Jesus Shouted!
Hard to believe. My momma brought me up not to shout - unless the house was on fire or I was at a sporting event. But the Bible says, Jesus shouted. (John 11) He shouted at a friend. A dearly beloved friend. One he had avoided for 4 days.
Then he went to see him and shouted at him. That doesn’t seem very friendly or loving. He shouted because his friend was dead. Lazarus was in his grave. “Lazarus, come out!”
Out came Lazarus. He was bound or wrapped head to toe with a handkerchief over his face. I’ve always wondered how Lazarus got out.
Many years ago while visiting Israel, I “crawled” into his tomb. It was not easy. I thought then, how did he get out? Like a missile? Like a bullet? I don’t think ‘they’ carried him out. Not with Jesus shouting, “Lazarus, come out!”
Jesus’ next command was, “unwrap him, let him go!” I don’t think he shouted that order, but he certainly had their attention.
Lazarus was bound with grave cloths - because he was dead.
He stunk - because he was dead.
Lazarus was really alive, but only Jesus knew it.
What binds me?
What makes me stink?
Is Jesus the only one who knows I’m alive?
What binds you?
I think Jesus can still shout. I hope he won’t have to shout at you or me to get our attention?
Just thinkin’... Not shoutin’.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Credit Card
Credit Card
I remember in the '60s (1960s) a neighbor friend told us of this amazing new 'tool.' A credit card. You used it to pay for things at various stores and shops. At the end of the month, you received a bill. Then you wrote one check. Saved writing many checks and it was “free.” Also it detailed all (or most) of your spending. A most wonderful invention.
Now it's almost impossible to function in this world without a credit or debit card. It is still free - if you pay the balance each month. On time.
Your credit score is most important – even your car insurance is tied to it. A home loan interest rate is also affected by your credit score. Some jobs even check your credit score.
Most of us have more than one credit card. Plus many pseudo cards to get special discounts or dollars back when we use them in addition to our credit card. Two of mine have picture ID attached. Another requires them to check for picture ID
Somewhere all kinds of information is stored about me. Those with the correct password can find out more than I know about me. If they are clever and dishonest, they can 'steal my identity.' They can do all sorts of evil to mess up my life.
Been a thinkin'-- God has given me a credit card. Backed by Jesus. Delivered by the Holy Spirit. Kept on file in heaven – All info kept in heaven. Swipe the card – prayer – confession – goes on my account covered by the blood. Read the Word. Do the Word. Swipe the card – the Holy Spirit is readily available. Cash (wisdom, action) available.
Doesn't need to have picture ID. God remembers my name and who I am. God's credit card is available to all. Cash advance – unlimited charges – already paid in full-- thanks to the cross and Jesus...
I remember in the '60s (1960s) a neighbor friend told us of this amazing new 'tool.' A credit card. You used it to pay for things at various stores and shops. At the end of the month, you received a bill. Then you wrote one check. Saved writing many checks and it was “free.” Also it detailed all (or most) of your spending. A most wonderful invention.
Now it's almost impossible to function in this world without a credit or debit card. It is still free - if you pay the balance each month. On time.
Your credit score is most important – even your car insurance is tied to it. A home loan interest rate is also affected by your credit score. Some jobs even check your credit score.
Most of us have more than one credit card. Plus many pseudo cards to get special discounts or dollars back when we use them in addition to our credit card. Two of mine have picture ID attached. Another requires them to check for picture ID
Somewhere all kinds of information is stored about me. Those with the correct password can find out more than I know about me. If they are clever and dishonest, they can 'steal my identity.' They can do all sorts of evil to mess up my life.
Been a thinkin'-- God has given me a credit card. Backed by Jesus. Delivered by the Holy Spirit. Kept on file in heaven – All info kept in heaven. Swipe the card – prayer – confession – goes on my account covered by the blood. Read the Word. Do the Word. Swipe the card – the Holy Spirit is readily available. Cash (wisdom, action) available.
Doesn't need to have picture ID. God remembers my name and who I am. God's credit card is available to all. Cash advance – unlimited charges – already paid in full-- thanks to the cross and Jesus...
Clouds
Clouds
Against the Yakima blue sky, the clouds are still touched with the pink of sunrise: puffy, billowy clouds floating lazily overhead. Some are giant, dark on the bottom. Others small like popcorn dotting the sky.
These clouds carry water. Tons of water. God has figured out a way to fill them. We call it evaporation. Can't really see it happening, but the result is clouds full of water.
