Undercover

You've seen them around town, those rolling billboards that change any beater into a magnificent display of artistry. I even thought about getting one for my old Honda before we sold it.

"Is that a 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass? Well no, it's a steamy, cheesy slice of hot and ready pizza!"

It's the vehicle wrap: the cost-effective and broad-reaching advertising and marketing method. Did you know that one delivery truck with an effective vehicle wrap can generate millions of impressions? At least that is what the salesman will tell you.

Some of us, uh, I mean some of you, spend a lot of time deciding what we are going to wear for the day. We match, iron, tuck, press, shine, all so that we will look good when we are out in public. Then we grab our wrap, slip it on, head out the door, and viola...we cover up our true selves. We also carry wraps around in our pockets and purses just in case an advertising opportunity presents itself or we need to display a different product for our viewing audience.

There's Jane from the office. Better put on my "so good to see you" wrap.
There's the preacher. Better put on my "looking forward to Sunday" wrap.
Here comes you know who. Better put on my "I'm having a fake phone conversation so you won't talk to me" wrap.

Or how about this:

Time to go home. Better take off my "do anything for anyone" wrap and put on my "I've worked hard all day so you do it" wrap.

Those wraps are pretty convenient and we can be so creative with the design. But sometimes the impression we are generating is not the one that serves the best interest of ourselves and others. We need to practice more truth in advertising.
I know a place where you can find some inexpensive, attractive wraps that will benefit a lot of people, including yourself...

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14

No other form of advertising offers more return on your investment.

Son Glasses

Have you ever felt like Thomas? "If I could only see the evidence God then I would believe."

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." John 20:24

When I am on this side of a situation or circumstance that has tested my faith it is easy for me to look on that event and ask, "How could I have doubted or been uncertain?" My faith is much stronger today than it was even three months ago but the daily attention that a growing faith requires is sometimes very challenging to manage.

I have to learn to stop squinting through life. You know, like when a light is shining in your face so bright that you can't fully open your eyes - when you see someone having a physically painful experience - when a circumstance is so hard to watch that we must nearly shut our eyes.

Compare your life to that of the apostles:

• They stared at a hillside full of thousands of hungry people and asked what they were to do.
• They were tossed about in a torrential storm and cried out with fear.
• They saw time and again the power of Jesus revealed in healing and other miracles and still they did not instinctively turn their challenge over to Christ.

I find myself too many times seeking first my own solution to a challenge in life before taking that before my God. As the Casting Crowns song says

Oh what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in, onto the crashing sea. To step out of my comfort zone into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is...

My prayer is that God will open the eyes of my faith to the way He has and does work in my life so that I might be an effective and powerful witness to His love and grace. I have to look at life through the eyes of Jesus.

Put your Son glasses on and open your eyes of faith to a world around you filled with possibilities to do and receive good. Squinting gives you crows feet anyway.

Mulligan

For those who do not golf a "mulligan" is the term used for a retake shot, usually after your first one has gone errant. It's like hitting the reset button. It's a do-over.

Okay. So I got up this morning not feeling very well. Sinus stuff starting and the cough is settling in for a drawn-out visit. The first thing on my mind was how tired I felt. Run-down. Shower - shave - dress - the entire time my mind was off thinking about

• All of the tasks I need to complete over the next few days.
• The commitments I have made that I am pressed to fulfill.
• The people I need to contact.
• The repairs that need to be made.
• The yard that needs to be mowed.
• The studying I need to do
• The...

Then my mind is defibrillated from its frantic and erratic path of non-productivity by the faint, yet familiar, sounds coming from the bedroom...

"I got 'da joey, joey, joey, joey, dow in 'na hart - where?..."

I'll take a mulligan on this hole please. Quite the contrast between how I started my day and how the kids started theirs. No wonder Jesus said

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

Thank you Lord for the blessing of this day.

Do you need a mulligan?

On the fringe...

When I was in Jamaica a few weeks ago, we ate at a cool restaurant named "The Ruins." They had a sizable waterfall that was the centerpiece of this outdoor establishment. After we ate we walked up to the top of the waterfall and I saw this...

These are some sort of hard-shelled something that fell from trees surrounding the waterfall. The peculiar thing was that these shells were in an alcove and were being grouped together by the pressure of the passing water. They were stuck on the fringe. They all came from the same source but these few had been pulled into perpetuity.

