Wanderings

Author Archive: joe

Re-Tired

That’s something you get every day – at least I do. It is different from being “Retired”, which I am definitely enjoying. People keep asking “How’s retirement”, and my answer is “generally great!” There are some things that we keep trying to find time to do, but our schedules are still maxed out. Now that our routine is getting established we find/make time for the fun stuff. Actually, most of what we do is fun. Well, digging up the roots of old shrubs and trees in the back yard definitely was not “fun”. However, putting some plants in IS!

Gotta run right now and check out something at church, then will add some notes here when I get back.

Reading Again…

Missed my time in the Word. Got a little distracted with other things, and probably should have finished this chapter in James. What I found was that it does not matter what other people think, it is what the Word (or law) has taught me. It is my actions in relationship to the people around me that matter. Sometimes, it is my reactions, but mainly it is how I act – what I do

Hearing or reading is important – that is the nourishment of our souls and minds, but once having heard, we are required to live out or do something with what we have learned (heard). At the root of James 1:19-27 is the challenge to take what you “know” and act on it. Failing to “do”…well, that’s a personal decision. Let’s put it this way (verse 22)… Going to a lot of concerts (rock, classical, whatever) does not make you a great singer, violinist, guitarist, etc. It is what you do with what you hear or see that makes you good or great.

Let’s see…you can buy all the frosting for cupcakes you want, but it won’t make the cupcakes any better until you put the frosting on the cupcakes. Lemme go frost some cupcakes right now!

He’s Back

Wonder how many comedians in A.D. 33 (or thereabouts) ran around yelling “He’s Back”? Especially in the face of Roman soldiers who had participated in the arrest, conviction and crucifixion of “that man”. Probably the greatest surprise in history – a dead man who did not stay dead. Of course, there were those who tried to explain it as trickery or some great illusion, but it cannot be explained away. It has to be taken at face value. The “Man” was dead, but is not any longer. He did what he said he would do, even though people did not believe Him.

Interesting that it did not make any difference whether people believed that Jesus was the Christ…that He said he would rise in three days…that the tomb could not keep Him. Whether they believed it or not, it happened. Even today, what you believe or feel does not change the fact that a perfect man died and rose again to make you and me perfect.