Have you ever played "Mother May I?"

Maybe I am getting too old. I remember playing this game. It taught me a lot. There is a game kids play called “Mother, May I.” The rules are simple. A group of kids stand facing one kid who is the “Mother.” The object of the game is to reach “Mother” by taking a certain number of steps, hops, jumps, etc. The first kid to reach “Mother” wins. One player plays the "mother", "father" or "captain". The other players are the "children" or "crewmembers".

To begin the game, the mother or father stands at one end of a room and turns around facing away, while all the children line up at the other end. The children take turns asking "Mother/Father, may I ____?" and makes a movement suggestion. For example, one might ask, "Mother/Father, may I take five steps forward?" The mother/father either replies "Yes, you may" or "No, you may not do that, but you may _____ instead" and inserts his/her own suggestion. Now we used to suggest things like like "hop like a frog and whistle Dixie while taking 5 jumps backward". And guess what, they had to. No debate.

The players usually move closer to the mother/father but are sometimes led farther away. Even if the mother/father makes an unfavorable suggestion, the child must still perform it. The first of the children to reach the location of the mother/father wins the game. That child then becomes the mother/father himself, the original mother/father becomes a child, and a new round begins.

The “catch” in the game is to remember to ask the question: “Mother, May I?” If you forget, you go all the way back to the beginning. Really, I get penalized for not being polite and not following the rules? Yes, that is the way it works.

Except, I think we may have lost our way in some ways.

GOD hasn't forgotten though. May I be humble, not demand and always ask. He is faithful.

"If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to have a GOD World (Kingdom) approach to retaliation. Our normal approach to being sued is to defend ourselves or counter sue. Jesus challenges us to give our enemies what they want and then overwhelm them with love and generosity by giving them something precious they didn't ask for. GOD's way is love. GOD's way is generosity. Our heavenly Father doesn't want us to retaliate. Being generous gains attention for GOD where retaliation is expected.

Jesus sets a standard for us that requires us to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the power of love.

"If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it." ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:40 The Message)

"It's what comes out of a person that pollutes ... all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution." ​~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to be concerned about the right things. It is all about the heart. Is what is coming out of us from a "pure of heart"? Or are spewing forth "vomit from the heart"?

We worry about how we look. We struggle to create a perception of a good life when at our core we have a problem. GOD sees the heart. GOD knows our heart. We can't fool Him.

We must change our mind about what is important. We must focus on getting right with GOD.

"It's what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness—all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution." ~~Jesus (Mark 7:21-23 The Message)

"Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever." ~~Jesus

Eternity is a long time. Think a billion years. Not enough. A trillion years. Not enough. It is hard enough to think of 100. Jesus wants us to wrap our minds around the enormity of what GOD can and will do. GOD is GOD.

Jesus offers the Holy Spirit and life for all eternity. It is an unconditional offer. It is ours for believing in Him and GOD.

Jesus challenges us to drink His water and be satisfied. It is enough. We don't need anything else.

"Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever." ~~Jesus (John 4:14 The Message)

Ga., SC mountains mark 40 year 'Deliverance' anniversary

It is hard to believe it has been 40 years since this movie exploded on the scene. My sister Janice and I rafted down the Chatooga River one weekend. That was my first experience rafting and it was a blast. I am thinking it was after the movie came out but I need to see if my sister remembers better than I do.

This weekend, communities along the Chattooga are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the movie's release with the first-ever Chattooga River Festival, even though some locals are unhappy with the idea of reminding the world of the area's connection to the movie.

"It's one of those cases where some good comes out of most everything," said Stan Darnell, chairman of the Rabun County, Ga., board of commissioners. "Certainly a lot of good came out of that, as far as opening up film industry, the kayaking, the camping."

via Ga., SC mountains mark 'Deliverance' anniversary | CNSNews.com.

Atlanta Braves History: Braves 4, Red Sox 1 - June 22, 2012

Great news for the Atlanta Braves last night. Jurrgens returned and did well. And, it was against Boston. Of course, Braves fans know that the Atlanta Braves started their franchise in Boston before there was a Red Sox team. While I am not a big fan of inter-league play, I love it when we play in Boston.

So Jair Jurrjens returned, and it was the Good Jurrjens, keeping the ball in the park, not walking people, but only getting a handful of strikeouts so you’re not too certain about his long-term outlook.

The game was scoreless through three when Matt Diaz grounded out to score Freddie Freeman, and Andrelton Simmons doubled home Jason Heyward (who was 3-4 with two doubles on the day) to make it 2-0. Simmons added an insurance run with a sac fly to score Heyward in the sixth.

Meanwhile, Jurrjens was cruising. He allowed a first inning single and a third inning walk, and that was it until the eighth. He allowed a leadoff double in that inning, and another double with two out to make it 3-1; Chad Durbin came in to get the last out. Freeman singled in Michael Bourn in the ninth to make it 4-1, and Craig Kimbrel had, yes, a 1-2-3 ninth for the easy save.

via Braves 4, Red Sox 1.

"My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God's Word. Obedience is thicker than blood." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to see the reality of GOD's World (Kingdom). Who is our family? Who are our mother's, brothers and sisters? What is family all about?

What is that reality? Obedience is the only thing that matters. Who is obeying GOD? They are our family. We need to be loyal to them. We need to love them.

Jesus throws conventional wisdom on its ear. Blood is not the thicker than water.

It is all about who is doing what GOD wants to have done today. Find them. Connect with them.

"My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do GOD's Word. Obedience is thicker than blood." ~~Jesus (Luke 8:21 The Message)

"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." ~~Groucho Marx

How tough is this? Arguments and wisdom

OK, I don't mean it to happen. I know you don't either. Who really likes to argue. OK, some people do but I think it is rare. So what is the root cause? Pride. Plan and simple.

What is the solution to being wise! Be willing to take advice.

