Where do you turn for answers?

Have you seen the commercials for this new company that answers any random questions you might have via text messaging? Their commercials are funny and hip promising to reply to any question you have with a prompt answer from their staff of agents. I was really tempted to try this service by sending a real deep question about a religious matter like "How do you know that God is real?" just to see what they would say. I also was just as tempted to send in something silly like "How can I get my dog to quit barking every time someone calls to talk to my wife?"

So, where do you turn for answers? While this service is fast and convenient, real answers to your toughest questions probably won't come that way. It seems to me that people are really lost or searching for somewhere to find answers that they are looking for. For Christians, we have been given two tried, tested and true outlets. They are prayer and God's book, the Bible.

How often do you go there for answers? Do you go there first before asking everyone else around you what they think? The Bible says this: Psalm 66:18-20

"If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!"

and also Isaiah 55:11 says "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

Remember these two promises about prayer and the Bible the next time you need some answers...and that's what i'm talking about.

Fitted Sheets Frustrate Me

Making your bed everyday is a nice discipline. It helps you start your day with some slight exercise and accomplishment as you leave your room. However, I really struggle with those crazy fitted sheets! The end that's at the bottom of where I sleep always comes off the mattress. I put the sheet back on every morning because of this.

This is no big deal. What seems to be a big deal is when the sheets get washed and are ready to be placed freshly on the bed. They smell good. All you really want to do is get them on there and lay down. This anticipation seems to be ruined every time by the first sheet that has to be done, the fitted sheet.

The sheet has four corners and an elastic band inside for stretching it. I seem to get the wrong end three times before finally being able to get the sheet to fit right. My wife laughs at me, because she usually gets it right the first time. God's plan for you is like a fitted sheet that has been made just for you. At times, it may seem like you will never be inside of it. Keep trying. Eventually you will find it to be just what you needed. Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
...and that's what i'm talking about. Love Rob

The Tiger In You

Recently, Tiger Woods went before the whole world and apologized for many things related to the downfall of his extra marital affairs. I listened to his statements live and analyzed them just like everyone else. I found his many apologies to be quite impressive and believable. I realize that some moments were awkward and that much of this seemed staged and rehearsed. However, I took the position of one trying to listen with the mind of Christ.

When I did this, I couldn't help but think of how many times I have had to apologize for things I have done. Am I any better or worse in my debt and sin because my apologies and transgressions aren't as public? No way! Have I had an affair and cheated on my wife? No, but I have sure done my fair share of terrible things that need forgiveness and apology. So, how's the Tiger in you? Does he owe you or the general public anything? No, not really. One of his most profound statements was "just because I was a very high profile powerful celebrity who had everything doesn't mean that the everyday rules of life don't apply to me."

Think about this. Jesus was drawing in the dirt and sand when he said "those among you who can cast the first stone because you have not sinned...go ahead." Funny how no stones were cast. We also read in the bible that we "should not point out the speck in our brothers eye when we have a plank in our own eye" basically blocking our view. Look inside of yourself. Know that you need forgiveness and should be apologizing yourself. Affairs are terrible. No doubt. But so are many of the other sins we commit each day.
...and that's what i'm talking about. Love Rob

Seeing Better or Blurred Vision?

One of the things that upsets me the most as i get older is my lack of good vision sometimes. My wife says that i crouch over the steering wheel like some kind of humpback whale when i drive looking both ways all the time like some giant turtle.

I guess I am not as cool as I used to be or was I ever? When I cannot see something clearly it frustrates me. However, I used to not need glasses. I can remember being able to see for miles it seemed where now I squint my eyes and it crumbles my face up like some old burger wrapper.

This lack of vision is frustrating because it means that you cannot see clearly without aid. This past week i changed the color and the resolution and size on my office computer so I can see and read better. Although I like the change, it's a clear sign that I need it. Maybe next week, I will need thicker glasses or maybe some sort of giant magnifying glass?

How does this apply spiritually? Well, there's a lot that happens around us everyday that we need to open our eyes up to. The truth is the Lord sends us opportunities everyday to do something for Him instead of for ourselves. The truth is there are people all around us who don't have the same sight you have in terms of your worldview. The truth is we can either look clearly at what's around us and ignore it or stare into the blur and wonder what does God really want us to see?

How many people do you know who are lost? How many people do you know who can't find their way in the darkness they are in? Do you care to see? Are your eyes entirely focused on you or not focused at all? Check your eyes. See what God wants you to see. If you do this, you will come in contact with your purpose and your mission as a Christian. It will be as real and as clear to you as pure water brought down from the sky you look to with such wonder and awe. God bless you as you see God's will more clearly.

...and that's what I'm talking about. Love Rob