Anita Renfroe is one of my favorite comediennes. Her bit about taking a photo of your hair as soon as you get up in the morning and asking your hair stylist for a cut that makes it look as if you arranged your hair like that on purpose is a picture of me. I have naturally curly hair and I refuse to spend my time struggling to make my hair do something that it will not do. So I found a wonderful hair stylist who cuts my locks in such a way that my hair is done as soon as I crawl out of bed!
This weekend I visited the hair salon and got my usual cut. As I was watching the tiny clippings fall to the floor, I was amazed at the amount of hair gathering around my feet. It would soon be swept away, but what if you had to count the number of hairs in the floor?
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
No person on earth knows you better than you do, but do you know how many hairs are on your head? I suppose I could count the number of hairs in a 1/4 inch square area, then figure out how many of these tiny areas it would take to cover my scalp. This might give me an estimate of the number of hairs on my head, but not an exact count.
Matthew 10:30 doesn't actually report that God can count the number of hairs on your head, but that the "hairs of your head are all numbered". That's even more impressive than counting them all. Not only does he know when a hair falls from your head, but also which hair fell!
God places such great value on us that he numbers the hairs on our heads. Knowing that, imagine how aware He is of our daily needs, desires, hurts, afflictions, praises and prayers. God knows every little thing and every big thing there is to know about us, and He loves us through them all.
Counting hair? Not me. I have a Savior who takes care of that and everything else - just because He loves me.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Reverse networking?
I spent most of last week at conference. For me, this is an enjoyable but tiring experience. Most of the conferences I attend consist of instructional sessions and opportunities for discussing new ideas. Many people refer to this as 'networking' - making and using contacts to share ideas among those with common interests.
Here my mind begins to wander: networking...working with nets...casting nets...
So, I was reading John 21 this week. Jesus had been raised from the dead and was appearing to various people during the 40 days he remained on the earth. One day Simon Peter and several disciples decided to go fishing. (I imagine that the disciples, like most of us facing unknowns, wanted to return to something familiar. For them it was their former profession of fishing.) They fished all night, but caught nothing. Jesus stood on the shore asking if they had any food. They answered in the negative.
John 21:6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish."
Same boat, same net, same water. Why cast the net on the right side? As creatures of habit, I suppose that the net was cast off the same side of the boat each time. Out of habit, we also 'network' with others who share common interests, whether it be in work, church or other activities.
But Jesus told the disciples to cast the net of the right side of the boat. Was that unnatural for them to do? By reversing the way they cast their net, these fisherman saw their catch multiply. By reversing the way we network (making contact with those who don't know Jesus), would we see more believers?
Here my mind begins to wander: networking...working with nets...casting nets...
So, I was reading John 21 this week. Jesus had been raised from the dead and was appearing to various people during the 40 days he remained on the earth. One day Simon Peter and several disciples decided to go fishing. (I imagine that the disciples, like most of us facing unknowns, wanted to return to something familiar. For them it was their former profession of fishing.) They fished all night, but caught nothing. Jesus stood on the shore asking if they had any food. They answered in the negative.
John 21:6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish."
Same boat, same net, same water. Why cast the net on the right side? As creatures of habit, I suppose that the net was cast off the same side of the boat each time. Out of habit, we also 'network' with others who share common interests, whether it be in work, church or other activities.
But Jesus told the disciples to cast the net of the right side of the boat. Was that unnatural for them to do? By reversing the way they cast their net, these fisherman saw their catch multiply. By reversing the way we network (making contact with those who don't know Jesus), would we see more believers?
Sunday, September 16, 2012
What about the garments?
My Dad, my son, and I love to attend auctions at estate sales. It fascinates me to see what a person gathers over their lifetime, but my son sees it as living in an episode of 'Auction Hunters'. I've met lots of interesting people at estate sales. Some are acquaintances of the home owner, some are auction hunters, some deal in antiques, some work for the company sponsoring the sale, and others, like us, are just looking for a good buy on some great items.
The auction is a half day of excitement while bidding on items and a half day of exhaustion while packing our items to carry home. This weekend we attended the sale and auction of the estate of Mrs. Alma Peek in Monroe. From the history that was given and seen, she was a wealthy lady who traveled the world. She lived in a 5000 sq. ft. home that was overflowing with fine furniture and other belongings, collected through a long life.
