Me, Me, Me, It's all about Me...

The Ponderings of an Everyday Guy Continues...I heard a sermon years ago on "Growing in the Grace and Knowledge of Our Lord, Jesus Christ."  The speaker began his message with the analogy of babes in Christ to that of real babies.  He said that the most selfish creature on earth is a baby.  When they're hungry, they cry. When they want to be held, they cry.  Basically, babies cry until they get what they want.  Then he transitioned to us "grown up" babies.  We cry and whine until we get what we want.  Unfortunately, in the Christian life there are many who never grow up. 

A baby will mope, and doesn't "play" well with others.  A baby is one who says, "if I can't be in charge, I just won't participate."  A baby can be very selfish and never  mature in their faith.

Well, this is  a sad and tragic charge made to many today.  It's related to pride.  Pride thinks of no one but themselves.  If I may share something I read just the other day on the top ten evidences of a pride.

1. Pride refuses to listen, it always interrupts others.
2. Pride likes to talk about itself all the time.
3. Pride has an intense desire to be noticed.
4. Pride believes that it deserves everything it gets.
5. Pride is not thankful.
6. Pride cannot be corrected.
7. Pride does not like to follow instructions.
8. Pride exalts itself in the presence of others; it brags.
9. Pride criticizes and tries to makes itself look better by putting others down.
10. Pride thinks of its own needs first.  

Proverbs 16:5   Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord:..

 

So today I encourage all of us to continue to "grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ."

 

Have a great day,

 

CW

Plain or Peanut...

From The Ponderings of an Everyday Guy...Who doesn't love candy?  I LOVE LOVE CANDY!  One of my favorites is M&Ms.  My wife is partial to peanut M&Ms, and I prefer plain in all its chocolate goodness.  We have been married for almost 29 years and she hasn't come over to the plain M&M side, nor have I budged to the peanut side.  No worries folks, we're not going to get divorced over this difference.  As a matter of fact, we have many many differences.  I'm glad about that because it is a great reminder to us that God has made us wonderfully different and unique. 

The point of today's pondering is WE ARE ALL SPECIAL in the eyes of God.  Society tells us we are supposed to think a certain way, look a certain way, behave a certain way.  Satan reminds us of all our faults (warts and all).  Sometimes we need to be reminded that God loves us so much. 

I heard one person put it this way.  God doesn't make trash.  He creates perfection in His eyes.

Hey, choose your flavor of candy and go with it!!

You are special,

Have a great day,

CW

The Boogie Woogie...

The Ponderings of an Everyday Guy...Someone sent me a video a few years ago of a young couple tap dancing to the "boogie woogie" song.  Puts a smile on my face every time I watch it.  It's amazing how much energy this couple has.  They are definitely having a good time for sure.  Those of you who know me, know I like all kinds of music except for rap, but that's a subject for another blog sometime.  Music, however, does move the soul in all of us.  It does bring joy to our lives.

Jesus brings joy to our lives.  I think it's a crying shame to see so many Christians who look like they have been sucking on lemons.  They are going to be in for a shock in heaven when they see this preacher dancing down the streets of heaven to what must be the best music ever.  Hey folks, let's put a little joy in our lives and experience the full measure of the Holy Spirit everyday. 

Let's boogie,

Have a great day,

CW

Church Talk...

The Ponderings of an Everyday Guy..."Sanctification," "Justification," "Transubstantiation," and "Glorification."  What do these words have in common?  1. They are all good church words. 2. They're BIG words. 3.  Many folks need a dictionary for at least one of those words.

Oh...Don't get me wrong, they're not bad words at all.  When I began doing this blog, one of my purposes was to make it light and easy to understand one or two biblical teachings.  It's not intended to be shallow or without substance.  I just want this to be something that an everyday person can relate to their lives and maybe get a few chuckles, and finally, be encouraged or challenged.

I take my cue from Jesus here. He taught by using everyday illustrations such as fishing and farming.  I've learned a very long time ago if everyone cannot understand the Gospel message, it's of no use. 

I guess the acronym KISS is my directive.  Keep It Simple Stupid.  God's message to humanity is simple, salvation is simple. 

Enjoy your day! 

CW