If they could just break free from the torrent of the passing water - if the water would just stop running - if they could just work together and use their collective strength - if some big stick or other debris would show up and maybe dislodge them - if one shell would just move a little to the right - then they might be freed from their hopeless situation. But, there they remain - in perpetuity.

Do you ever feel like these shells? Ever feel like you are stuck in perpetuity of a hopeless situation - trapped by the pressure of the world rushing by? Pinned down by the regret and shame of decisions you have made in your life? Maybe being blocked by someone else who is keeping you from reaching your goals? If only the water would just stop - if only someone else would come and dislodge me - if only this group surrounding me would move a little to the right - then I can be free.

"...If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin...so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:31-36)

We all come from the same source but our decisions can separate us from the same destination. Thanks to Jesus we are not left in a perpetual condition of uncertainty. We may find ourselves trapped by the torrent of this world, but we do not have to stay trapped. There is not only hope but certainty.

Are you abiding in the Word? Are you on the fringe of making a change?

Hand me the pliers...

I am drawn to people who embody wisdom. I want to say and do the right thing at the right time in order to "fix" a situation and I am enamored by those who seem to always have the right words or actions for any situation.

I call this the gift of "the moment."

These are people who, it would seem, bought up all of the right communication tools at Sears and even have Craftsman branded on their tongues.

I, on the other hand, feel at times like the Snap-On Tool guy who needs a particular sized socket but then finds that very one is missing from his socket holder.

So, I reach for the pliers instead and end up stripping the nut because the pliers aren't made for the job and don't grab effectively.

I want to learn from those who possess and use this gift of "the moment."

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and the one who waters will himself be watered." Proverbs 11:25

What's in your tool box?

"It's okay, I've got you."

Trolley ride through the Rivermarket - $2.00
Watching the Peabody ducks march back upstairs - $0
Spending time with my wife and kids - Priceless

Okay, sorry I beat that dead commercial but it really was priceless. Anyway, I'm squatted down in the Peabody lobby with Jackson waiting for the Duck Master to cue the fowl. Jackson is used to ducks because he feeds them down at the lake. So we perch ourselves up front with our toes right on the edge of the red carpet - front row, reach-out-and-touch-em seats right at the bottom of their stairs. When they climb out of that fountain we can shake their hands?...feet?...wings?

I'm positioned behind Jackson with my hands on his arms - doing the whole "daddy commentator" thing. The Duck Master cues the music and let the show begin. As soon as that first duck starts down the stairs Jackson tenses up and begins backing up into my chest, pushing ever so slightly to allow a lot more distance between him and that quacker. Then the whole downy family heads right for us (or so it seems to a 2 year old). Let the pushin' and shovin' begin!

"It's okay buddy...I've got you. They won't hurt you. I'm right here with you. Daddy is bigger than those ducks and I won't let them hurt you."

I wanted him to work through his uncomfortableness (new word) so that next time he will be more relaxed. So with that he settled down just in time to see the ducks load in the elevator, give a rousing wing flap goodbye, and off they were to their little duck house on the second floor. In less than a minute it was all over. And Jackson stood there...applauding to his heart's content.

Hmmm. Got me to thinkin'...

How many times in my life am I faced with uncertainty and as I try to push back on my life God says, "It's okay...I've got you. I'm right here with you. I am bigger than this and I will protect you."

But I keep pushing away from what makes me uncomfortable. But God wants me to work through my uncomfortableness so that next time I will be better equipped to handle it. What looks menacing and dangerous and insurmountable to me is no match for the God of the universe. And He wants nothing more than to celebrate with me as I load my challenge on the elevator and send it up.

Then He will stand there...applauding to my heart's content.

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy.

Deuteronomy 33:27

""Be watchful..."

Okay. So I decided that today would be the day that I ventured into the Revenue Office to license the van. One week into the month...middle of the day...should be in and out, right? Yeah, I know, I know.

So, I'm already anxious because I just don't like dealing with stuff I do not fully understand (like the Revenue Office - no offense Brenda). And, this trip is not cut and dry because I sold our Civic and need to get it off of our record.

My plan goes like clockwork: I walk in - no waiting (YES!). Saunter up to the Assessor - done (SWEET!). Take a number - called before I can sit down (WHO'S THE MAN!). Lay my offering of paperwork out on the mercy seat of "Tammy". Click click of the keyboard. Shuffle shuffle of the papers. Oh, the printer is firing up! I made it! I think I made it! Screeeeeeeeeech!--Red Light!

