted a disclaimer in the front of the books that says in part, “This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values as it would if it were written today.” Probably true in light of the number of Americans, even Christians, who have been pushed in to the Political Correctness corner and accepted the premise that, a least historically speaking, this is not a Christian Nation. That the Christian founding’s of the USA by its Christian founders are against the desires summarized in the founding documents by those same founders appears to me to be prima fascia counter intuitive.
I thought of how sad it would be if there came a time when a disclaimer would be printed in the front of the Holy Bible. As I think about it more, that is exactly what is happening to Christianity today. Christians are often labeled as fanatical and intolerant. John Gibson elaborates in his book, “The War on Christmas” how Christmas is being not just disclaimed, but outright banned in many segments of our secular society today.
These are difficult times to be bold for Christ, but remember what he said, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
Here's my disclaimer is, “I am a follower of Jesus Christ, doing my best to imitate his love and compassion for the world as I progress to my destination, my Father’s house. I’m just a human so don’t tailgate as I’m prone to swerving, sudden acceleration and irrational braking.”
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26
A small publishing company in Virginia recently reprinted copies of some of Americas founding documents: the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, Common Sense, etc. The publisher posted a disclaimer in the front of the books that says in part, “This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values as it would if it were written today.” Probably true in light of the number of Americans, even Christians, who have been pushed in to the Political Correctness corner and accepted the premise that, a least historically speaking, this is not a Christian Nation. That the Christian founding’s of the USA by its Christian founders are against the desires summarized in the founding documents by those same founders appears to me to be prima fascia counter intuitive.
I thought of how sad it would be if there came a time when a disclaimer would be printed in the front of the Holy Bible. As I think about it more, that is exactly what is happening to Christianity today. Christians are often labeled as fanatical and intolerant. John Gibson elaborates in his book, “The War on Christmas” how Christmas is being not just disclaimed, but outright banned in many segments of our secular society today.
These are difficult times to be bold for Christ, but remember what he said, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
Here's my disclaimer is, “I am a follower of Jesus Christ, doing my best to imitate his love and compassion for the world as I progress to my destination, my Father’s house. I’m just a human so don’t tailgate as I’m prone to swerving, sudden acceleration and irrational braking.”
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Re-gifting
If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!"—well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18
A practice which, has probably gone on for years unacknowledged has a name today; re-gifting. It’s when I take a gift given to me and give it to someone who I think needs it more. Yes, and sometimes because I just don’t like, want, or need it.
I heard a story recently of Indy Colt’s wide receiver Reggie Wayne’s ex-girlfriend’s stealing his credit card and charging over $90,000. She used the money to buy things and pay bills for her friends and family. The worst part of the whole story, in my opinion, was her explanation for doing it. She said, “I just like doing things for people.”
I thought to myself, “the ludicrousness of that notion.” How could someone say “they” were gifting another when they were doing it with someone else’s wealth? But after thinking about this a little more it occurred to me that what I give away is actually re-gifting what God has enabled me to have.
I thought, “but if someone takes from me, even if to give it away, it’s theft.” Then I received the conviction from God that if I accept a gift from him and give it away without acknowledging its origin, I’m doing the same thing as the ex-girlfriend. I have God’s blessing to acquire wealth, but I also have the responsibility to be thankful. “in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6 and to re-gift what he’s provided "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Luke 3:11
How amazing it would be if everyone considered all their wealth a gift from God to be shared, like in Acts 4:32. I suffer no delusion that the devil will allow that to become a reality. Until then I’ll just continue to praise God for the strength he’s given me to produce wealth and re-gift as much of it as possible.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
A practice which, has probably gone on for years unacknowledged has a name today; re-gifting. It’s when I take a gift given to me and give it to someone who I think needs it more. Yes, and sometimes because I just don’t like, want, or need it.
