Author: Jason

This whole Paula Dean thing has bugged me this morning.  It’s really so amazing how sensitive our nation is on some things/people and yet how tolerant it is on other things/people.  If you spend a lot of time dwelling on this inconsistency it can destroy you.  But that’s not really what I want to dig into today.  I see two lessons from this situation that we all can apply to each day.

First, always remember that everything you do and say is a witness to others about what you profess.  We need to make sure that we discipline ourselves and control our actions, especially our words, so that we do not distract others from gaining the prize we all covet.

²⁵ Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. ²⁶ That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches. ²⁷ I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.  1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (GNT)

Second, lets not forget that we all make mistakes and fail to live up to what we profess.  We must find ourselves willing to give mercy and forgiveness when appropriate.   If we expect others to never stumble, wow, our fall will be very large!

¹⁴ “If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you Matthew 6:14  (GNT)

 

One of the great things about Summertime are the many smells that fill the air.  For instance, I love the smell of my tomato plants as I survey my garden. Or the smell of blooming flowers.  Or maybe the smell the beach air on your vacation.  So I found it interesting this morning when I read these words of Paul

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.   2 Corinthians 2:14-15  (NIV)

He is referring to his group of travelers in this section of Corinthians, however, I think he is laying down a pattern for followers of the Christ.  we are to be the aroma of Christ among the world.  Wow.  I guess the real question today is this – what sort of smell are you producing as you interact with those around you?

Let’s produce the fragrance of life.

The first day of Summer and Friday rolled together in the same day, can it get better than that? Well of course it can, you could be on a beach some where sitting in the surf thinking about having a big grouper sandwich and some oysters for dinner!

Wow, that sounds like a great place to rest and rejuvenate our bodies.  Something that we all need every once in a while. Luckily our spirit has a place like that as well.  Check out this writing from probably from Moses!

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV

and then later in the same Psalm

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent. Ps 91:9-10 NIV

That’s pretty cool! As hard as it is for me to admit, that’s better than a day at the beach. What do you think?