From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 1 22:29:43 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri Dec 1 22:30:01 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Lawlessness Message-ID: <2CA9E071-45E0-4B95-A83B-2A888687DBF1@clanwebb.com> Sometimes we have to grin and bear certain circumstances. This is the season when we can usually depend upon people's sympathetic nature to help and, yet, sometimes the most sorrow-filled circumstances cannot be fixed by intervention. People must simply grit their teeth and cope with what befalls them. A subculture new exists where some psychologist say that the criminal is not so much a victim of circumstances, but rather, a risk-taker that finds the rewards of lying, cheating, and stealing to outweigh the risk of capture. Crime becomes an unethical business decision. When we become aware of one of these situations and the entrepreneur puts on the act of a victim, we want to believe their story. We can hate the fact that they made a wrong decision, but we can't hate the fact that they were caught. "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." Matthew 23:28 "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold." Matthew 24:12 The paradox of a fallen world: How to recognize right from wrong. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Dec 3 00:11:57 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun Dec 3 00:12:12 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be Like the Blind Man Message-ID: <5D1613C7-9CE7-43B6-A0B9-59656685E41A@clanwebb.com> The parables that Jesus told are wonderful illustrations of His relationship with us. They give us insight and make for a great shorthand to refer to deep theological concepts. What's truly amazing about God, though, are the real life things that happened that are just as powerful. The Old Testament is filled with historical events that hold deep symbolism of our relationship with God. The New Testament has some, too. I came across this one tonight: "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man." "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." "Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said." John 9:1-12 One of our purposes after being saved is that the work of God might be displayed in our lives, just like the blind man. We have to display that work now, because the end is coming when people will no longer be able to make the choice. Jesus healed our particular afflictions and forgave our sins, just like the blind man. When people asked how "our eyes were opened", we should tell them that we simply did what Jesus said and believed what He was telling us and we were healed, just like the blind man. But, then, the story veers. When the other people ask the blind man where Jesus is now, he replies, "I don't know". Here he's just told this story of a miraculous healing, but he cannot point to the one who healed. We can. We should do the same things the blind man did, but when it comes to the point that people are asking where our Healer is, you can tell them. You can introduce them so they can experience their own miracle. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Dec 3 22:28:24 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun Dec 3 22:28:53 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] In Due Time Message-ID: <1C0D8B19-2587-4118-9F40-74FD6BC829DA@clanwebb.com> There are things I want and, by all accounts, they are good things, but i don't always get them when I want them. Much of what I want is for other people. They are good people, but I don't always get what I want for them when I want it. I know God wants me to depend on Him for all I need. I know He will give me my heart's desire, but I don't always know how to ask or whether I should ask. I want to please God so much that I want to know who, what, and when. I am learning that God doesn't have a formula that can be figured out. There will be no divine DNA helix discovered or some great cosmic mystery uncovered that will reveal God's way. Sometimes, guys, He is just in the process of raising His children and He choses to see how persistent we will be about what we want or a path we want to take. " 'for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and from inside he answers and says, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened." Luke 11:6-10 Love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. He is the perfect father and He will not let you down. If your desires are pure, you will get whatever you want, too... when your Heavenly Father thinks it is time. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 5 00:13:23 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue Dec 5 00:13:37 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Replacement Cycle Message-ID: A guy could get depressed if he thought too much about it. You start to wonder when the cycle ends. I'm talking about the cycle of needing to replace everything in your life that you depend on. Notice I talking about things and not people. I can spend a thousand dollars on a new television, but I'll have to replace it eventually. I can spend three thousand on a new computer, but I'll have to replace it eventually. I can spend twenty thousand on a new car, but I know I'll need a new one in less than ten years. I can spend three hundred thousand on a new house, but I'll have to do repairs and maintenance perpetually. Eventually, even the house will be beyond repair and it will be torn down. It can get depressing to see the cycle in action. You spend a huge sum on something you must have to live (a car, house, or something else) only to see it's value depreciate such that you have to find a way to replace it. As people spend larger and larger amounts, they find that they can buy things that last longer, but they can never buy the thing that lasts forever. Castles from a thousand years ago may still stand, but they are slowly falling. They may cost more and have been built in a sturdier way, but they aren't eternal. Thankfully, God never wears out and never needs to be replaced: "The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord." Psalm 146:10 "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen." Psalm 41:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13 In our affluent American society, we are more likely to replace things because we want something newer, not just because the old one wore out. Again, thankfully, there's never a newer, better model of God. He just is: "For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods." Psalm 95:3 "For you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods." Psalm 97:9 So, as you head to do Christmas shopping where you might be thinking of buying something new to replace something old, remember the gift that never needs replacing. Remember to praise Him for never wearing out and never being last year's model. I'm glad my God isn't part of that cycle. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Dec 6 00:17:18 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Dec 6 00:17:33 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] No Admission By Declaration Message-ID: <064BFAFB-68BA-465A-BCDD-3A23A78D6F50@clanwebb.com> If I were to show up at the local fire station tomorrow morning and announce that I was a fireman, the folks there might be curious. I can imagine that they would ask, "How did you come to be a fireman?" If I answered, "Because I declare that I am a fireman," I would expect to be laughed out of the station. Imagine a similar situation in the courthouse. If I were to show up in a courtroom and announce, "I am a judge because I declare that I am," I doubt I'd be allowed to hear a case. By the same token, I can sit in the garage and declare loudly, "I am a BMW," but it's not likely to be true. No matter how badly I want to be, I am willing to bet I won't actually turn into a car. These all sound like ridiculous situations. In the first two, we recognize that one cannot declare themselves a fireman or a judge by fiat. A person has to go through training and schooling just to be considered. Then, that person is declared to be a fireman or a judge by an authority. Nobody can declare themselves to have that title. In the last case, there is no way I will turn into a car without a physical transformation. Mankind does not know of any way to make that happen, so it's pretty tough to do. It certainly doesn't happen by declaration. And, yet, how many folks do we encounter who declare themselves Christians but do not attend church and don't seem to reflect many values of Christ. If you ask them why, many will answer, "Well, I just am." There is a massive fraud running in this country that just because you are an American or just because you say so, you are a follower of Christ and headed to Heaven. People will even happily declare that all they do is for God's glory, but that doesn't cut it: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' " Matthew 7:21-23 Only God has the authority to declare you acceptable for Heaven. Only Jesus can perform the transformation that turns you into a Christian. You cannot declare your way to Heaven. You cannot wish your way in. You can only be accepted as a follower of Christ. Don't be tricked into thinking you have the power. Don't be shy about reminding others about how it works. Their confidence blinds them to their predicament. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Dec 7 00:21:25 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu Dec 7 00:21:42 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Comeback Message-ID: <98361760-B830-45E7-943B-5188F7108858@clanwebb.com> It's November 23, 1984. The sold-out crowd at the Orange Bowl has seen an amazing football game unfold as two high scoring teams are going toe to toe in a shootout. The Miami Hurricanes have just scored a touchdown to take a 45-41 lead with only 28 seconds remaining in the game. Three plays later Boston College has the ball at the Miami 48 and there's 6 seconds on the clock. The next play becomes a college football legend as Doug Flutie heaves a pass of over 60 yards from where he's standing to a group of receivers in the end zone. One of them catches it and Boston College wins the game. I've watched a lot of football in my life and I don't think I've ever witnessed a comeback as unlikely as that one. I've watched teams over and over take that last shot only to come up short. There was no reason for BC to win that game. The odds were impossible. Bring that story up to a fan and his eyes will light up and he'll get all excited. He'll tell you that he was watching it live or that his buddy was there. Those kinds of stories can get us guys really wound up. My personal favorite is the 1995 AL Division Series between the Yankees and Mariners, but that's another story. Jesus provided us with an even bigger miracle comeback. He literally snatched a victorious life for us from the jaws of eternal defeat. We had no right to expect that we'd be allowed into Heaven. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 We did nothing to earn our salvation. It was a miracle at the last second. It's the biggest comeback I know of and yet I'm shy to share it. I shouldn't be. "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20 We need to have that kind of desire. We can't help ourselves when we talk about hobbies or sports that we love. We shouldn't be able to keep from speaking about what Jesus has done for us. Tell them about the great comeback. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 8 00:30:42 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri Dec 8 00:31:07 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] See To It Message-ID: To forgive and forget is a difficult thing to do. When my mind reaches into the past, the odds are I will be remembering some wrong committed against me. That is Satan's way of reminding me of a time when God let me down, or so the enemy wants me to believe. I get angry and begin to envision a scenario where I come out on top and the wrongdoer gets his or her just reward. Suppose God was that way and He didn't accept the blood of Jesus as payment for our sin? Wow! If He got up on the wrong side of the bed and decided to hand out our just reward, it would take a while for the smoke to clear. One of God's greatest attributes is that He can choose to forget something like it never happened. That is the way it will be in Heaven. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8:12 Nothing will be held against us forever. In the meantime, we are in more control than we think about our own problems while here on earth. "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." Hebrews 3:12 The words "see to it" say it all. We are in control when we want to be in control. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Dec 9 00:17:13 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat Dec 9 00:17:40 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Drifting Message-ID: Our Bible teacher handed out a concise outline that makes for a great four day devotion. I call it the four Ds: drift, doubt, dull, despising. The study has to do with a warning and a gauge to test ourselves as to where we are with our walk in the Word of God. Have you drifted away from the Word? "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." Hebrews 2:1-4 This will get you started. Then, over the next three days: Doubting: Hebrews 3:7-4:13 Dullness: Hebrews 5:11-6:20 Despising: Hebrews 10:26-39 The book of Hebrews is all about coming off milk and starting on the meat. Or, as in the West, coming off a nonfat skinny latte to cowboy coffee, grounds and all. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Dec 10 00:12:03 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun Dec 10 00:12:17 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Deadlock Message-ID: For some reason, I find it humorous when I see real life mimicking ideas and problems that I have to deal with in software each day. One that comes up quite a bit is the concept of a deadlock. I see this in traffic frequently and I'll even see it happen while shopping during this time of year. The idea behind a deadlock is that two different processes (or people) are stopped while they wait for each other to proceed. Imagine two cars driving towards each other on a small one-lane road. When they meet, they both stop and wait for the other car to get out of the way. They are deadlocked. A slightly more complex case is one I see more often. Imagine two lanes of traffic going in opposite directions. A car stops in one lane to make a left-hand turn. This causes traffic to back up behind it. A car in the other lane drives about fifty yards past the stopped car and stops so it can make a left-hand turn. Traffic also backs up behind it. Now, we have two cars both waiting for a gap in traffic to turn, but traffic is stopped in both directions because of the cars that are waiting to turn. This is a more complex deadlock because the perpetrators may not be aware of the problem. The solution to a deadlock both in software and in the real world is for one of the process (or people) to back up or try another path. Basically, someone has to selflessly choose to abandon the obvious choice. Emotionally, deadlock is a very common problem. When a wife says, "I refuse to forgive him until he's been nice to me for a month," and the husband is saying, "I can't be nice to her. She won't even forgive me for one thing." They are emotionally deadlocked. It won't get better until one of them chooses to love without condition. Someone has to take the road less traveled. This is exactly what God has done for us. Human nature leads to these kinds of emotional and spiritual deadlock. "I'll believe in God when He proves Himself to me," or "I can't follow Jesus as long as there's suffering in the world," or the classic, "What's God ever done for me?" It's in our nature to wait to be loved first. So, He did: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 Now, there's no excuse. What good reason do we have for not loving Him back? There is none. And, furthermore, we are told to love as He did: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34 So, don't let yourself be deadlocked. That's the lazy path. That's the sinful path. Be willing to back up and let the other driver pass. Be willing to skip the left turn and take the long way around. Be willing to love first. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Dec 11 00:02:08 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon Dec 11 00:02:27 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Two for One Message-ID: There is a mystery man in the Bible. We talk about him and speculate on who he actually was. But, it is difficult in that he doesn't seem to have a past. He has quite a name, however. Melchizedek is the first man to be both a king and a priest. He appears in Genesis 14 after the mess at Sodom and Gomorrah. Your radar has to be up when you read about his first appearance in that he doesn't seem to be at the right place and time. It is only later that we see he is special in station in holding the titles of both priest and king. The separation of kings and priests is vital to the Jewish tradition. Mel is really different. So is Jesus Christ. "For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." " Hebrews 7:17 " "Are you king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied." Mark 15:2 Both king and priest makes for the perfect ruler. Jesus is different this way! Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 12 00:15:07 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue Dec 12 00:15:23 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] As a Child Message-ID: <175A591A-F871-48BF-ACB5-03267CBEAEB6@clanwebb.com> I find perverse pleasure in talking with friends and coworkers who have children younger than mine. Many of them are older than I am, but started families later in life. I watch them in that early, confident stage when they think that their maturity will give them a leg up on parenting. I watch them a few months later, when it becomes clear that they have no idea what they're doing and just making it up as they go... much like all parents do the first time around. There's comfort, though, in seeing others struggle the same way I did. It means I wasn't any more clueless than they were. For all of my confidence in my parenting ability now, though, God is quick to remind me that I'm just as much trouble to Him. I read the story of the Recabites in Jeremiah this week. This was a clan that had taken an oath to not drink wine due to a command of their ancestor. They did as he had taught and were faithful to his wishes. God used them to make a point to Jeremiah: "This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?' declares the Lord. 'Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. Again and again I have sent all my servants the prophets to you [...] But you have not paid attention or listened to me." Jeremiah 35:13-15 This sounds an awful lot like, "Why can't you be good like those kids down the street?" and "What do I have to say to get it through your thick skull? Do I need to put it on a billboard? Do I need to send a movie star to tell you? What?" I sympathize with God's situation of loving your children dearly and yet being exasperated that they can't see the obvious value of obedience. At the very same time, I'm also conscious that I am that very child that's being blind. Come to Him as a child. You and I still have much to learn. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Dec 13 00:03:31 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Dec 13 00:03:50 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Rainwater Message-ID: <7BEB2FA8-A1D4-4F5D-AC30-9EC3460C8D60@clanwebb.com> As I sit here writing this, it is raining something fierce. I've always enjoyed a good rainstorm with some wind thrown in. That is to say, I've enjoyed listening to them when I'm safe inside. I also love the smell in the air after the rain has cleared. It's especially nice when living in a city that's so green. There's a sense that the world is clean and ready for whatever is coming next. It's an image that God has used, too. He used rain to literally cleanse the earth of sin and give Noah a ride. Water is used to wash away dirt and grime and, symbolically, sin. Scripture teaches us to be baptized in water as a symbol of our cleansing. "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." Acts 22:16 But remember that it isn't rainwater and it isn't baptismal water that actually washes away our sin. No, something more precious was required for that. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father ? to him be the glory and power for ever and ever! Amen." Revelation 1:6 And amen. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Dec 13 22:37:56 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Dec 13 22:38:23 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be a Root Message-ID: <5D835281-C48E-4CD7-AF9C-3B6DC794F0EA@clanwebb.com> My childhood memories are of the fifties. I know that, as a child, I wasn't aware of current events as I am now, but I can remember much more Christian-friendly atmosphere in our country than there is today. There were no direct attacks on Jesus Christ in the media and displays concerning His birth did not cause such a vicious reaction. There was a lot wrong with our society then, but God was looked to as a solution and not as part of the problem. Men, it is up to us to be the taproot of our families and their faith. They must not think we are perfect, but they must understand that our trust is in Jesus Christ and not in any solutions man may put forth. As they stumble in their lives, they must see our example of what to do when we stumble and that is to repent and return. We must tell them that it is human to sin, but it is also human to strive for better behavior. We must tell them that Jesus is the only source for our hope for a better future here on earth and in Heaven. The world is not forgiving if you are a Christian. Some want to point to our feet of clay to justify their behavior. Some want to kill us. Some want to manipulate us and very few want to listen to us. It is much worse today than in the fifties. The world is fallen and falling further. Don't let their guilt bring you down. Pray for them, but protect your faith. This Christmas season, be sure to remind each member of your family who Jesus is and why God sent Him. Don't leave it up to the church, books, tapes, or videos. You tell them in your own words and from your heart. "and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when the affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away." Mark 4:17 Consider what falling means versus what you get by walking into the world. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 15 00:08:02 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri Dec 15 00:08:25 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Watch the Rudder Message-ID: <8FEA6A13-95C0-40F1-9E39-0D4AB9C33F49@clanwebb.com> The German battleship Bismarck was a naval marvel: - 50,900 metric tons - 241.5 meters long at the waterline - 251 meters long overall (823.5 feet) - 36 meter beam - 10.2 meter maximum draft She was considered to be unsinkable, but even a ship this size was controlled by a rudder, which in comparison to it's overall size, was a very small portion of the total mass of the ship. The largest guns afloat, the most modern technology for the time, and the best sailors made her the scourge of the seas. On the other side was an outdated piece of equipment called the Swordfish. The Swordfish was a biplane and, by the standards of World War II, the plane was slow. Time and circumstances brought these two together as related here: "Following an abortive air strike that afternoon in which fourteen Swordfish mistakenly attacked (but missed) Sheffield, a second strike of fifteen Swordfish took off from Ark Royal at 1910 that evening. Over the next hour or so, in conditions of low clouds, strong winds, and fading daylight, the aircraft released thirteen torpedoes in a series of attacks against the German battleship. While the poor weather made these attacks difficult, it also threw off the aim of the German antiaircraft gunners, and no planes were lost. Two torpedoes struck Bismarck, one with little effect, but the other wrecked her steering gear and jammed the rudder. The lucky blow sealed her fate. Slowed to a crawl by the damage, Bismarck could no longer escape her converging pursuers." The lesson here is that no matter how strong we feel we are, time and circumstances can put us in harm's way. "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check" James 3:2 "Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go." James 3:4 As with the Bismarck, without control of our rudder, we are sitting ducks. Anyone can fall under the right circumstances. Sometimes, it's just a lucky shot. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 15 22:34:50 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri Dec 15 22:35:06 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be Ready Message-ID: As we come upon our celebration of Christ's birth, I am reminded of the really extraordinary circumstances surrounding it. Sure, there's the miracle of a virgin birth. There's the star over Bethlehem that led the wise men. There are other miraculous events and experiences throughout the story. What's really amazing, though, is the situation in which Christ was born. God didn't send Him to be the son of a king or a rich man. He didn't send Him to be the son of an influential prophet. No, He was sent to a couple that were effectively engaged. He grew in the womb of a young woman who honored God, but was in a socially devastating situation. He chose His human father to be a man of great honor, but found himself having to choose between his society's idea of honor and God's leading. Consider the situation today. A couple is engaged. The girl becomes pregnant and the husband-to-be knows that he is not the father. He faces embarrassment and snide looks from his friends. She faces disappointment and shunning from her family. What would today's society suggest? At best, they'd tell the man to leave her. At worst, they'd suggest an abortion. What did Mary and Joseph do? They followed God. When told of her impending pregnancy, Mary simply said: " "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her." Luke 1:38 After being visited in a dream by an angel, Joseph acted: "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife." Matthew 1:24 It doesn't say they weren't scared. It doesn't say that they knew what to do. It just says that they obeyed. So, when God comes to you and tells you that He's going to turn your world upside down, how will you respond? What about when He says He just wants to spend time with you and get to know you? That's not as scary, but just as important. Are you even doing that much? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Dec 16 22:11:14 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat Dec 16 22:11:33 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Singular Message-ID: <1F83F10D-9A69-44CF-A402-3F98DB591090@clanwebb.com> Not too long ago, it was popular for those of a certain political persuasion to use the story of Christ's birth to make their case. They pointed to Mary and Joseph as homeless and helpless and how the government should be taking care of the homeless because any of them might be the next Mary and Joseph. I remember being offended when I first heard this, but it quickly turned to laughter. Trying to frame Jesus' parents as homeless and helpless is ridiculously misinformed. Joseph had a trade and, by all accounts, was able to support a family. Joseph was anything but a victim. He chose to stay with Mary when he could have left. He chose to go register for the census despite the long journey. He chose to care for his wife and the child God had given her without question. Joseph was not a helpless man that needed to be taken care of, he was a good (but not perfect) model of what it means to be a man. Most hilarious of all, though, was the idea that society might accidentally leave the human parents of the Savior out on the street. While we should certainly care for the fatherless and the widow, we don't have to worry about the fact that one of them may be pregnant with Jesus. You see, He's going to make a more impressive entrance when He returns: "They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:10-11 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." Matthew 24:30 Christ's birth was a singular event. There will never be another like it. I'm looking forward to His return. That will be another singular event. Of course, everything He does is unique. There is nobody like Him. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Dec 18 00:13:23 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon Dec 18 00:14:20 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Giving Wisdom Message-ID: We generally go through life as men striving for perfection in something: jobs, hobbies, sports, anything that will set us apart from the herd. There are awards for achievement, but none for failure. Our fear of being the guy that gets the award for screwing up is often what keeps us trying to excel. The truth of the matter is that many more men would be elevated if the achiever would teach the underachiever. It's a big problem in living that the people with knowledge hoard it to the detriment of those who need it. Therefore, on one hand, we have the achiever that, in part, owes his achievement to the contrast of those that just don't know something when they need to know it. On the other hand, there are the underachievers that fear exposure if they raise their hand and ask for knowledge they need. This vacuum keeps envy, hatred, and depression alive. There are the few exceptions of the achiever reaching out and freely giving of knowledge, but for the most part there's no desire to do so if it gives the other guy a leg up. So, the achiever just basks in his superiority. We need the world to express a particular attribute of Jesus. He has provided the world with enough knowledge that everyone could be fed, clothed, and sheltered. But, we just want more from Him in order to keep it. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 Giving generously to all without finding fault. What a concept. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 19 00:15:37 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue Dec 19 00:17:10 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Carving Message-ID: <80496939-7885-4344-A212-CD7041B7353F@clanwebb.com> Looking inwardly isn't always a pleasant exercise. We can take some comfort in that all men sin and return to sin again. However, we are not permitted to use that fact as an excuse to sin. What a tight knit process God has put into place such that we must somehow strive to do better with the clear knowledge that He is never satisfied with the results, but only with the effort. This makes the process of self-examination full of questions about what to do, when to do it, and whether our motives are aligned with what God would have us do. There is a great story about the artist commissioned to do a set of doors for a cathedral. The story goes that he was still carving on the doors when they came to install them saying, "I would never be finished because there are always imperfections to be removed." One thing for sure is that each man's self-carving is his own and he can reach a point that he is the only one who feels the imperfections because they are private to him. This is the toughest part of self- examination because he could stop carving and start concealing, but then he is no longer a work in progress. "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." Proverbs 14:10 The second part is why we must never stop carving. That is because what we share in private with God is lost forever if we don't participate. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 19 22:13:15 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue Dec 19 22:13:35 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Feeling Lazy Message-ID: <9BD08B69-CF0B-43AC-A128-E57F9152864B@clanwebb.com> I have the luxury of mixing some vacation with my upcoming company holidays to create a two week break from work. That's a whole lot of staying up late, sleeping in, goofing off, and generally being very unproductive. I had grand visions of getting projects finished and starting new ones. So far, I've succeeded in honing in my skills in a couple of video games and spending a half hour on one of my in- progress projects. This is just another reminder to me of how easy it is to lose time when you're being lazy. Rest is a good thing, but it's quite easy to let it slide into laziness. Pretty soon, a few lost hours turn into days and weeks and months. Fortunately, I have to go back to work, so there's something that will snap me out of it. Sometimes we don't have that wake-up call, though. Sometimes we let ourselves slide too far. God knows how easy it is to fall into this trap. He warns us of it repeatedly: "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." Proverbs 10:4 "The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions." Proverbs 12:27 "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." Proverbs 13:4 "The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway." Proverbs 15:9 "The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work." Proverbs 21:25 "The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!" " Proverbs 22:13 "As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed." Proverbs 26:14 "The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth." Proverbs 26:15 This hits on all the problems of laziness. You forget the value of what you have. You crave more, but have no drive to earn it. You begin to think that your path is more difficult than that of others so you don't even try. You start to make excuses about what may happen. Finally, you get to the point where you just roll over in bed and can't even do the simple things. It's so easy to let yourself slide down this path if you don't have any drive or impetus. Pray that God will keep you from this trap. If you're stuck in it, pray that He'll lead you out of it. Beware, though, because learning to avoid laziness isn't any fun and it certainly isn't easy. That's kind of the point. God has guaranteed one thing, though. There's nothing at the end of that road. You may as will start heading back now. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Dec 20 23:53:38 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Dec 20 23:53:50 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] No Inferiors Message-ID: While shopping the other day I witnessed something that infuriates me. I see it time and time again, but it never fails to annoy me. I am always amazed at how easy it is for some people to consider other people beneath them. We were standing in line at a smoothie bar in the mall when the fellow in front of us came up to order. I noticed that during the whole order he never looked at the lady behind the counter. She was very friendly and tried to explain his choices. He never thanked her or acknowledged her. He chose to pay with a credit card. When his receipt came up, he turned his back to her to sign it and then handed her the receipt without turning around. To top it off, he stepped directly in front of the section of the bar where the drinks came up although there were clearly five or six other people waiting who had ordered before him. Those folks had to reach over him to retrive their drinks. I don't know if it's becuase I spent a summer working in a similar job, but I have much more sympathy for folks working at shops like that. They are people, too, and don't deserve to be treated like anything less. I was reminded of this episode as I read this verse today: "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Now, this was written about the relationships we have with folks we know or are acquainted with. We must maintain pure, honorable relationships with them all. I also believe there's something else here. Notice that for every kind of person, we are to treat them as an honored elder or superior or as a loved peer. There is no time that we are taught to treat others as inferiors or as subhuman. That's something we have to learn. That's part of our own path to humility. Your heart will always reveal itself in your actions and your speech. I think you can learn something about a person by watching how they treat the kid behind the counter at any fast food joint. How do you treat them? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Dec 21 22:28:10 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu Dec 21 22:29:16 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Salvation 2.0 Message-ID: <4C54CE19-A29C-4DA7-BAAA-6D62B1A66A6F@clanwebb.com> Many might look at my spending patterns and decide that I'm a gadget freak. I don't spend money on clothes, furniture, cars, or landscaping. I do spend money on computer hardware, software, home electronics, and the things I need to fiddle with all of the above. In my defense, I do develop software for a living. That doesn't account for about 75 percent of my spending, but it's the best excuse I've got. As I'm writing this tonight, I am multi-tasking. I'm setting up separate computer to assist in my development work. I've done it so many times, the process is becoming automatic. For some reason, though, I took notice of just how much work I had to do to update the operating system. No matter what version of the software you get, there are always updates. And, they don't stop. There are always bugs to be found and patches to be issued to prevent bad things from happening. As a developer, I know there's no such thing as bug free software. As a consumer, though, I should have concerns. Have you ever noticed that software is the only business where I can sell you a product with problems and then charge the customer to fix them? Watching this process again has made me realize how lucky we are that our Savior was perfect the first time: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" " John 1:29 There have never been any loopholes or bugs found in our salvation. There has never been any need to fix the perfect gift. Don't wait for Salvation 2.0 because the first version was the only one needed. It's perfect. And it's free. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 22 22:12:11 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri Dec 22 22:12:33 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Holy Message-ID: <81318E4B-6089-45EC-AE04-706021F59827@clanwebb.com> As a child, many words were used to form concepts that just seemed insurmountable to my understanding. One such word was "holy". I thought there was some mystical, magical definition applied to something described as holy. We had a big Bible on a reading stand in our house with the words "Holy Bible" in gold letters on the cover. When I was alone, I would flip through the pages and look at the pictures thinking that I would never be privy to the understanding of what it all meant. I did know two things about the Bible: the red words were the words of Christ and the whole book was holy. Later on, I studied the temple and an inner room known as the holy of holies. "Wow!" I thought, "That's a double dose of holy." This place was so special, that only one guy at a time could enter. He had bells on his robes and a rope around his ankle so that, if he wasn't up to snuff and God zapped him, his buddies could drag him out without entering. Now, in my mind, it would have done a fat lot of good because I was sure that if God zapped you, you were toast and it didn't matter if your buddies dragged you out or not (except, maybe, as an act of housekeeping). Moses went up on the mountain and had to take his shoes off because he was on holy ground. It just seemed that God named certain things holy and they became kind of radioactive with the overpowering presence of God. I figured that, if you had any sin in you and you crossed over to something holy, a sort of chain reaction was set off and you stood a good chance of being fricasseed. It is hard to rid oneself of those first impressions as a child, but as an adult I came to realize that holy was the same as sinless. In fact, as I study the Word now, I can't find a reference to the word "holy" when sinless doesn't slip in just fine. Take the big three, for example. God is holy and sinless. Jesus was holy and sinless here on earth and continues to be in Heaven. They sent a helper to us that was a sinless spirit. Now, all of a sudden, holy doesn't seem quite so out of reach. "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. [...] " Ephesians 1:4 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12 "You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed." 1 Thessalonians 2:10 "that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable." 1 Thessalonians 4:4 It is a tough thing to be sinless, but each time we are, we are holy. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Dec 23 23:35:29 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat Dec 23 23:36:03 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Venom Message-ID: It is pretty incredible how civility has left the public forum. Take it for what it's worth, but I believe you can often tell a godless person because they cannot argue a point without getting loud, obnoxious, rude, and crude. I admit to a certain addiction to debates between liberals and conservatives. I admit that I am conservative. With that said, and my admitted bias, I still think the liberal mindset runs to the irrational much faster than the conservative. However, this whole flap between Rosie O'Donnel and Donald Trump is a great example of both sides becoming derailed and leaving the high road of debate so far in the dust as to be indistinguishable in either of their rear view mirrors. What both parties have in common is a non-Biblical frame of reference. They are both so far off course in their personal lives that anyone that looks to either person as wise, compassionate, or discerning is out of his mind. "Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears" Psalm 58:4 What a great visual: a cobra striking out without any compunction and with its ears stopped up so if a rational idea came into the fray it would never be aware of it. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Dec 25 01:27:06 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon Dec 25 01:29:14 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Keep Driving Message-ID: <5720106C-54E7-49B2-85DE-4316836DA925@clanwebb.com> Why doesn't God let believers prosper as a way of showing non- believers that faith in God is the way to go? I am sure you have to bite your lip from time to time when turkeys seem to get the breaks and you don't. I am not very fond of God's methodology on this point. Analyzed, it is really a matter of timing. We want the brass band before we are given the award. We want the "look-at-me" part before we've earned it. Would it be easier to live up to the award if it were given before the race was run? What good is the Super Bowl ring at the beginning of the season? What if that team doesn't win the championship? The ring wouldn't mean much. We just have to look at the success of the turkeys as plays that didn't go our way. The game isn't over until the champions are declared. The turkeys just declare themselves the winners before the fourth quarter. Alright, then, we just go back to the huddle, put together another play and go at it again. When the final gun is heard, we want to be caught putting together one more play, not dancing in the end zone after one drive. "Let us not become weary doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 The Christian's life is just one play after another and one strategy after another. When the season is over, brother, there is only one winning team forever. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 26 00:24:08 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue Dec 26 00:24:24 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] It's Not Coming, You Should Be Going Message-ID: <386304BB-966C-464C-A976-1787DFA953F6@clanwebb.com> So, did you get what you wanted? Did your kids get what they wanted? I hope so. There's nothing wrong with enjoying the gift of something you've desired. But the consumer aspect of Christmas draws an interesting comparison to what good gifts really are. We live in a society that tells us to be comfortable and enjoy life any way you want it. You like to travel? You can do it by road, by air, by sea, by foot, by any method you can imagine. You like music? You can go to a concert, buy a video, watch it on TV, buy a CD, download it from the Internet, listen to it in your car, at home, in your office, on your computer, on your iPod, anywhere. You like food? You can drive-thru, get a reservation, buy it out of the freezer, order it over the phone, order it over the Internet, you can have pretty much whatever you want, wherever you want, whenever you want. I could go on with less savory desires we have, but you get the point. Society is prepared to meet your every desire and want. Capitalism is based on building products and services the consumer wants and making it easier on him to acquire them. But, society can't bring you what you need. It can't produce your salvation and ship it to you via FedEx. That's because what you really need isn't where you are. What you really need is to go somewhere else and follow a different path. "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." " Matthew 16:24-25 Notice the direction of movement required. You cannot be saved and sit still. It will not come to you. You must follow Jesus. Following means getting up, moving out of your comfort zone, and going towards Him. The key here being you cannot be truly happy sitting wherever you like. You have to be moving towards Christ. So, feel free to have healthy desires for your favorite toy, snack, or vacation. Just don't let it get in the way of what should be your perpetual motion in the direction of Christ. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 26 21:54:14 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue Dec 26 21:54:35 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Clean Slate Message-ID: <5D809876-9046-4A4A-94C0-13A479C9BEAA@clanwebb.com> The fear of facing the Lord with our sin is the reason we do not seek him out to help repair our sin. After all, when you were a child, going to your parent and confessing something that would disappoint them was a very difficult thing to do. You knew that their trust would be tested and that your relationship would not be the same. This human to human relationship shows that there are many possibilities in the outcome of sin. The beautiful thing about our relationship with God is that He knows everything already and the outcome of the confession is always the same. " "Come now, let us reason together," says the lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." " Isaiah 1:18 It is a call from our Father that says, "Come, tell me. Relieve the pain and I will heal the wound. I will renew." Because He already knows of the sin and because He is God, He will not hold the sin against you. The relationship will not be altered. The only thing you have to do is confess the sin to HIm. What a way to start the new year: a clean slate. Merry Christmas, Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Dec 28 00:38:58 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu Dec 28 00:39:16 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Simple Life Message-ID: I hate it when Hollywood misrepresents something that I happen to know something about. I know the reasoning: they don't want to make the plot too hard to follow, so they do some hand-waving to keep the story moving. They simplify life for the sake of keeping the movie under three hours. Still, it rubs me the wrong way when I see computer use in movies and on TV so badly represented. I shake my head every time some investigator zooms in on grainy surveillance video to a get a perfect head shot. I laugh at the ridiculously animated user interfaces that appear on computer screens. What software program would happen to have a large button that would turn all the stoplights in a city to green at the same time? This is software that nobody would write and even fewer would buy. Over time, I have learned to suspend disbelief long enough to enjoy the show. It occurs to me, though, that they very same thing is probably happening in regards to professions and lifestyles that I know nothing about. It makes me wonder just how much in these shows is realistic. The answer is probably, "not much". When TV shows us how fun it is to drink to excess, they don't often describe the hangover the next day (unless it's for comedic value). When movies show us how glamorous casual sex is, they don't often talk about the emotional and spiritual emptiness that results. When discussing the options for a unexpected pregnancy, they don't often describe the physical danger and emotional damage that can occur from abortions. Now, since most of what people learn about how society works comes from the media, it's dangerous for them to believe everything they see. It's been summarized, sanitized, and oversimplified. Sometimes, it's even been altered to fit a point of view. What it cannot change, however, are the consequences to these actions. There are always consequences and they cannot be erased. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7-8 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Don't be fooled by the simplified versions of life. Don't ever believe that there are actions without consequences. Read the Word. That's the unadulterated truth. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 29 00:24:24 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri Dec 29 00:24:40 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Greenest Grass Message-ID: <33C33951-AA0C-4A11-9760-46782BABD543@clanwebb.com> My wife and I had dinner with two old friends of mine and their wives tonight. We hadn't seen either of them in about a year, although we've stayed in touch lightly via email. When I was younger, I would listen to the news of their lives and wonder what life would be like living like that. They seemed to have a nicer cars or a bigger house while we were still sharing a car and living in an apartment. On the way home tonight, though, Stef and I concluded that we were pretty happy with our lives as is. I guess it's a sign of maturity. At least, that's my story. It's not that either of my buddies lives a bad life. They have good jobs and are doing well financially. Their kids are happy and healthy. They have have the same ups and downs with extended family that we do. It's just that with more mature eyes, I realize that they aren't living a life that I would prefer over my own. There's a couple of reasons for that. First, there's nothing new out there. The grass isn't really greener, it's just a different shade of green. Secondly, they are living the lives that God has planned for them. God is leading them through the experiences and lessons that they need. God is leading me through my own set of lessons. I realize that this life is better because it's the one designed for me. "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 If you find yourself wishing for a different life, remember that it wouldn't fit you well. God has custom designed your life for you. You are the only one that can live it and you would fail miserably trying to live someone else's life. Furthermore, it won't work if you try to live the life you've been given by a different set of rules. It's like trying to use the oven by reading the directions for the stereo. It won't end well. Follow the directions for life in the Word. Live your life as God has designed it. That's the greenest grass of all. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Dec 30 00:11:54 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat Dec 30 00:12:10 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Peace Message-ID: <21DF210A-22C8-4359-A36D-BE83578778CA@clanwebb.com> "Give peace a chance." "What if they threw a war and nobody showed up?" "Make love not war." "Visualize world peace." These are the catch-phrases of a philosophy that says that if we work hard enough, then we can achieve peace on earth. What that philosophy fails to recognize is that man is sinful. World peace would imply the lack of sin. Ergo, world peace is not possible by man alone. The good news is that I happen to know someone who knows about peace. As a matter of fact, He's known as the Prince of Peace. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 We are in the world. Without Christ, we are of the world. It's not possible to escape it without Him. However... "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 So, if you all really want to experience world peace, I would suggest you get saved and spread the gospel. I happen to know that I won't experience perfect peace until I'm in the presence of my Lord in Heaven, but I'd love to take as many folks with me as possible. Give the Prince of Peace a chance. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Dec 30 22:09:05 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat Dec 30 22:09:24 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Gates Message-ID: <6272BCB4-0BB6-4EF4-B583-904D05B08C17@clanwebb.com> "Shallum son of Kore, the son of Biasaph, the son of Korah, and his fellow gatekeepers from his family (the Korahites) were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the Tent just as their fathers had been responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the Lord." 1 Chronicles 9:19 A gatekeeper is one charged with guarding the entrances to the dwelling of the Lord. In the Old Testament, the Lord dwelled in the tabernacle and, later, He would dwell in the temple that Solomon built. But, today, the Lord dwells with each of us. The gatekeepers took their jobs seriously, too. "The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. Their brothers in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day periods. But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning." 1 Chronicles 9:24-27 I'm reminded of our role as gatekeepers in two different ways. We are all gatekeepers of our hearts. Do we guard our heart from all directions? Do we hold the only key to get in? Are we careful who we allow through the gates? Furthermore, when we marry, we are gatekeepers of our household and those who live in it. Do we guard our home and family from those who would break in and steal and destroy? Do make sure that we have the only key? In other words, does everything that comes in the door have to pass our approval? Are we careful about who and what makes it's way through the gates? The Old Testament gatekeepers were assigned and did their jobs because they knew there were people and things to guard against. We clearly know that there are people, things, and ideas that want to get past us and through our gates today, but I fear that we aren't standing guard. It's where God dwells. Why aren't we guarding it? Are you guarding your gates? