The Life and Times of Joe Suttle

Just a couple of nights ago, it was cold – like in the low 40’s and warnings to watch our plants. This morning dawned bright and warm. More that warm, downright (or is that up right) hot. Suppose that we could debate “hot” and “cold”, but to each his/her own. When you are cold, I won’t object if you get a coat – just treat me the same way.

The thought of hot and cold reminds me of how God wants me to live my life – turned on an charging forward for Him. My love and devotion for my wife and kids should be “hot” – full on. Not wavering. Loving and living less could lead me to taking on an attitude that it’s OK to not do all I could or can. Sounds kind of dangerous to me.

I want my life to be the best it can be for God and lived so other people (and God) see that.

At one point in the Bible Jesus is talking to the church and says, “because you are neither hot or cold, I’ll spit you out.” Time to get out there and get “hot”.

Have you noticed that there are only eight months left in 2008? Hard to imagine that all the things we/I do have kept me busy this many days. And it seems like the days just keep rolling on and on, one day into the next. Amazes me that I think I am doing the things that I also did while working. Now how did all these/those things get done.

Yes, I watched “Idol”, “Gray’s Anatomy” and “House” last year; read emails and e-newsletters; spent time at soccer, hockey and basketball games. Guess the old adage “the work available fills the time available.” Not hundred percent sure, but that seems to be what happens so often.

That’s why we set priorities, and what we put first may or may not help us have (or seem to have) more time.

It’s like yesterday – rather than start with by Bible reading, I started on emails and before I knew it, an hour and a half had zipped by. This morning though was different.

James 4 has some highlights, but the ones that stood out for me were “Where do quarrels and conflicts come from?” and “You don’t have because you don’t ask” or “You ask, but for the wrong reasons.” There were some other things, but those three hit first, and were seed for thought. Better they be seed (impetus) for action, cause it’s not what you know, but what you do with it.

There is more in James 4, but more about that later…

Finally finished James 3, and had to spend time looking up word definitions. The search even got me looking back at what James said in verse 12 about fig trees producing olives. Interesting that Jesus talked about the same kind of things (grapes on thorn bushes, etc.)

What struck me though, in 13-18 was how we are supposed to show that we have “wisdom”. It should be done in humility rather than in arrogance. My response to someone like that is kind of along the line “if you are so good with money, why aren’t you rich?”. To me, an arrogant person (who is a “wise” pretender) will bully their way through life. Big words come out, but their lives are not right.

They get caught up in themselves and forget that they don’t know everything. James says it’s tied to jealousy and selfishness. Something to watch for in my life – seeking God’s wisdom brings different results. Check out verse 17 and then take a look at Philippians 4:8.