Posts Tagged ‘2 Corinthians’

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Capturing Transformation

April 24th, 2012

What is so amazing about transformation is that we really see it happen right in front of our eyes.  You have to look over time to see it.  This is why we like to look at old photographs, and why parents put notches on door frames – so you can measure, observe and be inspired by the transformation.

Well, we are in the digital age, so cast door frames to the wind.  Check out what this film maker has done with his son and daughter.  He has captured their growth from infancy to current day ( 9 and 12) a week at a time. It’s a fascinating few minutes as you see them pass through the stages of live and transform right before your eyes.

As a parent these video’s are just a tad depressing when you realize that those 12 years seemed to have passed in a mere 120 seconds!

But at the same time, it’s incredibly inspiring, and encouraging.  We work everyday for change and transformation, but sometimes we don’t have the correct perspective to see it.  Keep working to transform yourself each day.  I am sure that if you could see yourself a week at a time, you would be wowed, just like these videos.

18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 English Standard Version (ESV)

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Eternal Swag

December 13th, 2011

I am getting this out late today because I had to take the kitty to the vet this morning – and then attempt to catch up at work. So just a short thought today.

This past weekend I was teaching some junior high boys about Ananias and Paul and how that Ananias guy was impressive risk taker. As we transitioned from a history lesson to life in the middle schools of America, they suggested the followers of the Christ had “no swag”.

The sad part is I understand what they are talking about somewhat,  because as they put it sometime those that follow the Way, can be ”lame”.   However, there’s not much lame, in my opinion about getting out and treating others the way they should be treating.  It may not be as flashy or as exciting as some other things in life, but it probably makes a much larger impact. 

Personally, I think the lameness of followers of the Christ come when they stop following the man who died on a cross for an act he didn’t commit and start after the judgements and short-term visions in their own hearts.  And actually I think that is what they were talking about as well.

I dunno, this one is a real brain stumper to me, and the reason I even write about it is not as much for encouragement to you, as it is to challenge you today – in two ways.

First, why do those that follow the Christ come off as lame?

and Second, are you focused on having ‘swag’ here and now, or as I told the boys, are you thinking about have “eternal swag”.   ( I am not even sure what that really is, but I know that is how the followers of Christ really live.)

 

  16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 New International Version (NIV)

And I guess, the tertiary challenge is to think about how this next generation is thinking.  I know it has stayed in my head all week so far.

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It’s A New Day

November 17th, 2011

For the last few weeks as I have rolled down Rossville Boulevard on the way to my place of employment I have seen this sign at this church.

I don’t know much about this particular establishment besides its location, however, I just love the verbage on this sign.  Today I finally had the time and the foreknowledge to pull into their parking lot and snap this photo to share with you!

Remember, It’s a New Day!  Make the most of it!

 

 

 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.  2 Corinthians 4:16  New Living Translation (NLT)

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The Joy of Freedom

May 27th, 2011

Last night  I brought my oldest home from school and he realized that between now and next Wednesday night, the only thing he had to do was to take one test and go to church on Sunday morning.

What freedom!  I anticipate the that the joy he will feel as he finishes his last exam today and understand that he is free (for a while) from the confines of school and homework.  Oh, the joy of being able to do whatever he wants with no projects or major commitments hanging over his head.

There is so much joy in freedom.  I treasure the days when I am not handcuffed with a day full of schedule meetings.  We yearn for the simple days of vacations when we have no one telling us where to be and what to do. ( let me pause and reflect… oh only 18 more work days!!)  And our spirits compel us to look for something that set us free from the curse of the daily toils, and when we find it- oh what joy.

 16-18Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18, The Message)

As we enter the Memorial day weekend, be so thankful for those who have come before us to fight for the freedom that we enjoy in this country.  And with that also remember how that freedom facilitates access to the the spiritual freedom that comes from the Christ.

Share it!  You are free to!  Woot Woot!!

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Darkness

April 29th, 2011

Last night I was driving back to our powerless dark home last night, I pulled off the interstate onto the road leading to our home, and wow, what an erie feeling.  Alll the street lights were out, several of the business’s lights were off, the traffic lights were off, and the road was in complete darkness minus the headlamps of the vehicles.  You expect that on a country lane, but it was very suprising on a city street.  It was so dark that is was extremely difficult to see the traffic lights where four way stops are now the order of the day.

And then we go home, opened up the garage door by hand and moved into the house in the dark, feeling our way to the flashlights and firing up the candles to see what we could see.

It’s pretty amazing how much different life is without light!

So, you can guess where this is going.  Living light in the darkness is not good.  There is so much power in the light. Make sure you are being light in all the darkness that is around you!

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6, New International Version, ©2011)

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