"Mr. Ashberry, I am not finding any record of the Honda."
"Huh?"
"This car is not in my database."
"Really?"
"Let me go check with my supervisor."

[While "Tammy" made a bee-line into her supervisor's office I paused to allow random thoughts of illegality to run rampant. See, this was my first private sale. I printed paperwork from some "official" website for the bill of sale, tried to navigate my way through signing the title upon transfer, yada yada. Have I messed this whole thing up!? All I could think now was that there is a poor young guy driving around in a Honda that he purchased illegally! He's going to get pulled over and arrested! And I am the fraudulent salesman!]

"Mr. Ashberry, you said the title was in your wife's name?"
"Yes, she has had the car since BEFORE WE WERE MARRIED." (threw that emphasis in there thinking they might let me go and nab Tressa - after all, it was HER car).
"What is her maiden name?" (Oh, wait a minute...)

Click click on the keyboard again...

"Here it is."

So anyway, got to thinking about this experience while driving away and knowing there had to be a lesson here somewhere.

In all of this process, even when "Tammy" was repeatedly saying that the Honda we had been driving and had registered for years did not exist, I kept my mouth shut, my patience in check, and my integrity intact. That was good...for Tammy, for me, and for anyone who might have been watching my example.

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23

Who's watching you today?

2-Year Old Wisdom

"See 'da butterfly daddy?"
"No Jackson, that's a fly."
"No, dats a butterfly!"
"No, you know what a butterfly is. That's a fly."
"'DATS A BUTTERFLY!"

And so our conversation goes, as long as I will let it. Our son gets something stuck in his little 2-year old mind and there it becomes cemented. Most of the time these conversations are nothing more than him testing my patience...or consistency.

But other times I think he legitimately gets confused about the proper names for things. Then we can reason through (as much as is possible with a 2-year old) and come to the correct designation. I know my son and I know 2-year olds. While I don't remember being 2 years old myself I have been around a lot of 2-year olds and know their developmental process.

I wonder how God must feel sometimes with my reasoning. I mean, He has the same kind of conversation with me from time to time (not literally, of course, but through His word and to some extent through others around me).

I get something stuck in my mind - an attitude, a selfish desire, a rebellious intent - and there it becomes cemented.

God says, "That's not a good decision."
But I say, "No, it'll be okay."
Then God says, "You know what the right decision is because I have shown you through my Son and numerous other examples."
Then I become more stubborn and say, "NO, I don't want to change." And my little 2-year old comes out.

And yet, God chose to create us in His image. Praise God for that!

I am so thankful that God loves me and knows me inside out. After all, he made me.
God has not only been two years old (think about that one) but he has also been around a lot of 2-year olds and knows their developmental process.

Take a moment to read Psalm 8:1-9.

"Thank you, Lord, for your patience with me as I am reminded to trust you and your Holy Word."

Cover Up

I was thirsty. And tired. So, I needed something that would not only give me a boost but also quench my thirst. I put $1 in the machine, made my selection (Vault is the available drink of choice for these situations), and waited with great anticipation for the "ker-plunk" at the bottom of the machine.

Finally, it dropped and I pushed my hand through the maximum security door at the bottom of the machine. And you know what?

The machine dropped SPRITE! Someone put the wrong item in the wrong section!

I fully anticipated that a Vault would drop when I pushed the "Vault" button.

Shouldn't we expect the ingredients to match the label? Jesus does...

Jesus got so upset at a fig tree that was blooming (which for all intents and purposes indicates it is in fruit) because he found it to be barren of fruit. It wasn't what it professed to be. So he taught his disciples a lesson about hypocrisy and deceit. Mark 11:12-17

See, the religious leaders of Jesus' day professed to be men of God but in the end they were self-serving hypocrites.

What label are you wearing?

• Kind
  
• Patient
  
• Loving
  
• Honest
  
• Faithful
  
• Trustworthy
  

Does your label match your contents? What do people anticipate about you? Better yet, what does God expect of you?

What about you?

I am going to say a word and you tell me what is the first thing that comes to your mind. Okay, ready? Here it is...testify.

That's it...testify...or maybe testimony...or witness. What did you think of? A trial? Maybe someone who was up for a murder charge? Did you think of truth or evidence? Maybe you went negative and thought about the command to not bear false witness against someone?

