Monday, September 3, 2012
Pushr Sep 03, 2012 12:21
Overheard at lunch- "I wish buildings were made of cheeseburgers!" Amen. Amen. At Five Guys Burgers & Fries in Key West, Florida
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Pushr Aug 26, 2012 09:52
The storm may loom, and while no man can forecast what happens next, we know that "the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 32:18-19 NIV)
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Pushr Aug 23, 2012 09:07
"[God] is not holy because he keeps the rules. He wrote the rules! God is not holy because he keeps the law. The law is holy because it reveals God. God is absolute. Everything else is derivative." (from Desiring God, http://bit.ly/OylHRF)
Monday, August 20, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Make Me Happy
In the video game store, my son was angry. There were shelves full of games he could not but for one reason or another. Either we didn't have that particular gaming system, the game cost too much, or the game itself was unacceptable. However, after much digging, we found a game well within his price range. And then we found an accessory for the very same game. The total of the two items was less than he had to spend.
But there was a moment where he saw only everything he could not have. Understand, there was one game and accessory that were completely in his grasp, but there was an entire store full of games and accessories that were out of reach.
It occurred to me in that moment how often I have done the very same thing with what God puts before me. There is a world around me full of things that, as a child of God, I should not take part in. There is a very narrow path that God lays out before me that is full of more than I could ever possibly run through. How many times do I- do you look past the immeasurable blessing of God toward the world and long for something?
Suddenly, Jesus' words take on a new meaning, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (Matthew 6:33 NLT)
In the Potter's Hand,
JW
But there was a moment where he saw only everything he could not have. Understand, there was one game and accessory that were completely in his grasp, but there was an entire store full of games and accessories that were out of reach.
It occurred to me in that moment how often I have done the very same thing with what God puts before me. There is a world around me full of things that, as a child of God, I should not take part in. There is a very narrow path that God lays out before me that is full of more than I could ever possibly run through. How many times do I- do you look past the immeasurable blessing of God toward the world and long for something?
Suddenly, Jesus' words take on a new meaning, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (Matthew 6:33 NLT)
In the Potter's Hand,
JW
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Follow- The Truth
"Jesus said to him, 'I am... the truth...' " John 14:6 NIV
"You can't handle the truth!" That iconic line from "A Few Good Men" resounds through the house. You can't watch that movie with the volume turned down. And when that line is coming, you find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat- maybe you even say the line with Jack. I do- and then I chuckle.
The preceding story to that line is a twisted tale of deceit and governmental style cover-up. But looking at the words of Jesus, well now, that's a different story.
See, unlike Colonel Jessup, Jesus not only had nothing to hide, but He spoke blatantly about the Truth, over and over again. He didn't candy-coat the circumstances or try to hide what was coming. To put it another way, Jesus was not a "spoonful of sugar" kind of guy.
But the Truth Jeaus spoke of was more than information; more than a few sayings and how-to's to be memorized.
"I Am the Truth"
Let there be no mistake- the words of Jesus; the actions of Jesus; the promises of Jesus are Truth because they are part of Him. There is no truth apart from Him. Jesus isn't just one answer in a multiple-choice test- Jesus is the answer.
Following Jesus is the way of Truth. And when we walk in Truth, we just can't go wrong.
In the Potter's Hand,
JW
"You can't handle the truth!" That iconic line from "A Few Good Men" resounds through the house. You can't watch that movie with the volume turned down. And when that line is coming, you find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat- maybe you even say the line with Jack. I do- and then I chuckle.
The preceding story to that line is a twisted tale of deceit and governmental style cover-up. But looking at the words of Jesus, well now, that's a different story.
See, unlike Colonel Jessup, Jesus not only had nothing to hide, but He spoke blatantly about the Truth, over and over again. He didn't candy-coat the circumstances or try to hide what was coming. To put it another way, Jesus was not a "spoonful of sugar" kind of guy.
But the Truth Jeaus spoke of was more than information; more than a few sayings and how-to's to be memorized.
"I Am the Truth"
Let there be no mistake- the words of Jesus; the actions of Jesus; the promises of Jesus are Truth because they are part of Him. There is no truth apart from Him. Jesus isn't just one answer in a multiple-choice test- Jesus is the answer.
Following Jesus is the way of Truth. And when we walk in Truth, we just can't go wrong.
In the Potter's Hand,
JW
Friday, June 29, 2012
Follow- The Way
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way...' " John 14:6 NIV
When we follow signs we get where we are going. Its a simple concept. Personally, I am not a fan of the GPS on the dashboard. I would rather have the directions and watch for the signs about which I was told- a street sign, a business, an oak tree, that cow in the pasture with the large brown spot, etc. (If you've ever lived in the country, you know what I mean.)
Jesus very simply said, "I am the way." Right before this, Jesus is letting His disciples know that He is going to return to heaven to get ready for them (and us) to be there with Him. He says, "You know the way to the place where I am going."
Thomas answers, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
This is what prompted Jesus' reply, "I am the way..." In effect, Jesus is saying, "I am the road- walk this way." or "I am the direction you should take- follow me." or "I am the manner in which you should walk- do what I do." Any of these is a good way to think of what Jesus said.
The truth is, if I follow Jesus, I can't go the wrong way. If I walk the path He lays out, I won't get off at the wrong exit. If I do what He does, I'll never make a wrong turn. And the best way to see where and how Jesus moves is to get to know Him more. Grab your Bible and read about Jesus. A really cool tool is a Harmony of the Gospels. I found a couple of good ones for my personal study by searching Google. Click here to download a PDF you can put on your computer, iPod, or whatever.
God, I thank You for Your Son and the way He shows how to get to you. Open my eyes to see more of Jesus. Give me the desire to read your Word and see who Jesus really is. Bless those who read this with the same desire, for Your Name's sake.
In the Potter's Hand,
JW
When we follow signs we get where we are going. Its a simple concept. Personally, I am not a fan of the GPS on the dashboard. I would rather have the directions and watch for the signs about which I was told- a street sign, a business, an oak tree, that cow in the pasture with the large brown spot, etc. (If you've ever lived in the country, you know what I mean.)
Jesus very simply said, "I am the way." Right before this, Jesus is letting His disciples know that He is going to return to heaven to get ready for them (and us) to be there with Him. He says, "You know the way to the place where I am going."
Thomas answers, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
This is what prompted Jesus' reply, "I am the way..." In effect, Jesus is saying, "I am the road- walk this way." or "I am the direction you should take- follow me." or "I am the manner in which you should walk- do what I do." Any of these is a good way to think of what Jesus said.
The truth is, if I follow Jesus, I can't go the wrong way. If I walk the path He lays out, I won't get off at the wrong exit. If I do what He does, I'll never make a wrong turn. And the best way to see where and how Jesus moves is to get to know Him more. Grab your Bible and read about Jesus. A really cool tool is a Harmony of the Gospels. I found a couple of good ones for my personal study by searching Google. Click here to download a PDF you can put on your computer, iPod, or whatever.
God, I thank You for Your Son and the way He shows how to get to you. Open my eyes to see more of Jesus. Give me the desire to read your Word and see who Jesus really is. Bless those who read this with the same desire, for Your Name's sake.
In the Potter's Hand,
JW
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