Tag: Romans

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Mere Mortals

In just a few weeks another Narnia movie will be released. On my way home last night, I heard an interview with a “C.S. Lewis expert”. He was talking about the several things about old C.S., like for instance that he died on the same day that JFK was shot and killed. But then he mentioned this quote from one of his books.

There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal.
The Weight of Glory, “The Weight of Glory” (1942) p46

This struck me square in the face. Although I had heard something similar to this before, and maybe even have read this quote before, it was so new and fresh yesterday evening. Then last night I was listening to an interview with Francis Chan I found on the internet. In this interview, he was talking about having a passion for people, and asking if we really realize we are a supernatural being – full of the spirit and made to live forever. He also mentioned Paul’s anguish from Romans 9,

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people,

Paul so wanted he people to follow the Christ that it brought him sorrow and anguish. That’s seems to indicate a recognition of the state of people.

I just wonder what my day would be like if I walked around not looking at people at strangers – as just mere mortals – who are in the way, but as supernatural immortal people who just like you will arrive at one of two destinations in the end. How would that change your day?

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  Philippians 2:3-4 (New International Version, ©2010)

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Depth of Mercy

I stumbled across some older videos last night, and rediscovered a short clip that really delves in to the history of God’s mercy.  It was a great reminder to me about the depth and riches of the mercy of God.

So in view of God’s mercy take a look:

The message of the video, which I have shared before in the past is always a good reminder of our position with our Christ, when we choose him (for he already has chosen us!) – and that position is – forgiven, free and family.

1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Romans 12:1-2, The Message)

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I am sure by now you heard about Buffalo Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson’s reaction to dropping the winning touchdown pass on Sunday. If you have not, after dropping the winning touchdown pass, he later tweeted this:

“I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO…

Seriously!

My first reaction was like “What’s up with you man?”, but then I thought about how that’s just like all the rest of us. We are so much like football players with our praise- quick to thank God for the winning touchdowns and to blame him for the loss!

But I don’t think that’s the way we are to go about life – accepting the good, and discounting the bad and ugly and using it as a source of judgment. Take a look over in the book of Job. When really bad things descended on Job, and his wife says “Curse God and die!”, he responds with this:

10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2:10 (New International Version, ©2010)

So today, if you are have having the “Best day ever”, or your storage bin with all of your belongings has been sold off, or you wreck you vehicle, or you get stuck with a dirty job, or whatever does not go your way – remember to accept the trouble from God with praise – just like you would accept the good things!

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV

Oh and Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law – Lori!!

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Divide by Zero

Yesterday I was ready to give up, to give in – to just plain quit. I want to act like the inner city children do when they get in trouble – just go limp.

It was just one of those days when the whole meaningless nature of the work just gets the best of you.

I wanted to follow the advice I received in the bottom of the the Think Geek weekly email update (I love Think Geek, its one of my favorite stores)

When faced with trouble
And in need of an escape
Divide by zero. – Safiya from Vancouver, Canada!

That’s right. Yesterday I wanted to divide by zero and blow the whole thing up.  However….

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (New International Version)

Yep, the harvest, the goal.  I have to remember that the things that choke me are not the important things in this world. There’s no place to give up. There’s no place to give in. Our lives are so much more then the mundane life sucking hope searing, mind scrambling activities thrust upon us. Our lives are to be lived to glorify God, our Savior, even in those situations. We are called to be a light, and we cannot, I cannot, let it be squished, stomped and put out.

11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12 (New International Version)

So, I will not push the escape button or mess up the math world by dividing by zero. Together, with your encouragement, I will press on to the goal! How about you?

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Just for Funsies

Many of you know that over the weekend, I teamed up with 11 other guys and ran a 195.5 mile relay race from Chattanooga to Nashville. Each of us had 3 legs ranging between 3.8 and 8.9 miles, with out total mileage between 12 and 22 each. The relay started Friday morning , went all night, through the dark and cold, and we continued until we reached the finish line in downtown Nashville late Saturday afternoon. It was a crazy night, our team with 160 other teams running through no where Tennessee with head lamps and reflective jackets. However, through all the decorated vans, sore hamstrings, bottles of Gatorade and packets of Goo, the one thing that continues to surprise me was one question. There was one question I was asked repetitively in the weeks leading up to the race, during the race and even after the race. “What do you do this for? What Charity?”
Every time I was asked I paused and then with regret said “None, it’s just for funsies.” I felt bad that I wasn’t raising money or raising awareness of some cause. But really it wasn’t just for funsies, although I did find it to be a great time. It was more about challenging myself, using the gifts that God has blessed me with and “buffeting my body” each and every day. I think it’s good for us to continue to find things that help strengthen our bodies for service to Him. For me, being able to push my body physically and keep it fit, helps me realize the spiritual strength that is also available to me, although it’s manifested in another way. For you, it may be something different, but all us need to remember that this physical body is a gift from God and something that we need to use for his Glory

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, New International Version

So why did I do this, I did it to in some sort of weird way to bring honor God by keeping my body fit and ready for service. Today, keep finding ways to buffet your body, and bring it under subjection both spiritually and physically, and bring glory to your creator.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 ESV