I came across this devotional that I thought was very fitting to my last post. Enjoy....
During a picnic on a scorching day at a Wisconsin lake, Ole’s fiancée Bess said how much she would enjoy some ice cream. So the young Norwegian immigrant gladly made a 5-mile round-trip by rowboat to bring it to her. When he returned exhausted with a container of melted ice cream, Ole told himself there must be a better way. He put his mechanical mind to work, and a year later in 1907, Ole Evinrude field-tested his lightweight, detachable motor for small boats. He married Bess, and when the outboard motors went into commercial production, she wrote the advertising slogan: “Don’t Row! Throw the Oars Away!”
Ole Evinrude was not a lazy man, but he understood the limits of human power. Each day we employ machinery to accomplish the tasks of life. But we often stubbornly rely on ourselves when we’re trying to serve God. In Ephesians 3, the apostle Paul wrote of a better way: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (v.16). Instead of self-effort, Paul urged believers to find strength in “Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (v.20).
Don’t row! Receive and use God’s power. —David C. McCasland
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Tagged Part 1
So Kyle tagged myself and several friends with a challenge the other day. What are seven verses worth dying for? I'm not sure I can list just seven, but I think what I might do instead is share seven verses that have challenged my walk and gotten me through some tough times and my thoughts concerning them. Maybe this isn't exactly what Kyle had in mind, but the way I see it, anyone can list seven verses, let's take it a step further and apply them to our lives. Maybe this should be Kyle's new tag you're it again. :)
Verse 1 - "Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10. This is a great devotional. In a nutshell, the devotional's simple message is not about being still, but rather being weak. It's the antithesis of what we are all striving for in our walks with God. If I am strong in myself, then do I need God? I think we would all like to say yes, but deep down each one of us know that God can never be in control if we are instead. I don't know about you, but as I've written before, I like to be in control. I like to make the decisions, and I like to run the show. The unfortunate result that I experience over and over in my life is the simple fact that God gets the passenger seat instead of the driver's. What would my life be like if I relinquished the wheel to God and became "weak", "still", etc? I would like to say, it would be so much better and so much more fulfilling.
For a long time I've always thought about this verse and thought about giving a sermon on it. It wouldn't have to be long, but I see it as very impactful. If I ever have a chance, this is how I envision it. When it was time to speak, I would find a place to sit where the congregation couldn't see me and watch for about 10 minutes or so (if I could stand watching that long that is). At this time I envision not only the other ministers freaking out, but also most of the congregation as well. Maybe I would tell a couple people what was going to happen, and maybe I wouldn't, I don't know. Can you see it? Can you see yourself sitting there wondering what in the world is going on? Where is the preacher? Should I get up and leave? Do I turn to my pew mate and ask them what's going on? What is happening? I can only imagine the questions running through people's minds. I'll let you comment on how you think you would react.
Of course, this is all going as planned according to how I see it in my head. All I can say is organized chaos is happening inside each member of the congregation and staff during this time of silence. Then, in order to not get thrown out of the church and allowing this chaos to continue, I would calmly get up and recite this verse as I made my way to the podium. Can you hear it? God's speaking to you asking you "Can you be still? Can you know that I am God?. Can you take the few precious moments of silence that you've probably had all week and use it intead of wasting it? Maybe we are afraid to be still for we will find something we don't like, or find out that we aren't who we say we are. This is the mirror that gets put in our face when we sit before the throne of God. But God desires for us to know Him, and desires for us to be free from the very vices that hold us from not taking time to spend with Him in silence." Impactful?...I think it would be. I think it might even be life altering for some. I think it would either change how we approached God or it might just run some people away. Either way, I think God has a lesson in these thoughts.
I don't think we are even still in church. Can you imagine how little people would actually take those precious ten minutes of silence and truly face God? Many of us put on the facade to be someone on Sunday or Wednesday, when in fact we are someone completely different on the other days. I can only imagine what the reaction would be if I actually did something like that, but I think the lesson would be more than worth it. Let he who has ears let him hear...."Be still and know that I am God". Or shall I say, "Be weak so God can be strong".
Your thoughts?
Verse 1 - "Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10. This is a great devotional. In a nutshell, the devotional's simple message is not about being still, but rather being weak. It's the antithesis of what we are all striving for in our walks with God. If I am strong in myself, then do I need God? I think we would all like to say yes, but deep down each one of us know that God can never be in control if we are instead. I don't know about you, but as I've written before, I like to be in control. I like to make the decisions, and I like to run the show. The unfortunate result that I experience over and over in my life is the simple fact that God gets the passenger seat instead of the driver's. What would my life be like if I relinquished the wheel to God and became "weak", "still", etc? I would like to say, it would be so much better and so much more fulfilling.
