I don't like sports. My husband watches a lot of sports. Football, baseball, basketball, golf, softball, boxing...there really isn't a sport he doesn't watch. Recently, we were out to eat with another couple. The men's conversation turned to, of course, sports. They discussed the latest games, scores and stats.
I turned to the wife, "Do you like sports?"
"I don't mind them," she responded.
"I'm not a fan." I said.
Then she said something that changed my view point:
"It's not p0rn."
"*cough*-Excuse me?"
"It's not p0rn." she continued. "He could be spending his time looking at p0rn. I'm glad he likes sports."
Wow - talk about perspective. That one comment made me LOVE sports!
Is there something in your life that you need a change of perspective on? Some small annoyance that could be worse? Why not focus on the positive today. My new motto? "It may not be perfect, but it's not p0rn."
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;" Psalm 51:7a
"Un-sin me." That is the literal translation for "Cleanse me" in Psalm 51 above. It is David's humble prayer for forgiveness and cleansing that he wrote after Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Un-sin me! What a great phrase to pray to God. I think as Christians, our view point of forgiveness is often like giving someone a "re-do" or "do-over." But in God's view, forgiveness is not a re-do, it's an un-do! He literally takes away our sins. As a sinner, I can barely wrap my mind around that.
But join me over at Titus 2 in Action, as I try. And let me know your thoughts as well.
And then I saw her face, Now I'm a believer. Not a trace of doubt in my mind. I'm in love, I'm a believer, I couldn't leave her if I tried. I'm a Believer, The Monkees, 1967
Do you believe beyond a doubt that the risen Jesus lives? I admit, sometimes when life isn't going quite right, it's easy to wonder. "God, where are you?" And sometimes when sharing our faith, we can get asked some tough questions by non-believers that make us think.
The first folks who had to come to terms with whether or not the risen Jesus was really alive were the disciples. They were in hiding behind locked doors fearing for their lives as associates of the crucified Jesus. Then he appeared to them. They were overjoyed. But one disciple was absent.
Thomas was not with the disciples that day, and when they told him Jesus had risen, he stated, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." I don't know about you, but I meet people with that philosophy all the time. They want proof, concrete evidence of Jesus. Like the Monkees, they need to see a face before they'll be a believer.
Jesus returned and showed his face, hands and side to Thomas. He told him, "Stop doubting and believe." As a result of seeing, Thomas did believe. But Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
We don't have the opportunity to physically see Jesus, and touch his scars. But it doesn't matter to me. "I'm in love. I'm a Believer, I couldn't leave him if I tried." Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which the disciple John says he didn't record. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Don't be a doubting Thomas, or even a Monkee, who will only believe with seeing. Join me today in singing "I'm a believer!"
Musical Musings: 1. We can't physically see Jesus. But Jesus says blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. What are some blessings in your life as a result of your belief? 2. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 What are some ways that you show your faith in your daily living? Would those around you know you are believer without telling them? 3. The Donkey in the movie Shrek sings the Smash Mouth re-recorded version of I'm a Believer at the end of the movie. Donkey sings, "I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe." Sometimes it is good to be stubborn as a mule, like when it comes to your faith.
Karaoke: Dear Lord, I want to be a believer! Help me in times of doubt. Renew my faith, help me believe without seeing. Thank you for the Bible, so that I may read it and be renewed in my faith. In Jesus name, Amen.
Rock on: Spend some time in prayer asking God to increase your faith. Join a Bible study. Talk to like minded Christian friends. Remember Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."
Donkey singing "I'm A Believer" from Shrek. Sing along, "I believe, I believe, I believe!"
