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Showing posts from 2011

I presume, therefore I stress

“Assumption: A thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.” We make assumptions all the time; some are right and many are wrong. Businesses and governments routinely make assumptions for budgeting purposes. Businesses assume a certain market growth or decline and demand for their product. Sound companies, make fairly accurate assumptions, yet even sound companies err at times. “Presumption: An idea that is taken to be true, and often used as the basis for other ideas, although it is not known for certain.” When does an assumption become a ‘presumption’? Some may argue these terms are synonymous, but I believe there is a slight connotative difference. Our culture views presumptions more negatively than assumptions. A person may rebuke another person by saying, “That was awful presumptuous of you.” I believe we cross the line when we act on our assumptions or formulate other beliefs without verifying our assumptions. In my experience, the majo

Taming the Tigers

“...but how can it be followed in this day of the newspaper, the telephone, the radio and the television? These modern playthings, like pet tiger cubs, have grown so large and dangerous that they threaten to devour us all.” So wrote A.W. Tozer in the chapter titled “Let’s Cultivate Simplicity and Solitude” from his book Of God and Men. He bemoans the negative effects of these modern means of entertainment on the ability to rest and reflect in solitude. Tozer wrote in the fifties and early sixties, so we might update his comments by inserting “the internet, cell phone, i-pod, and DVR” for his list of “modern playthings.” However, the point he’s makings rings as true (if not truer) today as it did then.  We tend to live cluttered lives spiritual, adding to our spiritual repertoire the latest Christian fad that has hit the media. Maybe the fad is concerted prayer, or living purpose driven, or WWJD or living a “radical” life. We add the latest Christian best-seller to our bookshelf and

Just a Fan or Devoted

Wow! So this is what my blog looks like. It’s been so long, I nearly forgot. Despite my lengthy sabbatical from blogging, I’m going to bet on a long shot and post something, hoping someone might still be out there to read it. So here I go. My wife received a devotional booklet a few days ago called From the Heart, One Minute Devotions. The book shares brief, yet poignant, truths to encourage and challenge a believer in their walk with the LORD. In the fast and hectic pace that many today find themselves in, the brief word of encouragement can be a needed blessing in the midst of the chaos. I certainly appreciate the ministry such a booklet provides, but I have to admit that the title struck me as odd. It just seemed oxy-moronic to me. Let me explain. Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines ‘devotion’ as “a religious fervor” or “the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal.” That definition rings true to me (I suppose that’s why they’re Merriam-Webster). Whether it’s devo

God Wants Your Fat

American obesity has been the societal evil of choice for media outlets to focus on in recent years. Even the first lady has made conquering American obesity her personal mission. And it is a real issue. Statistics tell us that over 60% of the American population is considered overweight, and this includes children. So we’ve set up healthy eating commissions in our schools, gaming software like Wii Fit, television programs like the Biggest Loser, and other methods to get rid of the fat in our culture. Yet the Bible says God wants our fat. In Leviticus 3:16 we read, “ All fat is the LORD’s .” Why does God want the fat? We curse fat in our culture, but God says He wants it. Why? Fat reveals prosperity and plenty. Even ‘poor’ people in our country are overweight. Regardless of the fact that many are eating junk food, obese ‘poor’ people reveal how prosperous we are as a nation. You don’t find obesity an issue with the poor in third world countries. Fat results from prosperity and plenty w

Rattled Nerves

What makes you nervous? I was thinking about this today, because I had a recent situation where I felt quite nervous. An individual asked me a question that I didn’t know how to answer, which resulted in the blood receding from my face and my heart starting to pound. I was nervous, but why? As I have reflected on that situation and others like it, I’m struck by the fact that Jesus never appeared nervous in the gospels. Perhaps a person could argue that in the Garden of Gethsemane He was nervous, but I would counter that He was nervous in a different manner than we are. Jesus was troubled then because He knew the ordeal that lay ahead of Him, but I wouldn’t say He was nervous in the sense of fearful. Our nervousness usually stems from fear, which in turn stems from a lack of faith. Jesus rebuked the disciples for their fear during a storm saying, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” He was actually sleeping on the boat during the same storm and clearly not nervous at all. What a

Perspective

2011 has had a challenging beginning for the Sheets’ household: we started the year with a blizzard that shut down the highways and forced my in-laws to stay a couple of extra days, the stomach flu invaded our whole family and kept Christy from working for a week, our van’s power steering broke and needs fixing (who knows how much that will be), and our dog can barely walk or move so we need to take her to the vet. This is not how I wanted to start the new year. 2011 has started off with some great opportunities to see God work. We were blessed with some extra family time as Christy’s parents needed to stay longer because of the New Year’s blizzard (and thankful for a warm home to spend it in), we had the opportunity to show Christ’s love by caring for each other during a battle with the stomach flu in our house (and it gave Christy some extra time to get things ready for daycare and schooling), we are fortunate that our van’s power steering went out in the church parking lot and not s