In my fellowship I believe most everyone would first think of a court trial or some legal proceeding. I have never really heard "testifying" or "witnessing" in everyday language. But in the New Testament you find it used mostly in reference to telling someone about the good things God has done, is doing, or will do in your life. They were told to bear witness, to testify.

• Jesus told his disciples that they would be dragged before high officials to witness about him. Matthew 10:18

• John the Baptist came to bear witness about Jesus so others might believe in him.John 1:7

• There was a man who had been freed from an evil spirit to whom Jesus said, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

I think we spend too much time talking about how well our favorite team is doing and not near the time talking about what God is doing or has done in our lives. In Hebrews 10:12-13 the writer says to

"See to it brothers that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

How can we encourage one another if we do not share how God is working in our lives?
How easy is it for someone's heart to be hardened towards God if Christians do not share how Christ has made a difference in their lives?

Witness, testify, whatever you want to call it today, Christians need to profess what the eternal God is doing and has done in their lives. When we don't then we rob God of his deserved glory.

A line to an old hymn we have sung for decades says:

If the name of the Savior is precious to you, if his care has been constant and tender and true, if the light of his presence has brightened your way, oh will you not tell of your gladness today?

Peter and John were called before some officials and ordered to stop talking about Jesus. They replied,

"Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help but speak about what we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:19-20

What about you?

It was at the bottom of the reminder.
Normally, I chunk a reminder into the trash because I have the info down in my Blackberry or in Outlook. So I don't need the reminder. But this one caught my eye (maybe because it was in a bright orange size 50+ font).

"Please be on time for your appointment..."

What did that mean? No, not the plea to be there at my scheduled time but the "..." Three dots...Standby...Keep reading. What did they want to draw attention to?

..."Late arrivals may have to be rescheduled for another day."

There it was. The disclaimer. If you miss your appointment don't expect us to work you in. Your out of luck.

Isn't that a little harsh? I mean, they are a doctor's office. They are supposed to be in the business of helping people. If I am a little late can't you just work me in? I wouldn't be here if I didn't want help.

That is the funny thing about rules and policies. They are only as good as the one responsible for upholding them.

Reminds me of a story:

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

The thing about God's appointment is that there is no working you in on a more convenient day. That is one appointment that we will all have to keep.

Have you set your reminder?...

Lost & Found

People often take journeys to "find themselves." Jesus journeyed to find us. Those who were paying attention heard him express his purpose in several ways. John 4:34

Jesus' walk was a working journey. He knew his own identity. He understood his reason for being there. Jesus embarked upon a search and rescue mission when he came to earth. But it wasn't to find himself. We were the ones needing to be found. (Luke 19:10)

He found people like us everywhere he went. Those who walk with Jesus become those who work with him. Those who refuse to work with him find they cannot walk with him either.

If you want to "find" yourself you have to first find Jesus. (Mark 8:33-38)

Are you trying to find yourself?

"The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches." author unknown

Spittin' Image

Have you ever wondered where some of our phraseology originated? I admit I have used phrases and slang whose origins at times have embarrassed me. I looked this one up. Seems like there is no clear winner as to the original meaning. Could be...might be...during this time was...seems to be the common answer. For me, this phrase has meant that one person so closely favors another, usually reserved for the close likeness to a relative. "He's the spittin image of his..."

Lately, I have heard that a lot about my daughter. "Boy, you couldn't deny that one!" "She looks just like her daddy!" Not something a teenage girl wants to hear but I don't think my 1 year old really cares. Isn't that the way life is supposed to work? Every seed reproducing after its kind? Shouldn't we expect two roses on a vine to look like they came from the same seed? Doesn't the tiger in our local zoo look like the one on the nature show? Can't you go into McDonalds in Florida and find the same heat lamp hamburger that is in Arkansas? (Okay, bad example but I am hungry right now).

God created us in His image (Genesis 1:26). That has deeper theological meaning than space here to discuss. But if we are made in the image of God why don't we look more like God? It's because we have gone under the knife. In an effort to be who WE want to be we have performed our own plastic surgery.

Instead of getting a tummy tuck on our selfish desires we have enhanced our pride. Instead of lifting our eyes up to see the needs of others we fat graft more waste in our lives than we have storage for. What we really need is to shed the makeup and let our true image show again - an image crafted by God.

