Friday, November 5, 2010

Five Ws

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

These are known as the 5 Ws. It is the "formula" that journalists use for getting all the answers on something.

But what about as a Christian? Do we know the answers to the 5Ws? The Bible answers all our of questions.

Who? Who are we in Christ? Do we know we are children of God?
John 1:12-13 -- Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

What? What does it mean to be a Christian? How should we be living as Christians?
Galatians 2:20 -- I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

When? When should we decide to become a Christian? Is there any urgency?
Matthew 24:36,42-44 -- “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Where? Where are we going to end up? How do we know we will have eternal life?
1 John 5:10-13 -- Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony.... And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Why? This one reminds me of the Mickey Mouse club. "Why? Because we like you!" Actually, it's because he loves us. He loves us so much that he lay down his life for us to spend eternity with him.
John 3:16 -- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

These Bible verses just give you a glimpse of the answers in the Bible. Why not get the full story today. Start reading your Bible, regularly. It really does have all the answers!

Chatty Kelly

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Sock Stealer

As I sat on the bottom steps to put on my shoes and socks, as I often do, I noticed one of my socks "disappeared." "ANNIE!" I shouted. Annie is our golden retriever...and chief sock stealer. She pulls socks out of clothes baskets, gym bags, and from unsuspected folks putting on shoes and socks on the stairwell.

As I stood up to go after her, I noticed my missing sock. I had some how managed to sit on it, and I had it all the time! "You blamed Annie, and she didn't even do it," my daughter and Annie's #1 fan exclaimed. She was right. But it offered a chance for a teaching moment.

Join me over at Titus 2 in Action, where I am a featured contributor every other Wednesday, to read about this teachable moment, and how we are defined by our character.

Titus 2 in Action



Chatty Kelly

Monday, November 1, 2010

Bridge Over Troubled Water

When you're weary, Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all
Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel, 1970


Life is hard. There is no doubt about it. It seems that there is always another hurdle to jump, always another problem. Our economy has so many out of jobs. It seems like more and more people are fighting cancer. School kids are bullied. And even problems that come as consequences of our own bad decisions. Big problems, little problems, lots of problems.

But then there is Jesus. He knows. He warned us, "In this world you will have trouble." But He went on to say, "I have overcome the world." And Jesus lay down his life for us, on the cross, to overcome this world so that we may have eternal life in the next. Our lives are troubled. But Jesus came like a bridge over troubled water. "I will lay me down."

So when you're weary, feeling small, when tears are in your eyes, HE will dry them all. HE's on your side, when times get rough and friends just can't be found...when evening falls so hard, HE will comfort you....HE'll take your part when darkness comes, and pain is all around.

The lyrics of this song form a beautiful picture of the healing that comes with Jesus. Yes, we will have troubled water, but if we follow Jesus, he will lead us to quiet water in this life, and give us living water for the next.

Musical Musings:
1. Psalm 23 promises Jesus will lead us to quiet water and restore our soul. If your facing troubled waters today, try to look to Jesus and his quiet water.
2. The "Woman the Well" was experiencing hard times, perhaps from her own bad decisions. Yet, Jesus still offered her living water. How does that encourage you, if your troubled waters are because of mistakes you have made?
3. Revelation 7:17 promises "the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Look forward today to the time of God wiping every tear from your eyes. He will.

Karaoke:
Dear Lord - thank you for being our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Help us feel your presence in a real and solid way as we struggle through the troubles of this life, and fill us with your living water so that we can be with you forever. Thank you for being that bridge over troubled water, and laying yourself down to give us eternal life. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Rock on: Read the story of the woman at the well, found in John 4.

Listen to the lyrics of Bridge Over Troubled Water performed by Michael W. Smith by clicking the link or watching here on my blog.



Chatty Kelly