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 1 22:29:43 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 22:29:43 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Lawlessness Message-ID: <2CA9E071-45E0-4B95-A83B-2A888687DBF1@clanwebb.com> Sometimes we have to grin and bear certain circumstances. This is the season when we can usually depend upon people's sympathetic nature to help and, yet, sometimes the most sorrow-filled circumstances cannot be fixed by intervention. People must simply grit their teeth and cope with what befalls them. A subculture new exists where some psychologist say that the criminal is not so much a victim of circumstances, but rather, a risk-taker that finds the rewards of lying, cheating, and stealing to outweigh the risk of capture. Crime becomes an unethical business decision. When we become aware of one of these situations and the entrepreneur puts on the act of a victim, we want to believe their story. We can hate the fact that they made a wrong decision, but we can't hate the fact that they were caught. "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." Matthew 23:28 "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold." Matthew 24:12 The paradox of a fallen world: How to recognize right from wrong. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Dec 3 00:11:57 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2006 00:11:57 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be Like the Blind Man Message-ID: <5D1613C7-9CE7-43B6-A0B9-59656685E41A@clanwebb.com> The parables that Jesus told are wonderful illustrations of His relationship with us. They give us insight and make for a great shorthand to refer to deep theological concepts. What's truly amazing about God, though, are the real life things that happened that are just as powerful. The Old Testament is filled with historical events that hold deep symbolism of our relationship with God. The New Testament has some, too. I came across this one tonight: "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man." "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." "Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said." John 9:1-12 One of our purposes after being saved is that the work of God might be displayed in our lives, just like the blind man. We have to display that work now, because the end is coming when people will no longer be able to make the choice. Jesus healed our particular afflictions and forgave our sins, just like the blind man. When people asked how "our eyes were opened", we should tell them that we simply did what Jesus said and believed what He was telling us and we were healed, just like the blind man. But, then, the story veers. When the other people ask the blind man where Jesus is now, he replies, "I don't know". Here he's just told this story of a miraculous healing, but he cannot point to the one who healed. We can. We should do the same things the blind man did, but when it comes to the point that people are asking where our Healer is, you can tell them. You can introduce them so they can experience their own miracle. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Dec 3 22:28:24 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2006 22:28:24 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] In Due Time Message-ID: <1C0D8B19-2587-4118-9F40-74FD6BC829DA@clanwebb.com> There are things I want and, by all accounts, they are good things, but i don't always get them when I want them. Much of what I want is for other people. They are good people, but I don't always get what I want for them when I want it. I know God wants me to depend on Him for all I need. I know He will give me my heart's desire, but I don't always know how to ask or whether I should ask. I want to please God so much that I want to know who, what, and when. I am learning that God doesn't have a formula that can be figured out. There will be no divine DNA helix discovered or some great cosmic mystery uncovered that will reveal God's way. Sometimes, guys, He is just in the process of raising His children and He choses to see how persistent we will be about what we want or a path we want to take. " 'for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and from inside he answers and says, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened." Luke 11:6-10 Love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. He is the perfect father and He will not let you down. If your desires are pure, you will get whatever you want, too... when your Heavenly Father thinks it is time. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 5 00:13:23 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 00:13:23 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Replacement Cycle Message-ID: A guy could get depressed if he thought too much about it. You start to wonder when the cycle ends. I'm talking about the cycle of needing to replace everything in your life that you depend on. Notice I talking about things and not people. I can spend a thousand dollars on a new television, but I'll have to replace it eventually. I can spend three thousand on a new computer, but I'll have to replace it eventually. I can spend twenty thousand on a new car, but I know I'll need a new one in less than ten years. I can spend three hundred thousand on a new house, but I'll have to do repairs and maintenance perpetually. Eventually, even the house will be beyond repair and it will be torn down. It can get depressing to see the cycle in action. You spend a huge sum on something you must have to live (a car, house, or something else) only to see it's value depreciate such that you have to find a way to replace it. As people spend larger and larger amounts, they find that they can buy things that last longer, but they can never buy the thing that lasts forever. Castles from a thousand years ago may still stand, but they are slowly falling. They may cost more and have been built in a sturdier way, but they aren't eternal. Thankfully, God never wears out and never needs to be replaced: "The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord." Psalm 146:10 "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen." Psalm 41:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13 In our affluent American society, we are more likely to replace things because we want something newer, not just because the old one wore out. Again, thankfully, there's never a newer, better model of God. He just is: "For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods." Psalm 95:3 "For you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods." Psalm 97:9 So, as you head to do Christmas shopping where you might be thinking of buying something new to replace something old, remember the gift that never needs replacing. Remember to praise Him for never wearing out and never being last year's model. I'm glad my God isn't part of that cycle. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Dec 6 00:17:18 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 00:17:18 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] No Admission By Declaration Message-ID: <064BFAFB-68BA-465A-BCDD-3A23A78D6F50@clanwebb.com> If I were to show up at the local fire station tomorrow morning and announce that I was a fireman, the folks there might be curious. I can imagine that they would ask, "How did you come to be a fireman?" If I answered, "Because I declare that I am a fireman," I would expect to be laughed out of the station. Imagine a similar situation in the courthouse. If I were to show up in a courtroom and announce, "I am a judge because I declare that I am," I doubt I'd be allowed to hear a case. By the same token, I can sit in the garage and declare loudly, "I am a BMW," but it's not likely to be true. No matter how badly I want to be, I am willing to bet I won't actually turn into a car. These all sound like ridiculous situations. In the first two, we recognize that one cannot declare themselves a fireman or a judge by fiat. A person has to go through training and schooling just to be considered. Then, that person is declared to be a fireman or a judge by an authority. Nobody can declare themselves to have that title. In the last case, there is no way I will turn into a car without a physical transformation. Mankind does not know of any way to make that happen, so it's pretty tough to do. It certainly doesn't happen by declaration. And, yet, how many folks do we encounter who declare themselves Christians but do not attend church and don't seem to reflect many values of Christ. If you ask them why, many will answer, "Well, I just am." There is a massive fraud running in this country that just because you are an American or just because you say so, you are a follower of Christ and headed to Heaven. People will even happily declare that all they do is for God's glory, but that doesn't cut it: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' " Matthew 7:21-23 Only God has the authority to declare you acceptable for Heaven. Only Jesus can perform the transformation that turns you into a Christian. You cannot declare your way to Heaven. You cannot wish your way in. You can only be accepted as a follower of Christ. Don't be tricked into thinking you have the power. Don't be shy about reminding others about how it works. Their confidence blinds them to their predicament. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Dec 7 00:21:25 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 00:21:25 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Comeback Message-ID: <98361760-B830-45E7-943B-5188F7108858@clanwebb.com> It's November 23, 1984. The sold-out crowd at the Orange Bowl has seen an amazing football game unfold as two high scoring teams are going toe to toe in a shootout. The Miami Hurricanes have just scored a touchdown to take a 45-41 lead with only 28 seconds remaining in the game. Three plays later Boston College has the ball at the Miami 48 and there's 6 seconds on the clock. The next play becomes a college football legend as Doug Flutie heaves a pass of over 60 yards from where he's standing to a group of receivers in the end zone. One of them catches it and Boston College wins the game. I've watched a lot of football in my life and I don't think I've ever witnessed a comeback as unlikely as that one. I've watched teams over and over take that last shot only to come up short. There was no reason for BC to win that game. The odds were impossible. Bring that story up to a fan and his eyes will light up and he'll get all excited. He'll tell you that he was watching it live or that his buddy was there. Those kinds of stories can get us guys really wound up. My personal favorite is the 1995 AL Division Series between the Yankees and Mariners, but that's another story. Jesus provided us with an even bigger miracle comeback. He literally snatched a victorious life for us from the jaws of eternal defeat. We had no right to expect that we'd be allowed into Heaven. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 We did nothing to earn our salvation. It was a miracle at the last second. It's the biggest comeback I know of and yet I'm shy to share it. I shouldn't be. "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20 We need to have that kind of desire. We can't help ourselves when we talk about hobbies or sports that we love. We shouldn't be able to keep from speaking about what Jesus has done for us. Tell them about the great comeback. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 8 00:30:42 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 00:30:42 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] See To It Message-ID: To forgive and forget is a difficult thing to do. When my mind reaches into the past, the odds are I will be remembering some wrong committed against me. That is Satan's way of reminding me of a time when God let me down, or so the enemy wants me to believe. I get angry and begin to envision a scenario where I come out on top and the wrongdoer gets his or her just reward. Suppose God was that way and He didn't accept the blood of Jesus as payment for our sin? Wow! If He got up on the wrong side of the bed and decided to hand out our just reward, it would take a while for the smoke to clear. One of God's greatest attributes is that He can choose to forget something like it never happened. That is the way it will be in Heaven. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8:12 Nothing will be held against us forever. In the meantime, we are in more control than we think about our own problems while here on earth. "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." Hebrews 3:12 The words "see to it" say it all. We are in control when we want to be in control. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Dec 9 00:17:13 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 00:17:13 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Drifting Message-ID: Our Bible teacher handed out a concise outline that makes for a great four day devotion. I call it the four Ds: drift, doubt, dull, despising. The study has to do with a warning and a gauge to test ourselves as to where we are with our walk in the Word of God. Have you drifted away from the Word? "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." Hebrews 2:1-4 This will get you started. Then, over the next three days: Doubting: Hebrews 3:7-4:13 Dullness: Hebrews 5:11-6:20 Despising: Hebrews 10:26-39 The book of Hebrews is all about coming off milk and starting on the meat. Or, as in the West, coming off a nonfat skinny latte to cowboy coffee, grounds and all. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Dec 10 00:12:03 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 00:12:03 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Deadlock Message-ID: For some reason, I find it humorous when I see real life mimicking ideas and problems that I have to deal with in software each day. One that comes up quite a bit is the concept of a deadlock. I see this in traffic frequently and I'll even see it happen while shopping during this time of year. The idea behind a deadlock is that two different processes (or people) are stopped while they wait for each other to proceed. Imagine two cars driving towards each other on a small one-lane road. When they meet, they both stop and wait for the other car to get out of the way. They are deadlocked. A slightly more complex case is one I see more often. Imagine two lanes of traffic going in opposite directions. A car stops in one lane to make a left-hand turn. This causes traffic to back up behind it. A car in the other lane drives about fifty yards past the stopped car and stops so it can make a left-hand turn. Traffic also backs up behind it. Now, we have two cars both waiting for a gap in traffic to turn, but traffic is stopped in both directions because of the cars that are waiting to turn. This is a more complex deadlock because the perpetrators may not be aware of the problem. The solution to a deadlock both in software and in the real world is for one of the process (or people) to back up or try another path. Basically, someone has to selflessly choose to abandon the obvious choice. Emotionally, deadlock is a very common problem. When a wife says, "I refuse to forgive him until he's been nice to me for a month," and the husband is saying, "I can't be nice to her. She won't even forgive me for one thing." They are emotionally deadlocked. It won't get better until one of them chooses to love without condition. Someone has to take the road less traveled. This is exactly what God has done for us. Human nature leads to these kinds of emotional and spiritual deadlock. "I'll believe in God when He proves Himself to me," or "I can't follow Jesus as long as there's suffering in the world," or the classic, "What's God ever done for me?" It's in our nature to wait to be loved first. So, He did: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 Now, there's no excuse. What good reason do we have for not loving Him back? There is none. And, furthermore, we are told to love as He did: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34 So, don't let yourself be deadlocked. That's the lazy path. That's the sinful path. Be willing to back up and let the other driver pass. Be willing to skip the left turn and take the long way around. Be willing to love first. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Dec 11 00:02:08 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:02:08 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Two for One Message-ID: There is a mystery man in the Bible. We talk about him and speculate on who he actually was. But, it is difficult in that he doesn't seem to have a past. He has quite a name, however. Melchizedek is the first man to be both a king and a priest. He appears in Genesis 14 after the mess at Sodom and Gomorrah. Your radar has to be up when you read about his first appearance in that he doesn't seem to be at the right place and time. It is only later that we see he is special in station in holding the titles of both priest and king. The separation of kings and priests is vital to the Jewish tradition. Mel is really different. So is Jesus Christ. "For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." " Hebrews 7:17 " "Are you king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied." Mark 15:2 Both king and priest makes for the perfect ruler. Jesus is different this way! Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 12 00:15:07 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:15:07 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] As a Child Message-ID: <175A591A-F871-48BF-ACB5-03267CBEAEB6@clanwebb.com> I find perverse pleasure in talking with friends and coworkers who have children younger than mine. Many of them are older than I am, but started families later in life. I watch them in that early, confident stage when they think that their maturity will give them a leg up on parenting. I watch them a few months later, when it becomes clear that they have no idea what they're doing and just making it up as they go... much like all parents do the first time around. There's comfort, though, in seeing others struggle the same way I did. It means I wasn't any more clueless than they were. For all of my confidence in my parenting ability now, though, God is quick to remind me that I'm just as much trouble to Him. I read the story of the Recabites in Jeremiah this week. This was a clan that had taken an oath to not drink wine due to a command of their ancestor. They did as he had taught and were faithful to his wishes. God used them to make a point to Jeremiah: "This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?' declares the Lord. 'Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. Again and again I have sent all my servants the prophets to you [...] But you have not paid attention or listened to me." Jeremiah 35:13-15 This sounds an awful lot like, "Why can't you be good like those kids down the street?" and "What do I have to say to get it through your thick skull? Do I need to put it on a billboard? Do I need to send a movie star to tell you? What?" I sympathize with God's situation of loving your children dearly and yet being exasperated that they can't see the obvious value of obedience. At the very same time, I'm also conscious that I am that very child that's being blind. Come to Him as a child. You and I still have much to learn. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Dec 13 00:03:31 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:03:31 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Rainwater Message-ID: <7BEB2FA8-A1D4-4F5D-AC30-9EC3460C8D60@clanwebb.com> As I sit here writing this, it is raining something fierce. I've always enjoyed a good rainstorm with some wind thrown in. That is to say, I've enjoyed listening to them when I'm safe inside. I also love the smell in the air after the rain has cleared. It's especially nice when living in a city that's so green. There's a sense that the world is clean and ready for whatever is coming next. It's an image that God has used, too. He used rain to literally cleanse the earth of sin and give Noah a ride. Water is used to wash away dirt and grime and, symbolically, sin. Scripture teaches us to be baptized in water as a symbol of our cleansing. "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." Acts 22:16 But remember that it isn't rainwater and it isn't baptismal water that actually washes away our sin. No, something more precious was required for that. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father ? to him be the glory and power for ever and ever! Amen." Revelation 1:6 And amen. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Dec 13 22:37:56 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 22:37:56 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be a Root Message-ID: <5D835281-C48E-4CD7-AF9C-3B6DC794F0EA@clanwebb.com> My childhood memories are of the fifties. I know that, as a child, I wasn't aware of current events as I am now, but I can remember much more Christian-friendly atmosphere in our country than there is today. There were no direct attacks on Jesus Christ in the media and displays concerning His birth did not cause such a vicious reaction. There was a lot wrong with our society then, but God was looked to as a solution and not as part of the problem. Men, it is up to us to be the taproot of our families and their faith. They must not think we are perfect, but they must understand that our trust is in Jesus Christ and not in any solutions man may put forth. As they stumble in their lives, they must see our example of what to do when we stumble and that is to repent and return. We must tell them that it is human to sin, but it is also human to strive for better behavior. We must tell them that Jesus is the only source for our hope for a better future here on earth and in Heaven. The world is not forgiving if you are a Christian. Some want to point to our feet of clay to justify their behavior. Some want to kill us. Some want to manipulate us and very few want to listen to us. It is much worse today than in the fifties. The world is fallen and falling further. Don't let their guilt bring you down. Pray for them, but protect your faith. This Christmas season, be sure to remind each member of your family who Jesus is and why God sent Him. Don't leave it up to the church, books, tapes, or videos. You tell them in your own words and from your heart. "and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when the affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away." Mark 4:17 Consider what falling means versus what you get by walking into the world. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 15 00:08:02 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:08:02 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Watch the Rudder Message-ID: <8FEA6A13-95C0-40F1-9E39-0D4AB9C33F49@clanwebb.com> The German battleship Bismarck was a naval marvel: - 50,900 metric tons - 241.5 meters long at the waterline - 251 meters long overall (823.5 feet) - 36 meter beam - 10.2 meter maximum draft She was considered to be unsinkable, but even a ship this size was controlled by a rudder, which in comparison to it's overall size, was a very small portion of the total mass of the ship. The largest guns afloat, the most modern technology for the time, and the best sailors made her the scourge of the seas. On the other side was an outdated piece of equipment called the Swordfish. The Swordfish was a biplane and, by the standards of World War II, the plane was slow. Time and circumstances brought these two together as related here: "Following an abortive air strike that afternoon in which fourteen Swordfish mistakenly attacked (but missed) Sheffield, a second strike of fifteen Swordfish took off from Ark Royal at 1910 that evening. Over the next hour or so, in conditions of low clouds, strong winds, and fading daylight, the aircraft released thirteen torpedoes in a series of attacks against the German battleship. While the poor weather made these attacks difficult, it also threw off the aim of the German antiaircraft gunners, and no planes were lost. Two torpedoes struck Bismarck, one with little effect, but the other wrecked her steering gear and jammed the rudder. The lucky blow sealed her fate. Slowed to a crawl by the damage, Bismarck could no longer escape her converging pursuers." The lesson here is that no matter how strong we feel we are, time and circumstances can put us in harm's way. "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check" James 3:2 "Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go." James 3:4 As with the Bismarck, without control of our rudder, we are sitting ducks. Anyone can fall under the right circumstances. Sometimes, it's just a lucky shot. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 15 22:34:50 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2006 22:34:50 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be Ready Message-ID: As we come upon our celebration of Christ's birth, I am reminded of the really extraordinary circumstances surrounding it. Sure, there's the miracle of a virgin birth. There's the star over Bethlehem that led the wise men. There are other miraculous events and experiences throughout the story. What's really amazing, though, is the situation in which Christ was born. God didn't send Him to be the son of a king or a rich man. He didn't send Him to be the son of an influential prophet. No, He was sent to a couple that were effectively engaged. He grew in the womb of a young woman who honored God, but was in a socially devastating situation. He chose His human father to be a man of great honor, but found himself having to choose between his society's idea of honor and God's leading. Consider the situation today. A couple is engaged. The girl becomes pregnant and the husband-to-be knows that he is not the father. He faces embarrassment and snide looks from his friends. She faces disappointment and shunning from her family. What would today's society suggest? At best, they'd tell the man to leave her. At worst, they'd suggest an abortion. What did Mary and Joseph do? They followed God. When told of her impending pregnancy, Mary simply said: " "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her." Luke 1:38 After being visited in a dream by an angel, Joseph acted: "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife." Matthew 1:24 It doesn't say they weren't scared. It doesn't say that they knew what to do. It just says that they obeyed. So, when God comes to you and tells you that He's going to turn your world upside down, how will you respond? What about when He says He just wants to spend time with you and get to know you? That's not as scary, but just as important. Are you even doing that much? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Dec 16 22:11:14 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2006 22:11:14 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Singular Message-ID: <1F83F10D-9A69-44CF-A402-3F98DB591090@clanwebb.com> Not too long ago, it was popular for those of a certain political persuasion to use the story of Christ's birth to make their case. They pointed to Mary and Joseph as homeless and helpless and how the government should be taking care of the homeless because any of them might be the next Mary and Joseph. I remember being offended when I first heard this, but it quickly turned to laughter. Trying to frame Jesus' parents as homeless and helpless is ridiculously misinformed. Joseph had a trade and, by all accounts, was able to support a family. Joseph was anything but a victim. He chose to stay with Mary when he could have left. He chose to go register for the census despite the long journey. He chose to care for his wife and the child God had given her without question. Joseph was not a helpless man that needed to be taken care of, he was a good (but not perfect) model of what it means to be a man. Most hilarious of all, though, was the idea that society might accidentally leave the human parents of the Savior out on the street. While we should certainly care for the fatherless and the widow, we don't have to worry about the fact that one of them may be pregnant with Jesus. You see, He's going to make a more impressive entrance when He returns: "They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:10-11 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory." Matthew 24:30 Christ's birth was a singular event. There will never be another like it. I'm looking forward to His return. That will be another singular event. Of course, everything He does is unique. There is nobody like Him. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Dec 18 00:13:23 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:13:23 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Giving Wisdom Message-ID: We generally go through life as men striving for perfection in something: jobs, hobbies, sports, anything that will set us apart from the herd. There are awards for achievement, but none for failure. Our fear of being the guy that gets the award for screwing up is often what keeps us trying to excel. The truth of the matter is that many more men would be elevated if the achiever would teach the underachiever. It's a big problem in living that the people with knowledge hoard it to the detriment of those who need it. Therefore, on one hand, we have the achiever that, in part, owes his achievement to the contrast of those that just don't know something when they need to know it. On the other hand, there are the underachievers that fear exposure if they raise their hand and ask for knowledge they need. This vacuum keeps envy, hatred, and depression alive. There are the few exceptions of the achiever reaching out and freely giving of knowledge, but for the most part there's no desire to do so if it gives the other guy a leg up. So, the achiever just basks in his superiority. We need the world to express a particular attribute of Jesus. He has provided the world with enough knowledge that everyone could be fed, clothed, and sheltered. But, we just want more from Him in order to keep it. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 Giving generously to all without finding fault. What a concept. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 19 00:15:37 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:15:37 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Carving Message-ID: <80496939-7885-4344-A212-CD7041B7353F@clanwebb.com> Looking inwardly isn't always a pleasant exercise. We can take some comfort in that all men sin and return to sin again. However, we are not permitted to use that fact as an excuse to sin. What a tight knit process God has put into place such that we must somehow strive to do better with the clear knowledge that He is never satisfied with the results, but only with the effort. This makes the process of self-examination full of questions about what to do, when to do it, and whether our motives are aligned with what God would have us do. There is a great story about the artist commissioned to do a set of doors for a cathedral. The story goes that he was still carving on the doors when they came to install them saying, "I would never be finished because there are always imperfections to be removed." One thing for sure is that each man's self-carving is his own and he can reach a point that he is the only one who feels the imperfections because they are private to him. This is the toughest part of self- examination because he could stop carving and start concealing, but then he is no longer a work in progress. "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." Proverbs 14:10 The second part is why we must never stop carving. That is because what we share in private with God is lost forever if we don't participate. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 19 22:13:15 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:13:15 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Feeling Lazy Message-ID: <9BD08B69-CF0B-43AC-A128-E57F9152864B@clanwebb.com> I have the luxury of mixing some vacation with my upcoming company holidays to create a two week break from work. That's a whole lot of staying up late, sleeping in, goofing off, and generally being very unproductive. I had grand visions of getting projects finished and starting new ones. So far, I've succeeded in honing in my skills in a couple of video games and spending a half hour on one of my in- progress projects. This is just another reminder to me of how easy it is to lose time when you're being lazy. Rest is a good thing, but it's quite easy to let it slide into laziness. Pretty soon, a few lost hours turn into days and weeks and months. Fortunately, I have to go back to work, so there's something that will snap me out of it. Sometimes we don't have that wake-up call, though. Sometimes we let ourselves slide too far. God knows how easy it is to fall into this trap. He warns us of it repeatedly: "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." Proverbs 10:4 "The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions." Proverbs 12:27 "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." Proverbs 13:4 "The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway." Proverbs 15:9 "The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work." Proverbs 21:25 "The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!" " Proverbs 22:13 "As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed." Proverbs 26:14 "The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth." Proverbs 26:15 This hits on all the problems of laziness. You forget the value of what you have. You crave more, but have no drive to earn it. You begin to think that your path is more difficult than that of others so you don't even try. You start to make excuses about what may happen. Finally, you get to the point where you just roll over in bed and can't even do the simple things. It's so easy to let yourself slide down this path if you don't have any drive or impetus. Pray that God will keep you from this trap. If you're stuck in it, pray that He'll lead you out of it. Beware, though, because learning to avoid laziness isn't any fun and it certainly isn't easy. That's kind of the point. God has guaranteed one thing, though. There's nothing at the end of that road. You may as will start heading back now. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Dec 20 23:53:38 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2006 23:53:38 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] No Inferiors Message-ID: While shopping the other day I witnessed something that infuriates me. I see it time and time again, but it never fails to annoy me. I am always amazed at how easy it is for some people to consider other people beneath them. We were standing in line at a smoothie bar in the mall when the fellow in front of us came up to order. I noticed that during the whole order he never looked at the lady behind the counter. She was very friendly and tried to explain his choices. He never thanked her or acknowledged her. He chose to pay with a credit card. When his receipt came up, he turned his back to her to sign it and then handed her the receipt without turning around. To top it off, he stepped directly in front of the section of the bar where the drinks came up although there were clearly five or six other people waiting who had ordered before him. Those folks had to reach over him to retrive their drinks. I don't know if it's becuase I spent a summer working in a similar job, but I have much more sympathy for folks working at shops like that. They are people, too, and don't deserve to be treated like anything less. I was reminded of this episode as I read this verse today: "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Now, this was written about the relationships we have with folks we know or are acquainted with. We must maintain pure, honorable relationships with them all. I also believe there's something else here. Notice that for every kind of person, we are to treat them as an honored elder or superior or as a loved peer. There is no time that we are taught to treat others as inferiors or as subhuman. That's something we have to learn. That's part of our own path to humility. Your heart will always reveal itself in your actions and your speech. I think you can learn something about a person by watching how they treat the kid behind the counter at any fast food joint. How do you treat them? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Dec 21 22:28:10 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:28:10 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Salvation 2.0 Message-ID: <4C54CE19-A29C-4DA7-BAAA-6D62B1A66A6F@clanwebb.com> Many might look at my spending patterns and decide that I'm a gadget freak. I don't spend money on clothes, furniture, cars, or landscaping. I do spend money on computer hardware, software, home electronics, and the things I need to fiddle with all of the above. In my defense, I do develop software for a living. That doesn't account for about 75 percent of my spending, but it's the best excuse I've got. As I'm writing this tonight, I am multi-tasking. I'm setting up separate computer to assist in my development work. I've done it so many times, the process is becoming automatic. For some reason, though, I took notice of just how much work I had to do to update the operating system. No matter what version of the software you get, there are always updates. And, they don't stop. There are always bugs to be found and patches to be issued to prevent bad things from happening. As a developer, I know there's no such thing as bug free software. As a consumer, though, I should have concerns. Have you ever noticed that software is the only business where I can sell you a product with problems and then charge the customer to fix them? Watching this process again has made me realize how lucky we are that our Savior was perfect the first time: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" " John 1:29 There have never been any loopholes or bugs found in our salvation. There has never been any need to fix the perfect gift. Don't wait for Salvation 2.0 because the first version was the only one needed. It's perfect. And it's free. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 22 22:12:11 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 22:12:11 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Holy Message-ID: <81318E4B-6089-45EC-AE04-706021F59827@clanwebb.com> As a child, many words were used to form concepts that just seemed insurmountable to my understanding. One such word was "holy". I thought there was some mystical, magical definition applied to something described as holy. We had a big Bible on a reading stand in our house with the words "Holy Bible" in gold letters on the cover. When I was alone, I would flip through the pages and look at the pictures thinking that I would never be privy to the understanding of what it all meant. I did know two things about the Bible: the red words were the words of Christ and the whole book was holy. Later on, I studied the temple and an inner room known as the holy of holies. "Wow!" I thought, "That's a double dose of holy." This place was so special, that only one guy at a time could enter. He had bells on his robes and a rope around his ankle so that, if he wasn't up to snuff and God zapped him, his buddies could drag him out without entering. Now, in my mind, it would have done a fat lot of good because I was sure that if God zapped you, you were toast and it didn't matter if your buddies dragged you out or not (except, maybe, as an act of housekeeping). Moses went up on the mountain and had to take his shoes off because he was on holy ground. It just seemed that God named certain things holy and they became kind of radioactive with the overpowering presence of God. I figured that, if you had any sin in you and you crossed over to something holy, a sort of chain reaction was set off and you stood a good chance of being fricasseed. It is hard to rid oneself of those first impressions as a child, but as an adult I came to realize that holy was the same as sinless. In fact, as I study the Word now, I can't find a reference to the word "holy" when sinless doesn't slip in just fine. Take the big three, for example. God is holy and sinless. Jesus was holy and sinless here on earth and continues to be in Heaven. They sent a helper to us that was a sinless spirit. Now, all of a sudden, holy doesn't seem quite so out of reach. "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. [...] " Ephesians 1:4 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12 "You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed." 1 Thessalonians 2:10 "that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable." 1 Thessalonians 4:4 It is a tough thing to be sinless, but each time we are, we are holy. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Dec 23 23:35:29 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 23:35:29 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Venom Message-ID: It is pretty incredible how civility has left the public forum. Take it for what it's worth, but I believe you can often tell a godless person because they cannot argue a point without getting loud, obnoxious, rude, and crude. I admit to a certain addiction to debates between liberals and conservatives. I admit that I am conservative. With that said, and my admitted bias, I still think the liberal mindset runs to the irrational much faster than the conservative. However, this whole flap between Rosie O'Donnel and Donald Trump is a great example of both sides becoming derailed and leaving the high road of debate so far in the dust as to be indistinguishable in either of their rear view mirrors. What both parties have in common is a non-Biblical frame of reference. They are both so far off course in their personal lives that anyone that looks to either person as wise, compassionate, or discerning is out of his mind. "Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears" Psalm 58:4 What a great visual: a cobra striking out without any compunction and with its ears stopped up so if a rational idea came into the fray it would never be aware of it. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Dec 25 01:27:06 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2006 01:27:06 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Keep Driving Message-ID: <5720106C-54E7-49B2-85DE-4316836DA925@clanwebb.com> Why doesn't God let believers prosper as a way of showing non- believers that faith in God is the way to go? I am sure you have to bite your lip from time to time when turkeys seem to get the breaks and you don't. I am not very fond of God's methodology on this point. Analyzed, it is really a matter of timing. We want the brass band before we are given the award. We want the "look-at-me" part before we've earned it. Would it be easier to live up to the award if it were given before the race was run? What good is the Super Bowl ring at the beginning of the season? What if that team doesn't win the championship? The ring wouldn't mean much. We just have to look at the success of the turkeys as plays that didn't go our way. The game isn't over until the champions are declared. The turkeys just declare themselves the winners before the fourth quarter. Alright, then, we just go back to the huddle, put together another play and go at it again. When the final gun is heard, we want to be caught putting together one more play, not dancing in the end zone after one drive. "Let us not become weary doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 The Christian's life is just one play after another and one strategy after another. When the season is over, brother, there is only one winning team forever. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 26 00:24:08 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:24:08 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] It's Not Coming, You Should Be Going Message-ID: <386304BB-966C-464C-A976-1787DFA953F6@clanwebb.com> So, did you get what you wanted? Did your kids get what they wanted? I hope so. There's nothing wrong with enjoying the gift of something you've desired. But the consumer aspect of Christmas draws an interesting comparison to what good gifts really are. We live in a society that tells us to be comfortable and enjoy life any way you want it. You like to travel? You can do it by road, by air, by sea, by foot, by any method you can imagine. You like music? You can go to a concert, buy a video, watch it on TV, buy a CD, download it from the Internet, listen to it in your car, at home, in your office, on your computer, on your iPod, anywhere. You like food? You can drive-thru, get a reservation, buy it out of the freezer, order it over the phone, order it over the Internet, you can have pretty much whatever you want, wherever you want, whenever you want. I could go on with less savory desires we have, but you get the point. Society is prepared to meet your every desire and want. Capitalism is based on building products and services the consumer wants and making it easier on him to acquire them. But, society can't bring you what you need. It can't produce your salvation and ship it to you via FedEx. That's because what you really need isn't where you are. What you really need is to go somewhere else and follow a different path. "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." " Matthew 16:24-25 Notice the direction of movement required. You cannot be saved and sit still. It will not come to you. You must follow Jesus. Following means getting up, moving out of your comfort zone, and going towards Him. The key here being you cannot be truly happy sitting wherever you like. You have to be moving towards Christ. So, feel free to have healthy desires for your favorite toy, snack, or vacation. Just don't let it get in the way of what should be your perpetual motion in the direction of Christ. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Dec 26 21:54:14 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 21:54:14 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Clean Slate Message-ID: <5D809876-9046-4A4A-94C0-13A479C9BEAA@clanwebb.com> The fear of facing the Lord with our sin is the reason we do not seek him out to help repair our sin. After all, when you were a child, going to your parent and confessing something that would disappoint them was a very difficult thing to do. You knew that their trust would be tested and that your relationship would not be the same. This human to human relationship shows that there are many possibilities in the outcome of sin. The beautiful thing about our relationship with God is that He knows everything already and the outcome of the confession is always the same. " "Come now, let us reason together," says the lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." " Isaiah 1:18 It is a call from our Father that says, "Come, tell me. Relieve the pain and I will heal the wound. I will renew." Because He already knows of the sin and because He is God, He will not hold the sin against you. The relationship will not be altered. The only thing you have to do is confess the sin to HIm. What a way to start the new year: a clean slate. Merry Christmas, Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Dec 28 00:38:58 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 00:38:58 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Simple Life Message-ID: I hate it when Hollywood misrepresents something that I happen to know something about. I know the reasoning: they don't want to make the plot too hard to follow, so they do some hand-waving to keep the story moving. They simplify life for the sake of keeping the movie under three hours. Still, it rubs me the wrong way when I see computer use in movies and on TV so badly represented. I shake my head every time some investigator zooms in on grainy surveillance video to a get a perfect head shot. I laugh at the ridiculously animated user interfaces that appear on computer screens. What software program would happen to have a large button that would turn all the stoplights in a city to green at the same time? This is software that nobody would write and even fewer would buy. Over time, I have learned to suspend disbelief long enough to enjoy the show. It occurs to me, though, that they very same thing is probably happening in regards to professions and lifestyles that I know nothing about. It makes me wonder just how much in these shows is realistic. The answer is probably, "not much". When TV shows us how fun it is to drink to excess, they don't often describe the hangover the next day (unless it's for comedic value). When movies show us how glamorous casual sex is, they don't often talk about the emotional and spiritual emptiness that results. When discussing the options for a unexpected pregnancy, they don't often describe the physical danger and emotional damage that can occur from abortions. Now, since most of what people learn about how society works comes from the media, it's dangerous for them to believe everything they see. It's been summarized, sanitized, and oversimplified. Sometimes, it's even been altered to fit a point of view. What it cannot change, however, are the consequences to these actions. There are always consequences and they cannot be erased. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7-8 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Don't be fooled by the simplified versions of life. Don't ever believe that there are actions without consequences. Read the Word. That's the unadulterated truth. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Dec 29 00:24:24 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:24:24 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Greenest Grass Message-ID: <33C33951-AA0C-4A11-9760-46782BABD543@clanwebb.com> My wife and I had dinner with two old friends of mine and their wives tonight. We hadn't seen either of them in about a year, although we've stayed in touch lightly via email. When I was younger, I would listen to the news of their lives and wonder what life would be like living like that. They seemed to have a nicer cars or a bigger house while we were still sharing a car and living in an apartment. On the way home tonight, though, Stef and I concluded that we were pretty happy with our lives as is. I guess it's a sign of maturity. At least, that's my story. It's not that either of my buddies lives a bad life. They have good jobs and are doing well financially. Their kids are happy and healthy. They have have the same ups and downs with extended family that we do. It's just that with more mature eyes, I realize that they aren't living a life that I would prefer over my own. There's a couple of reasons for that. First, there's nothing new out there. The grass isn't really greener, it's just a different shade of green. Secondly, they are living the lives that God has planned for them. God is leading them through the experiences and lessons that they need. God is leading me through my own set of lessons. I realize that this life is better because it's the one designed for me. "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 If you find yourself wishing for a different life, remember that it wouldn't fit you well. God has custom designed your life for you. You are the only one that can live it and you would fail miserably trying to live someone else's life. Furthermore, it won't work if you try to live the life you've been given by a different set of rules. It's like trying to use the oven by reading the directions for the stereo. It won't end well. Follow the directions for life in the Word. Live your life as God has designed it. That's the greenest grass of all. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Dec 30 00:11:54 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2006 00:11:54 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Peace Message-ID: <21DF210A-22C8-4359-A36D-BE83578778CA@clanwebb.com> "Give peace a chance." "What if they threw a war and nobody showed up?" "Make love not war." "Visualize world peace." These are the catch-phrases of a philosophy that says that if we work hard enough, then we can achieve peace on earth. What that philosophy fails to recognize is that man is sinful. World peace would imply the lack of sin. Ergo, world peace is not possible by man alone. The good news is that I happen to know someone who knows about peace. As a matter of fact, He's known as the Prince of Peace. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 We are in the world. Without Christ, we are of the world. It's not possible to escape it without Him. However... "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 So, if you all really want to experience world peace, I would suggest you get saved and spread the gospel. I happen to know that I won't experience perfect peace until I'm in the presence of my Lord in Heaven, but I'd love to take as many folks with me as possible. Give the Prince of Peace a chance. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Dec 30 22:09:05 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2006 22:09:05 -0800 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Gates Message-ID: <6272BCB4-0BB6-4EF4-B583-904D05B08C17@clanwebb.com> "Shallum son of Kore, the son of Biasaph, the son of Korah, and his fellow gatekeepers from his family (the Korahites) were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the Tent just as their fathers had been responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the Lord." 1 Chronicles 9:19 A gatekeeper is one charged with guarding the entrances to the dwelling of the Lord. In the Old Testament, the Lord dwelled in the tabernacle and, later, He would dwell in the temple that Solomon built. But, today, the Lord dwells with each of us. The gatekeepers took their jobs seriously, too. "The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. Their brothers in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day periods. But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning." 1 Chronicles 9:24-27 I'm reminded of our role as gatekeepers in two different ways. We are all gatekeepers of our hearts. Do we guard our heart from all directions? Do we hold the only key to get in? Are we careful who we allow through the gates? Furthermore, when we marry, we are gatekeepers of our household and those who live in it. Do we guard our home and family from those who would break in and steal and destroy? Do make sure that we have the only key? In other words, does everything that comes in the door have to pass our approval? Are we careful about who and what makes it's way through the gates? The Old Testament gatekeepers were assigned and did their jobs because they knew there were people and things to guard against. We clearly know that there are people, things, and ideas that want to get past us and through our gates today, but I fear that we aren't standing guard. It's where God dwells. Why aren't we guarding it? Are you guarding your gates? Wyatt