My daughter may not grow to look as much like me as people think she does now, but I pray she continues to grow into the image of the one who made her.

Colossians 3:5-10

Lessons from an Acorn

I watched him as he picked up the shell. He studied it so closely trying to figure out what it was or was supposed to be. He rolled it over and over in his hand, prodding it with his tiny index finger.

"It's an acorn shell, buddy."

Jackson loves to explore the outdoors but what little boy doesn't?

Taking it in my hand I began to explain, "See, this is the house where a seed lives. God takes this little seed, plants it in the ground, and from this little seed that big tree grows."

I can see from his blank stare that he is taking it all in (or wondering why his dad is trying to explain tree taxonomy to a 2 year old).

I can't help but think about how God can take something so seemingly insignificant and nurture and grow it into a towering tree - a tree that can provide shelter for the birds, food for the critters, and food for a host of other creepy crawlies.

But that is how God works. He chooses people who may seem insignificant in the eyes of society and raises them up for something special.

In the Master Craftsman's hands he will nurture, grow, and form us into someone with great possibilities who can provide a blessing to many others. We just have to let Him.

My little acorn is growing way too fast.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Dusty Swords

One of Casting Crowns' best songs (they have so many) is called "What If His People Prayed." A line in the song goes:

What if the armies of the Lord picked up and dusted off their swords.
Vowed to set the captive free and not let Satan have one more?

What if the church of God was active in this world because they truly believed that God was going to hold them accountable for what they did or did not do for others? Would the world look any different?

What if those who claim to be Christian actually lived their lives like Christ lived his? What would our relationships look like?

What if God's people prayed - I mean intentionally and continually prayed for those who are in charge of this country? What would our communities look like?

Have you convinced yourself that you are doing all you can do?

The results of indifference can be seen on every newscast, in every newspaper, and heard on every radio station. The results can also be seen in the implosion of families and communities around the world.

The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

If the Word of God is going to be active in our lives then I just have one question to answer:

Isn't it time we dusted off our swords?

Home Security

Today was a beautiful day! So beautiful that my 2 o'clock professor decided he needed to go home to get ready for a fishing trip so we were the beneficiaries of his excitement. I got home about an hour early. As soon as I walk in the door our 2 year old son is saying, "Daddy, get tree, get tree Daddy." That is his way of saying "let's go outside." What fun we had watching them play! Callie (our 1 year old) is walking now and they are able to interact in a whole new way.

I was pulling Callie around in the wagon when Tressa called me over to the flower bed. Jackson is standing in front of our ADT Security sign----praying: "...momma-daddy-sissy-nana-poppa-Ty-Tanner-Shan-Jeff-mema..." Tressa said he has been going straight to that sign when they go outside. Sometimes he speaks into the black rubber stopper on the top of the signpost. Apparently, that is his podium. Sometimes he will lead a song from there.

• Every day I wonder how much is getting through to him when we battle over taking a bite of corn or chewing up his meat or drinking all of his milk.

• I worry about saying the right thing in correcting him so that I do not come across as tyrannical.
  

• I worry about how much time I am away at school and then having to study. (Not because his mother does not do an outstanding job with our children because she does!).

Then, on his own, he prays out in the front yard, unashamedly, for everyone to see. I am quickly reminded of Proverbs 22:5,6:

In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Then I thought "how ironic" that a home security sign was the spiritual training ground for our child. That is what I call some real "home security."

Let me always remember the most important things, like teaching my children how to talk to their God who made them so special and full of possibilities.

Corn is probably overrated any way...

Fold up or fly?

We spend a lifetime interpreting and adjusting to reality. Some face greater challenges than others. At this time of year we are reminded of the inevitabilities: death and taxes. There are some who will be tempted to 'opt out'...of taxes or of life.

It is tiring and challenging to walk the right path, the straight and narrow way, every day. It takes a constant commitment and that can be burdensome. However, Jesus calls us to embrace our personal responsibilities and those of others. Mark 8:34-35

The compassionate King of the Universe is in command. God wants us to learn to cast our burdens on him. The shoulders that were big enough to bear the sins of the world are the only ones capable to carry ours.

God does not offer exhaustive explanation for every experience. He revealed his love and glorious purpose - to conform us into the image of Christ. Romans 12:2

God brought the universe out of nothing - order out of chaos - life out of death - glory out of humiliation. He wants to bring us to wholeness through brokenness.

