Job 19:4 – And if indeed I have erred, my error remains with me.
What really hurts is when you throw the ball, usually with a lot of zip, and it goes where you never intended. Attending the Ranger game recently with friends, we saw two or three of those throws. Usually they cost you. And then there are Cuban’s boys, and they are closing in on losing out when their throws go where the teammate used to be, or some where near the basket. I’m sure you could throw better, and I am confident you believe the same about me.
Job’s friends accused him of sinning sufficiently to reap the wrath of God. Job believed he was innocent, and if he wasn’t, at least his sin was not against them. I’m not sure we could stake our reputation with Job’s. What is true, unfortunately, is that we sometimes throw words and actions around as if we live in a vacuum. When we throw out words without thinking and/or considering the impact of what we speak, or heave actions of a type or manner that violate llove, although we seldom miss the intended teammate or another teammate who may be in the area, it’s a throwing error.
Have you ever been hit by a thrown ball? Even in softball it stings. And in the major leagues (would that be the larger Churches?) a pitch or throw can maim or kill. Hence, with the analogy I am trying to make here, we need to be most careful what we throw around, and what actions we take pursuant to the knowledge and understanding we have of a situation.
There’s a certain amount of maturity that is required to think, plan, choose wisely, and act appropriately. Every time we fail to do so we are extending the damage which results from the enemy’s attack focused through our words and actions.
I can’t imagine what happened when a major league 2nd baseman, making a throw to first misses the bag, and his teammate, by 20 feet. It is astounding to me that an NBA all-star can only hit on 61% of his free throws (yep, that’s when nobody is blocking his sight or his action or his freedom of time).
I do understand how it happens in the Family of God. We make movements or take action without direction from God. We just don’t think. We just don’t pray. We just don’t act out of an understanding of genuine llove.
Don’t make “throwing errors.” You know they are going to cost someone.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Grim Future?
Some called yesterday's Stock Market drop a "kick in the stomach." Depending on how you're invested, that may be true. A lot of things are looking grim in the world right now. Iraq continues to be a plague on our society. Crime, drugs, rampant immorality and a multitude of evils abound and the frightening passage from Romans 1 as God abandons a people (read: nation) looms large for those who know Truth.
But, and it's a big but, we can never lose light of the reality that God is still on the throne. He still rules the Cosmos, and nothing takes Him by surprise. He has made promises to those who are His, and they will come to fruition.
It's a comfort beyond measure in the trying days.
But, and it's a big but, we can never lose light of the reality that God is still on the throne. He still rules the Cosmos, and nothing takes Him by surprise. He has made promises to those who are His, and they will come to fruition.
It's a comfort beyond measure in the trying days.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Overwhelmed
Do you ever feel overwhelmed? You've got so many things to do that you are not sure where or how to start? It's not that any one of them is more than you can handle, it's just that together they seem to add up to too much.
Of course, the anwer is simple. Just pick one and start. No, I didn't say it was easy. Which one will give you the most relief? Start there. If it all has to be done today, start early. If it can be spread out a little, take it a piece at a time.
There, now I know what to do. I am so glad I am so helpful. Excuse me, I've got to go get started.
Of course, the anwer is simple. Just pick one and start. No, I didn't say it was easy. Which one will give you the most relief? Start there. If it all has to be done today, start early. If it can be spread out a little, take it a piece at a time.
There, now I know what to do. I am so glad I am so helpful. Excuse me, I've got to go get started.
Leakage
Watch yourselves so that you don’t lose what we have worked for. . . 2 John 1:8
We’ve got a leak in the men’s room. I put up the “do not use” sign a couple of weeks ago and so far we have had two or three plumbers turn down the job. Now don’t panic! It’s just a small split in a supply line water pipe, but no one wants to tackle the job for some reason.
It got me to thinking about John’s comment in his second letter to the Church. I think some of us are allowing for a little “leakage” in our containment of Truth.
John is talking about llove and Truth in his short letter to the Church, and reminding them that we are commanded to llove one another, to avoid listening to, and certainly following, the counsel of deceivers or those who work evil. In other words (actually in his words); watch yourself in these things.
When you and I fail to practice the disciplines of llove, or when we do not appropriate Truth on a consistent basis, even that which we have previously practiced and learned tends to slip (or leak, to keep the metaphor alive) away. It is impossible to practice the disciplines of llove toward those we never see or talk to. It is unlikely that we will apprehend much Truth if we are not involved in a teaching venue on a regular basis. Certainly I know that we learn on our own under the leadership of the Spirit, but God has given us the Body of Christ so that we might mutually edify one another and we can’t do that when we are apart.
Separation from the things of God and the people of God can’t be good. Everything we know leads us to understand that being diligent regarding our walk, especially in this matter of llove (2 John 1:4-6) requires faithful participation in the life of the Body.
Actually our family has some really good spiritual plumbers. They can fix those leaks and get the water of life flowing fully and freely through our soul. They can inspire a desire to know the Truth of God’s Word and to live in llove. And, like John, they want to do it face to face (2 John 1:12).
Check for leaks! You don’t want to lose anything God has placed within you to bring you to maturity of faith.
We’ve got a leak in the men’s room. I put up the “do not use” sign a couple of weeks ago and so far we have had two or three plumbers turn down the job. Now don’t panic! It’s just a small split in a supply line water pipe, but no one wants to tackle the job for some reason.
