Read: Deuteronomy 6
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
I used to get so angry at my children—not when they willfully disobeyed and had to be punished, but when they took up my time over and over again with the same things. Things like not picking up their toys, storing food on the floor of their room so the dog could get it, leaving dishes in the living room, not closing juice bottles, leaving dirty clothes all over. In other words, just acting like the immature human beings they are. As I related my frustration to a friend, she was appalled at my attitude. I could tell she wanted to rake me over the coals, but in her wisdom all she said was exactly what I needed to hear: “Get over it. Until they’ve moved out, they’re the primary job that God has given you.”
I thought about the things that I let get to me, and realized they were miniscule in comparison with what really mattered. Certainly we are to teach our children responsibility and work ethic. But far superseding this is the need for us to teach them about God’s love for us and his desire for us to be like Him. When you see the beauty of creation, talk about God’s power. As you watch TV together bring up God’s principles that you see being followed or violated. When you are wrong (like showing anger incorrectly), admit it, ask their forgiveness, and solicit suggestions from them on godly ways you could have handled it. Pray with them. Read the Bible with them. And then after they leave home, continue to pray for them and be ready to give biblical advice when asked. Remember, they’re your primary job.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Trapped!
Read: I Timothy 6
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
I Timothy 6:6-10
When my Uncle John was young, he set traps all over the woods on my grandparent’s farm. Every day, he checked those traps for animals to skin and then sold the pelts. Mink, a rare commodity, were difficult to catch since they would rather chew their foot off than stay in the trap. One day Uncle John caught a mink’s foot. The next day, a second foot appeared in the same trap. And the day after that, another foot. Finally, on the fourth day, he caught a mink minus three feet! Evidently, the bait he was using was too irresistible for that poor little animal.
We are like that mink. Satan puts out traps for us and we wander into them knowing that they will hurt us. The desire for money, power, or fame draws us into acting in ways that would break God’s laws or hurt our relationships with others. I struggle with my aspirations to be recognized for my technical achievements. Because of this, I am sometimes tempted to spend too much time at work, thus depriving my family of my time.
What is your biggest trap? Satan knows how to play on our perceived needs, drawing us again and again to the same trap, eventually hoping to ruin us for God’s service or even, in some cases, to prematurely end our lives. Let’s learn that God supplies everything we need (Philippians 4:19) and see Satan’s traps for what they truly are.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
I Timothy 6:6-10
When my Uncle John was young, he set traps all over the woods on my grandparent’s farm. Every day, he checked those traps for animals to skin and then sold the pelts. Mink, a rare commodity, were difficult to catch since they would rather chew their foot off than stay in the trap. One day Uncle John caught a mink’s foot. The next day, a second foot appeared in the same trap. And the day after that, another foot. Finally, on the fourth day, he caught a mink minus three feet! Evidently, the bait he was using was too irresistible for that poor little animal.
We are like that mink. Satan puts out traps for us and we wander into them knowing that they will hurt us. The desire for money, power, or fame draws us into acting in ways that would break God’s laws or hurt our relationships with others. I struggle with my aspirations to be recognized for my technical achievements. Because of this, I am sometimes tempted to spend too much time at work, thus depriving my family of my time.
What is your biggest trap? Satan knows how to play on our perceived needs, drawing us again and again to the same trap, eventually hoping to ruin us for God’s service or even, in some cases, to prematurely end our lives. Let’s learn that God supplies everything we need (Philippians 4:19) and see Satan’s traps for what they truly are.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Top 10 Things Not to Say to Your Mother
10. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you for that!
9. Well, it’s not a snake, so I’m still alive.
8. If beds aren’t made for jumping on, then why do they have springs in them?
7. It’s more economical and ecologically friendly to drink directly from the jug. See—no dirty glass!
6. But Lucky said that if I don’t feed him from the table, he’ll kill me in my sleep.
5. Scientists have shown that bread crusts contain carcinogens!
4. Of course I was born in a barn. Weren’t you there, too?
3. But running with scissors is okay if you point them away from you.
2. This doesn’t taste quite the same. Are you sure you followed Grandma’s recipe?
And now for the number one thing not to say to your mother:
