Gasping For Air & Missing It

It's been a slow week around here due to a busy life. Sound familiar? You're nodding yes...I know it.

Someone once talked to me about slowing down and pressing pause. Says it came from some book. Something about being still and knowing God is God.

Who knows? Perhaps I should be reading this book. It just might help me catch my breath.

What do you think?

The Bike Ride

The weekend is upon us. Before diving into this weekend, let's take a quick look at a simple truth.

What are we doing with our time? What paths are we walking? Why are we walking these paths? Should we be walking these paths? Are these paths the right paths?

So...now the simple truth. After all, simple truths are the best kind. Right?

Do all for the Lord! Calling, hanging, mowing, parenting, washing, working, and so on. Do all for the Lord!

Kind of like riding a bike. At some point, we all fall off. Once off, does the ride revert to the beginning? Of course not. Watch those who get back on...who dust themselves off and persevere. Those are the ones who will be used by God.

Ride with your all! And...before riding, make sure you're on God's path. Until next time. Jed.

How Would You Respond

A battered and intoxicated man stumbling and wandering around your church’s parking lot. How would you respond? The classic duck and weave and through the front doors as if you hadn’t noticed. Or…perhaps with some good old fashioned compassion. Well…Pastor Tommy Jackson had the same question and decided to play the part. He stumbled and wandered while being disguised as battered and intoxicated. And he played the part well. Well enough that no one recongnized him. He even went as far as having the cops called in. How did his congregation respond? A local news cast has the footage. Check it out here and let me know your thoughts. A pretty wild idea. I like it. Until next time. Jed.

The Speechless Sin

Ever been lost for words? Tongue tied? Speechless? Perhaps with good news such as the birth of a child or promotion at work. Or…perhaps with not so good news such as a diagnosis or layoff. Your mouth opens and nothing comes out…followed by nothing again.

Forget the good or not so good. What about sin? Wait, wait, wait…time out. Let’s not talk about sin. Who struggles with sin? Not me. Must be you. What’s that verse again? Something about a log in my eye. Right…

Sin often cripples and leaves us speechless with blame and shame. Who wants to talk of that? But, we have a voice. We have an advocate.

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But, if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (1st John 1:1-2)

It is not either or. It is both and. We must cling to Christ if we are to experience the free life and when sin hits we have an advocate who will speak on our behalf and has already paid the price. So simple…yet so impossibly amazing!

No more wallowing in silence. Lift your head and praise the Lord. And let’s not forget the world. John Piper says it best. Don’t hog Jesus! Families, friends, and neighbors wallow day in and out. Share your advocate. Share Jesus! Until next time. Jed.

The Grace of Tuna

Let’s meet Ronnie. Ronnie fishes for tuna. Now…who doesn’t enjoy tuna? Tuna casserole, salad, and steak. Mmmm!

Tuna live about 15 years. Grow to be 6½ feet. Weigh around 550 pounds. Wow! That’s a big fish. And…some crazy guy once paid $173,600 for a tuna. What? Has he not heard of StarKist? He should have checked Kmart or Walmart first. Perhaps tuna was on a blue light special.

Now…back to Ronnie. While fishing for tuna just a few weeks ago, a squall hit and his boat capsized. He was stranded at sea. As time dragged and lagged, Ronnie was consumed by despair. Adding to the mix…crustaceans nibbled at his softened flesh and blood started to spread. Ronnie was convinced sharks would soon visit.

But…instead of sharks…dolphins came to the rescue. These dolphins nudged Ronnie mile after mile to shore. These dolphins saved Ronnie’s life.

How ironic! Thousands of dolphins die each year from the nets of tuna fisherman. And…Ronnie, the tuna fisherman, was saved by what? Dolphins. Sounds like someone I know. You and me.

We often flee from God. Wrestle with sin. Ignore the callings, promptings, and warnings. We’re comfortable. Comfortable with life and the day to day. There’s an awesome story from the Bible about a man named Jonah. Jonah fled and ignored God’s calling to go to Nineveh (Jonah 1:3). Despite a second chance and seeing Nineveh turn to God, Jonah complained about being comfortable (Jonah 4:8-9). As Jonah complained and ignored…Nineveh was redeemed.

Much like Ronnie…we’re saved by what we often hurt. We’re saved by the grace of God. It’s time to drop the nets…lower our guard and allow the grace of God to save. God has amazing plans for you and me throughout 2009. Let’s not be Jonah and miss the redemption of Nineveh before our eyes…all in the name of comfort. Until next time. Jed.

Exhausted & Winded...All We Need Is Love

Your mind ever race? Perhaps get emotionally winded? I envision my mind bent over with a side ache? Completely exhausted and begging for a break or at least a minor pause. The questions seem to flare and flash. How can this… How will this… What if this… What is this… When will this… You can finish the rest.

God. Yes...the I Am. He wants to call you His. Yet, we question and worry? How much more assurance does one need than to have the Almighty as your Father. I love to envision a child chasing their dad. Can the child ever truly catch their dad? Not really. But…what is so cool…is that the dad lets their child overcome them. A hug ensues and cares and worries drift into love. That’s all God looks for…simple love. We often make it complex or try to unlock some complicated perceived puzzle. But, it really is simple love. God loves us first and will slow enough to allow us to overcome Him. So, what are you waiting for? Chase God!

It’s time to slow down and fall in love with Christ. The lover of my soul. I love the song Deep in Love with You by Michael W. Smith. The lyrics are below…well worth the $0.99 download.

Sitting at Your feet
Is where I want to be
I’m home when I am here with You

Drawn by Your grace
Enamored by Your gaze
I can’t resist the tenderness of You

I’m deep in love with You
Abba Father
I’m deep in love with You Lord

My heart it beats for You
Precious Jesus
I’m deep in love with You Lord

Humbled and amazed
That you would call my name
I never have to search again

There’s a deep desire
That’s burning like a fire
To know You as my closest friend

I’m deep in love with You
Abba Father
I’m deep in love with You Lord

My heart it beats for You
Precious Jesus
I’m deep in love with You Lord

You’re the Lord my redeemer
Your blood runs through my veins
My love for You is deeper
Than it was yesterday

Until next time. Jed