EMAILS, TEXTS, POSTS AND TWEETS

A lot has been going on within our family's beloved university.  Scandal, scandal and more scandal.  Word travels fast and furious when scandal is involved.  There are emails, texts, posts and tweets exchanged at a furious pace.  National news picks up the information and carries it over the airways.  I just want to say STOP!  Enough already.  Let's just wait for the true facts to come out, make an announcement and then go on from there.

Information can be gathered with a click of a button (or keyboard as it is).  It travels through airways in nano seconds.  Amazing how fast the "word" can get around.

I'm guilty too of emailing, texting, posting and tweeting.  I'm either excited or traumatized with information and want to discuss it with my family.  I want to be in the know, know the truth.

In John 1:43-50, scripture tells us in early days, word spread by mouth.  Jesus called Philip and Philip followed.  Excited Philip found Nathanael, told him what he saw and knew and Nathanael followed.  The simple words "Come follow me" or "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law" was all that needed to be spoken.

You know, in emails, texts, posts and tweets, words can be misinterpreted, misunderstood and can often cause anxiety when read without actually hearing the writers voice for interpretation.  Yet, somehow, God's words have power just as they are written - no other interpretation needed.  There is no contradiction, no misinterpreting His true meanings.  God's Word has the power to draw people to Himself, instruct, reprimand, build up and change lives for eternity (in the best way).

Do your words in emails, texts, post and tweets gather people to our Lord or do they simply spread news, gossip or scandal?  Do they build up or cause anxiety.  Jesus' words were powerful and always built up, comforted, guided, instructed and poured out love.  They were so powerful people would follow Him when he called.  

I am grateful for God's Word and pray my next email, text, post or tweet will be words to draw people to follow Christ.

Sweet and Sour Gospel

Political correctness has become a hot topic over the past few years.  We are so afraid of expressing God's truth in love and kindness that it's difficult to say anything these days without offending someone.

It made me think about what I know of God's Word.  The truth of it.  The fact that it is sufficient to hold it's own.  It is enough just as it is because it is pure and perfect just as He gave it.  

Debt. 4:2 says we should not add to nor take from God's Word, what He commands.  If it is sufficient and perfect, why do so many try to honey coat it by adding or removing things to make it more pleasing to others in hopes they will desire to follow it.  Doing this only dilutes God's character and the truth.

If it is sufficient and perfect, why do we make it so sour and burdensome to another that they feel hopeless in living up to God's standards?  Burdensome mandates are added in attempt to making people better when all they need is Jesus.  Salvation seems unattainable  and therefore people want nothing to do with the free gift it really is. 

Sweet and sour gospel is what I call it.  But the truth is that it is neither.  It is perfect, pure and sufficient just as God gave it out.

I am grateful for His true and perfect Word.  Do you add to or take from His perfect Word?  If so, will you trust Him in that what He has given is sufficient for your salvation and that of others?  Will you share His Word just as it is, trusting Him to draw others to Himself?

MASTER CARPENTER

We are in the process of having wood floors installed in the entire downstairs of our house.  For those who have ever done this while living in your home, you will know the difficulties of this experience.  However, I must say, I am thrilled with the two gentlemen who are installing the floors.  George and his son, Richard are what I would consider master floor carpenters.  He was recommended after installing floors in my son's home.  

The great thing about George and Richard is not only their expertise and quick turnaround, but they conduct the cleanest and tidiest installation I have ever seen.  They show up at just the right time, are always working to make everything just right and when the day is over, the work area is pristine.  Who wouldn't recommend George and Richard!

Isn't that the way our Lord is?  His timing is perfect, not interrupting us but coming along side us to make things just right.  His handiwork in our lives is precise.  His finishings are pure and spotless at all times.  And when He finishes His plans for us, we are made BEAUTIFUL!  He is truly the master carpenter of our lives.

I am so grateful....I will not only recommend George and Richard, but give my highest recommendation for others to seek out God's master work in their lives. Allow God to do His work on us and make us into a stunning work of art.

Won't you look to Him and ask for His hand in all you do?