"If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to forgive others. It is a clear command and unambiguous. That is our part to do. When we do, GOD forgives us. He is also clear that if we don't forgive others, GOD won't forgive us for missing GOD's goal for our life.

Really? Yes, really. He said it. I think He meant it.

May I forgive. May I root resentment out of my heart and life.

"If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from GOD's part." ~~Jesus (Matthew 6:14 The Message)

Should we wear crash helmets to church? Are you ready to be lashed to your pew?

Annie Dillard has one of the best quotes on church. She is an unbeliever as best I can tell. She knows, however, that if you believe in GOD you better be prepared for who GOD is. He is explosive in His ability and desire to do what we all think can't be done. So why don't churches, for the most part, act that way?

Do you have your crash helmet on? Are you ready to be lashed to your pew?

Why do people in church seem like cheerful, brainless tourists on a packaged tour of the Absolute? … Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping GOD may wake someday and take offense, or the waking GOD may draw us to where we can never return.

via What religious snake handlers want - Think Christian.

Mississippi civil rights workers murders - June 21, 1964

I was 10 in 1964. Racism was the "way it was" in the South. I was in Atlanta. I have all kinds of horrible memories of what it was like then. If I had been older, this might have been me in this story. Thank God our world has changed. While I love my dad, this way of life is one thing we always disagreed on.

The Mississippi civil rights workers murders involved the lynching of three anti-racism and social justice activists near Philadelphia in Neshoba County, Mississippi on June 21, 1964, during the American Civil Rights Movement.

The murders of James Chaney, a 21-year-old black man from nearby Meridian, Mississippi; Andrew Goodman, a 20-year-old white Jewish anthropology student from New York; and Michael Schwerner, a 24-year-old white Jewish CORE organizer and former social worker also from New York, demonstrated the dangers faced by civil rights workers in the South, especially during what became known as "Freedom Summer", dedicated to voter education and registration. Blacks in Mississippi, as throughout the former Confederacy, lived under racial segregation and Jim Crow laws, and had been essentially disfranchised in Mississippi since the passage of the state constitution of 1890.

via Mississippi civil rights workers murders - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

"You scratch out God's Word and scrawl a whim in its place. You do a lot of things like this." ~~Jesus

Jesus is talking to religious people. That would be us. He challenges us to really understand what God is saying and to quit making up things that only benefit what we want. Jesus isn't looking for selfish people. He doesn't want us to be religious and quote scripture for our own benefit. He knows we do this way too much.

He wants us to search out God's word and act on what He is asking us to do.

"You scratch out God's Word and scrawl a whim in its place. You do a lot of things like this." ~~Jesus (Mark 7:13 The Message)

If we don't believe what we read in the Bible, how will we believe when Jesus actually talks to us?

This is a very relevant question for us, "the religious". Jesus is challenging us. Do we hear Him? Are we sure? How are we sure we are sure?

What did He say?

Jesus is challenging us. May I hear Him now.

"But don't think I'm going to accuse you before my Father." ~~Jesus

Jesus is clear about His role. He is the one who saves us from missing God's goal for our life. He is the one gives us this great gift of life that will never end.

Jesus is also clear that others may accuse us. He was talking to the religious leaders of His day. The believed what Moses said, but they didn't believe Jesus. Do we believe what Joel Osteen says but not Jesus? Do we believe Rick Warren but not Jesus?

The essence is that we must believe Jesus. May I do that always.

"But don't think I'm going to accuse you before my Father." ~~Jesus (John 5: 45 The Message)

Will God always rescue me?

God promises that because I love Him, He will always rescue me. He will protect me. He knows me by name. How cool is that?

"Don't load yourselves up with equipment." ~~Jesus

Jesus has powerful but simple things He wants us to do. We don't need a lot of equipment to complete His mission today. He will supply us everything we need. He does His work through us. We are the equipment.

This is hard to keep in mind. In our world, we think the more we have, the better the buildings, the better off we are. In God's World (Kingdom), He doesn't need our equipment. He is God. He can do anything and takes pleasure in turning water in wine. I think it may even amuse Him to confound us. Just saying!!

"Don't load yourselves up with equipment." ~~Jesus (Luke 9 The Message)

God bless the conservative father

Many of us were fortunate to be raised by a responsible, moral, conservative father --  imperfect though he may have been.  He scoffed when his children cried, "that's not fair."  He taught us work before play, the value of money, self-respect, right and wrong, and the limits of government and the power of personal responsibility -- if not in words, by his example.   I am grateful for many blessings, but a conservative father (Everett Wiley Wilson) is chief among them.

I use the word conservative with a small "c". While he voted Republican most his life, politically he was probably a Libertarian. He listened to Neal Bortz everyday after he retired. His conservative world view did spill over into his politics. My own father never organized anyone.  He expected people to organize their own lives, and their own communities, free from the obstacle of tyrannical government preferably.   He never presumed to rule over another, nor did he expect anyone to tell him how to live his life.   He never lectured from stadiums grandiosely flanked by Greek columns, but his words resonated.  He never padded a resume, nor embellished, let alone created, his own history.  And yet, his history speaks volumes.

My father grew up with strong, Christian, honorable men who served and defended this great nation, knew hard work (he was 10 when the Great Depression started in 1929), God-given liberty, and right and wrong.  My father grew up when Sunday was reserved for family and church; before helmets were required to walk to the mailbox; and before putting the playground bully in his place with a discreet right hook was criminal.   He knew how to change the oil in his own car, and how to farm and garden before leftists commandeered produce for social change.  He watched great men land on the moon, and even greater men returning from war.  He understood why soldiers fought those wars, and he was grateful and humbled.  He fought in World War II and didn't like to talk about it. He grew up before MTV was around to bash Christians, and glamorize teen pregnancy, victimhood, bad behavior, and hedonistic drunkards from the Jersey Shore.   To my knowledge, my father never dealt drugs, ate dog, nor perfectly recited the Islamic call to prayer.

