Tag: Luke

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Quotable Art

Early this morning I found this set of quite inspiring posters that I just had to share with all you you.  Take a look at this group of thought provoking quotes and the accompany art that I think will help to move you out of your comfort zone and into a place of riskiness.  Since this whole concept of transforming and leaving our comfort zone is what I write about a lot, it just seem good to share these.

 

And then remember what your Creator has said to you:

7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  Luke 12:7 NIV

Oh and let me know your favorite. Mine happens to be  “You’ll have an entire eternity to think inside the box!”

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Death Gets Pwn3d

Yesterday I had the chance to watch “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”.  What a great fun movie!   As we were driving away from the Rave yesterday afternoon, Amy asked me what my favorite part of the movie was.  At the time I was not sure, but oddly enough like a one of those visions that Harry himself had, my favorite part resurfaced in the middle of the night.  As a matter of fact, even though I didn’t wake up, I remember the thought very vividly and I think that even a smile came to my face while I slept.

++++SPOILER ALERT - If you don't want to read about things that happen in the move skip the next few paragraphs++++

So what is my favorite part?  Well, it happened on the front steps of Hogwarts as Voldemort and his band of ‘followers’ stand facing those who were willing to fight against the darkness and evil that he pronounced.  When it seemed that all was lost with Harry dead, and the Dark Lord about to claim his ultimate place of power, Neville Longbottom stands up and gives the reason for his resistance against Voldemorte, and right as good ol’ Neville tells the face of darkness and death himself  “You are wrong”, Harry, who was off to the side, rises up.  Oh man – the look of happiness and glee on the faces of his friends, the look of terror on Voldemort’s face!  and the quickness with which his followers high tailed it out of dodge!  Man, it was so obvious then that the victory was won.

+++END SPOILER ALERT++++ 

So, why was it my favorite scene and why did it bring me so much joy that it would make me smile even in my sleep?  Well it reminds me of another event – one that really happened – that was so much like that event that you can watch on the silver screen. 

 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence. Luke 24:36-43 New International Version (NIV)

It’s amazing to think about the impact and the rallying effect that Potter’s revival had on his friends and supporters.  But it’s even more impressive to consider what an outstanding impact the actual revival of the Christ had on his supporters and can still have on us.

Death is defeated, destroyed, pwn3d!

I hope that brings a smile to your face!

 

 

 

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Ask The Expert

What is it about our pride that keeps us from asking for help?

Last night at work, apparently there were some “issues” going on with some of our “stuff”. Evidently this had escalated for several hours and several people had been involved in the troubleshooting.   In this case, let me say as humbly as I can, I happen to understand this “stuff” extremely well.  Someone not as humble as Moses and myself may say that I would be an expert on this topic. 

However, throughout this struggle the team had only one of them asked for any assistance.  The leader of the band continued to lead them in some very interesting directions and ask several questions that were tangential to the problem at hand.  Now, I am well aware that sometimes the best way to learn is to figure it out for yourself, and I am also well aware of the intangible effect of politics, however for this little bit of encouragement today, I want to assume no wind, and assume no judgement of the players involved in yesterday’s deal to make a point that we all can relate.

We do this stuff all the time.  The expert on a topic is within our grasps, but we don’t ask.  We drive around in circles instead of consulting a local ( well, at least the men do).  We fall into holes, we waste time, we beat our heads on the wall, we will do anything but ask for help.

And then, there is this jewel, written in red and spoken by the Son of God himself:

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10 

 
So on this Friday, here is just a simple reminder that the Creator of the Universe, has invited you to ask for help whenever you need it. Let’s not let our pride or whatever get in the way, and let’s use this blessing we have to gain the wisdom and assistance that is waiting!

13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13New International Version (NIV)

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Defining Dissipation

Yesterday, I found a reason to download the Miriam Webster Dictionary application right in the middle of the morning worship service.  I am so glad the church has a wi-fi network.  The following verse in the book of Luke was mentioned:

34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; Luke 21:34 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

And there I was completely confused as to what dissipation means. I thought dissipation was the process of dissipating or a dispersion. So in this case it seems sort of funny. So off to Mr Webster I went.

Definition of DISSIPATION
1
: the action or process of dissipating : the state of being dissipated: a : dispersion, diffusion b archaic : dissolution, disintegration c : wasteful expenditure d : intemperate living; especially : excessive drinking
2
: an act of self-indulgence; especially : one that is not harmful : amusement

To make matters even more confusing, the American Standard uses the word surfeiting. Another common everday word! NOT – so again back to Mr Webster!

Definition of SURFEIT
transitive verb
: to feed, supply, or give to surfeit
intransitive verb
archaic : to indulge to satiety in a gratification (as indulgence of the appetite or senses)

So, there ya have it.  Thanks to wi fi and apps, I was able to quickly understand this exhortation from the Christ himself.  And I think it’s a pretty good bit of encouragement to start off a week with.  Let’s not be disintegrated by our way of lives, but even more so let us stay solid.

Of course in this case it appears I could have also just jumped over to the Message!

 

34-36″But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34 The Message (MSG)

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A Good Measure

Last night the local Extreme Makeover aired as the season finale.  It was quite an inspiring show, and I guess even more so since we now can drive by this new house on the way home from soccer practice.  It’s always so good to see how people in the community will come together to help people in need.  So, here are two thoughts from the airing last night.

First, I have to wonder what the world would be like if we didn’t need a TV show or a disaster to help people in dramatic ways. Hmmm.

Second, I was reading this article today from the local television station.  It is absolutely fantastic to see that this family has been giving back in the community during the recent tornadoes in our area.  I think that is doubly inspiring, and something that can spurn us all on to action.  It’s always good to see people recognizing the blessings they have been given and using those to help others.  (It’s seem this chart in this old post describes the power of passing along acts of kindness quite well)

It all sounds sort of biblical, even though this teaching is a little bit opposite, its still a pretty good thought to consider as you go about your day.

38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38, New International Version)

Use whatever you have been given and give it to others today.