Living Water Church

Some words of wisdom by Pastor Rick Warren:

Forgiveness is easy until you have something to forgive.

The more you know and understand about yourself, the less prideful you are.  The more you know and understand God, the more grateful you are.

When you expect others to meet needs in your life that only God  an meet, it’s unfair to them and insures disappointment in you.

God’s unconditional love for me doesn’t mean He approves of everything I think, do, or say.  Every parent knows the difference.

Like gum, never swallow flattery.  It’s a lie used to control you.  “They lie and deceive each other with flattery.”  Psalm 12:2

How you feel about you is determined by what you think the most important person in your life thinks about you.  Make that person Jesus.

Trust and obey.  Trust and obey.  Trust and obey.  Trust and obey.  Got it?

What would you think if someone came up to you, untied your shoes, pulled off your socks, and began to wash your feet?  The thought just makes me cringe—I’m afraid I might kick the person in the nose.  (I’m not that big into someone tickling my feet.)  Yet, the Bible tells us to wash each other’s feet?

In Biblical times, people walked through dirt, sand, and other unmentionables as they travelled from place to place.  Washing ones feet was a means of helping someone, giving to them, taking care of them.  Today, we travel differently (thank God) and so foot-washing is no longer necessary.  But there are other ways that we can give to each other.  This last week, Steve H. came and moved a ton of dirt for us; Julie helped us move furniture; my mom babysat Nate so I could work; my Dad helped us paint.  All of these people “washed my feet.”   They gave of their time and energy, they gave of themselves, to help Ken and me.

It’s somewhat humbling to accept help.  I think that’s why we often resist it.  But let’s not let pride keep us from receiving from others.  Additionally, look for opportunities to serve others.   Are you a foot-washer?

Do you ever feel like the world is going by at 100 mph and you’re only traveling at 55 mph?  Often, I have trouble keeping up with each of my boys’ schedules and activities.  The events of my life can pass by in a blur.  I think being too busy is one of the curses on the American culture.  We can get so busy we start to focus on the small things instead of the big picture.  We “major on the minors.”

One of my favorite songs is “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”  There is a line in the song that ministers to me every time I hear it.  It says, “Look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim…”  There is something that changes us when we slow down long enough to look into Jesus’ face, to read the words He spoke as recorded in the Scriptures, to talk to Him in prayer.  When I slow down and do this, I am constantly amazed that the things of earth (life’s worries and craziness) pale in comparison—they grow strangely dim.  Take time this week, in your busy schedule, in spite of all of it’s demands, and look full in His wonderful face.  Talk to Him.  Cast your cares of Him.  Tell Him who much you need Him, how much you love Him.  Turn your eyes upon Him.

This week, I found myself singing the old Gaither song, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name.” Though it’s a line from a song, the message behind it is absolute truth.  Have you ever noticed that if you have a conversation with someone about God, no one seems to take notice?   You blend in.  But if in your conversation you bring up the name ‘Jesus’ suddenly people react?  There’s something about the name ‘Jesus’ that polarizes people.  No other name evokes such strong reactions.  Why is that?

Popular culture will acknowledge Jesus’ existence, and many will claim that He is one way to heaven.  But the only way?  Jesus proclaimed, “I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.  No one can come to the Father except through Me.”  John 14:6.  The exclusivity of this statement has caused generation after generation of people to react.  Nobody wants to be told that there is only one way.  So people react to Jesus, the name and the man.

For me, the name Jesus evokes an entirely different reaction.  His name gives me a sense of peace, a sweetness, but also an awesome wonder.  Because of Him, I have hope beyond this life.  And because of Jesus, I have hope and peace in this life.  This Easter season, will you take a few moments today and praise the name of Jesus?  “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.  Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name.