Yearly Archive: 2008

There have been better days, but they usually are “better” because we got totally immersed in what we enjoy doing. There were also those days that were better because the day before was the “pits”. You know…sicker than a dog one day, and the next you are not. The days that have you buzzing from place to place, with little time to sit and contemplate or catch your breath – those are probably not our better days. This week has flown by, with little time to contemplate or “smell the roses”. Sure, there have been moments, but then the rush of “whatever” came and captured the moment. Too bad that we just don’t stop and let the world rush by. Catch our breath, look for something good and beautiful close by, spend time with someone we care about, think about the words to a song or poem or Bible verse.

Finished James chapter 1 this morning. Interesting choice of words in verse 27 – “keep oneself unstained by the world.” He may have been talking about the impact the world can have on us, but I remember the first time I stained some wood. After carefully reading the instructions, then pouring the stain on the wood…it looked like a disaster as the stain immediately soaked into the wood. Now, this was some furniture that I had spent hours stripping the old finish off of, and the thought that now buried deep in the wood grain was this “color” that wasn’t quite right. Stain is different than paint – when paint dries, basically you can chip or sand it off. Not so with stain – it (depending on the wood) penetrates deep within the wood grain. You want it off or out, then start cutting away. If that is what the world can do in my life, then perhaps I need to be a little more careful – watch out for what I let cover or get in to my life…

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!