From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu May 1 00:01:03 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 00:01:03 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be Threatening Message-ID: Projection is defined in the world of psychology as a defense mechanism whereby the subject believes that someone else is having the thoughts or ideas that the subject himself is having. The classic scenario is when one spouse is thinking about infidelity and then comes to the conclusion that the other spouse must be thinking about it or already engaging in it. It's a way to deal with feelings that you have an intellectual distaste for. I wondered if the Egyptians were projecting a little bit in Exodus 1. "Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country." " Exodus 1:8-10 So, just because the Hebrew population was growing so quickly, Pharaoh came to the conclusion that these people would join any attackers and fight against them. Could this be because Pharaoh knew many treacherous people? Could this be because this is what he would do in that situation? By all accounts, the Israelites were simply tending their flocks, living life, and growing as a nation. They were doing what God had told them to do and, presumably, were following His guidance. They would become oppressed and enslaved thanks to some paranoid projections by Pharaoh. I think this proves that the world cannot really, deeply understand why we do what we do. When we really step out in faith and follow God, the rest of the world can't process what they are witnessing. They can't classify it or pigeonhole it in a safe way. So, they are threatened by it. When threatened, people will do quite a bit to preserve the status quo. Now, I'm betting we won't see the day in this country where we are ordered to drown all male children (as Pharaoh orders in Exodus 1:16), but it's already the case that we're told to be quiet and stay out of the public square. Society is quite threatened by a Christian on fire for Christ. Speaking truth is powerful. Living it, even more so. It's also dangerous to the status quo. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 Go out and rock the boat! Speak truth and live truth. If they are threatened, that just means you're doing it right. Don't be surprised. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu May 1 22:19:26 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 22:19:26 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] A Classic Message-ID: <10FD64F7-229D-4E69-BDA8-B67E0CFB18FC@clanwebb.com> The Book of Proverbs opens with these words: "The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:1-7 That's a pretty bold claim! The author claims that this book will provide the very basis for a moral and fulfilling life of serving God and doing good. It proclaims to improve the wisdom of the new learner and the old hat. It's basically saying that this book is a map of where to go and where not to go as you travel through life. I'd argue that the entire Bible qualifies under this description. Proverbs is a great place to start, but if you like an author, don't you read all of his books? "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 You cannot find a better guide to how to be a man, a husband, a father, or a servant anywhere else in the world. No point scouring Amazon for a book that will clear it all up for you. You already have it. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri May 2 22:03:51 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 22:03:51 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Real Definitions Message-ID: <2A3C13C6-234C-467F-8108-C1BFF1A9FF47@clanwebb.com> I remember the joke about the two psychiatrists that pass in the hall. One says, "Good Morning," and the other thinks, "I wonder what he meant by that?" We often say things out of habit and feel like what we said should convey what we mean while, on the other hand, we don't have a clue what we really said. When you have said, "I love you," it is understood to mean one thing if you are speaking to a child, something else when said to a parent, something else when said to a pet, something else when said about a painting, and so on. We rush to use the ultimate word that we feel conveys the best possible feelings with the least amount of effort. The thing is, love has a definition and, I submit, we should not banter it about so much. Understanding the definition of love might cause people to rephrase at times to something like, "I am very fond of...", "I find that stimulating...", "It has a very strong appeal," or, "The line, form and color flow well." Understanding would be well-served if the depth of a definition was understood before using the word. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 How often would you use the word "love" if you kept God's definition in mind? Better yet, how much richer would your life be if you embraced the real definition and said it more often? Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun May 4 00:21:27 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 00:21:27 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Of Pigs and Cats Message-ID: "Letting the cat out of the bag" usually means that something that was supposed to be kept a secret is now out in the open. The origin of the phrase actually refers to a scam. Early in the 17th and 18th centuries, the boys would put a cat in a burlap bag and sell it as a pig. The hope was that the unsuspecting buyer would not look into the bag until the scam artist was well down the road. The sister phrase is, "Don't by a pig in a poke," for the obvious reason that it may well be a cat. This basic nature of man to cheat his fellow man is a perfect example of sin. The line is often vague concerning what is fair in a transaction, but when it comes to dealing with another believer our attitude should be to strive to make sure our brother feels good about the deal. Not only is it the right thing to do, it's also good business. "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers." 1 Corinthians 6:7-8 If you offer something in a bag to a brother, make sure it oinks and doesn't purr. P.S. to my friends: I don't need a pig and I have enough cats. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun May 4 21:46:15 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 21:46:15 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] No Middlemen Message-ID: <31BD15F6-8268-4009-890D-0502718B1DDC@clanwebb.com> Are you a religious person? What is your religion? I have never been a religious person. Is Christianity a religion? Religion is a man-made product. It has organization, rules, traditions, and always has some level of hierarchy between the member and God. Christ does not offer religion. He offers a relationship. A true Christian church has an agreement with its members about that relationship. What Christ did was a personal offer to every individual on the planet. It was never meant to be the basis for an organizational chart. The original twelve had the same decision to make as anybody else. Forgiveness of sin is the point, not the wearing of robes. How can any man think He is closer to Christ than any other believer? "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 You will note that it does not say, "Go to anybody." Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon May 5 22:48:25 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 22:48:25 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Dwell Upon This Message-ID: <9BA5493F-59FB-4D8D-B974-E13999573CD0@clanwebb.com> There's the old joke about the self-centered girl telling her date, "Well, enough about me. Let's talk about you. What do you think of me?" There are certainly those people who dwell on themselves. They want the attention and they can't have a conversation without talking about either some great thing they did, or some great tragedy that you should feel bad about. Either way it's attention. Then, there are those who dwell on money. They ask about the price of everything. They hypothesize about everyone's salary. They look at every person, event, and idea as either a source or drain of money. It becomes the driving force of their lives. The most depressing ones are those who like to dwell in the darkness. They don't want to be happy because they're more comfortable being miserable. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it happens. It's funny what people will dwell on when they don't have Christ. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1 "Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday." Psalm 91:3-6 I want to dwell in in His shelter. I want to dwell in His shadow. The perks sound great! Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue May 6 22:36:59 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 22:36:59 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] No Notes Message-ID: <6F750F6B-CCF7-4E93-B18D-DF27CD6E2DE3@clanwebb.com> I get frustrated when I hear people arguing that our Constitution should grow and adapt as the times change. There's a fatal misunderstanding in the purpose of foundational documents in the heads of those folks. They argue that nobody could predict the invention of assault rifles, so surely those aren't covered by the Second Amendment. The Constitution says, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." There's no addendum regarding higher powered rifles. They argue that nobody should have to hear words that make them uncomfortable, so they propose limits to speech to avoid discomfort. There are others that want to not only guarantee the freedom to say what they want, but also to guarantee an audience. The Constitution says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." There's no note in the margin regarding making people only say things that won't hurt feelings or forcing people to listen. I'm reminded that the Bible doesn't have addenda or an amendment process. There are no notes in the margin that carry the same weight as the words themselves. When Paul writes: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 He really means "always". He really means "continually". He really means in "all circumstances". There are not exceptions or situations that these words are not prepared for. You cannot wave them away as old and inapplicable to your situation. He means what He said. Don't try to mold His word to your liking. It is rock-solid, carved-in-stone truth. Live by it. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed May 7 23:24:41 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 23:24:41 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Mr. Ambassador Message-ID: Whether it was wearing a US Navy uniform or simply wearing a polo shirt with my company's logo while I worked a trade show, I've always been taught that you need to comport yourself appropriately when you're acting as an ambassador for your group. Others will form opinions about your company or group and the people in it based on your words and your actions. There's something a little silly about the idea of being an ambassador for a company, but there's also truth to it. If I were to act out of line or treat a customer badly when I'm representing my employer, I'd be generating some bad press and bad feelings that our marketing department would have to overcome later. This is precisely why they don't take the engineers to the trade shows. Not all of us are safe for public interaction. The same goes for your role as a Christian. Your relationship with Christ is priority number one. However, you do need to be aware that, whether you like it or not, you are a representative of Christ and Christianity. In that vein, this should be your prayer, too: "May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the Lord Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel." Psalm 69:6 You need to be aware that those watching you will paint all Christians with a broad brush based on your words and actions. If you mock your own faith or appear hypocritical, it will only serve to discount all believers in the eyes of the observer. Just as Scripture teaches us that there is no such thing as action without consequences, it also teaches us that those consequences are not isolated to you alone. Watch your mouth and your step. You are an ambassador at all times. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu May 8 22:06:05 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 22:06:05 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Giveaway Action Message-ID: <5D92FBC3-6953-4DE4-899F-2390C198B4D6@clanwebb.com> There's a time-honored approach to doing legal and political investigations: follow the money. It never fails. If you find money flowing in one particular direction, you can infer purpose, importance, motive, and many other things. It's also valuable because talk is cheap. Whatever the politician says or the corrupt CEO claims, the flow of money will tell you the real story. If the CEO is touting his company's new product, but secretly selling all of his stock, you can deduce the truth. If the politician claims to have had a change of heart, but you find large donations from a related politically active group, you can deduce the truth. I was saying, "Follow the money," to myself as I read about Moses and the plague of hail in Egypt: " 'You set yourself against my people and will not let them go. Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded until now. Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every man and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die.' Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside. But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field." Exodus 9:17-21 Whatever these officials told Pharaoh and their co-workers, their actions tell the real story of what they thought of God and Moses. I can easily see some of them claiming they weren't worried, but secretly protecting their property. At this point in the process, Pharaoh still wasn't going to give in. He figured he could outlast God. But, clearly, the message had gotten through to some of his staff. They believed it. They probably were even secretly hoping Pharaoh would let the Hebrews go just to end the misery. I say all of this to suggest that you watch the actions of those around you. They may not want to admit that a seed has been planted. They may try to convince you they really don't care about Jesus, but their actions will give them away. You'll know for sure if they believe based on what they choose to do. Actions reflect reality much better than words. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat May 10 00:24:49 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 00:24:49 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Choosing the Hard Road Message-ID: It is very easy to become overwhelmed with Scripture to the point that we discuss so many fine points that we miss the big, obvious, logical points. When one contemplated Paul's life relative to the believability of his claims about meeting Christ on the road to Damascus, logical deduction must be given consideration. Here is a man who was at the top of his game and his profession. He had wealth, position, power, and a very bright future in his culture. He claims to have met Jesus on a lonely stretch of road and was converted to the very way of life he was making his living by condemning. This is as big as turning on the TV and hearing that Donald Trump gave it all up to become a missionary in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. If such a thing were to happen, we could only watch and wait expecting to see Moose Jaw to start looking like New York City. Now, lest someone think Paul just wanted to go slumming for a while, he was beaten, stoned, imprisoned, ridiculed, shipwrecked, and likely beheaded all while holding on to his story of conversion. He gave up every form of comfort for every form of discomfort. Some may suggest that he did this because of some mental defect, but he wrote and spoke brilliantly, organized relentlessly, thrived in all conditions, and strove to become better. Anyone with an honest evaluation would have to conclude that Paul believed to his core that what he claimed happened had actually happened. "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:8 What a man was this Paul! He was so secure in his belief that nothing, and in this case "nothing" is a big word, kept him from doing what he was determined to do, namely, that which Christ called him to do. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun May 11 00:14:17 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 00:14:17 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Learning the Hard Way Message-ID: <72F7A008-1600-45C6-923F-9CD92A4B0D07@clanwebb.com> We all experience the frustration when we examine our life and admit we have made some dismal choices. I am always encouraged when I read about someone else and their struggles with sin. Consider St. Augustine: "That is a mournful darkness, whereby the abilities within me are hidden from me, My mind seeks inside itself for strength and does not venture to believe that there is any power to resist evil. The power there is mostly hidden, unless experience reveals it. And no one ought to feel sure in that life, all of which is called a trial, of being able to move in personal discipline from worse to better. It is as likely he will move from better to worse." A good argument can be made that one cannot build a resistance to sin unless they are presented with the option and, at times, fail to make the right choice. It is the pain, the regret, and the remorse that causes the the adjustment to the rudder. Also, it is obvious that resistance to sin must be made in tandem with the Holy Spirit. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:1-3 One the other hand, one does not need to be involved in a train wreck to know one when you seen one. Yet, the one who is actually involved will know it with an intimacy that produces a much greater knowledge. Such is life... Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun May 11 21:57:19 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 21:57:19 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Looking for Blueprints Message-ID: <5E91B532-F74D-4AEB-9BDE-CC5BACC9E71F@clanwebb.com> I am amused when someone tells me that he is trying to find himself. How can you lose yourself? What he means, of course, is that he is looking for his identity. He wants to know who he is and what he is supposed to do with his life. He rushes to satisfy his appetites which usually results in wandering through a forest of regret only to come out and tell the world, "Don't make the same mistakes I've made." If you want to know who you are, why not go to the Designer and ask to see the blueprint? Look at the specifications for yourself and see what you were made to do. The world does not know you because the world did not make you. Take some quiet time and look yourself up in the Word. "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;" Psalm 139:23 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 God knows who you are and is just waiting for you to ask Him to explain the plans He has in store for you. Ask and listen! Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon May 12 23:08:20 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 23:08:20 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Refinement Message-ID: <6755D841-F483-45F6-99E3-383C8A5BFCEB@clanwebb.com> Almost every software project I've worked on has gone through a predictable series of events in regards to the definition of the product. At first, it's always pie-in-the-sky thinking. We throw everything and the kitchen sink on a list and decide we can do most of it. We throw out the silly stuff, but we're left with a huge list of features and we jump in. After a sanity check on the schedule somewhere along the line, we realize we won't get it all in, so we start to trim. We take out the features that only a few people would use. We take out the ones that were going to be too hard to do. We even combine a few to try to get some efficiencies out of them. Some time later, it becomes clear that we still have too much. Then we start to cut some of the features that were a personal favorites, but didn't have enough value to the user. We start to ask the marketing department exactly what they need to sell this product and drop the stuff that's too hard to pitch to the end user. We may even drop the one big feature that had not been started yet. Finally, as we're closing in, we see that some of the features that are in progress aren't going to make it. This is when it really hurts. We cut features that are half done and have many hours of work already put into them. We trim back some features to the bare minimum of functionality. These are the cuts