Thur, 02/18/16, "Day of Praise"
Colossians 1:17 - "And [Christ Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
So worship had just started one Sunday, as it always does, with the Confession of Sin. I was in the narthex because it was Youth Sunday. Being in the narthex, I found it very hard to focus on God's word because of all the distractions: churning coffee, shuffling late comers, clicking candle lighters, and more.
It was like life--a world full of noises and things that both distract from God's word and that also lead to fragmentation of spirit and brokenness in life.
But then the Youth did this awesome sermon where they had eight rectangular tiles spread on the floor. The "preacher" would pick up a tile, and then a brief story testimony from a person's broken, fragmented, hurting life played through the sound system. The preacher then handed the tile representing the broken life story to another youth who placed the tile in a container. Then they repeated that with another tile and a different broken story seven times.
After the eighth story, the 2nd youth picked up the container of tiles and showed it to everyone. Together, the tiles, representing broken lives, formed a beautiful cross, the cross of Jesus Christ. In the cross of Jesus, broken lives are held together and healed, forming a beautiful picture of life together in Jesus.
It's a beautiful testimony to the truth in Colossians 1:17, "And [Christ Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Indeed, in Jesus, all things hold together.
Give him your brokenness. Listen to others' brokenness. And discover how Jesus holds together and blesses those who do.
Praise God!
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Day of Praise
Wed, 02/17/16, "Day of Praise"
Colossians 4:2 - "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
So what does it mean that God, through Paul, commands us to be "watchful" in our continual prayer? I remember once when our son and I were grabbing a quick bite of dinner at Subway before my evening meetings. This man and his two teenage sons came and sat in the booth next to us, and the man asked his sons to pray with him. So the man bows his head and is praying over the food, while the boys bow their body, but their eyes are open, and they're looking around, watching to see if anyone sees them eating "thankfully" during the prayer. Their eyes get that "busted" look when they see that I'm watching and smiling, and then they close their eyes and stop eating, listening to the end of their father's prayer.
I hope you're chuckling because, hey, I do understand those boys because I've been at a table and seen adults at another table do what those boys did. I've even observed pastors doing it, bowing body but eating with eyes open while someone else prayed!!!
However, I don't think that "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving" means "watch to see if someone's looking while you eat your food that you're thankful for while someone else is praying."
In sum, what God wants us to do is to be ever mindful that God is with us; this is being prayerful. And mindful that God is with us, we're called to watch for and give thanks for the many blessings that God is constantly sharing. It's an ongoing lifestyle and a constant posture of the heart that makes us grateful both for Subway sandwiches and also for the chance to close our eyes for a moment and tell God, "Thanks!"
As always, God will help us to learn to "continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2)
Praise God!
Colossians 4:2 - "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
So what does it mean that God, through Paul, commands us to be "watchful" in our continual prayer? I remember once when our son and I were grabbing a quick bite of dinner at Subway before my evening meetings. This man and his two teenage sons came and sat in the booth next to us, and the man asked his sons to pray with him. So the man bows his head and is praying over the food, while the boys bow their body, but their eyes are open, and they're looking around, watching to see if anyone sees them eating "thankfully" during the prayer. Their eyes get that "busted" look when they see that I'm watching and smiling, and then they close their eyes and stop eating, listening to the end of their father's prayer.
I hope you're chuckling because, hey, I do understand those boys because I've been at a table and seen adults at another table do what those boys did. I've even observed pastors doing it, bowing body but eating with eyes open while someone else prayed!!!
However, I don't think that "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving" means "watch to see if someone's looking while you eat your food that you're thankful for while someone else is praying."
In sum, what God wants us to do is to be ever mindful that God is with us; this is being prayerful. And mindful that God is with us, we're called to watch for and give thanks for the many blessings that God is constantly sharing. It's an ongoing lifestyle and a constant posture of the heart that makes us grateful both for Subway sandwiches and also for the chance to close our eyes for a moment and tell God, "Thanks!"
As always, God will help us to learn to "continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2)
Praise God!
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Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Day of Praise
Wed, 02/17/16, "Day of Praise"
Colossians 4:2 - "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
So what does it mean that God, through Paul, commands us to be "watchful" in our continual prayer? I remember once when our son and I were grabbing a quick bite of dinner at Subway before my evening meetings. This man and his two teenage sons came and sat in the booth next to us, and the man asked his sons to pray with him. So the man bows his head and is praying over the food, while the boys bow their body, but their eyes are open, and they're looking around, watching to see if anyone sees them eating "thankfully" during the prayer. Their eyes get that "busted" look when they see that I'm watching and smiling, and then they close their eyes and stop eating, listening to the end of their father's prayer.
I hope you're chuckling because, hey, I do understand those boys because I've been at a table and seen adults at another table do what those boys did. I've even observed pastors doing it, bowing body but eating with eyes open while someone else prayed!!!
However, I don't think that "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving" means "watch to see if someone's looking while you eat your food that you're thankful for while someone else is praying."
In sum, what God wants us to do is to be ever mindful that God is with us; this is being prayerful. And mindful that God is with us, we're called to watch for and give thanks for the many blessings that God is constantly sharing. It's an ongoing lifestyle and a constant posture of the heart that makes us grateful both for Subway sandwiches and also for the chance to close our eyes for a moment and tell God, "Thanks!"
As always, God will help us to learn to "continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2)
Praise God!
Colossians 4:2 - "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
So what does it mean that God, through Paul, commands us to be "watchful" in our continual prayer? I remember once when our son and I were grabbing a quick bite of dinner at Subway before my evening meetings. This man and his two teenage sons came and sat in the booth next to us, and the man asked his sons to pray with him. So the man bows his head and is praying over the food, while the boys bow their body, but their eyes are open, and they're looking around, watching to see if anyone sees them eating "thankfully" during the prayer. Their eyes get that "busted" look when they see that I'm watching and smiling, and then they close their eyes and stop eating, listening to the end of their father's prayer.
I hope you're chuckling because, hey, I do understand those boys because I've been at a table and seen adults at another table do what those boys did. I've even observed pastors doing it, bowing body but eating with eyes open while someone else prayed!!!
However, I don't think that "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving" means "watch to see if someone's looking while you eat your food that you're thankful for while someone else is praying."
In sum, what God wants us to do is to be ever mindful that God is with us; this is being prayerful. And mindful that God is with us, we're called to watch for and give thanks for the many blessings that God is constantly sharing. It's an ongoing lifestyle and a constant posture of the heart that makes us grateful both for Subway sandwiches and also for the chance to close our eyes for a moment and tell God, "Thanks!"
As always, God will help us to learn to "continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2)
Praise God!
Day of Praise
Tues, 02/16/16, "Day of Praise"
Luke 23:24 - "So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted."
1 Corinthians 2:2 - "For I [Paul] decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
Pilate decided on the crowd against Jesus. Paul decided on Jesus and his cross, period. What have you decided?
One time I asked a guy whose jacket was covered in logos of professional basketball teams, "Which team do you pull for?" With a slight turn toward me, he replied, "Whichever one I'm betting on."
Hmmmm. "Whichever one I'm betting on." He might as well have said, "I decide to give my energy and money to the one that I need to win."
Pilate bet on the crowd and bet against Jesus. Paul bet on Jesus and the cross of Jesus Christ.
In other words, Pilate decided to give his energy and money to the crowd. Paul decided to give his energy and money to Jesus and Jesus's cross.
Pilate needed the crowd to win because Pilate wanted his own JOB to be saved. Paul needed Jesus to win because Paul wanted his own LIFE ALONG WITH THE LIVES OF OTHERS to be saved.
Hey, y'all, decisions, decisions, decisions today. Ya need to go with Jesus. He's won.
Praise God!
Luke 23:24 - "So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted."
1 Corinthians 2:2 - "For I [Paul] decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
Pilate decided on the crowd against Jesus. Paul decided on Jesus and his cross, period. What have you decided?
One time I asked a guy whose jacket was covered in logos of professional basketball teams, "Which team do you pull for?" With a slight turn toward me, he replied, "Whichever one I'm betting on."
Hmmmm. "Whichever one I'm betting on." He might as well have said, "I decide to give my energy and money to the one that I need to win."
Pilate bet on the crowd and bet against Jesus. Paul bet on Jesus and the cross of Jesus Christ.
In other words, Pilate decided to give his energy and money to the crowd. Paul decided to give his energy and money to Jesus and Jesus's cross.
