Being Prepared

Happy New Year! It's going, it’s going, too late--it’s gone. At that same instantaneous speed as 2012 becomes 2013 lives change. We can go from better to worse, from young to old, or from lost to saved. While we joked and laughed at the Mayan calendar ending in a non-eventful sort of way, most of the world does the same things laughing at the promised second coming of Messiah. We were told ahead of time in the last days there would be scoffers; and there are and they are in prominent position sometimes. And even though our calendar itself is based on Christ interrupting and changing the course of history (by divine promise course): our world’s leaders and educators would just as soon rewrite history. But, since it is His-story and not ours, there is no chance of that happening.

The world will someday loose its godly influence, the Church. We will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Faster than 2012 becomes 2013 we could be out of here. I love that! But there’s something I want to share that I wrote in my bible a while back. “Don’t be content just to go to heaven.” Since we were prepare to do good works, do them. Since we were commissioned to share Christ’s Gospel and make disciples, make some. I want to go home and heaven's that home, but I don’t want to go alone and I hope you don’t want to either.

I read today in Matthew 10 as Jesus sent out His disciples throughout Israel. He sent them out in power preaching that the kingdom of heaven was at hand or near. As Christ dwells in our hearts as believers, through the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of heaven is ready to touch and change anyone who would be believe. So, be ready to give an account for why you believe in Jesus. Be prepared, because we never know when we’ll be called on by the Holy Spirit to share our Jesus with someone else. Remember, things change and faster than we can imagine sometimes. And our short vapor of a life can impact someone’s eternity.

“…worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.”

1 Peter 3:15b-16a

A Gray Day Happened

A gray day happened today, fortunately, it was just the sky. Chilly damp air and gray sky, I think I’d rather have rain. But we don’t order weather like pizza (God forbid if one day man has that kind of power!). No, we may see it coming on a Doppler screen, but that’s about it. Sure, if it were a flood or tornado or something disastrous we might prepare, but this? This is only winter/Christmas break blahs, multiplied since the children drove to another state. But what if it were more than the weather? What if it was life’s gray, a dreaded “depression?” I’m not talking economics, I’m talking emotionally. What is a Christian to do?

Right off the bat I’m not claiming to give medical advice or anything like that. I’m not even claiming to be a faith healer, though I know God can and does heal. If we're sick James tells us to call the elders, confess sin, anoint with oil, and the prayer of faith will heal the sick, and it does! But, it is not a guarantee and read about Job or Paul if you think believers don’t have bad things happen to them. I rains on the just and unjust, life happens!

The regular Christian things we do keep doing; especially when feeling down. You know pray and read your bible. Yep, that’s talking to and listening to God. That’s not to limit God and say He can’t communicate to us in some other way, but this is the primary way. However, if you're like me, I need Jesus with hands and feet. That means fellowship is in order. Not with the world, and not even with Christians doing common stuff—secular things—though simple relaxation is fine, it’s just not all of what is needed at those depressed moments. No in moments when I’m this low, I need a brother in Christ to talk to who knows and understands me; these are rare gems. I hope you have one. The absolute worst thing you can do if you are suffering in or from depression is to isolate and shut down. I know because living with chronic pain has brought me there over and over again.

In these times when I've had to look up to see the bottom, I tried isolation and shutting down. This makes life seem hardly worth the time. I had one of those moments a while back. About two years ago, I walked down my dark curvy road one night. I was taking a moonlight walk for my little Rusty dog to do his business and for me to get some exercise, which helps with pain and mood. Our road is quiet, in the country, and has a dead end on it. Traffic, if any is light and you can hear cars coming from a long ways away. Sometimes though, I wear headphones to listen to music and even then I can still see the headlights coming from the cars.

This particular night stands out though I've walked that same road many times. I was under my shoe looking up kind of depressed that night. And, honestly I just wanted to go home—I’m talkin'  heaven. I believe suicide is absolutely wrong and never consider it an option, human life is God’s prerogative. But, honestly I didn't care if I died, in fact I oft’ hoped to. Feeling like this set my nights stage.

