Happy Dependence Day

I heard of a church in California that has a "Dependence Day" celebration tomorrow, July 4. I thought that was just a fantastic thing to do, to bring to mind our total dependence on God, rather than just remembering the day that we dissolved the political bands that tied us to England.

I was thinking of other holidays that we could use as bookmarks throughout the year to bring to mind some things. Maybe you have some more ideas too?

October 31: Rather than celebrating death, violence, wizardry and witchcraft, let's remember October 31 as the day in which a man posted (would have been on his blog if he had one) a bunch of different ways in which the practices he was tied to were unbiblical. That would be a good day for each of us to have a reformation in our lives, our homes, and our church. We can step back and look at everything and see if it's in line with God's word - or if we need to reform.

Labor Day: That'd be a good chance to evaluate the things for which we are laboring. 1 Cor 15:58 tells us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. It doesn't give us hope for our labor in the world, so let's make sure that all our labor is ultimately being done for the Lord. That's a good day to make sure our greatest efforts (yea, all our efforts) are being done for God.

I'm not saying we don't celebrate those days for the accepted meaning of them (other than Halloween, that one I am saying that we shouldn't celebrate), but rather take time those days to celebrate and bring to mind greater things.

Now, if only I could think of something to remember on Christmas and Resurrection Sunday...

Just a thought...

Me & Peter

I was listening to preaching on a Christian radio station this lunch-time while running errands, and the preacher talked about Jesus' washing of the disciples feet. It made me think about how I would probably have acted like Peter in the situation.

You know the story, after a while, Jesus gets up and begins to wash His disciples feet in an act of humble service. When He reaches Peter's feet, Peter tells Him not to was his feet. Jesus, doing this act to demonstrate how that if even the Lord will humble Himself to serve others, so ought we.

Well, Peter (like me!) wanted nothing to do with this. Now, I don't really know his intentions, but if I were in the situation, this is what I'd be thinking.

First of all, he really didn't want to wash anyone else's feet. That would have required work. It would have made him get up and then even humble himself to his peers. What would they think of him? Would they stop seeing him as the important apostle that he was - one of the "elite 3"?

Second, he (or, at least what I would be doing) was willing to let his feet stay dirty so he could just keep eating dinner. That would be due to my laziness. "Yeah, my feet are dirty... oh well." Now, Jesus explains that there's a spiritual significance to it all too. How many times might we notice that parts of us are dirty with the things of the world, yet we're too lazy to do anything about it! Forget helping others with it, we won't even get ourselves clean.

Third, when Jesus, the Lord, came to wash his feet, he wanted nothing to do with it at first. I don't get it - why is it humbling for us to be served? Is it just because we don't want to show that we are dependent on others? Is it because we want people to think that we don't need anything, or that we're so good, that others can't even do anything to benefit it us? Peter didn't want his feet to be cleaned by Jesus. He could have done it himself if he wanted them clean, but he certainly didn't need someone else to do it for him --

It reminds me of a poem by Michael P. Johnson:

The prince of pride who’s of the night
Was once to Me a great delight
But pride took hold with sin’s desire
Now he awaits eternal fire

Ok, while I do like that poem, I hope you all recognize the joke of 3 points and a poem...

Just a thought...

A Little Help, Please

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

I'm having a hard time getting a strong grasp on this verse - could anyone help me out?

The context:
Matthew 11:9-15 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.