Tag: John

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Breakfast Commentary

This morning as I was fixing Alex’s customary toaster waffle, Amy came in and started to make herself a few pieces of raisin toast.  When she was unable to get the packaging open, she call in backup. So after I helped her get it open, I asked her if she wanted the heal, to which she replied,  you know it – “Nobody likes the heel”

Nobody likes the heel.  ( well i am sure there are a few people out there who do, but really???)  The heal is just not that good.  Of course this immediately took my mind to the sixth chapter of John ( well actually, it reminded me of a verse and a search engine took me to John).

47I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:47-51 (New International Version)

So in the John 6, Jesus called himself the bread of life.  He mentions that He is the nourishment that people need.  It a very funny exchange between he and his listeners.  But the point is interesting.  From His word, and his teaching and his gifts, we have all we need.  We have the Bread of life and we are blessed!

And we are to show his love and his life to others. Which means indirectly we offer the bread of life. (Not because of ourselves, but because we point to Him).  So today, what will you do?  What choices will you make that point the people you meet to the bread of life.  Will you be the heel? Or as Amy did this morning, will add peanut butter to the bread that makes it even more attractive.

Live it, and share it.

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Daily Post

Betrayal

14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14-16 (New International Version)

Yep. Judas, the traitor.  The one who demonstrated his selfishness on the worlds stage.  This is the day where is seemed that Judas sealed the deal the “hand over” Jesus.  We give Judas a really hard time some times, because we know that we are so perfect!  But really, I was thinking this morning about “What are willing to give me if I hand him over?”or maybe “What am I wanting to get that makes me hand him over?” Don’t we find ourselves asking that question some times?

It may not be thirty silver coins, the price of a slave, but it may be something just as cheap.  Or it may be something of more “value” – a job, a thing, a pleasure, a moment?  Its a daily battle for us to continually balance the value of our “stuff” versus the value of freedom from Christ.  I personally find it rather easy to hand over Jesus for “stuff” , as much as it pains me to admit it.  We just have to remember that if we stick with him, we will get all that we ever want.

10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:10-11 (New International Version)

So today, don’t trade Him in.  Stick with him!  Complete your Joy!

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Abiding and One Command

Its one of those days where I really don’t feel like writing.  Already in this early day, early in this week, I feel consumed by the world around me and it’s pressures.  It is amazing how the monotony of life can attempt to crush your spirit and suck the joy right out of your life.

Because of that, I felt that maybe I should write about Peter’s three denials in the hours leading up to the activity at the cross, but that felt a little too dramatic.  However it is a constant battle to keep ourselves from answering this question

“Aren’t you one of his disciples?”

This way

“Not me.”

So then I glanced back into the some of the powerful teaching that Jesus laid out in his last few days on this world in a human body.  This is where some serious encouragement is doled out. Check it over in John 15:

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[a] 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.

Icey!

And then he finishes it this way:

17This is my command: Love each other

Really, that’s it!  You mean that is all I have to focus on today!  Boy that removes some of the stress. Once again he provides peace -I hope it did for you as well.

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New Years Best of Countdown

Freaks

originally published on 2/18/2009

You know you read this story below, and if you have not grown up with it, you might just have to think, what a bunch of freaks?  He walked 3 miles on Water!!!  3 Miles! 5K? or he walked all the way around the sea to join them?  I dunno, that’s pretty freaky.  But If its true, then… oh then we just get a glimpse of the power of our Savior.

I think I will join the freaks, and believe this one.  How about you?  Are you freaky today?

John 6:15-21New International Version (NIV)

15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Jesus Walks on the Water

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed three or three and a half miles,[a] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

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Ditto

There’s only four more sleeps until Christmas Day.  I guess I better get out and finish up some shopping!

Or maybe I need to modify my decorations.  Here are a few more great decorations to start of the week.   The first one was voted Best Lights by the Surly Birds (whoever they are).  The second is a take off on one of the pictures from last week.

Ditto

RedNeck Christmas 2

Well, that’s pretty creative stuff.  And since we are speaking of lights.  Take a peek over if John.  Right in the beginning of the chapter.  It talks about Light –  the light of the world.  The Christ, who was born to show others the way.

John 1:1-10 (New International Version)

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.

6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

John, is like the neighbor in the picture above – pointing to the true lights.  That’s also the Christmas light I want to point to.  I wonder if our lives said “Ditto” to the true light how the world would change. I think this guy is on to something – pointing at the true light.  Lets be reflectors, lets be pointers, lets say ‘Ditto’ – lets be witnesses.

Merry Christmas Y’all