In just short while Rusty and I approached the first curve. I, like always, walked toward oncoming traffic, to see them of course! I heard a car and saw the lights. We went to the opposite side. A car was speeding, which makes me mad on our, no my road! (Though I’m guilty of this too when in a hurry.) I had crossed well over on the opposite side for the car to pass freely, but that wasn't enough! In a fraction of a second these events were taking place. I had moved only a few feet pasted the white line, into supposed safety. Then the car came across the line. In a millisecond I angered and stood my ground! Would I finally get my chance to see Jesus, like this? No, of course not I’m writing this. Still, with that car inches away, though angry, I wanted to go home!

Why am I writing this, mostly for me? Perhaps it is only for me to let the words escape my thoughts. Perhaps it’s only because I walked that same road tonight, with Rusty no less and did it safely. But, perhaps as you and I know happens, God wishes to let someone know He’s still there and He sees you where you’re at. And, He loves you right there.

David in the bible went through these emotional roller coasters his whole life. Where they simply in his mind or reactions to painful circumstances, I don’t know. I know he learned to trust God enough to kill lions, bears, Goliath, Philistines by the boat load, and other enemies of God. But, David—the LORD’s anointed—had to run for his life multiple times, he hides in caves, and still in doing so had to fight with emotions that overwhelmed.

How did David deal with this pressure? He wrote and sang songs, new songs to our Lord. And we have their benefit of hindsight. Over and over David would be despondent about something. He would lay his complaint out to the Lord. Then He would begin to praise God for His attributes and would end in jubilant worship.

Here are a couple examples, one from David and one other Psalmist. These are perhaps the most obvious, many more are there too. God knew we needed to know what to do with emotions, Psalms provides examples.

Psalm 42 NIV

                                                                                             

As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, O God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?
³ My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”
⁴ These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
    leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
    among the festive throng.

⁵ Why are you downcast, O my soul?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and ⁶ my God.

My^[c] soul is downcast within me;
    therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep
    in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
    have swept over me.

⁸ By day the Lord directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹ I say to God my Rock,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
    oppressed by the enemy?”
¹⁰ My bones suffer mortal agony
    as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”

¹¹ Why are you downcast, O my soul?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

Psalm 55 NIV

Listen to my prayer, O God,
    do not ignore my plea;
²     hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
³     at the voice of the enemy,
    at the stares of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering upon me
    and revile me in their anger.

⁴ My heart is in anguish within me;
    the terrors of death assail me.
⁵ Fear and trembling have beset me;
    horror has overwhelmed me.
⁶ I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
    I would fly away and be at rest—
⁷ I would flee far away
    and stay in the desert; Selah
⁸ I would hurry to my place of shelter,
    far from the tempest and storm.”

⁹ Confuse the wicked, O Lord, confound their speech,
    for I see violence and strife in the city.
¹⁰ Day and night they prowl about on its walls;
    malice and abuse are within it.
¹¹ Destructive forces are at work in the city;
    threats and lies never leave its streets.

¹² If an enemy were insulting me,
    I could endure it;
if a foe were raising himself against me,
    I could hide from him.
¹³ But it is you, a man like myself,
    my companion, my close friend,
¹⁴ with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
    as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

¹⁵ Let death take my enemies by surprise;
    let them go down alive to the grave,^[b]
    for evil finds lodging among them.

¹⁶ But I call to God,
    and the Lord saves me.
¹⁷ Evening, morning and noon
    I cry out in distress,
    and he hears my voice.
¹⁸ He ransoms me unharmed
    from the battle waged against me,
    even though many oppose me.
¹⁹ God, who is enthroned forever,
    will hear them and afflict them— Selah
men who never change their ways
    and have no fear of God.