For a long time I've always thought about this verse and thought about giving a sermon on it. It wouldn't have to be long, but I see it as very impactful. If I ever have a chance, this is how I envision it. When it was time to speak, I would find a place to sit where the congregation couldn't see me and watch for about 10 minutes or so (if I could stand watching that long that is). At this time I envision not only the other ministers freaking out, but also most of the congregation as well. Maybe I would tell a couple people what was going to happen, and maybe I wouldn't, I don't know. Can you see it? Can you see yourself sitting there wondering what in the world is going on? Where is the preacher? Should I get up and leave? Do I turn to my pew mate and ask them what's going on? What is happening? I can only imagine the questions running through people's minds. I'll let you comment on how you think you would react.
Of course, this is all going as planned according to how I see it in my head. All I can say is organized chaos is happening inside each member of the congregation and staff during this time of silence. Then, in order to not get thrown out of the church and allowing this chaos to continue, I would calmly get up and recite this verse as I made my way to the podium. Can you hear it? God's speaking to you asking you "Can you be still? Can you know that I am God?. Can you take the few precious moments of silence that you've probably had all week and use it intead of wasting it? Maybe we are afraid to be still for we will find something we don't like, or find out that we aren't who we say we are. This is the mirror that gets put in our face when we sit before the throne of God. But God desires for us to know Him, and desires for us to be free from the very vices that hold us from not taking time to spend with Him in silence." Impactful?...I think it would be. I think it might even be life altering for some. I think it would either change how we approached God or it might just run some people away. Either way, I think God has a lesson in these thoughts.
I don't think we are even still in church. Can you imagine how little people would actually take those precious ten minutes of silence and truly face God? Many of us put on the facade to be someone on Sunday or Wednesday, when in fact we are someone completely different on the other days. I can only imagine what the reaction would be if I actually did something like that, but I think the lesson would be more than worth it. Let he who has ears let him hear...."Be still and know that I am God". Or shall I say, "Be weak so God can be strong".
Your thoughts?
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The same 1000 miles away
So here we are 1000 miles away from Dallas living in Chattanooga. It's beautiful here. Lots of trees, hills and mini-mountains (compared to the Rockies that is). It's everything we thought it would be. The weather is awesome too. Yes, it's hot during the day, but from this Texan's viewpoint, hot is a relative term that the locals here just don't quite understand. It's cool in the mornings and cools off in the evenings making a perfect setting for those nightly walks in the park. Even this past Saturday, we spent time eating lunch in the park down by the river. Two weeks ago I don't think I would have considered spending my lunch hour eating outside in the heat oven of Dallas. Then again, I probably wouldn't have wanted to sit beside the Trinity River (or should I say Trinity Creek as opposed to the Tennessee River) either.
On Sunday we went to a local church for worship. It was much different than what Kristi and I have been used too. Over the past several years, we have found a great place of worship in our lives at two local churches. Now, we find ourselves in a very different place and are not sure if we will find exactly the same fit. While the church we visited was great, but different from what we were used to, we felt very welcome and enjoyed our visit. Yet, despite the differences, God is still the same. Yes, we may choose to worship in different ways, and yes we may even live out our faith in different ways, but the one constant in all of it is God. He never changes whether we are singing a song from the hymnal, or belting out a praise chorus. God is the same in Dallas as He is in Chattanooga. I love that. And I love the fact that His purposes for our lives are the same no matter where we are. He is the central piece of the puzzle, He is the object of our focus, and He is deserving of our highest gift back to Him...our everything.
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
On Sunday we went to a local church for worship. It was much different than what Kristi and I have been used too. Over the past several years, we have found a great place of worship in our lives at two local churches. Now, we find ourselves in a very different place and are not sure if we will find exactly the same fit. While the church we visited was great, but different from what we were used to, we felt very welcome and enjoyed our visit. Yet, despite the differences, God is still the same. Yes, we may choose to worship in different ways, and yes we may even live out our faith in different ways, but the one constant in all of it is God. He never changes whether we are singing a song from the hymnal, or belting out a praise chorus. God is the same in Dallas as He is in Chattanooga. I love that. And I love the fact that His purposes for our lives are the same no matter where we are. He is the central piece of the puzzle, He is the object of our focus, and He is deserving of our highest gift back to Him...our everything.
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Ahhhh
We made it. We now live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. What an adventure the last several weeks have been. I'm sure the next several weeks will be even more fun as we get adjusted to our new surroundings.
Today, we showed my parents around town. We went downtown and walked along the river, took Nathan to the carousel, ate ice cream at a local joint, and went to a movie. A good day. I wish I took some pictures. The river is incredible and the parks along it are great.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and help during this time in our lives. And of course, you always have a place to come too if you want to see trees, mountains and rivers. :)
Today, we showed my parents around town. We went downtown and walked along the river, took Nathan to the carousel, ate ice cream at a local joint, and went to a movie. A good day. I wish I took some pictures. The river is incredible and the parks along it are great.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and help during this time in our lives. And of course, you always have a place to come too if you want to see trees, mountains and rivers. :)
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