Posts Tagged ‘examples’

Content Whatever the Circumstances

October 11th, 2011

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and today I believe that is so true.  Take a look at this picture a friend of mine shared on Facebook.  It’s from the Tough Mudder, which is dubbed “probably the toughest event on the planet”.  The new phenomenon is a set of extremely grueling obstacle courses, and this is the one of the latest endurance events that has swept the nation.  But anyway, here’s the picture from Tough Mudder. ‘Nuf said.

 10-14I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. Philippians 4:10-14 The Message (MSG)

 

Go and Do…

October 3rd, 2011

After years spending time strapped to a phone, I have developed quite an inability to focus on one task for very long and more recently a strong desire to do.

And because of that, I think, these words popped into my head this morning

Go and do likewise.

 

36“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37 NIV

 

If you remember, this these words are the conclusion of the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus’ words are all about action!  He tells us that we should go.  But not only go, but show mercy and help those who we pass, passing along the mercy that we live with.

What do you say,  Should we start off our Monday morning, by remembering to GO and DO likewise?

In A Fog

September 27th, 2011

I drove in this morning in quite a soup of fog, and no I am not talking about the inside of my mind.  Although that may also be the case, I was talking about a literal fog.  It was so thick I could not really see more than 2 cars in front of my for a little stretch.

That got me thinking about Hebrews 12.

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1 New International Version (NIV)
 
Yes, that large fog cloud reminded me of all the people who have lived these lives before us.  Those who have dealt with the same issues with deal with, who lived through similar joys and heartaches.  Those who found strength in the same Creator who we get our strength from!
 
So, wherever you are today, and whatever you are dealing with remember that great cloud from the past that surrounds you, take encouragement from them, and run with perseverance the path you are on!  Oh, and lighten that pack, by throwing out those thing with don’t help you move down the path!

A Friday Example

September 23rd, 2011

It’s been a while since I have posted any stories about other people, and since its Friday, I think this is a great day to it again.  One of my fellow harriers from college forwarded this story to me yesterday.  It’s a story that is well worth reading about a high school cross country runner and his sacrifice during his race.  This version has even more information.

This is an excellent example of Philippians 2, and I think that it’s hard sometimes to find examples of people living that way in our society.  Last week I was teaching some high school kids about the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector from Luke 18, and during that class it was difficult for the kids to describe acts of humility.  The actions of this young man are an example of humility and selflessness in so many ways.

I applaud him and thank him for his example.  I am not so sure I would have stopped when I ran cross country.

 1-4If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Philippians 2

A Weird Morning of Singing

August 31st, 2011

I woke up this morning to the George Strait’s “Here For A Good Time” on US 101.  I can’t say I really like this song or the entire message of the song, but one part of the chorus as been in my head all morning.  ( that was up until I starting singing the old hymn “Jesus is Coming Soon” at the top of my lungs!)

Moving on.

Those few words in the chorus  “I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time” has been floating around in my head all day.  I was quickly reminded of these two verses.

14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14 New International Version (NIV)

So with that knowledge in hand, we need to learn from George – no not ‘the bring on the moonshine’ part, more on the whole I am am going to make this short time mean something part.  Maybe something like this from Ephesians, where we are encouraged to make the most of every opportunity

 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:15-20 New International Version (NIV)

So sing along!

you can pick from either song.

George:

“.. when I’m gone let it be known I left nothing behind….”

Or the old hymn:

“..rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye….”