The Most

January 20th, 2012 by Jason No comments »

Earlier this week, Amy’s day calendar, which we both get lots of laughs and motivation from, contained this quote:

Make the most of yourself….. for that is all there is of you! – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I like it.  How about you?

Reminds me of two verses I was also taught to teach that we should give all we have, since we are doing it for Him.

 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God! 1 Corinthians 10:31

Give what you got!

For God So Loved

January 19th, 2012 by Jason No comments »

After a little bit of black out in protest of SOPA yesterday, I am back, and continuing a Tim Tebow sort of week.  I am not sure that you saw this little video during the Pat-Bronco’s game or not.  If you didn’t, take the three minutes to watch it.

Well, that’s a pretty good piece.  But I guess that depends on your viewpoint of the Christ.  As with everything Focus on the Family does, this one is full of arguments and controversy – but look at some of the results of this small campaign.

I hope you are able to find some encouragement from that piece and from these words penned by the author John and paraphrased slightly in the Message:

 

 16-18“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16 The Message (MSG)

It’s No SOPA Day

January 18th, 2012 by Jason No comments »

Today it the day the internet protests against new proposed legislation called SOPA or PIPA which seeks to fight against online pirating by creating potentially censorship like laws.

Not much of the internet likes it, and today you will see many of your favorite web sites “go dark” to protest. The Daily Buffet is also participating in this blackout from 8-8 today.

It’s not that I am for online pirating, but I think the internet is a great free speech zone.  Plus who knows when someone may find my message offensive or unlikable and censor me?

Of course, if that were to happen, the message of love and dying to self and glorifying the Christ would still continue.  Remember this:

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”

But, I really don’t want the rocks to do my job for me! :)

Then there this about the power of principalities

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

( well after I write that, I am not sure how applicable it is, but hey, it’s always good to remember that nothing, not even internet censorship can separate us from the love Christ has for us!

Oh, and there is another reason I protest today.  Take a moment to remember all those people out there in other countries who would love even the chance to protest about free speech. They still put the message of the Christ out there, and the risk their lives every time they do it.

Enjoy the day!  Hope you can make it without some of your favorite sites!

Lifting Up Others

January 17th, 2012 by Jason No comments »

Old Tim Tebow and his Broncos were beat again this weekend, but there are two events from that game that I think about so much more important than the Patriots dismantling of the Broncos.

First, you may or may not have read the ESPN story last week that referenced some of Tebow’s extra curricular activities around the games.  This I think it worth considering.  It’s seems that Tim Tebow will invite one family that has had some issue in their life ( injury, disability, etc) to the Broncos game. He provides travel to and accommodations at the game.  He gets them on to the field before the game, and gives them great low-level tickets.  He also spends time with them before the game and sometimes up to an hour afterward.

And then during his post game presser Sunday he referenced how much spending time with his guest for that week meant to him.

That’s pretty sincere, and a great example.

Your gifts may not be as extravagant as his gifts, but I think you will be able to be just as impactful.  I think it would be interesting to see from the recipient’s perspective which “gift” held the most meaning.  I am going to guess that the time he spends with them, and the genuine concern he shares with them is probably the best.

So today, lets take another lesson from the young man Tim Tebow, as we watch him live his faith.  I am betting that there are people around you today that you can lift up and impact as well.

 

 9-11God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it. 1 Thessalonians 5:11The Message (MSG)

Remembering Dr King

January 16th, 2012 by Jason No comments »

It’s a day out of school, or a day off work from most of you.  I will still be heading in to the ol’ mill today to mosey up to the grindstone.  However, this day, one that at times creates a lot of controversy is one that we should take a moment or two to stop and remember.

I was reading early this weekend about a bit of controversy about a quote on the newly established King Memorial over in the capital.   It’s seems that King gave a sermon one time where he said this

“If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice, say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

however, the inscription on this memorial has an abbreviated version, as follows

“I was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness.”

Hm, I can take it either way.  To me, memorials, with all the quotes, create an atmosphere where it seems the  honoree speaks to you from faraway when you are there.  And for the most part, from the history I have learned about this man, he was a drum major – leading a march for justice, peace and righteousness.

We all can learn a bit about how to treat others from Dr. King.  And I hope that you also remember that, well, as followers, of the Christ, we have all heard this somewhere before, and maybe we should join in the march as drum majors as well.

 

8But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously. Micah 6:8