How do you communicate?

How do you communicate?

I took a course on communication a long time ago. Most of this course dealt with face-to-face communication. It dealt with tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, the experiences of the speaker and hearer, and even the choice of words.

Throw that course out! Today it is all about social media, texting and even blogs. We use emoticons, those smiley faces, to express emotions or parenthetical statements like note the sarcasm to convey our mood. If we have-to we may place a phone call but we would rather not.

I noticed that today’s newspaper had a QR code that took you to their website so you could read it online and not have hold this huge paper but flip pages on your super thin, super light iPad.

I believe that we have a God that speaks. Do you?

God primarily speaks to me through the Bible. He also uses sermons and Christian friends to get my attention and share a Biblical truth. There have been times in my life when God has spoken directly to me. There have been times in my life when God has spoken to someone else through me.

So how does God speak in this information age of iMacs, iPhones and iPads?

Well, low and behold, there’s an application for that! The Bible is available on many devices in many different translations and with much better search capabilities than we’ve ever had before. Other applications such as Bible dictionaries and concordances are available too.

And it is not just the Bible. Many pastors produce podcasts of their sermons that you can listen at a time that is convenient for your schedule. Many more sermons are available to us than ever before. And of course there is more junk out there as well. As a matter of fact, two of my Facebook friends post daily scripture readings.

While the methods of communications have drastically changed, God’s word is still available and more so if we would just avail ourselves of it.

Black Is Black

The other day a friend said, “Black is black!” I have no idea what point he was trying to make since I had “tuned out” minutes before.

I took his statement literally and said to myself, “He’s wrong.” For you see I had read an article that a new standard for black had been set by a vertically aligned carbon nanotube material. A super black that is ten times “blacker” than the previous black standard.

What makes black, black? Black is black because of its ability to absorb light. The more light that is absorbed, the less is reflected and thus the darker the black. The material coated with carbon nanotubes is capable of absorbing 99.5 percent of the light striking its surface at any angle not just in the visible spectrum but also from the ultraviolet to the far infrared as well.

Think of this material being like a shag rug only so small you can only see the tubes with an electron microscope.

However if my friend was speaking metaphorically, saying that sin is black and therefore sin is sin, then I would agree with him.

Our culture would tell you that there are degrees of sin. Just as there are shades of black there are shades of sin. It would say that a lie isn’t as bad as cold blooded murder. But that’s not the way that God sees it. To Him breaking any of His commandments is breaking the whole law.

I’m here today to tell you that while there is a new standard of black, sin is still sin. We need to stop sinning and start being obedient to God.

http://phys.org/news/2011-11-super-black-material-absorbs-multiple-wavelength.html

http://phys.org/news/2010-12-nasa-blacker-black-nanotubes-video.html#nRlv

No Show, Fan or Follower

What is the difference between a no show, fan and a follower?

Where I live it is the Cardinals, Rams and Blues, that is the St. Louis sports teams.

The Blues, I’m not a fan nor a follower. Not only do I not bleed blue but I change the channel when they are on television. Its a no show for me.

I’m a fan of the Rams. I watch their games when I can. I know the big name players names. I have a Rams hat or two. I’m a fan.

However, when it comes to the Cardinals, I am a follower. I not only watch their games but TIVO the ones I miss and I watch the post game show. I know the names of the pitchers and 75% of the team members and even half of the coaches. I know how far out of first they are and where there are in the wild card standings. I have not only the hat but two T-shirts as well. I am a follower.

What about you? Are you a fan or a follower of your favorite sports team?

What about Jesus Christ? Are you a no show, a fan or a follower? Are you just there for the “big game,” Sunday morning worship service?

I  encourage you to be a follower of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to know the score by knowing Him more fully. Read the Bible to know what His team mates have to say about Him. I want you to be in the Club House to pick up on the strategy of the game. Be a true follower of Jesus Christ and hit the ball out of park.

Eye Exam

My eyesight is important to me.  I get regular eye exams.  But as I get older my eyes aren't what they used to be.

