Many years ago I read about a little fellow who had found a magnifying glass in a box of Cracker Jacks. He had so much fun seeing how various objects looked through the glass. But all at once he let out a horrible cry of dismay as he examined the small hairs on his leg. "Mother," he screamed, "I'm awful afraid I'm turning into a donkey!"
Isn't it amazing what a magnifying glass can do? And how often do we examine our fears and anxieties, our problems, troubles, and discouragements through a magnifying glass? We're especially prone to look at our faults and failures through what I think we should call the devil's magnifying glass! And if we look at any feeling of inferiority through his magnifying glass, we sure can identify with the little boy who was afraid he was turning into a donkey! Or even worse!
Hey -- let's start using God's magnifying glass; namely, His peace, comfort, joy and assurance, along with His many promises of strength and help. "As thy day, so shall thy strength be," says the Lord. And "Lo, I am with you always."
If we allow ourselves to become absorbed by satan's magnifying glass, we'll never be able to bless and help the suffering world around us.
Whose magnifying glass are you using, by the way?
Preacher's Kid
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
SPIRITUAL APPETITE
Most of us have no trouble with our appetites. All I have to do is look in the mirror, which I did last week. My good intentions kicked in and I've lost three pounds this week. The questions is: How long will my good intentions last? How long until my appetite gets the best of me and I have to buy the next larger size for my wardrobe?
The problem is that my husband loves to eat at buffets. (Isn't it good to have someone else to blame for a run-away appetite??) In fact, we ate at five humongous buffets while on our five-week vacation! And in spite of my good intentions, whenever I see something that looks good -- especially in the line of chocolate desserts -- I have to try it to see if it is any good!
Psalm 34:8 challenges: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 119:103 declares: "How sweet are thy words unto my taste!"
Are those verses true in your spiritual life? The song writer penned, "More about Jesus would I know." Is that your heart's desire?
When we find an unusually good restaurant, we like to tell others about it so they can enjoy the cuisine. One mark of a good restaurant is that everyone who likes the food wants to return for more!
Zacchaeus was so hungry spiritually that he climbed a tree to learn about Jesus. And Nicodemus was so hungry spiritually that he searched Jesus out at night.
If only our spiritual appetites were as good as our physical appetites. Can it be said of us that spiritually speaking we want more? More of the Word? More of God? That we'll do whatever is necessary to increase and satisfy our spiritual appetite?
The wonderful thing is that spiritually speaking we never need worry about putting on too much weight. It's an impossibility!
Now if only that were true in the natural realm! (I can dream, can't I?)
Preacher's Kid
The problem is that my husband loves to eat at buffets. (Isn't it good to have someone else to blame for a run-away appetite??) In fact, we ate at five humongous buffets while on our five-week vacation! And in spite of my good intentions, whenever I see something that looks good -- especially in the line of chocolate desserts -- I have to try it to see if it is any good!
Psalm 34:8 challenges: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 119:103 declares: "How sweet are thy words unto my taste!"
Are those verses true in your spiritual life? The song writer penned, "More about Jesus would I know." Is that your heart's desire?
When we find an unusually good restaurant, we like to tell others about it so they can enjoy the cuisine. One mark of a good restaurant is that everyone who likes the food wants to return for more!
Zacchaeus was so hungry spiritually that he climbed a tree to learn about Jesus. And Nicodemus was so hungry spiritually that he searched Jesus out at night.
If only our spiritual appetites were as good as our physical appetites. Can it be said of us that spiritually speaking we want more? More of the Word? More of God? That we'll do whatever is necessary to increase and satisfy our spiritual appetite?
The wonderful thing is that spiritually speaking we never need worry about putting on too much weight. It's an impossibility!
Now if only that were true in the natural realm! (I can dream, can't I?)
Preacher's Kid
Sunday, June 27, 2010
SPIRITUAL ASTHMA
Asthma, as you know, is a chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes which causes swelling and narrowing of the airways. No doubt some of you can tell me from first-hand experience more about asthma than I'll ever know.
Years ago I had a very dear friend who suffered from this pesky illness. And whenever Millie had an asthma attack, she found it most difficult to talk.
How many people in the church world today are plagued with spiritual asthma, unable to speak when they're in the midst of an attack. It seems as though they have one attack after another, especially when they have an opportunity to witness to an unbeliever about their Christian beliefs. Even when it comes to speaking about the goodness of God or praising the Lord for His wonderful blessings, they get a sudden asthma attack and find themselves unable to speak for lack of breath!
