Do....... Something!

New address for my blog

2010-11-05T20:02:00.000-05:00

http://denywlemaster.wordpress.com/

New Look

2010-11-05T15:51:00.000-05:00

I've updated the look of the blog. I am considering moving the blog to another site. I'll keep you informed.

Deny

The Box

2010-11-05T09:29:00.004-05:00

The Box
I'm sure we've all heard the expression "thinking outside the box" or "getting out of your comfort zone.” I would say most everyone has a box or a zone of comfort and if we venture too far from that place, we begin to notice it.

As a believer in Christ, I feel strongly that we should never leave the bounds of Scripture. I've often said, "God's word is as deep as you want to go.” It is defined as both milk and solid food. It is for the infant Christian and for the mature. It is enough. We never need to venture outside of it to find what we need for life and godliness. Some passages are more difficult to wrestle with than others. Some things contained within it may make us feel as if we are venturing too far from our boxes.

This is what I'm picturing.....
I'm thinking of Scripture as being a huge box and contained within it would be my much smaller box. My box contains my favorite Scripture verses, how I view certain issues, and the tradition(s) to which I have grown accustom, you get the picture. I can spend all my time protecting my box so that no "uncomfortable" Scripture gets in. This would allow me to become "dull of hearing" as the Hebrew letter says. As a result, I would never grow beyond the borders of my box. Never being able to go on to maturity.

It is comforting to know that I can think outside my box and still be safely inside the boundaries of Scripture. Wrestling and struggling to understand Scripture is not a bad thing. If it causes me to be uncomfortable, I can deal with that because it is Scripture. We should not fear anything contained in it. Scripture is truth. There is nothing to fear.

Have a Great Day,
Deny

Oh, That's What You Want?

2010-11-01T06:06:00.001-05:00

I'm working on giving God what he wants instead of what I think he wants.

I was asked a couple years ago, "what do you want for Christmas?" I offered my reply only to discover that the giver gave a completely different gift. OK, I can live with that....don't want to seem ungrateful. The following year came the same question. This time I circled it in a catalog and said, "this is all I want." It felt odd being so bold to do such a thing however, this person was wanting to get me something I wanted. I believe one of the problems was the individual couldn't believe this was the only gift I wanted, there had to be more. I found that the giver consistently gave me gifts that they actually liked & assumed I would like them as well.

Finally, it happened. I was presented with the gift I had specifically asked for. It was a wonderful experience to receive just what I wanted. After I opened the gift the giver said, "I would have gotten you more but, that's what you said you wanted." Yes it was & it made me happy. I still have the gift & use it on a regular basis. What a blessing!

Why not give God what he's asking for?
Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Eph 5:10 (NRSV)

Have A Great Day!
Deny

Would You?

2010-11-01T05:21:00.001-05:00

I’ve been studying the book of Job lately.

An interesting question from chapter 1 has come to mind: Would you serve God for nothing? I mean, if the blessings stopped flowing today, would you still be interested in Him. In other words, where does your faith really come from? Is it only wrapped up in the good things you receive from Him?

Satan believes that you are so shallow that if the blessings stop flowing you will turn from God. He really believes that you are that superficial. What if the blessings not only stopped flowing but, they are taken away?

“But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” Job 1:11 (NRSV)

So, not only would he be angry at God, he would curse Him to His face! That’s what Satan believes about Job. I believe he thinks this way about all of us. We are so wrapped up in ourselves that we become self-centered and shallow thinking. When the good stops we become angry and turn and bite the hand that feeds us.

I love the confidence God has in Job. He knows the real relationship they have. He knows Job very well. This is about having extreme faith in God. Job’s faith is in God alone, not in his blessings.

So, the question remains, would you serve God solely because He is God? Is that enough for you? Hmmmm, interesting.

Have a Great Day!
Deny

Learning Patience for God's Benefit (pt.1)

2010-06-23T11:51:00.004-05:00

Have you ever stopped to consider if you pray for patience how God would answer that prayer? I'm like everyone in that I want to get patience the easy way.

I've heard people say, "I prayed for patience.....I'll never do that again!"

How does God mature us without allowing situations that try our patience into our lives?

Check this Scripture out:

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 (NRSV)

I will suggest the reason we joke about praying for patience and resist the spiritual strengthening situations put before us is because we don't know that the testing produces spiritual results. If we do know then we are not allowing or welcoming the testing.

Is it a faith issue? God can get the job done but not without our cooperation and willingness to face "trials". We need to know that He is still in control, that He wants what is best for us and will deliver. Our maturity may come through being in situations we don't particularly like.

Think about it. That thing that drives you crazy may just be the thing you need to get you where you need to be ......for God's benefit. More to come.

Have a Great Day!
Deny

When Fear is Gone

2010-03-04T06:07:00.003-06:00

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:16-18 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

When fear is gone.....then you begin to grow. Give it all to Him. Ready.....Set.....GO!

Have a Great Day,
Deny

The Presentation

2009-10-05T06:14:00.003-05:00

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Romans 12:1 (NRSV)

It's so easy to read right past the word present. I need to present myself to Him. This is something I willingly do. No one can do it for me. I can't phone it in. I present.

I'm realizing this: If I'm wanting God to use my life and take control of it, I have to offer it. For me to want God to "take control" of my life without me offering it equals spiritual laziness on my part.

Knowing that God does not force His will on anyone.....Today I will willingly present myself to Him!

Have A Great Day!
Deny

Grace is Good!

2009-09-22T13:10:00.005-05:00

In Col 1:3-6 Paul says.....

In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. (NRSV)

It's important to see the statement that they "truly comprehended the grace of God"! His grace will leave us in awe of him. After years of being a Christian I think I'm just beginning to comprehend it. It is vital that we see the grace of God through Jesus. It will humble us and help us realize the love of God. We can't earn our way to Heaven. The fact that he went to the cross willingly is powerful. He chose to lay down his life [John 10:17-18]. We were and are helpless to save ourselves.
A good friend of mine said she saw the following bumper sticker on a car the other day....Christ died for you so He wouldn't have to live without you! I like that. Grace is good!

Have A Great Day!
Deny

It's What We Need!

2009-09-07T21:22:00.004-05:00

We need boundaries even though we sometimes push against them.....Thank you God for providing what we need but sometimes despise!

You know us very well and this is good!

Have a Great Day!
Deny

FD-1 [Fear Displacement - 1st Attempt]

2009-08-31T07:11:00.005-05:00

I love it when it's exciting to be in the assembly on Sunday & Wednesday. The One Another's provide that. Jesus has given us more important things to focus on than colors of communion trays & carpet. These are the things "safe" churches are made of...the One Another's. Living them displaces fear [Read 1 John 4:7-21], just as WD-40 displaces water [WD-40 stands for Water Displacement. Mr. Larsen was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion, by displacing the standing water that promotes it. In the process, he arrived at a successful formula on his 40th attempt].

Try it..... you'll like it...most importantly those around you will too!

Have A Great Day,
Deny

The Value of Simplicity!

2009-08-27T20:41:00.003-05:00

I believe that we often make things harder than God intended. Have you ever thought the more complex something is the more valuable it has? It seems to be correct, at least it works that way in the manufacturing industry. I'm not so sure that's the way it is with God.

This is how we know that we love God's children: we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not difficult. 1 John 5:2-3

God makes things simple and when humans add their two cents it becomes complex, more difficult, burdensome. Let's take Him at His word. Simple doesn't mean cheap or easy. Living out His simple commands is very valuable to us. I'm glad Jesus commands are not complex, aren't you?

Have A Great Day,
Deny

The Safe House

2009-08-26T12:07:00.005-05:00

I think we all want safety. We typically do not frequent places that have the potential to harm us. Our homes are most likely the safest places we know.

In my home no one will hurt me. I can relax there. I can be myself there without anyone harming me.

