Categories
Daily Post

Just another Monday

Jason if off this week on the beach hopefully avoiding the tarballs.  Hope he enjoys his week away from work and with the family.   This weekend I had to do something I had not done for 2 weeks, that’s right, mow the yard.  It is always the thrill of my Saturday to get out and mow (insert sarcasm here).  Saturday as I dragged myself out of bed, I knew there was no putting it off, I must go mow.  So, as thrilled as I was I got out and starting mowing, I went for it and about 15 minutes in I stepped on a nail.  Yes all the way through my shoe and punctured my foot (tetanus booster here I come).  After checking the damage back to mowing I went, 15 more minutes in I ran into one of the “nicest” creatures alive, the yellowjacket.  After several stings and a funny looking dance by me, I got the gasonline and lighter and took care of the yellowjacket hole  (only crispy yellowjackets left in my yard).  This got me thinking, shouldn’t a Christian’s life be better, shouldn’t the nail bend under my step instead of going into my foot?  Shouldn’t the yellowjacket fly the opposite direction because I am one of God’s elect?  No, that is not the way God intended.  Check this verse:

John 16:33 (New International Version)

 33” In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Yes that is right, we will have problems but Jesus has overcome.  He also tells us this:

Romans 8:28 (New International Version)

More Than Conquerors

 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose. So today whether the birds and squirrels smile and wave or peck your head and bite your ankle know that Jesus has overcome and you have a better reward awaiting you after this life!

Categories
Relevant Today but not so much later

Represent Take 2

Feedburner was down today, so no early morning feed!  Maybe now?

Categories
Daily Post

Represent

Today I will haul my geek bag downtown one last time before I return home and trade in the cell phone, headsets and laptops for barefeet,  sand and oysters.  Yep, I will be taking the week off from this crazy world, following an example set out by our Savior himself:

31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.  Mark 6:31-32 (New International Version)

Next week there will be some treats in store for the Buffet, as I know just because I am resting that the remainder of you are still out in the world, training and buffeting yourself each day.  So here is a little video that may keep you going.  Its by Weezer.  Evidently this song is the theme song for our tension loving soccer team, and since they go up against Ghana tomorrow, I thought it would be appropriate.  Its called Represent.

The chorus here is very interesting

You know it
It matters how you play the game
It matters that you can take the pain
You don’t wanna lie, steal or cheat your way to the top ohhh
It matters what your people think
You represent your family
But that’s just one more reason to see that it matters whether you win or lose

Well, as much as I like soccer, and as much I want the US to win. ( I did by the way take a run around a section of cubicles with my hands in the air screaming GOOOAAAALLL after the 91st minute goal on Wednesday)   As much as that’s true.  There’s only one thing where it does matter if you win or lose, and that’s a life full of love and the spirit,  given over to our Savior.  That’s how you Represent!

34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:34-37

Enjoy the Week.  Cheer for the Yanks, and Represent!

Categories
Daily Post

Building with Wisdom

Yesterday I wrote about standing up, and then I traveled downtown to the office and gathering with my fellow geeks for the all employee meeting.  Since this was scheduled during the USA-Algeria game, I had to position myself where I could be in a place to casually check my phone for progress of the game.  However, to my demise, I was in a place where the camera was almost always pointed towards the section I was sitting.  So, the World Cup had to wait.  ( And I am sure glad that Landon didn’t wait any longer then the 91st minute!)

Anyway, some of our sales guys were talking about how IT effects our sales processes, which was actually very interesting, and then he says something that really impressed me.  He says, “this morning when I was reading the Daily Buffet..”.  Man that would have been awesome.  No, he says “this morning, when I was doing my daily devotional, the verse was from Proverbs 24.”  Then we went on to talk about the Proverb and to apply it to some of the things he does each day. I was so impressed that in Corporate America, in front of a worldwide audience, he would mention his daily time with God in such a casual manner.  That’s standing up.  I hope this gives you a little bit of motivation today to stand up and build your house with wisdom and understanding.

1 Do not envy wicked men,
do not desire their company;

2 for their hearts plot violence,
and their lips talk about making trouble.

3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;

4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.

5 A wise man has great power,
and a man of knowledge increases strength; Proverbs 24:1-5

Categories
Daily Post

A Reminder About Your Crown

Growing up in West Virginia, I never thought much about them, but my recent Memorial Day tour de West Virginia, with my children, I was reminded again about this roadside attraction that is very common to West Virginia, although not exclusively there.  All over the state on the side of the road you can find two things – barns painted with Chew Mail Pouch and a blue cross flanked by two yellow ones.  No, the barn and the crosses are usually not found together, and yes it’s the crosses that I am talking about.  I had seen them all my life essentially, and although I regconized the event they are meant to acknowledge,  they really had become so common place, that I drove by these for years and really just ignored them.

But on my recent trip I told the story of why they are there to my boys. The fascination with the crosses was new again and for the entire weekend, they pointed out every time they saw one the side of the road.  Our favorite being out on a small island at the very end of the New River where it meets the Gauley and becomes the Kanawha.

So, two things. First, its pretty amazing someone will stand up and get the message of the Christ out with there in some a bold way like this. Its interesting to Google about these crosses and see how many people have heard about Christ because of these crosses. (try it Google “three crosses West Virginia”)

Secondly, sometimes, we need reminders to keep us focused. We need a guide to keep us going, and to keep the promise fresh and new.  Isn’t it great when with youthful exuberance you can yell “there’s a cross”, or “there’s the Lord”  in your own life!

Recently I have been listening to this song by Everyday Sunday

I will stand up now
I will not step down
I will do my best to wear this crown
But I need You as You guide me through today – Stand Up Now – Everyday Sunday

Get out there today and stand up, wear your crown, and maybe the thought of these crosses on a moutain in West Virginia will help guide you today.  What crown you ask.. Check it here:

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Ps 103:1-6

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,