I recently came across this story about a young lady named Sally and her experience in a recent seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. This particular day, Sally walked into the class and knew they were in for an interesting day.
On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture.
Sally’s friend drew a picture of girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another guy drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend. The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students were throwing their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart and everyone was laughing hysterically.
Finally, Dr. Smith asked all the students to be seated. He came to the front of the class with a less-than-amused look on his face. As he began removing the target from the wall, there appeared underneath, a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture; holes and jagged marks covered Jesus’ face, and His eyes were pierced.
What a powerful analogy. When we “throw darts” at our brothers and sisters, friends and even strangers, we are actually piercing our Lord too.
The Truth
“In as much as you have done it unto the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Wise Fisherman
I read this story on the Internet, and I thought I’d share it with you.
A wealthy businessman was shocked to see a fisherman sitting beside his boat, playing with a small child. So the businessman asked, “Why aren’t you out fishing?” The fisherman replied, “Because I’ve caught enough fish for one day.” “Why don’t you catch some more?” the businessman further inquired.
“What would I do with them?” asked the fisherman. “You could earn more money,” said the businessman. “Then with the extra money, you could buy a bigger boat, go into deeper waters, and catch more fish. Then you would make enough money to buy nylon nets. With the nets, you could catch even more fish and make more money. With that money you could own two boats, maybe three boats. Eventually you could have a whole fleet of boats and be rich like me.”
“Then what would I do?” replied the fisherman. “Then you could really enjoy life,” answered the businessman. The fisherman looked at the businessman quizzically and asked, “What do you think I’m doing now?”
The businessman represents a lot of people today. They have the house, the car, the career. They have money in the bank. They have everything going to supposedly live life to its fullest. But there is something still lacking. They are still lacking life. Let’s not get so wrapped up in work, that we simply forget to enjoy life – the life that God wants to give us more abundantly!
The Truth
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly."(John 10;10)
Jesus here is contrasting what He offers with what the devil offers. The thief mentioned here speaks of the enemy of our soul, Satan. He comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But Christ has come that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly. The abundant life that John 10:10 speaks of is not necessarily a long life, though it may be, but it certainly is a full one. Medical science seeks to add years to our lives, but only Jesus can add life to our years.
A wealthy businessman was shocked to see a fisherman sitting beside his boat, playing with a small child. So the businessman asked, “Why aren’t you out fishing?” The fisherman replied, “Because I’ve caught enough fish for one day.” “Why don’t you catch some more?” the businessman further inquired.
“What would I do with them?” asked the fisherman. “You could earn more money,” said the businessman. “Then with the extra money, you could buy a bigger boat, go into deeper waters, and catch more fish. Then you would make enough money to buy nylon nets. With the nets, you could catch even more fish and make more money. With that money you could own two boats, maybe three boats. Eventually you could have a whole fleet of boats and be rich like me.”
“Then what would I do?” replied the fisherman. “Then you could really enjoy life,” answered the businessman. The fisherman looked at the businessman quizzically and asked, “What do you think I’m doing now?”
The businessman represents a lot of people today. They have the house, the car, the career. They have money in the bank. They have everything going to supposedly live life to its fullest. But there is something still lacking. They are still lacking life. Let’s not get so wrapped up in work, that we simply forget to enjoy life – the life that God wants to give us more abundantly!
The Truth
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly."(John 10;10)
Jesus here is contrasting what He offers with what the devil offers. The thief mentioned here speaks of the enemy of our soul, Satan. He comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But Christ has come that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly. The abundant life that John 10:10 speaks of is not necessarily a long life, though it may be, but it certainly is a full one. Medical science seeks to add years to our lives, but only Jesus can add life to our years.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Declare God's Word
An elderly woman returned to her home from an evening of Church services when she was startled by an intruder. She had caught a man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables. “Stop!” she yelled, “Acts 2:38!” (Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven).
The burglar stopped dead in his tracks and froze while the woman calmly called the police and explained the situation. As the officer was cuffing him, he asked the burglar, “Just out of curiosity, why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture at you.” “Scripture?!” gasped the burglar. “She said she had an ax… and two 38’s!!”
We often underestimate the power of the Word of God! We have the source so very close — its right at our fingertips and should be right on our lips! Yet, we neglect to declare it over our circumstances, that we may see the victory!
