Reading through the New Testament, we eventually come to Hebrews 12. Having just written what is known as the "Hall of Fame of Faith", the writer turns his attention to his audience, which now includes you and me, challenging us to live a life worthy of the Lord's call on our life.
He indicates that there may be some difficulty, pain, and weariness ahead...but the challenge is always to move forward. We've not suffered like some of those folks he talked about in Hebrews 11, he reminds us.
A common expression in sports that was heard during the 2008 Olympics, is "leave everything on the field". Loosely interpreted, that means, "don't come back into the locker room without having given your best, and all of it, in the game". Our writer reminds us that Jesus deserves our best effort, even more than any sporting event (including Professional Flag Football - where the coaches ARE really serious!)
Perhaps you've heard of a "bucket list"... the things you want to do before you "kick the bucket" (country term for 'die'). Hebrews 12 challenges us to have a worthwhile, Christ-centered "bucket list". Note this interesting story that occured during the Olympics....
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,410541,00.html
...we might not have as much time as we'd hoped, huh?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Miss Minnie Warehouse
Sometimes people ask me how my cousin from Rocky Face is doing, Miss Minnie Warehouse. Oh, she's fine, as always. Due to some great work by some masterful audio/video/website engineering by Don R. King, one of her visits to a Tabernacle Church Missions Banquet is now available on Godtube. It's actually on my site,
http://www.godtube.com/tombbandy
Just follow the link, and scroll down a little on the right to my "shared videos". Click on her picture, and there she is!
http://www.godtube.com/tombbandy
Just follow the link, and scroll down a little on the right to my "shared videos". Click on her picture, and there she is!
Friday, August 15, 2008
A Few Good Laughs . . . (author unknown)
I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
Police were called to a day care where a 3-year-old was resisting a rest.
Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.
The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.
The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
A thief who stole a calendar got 12 months.
A thief broke his leg falling in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.
When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.
The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.
A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.
A will is a dead giveaway.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
A backward poet writes inverse.
In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.
A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.
Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft & I'll show you A-flat miner.
The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, resulted in Linoleum Blownapart
You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
A calendar's days are numbered.
A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine.
A boiled egg is hard to beat.
He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
When you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.
When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.
Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
Acupuncture: a jab well done.
Police were called to a day care where a 3-year-old was resisting a rest.
Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.
The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.
The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
A thief who stole a calendar got 12 months.
A thief broke his leg falling in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.
When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.
The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.
A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.
A will is a dead giveaway.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
A backward poet writes inverse.
In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.
A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.
Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft & I'll show you A-flat miner.
The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, resulted in Linoleum Blownapart
You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
A calendar's days are numbered.
A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine.
A boiled egg is hard to beat.
He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
When you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.
When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.
Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
Acupuncture: a jab well done.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Spend the Night Company - Apostle Paul
In my annual read-through-the-Bible program, I recently arrived at Philemon, and was reminded again of the number of times that Paul asked for prayer for his work... more than once he made it clear that his life and ministry were totally in the hands of praying friends...
I find Philemon 1 and 22 stunning when restated together:
"I am prisoner of the Roman Empire; would you prepare me a room at your house for me to stay, so it will be ready when you pray me out of here??"
I find Philemon 1 and 22 stunning when restated together:
"I am prisoner of the Roman Empire; would you prepare me a room at your house for me to stay, so it will be ready when you pray me out of here??"
Southern Sayings - Language Laughter
Just a few items of Southern Linguistics, mostly from north Georgia:
Oh! That's a Gracious Plenty:
This is when someone is giving you something from their garden, or if someone has gotten more of something than they needed, and is sharing with you. If they offered or included 1 more item, you would have to resist and say: "Oh, no, that's a gracious plenty, keep them or give them to someone else"
Way Too Much:
One more item than a Gracious Plenty.
Do us Just Fine:
This is the right amount of anything, whether you're being given things as above, or out in the grocery store, getting a number of things. Your shopping partner might ask if you don't need a 2nd pack of party cups, and if you had the right amount you'd say:
"No, I think this will do us just fine"
Right Much:
This is actually from lowland Virginia, and Earl Fitchett has used it here for 20 years, so it's Georgian, now! It reflects less measurable or tangible things, and is more about respect, appreciation, gratitude, personal admiration. Can also be an indicator of enjoyment of an event.
"He was tough on us, and some folks didn't like him, but I always thought right much of him"
"The movie was a bit long, but we all seemed to enjoy it right much.
Don't Cotton To That:
A reflection of someone's dislike for a procedure, a person's activity, dress, conduct; or perhaps a disdain for a new law or imposed rule. It is not just a personal preference...it relates to a sincere belief that the "new thing" is not right, and should be corrected.
"That dress she wore might be okay at the beach, but not at Sunday church! Your grandma and me don't cotton to that"
"She told us first it was okay, and then the next girl said they'd never done it, we'd have to rewrite the whole thing; I just don't cotton to that type treatment!"