I heard a story recently of Indy Colt’s wide receiver Reggie Wayne’s ex-girlfriend’s stealing his credit card and charging over $90,000. She used the money to buy things and pay bills for her friends and family. The worst part of the whole story, in my opinion, was her explanation for doing it. She said, “I just like doing things for people.”
I thought to myself, “the ludicrousness of that notion.” How could someone say “they” were gifting another when they were doing it with someone else’s wealth? But after thinking about this a little more it occurred to me that what I give away is actually re-gifting what God has enabled me to have.
I thought, “but if someone takes from me, even if to give it away, it’s theft.” Then I received the conviction from God that if I accept a gift from him and give it away without acknowledging its origin, I’m doing the same thing as the ex-girlfriend. I have God’s blessing to acquire wealth, but I also have the responsibility to be thankful. “in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6 and to re-gift what he’s provided "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Luke 3:11
How amazing it would be if everyone considered all their wealth a gift from God to be shared, like in Acts 4:32. I suffer no delusion that the devil will allow that to become a reality. Until then I’ll just continue to praise God for the strength he’s given me to produce wealth and re-gift as much of it as possible.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Friday, June 11, 2010
The bold and the blusterer
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” 2 Corinthians 11:30
There are, in my way of thinking, two kinds of weaknesses. There is the powerless weakness and the voluntary weakness. I think one of the most difficult challenges in reading the bible, as it talks about weakness, is to understand differences. Otherwise, and some try to do this, one might assume that we are told to be wimps. God is a warrior (Exodus 15:3) and we are made in his image (Genesis 1:27.) Christ instructed us to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), but we’re also instructed to be prepared to fight for our faith (Luke 22:36-37.) The difficulty is differentiating between the causes: ourselves (the former) and others, especially the weak (the latter.)
I evaluate those who wield power, including myself when applicable, based on how they treat the weak; Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. Psalm 41 And I operate with the knowledge that we all have our weaknesses, especially of the flesh (Matthew 26:41) My barometer of my own weakness is whether I allow sin to overpower Christ’s desire for his will for me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
I pray that I will, this day and always, be bold for Christ and not for myself. That I as a man can be a warrior and a bold advocate of the weak knowing God is by my side, But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; Jeremiah 20:11
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
There are, in my way of thinking, two kinds of weaknesses. There is the powerless weakness and the voluntary weakness. I think one of the most difficult challenges in reading the bible, as it talks about weakness, is to understand differences. Otherwise, and some try to do this, one might assume that we are told to be wimps. God is a warrior (Exodus 15:3) and we are made in his image (Genesis 1:27.) Christ instructed us to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), but we’re also instructed to be prepared to fight for our faith (Luke 22:36-37.) The difficulty is differentiating between the causes: ourselves (the former) and others, especially the weak (the latter.)
I evaluate those who wield power, including myself when applicable, based on how they treat the weak; Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. Psalm 41 And I operate with the knowledge that we all have our weaknesses, especially of the flesh (Matthew 26:41) My barometer of my own weakness is whether I allow sin to overpower Christ’s desire for his will for me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
I pray that I will, this day and always, be bold for Christ and not for myself. That I as a man can be a warrior and a bold advocate of the weak knowing God is by my side, But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; Jeremiah 20:11
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Out of the frying pan
"But look!" he said. "I see four men, walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed! And the fourth man looks like a son of the gods!" Daniel 3:25 (The Message)
What a rollercoaster ride it was for Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah a.k.a. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Taken captive from Jerusalem when God delivered Judah into the hands of Babylon in about the year 605 B.C., they were given important positions in Nebuchadnezzar’s court (Daniel 1). But when they refused to worship the gold statue god of Nebuchadnezzar’s, they were thrown into a blazing hot furnace.
