Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Foreman Grill

Psalms 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."

I probably speak for many of us when I say that the Foreman Grill has been worth it's weight in gold. In my career as a consumer of cheap meats, frozen in a package, I have watched this device turn mud into magic. I love to watch the fat drip off the meat guaranteeing that my mouth will only experience the leanest of portions. Up until my recent meat smoking trials on the barby, the Foreman Grill was tough to beat, it was highly efficient. This morning my pal and I were in the Word and we both got hit with this picture of our lives (in Faith) being like a slab of meat on a Foreman Grill. We come to the grill (Jesus), take a leap to experience the heat (the Spirit or what everyone is talking about, "this Jesus thing"), and watch as the fat (sin) drips off and we become a more pure and enjoyable piece of meat (human being). Our desires change, our dependence on worldly recognition disappears, being stressed out by the things of the world fade away. We become more ready to meet the King.

I say all this in relation to the above verse because we have to take the step/leap or even chance on Jesus. Give God a try, taste a little bit of Jesus, pick up your dusty Bible and put your nose in it, smell it, feel it, hear it, but first of all like an infant who puts everything in it's mouth, taste it. Taste and see that the Lord is good! He is all we need, try it out one time.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Why Do We Do What We Do?

"We try to manage behavior in the hope that it will change alienation (being apart from God) but the scriptures teach that alienation is handled (Christ's sacrifice) so that takes care of our evil deeds (sin)"
Matt Chandler

This really hit me today and reminded me of how my foundational instincts (which are sinful by nature) are to manage my behavior in order to draw closer to God or to reap blessings. It's crazy because I know better than to do this but yet the battle is still heavy. I keep trying to earn his love and blessings and it leads me to being depressed because my mind condemns me. But I know better because of Romans 8.

Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

We aleady have the victory so let's draw closer by not being strangers to His Word (reading, podcasts, church, fellowship, etc...)

I would love to hear some stories or other methods how people draw closer to the Lord.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

For Freedom Has Come

Fellas on the day we celebrate our independence and freedom as a nation I can't help but think of also celebrating our freedom in Christ. Here is a short video of a benediction or poem by Jimmy Needham. It always hits home with me. Enjoy.

trying to die to myself,
-tmart