²⁰ My companion attacks his friends;
    he violates his covenant.
²¹ His speech is smooth as butter,
    yet war is in his heart;
his words are more soothing than oil,
    yet they are drawn swords.

²² Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
    he will never let the righteous fall.
²³ But you, O God, will bring down the wicked
    into the pit of corruption;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men
    will not live out half their days.

But as for me, I trust in you.

Time To Worship

Our days go on and on.  Earth bound. Yep! That's what we are. However, we are one day closer to meeting the one who made us. Yes, one day closer to meeting  Jesus, in the flesh! Yes! He's the one who saved us from hell; the eternal damnation we deserve. We are one day closer to going through gates of pearl and right into the presence of Jesus.

 I’m guessing we will say this,"HOLY, HOLY HOLY," with the four living creatures as they start 

the worship service of a life time!

“Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,

who was, and is, and is to come.”

Revelation 4:8 b NIV

God is our Creator! 

I look forward to saying with the four living creature:

“Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God, the All-Powerful,

Who was and who is, and who is still to come!”

Revelation 4:8b NET

Though I’m not yet in Heaven, we can, and I do say that now. 

Why?

 Because I am a creature too created by God for fellowship, and that’s why all:

 Creation Gives Glory!

The Mind Reader

A simple Christmas came and went, but the reason for Christmas lives on in our hearts. I continuously remind myself of this. It is one of the good things I think on as Philippians 4 exhorts us to do. When I let my mind simply drift it usually get in trouble. Well, at least in my mind and that is where my biggest battles are fought any way. Drifting thoughts can end up attaching themselves to evil things we see in everyday life in our society. We easily can become vexed like Lot, something I wrote about earlier. Life’s evil ways from the past, some lust, some unbelief, or pride in our evil hearts can be stirred up inside our minds as fast as a lighting bolt strikes. That is what happened in my reading today, not in my mind, but the mind’s of the Pharisees in Matthew 9:1-8 NIV

“Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?  Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”  And the man got up and went home.  When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.”

Picture this scene in your mind (Doing so you’re thinking on something good! It’s approved thinking), a few friends carried a paralyze son of Israel to Jesus. As they get there Jesus see’s not the faith on the lame man, but that of the others. Then rather than heal the guy, Jesus tells him (the paralytic), “your sins are forgiven.”

At this red flags went off in the Pharisees minds. Why though? It’s simple. Who could forgive sins? It’s only God that can forgives sins. Thus Jesus was claiming, in an indirect way, to be God or equal with God. If Jesus had been a fraud, the Pharisees would be right. But, this was God acting. This was that baby of the manger who moved on to manhood now claiming to be God! This was blasphemy if He wasn't  But, it turns out He was and is and always will be God.

So, now those Pharisees (like we do) had an evil though right away, “let’s kill Him!” I think they thought. They wanted to stone Him to death, for the sin of blasphemy. What happened is that Jesus—God read their minds and He reads ours too.

^“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV 

Christmas Eve

It’s the night before. You know Christmas. Christmas is always my favorite of all the holidays. Other holidays have there good points too of course. Easter is one and absolutely is Christians other favorite. Easter compliments and is the completion of Christmas, in other words Christmas began our redemption and Easter finished it. It’s hard if not impossible to choose which is more important, because they are dependent on each other. But, I like Christmas. Not for all the fanfare and presents and commercialism. I love Christmas because God loved us enough to send His Son to fix the sin problem, that nasty thing that broke our relationship with Him. So, no matter how you do it, take time to worship our Savior this Christmas. For He stepped out of Heaven into a crib; well a manger acting as a crib. Would you do that? No, we would not! Not for people that for the most part could careless about God. Yet He did. The Father cared enough to send His Son. The Son Jesus cared enough to obey His Father, knowing it would cost Him his life in the most painful way of death imaginable, crucifixion.

