Tag: Romans

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Happy Presidents Day

It’s Presidents Day!  The day we set aside to remember and to celebrate the 44 men who have held the position of president of the United States of America.  The POTUS, as we like to referring to them in the written word.  I guess not many people speak that acronym when talking about the POTUS, as  I am not sure there is a way to pronounce that where it does not seem disrespectful.

And that’s the thing about Presidents, love them or hate them, we always treat them with respect.  Of course that’s one reason the Hall of Presidents is such a “must see” at Disney World! ( oh, that was bad humor for a Monday).

But seriously, we do treat them with respect because of their position, and the importance of the leadership position they hold.  However, on this day of  honoring Presidents, its is very likely that not one of us will met one – living or dead – minus those you are carrying in your pockets.

So what if we treat those around you like they are the president?  Yeah, that’s right?  What if you treated everyone you interacted with today as if they were the President?  How would that change the way you interact with people?

10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10 (New Living Translation)

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Happy Groundhog Day

Last night I was discussing some things with the family and needed to go back and find some old digital pictures that were not on my “spinning disk”.  Confidently, I thought to myself that I had all of those old images, documents and the like from computers gone by archived nicely on a set of compact discs.  So, I started to go look for them, and that’s when panic sat in.

Hours later, after digging through several CD’s I now have recreated the digital photograph history of my family from 1998 until the present time and have plans for tonight to archive those in a much more organized and accessible way.  Even though I discovered the pictures I needed were actually taken with film – whatever that is  – and I will have to search though another box to find those, I still learned a few things about myself.

First, the rate of technology change is absolutely amazing.  The first set of pictures in 1998 were taken with a digitial camera that required a 3.5″ floppy disc, the last ones in the set, on a camera smaller then a deck of cards with the ability to store over 1200 very high definition photographs.  Secondly, the rate of change in my life’s activities is absolutely amazing.  Yes, there is the radical change in the growth of the children, plus there are these two odd skinny kids that show up in the pictures which are supposedly Amy and I, but for the most part as I scanned the backup documents my life has been boringly similiar today at its core.

There are some parts of that that are good!  There are some parts of that that are bad.  But overall, I was able to see patterns change and some that is as drastic change  as the technology change when comparing start to finish.

It reminds me on this Groundhog Day, of the movie with the same name.  In that film, the star is stuck in the same day over and over, until he learns to change his ways.  For a time he doesn’t realize the issue, and then once he does he fails over and over again, as he learns the changes in his heart that are necessary.  There’s a great lesson in that about transformation.  We also need to be able to identify those areas in our life that need changed and realize that we will not wake up tomorrow and see that change.  It may take several failed attempts to make it happen, but eventually and gradually the transformation occurs.

So on this groudhog day, don’t be afraid of your shadow and have another go at transforming your spirit, and each day little by little things can change.  It may take 12 years, it may take 1 more day.

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (New Living Translation)

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1.11.11

Its One day!

No it’s not an official holiday, but take a look at that cool date.  It’s one of those only once in a life time sort of dates.  Well I guess all dates are once in a lifetime dates, but not all of them are as cool as this one.  It’s sort of like my favorite time of day 11:11!

Anyway will all of these one’s around, I thought a few reminders about the oneness of Christ and the unity we have with him.

First a classic reminder of ‘one’:

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6 (New International Version, ©2010)

and then a reminder about unity that is always encouraging.

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. Romans 6:4-5

As you go about the day with all ones, remember how you are united with the one Christ who is the son of the One Father who is over all.

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Are You Still That Person?

In John Ortberg’s book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, he tells the story of a young man who was, well grumpy.  As the years went on, his grumpiness didn’t change and people just got used to it, and would say “Thats old Frank, he’s just grumpy.”

How sad is that?  I know of people like this,for some reason the transformation of their lives stops. At some point, they just stop, if it ever started, transforming.  That doesn’t seem like a good approach to life.

It seems to be that each day we should continue to be transformed and to leave the old ways.  We should never give up on become more like our Savior.

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

Are you still that same old guy?

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End of the Eggnog

Well, what a wonderful weekend. We wrapped up a great week of celebration by unwrapping fantastic gifts for each others, by spending time with family, by enjoying 6 inches of snow and by remembering the birth of the Christ.  But now the eggnog ( non-alcoholic, of course) is gone, and bottom of the tree is empty and seems life goes back to the drudgery of it all

But it doesn’t have to be the way.  The joy around Christmas sprouts from the joy that is found in living a life full of love for others.  No, not the mamby bamby hug ever one sort of love, but a love that comes out of true concern and adoration.

So, as you enjoy the last of the eggnog, remember the carry the spirit along with you, as we see here in these words from Romans about real love in action:

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 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. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:9-21