Humble

He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 3:34 HCSB

Religion is to do right. It is to love, it is to serve, it is to think, it is to be humble. Ralph Waldo Emerson*

Humble, Texas is a city in southeast Texas. Contrary to popular belief, the city was not named for its humble beginnings, but was so designated in honor of Pleasant Smith Humble, one of its original founders. Some of the business names in Humble are Humble Landscaping, Humble Instruments, Humble Geothermal Systems, Humble High School, Humble Computers, and (my personal favorite) the Humble Girl’s Softball League. Even though these organization names begin with the word “Humble,” we understand that it’s just a name and does not attribute the quality to them.

Worshipers of Jesus are considered by many to exhibit humility because of our relationship with Christ. However, humility must be more than a designated title or perceived characteristic to us. We must make our attitude like that of Jesus. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:8 HCSB).

Lord, help us exemplify humility in our lives as we strive to become more like You.

*thinkexist.com

Polaroid

Above all, keep your love for one another at full strength since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 HCSB

The only way to have a friend is simply be his friend. Ralph Waldo Emerson*

It was 1979. I was in fifth grade on a school field trip when my friend Brian pulled out his Polaroid instant camera and started taking pictures. Trying to be funny, I threw my left hand in front of the camera just as Brian snapped a picture. As the picture slowly came into view, my hand was the only image that could be distinguished.

Brian was furious and yelled, “Do you know how much this film costs? You owe me a dollar!”

Ashamed of what I had done and embarrassed that I didn’t have a dollar, I ran away and tried to avoid Brian as best I could. After a few weeks, he stopped asking me about the dollar, but I didn’t stop avoiding him. I wanted to apologize, but I never did. Brian and I never did anything together again.

Looking back now, I realize that I gave up a friendship because of fear, pride and money.

Lord, help us to treasure our friends.

*brainyquote.com

All Things

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 HCSB

If you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work. Much of the best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities. Dale Carnegie*

Someone once told me that if you rush a miracle man that you get rotten miracles. I wouldn’t consider myself a miracle man, but I often feel rushed when called upon to produce something of extreme quality in a short amount of time with seemingly substandard materials. During those moments of anxiety, I’m often tempted to simply give up.

But then, in a moment of personal revelation, I remember that the Lord is with me. I remember how He saved Noah during a world wide flood, how He helped David conquer the giant warrior Goliath, and how He kept Daniel safe as he spent the night in a den filled with hungry lions. Finally, I remember how He has helped me through countless of other seemingly impossible situations.

Lord, as we’re faced with insurmountable challenges, help us to remember that You can help us do everything that needs to be done.

*thinkexist.com

Taste

Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8 HCSB

You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside. Oswald Chambers*

There’s a new frozen yogurt place in town. It’s a self-serve operation where you have multiple flavors to choose from. Recently, my wife Kathy and I visited and I filled my cup with strawberry and blueberry yogurt and then topped it off with fresh strawberries and blueberries. It was incredibly delicious. I was just about to purchase another cup when I saw the woman who soured my experience. She walked up to the first machine, stuck her finger up the nozzle so that it was covered in yogurt, licked her finger clean, and then repeated the process for each of the machines. Needless to say, it put a bad taste in my mouth towards that yogurt place, even though she was just another customer.

Sometimes, other Christians put a bad taste in our mouths regarding the Lord. When we finally turn our lives over to Him and experience His life changing salvation, we taste and see that He is good. As we continue to grow in Him, we often find ourselves enjoying His presence when suddenly, we are completely distracted by someone who is rude, selfish, condescending, hurtful, arrogant, or obnoxious. However, we shouldn’t let them interfere with our understanding of the Lord. He is holy. He is righteous. He is faithful. He is loving. He is awesome. He is good.

Lord, thank You for being so good. When the actions of others put a bad taste in our mouths, help us remember Your goodness.

*thinkexist.com

This Christmas

(I've been thinking about Christmas this morning. Here's a poem I once submitted for a greeting card. I hope that you like it.)

This Christmas,
I want to get up way too early in the morning
And watch excited children rip open their presents.

This Christmas,
I want to visit our crazy families
And eat enormous meals at crowded dinner tables.

This Christmas,
I want to sing carols with our old friends
And laugh at all their familiar stories and outdated jokes.

This Christmas,
I want to doze while watching the same old Christmas movies
And smile as we quote them line for line.

But this Christmas,
When everything else has been said and done,
I want to spend an hour with you,
Your hand in mine,
Enjoying the gift we have in each other.

I love you.

Merry Christmas