I have never had my physical life in peril for believing in Christ, unlike millions of Christians around the world will today. But as for my soul; that is a different matter. Every day is a battle with temptation and to follow in Christ’s path. I’ve often figuratively had my “feet held to the fire”, but never has my life been in jeopardy. Standing firm in my faith and beliefs is not comfortable or easy sometimes but it’s necessary to avoid the eternal fire. “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” John 15:6
I pray that if it ever comes to putting Christ ahead of my physical body, I’ll have the strength of conviction and belief to say as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said: ”If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it,…. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
What a rollercoaster ride it was for Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah a.k.a. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Taken captive from Jerusalem when God delivered Judah into the hands of Babylon in about the year 605 B.C., they were given important positions in Nebuchadnezzar’s court (Daniel 1). But when they refused to worship the gold statue god of Nebuchadnezzar’s, they were thrown into a blazing hot furnace.
I have never had my physical life in peril for believing in Christ, unlike millions of Christians around the world will today. But as for my soul; that is a different matter. Every day is a battle with temptation and to follow in Christ’s path. I’ve often figuratively had my “feet held to the fire”, but never has my life been in jeopardy. Standing firm in my faith and beliefs is not comfortable or easy sometimes but it’s necessary to avoid the eternal fire. “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” John 15:6
I pray that if it ever comes to putting Christ ahead of my physical body, I’ll have the strength of conviction and belief to say as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said: ”If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it,…. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Just a moment, please
"…’Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20
OK, I’ll admit that I have a certain level of impatience and intolerance for delayed gratification. It’s not a unique trait of mine, but I’ve noticed in me how that seeking of self gratification has translated into intolerance for delayed justice. I can relate to King David’s plea in Psalm 94, “Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.”
The reality check that the Bible gives me is that some people will never get what they deserve here on earth; good or bad. In fact many will get what they don’t deserve for following Christ. “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.” Revelation 13:9-10
One of the most dreaded four word phrases to me is: “Just a moment, please.” Whether I’m on the phone with a help desk or in line at the bank it implies something else must happen before my expectations are fulfilled. I constantly get reminded as I read the scriptures, ‘just a moment, please’; “Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD "for the day I will stand up to testify.” Zephaniah 3:8
The most poignant message I’ve received comes from Luke 12:35 (The Message.) "Keep your shirts on; keep the lights on! Be like house servants waiting for their master to come back from his honeymoon, awake and ready to open the door when he arrives and knocks.” So there you have it, God’s challenge; “keep your shirt on, I’m coming.”
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
OK, I’ll admit that I have a certain level of impatience and intolerance for delayed gratification. It’s not a unique trait of mine, but I’ve noticed in me how that seeking of self gratification has translated into intolerance for delayed justice. I can relate to King David’s plea in Psalm 94, “Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.”
The reality check that the Bible gives me is that some people will never get what they deserve here on earth; good or bad. In fact many will get what they don’t deserve for following Christ. “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.” Revelation 13:9-10
One of the most dreaded four word phrases to me is: “Just a moment, please.” Whether I’m on the phone with a help desk or in line at the bank it implies something else must happen before my expectations are fulfilled. I constantly get reminded as I read the scriptures, ‘just a moment, please’; “Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD "for the day I will stand up to testify.” Zephaniah 3:8
The most poignant message I’ve received comes from Luke 12:35 (The Message.) "Keep your shirts on; keep the lights on! Be like house servants waiting for their master to come back from his honeymoon, awake and ready to open the door when he arrives and knocks.” So there you have it, God’s challenge; “keep your shirt on, I’m coming.”
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Gear up
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
I made a relatively harmless and completely honest mistake yesterday. It was in an instant where I was so focused on what was next on my agenda that I didn’t properly finish the project on which I was working. I didn’t realize it for several hours when it was too late to correct the error. That caused the rest of my day to be “ate up” with frustration, self ridicule, and worry. I totally took my eye off the “prize “and got bogged down in a knot in the wood; so much for yesterdays laser focus. It seemed the harder I tried to let it go, the more the incident permeated my thoughts, words and actions.