So, God bless the conservative father. May we have more of them.

"Leave things better than you found them." ~Everett Wiley Wilson (my father)

I can hear my dad (Everett Wiley Wilson) now. I'm playing baseball. Normally I am catching but today I am playing left field (or "left out" as my dad would call it). There is always plenty of time on your hands in left field. Not much action.

My dad is the coach. He wanders down the line and asks me to pick up rocks in between pitches and throw them off the field. "Why" I say in my best indignant tone of voice.If I had thought about it I would have known what his answer would be. It wasn't the first time he said it. It wouldn't be his last.

"Leave things better than you found them", he says. And so ... I picked up rocks and threw them off the field. I left things better than I found them. I was no worse for the wear.

That is the way my dad lived his life. It was important to him. It was almost a holy obligation. We weren't here to take from others. We are here to serve. We must leave things better than we found them. This meant in the simple things in life. Playing baseball. Walking through a room. Work. It doesn't matter.

My dad taught me lots of great things like that. Simple but very important.

I miss him but he is with me in these important lessons I learned from him. As a father myself, I hope I am passing this along as well.

"Leave things better than you found them." ~Everett Wiley Wilson

"People who don't know God and the way he works worry too much." ~~Jesus

Why do we worry?What produces that anxiety in our gut?

Because we don't know what a good mood God, our Father, is in. He loves us. He has every good thing in store for us. When we get that at our core, we relax. We are at peace. We don't worry at all.

May I remember, today, how God works. May I relax. May I be at peace.

"People who don't know God and the way he works worry too much." ~~Jesus (Matthew 6 The Message)

A sad thing ...

"The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped." ~~King Solomon

I am thinking how true this is. The more we bless others the more we are blessed. And it is an abundant blessing. More than we could ever imagine. Our mission is to help others. Our Father has sent us into His World (Kingdom) to love everyone we come in contact with every day. That is our job. When we do it in His name, we are helped as well.

May I bless others today. May I be of help.

"The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped." ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:25)

"But you weasel out of that by saying ...." ~~Jesus

Jesus is direct with us about twisting God's words and using them to our advantage. Jesus knows what His Father said and meant. We do too. We can't weasel out by trying to change the intent. Jesus challenges us to not be religious. It is all about knowing God, listening to God and doing what our loving Father wants us to. Obedience is preferred over sacrifice.

May I believe what God has said and act on it.

Moses said, 'Respect your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.' But you weasel out of that by saying that it's perfectly acceptable to say to father or mother, 'Gift! What I owed you I've given as a gift to God,' thus relieving yourselves of obligation to father or mother. (Mark 7:10 The Message)

"Go home. Your son lives." ~~Jesus

You come to Jesus. You beg him to personally come and heal your son who is dying. Jesus puts you off. Won't go see him and heal him. Jesus makes a blunt statement that all you are interested in is miracles. Jesus challenges you. Will you be put off? Will you slink away? Do you have faith?

This man did not slink away. He had faith and kept at Jesus. He begged. He pleaded. He knew Jesus could heal his son. So, Jesus says to him:

"Go home. Your son lives." ~~Jesus (John 4:51 The Message)

He went home. His son was healed. Just as he believed and just as Jesus said.

Jesus challenges us. Do we really believe?

My father's flag

My father (Everett Wiley Wilson) served in WWII. This is the flag that was draped on his coffin. God bless men and women like my dad.


We miss you.

"Self-help is no help at all." ~~Jesus

God knows us. He knows that we miss His goal for our lives.

Jesus challenges us to face up to the fact that "we can't fix ourselves". He can transform us into new creatures. He shows us how to be born a second time to a new life.

Jesus came to show us the way. Jesus is the way. Jesus is the truth. He alone is life.

There is no "self-help". There is only "God-help". May I live that way today.

"Self-help is no help at all." ~~Jesus (Luke 9:25 The Message)

"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it." ~~Jesus

Wow. Jesus is direct. Grow up!!

OK, that makes sense. We can be very childish. We live in God's World (Kingdom). He is in charge. We know it. We need to act like it. We need to live like it.

May I live like I know I am living in God's World, where He is fully in charge.

"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it." ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:48 The Message)

And the wall came down

25 years ago today, President Ronald Regan made a speech at the Berlin Wall. He said

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

And the wall came down!!

"You get rid of God's command so you won't be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions! " ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to obey God and not follow the latest religious fads. God is clear in what He wants us to do. Religious leaders can deceive us with various fashionable and trendy ideas. This is not God's way.

Our way is to "interpret" God's word to our advantage. Jesus knows we do it. He demands that we stop.

God's word and way is clear. May we follow it today and every day.

"You get rid of God's command so you won't be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions! " ~~Jesus (Mark 7:9 The Message)

"Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to not be deceived by things in this world. In God's World (Kingdom), you can drink water and be satisfied. Thinking that water in this world really satisfies us is a deception. It is the Spirit of God that satisfies us. We must drink of that water. We must be thirsty for that water. We must focus on God's World not this world.

"Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again." ~~Jesus (John 4:13 The Message)

"I will not allow yesterday's success to lull me into today's complacency, for this is the great foundation of failure." ~~Og Mandino

"If you scatter thorns, don't go barefoot." ~~Italian Proverb

"Keep it simple; you are the equipment." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to not get wrapped up in all "stuff" that keeps us from fulfilling His mission for us. He sent His 12 disciples out to proclaim the good news of God's World (Kingdom). He told them to not take any equipment with them.

In God's World, we are the equipment that He uses to reach others. He is radically transforming our lives and that is what people see. People are longing to see the power of God, not the paltry equipment of the failed churches that we build.

We must keep it simple and not forget what transforms us all. It is Jesus not the buildings.

"Keep it simple; you are the equipment." ~~Jesus (Luke 9:3 The Message)

"The cat is mighty dignified until the dog comes by." ~~Southern Folk Saying

Is God slow?

