The Appeal of Joy
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The Umbrella of Authority
I often wonder how this story might have ended for Moses and the Israelites who first left Egypt had Moses remained under his authorities’ umbrella, and not killed the Egyptian out of his own arrogance. I often wonder about our children’s journey and ending in this life as they serve their authorities, including the Most-High Authority—God our Father. (Pause for Thought: Is there something or someone causing your children distress? Have you given your children a time and place to appeal to you for advice, and if appropriate, your correction/solution to the matter? What/Who will you pray about with your children this week?)
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The Endurance of the Like-Minded
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First Things First
First Things First
The tragic story of the cowbird doesn’t end with the destruction of just one egg. Most nest builders will accept the cowbird egg and try to raise the chick as their own. However, the cowbird grows fast and large to the point it will out compete the other chicks for food until they die. A few birds, like the robin, will recognize the intruding cowbird egg, and its parent’s selfish intent. The egg will either be destroyed or covered up with the rest of the eggs in hopes a second nest will not be invaded. (Pause for Thought: “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” I Timothy 3:4-5. How will you make the spiritual welfare of your family a priority this week? Is there something you have to give up to make this so? How will you do it?)
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For Crying Out Loud
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The Rigidity of Bitterness
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The Simplicity of Greatness
The Institute in Basic Life Principles explains greatness this way, “Greatness is not a goal to be sought after but a by-product of learning how to serve.” As people created by God in His image, we do desire greatness in our visions for ourselves, our children, our church, etc. It stands to reason, since we were created with a purpose by our great Father God. However, knowing greatness is a by-product of serving changes my expectations and measurements as a Christian and a parent. As a parent, the skills I want to see my son develop and the opportunities I want to seize upon for his practice and maturity are a lot different when I adhere to Jesus’ definition of greatness and not the world’s. (Pause for Thought: Does knowing “greatness” is from our serving and not from being served force you to rethink the parenting skills and emphasis you are practicing? If so, how?) I’ve had to concentrate upon the attitude, motive, desire, and passion in my service to my son and rethink what I see as greatness in my son. If you desire a change of heart in regards to visualizing and securing greatness in your children, join us at 9:45 Sunday mornings for small group discussions on “Parenting Greatness”. (Pause for Thought: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms–I Peter 4:10; The greatest among you will be your servant–Matthew 23:11)
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Live It
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Quick to Listen
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No Mere Mortals
In the beginning the earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep. In these dark and ancient times there were no selfies. Yes, once upon a long ago, camera technology had not advanced enough to be able to turn a phone around to take of picture of oneself. Thankfully, we live now in an enlightened age.
What are we really doing when we take a selfie? What are we trying to capture? A moment in time? Our essence as an individual? An image we’d like to represent us? For better or worse, our selfies do capture some part of us.
Once upon a time when there truly was nothing, the immortal, invisible, and incalculable God of the universe chose to create mankind in His own image; to capture a sliver of His nature in frail, fallible, flesh. In the midst of creating hedgehogs and eagles and platypi (or is it platypuses?) God set about to create a creature that represented some essential elements of His character. In doing so, He made something different, something unique from all the other forms of life.
The Hebrew word used to describe humankind being created in the image of God is tselem and is used elsewhere to talk about stone and wooden idols made to represent false gods. While Jesus represents the nature of God fully, in some mysterious and completely undeserved way, we also represent the character of the Lord. Understanding this, author C.S. Lewis wrote: “There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal.”
This unique status has a litany of implications but perhaps the primary is that we are not mere accidents of biology or simply the most intelligent of animals but rather purposefully designed creations mysteriously molded after the fashion of our Creator. This fact alone should give weight and purpose to our being and a great deal of responsibility as well. In the same passage in which God describes His intention to create humans in His image, He also decrees that they would have dominion over the earth.
While we most often think of the word ‘dominion’ in the context of abuse (think domineering) or as an excuse to mishandle the resources given to us, a fuller understanding is one of authority AND responsibility. A king presides over a kingdom but he is also responsible for what goes on within. The Lord has dominion over every aspect of the universe. Similarly, we are to have dominion over the earth.
Our dominion is not limited only to earth’s physical resources (for which we are both entrusted and accountable) but also in creation, innovation, and progress. All humans are the product of an infinitely creative God. We express this imbued creativity when we create are (which author J.R.R. Tolkien called ‘imaginative sub-creation’), express skills, and develop technology which seeks the betterment of the human race.
Our status as image-bearers gives our life a divinely defined purpose and authority. We exist not by chance but by design and are entrusted to rule with wisdom over the resources, both physical and spiritual, not for ourselves with selfish intent but for the betterment of all. In doing so, we reflect the creative nature of our most excellent and boundless Creator.
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