Daily Buffet

…but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage;

Posts Tagged ‘Hebrews’

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March 25th, 2011

Yeah yeah, I have been suckered into American Idol – well not really, I am more of a skimmer. I watch American Idol like I read a magazine, I start at the back, and I only hit the high spots. But amidst all the fun last night the end was probably the best part.

This one guy, Casey Abrams, had the lowest number of viewer votes and was heading off the show, but evidently the judges can issue one save in a season. Last night, they surprising used there save with 10 other people left to eliminate.

What I was so amazed by was the emotional reaction of both the artist and his ‘competition’ to being redeemed by the judges. It so uplifting to see how overtaken he was- how joyful, how thankful, how overwhelmed. When he thanks the judges he says something like “why would you do this with so many left to eliminated”, essentially saying “Why did you spend that one save on me?” And then his competition seemed to be incredibly happy for him as well with all the hugging, crying and jumping.

Hm, emotional after being redeemed? Excited about being saved. Thrilled about being given a second chance. Seems slightly familiar!

Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

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Overtaken With Joy

March 23rd, 2011

March Madness continues tonight is full force, even though my bracket is kaput. Speaking of basketball, have you seen this video from this Spanish basketball game that has been circulating the Internet?

Although the end of this game is quit speculator, its the audio commentary that makes this clip – so make sure you have your speakers on. Even though you probably can’t understand a thing he is saying, unless like American Idol star Laura “you speak one language and that language is Spanish”. Anyway, despite the fact that you can’t probably are not sure exactly what he is saying, the emotion, raw and uncut at the end of this game comes through loud and clear. He is clearly overwhelmed, awe struck and full of joy.

I have to wonder when was the last time that I was presented with anything that produced so much joy that I was overwhelmed like this guy?

This was just at a basketball game, consider how others reacted when then encountered the Savior of the world

²⁶ Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” (Luke 5:26, New International Version, ©2011)

⁸ When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man. (Matthew 9:8, New International Version, ©2011)

Maybe today is a day to stop and consider the awe inspiring gifts you have received.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29, New International Version, ©2011)

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Small Moments of Encourgament

March 22nd, 2011

Last week, I was finally able to catch up with a good friend at lunchtime. While we were walking down the street to the cafe, coming the other direction was one of my teammates from last year’s Ragnar Tennessee Relay, just getting started on his noontime workout. As I watched him speed past, I thought about my own running schedule. Oddly enough as we returned to work and approached the doors to the office, there speeding past us just finishing his noon workout was the man we call Grape Nuts – who also was on my Ragnar Relay team!

It seemed that maybe I was being sent a message? I took these two chance encounters as encouragement to keep on my own training program, and last night I banged out a nice eight miler.

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (New International Version, ©2011)

Sometimes it’s just a simple thing can bring huge amounts of motivation and encouragement. As you approach the day today, look for ways that you can encourage those around you. It may be just by doing what you need to be doing as my two running partners where, or it may mean going out of you way just a little to keep others uplifted!

13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 (New International Version, ©2011)

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Tags: encouragement grape nuts Hebrews Ragnar running

Ice Cream Sandwiches

January 27th, 2011

This morning Amy asked me what I wanted for dinner, I responded with the first thing that came to my head – Ice Cream Sandwiches. I love those things. They are the best in the world. I don’t eat them as often as I wish, but man, when I do , I could eat the whole box. Then there are the ones that are found in Disney World. Personally, I find that the one’s distributed from Sleepy Hallow are in fact the best in the world, and make watching a Disney parade even more enjoyable. I mean just look at the picture. Yum. If we could just eat those all the time, day and night – what a great world it would be!

So go ahead – at lunch today, as you walk past that little cooler with the ice cream treats, slide open the lid, and reach in for a nice ice cream sandwich! As you enjoy the super taste and fulfillment that only comes from consuming one of these babies, consider what would happen to your body if that was all you ate. And then consider your spiritual life. As you eat, think about your spiritual diet and if there are things that you need to change to help you truly transform! Taking hold of the pinnacle of handheld deserts everyonce in a while is great, but as we know there are other things we need. Use The Sandwich to help spurn you to continue your quest for deeper knowledge and for true transformation!

¹³ Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:13-14 (New International Version, ©2010)

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The Ever Changing Schedule

December 13th, 2010

Wow! The Government’s weather bubble around Chattanooga seems to have fallen with the Metrodome’s roof and we have white stuff on the ground and a list of closed schools and business that will wear out the scroll bar on your computer. I even received a phone call from my employer this morning – the first time in 17 years!

And since this is the busiest time of the year, all sort of schedules are being redone. Final exams are being moved, Christmas plays and programs adjusted to later in the week. Shuffling this from here to there, so we can work this in here.

Of course on top of it all is the general confusion about a 19 degree snow filled December day in Chattanooga. That just never happens.

With all of this changing going on around, it’s always good to know this: