Two little teardrops were floating down the river of life. One teardrop asked the other, "Who are you?"
"I am a teardrop from a girl who loved a man and lost him. But who are you?"
The first teardrop replied, " I am a teardrop from the girl who got him."
Life is like that. We cry over the things we can't have, but we might cry twice as hard if we had received them. Paul had the right idea when he said in Philippians 4:12, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation..."
May I ask a personal question? What is the one thing that keeps you from experiencing happiness? Is it financial? Is is something in your professioanl life? Or could it be a relationship problem? Could you be happy if you don't get what you feel you need to have a contented life?
Contentment isn't denying one's feelings about wanting and desiring what they can't have, but instead is exhibits a freedom from being controlled by those feelings. Contentment is knowing that God is in control and is bigger than any problems we encounter.
If we have Christ, we have everything we need.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Vanishing Virtues-Godliness
It seems too often that we bite off more than we can chew. Even worse, there are the times when we're the ones being bitten.
Such was the case with a fisherman in Russia who was showing off his catch to his fishing buddies. Pretending to kiss the fish, the pike bit the man's nose and refused to let go. The man's friends tugged to no avail until they decided to cut the fish's body from it's head. However, it took several hours for doctors at a nearby hospital to open the jaws of the pike to free the fisherman's bloody nose.
We can learn from this. Those who choose to follow their own will soon discover they have bitten off more than they chew. Hopefully, they'll turn to the Lord before it's too late. Godliness means taking God seriously. All too often we walk down paths we know are not the way of the Lord. We make light of what we should weep about.
Let's take on the stamp of God. People will take notice. Otherwise we might go around with a bloody nose!
Such was the case with a fisherman in Russia who was showing off his catch to his fishing buddies. Pretending to kiss the fish, the pike bit the man's nose and refused to let go. The man's friends tugged to no avail until they decided to cut the fish's body from it's head. However, it took several hours for doctors at a nearby hospital to open the jaws of the pike to free the fisherman's bloody nose.
We can learn from this. Those who choose to follow their own will soon discover they have bitten off more than they chew. Hopefully, they'll turn to the Lord before it's too late. Godliness means taking God seriously. All too often we walk down paths we know are not the way of the Lord. We make light of what we should weep about.
Let's take on the stamp of God. People will take notice. Otherwise we might go around with a bloody nose!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Under God
This Sunday we will continue our series Vanishing Virtues. I consider patriotism to be a virtue. It disturbs me to see so much anti-American activity that is occurring within our country. This past week a homeowner in Ohio was threatened with a lawsuit by his neighbors for flying the American flag. This is not the first time such action has been attempted in recent weeks.
Although such action is enough to make patriots angry, what is more troubling to me is the effort by so many to remove God from every area of our government.
You may recall recently that as part of the opening ceremony of the U.S. Open golf tournament, the NBC television network showed a video of children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Someone at the network intentionally deleted the portion in which the words "under God" were recited.
This past April, Senator Harry Reid recited the Pledge and he, too, omitted the words "under God." Also, in 1956 President Eisenhower signed into law the phrase "In God We Trust" as our national motto, However, our current president on more than one instance stated that our motto is "E Pluribus Unum" (from many, one.)
We would do well to remember the promise of II Chronicles 7:14: If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
Although such action is enough to make patriots angry, what is more troubling to me is the effort by so many to remove God from every area of our government.
You may recall recently that as part of the opening ceremony of the U.S. Open golf tournament, the NBC television network showed a video of children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Someone at the network intentionally deleted the portion in which the words "under God" were recited.
This past April, Senator Harry Reid recited the Pledge and he, too, omitted the words "under God." Also, in 1956 President Eisenhower signed into law the phrase "In God We Trust" as our national motto, However, our current president on more than one instance stated that our motto is "E Pluribus Unum" (from many, one.)
We would do well to remember the promise of II Chronicles 7:14: If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Vanishing Virtues-Honesty
This Sunday we begin a new morning series entitled Vanishing Virtues. We will begin with the subject of honesty.
The story has been told of a bank employee who was due for a promotion. One day at lunch the president of the bank, who happened to be standing behind the employee in the cafeteria, saw him slip two pats of butter under his slice of bread so they wouldn't be seen by the cashier.
That little act of dishonesty cost him his promotion. Just a few pennies' worth of butter made the difference. The bank president reasoned that if an employee cannot be trusted in little things he cannot be trusted at all.
I'm afraid that honesty is vanishing from many Americans lives. Too often we see our politicians lie about cheating on their spouses or taking money in dishonest ways. Sadly, we are seeing that happening more and more with those in the ministry. We see athletes faking something in a game to get a favorable call from an official.
I am convinced that God will not, in fact He cannot, bless Christians who participate in such activity. Wherever we find ourselves...on the job, away from home, anywhere there is temptation...if no one else may catch us, God is watching. Don't lose your blessing
The story has been told of a bank employee who was due for a promotion. One day at lunch the president of the bank, who happened to be standing behind the employee in the cafeteria, saw him slip two pats of butter under his slice of bread so they wouldn't be seen by the cashier.
That little act of dishonesty cost him his promotion. Just a few pennies' worth of butter made the difference. The bank president reasoned that if an employee cannot be trusted in little things he cannot be trusted at all.
I'm afraid that honesty is vanishing from many Americans lives. Too often we see our politicians lie about cheating on their spouses or taking money in dishonest ways. Sadly, we are seeing that happening more and more with those in the ministry. We see athletes faking something in a game to get a favorable call from an official.