Pilate needed the crowd to win because Pilate wanted his own JOB to be saved. Paul needed Jesus to win because Paul wanted his own LIFE ALONG WITH THE LIVES OF OTHERS to be saved.
Hey, y'all, decisions, decisions, decisions today. Ya need to go with Jesus. He's won.
Praise God!
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Monday, February 15, 2016
Day of Praise
Tues, 02/16/16, "Day of Praise"
Luke 23:24 - "So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted."
1 Corinthians 2:2 - "For I [Paul] decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
Pilate decided on the crowd against Jesus. Paul decided on Jesus and his cross, period. What have you decided?
One time I asked a guy whose jacket was covered in logos of professional basketball teams, "Which team do you pull for?" With a slight turn toward me, he replied, "Whichever one I'm betting on."
Hmmmm. "Whichever one I'm betting on." He might as well have said, "I decide to give my energy and money to the one that I need to win."
Pilate bet on the crowd and bet against Jesus. Paul bet on Jesus and the cross of Jesus Christ.
In other words, Pilate decided to give his energy and money to the crowd. Paul decided to give his energy and money to Jesus and Jesus's cross.
Pilate needed the crowd to win because Pilate wanted his own JOB to be saved. Paul needed Jesus to win because Paul wanted his own LIFE ALONG WITH THE LIVES OF OTHERS to be saved.
Hey, y'all, decisions, decisions, decisions today. Ya need to go with Jesus. He's won.
Praise God!
Luke 23:24 - "So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted."
1 Corinthians 2:2 - "For I [Paul] decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
Pilate decided on the crowd against Jesus. Paul decided on Jesus and his cross, period. What have you decided?
One time I asked a guy whose jacket was covered in logos of professional basketball teams, "Which team do you pull for?" With a slight turn toward me, he replied, "Whichever one I'm betting on."
Hmmmm. "Whichever one I'm betting on." He might as well have said, "I decide to give my energy and money to the one that I need to win."
Pilate bet on the crowd and bet against Jesus. Paul bet on Jesus and the cross of Jesus Christ.
In other words, Pilate decided to give his energy and money to the crowd. Paul decided to give his energy and money to Jesus and Jesus's cross.
Pilate needed the crowd to win because Pilate wanted his own JOB to be saved. Paul needed Jesus to win because Paul wanted his own LIFE ALONG WITH THE LIVES OF OTHERS to be saved.
Hey, y'all, decisions, decisions, decisions today. Ya need to go with Jesus. He's won.
Praise God!
Day of Praise
Mon, 02/15/16, "Day of Praise"
Philippians 4:4-7 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Praise God!
Philippians 4:4-7 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Praise God!
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Sunday, February 14, 2016
Day of Praise
Mon, 02/15/16, "Day of Praise"
Philippians 4:4-7 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Praise God!
Philippians 4:4-7 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Praise God!
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Day of Praise
Sa, 02/13/16, "Day of Praise"
Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Well, football season is over. But it didn't pass without reminding me of my glory days. (Don't laugh too hard.)
In particular, I remember my eighth grade football team from Ross N. Robinson Middle School playing our cross-town rival John Sevier in our final game in Kingsport, Tennessee.
I was the quarterback. (See, I must've been okay.)
We got crushed. (Well, maybe I wasn't that good after all.)
It was pouring down rain, and the field was a mud pit. I remember getting tackled on one play, and my nose literally got rubbed in the dirt, which meant that my face and everything else on the front of me was covered in mud. And since we got crushed, I'm quite sure that I also got placed on my backside on one, two, or ten plays.
The best part of that game for me was the shower after the game. I probably should've been hosed down. But the bottom line was that washing away all that mud made me feel like a new young man.
Kinda like God's forgiveness.
Ya know, David wrote today's verse and all of Psalm 51 after he stunk up the field of life with peeping at women he shouldn't have and then scheming to get one he shouldn't have and then doing the unspeakable as he shouldn't have and then plotting to kill her husband as he shouldn't have. Wow, talk about a spiritually, relationally, emotionally, muddy mess.
When David, in Psalm 51:10, prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me," he was saying, "God, I've stunk up the place. Everything I've touched has become a dirty mess. Please, hose me down."
And God did.
And David became a new man. Not perfect or mistake free, but clean. Refreshed. Forgiven. A new beginning.
Do you have anything in your life that needs to get cleaned up, hosed down, showered off? Give your dirt to God.
A refreshing shower from God awaits you.
Praise God!
Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Well, football season is over. But it didn't pass without reminding me of my glory days. (Don't laugh too hard.)
In particular, I remember my eighth grade football team from Ross N. Robinson Middle School playing our cross-town rival John Sevier in our final game in Kingsport, Tennessee.
I was the quarterback. (See, I must've been okay.)
We got crushed. (Well, maybe I wasn't that good after all.)
It was pouring down rain, and the field was a mud pit. I remember getting tackled on one play, and my nose literally got rubbed in the dirt, which meant that my face and everything else on the front of me was covered in mud. And since we got crushed, I'm quite sure that I also got placed on my backside on one, two, or ten plays.
The best part of that game for me was the shower after the game. I probably should've been hosed down. But the bottom line was that washing away all that mud made me feel like a new young man.
Kinda like God's forgiveness.
Ya know, David wrote today's verse and all of Psalm 51 after he stunk up the field of life with peeping at women he shouldn't have and then scheming to get one he shouldn't have and then doing the unspeakable as he shouldn't have and then plotting to kill her husband as he shouldn't have. Wow, talk about a spiritually, relationally, emotionally, muddy mess.
When David, in Psalm 51:10, prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me," he was saying, "God, I've stunk up the place. Everything I've touched has become a dirty mess. Please, hose me down."
And God did.
And David became a new man. Not perfect or mistake free, but clean. Refreshed. Forgiven. A new beginning.
Do you have anything in your life that needs to get cleaned up, hosed down, showered off? Give your dirt to God.
A refreshing shower from God awaits you.
Praise God!
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Friday, February 12, 2016
Day of Praise
Sa, 02/13/16, "Day of Praise"
Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Well, football season is over. But it didn't pass without reminding me of my glory days. (Don't laugh too hard.)
In particular, I remember my eighth grade football team from Ross N. Robinson Middle School playing our cross-town rival John Sevier in our final game in Kingsport, Tennessee.
I was the quarterback. (See, I must've been okay.)
We got crushed. (Well, maybe I wasn't that good after all.)
It was pouring down rain, and the field was a mud pit. I remember getting tackled on one play, and my nose literally got rubbed in the dirt, which meant that my face and everything else on the front of me was covered in mud. And since we got crushed, I'm quite sure that I also got placed on my backside on one, two, or ten plays.
The best part of that game for me was the shower after the game. I probably should've been hosed down. But the bottom line was that washing away all that mud made me feel like a new young man.
Kinda like God's forgiveness.
Ya know, David wrote today's verse and all of Psalm 51 after he stunk up the field of life with peeping at women he shouldn't have and then scheming to get one he shouldn't have and then doing the unspeakable as he shouldn't have and then plotting to kill her husband as he shouldn't have. Wow, talk about a spiritually, relationally, emotionally, muddy mess.
When David, in Psalm 51:10, prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me," he was saying, "God, I've stunk up the place. Everything I've touched has become a dirty mess. Please, hose me down."
And God did.
And David became a new man. Not perfect or mistake free, but clean. Refreshed. Forgiven. A new beginning.
Do you have anything in your life that needs to get cleaned up, hosed down, showered off? Give your dirt to God.
A refreshing shower from God awaits you.
Praise God!
Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Well, football season is over. But it didn't pass without reminding me of my glory days. (Don't laugh too hard.)
In particular, I remember my eighth grade football team from Ross N. Robinson Middle School playing our cross-town rival John Sevier in our final game in Kingsport, Tennessee.
I was the quarterback. (See, I must've been okay.)
We got crushed. (Well, maybe I wasn't that good after all.)
It was pouring down rain, and the field was a mud pit. I remember getting tackled on one play, and my nose literally got rubbed in the dirt, which meant that my face and everything else on the front of me was covered in mud. And since we got crushed, I'm quite sure that I also got placed on my backside on one, two, or ten plays.
The best part of that game for me was the shower after the game. I probably should've been hosed down. But the bottom line was that washing away all that mud made me feel like a new young man.
Kinda like God's forgiveness.
Ya know, David wrote today's verse and all of Psalm 51 after he stunk up the field of life with peeping at women he shouldn't have and then scheming to get one he shouldn't have and then doing the unspeakable as he shouldn't have and then plotting to kill her husband as he shouldn't have. Wow, talk about a spiritually, relationally, emotionally, muddy mess.