I knew that the Evil One was working in all of my angst, but was too consumed with my thoughts to remember how to fight it properly. I think I spent the rest of the day swinging at the air and flailing about trying unsuccessfully to fight him. I find it totally amazing that I can be so aware of Jesus’ watchful care for me always to the end (Matthew 28:20) and yet in a time of stress I can forget the battle resources I have available.
I suppose it’s like anything it comes with practice; remembering to put on the ‘Armor of God’ every day. If I’m going to be in battle every day it makes sense that I need to be armed and ready with the “belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:14-17) Now that I remember my military days, after wearing a kevlar helmet for a few days, I would sometimes forget I was wearing it. And when I’d take it off, it felt like it was still on my head, a reminder to put it back on. Hmmm…I wonder if…
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
I made a relatively harmless and completely honest mistake yesterday. It was in an instant where I was so focused on what was next on my agenda that I didn’t properly finish the project on which I was working. I didn’t realize it for several hours when it was too late to correct the error. That caused the rest of my day to be “ate up” with frustration, self ridicule, and worry. I totally took my eye off the “prize “and got bogged down in a knot in the wood; so much for yesterdays laser focus. It seemed the harder I tried to let it go, the more the incident permeated my thoughts, words and actions.
I knew that the Evil One was working in all of my angst, but was too consumed with my thoughts to remember how to fight it properly. I think I spent the rest of the day swinging at the air and flailing about trying unsuccessfully to fight him. I find it totally amazing that I can be so aware of Jesus’ watchful care for me always to the end (Matthew 28:20) and yet in a time of stress I can forget the battle resources I have available.
I suppose it’s like anything it comes with practice; remembering to put on the ‘Armor of God’ every day. If I’m going to be in battle every day it makes sense that I need to be armed and ready with the “belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:14-17) Now that I remember my military days, after wearing a kevlar helmet for a few days, I would sometimes forget I was wearing it. And when I’d take it off, it felt like it was still on my head, a reminder to put it back on. Hmmm…I wonder if…
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Laser guided
"I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Acts 2:25-28
There is just something about working with tools that is attractive to guys. I came across a humorous list of tool descriptions which is a good summation of my relationship with them at times. SKIL SAW: A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short. PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters. But the one I liked the best was this one: HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle... It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
I thought how true this has been of a lot of my life. I’ve spent so much of it trying to “hacksaw” my way through, using my own “human energy” to influence my relationships with others, my career, my understanding of myself, too often asking God “why?” rather than “how?”
Last Saturday I was helping my son with a project and as we were putting tools away, I spotted his new laser guided skil saw. Cool! That’s what I want my life to be like. Instead of trying to focus on a thin line (which I inevitably veer from especially when I encounter varying resistance), I use the laser to guide me to the end of the cut. Christ as my laser; focused on the end. Or as Paul said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14. Laser guided!
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
There is just something about working with tools that is attractive to guys. I came across a humorous list of tool descriptions which is a good summation of my relationship with them at times. SKIL SAW: A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short. PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters. But the one I liked the best was this one: HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle... It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
I thought how true this has been of a lot of my life. I’ve spent so much of it trying to “hacksaw” my way through, using my own “human energy” to influence my relationships with others, my career, my understanding of myself, too often asking God “why?” rather than “how?”
Last Saturday I was helping my son with a project and as we were putting tools away, I spotted his new laser guided skil saw. Cool! That’s what I want my life to be like. Instead of trying to focus on a thin line (which I inevitably veer from especially when I encounter varying resistance), I use the laser to guide me to the end of the cut. Christ as my laser; focused on the end. Or as Paul said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14. Laser guided!
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Friday, June 4, 2010
The yellow line
“All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.” Romans 5:20 (The Message)
As I was driving to work yesterday I came to a bend in the road, a narrow curbed stretch of road which I have navigated hundreds of times. When I go through the curve with no other cars around barely notice the curve, but when there is another car coming toward me, there is an instant when I wonder will they stay on “their side.”
