Light

Day 2: Today I am thankful for Light.  

Of course, this can have a whole variety of meanings... Thankful for the light of day. As I often do, especially on mornings when I don't have to get up at a particular time to go somewhere (work, church, etc.), I hit the snooze button when the alarm goes off at 5:00 am, and allow the light to wake me up (usually around 7:00 am). It's a wonderful, peaceful way to start the day. At some point, I would love to have my life and work reach the point where this can just be my normal routine.

2012: a Year of Thanksgiving and Praise

The first day of the new year. I must say I'm glad to have 2011 behind me, and looking forward to 2012.


One of my Facebook friends posted their declaration for the new year and thought I would make my own. I have decided to declare 2012 a Year of Thanksgiving and Praise. 


So, on Day One of the new year, I'm thankful for new beginnings. I'm thankful that I have a New Year in which I can imagine and create what I want for my life. I'm thankful that I have the promises of God's Word to back up my desires, and there is no better guarantee than that possible anywhere, anytime.

Tebowing

Tim Tebow, starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. That's him over there to the right on his knee.

Controversial, to be sure. This guy has caused quite a ruckus in the sports world.

In 2010, a new rule was instituted for the next NCAA football season prohibiting messages on eye black. One of Tebow's trademarks was to show scriptures in his eye black, such as John 3:16.  The media labeled this a "The Tebow Rule" since it would directly affect him.

What's amazing is how effective this simple method of spreading the gospel was. It has been reported that when he displayed John 3:16 in his eye black during the 2009 BCS Championship Game, that 92 million people Googled the verse during or immediately following the game.

What Are You Afraid Of?

Have you ever noticed that the things you believe in you usually also feel strongly about? They are tied to an emotion, either good or bad. 

You know the old saying, never discuss religion or politics. Why not? Because generally speaking, people have strong feelings about those subjects and discussions frequently turn into arguments that have bee known to tear apart family and friends.


So, what does this have to do with faith? 


I think that often our emotions give us a big clue as to whether or not we really believe, or have faith in, what we profess (or confess). 

Guarding Your Heart

It's hard to believe it's been two months since I've posted. Life intervened... I had a health issue that had literally grown out of all proportion and needed to be addressed, as well as a variety of messes in my personal life that I  couldn't put off any longer. But, I'm back! Today, with a lesson on why bad things sometimes happen to us.


If you are anything like me, you probably wonder why, when you go to church, study God's Word, try to live a good life, practice kindness, mercy, love and grace, tithe, eat right, exercise -- why do bad things happen to me?  And why does it sometimes seem to follow the old adage "when it rains it pours?"


It's easy to blame the enemy, and see everything that goes wrong in our life as a direct attack. But, I think we give the devil too much credit when we do this.

Receiving the Promises Through Faith

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree: That the blessings of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
~ Galations 3:13-14


Redeemed is from the Greek word "exagorazo"; to ransom, rescue, purchase out, buy up from the possession or power of someone, to set free from service or bondage. 


What a powerful word that is!  We are no longer bound by the curse of the law but set free by grace. How many of us grew up thinking that we could somehow earn our salvation or earn the promise of the blessings that God's Word holds for us? I know I did -- or at least, I thought I was supposed to be able to. Of course, I always fell short so I always thought that I didn't deserve and couldn't receive the promises because I wasn't "good enough".


The problem is, we can never be "good enough". The good news is, we don't have to be.

"He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)"

~ 1 Timothy 3:4-5 (NASB)

What does the state of your affairs tell others about your walk with Christ? This is something the Lord has been dealing with me about recently. It started out by necessity... my yard and house were a mess and had to be cleaned up. But, as I started "Operation Cleanup" a lot of other connections were brought to mind.

Paul directed Timothy to look at how potential church leaders managed their household. You might wonder why. What could that possibly have to do with their ability to lead in church?

Actually, it has a lot to do with it. It is a rare person whose home, car, children and finances don't reflect the kind of work they will produce. If your environment is full of clutter and unfinished projects, it's likely that your work will be the same.