Mercy's Birthday

We had a great time celebrating Mercy's 13th birthday. She not only enjoyed Suzanne's fire engine cake, new clothes, and exciting toys but also a ride with Solomon on the Texas Star ferris wheel at the State fair of Texas. Is it the biggest ferris wheel or is it the biggest in Texas? She thought the pig races were funny, the prize bull was huge and the baby goats were not only cute -- they were friendly. There is something special about seeing Mercy's joy and gratitude. We praise God for the gift of Mercy Carol.

For more pictures see Heather's Blog.

A Debt

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. (Romans 1:14)

Recently, I was at the Texas State Fair. I had taken along some of my favorite "ice-breakers" to share there. But, I only gave out a few of the million dollar bills. Thousands of people but no relationship, no toehold to conversation or to hand over a piece of paper. There were a few where I developed fleeting relationships and, looking back, I can now see how I could have responded better. But, why bother? Why worry about how to get the Good News into the lives of others?

What is this "obligation" that Paul speaks of in Romans? Another translation calls it a debt. If I were to experience being cured from some dread disease such as cancer, and if I knew how to help others be cured of this disease, then I would have a moral obligation to help those in need of that help. My heart would condemn me if I stood in silence while a friend or child was slowly consumed by that terrible disease. Yet, if I speak up, I may be rejected and chased away by the victim, his family or by the disease experts.

Lord, give me boldness, give us boldness to speak up about the hope we have in Jesus Christ. In Him, we have real life, eternal life and hopeful life. Without Him, there awaits only a meaningless pseudo-life, with despair at its core. This empty shell of a life will end in disaster. We may be excited about our new life or we may have gotten distracted from the central purpose of life. The first priority is to spread the good news and to build God's Kingdom wherever we can. If we have come to new life in Jesus, then we also owe a debt to those who continue to stumble along in spiritual darkness.

Whatever?

Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ.
(Col 3:23)

As I look around my office, I see that I have not applied this word of God to how it is kept. I make notes and get journals that I hope to review soon and so I let them occupy a space on my desk. Gradually, that note or journal becomes two or three or ten. In addition, I have books on my shelves that I have not looked at in ten years and that contain obsolete information.

Outside, my tool shed had become very disorderly partly because it was being used by multiple people in our family and I had not established a method or a priority to keep it organized. The result was that it caused me to lose valuable time looking for things, spend more money to replace tools I couldn’t find, and damage things that needed more care. Recently, one of my sons came out and helped me organize it. Since then, I have already noticed several situations where that orderliness saved me much time. I have probably already made up for the time spent in organizing by being more efficient.

By nature, orderliness seems to very important to some people and of minor importance to others. Also by nature, even if we are good at orderliness, we all tend toward taking the easy way out in some areas of our life. But, this verse challenges us to cry out for God’s help to make our lives a genuine reflection of our relationship with Jesus Christ, “our Lord”. How much He is our Lord in everything we do is revealed in how heartily we serve Him in the “little” things. The little things are the areas where we personally but a low value or priority. That little thing may not be so little in God’s eyes. It is easy to blame others. “My tool is lost because my children didn’t take care of it.” But, any parent can see the problem with that blame, since we know who is responsible for training the children. And, much of that training comes through example.

So, let’s take personal responsibility for the “messy” parts of our lives whether it is in the office organization, in our personal relationships or in a part of our daily duties that we don’t like. May we heartily serve the Lord Jesus Christ in these “little” areas just as much as in those where we like to work. Lord, guide me and empower me as I tackle organizing this office and may He empower you for that whatever project that is popping into your thoughts.

Magical Ability

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all,
because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. (Romans 1:8)

In a recent football game, a player was praised for his desire to make powerful contact and drive through the defenders. Another player was praised for his "magical" ability. There are many things that seem praiseworthy to the "man on the street". It's not uncommon to hear praise for a man's strength, toughness, speed or ability to throw a ball. We sometimes hear praise for a person's kindness, generosity, wealth or influence. This verse in Romans 1 reveals what God sees as praiseworthy. Faith in God through Jesus Christ is, according to God's perspective, the primary attribute deserving of praise. God wants to praise your faith and my faith. Let's pray for and seek ways to grow in faith.

However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" - Jesus (Luke 18)

Some ideas:
- Scripture reading
- Spiritual retreats
- seeking God's glory at every opportunity
- meditating on God's Word
- sharing struggles with others
- your ideas??

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10)

No Walk -- No Wonder

The meek will he teach his way. - God

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill.--A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. - God

A man in a genuine, living relationship with Jesus where there is daily communion over God's Word will live an extraordinary life. But, the first temptation to live a zero life is to think that only natural gifts of strength, thought and wisdom are needed for today. Pride will drain the blood from life and leave an empty shell. With Jesus Words, Spirit and blessing, life not only is given meaning but life will take us unexpected and wonderful places. Enoch walked with God and, one day, walked straight into heaven. A daily walk with God will lead to an incredible life. No walk -- No wonder.

"Without me, you can do nothing." - Jesus

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His rightousness and all these things will be added to you." - Jesus

Ps 25
Eccl 9
Prov 16
John 15
Matt 6

Until the Cart Flips Over

If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then shall you… (Proverbs 2:4)

The popular culture has become the wisdom of the masses. No more digging for diamonds or rubies is required because fountains of wisdom bubble forth in high definition, sit in control of our schools, dispense our health, and steer the government. Thinking, questioning and searching is now the domain of eccentrics, non-conformists and conspiracy believers. Faith, independent thinking and personal responsibility are no longer required or expected. Relax in the back seat and let the experts drive. Rest in peace. If there is damage to health, finances, family or faith; it will be the driver’s fault.

Yet, wisdom still cries out, saying, “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?” Jesus promised a solid foundation and strong house to those who DO what He commanded. Watch out! Personal responsibility is rearing its head. Sadly, there are few who know what Jesus commanded and even fewer who take action to apply that truth to modern life. The road of life has many forks that lead to disaster but He who is the Way, the Truth and the Life shows the way to the place He has prepared. The fountains of worldly wisdom encourage ignorance, entertainment and conformity as the way to peace, joy and acceptance. Ignorance is truly bliss – until the cart flips over in the ditch.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared unto her. (Proverbs 3:13,15)

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