The Start of Something New.....

I thought that each week I would share something kind of like a devotional thought about what I have been pondering about God. So my thought for this week was do you ever wonder if Jesus ever misspoke? You ever think he was telling a story and someone in the crowd did not get the joke and got offended? I do it all the time. I do it mostly when I am tired. My mom always tried to teach me that there is a fine line between a joke and being offensive and she said I would know when I crossed it because people would not laugh. Jesus I am guessing never crossed that line unless he meant to cross it. Must go along with the God to man thing. I am guessing the people that did not get the joke were those that he meant to offend. If you read the old good book you will read about Jesus talking to the Pharisees like they were the ones that were the sinners when the whole time they believed that they were the ones who had it right. He answered their questions with the same sarcasm that I answer questions like Are you really going to wear that? (No my real outfit is underneath this I just thought I would wear this as a protective layer) or Is that your son?(nope just some strange kid that wondered into the yard we put a bowl of food on the porch and then he just wouldn't leave so we decided to keep him). See Jesus knew his time on earth was short and I am sure that he was thinking I don't have time for them to miss the point. So I can't worry if I offend those who claim to speak on My behalf and then sacrifice the masses who will hear or someday read about this exchange. He knew where the line was to keep from offending them but He crossed it in order to offer us a chance to understand how to get to Him and also to realize that often times the rules of religion are just mans interpretation of what God wants and that if we want to know what he wants we need to go straight to Him and ask. He can handle the questions. Really he can.

I read in Mark Lowry's ramblings something he said that I never really thought about which is that old saying "sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you". He was right in saying that words are actually more hurtful. You see wounds of the flesh heal but words that hurt people play back in their minds over and over again over time. When they are having a weak moment and they reach inside themselves to find the strength to accomplish that seemingly impossible task do they find words of hope and encouragement that someone has shared with them. Or do is all they find there put downs and words that have led them to believe they have nothing to offer. If that is you let me be the first to tell you that I will be your cheerleader. You can do it. There is also the head of your fanclub sitting up in heaven and if you listen you can hear him say you are my special creation. I knew you before you were born and I know every hair on your head(which for some of you is more awe inspiring than others. For some of you we all can count the hair on your head) I know you can do this because I made you. We are like the telephone and God is like Alexander Graham Bell. I am sure before the first phone call was placed he sat at his desk and said "I know that it you will ring and I will be able to hear the person on the other end because that is they way I designed you. I know you will work because I know every wire, every nut and bolt." That is God he knows what we can do because at the end of the day He put you together. Every gray hair (Uncle Keever), every wrinkle, every bump or wart He built and at the end of the day He more than any us, knows what we can accomplish if we would only allow ourselves to believe in us as much as He believes in us.

Well that is what God is sharing with me today. God sometimes has a funny way of showing us lessons. God realizes that sometimes it takes me a moment or two to get things so He always chooses to teach me lessons in ways that I can easily understand kind of like a club to the forehead. God used my thick headedness to teach me something so I thought I would share it with you all. For all of you wondering I usually see the line know before I cross it but sometimes I run right across it without a thought. Good night and keep us in your prayers!