In a storm a rooster will fold up its wings to hide itself. An eagle, in contrast, will spread its wings and soar above the storm.

Are you a rooster...or an eagle. Isaiah 40:30-31

What if...

I do not know to whom I may give credit for these questions. I found them in some old files and they still make me say, "hmm."

• What if God decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?

• What if God couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?

• What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when God sent the rain?

• What if God didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?

• What if God took away the Bible tomorrow because we didn't read it today?

• What if God didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin?

• What if God answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?

• What if God met our needs the way we give Him our lives?

I do not like to dwell in the "what if's," but I had to stop and think.


"Thank you, Lord, for forgiving me of my selfish ways."

1 John 1:5-9

Free Blog Seminar

Here is a worthwhile seminar I want to pass on. If you cannot make the seminar use the link at the bottom of the post for more information or click on the Church Blog Theory logo in the right margin of my blog...Sean


Church Blog Theory –
Engaging the Internet for the Glory of God

• How do we share the message of Christ in the 21st century?

• Can we use digital technology to reach millions? Could social media develop relationships that result in sharing our faith with our community?

• Why aren’t we as the church doing more to engage the world via the internet? Have we hidden our light under a basket? (Ref. Matt. 5:15 NASB) It is time for the church to be the “city on the hill.” Inaction is not an option.

• How do we easily, quickly and effectively have a positive influence on the internet and our community for the glory of God?

Faith Based Blogging
- It is the place where millions of seekers “walk” each day.
- It builds relationships and opens doors for personal evangelism.
- It covers the globe in seconds.
- It is free and easy
- It integrates easily with other mediums of communication.

Church Blog Theory Seminar
Please join us for a free seminar discussing how to use faith based blogging, integrated with other social media, as a strategy to deploy the truth online and develop relationships aimed at sharing Jesus with our community.

Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2009
Location: Harding University, McInteer Room 349
Time: 9am-12noon
Speaker: Ryan Parsons

Program:
- 9-9:50 “A Case for Blogging”
- 10-10:50 “Blogging and Evangelism”
- 11-12 “Getting Started” Optional (bring your laptop)

http://churchblogtheory.wordpress.com

Behold!

In the sermon this morning, our preacher said:

"The stone wasn't rolled away to let Him out. It was rolled away to let us in to see the tomb was empty."

Praise God!

Matthew 28:2-8

God's Tatoo

Some cultures encourage tattoos. Many have tribal significance. Other cultures may accept tattoos as simply a pretty decoration. Some use tattoos to make a personal statement. Some cultures frown upon tattoos that are openly visible for all to see.

What is interesting is that God says He had a "tattoo."


The Israelites thought God had forgotten them. Isaiah 49:14
But God says he has not forgotten them. Isaiah 49:15, 16

God doesn't have have physical hands. He uses symbolism to make the point that he does not forget his people.

God had the name of his people written on his palms. Most tattoos are on the side of the arms, on the back, or legs - covered by clothing. But clothing rarely covers the hands. Palms are constantly visible. Whatever is on the palm is a constant reminder.

Is your name written on God's palms?

Or better yet, where have you written God in your life?

Living Beneath Your Privilege

A poor man making his first trip across the ocean took with him a supply of crackers and cheese, thinking it would be too expensive to eat in the ship's dining room. After several days, becoming very tired of the same plain food, he asked the steward how much it would cost to eat one meal at the dining table. Much to his surprise and sorrow he was informed that he had been entitled to eat in the ship's dining room every day without additional charge. He had been living beneath his privilege.

• God wants to be a father to his children. He desires that we use his power.

Ephesians 3:20-21

• He is exceedingly rich in grace, mercy, and love.

Ephesians 2:4-7

• He seeks to fill our hearts with peace

Philippians 4:7

But all of his blessings depend upon our willingness to receive them and use them.

God is actually seeking us day by day and hour by hour, trying to help us and to bring us peace. But we must be willing to let him do so.

Are we trying to solve all of our problems ourselves and living beneath our privileges as children of God?

"We pray to you and call you 'Father'. Help us to live as if we truly believed this. Let us not live beneath this great privilege. Give us proper attitudes and good hearts so we might receive the strength, help, and peace to which we are entitled, and for which Christ gave his life. Receive our prayer in His name...Amen."

Labels

A Los Angeles woman sued Kraft Foods, Inc. for fraud and deceptive labeling, claiming that its Kraft Dips Guacamole Dip -- which contains less than 2% avocado -- is misleading consumers.

