It's Time For The Men

In honor of the weekend, when things get a wee bit different around here, I offer the following video.  It speaks eloquently to the needs of men, and should be a true assist for the women who want to help them.

And with the big game coming up next weekend, here's the perfect win-win opportunity for both.

Have a look at the video--enjoy your weekend!

Question Of The Day

What if the following is actually true:

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  (Ephesians 2:10)

I mean, c'mon.

What if?

Indian Food & God

Life is sometimes really dissatisfying because I know how it could be and ought to be.

Since moving to Colorado eight years ago, I’ve grudgingly accepted that Indian restaurant cuisine does not and will not have the zest and zip of the food found in Southern California.  While the menu items have the same names, it’s tamer here.  No matter what we add or do to take it up a notch and give it some real vitality, it never quite gets there.  It’s good, but it remains less a delight than it should be.

That’s how my deeper, heavenly appetite is, too. Even though I like what I get by doing the Spirit-led things that fill me up—like reading and praying and singing and obeying and sharing—there are times I just want to go there.  I want to be satisfied like that.  I think I know at least something of how it will be, so I sometimes long for it.  Life is sometimes really dissatisfying because I know how it could be—like Colorado Indian food.

And I think God is setting me up.

This morning I’m particularly glad that God is more determined to truly and deeply satisfy me than I am.  Frankly, I might settle for less, but He won't let me.

Have you ever thought that the reason life is less satisfying the older you get is because it’s supposed to be?  That God is really and actually sanctifying you as a heaven-belonging son or daughter of His?  If, in fact, we’re spirit-born sons of God and seated in heavenly places already, it would appear, well, logical that God would prove it to us by getting us ready to come home—and to really enjoy it when we arrive.  And maybe to recognize it.  I suspect that when I cross over from this fleeting and temporal life to eternal life, I will utter a lot of Ahhs, and Oohs, and Mmms, don’t you?  I think my appetite for life is occasionally dissatisfied with what I can find in this world because it’s being prepared for a never-ending feast.

And I don’t think it will be entirely new delights served at the feast, but certainly a lot more flavorful and satisfying…and more quantity—way more.

I'm glad that my table reservation is all set.


"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  (Mt. 12:34)

Male & Female Gray Matter

In honor of the weekend (when things get a little odd around here), here's a little video for men and women--you will both laugh.

Have a great weekend!

Be Impressed

I love it when God throws up a brilliant advertisement first thing in the morning.

I get it, Lord!  I'm impressed with you!

(Sunrise on my street at 7:00am.)

Anything Else Is Nuts

This kind of thing drives me nuts.

A reverend in Haiti said that, because of the earthquake, “Haitians need to reinvent themselves,” and “to find a new path to God.” Grrrrr. The only cure is God’s path to us! Jesus is God’s path to man, and by receiving Him does He put an end to our corrupt selves and give us new selves, made in the image of God, then to share in His very nature.

There is no reinvention of self that will impress God enough to get Him to stop the earthquakes, no “new path” we might take to earn His supposed reluctant approval and grace. In Christ, we have everything already, even if things look contrary.

Hooray!

Anything else is nuts.

Obama's Personal Teleprompter Goes Dark

To keep up with yesterday's weekend funny, here's one for the other side of the political fence.

Finally! An Indefatigable Candidate

Yes, it's the weekend--time for some fun.

While I have my own political leanings, I regularly groan and laugh at both sides.  Today it's one side, tomorrow it will be the other.

This short video cracked me up.

What If?!

Crazy thought of the day:

What if Romans 8:1 is true?!  

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,…”

I mean, what if?!

Today's Biblical Headlines

(It's the weekend--time for a little fun.)