When David, in Psalm 51:10, prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me," he was saying, "God, I've stunk up the place. Everything I've touched has become a dirty mess. Please, hose me down."
And God did.
And David became a new man. Not perfect or mistake free, but clean. Refreshed. Forgiven. A new beginning.
Do you have anything in your life that needs to get cleaned up, hosed down, showered off? Give your dirt to God.
A refreshing shower from God awaits you.
Praise God!
Day of Praise
Fri, 02/12/16, "Day of Praise"
Psalm 46:11 - "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."
When a dear, pastoral colleague of mine was living, he always said how much he hated talking on the phone. He said the coil of the phone cord was like a parable, reminding him of a snake that wrapped around relationships and choked them to death. Need I say that he much preferred going to visit with people and being with them face to face?
And so it is with the Lord. In Psalm 46:11, God plainly speaks through the psalmist, "The Lord of hosts is with us." God prefers face to face.
For all the benefits of modern technology (and there are many), God would much rather speak to us in person, face to face. I know some people prefer Pajama Church; ya know, wake up on Sunday, and turn on Joel Osteen. But I'd dare say that an average preacher in person is better than a great one on TV, not to mention that average people sitting next to you in a pew are better than the amazing ones in the pews on TV 😀. That's why God constantly tells us to "Go" and constantly says, "I am with you." It's why Jesus says, "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with you." It's why God speaks through John, saying, "How can you love God who you don't see if you don't love your brother who you do see?" It's why Jesus says, "As you did it to the least, you did it to me."
God is face to face, personally with us in Jesus Christ. And God fills us with His Holy Spirit so we can personally bring God to others. So let's have a great day together in the Lord!
Oh, yes, and share him with the real people we walk past and interact with face to face through the day!
Praise God!
Psalm 46:11 - "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."
When a dear, pastoral colleague of mine was living, he always said how much he hated talking on the phone. He said the coil of the phone cord was like a parable, reminding him of a snake that wrapped around relationships and choked them to death. Need I say that he much preferred going to visit with people and being with them face to face?
And so it is with the Lord. In Psalm 46:11, God plainly speaks through the psalmist, "The Lord of hosts is with us." God prefers face to face.
For all the benefits of modern technology (and there are many), God would much rather speak to us in person, face to face. I know some people prefer Pajama Church; ya know, wake up on Sunday, and turn on Joel Osteen. But I'd dare say that an average preacher in person is better than a great one on TV, not to mention that average people sitting next to you in a pew are better than the amazing ones in the pews on TV 😀. That's why God constantly tells us to "Go" and constantly says, "I am with you." It's why Jesus says, "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with you." It's why God speaks through John, saying, "How can you love God who you don't see if you don't love your brother who you do see?" It's why Jesus says, "As you did it to the least, you did it to me."
God is face to face, personally with us in Jesus Christ. And God fills us with His Holy Spirit so we can personally bring God to others. So let's have a great day together in the Lord!
Oh, yes, and share him with the real people we walk past and interact with face to face through the day!
Praise God!
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Thursday, February 11, 2016
Day of Praise
Fri, 02/12/16, "Day of Praise"
Psalm 46:11 - "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."
When a dear, pastoral colleague of mine was living, he always said how much he hated talking on the phone. He said the coil of the phone cord was like a parable, reminding him of a snake that wrapped around relationships and choked them to death. Need I say that he much preferred going to visit with people and being with them face to face?
And so it is with the Lord. In Psalm 46:11, God plainly speaks through the psalmist, "The Lord of hosts is with us." God prefers face to face.
For all the benefits of modern technology (and there are many), God would much rather speak to us in person, face to face. I know some people prefer Pajama Church; ya know, wake up on Sunday, and turn on Joel Osteen. But I'd dare say that an average preacher in person is better than a great one on TV, not to mention that average people sitting next to you in a pew are better than the amazing ones in the pews on TV 😀. That's why God constantly tells us to "Go" and constantly says, "I am with you." It's why Jesus says, "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with you." It's why God speaks through John, saying, "How can you love God who you don't see if you don't love your brother who you do see?" It's why Jesus says, "As you did it to the least, you did it to me."
God is face to face, personally with us in Jesus Christ. And God fills us with His Holy Spirit so we can personally bring God to others. So let's have a great day together in the Lord!
Oh, yes, and share him with the real people we walk past and interact with face to face through the day!
Praise God!
Psalm 46:11 - "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."
When a dear, pastoral colleague of mine was living, he always said how much he hated talking on the phone. He said the coil of the phone cord was like a parable, reminding him of a snake that wrapped around relationships and choked them to death. Need I say that he much preferred going to visit with people and being with them face to face?
And so it is with the Lord. In Psalm 46:11, God plainly speaks through the psalmist, "The Lord of hosts is with us." God prefers face to face.
For all the benefits of modern technology (and there are many), God would much rather speak to us in person, face to face. I know some people prefer Pajama Church; ya know, wake up on Sunday, and turn on Joel Osteen. But I'd dare say that an average preacher in person is better than a great one on TV, not to mention that average people sitting next to you in a pew are better than the amazing ones in the pews on TV 😀. That's why God constantly tells us to "Go" and constantly says, "I am with you." It's why Jesus says, "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with you." It's why God speaks through John, saying, "How can you love God who you don't see if you don't love your brother who you do see?" It's why Jesus says, "As you did it to the least, you did it to me."
God is face to face, personally with us in Jesus Christ. And God fills us with His Holy Spirit so we can personally bring God to others. So let's have a great day together in the Lord!
Oh, yes, and share him with the real people we walk past and interact with face to face through the day!
Praise God!
Day of Praise
Thur, 02/11/16, "Day of Praise"
Acts 14:22 - "...strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."
So how long does it take to empty a full 2-liter soda bottle?
One time I learned how long it takes to empty a full 2-liter soda bottle.
If you grab a full one on your way out the door to church, get in your car, unscrew the 2-liter cap, put the full 2-liter between your legs, stop short at a red light, and send the 2-liter rocketing toward your feet, then, by my count, it takes about three seconds to empty a 2-liter soda into your shoe and onto your car floor. And for no extra charge you get a nice bang on your forehead against the steering wheel as you try to get to the 2-liter at your feet before three seconds are up and the foaming thing is empty, not to mention the joy I brought to the rather large man in the pick-up truck who both apparently watched the whole thing from his passenger-side perch and who also looked dressed to go hunt for Bigfoot, Bambi or some other Disney critter on an early Sunday morning.
So what's my point?
I guess I'm not exactly sure. Maybe from today's Bible verse it's an encouragement "to continue in the faith" in spite of self-inflicted or other "tribulations" that come along in life.
Or maybe I just thought you could use a laugh on a Thursday. :-)
Have a great day, y'all!
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
If you grab a full one on your way out the door to church, get in your car, unscrew the 2-liter cap, put the full 2-liter between your legs, stop short at a red light, and send the 2-liter rocketing toward your feet, then, by my count, it takes about three seconds to empty a 2-liter soda into your shoe and onto your car floor. And for no extra charge you get a nice bang on your forehead against the steering wheel as you try to get to the 2-liter at your feet before three seconds are up and the foaming thing is empty, not to mention the joy I brought to the rather large man in the pick-up truck who both apparently watched the whole thing from his passenger-side perch and who also looked dressed to go hunt for Bigfoot, Bambi or some other Disney critter on an early Sunday morning.
So what's my point?
I guess I'm not exactly sure. Maybe from today's Bible verse it's an encouragement "to continue in the faith" in spite of self-inflicted or other "tribulations" that come along in life.
Or maybe I just thought you could use a laugh on a Thursday. :-)
Have a great day, y'all!
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
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Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Day of Praise
Thur, 02/11/16, "Day of Praise"
Acts 14:22 - "...strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."
So how long does it take to empty a full 2-liter soda bottle?
One time I learned how long it takes to empty a full 2-liter soda bottle.
If you grab a full one on your way out the door to church, get in your car, unscrew the 2-liter cap, put the full 2-liter between your legs, stop short at a red light, and send the 2-liter rocketing toward your feet, then, by my count, it takes about three seconds to empty a 2-liter soda into your shoe and onto your car floor. And for no extra charge you get a nice bang on your forehead against the steering wheel as you try to get to the 2-liter at your feet before three seconds are up and the foaming thing is empty, not to mention the joy I brought to the rather large man in the pick-up truck who both apparently watched the whole thing from his passenger-side perch and who also looked dressed to go hunt for Bigfoot, Bambi or some other Disney critter on an early Sunday morning.