I am convinced that God will not, in fact He cannot, bless Christians who participate in such activity. Wherever we find ourselves...on the job, away from home, anywhere there is temptation...if no one else may catch us, God is watching. Don't lose your blessing
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Father's Day
On this Father's Day I was reading Paul's Second Letter to Timothy in which the apostle commends Timothy's mother and grandmother for being a godly influence on the young preacher. It occurred to me that what Timothy experienced growing up is very similar to so many American young people today.
Where is the father? Is the dad being the spiritual leader God has required of men? Thank God for moms who take up the slack and make sure their children are receiving instruction in the Word. But guys, it's us, the men, who should be leading our children in the things of God.
A while back I found some interesting statistics. Digest these numbers...
1. If both your parents worshipped with you regularly while you were growing up, there's an 80% liklihood you'll worship God regularly as an adult.
2. If only your mother worshipped regularly with you, there's only a 30% probability that you'll worship regularly as an adult.
3. If only your father worshipped regularly with you, the liklihood that you'll worship regularly as an adult increases to 70%.
Fathers have an enormous impact on their children's faith and values. One of your most important ministries is worshipping with your children!
Where is the father? Is the dad being the spiritual leader God has required of men? Thank God for moms who take up the slack and make sure their children are receiving instruction in the Word. But guys, it's us, the men, who should be leading our children in the things of God.
A while back I found some interesting statistics. Digest these numbers...
1. If both your parents worshipped with you regularly while you were growing up, there's an 80% liklihood you'll worship God regularly as an adult.
2. If only your mother worshipped regularly with you, there's only a 30% probability that you'll worship regularly as an adult.
3. If only your father worshipped regularly with you, the liklihood that you'll worship regularly as an adult increases to 70%.
Fathers have an enormous impact on their children's faith and values. One of your most important ministries is worshipping with your children!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Counting Blessings
The family and I went through a very trying time this past week. For four days we suffered without air conditioning in our house. The compressor in our unit crashed and of course the warranty expired six months ago!
We (okay, I) complained every day that passed without the repair guy getting the thing fixed. We moved in temporarily with my mother-in-law and even though she normally keeps her house at a higher temperature that we usually do, it still felt good compared the mid 80's our house was experiencing.
Then reality struck. As I watched the news events coming out of Arizona as thousands of acres were engulfed in flames, I quickly became very grateful for the minor irritation we were having to endure. Hundreds and hundreds of homes were being lost as the fires raged out of control. At least I had still had a home.
The old hymn Count Your Blessings became very real to me. The songs dares us to name our blessings "one by one." There is no way I can do that because the blessings God has given me cannot be numbered. They are immeasurable and I am so very thankful.
The air is back on at my house and life is good. I pray that next time one of these "tragedies" that happens to disrupt my way of life will only make me thankful all the sooner.
We (okay, I) complained every day that passed without the repair guy getting the thing fixed. We moved in temporarily with my mother-in-law and even though she normally keeps her house at a higher temperature that we usually do, it still felt good compared the mid 80's our house was experiencing.
Then reality struck. As I watched the news events coming out of Arizona as thousands of acres were engulfed in flames, I quickly became very grateful for the minor irritation we were having to endure. Hundreds and hundreds of homes were being lost as the fires raged out of control. At least I had still had a home.
The old hymn Count Your Blessings became very real to me. The songs dares us to name our blessings "one by one." There is no way I can do that because the blessings God has given me cannot be numbered. They are immeasurable and I am so very thankful.
The air is back on at my house and life is good. I pray that next time one of these "tragedies" that happens to disrupt my way of life will only make me thankful all the sooner.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Standing For Something
There's a country song that states we must stand for something because if we don't we'll fall for anything. Taking a stand, though, can be difficult.
Just ask Krystle Newquist. When she was 14-years old, Krystle decided she would not be a hypocrite regarding her stand on alcohol. Her reason was a personal one because her grandfather died as the result of alcoholism. The problem was that her softball team in Lemont, Illinois was sponsored by a local tavern. Citing her disapproval of alcohol and the effects it can have on individuals and their families, she refused to wear the jersey displaying the name of the tavern.
League officials would not allow Krystle to play wearing a jersey without the sponsor's name, nor would they let her transfer to another team. Rather than compromise her beliefs, she cheered her team on from the bench.
Such wisdom from a child! If only adults could learn from her how to stand for what they believe in. Many Christians today are tossing aside their beliefs in order to keep from rocking the boat. Maybe if the boat were rocked more often we would find more people willing to stand beside us.
Just ask Krystle Newquist. When she was 14-years old, Krystle decided she would not be a hypocrite regarding her stand on alcohol. Her reason was a personal one because her grandfather died as the result of alcoholism. The problem was that her softball team in Lemont, Illinois was sponsored by a local tavern. Citing her disapproval of alcohol and the effects it can have on individuals and their families, she refused to wear the jersey displaying the name of the tavern.
League officials would not allow Krystle to play wearing a jersey without the sponsor's name, nor would they let her transfer to another team. Rather than compromise her beliefs, she cheered her team on from the bench.
Such wisdom from a child! If only adults could learn from her how to stand for what they believe in. Many Christians today are tossing aside their beliefs in order to keep from rocking the boat. Maybe if the boat were rocked more often we would find more people willing to stand beside us.
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