Double Take: Dump the Dirt

Jesus said to his disciples, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see" (Luke 20:23). Because of our hurried lifestyle, we often miss what God intends for us to see each day.

For the blind man in Mark 8, it took a second touch from Jesus and a second look at his surroundings to bring life clearly into focus.

Be attentive. Take a second look around you and allow God to reveal his magnificent presence in the commonplace.

Through my interactive blog feature, Double Take, I hope you'll be inspired to leave a caption and scripture verse for one of the two photo's below. I chose the first one to spark your creativity. Now what's your take?

Hauling and spreading dirt is no child's play. 

"Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. 

Don't talk our of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep you eyes straight ahead' ignore all sideshow distractions. 

Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. 

Look neither right or left leave evil in the dust." 

―Proverbs 4:23-27, MSG

Now . . . what's your take? What caption or quote and scripture would you tag to either of the two photos? 

Please leave a comment. Would love to hear from you. 

 

Double Take: It's Either Black or White

Jesus said to his disciples, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see" (Luke 20:23). Because of our hurried lifestyle, we often miss what God intends for us to see each day.

For the blind man in Mark 8, it took a second touch from Jesus and a second look at his surroundings to bring life clearly into focus.

Through my blog feature, Double Take, I hope you're inspired to take a second look around you so that God can reveal his magnificent presence in the commonplace.

I earned my stripes . . . but on His back He bore them!

"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; 

the chastisement of our peace was upon him; 

and with his stripes we are healed."

―Isaiah 53:5, ASV

Now it's your turn. What does "with his stripes we are healed" mean to you?

Please leave a comment.

Tee Word of the Day: Opportuni-Tee

"When opportunity knocks, open the door."

"Jesus said, ‘No procrastination. No backward looks.

You can’t put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.'"
—Luke 9:62, MSG

Today, I am 23,846 days old. (Go ahead. I’ll wait. I know you’re tallying it up.) Sounds as if Methuselah is my next of kin, doesn’t it? According to the U. S. Social Security Administration’s life expectancy calculator, I can expect to live another 21.3 years, or another 7,774 days. As I look at this number in relation to the days I have already lived, it puts my life in sobering perspective.

An Irish saying contends, “When God made time, he made plenty of it,” and yet, we can identify with the White Rabbit’s dilemma in Alice’s wonderland as he scampers through life exclaiming, “I’m late. I’m late, for a very important date. No time to say ‘Hello, Good-bye.’ I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!”

We scurry behind schedule; we dart ahead of it, and in reality, we race past God-given doors of opportunity. We simply can’t add anything more to our schedules.

Prioritizing our time and investing it wisely, instead of spending it irresponsibly, should be our aim. Scripture exhorts us to allow God to “teach us to number our days aright, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NAS).

Slow down! Breathe. Spend quiet moments with the Father of time. Consider the brevity of life and devote your heart to true wisdom―a wisdom only imparted to us by his Spirit. The previous moment has passed, and the subsequent moment may never come. This moment is all we have.

What shall I do with the next 7,774 days of my life? Apply my heart to wisdom. Number my days “aright.” Seize each new day of opportunity, and MAKE IT COUNT.

Now it’s your turn. Use the following link to calculate the potential days you have left to be productive for God. 

Is there a door of opportunity you need to open? 

Please leave a comment.

U. S. Social Security Administration’s life expectancy calculator website: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/population/longevity.html

Rainy Days and Mondays

"The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous."

―Psalm 146:8, NIV

For those who survived the mind-bending seventies―an era marked by anti-war protests, women's lib, bell-bottom pants, lava lamps and Saturday Night Fever―the soft, compelling voice of Karen Carpenter was a welcome respite to the psychedelic acid rock and hippie subculture of the day.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1950, Karen and her brother, Richard, released more than a dozen hit records by the time she was twenty-four. Less than ten years later she was gone, a victim of heart failure brought on by anorexia nervosa, a devastating eating disorder the general public knew little about until her death. Known by her friends to be goofy and fun loving, Karen also suffered from serious personal issues. She struggled to feel loved and accepted.

On this rainy Monday morning, the words to Karen’s 1971 Top 100 hit, Rainy Days and Mondays, have been rolling through my mind. Unexpected but welcomed, I noticed the words to her song contain the spiritual answer to her pain and the heartache many people in today’s culture experience.

Listen to the words of this timeless song at the link below. If you can relate to their message, please "run and find the One who loves you." God desires to lift you up on this rainy Monday.

Now it's your turn. How do rainy Monday's make you feel? What are some of your favorite things to do on a rainy day?

Please leave a comment.

HOPE WAITS

"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope."

―Psalm 130:5, NIV

Few of us want to hear the word wait. Yet, waiting consumes a large portion of our lives.

We wait in long lines,
     
     in traffic jams,

          for appointments,

               for test results.

We wait for a new job,
    
     for a telephone call,

          for Spring,

               for a baby's birth.

We wait for the salvation of a loved one,
    
     for restoration,

          for answers to prayer,

                 for revelation.

We wait on God!