They not only are plagued with these insufferable asthma attacks around unbelievers; but they also find themselves unable to discuss spiritual things with Christian friends. As one dear Christian sister explained once her attack passed, "My religion is a private thing."
What if the Apostles had taken that attitude? Or spiritual leaders of any age? Where would you and I be today?
Are you a "closet" Christian suffering from spiritual asthma? Just thought I'd ask.
Preacher's Kid
Years ago I had a very dear friend who suffered from this pesky illness. And whenever Millie had an asthma attack, she found it most difficult to talk.
How many people in the church world today are plagued with spiritual asthma, unable to speak when they're in the midst of an attack. It seems as though they have one attack after another, especially when they have an opportunity to witness to an unbeliever about their Christian beliefs. Even when it comes to speaking about the goodness of God or praising the Lord for His wonderful blessings, they get a sudden asthma attack and find themselves unable to speak for lack of breath!
They not only are plagued with these insufferable asthma attacks around unbelievers; but they also find themselves unable to discuss spiritual things with Christian friends. As one dear Christian sister explained once her attack passed, "My religion is a private thing."
What if the Apostles had taken that attitude? Or spiritual leaders of any age? Where would you and I be today?
Are you a "closet" Christian suffering from spiritual asthma? Just thought I'd ask.
Preacher's Kid
Saturday, June 26, 2010
SPIRITUAL GRANOLA
I suppose every church has its share of spiritual granola: fruits, nuts, and flakes!
Depending on how you view granola, though, maybe granola in the church isn't such a bad idea after all.
I checked out "granola" on the web and discovered there's one brand called "Bear Naked Granola." Well, let's not get carried away, now.
This Bear Naked Granola claims to use 100% pure and natural ingredients and emphasize they make their granola with REAL whole grains and use no artificial flavors. I see some characteristics there that would make fantastic spiritual granola. We certainly need all the purity we can get in the church these days. And how refreshing it would be to see everyone being their plain, ole natural selves -- no "holier-than-thou" attitudes or "stuck-up" and "artificial" actions and expressions.
Bear Naked Granola states they do not use hydrogenated oils. On the other hand, we need the hydrogenated oils in spiritual granola. You see, in hydrogenated oils, fatty acids have been converted to a different form chemically, are far more shelf stable, and will not go rancid so quickly. Hey, there's where we need hydrogenation -- if there's such a word. We need people who have been converted, who are different from the inside out, who are new creations, as the Bible says, in Christ Jesus. Truly it's those individuals who are the backbone of the church, the ones who are stable. And you can count on it -- they won't go "rancid" so quickly!
Bear Naked Granola is also vegetarian friendly. To me that equates with spiritual tolerance one for another. We don't have to see eye to eye with others on all issues, especially on non-Biblical matters. And if we're "vegetarian friendly" in the spiritual sense, we're not going to be judgmental -- it's not Scriptural.
The last claim Bear Naked Granola makes for its product is that it's "Kosher certified." Hey, I like that. In other words, it's pure, and we're right back where we started -- 100% pure.
Maybe Spiritual Granola isn't so bad after all in spite of the fruits, flakes and nuts! Just beware of hydrogenated oils!
Preacher's Kid
Depending on how you view granola, though, maybe granola in the church isn't such a bad idea after all.
I checked out "granola" on the web and discovered there's one brand called "Bear Naked Granola." Well, let's not get carried away, now.
This Bear Naked Granola claims to use 100% pure and natural ingredients and emphasize they make their granola with REAL whole grains and use no artificial flavors. I see some characteristics there that would make fantastic spiritual granola. We certainly need all the purity we can get in the church these days. And how refreshing it would be to see everyone being their plain, ole natural selves -- no "holier-than-thou" attitudes or "stuck-up" and "artificial" actions and expressions.
Bear Naked Granola states they do not use hydrogenated oils. On the other hand, we need the hydrogenated oils in spiritual granola. You see, in hydrogenated oils, fatty acids have been converted to a different form chemically, are far more shelf stable, and will not go rancid so quickly. Hey, there's where we need hydrogenation -- if there's such a word. We need people who have been converted, who are different from the inside out, who are new creations, as the Bible says, in Christ Jesus. Truly it's those individuals who are the backbone of the church, the ones who are stable. And you can count on it -- they won't go "rancid" so quickly!