I believe our congregations should be safe zones. A spiritual family. A family full of misfits and sinners saved by Christ where no potential for harm exists. A family that we really want to be a part of. Sometimes "going to Church" (by the way I do not like this phrase) people my feel as if they are swimming in shark infested waters with a bucket of chum around their neck. Smart people run from potential danger. Maybe this is one of the reasons some people just stay home. Have you ever felt unsafe in the assembly? Paul points out to the Corinthians that their meetings were doing more harm than good. Why does this happen? More importantly, what's the fix?

We can have the structure right, elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, three songs and a prayer, you get the point, but still be lacking. Does the Ephesian church from Revelation ring any bells?

I believe everyone wants and needs the safety that love provides. Jesus commands 1 thing....love (John 13:34-35). It's how everyone will know that we are the real deal.
Living the One Another's is the fix.

Think about how safe and family-like a congregation would look and most importantly feel if it were actively living out the One Another's. Why would those outside of Christ want to be a part of a group that doesn't "feel" safe? The One Another's (love being the primary one) help us be like Jesus. They provide us with a To Do List. As we incorporate these into our lives the Church begins to be family. A safe nonabrasive family. A family that provides safety through the daily incorporation of the One Another's. Then everyone will know and it will be good!

Start Today!
Deny

Forgiveness = Freedom!

2009-08-24T07:58:00.003-05:00

Forgiveness may be one of the toughest things we will ever deal with in life. We have all had painful people pass through our lives. Some pitch a tent and stay awhile, some take up residence it seems and become the ever present reminder of "the event". Forgiveness is tough, but not impossible. I know it's not impossible because of the following verse.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matt 6:14-15 (NRSV)

He wouldn't tell us this if forgiveness were impossible. It may go against our emotions at times to forgive, but don't let that feeling lead your life....let the Lord.

If the above verse is true (I believe it is) I can prevent my forgiveness from the Father by withholding it from someone else.

Forgiveness is not saying the what the person did was right, it may be horrible, ungodly, and mean. You need to be free. Don't continue to shackle yourself to the person or the event through unforgiveness. Forgive and set yourself free! Will the other person repent? Don't know....can't control that, but you can control what you do, right? If you hold on to all of that junk it can lead you into bitterness and a whole new set of problems that allow Satan footholds in your life. Please, think about what God says and be free!
Sorry....no easy button for this one!

Have A Great Day,
Deny

Extreme Baptism!

2009-08-17T15:47:00.001-05:00

Celebrating Freedom!

2009-08-17T07:18:00.004-05:00

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
Gen 2:15-16 (NIV)

You are free...... sweet freedom!
God would have been cruel to not state the consequence for eating the "wrong" fruit and in verse 17 He does.

"...but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Gen 2:17 (NIV)

Satan tries to muddy the water by offering the first "spin" on things.

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Gen 3:5 (NIV)

Listen to Satan telling Eve "what God knows". Listening to the wrong voice can end up costing a great deal. People all around us have suffered great loss because they listened to the "wrong" voice. Maybe you too? It's easy to get caught up in the "muddiness" of the moment and hear what you want to hear. Who wouldn't want to be like God?

Just like Eve we are free to make choices, any choice we want. It would be quite an interesting thing if God immediately struck dead everyone who made the "wrong" choice, but He obviously doesn't. We are all free to choose.

What God knows is that we will sometimes wade into the muddy waters and be deceived. We will listen to the wrong voice of promise and suffer loss.

God, in His extreme love for us, provides a way out.

........"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
Matt 17:5 (NIV)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36 (NIV)

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Heb 2:14-15 (NIV)

Listen carefully and choose wisely my friends!
Have A Great Day!
Deny

A Great Restore Point!

2009-08-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

It seems that sometimes it is easily forgotten that Jesus is the head of the Church, not man.

we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ
Eph 4:15 (NRSV)

And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church Eph 1:22 (NRSV)

Christ is the head of the church
Eph 5:23 (NRSV)

He is the head of the body, the church
Col 1:18 (NRSV)

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority.
Col 2:8-10 (NRSV)

He has all authority in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18)

A few times I've had to reset my computer by way of a restore point. By creating a restore point, you can save the state of the operating system and your own data so that if future changes cause a problem, you can restore the system and your data to the way it was before the changes were made.

If changes have occurred in "the system" of your life and Jesus is no longer the head , this would be a great restore point!

Have A Great Day!
Deny

Things That Help Us Live with Joy

2009-08-16T13:20:00.004-05:00

3 Things That Help Us Live With Joy (from 3rd John)

1. Open heart to God’s word (v.4)

2. Hospitality
Gauis welcomed them
Rom 12:13 ……..Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

3. Open Hand for God’s Word
Be unselfish
God wants to move us from selfishness to unselfishness.

Have A Great Day!
Deny

Are You Being Robbed?

2009-08-15T06:50:00.003-05:00

5 Viruses that rob us of our joy ( from 3rd John)

1. Me 1st (v.9)

2. Resistance (v.9)

3. Gossip (v.10)

4. Isolation (v.10)

5. Control (v.10)

Let's face it if you loose your joy as a Christian....it gets ugly fast!

Keep joy alive my friends!

Have a Great Day!

Deny

Angel Interaction!

2009-08-13T06:28:00.001-05:00

Daniel 9:20-10:21

The response to your prayer could be "Yes", "No" or "Wait" (there's a spiritual battle going on over this one).

Think About This: Could this kind of thing be happening today?

Just a thought.

Have A Great Day!
Deny

Eskimo Baptism

2009-08-11T15:38:00.002-05:00

A Restoration Mindset?

2009-08-10T06:52:00.004-05:00

Having a restoration mindset i.e. "getting back to Scripture" is a tricky thing. It's what we think we want, but when it comes to the application of a "rediscovered truth" it meets with established tradition and then there's a decision to make. Tradition can be a great thing and most likely is. However, it can hold us in patterns of thought that do not allow us to see Scripture clearly.

An example:
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
Matt 18:20 (NRSV)

Maybe you have been taught to believe that this is about worship and how many it takes to "officially" have it.

I hear this explanation everywhere I go and I was taught that was correct, until I read it in its context.

Read it in context:
15 "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
Matt 18:15-20 (NRSV)

It seems that Jesus is talking about resolving conflict. The two or three gathered in His name have gathered to take care of a sin problem (conflict). Christ is present to aid in the process. How did we ever get a worship assembly out of this context?

It would be a shame if our only thought of Matthew 18:15-20 was, "you have to at least two people to worship" and miss the power of resolving the conflict Jesus way.

Have a Great Day!
Deny

Honoring Marriage

2009-07-29T01:15:00.006-05:00

Marriage should be honored by all
Heb 13:4 (NIV)

Among the "Oh yes, don't forget this" of Hebrews 13 is this little gem. Honor marriage. I think it appropriate to honor marriage in our world today. I'm thankful to my father and mother for giving me an example of staying married even though many of the marriages of their peers lay in ruin. The commitment, the work, the devotion, the example, the love needs to be honored by those who notice.

To those of you who are married that are reading this......

recommit to your spouse today.........marriage takes strong commitment
work on making your marriage affair proof..........even though you say you love each other.....you must guard and manage that decision every day
devote your all to your spouse, hold nothing back
be an example for us all
learn to love even deeper

I've been married 20 years and I'm starting to get it.

Have a Great Day!

Deny

Soul Thirst!

2009-07-22T10:32:00.007-05:00

I saw a deer the other day panting as it ran through the field and it reminded me of this scripture.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Psalms 42:1-2 (NIV)

I want that kind of thirst for God. I don't want to spend my life developing a thirst for any and every thing but God. How about you?

Develop a Soul Thirst.

Have a Great Day,

Deny

Show Honor!

2009-07-22T10:00:00.001-05:00

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Romans 12:9-13 (NRSV)

I love the "outdo one another in showing honor" part. Sounds easy. The practice is a little harder.
How will you start? With whom will you start? Life is full of opportunities.....take hold of one today.

Have a Great Day
Deny

The Outcry!

2009-07-08T12:37:00.002-05:00

Then the Lord said, "How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! 21 I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know."

