Category: Daily Post

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Daily Post

Double Mindedness

I am always amazed about how easy I can drift off course.  Sometimes I blame it on the myriad of conference calls I have each day and the mental context switching it requires.  Other times I realize its just how we are all made.  This week I have noticed how quickly I can go from singing a song of praise to shouting words of rage.  Or maybe its thinking about the gift of Jesus, and then being disgusted with the beggar at the South Terrace/ Belvior intersection?  Its this double mindedness, this schizophrenic behavior, this inability to focus on Jesus one hundred percent that frustrates me more then anything else in my daily life.

Its the reason that songs like Jars of Clays “Two Hands” have such meaning.  Even Paul talks about it in Romans 7

21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am!

And I think it because of this struggle that we struggle so much with works and grace.  I know I do.  I want to work.  I want to produce good fruit.  I want to love deeply, I want to give, I want to serve.  Not because I think I can earn my way to heaven, but because I know that the fruit of righteous living is exactly what the Lord wants, and that its creates peace.  But I am sure glad for grace.  Because its grace and mercy that brings me right out of the rage and back to the song of praise.  Its grace and mercy that hits me in the head like a two by four and says – thats a person, a son of God standing on the side of the road.  Its grace and mercy that brings us to a place where we understand that works are not the means, but the fruit of a person who realizes how dependent they are on grace and mercy.  I also believe its this understanding and not by working harder, that will reduce the double mindedness of our lives.  I am going to test that.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (New International Version)

31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

You see I so badly want to follow Ephesians 4:31-32, but a fail miserable quite often.  But I can take solace in the last 7 words.   Those 7 words full of grace and mercy.  The seven words full of a Christ, who came willingly.  Those 7 words can provide a place of hope and a starting place move to from double mindedness to obsession.  Will you move with me? Paul concludes that is the way as well in the rest of Hebrews 7

Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So lets start by celebrating the fact that the Christ, the newborn king, come to Bethlehem with the full intention of bringing forgiveness to you.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

Oh, the with 9 days to Christmas, lets finish this on rocking note.  From Josh’s List its another cheezy 80’s Christmas song with a “Rebel Yell”- Billy Idol’s Jingle Bell Rock.

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Daily Post

Faith?

Wow, so the school Christmas programs are over – that means that big day is pretty soon.  There were several comments on my selected present from yesterday, but I could still use some suggestions for Amy.  Add some comments!  Josh’s countdown continues today with , get ready, The Jonas Brothers!  YES!  Not quite NKOTB, but close – Here it is Girl of My Dreams.

I have still been thinking about those shepherds and magi, and the faith it took for them to go to Bethlehem to find this new born king.  So that on top of the fact that I am slowly going through Crazy Love by Francis Chan. ( I say slowly because the book is so challenging I have to stop and think and process after a few pages, but its a great read.  I recommend it for Christmas).

Anyway, I have been thinking about faith.  The shepherd’s faith and my own faith.  Mr Chan asks this question in the his book “What are you doing right now that requires faith?”  Its a really really tough question.  How much faith does it take for me to go to work?  To type this blog?  To do each of my conference calls?  Recently, I ate lunch with a family who a few years ago, packed up, took their 4 children out of an exception private school, and went to China to live and teach for a year.  I sit in awe when I think about the faith it takes to do that!  I am not saying lets all head to China ( or maybe I am), but I am suggesting as you visit the new born king over the next few days, examine yourself.

Examine yourself, your faith, ask yourself – what are you doing right now that requires faith?  I don’t think this is a flippant question.  Its a hard question.  but its one that we all should examine.  So when you are sitting around at night, think about these shepherds,  think about these Magi.  Think about your faith, and then go visit the new born king, and see what that does to your answer to this question!

Hebrews 11:6

New International Version (NIV)

6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

And then check the whole of Isaiah 58.

oh by the way, I still am finding myself singing

Glória in excélsis Deo

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Daily Post

Westward Leading – Still Proceeding

Sometimes, I have writers block when I can’t think a thought in the world.  Today, I have so many thoughts circling in my brain, I can’t determine what to write about.

So lets start with that 80’s countdown – Thanks Josh.  This one is a classic.  Last Christmas by WHAM.  What a fun way to countdown to the such a great day.  Its almost here.  Man, I have to figure out what to get Amy!  Any ideas out there?  I was thinking about this.  I love that sight!

Anyway, Westward Leading.. Could you imagine being the shepherds in the field.  I have thought about this for years and was reminded Saturday and Sunday night about how incredible it was for them to have the angels speak to them.  Could you imagine what was going on with the wise men as they followed the star?  What where there thoughts? “Lets go follow a star  to a baby. Yeah, that sounds good!”.  That’s pretty amazing.

However, today we are asked to do the same thing.  Follow the Star of Bethlehem.  Will you?  Today, look up, find the Star, and follow it, just like these wise men.  ( I love that bumper sticker “Wise Men Still Follow Him”)

Matthew 2:1-2

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east[b] and have come to worship him.”(NIV)

And the Message

1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.” (MSG)

Have a great day, and follow that star .. “westward leading..still proceeding…..”

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Daily Post

Word became flesh

Lets start off the day with Josh’s tune of the day: Do they know its Christmas Now that’s some rockin’ 80’s!  And if you want to help “Feed the World” – Donate to Healing Hands International.

And now on with the show.  After a really great weekend, I have lots of thoughts to share.  Hopefully this is an interesting week.

John 1:14

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (NIV)

Do you know how big of a deal this is?  The Word, Jesus, the creator of the universe, God’s son, left heaven, and was born, as a baby, as a man, like us!  WOW!. Emmanuel, God with us! GOD with US!!  Take a look at the message

14The Word became flesh and blood,

and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish. (MSG)

He moved into the neighborhood!  Emmanuel, God is with US!  That’s a big deal.  And its because of that that I can’t stop singing!

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of Our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world In sin and error pining,
‘Til He appear’d And the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope The weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks A new and glorious morn. ( O Holy Night )

And what is really really cool, is this is just the beginning of our delivery.  He came full of grace and truth, and later on , the veil is torn, his blood is shed and we are FREE!.  But lets not get ahead of ourselves, here we are Christmas time.  Let us remember this incredible event – Emmanuel – God is with us!

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Daily Post

Wisdom when you need it

Well its officially two weeks away!

Dinkletown children: Ho, ho! Away we go!
With rosey cheeks and hearts aglowin’
Hey, hey! Our favorite day!
It makes us want to cheer!

Man, I better do some shopping and decorating.

Speaking of decorating.  Check these out, the first one was from Brandon, the second from my Dad.  Make sure you read he comments under the second.

Nice!

xmashanger

“Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas  decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories. But two things made me take it down.

First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by.

Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn’t realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn’t take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.” – some guy named Greg

Anyway, sometimes we make strange decisions.  Sometimes, we need wisdom. As many of you know, I have been making some decision lately.  When you are faced with choices,  its always good to seek Gods wisdom.  The best way I have found to address these types of things is to turn it over to God.  He will direct your ways.  Its really amazing what happens when you turn it over and let God handle difficult situations.

Proverbs 4:10-12 (New International Version)

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.

11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.

Have a great Day!

Oh and the song from Josh’s song list is

George Thorogood and the Destroyers – Rock n roll christmas