That double yellow line placed there by city ordinance represents the law; you stay on your side, I’ll stay on my side. It is not much of a safety barrier. I think sometimes drivers cross it just because they can. There is nothing overly intimidating about that line. Yellow lines are like laws, they don’t stop misbehavior, and in fact sometime laws themselves encourage defiance of the law.
We can’t fully rely on any law for our security. The only real protection we have against harmful acts of each other is a mutual love for and respect of one another. Without those optional acts of “grace” all the laws in the world aren’t going to protect us, they are just good ideas in words, paper and paint. This mirrors the observations of Paul as he differentiated the Laws of Moses, Gods prohibition against sinful behavior and God’s new covenant, Grace given in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as the ultimate protection from the wages of sin , death (Romans 6:23.) That is protection which lasts for an eternity.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
As I was driving to work yesterday I came to a bend in the road, a narrow curbed stretch of road which I have navigated hundreds of times. When I go through the curve with no other cars around barely notice the curve, but when there is another car coming toward me, there is an instant when I wonder will they stay on “their side.”
That double yellow line placed there by city ordinance represents the law; you stay on your side, I’ll stay on my side. It is not much of a safety barrier. I think sometimes drivers cross it just because they can. There is nothing overly intimidating about that line. Yellow lines are like laws, they don’t stop misbehavior, and in fact sometime laws themselves encourage defiance of the law.
We can’t fully rely on any law for our security. The only real protection we have against harmful acts of each other is a mutual love for and respect of one another. Without those optional acts of “grace” all the laws in the world aren’t going to protect us, they are just good ideas in words, paper and paint. This mirrors the observations of Paul as he differentiated the Laws of Moses, Gods prohibition against sinful behavior and God’s new covenant, Grace given in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as the ultimate protection from the wages of sin , death (Romans 6:23.) That is protection which lasts for an eternity.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Who cares?
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16
I believe in my life that my greatest obstacle in becoming all that God intends me to be has been apathy. Apathy that starts as a simple, “why should I care, that doesn’t involve me” then morphs into and justifies itself by “my resources of time, money and talent are too limited for me to have any kind of meaningful impact anyway,” and finally falls into the pit of, “I might just as well just watch some TV and take my mind off of it.”
The first hurdle of overcoming my own apathy has been simply to be thankful for my own blessings of health, wealth and abilities. The times in my life when I am the most complacent about my blessings are the times I am the most apathetic toward others. “When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” Hosea 13:6
The next hurdle was of focus. I get bombarded with so many opportunities to make a difference, that I can become numb, frustrated, and desensitized. I must keep reminding myself that I can’t do it all, but I must do something. The hard part is to prioritize the needs of the world against God’s will for me. My diviner is prayer. ”I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.” Psalm 17:6.
And finally, my goal is to just do it! I committed to God that I’m going to do it and all that remains is to act. Whether it’s writing a check, helping a friend, or something more complicated, “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37
Who cares? God does, and so, therefore, do I as well.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
I believe in my life that my greatest obstacle in becoming all that God intends me to be has been apathy. Apathy that starts as a simple, “why should I care, that doesn’t involve me” then morphs into and justifies itself by “my resources of time, money and talent are too limited for me to have any kind of meaningful impact anyway,” and finally falls into the pit of, “I might just as well just watch some TV and take my mind off of it.”
The first hurdle of overcoming my own apathy has been simply to be thankful for my own blessings of health, wealth and abilities. The times in my life when I am the most complacent about my blessings are the times I am the most apathetic toward others. “When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” Hosea 13:6
The next hurdle was of focus. I get bombarded with so many opportunities to make a difference, that I can become numb, frustrated, and desensitized. I must keep reminding myself that I can’t do it all, but I must do something. The hard part is to prioritize the needs of the world against God’s will for me. My diviner is prayer. ”I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.” Psalm 17:6.