What we do see is the cloud (of course) and the rain, hail, sleet or snow when that water is released. There is a lot of action going on inside those clouds. Small planes avoid them. Especially if they are really tall and dark. So do big planes.
Where am I going with this? Well my prayers go up to God – invisible but the results pour down and out from my life.
Quantum leap? Perhaps. Think about it?
Against the Yakima blue sky, the clouds are still touched with the pink of sunrise: puffy, billowy clouds floating lazily overhead. Some are giant, dark on the bottom. Others small like popcorn dotting the sky.
These clouds carry water. Tons of water. God has figured out a way to fill them. We call it evaporation. Can't really see it happening, but the result is clouds full of water.
What we do see is the cloud (of course) and the rain, hail, sleet or snow when that water is released. There is a lot of action going on inside those clouds. Small planes avoid them. Especially if they are really tall and dark. So do big planes.
Where am I going with this? Well my prayers go up to God – invisible but the results pour down and out from my life.
Quantum leap? Perhaps. Think about it?
Clean
Clean. . .
Yesterday I had our carpet cleaned. It was beyond dirty. In addition to the dirt tracked in by two dogs and two people, one of the dogs is a puppy. In her defense the people who lived here before us had two dogs. They had left their marks. And I was not as diligent as I should have been.
Basically I dislike the carpet and want to replace it. Rip it all out and get new. Just so you can hate it too, it is pink and blue shag! It has a gray cast, but I know it is pink and blue. Before the cleaner came, I had to remove everything possible. End tables with all their stuff. Lamps, clocks, decorations. Extra furniture awaiting positions in the living room. Trunks.
He cleaned. I didn't even have to vacuum first. He cleaned. All the spots Dirt. Grime. It looks beautiful. Clean -- Almost like new. $140, not several thousand. As I walked through last night, I saw clean, clear, uncluttered space. I'm going to really think about what I put back. It will need a reason to come back in off the deck.
Jesus came into my life 40 years ago. Over the years I've added a little here, a little there. My life has become full of unnecessary 'stuff.' Dirty from unconfessed sin. Excuses. Laziness.
I need to sit down -- Repent. Let the Holy Spirit convict. Get rid of excess baggage. Accept His cleaning. Forgiveness. Give Jesus the proper place in my heart and life.
How about You? Jesus calls it abundant life!
He cleans up. He doesn't rip up and throw away--
Yesterday I had our carpet cleaned. It was beyond dirty. In addition to the dirt tracked in by two dogs and two people, one of the dogs is a puppy. In her defense the people who lived here before us had two dogs. They had left their marks. And I was not as diligent as I should have been.
Basically I dislike the carpet and want to replace it. Rip it all out and get new. Just so you can hate it too, it is pink and blue shag! It has a gray cast, but I know it is pink and blue. Before the cleaner came, I had to remove everything possible. End tables with all their stuff. Lamps, clocks, decorations. Extra furniture awaiting positions in the living room. Trunks.
He cleaned. I didn't even have to vacuum first. He cleaned. All the spots Dirt. Grime. It looks beautiful. Clean -- Almost like new. $140, not several thousand. As I walked through last night, I saw clean, clear, uncluttered space. I'm going to really think about what I put back. It will need a reason to come back in off the deck.
Jesus came into my life 40 years ago. Over the years I've added a little here, a little there. My life has become full of unnecessary 'stuff.' Dirty from unconfessed sin. Excuses. Laziness.
I need to sit down -- Repent. Let the Holy Spirit convict. Get rid of excess baggage. Accept His cleaning. Forgiveness. Give Jesus the proper place in my heart and life.
How about You? Jesus calls it abundant life!
He cleans up. He doesn't rip up and throw away--
Friday, May 14, 2010
PRAYER
Prayer…
God continually introduces me to requests in which I have no interest.
I am part of several small groups. It’s wonderful. They care for and comfort me. They lift me up and encourage me.
Then there are the prayer requests. I have become so overwhelmed with prayer requests that I don’t want to hear anymore. My particular gift is not prayer.
It is not that I don’t pray. But, I am still learning to sit before God. And listen.
I have my own prayer concerns: My family. Myself. My friends. The pastor. The President. The starving children in Cambodia. Those who cut me off in traffic. Spam e-mail. Global warming. The light bulbs that we are going to have to use in a few years. Made in China. With mercury in them. You get the idea.