that feel like they are going to the bone. The team wails and moans, but it's necessary to ship on time. At this point, we feel like we're only delivering a small fraction of what we set out to do. It feels like we failed a little, but it gets out the door. Then, the reviews and feedback come in. Invariably, the feedback is great. The reviews are all four and five star ratings. Sometimes the product is even nominated for an award. It's at this point that I'm reminded that the customer wasn't betting on that long list of features. The customer wanted something that helped teach, learn, or produce they way we promised with high quality and ease of use. This process of constant trimming ends up leaving only the absolute best and most necessary features in the product. It prevents us from shipping mediocre and less-than-useful software. It is software refining. Every time I think God is asking me to lop off something from my life, I try to remember that I'm being refined. He isn't asking me to remove something critical or central to life. He's asking me to remove something that I think I need, but is actually getting in the way. He's refining the garbage out of my life so that I can be used and mighty for God. "For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver." Psalm 66:10 "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." Isaiah 48:10 "This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.' " Zechariah 13:9 I want to be refined enough such that God will say that I am part of His people. Refining is a difficult, and sometimes painful, process, but the result is always better for everyone involved. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue May 13 22:57:36 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 22:57:36 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] The Object of Our Worship Message-ID: <072E13EC-D6BD-4EC2-AD3B-FA8945CC194B@clanwebb.com> One thing about every culture on earth is that everyone worships. It is in the very nature of the human to look to something greater than himself and pay homage. Wealth, fame, power are trappings that every culture bows to in one way or another. My goodness, one only has to channel surf for five minutes to see that the American culture has turned to adoration of money, talent (perceived or real), power, fame, and, most of all, things. Things are made by man from stuff in the earth. For crying out loud, we go crazy over diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. We even call them precious and, yet, they are nothing but pretty rocks. If I say, "a king's ransom," you don't think of the death of a man, but of a pile of shiny rocks. Our lust for the stupid is amazing and, yet, we would give it all up for a drink of water in the desert. There was a point in history when the king of lies met the King of Truth and the question was put to rest. That never makes the news. "Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.' " Matthew 4:10 What has more value: a big diamond or the promise that goes with a wedding band? Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu May 15 00:43:08 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 00:43:08 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Limited Truth Message-ID: <5666404E-9C1D-4D01-858C-8BD1B6C9A6F0@clanwebb.com> I am both a follower of politics and an engineer. So, when the two cross, I'm doubly interested. This has led me to do quite a bit of reading on subjects like global warming, evolution vs. intelligent design, young earth creationism, and even the scientific questions around abortion. I'm sure you could find many a person who would say that a Christian would have a hard time reconciling his faith with science. In fact, it seems that the deeper I look, the more evidence of God I see. I believe it is those that deny God that are occupying indefensible positions. I've been amazed at the hysteria around global climate change when juxtaposed with the miniscule amount of knowledge we have about how the climate works. None of the models work. The predictions change from year to year. My favorite was a recent statement that due to some previously undiscovered processes of the oceans, the global mean temperature would flatten out for a decade or two, but then, the scientists insisted, it would climb again so we still need to fix it. I believe their credibility to be shot. I've recently been reading about the incredible complexity within cells that make up all living creatures. Nobody can provide a credible explanation about how those structures formed if they refuse to entertain God as a possibility. Once again, they can describe what is happening when they witness it, but they cannot tell us how it came to be. Science should continue to research so as to reveal more truth about the creation God provided. But, they cannot ever explain it all. To do so would mean to explain God. "As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in the mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5 I cheer on further research, but I shake my head at those who chase the impossible goal of disproving God. Why can't science just be about discovery and facts? Why must it be restricted to avoid uncomfortable truth? Wyatt From Wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu May 15 22:14:24 2008 From: Wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 22:14:24 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] What's the Plan? Message-ID: <69510A4A-4940-49CB-A8E7-77B8F320F831@clanwebb.com> I'm a manager, now, so I spend quite a bit of time managing. What a shock. I manage people and I manage projects. Whether it's guiding an employee along his career path or shepherding a project to completion, I've learned that planning is critical to pulling off any major endeavor. I used to trust my instincts more and make decisions on the fly. That worked when I had fewer responsibilities and I was the only one dependent on my decisions. That process doesn't scale well. Now I plan for everything bigger than a trip to the mall. On the other end is one of my heroes, Indiana Jones. There's a fun scene in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" when the Ark has been loaded into a truck and is being driven away. Jones needs to track it down and has this exchange with his trusted friend, Sallah: Jones: Meet me at Omar's. Be ready for me. I'm going after that truck. Sallah: How? Jones: I don't know, I'm making this up as I go. Which kind of personality do you think God has? The Hebrews seemed to think God was making it up as He went when they were brought to the Red Sea: "As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" " Exodus 14:10-12 What a bunch of whiners! Here God has clearly led them out of a terrible situation in Egypt through several examples of divine power. Then, when they see the Egyptian army coming, they start whining about how it we be better to have never left! Sheesh! They are acting like God had no plan. They're