Things to Ponder: Given the situation there, who was doing the crying out?

Read the entire story and think about it.

More Later.

Have A Great Day!
Deny

Something I'm Learning

2009-06-22T13:08:00.003-05:00

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. James 5:13 (NRSV)

This sounds so simple doesn't it? This reaction to suffering should be a faith response. It is something we must learn to do. As our faith in Him increases our immediate response is to pray.

If our first thought at the sign of suffering is to worry or to try to figure a way out, it reveals we still have some work to do in the area of trusting Him. I believe that God is trying to help us understand that our first thought should be to turn to Him.

Why do our children immediately turn to us at the first sign of trouble? They place trust in us. They know we can and will help. They've experienced it in the past and have learned to trust.

Worry can't change it or help us through it....God can!

Have A Great Day!
Deny

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T06:17:00.004-05:00

Being a Godly father is not something you can fake. Our children know what is real and what is not. We must back up what we say with love and consistency. I am starting to realize the importance of that statement. You can father through the default setting or you can do it God's way. I love God's way. I'm trying not to hit the default button as I live my life and guide and shape theirs.

Have A Great Day!
Deny

The Top 5 Things My Dad Taught Me

2009-06-20T21:27:00.002-05:00

1. Be honest.
2. Be faithful to your wife.
3. Be giving to everyone.
4. Be willing to share.
5. Be just.

Thanks Dad,
Deny

HAPPY FATHER's DAY!

"How I Have Longed"

2009-06-18T15:41:00.004-05:00

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
Matt 23:37 (NIV)

Having a choice is wonderful. It can also be gut wrenching as you watch someone resist what God wants to do for them. We all get to make our own choices. Choose wisely, with God's word in mind. As I write this I have no one specific in mind, just thinking about how Jesus really wanted them to choose a different path. He wanted to protect them, but they were unwilling. One time as I was leaving Mexico City I wondered what Jesus was thinking about that city. I often wonder what He thinks of my current city. I am to be Jesus to the people around me. I long to be like Him, to think the thoughts of God and carry out His mission.

Just a couple more questions......who cries over your city, who longs for it?
Have A Great Day!
Deny

Tell Me The Story!

2009-06-16T09:30:00.003-05:00

When my 3 year old Niece sees writing on a shirt or anything for that matter, she says "tell me the story"! I really like that request.

Our lives tell a story. As I meet people I need to remind myself that they have a story. Sometimes it's written all over their faces. The question is do I really want to know it.

Have you ever had a bad day? The kind where you could kick the cat just for being a cat? Those frustrating days. Those days that bring you to the breaking point. You have one last nerve and everyone is in line to stand on it? Yes, those kind of days. I hope they are few and far between, but they do exist. Sometimes this is happening to the drive thru clerk, the person with 11 items in the 10 item or less line, the slow driver in the high speed lane, the lady with 5 kids and no help (4 in the cart and 1 in the floor screaming). You get the picture. Under the stress and turmoil everyone has a story.

This reminds me of the woman at the well in John 4. Jesus was interested in her story. The highs and the lows. The difference between me and Jesus is that He already knew her story and was still interested. The question for me is will I be interested enough (in people) to ask them to "tell me their story"? The setting has to be right. Timing is an issue, but if I find those things working in my favor.......will I be interested enough to ask or will I be too self absorbed to notice the opportunity? Will I notice?

I'm going to be open to the opportunity today.

Have A Great Day!

Deny

I'm Back

2009-06-16T09:25:00.002-05:00

I'm back from El Salvador....ready to begin posting again. Sorry for the long silence.

Making Room and Having Reverence!

2009-05-26T16:00:00.005-05:00

Something to consider.......

Eph 4:27 (NRSV) "do not make room for the devil."

I'm either making room for Satan in my life or I am not. The way to check is to consider the context of Ephesians 4:27. Things like what I do with my anger, etc.

Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph 5:21 (NRSV)

I'm either demonstrating a reverence for Christ in my life or I am not. The way to check is to consider the context of Ephesians 5:21. The health of the relationship hinges on our reverence for Christ. We will be able to live out our "one another" relationships only if we put Christ first. When we place self at the top.....relationships begin to come unraveled and Satan has his room to work.

Don't give the devil any room in your life by having reverence for Christ.

Have A Great Day!
Deny

Tradition vs. Scripture

2009-05-13T08:23:00.003-05:00

When tradition collides with Scripture....always go with Scripture!

The Power of Isolation!

2009-05-13T07:25:00.006-05:00

One of Satan's most powerful tools is isolation. He can't force you to do anything, but he offers this bait.... "I must be the only one struggling with ______." Have you ever felt this way? If I tell someone I run the risk of being viewed as odd and different...you know, unlike everyone else. No one around me seems to be struggling with anything! This turns into further isolation. So, I tell no one and he wins the battle. It doesn't have to be like this.

Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (NRSV)
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:1-2 (NRSV)

The rationalizations to not confess or bear one anothers burdens are limitless. We can find all sorts of excuses. The scripture still stands. No confession......no healing. No bearing of burdens.......no restoration. The Christian life was never intended to be lived alone. We need one another. When you're beginning to feel isolated....stay connected to the body. I do recommend that you be accountable to a member of the same sex and that the Christian demonstrates righteousness.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
1 Cor 12:12-21 (NRSV)
Have A Great Day!

Deny

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T06:53:00.004-05:00

Competition, Protection, & Fig Leaves

2009-05-08T01:34:00.005-05:00

God intended for the male /female relationship to be complementary not competitive. The result of Adam & Eve's sin was competition. Think about it. They hid from one another first. Remember the fig leaves? Once sin entered the relationship they began protecting themselves by building barriers. Later they would hide from God.

These barriers didn't cover their entire bodies, just the part that represents gender....and the war began! A war demands a winner and loser. The one flesh relationship created by God had now become two competing individuals that needed to be protected from the eyes of the other.

You can't love while protecting yourself. Learning to love in marriage is learning to be vulnerable with your spouse. Think about all the games we play to guard ourselves from our spouses. The fear is that if the guard is let down and we become vulnerable, we will get hurt. Stop competing.....stop protecting.....stop the games.....stop the selfishness.....and start loving your spouse.

Have A Great Day!

Deny

Appearance can be deceiving!

2009-05-01T07:16:00.001-05:00

It Looked Good on the Outside!

2009-04-30T14:25:00.009-05:00

I had a tree that the Electric Company said had to come down. It was a big walnut tree 3' in diameter, very tall, very straight. I told them I wanted to cut the log and sell it. I knew it would be a good money maker. They cut the tree and it was hollow inside with only a 2-3 inch ring around the outside. Bummer!

It's so easy to look at the exterior and make decisions and plans based on what we see. That tree looked like a money maker on the outside. You couldn't tell from looking at it, but it was actually dangerous.

I don't want my life to only look good from the outside. The relationship with God works from the inside out. A person professing Christ but void of the relationship can actually be dangerous to those around them. Think about it. I want to have a solid relationship with Christ; don't you?

Gal 1:18-24 (NIV) Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles--only James, the Lord's brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." And they praised God because of me.

Question: When people see your life are they inclined to praise God because of you?

I'm not trying to make you feel bad about your life. Don't beat yourself up if you suspect you're slightly hollow on the inside..... start now and build the relationship back. You can do it! He will allow it. No doubt He's been waiting on this opportunity. There's nothing that the walnut tree could have done to be good again. We are worth Christ's death according to the Father. Just like Paul, we can be restored and be made whole and cause people to praise God in the process.

Have A Great Day!

Deny

Herndon Twins (Addi Panter and Jala Verner) "Love Can Build a Bridge"

2009-04-27T20:50:00.003-05:00

Thanks For Asking!

2009-04-27T07:31:00.007-05:00

I've recently been involved in studying and teaching on prayer, quite possibly the area most lacking in every Christian's spiritual life. I have no survey data just lots of voluntary verbal admissions from most every Christian I know. Maybe this is not true for you. However, if it is there is good news!

