August 31, 2009

Today’s devotion is a little long, but worth reading. Thanks to my Cousin KH for sending this one to me.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1.

"REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT"

Have you ever heard the old hymn titled "I'll Fly Away"? It's a fabulous song, which is well loved by many Christians and one of my favorites. The words in part go like this, "Some glad morning when this life is o're, I'll fly away. To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away. When the shadows of this life have grown, I'll fly away. Like a bird from prison bars has flown, I'll fly away". That is the picture painted for us in God's word of the transition we have to look forward to someday. At one point King David was weighed down with problems and he wrote these words in Psalms 55:6, "And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." That's a great thought, but many of us are not quite ready to take off and fly, because we are carrying too much weight. A man recounts the following story that kind of puts things in perspective: He says, "During a business trip to Boeing's Everett, Washington factory, I noticed several 747 and 777 airliners being assembled. Before the engines were installed, huge weights were hung from the wings to keep the planes balanced. The solid-steel weights were bright yellow and marked '14,000 lbs.' But what I found particularly interesting was some stenciling I discovered on the side of each weight. Imprinted there was the warning: 'Remove before flight.'' That seems to be something, which could be understood without saying it doesn't it. You would think that anyone with common sense would understand that wouldn't you. Yet it seems we need to be reminded often about the seemly simple to understand problem of having sin in our lives. The writer of Hebrews writes a great chapter concerning our examples of faith in chapter 12. Notice how he begins that chapter in Hebrews 12:1. He says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us." Most of us understand that if you want to make something that will fly you need to get rid of as much weight as possible. So, what are you going to have to get rid of before you are ready to fly? What is the sin that has hold of your life and is weighing you down? How are you going to get rid of that weight? The problem with all of this is that if you want to take off the weight (of sin), then you have to decide first of all to do what is necessary to get rid of it. There is another old hymn that comes to mind here that says it all. You may know these words also, but it doesn't hurt for us to be reminded of them again. First the question is asked; "What can wash away my sins?" Then the answer is given, "Nothing but the blood of Jesus!" Are you ready for the flight? Then remove the weight!

Thought for the week: In politics, absurdity is not a handicap. -- Napoleon Bonaparte

Funny for the week: "Babies at the Mall "

A young mother was standing outside a mall holding her six-month-old baby and her sister's three-month-old baby.

Two elderly women approached the mother. "Are they twins?" one asked.

"No, they're three months apart."

To which one of the ladies remarked, "My! You sure had them close together."

She just had to say something didn’t she………Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: According to church tradition, which of the original twelve disciples was martyred in Ethiopia? Matthew

This week’s question: Who is the only male cousin of John the Baptist identified by name in the Bible?

August 24, 2009

"Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find…" John 7:7

Allow me a personal indulgence today. It is actually December as I write this devotion. I try to stay several months ahead. So if the Lord ever touches you with what is said, you will know it is Him and not me. He makes the application current to what is written months before. But back to the story. I had written all of last months devotions and part of this months devotions day before yesterday. Yesterday I came in planning to continue working on them and could not find them in the computer. My heart sank to my toenails and I thought I would scream. All day I searched but could not find this file. This morning when I kissed my bride good-by I asked her to pray that I would find the file. Before I began this morning I paused and prayed, "God, you know where that file is. You care about the little things in our life too. You know I spent over eight hours working on that devotion file. You know where it is. Please, if you want me to use what I have written, show me where that file is hidden. Amen" I knew my wife was also praying, so I began hunting, again. Within ten minutes as I combed through my files, there it was, winking and grinning like a mischievous little kid at me. Yes I believe God cares about cancer and wars. But I also believe he cares about computer files and police reports. Next time before you start to "seek," remember to follow John’s advice and ask first. It really does work because "He cares for you."

Thought for the week: Lawyers spend a great deal of their time shoveling smoke.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

Funny for the week: (True story)

My son who got his grandfathers dry wit landed a part time job working at Lowe’s Home Improvement Center here in Lenoir for the summer. One day one of our church members came in and as he passed JB said, "What you got for free today?" Without missing a beat, JB shot back, "Anything in the store if you can run fast enough."

Yelp, that’s my boy………….. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: In whose sack did Joseph hide a silver cup? Benjamin’s (Gen. 44:2)

This week’s question: According to church tradition, which of the original twelve disciples was martyred in Ethiopia?

August 17, 2009

"…and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32b

Listen closely with your eyes today because I am going to let you in on a really big secret. Many of you are living in slavery to past sins, present indebtedness, work and a host of demons that demand your time and strength. Want to be free from those kinds of enslaving monsters? Then listen closely because I have a secret that will start you on the road to freedom. Ready? Here it is. One of the greatest statements of freedom was from my friend Father Webber who said that freedom "is the ability to say, it’s not that important." As long as you make everything into a life and death, sink or swim matter, you will be enslaved to the urgent. Pull aside. Reset the important things (i.e. what difference will it make 10 years from now?) and convince yourself that much of what you are majoring on is just "not that important." Then ask the one who is Truth what the truth is about your priorities and you will find freedom to be all He wants you to be; and that my friend is true freedom.

