Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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Sunday, May 04, 2008

Jesus Is the Same

by Tom Norvell


Have you ever noticed that nothing seems to stay the same very long?

Take a walk through an appliance store sometime and notice the new technology since you purchased your refrigerator or stove or dishwasher. After our fire last year, we discovered that Microwaves now have buttons on them, instead of just one dial.

Have purchased a television lately? Prepare yourself. Get ready to hear things like HDTV and Blu-ray. (Don't ask me, but I know a guy who can help you.) I wonder what my Dad would think if he could watch Bonanza in HD? He just wanted to see it in color.

What about your telephone? Can you remember a rotary dial? What about a party line? The cell phone I now own can be held in my palm and it can do more and hold more information that the first two or three computers I owned. Can you remember what it was like not to have a cell phone? Did you know there was such a time?

Some of you drive automobiles that talk to you. Someone thousands of miles away can tell you your location, when and where to make your next turn, how much fuel is in your tank, and should you have an accident they can tell what kind of accident it was. Do you remember when most cars had no seat belts in them?

People change too. Have you noticed? While sorting through some old photographs my children had a good time kidding me about some of the clothes that I wore during my college days. I explained to them that that really was the style. That did not change their opinion. Before you make fun of me, dig out your box of old photos and see what your hair looked like twenty years ago ... or five years ago.

Life is full of change. Most are good. Most are for the better. Most are enjoyable once we get used to them. I do not know anyone who wants to go back to the days of black and white TVs, no remote, test patterns at midnight, and only three channels to choose from. I have not heard anyone say, "I wish my car still had that clear plastic cover over the seats that got so hot and stuck to you in the summer."

Our bodies change -- don't worry, I'm not going any further with that thought. Our families change. Our health conditions change. Organizations change, or they disappear. We change mentally. We change spiritually. We change intellectually. Our governments change.

Change is inevitable. Most of us would not want our spiritual life to be where it was when we first came to an understanding of God's story. Still, change can be difficult. The more we resist it, the more difficult it is, and the faster things seem to change. Even those of us who like change can only take so much before it begins to overwhelm us.

In a world that is constantly changing it is good to know that one thing does not change. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

As you are faced with changes coming at you faster than you can comprehend, focus on Jesus. Before you lose your bearings and feel overwhelmed, focus on Jesus. When you long for something that is stable, solid, and unchanging, focus on Jesus. If you find yourself paralyzed by fear and overwhelmed by change, focus on Jesus. He does not change. He is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Be Back Soon

Monday, April 14, 2008

Loving God

by Paul Faulkner


One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matthew 22:35-38 TNIV).

How do you go about showing your love to God? A friend of mine said, "We could try giving presents to God, but the delivery problems are immense!"

Maybe the best way is by seeking to be like Him. That's the greatest compliment.

Things like loving your neighbor without regard for his or her "lovableness"; showing compassion for those who suffer, or for those who are small and can't defend themselves.

Intimacy with God occurs not so much in worship at church, but in transformed character that can endure silence and solitude as well as do ordinary tasks in an extraordinary way for ordinary people. By a person like you, who is willing to let God have His way in your life in all the little things.

What better gift can you give to God than yourself?

Monday, March 24, 2008

Expectations

by Tom Norvell


Expectations are interesting. If we make them high, we can set ourselves up for disappointment. If we keep them low, then we run the risk living with an attitude of futility.

The college student dreams of a day with no more term papers, no more tests, no more pop quizzes, and no more tuition payments. "Once I get my degree I'll have the world by the tail on a downhill pull." Then, reality sets in. Work becomes an every day all day event. No skipping out on work to "just hang out with friends." No more being able to sleep late every day. Our expectations may exceed our reality.

A couple gets married filled with expectations of what married life will be like. One envisions a quiet dinner by candlelight every night. One imagines frequent leisurely strolls along the beach holding hands as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon with regularity. One dreams of evenings filled with endless meaningful conversation. One fantasizes of constant and amazing sexual experiences ... every night. One imagines a bank account that never runs low on funds. Bills are always paid on time or in advance. Our expectations may exceed our reality.

Before the baby is born parent's expectations are plentiful. "Our baby will probably sleep through the night, potty train herself, and never speak a defiant word." "Our child will never throw a fit in the middle of the grocery store." "Our child will be healthy, good looking, and the smartest in the class." Our expectations may exceed our reality.

What was expected to be a long-term relationship ended another disappointment. No explanation. No real reason. It just ended. The relationship did not live up to our expectations.

The job we expected to take us to the top of the corporate ladder led to the destruction of our family and ruined our health. The career did not meet our expectations.

We invest our energy -- our time, our hopes, our dreams, and our very selves -- in what we believe will provide us with fulfillment and a meaningful life. Later we discover that we feel more alone and confused than before.

What does this tell us about expectations? Are there lessons we can learn?

First, try to love people and expect very little in return. Don't expect them to love you in return. Just love them. Don't expect a "Thank you!" Don't demand they respect you or honor you for your deeds. Don't expect to be praised for your good deed. Don't expect to hear from them years later telling you how much your gift of love meant to them. Just love them and expect very little in return.

Second, don't expect things to give meaning to your life. Things don't last. Stuff will wear-out. Life is not always fair, and we don't always get what we think we deserve. Good is not always rewarded. Bad will not always be punished.

Third, put your expectations in the Lord. The Psalmist said:

Give ear to my words, O Lord,
consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation
(Psalm 5:1-3 NIV).

God can handle our expectations. He will come through. God can be trusted. God can fulfill our dreams and our expectations.

Fourth, let God surprise you. He may do more than we expect:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV).

Be wise in your expectations. Don't set them too high. Don't keep them low to play it safe. Put your expectations in the One who can handle them. God expects us to lay our requests before Him, and He expects us to wait in expectation for Him to act.

I expect you will be pleased with the results.