I never realized tuning a guitar had such complicated principles behind it! Of course, my tonal ability ranks with a paramecium, or likely lower, but this site, one that described how the right tension is set for a guitar string, based on the type of guitar, the style of playing, the diameter of the string, the amplitude of vibration and more, amazed me with the technical details. To summarize it, though, the correct and appropriate tension on a string allows beautiful music to be played by an excellent guitarist. But proper tuning requires two fixed points, the tuners and the tailpiece, connected by the string. If you want to confirm this, check out frudua.com/guitar_strings_tension.htm. Following Jesus compares to that--we must accept the tension between...
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When Good People Disagree
We do this every day, especially when Facebook discussions veer into politics. We hear what was said, evaluate it, see which position has the most weight, and call that correct, our stance. But often wise people, including sincere followers of Jesus, see the same situation and evidence and reach different conclusions. Why?
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Image by successandfailure.net
Alligators and Swamps
Most of us have heard the line, "When you're up to your neck in alligators, it's hard to remember your objective is to drain the swamp."
Good advice for life. We don't have to allow the present to dominate our thoughts and emotions. Let's not get so obsessed by enjoying the present that we ignore saving for retirement. Let's not get so obsessed with our current problems that we ignore more serious but less immediately urgent ones. I struggle with that, particularly in the world of the spiritual life.
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Celebrate Our Surrender
A paradox is two contradictory statements when both are true. My preeminent example comes from Jesus, "If you save your life you'll lose it, but if you lose it for my sake you'll save it" (Matthew 16:25). But we need to move back to gain a greater context to understand its significance. In verse 21, Jesus proclaimed that he must die, to which Peter protested vigorously. Jesus then called him Satan, a pretty strong accusation, because he relied on a human perspective rather than a godly one. Jesus then gave the mark of a follower...
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image by dailymail.co.com
Tightrope
Sometimes I feel like Blondin. In 1858, the French acrobat pictured above stretched a 2" hemp rope from one side of Niagara Falls to the other, and attempted to cross it. One misstep and only death awaited him. People crowded both banks, and the smart money wagered he would fall.
16 years ago, curiosity overcame my values and led me into a year-long struggle with soft core pornography.
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How Far Will You Follow His Will?
Since moving back to our hometown of Temecula three weeks ago, we’ve enjoyed savoring the flavors of local churches. Some pretty large, some pretty small, some in the middle, but the message today at Oakstone Community Church caused me to think. Quite a bit. The text began with 2 Timothy 1:1, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God…” but then the pastor pointed out the difference from Paul’s first letter to Timothy, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the command of God…"
A change of just one word, but with...
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Connecting
Many may not identify at first with my next statement, but work with me a bit, OK? I missed church the last two weeks. The pic above tells why I physically missed it. Six years ago we rented out our Temecula house and moved to Thousand Oaks for a job, planning on returning to our home of 21 years. Those six years of renters’ neglect transformed a nice house into one needing work. Just one example, the once-green bank became what you see above—barren and dead, except for an 8’ tall weed/tree, along with a broken fence. Interior issues were worse. So, the last two weeks I missed church to get the place ready to move back in. I realize some followers attend worship rarely or sporadically, and “miss” it more than I. But they may not miss it. Get it?
Here’s why I spiritually missed it, and why...
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When God Pushes
Disciples make disciples. Seems pretty obvious, doesn’t it? Yes, we’re disciples; yes, our goal is to make disciples. But let’s reverse engineer that process by examining how Jesus describes a disciple. Full disclosure warning—this concept first touches current followers. Future followers are, well, future followers. Let’s first deal with our present.I explored some absolutes from Jesus that express the essence of following. Requirements. If we reject these, we reject ...
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