Thumps In Our Lives…

“Count it all joy.” James 1:2 NKJV

Max Lucado writes: “When a potter bakes a pot he checks its solidity by pulling it out of the [furnace] and thumping it.

If it ‘sings,’ it’s ready. If it ‘thuds,’ it’s put back in.

Character is also checked by thumping…Late night phone calls…grouchy teachers…burnt meals…flat tires…you’ve-got-to-be-kidding deadlines. Thumps trigger the worst in us…They aren’t big enough to be a crisis, but if you get enough of them, watch out. Traffic jams…long lines…empty mailboxes…dirty clothes on the floor…

Thump. Thump. Thump.

How do you respond? Do you sing or do you thud?

Jesus said, ‘People speak the things that are in their hearts’ (Lk 6:45 NCV), and there’s nothing like a good thump to reveal the true nature of a heart…it’s not in momentary heroics, but in the thump-packed humdrum of day-to-day living.

If you’ve a tendency to ‘thud’ more than you ‘sing,’ take heart. There’s hope for us ‘thudders.’

Begin by thanking God …not a half-hearted thank-you…but a rejoicing, jumping-for-joy, thank-you from the bottom of your heart.

James says: ‘Count it all joy when you fall into various trials…the testing of your faith produces patience.’ God’s doing the thumping…for your own good…You’re going to be tested…you might as well learn from the thumps.

See it as an opportunity to develop patience and persistence.

Each thump helps or hurts you, depending on how you use it. Be aware of ‘thump-slumps’…For all of us there are times during the week when we can anticipate an unusual amount of thumping. Handle them head on…bolster yourself with extra prayer… don’t give up…and remember no thump is disastrous.

(By Rick Godwin)

 

All thumps work together for good when you love and obey God.”

Please join us today over at The 160 Acre Woods for more WFW posts!

So, let’s keep the faith!

 

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  Jude 3

(Devotion by Rick Godwin)

Before leaving the leaders of the church in Ephesus for the last time, Paul said,

“After my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Ac 20:29-32 NKJV).

 Was Paul being an alarmist?

No. Years later, speaking to the same church in Ephesus, God says: “You have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place…He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev 2:1-7 NKJV).

Note the words “do the first works.”

What are these foundational truths on which the church is built?

• The infallibility of Scripture,
• The virgin birth,
• The atoning death,
• The bodily resurrection
• Baptism with water,
• Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and
• Carry the Gospel to the whole world.

These are the bedrock nonnegotiables “which [were] once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3 NKJV).

 

 

Please join us at Amy’s 160 Acre Woods!

Don’t put up with it anymore…

 

I just read this awesome post by Amy Bayliss and wanted to pass it on.  It’s the topic today At The Well this morning.

Thanks Amy, this was great!

I started to panic…

 

When I began praying about what I would share for my next Cafe devotion, little did I know at that time God would give me an opportunity to share with you a very personal story.

Two weeks ago, my son Jordan started complaining about arm and leg pains.  At first this didn't alarm me.  I simply gave him some Motrin and went about my day.  However, as time went on it continued to get worse. 

After three days, I got a call from Jordan to come pick him up from work. He was now in serious pain.  His arms and legs were swollen about twice their normal size. At that point I knew something serious was going on.  So, what did this woman of faith do?  I started to panic and immediately called his doctor. 

Please join me today over at the Cafe to find out what I discovered that day.

."

I’m In Love!

(please remember to mute my music player first, thanks so much!)

 

Obsessed:  To have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.

 

The idea of holding back certainly didn’t come from scripture. 

The bible teaches us to be consumed with Christ and to faithfully live out His words.

The Holy Spirit stirs in us a joy and peace when we are fixated on Jesus, living by faith, and focused on the life to come.

 

An excerpt from Crazy Love, by Francis Chan

Fun Times At Grammy’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Funnies…

 

 

 

 

I don’t know about you, but I sure need a good laugh after this week.

After watching the news nightly it’s hard not feel really concerned about our economy. I recently read this and it made me laugh.  Truly laughter is the best medicine.

Enjoy and have a blessed weekend!