It got me to thinking about John’s comment in his second letter to the Church. I think some of us are allowing for a little “leakage” in our containment of Truth.
John is talking about llove and Truth in his short letter to the Church, and reminding them that we are commanded to llove one another, to avoid listening to, and certainly following, the counsel of deceivers or those who work evil. In other words (actually in his words); watch yourself in these things.
When you and I fail to practice the disciplines of llove, or when we do not appropriate Truth on a consistent basis, even that which we have previously practiced and learned tends to slip (or leak, to keep the metaphor alive) away. It is impossible to practice the disciplines of llove toward those we never see or talk to. It is unlikely that we will apprehend much Truth if we are not involved in a teaching venue on a regular basis. Certainly I know that we learn on our own under the leadership of the Spirit, but God has given us the Body of Christ so that we might mutually edify one another and we can’t do that when we are apart.
Separation from the things of God and the people of God can’t be good. Everything we know leads us to understand that being diligent regarding our walk, especially in this matter of llove (2 John 1:4-6) requires faithful participation in the life of the Body.
Actually our family has some really good spiritual plumbers. They can fix those leaks and get the water of life flowing fully and freely through our soul. They can inspire a desire to know the Truth of God’s Word and to live in llove. And, like John, they want to do it face to face (2 John 1:12).
Check for leaks! You don’t want to lose anything God has placed within you to bring you to maturity of faith.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Delay the Cowtown Marathon?
Did I read that officials might consider delaying the Cowtown because of a little hail? One would think that they are not runners. If you've never run the 26+ miles, you don't know that a little hail is not a big deal. Your whole body is screaming after a couple of hours. You feet and legs are rebelling, your insides are churning, your brain will tell you death is around the next corner. A little hail? Forget it! Marathoners will find it no big deal.
I ran the race in 2005. (Yes! I did finish in a respectable time) It rained lightly most of the time. A little hail would have been a welcome distraction, I think. Anything to get my mind off those remaining 24 miles!
I ran the race in 2005. (Yes! I did finish in a respectable time) It rained lightly most of the time. A little hail would have been a welcome distraction, I think. Anything to get my mind off those remaining 24 miles!
Wasted Life
It is appointed for people to die once, and after this, judgment. Hebrews 9:27
The life and death of Anna Nicole Smith is a sad story. I only know about her the little I have seen in the news casts over the years, and the incredible amount of press that has followed her final months of life, and her death. It’s not an unusual story, just one that got more publicity than some others.
It does remind us that life can be wasted. I don’t say that to be unkind, but the legacy which remains is the tragedy of one who succumbed to the lure of the Evil One embracing the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Her son experienced a tragic death. Her daughter will have to grow up without a natural family, discovering the stigma of her mother as a sexual icon, with several men claiming to be her biological father. Her personal assets will be contested for years, and in the end, her mother and others battled in court over her remains.
How many times has history told this narrative? How many more young women will be exploited by evil men who are seduced by the rottenness at the core of our society. How many young women will never discover the richness of a Godly marriage and the incredible joy of motherhood and the self-sacrifice of building a home on the foundation of Truth and righteousness? For many, like Anna Nicole, tragedy will encompass their days and the brief and fleeting pleasure of sin will end in death.
How important is what we do? How vital is our ministry to the youth of our community? How will they hear unless we sound a clear and accurate warning? How will we reach the goal unless we are willing to be sent by the Spirit of God into the lives of those most vulnerable?
The life and death of Anna Nicole Smith is a sad story. I only know about her the little I have seen in the news casts over the years, and the incredible amount of press that has followed her final months of life, and her death. It’s not an unusual story, just one that got more publicity than some others.
It does remind us that life can be wasted. I don’t say that to be unkind, but the legacy which remains is the tragedy of one who succumbed to the lure of the Evil One embracing the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Her son experienced a tragic death. Her daughter will have to grow up without a natural family, discovering the stigma of her mother as a sexual icon, with several men claiming to be her biological father. Her personal assets will be contested for years, and in the end, her mother and others battled in court over her remains.
How many times has history told this narrative? How many more young women will be exploited by evil men who are seduced by the rottenness at the core of our society. How many young women will never discover the richness of a Godly marriage and the incredible joy of motherhood and the self-sacrifice of building a home on the foundation of Truth and righteousness? For many, like Anna Nicole, tragedy will encompass their days and the brief and fleeting pleasure of sin will end in death.
How important is what we do? How vital is our ministry to the youth of our community? How will they hear unless we sound a clear and accurate warning? How will we reach the goal unless we are willing to be sent by the Spirit of God into the lives of those most vulnerable?
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Passport Rules Change
Sometimes keeping up with the changes is a difficult task. Now we're being told that kids, of varying ages and circumstances, will be exempt from having a passport when traveling out of the United States. A valid birth certificate will suffice for returning home. Maybe we could change the rules so that old people (like me) are exempt from IRS regulations. I think I can get into that.
Aren't you glad the rules for getting to Heaven, and discovering the fantastic grace of God for present day living never change. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Now there's a rule by which I can live forever !
Aren't you glad the rules for getting to Heaven, and discovering the fantastic grace of God for present day living never change. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Now there's a rule by which I can live forever !
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