Tuesday 8/30/2005
John 8.21-47-If you don’t have faith in me for who I am, you will die, and your sins will not be forgiven.
2 Chronicles 2.17-5.1-Care and craftsmanship were used in building and furnishing the temple
Malachi 1.1-2.9-offer your best to God
Acts 26.24-27.8-You are out of your mind, Paul!
1 Kings 3.6-15-although I am only a little child
Psalm 119.169-176-Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word.
"You’re going to have to stand in the parking lot and give us reports."—That’s about me- teasing because the Global Security Center at GE told us to dust off our flood plans because of Katrina—well I would be the one standing in the rain in the parking lot reporting on conditions outside- funny – reminds me of how they must of thought about Paul—are you out of your mind! – but Paul wasn’t out of his mind- he was preparing people for a different kind of event- an event in their lives when Jesus would meet them – when Jesus would come to them just like or very similar to how Jesus came to Paul- and their lives would change- suddenly in mid-life they would become children once again- starting all over but in a fast paced growth of love and faith in Jesus- they would suddenly be working for Jesus- offering their best to him- having faith in Jesus and feeling release from sin- a new life- the hurricane of change would blow through them- they would report the changes to the outside world from within the storm of their own lives- they would report to others with their baptismal waters stinging their face but also washing them clean from sin all at the same time- they would appear to be out of their minds as they stand in the hurricane of their lives and report about the love and the light and the freedom given to them by Jesus act of saving grace- they would cry to God for understanding of his Word and direction in their lives—and when the hurricane of that loving Spirit of change ends – their lives will be taken apart and all will begin new- fresh- renewed- what a report we have to give about each Christian life- each one unique- each one special- "You’re going to have to stand in the parking lot and give us reports." – OK—I’m ready now.
Prayer- Lord, thank you for the story you give me to tell- thank you for being in my life- for leading me – for guiding me- help me to see and hear the direction you would have me to take- and make me bold enough to report your saving grace to a world hungry for love and light and salvation. -- Amen
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