Grace Blogs

It is no security to a natural man, that he is now in health, and that he does not see which way he should now immediately go out of the world by any accident, and that there is no visible danger in any respect in his circumstances. The manifold and continual experience of the world in all ages, shows this is no evidence, that a man is not on the very brink of eternity, and that the next step will not be into another world.

—Jonathan Edwards

Dr. Randy Pausch may have come to your attention during the past year. At Carnegie Mellon University, he delivered a now-famous “Last Lecture” about fulfilling your childhood dreams, and it

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It seems like so many people have been going through so many things, recently . . . but then again, I said that last year, and the year before, etc.  As I leaned over and told someone this week at the funeral of one of our church members, while we were grieving with and for the family, “death stinks!”  Sometimes, I just have to process that, and then I remember that we don’t grieve as those who have no hope, if we are followers of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Thank God for Christ’s sacrifice, that death is not the end for those who are His! 

Still, there is a time to grieve, and I am feeling that right now. 

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Dan mentioned in the extended teaching that we all have 24 hours in a day to do what every it is we need to do. Then he said President Bush has the same amount of time as we do, but does a whole lot more with it.

But does he? Just because the gravity or importance of our daily decision making doesn’t equal the President’s, does that nullify the number of decisions we make every day? I don’t think so.

Now, if someone would like to compare the effectiveness of decision making in a 24 hour period, that might be an interesting discussion. Perhaps that is what Dan meant I and took it wrong.

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Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread,
12and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

I came across this idea the other morning; notice how God is the focus of each stanza, except where we are called to forgive others. Even verse 13 could read, “You lead us not into tempation, but You deliver us from evil” for amplification’s sake.

I must …

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I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood
-Derek Webb

I heard this lyric today and was devastated. I’ve heard it many times before, but today I understood it. My preoccupation lately has been with money and not God’s provision, not to mention the apathy lack of sleep brings.

I have read where Derek said the most horrible but most freeing moment he could imagine would be to have all his sins read aloud on the 5 o’clock news. Can you imagine if that happened to you? Would it change the way you interact with other believers or friends that don’t follow Christ?

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I was going through an old Rush songbook I had in the basement Saturday while hanging out with my oldest. I was a huge fan in middle and high school because their music was technically challenging.

Here is the bridge from “Something for Nothing” a song with lyrics written by the drummer Neil Peart:

What you own is your own kingdom
What you do is your own glory
What you love is your own power
What you live is your own story
In your head is the answer
Let it guide you along
Let your heart be the anchor
And the beat of your own song

I had sung them hundreds of times before, but this time I noticed the narcissistic selfish mindset. Being a parent of …

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I was listening to an on-air prayer time driving into Higher Grounds Wednesday morning. Someone had requested prayer for their daughter who was “strung out on drugs”. Normally, I’d pridefully think “not ever my kid”. But this time was different. I immediately got a mental picture of my daughter going through withdrawal. That image hurt. My prayers go out to that family. May God have mercy and deliver her.

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Let’s start with the good news - the issues of the conversions from Thursday were resolved before the depot started Friday’s laptops while keeping all relationships with Corporate IT in good standing.

Here is the bad news. My return flight was delayed 6 hours due to a ground stop for storms in Atlanta. “Ground stop” is getting to be too familiar a term for me in my travels. Let me back up.

I was running late to get to the airport and didn’t eat lunch. For those that know the Philly Airport, the security line was backed up past the moving sidewalks! It was the longest I have every seen. Once I got …

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Well I just wrote a long blog about today and I just lost it. Par for the course. I will be more concise this time.

*Everything went wrong today with the XP conversions.
*I kept my commitment to my customers to return their laptops with XP the next day.
*A lot of people worked extra hours to get things done today for me.
*Through God’s grace I handled the situations well.

Here is a part of a favorite song of mine that explains the day better than I could:

“‘Cause I trust no other source or name
No where else can I hide
‘Cause this grace gives me fear
And this grace draws me near
And all that it asks it provides”

-”Awake My Soul” - Sandra …

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Tomorrow is the big day when we start the conversion pilot. For some back drop see yesterday’s blog The laptops due to arrive today at the depot won’t arrive until tomorrow morning. That was a little frustrating when I learned that today, but is wasn’t the end of the world since we still have time. A good number of small details came together today on the project so things are still looking up.

I drew comfort from my reading this morning. Psalm 108 is a song of praise to God glorifying Him for His strength. I thank Him for His strength. Travel can be very hard. It’s almost like an alternative …

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