Categories
Daily Post

Called Out, But Free

I was thinking yesterday as I was driving off with my boys how nice it is to really be free from constraint.  If I want to drive down a particular road I can.  If I want to stay at home, I can.  I have no place that I HAVE to go, and nothing that forces me to do very much of anything.  Seriously, outside of paying taxes, and following some pretty common sense laws ( don’t steal, don’t kill, respect others stuff), I can pretty much do anything I want to do.

That’s a pretty amazing blessing.

“I have the right to do anything,”

Yes!  What a great right! Yet, is a bound we should still give consideration?  Paul writes these words to the believers at Corinth, who also experienced the great blesses of a society that valued freedom.

12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything 1 Corinthians 6:12

And that is where the boundary is.  The boundary we self impose lies where things are beginning to not be beneficial or helpful for us and others, and where the thing you do has become your master.  As we approach Memorial Day, lots of people will be thinking about the gift of freedom, as we should.  Just a quick reminder to make sure you are always examining the way you use that wonderful freedom you have received and to remind you that as believers we need to make sure our freedom choices are in line with the requests of the Lord.

17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,says the Lord. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

 

Categories
Daily Post

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

For some reason the Queen song “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” has bounced around my head all morning.  I can’t explain it, nor can I handle it.  I am sure my performances this morning will continue to keep me off the Sunday morning praise team, but it has implemented the thought deep in my head.

And I wondered what about love should I be considering this morning. Then, I just happened on over to John 17, where the Christ says twice

12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

17 This is my command: Love each other.

Do you think he meant for us to do that?

It might be time for us to “get round to it”!

Ready Freddie?

 

Categories
Daily Post

Attitude and Effort

I read an email this morning and noticed my immediate reaction contained more frustration about the content than was proper and I was quickly reminded of the quote yesterday about wasting 60 seconds of happiness.  I immediately reminded myself that really I can control my reaction to these sorts of things and they don’t have to steal my life from me.  As the soccer coach over at school says – “there are two things you can control your attitude and your effort”.

Anyway, I hope my moment of realization this morning will bring some lift to your day.

 Those who do not control themselves
       are like a city whose walls are broken down. Proverbs 25:28 NCV

Categories
Daily Post

Measures

Yesterday I attempted to teach a group of high school students about using their time to give.  I don’t know how successful I was at that endeavor, but here are two salient points I tried to deliver to them.  Maybe it will be have more of an impact with  you!

The first thing I tried to press home was how they really control their time, they have more of it than anyone and they can choose how to use it. I reminded them of this quote for which I don’t know who to attribute it.

For every minute you are angry or irritated, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.

I think they found the math there pretty impressive.

The second point was an attempt to show them that using your time to give to others has great returns, especially when you mind the measure that you use to give to others.

Oh course that’s all based on this verse – one that is just full of hope.

38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38  New International Version (NIV)

I did try to explain this to them with a crayon box and a large trash can.  I hope they understand measures!

Mind the measure you use today, and remember don’t waste those seconds of happiness on things you really can’t control. (or maybe I should say you can control….)

 

Categories
Daily Post

Random Friday Thoughts

It’s Friday, and because of that, here are some disjointed Friday like thoughts to get you started on the weekend.

  • This is a funny but encouraging piece of motivation this morning

    “Be like a postage stamp, stick to one thing until you get there.” – Josh Billings

  • As you think about solving issues, and facing whatever is holding you back, consider these words of the great King David

    in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can man do to me?  Psalm 56:11