Tag: examples

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High Beams

Jason does such an awesome job of challenging us to try and impact the world around us. It is definitely hard to keep your chin up in today’s world, the economy is hanging on by a thread, people are losing their jobs, their houses, and the Gulf of Mexico is full of oil. Let’s face it the world can be a depressing place. It is full of illness, struggle, and all types of things to wear on our souls.
We need to remind ourselves daily that this world is a temporary home, every struggle we endure, every disease we fight, every weapon the devil uses against us, will not last. The Lord has told us to hope in him, to focus on his grace. Have you ever seen a ray of sunshine shining through the clouds on an overcast day? This is what we should look like to the world. We should carry the hope of salvation with us everyday. We should be a bright beacon of light to the people around us. When we focus on Christ, and we stay strong during the temporary storms of life, the people around us will notice. They will want to know what it is that keeps us calm, even when life is hard.
So today, when the temporary comes at you, focus on the permanent solution that Christ provides. Focus on the grace we have been given, and use the opportunity to let your light shine.
IN HIM WAS LIFE, AND THE LIFE WAS  THE LIGHT OF MEN, AND THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS AND THE DARKNESS DID NOT COMPREHEND IT……JOHN 1 VS 4-5
Have a great day everybody, and turn on your high beams.
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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

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Summer Harvest

Do you like tomatoes? If so I have some for you!  I am currently picking handfuls of Cherry and Roma tomatoes a day from my square foot garden.   I am also starting to bring in cucumbers,  squash and peppers.  I have a few little bitty really hot peppers that have grown amazingly, I am just not exactly sure what do to with them. If you have some suggestions, I will gladly listen!

Its been a great experience this spring, taking care of these vines by directing their growth and providing support and water.   And finally what a pleasurable experience walking into the house with hands fulls of fresh produce.  Its a great thing being a vinedresser.  I can only imagine the pleasure the Lord gets in when he observes the fruit we bear.  Check this out – still from the Johns:

1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:1-8 (New International Version)

This is to my Father’s glory!   Yep!  The Father loves to walk into the kitchen with a big grin on his face and an armful of fruit – your fruit!  Live today in a way that glorifies the gardener by producing fruit!    Are you not sure what fruit you can produce?  Take a quick look in Galatians and if you know the song sing along while you read it.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

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Take Me Out To The Corporate Jet

Yesterday afternoon I returned to my desk around 4:20 to find that I was late to a 4pm call.  After frantically getting on the call, and settling into the conversation, I was interrupted by an instant message from a co worker.  The proceeding 2 minute conversation had me scheduled on a plane at 5:20AM this morning heading off to a meeting to discuss some items for a project we are working on.  So, I attempted to keep my focus on the meeting at hand, and provide the best insight I could, while confirming my seat and hotel for this sudden change in agenda.  I am so thankful for corporate jets.  What stinks is I had no meetings in the morning, so I was actually going to be able to get work done. And then even better, the schedule called for a team outing at the Lookouts game in the afternoon! Boy, was I looking forward to spending some LouieBucks for a big juicy hotdog.  The best laid plans….

So as I pondered this sudden change in plans, my mind was drawn to Matthew 4

18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20At once they left their nets and followed him. (NIV)

Not that I am comparing my sudden trip to the calling of Jesus’ followers, the Apostles, but I am making a quick and somewhat hurried (read poor!) analogy to how sometimes we have to change our plans, and give up our wants and desires in order to follow the Christ.  He calls you, sometimes when you don’t expect it.  Will you drop you plans and follow Him – there are great things in store if you do.

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Mission

A few months ago I read a blog that was title something like “Help Me, I’m Stuck IN My Church”.  The gist of the post was that some times followers of Christ get so caught up in the “work of the church”, that we forget that our goal is to follow Christ.  Last night I watched one of Rob Bell’s Nooma videos titled Sunday.  Again the message here was plain and simple – make sure you are following Christ, not Christianity.  It’s such a good reminder especially when you see how hard Jesus was on the “religious leaders” and how much compassion he had on the “sinners”.

So today, remember the ways of the Christ and remember our mission to follow him.

27He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Luke 10:27 (New International Version)