So what's my point?
I guess I'm not exactly sure. Maybe from today's Bible verse it's an encouragement "to continue in the faith" in spite of self-inflicted or other "tribulations" that come along in life.
Or maybe I just thought you could use a laugh on a Thursday. :-)
Have a great day, y'all!
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
If you grab a full one on your way out the door to church, get in your car, unscrew the 2-liter cap, put the full 2-liter between your legs, stop short at a red light, and send the 2-liter rocketing toward your feet, then, by my count, it takes about three seconds to empty a 2-liter soda into your shoe and onto your car floor. And for no extra charge you get a nice bang on your forehead against the steering wheel as you try to get to the 2-liter at your feet before three seconds are up and the foaming thing is empty, not to mention the joy I brought to the rather large man in the pick-up truck who both apparently watched the whole thing from his passenger-side perch and who also looked dressed to go hunt for Bigfoot, Bambi or some other Disney critter on an early Sunday morning.
So what's my point?
I guess I'm not exactly sure. Maybe from today's Bible verse it's an encouragement "to continue in the faith" in spite of self-inflicted or other "tribulations" that come along in life.
Or maybe I just thought you could use a laugh on a Thursday. :-)
Have a great day, y'all!
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
Day of Praise
We, 02/10/16, Ash Wednesday, "Day of Praise"
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, which is a season to begin Bible-based disciplines to remember and grow in the immeasurable love of Jesus. I wrote the following devotion a couple years ago on Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2014), which happened to be the day before my dad died. It sang to me then and still does today as I pray it will sing to you today.
Psalm 147:1 - "Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting."
It is good! It is good to sing!
Around my dad's hospital bed yesterday, we sang hymns out of the Lutheran Book of Worship. We sang "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and "For the Beauty of the Earth" and other traditional hymns. Dad loved it and hummed or sang in a very muttered way as best he could, but it's not a stretch to say that he was leading the singing. After all, it was his idea. It is good! It is good to sing!
Some of you might be saying, "I could never sing in a hospital." Maybe you think your singing hurts other people's ears. But actually, not singing hurts you!
Here's a link to a fascinating article that explains what God said long ago: "It is good! It is good to sing!" (http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/26/144152193/singing-therapy-helps-stroke-patients-speak-again) In sum, for more than 100 years, it's been known that people who can't speak after injury to the speech centers on the left side of the brain can sing. In the 1970s, Boston researchers started to use a sort of "singing therapy" to help stroke survivors speak again. However, it never caught on much, but in recent years that's changing fast.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who has had a version of "singing therapy," astounded everyone by her ability to speak again after a would-be assassin's bullet tore through the speech center in Giffords' left brain. Giffords' progress came about in large part because Giffords' loved ones, like a growing number of doctors, bought into God's truth: It is good! It is good to sing!
And it's even better when those words are songs of hope and praise from God's word. For just as my father attested yesterday when we were around his bed, no matter how physically weak a heart and mind may be, singing songs of hope and praise to God brings real renewal, strength and comfort to both the human heart and mind.
So, maybe for Lent, which starts today, you could take on the discipline of singing a little everyday because God's Word is true. "Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting." (Psalm 147:1)
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
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Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Day of Praise
We, 02/10/16, Ash Wednesday, "Day of Praise"
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, which is a season to begin Bible-based disciplines to remember and grow in the immeasurable love of Jesus. I wrote the following devotion a couple years ago on Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2014), which happened to be the day before my dad died. It sang to me then and still does today as I pray it will sing to you today.
Psalm 147:1 - "Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting."
It is good! It is good to sing!
Around my dad's hospital bed yesterday, we sang hymns out of the Lutheran Book of Worship. We sang "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and "For the Beauty of the Earth" and other traditional hymns. Dad loved it and hummed or sang in a very muttered way as best he could, but it's not a stretch to say that he was leading the singing. After all, it was his idea. It is good! It is good to sing!
Some of you might be saying, "I could never sing in a hospital." Maybe you think your singing hurts other people's ears. But actually, not singing hurts you!
Here's a link to a fascinating article that explains what God said long ago: "It is good! It is good to sing!" (http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/26/144152193/singing-therapy-helps-stroke-patients-speak-again) In sum, for more than 100 years, it's been known that people who can't speak after injury to the speech centers on the left side of the brain can sing. In the 1970s, Boston researchers started to use a sort of "singing therapy" to help stroke survivors speak again. However, it never caught on much, but in recent years that's changing fast.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who has had a version of "singing therapy," astounded everyone by her ability to speak again after a would-be assassin's bullet tore through the speech center in Giffords' left brain. Giffords' progress came about in large part because Giffords' loved ones, like a growing number of doctors, bought into God's truth: It is good! It is good to sing!
And it's even better when those words are songs of hope and praise from God's word. For just as my father attested yesterday when we were around his bed, no matter how physically weak a heart and mind may be, singing songs of hope and praise to God brings real renewal, strength and comfort to both the human heart and mind.
So, maybe for Lent, which starts today, you could take on the discipline of singing a little everyday because God's Word is true. "Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting." (Psalm 147:1)
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
Day of Praise
Tuesday, 02/09/16, "Day of Praise"
1 Peter 2:21 - "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
So why, pray tell, would anyone trust Jesus Christ so much as to follow his sacrificial and suffering example? Reason #3,524: eternal significance. Every human being, because we're made in the image of God, longs to live a life where we touch other lives in a way that makes a substantial and lasting difference.
The contrast, along with the choice, is simple: a) BASE - Be A Superior Example, or b) BANE - Be A Negative Example.
A) BASE - Be A Superior Example - Imitating the most superior example, sacrificing and suffering for others like Jesus, touches other lives in a substantial and lasting way. When one person knows they have even just one other quality person in their lives, it imparts a confidence and a foundation (a BASE) on which another quality life can be built. That's why, in addition to parents, a good school teacher or coach or scout leader or music instructor or children's minister or Big Sister/Brother or Sunday School teacher is such an important asset in a child's life. Bosses, civic leaders, Bible Study group leaders, and the like are equally important assets to another adult. And we're all called to be good neighbors.
2) BANE - Be A Negative Example - "Bane" literally means "death, destruction, source of harm, source of ruin." Need I say more? Uuuuuuh, no!
Follow Jesus's example. Suffer and sacrifice for others to the Glory of God in the strength of the Holy Spirit. That's what a BASE does to live an eternally significant life, which touches other lives in substantial and lasting ways.
God, in Christ, is our BASE. Pass it on.
Praise God!
1 Peter 2:21 - "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
So why, pray tell, would anyone trust Jesus Christ so much as to follow his sacrificial and suffering example? Reason #3,524: eternal significance. Every human being, because we're made in the image of God, longs to live a life where we touch other lives in a way that makes a substantial and lasting difference.
The contrast, along with the choice, is simple: a) BASE - Be A Superior Example, or b) BANE - Be A Negative Example.
A) BASE - Be A Superior Example - Imitating the most superior example, sacrificing and suffering for others like Jesus, touches other lives in a substantial and lasting way. When one person knows they have even just one other quality person in their lives, it imparts a confidence and a foundation (a BASE) on which another quality life can be built. That's why, in addition to parents, a good school teacher or coach or scout leader or music instructor or children's minister or Big Sister/Brother or Sunday School teacher is such an important asset in a child's life. Bosses, civic leaders, Bible Study group leaders, and the like are equally important assets to another adult. And we're all called to be good neighbors.
2) BANE - Be A Negative Example - "Bane" literally means "death, destruction, source of harm, source of ruin." Need I say more? Uuuuuuh, no!
Follow Jesus's example. Suffer and sacrifice for others to the Glory of God in the strength of the Holy Spirit. That's what a BASE does to live an eternally significant life, which touches other lives in substantial and lasting ways.
God, in Christ, is our BASE. Pass it on.
Praise God!
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Monday, February 8, 2016
Day of Praise
Tuesday, 02/09/16, "Day of Praise"
1 Peter 2:21 - "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
So why, pray tell, would anyone trust Jesus Christ so much as to follow his sacrificial and suffering example? Reason #3,524: eternal significance. Every human being, because we're made in the image of God, longs to live a life where we touch other lives in a way that makes a substantial and lasting difference.
The contrast, along with the choice, is simple: a) BASE - Be A Superior Example, or b) BANE - Be A Negative Example.
