Wednesday Wit | 21 May 2014 - 100 MILE-AN-HOUR GOAT

Two Texas rednecks are out hunting, and as they are walking along they come upon a huge hole in the ground.

They approach it and are amazed by the size of it.

The first hunter says "Wow, that's some hole; I can't even see the bottom. I wonder how deep it is?"

The second hunter says "I don't know. Let's throw something down and listen and see how long it takes to hit bottom."

The first hunter says "There's this old automobile transmission here, give me a hand and we'll throw it in and see". So they pick it up and carry it over, and count one, and two and three, and throw it in the hole.

They are standing there listening and looking over the edge and they hear a rustling in the brush behind them.

As they turn around they see a goat come crashing through the brush, run up to the hole and with no hesitation, jumped in headfirst.

While they are standing there looking at each other, looking in the hole and trying to figure out what that was all about, an old farmer walks up. "Say there", says the farmer, "You fellers didn't happen to see my goat around here anywhere, did you?"

The first hunter says "Funny you should ask, but we were just standing here a minute ago and a goat came running out of the bushes doin' about a hunert miles an hour and jumped headfirst into this hole here!"

The old farmer said "Why that's impossible, I had him chained to a transmission!"

Tuesday Thrombosis | 20 May 2014 - Indifference

God is love. Very few would disagree with that statement. It's in the Bible. However, God also hates. Many would disagree with that statement. It is also in the Bible.

Today's "Thrombosis" (see the "Thematic Post" entry for an explanation) is indifference.

Hate is not the opposite of love. It this were true God, whom is love, could not hate; yet He does. The opposite of love is indifference. Read the story of the Good Samaritan. The issue with the first two individuals that did not render aid was not hate. It was indifference.

The problem God had with Laodicea was indifference. He told them, "I would rather you be cold or hot." I attribute this to identity. You know when someone is cold. You know when someone is hot. You know when someone loves you. You know when someone hates you.

The problem is with indifference. God wants to know where you stand. He wants others to know. Make a choice.

Make this your prayer:
Lord, reveal areas of indifference in my life.  Help me to resist the tendency to remain neutral. Help me accept the grace You gave so that I can love others. I repent of indifference so that your love can flow through the once clogged areas of my life. In Jesus' name.

Thematic Posts Coming Soon

Things are getting Kurioser and Kurioser.

New blog topics coming soon! I hope to start them this week. Please provide some feedback; either comments or questions. Even corrections if needed.

Monday Moorings – axioms for life

Greetings!

In an attempt to practice the craft of writing, and to have a more consistent presence on this blog, I’m starting a new weekly entry called “Monday Moorings.” I really thought I had found a winner with that title. Then, after a quick Google search, I realized that Solomon got it right: “there is nothing new under the sun.” Since I did not know the person I decided to use the title anyway.

Monday morning is one of the most dreaded times in the U.S. I’m not sure why. I’ve never had a problem with Monday morning. In lieu of manic Monday mornings I thought I would bring something each week that we can use to bring stability to our lives, as a ship moors in the harbor. There is another meaning to the word “moor” and that’s where this title has its origin. According the Miriam-Webster on-line dictionary, the 3^rd meaning of the word is: moorings – an established practice or stabilizing influence.

I hope you visit regularly. I know it takes effort to type a response but I value your input. Please consider a comment, or even a question.

Blessings!

Dudley

Tuesday Thrombosis – getting to root issues

Greetings!

I know catchy titles are hard to come by, but you have to call this stuff something. Tuesday’s blog entries will look at root issues. A thrombosis is a serious condition caused when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood in a blood vessel: the formation or presence of a blood clot within a blood vessel.

When blood flow is inhibited tissue cannot receive proper nutrition and oxygen, which causes it to die.

If we address root issues honestly we can keep a healthy flow in our lives that will lead to personal growth and strength of character. Let’s unclog some arteries!

Blessings!

Dudley

Wednesday Wit – Laughter doeth good

Greetings!

My daughter once thought I was the funniest man in the whole world. She was only 4 years old. I’m sure I did look funny to a 4 year old. Unfortunately, she was too young to understand any of my attempts at humor but she laughed anyway.

