Posts Tagged ‘John’

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Magnetic Inspiration

July 11th, 2011

Last week, I was cleaning up some stuff in my office, and reorganizing my mind at work when I stumble upon some old word magnets I used to use for inspiration.  I had taken them down in frustration a few years ago when I was feeling very selfish and uninspired.  But last week I put them back up and I hope they will spark you either by what they say, or maybe you will find some words that motivate you through out the day.

The words on the magnetic – Today: live, give, reach, do and solve are simple verbs to help remind me of how I should be spending my day , today.

  1. Live the day to the fullest
  2. Give to others
  3. Reach out to others
  4. Do what needs to be done
  5. Solve problems with creativity

That’s a pretty good list.  Those simple verbs are just enough to give me a reminder with each email, instant message and choice throughout the day of my potential impact on others and they help focus me to make sure that I am getting the most out of each day.

Yes, yes, a little cheesy, but whatever it takes to keep the days moving in the right direction!

So with that a few simple short and powerful verses to get your going on Monday!

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.Psalm 90:12

Each man’s life is but a breath.
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth not knowing who will get it. Psalm 39:5-6

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.John 10:10 ESV

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.Ephesians 4:32

Today !  Live, Give, Reach Do and Solve!

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What’s In A Name

July 5th, 2011

Last week, as I spent several hours in the car driving and one thing I noticed was the name of car dealerships on the back of other vehicles and on the side of the road.  And the thing I noticed about them was that some names are perfect for car dealerships and others, well they don’t work.

For instance, the one that I saw that really got me thinking about this was “Jacky Jones Ford”. Can you think of a better name for a car dealership.  That name works, it sounds goods and immediately make you think of a place you want to go.  Whereas ‘Jason Butcher Ford” just doesn’t have the same ring.  Somethings just go together, and some things just don’t.

It’s sort of like, peanut butter and chocolate, or maybe like a follow of Christ and righteous living!

Yeah, as I looked at the license plate for Jack Jones Ford, I was thinking, man that is so perfect, so expected, so right.  I don’t live near a Jacky Jones dealership, but I think I would go there if I did just because the name fits so well with a car dealership.  His name make me want what he is selling.  And that let me down the path of how our names are always associated with something.  And I think as a follow of the Christ, we need to make sure that our names ‘just fit’ with the direction he gave us – things like:

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15 New International Version (NIV)

and

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

So, think about it today, if you had to put your name of a license plate, would it draw people to what you are trying to sell?

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Working for Money

May 24th, 2011

 I often tell people that I work for money.  As a matter of fact, during some of this tornado recovery, when I have been swamped at work, I was continually debating with myself over my obligation to my employer to trade my time for money , and my obligation to those in need to trade my time for assistance.

This thing has been bugging me for a few weeks and then earlier this week I ran across this little section of John 6.

 27“Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.” (John 6:27, The Message)

Here the Christ says to us to not wast our energy for things that don’t last ( money) but to strive for food that lasts ( Him).

What a difficult statement, as we have to have money to eat and live, don’t we?  Our success in life is based on our stuff and our employment, isn’t it?

Well, in some ways yes.  Work is good, ( did I acutally type that) and should be very rewarded and part of that reward is money.  I think the big thing the Christ says to us here is what are we striving for.

So I guess today, go ahead, work for money, but make sure you know what you are striving for.  Is it perishable or will it last forever?

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Follow Thursday

April 21st, 2011

WOW. After a day of inactivity the action really picked up on Thursday at the Passover got into full swing and the activity that leads the the cross begins moving in quite a rapid succession of events. There are so many great points to identify and to focus on in these events that it is a bit of a struggle to only pick one.

But there is an event that seems to define the evening activities of this Passover Thursday, as the Christ, the Lamb, gathers his men for one last meal, one last time to teach, one last time to give them the instruction they need before the show really starts. It’s a little like that last practice before the big game, as coaches struggle to find that one piece of information that his players should hold above all else they have learned. And look what Jesus tells them, after he washes their feet in an educational “hands-on” interactive instructional session:

10-12Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.

12-17Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life. (John 13:12-17, The Message)

He tells them, and through them he tells us – Be a servant, follow my example. Do what I have done, act like I have acted – give your life for the others.  So, speaking of following, here is a little short video clip about following him.

Hm, follow him, imitate him, act like him.  I wonder what would happen if we do?

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Selling Out?

April 20th, 2011

There’s not much written about what Jesus did on Wednesday on this week. I guess we must assume he spent the day doing his normal chores and then heading off in the evening to Wednesday Church.
Seriously, it is interesting that with all the recorded events on the others days, we really see no action today, except for the agreement between the religious leaders and Judas to sell him out.
Old Judas, the traitor. But I can’t help but think about how many times I decide to sell out and not follow the Christ for my own personal gain. How about you.

So on this day when those most unholy negotiations took place, consider the negotiations on your docket today. Consider your motivation and your ability to be steadfast to the one who will set you free.

 31-32Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” (John 8:31-32, The Message)

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