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1af). I'm so glad they did this. Sometimes you just have to ask. One of the things I see in this is that prayer apparently doesn't come naturally. It is obviously something that needs to be taught and learned. What a great teacher! I'm sure we all want a powerful effective prayer life (James 5:16 b). The connection Jesus had with Father while he was here on earth was very strong. We see him maintaining that relationship or connection with the Father throughout Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.

Our faith level drives our prayer life. If we don't believe He can or will respond to our pleas why offer them? Jesus had faith in the Father. This is what we need.

First of all check your faith level in the Father. Learn that he is faithful. Check out his word. Spend time learning what Jesus already knew about the Father. Set aside all preconceived ideas and notions and get to know him.

More later........

Have A Great Day!

Deny

System Restored!

2009-04-24T11:36:00.007-05:00

My computer was infected with an Ad-Ware virus. My Virus software doesn't recognize ad-ware as a virus, but I do! If you've ever experienced this you know the headache it causes. Not good! I tried several things to remove it and finally went with the "system restore". I'm glad I could go back to an earlier time, prior to the infection, and restore my system.

At times my life needs a system restore. How about you? Many years ago I became a Christian. At that time I realized that my life needed more than I was able to provide. What a great God we serve! He not only provides the initial salvation from sin through Jesus Christ, He also provides the way for ongoing purification (1 John). You might call it a system restore.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul."
Psalms 23:1-3 (NRSV)

Now that's what we really need!

Have A Great Day!

Deny

It's In The Way That You View It!

2009-04-22T07:16:00.005-05:00

I heard this song by Amy Grant yesterday on my MP3 player. I was impressed by this part of the song "How Can We See That Far?".

"The same sun that melts the wax can harden clay

And the same rain that drowns the rat will grow the hay

And the mighty wind that knocks us down

If we lean into it

Will drive our fears away"

This reminds me of Phil 3:15.

It's important that we take the view that God is working for us not against us. He can and will see us through tough times. We have faith that he will accomplish through us exactly what he's set out to do (Faith is not having to have all the details). We must be willing participants, understanding that our attitude determines a lot in this life.

Have A Great Day!

Deny

They'll Get Like That!

2009-04-21T15:40:00.010-05:00

I recently bought my son a new pair of boots just like my old pair. Mine are well worn and only look similar now in shape not in color. If you use the boots and don't put them on a shelf they'll get like that. Mine have character.....his will develop character as he uses them doing his father's business.

What has God given you to use? I'm reminded of this verses in Matthew 25:13-30 (read). Use what He's given you. That's the purpose! He is trying to accomplish something here and you are part of it. We are not the sacrifice for the world, but to the extent we reflect the Son, we are difference makers in it.

Just as my son's boots will be put to the test....so will our faith.
Have A Great Day
Deny

Look Around You

2009-04-20T07:16:00.004-05:00

Do you not say, 'Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. John 4:35 (NRSV)
Jesus is trying to make a point. The disciples would say four more months, Jesus says right now! His concern is that the fields are ready now. Are we?
We need to look up from the familiar and see the fields. He wanted the disciples to be able to see these Samaritans coming to Him in a different light. They need something....a Savior. They don't need someone or something standing in the way of Truth....prejudice, pride, preconceived ideas. If Satan can keep us locked on the familiar we will never look up to see the fields (people) around us. This is one of the reasons it's so easy to do "mission" work in other place and so difficult to do it at home....the familiar. We have something to risk at home, but "there" no one knows me. The fear of risk...the fear of loss is powerful. It's one way Satan can influence us to stay "in our shells".

I have more to say about this, but for now let's begin to see the fields around us. Look Up! See the people around you today through the eyes of Jesus. Among a sea of familiar begin to see the fields. It was great counsel then, it's great counsel now.

Have A Great Day!
Deny

Now Here's Some Good News!

2009-04-11T11:16:00.003-05:00

Have A Great Day!
Deny

One Step At a Time!

2009-04-10T07:22:00.005-05:00

Don't be afraid to try. Don't be afraid to start. Don't be afraid!

"God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline." 2 Tim 1:7 (NRSV)

Have A Great Day!

Deny

Oh, I Know That Song!

2009-04-09T05:59:00.007-05:00

My wife and I visited a congregation in Florida one time and it had a great impact on me. We were singing a familiar song, but the song leader just kept it going over and over again. I thought maybe he was having some kind of song leaders seizure or he was like the cassette player in my 1970 Chevelle that would get stuck on loop sometimes. After several rounds of the song my mind began to settle on the actual words we were singing and then I began to sing with meaning and then ownership of the song. Before we stopped I had tears in my eyes. At first it was just "that song again" and then it became something I was actually saying to God and those around me. I talked to the leader when the assembly was over and thanked him for singing long enough for me to get it.

If I sing it I should to mean it. If I mean it I should live it.

Have A Great Day!
Deny

I Don't Deserve This!

2009-04-07T14:54:00.007-05:00

One of the hardest things to learn about God is that he actually forgives me the first time I ask him. There's no, "now I'll have to think about this one", tone in his voice. Listen.....

For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Heb 8:12 (NIV)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7-9 (NIV)

Did you hear that? Forgive & remember no more. He is faithful and just and will forgive us and purify us. Now that's what I need and I need to start acting like I believe it!

So, the way this is made practical in my life is that when I recognize sin in me I ask for His forgiveness through Jesus. Then I live as if I am forgiven & have been purified. I do not beat myself up...that's a tool of the enemy! I do not keep a record of these wrongs...that's a tool of the enemy! I have been freed from sin! Now I have a responsibility to live like it. Confident in his forgiveness I meet with the Saints, I praise His name in song, I celebrate the Lord's Supper, I feed on His word and I am thankful. I live as if I had never sinned, realizing that He brought the sacrifice, all I contributed was my sin.

I don't deserve this grace, but thank God it's what He gives.

P.S. I have learned to not ask for forgiveness for the same sin event twice....it's a waste of time and a tool of the enemy.

Have A Great Day!
Deny

So That's What Those Are For!

2009-04-06T13:24:00.009-05:00

A great friend of mine solved a mystery for me today. The oddly shaped thing-a-ma-gigs on the back of the van seat are for holding the handles of plastic shopping bags. Now something formerly useless has become useful. So that's what those are for!

Someone actually designed this to be useful and for years I've wondered what purpose they served. They were worthless to me until today.

Sometimes it takes people years to figure things out. I imagine God smiles when we finally figure out the designed purpose of his creation.

What is your designed purpose?

Have A Great Day!
Deny

When I say.....

2009-04-03T10:14:00.004-05:00

'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living,'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say. 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

by Maya Angelou‏

I've Discovered.....

2009-04-02T17:30:00.010-05:00

I'm not perfect
I don't always do what I'm supposed to do
I'm better than no one
I can't go it alone
I need help
I need forgiveness
I need to grant forgiveness
I am loved
I need to love
I need God
He does not need me to take His place
He doesn't need me, but He wants me and has given all to secure me

What have you discovered?
Deny

2 Things!

2009-04-02T15:46:00.005-05:00

I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. John 14:30-31 (NIV)

Two things the world must learn:

1. I love the Father

2. I do exactly what the Father has commanded me.

Satan has no hold when these two things are present. I'm reminded of Jesus temptation in Luke 4. Satan had no hold on Him even though He was tempted. Being tempted doesn't mean that Satan has a hold on us, it means he wants a hold on us. Don't be discouraged when temptation hounds you. Follow Jesus.

I want people to be able to look at my life and say they have learned two things.....I love the Father and I do exactly what the Father commands. It's what I want.....just two things.

Have A Great Day!

Deny

Find Something to Celebrate!

2009-04-01T07:58:00.006-05:00

Last night I helped celebrate my Mother-in-Law's 70th birthday. Lots of family & friends were there for the surprise party. Celebration is good! From there I went to my youngest daughters school music program. The kids were really enjoyable. The crowd was made up of proud parents. In all of this I noticed one common thing.....smiles.....lots and lots of smiles.