1. If I come home drunk enough, I can sleep in any kind of filth.
9. Well, it’s not a snake, so I’m still alive.
8. If beds aren’t made for jumping on, then why do they have springs in them?
7. It’s more economical and ecologically friendly to drink directly from the jug. See—no dirty glass!
6. But Lucky said that if I don’t feed him from the table, he’ll kill me in my sleep.
5. Scientists have shown that bread crusts contain carcinogens!
4. Of course I was born in a barn. Weren’t you there, too?
3. But running with scissors is okay if you point them away from you.
2. This doesn’t taste quite the same. Are you sure you followed Grandma’s recipe?
And now for the number one thing not to say to your mother:
1. If I come home drunk enough, I can sleep in any kind of filth.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Remember Y2K?
Read: James 2:19-27
But become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 2:22
Back in 1976, when I was a senior in high school, my computer science professor predicted a crisis in the year 2000 (Y2K for short). Even back then, he said that too many people were programming years with just two digits, ostensibly because it saved space, but really because it was easier. In such a system, the year 2000 would be represented as "00". So, in the year 2000 someone born in the year 1959 would be, in the anthropomorphic eyes of the computer, negative 59 years old instead of 41. This could cause problems with billing, with social security payments, electrical switching problems, and even make the air traffic control system fail. Mr. Cumberland said, “If any of you use only two digits, I hope you lose everything in the year 2000, because it’s going to be all your fault.”
Y2K has come and gone without all the dire predictions coming true—but only because tens of billions of dollars were spent to fix the problem. How did we get into this mess and others like it? Why do we mess up our lives by taking the easy way out? The answer is simple—we are lazy. We know to do right and yet we don't do it. We have been told how to avoid problems, but refuse to do what it takes. Why? Two simple self-deceptions: (1) we think a little less effort now won't matter down the road; or (2) we believe that we'll be willing to deal with the consequences later.
God knows us better than that. He wants us to obey His Word, not just because it does Him good, but because it's the best way for us to live. The Holy Spirit said through James, “If you don't do what you hear, you are just lying to yourself!” Our present actions impact future events in ways we may never know until it is too late. A small omission today could cause big problems later in your life or in the lives of others. Challenge yourself to not take the easy way out. Take every opportunity to obey God's commands.
But become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 2:22
Back in 1976, when I was a senior in high school, my computer science professor predicted a crisis in the year 2000 (Y2K for short). Even back then, he said that too many people were programming years with just two digits, ostensibly because it saved space, but really because it was easier. In such a system, the year 2000 would be represented as "00". So, in the year 2000 someone born in the year 1959 would be, in the anthropomorphic eyes of the computer, negative 59 years old instead of 41. This could cause problems with billing, with social security payments, electrical switching problems, and even make the air traffic control system fail. Mr. Cumberland said, “If any of you use only two digits, I hope you lose everything in the year 2000, because it’s going to be all your fault.”
Y2K has come and gone without all the dire predictions coming true—but only because tens of billions of dollars were spent to fix the problem. How did we get into this mess and others like it? Why do we mess up our lives by taking the easy way out? The answer is simple—we are lazy. We know to do right and yet we don't do it. We have been told how to avoid problems, but refuse to do what it takes. Why? Two simple self-deceptions: (1) we think a little less effort now won't matter down the road; or (2) we believe that we'll be willing to deal with the consequences later.
God knows us better than that. He wants us to obey His Word, not just because it does Him good, but because it's the best way for us to live. The Holy Spirit said through James, “If you don't do what you hear, you are just lying to yourself!” Our present actions impact future events in ways we may never know until it is too late. A small omission today could cause big problems later in your life or in the lives of others. Challenge yourself to not take the easy way out. Take every opportunity to obey God's commands.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Whose Finger are You Holding Onto?
Read: Joshua 23:1-16
“Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.”
Joshua 23:7-8
When my father was four years old, he went with his father to the local town fair. As they made their way through the imposing, noisy crowd, he held onto my grandfather’s index finger so he wouldn’t get lost. They walked through the animal exhibits, the new tractors, and the garden and flower shows without incident. However, when they reached the midway, with the ice cream, cotton candy, games, Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and other rides, it was just too much for him. He let go of his daddy’s finger and ran over to one of the booths to get a better look.