A) BASE - Be A Superior Example - Imitating the most superior example, sacrificing and suffering for others like Jesus, touches other lives in a substantial and lasting way. When one person knows they have even just one other quality person in their lives, it imparts a confidence and a foundation (a BASE) on which another quality life can be built. That's why, in addition to parents, a good school teacher or coach or scout leader or music instructor or children's minister or Big Sister/Brother or Sunday School teacher is such an important asset in a child's life. Bosses, civic leaders, Bible Study group leaders, and the like are equally important assets to another adult. And we're all called to be good neighbors.
2) BANE - Be A Negative Example - "Bane" literally means "death, destruction, source of harm, source of ruin." Need I say more? Uuuuuuh, no!
Follow Jesus's example. Suffer and sacrifice for others to the Glory of God in the strength of the Holy Spirit. That's what a BASE does to live an eternally significant life, which touches other lives in substantial and lasting ways.
God, in Christ, is our BASE. Pass it on.
Praise God!
1 Peter 2:21 - "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
So why, pray tell, would anyone trust Jesus Christ so much as to follow his sacrificial and suffering example? Reason #3,524: eternal significance. Every human being, because we're made in the image of God, longs to live a life where we touch other lives in a way that makes a substantial and lasting difference.
The contrast, along with the choice, is simple: a) BASE - Be A Superior Example, or b) BANE - Be A Negative Example.
A) BASE - Be A Superior Example - Imitating the most superior example, sacrificing and suffering for others like Jesus, touches other lives in a substantial and lasting way. When one person knows they have even just one other quality person in their lives, it imparts a confidence and a foundation (a BASE) on which another quality life can be built. That's why, in addition to parents, a good school teacher or coach or scout leader or music instructor or children's minister or Big Sister/Brother or Sunday School teacher is such an important asset in a child's life. Bosses, civic leaders, Bible Study group leaders, and the like are equally important assets to another adult. And we're all called to be good neighbors.
2) BANE - Be A Negative Example - "Bane" literally means "death, destruction, source of harm, source of ruin." Need I say more? Uuuuuuh, no!
Follow Jesus's example. Suffer and sacrifice for others to the Glory of God in the strength of the Holy Spirit. That's what a BASE does to live an eternally significant life, which touches other lives in substantial and lasting ways.
God, in Christ, is our BASE. Pass it on.
Praise God!
Day of Praise
Mon, 02/08/16, "Day of Praise"
Deuteronomy 4:31 - "For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them."
So Caden turns 17 today!!! And it makes me think how I took his winter-workout, football clothes out of the dryer a couple days ago, and apparently I forgot to put in a fabric softener sheet. Ya know, they didn't have the fabric softener feel or smell.
And then I smelled the smell. It wasn't just the absence of a dryer sheet. It was the presence of the pre-wash smell. And then, it dawned on me: I never put the laundry detergent in the washing machine. I forgot the soap!
Now, c'mon; admit it. You know you've done it, too. But who knows? How do you remember what you forgot?
Well, praise the Lord that God never forgets! God never forgets his people, his covenant, and he certainly never forgets the soap. Ya know, the soap? It's the love of God and the blood of Jesus that washes the stink of our sin away.
So have a great day! And don't forget! God always remembers you!
Praise God!
Deuteronomy 4:31 - "For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them."
So Caden turns 17 today!!! And it makes me think how I took his winter-workout, football clothes out of the dryer a couple days ago, and apparently I forgot to put in a fabric softener sheet. Ya know, they didn't have the fabric softener feel or smell.
And then I smelled the smell. It wasn't just the absence of a dryer sheet. It was the presence of the pre-wash smell. And then, it dawned on me: I never put the laundry detergent in the washing machine. I forgot the soap!
Now, c'mon; admit it. You know you've done it, too. But who knows? How do you remember what you forgot?
Well, praise the Lord that God never forgets! God never forgets his people, his covenant, and he certainly never forgets the soap. Ya know, the soap? It's the love of God and the blood of Jesus that washes the stink of our sin away.
So have a great day! And don't forget! God always remembers you!
Praise God!
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Sunday, February 7, 2016
Day of Praise
Mon, 02/08/16, "Day of Praise"
Deuteronomy 4:31 - "For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them."
So Caden turns 17 today!!! And it makes me think how I took his winter-workout, football clothes out of the dryer a couple days ago, and apparently I forgot to put in a fabric softener sheet. Ya know, they didn't have the fabric softener feel or smell.
And then I smelled the smell. It wasn't just the absence of a dryer sheet. It was the presence of the pre-wash smell. And then, it dawned on me: I never put the laundry detergent in the washing machine. I forgot the soap!
Now, c'mon; admit it. You know you've done it, too. But who knows? How do you remember what you forgot?
Well, praise the Lord that God never forgets! God never forgets his people, his covenant, and he certainly never forgets the soap. Ya know, the soap? It's the love of God and the blood of Jesus that washes the stink of our sin away.
So have a great day! And don't forget! God always remembers you!
Praise God!
Deuteronomy 4:31 - "For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them."
So Caden turns 17 today!!! And it makes me think how I took his winter-workout, football clothes out of the dryer a couple days ago, and apparently I forgot to put in a fabric softener sheet. Ya know, they didn't have the fabric softener feel or smell.
And then I smelled the smell. It wasn't just the absence of a dryer sheet. It was the presence of the pre-wash smell. And then, it dawned on me: I never put the laundry detergent in the washing machine. I forgot the soap!
Now, c'mon; admit it. You know you've done it, too. But who knows? How do you remember what you forgot?
Well, praise the Lord that God never forgets! God never forgets his people, his covenant, and he certainly never forgets the soap. Ya know, the soap? It's the love of God and the blood of Jesus that washes the stink of our sin away.
So have a great day! And don't forget! God always remembers you!
Praise God!
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Day of Praise
Sa, 02/06/16, "Day of Praise"
1 John 3:20 - "If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."
Uuuuuuggggly!
That's what I see when I forget to take off my reading glasses, and I look in the bathroom mirror. Am I twice as big since I'm looking through magnifying glasses? Or am I four times as big since I'm looking through glasses at somebody who's looking through glasses?
All I know is that my eyes look like I'm an iguana. And my hair looks as big as the rainbow-haired dude on TV at pro football games in the 1970's. Through those glasses, everything looks a whole lot worse than it already was.
It's a lot like looking at my own sin through the lens of unbelief. My sin looks huge. Unforgivable. Through the lens of unbelief, I look unlovable to myself and, as best as I can tell, everyone else too.
But faith changes the way I see things. And the way you see things. Through the lens of faith, my sin still looks big, and my sin still makes me ugly. And your sin looks and does the same.
But through the lens of faith, God makes it possible to see something bigger. Something greater. God makes it possible to see the "God [who] is greater than our hearts, and [God] knows everything." (1 John 3:20)
So, yes, God knows my uuuuuuugh. And God knows my ugly. And God knows my sin. And God doesn't like it a bit. Faith doesn't approve, condone, or tolerate my sin or anybody else's. Because God doesn't approve, condone, or tolerate my sin or anybody else's.
But God is greater than my uuuuuugh, my ugly, and my sin.
And he swallows it all into the death and grave of His Son, our Lord and Savior.
And I don't need glasses to see that.
I only need faith in Jesus Christ.
Praise God!
1 John 3:20 - "If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."
Uuuuuuggggly!
That's what I see when I forget to take off my reading glasses, and I look in the bathroom mirror. Am I twice as big since I'm looking through magnifying glasses? Or am I four times as big since I'm looking through glasses at somebody who's looking through glasses?
All I know is that my eyes look like I'm an iguana. And my hair looks as big as the rainbow-haired dude on TV at pro football games in the 1970's. Through those glasses, everything looks a whole lot worse than it already was.
It's a lot like looking at my own sin through the lens of unbelief. My sin looks huge. Unforgivable. Through the lens of unbelief, I look unlovable to myself and, as best as I can tell, everyone else too.
But faith changes the way I see things. And the way you see things. Through the lens of faith, my sin still looks big, and my sin still makes me ugly. And your sin looks and does the same.
But through the lens of faith, God makes it possible to see something bigger. Something greater. God makes it possible to see the "God [who] is greater than our hearts, and [God] knows everything." (1 John 3:20)
So, yes, God knows my uuuuuuugh. And God knows my ugly. And God knows my sin. And God doesn't like it a bit. Faith doesn't approve, condone, or tolerate my sin or anybody else's. Because God doesn't approve, condone, or tolerate my sin or anybody else's.
But God is greater than my uuuuuugh, my ugly, and my sin.
And he swallows it all into the death and grave of His Son, our Lord and Savior.
And I don't need glasses to see that.