Hill of Beans:
(Beans in a garden are sometimes planted inside small raised mounds (like some melons), but most of us planted the seeds in a row, down in the ground, and covered them) This saying reflects a measure of something that has little or no value. It generally relects a slight disdain for someone or something from the past, either recent, or distant.
"Everything he promised before the campaign didn't amount to a hill of beans."
"We followed all the instructions that fellow gave us, and what we got out of it wasn't worth a hill of beans"
He's a Snake in the Grass:
This is a pretty negative statement about someone, who once was favored. Unfortunately for the animal kingdom, and reptiles in general, many Southerners feel that snakes of any length or color are dangerous, and most likely deadly; thus, they should be dispatched to their reward as quickly as possible, with whatever garden implement is handy. Obviously, the comparision of an individual to a snake carries similar sentiments.
"He promised all along that he was for our proposal, and then by the time the committee voted on it, he'd talked 1/2 of them into voting 'no'; he's just a snake in the grass!!"
When All's Said and Done:
This is a reference to some generally unknown date or event in which all things men are currently doing will be evaluated, rated, and seen for what they really are. It can refer to the final rewards by the Lord, or it may be used regarding a current election, political debate, public issue, or personal conduct.
"Well, I know that hurt you, honey, but when all's said and done, he'll get what's coming to him."
What's Coming to Him:
The reward and individual will receive for their actions and attitude at the time "when all's said and done"!!
He's Harmless:
This is not a compliment! Most likely to be heard regarding people in positions of influence, or even elected power, when they might be speaking out against something, or complaining. Generally conveys a lack of respect for the individual and for the impact of what is being said. It basically means they are considered to have no positive or negative influence with anyone.
"Yes, I read his letter to the editor, and some might see it; but when all's said and done, basically, he's harmless"
Oh! That's a Gracious Plenty:
This is when someone is giving you something from their garden, or if someone has gotten more of something than they needed, and is sharing with you. If they offered or included 1 more item, you would have to resist and say: "Oh, no, that's a gracious plenty, keep them or give them to someone else"
Way Too Much:
One more item than a Gracious Plenty.
Do us Just Fine:
This is the right amount of anything, whether you're being given things as above, or out in the grocery store, getting a number of things. Your shopping partner might ask if you don't need a 2nd pack of party cups, and if you had the right amount you'd say:
"No, I think this will do us just fine"
Right Much:
This is actually from lowland Virginia, and Earl Fitchett has used it here for 20 years, so it's Georgian, now! It reflects less measurable or tangible things, and is more about respect, appreciation, gratitude, personal admiration. Can also be an indicator of enjoyment of an event.
"He was tough on us, and some folks didn't like him, but I always thought right much of him"
"The movie was a bit long, but we all seemed to enjoy it right much.
Don't Cotton To That:
A reflection of someone's dislike for a procedure, a person's activity, dress, conduct; or perhaps a disdain for a new law or imposed rule. It is not just a personal preference...it relates to a sincere belief that the "new thing" is not right, and should be corrected.
"That dress she wore might be okay at the beach, but not at Sunday church! Your grandma and me don't cotton to that"
"She told us first it was okay, and then the next girl said they'd never done it, we'd have to rewrite the whole thing; I just don't cotton to that type treatment!"
Hill of Beans:
(Beans in a garden are sometimes planted inside small raised mounds (like some melons), but most of us planted the seeds in a row, down in the ground, and covered them) This saying reflects a measure of something that has little or no value. It generally relects a slight disdain for someone or something from the past, either recent, or distant.
"Everything he promised before the campaign didn't amount to a hill of beans."
"We followed all the instructions that fellow gave us, and what we got out of it wasn't worth a hill of beans"
He's a Snake in the Grass:
This is a pretty negative statement about someone, who once was favored. Unfortunately for the animal kingdom, and reptiles in general, many Southerners feel that snakes of any length or color are dangerous, and most likely deadly; thus, they should be dispatched to their reward as quickly as possible, with whatever garden implement is handy. Obviously, the comparision of an individual to a snake carries similar sentiments.
"He promised all along that he was for our proposal, and then by the time the committee voted on it, he'd talked 1/2 of them into voting 'no'; he's just a snake in the grass!!"
When All's Said and Done:
This is a reference to some generally unknown date or event in which all things men are currently doing will be evaluated, rated, and seen for what they really are. It can refer to the final rewards by the Lord, or it may be used regarding a current election, political debate, public issue, or personal conduct.
"Well, I know that hurt you, honey, but when all's said and done, he'll get what's coming to him."
What's Coming to Him:
The reward and individual will receive for their actions and attitude at the time "when all's said and done"!!
