EVERY HOUSE HAS ONE

Yet, it's been called the least read book of all time. On display in a bookcase, as an historical record of family events in an honored place, a coffee table item, the Holy Bible is a book that is bought by many but unread by most. Not only in its entirety, in books of the Bible, in chapters, in verses. Anyway you can cut it, it's a book that mostly goes unread.

Even Christians may go from Sunday to Sunday without reading their Bible. The same Christians may follow Jesus all through the week in prayer and in how they live their lives. Yet they won't open the book that guides them in their walk.

It has been said that the Bible is the book that will keep you from sin. Or it is sin that will keep you from the book.

Yes, there's power in the blood of the lamb. And there's power in the book. You have it at your fingertips. Use it.

I'M ALL EARS

One of the cool things about God is how He works. He's full of surprises.

When we went to Israel and Mount Carmel where Elijah called down fire from Heaven, it was one of the most fantastic stops of all. Just to picture that event, just to know that we were there, actually at or certainly near the exact spot, was just awesome.

If he wasn't before, he is now one of my favorites. In 1 Kings 19:9, God speaks to him when Elijah was hiding in a cave, "Why are you here?" (instead of doing the Lord's work).

And the Lord appeared to him. Not in the wind that shook the mountain and shattered rocks, not in the earthquake that followed; not even in the fire. (1 Kings 11-13)

But the Lord appeared to him in a gentle breeze, in the still small voice.

He wasn't in the huge events, the whirlwinds of his life, but in a gentle breeze. How cool.

He's still like that. Waiting for us to do meaningful work for Him. That's why He asks us, too,"Why are you here?"

A TUBA THIS BIG

Last week we took our grandsons swimming at the Holiday Inn. My wife and I also took our granddaughter swimming, too, but since she's nearly 11, she had gone to change early. My wife took our older grandson and left me with the little guy, age 5.

Nathan knows only one speed--fast. He took off running in the hotel hall with me trailing. I could see it all play out but couldn't stop it.

"Nathan, Nathan, Nathan," I yelled, but too late. He ran full speed into a window that he thought was an opening next to a door. Fortunately, he wasn't hurt, the window didn't shatter, Nathan didn't cry. In fact he popped up, even thought it knocked him on his backside.

It's the first time I've ever thought I was like the Holy Spirit. I could see the danger ahead, I could warn, but it was up to him to listen. How many times has the Holy Spirit seen me making wrong decisions, not being aware of my surroundings, going recklessly full speed ahead, and yelling at me, "Ted Ted, Ted: watch out! slow down! don't, please don't go there"?

And how many times like Nathan have I not paid attention, have thought I knew better, not recognized the danger even when I though none there?

Maybe the tuba in the picture would help. But somehow I can't picture me or the Holy Spirit with one of those.

FOCUSED





I'm as guilty as the next at losing focus. I had to stop myself from typing MY focus. And that's telling in itself.





In our Sunday School class, OK Adult Bible Fellowship class--I'm trying to "get with it", a question asked "Jesus makes it clear that we need God's power to face temptations and to stand against satan's attacks. What are some practical ways God might answer these requests in your life?"



My answer was it all being about focus. I made reference to a photo that has helped me, and it's pictured on this blog entry today. The picture of the eye reflecting the cross. When I think of that, it puts the emphasis in the proper perspective. That's right, Pastor Rick, it's not about me at all.



Another item I learned in Sunday School is that satan is not a proper name, thus no capitalization. Satan simply means adversary. Scripture often denotes him as evil or the evil one. In fact the NIV in Luke 11:4b states, "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one". That's why I go to Sunday School. Well, one reason. Also, I just feel good there. It just helps me keep the focus, too.

BE TOPS

What is God asking us to do? He's cleansed us with His amazing grace. In itself, this act should produce in us a heart of obedience(Isaiah 6:8). But to simplify, and don't think that I think anything is very simple, He's asking us to B-TOPS.

First, He wants us to Be in The Word. If you love God you want to know more about Him. There's one way:Be.

Secondly, Trust in Him. He's in control anyway. From His vantage point, He knows all past, present, and future. Give it up. He desires it:He deserves it.

Three, Obey. If you love Him, you will obey Him. If for no other reason than to please Him.

