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The Element of Fear :: How It Almost Always Works and Usually Never Lasts
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I received an email not long ago that left me shocked and petrified in a way that I haven’t experienced in some time. It started light and easy. A warning. A good message: never use text messaging while driving.
I agree 100%.
I’ll be the first to admit that I have, in the past, utilized the text feature on my phone while behind the wheel. Guilty. But I’ve never experienced any pain, suffering or injury. I have veered into the shoulder area and/or crossed the sacred yellow line a few times, but never actually had an accident. And I would say, before this email, I was about 85% on the side of being against texting while driving. In my head, from my small swerves and questionable attention to detail, I had surmised that this was a habit worth avoiding. At least as long as there wasn’t anything urgent or pressing, anyway.
But when push came to shove, I would pick that phone up and text away if I really needed to communicate at that moment. (What did we do before cell phones, anyway?)
You see, the idea that I could really, really hurt myself or someone else had not become a reality for me just yet. It hadn’t hit home. And while I didn’t want that realization through a collision or a trip into a ditch, I knew in the back of my mind that I really shouldn’t test fate with this.
I knew it.
But I didn’t. Not really. Not until that email. Read More→
Why Present Tense is Good News For You and Me
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What’s the difference in these words?
Cleansed :: Cleanses
Same word, right? Same idea? Same meaning?
You would be tempted to think so, and in so doing, find yourself on the short side of God’s immeasurable grace.
1 John 1:7 tells us that Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all our sin. All our mess and failings. All that separates us from God. Scroll over that verse and notice the tense there. What if it said “cleansed?” What if it said Jesus’ blood cleansed us of all our sin the moment we accepted Him as Savior? Past tense. Singular event. That would still be a pretty awesome feat.
But what about tomorrow?
And the next day? Read More→
2000 And Counting :: What We Can All Learn From UK’s Historic Acheivement
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On December 21, 2009, the University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball program defeated their opponent, Drexel University, by a score of 88-44, reaching 12-0 and the best start in the school’s decorated history. Even better than back in the days of Adolph Rupp in 1931 who started 10-0. (That colossal structure they play in was named after that man, by the way.)
Well done fellas. Pretty good start, I’d say. Impressive to say the least.
But that was hardly what all the confetti, cakes, guest speakers, former players, excess media coverage, custom printed “UK2K” shirts, commemorative tickets and general hoopla were all about.
Not even close. Read More→
I’ll Take the Hippo, Please! :: Thoughts on Asking and Receiving
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Christmas is an odd time of year, is it not? The dichotomy of lowly Mary and Joseph in the stable, birthing the Savior of the world as a defenseless baby in the most unpretentious surroundings imaginable juxtaposed with the mad-rush commercialism and gimmie-gimmie mentalities that plague our nation. It can be a lot to deal with. How do the two even make sense together?
Last week, my wife and I were a part of a production called Behold the Lamb of God, a musical re-telling of the coming of Christ into the world. Before the main performance, there was a section called Songwriters in the Round that we were also asked to participate in. We gladly accepted and began the process of figuring out what songs to perform that would fit within our gifting…two singers and a guitar are limited in some ways.
The standards were considered: ”Silent Night”, “O Holy Night”, “What Child Is This” and the like were all thoughtfully scrutinized, studied and thought over. What songs would faithfully capture this picture of great humility that is Jesus born in a manger? What songs would adequately convey His grandeur and basic awesomeness?
“What Child is This” made the cut. Full of revelation about this dual role of Jesus both as man and Son of God seemed absolutely fitting and perfect for a setting such as this. Plus, I already had a good arrangement worked out that I enjoyed playing immensely.
What about that other one, though? What would work?
“What about ‘I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas?’” my wife chimed in. I gave her a cursory glance and continued on in pursuit of what we were really going to be singing. I mean, who in their right mind would sing such a goofy song on such a big stage? Who would want to do that?
Tricia would. Read More→
We All, Like Cats, Have Gone Astray
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I remember my first meeting with Sapphire like it was yesterday. I had just spent the last three hours wooing and impressing her owner, Tricia, over an extended, first-date meal at Rafferty’s. Truth be told, I was probably a big dork, but I suppose I was suave enough to deserve an invite back to her place for a viewing of Wild Hogs and my first introduction to Tricia’s fat cat duo: Toby and Sapphire.
Upon walking into the apartment, I saw both felines give us the “oh, its just you” look, quietly instructing us with their stares to keep the noise down and to stay out of their way. It was quite clear that they were not excited or shaken by our presence. This was their home, I quickly realized; the arrogance in their eyes plainly conveying that fact, glaring as if to say, “I see you there and just need to make it very plain that we run this place and you are the guest.”
I figured I would make nice with Toby first. Aside from his gargantuan size, he looked rather harmless. So I headed over to where he was laying and extended my hand in a gesture of peace and welcome. He gave me a cursory sniff, but made no bones about the fact that he wasn’t excited at all about my approach or my condescending pat on the top of his head. He was done with me before we started. Classic. This one’s a jerk, I quickly surmised.
And the next thing I knew, Sapphire was on me like a fat kid on a cupcake… Read More→
