Last one I promise

Click on the picture and then stare at one yellow dot long enough so the other two will disappear.

One more useless picture

I know this is another useless picture but the red squares are really the same color. Go figure?

dave m

Sometimes there is nothing better to do

Stare at the dot and then move closer to the screen.

Now laugh at what you are doing right now!

Idols and Idlers

Change. Easy to dream, hard to accomplish. Many things in our world are rapidly changing. Most we don't even notice. They don't effect us, we haven't yet heard of them, or we just don't care. But one will always notice when change has a personal impact.

I am not going to consider all of the situations that are out of our hands, I choose rather to consider the ones that are. We fail to recognize often that the goal of the Christian life is to become more like Christ, to seek to know him and be conformed to His image. The scriptures are clear that God the Father takes pleasure in his Son, He is "well pleased with Him." In our arrogance however we tend to think that God is well pleased with us. But wait.

We are pleasing to God insofar as we are in His Son. The only reason our life can be pleasing to the Father is because of the death and life of Jesus Christ. To see us, as believers, is to see us in His Son. That pleases the Father. WE don't please him, His Son does, and to bind ourselves to him in faith is therefore pleasing. Because we are "in Him."

Being "in Him" however does not alleviate our need to be more Christlike. Take a look at yourself through the lenses of scripture and in comparison to Christ, how do you measure up? If you look at it like me, not well at all. Yet, we are to become as the one we love and adore. You become like those you idolize. How are you doing in relationship to Jesus.

You cannot become like someone you do not know. You become just like the people you know best. Do you want to know a disciple and friend of Jesus Christ, look at their desires, reactions, speech, faith, purity, life and love. Is it not in these that one will see the followers of Christ manifest?

I serve as an interim youth pastor. I desire to see students know and conform to the image of Christ. I can't do that for them. I can show them the way, teach them the scriptures and live by example, but I can't do it for them. Neither can others do it for you. I pray that God will captivate our hearts. I pray that the students God has entrusted to me at this time will get it. As of now, they don't. Their view of God is small and their worship and lives reflect that view. May God reveal his majesty and may our lives reflect the awesomeness of our God.

Change. We resist it more than anything else when it cost us personally. Selfishness is sin, plain and simple. Conforming to Christ cost us something. Do not dare have the audacity to stand before God and refuse His will to conform you to the image of His Son, because you are not willing to pay the price. What do you have that is so valuable, it is worth more than God? It is called an idol, and it is what you are becoming.

Please, Lord forgive our inept and sinful views of you. Bust open our boxes and reveal yourself in glory and majesty. Help us to know you more, to understand your power, and to faithfully follow. We need a slaying of pride and a resurrection of humility. Help us to see opportunity and not disappointment. Our perspectives are blinded by sin and in the midst of blessing we see curse. Forgive our faithlessness. Rescue us from ourselves and work in spite of our apathy for the sake of your Son and your Name. Amen.

Silent Sacrifice Quiet Treasures

Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- Matthew 6:1-4

Annie,

I have heard it said behind every good man is a good woman. Experience tells me that is true. I am on my third year of seminary with only two semesters to go. To say that is life is busy is an understatement at this moment in our family's life. School, work, ministry, and family all take time and much of it. Yet the joy of God's work is worth it. Still, I could not do it without you, the woman who stands with me.

It is true that many things done are for people to see, and in those actions man gains his reward. For some silent sacrifice stores up quietly gained treasures in eternity. For that you are a billionaire! I can not name the countless ways you have been my helpmate and fellow servant in Christ. Because of my calling and gifting I am usually in front, often leaving you in the background.

When I am at school you faithfully care for and teach our two boys, raising them in the admonition of the Lord. When I am ministering you are alongside serving whole-heartedly. When I am in need of help you come to my aid. When I am behind you pick up the slack. When I think of all the Lord has allowed me to be involved in, without you it is impossible.

To say that this ministry is mine alone is a prideful lie. I cannot keep pace with the ministry opportunities without your help and support. Behind this man is a good woman. May I remember the gift of grace God has granted to me in you, my wife and mother of my two sons. Your silent sacrifice will not go unrewarded as the treasures are silently stored in heaven without the notice of the world.

Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
- Proverbs 31:29-31

My love to you,
dave m