Gotta tell you, my ears have never been a point of pride. Strong winds concern me, lest I take flight! I am thankful, however, I can hear. As a child, both eardrums perforated at least once apiece. Man, if it’s never happened to you, count yourself blessed! First year I was alive my ears drained & were infected constantly (long before tubes were common place) & my Mom had to hold me up at night. As a boy, one winter an eardrum burst at deer camp. PAIN! A little old, well-meaning lady had some kind of ‘hoo-doo’ concoction of aspirin, milk, & I don’t even want to know what else, & poured it down my ear. When I COULD hear again, it was my ENT doc cussing as he dredged out the putrid mess! A couple of times I lost hearing for a time at least in one ear, so, yeah, I’m really thankful it returned & I can hear! Hearing is pretty special…especially to a music guy!
This past couple of weeks my ear has been bothering me & it brought back those memories. It also brought to mind a saying Jesus had when He told parables: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” That sounds odd, but when you think about it, or listen to it, it makes a lot of sense. We may hear something, but not really listen much. Case in point: when you were a teen your Mom, Dad, teacher, etc. probably lectured you about something. While you heard them, it was probably like the Peanuts cartoon that really sounded like: “Whopple, whopple, whopp, whopp, whopp.” Just so much noise or gibberish.
I’ve gotta be honest with you, God has tried to speak to me many times through my life & I paid about as much attention as a teen who couldn’t care less about a parent’s lecture. He loves me enough that He has nudged me & caught my attention. Several times it was a bout of physical ear trouble that reminded me that I was having spiritual hearing problems.
Jesus gave the harsh rebuke: ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.’ Matthew 13:14-15 NLT
While I care about my physical hearing, I care about my spiritual ears. I want to hear from God. I want to listen to what He has to say. Sad it takes a bit of ear trouble to remind me how important hearing with my heart is! I want to be like Jesus followers when He told them:
“Blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because
they hear.” Matthew 13: 16 NLT
How are your ears? Any trouble hearing? What about your heart? Any trouble listening? May we both have ‘ears to hear’ what God has to say.
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook
ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
-The Unforgotten-
At one time or another we’ve all forgotten someone or something. It’s part of the human experience, I guess. I have a fairly decent memory (at least about useless facts-but don’t ask me what I did with my car keys or my phone!), but I forget names occasionally. I recently saw some of my family I’ve not seen in years. Some haven’t changed a bit, but others, well, I had to stop & think.
I’m thankful God never forgets…anyone! We’re all important to Him. You know there are people in your life & routine that may prove to be a pain. You may hate to see them come. God never feels that way about us, no matter how much of a pain we are. We’re all important to Him. I just can’t fathom that. I mean, I can’t take that all in & square it with the experience I have of some people. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a people person & love folks, it’s just, well, some are a pain!
When I stop to think about how Jesus reacted & acted to people it blows me away. Even though He was either pulled at to do some miracle to please folks, or feed them or satisfy their religious expectations, He never quit loving them or reaching out to them. Even when reaching out meant His arms were nailed to a cross beam!
I overheard a discussion with my family about all the ‘begats’ in the bible. If you’ve ever tried to read the bible you’ve probably stumbled over that part. I mean, the bible pretty much starts off with so-and-so begat what’s-his-name & what’s-his-name turned around & begat what’s-his-face. Really makes you think, ‘Who really gives a rip about someone named ‘Abimelech’ or ‘Abihu’ (who was Abihu anyway?!)”? Well, in a word, I guess God does. If you know me, you know I have the patience & attention of a gnat, so I have to labor at reading, let alone caring, about who begat whom! I have been reminded more than once that God must think them special or of import to list those by name in His word…even if it’s just a brief mention. The New Testament isn’t any better. It starts off with all that same ‘begat’ stuff:
"The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;...."
Well, you get the picture. Thing is, here it’s a birth line to God’s only Son. Pretty important bunch of ‘begats’ I suppose.
Again, I still have to remind myself all people are important; even the annoying, hateful ones. No one is forgotten, but ‘unforgotten’. No matter how insignificant someone may seem in the ‘grand scheme’ of others around them, God thinks them important. I was reminded of this in a sadly, poignant way this week. A little, unassuming lady in our church died. She was very quiet & mostly kept to herself & never stood out. She had a sweet spirit & meek way. Some of our ladies picked her up for church & checked on her, helping her as they could. They didn’t get an answer on her phone & finally someone checked. She died. Alone. It grieved my heart, but God reminded me she was never alone. He was there as she drew her last breath & He escorted her into Paradise.
You may feel like no one really cares about you. No one really understands or cares if you’re even occupying a spot on this spinning ball in space. Well, no matter what you may think, God is head-over-heals in love with you. Undignified? Maybe, but pretty descriptive of Someone Who would die for you.
“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matt 10:29-31
So when you are feeling alone & unimportant, remember, you’re not forgotten, but ‘unforgotten.’
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook
ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
I’m thankful God never forgets…anyone! We’re all important to Him. You know there are people in your life & routine that may prove to be a pain. You may hate to see them come. God never feels that way about us, no matter how much of a pain we are. We’re all important to Him. I just can’t fathom that. I mean, I can’t take that all in & square it with the experience I have of some people. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a people person & love folks, it’s just, well, some are a pain!
When I stop to think about how Jesus reacted & acted to people it blows me away. Even though He was either pulled at to do some miracle to please folks, or feed them or satisfy their religious expectations, He never quit loving them or reaching out to them. Even when reaching out meant His arms were nailed to a cross beam!
I overheard a discussion with my family about all the ‘begats’ in the bible. If you’ve ever tried to read the bible you’ve probably stumbled over that part. I mean, the bible pretty much starts off with so-and-so begat what’s-his-name & what’s-his-name turned around & begat what’s-his-face. Really makes you think, ‘Who really gives a rip about someone named ‘Abimelech’ or ‘Abihu’ (who was Abihu anyway?!)”? Well, in a word, I guess God does. If you know me, you know I have the patience & attention of a gnat, so I have to labor at reading, let alone caring, about who begat whom! I have been reminded more than once that God must think them special or of import to list those by name in His word…even if it’s just a brief mention. The New Testament isn’t any better. It starts off with all that same ‘begat’ stuff:
"The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;...."
Well, you get the picture. Thing is, here it’s a birth line to God’s only Son. Pretty important bunch of ‘begats’ I suppose.
Again, I still have to remind myself all people are important; even the annoying, hateful ones. No one is forgotten, but ‘unforgotten’. No matter how insignificant someone may seem in the ‘grand scheme’ of others around them, God thinks them important. I was reminded of this in a sadly, poignant way this week. A little, unassuming lady in our church died. She was very quiet & mostly kept to herself & never stood out. She had a sweet spirit & meek way. Some of our ladies picked her up for church & checked on her, helping her as they could. They didn’t get an answer on her phone & finally someone checked. She died. Alone. It grieved my heart, but God reminded me she was never alone. He was there as she drew her last breath & He escorted her into Paradise.
You may feel like no one really cares about you. No one really understands or cares if you’re even occupying a spot on this spinning ball in space. Well, no matter what you may think, God is head-over-heals in love with you. Undignified? Maybe, but pretty descriptive of Someone Who would die for you.
“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matt 10:29-31
So when you are feeling alone & unimportant, remember, you’re not forgotten, but ‘unforgotten.’
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook
ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
-The Unexpected-
A couple of years back my family went to Universal Park, Orlando. We hopped on ‘The Mummy’ ride. Just a heads up: when the list of disclaimers & warnings is about six feet long you just might want to think hard about jumping on. When we read all the ‘if you’ list, it became evident that unless you were ready to enter a triathlon or qualify for the Olympics you might not want to even think about riding this. But, of course, we just goofily plopped down as if we were ready to be on NASA’s next mission.
Seconds after we got on, the mayhem commenced. “The Mummy” took control of our car & began to sling us around like a rag doll. I was certain that whatever brains I might posses were about to fly out my ear. I began to silently pray that I wouldn’t share my breakfast with all those around me. As I was praying, I heard my son next to me pleading for the mercies of heaven! After the hour & half ride, I assessed that I had lived through several car accidents where my vehicles were totaled & it hurt less. Now, call me stupid, but I never expected to have my spleen slung through my forehead when I boarded the ride. Lesson learned!
Life is full of things ‘unexpected.’ The other day I got a check in the mail I wasn’t expecting. Nice. I also got several cards & emails this past couple of weeks that were nice…and unexpected. Sometimes we turn a corner & see a ‘rainbow’ of God & it reminds us of His regular, unexpected blessings.
Of course there are those other kinds of unexpected things; the kind that just knock you for a loop: the call from the doctor or family with heavy news, the bad results from a test, the car’s on the blitz, a family member dies, a loved one walks away, a friend moves, the termination notice….No matter how much we are on guard, there will always be blows to the gut that knock our breath out. If you are a Christian, here’s a reminder from God’s word:
"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." I Peter 12-13
There is another reminder to those who are simply trying to muddle through life apart from God: we’re not in control. God alone sees the future, and frankly, only He knows what it holds. There will come a time, soon, when this world will wind down. If we don’t know Him, here’s another unexpected surprise:
"The day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment." II Pet. 3:10
For my family, this week has been a roller coaster ride rivaling anything Universal could match. Thankfully, amidst all the ‘unexpected’s I’m thankful I can fully expect God will hold us. I also know His goodness is beyond anything we could ever expect. Expect the unexpected.
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook
ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
Seconds after we got on, the mayhem commenced. “The Mummy” took control of our car & began to sling us around like a rag doll. I was certain that whatever brains I might posses were about to fly out my ear. I began to silently pray that I wouldn’t share my breakfast with all those around me. As I was praying, I heard my son next to me pleading for the mercies of heaven! After the hour & half ride, I assessed that I had lived through several car accidents where my vehicles were totaled & it hurt less. Now, call me stupid, but I never expected to have my spleen slung through my forehead when I boarded the ride. Lesson learned!
Life is full of things ‘unexpected.’ The other day I got a check in the mail I wasn’t expecting. Nice. I also got several cards & emails this past couple of weeks that were nice…and unexpected. Sometimes we turn a corner & see a ‘rainbow’ of God & it reminds us of His regular, unexpected blessings.
Of course there are those other kinds of unexpected things; the kind that just knock you for a loop: the call from the doctor or family with heavy news, the bad results from a test, the car’s on the blitz, a family member dies, a loved one walks away, a friend moves, the termination notice….No matter how much we are on guard, there will always be blows to the gut that knock our breath out. If you are a Christian, here’s a reminder from God’s word:
"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." I Peter 12-13
There is another reminder to those who are simply trying to muddle through life apart from God: we’re not in control. God alone sees the future, and frankly, only He knows what it holds. There will come a time, soon, when this world will wind down. If we don’t know Him, here’s another unexpected surprise:
"The day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment." II Pet. 3:10
For my family, this week has been a roller coaster ride rivaling anything Universal could match. Thankfully, amidst all the ‘unexpected’s I’m thankful I can fully expect God will hold us. I also know His goodness is beyond anything we could ever expect. Expect the unexpected.
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook
ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
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