Wayfarer on the Creative Path

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 13

A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them. Proverbs 13:24 (TM)

I've got good kids. In fact, I've got great kids. But, they aren't perfect kids. Discipline is among a parents most difficult tasks, and I think it gets more difficult the older they get. I find discipline decisions can be agonizing. When do you sternly reprimand? When do you punish? When do you give grace and have a good talk? When do you provide creative consequences? When am I going overboard? At what point have I crossed the line from disciplining and actually find I'm exasperating them?

I'm not sure there are easy answers to any of those questions. The key is to constantly work at it, learn from your mistakes, and be willing to change,adapt, and admit when you blow it. Most importantly, as Proverbs constantly instructs, seek God's wisdom daily.
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Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Paul

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 12

The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies. Proverbs 12:11 (TM)

I have known many people who chase "whims and fancies". There's the gal who spends money and energy moving from one fad diet after another believing that "this is it". There's the guy who will invest in one "get rich quick" scheme after another believing the infomercial promises of vast wealth in no time with no work involved. Or, there's the guy who spends more time at work scheming how to sue his employer from millions than actually doing the job for which he's getting paid.
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.
Those who are content to work hard, stay on task, and prove themselves responsible will find themselves rewarded in more ways than one.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and asullens

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 11

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
Proverbs 11:25 (TM)

Wendy and I have a "Meals and Reels" group through our church. We watch a movie each month and then have dinner together the following week to discuss the film. Last month we watched "Pay it Forward" about a boy who comes up with the concept of doing one BIG thing for three people (BIG as in it needs to be sacrificial - it needs to cost you something), then ask each person to "pay it forward" by doing something for three other people. Through multiplication, more and more lives are helped.

What a simple concept. One of the questions our group discussed over our meal was whether the concept was Biblical. While the scripture doesn't prescribe it as the boy laid it out, the idea is definitely Biblical. Jesus gave sacrificially through his death, then asks us to "pay it forward" by loving and giving - even to the point of giving our very lives for others.

Do I look for opportunities to bless others each day, or does Holy Spirit have to knock me over the head with a 2x4 to get my attention? If I'm not feeling particularly blessed, perhaps I need to ask, "how have I been a blessing to others?" As the old saying goes, what goes around comes around.
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 10

The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words. Proverbs 10:19 (TM)

I like to talk. I'm good at it. Nevertheless, the older I get the more I realize how important it is to measure my words.

• When my children were young I could say foolish things and it would usually fly right over their heads. They are now teen-agers and catch every word I say.
  
• When I was an employee I could talk about work and my company and no one really paid much attention. Now that I'm a business owner, I realize that those who work for me pay close attention to what I say and weigh every word and the motivations behind them.
  
• When I was young I could spout off at the mouth and it could be dismissed as youth and immaturity. Now that I'm in positions of authority (at home, at work, at church, in the community) any idle word can come back to haunt me and erode my witness.

I think James 1:19 is a great addition to today's verse: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry".
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and DarwinBell

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 9

If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins. So don't waste your time on a scoffer; all you'll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that's different—they'll love you for it! Save your breath for the wise—they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know—they'll profit from it. Proverbs 9:7-10 (TM)

This is an interesting verse to read during a week in which I'm doing a lot of call coaching for a client. I have coached "arrogant cynics" and have been figuratively slapped by their attitude. I've confronted bad behavior and scoffers have "kicked" me for it. But the vast majority of those I've coached care about their jobs, their customers, and life. They will take what I've shared and use it to profitable ends. At the end of the day, those are the people who make it all worthwhile.
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

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Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 8

I love those who love me; those who look for me find me. Proverbs 8:17 (TM)

Isn't it interesting that yesterday it was the seductress in the streets, speaking and ensnaring the foolish who would follow after her. Today it's a different woman, Wisdom, who stands in the street speaking and inviting the wise to follow after her.

Whenever we go out our door we will will find both "women" - temptation and wisdom. Each day we must choose to which of them we will listen.
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

 

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Fort Photo

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 7

Soon she has him eating out of her hand, bewitched by her honeyed speech. Before you know it, he's trotting behind her, like a calf led to the butcher shop, Proverbs 7:21-22 (TM)

As much as Solomon wrote about the seductress, the same can be true for both sexes. The culture in which Solomon wrote was one in which women had little or no status. Sex was, perhaps, the one way women could wield any kind of power of men. The reality is that the principles are true whether it is a female seducing a male or a male seducing a female. The bottom line is that we all need to guard our hearts.

