The Speechless Sin

Ever been lost for words? Tongue tied? Speechless? Perhaps with good news such as the birth of a child or promotion at work. Or…perhaps with not so good news such as a diagnosis or layoff. Your mouth opens and nothing comes out…followed by nothing again.

Forget the good or not so good. What about sin? Wait, wait, wait…time out. Let’s not talk about sin. Who struggles with sin? Not me. Must be you. What’s that verse again? Something about a log in my eye. Right…

Sin often cripples and leaves us speechless with blame and shame. Who wants to talk of that? But, we have a voice. We have an advocate.

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But, if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (1st John 1:1-2)

It is not either or. It is both and. We must cling to Christ if we are to experience the free life and when sin hits we have an advocate who will speak on our behalf and has already paid the price. So simple…yet so impossibly amazing!

No more wallowing in silence. Lift your head and praise the Lord. And let’s not forget the world. John Piper says it best. Don’t hog Jesus! Families, friends, and neighbors wallow day in and out. Share your advocate. Share Jesus! Until next time. Jed.

God's Pie

An intriguing video. Money aside…this video can apply to all walks of life. Especially your time.

What Will You Have For Lunch

Chicken noodle or peanut butter? The options for my daughter’s lunch. She went with chicken noodle. A good choice…especially with the winter weather. What will you have for lunch?

This choice will be one of many today. After all…we live in America. Where choices and options abound. Just look at toothpaste. Baking soda anyone? Cavity protection or whitening? Gel or paste? Mint or fruit flavored? Name brand or offshoot? Sensitive teeth too? Toothpaste claims an entire aisle within the store. Toothpaste is serious business.

But…the choices and options have just started. Looking only within our baths…we have conditioners, deodorants, scrubs, shampoos, soaps, sprays, etc. Wow! And…without hesitation we pay the bill. We don’t think twice. We put in the time. To ensure we have this or that. Even going out of our way or paying a little more.

Kind of nuts. Isn’t it? Putting so much thought into our hair, teeth, and underarms. But…what about God? How much thought heads His way? Well...we listen to that Christian radio station. Say a quick prayer or two while plowing through the snow covered roads. Oh ya…we even read that Christian blog. We’re good. Aren’t we?

I’m not here to condemn. Just wanting to give a second or third thought as Jesus stands and knocks (Revelation 3:20). We pursue the best for ourselves…with all the products noted above. But, do we pursue God? We carefully mold and shape our hair. But, do we allow God to mold and shape our hearts?

As Jesus stands and knocks…let’s answer and sit with our Savior. Pursue God’s best! Until next time. Jed.

A little humor before leaving. What’s the slogan for hillbilly toothpaste? If it was made for more than one tooth, we’d call it teethpaste. Ha ha.

Just Your Average Sparrows

The birds. Nope…not Alfred Hitchcock. Just your average sparrows. What do they do and where do they go during the winter? Who needs or wants a winter blast? Not me! Be good and fly south my feathered friends. Wish I could join ya.

Don’t worry. We’ll avoid the theology between these questions and you. Let’s simply keep it simple.

A week or so ago, I was driving and trudging through the snow covered roads. While praying for sanity and safety, two sparrows landed directly in my path. A few pecks and off they went. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Matthew 10:29-31 notes, “What is the price of two sparrows – one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid – you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

Landing while I was praying…these sparrows were a simple reminder. A gentle touch from God. He catches, leads, and loves!

Listen up church! People are seeking these sparrows. Are you communicating the catching, leading, and loving nature of God? Without spot or wrinkle. Holy and worthy. Simply awesome...

Just your average sparrows. What do they do and where do they go? Not sure. But…what an amazing testament to the faithfulness and readiness of God. Until next time. Jed.

Trust? Not A Chance!

Earlier today I pulled up to a stop sign and trusted my wife. She claimed all was clear and off we went without demise.

Trust is powerful. After all...I trusted my wife with my life. No doubts, glances, fears, or worries. Just the word go and off we went. We trust people from all walks of life. Doctors to heal. Officers to protect. Pastors to counsel. Teachers to teach. And the list marches on. But...trusting God seems to be a stretch and life overtakes.

I love my kids and kids love trust. A lion could be charging or asteroid colliding. But...my kids would feel safe and secure within my arms (although we know better). Why? Because of trust. No doubts, glances, fears, or worries. Just absolute and simple trust.

We try and crack the code or untangle the mystery. At times…this mystery is ok unsolved. The answer may remain elusive. Hidden despite our best efforts to seek. Why? Why the diagnosis? Why the pain? Why the stress? Let's take the lead from the kids. Here comes the lion or asteroid. So...jump into the arms of God. Safe and secure with absolute and simple trust.

Abraham left without a defined end...and guess what. Abraham found home (Hebrews 11:8)! He trusted God and God delivered and secured home. How about you? On a journey without a defined end. Not sure of the how, when, where, or why. Just trust. Haunted by fears and questions. Just trust. Plagued by popular opinions. Just trust. Unsure of...

Just TRUST!

Give and release this journey to God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart...He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). Now...that's words to live by. Say bye bye to doubts, glances, fears, or worries. Listen for the word go and trust! Until next time. Jed.