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

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?

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

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

$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.