The plaintiff said she discovered the miniscule amount of avocado in Kraft's guacamole last year when she was made a three-layer dip. "It just didn't taste avocadoey to me," she said. "I looked at the ingredients and found there was almost no avocado in it."

According to the vice president of Kraft Foods' corporate affairs, the company is in the process of re-labeling its guacamole dip to make it more clear to consumers that the dip is merely guacamole-flavored.

How about you? Are your true ingredients hiding behind a label?

• "Nice guy" - just don't listen in on his private conversations.
• "Honest Person" - just don't count the office supplies she has brought home from work.
• "Faithful" - just don't check the website cache on his computer.
• "Trustworthy" - just don't audit their taxes.

Or maybe you have been incorrectly labeled:

• "Rude" - but he just lost his job.
• "Unfriendly" - but she is worried about the test results.
• "Mopey" - but they have been struggling to keep their family together.

Jesus said the good person will produce good out of his heart just like the bad person will produce bad out of his heart (Luke 6:43-45).

Regardless of the label we have, whether self-adhered or assigned, whether situational or permanent, God knows who we really are and eventually our true self will be sifted out of the artificial ingredients.

Upsize Down

"Sir, for only $.80 more you can make that a footlong."

(Oooh. That's a good deal. I mean, I can get a whole other sandwich for just eighty cents? But, I'm not that hungry and I certainly do not need to eat a footlong. But maybe I'll eat the other pound of trans-fat later when I am studying. However, it does defy the whole "...eat fresh" jingle. Maybe I'll...)

"Sir, would you like to make that a footlong?"

It doesn't matter if it's two ice cream cones for $1, the Biggie Size for only $.49, or the bonus pack of Crest. I can be a sucker for these upsize deals. It goes against all of my Dave Ramsey DNA but sometimes I let the thought of a "deal" overshadow my reason. I end up with too much of something that I really didn't need to begin with.

How is it that I can struggle with whether or not to dole out for the $5 footlong that will only make me feel bloated and regretful but when it comes to Bible study or personal time with God in prayer or meditation I am quick to select from the Value Menu?

"Can I get the $.99 God to Go Pack please?"


"Would you like to upsize that to the full meal deal that comes with family portions of forgiveness, guidance, and love?"

"Oooh, how much more will that cost?"

'No charge to you sir. It's a prepaid deal."

"...I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry. And he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:32ff

Moments

One of my favorite songs is called "Moments" by the band Emerson Drive. The first verse and chorus read:

"I was coming to the end of a long, long walk
When a man crawled out of a cardboard box
Under the E. Street Bridge,
Followed me onto it.
I went out halfway across
With that homeless shadow tagging along
So I dug for some change.
Wouldn't need it anyway.
He took it lookin' just a bit ashamed.
He said, 'You know I haven't always been this way.

I've had my moments, days in the sun.
Moments I was second to none.
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do.
Like that plane ride coming home from the war
That summer my son was born.
And memories like a coat so warm
A cold wind can't get through.
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments.'

'In every person's life, there have been moments, both positive and negative, that have defined and redefined who they are. Those events entered your consciousness with such power that they changed the very core of who and what you thought you were. You were not the same person after that one moment. Although your defining moments may seem trivial to others - you have to remember, if it's shaped you in any way, it's a defining moment.' (Unknown)

Your defining moments are the outlines of your life. Too often we allow sin to be THE defining moment in our life (and the lives of others).

Did God allow sin to be THE defining moment in the history of His creation? No! He put into action a plan to make sure that sin would not have to be THE defining moment in our lives, but rather A defining moment that would reshape us and direct us back toward Him.

Remember, if it has reshaped you in any way it is a defining moment.

Romans 8:1-11

Camry Guy

There I was. Staring at the orange digital numbers trying to guess how many gallons the car would hold today. I have never run out of gas in my little Honda (cyber-knock on wood) but I have sure come close. All of a sudden...BAM!...CRUNCH! It was that quick. On the road behind me a custom Chevy van and a small Toyota truck tried to become one and the relationship was doomed from the start.

Some good-intentioned person stopped their Camry in their lane of traffic to allow a van to turn left in front of them (across two lanes) into the gas station parking lot. As you have already figured out, the far lane of traffic did not see the van turning nor did they expect someone to dart in front of them.