Thought for the week: Confusion is always the most honest response. -- Marty Indik

Funny for the week: Price of Life

When a rich businessman began to choke on a fish bone at a restaurant, a doctor seated at a nearby table sprang up, performed the Heimlich maneuver, and saved his life.

"Thank you, thank you!" said the businessman. "Please, I insist on paying you. Just name the fee."

"Okay," said the doctor. "How about half of what you'd have offered when the bone was still stuck in your throat?"

Talk about pressure…………. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What was the Aramaic word for "father"? Abba

This week’s question: In whose sack did Joseph hide a silver cup?

August 10, 2009

Many years ago when I was in Texas at seminary, my pastor shared this in a sermon. I bought the tape and years later my wife transcribed it for me. It is long, but I encourage you to copy it and put it in your devotional material and read it often. A decade later it would be the ointment that would begin my healing from burn-out. Please, consider keeping a copy and meditating on it often. Author is unknown.

Brokenness

When to do the will of God means that even my Christian brethren will not understand, and I remember that neither did his brethren believe in Him: I bow my head to obey and accept the misunderstanding. This is brokenness.

When I am misrepresented and deliberately misinterpreted, I remember that when Jesus was falsely accused he held his peace and I bow my head to accept the accusation without trying to justify myself. This is brokenness.

When another is preferred before me and I am deliberately passed over, I remember that they cried "away with this man and release Barabus," I bow my head and accept rejection. This is brokenness.

When my plans are brushed aside and I see the work of years brought to ruin for the ambitions of others, I remember Jesus allowed them to lead Him away to crucify Him. I bow my head to accept the injustice without bitterness. This is brokenness.

When in order to be right with my God it is necessary to take the humbling path of confession and restitution, I remember Jesus made Himself of no reputation and humbled Himself even unto death. I bow my head and am ready to accept the shame of exposure. This is brokenness.

When others take unfair advantage of my being a Christian and treat my belongings as public property, I remember the stripped Him and parted His garments casting lots. I bow my head and accept joyfully the spoiling of my own goods for His sake. This is brokenness.

When one acts toward me in an unforgiving way, I remember that when He was crucified, Jesus prayed "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." I bow my head and accept any behavior toward me as permitted by my loving Heavenly Father. This is brokenness.

When people expect the impossible of me and more than time or human strength can give, I remember that Jesus said, "This is my body which is broken for you…" I repent of my self-indulgence and lack of self-giving for others. This is brokenness.

Jesus lived apart from self-effort, self-will and self-glory, and Jesus lived in the power of the Spirit.

Thought for the week: The average person thinks he isn't. -- Father Larry Lorenzoni

Funny for the week: By the Foot

A woman walked into my father's carpet store. She'd just moved out of her parents' home and needed something for her new living-room floor. "Do you know how big the room is?" Dad asked.

"Yes," she said. "It's 22 flip-flops long by 18 flip-flops wide. And I wear a size 8."

Sad but true……………….. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What eight-letter word means "a falling away from God’s truth"? Apostasy

This week’s question: What was the Aramaic word for "father"?

August 3, 2009

"The Word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, ‘Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I shall announce My words to you.’ Then I went down to the potters house and there he was making something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel as it pleased the potter to make." Jeremiah 18:1-4 (Italic mine)

When I was in college one of the classes I took was art. We had to experience various mediums of art and pottery was one of them. I could handle the coil and pinch pots, but throwing a pot on a wheel; well let’s say I would have been better to throw it at the wall. Try as I might, my pots would warp, sag, zig and poop. Never did make a decent pot. I think I know a little how God feels when he tries to mold and form us into something unique and beautiful and we resist, go our own way and ruin what he had planned for us. Why can’t we be moldable and allow the MASTER POTTER to make us into what HE would be pleased to make us. When He applies pressure here and pushes us out there He is only creating in us the form He desires to make us a vessel of service to Him. It would be so much more beautiful and useful than the mess we make trying to "self make" us. Feeling a thumb here and a pinch there? Yield and allow the Potter to mold you today. Don’t push back and resist. One day you will be glad you didn’t.

Thought for the week: Good advice is something a man gives when he is too old to set a bad example. -- Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Funny for the week: Healing the Sick

A guy suffering from a miserable cold begs his doctor for relief. The doctor prescribes pills. But after a week, the guy's still sick. So the doctor gives him a shot. But that doesn't help his condition either.

"Okay, this is what I want you to do," says the doctor on the third visit. "Go home and take a hot bath. Then throw open all the windows and stand in the draft."

"I'll get pneumonia!" protests the patient.

"I know. That I can cure."

I think I went to him once…………….. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: One gospel (Mark) records that a young man ran away when Jesus was arrested. What was unusual about him? He was naked (Mark 14:51-52)

This week’s question: What eight-letter word means "a falling away from God’s truth"?