From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 2 00:06:33 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Aug 2 00:07:12 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Enjoy the Moment Message-ID: We were playing grandparents yesterday. Our granddaughter will be one year old soon, so it was time to go off and do some shopping. I noticed something very valuable during our visit to the store. She was winding down after riding around on a hot afternoon. She had been in and out of the car many times, had a diaper change in the front seat, and more. We spotted a little chair about her size, so we took it off the shelf and put it on the floor so she could try it out. It was a perfect fit and her eyes lit up to let us know that she really liked it. At this point, I knew there was no way to communicate with her that in order to take it home, we had to take her out of the chair. I thought the chances were pretty good that she would get fussy. The reason I thought so was because I have seen so many babies out late in the afternoon, pushed beyond their limit, and doing what babies will do under those circumstances. It was very pleasant to see my daughter pick her up and have nothing happen except a sleepy smile. She had been happy with what had happened, but didn't have the expectation that it was permanent. What a concept! If only she could keep that attitude. If she could enjoy the moment and when the moment passes, don't worry about what she may have lost. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 2 22:56:43 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Aug 2 22:57:30 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] god and God Message-ID: <94B95C3B-C7E1-40B0-B26C-C7353889B604@clanwebb.com> Look at these four words: polish job herb god The unusual thing about these words, and many others in the English language, is that if you capitalize the first letter, it changes the meaning of the word. The first three are obvious, while the difference between god and God might be a little more difficult. We can have many gods in our lives, but there is only one God. Your job, hobby, money, fame, or power can all be gods or idols. But, only the big G is the big G. The big G trumps all other gods. As men, we really must get our arms around that fact. "Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness," Jonah 2:8 Who or what in your life starts with a capital letter? Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Aug 3 21:40:13 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu Aug 3 21:41:07 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Idols Message-ID: <53127BD4-F0D9-4EED-8E18-6E41FBF2B4AD@clanwebb.com> "And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and their daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with the blood." Psalm 106:38 What an awful thought! To be so warped that you could actually take a child and sacrifice it to an idol. Yet, men, we often sacrifice our children to such things as lack of time, MTV, myspace.com, cell phones, our jobs, our hobbies, our desires. We don't do it in the fashion of the Canaanites, we are more subtle. We give them over to the world. Think about it. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Aug 5 00:50:37 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat Aug 5 00:51:19 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be Humble Message-ID: <73B2A804-FBBC-4A80-BF03-4418EFE06447@clanwebb.com> A few summers ago, Shaun Alexander (the star running back) befriended some local kids in Cheney, Washington where the Seahawks hold training camp. Each year he meets with them and builds an ongoing friendship. Every summer he asks kids seeking autographs about their faith and their favorite scripture. The ones that connect with him get to have lunch and hang out. These kids are a little star struck, but in the article I read, one of them gave the best compliment ever: "Then once we first went to lunch with him, we saw that his life is not about football," said Drew. "But he kind of keeps that to himself." "Now, we just see him as a regular guy. It's crazy that someone with that much money and talent can be so humble." What an example! Kids want to run the football like Alexander does. The want to wear his jersey. They want his autograph. I want to be as humble. I want to be so humble that people notice. By the way, it's not humility if you point it out to other folks. Are you humble? Or, do you find pride in who you are or what you have? Are you humble? Or, do you you complain about what you think you deserve? "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4 Remember that it's not about you. When you humble yourself, God can work through you. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 6 00:35:05 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun Aug 6 00:35:51 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Pay Attention to the Past Message-ID: We need judges to make our system work. The problem has become that we have judges that think too much and remind us too little. This whole notion that what was good enough for the past is not good enough for the present is foolish, as just the opposite is the case. We need to be reminded that the past is where we need to look for our morality. We over think and over engineer everything mechanical and mathematical. We have left the intuitive thinking of the past to be mired in gadgetry that we expect to do our thinking for us. Morality has been regulated to a modern version of the Magic 8-Ball and those that judge us are off on some rabbit trail trying to think us into a moral society. God says there is right and wrong. "For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right and for doing what is wrong." 1 Peter 3:17 The very concept of right and wrong comes from God. Start with the ten commandments and remind everyone. Here's a good place to start: http://godstenlaws.com/ten-commandments/index.html After we get these down, then we will be able to recognize a commandment from God when we read it and morality will become as natural as breathing. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 6 23:55:25 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun Aug 6 23:56:06 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Delight Message-ID: <1B82F87E-2FD9-46CD-B937-70037697F5FD@clanwebb.com> God gives us the ability to respond with pleasure to new stimuli. "I like it!" is usually how it comes out in English. Take the word "delight" and consider how you may have heard it used or when you've seen the response in action in everyday living. Then, consider these Biblical situations. "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate." Genesis 3:6 This kind of delight can lead to trouble. We took our granddaughter to the fair and introduced her to some animals up close and personal. She was delighted, indeed. She also found out that sticking your finger in the cage with a chicken can teach one to be delighted to a point. Too bad Eve learned the hard way. "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul." Psalm 94:19 When the world is closing in and panic wells up and makes me want to do something stupid (like lash out) or get feet of clay, going back to the Word gives me reassurance and allows me to re-center my thoughts. The goal, of course, is to become proactive and stay in the Word so panic becomes a distant memory. "Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 This, of course, means that you should replace the world with God and allow Him to fill your empty nooks and crannies with what you need so you can realize what real delight can be. It's not the kind that carries regret after the event, but sustains and fulfills. The truth is not what flips your switch, but what light comes on when your switch is flipped. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Aug 7 23:22:23 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon Aug 7 23:23:35 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Jesus APIs Message-ID: <25D89D3C-31F3-40D7-8B5C-38F0DA7EC9EE@clanwebb.com> My mind is flooded with technical jargon today as I'm at a conference covering the new and improved things I can do with computer software. I had another one of those moments where I saw a parallel to my spiritual life clearly in things that seemed so separate. You have to understand some jargon to see my parallel, though. When I write software for a particular operating system, I can't just control the screen, hard drive, and mouse the way I want. I have to talk to the software the company has written to do that for me. In doing so, I have to know how to talk to their software via Application Programming Interfaces, or APIs. APIs are just lists of things I can ask the operating system to do. When the manufacturer decides to change the operating system dramatically, those APIs change. I can't keep talking to the system the same way, I have to learn a new list of APIs. All the speakers today encouraged those listening to start using all of the new, cool APIs they were providing. They showed us demos of what you could do if you switched and warned us about bad things happening in our software if we didn't. It was a compelling argument, but, as with all human endeavors, inertia plays the biggest role in preventing this change. It's never free and rarely easy. The speakers have to not only convince these engineers that it's a good idea, but that it'll actually be worth the time and effort that it will take to make the switch. Regardless, in years to come, if we don't change our software, it will simply not work on the newest versions of the system. If we never update, our software will die. It's a game of waiting to switch when it makes the most sense. For some who work on the cutting edge, it makes sense to switch immediately. I happen to work on educational software and our target audience is never on the cutting edge. We can't justify changing for a few years to come when the schools finally upgrade. Jesus was the ultimate upgrade to the path to Heaven. Before He came, the path was governed by laws written in stone that no man could keep (because we're fallen). After Jesus came, we had a new path. "The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. " Jeremiah 31:31 "By calling the covenant "new", he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." Hebrews 8:13 Jesus has made the old path to Heaven obsolete. It has already disappeared, but not everyone has made the switch. Because we don't know when the end will come, we are all on the cutting edge. We need to upgrade immediately. Are you still trying to get to Heaven by obeying all the rules? Are you trying to earn your way in? Those methods aren't available anymore. Upgrade your approach. Use the new Jesus APIs. Trust me, it's the only way to go. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Aug 8 23:00:20 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue Aug 8 23:00:54 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Wise or Foolish Message-ID: <8A7CA3A4-3712-483F-BB42-9013462FF0A6@clanwebb.com> "A fool and his money are soon parted." Thomas Tusser How many unethical salesmen or outright con artists have taken advantage of the this very accurate statement? This truth is really a corollary of something God has said to us in many places. "Choose instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 8:10-11 If you spend all your time trying to gather money, you won't be wise enough to hang on to it for your short time here on Earth. If you spend your time gaining spiritual wisdom, you will have something more valuable because it's permanent in two ways: it cannot be taken from you on Earth and it will go with you to Heaven. Neither of those things is true for money. So, which are you? Wise or foolish? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Aug 10 02:00:59 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu Aug 10 02:01:31 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be Like David Message-ID: "Hasten, O God, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. may those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!" Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay." Psalm 70 In my Bible, this Psalm is described as "A petition", and I can see why. David is clearly distressed. I think the lesson is how David attempts to resolve his situation. I noticed three things about his approach. First, he's asking God to step in. He's describing his situation as desperate and pleading for help from his Creator. Secondly, he's not angry at God. He's not mad that God has let him get into this situation. Lastly, he is confident that God will come through. When you're under great distress, what do you do? Is your first thought to confidently ask God for help? Did you ask without any feelings of anger at Him for letting you get into the situation in the first place? Why not? David wasn't perfect, but he handled this stuff right. Go to God. Don't be angry at Him. Be confident. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Aug 11 00:41:36 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri Aug 11 00:42:19 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Going Home Message-ID: <5EAEF8F4-913E-454A-8715-A52973C4E402@clanwebb.com> I'm definitely not a world traveler. I can enjoy new locations and fun activities as much as the next guy, but after a few days, I'm ready to head home. Maybe I just can't afford the right places, but it seems to me that the hotel beds and showers are never quite right. The food is always a little different. There's a level of disorientation that you can never quite overcome when visiting another city. That's part of why it's so relaxing and relieving to go home. You don't even realize how much stress it adds to your daily life when you're the alien amongst the natives. Then you get to go home and be a native again and that weight seems to be removed. Just think how much more amazing that feeling will be when we get to really go home. Part of the stress and strain we suffer physically, emotionally, and spiritually comes from the fact that we are aliens here. This is not our home. "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 It's a place we've never seen, but it will be the ultimate feeling of going home. I'm looking forward to it. Are you? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Aug 12 00:42:21 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat Aug 12 00:40:57 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Don't Wander Message-ID: <795AF6A8-F618-45D7-8901-85DC6D64DB59@clanwebb.com> "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Sextus Propertius The first time I heard this, I thought it was saying that you will want the love of your life even more when you are separated. I thought it meant that I would naturally desire to be with her more when I was in a different place. While that is true for me now, it wasn't always true before I met my wife. Sometimes, getting away from the girl I was dating caused me to have second thoughts. Sometimes, I would meet someone else and decide it was time to upgrade. This proverb didn't seem to always apply. I had often heard the joke that, "Absence makes the heart go wander." That seemed to be just as true to me as the original. I think it's very easy to let this proverb become false in our relationship with Christ because we think of Him as being absent. We talk about the day He will come back again, and the implication is that He isn't here now. Of course, He is living in each of us who have invited Him in. Being carnal creatures, though, we tend to latch on to things we can see and touch and smell. We want the tangible. "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ," Philippians 3:20 Do you eagerly await His physical return? Do you become more fond of Him each day? Or, do you let the things of the world quench that fondness? Do you let life squelch your heart? Grow fonder of Him. Don't wander from Him. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 13 00:22:04 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun Aug 13 00:20:46 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Being Right Message-ID: <1DF8DB76-0197-4960-9E75-90E6FA0F61E9@clanwebb.com> I am in a business where egos can kill deals quicker than anything else. Some people just have to be right in their own eyes. Although I try very hard to coach them to not allow emotions to come into the picture, it still happens ninety percent of the time. One side thinks an offer is an insult while the other side thinks they are having the wool pulled over their eyes. Then they start piling up numbers and opinions to convince me that they are right. Situations quickly become all about the people and not the property. Churches are often that way. We think, "We're right in our doctrine and those folks over there aren't." or "Here are my verses. You're using the wrong translation." Going back to the original text, interpretations, and the rest is all important, but being academically right is not enough. "God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will." Hebrews 2:4 If it were all about getting the facts right, then man would be waging the battle on his own knowledge. The Holy Spirit is there for a reason, God's reason. If He isn't working in your life then all the academic knowledge in the universe will not work to win people over to Christ. If you don't believe that God can work in the supernatural then, brother, you don't believe. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Aug 14 00:06:03 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon Aug 14 00:05:15 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Remember What He's Done Message-ID: <932DAF33-E317-4C03-B2C2-C3993BBEE96F@clanwebb.com> When I was a young believer, two things turned me off about Christians: the collection plate and the "how God worked in my life stories". My first time on a church board taught me about the collection plate. God used that time to set me straight about all things financial concerning the local church. In short, the world wants the bills paid and the pastors, missionaries, and the needy get grumpy if they don't eat. The intervention stories about God providing resources, opening doors, medical miracles, and all the rest was just so much irritation to my logical approach to my newfound faith. Here's the thing: I have seen and indulged in a nap or two when the sermon went on a little long, but when someone talks about how, against all odds, something happened to them and they attribute it to divine intervention, nobody falls asleep. "So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:3-6 The spirit of God is a spirit that reaches out, has compassion, heals, and provides. So, pay attention and remember. That way, when the assaults come, you can remember and say to yourself and nobody else, "I know better. I have seen the life changes. I know people who have been through it. I have spoken to them." Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Aug 15 00:13:27 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue Aug 15 00:12:05 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Get Moving Message-ID: <867EDD37-85AB-4DD9-9A7F-A136E73BD54C@clanwebb.com> We had a guest pastor speak last Sunday morning and he gave a great message. Oddly enough, the thing that stuck with me the most, though, was one line he said while reading the story of the ten men healed of leprosy that wasn't directly related to his point. "As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed." Luke 17:12-14 The pastor pointed out that these men were not cleansed on the spot. Jesus simply told them to go to the priest. At that point, they had a decision. Would they choose to disbelieve Jesus since nothing had happened and ignore Him? Or, would they trust Him and head towards the temple despite the fact that they still had leprosy? They chose to go, and the leprosy was healed as they went. It was their trust and faith in Jesus that brought the miracle to fruition. When one returned, Jesus said as much: "Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." " Luke 17:19 What a fantastic lesson for our lives. When you ask God to help, do you just wait for the lightning bolt? Do you twiddle your thumbs and watch for the big opportunity to literally knock on your door? Or, do you follow His commands? Do you being walking the way He tells you to? I suspect that if we stand still and wait for the miracle, it's not likely to happen. However, if we get moving the direction He has pointed out, then miracles will happen along the way. Go on! Get moving! Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 16 00:10:37 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Aug 16 00:09:26 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Middle of the Road Message-ID: <4D8AAB51-EE97-414D-AB87-872E773B3574@clanwebb.com> God never changes. And, yet, He seems to always be adapting to my situation. He seems to have the right answer and the right approach to each thing that seems new to me. I think it proves two things: First, God is smarter than me and has figured out all of the angles. Second, Solomon was smarter than me when he said, "There is nothing new under the sun." When I was a new Christian, I heard the message about how it was easy to be thankful and joyful when good things were happening, but a Christian needed to learn how to be thankful and joyful when bad things are happening, too. As I've matured, I realize that my worst enemy is not that I may develop anger or opposition to God. It's becoming apathetic towards Him. Being unconcerned either way is the most dangerous thing I can do. That's when this verse starts to take on a deeper meaning: "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 I'm pretty good at being thankful and joyful when things are good. I'm much better than I was at being thankful and joyful when things are bad. Where I'm having to work now is in remembering to keep up my relationship with God when life is just happening. I'm not doing great things or making large changes in my life. Neither am I in deep trouble or having difficulties every day. I'm just sort of trucking along and feeling alright. It's during that day in, day out rhythm that it's easier to forget God. But that scripture reminds me to "be joyful always" and "give thanks in all circumstances". That's not just the extremes, but the seemingly unexciting middle ground, too. There's much to be thankful and joyful for, it's just easier to overlook. I encourage those of you just cruising along to double check your relationship with Christ. Don't let it slip away while you're not paying attention. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 16 23:13:03 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Aug 16 23:13:29 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Not a Third Wheel Message-ID: When I was a young lad, I was an acolyte in the Episcopal Church. My first introduction to the Holy Spirit was what the older guys told me. They educated me into the Trinity as Big Daddy, Little Daddy, and the Holy Spook. Now, as irreverent as it sounds, it was the impression I carried for many years. There was God, His Son (who was almost as powerful) and then there was this spirit that I saw as the way God slipped into and out of the world - like a ghost. Therefore, the explanation of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. When you're about ten years old, it makes perfect sense. I don't know how your mind put it all together for the first time, but under the best of circumstances it is a confusing subject. I always relegated the Holy Spirit as the third wheel, so to speak. He was the utility guy. This isn't the case when you read John 16: "But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;" John 16:5-8 You better get to know Him because when you backslide and you get reminded by guilty feelings, guess who's knocking at your door? Just think how it would be if we could sin and not feel guilty. How long would it take before we forgot God altogether? John 16:13 says that He guides us. Acts 8:39 says that He performs miracles. Romans 8:26 says that He intercedes for us. Second stringer? I don't think so. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Aug 17 21:11:55 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu Aug 17 21:10:37 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] True Image Message-ID: <594F0D79-E046-461B-B787-2AEC0F24FE42@clanwebb.com> "Got to watch out for those Christians. They go to church on Sunday and #$%& you on Monday." Does this or something similar ring true to you? It sure does with me. I work with the public and I must say that I do find people that for all their words and actions put up a front. It is all about the image, but when the rubber meets the road about loyalty and trust, it becomes all about money. Convenient Christians. The world is full of them. As individuals, we must be very careful to maintain our faith and walk the walk in all things. Just remember that, in the end, your earthly image is worthless unless it is a truthful image. False images are nothing new. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." Matthew 23:23 It is not okay to lead a double life in any aspect! We must inspect our actions and motives all the time, over and over. That's simple to say, but hard to do in a fallen world. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Aug 18 23:01:26 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri Aug 18 23:00:05 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Power Supply Message-ID: Aren't you glad that God can handle it all? Isn't it cool that He can deal with whatever is thrown at Him? Tonight the power supply on my son's computer died. His computer just clicked off and the best we could get out of it for the rest of the evening was a quick flicker of the power light. That was it. We'd fried it. You see we had put a new motherboard and new video card in a few weeks ago. I knew that those items would draw more power, but I thought the power supply in his machine would handle it. Well, clearly it couldn't. Somewhere between the extra juice needed to drive the video card, the new processor, the CPU fan, and the rest of the assorted peripherals inside his machine, we just asked for too much. The power supply tried hard, but, in the end, it couldn't handle it. We had found it's limit. I love the fact that God doesn't have a limit: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2 You can't draw too much power from God. You can't use up the last bit of forgiveness or overload Him by asking for too much love. He's always got enough to go around with plenty left over. I'm glad I've decided to use God as a power supply. Nothing else can handle the demands of life. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Aug 19 21:28:17 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat Aug 19 21:26:57 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Looking Inside Message-ID: On a whim tonight, my wife decided to paint the inside of a little alcove we have in our family room. It sits above the fireplace and is supposed to be a place to put your television. We've not chosen to use it for that, so we decided to make it look a little nicer with the idea of doing something creative to decorate. The alcove has an opening such that it creates hidden space. There are corners you cannot see unless you literally stick your head inside and look back towards the front. This is an unlikely thing for guests to do, so we felt we didn't need to paint the areas that you couldn't see. So, my wife taped it off and painted away. It looks great from the room. It looked great from the inside, too, until I offered to remove the tape. In one area, I got a little aggressive and pulled off some of the paint, too. It was right in that corner that we decided nobody could see, but when you did see it, it was ugly. I tried to claim that nobody would see it so we could leave it (since I had already cleaned the brushes and put the paint away). My wife disagreed. She said that someone would likely see it, and we should care what it looks like regardless. As I thought about this episode later in the evening, I realized that she was reinforcing a life lesson that I should know better than to fight. You should go through life assuming that someone, at some time, will see your mistakes. As a matter of fact, God will know about them immediately and will take great interest in how you respond: "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13 You can't bet on "they'll never notice" or "nobody really cares". Regardless of how true that may be here on earth, it's a fact that God will notice. And, God does care. Don't try to hide your mistakes. Admit they are yours, try to repair them, and ask forgiveness. You just never know when someone will have the opportunity to poke their head in and look around your life. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 20 23:31:51 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun Aug 20 23:30:32 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Confidence Message-ID: <850ABEB3-20CB-4ED8-B7DA-5B076C382B47@clanwebb.com> I've been watching the Little League World Series this weekend because we happen to know one of the players on the Oregon team. We usually watch some of it every year, though, because it's just fun to see baseball played with such enthusiasm. The announcer was talking about something I see every year. Even more than older players or major leaguers, confidence is a huge factor in their success. If a player makes an error or strikes out at a critical moment, he might have a hard time bouncing back for the next game or two. On the other hand, if he gets a critical hit or makes a great defensive play, he might be the one to watch for the rest of the tournament. Being confident that you belong at this level can change your approach and it can certainly change the outcome. I went through a similar learning period during my first year of college. I really wasn't sure how I measured up to my classmates. I would fluctuate daily from feeling like I was at the top of my class to wondering what mistake the admissions office made to let me in. My ability to simply complete my first year gave me the confidence that I could go on to complete my degree. At the end of that first year, I knew that I belonged. I wasn't the smartest kid on campus, but I wasn't the dumbest, either. I could keep up with the pack and that was enough to keep me going. We should have that same kind of feeling a hundred times over about our lot in life. People feel hopeless and despondent when things aren't going well if they don't know Christ. It's because they think this life is all there is. If they hit the bottom, there's nothing else. Even those who succeed often feel empty because the riches of this world cannot satisfy. Again, if you don't know Christ, depression is the logical conclusion because there's nothing here that can give you meaning or purpose. We can be confident of our destination and our Savior. We shouldn't be arrogant about it, but we can be assured of it. "And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming." 1 John 2:28 That's how I want to meet my Lord. I want to be confident and unashamed. Is that how you're living today? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Aug 22 00:15:18 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue Aug 22 00:13:59 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Freedom Message-ID: "Freedom of religion is so fundamental to American history that it must be preserved even at the expense of other rights which have become institutionalized by the democratic process." What a radical statement! The author is saying that in some cases, we must give up rights to be free. "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God." 1 Peter 2:16 The Bible seems to agree with the radical statement. Peter is saying that to be free, you must give yourself over to slavery. What do you know? The Bible and the California Supreme Court agree on something. The radical statement is from the opinion of the court in the case of Devin Walker v. Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 760-028.9 Perhaps Kris Kristofferson wasn't too far off in his song, "Me and Bobby McGee" Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose, And nothing' ain't worth nothin' but it's free, Feelin' good was easy, lord, when Bobby sang the blues, And, buddy, that was good enough for me, Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee. Worldly freedoms only have worth when you use them for something worthy. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 23 00:09:35 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Aug 23 00:08:14 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] He's Clear Message-ID: I've been having a humorous email exchange with my father the last few days. He's decided to pull the kind of verbal prank on me that I did many times to him while I was still living under his roof. It started with an email I sent asking a couple of questions and asking which of a few possible choices he preferred. He simply replied, "Yes". When I said that I wasn't sure what he was affirming, he mocked me as splitting hairs with basic grammar much like a certain former President. In an effort to clarify, I asked some further questions that were definitely not yes or no questions. Again, he replied with, "Yes". It makes me all the more happy that my Heavenly Father doesn't speak in ways that are quite as hard to decipher. When I read the basic tenets of my faith, they seem crystal clear to me. "[...] I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. [...]" John 11:25-26 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 There doesn't seem to be much fuzziness there. I'm clear about how to get saved. I'm clear that I am saved. I'm clear about what I am called to do in service of Christ. I'm clear that He's here with me now. Is that clear enough for you? (Hint: The correct answer is "Yes") Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 23 22:56:09 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Aug 23 22:56:47 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Speak One Way Message-ID: I am currently involved in a deal where one side, thankfully it's my side, consists of salt-of-the-earth folks and have been upright and straightforward with all requests. On the other side is a very successful professional that has been the type of person that puts on a front of truthfulness and honesty, but, at every turn, has bent the letter of the agreements by backing off what he said and signed just enough to get a small amount of money. He has to win every little point or he causes an uproar at each step. He implies and then denies. In the end, because everyone else wants the deal to work, we will give in to his petty demands. My responsibility to my client precludes me from telling this guy what I really think. Well, it's that and the fact that I'm a qualified sinner and should tend to my own behavior. Anyone who knew me before being saved or during those times when I backslid would know enough to stand back after events reach a certain point. So, in this case, I will keep my clients' needs and feelings foremost and rest in the Word and the arms of my Lord. "Their tongue is a deadly arrow; It speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, But inwardly he sets an ambush for him." Jeremiah 9:8 I guess I will pray for this guy, too...If I must. And...I must. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Aug 24 23:04:13 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu Aug 24 23:02:56 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] What To Do Message-ID: I'm sure we've all had that moment as kids. I'm talking about that moment when you've been caught. Whether it was trying to hide the broken vase or blaming your sibling for starting the fight, eventually Mom found out. Then the moment came when she said, "What am I going to do with you?" I always thought this an odd question. I figured it wasn't my job to figure out the right course of action. I was just the kid acting out of the random thoughts of an unfinished brain. Of course my favorite response was, "Nothing," but I never had the guts to suggest it. Now, this was usually a rhetorical question, but it should have been an opportunity to think, "How would I deal with a child acting this way?" Sometimes, seeing it from the other side makes it clearer. I had a sense of deja vu when reading Isaiah today: "[...]My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I look for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?" Isaiah 5:1-4 Basically, God is saying, "I did everything you possibly needed, and still you misbehave and bear bad fruit. What am I going to do with you?" Isaiah goes on to tell what God plans on doing and it's not pleasant. However, this is a warning to us all. Think clearly about all that God has done for you. I think you'll find that it was more than enough. Don't react selfishly or ignorantly to all of the love and work He has put into cultivating you. Don't make Him wonder what to do with you. He's got a better plan already mapped out. Follow that one instead. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Aug 25 21:42:33 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri Aug 25 21:41:12 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Wait Message-ID: <2C71AFE5-84E9-485E-97F0-B64804C52FB4@clanwebb.com> I don't like to wait. I know that doesn't make me very different from the rest of America, but it's still the truth. I live in a culture that tells me I can have whatever I want very quickly. In some cases, I can get it instantly. I love the fact that I can do Christmas shopping online and avoid waiting for parking and waiting in lines. I love the fact I can pay for express shipping when I order online and I can get my item very quickly. I can even buy music online and be listening to it five minutes later. I don't need to wait at all! We record most of the TV shows we watch, even if we are home when the show is on. It allows us to skip all the commercials (I hate waiting through commercials) and watch an hour show in about forty minutes. When I watch something live, I get really frustrated that I can't skip the ads. Not wanting to wait is really a form of laziness. I can hear someone out there saying, "But waiting is just sitting around. Isn't that the epitome of laziness?" Not really, because real waiting is being patient for something you want or need. It's easier to wait for something unpleasant. That's called procrastination. Waiting is actually an action. It's something you have to exert effort to do even though it might consist of sitting and listening for God. "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14 Waiting for God can be really hard. Our tendency is to hurry it up and screw it up. If you keep moving and trying to make something happen, when will you ever hear God? When do you stop long enough to hear His direction? Now, if you do hear direction, don't wait for a different answer. Once you have your orders, get moving. But, until then, take the time to wait. Waiting is an action. It's tough, but it's something you have to concentrate on doing. It's also the best way to avoid running down the wrong road. So, hurry up and wait. It'll be good for you. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 27 00:14:59 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun Aug 27 00:13:40 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] No Fooling Message-ID: "Like snow in the summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool." Proverbs 26:1 "A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!" Proverbs 26:3 "Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool." Proverbs 26:7 "Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool." Proverbs 26:8 Well, I know one thing for sure after reading this chapter. I don't want to be a fool. Remember that the fool of Proverbs is not like the court jester. It's the one who has rejected knowledge and understanding. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7 And yet, how many people do we know who refuse to believe that the Bible holds the answers? How many reject the knowledge of Christ that will save them? Don't get too self-righteous in your answers, though. How many of us have second-guessed God ourselves? How many of us have waved God off and tried it our own way first? I plead guilty to those charges. Just being saved doesn't mean you have it all figured out. You can still be a fool. Just a forgiven fool. But, you don't have to be. You can spend time in the Word to increase your knowledge. You can pray and build a relationship with God to increase your understanding. You can be thankful for discipline and learn from it. Or, you can ignore those things and do it your way. I wouldn't recommend that path. Don't be a fool. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 27 21:27:36 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun Aug 27 21:26:22 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Speak Up Message-ID: There are different levels of scrutiny for other people's behavior. There's nothing wrong with that except when deciding where to draw the line. Looking past certain annoyances is okay, but somewhere it can become a slippery slope indeed. There's a big difference between ignoring someone that commits a social blunder in your presence and quite another to look past a crime. When do we speak up? "Lying lips are an abomination to the lord, But those who deal faithfully are His delight." Proverbs 12:22 The trouble is that there are those times that speaking up puts you out on a limb with your friends. "So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?" Galatians 4:16 It takes some intestinal fortitude. "But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking." Acts 6:10 There is a reason. "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God." 2 Timothy 1:8 Let me put it this way: Moses is in Heaven. You are here. Allen. From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Aug 28 22:59:08 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon Aug 28 22:57:47 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Clear Difference Message-ID: <4222E7E0-1BB0-4B4C-8AD5-ABE457B4EF20@clanwebb.com> I was reading about the harrowing story of the two TV journalists who had been kidnapped in Gaza and were just released. I expected to hear about the rough handling and the intimidation that the kidnappers tried to use. What I didn't expect was the story about their conversion to Islam at gunpoint. It only puts my faith in starker contrast with the faith of the kidnappers. What kind of faith has to convert others under threat of violence and condemns the unconverted to subhuman status or death? The critics will cry that Christianity has converted by force in the past. People claiming to be standard bearers of the faith did indeed do those things. It is clear, though, that the Bible never told them to. It is clear that Jesus did not want His followers to be forced. "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20 Jesus does not barge in. Jesus does not demand obedience. Jesus has not told us to kill those who won't convert. That's because Jesus loves us all and wants us all to have an opportunity to accept Him. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 We are all the same. We are all imperfect sinners. Some of us have accepted the gift. Some refuse. Jesus is the perfect gentleman. He will either welcome you with open arms if you accept, or He will grant your wish to be separated from Him. He won't force you one way or another. Jesus gathers more followers every day because of His love. Islam gathers followers because of hate and deception and threatens the lives of those who aren't part of the club. I know I'm glad to be following Jesus. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 30 00:05:19 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Aug 30 00:04:20 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] How High? Message-ID: <933EA842-A278-4F71-BD24-4657AA413A03@clanwebb.com> One of the awesome things about the Olympic Games is that you always wonder how many times a record can be broken. The pole vault started just under 3.5 meters and now hovers around 6.5 meters. I read somewhere that it started in Holland with people jumping dikes. What started as a bunch of bored Dutchmen is now an industry with technology advancing to a point that you may soon be able to make a trip to the concession stand between the time the athlete plants the pole and the time he hits the pad. Who knows when it will end? How high? How fast? Or, how accurate can man become? There is a correlation here on how we handle sin in our lives. We will never be perfect, but we can always try to set a new record in our behavior. The idea is that we will never know how high we can go unless, after knocking down the bar, we step back, assess where we went wrong, adjust our training, and go at it again. Perfection is not the point. Attempting to continually break the record until we die is the point. "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead." Philippians 3:13 What sin in your life keeps knocking the bar down? What is your personal best? Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 30 23:54:20 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed Aug 30 23:53:06 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Don't Fake It Message-ID: <2812FA24-C2D6-481A-98E1-9B70AFC5B4E2@clanwebb.com> I have been a manager off and on for about six years. During that time I've interviewed scores of candidates and hired several of them. After seeing enough of them, I realized that you can start to categorize them fairly quickly. There are the ones that are convinced they're smarter than you and are doing you a favor by applying for the job. There are the ones that have simply sprayed their resume around hoping for any kind of nibble, but they really aren't all that interested in the job. There are the ones that will try to tell you that they've got experience that they don't really have. With a straight face, they'll attempt to convince me they know what they're talking about. Those folks always make me shake my head. First off, it's really silly to try to fake your way through a technical interview when the interviewer actually knows what he's talking about. The chances that you'll pull it off are pretty slim. Secondly, even if you are a great worker and could learn the things you need to know, the attempt to deceive has gotten you kicked off my list very quickly. It's human nature to try to put on the best face. But, in a situation where you're attempting to start a long term working relationship, it might not be the best idea to lay the foundation on a lie. Jesus Christ is truth. There is nothing deceptive or misleading about Him. That's why it's so pointless to try to fake your faith. Don't try to build your walk with Him on a lie. You can go through the motions, you can say all the right things, but if you aren't producing the fruit, you're no better than a cardboard cutout. "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and knowledge, and I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 You can be the "perfect" Christian and even be saved, but still not be useful to God. Don't kid yourself that you can fool Him anyway. You think He doesn't know? "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26 Don't try to fake your way through this. If you are saved, your deepest desire should be to serve God. If you're serving Him, everyone will be able to tell you are a believer. If you don't want to serve or have chosen not to serve, nobody will be able to tell. Then you'll find yourself doing a lot of handwaving and trying to convince doubters. Don't try to fake your walk with Christ. Get up and actually walk with Him. You'll know you're doing it right when you find yourself walking in the opposite direction from the rest of the world. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Aug 31 22:01:44 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu Aug 31 22:00:25 2006 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Where to Dwell Message-ID: Seems we are always on the hunt, so to speak, for two things in people: virtue and vice. If we like them, we look really hard to find something nice to say about them. On the other hand, if we don't like them, we redouble our efforts to find something negative we can point out. Ben Franklin penned the maxim, "Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices." "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 After all, in this world, it is up to us to find the good in people because Satan works overtime to point out the bad. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 2 00:06:33 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 00:06:33 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Enjoy the Moment Message-ID: We were playing grandparents yesterday. Our granddaughter will be one year old soon, so it was time to go off and do some shopping. I noticed something very valuable during our visit to the store. She was winding down after riding around on a hot afternoon. She had been in and out of the car many times, had a diaper change in the front seat, and more. We spotted a little chair about her size, so we took it off the shelf and put it on the floor so she could try it out. It was a perfect fit and her eyes lit up to let us know that she really liked it. At this point, I knew there was no way to communicate with her that in order to take it home, we had to take her out of the chair. I thought the chances were pretty good that she would get fussy. The reason I thought so was because I have seen so many babies out late in the afternoon, pushed beyond their limit, and doing what babies will do under those circumstances. It was very pleasant to see my daughter pick her up and have nothing happen except a sleepy smile. She had been happy with what had happened, but didn't have the expectation that it was permanent. What a concept! If only she could keep that attitude. If she could enjoy the moment and when the moment passes, don't worry about what she may have lost. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 2 22:56:43 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 22:56:43 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] god and God Message-ID: <94B95C3B-C7E1-40B0-B26C-C7353889B604@clanwebb.com> Look at these four words: polish job herb god The unusual thing about these words, and many others in the English language, is that if you capitalize the first letter, it changes the meaning of the word. The first three are obvious, while the difference between god and God might be a little more difficult. We can have many gods in our lives, but there is only one God. Your job, hobby, money, fame, or power can all be gods or idols. But, only the big G is the big G. The big G trumps all other gods. As men, we really must get our arms around that fact. "Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness," Jonah 2:8 Who or what in your life starts with a capital letter? Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Aug 3 21:40:13 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2006 21:40:13 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Idols Message-ID: <53127BD4-F0D9-4EED-8E18-6E41FBF2B4AD@clanwebb.com> "And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and their daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with the blood." Psalm 106:38 What an awful thought! To be so warped that you could actually take a child and sacrifice it to an idol. Yet, men, we often sacrifice our children to such things as lack of time, MTV, myspace.com, cell phones, our jobs, our hobbies, our desires. We don't do it in the fashion of the Canaanites, we are more subtle. We give them over to the world. Think about it. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Aug 5 00:50:37 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2006 00:50:37 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be Humble Message-ID: <73B2A804-FBBC-4A80-BF03-4418EFE06447@clanwebb.com> A few summers ago, Shaun Alexander (the star running back) befriended some local kids in Cheney, Washington where the Seahawks hold training camp. Each year he meets with them and builds an ongoing friendship. Every summer he asks kids seeking autographs about their faith and their favorite scripture. The ones that connect with him get to have lunch and hang out. These kids are a little star struck, but in the article I read, one of them gave the best compliment ever: "Then once we first went to lunch with him, we saw that his life is not about football," said Drew. "But he kind of keeps that to himself." "Now, we just see him as a regular guy. It's crazy that someone with that much money and talent can be so humble." What an example! Kids want to run the football like Alexander does. The want to wear his jersey. They want his autograph. I want to be as humble. I want to be so humble that people notice. By the way, it's not humility if you point it out to other folks. Are you humble? Or, do you find pride in who you are or what you have? Are you humble? Or, do you you complain about what you think you deserve? "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4 Remember that it's not about you. When you humble yourself, God can work through you. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 6 00:35:05 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2006 00:35:05 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Pay Attention to the Past Message-ID: We need judges to make our system work. The problem has become that we have judges that think too much and remind us too little. This whole notion that what was good enough for the past is not good enough for the present is foolish, as just the opposite is the case. We need to be reminded that the past is where we need to look for our morality. We over think and over engineer everything mechanical and mathematical. We have left the intuitive thinking of the past to be mired in gadgetry that we expect to do our thinking for us. Morality has been regulated to a modern version of the Magic 8-Ball and those that judge us are off on some rabbit trail trying to think us into a moral society. God says there is right and wrong. "For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right and for doing what is wrong." 1 Peter 3:17 The very concept of right and wrong comes from God. Start with the ten commandments and remind everyone. Here's a good place to start: http://godstenlaws.com/ten-commandments/index.html After we get these down, then we will be able to recognize a commandment from God when we read it and morality will become as natural as breathing. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 6 23:55:25 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2006 23:55:25 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Delight Message-ID: <1B82F87E-2FD9-46CD-B937-70037697F5FD@clanwebb.com> God gives us the ability to respond with pleasure to new stimuli. "I like it!" is usually how it comes out in English. Take the word "delight" and consider how you may have heard it used or when you've seen the response in action in everyday living. Then, consider these Biblical situations. "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate." Genesis 3:6 This kind of delight can lead to trouble. We took our granddaughter to the fair and introduced her to some animals up close and personal. She was delighted, indeed. She also found out that sticking your finger in the cage with a chicken can teach one to be delighted to a point. Too bad Eve learned the hard way. "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul." Psalm 94:19 When the world is closing in and panic wells up and makes me want to do something stupid (like lash out) or get feet of clay, going back to the Word gives me reassurance and allows me to re-center my thoughts. The goal, of course, is to become proactive and stay in the Word so panic becomes a distant memory. "Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 This, of course, means that you should replace the world with God and allow Him to fill your empty nooks and crannies with what you need so you can realize what real delight can be. It's not the kind that carries regret after the event, but sustains and fulfills. The truth is not what flips your switch, but what light comes on when your switch is flipped. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Aug 7 23:22:23 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2006 23:22:23 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Jesus APIs Message-ID: <25D89D3C-31F3-40D7-8B5C-38F0DA7EC9EE@clanwebb.com> My mind is flooded with technical jargon today as I'm at a conference covering the new and improved things I can do with computer software. I had another one of those moments where I saw a parallel to my spiritual life clearly in things that seemed so separate. You have to understand some jargon to see my parallel, though. When I write software for a particular operating system, I can't just control the screen, hard drive, and mouse the way I want. I have to talk to the software the company has written to do that for me. In doing so, I have to know how to talk to their software via Application Programming Interfaces, or APIs. APIs are just lists of things I can ask the operating system to do. When the manufacturer decides to change the operating system dramatically, those APIs change. I can't keep talking to the system the same way, I have to learn a new list of APIs. All the speakers today encouraged those listening to start using all of the new, cool APIs they were providing. They showed us demos of what you could do if you switched and warned us about bad things happening in our software if we didn't. It was a compelling argument, but, as with all human endeavors, inertia plays the biggest role in preventing this change. It's never free and rarely easy. The speakers have to not only convince these engineers that it's a good idea, but that it'll actually be worth the time and effort that it will take to make the switch. Regardless, in years to come, if we don't change our software, it will simply not work on the newest versions of the system. If we never update, our software will die. It's a game of waiting to switch when it makes the most sense. For some who work on the cutting edge, it makes sense to switch immediately. I happen to work on educational software and our target audience is never on the cutting edge. We can't justify changing for a few years to come when the schools finally upgrade. Jesus was the ultimate upgrade to the path to Heaven. Before He came, the path was governed by laws written in stone that no man could keep (because we're fallen). After Jesus came, we had a new path. "The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. " Jeremiah 31:31 "By calling the covenant "new", he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." Hebrews 8:13 Jesus has made the old path to Heaven obsolete. It has already disappeared, but not everyone has made the switch. Because we don't know when the end will come, we are all on the cutting edge. We need to upgrade immediately. Are you still trying to get to Heaven by obeying all the rules? Are you trying to earn your way in? Those methods aren't available anymore. Upgrade your approach. Use the new Jesus APIs. Trust me, it's the only way to go. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Aug 8 23:00:20 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2006 23:00:20 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Wise or Foolish Message-ID: <8A7CA3A4-3712-483F-BB42-9013462FF0A6@clanwebb.com> "A fool and his money are soon parted." Thomas Tusser How many unethical salesmen or outright con artists have taken advantage of the this very accurate statement? This truth is really a corollary of something God has said to us in many places. "Choose instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 8:10-11 If you spend all your time trying to gather money, you won't be wise enough to hang on to it for your short time here on Earth. If you spend your time gaining spiritual wisdom, you will have something more valuable because it's permanent in two ways: it cannot be taken from you on Earth and it will go with you to Heaven. Neither of those things is true for money. So, which are you? Wise or foolish? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Aug 10 02:00:59 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 02:00:59 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be Like David Message-ID: "Hasten, O God, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. may those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!" Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay." Psalm 70 In my Bible, this Psalm is described as "A petition", and I can see why. David is clearly distressed. I think the lesson is how David attempts to resolve his situation. I noticed three things about his approach. First, he's asking God to step in. He's describing his situation as desperate and pleading for help from his Creator. Secondly, he's not angry at God. He's not mad that God has let him get into this situation. Lastly, he is confident that God will come through. When you're under great distress, what do you do? Is your first thought to confidently ask God for help? Did you ask without any feelings of anger at Him for letting you get into the situation in the first place? Why not? David wasn't perfect, but he handled this stuff right. Go to God. Don't be angry at Him. Be confident. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Aug 11 00:41:36 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:41:36 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Going Home Message-ID: <5EAEF8F4-913E-454A-8715-A52973C4E402@clanwebb.com> I'm definitely not a world traveler. I can enjoy new locations and fun activities as much as the next guy, but after a few days, I'm ready to head home. Maybe I just can't afford the right places, but it seems to me that the hotel beds and showers are never quite right. The food is always a little different. There's a level of disorientation that you can never quite overcome when visiting another city. That's part of why it's so relaxing and relieving to go home. You don't even realize how much stress it adds to your daily life when you're the alien amongst the natives. Then you get to go home and be a native again and that weight seems to be removed. Just think how much more amazing that feeling will be when we get to really go home. Part of the stress and strain we suffer physically, emotionally, and spiritually comes from the fact that we are aliens here. This is not our home. "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 It's a place we've never seen, but it will be the ultimate feeling of going home. I'm looking forward to it. Are you? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Aug 12 00:42:21 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:42:21 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Don't Wander Message-ID: <795AF6A8-F618-45D7-8901-85DC6D64DB59@clanwebb.com> "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Sextus Propertius The first time I heard this, I thought it was saying that you will want the love of your life even more when you are separated. I thought it meant that I would naturally desire to be with her more when I was in a different place. While that is true for me now, it wasn't always true before I met my wife. Sometimes, getting away from the girl I was dating caused me to have second thoughts. Sometimes, I would meet someone else and decide it was time to upgrade. This proverb didn't seem to always apply. I had often heard the joke that, "Absence makes the heart go wander." That seemed to be just as true to me as the original. I think it's very easy to let this proverb become false in our relationship with Christ because we think of Him as being absent. We talk about the day He will come back again, and the implication is that He isn't here now. Of course, He is living in each of us who have invited Him in. Being carnal creatures, though, we tend to latch on to things we can see and touch and smell. We want the tangible. "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ," Philippians 3:20 Do you eagerly await His physical return? Do you become more fond of Him each day? Or, do you let the things of the world quench that fondness? Do you let life squelch your heart? Grow fonder of Him. Don't wander from Him. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 13 00:22:04 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2006 00:22:04 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Being Right Message-ID: <1DF8DB76-0197-4960-9E75-90E6FA0F61E9@clanwebb.com> I am in a business where egos can kill deals quicker than anything else. Some people just have to be right in their own eyes. Although I try very hard to coach them to not allow emotions to come into the picture, it still happens ninety percent of the time. One side thinks an offer is an insult while the other side thinks they are having the wool pulled over their eyes. Then they start piling up numbers and opinions to convince me that they are right. Situations quickly become all about the people and not the property. Churches are often that way. We think, "We're right in our doctrine and those folks over there aren't." or "Here are my verses. You're using the wrong translation." Going back to the original text, interpretations, and the rest is all important, but being academically right is not enough. "God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will." Hebrews 2:4 If it were all about getting the facts right, then man would be waging the battle on his own knowledge. The Holy Spirit is there for a reason, God's reason. If He isn't working in your life then all the academic knowledge in the universe will not work to win people over to Christ. If you don't believe that God can work in the supernatural then, brother, you don't believe. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Aug 14 00:06:03 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2006 00:06:03 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Remember What He's Done Message-ID: <932DAF33-E317-4C03-B2C2-C3993BBEE96F@clanwebb.com> When I was a young believer, two things turned me off about Christians: the collection plate and the "how God worked in my life stories". My first time on a church board taught me about the collection plate. God used that time to set me straight about all things financial concerning the local church. In short, the world wants the bills paid and the pastors, missionaries, and the needy get grumpy if they don't eat. The intervention stories about God providing resources, opening doors, medical miracles, and all the rest was just so much irritation to my logical approach to my newfound faith. Here's the thing: I have seen and indulged in a nap or two when the sermon went on a little long, but when someone talks about how, against all odds, something happened to them and they attribute it to divine intervention, nobody falls asleep. "So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:3-6 The spirit of God is a spirit that reaches out, has compassion, heals, and provides. So, pay attention and remember. That way, when the assaults come, you can remember and say to yourself and nobody else, "I know better. I have seen the life changes. I know people who have been through it. I have spoken to them." Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Aug 15 00:13:27 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2006 00:13:27 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Get Moving Message-ID: <867EDD37-85AB-4DD9-9A7F-A136E73BD54C@clanwebb.com> We had a guest pastor speak last Sunday morning and he gave a great message. Oddly enough, the thing that stuck with me the most, though, was one line he said while reading the story of the ten men healed of leprosy that wasn't directly related to his point. "As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed." Luke 17:12-14 The pastor pointed out that these men were not cleansed on the spot. Jesus simply told them to go to the priest. At that point, they had a decision. Would they choose to disbelieve Jesus since nothing had happened and ignore Him? Or, would they trust Him and head towards the temple despite the fact that they still had leprosy? They chose to go, and the leprosy was healed as they went. It was their trust and faith in Jesus that brought the miracle to fruition. When one returned, Jesus said as much: "Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." " Luke 17:19 What a fantastic lesson for our lives. When you ask God to help, do you just wait for the lightning bolt? Do you twiddle your thumbs and watch for the big opportunity to literally knock on your door? Or, do you follow His commands? Do you being walking the way He tells you to? I suspect that if we stand still and wait for the miracle, it's not likely to happen. However, if we get moving the direction He has pointed out, then miracles will happen along the way. Go on! Get moving! Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 16 00:10:37 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2006 00:10:37 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Middle of the Road Message-ID: <4D8AAB51-EE97-414D-AB87-872E773B3574@clanwebb.com> God never changes. And, yet, He seems to always be adapting to my situation. He seems to have the right answer and the right approach to each thing that seems new to me. I think it proves two things: First, God is smarter than me and has figured out all of the angles. Second, Solomon was smarter than me when he said, "There is nothing new under the sun." When I was a new Christian, I heard the message about how it was easy to be thankful and joyful when good things were happening, but a Christian needed to learn how to be thankful and joyful when bad things are happening, too. As I've matured, I realize that my worst enemy is not that I may develop anger or opposition to God. It's becoming apathetic towards Him. Being unconcerned either way is the most dangerous thing I can do. That's when this verse starts to take on a deeper meaning: "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 I'm pretty good at being thankful and joyful when things are good. I'm much better than I was at being thankful and joyful when things are bad. Where I'm having to work now is in remembering to keep up my relationship with God when life is just happening. I'm not doing great things or making large changes in my life. Neither am I in deep trouble or having difficulties every day. I'm just sort of trucking along and feeling alright. It's during that day in, day out rhythm that it's easier to forget God. But that scripture reminds me to "be joyful always" and "give thanks in all circumstances". That's not just the extremes, but the seemingly unexciting middle ground, too. There's much to be thankful and joyful for, it's just easier to overlook. I encourage those of you just cruising along to double check your relationship with Christ. Don't let it slip away while you're not paying attention. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 16 23:13:03 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2006 23:13:03 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Not a Third Wheel Message-ID: When I was a young lad, I was an acolyte in the Episcopal Church. My first introduction to the Holy Spirit was what the older guys told me. They educated me into the Trinity as Big Daddy, Little Daddy, and the Holy Spook. Now, as irreverent as it sounds, it was the impression I carried for many years. There was God, His Son (who was almost as powerful) and then there was this spirit that I saw as the way God slipped into and out of the world - like a ghost. Therefore, the explanation of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. When you're about ten years old, it makes perfect sense. I don't know how your mind put it all together for the first time, but under the best of circumstances it is a confusing subject. I always relegated the Holy Spirit as the third wheel, so to speak. He was the utility guy. This isn't the case when you read John 16: "But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;" John 16:5-8 You better get to know Him because when you backslide and you get reminded by guilty feelings, guess who's knocking at your door? Just think how it would be if we could sin and not feel guilty. How long would it take before we forgot God altogether? John 16:13 says that He guides us. Acts 8:39 says that He performs miracles. Romans 8:26 says that He intercedes for us. Second stringer? I don't think so. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Aug 17 21:11:55 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 21:11:55 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] True Image Message-ID: <594F0D79-E046-461B-B787-2AEC0F24FE42@clanwebb.com> "Got to watch out for those Christians. They go to church on Sunday and #$%& you on Monday." Does this or something similar ring true to you? It sure does with me. I work with the public and I must say that I do find people that for all their words and actions put up a front. It is all about the image, but when the rubber meets the road about loyalty and trust, it becomes all about money. Convenient Christians. The world is full of them. As individuals, we must be very careful to maintain our faith and walk the walk in all things. Just remember that, in the end, your earthly image is worthless unless it is a truthful image. False images are nothing new. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." Matthew 23:23 It is not okay to lead a double life in any aspect! We must inspect our actions and motives all the time, over and over. That's simple to say, but hard to do in a fallen world. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Aug 18 23:01:26 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2006 23:01:26 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Power Supply Message-ID: Aren't you glad that God can handle it all? Isn't it cool that He can deal with whatever is thrown at Him? Tonight the power supply on my son's computer died. His computer just clicked off and the best we could get out of it for the rest of the evening was a quick flicker of the power light. That was it. We'd fried it. You see we had put a new motherboard and new video card in a few weeks ago. I knew that those items would draw more power, but I thought the power supply in his machine would handle it. Well, clearly it couldn't. Somewhere between the extra juice needed to drive the video card, the new processor, the CPU fan, and the rest of the assorted peripherals inside his machine, we just asked for too much. The power supply tried hard, but, in the end, it couldn't handle it. We had found it's limit. I love the fact that God doesn't have a limit: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2 You can't draw too much power from God. You can't use up the last bit of forgiveness or overload Him by asking for too much love. He's always got enough to go around with plenty left over. I'm glad I've decided to use God as a power supply. Nothing else can handle the demands of life. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Aug 19 21:28:17 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2006 21:28:17 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Looking Inside Message-ID: On a whim tonight, my wife decided to paint the inside of a little alcove we have in our family room. It sits above the fireplace and is supposed to be a place to put your television. We've not chosen to use it for that, so we decided to make it look a little nicer with the idea of doing something creative to decorate. The alcove has an opening such that it creates hidden space. There are corners you cannot see unless you literally stick your head inside and look back towards the front. This is an unlikely thing for guests to do, so we felt we didn't need to paint the areas that you couldn't see. So, my wife taped it off and painted away. It looks great from the room. It looked great from the inside, too, until I offered to remove the tape. In one area, I got a little aggressive and pulled off some of the paint, too. It was right in that corner that we decided nobody could see, but when you did see it, it was ugly. I tried to claim that nobody would see it so we could leave it (since I had already cleaned the brushes and put the paint away). My wife disagreed. She said that someone would likely see it, and we should care what it looks like regardless. As I thought about this episode later in the evening, I realized that she was reinforcing a life lesson that I should know better than to fight. You should go through life assuming that someone, at some time, will see your mistakes. As a matter of fact, God will know about them immediately and will take great interest in how you respond: "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13 You can't bet on "they'll never notice" or "nobody really cares". Regardless of how true that may be here on earth, it's a fact that God will notice. And, God does care. Don't try to hide your mistakes. Admit they are yours, try to repair them, and ask forgiveness. You just never know when someone will have the opportunity to poke their head in and look around your life. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 20 23:31:51 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2006 23:31:51 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Confidence Message-ID: <850ABEB3-20CB-4ED8-B7DA-5B076C382B47@clanwebb.com> I've been watching the Little League World Series this weekend because we happen to know one of the players on the Oregon team. We usually watch some of it every year, though, because it's just fun to see baseball played with such enthusiasm. The announcer was talking about something I see every year. Even more than older players or major leaguers, confidence is a huge factor in their success. If a player makes an error or strikes out at a critical moment, he might have a hard time bouncing back for the next game or two. On the other hand, if he gets a critical hit or makes a great defensive play, he might be the one to watch for the rest of the tournament. Being confident that you belong at this level can change your approach and it can certainly change the outcome. I went through a similar learning period during my first year of college. I really wasn't sure how I measured up to my classmates. I would fluctuate daily from feeling like I was at the top of my class to wondering what mistake the admissions office made to let me in. My ability to simply complete my first year gave me the confidence that I could go on to complete my degree. At the end of that first year, I knew that I belonged. I wasn't the smartest kid on campus, but I wasn't the dumbest, either. I could keep up with the pack and that was enough to keep me going. We should have that same kind of feeling a hundred times over about our lot in life. People feel hopeless and despondent when things aren't going well if they don't know Christ. It's because they think this life is all there is. If they hit the bottom, there's nothing else. Even those who succeed often feel empty because the riches of this world cannot satisfy. Again, if you don't know Christ, depression is the logical conclusion because there's nothing here that can give you meaning or purpose. We can be confident of our destination and our Savior. We shouldn't be arrogant about it, but we can be assured of it. "And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming." 1 John 2:28 That's how I want to meet my Lord. I want to be confident and unashamed. Is that how you're living today? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Aug 22 00:15:18 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 00:15:18 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Freedom Message-ID: "Freedom of religion is so fundamental to American history that it must be preserved even at the expense of other rights which have become institutionalized by the democratic process." What a radical statement! The author is saying that in some cases, we must give up rights to be free. "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God." 1 Peter 2:16 The Bible seems to agree with the radical statement. Peter is saying that to be free, you must give yourself over to slavery. What do you know? The Bible and the California Supreme Court agree on something. The radical statement is from the opinion of the court in the case of Devin Walker v. Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 760-028.9 Perhaps Kris Kristofferson wasn't too far off in his song, "Me and Bobby McGee" Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose, And nothing' ain't worth nothin' but it's free, Feelin' good was easy, lord, when Bobby sang the blues, And, buddy, that was good enough for me, Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee. Worldly freedoms only have worth when you use them for something worthy. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 23 00:09:35 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 00:09:35 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] He's Clear Message-ID: I've been having a humorous email exchange with my father the last few days. He's decided to pull the kind of verbal prank on me that I did many times to him while I was still living under his roof. It started with an email I sent asking a couple of questions and asking which of a few possible choices he preferred. He simply replied, "Yes". When I said that I wasn't sure what he was affirming, he mocked me as splitting hairs with basic grammar much like a certain former President. In an effort to clarify, I asked some further questions that were definitely not yes or no questions. Again, he replied with, "Yes". It makes me all the more happy that my Heavenly Father doesn't speak in ways that are quite as hard to decipher. When I read the basic tenets of my faith, they seem crystal clear to me. "[...] I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. [...]" John 11:25-26 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 There doesn't seem to be much fuzziness there. I'm clear about how to get saved. I'm clear that I am saved. I'm clear about what I am called to do in service of Christ. I'm clear that He's here with me now. Is that clear enough for you? (Hint: The correct answer is "Yes") Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 23 22:56:09 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2006 22:56:09 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Speak One Way Message-ID: I am currently involved in a deal where one side, thankfully it's my side, consists of salt-of-the-earth folks and have been upright and straightforward with all requests. On the other side is a very successful professional that has been the type of person that puts on a front of truthfulness and honesty, but, at every turn, has bent the letter of the agreements by backing off what he said and signed just enough to get a small amount of money. He has to win every little point or he causes an uproar at each step. He implies and then denies. In the end, because everyone else wants the deal to work, we will give in to his petty demands. My responsibility to my client precludes me from telling this guy what I really think. Well, it's that and the fact that I'm a qualified sinner and should tend to my own behavior. Anyone who knew me before being saved or during those times when I backslid would know enough to stand back after events reach a certain point. So, in this case, I will keep my clients' needs and feelings foremost and rest in the Word and the arms of my Lord. "Their tongue is a deadly arrow; It speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, But inwardly he sets an ambush for him." Jeremiah 9:8 I guess I will pray for this guy, too...If I must. And...I must. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Aug 24 23:04:13 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 23:04:13 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] What To Do Message-ID: I'm sure we've all had that moment as kids. I'm talking about that moment when you've been caught. Whether it was trying to hide the broken vase or blaming your sibling for starting the fight, eventually Mom found out. Then the moment came when she said, "What am I going to do with you?" I always thought this an odd question. I figured it wasn't my job to figure out the right course of action. I was just the kid acting out of the random thoughts of an unfinished brain. Of course my favorite response was, "Nothing," but I never had the guts to suggest it. Now, this was usually a rhetorical question, but it should have been an opportunity to think, "How would I deal with a child acting this way?" Sometimes, seeing it from the other side makes it clearer. I had a sense of deja vu when reading Isaiah today: "[...]My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I look for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?" Isaiah 5:1-4 Basically, God is saying, "I did everything you possibly needed, and still you misbehave and bear bad fruit. What am I going to do with you?" Isaiah goes on to tell what God plans on doing and it's not pleasant. However, this is a warning to us all. Think clearly about all that God has done for you. I think you'll find that it was more than enough. Don't react selfishly or ignorantly to all of the love and work He has put into cultivating you. Don't make Him wonder what to do with you. He's got a better plan already mapped out. Follow that one instead. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Aug 25 21:42:33 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2006 21:42:33 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Wait Message-ID: <2C71AFE5-84E9-485E-97F0-B64804C52FB4@clanwebb.com> I don't like to wait. I know that doesn't make me very different from the rest of America, but it's still the truth. I live in a culture that tells me I can have whatever I want very quickly. In some cases, I can get it instantly. I love the fact that I can do Christmas shopping online and avoid waiting for parking and waiting in lines. I love the fact I can pay for express shipping when I order online and I can get my item very quickly. I can even buy music online and be listening to it five minutes later. I don't need to wait at all! We record most of the TV shows we watch, even if we are home when the show is on. It allows us to skip all the commercials (I hate waiting through commercials) and watch an hour show in about forty minutes. When I watch something live, I get really frustrated that I can't skip the ads. Not wanting to wait is really a form of laziness. I can hear someone out there saying, "But waiting is just sitting around. Isn't that the epitome of laziness?" Not really, because real waiting is being patient for something you want or need. It's easier to wait for something unpleasant. That's called procrastination. Waiting is actually an action. It's something you have to exert effort to do even though it might consist of sitting and listening for God. "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14 Waiting for God can be really hard. Our tendency is to hurry it up and screw it up. If you keep moving and trying to make something happen, when will you ever hear God? When do you stop long enough to hear His direction? Now, if you do hear direction, don't wait for a different answer. Once you have your orders, get moving. But, until then, take the time to wait. Waiting is an action. It's tough, but it's something you have to concentrate on doing. It's also the best way to avoid running down the wrong road. So, hurry up and wait. It'll be good for you. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 27 00:14:59 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:14:59 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] No Fooling Message-ID: "Like snow in the summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool." Proverbs 26:1 "A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!" Proverbs 26:3 "Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool." Proverbs 26:7 "Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool." Proverbs 26:8 Well, I know one thing for sure after reading this chapter. I don't want to be a fool. Remember that the fool of Proverbs is not like the court jester. It's the one who has rejected knowledge and understanding. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7 And yet, how many people do we know who refuse to believe that the Bible holds the answers? How many reject the knowledge of Christ that will save them? Don't get too self-righteous in your answers, though. How many of us have second-guessed God ourselves? How many of us have waved God off and tried it our own way first? I plead guilty to those charges. Just being saved doesn't mean you have it all figured out. You can still be a fool. Just a forgiven fool. But, you don't have to be. You can spend time in the Word to increase your knowledge. You can pray and build a relationship with God to increase your understanding. You can be thankful for discipline and learn from it. Or, you can ignore those things and do it your way. I wouldn't recommend that path. Don't be a fool. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Aug 27 21:27:36 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 21:27:36 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Speak Up Message-ID: There are different levels of scrutiny for other people's behavior. There's nothing wrong with that except when deciding where to draw the line. Looking past certain annoyances is okay, but somewhere it can become a slippery slope indeed. There's a big difference between ignoring someone that commits a social blunder in your presence and quite another to look past a crime. When do we speak up? "Lying lips are an abomination to the lord, But those who deal faithfully are His delight." Proverbs 12:22 The trouble is that there are those times that speaking up puts you out on a limb with your friends. "So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?" Galatians 4:16 It takes some intestinal fortitude. "But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking." Acts 6:10 There is a reason. "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God." 2 Timothy 1:8 Let me put it this way: Moses is in Heaven. You are here. Allen. From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Aug 28 22:59:08 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 22:59:08 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Clear Difference Message-ID: <4222E7E0-1BB0-4B4C-8AD5-ABE457B4EF20@clanwebb.com> I was reading about the harrowing story of the two TV journalists who had been kidnapped in Gaza and were just released. I expected to hear about the rough handling and the intimidation that the kidnappers tried to use. What I didn't expect was the story about their conversion to Islam at gunpoint. It only puts my faith in starker contrast with the faith of the kidnappers. What kind of faith has to convert others under threat of violence and condemns the unconverted to subhuman status or death? The critics will cry that Christianity has converted by force in the past. People claiming to be standard bearers of the faith did indeed do those things. It is clear, though, that the Bible never told them to. It is clear that Jesus did not want His followers to be forced. "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20 Jesus does not barge in. Jesus does not demand obedience. Jesus has not told us to kill those who won't convert. That's because Jesus loves us all and wants us all to have an opportunity to accept Him. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 We are all the same. We are all imperfect sinners. Some of us have accepted the gift. Some refuse. Jesus is the perfect gentleman. He will either welcome you with open arms if you accept, or He will grant your wish to be separated from Him. He won't force you one way or another. Jesus gathers more followers every day because of His love. Islam gathers followers because of hate and deception and threatens the lives of those who aren't part of the club. I know I'm glad to be following Jesus. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 30 00:05:19 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:05:19 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] How High? Message-ID: <933EA842-A278-4F71-BD24-4657AA413A03@clanwebb.com> One of the awesome things about the Olympic Games is that you always wonder how many times a record can be broken. The pole vault started just under 3.5 meters and now hovers around 6.5 meters. I read somewhere that it started in Holland with people jumping dikes. What started as a bunch of bored Dutchmen is now an industry with technology advancing to a point that you may soon be able to make a trip to the concession stand between the time the athlete plants the pole and the time he hits the pad. Who knows when it will end? How high? How fast? Or, how accurate can man become? There is a correlation here on how we handle sin in our lives. We will never be perfect, but we can always try to set a new record in our behavior. The idea is that we will never know how high we can go unless, after knocking down the bar, we step back, assess where we went wrong, adjust our training, and go at it again. Perfection is not the point. Attempting to continually break the record until we die is the point. "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead." Philippians 3:13 What sin in your life keeps knocking the bar down? What is your personal best? Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Aug 30 23:54:20 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2006 23:54:20 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Don't Fake It Message-ID: <2812FA24-C2D6-481A-98E1-9B70AFC5B4E2@clanwebb.com> I have been a manager off and on for about six years. During that time I've interviewed scores of candidates and hired several of them. After seeing enough of them, I realized that you can start to categorize them fairly quickly. There are the ones that are convinced they're smarter than you and are doing you a favor by applying for the job. There are the ones that have simply sprayed their resume around hoping for any kind of nibble, but they really aren't all that interested in the job. There are the ones that will try to tell you that they've got experience that they don't really have. With a straight face, they'll attempt to convince me they know what they're talking about. Those folks always make me shake my head. First off, it's really silly to try to fake your way through a technical interview when the interviewer actually knows what he's talking about. The chances that you'll pull it off are pretty slim. Secondly, even if you are a great worker and could learn the things you need to know, the attempt to deceive has gotten you kicked off my list very quickly. It's human nature to try to put on the best face. But, in a situation where you're attempting to start a long term working relationship, it might not be the best idea to lay the foundation on a lie. Jesus Christ is truth. There is nothing deceptive or misleading about Him. That's why it's so pointless to try to fake your faith. Don't try to build your walk with Him on a lie. You can go through the motions, you can say all the right things, but if you aren't producing the fruit, you're no better than a cardboard cutout. "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and knowledge, and I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 You can be the "perfect" Christian and even be saved, but still not be useful to God. Don't kid yourself that you can fool Him anyway. You think He doesn't know? "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26 Don't try to fake your way through this. If you are saved, your deepest desire should be to serve God. If you're serving Him, everyone will be able to tell you are a believer. If you don't want to serve or have chosen not to serve, nobody will be able to tell. Then you'll find yourself doing a lot of handwaving and trying to convince doubters. Don't try to fake your walk with Christ. Get up and actually walk with Him. You'll know you're doing it right when you find yourself walking in the opposite direction from the rest of the world. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Aug 31 22:01:44 2006 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 22:01:44 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Where to Dwell Message-ID: Seems we are always on the hunt, so to speak, for two things in people: virtue and vice. If we like them, we look really hard to find something nice to say about them. On the other hand, if we don't like them, we redouble our efforts to find something negative we can point out. Ben Franklin penned the maxim, "Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices." "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 After all, in this world, it is up to us to find the good in people because Satan works overtime to point out the bad. Allen