Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Scripture says, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” Or “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Or this one I love: “Let your light shine before men and women in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Is your light shining Monday through Saturday? Do people see Jesus? Maybe it is time for me to quit preaching and for the rest of you to start preaching. Have a great week and share the good news!
https://mailchi.mp/06a67cd9872f/wednesday-wonderings-february-24-2021
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Welcome to a wintery Wednesday Wondering. I’m wondering, have you fallen on the ice lately? You know, that unexpected slip and fall. None of us like to admit to it. More importantly a lot of us end up looking around before we pick ourselves up off the ground, hoping that no one saw us flailing as we lost our grip and ended up on our bottom. More importantly, we don’t even admit when we’re sore because that arm hurts or that hip hurts or even worse. We don’t like to admit that we’ve been wounded, injured, or hurt.
Boy, that’s the way our world is so often. In the Book of Job chapter 24 it says, “From the city men and women groan and the souls of the wounded cry out.” So often we don’t share our hurts. We don’t share the wounds inside. And when we don’t, it makes them worse.
I hope and pray this Wednesday that you’re able to let people know you’re injured. More importantly that you’re able to let God know you’re injured, and let the grace and love of Jesus flow over you and bring healing into your life. Again, don’t hide it anymore, just admit it: I’ve slipped and fallen; I need help. Help to stand on my feet. Jesus loves you. Don’t forget it.
God bless. Have a wonderful day.
https://mailchi.mp/7b676b442dc3/wednesday-wonderings-february-17-2021
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Over the last few months, it’s been easy not to love. There have been some people who have said hurtful things, done hurtful things. People have left: church, organizations… And you know what? As much as it hurts, I still love them. I’m still crazy enough to love them. How about it? Who do you need to say, “I love you” to? Who do you need to hear it from? Maybe today is a day to start a new trend. Go ahead and take the risk. Say it. I love you.
thhttps://mailchi.mp/8aeaebea294a/wednesday-wonderings-february-10-2021
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Welcome to Wednesday Wonderings. Are you listening?????
No, I mean, are you listening? Have you put the car keys down, have you put the device down, have you turned the radio off? Whatever it might be, are you listening? You see our world is filled with sound and so often that’s exactly how we treat people. Their voice is just a sound. And we don’t listen.
In Proverbs it says, “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.” We’re called to listen to people! We may not agree, we may not understand, but do we listen to their story? Do we listen to their journey? Jesus listened to saints and to sinners. So how are your listening skills? I’m just wondering.
https://mailchi.mp/9f48e1e3c7e6/wednesday-wonderings-february-3-2021
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Over the last few months, we have really been able to choose a perspective. That perspective being: science or not, politics or not, economy or not, relationships or not, and the list goes on. What is your perspective? Simply put, maybe just positive or negative. Literally it means the ability to look through, to see clearly, somebody who is able to distinguish from incidental versus essential, temporary versus eternal or practical or whatever. How is your perspective?
Scripture says it clearly in Psalm 90 that life is short. Soon it will be gone; it’s like a sigh or like grass that sprouts. How are we looking at life? Today’s a day to be thankful, to rejoice, to be glad and to trust God.
https://mailchi.mp/bea65cc2ea32/wednesday-wonderings-january-27-2021
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
But there’s one thing we need to remember and that is Scripture. God’s Word is filled with exhortations to implant His truth in our hearts. David says that a young man can keep his life pure by treasuring God’s Word in his heart (Psalm 37:31; 119:9-11). Solomon refers to this in Proverbs 4:4:
“… let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live.”
Solomon goes on to encourage us to grasp the Word of God, to write it on the tablet of our heart or to have it ready on your lips. Proverbs 7:3 and 22:18. I’m wondering if 2021 is the time to challenge ourselves to memorize some Scripture? Let’s work on our memory – more importantly let’s work on the rock that can hold us together.
https://mailchi.mp/411df15d8842/wednesday-wonderings-for-january-20-2021
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
I’m just hoping that this year gives us a chance to work hard at improving ourselves. As it says in 1 Corinthians 6:12: “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” Maybe it’s time to look at some of our habits – bad, good, and somewhere in between and figure out a way to improve our lives and the lives of others. Have a GREAT day and thanks for wondering!
https://mailchi.mp/54a28c8a44fd/wednesday-wonderings-january-13-2021
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
But it’s also that time of year when I think, the prophets, they must have felt the same way. Jeremiah chapter 20 – “Why did I ever come forth from the womb to look on trouble and sorrow, so that my days have been spent in shame?” I mean, he struggled! He wondered where was God? Or later on where he says, “…Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.”
Let’s face it, it’s been a tough few months. And for many it’s just a struggle. And they wonder where is God? But just like Jeremiah, at some point he finally says, “All is well, all is well.”
Folks, it’s okay to struggle. It is okay to have a bad day. It’s okay to wonder what God is up to. But do we get back to that place of trusting the Almighty, the One who loves us, died for us, and is born for each of us. Have a great day and if you’re wondering, that’s okay.
Well, being a prophet is not an easy thing. And being a prophet nowadays is just about impossible. But if we look back at the prophets of the Old Testament, they were spot-on. Not an easy life, not a simple way of living. But they had the spirit of God resting upon them. Remember these words:
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us: and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, eternal Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Let’s not worry so much about being prophets but let’s be concerned with believing what the prophets told us and living out that life. Have a great day! God bless and Happy Advent.
I am reminded of the words of Paul, where he said: “…be ready in season and out of season.” Or, “…let us not lose heart…” Or, “And let endurance have its perfect result that you may be perfect.” Or, Abraham, where we’re reminded in Romans where it says: “…he did not waver…” Or, especially and most, Jesus, “Jesus is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Consistency is of the utmost importance in our spiritual journey. Jesus was consistent. We’re called to be consistent. As you celebrate the holidays, are we consistent?
