Wednesday's Word - Lost in Translation

Lost in Translation

Have you seen the new AT&T commercial? The one that comes on with Gene Wilder singing “Pure Imagination” from the first “Willy Wonka” movie? I actually think they’ve done a pretty good job recalling the wonder of being 5 years old. Can you think back to when you were 5 and anything was possible? Sunshine wasn’t just sunshine, it was SUNSHINE!!!! And scraped knees were met with such tender love and care. So what happened? Is sunshine less special? And I scarcely can remember how I got a few of the scars I have. I think the Bible sheds a clear understanding of exactly what happens.
Here’s The Word:
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Not that childishness, or rather, child-likeness is something to be shunned or looked down upon. I believe that it should be embraced and enjoyed to the fullest. But we also realize that it’s temporary just like much of this life. Maturing is simply part of an awakening process. There is another process that Christians experience at the moment of conversion. It’s not much of a physical transformation like growing up, as it is Spiritual where we cross over from death to life (John 5:24). In this process we find ourselves awakened to the real spiritual impact of our sin, and the great love shown in that Christ has took our punishment for us. Spiritual grief (or scars) comes when I disregard God’s direction or allow the old ways to control my actions.
The common thread between these two: maturing to adulthood, and becoming a Christian, is that they both happen to me in this same body: A body that’s destined for dust….or so it would seem.
There’s another awakening process that I’m wholly looking forward to that will be the exception. We call it translation; The idea is embodied in the following Scripture:
Here’s the Word:
1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
In the translation, we enter the eternal state, where I will know as I am known (1 Cor 13:12)….fully. And all of this temporary stuff will be left behind. No more scars, no more sufferings and tears. Nope! All that will be lost in translation.

Wednesday's Word - Instant Replay

Sooooooo,

what's your button? you know your button right? not your belly button, your other button; You know, that thing, that circumstance, that situation that never fails to send you careening over the emotional edge internally, or possibly more dangerous, externally. Is it rudeness? is it situations that require patience when you're all out? or is it simply the ability of life to blindside you with a myriad of dips and turns that even Calgon can't take you away from? (sorry if you're not old enough to remember Calgon commercials). If you have no buttons, kudos to you. But if you're like me and you do have buttons, even small ones, read on.



Soooooo, next question;

What's the last 3 awesome things God has done in your life? feel free to go right past 3 to 30 or 300 if you have the time. We serve an awesome God Who's mercies are hot off the press each morning. (Lamentations 3:23) and I can't imagine it taking too long to find at least one thing to be thankful for everyday. But some days are even better than that. Some days God does such a move in your life or delivers a blessing your way that puts in a state of WOW! Those are the highlight moments in your life. Like those moments that sports shows love to replay even to this day. I mean who hasn't seen Michael Jordan, tongue out, red Bulls uniform, soaring from the free throw line during the dunk contest. You can see it right? In the same way we need to recall, remember even replay those events that glorify God in our own lives.



Here's the Word.

Psalm 111:4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.


Soooooo, lets' match up the two.
You've got wonderful remeberances of when God has done awesome things in your life. And you've also got a button that doesn't produce shall we say, "productive" results. How bout making those negaive things your instant replay button. I know sounds crazy and maybe even seemingly impossible but try it and see. Next time that lady with 17 items in the 12 item express line starts writing that check. INSTANT REPLAY!!! Remember that time when God did that thing and...... yeah, GOD IS AWESOME!!! - Now that's a Christian response!




let me know how it goes,

In Him,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - Ouch!

Hello All,

You know if there's one thing I really DON'T like about being a Christian? Sorry, I know that's not the most positive way to start off but bear with me... I don't like that I'm not bulletproof. I mean it could stand to reason that once I've passed from death to life (1 John 3:14), and I've become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) that a nice "S" on my chest and a bunch of other super powers would be fitting right? I mean I'd have NO problem with "meek and mild" as a cover but when painful situations put me in its crosshairs ....BAM!!!! Commence to terminate with extreme prejudice!!! ... But I digress, because the word doesn't say that.
Here's the word:

Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world

Ahhhhh..... OK, breathe out. It does my heart well to know that trouble doesn't last always, and when I spend time in The Word, I have less hangup about it not being my job to put an end to it. The LORD will deliver. And with resolve, I reflect on the reality that pain is part of the process by which I am "becoming new". I focus more on fruit of the Spirit(Gal 5:22), and God's strength being made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor 12:19) and HIM being glorified.
WOW! what a revelation. I know its okay to be angry about evil, but being upset about not being bulletproof lets me know that I haven't totally won the fight to "die daily" and that my fight against pain and suffering, is really a fight against me......Ouch!


In Him,
Cros