There were several factors involved including:

• The van should not have expected to turn across two lanes of traffic during bumper to bumper rush hour.
• The Toyota should have been driving slower with that many blind spots in traffic.
• The Camry should not have stopped to allow the van to cross.

Consider the third point. The driver of the Camry was being polite and helpful by allowing the van to cross in front of them. But I wonder what Camry guy is thinking today:

• "I'll never let someone cross in front of me again."
• "Last time I try to give someone a break."
• "See what happens when you try to help someone?"

Sometimes when we try to help someone we can get hurt, either by their attitude toward us or the consequences of the help we provide. Sometimes they can get hurt by the unintentional consequences of our attempt to help. That doesn't mean we shouldn't help.

I see fewer people who are stepping out to help others because of the fear of repercussions. It seems people can be quick to retaliate if they don't like the help you give or they don't like the results of your help.

The good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) took a chance when he stopped to help a man who had been robbed, beaten, and left for dead. Not only that but a Samaritan was looked down on by the very race to which the injured man belonged.

"What if I myself am attacked?" "What if I am sued for doing the wrong thing?" "What if I am inconvenienced by taking time to do this?" "What if my friends see me helping this guy?"

Jesus asked, "Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise (Luke 10:36-37).

We take a chance when we reach out to help someone else. We place ourselves in a vulnerable position because they can reject, accept, take advantage of , or resent the help we extend. Jesus said we are to love our neighbor just like and as much as we love ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).

Jesus helped others and his efforts got him arrested, beaten, and executed. He didn't consider what might happen if he helped. He considered what might happen if he didn't (Luke 9:22-25).

Thanks, Camry guy, for wanting to do the right thing. Don't let what happened keep you from helping someone else.

$27.75

That's what it is going to cost me to renew my vehicle registration this year. I don't mind paying the money but this year I got a kicker. (In the South a "kicker" is some information or a situation that you were not expecting, usually catches you off guard, and can sometimes be painful). So anyway, my registration renewal arrives. But this year I saw four words printed on the notice that were a "kicker."

MANDATORY LICENSE PLATE REPLACEMENT

It seems that my plate has been "in service" for eight years or more and that warrants the replacement. I don't want to give up my plate. It has significance to me. I have it memorized. It has been on three different vehicles all of which represent an important stage in my life. AND, I can easily recognize it in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

What in your life needs to be replaced? What has been hanging around for too long? Bad attitude? Resentment? Fear? Pornography? Violence? Apathy? Greed? Self-doubt? Self-Pity? (insert yours here)?

If you are ready for a voluntary replacement I would like to offer some suggestions:

...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Philippians 4:8

And that's no kicker.

sore athirst

"And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?" (Judges 15:18, KJV)

In the Bible, the seventh book from the front is called Judges. There is a story in chapter fifteen about Samson who judged Israel for 20 years. You probably have heard about the whole "Samson and Delilah" incident (Judges 16). With God's help, Samson actually ripped a jawbone out of a donkey and killed 1000 men who were enemies of God. In all that God did for Samson, the only thing Samson could think about was how thirsty he was. I like the King James rendition which says "sore athirst." But in Eugene Peterson's The Message Judges 15:18 reads,

"Now he was suddenly very thirsty. He called out to God, 'You have given your servant this great victory. Are you going to abandon me to die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?'"

I woke up this morning able to get out of bed.
"Thank you God for my health and ability to leave the house?" Nope.
"I hope I am not late for class!"

My children are healthy, laughing and playing in the living room.
"Thank you God for my beautiful children and the blessing of getting to hear them playing?" Nope.
"Jackson, I told you not to...!"

I stuffed myself on spaghetti for dinner tonight.
"Thank you God that I still have a job and get payed?" Nope.
"Did you eat the last brownie?!"

Samson had just won a great victory over a bad people.

However, in a moment of self-focus, Samson called out to God for deliverance once again. And you know what? God "opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived." (Judges 15:19, NIV).

It is easy for me to judge Samson (no pun intended) on his character flaws and his disregard for the One from whom all of his successes came. But I, too, have been sore athirst. I have found myself calling out to God once again for deliverance, taking advantage of His loving nature. And you know what? Time and time again he has sent me relief. He has returned my strength and revived me. It may not be what I expect nor when I expect it. But I have found Him faithful and just. That makes me want to be a better person. I want to honor Him.

Cheers!