After satisfying his curiosity, he grew afraid. He thought he felt his daddy’s presence next to him and reached up to grab the finger—but the finger kept pulling away. Looking up in despair, he saw that the finger belonged not to his daddy, but to a stranger! Immediately he ran out to the parking lot and found the family car, where he was later reunited with his father.
How often do we let the things of the world distract us and let go of God’s finger? Then when we need help, we try to grasp onto the first thing we can, only to find out it is powerless to rescue us? Run back to God, hold tightly to him, and don’t let go. And if you do let go, remember that he’s always there to take you back. After all, he sent his only Son to die for you so that you could be his child and He, your daddy.
“Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.”
Joshua 23:7-8
When my father was four years old, he went with his father to the local town fair. As they made their way through the imposing, noisy crowd, he held onto my grandfather’s index finger so he wouldn’t get lost. They walked through the animal exhibits, the new tractors, and the garden and flower shows without incident. However, when they reached the midway, with the ice cream, cotton candy, games, Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and other rides, it was just too much for him. He let go of his daddy’s finger and ran over to one of the booths to get a better look.
After satisfying his curiosity, he grew afraid. He thought he felt his daddy’s presence next to him and reached up to grab the finger—but the finger kept pulling away. Looking up in despair, he saw that the finger belonged not to his daddy, but to a stranger! Immediately he ran out to the parking lot and found the family car, where he was later reunited with his father.
How often do we let the things of the world distract us and let go of God’s finger? Then when we need help, we try to grasp onto the first thing we can, only to find out it is powerless to rescue us? Run back to God, hold tightly to him, and don’t let go. And if you do let go, remember that he’s always there to take you back. After all, he sent his only Son to die for you so that you could be his child and He, your daddy.
Monday, December 29, 2008
"Is it not a little one?"
READ: Genesis 19:15-22
Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one. Oh, let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live." Genesis 19:20
I sometimes used to ask, “Can't I have a piece of candy before supper? It's just a little one.” My father would respond with Lot's question, “Is it not a little one?” and launch into the following story.
After living in Sodom for years, Lot is confronted by two angels and told to flee into the wilderness while God destroys the city. Lot retorts that he will die if he does so and insists that he must flee to a small city—“is it not a little one?” God reluctantly agrees that Lot may go. But it is at great cost to Lot, because there, his wife became a pillar of salt. And there, he continued his rebellion against God.
How often do we excuse a sin with “is it not a little one?” Alcoholics: can you take just one little drink? Lusters: can you flirt just one time with a person of the opposite sex? Overeaters: can you just eat one small dessert off your diet? Procrastinators (like me): can you put off working on that project just one more day? Or maybe it’s not even a “sin” as we usually define it. Maybe it’s just little distractions (like TV, video games, reading, or golf) that end up sapping our time so we are unable to do the important tasks that God has for us.
God knows our weaknesses. Let's take them to Him and remember that we need to flee temptation of the sin that so easily keeps us from doing His will. Let us not deceive ourselves by thinking we can handle such a “little one.”
Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one. Oh, let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live." Genesis 19:20
I sometimes used to ask, “Can't I have a piece of candy before supper? It's just a little one.” My father would respond with Lot's question, “Is it not a little one?” and launch into the following story.
After living in Sodom for years, Lot is confronted by two angels and told to flee into the wilderness while God destroys the city. Lot retorts that he will die if he does so and insists that he must flee to a small city—“is it not a little one?” God reluctantly agrees that Lot may go. But it is at great cost to Lot, because there, his wife became a pillar of salt. And there, he continued his rebellion against God.
How often do we excuse a sin with “is it not a little one?” Alcoholics: can you take just one little drink? Lusters: can you flirt just one time with a person of the opposite sex? Overeaters: can you just eat one small dessert off your diet? Procrastinators (like me): can you put off working on that project just one more day? Or maybe it’s not even a “sin” as we usually define it. Maybe it’s just little distractions (like TV, video games, reading, or golf) that end up sapping our time so we are unable to do the important tasks that God has for us.
God knows our weaknesses. Let's take them to Him and remember that we need to flee temptation of the sin that so easily keeps us from doing His will. Let us not deceive ourselves by thinking we can handle such a “little one.”
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