God is not slow. At least, not like some people think of slowness.

God, however, is patient. And that is a good thing for us. Think about it. He doesn't want us to perish. He is the perfect Father we never had. He just wants to give us all time to change our minds about who is in charge. Hint?? God is in charge.

So let us be thankful that God is patient and not complain that He seems slow. It is to our advantage.

 

Atlanata Braves History: Braves 4, Blue Jays 3 - June 6, 2012

Great game last night. You always have to love a win in extra innings. I am very encourage with the Braves this year. They are hanging in there. Even with Chipper injured most of the season so far. Jason Heyward and Dan Uggla are impressive.

Is Jason Heyward waking up? He scored twice and drove in a run last night, one of the runs being a game winner.

The Braves’ first run came on a bases-loaded walk of Dan Uggla in the third, scoring Brandon Beachy, but Heyward flew out to end that threat. Beachy had a shutout going through five, but in the sixth allowed a leadoff homer to Jose Bautista and walked the next two, so Fredi brought in Chad Durbin. Beachy struck out six, but walked five, and threw 108 pitches in those mere five innings. Durbin let one of Beachy’s runs score to make it 2-1 Jays.

Uggla led off the bottom of the inning with a walk, and Heyward followed with a double to score him and tie the game. With two out, after pinch-hitter Freddie Freeman couldn’t get him home from third, Heyward scored on a balk to make it 3-2.

Jonny Venters walked a man, but otherwise was good in the seventh. The Braves blew a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the inning, and in the eighth Eric O’Flaherty gave up the tying run, which scored on a Yunel Escobar groundout.

Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth, allowing an infield single, and Cristhian Martinez pitched the tenth. Heyward led off the bottom of that inning with an infield single, and Jack Wilson bunted him to second. On his own initiative, Heyward stole third. The catcher threw the ball away and Heyward came around to win the game.

via Braves 4, Blue Jays 3 (10 innings).

Ecclesiastes and the world view of Mad Men

I discovered the series "Mad Men" recently. I think this sums it up pretty well. "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."  I like the show but it is sad.

In Don Draper's world, "Everything is meaningless". But it is not just him. All the characters lack a moral sense of balance. Last week saw the suicide of one of the main characters after Don confronted him for embezzlement. Symptomatic of what Jesus encountered when the religious leaders brought him a woman caught in the act of adultery. They wanted to stone her. Don Draper does the equivalent. That is not the way in God's world (Kingdom). Jesus forgave her and sent her out to not miss God's goal for her life anymore. Even though Don lives in a world of moral failure, he can't forgive.

Jesus offers the way of hope. Now that is good news.

“The author’s cool skepticism, a refreshing negation to the lush and seductive suggestions swirling around us, promising everything but delivering nothing, clears the air. And once the air is cleared we are ready for reality - for God.” Eugene Peterson in his introduction to Ecclesiastes.

I wish I could call upon Peterson to pitch his contemporary paraphrase of Ecclesiastes to the denizens in the disturbingly materialistic and misogynistic world of “Mad Men,” which has its season finale Sunday. It seems especially fitting to a 1960s advertising agency, with its ad-friendly colloquial phrases and repeated imagery of smoke. (Lucky Strike, anyone?)

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity … Everything is meaningless … chasing after wind. These are anti-taglines that protagonist Don Draper (Jon Hamm) could use. He’s had a few decent - even tender - moral turns this season, but he is still very much vainly chasing the altars of power and wealth.

via Ecclesiastes and the women of Mad Men - Think Christian.

"We are not makers of history. We are made by history." ~~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Get to Know Derek Johnson

Check out this video on YouTube. Derek Johnson is the worship leader at Bethel Church in Redding California. Great man of God.

[youtube http://youtube.com/w/?v=N2qxelS1s-I&feature=youtube_gdata_player]

"Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges not to retaliate. It is in our core, when someone hurts us, to strike back. Jesus has a different way. Don't hit back at all. Just take it. Agree with your adversary.

Jesus has higher standards for us than what the world expects. He expects us to be full of the love of God. Love acts differently. Love is kind and patient. Love does not retaliate.

May I love like God. May I not be defensive and retaliate.

"Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it." ~~Jesus 

"Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to not worry. God is God, in control and in a good mood. God will take care of us. He has our best interest at heart. Do I believe that? Does what I say reflect that? Do my actions make it clear to everyone that is my reality?

At our core, we are concerned we are missing out on something. By trusting in God, we are getting everything God wants us to have.

This is tough but it is essential in God's World (Kingdom).

"Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." ~~Jesus

"You ditch God's command and are just taking up the latest fads." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges the religious stay focused on God and what He wants. Fads come and go. Jesus and His Father are the same from all of eternity.

It is important to not make a big show of just saying the right thing, but make sure our heart is in it. Do we  act like we are worshiping God, but they don't mean it? Do we just use God as a cover for teaching whatever suits our fancy?

This is important. Jesus is challenging us.

"You ditch God's command and are just taking up the latest fads." ~~Jesus (Mark 7:6 The Message)

God is charge -- always.

This is true but not always easy to remember and act on. God is God. He can do anything. He will do what He wants.

Our job is to align with and act on what He wants to have happen at any given moment.

"I'm telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what's right in front of you." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to see the opportunities right in front of us. We need to see what God is doing rather than what He isn't doing. We need to see what God is doing today not what we think He is going to do 4 days from now or 4 months from now or 4 years from now. He is doing amazing things today. He wants us to tap into that today. The fields are ready to be harvested. He needs workers today.

"Well, I'm telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what's right in front of you." ~~Jesus (John 4:34 The Message)

Am I Worked up over nothing?

How often do I go about fussing? Getting worked up over nothing. Worrying about how everything is going to get done. Putting my best "servant" attitude on and letting Jesus know it. I need to get to the essential and choose it. My relationship with Jesus is the most important thing. It is the main course.

