Tag: example

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Contrite

Yesterday morning, being Sunday, meant I was at my normal spot in the worship center, singing songs of praise with the rest of the congregation.  During the middle of this period of collective singing, the worship leader stopped us and reminded us of how much we all admire the great King David.  He expressed the way we relate to David and his hot and cold relationship with God.  Most of you know how one day he was praising God from the mountaintops and the next day he was hiding in a cave, full of sorrow.  And for some reason we can relate.

I agree with the worship leaders words.  For some reason we can relate.  I, personally, admire David’s words in Psalm 51. This is the song he penned after one of his most infamous mistakes – his little affair with the beautiful Bathsheba.

 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:16-18  New International Version (NIV)

I usually find comfort in this verse, because I can relate so well with being a broken, imperfect person.

I am, however, just not sure how contrite I am.

Definition of CONTRITE

: feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming

And that is something I need to work on!

How about you?

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Driving Lessons

My oldest heads off to drivers education class this week.  And what a relief that is.  Teaching a opinionated young man to drive a speeding bullet is much more stressful than I ever imagined.  It’s pretty nice to be able to outsource a little bit of the finer details of this education to someone who must have nerves of steel! Seriously, just imagine if your job was to drive around in a  compact car with first time drivers all day long!

Of course, what I really dread about this, is that when he comes home with all this new knowledge in hand, I have a strong feeling that my driving will be uses as a place for him to critic and test the value of what he has learned.  I would love to say “do as I say, but not as I do boy!”  But for some reason, I don’t think that will fly… Just like it doesn’t in other parts of life.

6 Always remember these commands I give you today.7 Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 New Century Version (NCV)

 
Yep, we are to remember, teach and talk about these commands as often as well can.  And of course, the best way to make that happen is to make sure you are living it as well.
 
Watch your speed, and make sure your example is one that others should follow.
 
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A Child’s View

I found this video title “One Child’s Most Exciting Day” whilst on my normal search for information and ideas on the World Wide Web earlier this week.  I have spent parts of the last two days thinking about it.  You will need to watch it to get the full picture, but essentially in this German ( I think) video about poverty, a child is asked to describe his most exciting day.  As he describes visiting castles, eating feasts and sailing on boats, the images show he and his mother, at the unemployment office, at the food bank and in the washateria.

I have not been able to rationalize whether the video paints the child and his position in poverty in a positive or negative light.  It seems to suggest that he is hiding the pain by telling a story, but I am not sure.  I wonder if he has become content in his world, oblivious, or at least not dwelling in, his humble position in life.  I can’t help but to think this is a good image of what our Lord says when he tells us to have “faith like a child”, and when he instructs us to be humble and content in all things.

3And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:3-4 (New International Version)

This child took a day that to an adult could be rather humiliating, boring, and mundane and turns it in a day full of adventure, excitement and promise.   hm..

Take one minute today or this weekend to watch this video.  Think about this boy’s perspective on life, and think about your own.

I don’t think I have fully grasped the complete message that is delivered in this 69 second spot, as my sub conscious continues to mull it over.  But I do see that our attitude and viewpoint can make even the hardest day better.   Enjoy Friday, enjoy the weekend, and find adventure and excitement in all your undertakings.

11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.   Philippians 4:11-13 (New International Version)

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Do Good

I have several thoughts working around in my brain today, but they are all baby thoughts.  Thoughts that are not ready to be released into the mighty blogosphere. So I will keep incubating those for a few more days.  And since my mind is preoccupied, today’s thought is quite simple, yet quite astute.

It’s a simple message and a reminder to do good.

9-10So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. (Galatians 6:10, The Message)

Be salty today, don’t back down, and impact people!

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Can’t Kick the Habit

I can tell that summer is here.  I was able to sleep in a little ( like 20 minutes) and take my time in the morning and the house is completely quiet.  Where are those people that live with me?

Anyway, yesterday I received an email about a band call Family Force 5.  They are a  Christian crunk rock band. That’s usually not my type of music, but it’s still intriguing to me to see people use so many different ways to spread the message of the Christ.  One of their songs is called “Love Addict” and the music video has over 3.5 million hits on YouTube.  This song contains the following lyric:

Hold Up! Wait a minute! Put a little love in it!

That sort of reminds me of Paul in 1 Corinthians

1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 2If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. 3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. ( The Message)

I mean really, if I have everything, but I don’t have love what do I have.  And that is the message of the Christ.  Check it in Mark:

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 8:35-37 (New International Version)

So today, whether you like crunk rock or not ( and I think I am starting to!), sing it out:

Hold up, Wait a minute, Put a little love in it!

Can’t kick the habit,

I’ve got to have it,

I’m what is called a

Love Addict

Love Addict