 

You know the economy is really bad when....

☻CEO's are now playing miniature golf.

☻You got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

☻You went to buy a toaster oven and they gave you a bank.

☻Officials from the Obama administration meet with small businesses — GE, Pfizer, Chrysler, Citigroup, and GM — to discuss the Stimulus Package.

☻Mothers in China are telling their children to clean their plates because children are starving in America.

☻McDonald's is selling the Quarter-Ouncer.

☻People in Beverly Hills have fired their nannies and are learning the names of their own children.

☻The bank returns your check marked as "Insufficient Funds" and you call them to ask if they meant you or themselves!

 

Join us today over at the Homesteaders Heart for more laughter.

Happy 4th of July!

JOHN NEWTON ON TRUE PATRIOTISM

 

(John Newton wrote Amazing Grace)

From John Newton's Letters:

True patriotism!

Dear friend,

Allow me to say, that it excites both my wonder and concern, that a Christian minister such as yourself, should think it worth his while to attempt political reforms. When I look around upon the present state of the nation, such an attempt appears to me, to be no less vain and foolish, than it would be to paint the cabin--while the ship is sinking! Or to decorate the parlor--while the house is on fire!

When our Lord Jesus was upon earth, He refused to get involved in disputes or politics, "Friend, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" Luke 12:14. "My kingdom is not of this world! If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight!" John 18:36. God's children belong to a kingdom which is not of this world; they are strangers and pilgrims upon earth, and a part of their Scriptural character is, that they are the "quiet in the land." Psalm 35:19.

Satan has many contrivances to amuse people, and to divert their thoughts from their real danger!

My dear sir, my prayer to God for you is--that He may induce you to employ the talents He has given you, in pointing out sin as the great cause and source of every existing evil; and to engage those who love and fear Him, (instead of wasting time in political speculations, for which very few of them are competent,) to sigh and cry for our abounding abominations, and to stand in the breach, by prayer, that God's wrath may yet be averted, and our national mercies prolonged! This, I think, is true patriotism--the best way in which people in private life may serve their country.

I consider the ungodly as saws and hammers in the hand of the Lord.

So far as they are His instruments, they will succeed--but not an inch further! Their wrath shall praise Him, and be subservient to His designs!

If our lot is so cast that we can exercise our ministry free from stripes, fines, imprisonments, and death--it is more than the gospel has promised to us! If Christians were quiet when under the cruel governments of Nero and other wicked persecutors, when they were hunted down like wild beasts--then we ought to be not only quiet but very thankful now!

 It was then accounted an honor to suffer for Christ and the 'offence of the cross'!

Those are to be greatly pitied, who boast of their 'liberty'--and yet they do not consider that they are in the most deplorable bondage as the slaves of sin and Satan, under the curse of God's law and His eternal wrath!

Oh! for a voice to reach their hearts, that they may know their true and dreadful state--and seek deliverance from their horrific thraldom! May you and I labor to direct them to the one thing, which is absolutely needful, and abundantly sufficient.

If I had the wisdom or influence to soothe the angry passions of mankind--I would gladly employ them!

But I am a stranger and a pilgrim here in this world.

My charter, my rights and my treasures, are all in heaven--and there my heart ought to be. In a very short time, I may be removed (and perhaps suddenly) into the unseen and eternal world--where all that now causes so much bustle upon earth--will be of no more importance to me--than the events which took place among the antediluvians!

In the hour, when death shall open the door into eternity--many things which now assume an 'air of importance', will be found as light and unsubstantial as a child's dream!

How crucial then, is it for me--to be found watching, with my lamp burning, diligently engaged in my proper calling!

For the Lord has not called me to set governments right--but to preach the gospel, to proclaim the glory of His name, and to endeavor to win souls! "Let the dead bury their own dead--but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God!" Luke 9:60. Happy is that servant, whom his Master finds so doing, when He returns!

As you have forced me to respond--both duty and love have obliged me to be faithful and free in giving you my thoughts.

I recommend you to the care and blessing of the great Shepherd and Savior; and remain for His sake, your affectionate friend and brother,
John Newton