May I choose the good part. Why worry?

But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

Don't put your life in the hands of experts who know nothing of life.

Don't put your life in the hands of experts who know nothing of life. What do they know of God's amazing salvation life? Absolutely nothing. They spew forth stunning stuff focused on this very short life of ours and don't focus on what Jesus says matters.

A billion years from now, will what they say matter? A good question to ask.

God sticks by everyone who loves Him.

God sticks by everyone who loves Him. It is all over for us if we don't. Jesus challenges us to love God with everything we have. Our passion, our intelligence, who we are at our core. We need to love Him 24/7. That is all there is to it.

"You're not in the driver's seat—I am." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to live life with Him in charge. Now that is tough because we all like to be in control. We may pretend we don't but we know it is true. Jesus knows it is true. We can't fake it with Him. He knows us down to our core.

So ... He looks us in the eye, pauses and says ...

"You're not in the driver's seat—I am." ~~Jesus (Luke 9:24 The Message)

"Live out your God-created identity." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to the person God wants us to be. It is not about us or our unique personalities. God has given us His identity. Jesus only does what He hears and sees His Father saying and doing.We need to get outside of our "me identity". It isn't about who I am.

He wants the same for us. We have a God created identity. We are a new creation in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. We share that with Him through baptism.

"Live out your God-created identity." ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:48 The Message)

"They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy." ~~Jesus

Jesus is very direct about how religious leaders are focused on justifying what they teach to match their way of seeing things. That is not God's way.

Jesus challenges us not to see things from a religious point of view. We must have a heart after God, seek what God wants us to do and say, and do that only. The focus is on God and not what we think or believe.

"They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy." ~~Jesus (Mark 7:7 The Message)

"The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to focus on the main thing. It isn't about what our next meal will be or what will be on the menu. It is about doing what God wants us to do right now. Doing God's will step by step, every day. All those steps add up to His grand plan for His world (the Kingdom).

Doing what God wants right now is our source of energy.

"The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started." ~~Jesus (John 4:34 The Message)

Do I have true freedom?

Not only has He healed my heart, He has set it free. That freedom leads me to run in the path of His desire for my life. His freedom leads to my commitment to do what He wants for me.

Freedom leading to willing obedienceis His way. And I run in it!! Willingly. Gladly.

 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32

"You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to make sure our words are clear and genuine. They should reflect all of His love. Embellishing what we say with religiosity is useless. Being religious isn't being genuine in God.

Sounding religious doesn't make us religious.

"You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace." ~~Jesus

"They act like they are worshiping me, but they don't mean it." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to stop acting. And, He is serious. He means it.

How many times do we just go through the motions? What about our prayers at meals? What about how we sing (or don't sing) the songs at church? What about our "gifts" at the offering time?

Are we just acting? Do we really mean it?

May we worship God like we mean it. May we be head over heels in love with Jesus and let our worship show it.

"They act like they are worshiping me, but they don't mean it." ~~Jesus (Mark 7:6 The Message)

Atlanta Braves History: Dan Uggla 2 run home run

Atlanta Braves' Dan Uggla follows through with a two-run home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, May 26, 2012, in Atlanta.

Am I astonished or afraid?

Am I astonished or afraid? Those who simply follow get afraid. Those who are following Him and the new plan are astonished. His peace drives out fear all together. He is leading us. He knew what was going to happen. He let it be plain to His followers. He gave them hope. He would rise from the dead. This was good news.

It still is!!!

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise. Mark 10:32-34

Memorial Day

These heroes are dead.  They died for liberty - they died for us.  They are at rest.  They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines.  They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest. 



Earth may run red with other wars - they are at peace.  In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death.  I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead:  cheers for the living; tears for the dead.  ~Robert G. Ingersoll

"Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe." ~~Jesus

You come to Jesus. Your son is sick and is going to die. You ask Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus puts you off. That's right, Jesus doesn't just hop to it to do what you want. In fact, He challenges your motives. This is your opportunity to slink off or stand firm.

Jesus challenges us. Do we believe in him or will we give up?

"Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe." ~~Jesus John 4:48 (The Message)

Expect nothing in return

Sometimes I am so very tempted to get upset with the "ungrateful". OK, truth be told, I do get upset. I succumb to the temptation. I feel justified. I blessed them and they didn't respond. I gave and they weren't thankful. I go out of my way and they don't notice. How righteous I feel. What is wrong with them? Oh my goodness. What is wrong with me? Really. I have been ungrateful to my heavenly Father. What is His response?
 
To show me mercy. To be kind. To love me. To lavish His gifts on me. To put His best clothes on me. To give me my inheritance. To prepare a feast for me. To go find an amazing ring and put it on my finger.
 
He does good, is good and is in a good mood. He doesn't get offended at all. He is God. He is stunningly great. How amazing? Amazing gifts in spite of my ungrateful heart. He is absolutely perfect.
 
May I be merciful like my heavenly Father. REALLY. My reward will be huge. I will be His son.

If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:34-36

"Go and do the same."~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us. He tells us stories to shake us up. He wants us to love like our heavenly Father loves.

There is the story about a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'What do you think?

So Jesus tells this to a group of religious leaders. He asks, "Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"

"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.

Jesus said, "Go and do the same." Luke 10:37 (The Message)

Does God have enough?

This seems pretty timely. The economy goes up and down. That creates a lot of uncertainty. A lot of us trust in it our 401K. Better to trust in God who provides for us according to His richness. We should be rich in good deeds. We should be generous. We should share with those in need.

Then there is God's economy. It is certain. It will never evaporate from in front of our eyes. God's economy doesn't need a bailout. He is in a good mood. He is generous. He has plenty to go around.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

"If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life." ~~Jesus

It happens all the time. Someone uses us for their own advantage. We get upset. It's just not right. We plot how we can get even. We put them in their place. We feel better for a while. But we are not at peace.

