shoes and Jesus
Friday, while carrying some items down the steps to our basement (in my stocking feet) my foot slipped on the very first step and I fell all the way to the bottom of the landing … injuring (but not seriously) my right ankle, knee and hip. Sunday morning in my office while sorting through a stack of articles I came across one that gave some advice on how to avoid household injuries. To prevent falls down the steps in your home the article said to wear shoes instead of just socks. Especially wear shoes with some tread on the soles. I remember glancing at this article a few …
leave the tree up
According to research the first Christmas tree came on the scene in the European country of Latvia in 1510. That’s about 500 years ago. From my perspective I believe the first Christmas tree arrived about 2,000 years ago. You see the Bible often refers to the cross of Christ as a “tree”. And it seems GOD hung the first ornament on that “tree” … and that ornament was JESUS Himself … a willing sacrifice. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds we are healed.” 1 Peter …
The Killer Band Leader
Anyone else curious what “the commander of the army of the LORD” looks like? Joshua met this commander who told Joshua to take down the city of Jericho by playing a trumpet. Not exactly what I would have in mind for battle plans. Really, t…he band leader? Lord your ways are not mine… but make your ways mine.
"annoying bells"
In 1994 my wife and I were living in a small house in the small town of Hudson, Iowa. Next door was a small church with a small bell tower. If my memory serves me correctly. at noon and 6pm every day the church bells would play one or two old hymns. At first the noise was sort of annoying, but as the months went by I began to remember the lyrics of these hymns from my days as a child back in the 50′s and 60′s. Words from old songs my mother used to sing before, during and after …
If We Live It, They Will Ask
There was a popular movie several years ago that revolved around a man who heard a voice that told him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield. A statement from that movie is as well-known as the movie; “If you build it, they will come.” A pastor friend of mine has his own version of this sentence with regard to getting Christians to come to an event; “If you feed them, they will come.” As you read through 1 Peter and come upon chapter three verse fifteen, it would seem that Peter had the same idea in mind. This …
you're not invited
Have you ever heard about the upcoming wedding and banquet of a good friend and then realized you have NOT been invited ? The thoughts that run through your mind may sound something like: “Did I do something wrong ?” … “I thought they liked me ?” … “Am I not important ?” As proclaimers of Jesus our lives should be a constant invitation welcoming the people we encounter to join us for the biggest wedding and banquet ever planned. Christ uses these symbolic words to His followers in Matthew 22:8 and 9: “The wedding banquet is ready … Go …
the Sinatra syndrome
Singer-actor Frank Sinatra can still be seen and heard on TV and the radio. One of his most played songs seems to be “My Way” … and I actually heard it this morning at 5:40am while driving to the gym. Hit song … stupid theme. I spoke with a young man this week who had this to say about seeking God and His direction : “I’m OK with God, I don’t need a Savior, besides he knows my heart.” … followed by … “Its my life and on top of that I’m not nearly as bad as many other guys …
Psalm 23
I have seen this in my email a few times. I thought I’d share it this time. Pretty cool how it points out the ways God provides. Amazing, what a great reminder. The Lord is my Shepherd -Relationship I shall not want – Supply He maketh me to lie down in green pastures – Rest He leadeth me beside the still waters – Refreshment He restoreth my soul – Healing He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness – Guidance For His name sake – Purpose Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – Testing …
you want me to do what ?
Jesus was sitting in a fishing boat teaching a large crowd who had gathered along the shore. Afterwards He instructed Simon Peter to row out into deeper water and cast his nets into the lake. Now Peter and the boys had been fishing all night and had caught absolutely nothing … and they had apparently sat through an early morning sermon as well. Hungry and tired, I’m certain they must have been ready for some sleep. Peter, is an expert fisherman … after all this is what he does for a living. In the back of his mind he probably …
object of faith required
Recently a young man met with me and boldly stated: “I need to know how I can please God. I have been attending church here for three weeks and I want to join a men’s Bible study because I want to increase my faith. In the past month I have lost my job, my girlfriend and my health is being determined by some test results I am waiting for. Can you help me increase my faith ?” I simply replied “NO”. He looked at me and asked: “Then what do they pay you for around here ?” I explained to …