acting like God was making it up as He went and ran out of options. That's not the God I know: "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 God has it all planned out. God has all the options covered. Nothing happens that He didn't already know about. When your back is against the sea and the opposition is bearing down on you, remember that God has a plan. Don't doubt Him. Stand firm and trust Him. That's the plan. Wyatt From Wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri May 16 22:47:18 2008 From: Wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 22:47:18 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Thirsty Message-ID: <94FEF961-F9ED-44B5-8C44-0B5EF5273F70@clanwebb.com> I've never been in danger of truly dying of thirst. I have, however, gone longer than I should have without a drink of water a few times. I remember being hypersensitive to how my skin felt (dry and dusty). I remember how my tongue felt (like sandpaper). It was hard to talk and breathe. It got to the point where all I could think of was a sip of water. At that moment, I would have paid a thousand dollars for a bottle of water if there had been no other options. I was parched. Then I read David say something like this: "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1 I compare how desperate I was for water in those few instances and I realize I've never felt that desperate for God. I want to be that thirsty for a relationship with Him and His Word. It's harder because spiritual hunger and thirst work the opposite way as physical hunger and thirst. Spiritually, when you consume more, you want more. The thirst grows. So, to be that thirsty for God, I don't have to deprive myself of Him, but immerse myself in Him. We all need God, but we don't have a natural draw to the solution like we do with physical hunger and thirst. We have to create that habit of going to Him frequently. I want to be thirsty. Are you thirsty? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun May 18 00:37:23 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 00:37:23 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Speechless Message-ID: <90F3A99D-F900-4F44-ADEB-280F102E82F7@clanwebb.com> As I sat down to write this, I started it the wrong way. I started by thinking, "What can I say to communicate God to these men?" I almost started laughing when I realized my mistake. I was trying to think of what I could say, not what God has already said. There is nothing of myself that can share God with you. It is only Christ in me that can communicate Christ to those around me. Here I was contemplating my empty thimble and forgetting about the ocean of wisdom that dwells in me. The seems sort of self-referring, but God led me to these verses: "But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." Luke 21:14-15 I like to have my case prepared and all of my counterarguments ready to go. I am extremely nervous when I enter a conversation unprepared. Of course, that means I'm depending on my own ability and knowledge to debate the person I'm speaking with. I'm placing no trust in God and giving Him little room to work. At those moments, God empties my mind and reminds me that my own knowledge is useless. He teaches me to fall back on Him out of pure panic, because I can't think of anything else to say. Of course, that's kind of the point. When you're speechless, you're ready to go. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun May 18 22:00:37 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:37 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] I Forget. He Doesn't. Message-ID: <2894AFA4-1ED9-42E7-8022-FFF95CEE57D4@clanwebb.com> I know this subject may be only about me, but perhaps you can identify with me if you give it some thought. I confess that I lose stuff and I forget stuff. I am going to invent a new word. I don't know what it is, yet, but it's definition will be: The disappearance of an object which was in the possession of the seeker just a minute before the loss was discovered and the seeker has not moved. Where does this stuff go? More importantly, why has God decided to give only my wife the ability to find it? I accumulate so much stuff during the day that when I return home to empty my pockets, I look like a character from a Mark Twain novel. Office supply stores are full of great ways to keep organized, but I insist on writing down names, addresses, appointments, and telephone numbers on the first object I can get my hands on at the time. This includes things like napkins, torn corners of boxes, my own business cards (which I then return to the stack), Burger King bags and, often, the odd piece of lumber. My keys, cell phone, camera, and real estate key have a conspiracy going that includes, and I will prove this one day, the cat. The goal of this conspiracy is to conceal themselves the instant I set them down. Why, and it pains me to remember this, I even misplaced my own son in a hotel drawer when he was a baby. That was really my wife's fault in that she told me not to let him crawl off the balcony. I can only be thankful that God forgets nobody and misplaces nothing. If this were not so, I would wander around aimlessly hoping to run into an exit. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10 "to fulfill the word which He spoke, "Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one." " John 18:9 Thank you, Jesus. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon May 19 22:21:50 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 19 May 2008 22:21:50 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] The Out Message-ID: When our lives are in a box canyon or a dead-end alley, our stomaches begin to get enraged in such a turmoil that we begin to frantically look for "the out". At the end of tough negotiations, when it becomes obvious who will come out on top, the good negotiator will give a face- saving out to the other side. We seek that sense of relief when all the doors are locked and we finally find the one that will open. I heard a pastor from Haiti recently talk about doing what God wants you to do and trusting him completely. This man was once in a position where he was so poor that he could not feed his wife and family. He was given food by a friend and refused to eat himself in order to provide just a little for his wife and children. At this moment, a man came to him and gave him an out. He offered him a position as a pastor in the United States. The church would provide for all their needs, including transportation, housing, and food. What a choice! His very nature as a man was tested as a provider, his prayers had been answered, and, yet, he was so sure God had set him aside to stay in Haiti and be used by Him that he turned down the offer. He did it with such great risk that he did not even tell his wife at the time. As it turns out, he now has a church, a school, and an orphanage that he seeks to grow and maintain. He does it with great faith in God to meet his needs and God meets them. Men like this, frankly, make me feel shallow and weak. I whine and moan at the first sign of defeat and consider a challenge something akin to painting the bedroom. "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission." Hebrews 5:7 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 I am full of admiration for this man and, yet, I am so fearful of God taking away my comforts that I am too much of a coward to pray for the relationship that this man has with Jesus. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed May 21 00:10:11 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 00:10:11 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Like Minds Message-ID: <78D5EC7D-EE9B-440A-99F5-F6C6B5CF48D8@clanwebb.com> I am in a business of "no"s. The vast majority of my communication is negative or disappointing to someone. Yet, when I see on my caller ID that a brother or sister in Christ is calling, I know that regardless of whether the news is bad or good, the conversation will ultimately end up with a praise to God or an agreement that He is in charge and He will take care of us. This attitude of faith and humility are the strands that are woven together to make the cord that holds us all together. Look up, brother and sister, and lean on each other. Confirm the faith in your attitude, speech, and deeds. "that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine." Romans 1:12 "Now may the God who give perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus," Romans 15:5 We don't have to be personal friends with everyone in our church, but we must be of like minds. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu May 22 00:19:33 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 00:19:33 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Knowledge to Act Upon Message-ID: I was just reading about a fellow who has written book called "The Secret History of Star Wars". It's a deeply researched book on all the twists and turns of the history of all six of the movies, George Lucas, and others who had influence on the story line. It is based on hours of interviews, years of fact-finding, and some serious geek enthusiasm. The author has just released the third edition. This would all sound amazing enough, but the kicker is that you can't buy this book in a store. It's in electronic form only and it's free. This strikes me as a great example of knowledge for the sake of knowledge. There are probably years worth of trivia question fodder contained in this book, but at the end of the day, this isn't knowledge you can act on or use to live a better life. How many people think that God's Word works the same way? It's fascinating to study, it's good for the "Bible" category on "Jeopardy", but it has no real impact on my normal life. Those folks have missed the whole point. It's not just a piece of art. It's not an embellished history book. It is God speaking to us. And He's asking us to follow the directions: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise." Psalm 111:10 God seems to be constantly reminding me that knowledge isn't good enough. I have to act upon it. "Follow" is a verb of action. I can't follow His precepts without doing and acting. Just knowing it in my head won't suffice. There are more than enough sources of knowledge for the sake of knowledge. But, don't let those get in the way of the knowledge that we can act on. It's knowledge we must act on. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu May 22 22:00:19 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 22:00:19 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] The Strong Man Message-ID: <5A9F5F4B-1E33-4E24-BE00-158DD1B6D730@clanwebb.com> Charles Colson has a great ministry which includes some fantastic work in the prison system. He, of course, was part of one of the worst political scandals in recent American history. Watergate brought President Nixon to a shameful end. There were other players, including Attorney General John Mitchell, who actually did hard time for their role. There is a new book out that claims to beef up the history, but the newly revealed facts of that time are not what caught my eye. In his book, "The Strong Man", James Rosen extols Mitchell: "He never went on the lecture circuit or found God. He took his punishment like a man." That fortitude caught Rosen's eye and it has impressed friends and enemies, he said. "He was very much a tower of strength and even his tormentors... all came away with an extraordinary admiration for him as a strong and mostly honorable man." Charles Colson found God. Does that men he is weak or does it mean that Mitchell was too proud? The strong man finds God because God is strength. "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom." Proverbs 11:2 What has done more for man: pride or humility? Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat May 24 00:45:31 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 00:45:31 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Flavors of Fear Message-ID: <4B2CB56A-8DC9-4401-B9A8-9BDC809A1BFA@clanwebb.com> Fear comes in many flavors. It is not unlike going into a gourmet ice cream shop and seeing the varieties from which to choose. The thing about all the those choices is that they have the same base and the same basic mix of dairy products, sugar, and emulsifiers. That basic mix, that basic fear, is the one that needs to be conquered. I am not talking about controlled fear like a ride at Disneyland or the thrill of a calculated risk like whitewater rafting and the like, but the very basic fear of acknowledgement in public of our faith in Jesus Christ. Our fear of someone's reaction is greater than our fear of hell. The step from the baby food jar to the full meal deal is the most fearful step for a Christian. The reason for this fear is our foundation or, in this case, the lack of foundation. Christians do not spend enough time in the Word earning a "spiritual degree". We will shake our heads mildly when alone with a non- believer, stand and sing it out when in church, or shout it out at a retreat, but what do we do when it is just you, the world, and God? "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When you are brought before synagogues, rules and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." Luke 12:8-12 I am poking around the writings of Dr. Ernest Becker. His life is very interesting and, although he died at age 49, his life experiences are intriguing. I found this quote: "[W]e now know that the human animal is characterized by two great fears that other animals are protected from: the fear of life and the fear of death... Heidegger brought these fears to the center of his existential philosophy. He argued that the basic anxiety of [humanity] is anxiety about being-in-the-world, as well as anxiety of being-in- the-world. That is, both fear of death and fear of life, of experience and individuation." Becker has defined fear in intellectual, or should I say academic, terms and God has the answer in plain everyday language. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat May 24 22:56:15 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 22:56:15 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Cutting, Leaping, Pricing, and Toothpaste Message-ID: <905EC015-2A4F-42CE-8C80-63E307BC5247@clanwebb.com> Measure twice, cut once. Look before you leap. Consider the costs. All of this advice emphasizes that there are some actions you should think clearly about and contemplate before making. Once you cut a board too short, you can't cut it longer. Once you've jumped off the diving board, you can't turn around if the pool is empty. Once you've placed the order and started the project, you will never get all of your money back. The metaphor we used with our son was toothpaste. We pointed out that once you squeezed toothpaste out of the tube, it was impossible to put it back in. Now, being the kind of kid to challenge assumptions, he began to explain how he could use a small spoon and start putting it back in. He was convinced that he could find a way to refill the tube. Once I convinced him that it really wouldn't be the same as before, I think he began to get it. You can't un-ring a bell. You can't unsay something. You will always have the option to say whatever it is you want to say. You will never have the option to take it back without consequence. The point here is, be very careful with your words. They are a one-way road. "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19 As it says here, anger is in the same category. Once you've expressed anger with someone, it's often difficult to return the relationship to how it was before. That anger will cause equally primal emotions in the target of the anger. So, in the same way, be very sure that your anger is justified and don't let yourself lose control. It's easy to listen more. It's easy to listen twice to make sure you heard it right. It's not easy to change what you've said. Once it's out there, you'll have to deal with the consequences. Two ears and one mouth seems to indicate that God wanted us to do more listening than talking. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun May 25 23:17:57 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 23:17:57 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Keep the Faith Message-ID: <93827B35-FCED-4B42-B388-BF46A4388D86@clanwebb.com> I have always had a profound and deeply emotional respect for those who serve our country in the military. It is a largely thankless job with enormous implications. I'd like to publicly thank the families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety of my country, myself, and my family. Remembering what they did is important so that we don't casually give up the ground their blood was spilled to gain. Remembering the history is important to chart a course through the future. As I contemplated this idea of remembering the past to guide the future, I quickly came back to Hebrews 11. This is where Paul works down a list of the Jewish patriarchs pointing out what crucial tool they used for the big decisions. He was reminding the Jews of their history so they could recognize the significance of the present and the future in the offer made by Jesus. He pointed out that Enoch was taken up into Heaven because of his faith. Noah was allowed to live because of his faith in God. Abraham set out for an unknown land based on his faith. Abraham offered his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice because of his faith in God. The list goes on and on and even Paul gets tired of writing all of the examples he could find. Faith was a crucial tool to do the will of God. Then, Paul concludes the section with this: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3 Paul hammers home the idea that your faith is enough and it will carry you through. Don't be distracted by anything else. Use your faith to drive you to the finish line and fix your eyes on Jesus. Those who went before us endured ridicule, abuse, and even death, but they kept their faith. You can endure whatever you are going through if you keep your faith and your eyes on Christ. Remember those who went before you to help guide your future. Keep the faith. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon May 26 22:18:05 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 22:18:05 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Know the Enemy Message-ID: Two young boys were discussing what their pastor had to say about Satan. The first one asks, "What do you think about all this Satan stuff? Do you think it's real?" His buddy replies, "Well, you know how the Santa Claus thing turned out. It will probably just end up being our dads." Getting a clear picture of reality is important to remove any misconceptions. Satan has a lot of surrounding cover made up of fantasy, untruths, and deceit. The truth is that the word defines him quite clearly. He is an angelic entity that was created by God and, for whatever reason, rebelled against God. Be default, we know God is in control and Satan was made for his purposes and acts only within the parameters that God ordains. Questioning what can appear to be a misstep by God is a direct confrontation of His authority in His presence. We must remember everything everywhere is under the direct control of God at all times. Satan has a very clear rap sheet. He has entered into people (i.e. Judas), misled people (i.e. Eve), tempted Jesus, and he can roam between Heaven and earth. The book of Job gives a clear picture of his character and what to expect from him. Men would do well to establish a clear understanding in their minds. Satan is a player from Genesis to Revelation and men should not take him lightly or attempt to threaten him comically as there is nothing funny about his destructive abilities. These thoughts bring me to a basic conclusion that we make a grave error when we accuse one another rather than seeing the third party involvement of Satan. For our part, we must push back by returning to the Word and finding applications from God's perspective and not from a hardened heart. A commentator said it best, "Satan knows how to get best use of our mistakes." "so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes." 2 Corinthians 2:11 Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed May 28 00:20:35 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 00:20:35 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Center Focused Message-ID: <45B35BF9-2DCC-4500-8327-A75CA6BB23EE@clanwebb.com> It's a running joke among Star Trek fans that all aliens in the universe look like humans with funny ears or bumpy foreheads. This was the way to keep make-up costs down for the the different shows, but it started to stand out after a while. In fact, in one episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, they