Not long ago while mindlessly channel surfing, I caught a segment on Discovery Channel's "The Deadliest Catch," about crab fishing in the Bering Sea. One of the dangers they faced in was the accumulation of ice on the ship's gear. If it is not removed quickly, disaster can happen. Tiny drops of water, combined with freezing temperatures and wind can literally destroy a crab boat and its crew. It seems impossible the just little drops of water could have such an effect on a ship of many tons of steel. But, ignoring those tiny drops of water can have a deadly effect.
How often do we ignore the accumulation of little sins in our lives,… rationalizing them at first because everyone is doing it,… or it's so small,… or no one knows anyway. Still, seeds will eventually grow. You've probably heard or read the saying:
We sow a thought and reap an act;
We sow an act and reap a habit;
We sow a habit and reap a character;
We sow a character and reap a destiny.
Christ saved us to be transformed into the "new self"…a “new creation”… which reflects Christ’s love and light to a world so desperately in need of it. Ephesians 4:22-24 puts it this way: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” We simply must pay attention to our own sin (instead of being preoccupied with the sin of others), if we are to grow in Christ. We can’t allow the small sins accumulate in our life, because eventually, they will do their damage!
A final Biblical reminder from Hebrews 12:1-3: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
If you find yourself growing weary and losing heart, it may be time to "get out on deck" and check your "gear" to see if something dangerous is accumulating!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
COLD IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!
It’s is hard to believe that we are nearing the half way mark of the month of January and we in central Illinois have not had any measurable snow! We have had to suffer through a month of unusually warm temperatures…in Illinois…in January! But, according to the weather forecast we are expecting snow,… and with that we will be shocked back into the normal weather for us…c...c..c.cold!
Do you remember all that stuff we have to go through when it gets really cold? Do you remember having to open the cabinet doors under the kitchen sink, and kept the water dripping on all the faucets just to make sure that the pipes don’t freeze and you would be waterless in the morning. The joys of winter in central Illinois!
Cold does something to me emotionally. It makes me cautious. I find I am more careful about where and how I drive, just in case I get stranded in the cold. I am careful how long I stay outside, how far I walk, and what I wear. People living in the country have to make sure they have enough propane in the tank or whatever they use to heat their homes. It is not the type of weather to run out of heating fuel. The cold makes me very aware of my vulnerability and mortality. It makes me more prayerful. I pray just before I turn the key in the ignition that the car will start. I prayed for others on the road when it turns bad out. When we woke up the next morning and find our pipes intact, the furnace running and the light switches working, it’s a good place for a prayer of gratitude.
The cold brings to mind my dependence on God, and I cannot help but be thankful to Him. I realize that if I lived here a couple of hundred years ago, then the cold could have killed me. I am thankful I live with all the conveniences of modern times to keep me warm and protected from the cold. Many of the sicknesses and diseases that the cold brought on by cold are treatable now. That wasn’t the case in centuries past. When transportation was horse and wagon, and not a comfortably heated automobile, one risked one’s life to travel.
You could say that the cold is good for my soul. It makes me very thankful to God. It makes me grateful for what I have. It makes me more appreciative of friends. The cold even fosters community. There is nothing like finding occasions to get together for meals and fellowship when it’s too cold out to do anything else. It can be a great time for the church. Cabin fever can be a real malady. The cure is fellowship. It is community with one another. It is “koinonia”. The cold also encourages fellowship with God. Not for everyone of course. It keeps many away from church rather than bringing them out. But the cold has the opposite effect on me. It melts my heart and softens my soul. It strengthens my spiritual bond with God and others.
Don’t get me wrong! I will be glad to see the spring come! I will be thanking God for the muddy roads! But, for the season, I will practice the spiritual discipline of cold weather spirituality. They are predicting a wind chill of about 9 this Sunday. Sounds like perfect worship weather!
Do you remember all that stuff we have to go through when it gets really cold? Do you remember having to open the cabinet doors under the kitchen sink, and kept the water dripping on all the faucets just to make sure that the pipes don’t freeze and you would be waterless in the morning. The joys of winter in central Illinois!
Cold does something to me emotionally. It makes me cautious. I find I am more careful about where and how I drive, just in case I get stranded in the cold. I am careful how long I stay outside, how far I walk, and what I wear. People living in the country have to make sure they have enough propane in the tank or whatever they use to heat their homes. It is not the type of weather to run out of heating fuel. The cold makes me very aware of my vulnerability and mortality. It makes me more prayerful. I pray just before I turn the key in the ignition that the car will start. I prayed for others on the road when it turns bad out. When we woke up the next morning and find our pipes intact, the furnace running and the light switches working, it’s a good place for a prayer of gratitude.
The cold brings to mind my dependence on God, and I cannot help but be thankful to Him. I realize that if I lived here a couple of hundred years ago, then the cold could have killed me. I am thankful I live with all the conveniences of modern times to keep me warm and protected from the cold. Many of the sicknesses and diseases that the cold brought on by cold are treatable now. That wasn’t the case in centuries past. When transportation was horse and wagon, and not a comfortably heated automobile, one risked one’s life to travel.
You could say that the cold is good for my soul. It makes me very thankful to God. It makes me grateful for what I have. It makes me more appreciative of friends. The cold even fosters community. There is nothing like finding occasions to get together for meals and fellowship when it’s too cold out to do anything else. It can be a great time for the church. Cabin fever can be a real malady. The cure is fellowship. It is community with one another. It is “koinonia”. The cold also encourages fellowship with God. Not for everyone of course. It keeps many away from church rather than bringing them out. But the cold has the opposite effect on me. It melts my heart and softens my soul. It strengthens my spiritual bond with God and others.
Don’t get me wrong! I will be glad to see the spring come! I will be thanking God for the muddy roads! But, for the season, I will practice the spiritual discipline of cold weather spirituality. They are predicting a wind chill of about 9 this Sunday. Sounds like perfect worship weather!
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