Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Re-New Year

This is the time of year when a lot of cooking, eating, baking and more eating is going on. Sometimes we forget what we had left in containers (food) and it spoils because we forgot about it. My wife offered us an orange last night that had turned green. I forgot we had those. I hate when that happens. Of course, she was joking, because she would not offer spoiled food to anyone. Yet, people will offer up (routinely) their old worn out stuff...broken down stuff...change from the dresser...scraps to God. ---Make a vow to not do that this year. Give God something that when you give it...you feel it. King David said that he would not give God something that cost him nothing.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Jesus is the head of the church

Is Jesus the head of the church? It's always fun when family gets together, and then it's always dangerous when political or religious discussions take place. But out of nowhere one of the relatives just went off "Jesus isn't the head of the church...He wouldn't have anything to do with the church today..." and on the rant went as the rest of the house stood aghast. ---It ended quickly as everyone realized this was not the discussion anyone really wanted to engage at Christmas time with the family. But it cut me deep, to stop and think about that. As a church we have to be careful to not take over the church. God calls preachers, and He places people in leadership, and sends support-personnel to grow His church. We need to serve like we own it, but realize all is for His glory. But don't forget this: Jesus is the head of the church, and we really can't mess that up. Jesus is coming back for the church, and that is not dependent on us! So, let us strive to be blameless and follow Him closely. Is Jesus the head of our local church? Pastors, leaders, and members need to individually ask the question: Is Jesus Lord over me? Stop and reflect: Are you following Jesus, or are you treating him like a toy doll and bringing Him out of the closet when you feel like it? Is everything we do as a church to bring Him glory by bringing people to Him?---It's good for people to ask tough questions or make tough statements every now and then. By the way, Jesus is the head of the church; and there is no way you or I can mess that up. The church is the bride of Christ and He is coming back for her. I know that because Jesus said so.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Why the sense of Expectancy?


Have you wondered why there is this sense of expectancy around Christmas time? We feel like something special ... something really huge is about to happen...and then the day after Christmas is like a huge let down. We live with anticipation up to the 25th. Some people start early and then others wait until the last couple of days, but that expectancy is there. God has hidden eternity in our hearts... we live (whether we know it or not) with a sense of spiritual expectancy. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.-Ecc.3:11 There is a day coming when Christ will return. It will no longer be a time of expectancy, but a time of celebration. Until then, live the life of a child and absorb the emotions of anticipation. Rejoice that you will be with Him in the Happily Everafter. When the Day After woes hit, remind yourself that it is not time yet.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

EOTY

The end of the year is rapidly upon us. Be sure to take time to reflect on the past year on when you got "it" right and when you got "it" wrong. Think about the times God bailed you out, and thank God. Thank Him for the multiple times you forgot to thank Him anyway.---Get away from the hustle and bustle and "be still and know that God is God." Do better next year...start practicing now.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Climate, the world, pollution

I'm following the World Climate Summit from a distance. While I'm not buying into the whole global warming per AG, I am concerned for our environment. We have technology to not be stupid. But other countries are now dealing with the stupidity that we used to (ie. dumping their waste into rivers and such)exhibit. Consider India for a second. Due to their religion cows are worshipped, yet rivers (which hold water needed for life) have become sewers. I was reading where a 61 year old man from India was being interviewed. He said that his country needed to figure this whole pollution thing out soon. As soon as the interview ended he tossed his plastic cup into the bushes.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Truth

Truth does one of two things: it either hurts or it sets someone free. It depends on what you do with it.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

TW

Okay, I have been biting my tongue to weigh in on the Tiger Wood's discussion. For the most part I'm keeping my comments out of the fray. However, I heard a female sport's commentator say something I couldn't let go. She said that in order for TW to get his golf game back, he should go ahead and get a divorce. Wow! Come on ladies, I expect more of an outcry. She might as well have said, "Drop the 'old' bag and start over with your life." Hello...how about dropping golf and saving his marriage? How about his two kids? Come on America, wake up! ---My prayer and hope is for the guy's salvation, and for him to work things out with his wife. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Delusion

How long will you love false delusions and seek after false gods?--Ps.4:2b Delude means to mislead or deceive the mind. Many of the things that we consider reality aren't reality at all. Take reality tv for instance. A camera in your living room...really? That's reality? Jesus tried to turn the minds of the people away from this world (unreality) to the spiritual (the real reality). What delusion are you under? What non-reality is taking you away from serving and worshiping God?

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Signs of the times


Daughter getting married-check.

Son graduating college-check.

Daughter almost done with college-check.

Son-the youngest turning 18-check.

Reading classes now needed-check.