When was the last time you participated in productive waiting? Check out this 3 minute audio thought recorded while I was waiting for my turn…
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Psalm 38:15 “But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.”
Thankful for the complaints
Happy Thanksgiving.
For most of us, plans are in full swing and expectations are high. Finishing a shortened work/school week leading into a day of over indulgence (fancy talk for pigging out) followed by even more decadence (another fancy word for waste) as we shop till we drop, we see why it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
At least, it better be, since we will be paying for it on the treadmill and out of the checkbook for months.
Still, Happy Thanksgiving!
If I asked most people what Thanksgiving was about, we’d get the standard three “F”s:
* Family
* Food
* Football
Then, once we got past all that honesty we’d remember that somewhere between the trip to Grandmas and the tryptophan coma, we’re supposed to be thankful for something, right?
So, what are we thankful for on Continue reading “Thankful for the complaints”
No Lukewarm Turkey, Please
Normally, I do not blog more than once a week, but in my personal devotional time today the Lord gave me a pre-Thanksgiving message today. Let me stress, this was given to me, which means it was for me. I have no idea if this is anything anyone else needs to hear, but I will publicly process this and if it’s a blessing to anyone else, so be it.
Revelation 3:14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. 15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”
In the book of Revelation, Jesus spoke directly to seven different church communities, and there was a pattern:
- He introduced Himself
- He commends the church
- He rebukes the church
- He offers a solution
- He warns
- He promises
Oddly, this last church on the list (Laodicea) is missing one of these elements… a commendation.
Ouch.
Apparently, what Jesus has to say to the church at Laodicea has to differ from the way He talked to others because He has nothing good to say about them.
Again, I say, Continue reading “No Lukewarm Turkey, Please”
Speaking of Cheese Puffs
Psalm 71:18
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Forgiveness
I have been on a mini-Sabatical for the last two weeks and I am looking forward to reconnecting with my fellow CrossPointers this weekend.
While I was away, I got to spend some time with people and in places that had significant meaning to me. The last spot I was in was Little Rock, Arkansas. My good friend and seminary buddy lives and ministers there.
While I was visiting, he asked me to speak on the issue of forgiveness at his church (Little Rock’s First Baptist Church). I was happy to do it… great people there in Arkansas.
Thought I’d share that teaching. Thanks for checking it out.
Forgiveness from Andy Addis on Vimeo.
Desperate prayers from blinded eyes
Today is going to be one of those days I will never forget.
It started more than 10 hours ago, but my heart is still racing. I think my chest hurts a little, no joke.
I take my boys to school every morning, so there’s always that last minute hustle to grab bags, sign journals to make sure lunches are packed. Today was like any other day of the thousand days in our household.
Once again, on the way out the door my youngest son said he’d forgotten to make his lunch for school. So, his plan was to run to the garage and pick up a snack pack out of our second refrigerator.
He asked me, “Dad, can you pick me up around back.”
I huffed a little because he was not prepared, as usual, but said, “Yes, I’ll meet you back there in a minute.”
So, Noah and I piled into the truck in front of the house and made our way around back where we idled and waited for Nathan to emerge. After several minutes, I sent his brother to go find him. He came back out and said Nathan wasn’t in there.
By the time I put the truck in park and ran in the back door, mom was running out alarmed by Noah looking for his brother.
She already had tears in her eyes, Nathan was not where he was supposed to be and Continue reading “Desperate prayers from blinded eyes”
I found your name in the Bible
Human beings have a horrible tendency to skim.
If we think we know something, or we have already covered it, then we barely give it a glance because we have already “put the effort in.”
Why reinvent the wheel, right?
My eldest is a master at this. In fact, we have decided that his Indian name is “Running Water” because whatever he is involved in he will always flow to the path of least resistance. I guess this makes him a naturally green individual because he conserves energy like nobody’s business!
Hmmm, I think we used to call that lazy, but today he’s an eco-hero! Yeah, Noah.
I shouldn’t tease, he takes after his dad. I like to find the easy way out myself, but this mindset of skimming often puts me at a disadvantage.
- It causes me to assume, which usually leads to missing something.
- It causes me to skip steps, which often stutters the process.
- It causes me to see with my mind, and I miss what the eyes can tell me.
For example, have you ever Continue reading “I found your name in the Bible”
Where’s your happy button?
This is the time of year that I am usually giddy with anticipation. In fact, when I see Halloween decorations creeping out at Wal-Mart, feelings of joy start to gurgle up from deep down inside.
Nope.
You can cancel your plans for the letter explaining to me the evils of October 31st, that’s not what makes me gleeful. However, when you see the Trick O Treater gear clogging the aisles I do get a skip in my step because it means just one thing to me… The NBA season is almost here!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year….
For you ESPN addicts, you’ll be sure to note that owner/player talks may delay or even cancel this coming season.
Nope. Still not dismayed.
If the season starts late, or never even begins, I’ll be just fine. Why? Because
Finding God’s Will
One of the big questions I field as a pastor (year after year) is “What’s God’s will for my life?”
No matter where you go, or who you’re with, this is a huge issue for most. So, I hope this is helpful for you!
I gave this message just last week at a chapel service for Central Christian College in McPherson, Ks. I look forward to hearing from you on this post.
This teaching is based on Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
A Trajectory of Destruction
Have you ever heard of “hurry up sickness”?
Even if you haven’t heard of it, you have probably suffered from it. Don’t be confused, hurry up sickness is not busyness. Being busy might be a symptom, but most of us who are trying to make a difference in someone else’s life, our families life, or even our own life will be busy to some degree.
What i’m talking about is a schedule that leads to a behavior that causes a mindset which produces irritability, feelings of futility, difficulty in relationships and a general displeasure with things that should be fun and/or satisfying.
When busy turns your everyday into something like this, you have hurry up sickness. This has been the subject of my daily devotions in a journal thatI am working through recently. It’s been a challenge to hear words like slowdown, process, and “be in the moment you’re already in”.
Most of us seldom sit down long enough to enjoy the moments of our day. In fact, wherever we are at any given point on the timeline of our lives we are usually rushing to get on to the next point. So, during these devotional times I have been required to slow down, meditate and really try and let the Lord speak.
The Lords prayer which is so familiar to us is easy to skim over because we think we’ve already covered it. But, that seems to be the point. I was instructed to go over each line of that incredible prayer, chewing on each word and thought, journaling what the Lord was saying. I want to encourage you to do the exact same thing.
It might take you a half an hour, or an hour, or maybe even a weekend. But, one thing I know for sure… it will be worth it!
I don’t want this to influence your own experience, but let me share with you right out of my journal as an example of what I hope god will produce in your life. The following reflects my reflections of the Lord’s prayer back to God.
After you read this, scratch out your own time where you are alone and in relative quiet… read through the Lords prayer slowly (Matthew 6:9–13)… write down everything you think and feel.
There are no wrong answers, just the opportunity to spend some time with your Maker.
Our Father- I have never really known a father, but I desire that role for my own life more than all others. I believe a father to be Continue reading “A Trajectory of Destruction”
