Friday, October 15, 2004

The Prodigal....Dog? The Prodigal...Dog? 3:01:21 PM    comment []

You can start your day over at any time. You can start your day over at any time. Have you ever just wanted to do a day over?   You know - those days where you said too much, didn't have patience, let your pride get in the way.    Well, I certainly had a day like that yesterday.  It's real easy to rationalize my reactions - and climb to the moral high ground in conversations where I think I am right - but its really tough to realize that its more important that God understands my thoughts/motives than the person I am "at odds with".   You see, I not only want to be right...I want the other person to know and acknowledge I am right.   Not a real good approach in any belief system - and certainly not one we aspire to as Christians.   Days like yesterday remind me of a statement my eight year old son made to me once - probably one of the wisest statements I have ever heard.   After an incredibly challenging morning one weekend - where there was discernible tension in the house - he looked at me and said "Daddy, do you know that you can start your day over at any time?".   I just paused, reflected, and said "You know your right...and I am going to start mine over now".   You know we do have a gracious and compassionate God who not only allows "do overs" - but encourages it.   Paul provides insight into one of the secrets of "do overs" in Philippians 3:13-14 where he states:    13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. I really hate admitting I need "do overs" - but I am grateful we have a God who is:  "...gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Psalm 145:8 - and who does allow "do overs" if we "confess our sins to him". 1 John 1:9:  "If we confess our sins to him"., he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I hope you have a great day - and remember, you can start your day over at any time. 10:08:07 AM    comment []

Looking For Approval? Looking For Approval? This Week's Memory Challenge  2 Corinthians 10:17-18  But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.  "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. Past Memory Challenges: Romans 8:38-39 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[1] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 3:13-14 - 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Romans 12:1-2 : 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Matthew 17:27 "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalms 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. Jeremiah 29:13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 1 John 3:18  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. Psalm 145:8  The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 5:40:11 AM    comment []