I know, it’s not Wednesday, but hang on. I’ve been reading some blogs lately and my friend Gary does a weekly post called ‘Word Wednesday’. It’s very encouraging. As I was reading today, something he said hit me:
“Each week I post a scripture that I’ve read that week that has spoken to me in a fresh way. I believe that if we read God’s Word every day, He will give us at least one scripture every week that will impact us. Sharing Scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron.”
First, I like the word ‘fresh’. Scripture is fresh! Cracking open the Bible first thing in the morning for me is literally refreshing. There is always something new to learn, no matter how many times you read it. But it also gives you this feeling of spiritual renewal. It gives me the confidence to go about my day.
Second, ’sharing scripture with each other is like iron sharpening iron’. Love that! It’s a great way to grow and encourage one another. Not only that, but you can never have enough scripture while going about your day, coming across people who need to be shown love and mercy.
In a spiritual battle setting, we need something as strong as iron, like scripture. Thanks for the encouragement Gary.
Our relationship with Jesus is like backing up a trailer. I realized this today while backing our church trailer down a 50 foot narrow alley. As soon as you take your eyes off Jesus, you find yourself screwed. Like backing a trailer, as soon as you take your eyes off the trailer, it’s going to go sideways and hit something, therefore, finding yourself screwed (especially if the trailer isn’t yours).
If you have ever been totally focused on something, you know that it would take a 747 crashing in front of you to break that focus. No matter what is thrown at you, it’s going to take a lot to cause you to lose focus. One of the most encouraging thoughts I have heard spoken or twittered is “don’t take your eyes off Jesus” or “no matter what happens, keep your eyes focused on Jesus”. No matter what type of adversity we’re facing, if we just stay focused on Jesus, we will come out on top. I aspire taking the same focus I put in to other things, the same that takes a 747 crashing to break, and applying that to my relationship with Jesus. It’s hard, but I love that closeness with my Savior.
My friend Mike had this post on ‘If Jack Bauer Were a Church Planter’ the other day and it was hilarious. Couldn’t resist not sharing it here. So, if Jack Bauer were a church planter….
His motto would be,“derail the vision…you will die.”
He’d fight through the tough times…giving up would never be an option.
He’d bring church discipline to a whole nutha level!
He’d speak the truth with urgency and not water down the message….ever.
He’d break the rules in order to save just one person.
The giving would be great because, well…who’s gonna hold back from Jack?
He would never steer away from the mission, he would give up his life first.
I’m thinking that Jack wouldn’t do much counseling.
His passion would attract people to be a part of the vision…but few would pay the price and hang in there with him.
People would have his back…because Jack always has their back!
His church would be small, because the commitment would be great.
Last weekend, April and I went up for Mother’s Day. On the same trip, I picked up more of my stuff from my mother’s house. We brought back an entire car load including a jet ski. (We towed that; it wouldn’t fit in the car).
Now, the jet ski is not new by any means, but rather 15 years old. I got it as a graduation present from high school, in which I paid for most of it. An old friend of the family was selling it for nothing, so I decided to take him up on his offer. It was a great project for my dad and I to enjoy as it required lots of attention.
Anyway, last night we took it out for the first time since last Summer. I have never put it in salt water and had no idea what to expect. We spent a few minutes just idling around the Intercostal Waterway in Thunderbolt. I was in the middle of the Waterway when all the sudden, two dolphins swim up next to me and follow me down the Waterway! It was the coolest experience I have ever had on the water! I sat in the Waterway for a few minutes and just watched them. For about 2 minutes, they stayed within 3-6 feet from me. Unbelievable! Unfortunately I didn’t have a camera on me, but was able to take some pictures when I got back to the ramp. I’m looking forward to more experiences like this.
No, it’s not the TV channel. I saw this video on Ken’s site and it cracked me up. I saw it first without audio and it was just funny and then with audio. But either way, it’s great. Great visual work by Christopher Hendrix.
