Tonight it's storming. We haven't had storms in nearly 2 months. This is a treat and much needed. Before it started, I could see the light show. I knew it was coming, so I had the blinds opened. There was lightning, and more lightning, and more lightning...
A phone call from my buddy told me that he was driving in pouring rain. A monsoon, he said. Nothing here. Just the light show.
Before long, I decided it was probably passing me by. After all, storms here tend to either go north or south, lightning or no. I settled down to enjoy what was left of the light show. It was better than nothing!
Then the rain hit. Wow is it coming down - still! I'm reminded that so many times we think life has passed us by. Whatever it is... family, relationships, love, prosperity (it's right around the corner, you know)... it's passed us by. We're getting older... we just missed it somehow. It's not meant to be.
Then it arrives. All that 'stuff' we've been spouting off to convince ourselves that God's plan for us isn't nearly so fun or pleasant or fulfilling as the next guy's suddenly is revealed for what it was - hogwash.
The next time you think it has passed you by, consider the chances that it simply hasn't arrived yet.
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Abundant Life
Joh 10:10 MKJV
(10) The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
People seeking the abundant life might be under the impression that once you receive Jesus, that life never has difficulties, or trials, or fill in the blank, because now you have received the 'abundant' life. The truth of the matter is quite the opposite. You still have the same trials and tribulations. However, the abundant life affords you the answer before the problem ever presents itself. God will never send you into a battle that you are not equipped to win.
(10) The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
People seeking the abundant life might be under the impression that once you receive Jesus, that life never has difficulties, or trials, or fill in the blank, because now you have received the 'abundant' life. The truth of the matter is quite the opposite. You still have the same trials and tribulations. However, the abundant life affords you the answer before the problem ever presents itself. God will never send you into a battle that you are not equipped to win.
Friday, June 18, 2010
When Your Father Asks "What's Wrong?"
So many times, the simple question, "What's Wrong?" is rhetorical. When my own child is crying, most of the time I already know why. Sometimes I just witnessed the crash landing, or the ill treatment from sis, or the fright from the cat. So when the tears start, I pick her up and ask "What's wrong?".
The question is really meant to start a self-examination; inventory, if you will. Do you ever sense that from God? There are times I find myself really struggling through a day or a week... or a month (*sighs*) but I hear a small voice that says, "What's wrong?". That really helps me! Because after I do the inventory, I realize that truthfully, most everything is okay. Yes, things have been rough but they're getting better. Yes, I've been feeling bad but I'm feeling better.
A good friend of mine left me a voice mail today. He and I have not chatted directly in at least a few weeks, but since we are spiritually connected, we've sensed each others' struggles. He said this: all that stuff you've been going through... it's just stuff!
Yes! It is! It's just stuff! The enemy is trying to cloud us up so that we can't see God move, but it's just stuff! It's the best the enemy can do. Applaud. So what's wrong?
The question is really meant to start a self-examination; inventory, if you will. Do you ever sense that from God? There are times I find myself really struggling through a day or a week... or a month (*sighs*) but I hear a small voice that says, "What's wrong?". That really helps me! Because after I do the inventory, I realize that truthfully, most everything is okay. Yes, things have been rough but they're getting better. Yes, I've been feeling bad but I'm feeling better.
A good friend of mine left me a voice mail today. He and I have not chatted directly in at least a few weeks, but since we are spiritually connected, we've sensed each others' struggles. He said this: all that stuff you've been going through... it's just stuff!
Yes! It is! It's just stuff! The enemy is trying to cloud us up so that we can't see God move, but it's just stuff! It's the best the enemy can do. Applaud. So what's wrong?
Friday, August 07, 2009
What Really Matters
It's easy to get caught up in LIFE, isn't it?
This just occurred to me: if it really mattered, it would have been around 500 years ago. And if it really matters, it will be around in 500 years.
Start filtering!
My job: important, yes, but worth going 'postal' and shooting people over before turning the gun on myself? No.
My family: good one! Your little boy or little girl (or little wife) was known by God from the foundation of the earth. They will hopefully be known in 500 years as well. Check!
My church: if you are part of the Bride of Christ, His Body here on earth, then 'check', that passes the filter.
My house! There probably are a few homes that have stood 1000 years... but not many. For the sake of the filter, increase the increment to 5000 years and retest.
The sales numbers this month... my business meeting this morning... my headache... does the milkman spit in my milk... the dog ate my couch... the in-laws are coming to stay...
While God is in to the very details of my life, let that be a testimony of His love for me. It is not His will that I miss Kingdom opportunities because I am bent out of shape over my half-eaten couch.
This just occurred to me: if it really mattered, it would have been around 500 years ago. And if it really matters, it will be around in 500 years.
Start filtering!
My job: important, yes, but worth going 'postal' and shooting people over before turning the gun on myself? No.