Jesus challenges us to not see it that way and act that way. It shouldn't be about who is right. We are here to love and serve. That is the "Jesus way".

"If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life." ~~Jesus 

Is God a liar?

Am I going to lay a stake in the ground, claiming that I have never missed God's goal for my life?

I could but I would be claiming that God is a liar. Now that is something to think about.

Claiming that would show my ignorance. Do I really want that?

No, I don't.

If we claim that we've never missed God's goal for our life (sinned), we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. ~~Apostle John (1 John 1:10)

Atlanta Braves History: A long haul (1931)

Well, it got worse in 1931. Rather than finish sixth like they had in 1930, the Braves finished seventh. Bill McKechnie continued as the manager. They had a record of 64-90 and were 37 games behind the leader.

They had played pretty good until August and September. Hard to overcome a 17-43 slide in those two months.

They were in for a long haul with McKechnie at the helm. It would never get too much better.

Is it counterfeit?

It is all about love!! May our Father’s HOLY Spirit bring more love!!! How powerful is that?

 "The Pentecostal power, when you sum it all up, is just more of God's love. If it does not bring more love, it is simply a counterfeit."
----- William J. Seymour (quoted in “Apostolic Faith”)

 

 

"Are you being willfully stupid?" ~~Jesus

Jesus explains so many things to us. He challenges us to hear, really hear, what He is saying. He is blunt. He is straightforward. He really want us "to get it". He has given us the Holy Spirit to help.

May we listen and understand. It is important.

"Are you being willfully stupid?" ~~Jesus (Mark 7:18 The Message)

" How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?" ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to stop being competitive. We are always comparing ourselves with others. It is a serious problem. It makes us feel better that we are better off than someone else.

We have all fallen short of what God has in mind for us. We miss the mark. Worrying about how we compare to others has us ignoring God.

"How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?" ~~Jesus (John 5)

Is this just a promise for heaven?

Our God is. He is now. His promise is now. His presence is now. He is!!

The future is going to great. But so is now. His offer to me isn’t the distant future. “Just keep slogging away and I will reward you in heaven” kind of world. It is in this age as well in the age to come. Many times more now that I can expect.

First in the physical world. Then in the spiritual world. Many times more in the physical now.

Paul talks about the same thing. The promise is for now and for the future.

“Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” 1 Timothy 4:8

"Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way." ~~Jesus

God is God. He does things that don't make sense to us. We clearly wouldn't do very much the way He does. He doesn't need our permission or approval. How He does things pleases Himself.

Jesus challenges us to understand God, what He wants to do and accept His way.

"Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way." ~~Jesus (Luke 10)

Who understands me?

Wow. Now here is a thought. How much of our current culture is built around trying to understand ourselves. Way too much and not the way things are in God's world.

“We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves. That is always the last bit of pride to go. The only One who understands us is God.” ~~Oswald Chambers

They were worried, Jesus wasn't at all

Here is a lesson in worry from our Master Jesus. He wasn't worried. He wasn't anxious. He was just doing what He knew to do which was be in His Father's house. So, his parents were worried. He was not. I should be concerned about doing my Father's business and not worry about anything else. And, he continued to grow this way. Stuff just didn't faze Him because He was listening to His Heavenly Father and just doing what He heard Him saying.

May I be about my Father's business and grow in His favor. May I worry about whether I am pleasing him.

When they saw Him, they were astonished ; and His mother said to Him, "Son , why have You treated us this way ? Behold , Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You." And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?" But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:48-52

 

 

Will I obey God?

Am I willing to let others experience pain because I am following Jesus?

"If we obey God, it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the pain begins." ~~Oswald Chambers http://ow.ly/Vfdi

"Don't say 'God be with you,' and not mean it." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to mean what we say. Religious jargon and trite sayings are useless. It is the power of the risen Lord and Savior that means something. Jesus challenges us to understand what action God wants us to take not say some religious saying. The action Jesus took was always specific. He healed the blind but never exactly the same way.

May I live the life Jesus wants me to every day. May my life speak his power.

"Don't say 'God be with you,' and not mean it." ~~Jesus

Where does all my planning get me?

A friend sent me this quote. I have reading it over and over. Not sure who to attribute it to but thought it was worth sharing.

"You will not find My Peace by engaging in excessive planning:  attempting to control what will happen to you in the future.  This is a commonly practiced form of unbelief.  When your mind spins with multiple plans, Peace may sometimes seem to be within your grasp; yet it always eludes you. Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion. 

I did not design the human mind to figure out the future.  That is beyond your capability.  I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me.  Bring Me all your needs your hopes and fears.  Commit everything into My care.  Turn from the path of planning to the path of Peace. "

 

"These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn't in it." ~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to have our heart in the right place with God and everyone else. It is all about our relationships. It isn't the "big show" we make of saying things. Do we do the right God-things? Is our heart in it even if no one knows about what we do?

May my heart be in it every day!!

"These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn't in it." ~Jesus (Mark 7:6)

 

"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God." ~~Jesus

We get caught up in the wrong things. What church do we go to or what denomination do we belong to. How good is the worship team or choir. What school did we graduate from. What neighborhood do we live in. What is my title at work. How much money we earn. What car do we drive. The list goes on and on.

Jesus challenges us down to our core. What is my relationship with our loving God and Father? Do I love Him and Him only? Do I seek with all my heart to please Him every day? Do I love the people in my life the way He loves me?

That is all that is important. Jesus challenges us to live that way.

"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God." ~~Jesus (John 4:24 The Message)

"Too many of you are using doing things 'legally" as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are 'legal.' ." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to look at whether meeting the "letter of the law" means we are living right in God. God's right way of living has nothing to do with "not doing" things but has everything to do with loving Him and others every day.

May I be right in Him doing His right things everyday.

"Too many of you are using doing things 'legally" as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are 'legal.' ." ~~Jesus

Is He always faithful?

