Being real, part one
Mark 1:35
Dave Cowens, one-time star basketball center for the Boston Celtics, disappeared. Without warning, he walked off the practice court, showered, dressed, and drove away. Alone.
He kept driving to...somewhere. His only explanation was the familiar comment, “I need to get my head together.” He added that it could take as little as two weeks or as much as ten years. The sportscasters, management, team, spectators, and fans couldn’t imagine what he was looking for.
I could.
Our speech
Colossians 4:5–6
MR PIGS...MR NOT PIGS...OSAR...CM PENZ...LIB...MR PIGS.
OK, give it a whirl. Read all those words again and translate. If you can—I can tell you what part of the country you’re from. Your speech will betray you...it does every time.
A better foreman
Philippians 4:8
A person is a product of his or her own thoughts. Thoughts form the thermostat which regulates what we accomplish in life. My body responds and reacts to the input from my mind. If I feed it with doubt, worry, and discouragement, that is precisely the kind of day I will experience. If I adjust my thermostat forward—to thoughts filled with vision, hope, and victory—I can count on that kind of day. You and I become what we think about.
A message for misfits
Judges 11:1-3, 11
Before he ever came to the plate, Jephthah had three strikes against him.
My dad
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
I’ll never forget the night my dad died.
He left like he had lived. Quietly. Graciously. With dignity. Without demands or harsh words or even a frown, he surrendered himself—a tired, frail, humble gentleman—into the waiting arms of his Savior. Death, selfish and cursed enemy of man, won another battle.
As I stroked the hair from his forehead and kissed him goodbye, a hundred boyhood memories played around in my head.
Discoveries
Proverbs 2:1–5
“Can you see anything?”
What a question to ask! Howard Carter’s mouth and eyes were wide open when his aide asked it. His head was stuck into a timeless tomb. Beads of perspiration popped out on the British archaeologist’s brow. For six straight years he had been digging. Endless trenches. Tons of rubble. Huge chunks of worthless debris. Nothing!
Hope for survival
Acts 2:44-45; 4:32
A certain fascinating social phenomenon occurred in American history. Understand, I wasn’t living back then, but from what I read, this actually happened. It occurred when “Go west, young man!” was the challenge of America...when squatter’s rights seemed the most advantageous way to pry families loose and dare them to brave the elements via the covered wagon.
A bridge called credibility, part two
Ephesians 4:25
Listen to what the Scriptures have to say about keeping your word:
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor. (Ephesians 4:25 NIV)
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Colossians 3:17 NIV)
Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless...
who speaks the truth from his heart. (Psalm 15:1–2)