During the auction I began thinking about how in just four short days, the estate sale cleared out the belongings that took Mrs. Peek 93 years to amass. They sold furniture, glassware, sets of china, crystal, patio sets, artwork, appliances, and everything else you might find in a home. When it comes to clothing, they typically auction all items in the closet for one price. I paid $15 for the contents of a closet because it had a lot of sweaters and I have a friend who makes mittens out of wool sweaters. It took me over an hour to pack up and transport the 190 sweaters from the closet. Yes, 190!
During an auction, we are assigned numbers used for bidding. We follow the auctioneer through the house as one by one items are put up for bidding. As we were bidding on items, it struck me that we were "casting lots" for this lady's belongings. Our "lots" were the bids we were making. The highest bidder claimed each individual prize. You know, I always viewed the soldiers who cast lots for Jesus' garments at the crucifixion, as doing a terrible thing. But did they? After all it was prophesied.
John 19:23-24 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: "They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots." Therefore the soldiers did these things.
Based on the clothing of that period, the four parts could have been a headdress, a belt, a mantle (robe), and sandals. Each soldier took one of these items. The tunic mentioned would have been a long, white linen shirt, possibly reaching to the ankles. Although probably splattered with blood, the soldiers must have thought the tunic valuable since they did not want to tear it. Instead, they cast lots to determine who would go home with the prize.
So, what about Jesus' tunic and other garments? They are never mentioned again. Did the soldiers wear them, did they sell them, did they give them away? Did they use them as a conversation piece to tell about Jesus' crucifixion, death, and resurrection? Did they become believers and lead others with their eyewitness accounts?
What could I use as a conversation piece to tell others about Jesus' crucifixion, death, and resurrection?
The auction is a half day of excitement while bidding on items and a half day of exhaustion while packing our items to carry home. This weekend we attended the sale and auction of the estate of Mrs. Alma Peek in Monroe. From the history that was given and seen, she was a wealthy lady who traveled the world. She lived in a 5000 sq. ft. home that was overflowing with fine furniture and other belongings, collected through a long life.
During the auction I began thinking about how in just four short days, the estate sale cleared out the belongings that took Mrs. Peek 93 years to amass. They sold furniture, glassware, sets of china, crystal, patio sets, artwork, appliances, and everything else you might find in a home. When it comes to clothing, they typically auction all items in the closet for one price. I paid $15 for the contents of a closet because it had a lot of sweaters and I have a friend who makes mittens out of wool sweaters. It took me over an hour to pack up and transport the 190 sweaters from the closet. Yes, 190!
During an auction, we are assigned numbers used for bidding. We follow the auctioneer through the house as one by one items are put up for bidding. As we were bidding on items, it struck me that we were "casting lots" for this lady's belongings. Our "lots" were the bids we were making. The highest bidder claimed each individual prize. You know, I always viewed the soldiers who cast lots for Jesus' garments at the crucifixion, as doing a terrible thing. But did they? After all it was prophesied.
John 19:23-24 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: "They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots." Therefore the soldiers did these things.
Based on the clothing of that period, the four parts could have been a headdress, a belt, a mantle (robe), and sandals. Each soldier took one of these items. The tunic mentioned would have been a long, white linen shirt, possibly reaching to the ankles. Although probably splattered with blood, the soldiers must have thought the tunic valuable since they did not want to tear it. Instead, they cast lots to determine who would go home with the prize.
So, what about Jesus' tunic and other garments? They are never mentioned again. Did the soldiers wear them, did they sell them, did they give them away? Did they use them as a conversation piece to tell about Jesus' crucifixion, death, and resurrection? Did they become believers and lead others with their eyewitness accounts?
What could I use as a conversation piece to tell others about Jesus' crucifixion, death, and resurrection?
Monday, September 10, 2012
Am I under-employed?
I've had several friends talking to me about new jobs this week. I began to think about my job, which I so love. I didn't begin my career in a job I loved, but after much training and searching I found it. Or perhaps it found me.