Celebrations are supposed to make us smile! Find something to celebrate today and you'll find your smile.

Have A Great Day!
Deny

It's What I Like About You!

2009-03-31T08:07:00.006-05:00

The past two postings have been disturbing my life in a good way. I need to have my "norm" visited by God and that's what's going on here. I need a new list. I'm making a new list. I'm making this a reality in my life. The wrongs list has become the forgiveness list in keeping with Col 3:13-14

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

When I'm done forgiving (as prescribed in Luke 11:4) my new list is "What I Like About You".

I'm starting with my family. They need me to have such a list. I need me to have this list. An active running list that makes the former "wrongs list" look Satanic in nature. That's right, the "wrongs list" helps the enemy gain footholds in our relationships and it destroys the fellowship that love desires.

I've already started this list and I'm going to make copies for each member in my family so they know what I like about them.....wow, what a great day this is shaping up to be!

Have A Great One Too!

Deny

I Forgive This List!

2009-03-30T08:26:00.007-05:00

In my last posting I suggested that we start a new list, a list of things that are right. The thought occurred to me to burn the list of wrongs that we sometimes keep (1 Cor 13), but that would be wasting it. Here's what I'm going to do.....transform my "wrongs" list into my "forgiveness" list. As I pray I'm going to do exactly what Jesus instructs me to do in Luke 11:4......forgive.....then I'll burn the list!

Your thoughts?

Have A Transformed Day!
Deny

I Love This List!

2009-03-30T07:48:00.006-05:00

"love" keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Cor 13:5

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Phil 4:8

I think these scriptures go together like peanut butter and jelly. Here's the thought......In my humanness I want to keep a list of wrongs. However, I am encouraged to keep no record of these wrongs as I move toward being a loving, more mature person. So, I have started a new list. A list of all the positive comments I get, the good things I notice about people, things that make me smile and this has become the list I frequent. It helps me stay in the zone of Philippians 4:8 & 1 Corinthians 13:5. I encourage you to start your list today!

Have A Great Day!

Deny

Friends in High Places

2009-03-24T09:53:00.006-05:00

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Tim 2:1-4 (NRSV)

You may not agree with President Obama, but we need to pray for him and others in high positions.

Have a great day!

Deny

I'm More Interested In What You Want (prayer life part 1)

2009-03-19T11:54:00.011-05:00

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Matt 26:39 (NIV)

Something I've notice about Jesus is that he has the relationship with the Father to be able to make the statement "Yet not as I will, but as you will" and mean it. I want to have the same kind of relationship that will allow me to be comfortable enough to say the same. I want the confidence in the Father to be able to ask Him something and then relax knowing that, whatever the answer is, He has my best interest at heart. So, how does one get to this point?

I believe the answer to the prayer was important to Jesus, but the Father's will was most important. So, the answer can't be the main focus. It's the trust/faith of the relationship that makes the statement a reality in the life of Jesus. I see that the answer is to be received in the knowledge that the Father is faithful and has our best interest at heart. Faith is the most important part of our prayer life.

With all of this in mind, I want to encourage you to read your Bible in order to get to know God. Jesus says, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." John 14:9 (NIV) So, watch Jesus in scripture and you will see the Father.
Reading for the purpose of getting to know him is different than reading for facts alone. Knowing facts about the Bible is no substitute for faith. Work on getting to know him and I think you'll begin to trust him. It's really like the development of any other relationship. It takes an investment of time and the desire to get close. Here's the promise, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." James 4:8 (NRSV)

More to come.......
Deny

Back On Track

2009-03-17T05:39:00.003-05:00

Thanks for being patient. I've been sick for the past week +, but I believe I'm back on track.

Please stay tuned!

Deny

Saying What Needs to be Said (part 4)

2009-03-12T11:28:00.017-05:00

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Eph 4:25 (NIV)

Beneficial speech is truthful speech.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Eph 4:22-24 (NIV)

Why is truthful speech needed? When we speak the truth we are
being like God. He is truthful! There are multiple times in Scripture that we hear Jesus say, "I tell you the truth" and we know where Jesus got His words......

For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." John 12:49-50 (NIV)

When we say what needs to be said, it needs to be the truth. You've heard the saying, "the truth hurts." Sometimes it is uncomfortable to hear, but when it is motivated by love and surrounded by a relationship based in Godliness it will be beneficial. It's always easier to hear what we want to hear. So, we need to choose our words carefully. I've heard it said, "chew your words, if they taste bitter to you chances are they will to someone else."

Sarcasm alert!
Sarcasm is not a gift. So if it comes naturally to you, learn a different way. It's like salt, use it sparingly otherwise it has adverse effects on the body.

Speaking the truth should be a refreshing thing to us. We no longer have to sort out if there is some hidden meaning or if it is really sincere. It's the difference between false labor and true labor....no one likes false labor! I think you get the point. What a relief it is when we speak truthfully to one another.

Say what needs to be said. Speak the truth....be like God.
More to come............
Have a great day!
Deny

Setting Our Hope (part 3)

2009-03-11T16:37:00.006-05:00

Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
Matt 19:21 (NRSV)

Now that's tough! I don't believe He's using any figurative language here, He really means it. Notice in verse 16 the man asks for it, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" Matt 19:16 (NRSV) So Jesus answers the question, but it's not the answer he expected or at least was prepared for. Apparently this would be the fix for the heart condition this man suffered from. We have to keep in mind that Jesus was able to know the heart, so He's right on target.

When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Matt 19:22 (NRSV)

He couldn't do it...he wouldn't do it. Where was his heart? Wrapped up in his possessions. I believe Jesus was trying to shift the man's focus from himself to others. No go! Possessions are fine as long as Jesus has your heart. If eternal life depended on it, could you give it all away? The answer shows the heart.

Deny

Setting Our Hope (part 2)

2009-03-11T12:29:00.012-05:00

Let's face it, it's easy to focus on what we"have"....possessions. It's easy to feel that the accumulation of possessions is a protection. It's easy to feel that if you have wealth everything else will fall into place. It's also easy to feel that you can be devoted to wealth and the management of it and still be a devoted Christian (i.e. you can serve God and wealth). We live in a society that focuses on what you have, but our focus is to be on Christ. Establishing and maintaining relationship with Him is more important that what we posses. I'm not against having money, I'm against money having me.

Here are some Scriptures that highlight the importance of trusting in God not in wealth.

And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 (NRSV)

And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Then he told them a parable: "The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, 'What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?' Then he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God." Luke 12:15-21 (NRSV)

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:19-21 (NRSV)

The real question is, "Am I rich toward God?" Explore what you treasure and you'll find your heart.

More to come...........

Have a great day!

Deny

Setting Our Hope (part 1)

2009-03-10T07:27:00.004-05:00

Learning to trust in God , not in wealth, during this economic climate may be a hard lesson to learn. In the following verse Paul tells Timothy what to say to the people about money.

"As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Tim 6:17 (NRSV)

We all, no matter the level of wealth, need to learn to detach from placing our hope in the "uncertainty of riches." One of the roadblocks for most Americans is defining rich. It seems to be defined as those who have more than I have and when we all use this definition the scripture never applies to us, it only applies to them.

This is ultimately a faith issue....a matter of the heart. Do we believe that God will provide what we need or does it take the sifting of an economic melt down to show us. I don't know about you, but I want to learn this lesson.

More to come........
Deny

The Sifting

2009-03-09T08:35:00.000-05:00

"Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Luke 22:31-32 (NRSV)

What a thought! Satan asking....God granting....sifting. A shake down of faith.

The question is does Satan still ask this of God today? About us?

It's an interesting thought. Remember Job's sifting? What if some of the things we go through are actual siftings...a testing of our faith. Satan means for it to tear us down, God allows it to build us up. It would be consistent with what James says in chp. 1.

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 (NRSV)

and what Peter wrote....