My family: good one! Your little boy or little girl (or little wife) was known by God from the foundation of the earth. They will hopefully be known in 500 years as well. Check!
My church: if you are part of the Bride of Christ, His Body here on earth, then 'check', that passes the filter.
My house! There probably are a few homes that have stood 1000 years... but not many. For the sake of the filter, increase the increment to 5000 years and retest.
The sales numbers this month... my business meeting this morning... my headache... does the milkman spit in my milk... the dog ate my couch... the in-laws are coming to stay...
While God is in to the very details of my life, let that be a testimony of His love for me. It is not His will that I miss Kingdom opportunities because I am bent out of shape over my half-eaten couch.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Silly Crazy
A typical American man - a bachelor - enjoys a 'normal' life of living in the big city. He has a job - makes good money. He enjoys a good party and all that comes with it. Occasionally he will have a few too many, but driving home isn't that big of a deal since he only lives a few miles away (and police are rarely seen). Sometimes a girl comes home with him. Sometimes she stays several days. It's all about living it up while you can... sewing wild oats, they call it.
A foreign man is living in a 2-room earthen home. He can't read or write, but the religious leader down the street tells him all he needs to know about the news, the threats, the injustices, the defilement of his faith... and that is enough. His plan is to carry out justice on his own against those who hate him - and his god. Late nights are spent planning attacks, sharpening knives and oiling weapons. Several times a week he gets together with others like him who yell and scream out against foreigners who plot against them. Sometimes they burn flags, or pictures, or cars...
Then there is a married man living in quiet suburbia. He drives a nice car and brings home a nice paycheck. His kids are good kids, but they barely know dad because he doesn't have the time for them. Things aren't good with the wife because of the late hours at the office. Because of that, she is always angry. She isn't interested in a physical relationship and neither is he - with her. He suspects she finds physical fulfillment, just not from him. Why shouldn't she? He does. Both wish they things were different. Both wish things were the way they 'used' to be. Divorce seems like a good option, but what about the kids? What would they say at church? As long as both are playing their little family game, no harm no foul. Maybe after the kids are gone...
All of these scenarios are madness. Unfulfilling, vicious cycles of worldly passions that lead nowhere but down.
But then the married man finds Jesus. He realizes he has hope. He realizes he has misprioritized everything in his life! He comes clean before his family. They don't know what to think but they are all excited - blown away. They all start going to church and growing in their faith. The year-end raise doesn't come but they don't care - God is so Good! He gets passed over on the promotion because he just isn't putting in the hours he used to - but he has his family back! The guys at work are all shaking their heads... "He has gone CRAZY!"
Christianity is FOOLISHNESS to those who are perishing.
As a dear friend put it this morning... the demoniac of the Gaderenes tore his clothes off and howled at the moon day-in, day-out, and the people were accepting of this. But when he met Jesus and was healed, the people became AFRAID. This... is backwards. We should weigh and measure everything the world exalts as normal and acceptable. For though it may seem right, in the end it could lead to death.
A foreign man is living in a 2-room earthen home. He can't read or write, but the religious leader down the street tells him all he needs to know about the news, the threats, the injustices, the defilement of his faith... and that is enough. His plan is to carry out justice on his own against those who hate him - and his god. Late nights are spent planning attacks, sharpening knives and oiling weapons. Several times a week he gets together with others like him who yell and scream out against foreigners who plot against them. Sometimes they burn flags, or pictures, or cars...
Then there is a married man living in quiet suburbia. He drives a nice car and brings home a nice paycheck. His kids are good kids, but they barely know dad because he doesn't have the time for them. Things aren't good with the wife because of the late hours at the office. Because of that, she is always angry. She isn't interested in a physical relationship and neither is he - with her. He suspects she finds physical fulfillment, just not from him. Why shouldn't she? He does. Both wish they things were different. Both wish things were the way they 'used' to be. Divorce seems like a good option, but what about the kids? What would they say at church? As long as both are playing their little family game, no harm no foul. Maybe after the kids are gone...
All of these scenarios are madness. Unfulfilling, vicious cycles of worldly passions that lead nowhere but down.
But then the married man finds Jesus. He realizes he has hope. He realizes he has misprioritized everything in his life! He comes clean before his family. They don't know what to think but they are all excited - blown away. They all start going to church and growing in their faith. The year-end raise doesn't come but they don't care - God is so Good! He gets passed over on the promotion because he just isn't putting in the hours he used to - but he has his family back! The guys at work are all shaking their heads... "He has gone CRAZY!"
Christianity is FOOLISHNESS to those who are perishing.
As a dear friend put it this morning... the demoniac of the Gaderenes tore his clothes off and howled at the moon day-in, day-out, and the people were accepting of this. But when he met Jesus and was healed, the people became AFRAID. This... is backwards. We should weigh and measure everything the world exalts as normal and acceptable. For though it may seem right, in the end it could lead to death.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)