Waiting is never easy, but a time of waiting can be a period of significant productivity. It is during seasons of waiting that God performs his deepest work which produces life's greatest fruit. Even knowing this, it is difficult to sustain our hope in times of delay.

Now it's your turn. What is something you do during an extended time of waiting that enables you to remain hopeful?

Please leave a response.

FAN INTO FLAME

"Fan into flame the gift which is in you."

―2 Timothy 1:6, NIV

Residents of our county woke up this morning to the news of a string of five fires that broke out during the night. The causes of the fires are under investigation. Officials say that there is a possibility that all the fires are connected and are calling them “very suspicious.” The intent of those who ignited the fires was to destroy.

A string of fires also broke out among a group of writers this past weekend. It is obvious that all of the fires are connected. The cause of a sudden burst of flames among so many was the Write2Ignite Conference in Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina. At times, the heat was intense but the intention of the event organizers was not to destroy. It was to build up those who desire to ignite fires in the hearts of future generations. 

God’s Word instructs us to “Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6). That is exactly what this conference did in me and in the hearts of many who attended. The endless hours and selfless efforts of those who ignited these fires are to be commended. Their dedication and love for God and the spread of his Word is “very suspicious.” In fact, now that all of the evidence is in, I’d say they are liable.
 
Thank you, Write2Ignite organizers and presenters! May God be your very great reward.

Now it's your turn. Who in your life has fanned the flame of the gift within you? 

Please leave a response.

Tee Word of the Day: Socie-tee

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility 

value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests 

but each of you to the interests of the others."

―Philippians 2:3-4, NIV

Several years ago, my daughter received a T-shirt for her birthday that read, “It’s all about me, me, me. Get over it!” I never let her wear the shirt as the sentiment sadly reflects the entitlement mentality that is rampant in society today.

In contrast, the text above speaks of exchanging a selfish life for a selfless life. Although this concept may be foreign to many, Christ modeled it well during his brief time on earth. As we choose to walk in harmony with his example by placing the interests of others above our own, his joy will become food for our souls.

Be the hands and feet of Christ today and choose to live a selfless life. Someone you know needs his loving touch.

Table Talk

“Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."

―Luke 14:15, NIV

In my generation and even more in generations prior, the table was the centerpiece of family life. Has conversation around the table in the twenty-first century taken second place to cyberspace? We think: How rude. Yet, if we take a serious look at our own table etiquette from Jesus’s vantage point, we might be a little slower to judge others who have detached themselves from table talk.

Let’s examine our own table life this week and see if our behavior at the Lord’s table is any different.

Table Talk

Day 1: Wake-Up Call

 http://t.co/kURL5TfvUZ

Day 2: Please Be Seated
http://ow.ly/uC367

Day 3: Let's Say Grace

http://t.co/d3fGcjb5Xr

Day 4: Our Daily Bread

http://t.co/qA8M8iijAu

Day 5: Taste and See
http://t.co/1Qm8X8Y2ft

SUNDAY SOLACE: What a Difference a Day Makes

"You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness" 
―Psalm 30:11, HCSB 

When my special needs daughter was little, she always got up in the morning and looked out the window to see if the sun was shining. 

I thought of her as, "My sunshine girl." 

She still is.

She loved the musical, ANNIE.

She still does.

When I was sad, she could always lift me up.

She still can.

She would pat me softly on the shoulder and say, "Don't worry, Mommy. It'll be alright. The sun'll come out tomorrow."

It always did. 

May your day be filled with sunshine. And if not today, look outside tomorrow. 

Perhaps . . . the sun'll come out.

It still does!

"But for you who revere my name, 

the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays."

―Malachi 4:2, NIV

Heart-A-Fire

"Place me like a seal over your heart, 

like a seal on your arm; 

for love is as strong as death, 

its jealousy unyielding as the grave. 

It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench love; 

rivers cannot wash it away." 

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 

WATCHWORD WEDNESDAY: Transparency

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

―Psalm 51:10, NIV

This glass heart is a reminder that the blood of Christ washes away the blackness of our hearts and makes them transparent before him.

What can wash away my sin? 

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

No greater LOVE!

SUNDAY SOLACE: Turn Up the Quiet

"Listening is the beginning of prayer."

~ Mother Teresa ~

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength."

―Isaiah 30:15, NIV

Photo taken at The Cove, Black Mountain, NC 2013

My One Word 2014

"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." 

―1 Corinthians 4:2, NIV

WATCHWORD WEDNESDAY: Homeward

"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything." 

―Hebrews 4:4, NIV

Photo: The Sidna Allen House, Fancy Gap, Virgina 2014

The Daily Load

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.”

―Colossians 3:23, GNT

Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth-century French monk stated, “We ought not be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.” Join me this week for my 5-day devotional series for ZooKeeper's Ministries, The Daily Load, and focus on listening for God's voice in life's routine chores.

The Daily Load
Day 1: Sorting It All Out

http://ow.ly/swJth

Day 2:  Unshutter the Clutter
http://ow.ly/sHUbr

Day 3: Doormat-ology
http://ow.ly/sHU3v

Day 4: Aisle of Love

http://ow.ly/sHU7C

Day 5: Cleaning Out the Cobwebs
http://ow.ly/sHTX1