In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NRSV)

I hope our faith is on the rise. The sifting shouldn't surprise us and it should not discourage us. Whatever happens....have faith in God!
Deny

Team Hoyt

2009-03-08T15:27:00.003-05:00

To get the story behind this video visit the following site.
http://www.teamhoyt.com/history.shtml

Sometimes We Need Help

2009-03-06T20:37:00.002-06:00

Starting is the Hardest Part

2009-03-06T11:33:00.010-06:00

I need more exercise, so I walked almost 2 miles today. I've been wanting to do this for a long time. I finally figured out that knowing all the reasons why I should and desiring to do it wasn't enough to make it happen. Those are very important things, but I still needed to actually start walking.

I feel better, I'll be sore tomorrow, but I feel better. I feel better mentally. Getting started is always the hardest part, whether it physical or spiritual. When I make the decision to begin, a million things suddenly compete for that time allotted for walking.

Is it this way for you? What have you been putting off? Today's a great time to actually start!
Deny

Faith Prevailed!

2009-03-05T13:03:00.009-06:00

Noah got the message from God. He kept a clear focus on his purpose and apparently did not allow the response of the people to send him into the pit of depression. Faith prevailed.

That's why he's listed among the faithful in Hebrews 11,

By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith." Heb 11:7 (NRSV).

He was not super human. We can possess the same kind of faith. The phrase, "Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him" Gen 6:22, appears more than once in Genesis. Faith prevailed.

Faith and worry do not mix. The are opposites. One repels the other. It's why Jesus tells us to not worry. It's also why Jesus tells us to have faith.

So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17 NRSV).

The people Noah talked to would not hear, but that didn't change the message and it did not change his focus. It did not cause him to worry or doubt. Faith prevailed.

Someone once told me, "people do what they want to do." My desire is to want to do His will. It takes listening to His word and being willing to apply it to everyday life. Relationship springs from that. It's what I'm working on. I want to make "faith prevailed" a true statement in my life. How about you?
Deny

Your Song

2009-03-03T07:58:00.008-06:00

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:

"I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh's officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. "Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. "The enemy boasted, 'I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.' But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you-- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; terror and dread will fall upon them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone-- until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people you bought pass by. You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance-- the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established. The LORD will reign for ever and ever."
Ex 15:1-18 (NIV)

Has God provided you any victories lately? What does your song sound like?

Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
James 5:13
Deny

Bread and Fish and Faith

2009-03-02T08:55:00.008-06:00

This is the account of the feeding of the 5,000.

When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. John 6:5-6 (NRSV)

What does a disciples faith look like at this point? Jesus is asking the question for the sole purpose of finding out. He was just checking.
Philips answer......
"Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." John 6:7 (NRSV)

So what does a disciples faith look like in 2009?

Is Jesus interested in checking your faith? How will He test you? We need to learn from His testing of Phillip and be faith filled.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Eph 3:20-21 (NRSV)

Have a Faithful day!
Deny

Pleasant Words

2009-03-02T08:29:00.001-06:00

I recently had opportunity to fulfill James 1:27. You can learn a lot from a 92 year old saint.
During the course of conversation she said, "you know sometimes you can live on words".

How true. As I stood in her presence I recalled this verse.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Prov 16:24 (NRSV)

My goal today is simple......pleasant words.
Have a great day!
Deny

Beyond Special!

2009-02-27T09:54:00.002-06:00

Enjoy this one.....it speaks for itself.

Just Once

2009-02-26T11:32:00.006-06:00

"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
Heb 10:17-23 (NRSV)

Do you have confidence?

Do you have a heart filled with the assurance of faith?

He who has promised is faithful.

So, the question I want to ask is this, how many times do we need to ask forgiveness for the sin be forgiven? Once. Remember He is faithful. Do you ever get caught up in the cycle of asking forgiveness for a single sin (event) multiple times?

I used to bring up old sins and ask one more time for them to be forgiven. I've come to realize that this is not operating from faith at all, but from my own ability to recall those events and feel guilt all over again. Do you think that Peter ever recalled the event of denying Jesus x3 without feeling the guilt?

The lie is that if you can recall the sin event and it triggers guilt then it wasn't truly forgiven in the first place. Who do we know to be the father of Lies?

It's time that we have faith and take God at His word! Getting sidelined with "forgiven" sin renders us useless to God because we are focused on the past and not our purpose.

Isn't it freeing to know that He is faithful and we can be forgiven through Christ!

Have confidence...live your faith!

Deny

Stolen Identity

2009-02-25T14:36:00.004-06:00

The Fraud division of my credit card company called the other day. Someone out there was posing as me and trying to wire $900 to California from my account. Someone tried to steal from me. Now this ticks me off!

Maybe this has never happened to you, but let me tell you it makes you feel sick.

I guess I should be happy I have an identity worth stealing and good enough credit to draw the attention of thieves. I am thankful to God that I am employed and my family is taken care of. What a huge blessing!

I do hope that this person is caught and turns their life around. Until then beware........Judas is on the loose! I hope this never happens to you, but if it does the following link will be helpful. "http://clarkhoward.com/topics/identity_theft_guide.html

Deny

Saying What Needs to Be Said (part 3)

2009-02-25T08:48:00.002-06:00

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.Eph 4:29 (NIV)

That it may benefit those who listen.......
Truth always needs to be spoken. That's established in verse 25. Like it or not, truth is always beneficial to us. We need to be willing to speak it and receive it. We need to be people wanting to hear the truth. Sometimes the benefit comes through truthful speech we would rather not have to hear. We all need to correct and adjust our lives at times according to the mirror (scripture).

If we pay attention to Jesus we get to see this "benefit to those who listen" in action.

Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 18:3 (NRSV)

Now this is something that the disciples needed to hear for their own benefit, but I'm sure it wasn't easy to hear. Scripture is full of examples of beneficial speech.

We know that Jesus had their best interest at heart. That's what it's going to take for us as well, loving one another just as Christ loved us. When we do this we will not wound one another with our our speech. We will build one another up according to the needs we have.

Here's a good gauge. If what you're getting ready to say only tears a person down without building them up....not good. If what you're getting ready to say has been thought out and designed to speak to the needs of the person (in love) and it build the person up....that's good!

Say what you need to say.....be like Jesus!

more to come.....................

Deny

Look Up From Your Life

2009-02-24T06:17:00.001-06:00

James Taylor sings the song "Look Up From Your Life".

It's a great thought. We can get so busy with our nose to the grind stone that we forget to look up.

Kids grow up so fast, look up from your life!

Your marriage can so easily be pushed aside and the dedication it needs given to other things, Look up from your life!

We can get so wrapped up in doing that we forget......look up from your life!

Deny

Consider Your Marriage

2009-02-23T06:25:00.001-06:00

My wife and I just returned from a Couples Retreat. It's good to get away from time to time.
I recommend it to all married couples.

Some things to ponder:

1. No one is a mind reader....you need to verbalize.
2. Communication is the key.
3. Saying "you should know without me having to tell you" indicates that you need to tell.
4. Consider loving and respecting your spouse.
5. Invest your thinking in what is good, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy about your spouse.

Just some things to consider.....
Deny

Forget Michael Jackson.....Remember Christ!

2009-02-20T07:31:00.000-06:00

OK, I know the Michael Jackson picture from the last post is somewhat creepy. I promise not to do that to you again.

We'll just remember the Jackson 5 and leave it at that.

I do have some final thoughts regarding the last post and then I'll leave this one alone.

I hope that the "Body of Christ" never looks to the world as MJ looks to us today. That would send a very confusing message about Christ.

To safeguard against this confusion God has given us some very instructive scripture.

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
John 13:34-35 (NRSV)

Our job is not only to get along, but to love one another (see 1 Cor 13 as to how this is made practical). You may not have figured out what "body part" you are, but you can start on this right away. If we do this everyone will know who we are.

Years ago I heard someone say this about the church, "I'm not going to go be with those hypocrites!" If we practice (1 Cor 13) Monday through Saturday, Sunday will not be an exercise in hypocrisy, but a celebration of Christ. If we don't we will appear as some freakishly distorted body that people shy away from. They will shake their heads in confusion and ask questions like, "why are they doing this to themselves?'

