I took this picture to make a Valentines Day card for Tracy and my girls. In doing so, I was fascinated about a deeper meaning to the picture. I went into the gift shop at Central Church (near my office) and pulled a bible off the shelf to accommodate the setup. I placed the bible on a stand and opened it to the middle (curling each center page to the left/right and creasing it into the margin) to create the heart. In doing so, I was reminded that the heart of God can be found in the “center” of the scripture….and he can also be found in the margins of life! Proverbs 23:26 says, “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.” Psalm 20:4 says, “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” I think these scriptures give us much insight into His desire for us…He can find you in the “center” or the “margins”…but you must be available to Him! It’s amazing what you find when you “open the book!”
God
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Psalm 107:14 says, “He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.” As I look at this picture, I’m reminded how many “things” are chained up in the city where I live. Gates, blockades, abandoned schools, old hospitals, businesses, and the list goes on and on. An illustration can easily be made to our lives. Decisions we’ve made, places we’ve been, people we’ve been close to, places we’ve worked, and even sometimes our homes….could all be places where we feel “chained.” The scripture writer in Psalms gives us great hope and he says, “He brought them out of (utter) darkness…” and their chains were broken! What “chains” you today? I know what it is for me that could so easily “chain” me. What is it for you? Are you willing and ready to have your chains of utter darkness broken? There is hope…when you’re ready!
- Old GM Factory
2nd Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.”
I see this picture of an old GM plant and I think of this scripture….old things will pass away, and (in Christ) all things will be new. Part of the difficult part of seeing things (buildings, houses, businesses, etc.) deteriorate, is that many times there’s no hope for a “resurrection.” What has been, will never again be! But as we live in Christ, we are new creatures. Made new by and through His loving sacrifice for us. As we look at our lives and see areas of “deterioration,” we need to remember to allow Christ to “make them new again.” His work in us is enough…we no longer need to be satisfied with our old selves…we can be new in Him! It’s a matter of choice…which decision will you make?
Dan will be in concert at the Flint Central Church of the Nazarene (Chenoweth Center) on January 29th at 6:00 PM. A time of fellowship (and desserts) will immediately follow the concert. Come hear an awesome vocal talent from a great man!
1 Timothy 1:3-7 gives us insight into the disciple Timothy’s life. As “mentor,” Paul has carefully sent written instruction. Paul urges young Timothy to “mature” in Christ. Paul boils this message down to one simple concept: love. Not just love, but “love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith.” Have you considered what “love” really looks like? Is your love contaminated by self-interest…preconceived ideas…or bias that has been clinging onto your life for some time? Paul asks that we remain ”open” to God in order that we might “reconsider” what love really looks like. I love how successful businessman, Christian speaker and author Zig Ziglar puts it. Sometime (he says) we need “a checkup from the neck up.” Maybe instead the neck…we need “a new start from the heart.”
Great Challenge!
One of the things I enjoy in life is nature! Last night I sat on my deck with my family and we enjoyed seeing the deer come out from the woods. Then God gave us an unbelievable sunset to enjoy. The scripture says we are to look into the heavens for “evidence” of Him. I think we saw His presence last night as we viewed His handiwork!
Jean Pierre de Caussade says, “that each moment of our lives can be a sacrament, a vehicle for God’s love and power. The present moment holds infinite riches beyond your wildest dreams, BUT you will only enjoy them to the extent of your faith and love….to discover God in the smallest and most ordinary things, as well as in the greatest, is to possess a rare and sublime faith.”
Mercy Me sings the song, “I Can Only Imagine.” ”I can only imagine, what it will be like…I can only imagine what my eyes will see, when your face is before me. Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel….will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall….will I sing hallelujah or be able to speak at all…I can only imagine!”
Maybe it’s time for you to contemplate what it might be like…can you imagine?