My real concern it failing the motor vehicle license eye exam.  Then what happens?  Who drives my "Miss Daisey"?

I summit to you that there is another "eye" exam that we need.  It is an "I" exam.  We need to honestly examine ourselfs.

Consider asking yourself these four questions:

1.  Am I doing what I need to do for Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior?

2. Am I doing what I need to do for my family.  Am I doing what I need to do for my "Sweet Baboo"?

3. Am I doing what I need to do for my church?  They were there for me when I was in the hospital.  Am I there for them when they are sick?

4.  Am I doing what I need to do for my job.  Am I giving a good days work for my wages?

I recommend that you get an eye exam once a year but do an "I" exam more often.

What's in a name?

My mother and father were Edith and Elmer.  When I was about twelve I discovered that where my dad worked they called him Tom and that his full name was Thomas Elmer ______.  What's in a name?  He was still my dad whether he was Thomas or Tom or Elmer.  What's in a name?

You know that we pray to the Lord.  We sing praises to the Lord.  But you know that cults have lords as well.  They pray to their lord.  They may even sing the same songs to their lord.  What's in a name?  We say Lord, they say lord.  What's in a name?

But when we say Jesus Christ then we have personified the deity.  We have made a distinction and everything changes.  For you see there is power in the name of Jesus. There's power to convict, to save and to grow.

What's in a name?  If the name is Jesus Christ, it has power!

Modern Day Hermits

There are people that stay home almost all the time.  Yes, they go to work.  Yes, they go to Walmart or Target once a week.  They stop for take out on the way home.  Once they are home, they stay home.

You see, at their house they have a room with a 52 inch smart flat panel TV, a surround sound home theater system, subdued lighting, and very comfortable seating.  They have cable or direct TV and high speed Internet access.

They come home and turn on the TV, turn up the sound, and there they stay until they fall asleep then wander into the bedroom or not.

They are what I call modern day hermits.

So tell me friends, how will the church ever reach these people for Christ?  You can't go and knock on their door -- the sounds too loud for them to hear you.   Besides what church knocks on doors anymore? 

You can't call them -- their number is unlisted and/or they only have cell numbers so they aren't in the book.

The only way is to witness to them is at work.  So if you hear that your co-worker watches movies all the time, then this is the moment.  You are probably the only person who can witness to this modern day hermit.

 So take a deep breath and go for it!

Logic

Lets try some logic.

I believe that God is no respecter of persons. 

I believe that God treats everyone the same.  Rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, North or South, East or West, free or slave, liberal or conservative, black or white He treats them all the same. 

Therefore, if God treats everyone the same, why would God need to have different paths to salvation?  If God treats each people group the same then they are alike to Him and therefore He can use the same means to save them all.

I am narrow minded. I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

Unhappy

Scientist tells that we here in the Unites States aren't as happy as people in other countries.  One scientist says that it is because we have too many choices.

I want to buy a compound miter saw, sometimes referred to as a chop saw.  Which saw should I buy?

Do I want a 7 1/4 inch? a 10 inch?  a 12 inch?  Aaaaawwww!

Do I want red one?  a blue oine?  a green one?  Aaaaawwww!

Do I want one that slides or not?  Aaaaawwww!

Too many choices!  Aaaaawwww!

The native in Africa wants rice to feed his family.  He walks to town, to the store and buys rice.  There is only one brand.  He has no choices to make.  He brings the rice home and he and his family are happy for they have rice to eat.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to decide which saw to buy.

However, I am happy.  For I have Jesus Christ as my Savior.  And I know that true happiness comes from knowing Him.

Gifts

The other day, my wife picked up a small bag from my dresser.  She got mad as soon as she looked inside.

For you see inside was the Christmas presents that she and the kids had given me some eight months ago.  I hadn't done anything with them but left then sitting on top of my dresser gathering dust.

Our heavenly Father knows how to give good gifts.  Gifts for us to use for the building up for the church.

Don't do like I did with my Christmas gifts.  Use your spiritual gifts!