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Gal 5:13-15 (NIV)

Start today with your own family.....begin to practice loving one another. You don't need Shepherds or a committee to tell you to do this. You don't need some special meeting to implement this plan....just do it!

OK, let's all take a deep breath.....forget Michael Jackson.....remember Christ.

Have a great day!
Deny

Identity Crisis?

2009-02-19T06:09:00.001-06:00

Before

Identity Crisis? Poor Body Image? Wanting to Be Someone Else?

What if the Church suffered from identity crisis or poor body image? What would the Church look like?

Divided?
Competitive?
_________?

The Church in Corinth
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
1 Cor 12:14-20 (NIV)

Be the one God made you to be. Fit in the Body the way He designed you to fit. We don't need to envy one another. Instead be thankful! God can and will use you. You don't have to be someone else. You be you and let God be God. It works best this way. Trust that He knows what He's doing in His arrangement of body parts in the Church. Then body image won't be a problem and we won't feel we must improve on what God already has a handle on.

Just a thought.

Deny

It's OK...You Can Smile!

2009-02-18T05:31:00.001-06:00

"...may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
Psalms 68:3 (NIV)

Enjoy your day!

You Can't Bury Guilt

2009-02-18T05:30:00.001-06:00

I love how God shows us all of the good and the bad in Scripture. We see people acting righteously and then the same people turn right around and really mess up. We see those who would seemingly not have a prayer of being used by God, being used by God. You gotta love God!

The story of David is a good case in point. A man after God's own heart who really does some incredibly stupid things. He acted in an ungodly way, but God wasn't done with him.

Maybe you've done some equally stupid, down right ungodly, things too. Great news! If you've been like David in the sinning department, you can follow his example out.....and God will use you too.

You can't bury guilt.

It's like trying to keep an inflated beach ball under water. The only way to do it is to keep on top of it, otherwise it shoots to the surface. Staying on top of your guilt is exhausting. It requires all of your attention. If you take your attention off of it, it shoots to the surface.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Psalms 32:3-4 (NIV)

Here's the key..... The way out.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalms 32:5 (NIV)

Notice what happened to the guilt.......gone.

Don't bury it.....confess it......then move on (with His help)!

Deny

Is There a Cure for Worry?

2009-02-17T01:51:00.014-06:00

Worry is big business! How many products can you think of that have a connection to worry? Antacids, .........

Even though Jesus says not to worry, it seems we still do. Why? Do we know something Jesus doesn't? Like worry actually helps us or worry keeps us on our toes for the unexpected?

Worry kills physically and spiritually.

Physicians tell us that chronic worry can lead to a host of physical ailments: heart attacks, high blood pressure, ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, muscular aches and pains, skin rashes, eczema, respiratory problems and asthma.

Worry can rob you of a vibrant spiritual life. It keeps you focused on things you can't control. It turns you into a faithless mess.

How do I control my worry? We often hear people say, "just stop worrying!"
Sounds simple, doesn't it?

I believe we control the physical through the spiritual.

"Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way" 1 Tim 4:7-8 (NRSV)

I learn to have faith. I learn to trust that God is able and willing to do what He says He will do.

Then, as I identify what I'm worrying about, I turn that worry into a prayer request for God and I leave it with Him. It keeps me from becoming a nervous wreck.

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phil 4:6-7 (NRSV)

Peace is the opposite of worry. The way we get peace is through our prayer lives. If we have no or little faith we won't pray....if we don't pray we have no peace.....get the picture?

Just remember, most likely it won't happen overnight. It is a process of learning to be full of faith instead of worry.
Deny

What to Do With Negative Drag!

2009-02-16T20:40:00.021-06:00

I'm defining negative drag as those things in life that occupy your mind, weighing it down and keeping you from paying attention to the important things.

Identify:Identifying these negative drags is the first step. It is not necessarily easy, but needful. These are the things that tend to gnaw at you, keep you up at night, or are always in the back of your mind. These negative drags can consume you.

Forgiven Sin: A good "for instance" may be forgiven sin. We sin, we confess it to God and repent of it, He forgives us, it is gone (1John 1, Hebrews 8:8-13, 10:17-18). How many times do we need to ask God before He forgives us? One time. If we continue to ask and ask for forgiveness of the same sin, when He has forgiven us the first time, it becomes a negative drag. It is something Satan can use against us. It keeps the mind occupied with the past. It prevents you from moving forward. This is not good. It reveals a lack of Biblical knowledge or a lack of faith in His ability or both.

Worry: A good "for instance" may be worry. It keeps my mind occupied about the future. What might happen! Worry seems to always carry with it some residue of the past with a tinge of the present and typically pointing to a grossly overstated future. Identify the things you tend to worry about. Most likely these are things that you can do little to nothing about by worrying. They drain your energy and consume your time.

Make a List: Make a list of your negative drags. Don't limit it to forgiven sin and worry. You should take the time to identify yours.

Eliminate: Systematically work to eliminate them. What steps will you need to take in order for this to happen? As you begin to identify these negative drags and eliminate them from your life you will begin to sense freedom. Your prayer life will no longer be filled with the things long since forgotten by God, but with the relevant things of your daily life.

Deny

It's What You Need!

2009-02-16T13:22:00.010-06:00

If I could have any car it would be a 1955 Chevy. I've wanted one since I was a boy. I still find it difficult to drive by one with a for sale sign on it. I don't see it often, but boy when I do....
I had opportunity to buy one several years ago. I spent a long time looking and deciding. When I finally went back to purchase it I was told that someone had bought the car 20 minutes earlier. I was sick. I wanted to be angry with someone, but there was no one to blame but me.

It was a good lesson for me. I can live without all my wants being fulfilled.

Like most Americans, I never known what it is like to be in true need of something. Oh, I've said things like, "I'm starving to death", but I've never missed a meal because of lack of food. I've found myself wanting a new house and then I traveled through a "true poverty zone" in a foreign country and realized I live in a mansion! I have more clothes than I can wear in a week. I am blessed with income.

A person can go through life needing nothing, but wanting everything and making themselves miserable in the process!

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Luke 12:22-23, 29-30 (NIV)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matt 6:33-34 (NIV)

First priority is seeking the Kingdom & His righteousness.

God knows what I need. I'm pretty sure I can live just fine without the '55 Chevy.
So I've learned.......

to admire the car
enjoy what I've been given
and most importantly seek the Kingdom & His righteousness

Deny

Follow Wisely!

2009-02-15T21:47:00.006-06:00

I think this is a great cartoon!

Don't get caught following the wrong person!

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- John 10:14 (NIV)

Following after the wrong person or thing can be a colossal waste of time. Pay attention.

Deny

Saying What Needs to be Said (part 2)

2009-02-13T21:53:00.007-06:00

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.Eph 4:29 (NIV)

According to their needs.....

This means we have to get to know one another. It fits nicely with John 13:34.

It's easy to know superficial things about one another. It takes effort to know some one's needs. It calls for us to be good listeners. If you really listen people they will tell you what they need. When our speech is according to the needs of others it is helpful and it will build them up.

No one wants a steady diet of sarcasm or criticism. That tears people down and it is an unwholesome way. If you can't be helpful in building the other person up.....take the opportunity to be silent. Take the opportunity to listen for what they really need.

Try spending time getting to know one another....then you will know just what to say and how to say it.

More to come.........

Deny

Everyone Needs a Wilson

2009-02-13T12:56:00.009-06:00

I love the movie "Cast Away" with Tom Hanks for many reasons.

I love the back and forth with Wilson.

I have determined one thing.......

Everyone needs a "Wilson".

Why? Honesty.

We all need people in our lives who will be honest with us.
Seek one....be one!
Deny

Saying What Needs to be Said (part 1)

2009-02-13T10:36:00.010-06:00

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Eph 4:29 (NIV)

I am to prevent unwholesome talk.