even tried to address the issue by revealing that a very old, vaguely humanoid species had actually seeded all of the different races. So, in fact, we all looked like them. The underlying humor in that episode was that the fans thought that the humans were the first and all character design revolved around them. Of course, that was true since the producers only had human actors to work with, but the writers were ribbing the fans for being human-centric. Of course, human-centric or self-centered is exactly where the enemy wants you to be. If you think the world revolves around you or even human beings, you are fooled. Worse, if you think that you can guide yourself through life with only other humans or yourself for advice, you are fooled. There is only One who knows how to live the perfect life, because He did it. "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Romans 7:18 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 Paul had it exactly right. You can't trust yourself. And, once you're saved, you shouldn't try to. Christ lives in you. Let Him lead. The world didn't start with you. The world doesn't revolve around you. And, by the way, we were created in His image. He doesn't look like us. We look like Him! Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu May 29 00:08:48 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 00:08:48 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Ready to Go Message-ID: <7E341E61-52C0-4A05-9A67-1F63D3B7A695@clanwebb.com> I have just begun to read a book that dives into the theology and Biblical description of Heaven. In the introduction, the author described something that wasn't a new idea to me, but struck me as amazing just the same. He made the point that some folks are so mistaken about what Heaven is that they actually fear it or hold it in disdain. They're convinced that it's an eternity of tedium on a cloud with a harp. They figure it'll be one eternally long church service (I've had to sit through a few that felt eternal and that was bad enough). This doesn't jibe with the most basic theology, and yet it's a feeling that even Christians carry around. Remember that God loves you. He doesn't want to condemn you to an eternity of boredom or plainness. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:9-11 God is just looking for reasons to give you good gifts. He wants to bless you beyond your comprehension. He would never ask you to settle for the sitting-on-a-cloud experience. "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:2-3 Jesus tells us clearly that He's preparing a place for us. He knows us so much better than we know ourselves. I think He'll know how to decorate and design for what we like. This is nothing to dread or look down upon. This is the ultimate lifestyle offered up by the Creator of the Universe who wants nothing more than to bless us and give us good gifts. It's going to be a blast! See you there! Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu May 29 22:13:51 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 22:13:51 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Follow the Instructions Message-ID: <1ACC0A42-5817-4DD1-93AE-DEE7F57B1A9D@clanwebb.com> Often it is noted that God seems to allow innocent people to suffer under very cruel circumstances. Some preachers, wrongly, I believe, teach that natural disasters are sent to punish people because of their ungodly behavior. First of all, nobody knows the intentions of God's actions and, second, that is for good reason as man would attempt to use the information in conjunction with his sin nature. The same goes for politicians that believe they can talk all people into peace and show them the light with some grand persuasive display of language. The problem is when men and women, instead of seeking the plan, try to insert themselves into the plan of God for the sake of their own egos. The fact is, there is enough land, resources, and technology in the world today to feed, house, and educate every person on the planet. Man chooses not to do it. It's man's nature to be greedy, selfish, egotistical, and stupid. No amount of political leadership will change this fact. Only God will bring the utopia man dreams and He will bring it about only when He chooses to be merciful. "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." Romans 12:18 "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." Romans 9:16 Man is so educated, so intelligent, and so self-centered about his abilities that he cannot understand the simplest of instructions. " "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " " Matthew 22:36-39 The world was lost. Jesus came to show the way and the world said, "No, thanks." Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri May 30 22:57:45 2008 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 22:57:45 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Freedom to Wander in the Wasteland Message-ID: I am struck again and again by the misunderstanding of the word "freedom". We think of two kinds of freedom. There's the freedom a man gains when he leaves jail or when his kidnappers are caught. This is the "release from captivity" kind of freedom. Then, there's the freedom of being able to run as far along the beach as you can or to put on a backpack and hike wherever you want. This is the "no limits" kind of freedom. The United States protects the latter kind of freedom as a natural right to its citizens. Over the years, it's been slowly trimmed down, but it's still the best representation of "no limits" freedom in the world. We celebrate a government that takes this approach because a government of man is imperfect and we should let the citizens be as free as possible to be guided by God. Jesus Christ offers the first kind of freedom. He offers the only release from the captivity of sin. He wants to break your chains and set you free. The limitless kind of freedom is seductive and misleading. Imagine a wildlife park the size of Africa. If you were dropped in the middle of the park with no map, you could wander for days or weeks without seeing anything. You'd be wasting enormous amounts of time in various wastelands. If, however, you had a map of the most enjoyable path to take, you'd see amazing sights, you'd have a fulfilling trip, and you wouldn't waste any time. You'd follow the path because you know there's nothing interesting to see when you wander off the path. There's no point. Although you may have the freedom to do so, there's no value in it. When you accept Christ, He hands you the map through His Word and the Holy Spirit. You can ignore the map, but I guarantee you that it's all wasteland. It's not worth it. "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." Psalm 119:32 We have been set free from bondage and placed on a road to the life God has planned. Do you want to follow the path of His commands that has been laid out? Or, are you interested in a scenic tour through the wasteland? Wyatt