Perhaps I will be more successful with this audience. Most of you are older than 4, but you may have required the help of a 4 year old to surf to this site. :)

Blessings!

Dudley

Thor’s Day Thundering – Acknowledging the true God. (Hint: It isn’t Thor)

Greetings!

As they say in some circles, “God is god all by Himself.” He does not need my help. However, I want to share some things about our God that hopefully you will find encouraging.

Blessings!

Dudley

Friday Fritz – things left in disorder or disrepair from the week can be resolved with rest

Greetings!

I may not write a post in each category every week. Not only would you get blog fatigue, I may not be able to think of that many things to say. However, on Fridays I’d like to look at ways to work on things over the weekend so you can get off to a great start with batteries re-charged and ready to take on new or old challenges in the coming week.

Blessings!

Dudley

Purpose, Passion, Process, Provision

I ran across this tonight while browsing through some things I've written over the years. This is from 2009. I didn't spend much time reviewing it for syntax and grammar. I hope it's ok. Let me know your thoughts.

Purpose

If there is no reason for the actions you take, the results you get will not make much sense; even if the results are favorable.  The old adage states, “If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.”  The only way to measure the effectiveness of any action is for it to begin with purpose.  There is no need to over-dramatize that word.  If you sit down to watch a football game or your favorite decorating show, you have purpose in doing so: entertainment, knowledge, support a friend or family member, etc.  The same is true for the noble actions you could attempt.  Starting a company, running for elected office, or starting a family also have purpose.

If you begin each task with a stated purpose then you know when the task has been completed.  Either the task will be completed successfully or you miss the objective.  The consequences may be major, minor, or none at all; but realize there can be consequences.  Making a plan will be covered later, but purpose must be at the genesis of any effort; otherwise it is just meaningless activity.

The Shorter Catechism says, “The chief end of man is love God and worship Him forever.”  There can be no denying that is certainly a worthy aspiration.  However, living that out can be a challenge because of the difficulty in defining “loving God” and “worshiping Him.”  I like what Paul shares in Ephesians when he instructs us that “we are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.”  You and I were created to become like Christ.  As it has been said, “Read the red.”  Find out what Jesus said and did.  Then with the help of the Holy Spirit, determine that conforming to the image of Jesus will be your purpose, your destiny, for the rest of your life.

Passion

When pursuing a purpose, the amount of drive to reach a successful outcome is determined by your level of passion.  Again a time-tested axiom says, “If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right.”  Passion will determine your commitment to the quality and completeness with which you approach any task.  Using the previous example, if you sit down to watch a football game, you passion will determine whether you watch the whole game.  If your favorite team is on, then your level of passion will be higher than for two teams outside of your conference.  If you are watching a decorating show, you must see the entire project described in order to replicate it.  Your level of passion will determine whether you take notes or TIVO the program.

Jesus demonstrated the essence of passion with His life.  Everything He encountered was filtered through a view of the cross.  The passion Jesus had for the purpose God had given Him directed every action toward its completion.  From the earliest recorded exchange Jesus had with the priests in the temple when He was only ten years old, to His submitting to being crucified at thirty-three years old, His motivation was to complete the mission of reconciling us to Father.  That is passion!

Process

Once you decide on a task that you are motivated to pursue, you will need a detailed process in order to be certain you complete it effectively.  Another statement of wisdom is “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  Proverbs tells us, “The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.”  Steps, not “arrival to arrival”.  All of us like the results of hard work, we just do not care for the hard work.

Events are wonderful.  You just show up and enjoy the happening.  Did you ever consider the amount of effort, the process, if you will, that someone had to walk out in order for you to enjoy the “event”?  Consider a musical show.  Each musician or singer possibly spent years developing their craft.  Promoters gathered the financial backing to secure the venue, paying deposits to the performers, arranging for sound and lighting, security, and the list goes on.  Then advertising went out to inform you that for a small sum of money, you can enjoy an evening of wonderful entertainment.

There is always a process involved whether you participate in it or not.  The Kingdom of God is an example of the ultimate process.  Before time began, God made a way for you to know Him and have fellowship with Him forever.  It would only make sense that He would desire us to live our lives intentionally, not just letting it happen.

