Month: June 2011

Categories
Daily Post

Mercy, Can it Be?

This morning I was thinking about one of my favorite books and one particular passage in Romans 12.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

What I was spending a lot of time thinking about where the words “in view of God’s mercy”. It is such a great thought to consider – that we have been given mercy from the creator of the world. That is reviewed in great detail in some of the previous chapters in this book – especially chapters 6 and 8, and then it ends with this great exhortation ( I love that word).

Today, remember the mercy that you live in the light of, and change your actions and behaviors to account for that truly remarkable gift!

Categories
Daily Post

Destructive Distractions

Last week when I was traveling back to Atlanta from Orlando one the vans, the one with most of the children had a tire with low pressure. We added air in Orlando before we started up the road, but as we made our way into the middle of Georgia, we noticed that tire was losing air again. I was traveling in  the middle van of the van sandwich and called up to the lead vehicle informing them that the tire was a little bit low. We were only 20 miles from our scheduled stop and so we attempted to make it to exit in the peanutty town of Perry.  But before we could get there, the tire decided it must not like peanuts and scattered itself all across the interstate.

After pulling to the side, and assessing the situation, we loaded the children safely in the other vans and the two guys from that van stayed to change the tire.  Did, I mention the tire was on the driver’s side, and so changing in on a 3 lane interstate with semi trucks traveling by at 7 gabillioin miles a hour is no fun.

As we sat eating Chick-Fil-a we received two calls from the guys in the Van.  The first one to say they were complete and coming to meet us, the second one, moments later saying that they were not going anywhere and the van had a serious issue, and that the spare was now flat as well!!!

What in the world?  Well, after a tow to the local dealership, we discovered that the tire had been placed on backwards.  Can you even do that?  Yes  and because of that a whole lot of damge was done to the area around the wheel well, you know – brakes lines, brake assemblies etc..   Before you start laughing, did, I mention the tire was on the driver’s side, and so changing in on a 3 lane interstate with semi trucks traveling by at 7 gabillioin miles a hour is no fun. 🙂

The guys felt terrible, they were tired, they were distracted, they were focused on other things.  Both of these guys knew how to change a tire, but when you are not paying attention – bad things can happen.

 You ever have a day like that? 

Oh yes, we all do, and that is why we see warnings like these in Philippians.

  8 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. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9, New International Version)

We know that when we dwell on the proper things, good things – like peace happen, but when we are distracted by the screaming trucks of life, we just can get things all messed up. 

Even today, I started this blog, and then lost my focus and almost completely forgot to complete it.  So today, stay focused and pay attention to where you mind is dwelling.

Categories
Daily Post

Hot Time Summer in the City

Oh yes, its the Summer Solstice – the longest day of day light for those in the northern hemisphere, the first day of Summer!  What an awesome day that we get to enjoy.  With this amount of light it seems that we should be celebrating and according to Psalm 113, this is the longest day of praise that we get to experience.

3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

That’s pretty awesome.

So, what else can I say. On the first day of summer, it’s not day to be typing at a computer, get out side and enjoy it!

( and remember that no matter what you do, bring glory to Him)

Categories
Daily Post

Defining Dissipation

Yesterday, I found a reason to download the Miriam Webster Dictionary application right in the middle of the morning worship service.  I am so glad the church has a wi-fi network.  The following verse in the book of Luke was mentioned:

34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; Luke 21:34 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

And there I was completely confused as to what dissipation means. I thought dissipation was the process of dissipating or a dispersion. So in this case it seems sort of funny. So off to Mr Webster I went.

Definition of DISSIPATION
1
: the action or process of dissipating : the state of being dissipated: a : dispersion, diffusion b archaic : dissolution, disintegration c : wasteful expenditure d : intemperate living; especially : excessive drinking
2
: an act of self-indulgence; especially : one that is not harmful : amusement

To make matters even more confusing, the American Standard uses the word surfeiting. Another common everday word! NOT – so again back to Mr Webster!

Definition of SURFEIT
transitive verb
: to feed, supply, or give to surfeit
intransitive verb
archaic : to indulge to satiety in a gratification (as indulgence of the appetite or senses)

So, there ya have it.  Thanks to wi fi and apps, I was able to quickly understand this exhortation from the Christ himself.  And I think it’s a pretty good bit of encouragement to start off a week with.  Let’s not be disintegrated by our way of lives, but even more so let us stay solid.

Of course in this case it appears I could have also just jumped over to the Message!

 

34-36″But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34 The Message (MSG)

Categories
Daily Post

Friday and Fathers

Here it is again – Friday Friday!  Sadly, this Friday is just not as bouncy and exciting to welcome since Rebecca Black took down her Friday Friday music video from YouTube yesterday.  The good thing is that the song is so ingrained in our brains that we will never be able to forget it!

But hey, it’s still Friday and that is something to get pumped about, and the best part for me is that I finally get to head back to the homestead after finishing up my Atlantic coast tour – starting the week in Orlando and ending up the week in Portland. Unfortunately there were no stops in between!

Oh, and then there’s this little thing this weekend called Father’s Day – which with the advent and popularity of business casual is becoming a much harder day to celebrate.  I mean no more reasons to get a new tie!  I am personally hoping I can celebrate the day with some new boxers and undershirts!  But seriously, it’s a great time to celebrate the importance and power of our fathers not just because “I r one”, but because they have a profound impact on our lives.  And if you don’t mind, I will give a big shout out of thanks to my father, who happens to be a frequent reader of this blog – “Thanks Dad! for your great example and encouragement through out the years!”

So make sure you take a moment to appreciate the fathers that are around you this weekend and remember that Father that we all share – the father and creator of us all, and keep a song in your heart!

“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” Psalm 68:4-5 NIV