As I sat this morning, a lump before God, wondering where to start. Really, considering opening my Prayer Request Book and saying, “Read it Lord! And please, answer soon. I have stuff to do today. I can’t sit here all day.”
That’s what I thought. I did not actually do it because: God said, “These requests come from the hearts of your friends. There are needs out there that you do not know. Your friends need a place and a person to share their hearts. Listen! Write it down if you so desire. You are only a listening ear and a nodding head. A heart open to one of my caring hurting children. You are not expected to fix the problem. Nor to solve it. I am the answer. I know the whole situation and I will take care of it. My way. In my time. For my Glory.
When necessary, I will remind you. Then you can respond. I want your heart to be my heart full of love and concern for others.
Can you not sit with me for just a little while? I like your company. And if you listen, I will speak. And I will bless you and make you a blessing.”
God continually introduces me to requests in which I have no interest.
I am part of several small groups. It’s wonderful. They care for and comfort me. They lift me up and encourage me.
Then there are the prayer requests. I have become so overwhelmed with prayer requests that I don’t want to hear anymore. My particular gift is not prayer.
It is not that I don’t pray. But, I am still learning to sit before God. And listen.
I have my own prayer concerns: My family. Myself. My friends. The pastor. The President. The starving children in Cambodia. Those who cut me off in traffic. Spam e-mail. Global warming. The light bulbs that we are going to have to use in a few years. Made in China. With mercury in them. You get the idea.
As I sat this morning, a lump before God, wondering where to start. Really, considering opening my Prayer Request Book and saying, “Read it Lord! And please, answer soon. I have stuff to do today. I can’t sit here all day.”
That’s what I thought. I did not actually do it because: God said, “These requests come from the hearts of your friends. There are needs out there that you do not know. Your friends need a place and a person to share their hearts. Listen! Write it down if you so desire. You are only a listening ear and a nodding head. A heart open to one of my caring hurting children. You are not expected to fix the problem. Nor to solve it. I am the answer. I know the whole situation and I will take care of it. My way. In my time. For my Glory.
When necessary, I will remind you. Then you can respond. I want your heart to be my heart full of love and concern for others.
Can you not sit with me for just a little while? I like your company. And if you listen, I will speak. And I will bless you and make you a blessing.”
PACE
Pace
I used to jog with my friend Norma. It was good exercise and we solved most of the world's problems. We ran on the school track. She had rules. Where we started and where we ended. I couldn't just head for the gate on our last lap. I had to end where we started. I had to run the full distance.
One day her husband, Ben, was running his laps. He slowed down and ran with us for awhile. Then he said, "This is too tiring. I need to run at my own speed."
I started thinking about the 'own speed' part. I was always very tired when we finished our run or jog. I was matching Norma's pace. It was like slow motion for me -- my pace was really faster. Not better. Faster. I loved my time with Norma so I continued with her pace and her distance.
God has set within me a pace. A special way of running His race. He wants me to 'go the distance.' I need to find His pace and plan for me and move with Him.
I used to jog with my friend Norma. It was good exercise and we solved most of the world's problems. We ran on the school track. She had rules. Where we started and where we ended. I couldn't just head for the gate on our last lap. I had to end where we started. I had to run the full distance.
One day her husband, Ben, was running his laps. He slowed down and ran with us for awhile. Then he said, "This is too tiring. I need to run at my own speed."
I started thinking about the 'own speed' part. I was always very tired when we finished our run or jog. I was matching Norma's pace. It was like slow motion for me -- my pace was really faster. Not better. Faster. I loved my time with Norma so I continued with her pace and her distance.
God has set within me a pace. A special way of running His race. He wants me to 'go the distance.' I need to find His pace and plan for me and move with Him.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Watermelon Pickles
Watermelon Pickles…
Gone! They are gone now. Just a delicious memory. Beautiful green, yummy watermelon pickles. The memory lingers.
You don’t buy these in the grocery store. You have to know someone who makes them. We do. His name is Bill. He cans, but he uses jars. He cans lots of things. All kinds of pickles. Relish. Vegetables. Apple pie filling. He has a whole closet full of beautiful canned goods.
I don’t know anyone who cans anymore. Just Bill.
His wife, our good friend, just had her sixty first surgery. A blood clot moved one side of her brain over to the other side. The doctors gave little hope for survival. This is not a new situation in this family. How does Bill cope? Prayer. Tears. Christian friends and canning. He canned everything in sight.
