Monday, February 06, 2006

Reading this Morning

I am currently on the first lesson of a new Bible study book. Life Lessons with Max Lucado. The book of James. Today's reading was particularly poignant for me. I had a really bad attitude yesterday over some things going on lately and this really hit me hard...

"When a potter bakes a pot, he checks its solidity by pulling it our of the oven and thumping it. If it "sings," it's ready. If it "thuds," then it's placed back in the oven. The character of a person is also checked by thumping.
Been thumped lately?
Late-night phone calls. Grouchy teacher. Grumpy moms. Burnt meals. Flat tires. "You've got to be kidding" deadlines. Those are thumps. Thumps are those irritating inconveniences that trigger the worst in us. They catch us off guard. Flat footed. They aren't big enough to be crises, but if you get enough of them, watch out! Traffic jams. Long lines. Empty mailboxes. Dirty clothes on the floor...Thump. Thump. Thump. How do I respond? Do I sing? Or do I thud? Jesus said that out of the nature of the heart a man speaks (Luke 6:45). There's nothing like a good thump to reveal the nature of the heart. The true character of a person is seen not in momentary heroics, but in the thump-packed humdrum of day-to-day living.

(from On the Anvil by Max Lucado, Inspirational Study Bible)

The prayer at the end:
"Father, we come to you just as we are struggling to cope with the trials of life. We're grateful that you never turn your back on us. You promise to give us the wisdom and strength we need to face each day. Continue to test us until our character shines and brings glory to you."

5 comments:

  1. Ooohhh, that sounds like a good book. We are actually starting a study of James in our small group, but we haven't decided on a companion book yet... I'll have to look into it. Interestingly, my uncle/pastor preached something of the same message on Sunday! :)

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  2. hey...everyone has a cute profile pic.....and HOW do I do that???....anyway, that was very eye opening to me also! With Matt being so unhappy with his job...not being able to get another one...and SCHOOL, that seems also to not be working out...a great reminder that GOD is in control....not us!! I am really being tested on that of late! still wish I had a small group to go to also :-(

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  3. That message is sooo strong! I love that you posted this! Just what I needed to hear! Thank you!

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  4. Khrista,

    Thank you for sharing. Very convicting but all too often I need the conviction of the Holy Spirit to bring me back to God and to get me focusing on what honors and glorifies Him. When we are willing to share with each other how God is teaching us He sometimes uses that as the vehicle to reach other people's hearts. I thank Him for reaching mine again. He is so incredible....He never leaves us or forsakes us. I love you and thank you for your prayers.

    Love,
    Dad

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  5. Khris-

    Thank you so much for posting this. I actually sat down and read it this morning (the first time I saw it I was looking at pictures, and skipped posting) and I cried. It meant so much to me to see or 'hear' those words. (I often read your postings and have a mental picture of you in my mind explaining the post as I read them.) In fact it touched me so much, I have added the book store to my list so I can pick up a copy of that study book! Thank you so much.

    Mer

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