I only need faith in Jesus Christ.
Praise God!
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Friday, February 5, 2016
Day of Praise
Sa, 02/06/16, "Day of Praise"
1 John 3:20 - "If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."
Uuuuuuggggly!
That's what I see when I forget to take off my reading glasses, and I look in the bathroom mirror. Am I twice as big since I'm looking through magnifying glasses? Or am I four times as big since I'm looking through glasses at somebody who's looking through glasses?
All I know is that my eyes look like I'm an iguana. And my hair looks as big as the rainbow-haired dude on TV at pro football games in the 1970's. Through those glasses, everything looks a whole lot worse than it already was.
It's a lot like looking at my own sin through the lens of unbelief. My sin looks huge. Unforgivable. Through the lens of unbelief, I look unlovable to myself and, as best as I can tell, everyone else too.
But faith changes the way I see things. And the way you see things. Through the lens of faith, my sin still looks big, and my sin still makes me ugly. And your sin looks and does the same.
But through the lens of faith, God makes it possible to see something bigger. Something greater. God makes it possible to see the "God [who] is greater than our hearts, and [God] knows everything." (1 John 3:20)
So, yes, God knows my uuuuuuugh. And God knows my ugly. And God knows my sin. And God doesn't like it a bit. Faith doesn't approve, condone, or tolerate my sin or anybody else's. Because God doesn't approve, condone, or tolerate my sin or anybody else's.
But God is greater than my uuuuuugh, my ugly, and my sin.
And he swallows it all into the death and grave of His Son, our Lord and Savior.
And I don't need glasses to see that.
I only need faith in Jesus Christ.
Praise God!
1 John 3:20 - "If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."
Uuuuuuggggly!
That's what I see when I forget to take off my reading glasses, and I look in the bathroom mirror. Am I twice as big since I'm looking through magnifying glasses? Or am I four times as big since I'm looking through glasses at somebody who's looking through glasses?
All I know is that my eyes look like I'm an iguana. And my hair looks as big as the rainbow-haired dude on TV at pro football games in the 1970's. Through those glasses, everything looks a whole lot worse than it already was.
It's a lot like looking at my own sin through the lens of unbelief. My sin looks huge. Unforgivable. Through the lens of unbelief, I look unlovable to myself and, as best as I can tell, everyone else too.
But faith changes the way I see things. And the way you see things. Through the lens of faith, my sin still looks big, and my sin still makes me ugly. And your sin looks and does the same.
But through the lens of faith, God makes it possible to see something bigger. Something greater. God makes it possible to see the "God [who] is greater than our hearts, and [God] knows everything." (1 John 3:20)
So, yes, God knows my uuuuuuugh. And God knows my ugly. And God knows my sin. And God doesn't like it a bit. Faith doesn't approve, condone, or tolerate my sin or anybody else's. Because God doesn't approve, condone, or tolerate my sin or anybody else's.
But God is greater than my uuuuuugh, my ugly, and my sin.
And he swallows it all into the death and grave of His Son, our Lord and Savior.
And I don't need glasses to see that.
I only need faith in Jesus Christ.
Praise God!
Day of Praise
Fri, 02/05/16, "Day of Praise"
Proverbs 24:17-18 - "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him."
Ouch! Leaving my house some months ago for early Sunday worship, I noticed that the whole world was walking their dog(s). I've lived in this neighborhood almost ten years, and I'd never seen so many dogs being walked. It was like it became a dog park overnight.
And then it became something else altogether. The dogs started chasing after each other, pulling their "masters" along. One woman with two really big dogs took a horrible tumble and was clearly hurt. Everyone came to help her. Even the dogs calmed down, as if to say, "Oops, we crossed a line."
Friends, somebody's going to suffer some sort of fall today, and you're going to see it. In today's verse, God says that, when the fall or stumble we witness is that of an enemy, in other words, someone we don't like so much, it's easy for us to "rejoice" in their fall or stumble. But if even dogs in my neighborhood can sense when they should calm down, then it's reasonable that God would expect the same of us towards our fellow human beings.
God knows our hurts, from our falls, to our being dragged down by circumstances out of our control, to being broken by someone who's hurt us. Give the situation to God and a kind word or helping hand to the one who's hurting.
God will help us all.
Praise God!
Sent from my iPhone
Proverbs 24:17-18 - "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him."
Ouch! Leaving my house some months ago for early Sunday worship, I noticed that the whole world was walking their dog(s). I've lived in this neighborhood almost ten years, and I'd never seen so many dogs being walked. It was like it became a dog park overnight.
And then it became something else altogether. The dogs started chasing after each other, pulling their "masters" along. One woman with two really big dogs took a horrible tumble and was clearly hurt. Everyone came to help her. Even the dogs calmed down, as if to say, "Oops, we crossed a line."
Friends, somebody's going to suffer some sort of fall today, and you're going to see it. In today's verse, God says that, when the fall or stumble we witness is that of an enemy, in other words, someone we don't like so much, it's easy for us to "rejoice" in their fall or stumble. But if even dogs in my neighborhood can sense when they should calm down, then it's reasonable that God would expect the same of us towards our fellow human beings.
God knows our hurts, from our falls, to our being dragged down by circumstances out of our control, to being broken by someone who's hurt us. Give the situation to God and a kind word or helping hand to the one who's hurting.
God will help us all.
Praise God!
Sent from my iPhone
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Thursday, February 4, 2016
Day of Praise
Fri, 02/05/16, "Day of Praise"
Proverbs 24:17-18 - "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him."
Ouch! Leaving my house some months ago for early Sunday worship, I noticed that the whole world was walking their dog(s). I've lived in this neighborhood almost ten years, and I'd never seen so many dogs being walked. It was like it became a dog park overnight.
And then it became something else altogether. The dogs started chasing after each other, pulling their "masters" along. One woman with two really big dogs took a horrible tumble and was clearly hurt. Everyone came to help her. Even the dogs calmed down, as if to say, "Oops, we crossed a line."
Friends, somebody's going to suffer some sort of fall today, and you're going to see it. In today's verse, God says that, when the fall or stumble we witness is that of an enemy, in other words, someone we don't like so much, it's easy for us to "rejoice" in their fall or stumble. But if even dogs in my neighborhood can sense when they should calm down, then it's reasonable that God would expect the same of us towards our fellow human beings.
God knows our hurts, from our falls, to our being dragged down by circumstances out of our control, to being broken by someone who's hurt us. Give the situation to God and a kind word or helping hand to the one who's hurting.
God will help us all.
Praise God!
Sent from my iPhone
Proverbs 24:17-18 - "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him."
Ouch! Leaving my house some months ago for early Sunday worship, I noticed that the whole world was walking their dog(s). I've lived in this neighborhood almost ten years, and I'd never seen so many dogs being walked. It was like it became a dog park overnight.
And then it became something else altogether. The dogs started chasing after each other, pulling their "masters" along. One woman with two really big dogs took a horrible tumble and was clearly hurt. Everyone came to help her. Even the dogs calmed down, as if to say, "Oops, we crossed a line."
Friends, somebody's going to suffer some sort of fall today, and you're going to see it. In today's verse, God says that, when the fall or stumble we witness is that of an enemy, in other words, someone we don't like so much, it's easy for us to "rejoice" in their fall or stumble. But if even dogs in my neighborhood can sense when they should calm down, then it's reasonable that God would expect the same of us towards our fellow human beings.
God knows our hurts, from our falls, to our being dragged down by circumstances out of our control, to being broken by someone who's hurt us. Give the situation to God and a kind word or helping hand to the one who's hurting.
God will help us all.
Praise God!
Sent from my iPhone
Day of Praise
Thur, 02/04/16, "Day of Praise"
Proverbs 3:6 - "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Recently, I've had car issues. Fortunately, at the moment, one of my car issues has not been the need for an alignment. Ya know, an alignment? When your car wants to keep pulling right or left at the same time that you're trying to make it go straight, then you need to get your car to a place that does alignments. In essence, an alignment "will make straight your [car's] paths," like in today's Bible verse.
It's no big deal to need an alignment for your car. It happens when you use your car; potholes, bumpy roads, curbs, and stuff like that knocks out the alignment. If you don't take care of it, it starts affecting other parts of your car, like the tires, and then it can ripple from there.
Today, like everyday, I'm going to spend time in God's word; many days I spend time in God's word with others at church or at someone's home in groups or visits.
Why so much time in God's word? Because I'm a pastor? Naaaa, I have lots of people in my life who aren't pastors who spend time everyday in God's word. So, why?
Our souls need an alignment.