I live in a hostile world. I call to God. To my heavenly Father I cry out. He hears me. He answers my prayers. My cry brought me right into His very presence. I can have a private audience any time I want it. He is ALWAYS faithful.

He is my rescuing knight. A mighty warrior strong and brave.  I can run to Him for my dear life.

I am an open book to you

I am an open book to our heavenly Father. He knows everything I am going to say before I even say it; before I even begin the first sentence. He knows what I am going to think before I even think it. I can't go anywhere to avoid His HOLY Spirit.

This is too good. He is always with me. That is so wonderful.

Where can I go from Your Spirit ? Or where can I flee from Your presence ? Psalm 139:7

God's goal for my life

Dear God, there is your word. If I was to hide it, where would it be? It should be in my heart. That is what is important to God. If it is in my heart, I will not miss God's goal for my life.

"Give her something to eat." ~~Jesus

The events of the day had been stunning. A 12 year old had just been raised from the dead. What is Jesus first concern? She is hungry. Get her some food. Jesus knows what is important and when it is important. He never ignores what we need and when we need it. That is just the way God is.

 "Give her something to eat." ~~Jesus (Mark 5:43 The Message)

"I have food to eat you know nothing about." ~~Jesus

It can be confusing to talk with Jesus. We're talking this world and He's talking about God's world. He challenges to see things from God's perspective; from His world. So, when we talk about food that isn't the kind of food He is thinking about. This seriously confused His disciples when He was here. It can confuse us today if we aren't careful.

May I see things His way and not my way.

"I have food to eat you know nothing about." ~~Jesus (John 4:32)

"Most of all, are you mis­nam­ing oppor­tu­ni­ties and call­ing them risks instead?" ~~Seth Godin

"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful face on an empty head." ~~King Solomon

God wants us to be wise. He has given us His Holy Spirit. Pursuing beauty at the expense of His wisdom is like .... Well, we get it. No point in it at all.

"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful face on an empty head." ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:22)

No fear

In our Father's house there are many, many rooms. But the one thing there is no room for is fear. Every room is filled with His love. In fact, the more His love forms in me and matures, this love just pushes out all fear. It is banished!!

Fear can cripple me and my faith. So I pursue my Father's love. I seek to have it mature in me. Be well formed. That pushes out the fear.

There is no fear in love ; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:18

"Las Vegas and New Orleans will have it easy on Judgment Day compared to you." ~Jesus

Tyre and Sidon were well known pagan cities in Jesus time. It might be like saying Las Vegas and New Orleans will have it easy on Judgement Day. Jesus is in our midst performing amazing miracles. Do we see Him? Do we hear Him? Do we believe Him?

It is easy to judge places like Las Vegas and miss what He is doing in Dallas. May I see Jesus here and respond to Him.

"Tyre and Sidon will have it easy on Judgment Day compared to you." ~Jesus

"I'm not here to demolish God's Law or the Prophets but to complete. " ~~Jesus

Jesus, God's Son, shows how He completes what was started in the Old Covenant (Testament). Everything in the Old Covenant pointed to Him. He completed everything through His life, death for us having missed God's goal for our life, glorious resurrection and ascension to rule with God. As He said on the cross, "It is finished".

"Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures— either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. " ~~Jesus

Power and love

I don't have to be timid or shy. Fear can't grip my heart. He has given me His HOLY Spirit. The Spirit gives me power that I have never known. I can be bold.

I have His love drenching my heart and soul. With His sensible care I persevere. His love is a gift to me.

The discipline He brings into my life makes a difference. I can focus on His daily direction. I can move according to His long range goals for me. That direction and focus drives out all fear.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

"Little girl, get up." ~~Jesus to a dead 12 year old girl

She is 12 years old. She got sick and died. Everyone is beside themselves in grief and horror. Jesus arrives on the scene at the request of the father. When he goes in to the room where her dead body is lying, He says very little other than "Little girl, get up". At that, she was up and walking around! They were all beside themselves with joy. Amazed. Stunned. Ecstatic.

This is stunning. This is the power of God in Jesus. We have the same Holy Spirit in us. May I live my life knowing of this stunning power.

"Little girl, get up." ~~Jesus to a dead 12 year old girl

"If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."~~Jesus

Jesus knows first hand the generosity of God. When we ask for a drink of water, he reminds us (challenges us) to focus on what is important. Water will quench our thirst for a brief period of time. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit (living water) who empowers us for all of eternity. We have that now.

May I drink from the living water of Jesus and realize the power of His Holy Spirit. May I realize that now.

"If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."~~Jesus (John 4:10)

Atlanta Braves History: Fred Tenney as an old timer

Prior to the Braves-Giants game on September 30, 1921‚ the Giants Old Timers take on the Giants regulars in a 5-inning contest. Twenty thousand fans cheer as former stars‚ Christy Mathewson‚ Roger Bresnahan‚ George Wiltse‚ Art Devlin‚ Larry Doyle and Fred Tenney (a Brave from 1894 to 1907) whip the current Giants‚ 2-0. The regular game is called because of rain after one inning‚ but only 4‚000 fans ask for a refund.

"You feed them." ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us. It had been a long day. It was beginning to get late. His disciples came to him and said to Jesus, "Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the farms or villages around here and get a room for the night and a bite to eat. We're out in the middle of nowhere." You feed them, he challenged them. They came to him with a problem and a simple solution. They knew they couldn't feed them because there were close to 5,000 men and there was no food. No one was prepared to be there so long with Jesus.

They also should have known that God can provide food when there is none. They had been around Jesus long enough to know this. Our faithless solutions don't allow God to shine through.

And so ... Jesus challenges us to seek God first, don't depend on our own solutions even when we have one and let Him shine through.

"You feed them," Jesus said. (Luke 9:13)

How powerful is that?

