Not doing something, for God?

Have you ever, not done something, for God? In today's Utmost for His Highest, I found the following phrase: 'There are many things that are perfectly legitimate, but if you are going to concentrate on God you cannot do them.'

This led me to ask myself . . . have I ever not done something, to concentrate on God . . . have I ever given something up, not participated in something I really wanted to, in order to read my Bible? Honest answer, most of the time God gets the sand space (see post below on big rocks). I guess I need to work on this . . .

Looking Good

Not often do I say the following words: "Looking good Dyk!"  Love the changes.

What are your big rocks?

A high school science teacher wanted to demonstrate a concept to his students. He takes a large-mouth jar and places several large rocks in it. He then asks the class, “Is it full?

“Unanimously, the class reply, “Yes!”

The teacher then takes a bucket of gravel and pours it into the jar. The small rocks settle into the spaces between the big rocks.

He then asks the class, “Is it full?”

This time there are some students holding back, but most reply, “Yes!”

The teacher then produces a large can of sand and proceeds to pour it into the jar. The sand fills up the spaces between the gravel.

For the third time, the teacher asks, “Is it full?

“Now most of the students are wary of answering, but again, many reply, “Yes!”

Then the teacher brings out a pitcher of water and pours it into the jar. The water saturates the sand. At this point the teacher asks the class, “What is the point of this demonstration?”

One bright young student raises his hand and then responds, “No matter how full one’s schedule is in life, he can always squeeze in more things!”

“No,” replies the teacher, “The point is that unless you first place the big rocks into the jar, you are never going to get them in.”

The big rocks are the important things in your life. it might be your family, your friends, your personal growth, or anything else. You have to prioritize the big rocks over the small things, as demonstrated by the gravel, the sand, and the water… or you will never have enough time for the important things.

So, Pabama Knights, which things are the “Big Rocks” in your life?

Blog Improvement

If you are here, hopefully you received the invitation to be a blog author. (Time Magazine has requested this as archiving our history for the 50th anniversary story will be much easier this way.)

We will be moving most of our communications here vs. email. (So check back often!) Being an author should let you post with your name.

If you haven't ... watch the Dad video below! (Sternberg - you are the 'King of the Coals.')

It warms my heart & soul to know that is my life, and I share it with you guys!

Hand Down, Hands Up, Hands Sideways, All Hands on Deck - The Best Devotional I have yet to find!

Never been a big fan of devotionals, they have always seemed kind of cute and fluffy.

This one - awesome!  Don't check it out unless you have nuts!
http://utmost.org/

(Make sure you buy the 'Modern Language' version)
http://product.half.ebay.com/My-Utmost-for-His-Highest-by-Oswald-Chambers-2008-Paperback-Limited-Updated/64430465&tg=info

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Tribute to Dads

In case you wonder why we do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIwrjqt88go&feature=player_detailpage

Jasmine and the Skunk

Jasmine and the Skunk
By Jon Walker

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.Psalms 51:7 (NLT)

Jasmine is my beautiful and tenderhearted dog (cockapoo). She knows it is wrong to go near an old barn that’s on the edge of my property, but she saw a black cat run behind it and took off for a playful chase.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a cat. It was a skunk, and Jasmine was quite surprised to get a face full of stink. She smelled so bad I didn’t even want to bring her into the house, but I sequestered her in the bathroom while I figured out how to get her clean.

On the Internet, I found several home remedies for removing skunk stink. The recipes called for ingredients such as tomato juice or a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, and I think one listed dark chocolate (Okay, I made that up. The dark chocolate was for me).

These mixtures removed the bite of the skunk stink (an eye-watering, garlic-like perfume) but the overall smell was still there. By then it was almost midnight, so I took an old blanket, put it on the floor of the bathroom, and that’s where poor Jasmine had to spend the night.

The next morning, I went to the pet store and found a remarkable de-skunker that removed every bit of the stink and left Jasmine smelling wonderfully clean.

The reason I share this story is because it helps illustrate what Jesus has done for you. The Bible says, “But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!” (Romans 5:8 TEV)

Jasmine knew she was forbidden from going near the barn, but temptation appeared in the form of (what she thought) was a black cat. Sin is always deceptive, and it always costs more than we think it will. Jasmine thought she’d have some fun; instead, she ended up with the stink of sin all over her.

I still loved Jasmine and wanted her to come into the house with me, but I couldn’t let her have the run of the house while she carried the stink of sin. She needed to be cleansed; otherwise, the stink would permeate my home.

That’s how God views our sin. He can’t let us back into heaven until we’re cleansed from our sin; otherwise, our sin would stink up the whole place. Jesus came to cleanse us from our sin, and his bloody sacrifice washes us whiter than snow (Psalms 51:7 NLT). When we confess our sin and obediently trust Jesus, we can walk confidently into God’s home, knowing he will welcome us as his daughters and sons.

Take time today to thank God because you “have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace” (1 Peter 1:2 NLT).

Bingo - (not the game)

Not 100% sure about the details of the World Race, but something inside of me gets excited when browsing this blog.  (Not necessarily the "racing" part of me)



"Have you ever wondered if there’s something more out there? If there’s more to life than empty traditions, routines, and working 9-5 everyday to achieve the impossibility of the American dream?

It’s because there is.

There is a generation of radicals whose heartbeat is to see a changed world. It’s a generation that’s dissatisfied with the status quo and is actively rising to the challenge of seeing the world transformed through tangible expressions of God’s love. World Racers are seeing lives changed in nations all over the world."

Great research Brother Mitchem!
Sternberg