Two Quotes

It's Sunday and as I get ready to worship I stumbled on these two quotes (not related) in my journal.  One from an old...er...former pastor at Va. Beach Community Chapel and one from a late pastor, writer, and prophet. Both are memorable. 

"If you want something you've never had before, you must do something you've never done before."
                                                                           - Larry Shoafe

"A real Christian is an odd number anyway.  He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen; talks familiarly to Someone everyday he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of another; empties himself in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he feels the worst; he dies so he can live; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible; hears the inaudible; and knows that which [is unknowable]."  
                                       -A.W. Tozer  (excerpt from The Pursuit of God)

                                                                               

Friday Fun

Because I can't be pithy and original all the time, here are a few items to get you ready for the weekend.  Enjoy.     - Keith

 Unverified True Story 

• Lawyer: "Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?"
• Witness: "No."
• Lawyer: "Did you check for blood pressure?"
• Witness: "No."
• Lawyer: "Did you check for breathing?"
• Witness: "No."
• Lawyer: "So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?"
• Witness: "No."
• Lawyer: "How can you be so sure, Doctor?"
• Witness: "Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar."
• Lawyer: "But could the patient have still been alive nevertheless?"
• Witness: "Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere."

Worlds Worst Metaphors (or Similes)

        "She clung to him like the wax paper thingy in the deli meat package"

        "She punched holes in his argument like a clown on an ice pick pogo stick"

 Time Travel Anyone?

Things I Wish Were In The Bible

I know I'm treading a dark and sordid path, by even suggesting this topic.  But it's too late to turn back now.  Have you ever thought what life would be like if certain things were in the Bible?  I swear I remember my Mom telling me, when I didn't want to brush my teeth, that I had to because "it was in the Bible." ..."Really?", so off I ran to brush my teeth so I wouldn't go to hell.  (My suspicions  about dentists was correct!).  Of course this is NOT true....but what if it was.  (Boy, would it make parenting easier.)

What if, say, the Bible said, "Thou shall not jump on your Dad's stomach to wake him up" or how about, "Do NOT flush your toothbrush down the toilet...nothing but TP."  A few words about courteous driving, mandatory raises (greater than the cost of living raise),  people being required to respond to your email within 24 hours, and in somewhere in big bold letters "PETA...Lay Off.  I Created Animals, I Think They're Great.  But People Are More Important Than Animals Because People Are Created In My Image" - God.  One can dream, right?

If you read Leviticus and Numbers, there are commands about  tassels on garments, hair loss, mold in your house, and a host of other rules in regard to everyday living.  Surely, a few words about farting at the dinner table, on your brothers head (although I think that's OK...it is hilarious), keeping the Lego's out of Dad's path when barefoot, or eating all your vegetables would have been nice.

Of course, what makes me think we would obey those rules, when we have such a hard time obeying what God DID write about.  Maybe I'll read more about that hair loss part. 

Word About Sub-Title

You may have noticed that I changed the subtitle of the blog (or not...if so please disregard and go back to whatever more important thing you were doing...if anything can be important than reading this blog...).

Anyhoo, after looking back through 6 months of blogging I felt like the subtitle does not accurately reflect what it is I'm writing about. I'm not sure if this new one does either, but I think it's MORE accurate.   I AM committed to living deliberately for Christ, I just want people who read my blog for the first time (which hopefully will be increasing) to get what they think they're getting, i.e.,  I want the content and title/sub-title to match.  OK enough about that.  New stuff tomorrow.  Cooking it up in my Blog Cooker as we speak...er...read.

Quick Thought on Fear of God

I think that the notion "the fear of God" is best illustrated in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, notably in the beginning when Lucy comes to the realization that Aslan (the Christ type in the book) is, in fact, a lion, and that the Beavers seem quite in awe of Him.(This is my own rendering without quoting exactly from the book.  I can't find it. Please forgive.)

With great horror, she asks, "A lion?...Is He safe?"

"'course He isn't safe!", Mr. Beaver exclaims...."But He's good."  I think we are misguided by all the pictures in Sunday schools of the "meek and timid" Jesus holding the lamb.  Our God is Awesome, He is a lion, He is a warrior, He does not hold back wrath due to His weakness, but His love. 

The Lord is not safe,  but He's good.  Show Him the fear that is due His great Name.






 

Possible Insane Photo of The Year

I realize this does not in any way reflect
the purpose of this blog.
But sometimes you just have to go with it...and it IS Monday.  I'll try to redeem myself tomorrow.  All I know is that bull is flying and I don't want to see what happens in the next frame.  Perhaps pray for that guys family.  Or for that guy. (Thanks to Sports Illustrated for this Photo).