My soul needs an alignment.
Your soul needs an alignment.
Ya know, an alignment? When your soul wants to keep pulling right or left at the same time that you're trying to make it go straight, then you need to get your soul to a place that does alignments. In essence, an alignment "will make straight your [soul's] paths," like in today's Bible verse.
It's no big deal to need an alignment for your soul. It happens when you use your life; potholes, bumpy roads, curbs, and stuff like that knocks out the alignment. If you don't take care of it, it starts affecting other parts of your life, like your relationships, and then it can ripple from there.
And the best thing is that God and God's Word do even better alignments for the soul than any tire place ever did for a car.
Spread the word; Worship the Lord, "and he will make straight your paths."
Praise God!
Proverbs 3:6 - "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Recently, I've had car issues. Fortunately, at the moment, one of my car issues has not been the need for an alignment. Ya know, an alignment? When your car wants to keep pulling right or left at the same time that you're trying to make it go straight, then you need to get your car to a place that does alignments. In essence, an alignment "will make straight your [car's] paths," like in today's Bible verse.
It's no big deal to need an alignment for your car. It happens when you use your car; potholes, bumpy roads, curbs, and stuff like that knocks out the alignment. If you don't take care of it, it starts affecting other parts of your car, like the tires, and then it can ripple from there.
Today, like everyday, I'm going to spend time in God's word; many days I spend time in God's word with others at church or at someone's home in groups or visits.
Why so much time in God's word? Because I'm a pastor? Naaaa, I have lots of people in my life who aren't pastors who spend time everyday in God's word. So, why?
Our souls need an alignment.
My soul needs an alignment.
Your soul needs an alignment.
Ya know, an alignment? When your soul wants to keep pulling right or left at the same time that you're trying to make it go straight, then you need to get your soul to a place that does alignments. In essence, an alignment "will make straight your [soul's] paths," like in today's Bible verse.
It's no big deal to need an alignment for your soul. It happens when you use your life; potholes, bumpy roads, curbs, and stuff like that knocks out the alignment. If you don't take care of it, it starts affecting other parts of your life, like your relationships, and then it can ripple from there.
And the best thing is that God and God's Word do even better alignments for the soul than any tire place ever did for a car.
Spread the word; Worship the Lord, "and he will make straight your paths."
Praise God!
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Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Day of Praise
Thur, 02/04/16, "Day of Praise"
Proverbs 3:6 - "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Recently, I've had car issues. Fortunately, at the moment, one of my car issues has not been the need for an alignment. Ya know, an alignment? When your car wants to keep pulling right or left at the same time that you're trying to make it go straight, then you need to get your car to a place that does alignments. In essence, an alignment "will make straight your [car's] paths," like in today's Bible verse.
It's no big deal to need an alignment for your car. It happens when you use your car; potholes, bumpy roads, curbs, and stuff like that knocks out the alignment. If you don't take care of it, it starts affecting other parts of your car, like the tires, and then it can ripple from there.
Today, like everyday, I'm going to spend time in God's word; many days I spend time in God's word with others at church or at someone's home in groups or visits.
Why so much time in God's word? Because I'm a pastor? Naaaa, I have lots of people in my life who aren't pastors who spend time everyday in God's word. So, why?
Our souls need an alignment.
My soul needs an alignment.
Your soul needs an alignment.
Ya know, an alignment? When your soul wants to keep pulling right or left at the same time that you're trying to make it go straight, then you need to get your soul to a place that does alignments. In essence, an alignment "will make straight your [soul's] paths," like in today's Bible verse.
It's no big deal to need an alignment for your soul. It happens when you use your life; potholes, bumpy roads, curbs, and stuff like that knocks out the alignment. If you don't take care of it, it starts affecting other parts of your life, like your relationships, and then it can ripple from there.
And the best thing is that God and God's Word do even better alignments for the soul than any tire place ever did for a car.
Spread the word; Worship the Lord, "and he will make straight your paths."
Praise God!
Proverbs 3:6 - "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Recently, I've had car issues. Fortunately, at the moment, one of my car issues has not been the need for an alignment. Ya know, an alignment? When your car wants to keep pulling right or left at the same time that you're trying to make it go straight, then you need to get your car to a place that does alignments. In essence, an alignment "will make straight your [car's] paths," like in today's Bible verse.
It's no big deal to need an alignment for your car. It happens when you use your car; potholes, bumpy roads, curbs, and stuff like that knocks out the alignment. If you don't take care of it, it starts affecting other parts of your car, like the tires, and then it can ripple from there.
Today, like everyday, I'm going to spend time in God's word; many days I spend time in God's word with others at church or at someone's home in groups or visits.
Why so much time in God's word? Because I'm a pastor? Naaaa, I have lots of people in my life who aren't pastors who spend time everyday in God's word. So, why?
Our souls need an alignment.
My soul needs an alignment.
Your soul needs an alignment.
Ya know, an alignment? When your soul wants to keep pulling right or left at the same time that you're trying to make it go straight, then you need to get your soul to a place that does alignments. In essence, an alignment "will make straight your [soul's] paths," like in today's Bible verse.
It's no big deal to need an alignment for your soul. It happens when you use your life; potholes, bumpy roads, curbs, and stuff like that knocks out the alignment. If you don't take care of it, it starts affecting other parts of your life, like your relationships, and then it can ripple from there.
And the best thing is that God and God's Word do even better alignments for the soul than any tire place ever did for a car.
Spread the word; Worship the Lord, "and he will make straight your paths."
Praise God!
Day of Praise
Wed, 02/03/16, "Day of Praise"
Our son, Caden, wants to watch our Tennessee Vols play the Kentucky Wildcats tonight in basketball. We'll probably lose. But, hey, you never know, that's why they play the games! Anyway it reminded me of this devotional from my archives.
Proverbs 4:25 - "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you."
Looking "directly forward" can be a dangerous proposition. Things and people could blindside you at any moment. Don't you need "your head on a swivel"? Shouldn't we be constantly watching out for the "other guy" so that he doesn't take advantage of us or bring ruin to us?
I have a dear friend who is a Renaissance Man; he's good at everything. One of his many talents is coaching basketball, which he also played well in high school, college, and beyond.
He made some warm-up shirts for his basketball players. The shirt has the player's number on the top. Then underneath the number it says, "Next Play." Then beneath "Next Play" it says, "Proverbs 4:25." My friend is coaching his players to play well on the next play by focusing on the next play in front of them instead of playing poorly on the next play by dwelling on the past. And he'll tell them something like this, "After learning from a mistake, put it in God's hands, and focus on the NEXT PLAY!"
That's good advice from God's Word for all of life for us all: "Next Play!"
Praise God!
Our son, Caden, wants to watch our Tennessee Vols play the Kentucky Wildcats tonight in basketball. We'll probably lose. But, hey, you never know, that's why they play the games! Anyway it reminded me of this devotional from my archives.
Proverbs 4:25 - "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you."
Looking "directly forward" can be a dangerous proposition. Things and people could blindside you at any moment. Don't you need "your head on a swivel"? Shouldn't we be constantly watching out for the "other guy" so that he doesn't take advantage of us or bring ruin to us?
I have a dear friend who is a Renaissance Man; he's good at everything. One of his many talents is coaching basketball, which he also played well in high school, college, and beyond.
He made some warm-up shirts for his basketball players. The shirt has the player's number on the top. Then underneath the number it says, "Next Play." Then beneath "Next Play" it says, "Proverbs 4:25." My friend is coaching his players to play well on the next play by focusing on the next play in front of them instead of playing poorly on the next play by dwelling on the past. And he'll tell them something like this, "After learning from a mistake, put it in God's hands, and focus on the NEXT PLAY!"
That's good advice from God's Word for all of life for us all: "Next Play!"
Praise God!
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Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Day of Praise
Wed, 02/03/16, "Day of Praise"
Our son, Caden, wants to watch our Tennessee Vols play the Kentucky Wildcats tonight in basketball. We'll probably lose. But, hey, you never know, that's why they play the games! Anyway it reminded me of this devotional from my archives.
Proverbs 4:25 - "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you."
Looking "directly forward" can be a dangerous proposition. Things and people could blindside you at any moment. Don't you need "your head on a swivel"? Shouldn't we be constantly watching out for the "other guy" so that he doesn't take advantage of us or bring ruin to us?
I have a dear friend who is a Renaissance Man; he's good at everything. One of his many talents is coaching basketball, which he also played well in high school, college, and beyond.