He's Harmless:
This is not a compliment! Most likely to be heard regarding people in positions of influence, or even elected power, when they might be speaking out against something, or complaining. Generally conveys a lack of respect for the individual and for the impact of what is being said. It basically means they are considered to have no positive or negative influence with anyone.
"Yes, I read his letter to the editor, and some might see it; but when all's said and done, basically, he's harmless"
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Hitting The Road
In studying the book of Hebrews (chapter 5 & 6) in the ThreadsMedia study of Life: Where Are You Going?, we come to some challenging material. The author of this letter to Jewish Christians early in the first century is talking pretty straight to them. He feels that they should be more mature in Christ than they are.
It's as if he is saying: "If you're not saved, that's got to come 1st. If you are saved, you need to stop living the sinful, sin-filled way you are, and there ought to be more fruit visible in your life".
People have used some verses in chapter 6 to say we can lose our salvation. But if we consult I Corinthians 3:11-15, we see a statement by our friend Paul that shows it is possible for us to be saved, but to live so worldly that there's nothing of our earthly work worthy of the Kingdom. I've more than once carried useless building materials to a smoking scrap pile for burning, and that's not where I want to be standing when spiritual rewards are passed out someday!
Hebrews says it's basically time for us to "hit the road", and quit fooling our life away! See this GodTube video about a man who determined to do just that. A double amputee, Scott Rigsby lived for years in a life of addiction to meds, until he got (and responded to!) a call to "hit the road" for the Lord.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3a44ada9659d13ab2f1a
It's as if he is saying: "If you're not saved, that's got to come 1st. If you are saved, you need to stop living the sinful, sin-filled way you are, and there ought to be more fruit visible in your life".
People have used some verses in chapter 6 to say we can lose our salvation. But if we consult I Corinthians 3:11-15, we see a statement by our friend Paul that shows it is possible for us to be saved, but to live so worldly that there's nothing of our earthly work worthy of the Kingdom. I've more than once carried useless building materials to a smoking scrap pile for burning, and that's not where I want to be standing when spiritual rewards are passed out someday!
Hebrews says it's basically time for us to "hit the road", and quit fooling our life away! See this GodTube video about a man who determined to do just that. A double amputee, Scott Rigsby lived for years in a life of addiction to meds, until he got (and responded to!) a call to "hit the road" for the Lord.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3a44ada9659d13ab2f1a
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Scars & Stripes
One of my great joys is working with the men and women in our church's college and young singles ministry. I get a kick out of telling them that I know all about MyFace, and SpaceBook! (And I do have a word of caution for my friends: Google once did not "find" things in FaceBook, but now I've noticed that it does....even brings up names of people from conversations "just between you and ______")
In the last 6 months, we've had several of our group to have injuries from softball sliding, mountain biking, contact with trees (yes!), cliff diving, etc. I've seen the results - and now Flag Football is coming up! Facebook testifies to other bloody events I've not witnessed in person. For some young men, they don't bother with tatoos, they just make their own scars through personal injury - - their body is like an adventure scrapbook: "I did it" !!
Scripture tells us that Jesus came to earth, lived among men, died to be our Savior, and left with the scars to prove it. Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus' blood and scars show He was fully man, and fully God, and He did His adventure for us. Check this video from our friends at Bluefish:
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9828c4f137e349cde467
In the last 6 months, we've had several of our group to have injuries from softball sliding, mountain biking, contact with trees (yes!), cliff diving, etc. I've seen the results - and now Flag Football is coming up! Facebook testifies to other bloody events I've not witnessed in person. For some young men, they don't bother with tatoos, they just make their own scars through personal injury - - their body is like an adventure scrapbook: "I did it" !!
Scripture tells us that Jesus came to earth, lived among men, died to be our Savior, and left with the scars to prove it. Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus' blood and scars show He was fully man, and fully God, and He did His adventure for us. Check this video from our friends at Bluefish:
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9828c4f137e349cde467
Friday, August 8, 2008
USS New York - "Never Forget"
The following information has been verified by http://www.snopes.com/ (a great way to test some of the stories you get before you forward them!) Two men commented that since the ship was made from World Trade Center steel, it was a moving, spiritual, and motivating experience for those involved.
The ship is the first to be fully designed from the CAD-screen up to support all three of the Marines' primary mobility capabilities - Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), Landing Craft, Landing Craft Air Cushioned vehicle and the MV-22 Osprey. This basically means that the USS New York can approach a target from offshore, hide just beyond the horizon, put its fighting Marines on the transport craft, and the smaller craft roar to shore with a battallion fully armed & ready to engage in battle....
It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center. It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.
Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'
Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.' The ship's motto? 'Never Forget'.
The sacrifice and death of over 3,000 people gave the energy and motivation to create this very active response to their unplanned sacrifice on 9/11/2001...
I wonder, as we look at Jesus' sacrifice for us, will you or I be as touched as these steelworkers?
Will you and I make a response, redirecting the energy of our lives, because He gave His life for us? I do wonder....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)