skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Allergies! Uggghhh! As I sit at my computer my nose is running and my head is thumping. While many suffer greatly from seasonal allergies (like my wife), for me it's generally just an irritation. This year has been a little worse. So I have been up close and personal with my Netti Pot, a box of Kleenex, and a variety of decongestants.
So what causes allergies? Well according to Wikipedia (the source of all knowledge) it is a hyper-sensitivity to otherwise normal environment sources. In my case, and most of you reading this it's pollen right now. That's why I have been doing a "rain dance" for several days. Hopefully the rain will clean the air of these microscopic irritants.
But what about spiritual allergies. OK - I've never heard anyone use this term - but here's my point. What about the normal things of life that wind up kicking our butts? And while they may not lead to runny noses, itchy eyes, and a trip to the pharmacy. They do really wreak havoc in our lives. Let me illustrate.
Work - God created us to work. We work so we can take care of our families, and to join with Him in the work He is already doing. But when a spiritual allergy flares up it causes folks to become work-a-holics. They become dominated by their jobs, success, and climbing the ladder.
Sex - while sex between two married people is a wonderful thing. There seems to be a sex allergy in our culture. People are just consumed with it. The devil has taken this wonderful gift from God and perverted it.
Sports - I love sports! I love playing and watching sports (almost every kind). But what happens when a relaxing past time becomes an all consuming obsession? Either for us or for our kids? Have you ever had a sports allergy?
The list could go on and on. So what can we do about it?
With physical allergies you can be tested to find out what to avoid and then get some medicine that will counteract the trouble makers.
Spiritually we need to do the same thing. The Word of God is the ultimate medicine and test for that matter. As we spend time in the Word it points out the trouble spots in our lives while at the same time giving us the needed resources to fight them.
David said it like this - "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psa 119:11 (NIV)
The author of Hebrews said this, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Heb 4:12 NIV)
So have you been to the "spiritual allergist" lately? If not - I highly recommend it!
OK - this was inspired by Perry Nobel's blog... but its great stuff...
Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (Jn 13:34-35)
He did not say, they will know you are my disciples by.....
... the way you forward stupid emails thus proving your love for me...
... by the way you yell at those who don't know me for living like they don't know me.
... by your t-shirts and bumper stickers.
... by the music you listen to.
... by the political party you support.
... by the denomination you belong to.
... by the way you protest.
... by the products and companies you boycott.
... by the way you look down on those you don't think are as good as you are.
... by the way you take from one another.
Jesus did not stutter when he said the proof is in how you love one another!!!!
The Masters .....
I'm guessing everyone reading this knows who's in the picture. But just in case, that is Phil Mickelson with his wife Amy. He had just won the Masters golf tournament - the "mac daddy" in golf.
And in so doing he showed Tiger Woods how it's done. Not just in having the best score after 72 holes - but how to love and support his wife.
Sure Tiger has more wins, more money, and more endorsements than Phil. But Phil has something so much more - respect. He has the respect of the other players, his fans and his family.
Over the last couple of years he has been missing tournaments to be with his wife as she battled cancer. Tiger on the other hand has been ..... well we all know what he's been .....
I am a fan of both men. Tiger because of the way he plays the game - he is an incredible golfer. Phil because he knows what's most important. I pray for Tiger. I pray that he can get his family life in order. I pray that he beats his demons. I pray that he learns to get to know the God who's name he loves to take in vain. I pray that he can learn from other men like Phil Mickelson that this is just a game, maybe even just a job, but at the end of the day he is a husband, father, and son.
Winning the Masters is a big deal - mastering your own life is a bigger deal.
Don't forget you can now follow me on twitter - http://twitter.com/Dino2525
Wow - what an incredible weekend - here are some high points and there were many more!
Praise Team, choir, tech folks - brought us to tears more than once - you guys rocked!
Charlie Penn - you and your crew were amazing! The coffee and "treats" were over the top!
Tina and Melinda the place looked amazing!
Those of you that fasted and prayed - thank you, thank you, thank you. The Spirit was obviously moving in hearts this weekend.
Valerie, Paula and dozens and dozens of childrens workers - WOW!!!! You all did an incredible job.
The Greeters, Ushers, and Servers - Awesome! Great job one and all.
The counters - thanks again - 1767 total.
And most all Praise to our Risen Savior for giving us a reason to celebrate not just this weekend - but every day of our lives!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, -Eph 3:20 NIV
"Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God." --Andrew Murray
"Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer." --François Fénelon
"When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy." --Corrie Ten Boom
Please take time today to pray that God opens the hearts and minds of those coming this weekend. While we have heard the resurrection story many times - may it be seen in a new and life altering way.
Also pray that other churches would see a similar outpouring of God's Spirit.
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
1 Tim 2:8 (NIV)
Allergies! Uggghhh! As I sit at my computer my nose is running and my head is thumping. While many suffer greatly from seasonal allergies (like my wife), for me it's generally just an irritation. This year has been a little worse. So I have been up close and personal with my Netti Pot, a box of Kleenex, and a variety of decongestants.