And finally, my goal is to just do it! I committed to God that I’m going to do it and all that remains is to act. Whether it’s writing a check, helping a friend, or something more complicated, “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37
Who cares? God does, and so, therefore, do I as well.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Bring it on
"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. Matthew 5:39 (The Message)
I ran across a story I received from a friend a few years ago called the Law of the garbage truck. The story reminds us that in many people’s lives (sometimes including our own) there is anger, frustration, and disappointment. We fill up like a garbage truck until we can’t hold anymore. And then something happens and we “dump our junk” as my wife puts it. It may happen at an intersection or in a parking lot from a total stranger, or at work or home from those we know and love.
When the garbage truck dumps on us, we can choose to respond in one of two ways; in-kind, dumping our own garbage on someone, or we can respond in grace, forgiveness and love. Paul emphasized the desired outcome this way, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12. The story concludes with the Irving Berlin quote: "Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you take it." Don’t let the garbage truck hijack even a moment of your day stealing the joy that God intended for there to be in it.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
I ran across a story I received from a friend a few years ago called the Law of the garbage truck. The story reminds us that in many people’s lives (sometimes including our own) there is anger, frustration, and disappointment. We fill up like a garbage truck until we can’t hold anymore. And then something happens and we “dump our junk” as my wife puts it. It may happen at an intersection or in a parking lot from a total stranger, or at work or home from those we know and love.
When the garbage truck dumps on us, we can choose to respond in one of two ways; in-kind, dumping our own garbage on someone, or we can respond in grace, forgiveness and love. Paul emphasized the desired outcome this way, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12. The story concludes with the Irving Berlin quote: "Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you take it." Don’t let the garbage truck hijack even a moment of your day stealing the joy that God intended for there to be in it.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The real deal
They called the man back a second time—the man who had been blind— and told him, "Give credit to God. We know this man is an impostor." John 9:24
Pretender. Fraud. Phony. Charlatan. Poser. Impostor. Those titles bring strike fear in the heart of any man who is trying to be someone or something he’s not. The thought of being seen as who we really are is frightening to a lot of us in one way or another. Some of us hide from our emotions, some from our addictions, others still from ourselves, but ultimately from the man God intended us to be.
In the movie, “Flywheel” the main character, Jay Austin, was a fraud, a swindler; at home and in his business; a complete imposter. But his life spun out of control, and through the help of other Godly men he opened his heart to Jesus and humbled himself. I think it all comes down to the moment in time that we accept humility and acknowledge our ‘secondplacedness’ to each other and especially to our Creator. “…All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5. In the end of the movie, Jay Austin, made full restitution for his errant ways, and those he’d wronged acknowledged his good character.
Jesus came to earth knowing ‘who he was and whose he was’ so whiny charges of imposter didn’t faze him. When others speak of a man’s authenticity, like the blind man Jesus healed, “He replied, "I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind… I now see." John 9:25, then there’s a real good chance that he is the real deal.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Pretender. Fraud. Phony. Charlatan. Poser. Impostor. Those titles bring strike fear in the heart of any man who is trying to be someone or something he’s not. The thought of being seen as who we really are is frightening to a lot of us in one way or another. Some of us hide from our emotions, some from our addictions, others still from ourselves, but ultimately from the man God intended us to be.
In the movie, “Flywheel” the main character, Jay Austin, was a fraud, a swindler; at home and in his business; a complete imposter. But his life spun out of control, and through the help of other Godly men he opened his heart to Jesus and humbled himself. I think it all comes down to the moment in time that we accept humility and acknowledge our ‘secondplacedness’ to each other and especially to our Creator. “…All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5. In the end of the movie, Jay Austin, made full restitution for his errant ways, and those he’d wronged acknowledged his good character.
Jesus came to earth knowing ‘who he was and whose he was’ so whiny charges of imposter didn’t faze him. When others speak of a man’s authenticity, like the blind man Jesus healed, “He replied, "I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind… I now see." John 9:25, then there’s a real good chance that he is the real deal.
Bless you brothers, live this day in peace, in His Word.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
