Paul Washer
The Gospel does not call us to receive Christ as an addition to our life, but as our life.
When Siblings Connect
Being Thankful For Small Things
You may know that I have seven kids. My oldest is a senior, and my youngest is about a year and a half right now. And I am continually amazed at the closeness that exists between my kids, almost all of the time.
A few weeks ago, my seven year old son made a statement that hasn’t left my mind ever since. Speaking to his oldest sister, who is beginning her senior year, he said, “Are you sure you want to go to college next year, instead of staying here and living with us?”
My daughter is a year away from college, but he is already beginning to panic. He knows that this is a crucial event, and that it will shake up his whole world. He is really bothered by this.
This week, our church attended a Springfield Cardinals game, and several of my kids signed up to go. As it turned out, I had an eye appointment that same day. With my latest episode of cancer being so near my eye, it seemed prudent to have it checked, just to make sure nothing was spreading that direction. (And it is all clear. That was a huge relief.)
Two of my kids stayed home, to ride with the church group later in the day, but my seven year old and my oldest daughter came with me. That was a perfect opportunity!
Coffee Break – 08.08.2016
Your Monday Dose Of Inspiration
On this day in history: In 1899, the refrigerator was patented by A.T. Marshall. In 1950, Whataburger opened its restaurant in Corpus Christi, TX. And in 1974, in an evening televised address, President Richard M. Nixon announced his intention to become the first president in American history to resign.
Pop Art Made From Coffee – I am always amazed at the creativity of humanity. People can do some pretty amazing things, and find very creative methods to do so. These pieces of art are good enough for a gallery, or to be hung in your home.
Newly Opened Sections Of Central Park – Central Park is an amazing piece of New York City. I visited once, when I was about 18 or 19. In such a large city, maintaining a relatively small parcel of land is an important job. But when you discover that there are whole sections of the park that have been closed for years, that is simple astounding.
The Day We Discovered Our Parents Were Russian Spies – I love history, and when you can see the faces of individual people within history, that makes it even more interesting. This story is long, but is well worth reading.
Sunscreen – Summer is nearing its end, but there is still a lot left. And with the sun staying longer in the sky during summer, it is important that you wear sunscreen. Here’s how that works:
Memorize Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17
Hiding God’s Word In Our Hearts
Peter has spent several paragraphs appealing for a lifestyle of holiness. He began by stating that this world is not our home, we are exiles. He expands on this in this week’s passage.
You can see Peter’s encouragement for yourself in 1 Peter 1:17.
Many times, one of the motivators for discipline is fear. For example, a parent can motivate a child by appealing to the child’s fear of the consequences or discipline that could come as a result. That is exactly what Peter does here. We are accountable to the Father, and if we neglect our responsibility to live holy lives, then we will face His discipline.
The Father will be the judge of our actions. He will judge each person in light of their actions, and his work will be impartial. And the fact that we may call ourselves a child of God won’t excuse inaction and unfaithfulness. We are called to be holy. The proper response is obedience.
God’s judgment is a theme that recurs throughout the Bible (See Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Psalm 62:12; Revelation 22:12, and many more). And as Christians, we should be very familiar with that concept, and ready to face it when the time comes. Being ready means living lives of holiness.
Once again, Peter reminds his readers that they are not citizens of this world. They are strangers, foreigners. This is not the same word the Peter used in verse 1. This word stands in contrast and complement to that, much like the description of Abraham in Genesis 23:4: “I am an alien and a stranger among you.”
Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell, I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of Hell.
C. T. Studd
Slow Down And Listen
Wisdom From An Apache Elder
Very often, I receive a stunning blow of wisdom from a completely unexpected source. That happened to me last month on our mission trip to the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Arizona.
We worked hard all week, demolishing some walls on a community youth center so that it could be repaired. Things were not going as well as we would have liked. The walls were pretty stout, and we not coming down like we wanted them to. And when you add the fact that we were working with limited tools and resources, it was going pretty slow.
We were also holding a Vacation Bible School in the afternoons for the kids of the community. Again, we were pretty frazzled, trying to run the bus through the community in a timely fashion, and do all the things we had planned for that portion of our days. We were working pretty hard, no matter where we were. And that was a good thing; we are called to work with all of our might, especially as we work for the Lord.
On our final day in this community, when the kids had all been loaded on the bus for the return route through the community, dropping them off at their homes, I stayed behind, waiting at the community center. We were having a special dinner that night, and one of the local Apache ladies was providing some freshly made fry bread for us. So I lingered, waiting on her to arrive, and the rest of the group to return.
As I was sitting there on the porch, and elderly Apache slowly made his way over from his home across the street. He sat beside me for a while, without even speaking. He just joined me in sitting and enjoying the breeze. I soon found out his name was John Longfeather.
Top Posts For July 2016
Reviewing The Month On JeffRandleman.com
It seems like it was just a few days ago that my kids were out of school and looking forward to summer vacation. And now, teachers are back, my daughter is taking a test as I write this to determine her placement in public school from home school, and my boys are spending time with their cousins at Grandma’s house for one last summer fling.
August has arrived. The fall is just around the corner. Summer has been full of mission trips, camps, vacations, excursions and more. We spent time at the pool, in the yard, on the porch, with family and friends, and enjoyed every minute of it.
I was challenged by an elderly Apache by the name of John Longfeather to slow down and listen, or I might miss something. I was encouraged by a bunch of knife collectors who rallied around me and raised some funds to help pay for my cancer surgery. I rediscovered hope in the midst of hopelessness at a place called Suicide Canyon. I sat in the waiting room while one of my kids underwent an MRI on her head. Our home was invaded for several weeks by family and friends. A lot has impacted me this summer, and impacted my family. I hope I paid attention close enough to learn something. I hope I slowed down enough to listen.
This week, I am preparing a message for Sunday on John 4, where Jesus interacts with the woman at the well. He tells Nicodemus, in chapter three, to be born again. He tells this woman to taste the living water. In both cases, he meets people where they are and gives them what they need.
This summer, God has met me where I am. He has met me in my busyness. He has met me in my stress and worry. He has met me in my frustrations. And he has spoken to me, giving me what I need. I pray that I can hold onto it, and let it permeate into my life.