Fourth, Pray. Often. Don't deny yourself access to the Father. And don't forget that Jesus is also praying to the Father for us.(John 17:15) If He can pray for us, can't we also pray for ourselves?

Finally, Serve. To be tops with God, He wants us to serve Him. Start by loving others. You'll find it easier to be less self-centered. And you will be obeying, trusting; you'll be following The Word and the second most important commandment, and I'm certain you'll be in prayer as well.

Maybe that's why the S is last. It sums up. I can't say it's the most important. I'd say they are all vital to a healthy spiritual life.

THE VERY VOICE

I love depictions of children flocking (pun, if you like) to Jesus. Because Jesus loves His flock. Because Jesus loves the little children of the world. Because I notice how young children love to be around their pastors. They want love and they know love and they see it in their pastors.

The phrase "Ipissima Vox" is Latin for the very voice. Now we may not have the very voice that Jesus said, probably more of a paraphrase because of translations and records and the Holy Spirit who revealed through the writers that which was God breathed. But we can still hear His voice, His very voice. And when I go to purchase a new Bible, as I did this week, I insist on red lettering for Jesus' very words, His very voice.

So why was I buying another Bible? We have several in our house Some from many years ago. I recently weakened the spine of my favorite Bible--I'd love to say from overuse, but I think it more a case of misuse:I often times do my BSF homework outside in the warm sun. And my second favorite Word is getting better taken care of. Others were gifts from my grandmother, or from the church when I entered first grade. Some are very big, and I needed a travel Bible.

Not the little pocket ones, but one with a soft cover. After searching for forty-five minutes or so, I found just the one I wanted. It looked masculine, it was not too compact, it wasn't too expensive, and it had Jesus' words in red. Plus, I bought it at a Christian bookstore. What's more, it left me on my own with the Holy Spirit to guide me. That is, there are no notations, no commentaries, no explanations Just me and the Spirit and Ipissima vox.

YES, YOU

It's funny about scripture. And how it talks to you.

What verse do you claim? What verses have you in your memory bank? What verse(s) has gotten you through a difficult situation? What are your favorite bible verses?

We had a guest speaker Sunday because our pastor and his wife were returning from a much needed vacation. Rev. Engram was a former pastor of our pastor, so he really had some stories to tell on Rob. There was this time in Ohio when...just kidding, Pastor.

He was speaking about the four dominant factors to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:42) and the message hit me hard. At least the part about the apostles' doctrine of God. Pastor Engram said it was necessary to love the Word of God. Now, that's nothing earth shattering. Of course as followers of Jesus we love the Word. But I got to thinking, "Do I really?"

I mean I'm in several different Bible studies, but two have taken the Summer off. The third only meets when a majority are there. Which hasn't been the case too often lately. So outside of Sunday services, where has been my bible study? Answer: my religious calendar and for the most part The Daily Bread and a sporadic Christian blog entry. Is that love?

What if I gave my wife and family no more attention than that? What about the sports page and ESPN? I seem to have found time for them during my Off Season.

Thanks for the wake up call, Pastor Don. I needed that. And I'm going to the Word now. I'll open up The Bible to Mark, that seems like a good place to start today. God will give me a verse. Just for me. If only I ask Him. I will. You, too.

TRY A LITTLE PRAYER

The policemen pictured are from India. They are trying to relieve stress by laughing. Organized laughter.

Now I like to laugh as much as the next guy. Does it relieve stress? I think so. That's what I always thought a Teachers' Lounge was for.

But it's only temporary. Not prayer.

Praying is a great reliever of stress. Remember the old hymn "I Must Tell Jesus"? One phrase in that song says,"Jesus alone." It's not the focus of the song, but it might as well be. We need to tell Jesus. We need to be alone with Him. And we need to unload our burdens on Him. He, alone.

Prayer time is important to me. Not just before bed, not just as I rise in the morning, not just at meal times. Not even our Prayer Works ministry Sunday morning before church services. But prayer during the day.

I find myself enjoying my morning walks without my wife. Not that I don't love being with her and sharing our exercise. But it takes me away from some serious prayer time. I walk rather slowly, unfortunately, so I have plenty of time in a 2-3 mile walk to have a devotion. A mediatation. A prayer.

There's lots to pray for. There's lots to praise for. Try it. But don't forget to laugh, too.