I also walk away from the chapter thinking about Solomon, one of the most affluent kings of his time, who had hundreds of wives and concubines. It doesn't change the truth of the teaching, but I wonder how he reconciled it in his own mind.
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 6

You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed?  Proverbs 6:6-9 (TM)

I've been working from a home office for almost 15 years. It requires a bit of self-discipline. There is no one looking over your shoulder. You have to make yourself do the work, even when there are a million distractions. My job also has an ebb and flow to the workload. There are seasons when it seems I work around the clock, and a few precious others when I can relax and enjoy a little breather.

I've learned through the years that not everyone can manage working like this. I've witnessed some who take advantage of the freedom the job offers. They take off all sorts of time, but then when things get busy and there are deadlines looming they still want to only work 40 hours or less a week. Clients, employer, and co-workers suffer as a result.

Another piece of advice David had for his son, Solomon..."Be strong and courageous, and do the work. (I Chronicles 28:20)
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and fensterbme

One of Those Weeks...

Have you ever had one of those weeks?

• Last Friday Taylor and Madison both had their wisdom teeth extracted. Taylor had a vein bleed out and I had to rush her back to have it restitched. They both ended up with dry socket. And the pain meds made Madison terribly sick so that she spent most of Monday night puking her guts out. Fun, fun, fun.
  
• Wendy called me on the road Tuesday night to tell me she flushed her cell phone down the toilet.
  
• Thursday morning I went to check out of my hotel room and make a b-line for the hotel. I couldn't find my eyeglasses anywhere (Perhaps, I flushed them down the toilet). The housekeeper couldn't find them, either.
  
• Last night I heard banging coming from the girls' bathroom. The door knob stopped working and Madison was stuck inside the bathroom (see picture). I took the door knob off to find the latch was broken and permanently jammed into the door frame. I had to crawl into the bathroom window from the roof (in the rain), take out the hinges and pry the door open.

(sigh)

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 5

Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose—
   don't ever quit taking delight in her body. Proverbs 5:19 (TM)

I love the way scripture addresses some issues head on. Issues that we tend to sweep under the rug or ignore. For example, I don't think you'll hear too many sermons from the pulpit on Proverbs 5:19. But, we should. We spend so much time speaking out about the evils of adultery, pornography, and sexual sin - but we hear precious little about the joys and fulfillment of sexual intimacy inside of marriage. As Mike Warnke once said, "If you spend all your time doing the 'dos' you won't have time to do the 'don'ts', and if you could you wouldn't so you can't so you don't so it's cool!"
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and flip.and.serena

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 4

When I was a boy at my father's knee, the pride and joy of my mother, He would sit me down and drill me: "Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live! Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don't forget one word! Don't deviate an inch! Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you. Proverbs 4:3-6 (TM)

I don't know how many times I've read proverbs, but it's a lot. I don't think I've ever read this verse and considered it in context. Solomon's father wa s King David. It was David who sat Solomon on his knee and drilled him to seek wisdom and hold on.

• David who was anointed king and then spent almost thirty years in exile waiting for the crown.
• David who ran for his life from King Saul and spent much of his early life with a price on his head.
• David who lived as a mercenary in treacherous enemy territories.
• David who led a rag-tag band of outlaws in a campaign of day-to-day survival.
• David who, once he was king, survived multiple coups on his reign.
• David who made his share of mistakes including adultery (btw, Solomon is Bath Sheba's son), murder, conspiracy, bad parenting, etc - and suffered the consequences.
• David who instituted Jerusalem (a heathen Jebusite city) as capital of Israel and had to navigate the tremendous political, social and religious fallout of that decision.

No wonder David instilled the importance of wisdom on his son. She had guarded his life and kept an eye on him. He was speaking from a wealth of experience!
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and khiscott

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 3

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   he's the one who will keep you on track.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (TM)

Trusting God is easy when everything is going my way. It's harder when His agenda seems so different than mine!

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 2

So now you can pick out what's true and fair, find all the good trails! Proverbs 2:9 (TM)

I have a navigation system on my company car. It does pretty well, but it's not perfect. I have, at times, programmed it to show me the way to this place or that - only to find myself snarled in road construction for which the computer can't account. There have been times that I should have been tuned in and thought through things, but I mindlessly trusted the computer - to my utter frustration and ultimate tardiness.

Between God's Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have a built in navigation system for life that gives us true instincts for the road of life. But we have to be tuned in. If we mindlessly follow the lemming ahead of us or the road we find ourselves on, we may miss God's clear direction to better paths.
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and .Dominic

Our Homecoming Queen

Please pray for Taylor and Madison, who are both recovering from Wisdom Teeth extractions last Friday. They're both continuing to suffer a bit!

I've been getting a lot of questions about Taylor's Homecoming Queen experience. She had a ball, though while making the rounds of elementary and middle school assemblies during homecoming week a football player stepped on her toe and tore her toenail. So, she didn't feel too graceful hobbling around (It wasn't serious - she was fine).