Psalm 107:1-2, 8 “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story, those He redeemed from the hand of the foe… Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for all of humanity, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It has been a tough year and yet, God is good. And we need to be reminded of that as we break bread together, as we pray for one another, and as we again give thanks to God.
So, take the next step: listen, read and apply this whole idea of grace revisited. God bless. Have a wonderful day.
Or maybe this: How many books are in the New Testament? What type of insect did John the Baptist eat in the desert? What is the shortest book in the New Testament? Or how about: according to the gospel of Matthew, where does Jesus’ first public sermon take place?
What’s my point? We value knowledge. But so often we value knowledge that has very little to do with Jesus. So I’m wondering this day, how smart are you when it comes to the gospel, to the story of Jesus, to God’s plan for this crazy world? How biblically literate are you? I know I could be a whole lot smarter. I’m just wondering! Have a great and blessed day!
As I thought about warming up, there’s nothing better than a nice fire, especially in a fireplace. But remember this – a little sign that’s above one fireplace: “If your heart is cold, my fire cannot warm it.” Wow.
It is only God that can warm our hearts. And I’m wondering today, how warm is your heart? How filled are you with God? Are you hot, and excited about your relationship with God? Burning zeal, very warm? Or lukewarm, or cold, or icy?
This morning let’s pray together this prayer: “Lord, keep my heart warm. Stop me when I rev my motor and get to moving too fast toward stuff I think will make me happy. Guard me from this stupid tendency to substitute things for You.” Let’s get the warmth of God fired up within each of us and change our world. Have a great day. Thanks for wondering!
Good morning and welcome to Wednesday Wonderings. Not only do we need hope, but we need some joy! And I’ve been really thinking about this lately.
And so it’s Hallowe’en this week. How about this? Where does a ghost go on vacation? Mali-boo…. Yeah, or I like this one… Why did the DNR officer give the ghost a ticket? Because he didn’t have a haunting license…
We need some joy in our life. Part of that is also singing, songs, music. Ephesians chapter 5 says, … “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19) And I don’t mean just on Sundays in church. I mean every day, every moment, singing a song, a tune in your heart. There’s a melody there. Something that brings joy! So, have some joy, laugh a little bit, and enjoy the life God has given us.
Good morning and welcome to Wednesday Wonderings! It was a few weeks ago that I had the opportunity to celebrate my mother’s 89th birthday. That’s right, she turned 89! It was a great time of fellowship and fun with some of my siblings and my mom, but it also made me think, if she is 89, I must be 88! Well, you know what I mean. I’m getting old.
Welcome to Wednesday Wonderings. I’m wondering if you worshiped this weekend. That’s right. What a wonderful thing it was to get back together inside of church and to hear folks praise God together. It was simple – focused on the Word of God, focused on prayer, focused on praise. The basics. It’s really simple! Just pick up your Bible and take a look. You’ll see we’re called to teaching, and to fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, to equipping one another for service, for the building up of the body. Folks, it’s pretty basic. And I hope and I pray that as we continue to move forward that we move forward with those basics: standing in the word of God the rock, sharing the good news of Christ, helping people to find hope and grace in the world today. I hope you get back to the basics. I hope we get back to the basics and change our world for the better. God bless. Have a great day.
Welcome to Wednesday Wonderings. I’m wondering if you watched any football this past Sunday. In particular, did you watch the Dallas Cowboys game where it came down to the last few minutes and an onside kick? And sure enough, they actually got that onside kick! It never works! Never! But it did for them.
I thought it was interesting that when I choose this Wednesday Wonderings, it started out with a story about the Cowboys. But I chose it over a week ago. So God must really want us to remember that it ain’t over till it’s over. Or as He tries to teach us in Proverbs 19:21; “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Hey, it ain’t over. We’re called to keep moving on. Keep striving, stressing, struggling to succeed in what? In knowing that God is in control. That God is good and that our future is in God’s hands. So, it ain’t over. Keep on keepin’ on. And remember God’s plans are the best.
Hope you have a great, great week and I hope you recover an onside kick.
Welcome to Wednesday Wonderings. I know, you saw the number, you heard my voice, “Let’s stay connected… blah, blah, blah.” But I really want you to listen. I really would like you to think about isolation or involvement. Yeah, it just seems so apropos given our current situation. Isolation or involvement? We’ve been pushed into isolation, yet Scripture from Proverbs 18 says, “An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends, they defy all sound judgment. A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinion.” Isolation is really unhealthy, and I know many people feel isolated. So take a look at this Wednesday Wonderings. Ask the question and connect with somebody and get involved. God bless, and have a great day.
Welcome to Wednesday – I can’t believe we’re still – Wondering. That’s right! We’re six months into what I thought was going to be a few weeks of COVID-19. And over the last few weeks I’ve realized that this whole thing has really, REALLY caused a lot of stress, anxiety and tension in all aspects of my life and our lives. And I’ve realized that there are a lot of cracks in my wall. It’s caused me to really examine what’s important. It’s caused me to examine what it means to be a church, what it means to be a father, a husband, what it means to be a person who supposedly is a Christian. Have we examined our lives?
We’re about ready to begin a new church year. We’re about ready to face yet another journey with this whole COVID-19. How about it? In Mark chapter 7 it says, “’Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.’”
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
It’s interesting that in Proverbs it says in chapter 12 verse 10, “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” Huh. So if we’re kind to our animals, that means we’re closer to being who God wants us to be. Interesting! I didn’t even know that. But, I hope you take the time to read the devotional that is attached to an email that you get or to our website. It’s just a simple devotional that talks about what dogs can teach us about God and how they can impact our lives.