Ralph Macchio was perplexed at his mentor’s (Pat Morita) instructions to put on wax with a circular motion, then take it off with the other arm moving in a circular motion in the Karate Kid. He just wanted to live more successfully by being able to defend himself against the bullies in life, by developing some muscle and skills to get through his day. His coach said “Wax On, Wax Off” repetitive discipline of training his body to respond in successful ways.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul gives his students similar instructions for developing spiritual muscles to live successfully, when he says “Put Off, Put On.”
Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Paul in Romans 7 talks about the two natures, the flesh, and the indwelling life of Christ fighting against each other once we become a Christian. He says we have to exert our will to say “No” to the fleshy impulses of self, our pride of life, lust of the eye, and lust of the flesh, and say “Yes” to the things of God daily, in each circumstance and event of our life.
Put off self, put on Christ, and just like Ralph, over time, by these little disciplines we’ll find out we’re being transformed into successful champions for Christ. Wax On, Wax Off.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
In the Big Inning
What’s the answer to the question, “What is the oldest sport?”
The answer is, “Baseball.” Because, back in Genesis 1:1, it says,
“In the Big Inning, God…”
OK, Steve, stick to your day job, because you have no future in comedy.
But, it really is the start of the answer to one of the big questions, that haunts the human conscience. “Where did our world come from?” “How did the earth come to be?” “Why is the physical universe in existence?”
Was there a big bang, billions and billions of years ago? If so, what was the causative force? Who, or what was the “big banger?” Is the universe just meaningless, randomness, or was there intelligent design?
Moses got the answer when he started documenting the oral history from the ancients in Genesis, and directly from his conversations with Yahweh, the self stated “I AM” the God of the Jews. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Simply stated, but then it goes on to describe a little of the process, which not so amazingly corresponds to how scientist think planets condense from fluids. But, the major revelation is, God did it!
God tells Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone.”(Job 38:4-7)
And the Psalmist says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psa 19;:1)
In the gospel of John, we learn specifically that Jesus, the son of God the father, the second person of the trinity was the creation project manager. John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Check out this short article by the Christian Research Institute on Origins http://www.equip.org/perspectives/creation-vs-evolution
Want a little more mental exercise, see: http://www.equip.org/articles/traditional-creationism-and-the-intelligent-design-community
The answer is, “Baseball.” Because, back in Genesis 1:1, it says,
“In the Big Inning, God…”
OK, Steve, stick to your day job, because you have no future in comedy.
But, it really is the start of the answer to one of the big questions, that haunts the human conscience. “Where did our world come from?” “How did the earth come to be?” “Why is the physical universe in existence?”
Was there a big bang, billions and billions of years ago? If so, what was the causative force? Who, or what was the “big banger?” Is the universe just meaningless, randomness, or was there intelligent design?
Moses got the answer when he started documenting the oral history from the ancients in Genesis, and directly from his conversations with Yahweh, the self stated “I AM” the God of the Jews. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Simply stated, but then it goes on to describe a little of the process, which not so amazingly corresponds to how scientist think planets condense from fluids. But, the major revelation is, God did it!
God tells Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone.”(Job 38:4-7)
And the Psalmist says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psa 19;:1)
In the gospel of John, we learn specifically that Jesus, the son of God the father, the second person of the trinity was the creation project manager. John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Check out this short article by the Christian Research Institute on Origins http://www.equip.org/perspectives/creation-vs-evolution
Want a little more mental exercise, see: http://www.equip.org/articles/traditional-creationism-and-the-intelligent-design-community
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