It was a big encouragement for Taylor, with many people she didn't know congratulating her and making her feel special. She had one young man in elementary school ask her to call him. She had little girls following her in wonder and awe.

I think the coolest thing was that PHS chose a great group of kids for their Homecoming Court. It was a diverse group. The court was filled with good kids who have strong faith, and it was heartening to know that their peers honored them.

Here's some pics:

Chapter-a-Day Proverbs 1

Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
   only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.
Proverbs 1:7 (TM)

The first two steps of Alcoholics Anonymous' Twelve Steps go like this:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

That's Proverbs 1:7 in practical application and it's true no matter what issue has me down. The first step to wisdom (and recovery, success, restoration, maturity, sanity, etc.) is humility and surrender.

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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and *hairbear

Chapter-a-Day 3 John 1

Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible.
3 John 1:5 (TM)

When I was growing up, my parents had a mantra: "your friends are always welcome at our house". For better or for worse, we took them at their word. I'm sure that they looked at each other once in a while and wondered "What in the world did we say that for?"

• When the paperboy stopped regularly to ask what was for dinner, so he could decide whether to go home or stay and eat with our family
• When the entire church youth group would show up unannounced on Sunday night for an "after-church" (occasionally showing up without Jody or me)
• When Mike Barrett, a guy who lived on my floor in the dorm, called late one night to say, "I'm driving to California. Tom said if I needed a place to stay..."

But my folks were true to their pledge of hospitality, and in doing so were a testimony of love, grace and acceptance to countless people who will forever remember their sincere faith in action.

Sometimes love is little more than providing a place to hang out.

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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Tinker*Taylor

Chapter-a-Day 2 John

Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed. 2 John 1:6 (TM)

Conduct your life in love.
When I am in a client meeting, how can I love better?
When I am shopping, how can I love better?
How can I love the checkout lady at Casey's or the barrista at Starbucks?
How can I love better when I am hanging at home?
How can I better conduct my social activities with love?

Love is not a concept. It is not an object. God's love is to be experienced. Having been experienced, it becomes a pervasive presence that spreads through heart, mind and body coloring every thought, relationship, and action.

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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and roulo

Chapter-a-Day I John 5

This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life. I John 5:11-12 (TM)

As a professional communicator, I'm constantly reminding myself to get to the crux of the matter, speak it clearly, and not belabor the point. When I'm preparing to speak, I often start with the question, "What's the one thing I'm trying to communicate?"

John does such a great job of succinctly trimming the Message down to its essence, and speaking the core of Christian faith in two brief sentences. If anyone asks "what do you believe?", I would do well to simply recite I John 5:11-12.
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What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and sfllaw

Chapter-a-Day I John 4

We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
I John 4:19 (TM)

Sometimes God's Message gains depth as we understand the writer and the context in which he wrote. You'll notice in reading the letters of John that the them is overwhelmingly love. It was the overwhelming theme of John's life and ministry. John was the only one of the twelve disciples to live to old age. Church history tells us that John would be carried around on a stretcher by members of the church. It got to the point that the only words John would ever say is, "Little children, love one another" over and over and over.

This from a man who had been dubbed by Jesus as one of the "Sons of Thunder" for his fiery temper. This from the disciple who suggested Jesus call down fire from heaven and burn up a town when they wouldn't welcome Him. This from the disciple whose mother tried to worm her way to getting seats of honor for John and his brother in heaven, creating hard feelings and contention among the disciples.

John's letters give us a clear picture of a man who had grown, learned, and changed - a man who had been transformed by the love of Jesus that he saw, touched, and experienced.

Will my friends and family say of me, that the longer I lived the better I loved?

What verse meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! Otherwise, click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and keep love in your heart

Chapter-a-Day I John 3

My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. I John 3:18 (TM)

I have known workers who talk about how talented and able they are, but when you hire them they expect lots of pay and benefits for doing relatively little work. I have known other workers whom you can watch continuously trying to improve and who quietly, constantly work to produce good results. Which worker would you rather hire?

The world is isn't impressed by Christians who talk a good game. They're looking for some tangible proof that what we say we believe actually makes a difference in our lives and in how we treat others. They don't want to hear it. They want to see it.

What verse meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! Otherwise, click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and midiman

Prohibition Party at the Hotel Baker

One of our group's clients is Cabela's. When Cabela's opens a new store they throw a big hoop-la and ask all their vendors to come help celebrate. So it was that Scott and I found ourselves in Chicago the past two days visiting Cabela's new store in Hoffman Estates.

Cabela's threw their grand opening party at the Hotel Baker in St. Charles where Capone used to hang out. As everyone came through the door men were given hats and tommy guns. Women received feather boas. There were rooms set up for gambling (no money - just chips) and of course there was a lot of food.