Definition:
rotten, putrefied, corrupted by one and no longer fit for use, worn out of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless.

My son went to the fridge, took out the chocolate milk, uncapped it, chugged it. It was expired by 1 week. Nasty, rotten, putrefied chocolate milk! It didn't take him long to figure this out. "Milk, it does a body good", not in this case! Now he checks the drink by date.

Check what you say...before you say it. It may be unwholesome.

More to come.........

Deny

Learn to Be Still

2009-02-12T13:33:00.006-06:00

Take every opportunity...to be still.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.
Psalms 37:7 (NRSV)

Be still, and know that I am God
Psalms 46:10 (NIV)

Sometimes being still is just what we need to do.

When it is in the context of being "before the Lord" and "waiting patiently for Him"...it is worth while...it is something.

Learn to be still!

Deny

Fill the Void!

2009-02-11T09:43:00.015-06:00

I was heart shopping today for the women in my life (wife & 2 daughters), when I ran across the saddest heart of all, a hollow chocolate one. Is that sad or what? Couldn't they fill the void with something besides air? This is to be considered cruel and unusual punishment for chocolate lovers. OK, for my oldest daughter I bought a Reese's peanut butter filled heart, for my youngest a Skittles filled heart. My wife? Well, I can't reveal it here because she reads this blog.
OK, the point is that hearts are meant to be filled with something. Something other than air.

God made our hearts, not to be void, but to be filled with something too. Below are some fillings listed in Scripture.

Purity
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matt 5:8 (NIV)

Humility
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matt 11:29 (NIV)

Forgiveness
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Matt 18:35 (NIV)

Love
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
Matt 22:37 (NIV)

Faith
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23 "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
Mark 11:22-23 (NIV)

Unity
All the believers were one in heart and mind.
Acts 4:32 (NIV)

If we work on filling our hearts with these things.....we will not only be satisfied knowing we are doing something Godly, but we will be satisfying to those around us.

Have a Great Day!
Deny

Patience

2009-02-10T22:47:00.003-06:00

Now this is the type of patience I pray for. Priceless!

Deny

I Love My Life!

2009-02-10T12:29:00.009-06:00

It doesn't always go as I plan it, but I love my life! Sometimes I feel hunted by Satan, but I love my life! I don't always feel well, but I love my life! I am a few pounds over weight, but I love my life! I've discovered that my wife doesn't share the same feelings about James Taylor music as I do, but I love my wife! [Side Note: JT...possibly the best singer on the planet]. I have good and bad days. I sin and I live righteously. I Love my life! I have a wife who loves me dearly, I love my life. I have disappointed people, but I'm my kid's hero. I love my life.

Why?

He came to seek and save the lost. I was lost, He found me and saved me. Nothing else really matters! For clarity Read Romans 8:31-37

I love My Life! I hope you love yours too.

Deny

Bad Day Turned Good!

2009-02-10T08:09:00.005-06:00

One more thought on John 8. The men bring the woman before Jesus for her death sentence. However, it is most likely the most freeing day of her life. She has her life exposed.....much like the woman at the well in John 4. She is guilty. She is no doubt shaking in her shoes, wouldn't you be on death day? Instead of death Jesus gives her life. Now that's a good day!

Remember, Jesus came to seek and to save not seek and destroy.

Deny

No So Fast!

2009-02-09T08:12:00.009-06:00

In the last posting, "Drop the Stone", it may seem that the woman got away without any consequence. I am sure there are those who would like to see the text read in a way that "she got what was coming to her". The thing we have to remember is that Jesus can see the heart. He can see through the duplicity in people. In John 8 no one gets away with anything.

All of those guilty men walking away were thinking thoughts big enough to cause them to drop the stones. These were men trying to trap Jesus. Instead they realized something about what was trapping them. Their own sin.

The woman was as good as dead and she knew it. She was as guilty as the day is long. The Law called for her death. This woman is being used by these "religious giants". She was just a means to get Jesus. If they were not killing her that day then that meant they got their real target, Jesus. They saw her as expendable. Here's a question.....If she was caught in the very act, where was the man? Didn't the Law say something about him too?

So, no one got away without having going through a heart scan by Jesus. Everyone got just what they needed. You know this is true because it's Jesus dishing out just the right words (John 12:49). Now it's up to them as to what they do with it. How did this impact those men and how long did it have effect? Did the woman stop sinning as Jesus instructed her?

Here's the pay off. We are in this scene too. Either we are holding a stone in need of clarity from Christ or we are standing in front of Jesus, sin intact, needing saving and instruction. So, are you the guilty woman or the guilty men? The fact is we all need to be brought before Jesus for our betterment...our instruction....our saving.

Deny

Drop the Stone!

2009-02-08T16:57:00.007-06:00

Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, sir." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again."
John 8:2-11 (NRSV)

Here we see Jesus demonstrating the fact that He did not come to condemn the world, but save it. He doesn't condemn her to death nor does He condone her sin. He surly doesn't let these men get away with murdering someone who is worth saving.

It's too easy to pick up stones and be condemning. Drop them and ask, "Is there any way to save this person?"

How can I be instrumental in helping this person get to Jesus?

Jesus sure messes with our theology at times doesn't He? Let's be like Him, live like Him, and love others like He does.

Just drop the stone and walk away!

Deny

A Gift From the Heart!

2009-02-07T07:15:00.006-06:00

I give you a new commandment
John 13:34 (NRSV)

Definition:
to give something to someone of one's own accord to give one something, to his advantage
to bestow a gift.

He gives us a gift....a blessing....a new commandment. Now a command from Christ is still an order, a charge, a precept, an injunction, but it is also a gift. It is from Him...... "I" give you.

This is a blessing from Him to us. Now the question is this, will we act on it? Will we see it as a gift or an infringement on our rights?

My suggestion is to use the gift. Put it into action today. Do Something with it.

Deny

Advertisement...Jesus Style!

2009-02-06T08:15:00.004-06:00

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35 (NRSV)

This is too simple isn't it? I think we tend to make things more complex than they really are. Although this is simple, it isn't easy.

God doesn't leave us without example....as I have loved you.

He even gives a list:

1 Cor 13:4-7 (NIV)

Love is patient.............................................am I patient?

Love is kind..................................................am I kind?

Love does not envy.....................................do I envy?

Love does not boast....................................do I boast?

Love is not proud........................................am I proud?

Love is not rude..........................................am I rude?

Love is not self-seeking.............................am I self-seeking?

Love is not easily angered.........................am I easily angered?

Love keeps no record of wrongs...............do I keep a record of wrongs?

Love does not delight in evil......................do I delight in evil?

Love rejoices with the truth......................do I rejoice with the truth?

Love always protects..................................do I protect?

Love always trusts......................................do I always trust?

Love always hopes......................................do I always hope?

Love always perseveres, do I always persevere?

Signage is not the most important advertisement for the Church....Love is! By it everyone will know. His words not mine.

Try living this 1 Cor. 13:4-7 model in your life. If we all determine to "Do Something" with this, it will show our discipleship to the world. It's even better than wearing a cross or having a fish symbol on your bumper. WWJD? Let's follow His example. Simple, but not easy.

Deny

Does God Love Him?

2009-02-03T21:30:00.004-06:00

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV)

Answer: Yes

Deny

An Example Worth Following

2009-02-03T19:54:00.007-06:00

"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:17 (NRSV)

One of the things I love about Jesus is that He simply did what He was sent to do.

He was born to be Savior.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

He lived as Savior.

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Mark 2:1-12 (NIV)

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.'" But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Luke 19:5-10 (NIV)

Wouldn't it be great, actually Christ-like, if we all did what we were "re-born" to do?

But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
1 Cor 12:18 (NIV)

It's a fact, God has given Christians a function within the "Body"...the Church.

If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Cor 12:19-27 (NIV)

Let's live as the part we were arranged to be.

P.S. Sunday assembly is not your function.....that's icing on the cake.

Let's live like Jesus.....doing what you are "given" to do.

Deny