A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

I love to take pictures. There is something that is totally enjoyable about heading out with my camera with one goal in mind: to bring home at least one captivating image.

One of the reasons people love to look at great pictures is because they can produce a variety of emotions, thoughts, and memories. After all, “a picture is worth a thousand words!”

The Bible is is full of amazing pictures. 

True, they may only be word pictures, but they build intricate and colorful images of God’s glory and majesty in our minds and imaginations.  

During a quiet moment this week, I returned to Isaiah 6 and was on both an emotional and practical level affected by the image—the picture—that Isaiah painted. It was filled with the beauty of God’s holy majesty set against my frailty as a member of sinful humanity. This vivid picture caused me to worship our loving and mighty God with greater passion, especially when I pondered it in light of Romans 5 which says, ”God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Here’s my encouragement to you this week: while reading the scriptures in your personal quiet time, allow the word pictures you find there to deeply touch your heart, mind and actions. Don’t rush. Dwell and observe. A picture is worth a thousand words!




Blessings!
Alan

Everyday heroes!

Super Hero?????

You hardly ever watch the news on TV without hearing about someone who did some courageous act and is now a "hero." Undoubtedly, some truly are heros. But for others, it really is stretching the definition. Certainly, everyone called a hero expresses some courage in the face of trauma--but is it only courage that defines a hero as seems to be advocated by modern media? For instance, the man who faces a would-be robber and refuses to give up his money sure has courage, but he's offered up something precious and eternal (his own life) for something insignificant and temporal (money). He sure is brave...but a hero?

I got to wondering how I define what a hero is. I think I agree with Charles Colson who suggests that a perfect expression of heroism is a person who courageously imitates Christ. Courage to face a difficult situation does not make a hero unless the courageous devotion is to what is is ultimately good, true and eternal...all virtues of Christ.

I'm sure there's more to it than this, but if this is the definition of hero, then I've known a lot of heroes! None of whom ever made it into a TV news report. 

For what it's worth...

"What Goes Up, Must Come Down...

...spinning wheel, got to go round."  This is the song I began to whistle as I watched a frustrated driver attempt to drive off of a patch of ice yesterday morning.

Behind the church there is an alleyway which provides access to the garages of residents who live on Gough Ave.  I am able to see this alley way and some of the garage doors from my office window.  When I arrived early Tuesday morning, a time of the day when my office is almost silent, I heard a high-pitched whirring sound and several yelling voices.  Immediately I recognized the sound I was hearing: spinning wheels.

Sure enough as I looked out my window I saw the stuck vehicle.  

As I continued to watch I gained a better understanding of the situation.  The driver was trying to get out of her garage when here front wheels became caught in an icy rut. 

The yelling was provided by three men who were all certain they knew exactly what was necessary to get out of this slippery situation.  After about 5-minutes of confusion, another man walked up to the car and asked if he could get behind the wheel.  Ten seconds later the car was freed from it's icy prison.

I cannot help but think how frighteningly familiar this occurrence was.  Sure, I've been stuck in the snow before, but that's not exactly what I mean...

Every day we are bombarded with dozen (hundreds, thousands..?) of "self-help" messages by "experts" who clutter our minds with what seem to be helpful bits of advice.  The men who were shouting and trying to "help" the stranded driver reminded me of these so called "self-help experts".  They confidently gave directions and when nothing worked they simply walked away.  

What really struck me was the man who got behind the wheel.  He actually knew what had to be done.  He was able to free the woman and her vehicle.  He offered true help.  A comforting Psalm came to mind:

"Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me

and set me free."

                                                                        - Psalm 118:5 (ESV)

How often are we spiritually "stuck" in our lives?  I know I get stuck a lot.  We must call on the One who can truly help get us unstuck.  We must call on the LORD and trust that he is able to free us when we are "stuck".

What do you do when you're feeling stuck?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Bless ya,

Dave

P.S.  Here are some helpful winter driving tips...click HERE.