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Showing posts from January, 2010

The Essential Question

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." —Philippians 4:19 I have been thinking about budgets lately. I have defined financial goals, and an solid budget. But a few things aren't meshing between the two. I've been praying about it quite a bit, and God has given me direction, as he so often does, in the form of a question, "What is essential?" The answers to that question have been springing out all week. My Dr. Pepper/Starbucks habits are not essential. The extra snacks I pick up at the grocery store...not essential. That piece of computer hardware I’ve been eyeing... nope, not essential. Like wheat from chaff, my needs and wants are being tossed about and shaken to see which are left standing. But I was sadly mistaken if I thought that God’s question to me would be limited to answering only the question I asked. No, that question has burrowed ever deeper in my soul, moving on to other budgets. What i

Practice Makes Permanent

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." —Romans 12:2 As an old choir director of mine would often say, "Practice makes permanent." While he was referring to diction and tone, I find that it is true in other areas as well. I have often found that when I practice a song on either piano or guitar, I reach a point of "muscle memory" where I no longer have to think about playing it, but rather, let my fingers remember where they are supposed to go. I have heard the same is true in sports, construction, and virtually any other repetitive physical activity. The apostle Paul recognized that this concept of "muscle memory" extends into all areas of our lives. "Emotional memory" occurs whenever we respond emotionally to a situation based on previous experiences rather than th

Shaken by the Love of God

"'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." —Isaiah 54:10 On Tuesday the earth could take it no more. Two opposing forces stressed and strained against one another until one gave way with a destructive lurch. In one moment the destruction that took years, decades, and perhaps centuries to build was released upon the people of Haiti. As we watch it unfold on the television, as cable networks and radio stations cover the aftermath, it is tempting to turn away. After all, there are pressing matters to attend to in our own back yard. I encourage you, however, to fix your attention on the tragedy. Gaze into the eyes of those who have lost everything. Hear the cry of the child beneath the rubble. And prepare yourself for the aftershocks. Can you feel the shifting foundations? If you will listen and look, if you will see the

Starting Over

"My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart." —Jeremiah 24:6-7 The new year arrived, bringing new calendars,new hopes, new goals and a fresh start along with it. Perhaps it is because our lives are so tied to the calendar, perhaps it is because we are tied to the seasons, but whatever the reason, we instinctively know that the new year is the time to change. We could change at any time during the year, but we believe that the new year will give us the boost we need to succeed. The problem with New Year’s Resolutions is that they most often only address behaviors with which we find fault. “I’ll work out more, I’ll spend more time with my family, I’ll keep my cool in Tulsa traffic.” While the chang

This Time

“For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.” —Psalm 61:5 “It’s a new year and I am resolute! I get this way about once a year. I take a look in the mirror and see what effect the Christmas candies have had on my figure, and I make a decision: I am going to the gym. This year I’m even signing a contract as added incentive. I’ll have to pay whether or not I go. That’ll help me be more on top of it, right?” The above statement was made in the minds of millions, just a few days ago. You and I, when we look at the resolutions made by others, turn our heads to the side and laugh a little. We feel a little sympathy for the naivety of the one making the resolution, and prepare to comfort them when they break it. We know that it won’t last. After all, the sit-com writers don’t lie. The comedians of our nation have spoken, and the stereotypes are firmly established. We all know that resolutions don’t last. And yet... And yet, when the