Tag: Colossians

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Envious of Passion

Yesterday, I traveled to a small blacksmith shop in town that manufacturers supplementary equipment for the military and the police. It was such a small shop with 3 or 4 employees total, but they produce a great product.  However, what impressed me the most was their passion and the way they love what they are doing.

I saw the same thing a few weeks ago with the UTC football coaches when I was able to spend a few moments breaking down game film with them at a First Things First parenting event.  They had incredible knowledge and an incredible desire to win football games. 

I am so envious of the passion these people possess.  I love the focus and their desire for one thing.  I notice at my corporate America employment site it can become very easy to lose focus on the goal.  It’s so easy to get distracted and be going in a direction that makes no sense.

So, that is why I am so envious of the passion that is so evident in these people – focus, determined, heading toward one goal.

Hm, sort of what our creator expects from us! 

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17, New International Version)

This is the type of passion that I yearn for, one focus, one desire, on tasks. How about you?

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Roots

Wow, those were some monster storms last night.  As we were eating dinner I was watching my neighbors trees.  These trees are ‘view killers’.   In the summer they almost completely eliminate the view I have off my back porch, as you can see in the picture.  The weatherman was execting 60 MPH winds, so I began to hold out hope that this would be the night that some of those trees come down in a crashing roar!

As you can see in the picture these particular trees have developed quite a resistance to wind.  At one time last night, when I did not have my camera in hand, I thought they were going to lay down the wind was blowing so hard against them.  The winds howled all night, and I believe that all across town trees toppled over.  But in my backyard, there they stand this morning – like statues – calling out as a constant reminder of the stability and resistance.  A reminder of the depth of their roots and their ability to handle the onslaught of the wind.  A reminder of the way we should be able to live our lives as we battle each day against the forces that toil against us.

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, (Ephesians 3:16-17, New International Version, ©2011)

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7, New International Version, ©2011)

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Three Sixteen

Continuing the date thing this week, it seemed that since today was March 16, it would be appropriate to just examine a few famous three sixteens.  I mean its a number that has been hung in stadiums all over the world.  But did you know that In-N-Out burger prints the number on the bottom of their paper cups?  And of course we all remember Tim Tebow adding a reference to his eyeblack.(Which is now banned by the NCAA!)  Max Lucado has even used the numbers for the title of one of his books.

So with that, here is the famous reference:

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (New International Version, ©2011)

and then there’s this lesser know three sixteen from Colossians, that tells of a great way to spend today

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 (New International Version, ©2011)

Admonish others on three sixteen!

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Attitude of Gratitude

On Friday night a few new Sponge Bob episodes where released. Thanks to the power of DVR, I was hanging at at the local DQ enjoying a nice Reese’s Blizzard instead of having to suffer through the commercials of a live airing of Sponge Bob.  But on Saturday, while the boys where eating lunch they spend a little time watching the newly recorded shows.

I find the old sponge to be a little humorous, although it can become a little wearisome at times, but the simpleton continues to produces laughs year after year. In the second episodes from Friday night there was a little inspiration, as Sponge Bob starts off the day with a song.  I song that we could all stand to have stuck in our head:

If you can’t see YouTube at work, try it here latter. You only need to watch the first 1:45.

If you can’t see it, Sponge Bob and his garbage pail friends, drop into a song about an Attitude of Gratitude, or as he says “Oh, I am displaying for all to see an Attitude of Gratitude”
I think thats a good way for us to start this week. Give it a try and display that Attitude of Gratitude. ( and sing the song, its catchy… 🙂 )

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:15-17 (New International Version, ©2011)

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In For Service

For the last few weeks I have been trying to find a day when I can drop my vehicle off at the garage and spend the time being carted to and fro the garage whilst it has a little routine maintenance completed. I think today may be the day – of course with early morning meetings that always makes it a little bit of a challenge.
Last night, I was feeling the anxiety of what could happen to my vehicle if I didn’t get the belt inspected, and the fluids topped off. It presented quite a bleak picture of a ruined investment.
As you know from previous post, I do enjoy quite a love affair with my vehicle and so I must sacrifice some time to keep it in tip top running condition. ( Sacrificing for keeping it clean appears to be a different issue!)

Anyway, it interesting how we will remind ourselves through stickers, alarms, mailing and phone calls to keep our vehicles tunes up. This morning, I drifted off to the routine maintenance we need in our lives, especially our spiritual lives, and how we also sometimes just let that go to the wayside as well. And the prospect of ruining that investment ( our lives) is of such greater consequence then a vehicle. Keep yourselves well oiled by sacrificing a little time for your spiritual routine maintenance.

5Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

6For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,

7and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

8But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.

9Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,

10and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him–
Colossians 3:5-10 (New American Standard Bible)