I was as a teacher and was successful for a few years until the 'new' wore off. Soon I was searching for something else. I did a variety of other projects while continuing to teach. Then, like a gift from above, I was given the opportunity to learn a job that fit me in the most wonderful way!
It's a great privilege to have a career doing something you love. It's like that as a follower of Jesus too. I have had some of the most memorable and rewarding experiences while getting involved with my church. I've sung in choirs, been a Sunday School treasurer, taught Sunday School to 5 year olds, painted walls, worked as a puppeteer, prepared snacks, assisted with an AWANA Cubbies group, helped with craft projects, and I even got to play the role of Delilah cutting Samson's hair! (Picture this: a clear shower cap with very long brown yarn woven throughout. I cut the 'hair' with scissors and the kids loved it. They all wanted to have a piece of Samson's hair!)
I Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
During the past year I was not very involved with a particular ministry and I found myself searching for that 'new' job. In the spring my church joined up with Backpack Love, a local effort to feed struggling families with elementary aged children. Since its inception I've been there most Wednesday evenings arranging food, packing backpacks, then praying that the food will satisfy their hunger and the message will satisfy their soul.
I was as a teacher and was successful for a few years until the 'new' wore off. Soon I was searching for something else. I did a variety of other projects while continuing to teach. Then, like a gift from above, I was given the opportunity to learn a job that fit me in the most wonderful way!
It's a great privilege to have a career doing something you love. It's like that as a follower of Jesus too. I have had some of the most memorable and rewarding experiences while getting involved with my church. I've sung in choirs, been a Sunday School treasurer, taught Sunday School to 5 year olds, painted walls, worked as a puppeteer, prepared snacks, assisted with an AWANA Cubbies group, helped with craft projects, and I even got to play the role of Delilah cutting Samson's hair! (Picture this: a clear shower cap with very long brown yarn woven throughout. I cut the 'hair' with scissors and the kids loved it. They all wanted to have a piece of Samson's hair!)
I Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
During the past year I was not very involved with a particular ministry and I found myself searching for that 'new' job. In the spring my church joined up with Backpack Love, a local effort to feed struggling families with elementary aged children. Since its inception I've been there most Wednesday evenings arranging food, packing backpacks, then praying that the food will satisfy their hunger and the message will satisfy their soul.
Am I under-employed? Even with Backpack Love, I felt under-employed. Then, about six weeks ago I began to think about creating the blog you are currently reading. CrossSums has become an exciting new way to share Jesus with others.
I wonder what our world would be like if we were all fully employed and working for Jesus.
I wonder what our world would be like if we were all fully employed and working for Jesus.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Keep It or Let It Go?
When I was a young adult I could organize all of my possessions in a week. Now it might take a year of doing nothing else but organizing. Like many Americans, I have too much stuff. Did I need that shirt I bought last week? Of course not! But it was purple, cute and I wanted it.
In a while that cute, purple shirt is going to be a member of an overstuffed closet. During one of my attempts to purge, I'll pull out that purple shirt and ask myself, "Should I keep it or let it go?". My answer will depend on how many times I wore the shirt, how well it's holding up, or just how overstuffed my closet really is.
Sometimes our hearts are like overstuffed closets. We pack things in our hearts that we don't really need, or even want. There comes a time when we need to examine everything in our hearts and let some of the unneeded and unwanted stuff out. That's hard to do on your own, or even with a trusted friend.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Keep it or let it go? If your heart is overstuffed with things you don't need, earnestly pray this prayer back to God and observe what He does for you.
In a while that cute, purple shirt is going to be a member of an overstuffed closet. During one of my attempts to purge, I'll pull out that purple shirt and ask myself, "Should I keep it or let it go?". My answer will depend on how many times I wore the shirt, how well it's holding up, or just how overstuffed my closet really is.
Sometimes our hearts are like overstuffed closets. We pack things in our hearts that we don't really need, or even want. There comes a time when we need to examine everything in our hearts and let some of the unneeded and unwanted stuff out. That's hard to do on your own, or even with a trusted friend.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Keep it or let it go? If your heart is overstuffed with things you don't need, earnestly pray this prayer back to God and observe what He does for you.
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