The great Mark Twain once said, “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” Isn’t it funny how that proves to be true time and time again?
14
Sep '20
Let Me Be Frank… (thoughts)
14
Sep '20
Let Me Be Frank –
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Phillipians 4:8
Do you have a strategy for parking when you go to the store? You’d be surprised how many people do. Some people park as far away as possible to get their exercise in. Some people park close to nice vehicles. The reasoning there is “nice vehicles cost a lot of money” and you don’t have to worry about someone opening the door and dinging your car. Then there are those who hunt for parking. They meander slowly through each lane looking for brake lights. Brake lights mean someone is getting ready to leave.
Regardless of what strategy you use, you probably have said these words, “I’m just looking for a better place to park.” But finding the perfect place for our car isn’t as important as where we park our thoughts.
We have been inundated with information. Everyone has an opinion and most people want us to know what that is. I’m not suggesting that we just accept everything that happens in our lives, I’m just asking if we need a better place to park our thoughts.
Maybe we should avoid anger and bitterness when we look for that perfect place. Maybe we should drive right past pride and frustration. In all reality, those spots may already be taken, but they shouldn’t be taken by us.
Paul wasn’t sure if his execution was coming or not when he wrote this letter. Can you imagine the anxiety level as he woke every morning? But instead of dwelling on his current situation he chose to park somewhere else.
Can I encourage you to think about the things of God this week? What is pure in your heart? What is lovely? How can you be a blessing to someone else today? Lean into God’s truth today when you feel like parking somewhere you shouldn’t. A good parking place makes all the difference in the world!
And when you find yourself overwhelmed, bitter, angry, prideful, fearful, or fed up with it all maybe you just need to find a better place to park.
Can’t wait to worship with you this weekend!
We are Central… and we’re in this TOGETHER!
SOLI DEO GLORIA
-F
18
Aug '20
Something Don’d on Me! (trust)
18
Aug '20
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8
The great Mark Twain once said, “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” Isn’t it funny how that proves to be true time and time again?
When we are younger, and Dad says, “This is the way you do that,” we usually say “SURE!” But then as we get older, it’s easy to say “O what does he know? I can find a better way!” But then when we get MUCH older…we often figure out that he was pretty smart to begin with!
I wonder why we do that with God? When we are younger, “Jesus Loves me, this I know-for the Bible tells me so.” We trust that WHAT He says is true…and WHY He says it, is for my good! But as we grow older and listen to our culture, it’s easy to drift off and say, “Oh that Bible is outdated! Those concepts have changed over time! We know better!” But sadly…some NEVER return to understanding how Good God really is, and how MUCH TRUTH is really in His Word!
I was really overwhelmed with that this last weekend when we were singing, “Greater Things” with the Praise Team! Listen to some of these lyrics:
“You never fail…You never will…I’ll trust Your Name, for Greater Things.
You will come through…You always do…I’ll trust Your Name for Greater Things!”
You will come through…You always do…I’ll trust Your Name for Greater Things!”
Do we? Do we REALLY TRUST that He will come through? I’m afraid, too often, like we do with “Dad”…we think we have a better “IDEA” of how things should work!
Our enemy comes in and whispers, “You know better what you need!” “God’s not working on your time-you should do something about it!” “Those Bible rules don’t apply anymore! We’ve outgrown that!” That’s what he told Eve in the Garden…and he keeps doing it even today! Don’t listen to him…and don’t listen to your SELF…listen to the God whose ways are “far beyond anything we could imagine!” (Isaiah 55:8)
The next verse in Isaiah (after the one at the top) says, “My ways are higher than your ways. My thoughts are higher than your thoughts!” That’s GOD talking there…and He’s TELLING us, “Look…I really DO know better! Listen to me!” Mark Twain finally figured out that his dad was smarter all along. Maybe it’s time we learned that about OUR Heavenly Dad?
He WILL come through…because He KNOWS more than we do! He HAS been there…and He KNOWS how things work out! He has seen our fight…FROM THE VICTORY! Trust His Words…and His Ways!
Shalom Alachiem- Peace be to you all!
Don