How do I cope? What do I do when life becomes difficult? Cheetoes! Complaining?
Perhaps I could look to prayer. Turn life’s frustrations into Watermelon pickles. A much better choice health wise and soul wise.
10/16/01
Gone! They are gone now. Just a delicious memory. Beautiful green, yummy watermelon pickles. The memory lingers.
You don’t buy these in the grocery store. You have to know someone who makes them. We do. His name is Bill. He cans, but he uses jars. He cans lots of things. All kinds of pickles. Relish. Vegetables. Apple pie filling. He has a whole closet full of beautiful canned goods.
I don’t know anyone who cans anymore. Just Bill.
His wife, our good friend, just had her sixty first surgery. A blood clot moved one side of her brain over to the other side. The doctors gave little hope for survival. This is not a new situation in this family. How does Bill cope? Prayer. Tears. Christian friends and canning. He canned everything in sight.
How do I cope? What do I do when life becomes difficult? Cheetoes! Complaining?
Perhaps I could look to prayer. Turn life’s frustrations into Watermelon pickles. A much better choice health wise and soul wise.
10/16/01
Monday, May 3, 2010
Painted -- again
Painted – again
Monday I painted the back of our house, dark red. I was pretty pleased with myself. I'd gotten the paint at Restore, (a Habitat- for-Humanity-Goodwill-type store) for $6. A whole gallon and a designer color. The front and sides of the house are pale yellow -– painted those parts right after we moved in.
As I sat admiring my handiwork, I got to “thinkin”. Eleven houses we have painted. Soon after we buy a house, Dan wants it painted. He chooses the color and the house gets a new look. Whether the house needs painting or not I get to paint it.
I wonder why he always does this. I wonder why it has taken me over 40 years to realize that I married Tom Sawyer.
Monday I painted the back of our house, dark red. I was pretty pleased with myself. I'd gotten the paint at Restore, (a Habitat- for-Humanity-Goodwill-type store) for $6. A whole gallon and a designer color. The front and sides of the house are pale yellow -– painted those parts right after we moved in.
As I sat admiring my handiwork, I got to “thinkin”. Eleven houses we have painted. Soon after we buy a house, Dan wants it painted. He chooses the color and the house gets a new look. Whether the house needs painting or not I get to paint it.
I wonder why he always does this. I wonder why it has taken me over 40 years to realize that I married Tom Sawyer.
Maribel
Maribel
Dan speaks about risk, persistence and going for your dreams!
It was just a plastic ball. But, Dan had his audience believing it was a real golf ball. As part of his show he would hit this golf ball into the audience. This was to demonstrate his one arm swing. And to see if he could hit “target”. It really got everyone’s attention. Several years ago, Maribel sat in the audience. She was working for Head Start. She was trying to decide whether she should go to college. Her English was poor. She was afraid she couldn't make it in College.
He hit his golf ball. Maribel caught it. And kept it! The next day she enrolled in college. It became a reminder and a sign she could make it in college. She kept it on her desk for the next four years as she learned English as an adult. She graduated with honors. She now works for the state of Washington with the developmentally disabled. Her biggest fear, only knowing Spanish, is now her greatest asset. With two languages (English and Spanish) she is able to help many.
God opened her heart. She took the risk. She persisted. And now she is living her dream.
Oh by the way, someone took the ball from her desk a few weeks ago. We pray it has the same reminding affect on that person.
Dan speaks about risk, persistence and going for your dreams!
It was just a plastic ball. But, Dan had his audience believing it was a real golf ball. As part of his show he would hit this golf ball into the audience. This was to demonstrate his one arm swing. And to see if he could hit “target”. It really got everyone’s attention. Several years ago, Maribel sat in the audience. She was working for Head Start. She was trying to decide whether she should go to college. Her English was poor. She was afraid she couldn't make it in College.
He hit his golf ball. Maribel caught it. And kept it! The next day she enrolled in college. It became a reminder and a sign she could make it in college. She kept it on her desk for the next four years as she learned English as an adult. She graduated with honors. She now works for the state of Washington with the developmentally disabled. Her biggest fear, only knowing Spanish, is now her greatest asset. With two languages (English and Spanish) she is able to help many.
God opened her heart. She took the risk. She persisted. And now she is living her dream.
Oh by the way, someone took the ball from her desk a few weeks ago. We pray it has the same reminding affect on that person.
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