Journeys of a Restless Mind

Once is Tradition 1/20/12

journeysofarestlessmind — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:58:13 +0000

We go to the zoo for the first time and while we are at the giraffes we decide to buy some food and feed them. A year later we found ourselves back at the zoo and when we walk through the main gate I hear my daughter ask, “Can we feed the giraffes?” My wife and I look at each other and smile, for we know that if we do it once it becomes a tradition.

In Romans 6:8-10 it shows that once is a tradition with God as well. “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.”

Jesus died on the cross once and saved all mankind from their sins. It is nice to know that we have a tradition within that one act.

Daddy Arms 1/13/12

journeysofarestlessmind — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:43:07 +0000

There is something about Dad’s arms; they are big, strong and trusting. They also have the softer side of Sears to them.
- He has just come home from work and junior comes running into them.
- In the evening his daughter crawls up onto his lap to his arms around her as he reads a book.
- The high schooler comes in after wrecking the car and dad is there to wrap his arms around them like a warm blanket.
- He picks up the sleeping child from the car and places them in bed.
- Lifts junior to see the pizza guy over the counter.
- While swimming he holds them out so his child can jump.

God reveals Himself as Abba Father – Daddy.
- When I am down, His arms are there to pick me up.
- When I walk along the road of life my little preschool hand is raised holding His adult hand.
- A victory is won and He is there to give me a bear hug.

Thank you Daddy for Your comforting arms.

Why? 1/06/12

journeysofarestlessmind — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:22:56 +0000

There is a phrase in the Christian realm that I find incomplete, which is “God is so good”. There is also “How great is our God”. Do not get me wrong, these are true statements and need to be said. They both need to answer the why question.

Everything that we do and say is done for a purpose. I say, “I do not like pepperoni pizza.” You can ask, “Why don’t you?” When someone says, “Thank you Jesus” we should be there asking, “Why did you say that?”

The answers to the why question can be as small as, “We are tight financially and I am in need gas for the car. Today in the mail there was a check for twenty-five dollars. The Lord is so good for He provides.” It can also be as big as friends needing work visas in order to stay in the United States. What would normally take five to six months to process only took eight weeks. God’s hand was all over the situation and praise is given.

We need to be in the habit of saying, “God is so good because ……”

Stiff Wind – Strong Roots 12/30/11

journeysofarestlessmind — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:31:14 +0000

This morning there was a stiff blustery wind, which caused our back gate, to sway and made some tree branches fall. As I walked to the building to start work my eye caught a group of flowers that were bent over and hanging on for dear life.

I was amazed how those little flowers had such a strong root system that kept them grounded in such a stiff wind.

When life’s forecast calls for strong winds, it gets rid of the dead leaves of our lives and reveals our root system. We are secure in Christ when our roots are deep. The winds will blow, we will bend but we will not be up rooted.

Pillow Mint 12/16/11

journeysofarestlessmind — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:16:35 +0000

I love fancy hotels. They provide everything from the valet, the bus service of your luggage, to the smallest detail of the mint on the pillow.

God is in control of the whole universe and the details of planets. His realm overshadows countries and their leadership. He makes sure the seasons come into play and that the sun stays on course.

As much as God is interested in the big things, He also loves the small things as well. God has blessed us with the light of the moon at night and also provided the “free coupon” for an ice cream at the restaurant. We skip breakfast and a coworker shows up with donuts. One goes shopping for a new outfit only to find out that there is an additional 50% off for this month only.

The Master of the Universe knows how to give little grand gifts.

Little Game – Big Prize 12/09/11

journeysofarestlessmind — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:04:36 +0000

I have played this game ever since I was a kid. When I receive the communion cup I instantly feel the plastic bottom to see if I won. A winning cup is one that has a piece of the stem still attached to the cup.

Plastic is poured into a mold that creates the cups. There is a stem that attaches to the bottom and once cooled the cup is popped off of the stem.

Every cup is a winner for it is a symbol of Christ’s love for us. He gave His body and blood to save us.

I am reminded at every communion that this little game has a big prize – eternal life.

You Ask 12/02/11

journeysofarestlessmind — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:00:01 +0000

We had a saying among us kids when we wanted to ask Dad for something, “You ask him, you thought of it”. Who ever thought of it would sheepishly go in and ask Dad the question.

I love how King David goes boldly before God and just asks.

I Chronicles 14:8-10, “When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search form him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me? The Lord answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.”

I pray for that kind of boldness to go before God and ask Him if I should take this hill. Lord will you empower me to come before You with confidence.

Citrus 11/25/11

journeysofarestlessmind — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:02:19 +0000

There are three types of citrus people in the world.

Lemon: These are people that see the sourness of life in everything that they do. They receive a present for their birthday and it is the wrong color. They have a perpetual grimace.

Orange: These people are complete opposite of Lemon people, but just as destructive. They see everything through smile filled glasses. There is nothing wrong and their roses grow without thorns. They are always up and overly sweet.

Cumquat: These people have a well balance of both the sweet and sourness of life. A cumquat is a little orange colored fruit the size of a quarter. One eats one by popping the whole thing in their mouth. At first it is really sour and the more you chew the sweeter it gets.

May we not be so down that we miss the joys of life, or so high that we miss the lessons that come with the rocky road. Lord, may we savor the flavor of the cumquat.

Og Sananab 11/18/11

journeysofarestlessmind — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:07:48 +0000

Og Sananab*

You hear it at basketball games and see it at parties, where people have fun, be crazy and go bananas.

Bananas are the perfect fruit. They come in it’s own package. One can eat them plain, on cereal; make a sandwich, muffins, bread and even dessert. The bonus is the peel can assist in a great joke (watch the ending of It a Mad, Mad, Mad World).

In the hands of an experienced chef every stage of the banana is made into something wonderful. My banana life in Christ is made perfect.

I start out green and grow in maturity in Him. When I am ripe He can use me in so many situations and recipes. There comes a day that my brown spots start to show and I fall big time because of my sin. I am down and think that I am not useful for God or His kingdom.

God, in His grace, peels me, mushes me, throws me into a blender, adds some flour, bakes me and wall-la I am banana bread.

• “Go Bananas” backwards.

Places…Action 11/11/11

journeysofarestlessmind — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:24:58 +0000

The director is in charge, either on the stage or the movie set. They know where they want to take the story and how the scene is to be set up. He uses words like cut, places, action and that’s a rap to bring everything together in a smooth fashion.

The actors’ take their cue from the director on where to stand, move and perform with the other actors. The Director’s job is to challenge the Actors so they perform to the best of their abilities.

God’s direction of our lives allows Him to use good and bad situations, but also to interact with “cool” and “difficult” actors. God brings these things together so that we trust and rely on His leading as He sharpens our abilities to bring Him praise.

God has ordained every person, scenario and event in our lives to do just that.