Bear Naked Granola is also vegetarian friendly. To me that equates with spiritual tolerance one for another. We don't have to see eye to eye with others on all issues, especially on non-Biblical matters. And if we're "vegetarian friendly" in the spiritual sense, we're not going to be judgmental -- it's not Scriptural.
The last claim Bear Naked Granola makes for its product is that it's "Kosher certified." Hey, I like that. In other words, it's pure, and we're right back where we started -- 100% pure.
Maybe Spiritual Granola isn't so bad after all in spite of the fruits, flakes and nuts! Just beware of hydrogenated oils!
Preacher's Kid
Friday, June 25, 2010
SPIRITUAL 2 X 4'S
Having been in the drywall business a number of years has given my husband a great interest in construction in general. Of course, we both were interested in seeing changes in local construction projects after being gone for almost five weeks. But we were totally surprised to see new construction on a vacant lot--at least I think it was a vacant lot. My husband is just as certain a former small building at that location has been torn down!
Be that as it may, I'm sure we'll soon be seeing supporting pillars, namely sturdy 2 x 4's set in place. Can't build much of a house without them if, indeed, this new construction turns out to be a house! It's too early to tell at this point. But those pillars, those 2 x 4's represent a tower. They represent strength. They represent power.
That's what's needed in the church today: pillars, towers of strength, spiritual power -- spiritual 2 x 4's, if you please. Spiritual 2 x 4's are getting rare in many churches today.
Ezekiel 22:30 comes to mind: "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." What an appropriate verse for us today, not only in the church realm but also in the political realm.
Here's a thought-provoking question for you. Are you a spiritual 2 x 4? What gap do you stand in for the glory of God?
Preacher's Kid
Be that as it may, I'm sure we'll soon be seeing supporting pillars, namely sturdy 2 x 4's set in place. Can't build much of a house without them if, indeed, this new construction turns out to be a house! It's too early to tell at this point. But those pillars, those 2 x 4's represent a tower. They represent strength. They represent power.
That's what's needed in the church today: pillars, towers of strength, spiritual power -- spiritual 2 x 4's, if you please. Spiritual 2 x 4's are getting rare in many churches today.
Ezekiel 22:30 comes to mind: "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." What an appropriate verse for us today, not only in the church realm but also in the political realm.
Here's a thought-provoking question for you. Are you a spiritual 2 x 4? What gap do you stand in for the glory of God?
Preacher's Kid
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
SURPRISE! SURPRISE!
Home from a 33-day vacation at last! Drove about 3300 miles! Had a wonderful, wonderful trip not only at our college reunion but also visiting with other friends and relatives. Tippy, our spoiled cat, was with us the whole time and adapted to the motor home real well. He was in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Oregon, but he didn't seem to care so long as he was with us!
Had no idea it would be so long before I got in contact with my "blog" friends. When I finally got a place where I had wireless available, I somehow lost my password for my internet connection and couldn't get into my blog, my email, or anything else on the web! Had planned to spend a lot of time researching a book I'm working on, and couldn't even do that! Of course I didn't think to bring my list of passwords along and that was that!
We have the motor home unloaded and have it parked in its usual place behind the house. But what we've unloaded is not all put away yet -- it's just sitting here, there and yon! So give me a couple days to recuperate, put stuff away, and do laundry, and I'll get back on track. Oh, yes -- I need to get my voice back, too! Lost that due to a cold! In the meantime, my husband has it real peaceful!
See you shortly.
Preacher's Kid
Had no idea it would be so long before I got in contact with my "blog" friends. When I finally got a place where I had wireless available, I somehow lost my password for my internet connection and couldn't get into my blog, my email, or anything else on the web! Had planned to spend a lot of time researching a book I'm working on, and couldn't even do that! Of course I didn't think to bring my list of passwords along and that was that!
We have the motor home unloaded and have it parked in its usual place behind the house. But what we've unloaded is not all put away yet -- it's just sitting here, there and yon! So give me a couple days to recuperate, put stuff away, and do laundry, and I'll get back on track. Oh, yes -- I need to get my voice back, too! Lost that due to a cold! In the meantime, my husband has it real peaceful!
See you shortly.
Preacher's Kid
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