If Biblical Headlines were written by today's newspaper editors:

On the Red Sea crossing:
WETLANDS TRAMPLED IN LABOR STRIKE
Pursuing Environmentalists Killed

On David vs. Goliath:
HATE CRIME KILLS BELOVED CHAMPION
Psychologist Questions Influence of Rock

On Elijah on Mt. Carmel:
FIRE SENDS RELIGIOUS RIGHT EXTREMIST INTO FRENZY
400 Killed

On the birth of Christ:
HOTELS FULL, ANIMALS LEFT HOMELESS
Animal Rights Activists Enraged by Insensitive Couple

On feeding the 5,000:
PREACHER STEALS CHILD'S LUNCH
Disciples Mystified Over Behavior

On healing the 10 lepers:
LOCAL DOCTOR'S PRACTICE RUINED
"Faith Healer" Causes Bankruptcy

On healing of the Gadarene demoniac:
MADMAN'S FRIEND CAUSES STAMPEDE
Local Farmer's Investment Lost

On raising Lazarus from the dead:
FUNDAMENTALIST PREACHER RAISES A STINK
Will Reading to be Delayed

Welcome Mr. Trash Man

Does a big behemoth of a trash truck thrill you? Around my house, we think they’re wonderful.

For several years whenever any of us, Ellen, Emma, Sarah or I, heard the low rumble of the approaching beast, we would shriek in various keys and styles, and run to the window to glimpse the city’s lumbering removal system. What a spectacle. The big-as-a-house creature would sort of squat down and unfurl one of its’ alien-like arms. This appendage of deliverance would deftly reach out and grasp our cowering container of garbage, hoist it skyward, and forcefully shake it until it expended every last vestige of foulness.

We cheered.

Our comparatively diminutive container, which, resting in the street had previously looked happy enough, immediately appeared somehow grateful—like it had suddenly realized it was never supposed to be happy when stuffed—and that its' friend was the trash truck. As the beast rumbled away, we often waved goodbye. “Thank you, Mr. Trash Truck and Mr. Trash Man! Thank you for taking our trash! We love you! See you next week!”

Truth is, we still cheer Mr. Trash Man. Just last night I encouraged my youngest daughter to welcome His work.

For some time now we have likened the Holy Spirit’s effort within us to that of the trash man. Pardon us if you’re offended by our comparison, but consider God’s directive: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) We know by experience what I’ll bet you do, too. God isn’t particularly thrilled just because we set out our trashy anxieties, whether by the confession of sin or by the expression of our fears; He’s interested in caring for us.

God’s care for me doesn’t come only when I’m doing well and loving life, but when I’m doing poorly and full of garbage. Sin, failures and fears often whisper to us that we’ve got to stop them—stop them right now!—but they never suggest we immediately offer ourselves to God who can do something about them. And sin, failures and fears never bring up Jesus’ ability concerning struggles and temptations, either. He faced every struggle and temptation we’ve had or will ever face, and disposed of them. All of them.

And where is this Jesus today? In you. In me. And in my wife and daughters. You’re not full of garbage—God lives in you! But sometimes you’ll feel like you are. Don’t believe it; it’s a lie directed at the glory of God.

That’s why one of our pet names for God is The Trash Man. When we know that one of us is beleaguered we might say something like, “Wonder what the Trash Man might do for you?” or, “The Trash Man is really good at taking the trash out of you. Have you given Him a call?” Immediately we know what’s meant: God is good and amazing in the middle of sin, failures and fears, struggle and temptation. He’s good with us, and He’s always about freedom and purity—He’s a sanitation expert. He knows how to make and keep the majesty of His Bride.

You’ll never ever be an offense to Him. He cares for you, in anything and everything. Talk with Him and call upon Him when the trash is threatening. His care for you will be evident, and you’ll learn to more quickly welcome Mr. Trash Man.

Simple Joy

Ah, for the simple joys of life.

It's the weekend--have a great and encouraging time!

Happy New Year!

My prayer and hope for you in 2010 is that the Holy Spirit will convince you—more than ever—that Jesus has done everything for you, has given everything to you, and, because He's now in you, will do everything for you.

Christ in you, the hope of glory! In 2010, and always.

To that end I also labor with Him. I'm a fortunate man.

Happy New Year!