Being a father, I would have a hard time sending my son off to war even if it was a justified and the honorable thing to do. Yet, the Father sent His Son into a world that missed the Messiah’s coming. Israel missed the one who will save them and restore their glory as a nation. Israel missed their king. And, I’m glad they did not out of selfish reasons of course. My reason is that we the non Jewish people (Gentiles) would be left to our own darkness and hell as a result. If they (Israel) noticed and responded to their saviors message, what would we the Gentiles—non Jews—do? I’m sure the bible would have been written totally different to accommodate their acceptance if Jesus as Messiah. However, they didn’t see Him for who He was, or worse yet, their leaders didn’t want to surrender their power as leader of the nation. So were left with this:

 “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.  God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him. People who believe in God’s Son are not judged guilty. Those who do not believe have already been judged guilty, because they have not believed in God’s one and only Son. They are judged by this fact: The Light has come into the world, but they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things.  All who do evil hate the light and will not come to the light, because it will show all the evil things they do.” John 3:16-20 NCV

Remember this year Jesus came for a reason. If our celebration with lost family member doesn’t point to Jesus, were partying without a reason.

Merry Christmas!

Gordon

Folding Life's Tent

The story never told lives in the deep dark caverns of our souls. We hide what lies beneath with big smiling faces. We know. We know a past, we have a past, and we wish it would pass! We throw away one face, just to find another beneath, stored and it's smiling too. The thought rips and scorns. But is the thought mine? or, did it come from another? Those secrets from the past haunt, and they haunt me today. Will it never go away? Unless, unless my memory fades away?

Perhaps some memory loss is good. It fades and hides that which cannot be understood. Somethings lost should not be found. Leave it on the ground! “O God, hear my plea! Hide me in Christ’s blood! Keep me free from which I’m free!” And my heart shudders.  I press my mind and think on glories told, that which never grows old. Then the Word reminds me, Christ is sufficient and He’s holding me! It reminds me everyday: the Word is real, active, and powerful. Our condemnation is a thing of the past! Yes! Christ killed the curse and though a faint heart beat does linger, yet soon it will be gone and all this evil with that lingers.

Right now I have to ask, “When will life’s tent be folded? When will time roll backup like a scroll? When?” Though I ask, the answers are not mine to know. But, I know my redeemer lives. I know He sees what I've done, what I do, and what I will do. He holds all eternity. There is no secret He does not know. He’s setup time and we’re all in the show. Our parts are but short; they are just vapors then gone.

Though we think and try with might, it is not enough to understand God’s grace and liberty. They are but gifts, given from above. Why God loves a twisted one like me never makes sense. But, our God is greater! He is greater than the messes I've made. He is greater than what hidden in the caverns of our soul. He is greater than time or eternity, yet in Christ He forgets our sin. He casts it away and it’s remembered no more!

^“I thank God for his salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So in my mind I am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful self I am a slave to the law of sin. So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty.”  Romans 7:25—8:1 ERV


"For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Psalms 103:11-12 NIV

Spoiled And I Know It

If you’re spoiled and you know it say: amen. For a moment there I remembered that old Sunday school song, “I you’re happy and you know it.” Perhaps it dates me, but even my kids sang it. I feel spoiled for more reasons than I can say, but I’ll try and express a few. Though before I do, when I say spoiled, I mean blessed beyond measure.

As I lay here my wife is snoring for background music. The rain drops and the tick tock of a clock keeps her in time. She’s the first blessing I’ll mention. She’s put up with me for 28 years and I love her more with time. Time is her biggest gift to me, for I know she would rather leave at times, for I've pressed her with the greatest of strain. Yet, in God’s merciful grace she hangs on, and tightly so. I could have never imagined what marriage would bring. Though those old vows some still use are the most accurate; and in the beginning I would have never had a clue. “For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health….”  How did those few lines know? That alone makes me spoiled.

Yet of course there is more. I have two children, really young adults full of zeal and chomping at the bit for life. They've survived life’s trials more than some will ever know. With a touch of cynicism, a dash of innocence, and all that Christ’s love can bring, these children entrusted by God will soon move on and have their own. Gods’ loving hand molds us through pressures in ways one would never know and later we see our children were the fingers of the Masters’ hand.

Yep, I’m spoiled! Our family barks and bites just like any I’ve ever know. And deep with in us Christ’s grows and grows. As a Father, I have to greater joy than to know my children are in the faith. I’m plagiarizing scriptures in those words there of course, but it’s true!

Aside from these my family members, I have great wealth. No, it’s not dollars or better yet gold. It’s treasure in heaven, through Christ our king! Gold is heaven’s asphalt as someone once said. And, asphalt doesn't mean a lot to me! So you’re spoiled and you know it say: amen!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace,which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood,the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ," Ephesians 1:3:9 NIV

                                                         

“... because your Father wants to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Get for yourselves purses that will not wear out, the treasure in heaven that never runs out, where thieves can’t steal and moths can’t destroy. Your heart will be where your treasure is.” Luke 12:32-34 NCV

Today

If the world really found its end tomorrow, what would you do today?

How would you love or would hate set your fate?

Would you love the people ‘round you, if you didn’t give love today?

Would you regret having no tomorrow or make haste with today?

Would you finally hate that certain sin that you loved so near today?

What would you do, if the world ended today?

Where would you go, that would not go today?

Would it be with your family that you find so near and dear?

Would it be with the ones with whom you fight, jeer, and never feel near?

Would you finally tell them of Christ’s love because He wants them near?

What would you do, if the world ended today?

Sin By Proxy

As people sometimes we offend other people.Sometimes it's unintentionally, other times we know what will offend and do it anyway. The sad thing is, I did that with my family today at a gathering. It wasn't something immoral or anything like that, it was something different. All of my family likes coffee, with me being the exception of course. They stopped and picked us their beverages of choice: semi-fancy coffees. Later, I wanted an energy drink and they end up being beverage the police and all refuted efforts to buy one. We moved and to our early Christmas gathering. And after a while I walked to the store and got one anyway. I know with all the press lately, sweet drinks might be done and they are quickly becoming frowned on with a growing following. I might have to resort to coffee and that leaves a bad taste in my mouth, not to mention the heartburn. I might as well go back to water!

*** side note. I shouldn't probably say or write this or even think this, but it’s obvious as the nose on our face: caffeine is the Christian drug of choice. I’m semi-joking, but it keeps us awake if our pastor hits a dry spot in the sermon (of course mine never does).

That energy drink offended my whole family! “What happened to loving your wife Gordon? What happened to submitting one to another?” My conscience roars, in verses no less! My little drink caused me to sin against my family and by proxy, God. Then I had to remember we as believers know Christ forgives our sin as we confess our sin (1 John 1:9). And, we know He forgives us as we forgive each other (Luke 6:37). But hurting our Fathers kids will eat us alive and we forget how much so! Why do I do this! Do I, ^“… show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”

Romans 2:4 NIV

Have you ever heard the phrase “killing with kindness?” That is what our Father’s love does through Christ. And His expectation is that we will get it one day, just read the “love chapter” 1 Corinthians 13. I’d better say no more. This preaching at me’s getting heavy!

Tell It

Losing my grip on the world, I’m ready for the next

Losing my life to live, I’m ready for the next

Losing my dream to His, I’m ready for the next?

Our worlds grip, it holds us tight, but I’m ready for flight

Our worlds’ lights distract our sight, but I’m ready for flight

Our world’s lost, lend a hand, and be ready for flight

Remember the plot and share it well, for we’re in Christ and that I’ll tell!

Tell it glad

Tell it loud

Tell it clear

Tell it here

Tell it there

Tell it everywhere

And, yell it strong, for the end is near!