The Truth
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
The burglar stopped dead in his tracks and froze while the woman calmly called the police and explained the situation. As the officer was cuffing him, he asked the burglar, “Just out of curiosity, why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture at you.” “Scripture?!” gasped the burglar. “She said she had an ax… and two 38’s!!”
We often underestimate the power of the Word of God! We have the source so very close — its right at our fingertips and should be right on our lips! Yet, we neglect to declare it over our circumstances, that we may see the victory!
The Truth
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Being a Man of Integrity
Bobby Jones, one of the greatest golfers to ever compete, was uniquely known for winning the “Grand Slam” of golf - winning all four major tournaments in the U.S. and Britain in a single year. In 1925, early in his career, having reached the final playoff in the U.S. Open, at a certain point in the match, Jones was setting up to strike his ball which was in the rough just off the fairway. His iron accidentally touched the ball. He immediately became angry with himself, turned to the marshals, and called a penalty on himself.
But the marshals had not seen the ball move, so they left the decision to Jones, whether to invoke the penalty OF two-strokes. Bobby called the penalty on himself, not knowing that he would lose the tournament by a single stroke.
When praised for his honesty, he replied, “You may as well praise a man for not robbing a bank!” Jones may have lost the tournament, but his character is legendary. Today the United States Golf Association’s award for sportsmanship is known as the “Bobby Jones Award.”
Every day we’re faced with decisions — many of which are made when no one is watching, at least no one we can see. But let’s purpose in our hearts to do the right thing — because character truly counts.
The Truth
"The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." (Proverbs 11:3)
But the marshals had not seen the ball move, so they left the decision to Jones, whether to invoke the penalty OF two-strokes. Bobby called the penalty on himself, not knowing that he would lose the tournament by a single stroke.
When praised for his honesty, he replied, “You may as well praise a man for not robbing a bank!” Jones may have lost the tournament, but his character is legendary. Today the United States Golf Association’s award for sportsmanship is known as the “Bobby Jones Award.”
Every day we’re faced with decisions — many of which are made when no one is watching, at least no one we can see. But let’s purpose in our hearts to do the right thing — because character truly counts.
The Truth
"The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." (Proverbs 11:3)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Godly Attitude
I ran across this story while looking for an example of a Godly attitude. While there were many to choose from, I just couldn't pass this one up.
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only three hairs on her head. “Great,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.” So she did, and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I guess I’ll part my hair down the middle.” So she did, and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only one hair left on her head. “Wow,” she said, “today I get to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did, and had a wonderful, wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “Thank God!” she exclaimed. “I was running out of things to do with my hair!”
ATTITUDE is everything! Let’s be grateful for the things God has given us. Have a wonderful day!
The Truth
"I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalms 34:1)
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only three hairs on her head. “Great,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.” So she did, and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I guess I’ll part my hair down the middle.” So she did, and had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only one hair left on her head. “Wow,” she said, “today I get to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did, and had a wonderful, wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “Thank God!” she exclaimed. “I was running out of things to do with my hair!”
ATTITUDE is everything! Let’s be grateful for the things God has given us. Have a wonderful day!
The Truth
"I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalms 34:1)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Be Content
It’s been statistically proven that out of the 162 Major League baseball games that make up a full season of play, every team will win at least 60 games and lose at least 60 games. In other words, the worst team will still manage to win 60 games, and the best team will still manage to lose 60. It’s what happens with the other 42 that makes or breaks a season. It’s an interesting way to think about a baseball season and another reason why I think baseball is a lot like life.
Winning teams experience a lot of losses. Losing teams experience a significant amount of wins. For 120 games out of 162, everybody looks the same. That’s almost 75% of the season. It’s what happens with the remaining 25% that makes the difference between a champion and a cellar-dweller.
Life is all about ups and downs. We’re all going to have good days and bad days. Winners don’t win all the time; losers don’t lose all the time. In fact, most of the time, it’s hard to tell the difference. You can’t make one’s experience the judge of everything. Pretty much all of sports tells us that winning is only a slight edge.
So what’s the point of this for us? Experience isn’t everything. If you’re having a hard day, be patient, things are about to change. If you are cruising on top of things, enjoy it, because things are about to change. Change is the one constant for all of us, and those who are best prepared for it will have the best experience. If you expect things to always go well and get upset when they don’t, you’re in for making tough times tougher. If you are simply grateful for what each day brings, you will fare much better in the long run.