Scott and I had a great time. Here's a few pics from the evening. I have to say I was a bit surprised to win at Texas Hold' Em, because I didn't have a clue what I was doing!  But it was a lot of fun to be in a vintage old hotel.

Chapter-a-Day I John 2

Here's how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep his commandments. I John 2:2-3 (TM)

Notice the series of events. Keeping the commands is not the way to meet God, but the result of knowing God. Keeping the law does not make you acceptable to God, but having met God - having been made acceptable through Jesus death and resurrection - we are motivated to obedience.

What verse meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and functoruser

Chapter-a-Day I John 1

From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! I John 1:1 (TM)

Wendy was commenting the other day about a new campaign of commercials in which women who've had an abortion speak about their experience. What makes the spots so powerful is that they are testimony of the actual consequences of abortion in a real woman's life. You might disagree with her views on the subject, but you can't deny her experience or how it affected her.

That's why Jesus calls us to be "witnesses" - not bullies, not debaters, not pundits, not marketers, not spokesmen, not press secretaries. We are called to give witness, and that's just what John did: "You can say what you want, but I was there. I touched Jesus. I saw Jesus. I was there when he raised Lazarus from the dead. I was there when he walked on water. I saw him die on a cross. I saw him risen from the dead. He is the real deal. I'm staking my life on it."

Last Easter our church did a video montage of people from from our church who wrote one word or phrase on a placard describing their lives before Christ and a word or phrase on the other describing their lives after Christ. As the video went on, people wordlessly showed the before side and then turned the placards over to reveal the after. I don't think there was a dry eye in the church.

Personal testimony is the most powerful case for Christ there is.

What verse meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and gimmebass

Chapter-a-Day 2 Timothy 4

You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. 2 Timothy 4:3 (TM)

It's easier to grab a donut or a candy bar at QuickTrip than it is to make a decent meal. It's more convenient, feels good on the taste buds, and requires little in the way of real effort.

And it makes you fat, sick and lazy.

A nibble of truth that gives me a shot of inspiration is easier than a dose of Truth that requires me to change. An inspirational quote off of a daily calendar is much easier than studying the scriptures. A religion that requires nothing from me is more convenient than following Jesus - who asks me to die to myself.

And it makes me spiritually undernourished.

What verse meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and awrose

Chapter-a-Day 2 Timothy 3

Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. 2 Timothy 3:1 (TM)

Sometimes the scriptures can fly right in the face of our politically correct, idealistic thoughts. I don't mean to be a wet blanket here, but I sometimes I have to shake my head at those who have a Utopian view of things. The scriptures are, time and time again, reminding us that we will reap the consequences of our own sin and selfishness. The road is gonna be rocky.

That doesn't mean we stop our efforts at pursuing love, righteousness and peace. It's not an excuse to give up. Paul said it well, just "don't be naive".

What verse meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Blondie5000

Whose Line is it Anyway?

A couple of years ago I agreed to head up an improv show of Alumni for Judson University's homecoming celebration. Thus, Wendy and I were in Elgin, Illinois over the weekend. The alumni response to be part of the show was light, so the five willing alumni were joined on stage by  three current students. The span of generations became clear when one of the students introduced herself by telling us that she was born the year we graduated from Judson (ouch!)

The age-span wasn't a problem, however. It turned out just to add some fund and energy. The show was a huge success - an hour of non-stop laughter and creativity.

After the show, Wendy and I went to one of my old haunts, the Village Squire in Dundee, where we met up with Betsy (Wolfe) Stemple and her husband Jim. We were glad to find out that the Squire is still a favorite of Judson students when the table of girls next to us commented that they'd been at the show and graciously listened to some of our old stories.

Chapter-a-Day 2 Timothy 2

if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 (TM)

We're made in God's image, and perhaps that's why I often catch myself projecting onto God my own humanity. Rather than accept that I'm the knock-off, my heart and mind refashions my understanding of God so that He's just like me. Rather than being an example to follow, my heart and mind turns God into a mirror image of myself. God acts like me, thinks like me, reacts like me and believes exactly what I believe. I make God into my image. It's just another way of putting myself on the throne.

One of the insidious results of this is that when I start beating myself up for screwing up and being faithless - my Tom-made image of God agrees with me. He's ready to chew me up and spit me out - because that's what I would do if I were Him.

But He's not me. When I am faithless - He remains utterly faithful. Faithful is who God is. It's at the core of His being and He can't be otherwise.

I'm so glad God is not like me. Today's verse has been a life-long reminder to me of that truth.

God, transform me today to be more like you, and don't let me turn the tables.