Reb Rev's Blog

I don’t know if you’re supposed to have a favorite verse from the Bible. So, maybe I would be better to call this my “life verse.” Either way it is found in Ephesians Chapter 3, verse 20.

In the New King James Version it reads like this – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. . .”

First, the “to Him” refers to glory given to God (v. 21). That is always to be first. If you are a Christian, everything you say, everything you do is to bring glory to Him. Pretty awesome responsibility huh? Or, you could look at it as an awesome privilege.

The next part says He is able to do exceedingly – meaning way past, abundantly – way more, above – way beyond, ALL that we can ask or think. Too often our prayers are so small in light of what God can do. What would it be like if we were to really push the envelope when it comes to what we ask of God? We must keep in mind it must be in His will, but so often what we receive is limited because what we ask for is small.

Lastly, look at the closing words, “. . . according to the power that works in us.” How amazing! The Creator God of the universe chooses to work through us.

What an awesome God! I’d like to hear what your favorite (life verse) is. Have a blessed day!

I heard a cute (true) story this week. A friend of mine shared this about his youngest daughter, Anna. 

One of the boys at her school (we’ll call him Johnny) got in trouble for saying a bad word. At lunch he sat across from Anna and asked her for her Oreo cake. She told him she would let him have it, but he had to say his blessing. He did, and she gave him the cake.

The next day she took an extra cake and told her dad she was going to give it to Johnny, but he would have to say his blessing first.

The third day, in the afternoon, Dad asked her if she shared a cake with Johnny – she said no, I didn’t take him one today, but I made him say his blessing anyway! And, he hasn’t gotten in trouble for saying bad words all week!

Just shows positive peer pressure works, doesn’t it? Way to go Anna!

Several years ago, a young lady by the name of Alanis Morissette sang a song called “Isn’t it Ironic?” A friend gave me a copy of a CD he and his band did with a cover of that song and it reminded me of how much that tune catches my attention.

In the lyrics she asks questions which can bum you out if you think about it too much. It has lines like “it’s like rain on your wedding day . . . it’s like a free ride when you’ve already paid . . . it’s like good advice that you just didn’t take . . .” Well, you get the point.

I’d like to take a moment to turn the lens around so to speak. You know, most of us can name the wrongs and negative aspects of our lives a lot quicker than we can name the good things . . . isn’t it ironic that we have a hard time remembering the good?

It’s like a friend who calls “out of the blue”
It’s like a new talent you just found you can do,
It’s like a sunrise made just for you,
It’s like God saying don’t forget I love you.

Now isn’t THAT ironic?

Take a moment to count you blessings today.

According to Barack Obama this week, a) the economy is in the dump & b) we small town Americans (read Rednecks) are driven by desperate times to cling to our guns and our “religion.”

Using logic (maybe foreign to politicians) a + b should equal church attendance and religion is way up. Why then are we having such a hard time getting folks to come in from their weekend getaways and other recreative activities?

Many of those who aren’t away, are worn out from all of their extracurricular activities during the week.

If the economy is as bad as we are told, we should have lines of folks waiting to get in. (Since they have to check their guns at the door.) We sure don’t want any gun play during the offertory hymn.

No, Mr. Obama, we don’t cling to our guns because of bad times, we do so because the Constitution tells us we can. As for “religion”, I don’t cling to mine, I stand on my faith. My Lord clings to me. And you are welcome to come hear me preach about Him any time.

This past Tuesday, as a part of the NC Sheriff’s Chaplain Association conference, a group of us were treated to a trip to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. What an awesome trip that was! When you enter the library, you go through doors which are at the foot of a huge cross.

Words can not describe the collection of memorabilia & mementoes on display. The lives which have been touched by the Gospel message throughout the years as a result of the crusades, only God can measure.

But, just as the journey through the museum begins at the foot of the cross, so our own personal journey as believers, begins at the foot of the cross.

In the prayer garden, at the base of a walkway in the shape of a cross, Ruth Graham is buried – at the foot of the cross. As Christians our journey not only begins at the foot of the cross, it ends there.       

In between the place where we start and the place where we end, is the collection of our words and works. What a challenge to think of the display of each our live’s memorabilia and mementoes. Each day our actions add to the collection, every thing we say and every deed we do is there on display.  

Have you made anyone thirsty lately?

I’ve been thinking lately of Jesus’ challenge for His people to be salt & light. We all know what salt does. It adds spice, preserves, cleanses, etc. That is challenging enough, to be sure. But one of the most common effects of salt is that it causes thirst.

As Jesus issued that challenge to His followers, I’m sure that was an aspect He had in mind. It was certainly a characteristic of Christ. When He prayed, others wanted to pray like Him. There were those who were jealous, meaning they wanted to be like Him as well, but were not willing to commit to the life which would give them that power.  

The challenge for us today is to go beyond the bland, ordinary life. To cause thirst, we should live in a way which creates a thirst in those we come in contact with on a daily basis. Then, we can be the light which leads them to the One Who is the Living Water.

(The painting is by Bernie Rosage – click on my favorite artist to visit his site!)

Who is the most dangerous preacher from the “religious left?” Is it Jeremiah Wright? Louis Farrakhan? Maybe. However, I think it may be a much more familiar name. How about Oprah Winfrey?

“She’s not a preacher,” you may say. Well, she sure is proselytizing for New Age theology. Dangerous? Oprah? It’s easy for most Americans to see those other guys as bubbling cauldrons of hate-filled ideology, but Oprah is so sweet. Why do you think they put the poison in Kool-Aid?

Millions of folks watch her shows, listen to her radio programs and slowly consume her ear-tickling teachings. Several weeks ago Oprah launched a new interactive feature of her “book club” (read church). They meet on Monday nights on the internet and have a growing congregation. It is widely advertised on satellite radio and probably many other places – but that is where I’ve heard it most.

The video speaks for itself.  

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA