Great Inventions

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Mark Shields

Reflect on the inventions of the past and dream about the possibilities of the future.

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Thinking back 30, 40, or 50 years ago, you could not work from home like you can now. There were no virtual meetings and logging into systems to do our work from home was unheard of. From the Lunar Module of 1969 that transported Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to land on the moon to personal computers, amazing devices and innovations of the past 50 years have given opportunities for great success. Young and old need to hear about the good things of the past and have hope, be optimistic; to dream and discover.

The personal computer was not invented by Apple, IBM, Steve Jobs, or Bill Gates but by John Blankenbaker from his garage in 1971. Cellphones came along in 1973 invented by Martin Cooper. Then, in 1978, the idea of social media was being developed by Ward Christensen and Randy Suess who shared text-based information long before Facebook…

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One Body

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Mark Shields

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. – Romans 12:5

The post “Pulling Together” had some thoughts on the reason for the twelve disciples. Since people needed relief from their hurts and pains, Jesus performed miracles of healing and this attracted people from all over this region of the world.

The sudden fame of Jesus brought with it some challenges like the demand on His time and concerns for His safety. Because of the chaos, Jesus appointed twelve disciples. This way, more people could be helped and the Good News message could spread at a faster rate.

In life, we go through chaos, hurt and pain but we can trust that with Christ we have someone pulling for us. Like the song Symphony by Switch (feat. Dillon Chase), Christ can weave together a symphony out of our chaos. 
 

 

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Pulling Together

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Mark Shields

This day with God will be amazing because when two or more are gathered together there is another with them called the Holy Spirit which gives extra energy and power. As we read today in Mark 3:7-19, it’s not just two minds but a third at work that is involved in finding answers to our questions.

In the past few posts, we have read about Jesus performing miracles. People from all over came to be healed and to hear Him preach. His sudden fame brought with it some challenges like the demand on His time and concerns for His safety. People during this time, traveled by foot or by boat and communication was by word of mouth. This reveals just how popular Jesus was since there was no social media, TV, phones, or radio.

Because of these challenges, Jesus appointed twelve disciples so more people could be helped and the Good News message could spread at a faster rate. It was better to have twelve people doing things pretty good than one person doing it all. 

To form the core team for the spread of the gospel, Jesus chose a diverse group of men with no special qualifications. None of them were trained theologians, wealthy, educated, or high-ranking government officials. They were just ordinary men who wanted to follow Jesus so much that they gave up all they possessed and with courage followed.

As we pull together for the common purpose of sharing the gospel, let us have this same courage to follow by accepting our lot in life, doing our best with the skills we have, and pulling together. The photo below was taken years ago at my daughter’s field day activities when she was in middle school. 

This day with You Lord, help us pull together as a member of Your team. Promoting Your values in our schools, businesses, communities, and churches. A community of people working together with You can change the world for the better. The twelve disciples were a diverse group of men with something to give for the common purpose of spreading the gospel message. As we go throughout this day, let us be encouraged by each other as we pull together. With You on our side, anything is possible. Amen.

 

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The Best Way

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Mark Shields

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 3:18

Brought out in the post “The Way of Jesus” is how the Pharisees and other legalists were looking for opportunities to accuse Jesus of breaking the Old Testament Law. But Jesus explained to them what’s truly important. Doing what’s right, about real life and not getting caught up in ridiculous mindless man-made laws and traditions.

The Way of Jesus is all about harnessing the power of the Spirit; the constant, calm, and collected breeze of the Holy Spirit which provides power now and into eternity. This day with God, take inspiration from the song The Way by Jeremy Camp. Ask yourself, what fresh expressions of Christianity need to be a part of my life? 
 

 

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The Way of Jesus

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Mark Shields

This day with God, we continue on the journey towards internalizing the principles taught by Christ. Reading today in Mark 2:18 through 3-6, the Pharisees and other legalists were looking for opportunities to accuse Jesus of breaking the Old Testament Law. Instead of going the way of the Pharisees, Jesus emphasized the need to harness the power of the Spirit; the constant, calm, and collected breeze of the Holy Spirit which provides power now and into eternity.

Many of the external religious observances were to bring attention to self-righteousness. They were rituals of deception to make others think they were being devout instead of authentic expressions from their heart. The issue of fasting during certain days of the calendar is raised in verse 18. John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting but the disciples of Jesus were not so the legalists offered their criticism.

Working on the Sabbath was another issue raised. Jesus was criticized because His disciples were plucking grain as they walked through a wheat field on a Sabbath. There were no fences during those times so traveling through fields from place to place was common. On this occasion, the disciples were hungry so they plucked the grain from the field to eat. The Pharisees accused them of working on the Sabbath.

On another occasion, a man with a shriveled hand was in the synagogue and Jesus healed the man. The Pharisees considered healing on the Sabbath as working so they accused Jesus of breaking their legalistic beliefs. The Pharisees were held back by their man-made laws and traditions.

But Jesus was teaching another way. His Way is about doing what’s right, about real life and not getting caught up in ridiculous mindless man-made laws or ceremonies. Christianity is about expressing our faith by internalizing the principles taught by Christ so they are a natural part of who we are.

This day with You Lord, we know the best Way is Your Way. To internalize Your guiding principles which are essentials for life. There are things that come up in life that require us to make decisions based on no precedence. In our ever-changing world, we must rely on Your guiding principles. By studying Your Word, we are battle tested to take on the challenges we face and we can rest assured in knowing Your Way will lead us to where we need to go and help us be the people we need to be. Amen.

 

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