The Truth
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).
Winning teams experience a lot of losses. Losing teams experience a significant amount of wins. For 120 games out of 162, everybody looks the same. That’s almost 75% of the season. It’s what happens with the remaining 25% that makes the difference between a champion and a cellar-dweller.
Life is all about ups and downs. We’re all going to have good days and bad days. Winners don’t win all the time; losers don’t lose all the time. In fact, most of the time, it’s hard to tell the difference. You can’t make one’s experience the judge of everything. Pretty much all of sports tells us that winning is only a slight edge.
So what’s the point of this for us? Experience isn’t everything. If you’re having a hard day, be patient, things are about to change. If you are cruising on top of things, enjoy it, because things are about to change. Change is the one constant for all of us, and those who are best prepared for it will have the best experience. If you expect things to always go well and get upset when they don’t, you’re in for making tough times tougher. If you are simply grateful for what each day brings, you will fare much better in the long run.
The Truth
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).
Monday, August 10, 2009
God's Patience is not Approval
Have you ever asked yourself, Why doesn't God do something about this or that? Why does He allow something in particular to continue?
It took me a long time to understand, God's patience with man does not signal His approval. It simply shows His long suffering and love for man. "God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." Also remember His timing is different from ours; "with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8-9) However, make no mistake about it, the Lord will execute His righteousness. "He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever." (Psalm 103:9)
Therefore, just as He executed righteousness in the time of Noah (with the great flood) and in the time of Lot (destroying Sodom/Gomorrah with brimstone and fire) a day of reckoning is appointed for all those who dwell on the earth. Thankfully, just as Noah and his family and Lot with his daughters were delivered before judgement, so too will the believers in Christ be delivered.
The Truth
"The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the wages of the wicked leads to sin."
(Proverbs 10:16)
It took me a long time to understand, God's patience with man does not signal His approval. It simply shows His long suffering and love for man. "God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." Also remember His timing is different from ours; "with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8-9) However, make no mistake about it, the Lord will execute His righteousness. "He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever." (Psalm 103:9)
Therefore, just as He executed righteousness in the time of Noah (with the great flood) and in the time of Lot (destroying Sodom/Gomorrah with brimstone and fire) a day of reckoning is appointed for all those who dwell on the earth. Thankfully, just as Noah and his family and Lot with his daughters were delivered before judgement, so too will the believers in Christ be delivered.
The Truth
"The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the wages of the wicked leads to sin."
(Proverbs 10:16)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Choosing the Right Kind of Ambition
Every man has a competitive nature, and Christian men are no different. But as we strive to fulfill our ambitions, are we doing something that’s contrary to God’s law? Is ambition, especially in our career, unbiblical? There’s an old saying that no man on his deathbed ever regretted not spending more time at work. We'll take none of our status symbols or money with us into heaven. We will take our character, our kindness to others, and our love for our Savior.
The most thrilling challenge for Christian men is not to become CEO of a multinational corporation, but to let God conform us to the likeness of His Son. This is the ambition worth pursuing. This is the service with the greatest rewards. When we choose to serve God ahead of money, we may find that the Lord blesses us with material wealth as well, but even if He doesn't, we have still chosen the better part that cannot be taken away from us.
In his book Success God’s Way, Charles Stanley says, "In good times and bad times, on mediocre days and exhilarating days, in periods of joy and periods of heavy toil, our stance before the Lord must be, 'Heavenly Father, you’re in charge. I have no success other than what You help me achieve. I trust You to order my steps.'"
The Truth
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Luke 16:13)
The most thrilling challenge for Christian men is not to become CEO of a multinational corporation, but to let God conform us to the likeness of His Son. This is the ambition worth pursuing. This is the service with the greatest rewards. When we choose to serve God ahead of money, we may find that the Lord blesses us with material wealth as well, but even if He doesn't, we have still chosen the better part that cannot be taken away from us.
In his book Success God’s Way, Charles Stanley says, "In good times and bad times, on mediocre days and exhilarating days, in periods of joy and periods of heavy toil, our stance before the Lord must be, 'Heavenly Father, you’re in charge. I have no success other than what You help me achieve. I trust You to order my steps.'"
The Truth
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Luke 16:13)
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