He made some warm-up shirts for his basketball players. The shirt has the player's number on the top. Then underneath the number it says, "Next Play." Then beneath "Next Play" it says, "Proverbs 4:25." My friend is coaching his players to play well on the next play by focusing on the next play in front of them instead of playing poorly on the next play by dwelling on the past. And he'll tell them something like this, "After learning from a mistake, put it in God's hands, and focus on the NEXT PLAY!"
That's good advice from God's Word for all of life for us all: "Next Play!"
Praise God!
Our son, Caden, wants to watch our Tennessee Vols play the Kentucky Wildcats tonight in basketball. We'll probably lose. But, hey, you never know, that's why they play the games! Anyway it reminded me of this devotional from my archives.
Proverbs 4:25 - "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you."
Looking "directly forward" can be a dangerous proposition. Things and people could blindside you at any moment. Don't you need "your head on a swivel"? Shouldn't we be constantly watching out for the "other guy" so that he doesn't take advantage of us or bring ruin to us?
I have a dear friend who is a Renaissance Man; he's good at everything. One of his many talents is coaching basketball, which he also played well in high school, college, and beyond.
He made some warm-up shirts for his basketball players. The shirt has the player's number on the top. Then underneath the number it says, "Next Play." Then beneath "Next Play" it says, "Proverbs 4:25." My friend is coaching his players to play well on the next play by focusing on the next play in front of them instead of playing poorly on the next play by dwelling on the past. And he'll tell them something like this, "After learning from a mistake, put it in God's hands, and focus on the NEXT PLAY!"
That's good advice from God's Word for all of life for us all: "Next Play!"
Praise God!
Day of Praise
Tues, 02/02/16, "Day of Praise"
Thank you all for the thousands of dollars of Day of Praise devotional books that you've bought, which all goes to support our church's missionaries in Mexico and Africa. With Lent starting soon on Wednesday, February 10, I was reminded of the following devotional from the book that reminds me of God's great love for us.
John 11:44 - "The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'"
Psalm 44:3 - "...for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them."
In the first verse, Lazarus, who represents all people who need God's help, has his hands and face wrapped. In the second verse, the Psalmist celebrates how God has helped us with God's right hand and the light of God's face.
Hands and face.
When my now teenaged son was six years old, he made a place mat that said, "I like to play ball with my dad." The picture he drew on it had two stick people: one was small with nothing but two tiny hands and a small face; the other was large with nothing but two huge hands and a huge face. It's as if God made every child to know the need for their little hands and face to be shared and played with and helped by a bigger set of hands and face.
And so it is when Jesus stretches out his hands and turns his face towards the Father, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Friends, may your day be blessed as you live assured that the hands of God are reaching out to help you and that the face of God is looking on you in love. And may our hands and face know the joy of passing it on!
Praise God!
Thank you all for the thousands of dollars of Day of Praise devotional books that you've bought, which all goes to support our church's missionaries in Mexico and Africa. With Lent starting soon on Wednesday, February 10, I was reminded of the following devotional from the book that reminds me of God's great love for us.
John 11:44 - "The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'"
Psalm 44:3 - "...for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them."
In the first verse, Lazarus, who represents all people who need God's help, has his hands and face wrapped. In the second verse, the Psalmist celebrates how God has helped us with God's right hand and the light of God's face.
Hands and face.
When my now teenaged son was six years old, he made a place mat that said, "I like to play ball with my dad." The picture he drew on it had two stick people: one was small with nothing but two tiny hands and a small face; the other was large with nothing but two huge hands and a huge face. It's as if God made every child to know the need for their little hands and face to be shared and played with and helped by a bigger set of hands and face.
And so it is when Jesus stretches out his hands and turns his face towards the Father, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Friends, may your day be blessed as you live assured that the hands of God are reaching out to help you and that the face of God is looking on you in love. And may our hands and face know the joy of passing it on!
Praise God!
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Monday, February 1, 2016
Day of Praise
Tues, 02/02/16, "Day of Praise"
Thank you all for the thousands of dollars of Day of Praise devotional books that you've bought, which all goes to support our church's missionaries in Mexico and Africa. With Lent starting soon on Wednesday, February 10, I was reminded of the following devotional from the book that reminds me of God's great love for us.
John 11:44 - "The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'"
Psalm 44:3 - "...for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them."
In the first verse, Lazarus, who represents all people who need God's help, has his hands and face wrapped. In the second verse, the Psalmist celebrates how God has helped us with God's right hand and the light of God's face.
Hands and face.
When my now teenaged son was six years old, he made a place mat that said, "I like to play ball with my dad." The picture he drew on it had two stick people: one was small with nothing but two tiny hands and a small face; the other was large with nothing but two huge hands and a huge face. It's as if God made every child to know the need for their little hands and face to be shared and played with and helped by a bigger set of hands and face.
And so it is when Jesus stretches out his hands and turns his face towards the Father, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Friends, may your day be blessed as you live assured that the hands of God are reaching out to help you and that the face of God is looking on you in love. And may our hands and face know the joy of passing it on!
Praise God!
Thank you all for the thousands of dollars of Day of Praise devotional books that you've bought, which all goes to support our church's missionaries in Mexico and Africa. With Lent starting soon on Wednesday, February 10, I was reminded of the following devotional from the book that reminds me of God's great love for us.
John 11:44 - "The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'"
Psalm 44:3 - "...for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them."
In the first verse, Lazarus, who represents all people who need God's help, has his hands and face wrapped. In the second verse, the Psalmist celebrates how God has helped us with God's right hand and the light of God's face.
Hands and face.
When my now teenaged son was six years old, he made a place mat that said, "I like to play ball with my dad." The picture he drew on it had two stick people: one was small with nothing but two tiny hands and a small face; the other was large with nothing but two huge hands and a huge face. It's as if God made every child to know the need for their little hands and face to be shared and played with and helped by a bigger set of hands and face.
And so it is when Jesus stretches out his hands and turns his face towards the Father, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Friends, may your day be blessed as you live assured that the hands of God are reaching out to help you and that the face of God is looking on you in love. And may our hands and face know the joy of passing it on!
Praise God!
Day of Praise
Mon, 02/01/16, "Day of Praise"
Galatians 6:1 - "If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
This is a hard verse about being in mission for Christ. In sum, God's saying that we have a ministry that we "should" do; we cannot do nothing. And what we do should be done in "gentleness." And on top of how we're supposed to do it there is this warning which basically is a warning against becoming full of ourselves and thinking we're better than others. It's a hard charge.
To illustrate, I was with our daughter, Cassidy, one time, getting lunch. A very well-dressed guy went to the soda machine three times to fill his drink; each time he over-filled his cup, turned around, watched his cup overflow onto the ground right next to our table, and looked around to see if anyone noticed his mistake. He was clearly embarrassed. (He never did notice the drink splash onto my pants and feet.)
According to today's Bible verse, what should I have done? Should I have a sense of humor and comfort the guy, saying that I do that all the time too, (which I do)? Should I be silent and smile at him? Should I look the other way as if I don't see what's happened repeatedly? Each of these responses has the potential to be right. Each has the potential to be wrong.
Ultimately, there's only one thing to do, based on today's Bible verse. Do something with faith that God will do what God promises to do, namely, God promises to work through all things together for good.
In sum, boy oh boy, do we all need God's help, or what? May God help us all!
And God surely does.
We know this in Jesus Christ.
Praise God!
Galatians 6:1 - "If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
This is a hard verse about being in mission for Christ. In sum, God's saying that we have a ministry that we "should" do; we cannot do nothing. And what we do should be done in "gentleness." And on top of how we're supposed to do it there is this warning which basically is a warning against becoming full of ourselves and thinking we're better than others. It's a hard charge.
To illustrate, I was with our daughter, Cassidy, one time, getting lunch. A very well-dressed guy went to the soda machine three times to fill his drink; each time he over-filled his cup, turned around, watched his cup overflow onto the ground right next to our table, and looked around to see if anyone noticed his mistake. He was clearly embarrassed. (He never did notice the drink splash onto my pants and feet.)
According to today's Bible verse, what should I have done? Should I have a sense of humor and comfort the guy, saying that I do that all the time too, (which I do)? Should I be silent and smile at him? Should I look the other way as if I don't see what's happened repeatedly? Each of these responses has the potential to be right. Each has the potential to be wrong.
Ultimately, there's only one thing to do, based on today's Bible verse. Do something with faith that God will do what God promises to do, namely, God promises to work through all things together for good.
In sum, boy oh boy, do we all need God's help, or what? May God help us all!
And God surely does.
We know this in Jesus Christ.
Praise God!
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