Provision

If … then.  We learned that from the time we could comprehend language, verbal or otherwise.  Touch the trinket on the shelf and our hand gets slapped.  Do your homework and you get good grades.  Exceed the posted speed-limit and pay the fine.  There are always consequences to actions.  Even physics tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.  The result of a process is the provision.  Provision is two-fold: what is needed for the journey, and the prize that awaits the completion of the purpose.

Pastor E. M. “Doc” Shell once said, “Everything we have need of is found in seeking the Lord.”  That is provision for the journey.  We can experience God’s provision – not only “in the sweet by and by”, but right now!  Lepers/David (battle)/Gideon/etc.

Scripture is filled with references to the provision God has in store for us if we will pursue the purpose He has planned for us, with the passion He inspires us to, through the process that He has established.  Paul described it as “running the race”, “reaching for the prize”, “fighting the good fight”, “finishing the course.”  That provision is, of course, heaven.  Receive the salvation available through the sacrifice of Jesus and you will have eternal life with Father in His heaven.

Communion - March 9, 2014

Familiarity breeds contempt. This quote is attributed to Publilius Syrus, a Roman author during the 1^st Century B.C. As you just saw on the video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx4UFB0XBGw ), the most simple of journeys can become very frustrating if you lose sight of where you are, and where you are going. Our Western minds have become so accustomed to everything being taken care of by “them” that we forget how to deal with problems ourselves.

The Liturgical observance of Lent began this week. For the most pious observers, this involves giving up meat and most “pleasant food” for the period of time leading up to the celebration of Easter, the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

These churches remove the fine brass or gold fixtures in their worship centers, like candlesticks and urns, and replacement with iron or wooden fixtures. The beautiful flowers normally adorning the pulpit are replaced by leaf-less branches cut from a tree. It is a time of mourning and self-deprivation to identify with the suffering of Jesus as He was crucified in our place on the cross. Lent is preceded by Fat Tuesday. The custom is to eat pancakes on this day in order to consume all of the yeast in the house. It was part of the cleansing preparation of the home for the period of Lent that would follow. This time of self-deprivation would culminate with an all night prayer vigil on the Saturday before Easter Sunday.

Then on Easter Sunday morning the worship center transforms by returning all of the fine fixtures to their rightful places. Fresh flowers are placed in the room to signify life has returned. Our Lord and Savior is risen from the dead. He lives so that we can live. I understand why most Charismatics, and other non-liturgical denominations have moved away from these types of celebrations. They are viewed as “dead works” of the flesh. The responsive readings, antiphonal singing, and written prayers can give place to vain repetition. I understand that.

However, like most things, if you are able to keep the original intent of the liturgy in mind, and let it continue to be relevant to the worshipper, they can create an object lesson that can have great impact on one’s faith. Just as with all fasting, Lent is intended to bring the body under subjection to the Spirit. I’m not suggesting we take up the practice of liturgy in our worship. I would like to suggest, however, that we keep the truth represented by the liturgy at the forefront of our thinking.

What if we really had a heart-knowledge of, and an active mental understanding of things like the Apostles’ Creed:

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

5. The third day he rose again from the dead:

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:

9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

10. The forgiveness of sins:

1l. The resurrection of the body:

12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

I’m glad that we celebrate communion each week. This places us in a very small minority of non-orthodox churches that do so. Without a regular reminder of what Christ did for us, we can easily get sidetracked and lulled to sleep spiritually. We can become “stuck on an escalator”, unable to see that we can very easily walk to our freedom. Each time you take the cup and wafer, remember that Jesus was born of a real virgin, Mary. Jesus lived a real life, tempted to lie about His playmates as a child, tempted to steal from His neighbor, tempted to be disrespectful to parents or others in authority. Remember that Jesus died on a real cross, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. He shed real blood. He was buried in a real tomb. Remember that He actually was raised from dead. Remember that He actually ascended to a real heaven. Remember that He sits at the right hand of a real God, that occupies a real throne; that is King over a real Kingdom.

Remember that, according to Ephesians 1 & 2, you also have been really crucified with Christ; you have really been buried with Him, resurrected with Him. Remember that, as a believer, you have actually ascended to Heaven with Him, and are now seated with Him in heavenly places, far above all rule and power and dominion and every name that is named.