Here is a really amazing thing about our heavenly Father. He spoke to us directly through His Son Jesus. Just reading what He said blows me away some days. He still does it today. Through His HOLY Spirit, the words come alive.

And, it was through Jesus that God created the whole world in the beginning. And because of what Jesus did, the world and all that is in it, will belong to Jesus at the end. He truly is the beginning and the end.

So ... this is stunning as well. Jesus perfectly mirrors our heavenly Father. He is stamped with God's complete nature. He is so powerful that He holds everything in the entire universe together by what He says. How powerful is that?

"You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others." ~~Jesus

Jesus has set the bar high in some cases. We all want to be forgiven. To receive that in all its fullness, we need to forgive others. We can do that through the power of His Holy Spirit. We are the forgiving people!!

"You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others." ~~Jesus

New baby

Meet our new grand daughter, Aubree Kate Hoegger.

 

"Tell me your name." ~~Jesus to the demons in a man

Imagine this. One day Jesus arrives in the country of Gerasenes by boat. As Jesus got out of the boat, a madman from the cemetery came up to him. He lived there among the tombs and graves. No one could restrain him—he couldn't be chained, couldn't be tied down. He had been tied up many times with chains and ropes, but he broke the chains, snapped the ropes. No one was strong enough to tame him. Night and day he roamed through the graves and the hills, screaming out and slashing himself with sharp stones. This is one terrifying dude.

When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—then bellowed in protest, "What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don't give me a hard time!" (Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, "Out! Get out of the man!")

Jesus asked him to tell Him his name. He replied, "My name is Mob. I'm a rioting mob." Then he desperately begged Jesus not to banish them from the country. A large herd of pigs was browsing and rooting on a nearby hill. The demons begged him, "Send us to the pigs so we can live in them." Jesus gave the order. But it was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned.  Those tending the pigs, scared to death, bolted and told their story in town and country. Everyone wanted to see what had happened. They came up to Jesus and saw the madman sitting there wearing decent clothes and making sense, no longer a walking madhouse of a man.

Those who had seen it told the others what had happened to the demon-possessed man and the pigs. At first they were in awe—and then they were upset, upset over the drowned pigs. They demanded that Jesus leave and not come back. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the demon-delivered man begged to go along, but he wouldn't let him. Jesus said, "Go home to your own people. Tell them your story—what the Master did, how he had mercy on you." The man went back and began to preach in the Ten Towns area about what Jesus had done for him. He was the talk of the town.

Jesus is in control, always. There is no nasty demon that He can't send packing. They obey him and we must know it.

 "Tell me your name." ~~Jesus to the demons in a man. (Mark 5:9-10)

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." ~~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Crazy Stats From Last Night's Braves-Phillies Game 18-13

The May 2 Braves Phillie game was crazy.  We won in extra innings. Here are some of the stats.

• It was the highest-scoring extra-inning game in the Major Leagues since 2006.


• It was the highest-scoring extra-inning game in the National League since July 4, 1985, when the Mets outlasted the Braves, 16-13, in 19 innings.


• The only other major-league team in the past 30 years that won a game after rallying from a deficit of at least six runs and overcoming a separate disadvantage of four or more runs was the 1997 Mariners, in a 12-11 victory against the Rockies.


• The last team to lose an 11+ inning game while scoring 13+ was the 116-win 2001 Mariners.


• The last team to win in 11+ innings while scoring 13+ was managed by... Charlie Manuel, tonight's losing manager.


• This was the Braves' 4th win since 1918 when allowing 13+ runs, and the 2nd in the last 60 years.


• This was the first game in MLB history to end 15-13 in 11 or more innings (since 1918, anyway).


• Roy Halladay gave up eight runs, the most he had allowed since surrendering nine on May 5, 2007 against the Rangers.


• This is the first time in Halladay's career that he's given up more than 6 runs to an NL team.


• Halladay was working with a 6-0 lead when he gave up six runs in the fifth inning and then two more in the sixth. He was 107-0 in his career in starts in which he was given a four-run lead. The Phillies, though, let him off the hook by rallying in the seventh.


• The Braves had 3 bases-loaded hits all year coming into last night. They had 3 bases-loaded hits in the 5th inning of last night's game... off Roy Halladay.


• Brian McCann hit just the fourth grand slam ever given up by Halladay (Evan Longoria hit the last in 2008).


• The I Hit A Slam Off Roy Halladay Club: Evan Longoria, Alfonso Soriano, Andy Sheets, and now Brian McCann.


• That was the first homer allowed by Halladay in six starts this season.


• Chipper Jones and Jason Giambi each hit game-ending home runs on Wednesday. It was the first day in major-league history on which two players age 40 or older hit walk-off homers.


• Never before had two men, each with at least 400 career home runs to their credit, hit walk-off round-trippers on the same day.


• Jones’s walkoff was his first since May 17, 2006 against the Marlins. It was the eighth of his career.

via Crazy Stats From Last Night's Braves-Phillies Game - Talking Chop.

"Would you give me a drink of water?" ~~Jesus

Jesus asks a question. Simple and to the point. He was thirsty.

Jesus also knew where the question would lead and that the conversation would change this woman's life.

It really didn't matter what her answer was going to be, He was going to have the conversation. So, it isn't about the question as much as it is about the conversation. True with Jesus. True with us. But it did start with a question.

A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, "Would you give me a drink of water?" (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)  (John 4:7-8)

"I've been given it all by my Father! Only the Father knows who the Son is and only the Son knows who the Father is." ~~Jesus

Oh my goodness. Jesus has everything. It is a great gift from His Father. All authority, power, love. Everything!! Nothing is lacking in Him. Their relationship is like none other. Only that kind of love can produce a world for us that is different than what we know today.

Jesus has it all. Nothing is impossible or lacking. May I know it and live that way.

"I've been given it all by my Father! Only the Father knows who the Son is and only the Son knows who the Father is." ~~Jesus (Luke 10:22)