Month: April 2013

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Not for Sale

END IT!

Today is April 9 and it’s Shine a Light on Slavery Day.  Many of you probably didn’t realize the 27 Million people are still in some form of slavery – most of them against their own will.  This happens in the third world as you might expect, but also is happening at an alarming rate in America where 14K-17K people are caught up in sex trafficking each year! This maybe even happening in your town, on the streets you drive down everyday.   Even more frightening is that of the 27 Million, 80% are female and 50% are children!

Today, take a moment to consider those people, surf over to the End It Movement web site and educate yourself about this human travesty.  And then think about what you can do to raise awareness of this issue, and help take steps to end it!

Defend the weak and the orphans;
defend the rights of the poor and suffering.
4 Save the weak and helpless;
free them from the power of the wicked. Ps 82 NCV

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You Are What You Think

I was recently reminded of this quote from Mr Ralph Waldo Emerson

A man is what he thinks about all day long.

This is one of those brain teasers that you could spend all day thinking about. Not because it’s necessarily a hard quote, but taking time to look at how it really plays out in your life is quite sobering.  Interestingly enough similar words are found in Proverbs 23.

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

I should note that the overall context in Proverbs is different then the Emerson quote, and that is bore out quite well in more modern translations of the entire Proverb.  However, the thought is general the same – what we think about eventually comes out in our actions.

It you think about being stingy – you will be stingy, if you think about others, you will reach out to others. If you think about mud all day, you will be dirty!  If you think about joyful things – you will be full of joy.

It actually a very simple formula to understand, but for some reason it’s pretty difficult for our little minds to grasp at times.

So, a simple question for you today – what do you want to be?  and is your thinking aligned with that desire?

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What He Loves

Last weekend I was blessed to be able to share with a group of teenagers what the ‘hope’ of the resurrection means to me.  The strange part about that conversation was that for the longest time I was really confused when I heard people talk about the “hope”, and thanking God for the hope.  I was able to share with them how it was not until I was into my thirties that that little word really started to make sense!  Well, that got me to thinking, as we like to say in the hollers, and I readily recalled a few other times when I had light bulbs go off.  The most recent of those was a few years ago when I stumbled over these tried and true words from the brother of the Christ – James

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3 NIIV

Seriously? This was a time in my life when I really didn’t like some people, and it scared me to death to think about those words.  I mean I love you God, but I have to love your people??  Seriously? It’s stuff like this that make me want to tear James out of my Bible and act like it doesn’t exist.

But, YES,  that’s a huge part of it, and that realization has continued to push me further down the transformation path.

So on this Friday, remember those words, and think about how you think about His creation! And lets start loving the things he loves – people!

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Fix Your Gaze

Yesterday I wrote a little bit about God having the power to light your way.  I thought I would follow that up with a little real guidance on one way he does that – straight from the wisdom of Solomon, and something that is on my mind this week.

20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen to my words. 21 Never let them get away from you. Remember them and keep them in your heart. 22 They will give life and health to anyone who understands them. 23 Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. 24 Never say anything that isn’t true. Have nothing to do with lies and misleading words. 25 Look straight ahead with honest confidence; don’t hang your head in shame. 26 Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. 27 Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don’t go one step off the right way. Proverbs 4:20-27 Good News Translation (GNT)

 

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Light Your Path

Yesterday I saw this tweet, which I found very refreshing and share worthy…

It’s a pretty amazing thought from Max, and it is a humbling, and uplifting thought!  For some reason, after reading those words I was reminded of the story in John, where Jesus feeds thousands of people with just a few small fish and 5 loaves of bread.  Check out this one part of the text.

11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:11 (NIV)

Now that’s totally awesome!  What a truly amazing thing, and a very very comforting thought.  He can give as much as you want, because well, he can do anything!  So surely he is mighty enough to light your path!