 
"Jesus said to his followers, “Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone." Mark 16:15 NCV

I Am A Christian

I am a Christian. I say it proudly to remind myself what I am. In a world that is increasingly calling it a dirty word, I say it proud:Christian! My pride in this isn't mine at all. It is and always will be a pride that basks in the fact that God loved us enough to send His Son. It basks in the fact our Father brought restoration to our broken relationship with Him. And, it glories in Jesus, because He saved us from a place made for the Devil and his angels: hell. Proudly with humility and boldness I proclaim, “I am not ashamed of the Good News, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes—to save the Jews first, and then to save non-Jews” Romans 1:16 NCV. This Good News (Gospel) is Jesus an His work on the cross and Resurrection. 

             

With this in mind, I want to share an article of an unknown authorship. It’s short and good. I’m glad my friend shared it with me; its title is my opening line. 
(The author of the piece below has a different use of the phrase about pride; they are different forms or types of pride. Meaning the pride of my statements above are really just boasts about our God. The pride below would be of self reliance in our walk with Christ. I hope I don't confuse anyone.)

Worn Out Pots

If I were a computer I would need defragged among other things. If upgrades were my choice, my list would be long. First among them would be a new processor, the latest greatest super computing chip. More storage would be in order too; I could know just about everything then and keep it in order! And of course, I would want as much ram as possible; then multitasking with family, projects, music, and the like could be done with ease and all at once!

If we could do all these things, we could be a god, little G of course; we would fix ourselves when and how we pleased. If I could do all those things to myself, well, could I choose my own operating system and the like? Could I? All of this is nonsense of course. It’s raining outside, I’ve read all I could, played drums (as long as my protected ears could take), and I even tripped over notes playing piano! So, I contemplated all of this, but is it foolishness? We have bodies made by, not just an upgrade mechanic, but the Designer and Creator of everything!

I’m grateful God gave man enough brain processing power to transplant and build a few artificial and salvaged parts that work well. Yet with no offence intended to the medical community; they never work as well as the healthy original parts. The medical field is increasing in knowledge and practice at what seem an exponential rate to an outsider like me. Perhaps one day medicine will find ways to treat sever pain like mine in a non-addictive ways, without side-effects. Or, maybe old surgeries that fail, could one day be corrected.

 Yet, Science in its corrective work will never out pace sins’ ability to afflict. Death came with disobedience to God and its affects will devastate our bodies and earth until sins ends. Our failing bodies are but tents to what God had intended. If you’ve ever had a tent, you know they eventually leak or get moldy and stink. They wear-out and fail as a housing shelter. Even so, with all this we know as believers in Christ's work at Calvary, Jesus gave us the right to be called, “Children of God.” With this comes our heavenly body too and I’m looking forward to that! These thoughts keep me going as a child of God!

Just a moment longer please. I say this because moving on to something else is easier than completing my thought. We are to our computers as God is to humanity. Man or humanity built these boxes we type on. They are complex, but they don’t change out their physical components, at least yet. They are created machines manufactured for us, by us. Similarly, we are like that to God, yet of much greater value. God, our maker had His Son die for us as we crashed and ended up in sin! Oh how He must value us! Even wore-out, with stammering speech He loves me! Even with outdated slow parts, He loves me!

And if that is so, as it is. We should remember this too and keep perspective in life:

“You are confused.
    You think the clay is equal to the potter.
You think that an object can tell the one who made it,
    “You didn’t make me.”
This is like a pot telling its maker,
    “You don’t know anything.”” Isaiah 29:16 NCV

“How terrible it will be for those who argue with the God who made them.
    They are like a piece of broken pottery among many pieces.
The clay does not ask the potter,
    ‘What are you doing?’
The thing that is made doesn’t say to its maker,
    ‘You have no hands.’” Isaiah 45:9 NCV

We may have abilities and be gifted beyond measure, it’s because He gave it to us. Or, maybe these things are elusive and circumstances are pressing down and pressure's building. Don’t forget:

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NCV of course!