From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Jul 1 00:14:53 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2007 00:14:53 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Places, Everyone Message-ID: Our society tends to encourage people to the extremes. We may hear about moderation, but it's really not what's represented in our entertainment, media, or pop culture heroes of the day. Reality TV shows us not just to want fame, but to be willing to do anything to have it - even for a moment. Sports heroes are held up for their amazing dedication to exercise, training, and health. The criminals we hear about are the most vile, evil people you can imagine. Frequently, they do things I couldn't have imagined until I read the article. Celebrities are held up for their wealth, beauty, and hard living. With each image, the subtext is: this is how you must act and what you must achieve to be worth anything. Now, those without a moral anchor can be tossed to one side or another. You can believe the hype and think you are much more important than you are and begin to live with far too much pride. Or, you can decide that you are worthless and begin to live with low self- esteem and depression. The fact that many do live in what appears to be the middle-ground is deceptive. Again, those without a moral compass are usually unhappy with their lot in life. They either believe they deserve much more or that they are fooling everyone and soon they'll go back to being the worthless person they really feel like. This is all the work of the enemy in convincing us to dwell in a place we cannot be. Our spirit cannot survive in a place of self- importance nor in a place of self-loathing. We need to be part of the vibrant middle ground that is doing God's will. "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." Romans 12:3-5 God, through Paul, has described a body of Christians made up of a variety of assignments which are all completely fulfilling. None of us gets to be the entire body, but neither are any of us left out. Everyone has a purpose, but none of us is to be more important than another. If you feel the world telling you to pound your chest and declare your greatness, try walking on water. If you feel the world telling you that you are worth nothing and should get out of the way, just remember that Jesus said He will prepare a place specifically for you in Heaven. We are not made to be demigods nor are we made to be human debris. We are made to be worshippers of God who serve His will as part of the unified body. Everyone ready? Take your place. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Jul 2 00:28:39 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 00:28:39 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Spiritual Anatomy Message-ID: "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does no make him 'unclean.'" Matthew 15:17-19 Here we have a little spiritual anatomy lesson from Jesus. He points out that whatever you eat will be processed and used by your body and then it will leave. Food is, literally, just passing through. What comes out of your mouth has very little to do with what you eat, though. The words you say started in your heart. Not the physical heart that pumps blood through your body, but your spiritual heart that is the center of who you are. Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees in their efforts to strictly obey the reams of little rules all while missing the point of serving God. This still happens today. How many of us would make the tattooed, oddly dressed man feel unwelcome? How many of us worry about sprinkling more "Praise God" or "Bless You" phrases in our speech on Sunday? How many of us hide books and DVDs when the pastor comes to visit? How many of us treat devotional time like a chore? Why do we place so much emphasis on outward appearances? Why do we want to look like something other than what we really are? The meaningless trappings of life do not make us clean any more than not washing your hands makes you spiritually unclean. What flows from our heart determines that. And, the truth there, is that the human heart is a pretty unpleasant place until Jesus is invited in. His residence is what will make you clean. It is what will cause clean things to flow out from your heart to your speech, actions, and attitude. Don't worry about the window dressing. Make sure your heart is clean. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Jul 2 22:19:51 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2007 22:19:51 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Be Clear Message-ID: <4F069DC1-CEB7-4027-A49E-D32219E1DECB@clanwebb.com> Part of the reason I watch sports is because I love to try to imagine what it feels like. I played just enough little league and high school basketball to have a taste of what playing in front of a crowd is like. I liked hearing the cheers and being on the field or on the floor when the game was on the line. I like to think I can enjoy the victory or sympathize with the defeat when I watch a big game. The truth is that if I lost a baseball game, I still got to go home with my parents. If I missed a crucial free-throw, I wasn't going to be traded or kicked off the team. I don't know the pressure the professionals feel, and I fear I would buckle under it. Similarly, I like to identify with Jesus when He's the one who is outnumbered and accused. I like to think I would stand up and speak as forcefully as He did. I fear, though, that I'd really react more like the Pharisees. As I read through Mark today, I came across an excellent example: "They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?" Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism ? was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'..." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John was really a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." " Mark 11:27-33 Here the Pharisees asked Jesus a question and He offered to give a clear answer if they would take a stand. He was challenging them to declare their honest belief about John the Baptist. Notice that they never considered telling the truth about their opinions. They immediately began to consider the likely outcomes of either answer. They were planning on choosing the least painful one. However, neither answer sounded like it would work well, so they tried to take a pass and not answer at all. Jesus basically walked away. If you cannot be clear about where you stand with Jesus, how can He answer you clearly? If you believe He is your Lord, then live like it. If you believe that He is God, then act like it. If you don't, be willing to declare it. Either way, be willing to accept the consequences. Don't try to split the difference or have it both ways and then complain that Jesus won't give you a clear answer. Make clear decisions. Be sure of the ground you stand on with Christ. Then He can speak to you clearly. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Jul 4 00:00:34 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2007 00:00:34 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] No Curve Message-ID: <0C89D223-BF5A-4387-A238-1B426BD74F36@clanwebb.com> How many times have you or someone else used this reasoning? "Well, I may not be perfect, but I am better than a lot of people I know." The idea that we can somehow sway God by pointing out to Him that there are people that act or lead lives worse than us is a fog bank. This kind of logic leads to the notion that only one person will be left to feel the wrath of God. The scripture would read, "where two or more are gathered, all but one will be eliminated." It is rather ironic when you think about it. Jesus was, in fact, the last man standing, but the least of men to deserve what He went through. The bottom line here is that we are reaching to God as an individual. What the corporation does as a whole may be the sum of the parts, but you don't get into Heaven under the corporate plan. In God's methodology, the shipping clerk may make it while the CEO will miss the boat. It is the individual's thoughts and actions that produce the consequences of relationship with Jesus. "Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else." Galatians 6:4 Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Jul 5 00:09:38 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2007 00:09:38 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Free Message-ID: <6C00FD18-FCF2-484F-8404-9242AC233BD6@clanwebb.com> I like to think of myself as a patriot. I have always loved my country and I still get choked up when I hear patriotic music or watch a patriotic movie. I have deep, endless respect for those who defend our country. I credit my father for teaching me those things and teaching me well. I'm very proud to be an American and to be free. Of course, being free has many different meanings. There's the difference between gratis and libre. Gratis is latin for having no monetary cost. Like free refills at the restaurant. Libre is free of restrictions as in free speech or free press. Gratis is nice. Libre is fundamental to our way of life here. Then there's being spiritually free. Some would argue that means you have no master and you choose your own spiritual path. Some would argue that true spiritual freedom is atheism. These are all distractions from spiritual freedom. You see, we are all really spiritual slaves until we find Jesus: "Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins belongs to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." " John 8:34-36 God blessed me and my family by choosing for us to be citizens of the United States. God's biggest blessing, though, was to offer us spiritual freedom through Jesus. Don't be fooled by American freedom. It makes life comfortable and easier than in other parts of the world, but it also provides for many ways to be further enslaved by sin. It's another classic paradox of God that you can only be truly free by offering Jesus the position of Lord of your life. Serve Him and be free. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Jul 6 00:27:29 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2007 00:27:29 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Spiritually Naked Message-ID: <35D8C6B5-A4E7-45EF-B150-0A5D4123B0A1@clanwebb.com> There's a fundamental misunderstanding in the minds of most kids who run away from home. They feel that they are being unfairly treated, restrained, or limited in their lives. They feel that getting away from their parents will allow them to have freedom to do what they want. What they don't understand is what they are losing. Most of the time, they are unprepared to interact with the world on their own. They become homeless, sick, addicted, or victimized. They got their freedom, but without some guidance, it will kill them. I was reminded of this by the imagery of one of Jesus' followers fleeing when Jesus was arrested: "The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind." Mark 14:46-52 We don't know his name, but this young man was probably following Jesus because he wanted to know more about Him and His message. But, when it appeared that he would be arrested with Jesus, he fled. He even left behind his clothes and ran away naked. The fact is that choosing to follow Jesus will not all be fun and games and He warned us as much. We will be treated differently or even persecuted for our faith. When that time comes, though, do you want to be the one who runs away? Or the one that stands with Jesus? You see, you can run away and, perhaps, avoid some of that treatment. You can flee Jesus and try to avoid being singled out. But, when you leave Jesus, you are spiritually naked. You are not prepared for the world. It will chew you up and spit you out. Satan is a destroyer. He wants to leave nothing good left in your life and you are simply making yourself easy prey if you flee Jesus. You can, however, choose to stay with Jesus. It might mean some uncomfortable experiences and some unwanted attention, but you're still with Jesus. He will never forsake you. If you stay with Jesus, you know that when it's all over, you get to go home with Him. Don't flee Him when times get tough. Hold Him tighter and don't let go. This world is no place to be spiritually naked. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Jul 6 23:25:12 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2007 23:25:12 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Comeback Message-ID: <5C89EE2D-F94D-4856-8DDA-2C986907A902@clanwebb.com> The thrill of the comeback is in being part of the eventual winner. Nobody wants to be part of the team that had everything going for it, but lost anyway. John Elway was famous for engineering come-from- behind victories. The joy was in being a Broncos fan and watching it happen. Now, if you were a fan of the other team, you hated to see it happen. It drove you nuts. It could have changed your season or even knocked you out of the playoffs. The whole point of the thrilling comeback is that at the low point of the story, very few people believe that the comeback can happen. It's easy to jump on the bandwagon for the team that's supposed to win. It's easy to jump on the bandwagon after the comeback has already happened. It's hard, though, to really believe in the comeback when the days look darkest. When you do, though, that's when they are the sweetest. That's also when it hurts the most to have chosen the wrong side. After Jesus left earth, there were some dark moments for the early church. King Herod was persecuting the Christians and had even started killing them. At one point, Peter had been captured and was imprisoned with the plan of a public trial to humiliate the new church. This was the low point of the story: "The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. [...] Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everythign the Jewish people were anticipating." [...] Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the brothers about this," he said, and then he left for another place." Acts 12:6-7,11,17 So, at that low point, God sent an angel to set Peter free. Not only was he free, but Peter was sharing his story which was sure to invigorate the church and attract more followers. And how did the opposition turn out? "In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed." Acts 12:18-19 Herod didn't get off easy, either: "On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died." Acts 12:21-23 So the comeback came through and the opposition was hit hard. It would have been easy to bet on Herod earlier in the story, but it's much more thrilling to be part of Peter's story. Being on Herod's team appears to have been hazardous to your health, too. We have the opportunity to do the same thing today. We can join up with the team that appears to be winning and headed for victory (the world) or we can join the team that appears to be in the minority and has less of a chance for success (the church). Here's a tip, though: read the end of the book. This will be the greatest comeback of all time. Join the unpopular team now. Ignore the naysayers and be ready for the sweet taste of victory. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Jul 8 02:39:48 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2007 02:39:48 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Weak Message-ID: <13B11164-8D2A-4122-A2DD-B88DD7414221@clanwebb.com> My son was diagnosed with asthma many years ago. It's well-controlled and he doesn't have much trouble with it more than once or twice a year when he requires some extra medication. He's become so good at recognizing the onset, though, that he rarely has any real problems. He's so good at it that I've lost a little perspective on what it feels like for him. Over the past week, I've been fighting some allergies which have now settled in my lungs and I'm suffering from some very similar symptoms. It's frustrating because when you can't breathe right, it limits you. I can't exert myself too much without coughing. I can't talk very long without coughing. I have to concentrate on my breathing to make sure I don't take too deep of a breath that might cause me to cough. It makes me feel weak. I can't imagine how it makes an otherwise energetic fifteen year-old feel. As I sit here consciously metering my breaths, I find myself happy that it's okay for me to be weak. If I had to be strong enough to defend myself and fight or even argue my way to Heaven, I would fall very short. No, God says weakness can be good: "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all he more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 I'm so thankful Jesus has saved me. I'm confident that my weakness is not a failing, but an opportunity for Jesus to shine. My voice is His to use. My strength is His to wield. It can be good to be weak. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Jul 8 23:53:37 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2007 23:53:37 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Power Packed Message-ID: <4DDA65C9-20D6-47C6-88E1-190F25C5A0C6@clanwebb.com> I love those movie scenes when the actor delivers one line packed full of several major plot points. It usually happens so fast, you almost don't think you heard it right. But then you start to process it and about thirty seconds later you put all the pieces together. Half the fun is watching the people around you to see how fast they get it (or if they catch it at all!). I had a similar feeling as I read the end of Ephesians 3. Paul says something in passing that seems like a fairly standard flourish. But, as I have to keep reminding myself, there is no such thing as something said in passing in the Bible. There are no unnecessary flourishes. Still, it took me a second to digest this and I still can't wrap my head around it: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 Think about the implications there. He can do more than all we ask. He can do more than all we imagine. He can do so much more that it can't be measured. That's expansive power. Paul also says that He can do those things because of His power which also happens to be at work within us! So, that power beyond imagination that cannot be measured is in each of us who believes. This is not imaginary power. This is power over broken relationships. This is power over illness. This is power over money problems. This is power over depression. This is power over abuse. This is power over addiction. This is real, actual, spiritual power given to us as a gift on the day we accepted Him as Lord. This power will only do what is best for us, though, which is often different from what we want at the moment. So, don't decide the power doesn't exist if you don't get your way. The power is available as soon as you are humble enough to be led by Christ. This is not comic book power where you have to decide whether you are using it correctly. It's like riding the jet-stream. It gives you great speed and power as long as you are going the direction it already leads. Let Jesus lead you. Then you will see how He works all things for good for those who love Him. Any other way is powerless. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Jul 10 00:20:08 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:20:08 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Get Wisdom Message-ID: <4D6858BE-594F-425D-A06F-6A343DD69EB9@clanwebb.com> Today is my son's birthday. With each passing year, he's reminding me more of myself and I feel more like my father. I realize now how hard it is guide an energetic, vital person who seems bent on exploring the world and not listening to the man suggesting restraint. I also realize that while his ability to understand complex issues grows, the time I have to teach him shrinks. During all of this, the words of Proverbs ring more clearly in my ears. No matter the advice or warning. No matter the suggestion or admonition. It all comes back to one basic tenet that needs to be reinforced: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7 "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7 Whenever I'm stymied as to how to communicate with my son, I fall back on this and just remind him to seek wisdom. Seek the Lord. All day. Every day. For the rest of your life. Seek the Lord. If you don't, the rest of your life is far too difficult. If you do, making right decisions becomes much easier. Wisdom is supreme. Therefore, spend whatever you have to get it. Nothing else comes close in value and nothing else can be taken with you when you go. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Jul 10 23:59:09 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:59:09 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] The Fix Is In Message-ID: <9090CDC9-5D49-4DCC-A904-54023FC98FEF@clanwebb.com> "The fix is in" is a phrase that was popular in old black-and-white gangster films. It usually meant that the outcome of a boxing match, horse race, or some other event was not a mystery for someone. That someone could bet money on the pretense that he was taking the same risk as everyone else and then could look as if they were great at evaluating the odds and picking a winner. It was always illegal, but the pretense was there. It was a lie, but you could look good to the world. Christians are in a special position: the fix is in and it's legal. King David had a leg up, so to speak, in that he had a direct line to God through Nathan the prophet. "Nathan replied to David, "Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you." " 1 Chronicles 17:2 Wow! How great would it be to get up every morning and get an email from a prophet that told you that whatever you had in mind for the day was the right thing to do and to go ahead without the risk? Just as in David's life, if we knew, and we do most of the time, if God approves we would still fall flat on our faces most of the time. We must always remember that "the fix is in" for us and we don't need to reconnect with a prophet to be reassured. "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail." Isaiah 51:6 Bet the farm, boys. It is not a lie. It is not a facade. The last thing you have to worry about is looking good to the world under false pretenses. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Jul 12 00:00:03 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:03 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Time and Money Message-ID: Solomon had an opportunity that many want and few have. That was the opportunity to have nothing but time and money. Oh, how we would change the world! In the end, he did what the rest of us would likely do: WHATEVER he wanted! His journey took him full circle and, I think, in the end we would all follow the same route. "I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly?my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives." Ecclesiastes 2:3 This ran its course until: "So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly." Ecclesiastes 7:25 Our minds are set on autopilot at birth to head for destruction and, given the opportunity, we will gladly pursue the possibility. In the end, sometime, we will come full circle and ask, "Who am I and why am I here?" Solomon began to search out wisdom. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise." Psalm 111:10 In this case, the end is the beginning. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Jul 13 00:16:11 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:16:11 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] The Crowd Message-ID: The crowd is often mentioned in Scripture and many times it is referring to the opposition or the scoffers. Believers were not often part of the crowd and when they were it is usually just a verses away when they revert to the other crowd. "Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying." Luke 8:40 Jesus is interrupted by an encounter with a woman touching His robe and in the time it takes for Him to deal with this woman, the crowd comes to Jairus to tell him his daughter is dead and to stop bothering Jesus. Jesus tells Jairus to just believe and not to worry. When He arrives at the home of Jairus, the mourning process has started and there is much weeping and wailing. When Jesus tells them that the little girl is only sleeping, the crowd does a 180 and they laugh! "They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead." Luke 8:53 First it's "Save her! Save her!" then it's weeping and then laughing. What a comment on the human condition! Jesus does what the eternal character always does and that's to simply be in control. "But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened." Luke 8:54 Give her something to eat? I guess being dead burns the calories. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Jul 13 23:51:11 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:51:11 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Interpreter Message-ID: My wife and I have often agreed that one of the most frustrating aspects of parenthood is the situations where you desperately want to help your child, but you don't know what they need. This is most prevalent with very young children when they can't talk or have a limited vocabulary. When they grunt, cry, or get otherwise upset, you rarely know exactly what it is they need. Wouldn't it be amazing to have an interpreter? Something like this: Baby: "Waaaah!" Dad: "Are you hungry? Do you need changed? What's wrong?!" Interpreter: "The child would like to be carried. You must sway back and forth so he can see everything on the walls. You may not sit down or cradle him to look at you. He wants to look over your shoulder." Wouldn't it be great to get that kind of detail? You would be able to soothe your child's cry quickly and easily with no stress. You would be able to meet their every need as soon as possible and bring them happiness. Now, are there times that you are hurting or stressed out but you don't even know how to pray about it? You have no idea what to say or where to begin? You don't have to. We have an interpreter: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26 God loves us so much that He sent the Holy Spirit to interpret those wants and needs we have that we cannot even organize coherently. He knows us intimately and understands us better than we do ourselves. Who better to plead our case to God? We grunt and cry to God. God, being the perfect parent, knows our wants and needs even before we've formed the words. He meets those needs perfectly and at the right moment. How cool is that? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Jul 15 00:12:46 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:12:46 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Secret Decoder Ring Message-ID: <583D24B1-FAB3-4637-9A7B-471010AF68E0@clanwebb.com> Kids are spoiled by technology. They expect anything worthwhile to have Hollywood production value. If it looks a little low rent then they move on to the next thing. I have fond memories of the cheesy little decoder puzzles in the my comic books or on the back of my cereal boxes. It was always a pair of cardboard glasses or a flimsy paper-framed magnifying glass with red cellophane in it. If you looked at the puzzle through the red filter, the clues could be read or the answer was written out. If it wasn't that, it was the decoder ring with simple replacement cipher that gave you the secret message (which often encouraged me to stay in school or to recycle). Still, the simple joy of solving the riddle is lost on those who expect an entire video game inside their box of Frosted Flakes. The thing about those puzzles was that, if they were done well, you were really out of luck if you didn't have some kind of red filter around. There was enough noise and distraction in the picture or with the letters that prevented you from seeing the important bits and making the connections. If you weren't in the club, you weren't reading the secret message. Reading this made me think of the secret decoder ring: "No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rules of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"? but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." 1 Corinthians 2:7-12 God knows all of the secrets. God has sent His Spirit to reveal those secrets to us. The Holy Spirit also helps us to understand those secrets. The Holy Spirit the ultimate secret decoder ring. However, He only comes to those who are saved. The implication there is that God's secrets will not make sense to those who are not saved. That leads to this revelation: Don't try to convince an unbeliever to be saved by using logic. God makes logical sense to you because you are saved. It won't make sense to them. They don't have the decoder ring. It looks like noise and distraction and they miss the message. No, salvation comes through faith, not by mathematical proof. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Jul 16 00:19:28 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:19:28 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] No Refinement Needed Message-ID: Learning is often a process of building blocks. When I taught my son algebra, I started with very simple expressions and equations. I taught him how to solve for the variable in an easy case. Then we'd slowly add more complexity with each section until he was eventually solving systems of equations with more than one variable and working with polynomials in a fairly comfortable manner. The same applies in most video games as the game has to teach the player how to play. In some cases, the rules will even change to help the player along. For example, one button might make the player jump early in the game. But, later on, how long the button is held down determines how high the player jumps. Since that's hard to teach at first, the rules of the game are slightly different until the user knows how to use all of the controls. This can actually teach a player to learn one method for a common movement that then doesn't work the same way later in the game. In fact, you have to unlearn a little and learn a new way. It's not optimal, but it happens all the time. Human nature is to constantly refine knowledge, too. How many times has a new article in a magazine started off with, "Forget everything you know about..." because of some new discovery or research. Refinement of human knowledge is considered a healthy thing and we seek to know more details and more subtlety all the time. Sometimes, a new discovery causes us to not just add to our knowledge, but it makes us unlearn something we've previously depended on. Copernicus caused astronomy to be radically changed. Einstein caused Newtonian physics to be dramatically adjusted. The only time this process is unhelpful is when the knowledge you have is already perfect. And, of course, the only time that happens is when the knowledge is from God. "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principle of this world rather than on Christ." Colossians 2:8 What is the most common refinement of Christianity that you hear today? It almost always revolves around redefining Christ. He was married. He had children. He visited the Western Hemisphere. He wasn't raised from the dead. He was only a prophet. He was a creation of God. People constantly try to tell us that Christ is not quite the Christ we know in the Bible. They proclaim some new knowledge or insight that frames Him in a slightly different light or in little different philosophy. Scripture is clear, though: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:9-10 Christ is God. We are completed by being in Christ. Christ has authority over everything. Christ is exactly who Scripture says He is. Don't believe anything else. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Jul 17 00:43:45 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:43:45 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Marked Man Message-ID: I was about ten years old and riding my bike with friends down our neighborhood street. Nobody wore bike helmets in those days and, in retrospect, I'm lucky I didn't get hurt worse. We were coasting down the little hill and showing off a bit. I began to wave both hands in the air doing the classic "look Ma, no hands" routine. My bike hit a small rock. I'm guessing it was no more than the size of a fat grape, but it was enough. It caused the front wheel to twist just enough that the bike stopped and I kept going over the handlebars. I did a face first belly slide on the street, but I was leaning mostly on my left side. My left shoulder and the back of my left hand took the brunt of the road rash. To this day, I can pick out the half dozen or so scars on my hand and the quarter-sized one on my shoulder is easy to see. I am permanently marked by that experience. I can remember the day clearly. I remember what the wounds looked like the first time I saw them. I have a clear picture in my head of the dangers of riding carelessly and I know I was lucky to not have cracked my skull. Needless to say, that event made an impression both physically and mentally. The day you are saved, something similar happens. You are permanently marked by God. Most folks can remember the event clearly. You can show the scars of life before salvation. You can tell how blessed you are to not have ended up like others in your situation did. Nobody can doubt that the day had a profound effect on the rest of your life. "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit," Ephesians 1:13 Not many folks notice my scars because they aren't obvious. However, I may as well be tattooed on my forehead with the mark of God. If I'm living right, people can tell I'm saved just by watching. Just as there's no sense in my denying I had a bike accident as a kid, there's really no sense in denying that you're a follower of Christ. You've been marked. Don't hide your markings. Let the world see Who you belong to. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Jul 18 00:31:12 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:31:12 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Faith and Deeds Message-ID: <9631AAB8-AD66-4D30-B4CC-3BD487B3DBAE@clanwebb.com> "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?" Sherlock Holmes, The Sign of the Four I have enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes stories most of my life. I enjoy the character because he is highly intelligent, very aware of the tiniest details, and was able to come to conclusions through methodical, logical thought. The quote above is simply describing the process of elimination or deduction whereby you remove all options that are proven to be incorrect and see what you have left. I believe that when you read these two scriptures, a little deduction is called for: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith ? and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ? not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" James 2:14 Are these contradicting each other? No. As I've mentioned before, compare Scripture to itself. If it seems contradictory, then there is a meaning or nuance you are missing. We can throw out the possibility that there is a contradiction. That leaves only the possibility that they are compatible. In this case, the verse from James is not saying that your deeds will save you. That kind of a statement would clearly contradict the first one. In fact, what God is saying is these three things: He gave you your faith, your faith is what has saved you, and when you have real faith there will be deeds to prove it. The point is that your salvation comes from faith alone. There is nothing you can do to earn it. However, if you really have that faith, it will manifest itself in your deeds. The deeds don't get you saved, they're just evidence that you are. Scripture is also saying that those without deeds have a questionable faith. If you have no deeds that you'd be happy to show the Lord, then you may need to revisit your commitment to Him. Are you really living for Him? Remember that faith is not just believing God exists, but also choosing to call Him Lord. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Jul 18 23:55:35 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:55:35 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Anticipation Message-ID: <5C39932A-1F95-447F-BDE5-1720810CA681@clanwebb.com> As part of my job, I have to write performance reviews for the five engineers who I manage. As a rule,review processes are overwrought and cumbersome. They often include nonsensical requirements. One of the areas I have to rate is planning and organization. One of the questions I am supposed to answer is "How well did the employee anticipate the unexpected?". Think about that for a second. If you can anticipate it, it wasn't unexpected. What a silly question. What the question is attempting to extract, though, is of value. It's really asking, "How well does someone prepare themselves so that when the unexpected happens, it doesn't throw them off course?" That is a valuable skill when working in an environment where random changes can and do happen. I'm reminded that God expects us to do the same in a spiritual sense. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 He's telling us to spiritually gird ourselves and pay attention so that when the attack comes, we aren't thrown off. We can defend our position and continue serving God. If you don't prepare yourself or if you lose control and overextend, the devil will eventually find a hole in your defense and attack. If it's a big enough hole, it will hurt. It might be money, relationships, time, or temptation. In any case, he will attempt to hurt your relationship with Christ and to nullify your ability to do Christ's work for as long as possible. You can't leave yourself open for that. So, it boils down to this: God says to anticipate the unexpected. Do you? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Thu Jul 19 23:47:57 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2007 23:47:57 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Checkup Message-ID: I went with my son to his annual checkup today. The doctor asked him a bunch of questions about his health, about healthy habits (eating, wearing a seatbelt, etc.), and then the doctor looked him over. He looked in his ears and nose. He listened to his heart and lungs and, of course, he had to check for a hernia. I was reminded of how we need to visit with Jesus often (more than once a year) and have a checkup. Some things are a breeze. Some are uncomfortable. We need them all checked, though. We need to check our eyes: "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl." Job 31:1 We need to check our walk: "but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you." Jeremiah 7:23 We need to check our spine: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13 We need to check our mind: "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2 We need to check our heart: "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully comitted to him..." 2 Chronicles 16:9a Sometimes, these are easy things to check with Jesus. Sometimes, these are very painful or embarassing things to check with Jesus. Suck it up. It's for your spiritual health so it's worth it. Have you had a checkup lately? How'd it go? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Jul 21 00:32:14 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2007 00:32:14 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Choose Message-ID: Some things you choose. Some things are chosen for you. Your parents chose your name, but you could choose to change it now, if you wanted to. Your parents were chosen by God. Your hometown was chosen by your parents. Your classmates were chosen by your school. Your first car may have been chosen for you (mine was). You chose your prom date. You chose your girlfriends. You chose your wife (or did she choose you?). You chose your first job. You chose your current job. You chose your friends. You chose your church. Every day you choose to serve the flesh or to serve Jesus. On the days you get that wrong, you can choose to repent or to be stubborn. If you have truly chosen Jesus, the truth is that He chose you, too. How can you have chosen Him with a free will and yet He chose you, too? I have no idea. It's just how it works. God has chosen those who choose Him. "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies." Romans 8:33 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentlenesss and patience." Colossians 3:12 "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will server, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws." Psalm 119:30 What do you choose today? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Jul 22 00:27:08 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:27:08 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Some Say Message-ID: As I become more cynical about most news media, I am developing pet peeves that seem to happen over and over. My wife can attest to my sudden bursts of outrage while watching TV news or reading an article. I hate it when editorial opinion sneaks into what is supposed to be a news story. I don't mind hearing opinion, but just label it as such. Even worse, in my mind, is when the journalist with the opinion isn't even willing to claim his own thoughts. It almost always comes in the form of a question like, "Mr. President, some say your policies are damaging the Constitution. What is your response?" or "General, it has been stated that you are painting an overly rosy picture of our progress in Iraq. What is your response?" Why not just admit that the opinion you refer to is the one you yourself hold? They want the kudos for challenging authority without having to take responsibility when their point of view is shot down. It illustrates an important point, though. Your own thoughts and opinions are, ultimately, what is most important. Jesus went through this with the disciples: "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven." Matthew 16:13-17 Jesus heard what others were saying, but He was challenging His disciples to have their own beliefs about who He was. He didn't accept answers from third parties. He wanted to know what those right there thought themselves. He was telling them to come to belief through a direct relationship. Don't depend on the beliefs or opinions of others. Peter was blessed by Jesus because he wasn't afraid to state his own opinion and state it clearly. When the time comes for us to go to Heaven or Hell, it won't matter what others have said about Jesus. It won't matter what your mother or father or brother believed. It will only matter what your own personal belief is. If you believe He is Jesus and call Him Lord, you win. If you don't, you lose. The rest has no bearing on your eternal life. Don't be distracted by the "some say" questions. What do you believe? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Mon Jul 23 00:35:25 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:35:25 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Phases Message-ID: <11280595-38DD-45D7-90E9-81BBC23A1292@clanwebb.com> Do you go through food phases like I do? I'll have a craving for roasted peanuts one day, so I'll buy a can and they are my favorite snack for a week. Then, I get a little tired of them and move on to something else, like dried fruit. The same thing happens with my lunch (since I usually bring a lunch to work). I'll be locked in on roast beef for a few weeks, and then I have to move on. Or, it'll be a certain flavor of yogurt for a while. Each time, though, I begin to tire of the flavors and textures and I want something new. Nothing ever satisfies completely and never satisfies forever. The only exception to this rule is Jesus. When I spend time with Jesus, I actually crave more. When I read the Scripture, I want more. These things never grow old. I never set them aside for lack of fulfillment. I will leave them behind because of my sin nature, though, and go seeking something more selfish. "Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." [...] but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." " John 4:10,14 "Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." " John 6:35 Thankfully, He's always there waiting for me when I come to my senses. When I realize that I'm craving something that satisfies again, I come back and He provides. Are you going through spiritual phases? Do you drift away only to realize that nothing else satisfies? Become addicted to Jesus. Become addicted to the Word. They never disappoint. They never become boring. You'll find that your taste for these never fades. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Jul 24 00:29:12 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:29:12 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Random Hug Message-ID: I was standing in line to buy something to drink at the mall the other day, when a pretty young woman runs up and hugs me and says, "I just wanted to say thank you!" At that moment, the young woman did not realize that my wife and son were sitting on the bench less than ten feet away witnessing the whole thing. Normally, I would have been shocked and curious, but once I realized who it was, I felt very content. You see, this young woman had just returned from a short term mission trip to India. She had gone with several other young adults from our church to an orphanage for the disabled and handicapped there. They spent time with the kids, helped with the orphanage, and generally did what they could to bless and support those who were being the hands and feet of Jesus in a very impoverished part of the world. Not only were these children touched, but the young woman in question was no doubt changed for life in regards to her outlook on helping the orphan and the widow as Jesus commanded. She will never be the same. She will share her story and touch the lives of others. She will probably make more trips like that and continue to be an ambassador of Jesus touching more lives than I can count. Now, the reason she hugged me (and later, my wife), was because we had donated about half of what she needed to make the trip. As you know, I'm a gadget and computer geek. That money could have bought a new computer, a couple of new gadgets, or various other things that I tend to get excited about. All of those things would have brought fleeting pleasure to me and maybe my family. I know this because that's how I've spent money before. I know that the impact of those purchases was very limited. I know today, that the impact of the investment we made in this woman is much, much larger and will last far longer. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21 That's why I'm content. At the moment we wrote that check, I know we were good stewards with the abundance God has blessed us with. My heart is with those orphans and the widows who care for them. My heart was with that group of young adults who were doing God's will. I know what it's like to have my heart in something fleeting and worthless. I like this feeling much better. Where's your heart? Where's your treasure? Are you content? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Jul 24 23:10:42 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:10:42 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Learn From the Fruit Message-ID: <1745E6E0-F74D-453A-AE7C-32BA2B5AD5CF@clanwebb.com> I spend a lot of prayer time with several guys that are in their golden years. I must say, they are quite busy with projects, family, and church. Our retired pastor passed me on his tractor yesterday. I was struck how so many different guys from so many different backgrounds can come together. Then I realized it was all because of one God. Older guys have lived and walked a lot of miles and within their experiences lie some great lessons of perseverance, comebacks, courage, and love that we walk by every day. I want to encourage every man to listen to what are often thought of as ramblings and learn from the ripe fruit. "You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 Pay attention to that last phrase, "... opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." I don't think "to be subject" means to be under their control, but to listen, to use them as a resource, and to give them an ear as you just may learn something. By the same token, I prayed with a young man that is leaving a leadership position to go back to Bible college. During his lesson, he said something that has stuck with me. Paraphrased, he said, "If you do ninety percent of the talking, it might explain why you do ninety percent of the apologizing." Blessings. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Wed Jul 25 22:41:33 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 22:41:33 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] You Don't Get To Grade Message-ID: <35CC1845-1176-401A-99E2-56C0FE8449CC@clanwebb.com> Who died and made me judge? I'm annoyed and embarrassed with myself that I've allowed it to get to this point, but here I am again. I find myself sitting around the dinner table talking about friends and family that, in my opinion, aren't displaying a Christian life. I begin to itemize all the evidence that proves they aren't living right. Then I begin to describe all of the consequences they will have to face. Upon reflection, I'm shocked at my language. How in the world do I know what their private life is like? How can I know for sure what is in their heart? Worse, I realize that someone could say many of the same things about me. I'm hardly in any position to clearly judge. Which is kind of the point: "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Romans 14:10-13 Don't be mistaken. This is not a warning against standing firm for what is right. This is a warning to not be caught up in sizing up and grading your fellow man. When it comes to deciding what kind of life you've lived, you are but a pupil. God is the professor and will give the grades. It seems silly, actually, to spend so much time and effort on a worthless pursuit. What value does it bring me? What have I accomplished? Absolutely nothing on both counts. In fact, it is actually to my detriment as it is consuming time and space in life that could be better filled with Christ. I warn you all now. Don't be caught in the trap of grading your brothers and sisters in Christ. You have enough work to be done serving Him. Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Fri Jul 27 00:04:37 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:04:37 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Your Identity Message-ID: Do you ever wonder who you are as a Christian? I mean, in plain language. We often pontificate and search for an answer to give the lofty impression to someone that we have been given some sort of degree that can be framed and hung on a wall. Or, we speak as to give the impression that we are humble and meek, serving in such a way that the rest of the world ought to feel ashamed of their money and things. Peter said it, and Silas probably edited it. It's short and sweet: "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance." 1 Peter 1:1 "God's elect" meaning we did nothing to earn it. "strangers in the world" meaning people think we're odd. "scattered throughout" all parts of the world meaning we're everywhere. "chosen with foreknowledge" meaning something was planted in us before we were born. "being sanctified by the Spirit" meaning we are a work in progress. "for obedience" meaning we are here to serve and reflect Jesus. "sprinkled by his blood" meaning we are eligible to spend eternity in perfection. Game. Set. Match. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Jul 28 00:06:07 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:06:07 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Fertile Dirt Message-ID: One can only imagine what it would be like if we were pure. Like an element, we would be the same in every molecule. Purity doesn't sound very manly, does it? We are formed from dirt and, as boys, we spend a lot of time in the dirt. As we grow, we play sports in it. As men, we move it, dig it, build on it, and now my job is to sell it. Dirt is not pure, but it can be fertile and a seed planted and fed will sprout and grow. Can you remember when you were first exposed to a seed of sexuality? Can you remember when that seed was planted? Can you remember how you fed it and nurtured it until it sprouted and it became a full-fledged desire? The question now is what has it grown into and are you still feeding it? This subject is the dead elephant in the living room that Christians don't want to talk about and yet, it is the reason for so much destruction in today's relationships. We cannot ignore it. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8 Guys, is it time to do something about the dead elephant in your living room? "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 Today would be a good day to get started... Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sat Jul 28 23:32:47 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2007 23:32:47 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Cloaked Creation Message-ID: Have you ever contemplated the difference between the world and creation? Creation has been masked by the world. It is cloaked and hard to see. If man could see creation as God intended him to see it, he would be so overcome that belief would be a forgone conclusion. He made it to reveal Himself to man, but man has let the world come between himself and creation. People spend thousands upon thousands of dollars trying to assemble a garden that will reflect peace and tranquility while shutting out the world. Do you know that creation is groaning to be let out from under the cloak? "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." Romans 8:18-21 When God picks the last soul to come to Him, He will destroy the cloak and allow creation to take its natural course and also be released from bondage. Sin is bad to the bone, boys. Only Jesus. Only Jesus. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Sun Jul 29 23:43:38 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2007 23:43:38 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Routine Message-ID: <30A078DD-65B7-4AD4-8A90-632831752744@clanwebb.com> Routine can be a good thing. You know that routine of getting up, looking in the mirror, checking your beard, scratching, yawning, showering, shaving, and the rest. It's all good, but not the most important thing to do to start your day. Your eyes should pop open and the first thing on your mind should be Jesus. That's right. Cotton mouth, bed head, and full bladder notwithstanding, the first thing ought to be Jesus. "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3 You can do all that other stuff while you're waiting. Allen From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Jul 31 00:29:24 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:29:24 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Resemblance Message-ID: I get a kick out seeing pictures where people look like their pets. You'll see the older guy with jowls who owns a bloodhound or the lady with big hair who owns the poodle. I've also heard (and seen pictures) that the longer a couple is married, the more they start to look like each other. I think there's something to that. If you love someone or something that much, you may start to resemble them physically or even in personality. As our pastor reminded us on Sunday, God said as much: "But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. [...] Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." Psalm 115:4,8 He's saying that those who worship idols will be like them. If your idol is money, you'll become greedy and ruthless. If your idol is power, then you'll become a bully and lord it over those you can. If your idol is sex, then you'll treat women like objects and be consumed with lust and miss out on meaningful relationships. However, if you worship God, you'll become more like Him. Isn't the goal here to look and act more and more like Him each day? How hard is that when we're busy worshipping something else? When people look at you, they will begin to see the resemblance you have to that which you worship. Who or what do you look like? Wyatt From wyatt at clanwebb.com Tue Jul 31 21:24:30 2007 From: wyatt at clanwebb.com (Wyatt Webb) Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:24:30 -0700 Subject: [Daily Push Up] Missed Again Message-ID: <26BE69A1-15F9-49AB-A03E-AD6C02409AE9@clanwebb.com> It happened again. I stubbed my toe. I dropped the ball. I nosed it over. I missed the mark. There was a day when I'd simply tighten up my facade and act a little more confident and pretend it never happened. That just led to moments alone of shame and sadness. Now, I'm thankful that it simply drives me to my knees in humility. I can't pretend to be better than I am. I blew it. How can I keep slipping up and still be a servant? Because He keeps forgiving me: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12 "[...]But where sin increased, grace increased all the more," Romans 5:20b So, I'll spend some time on my knees asking forgiveness and thanking Him for giving it. Then I'll stand up and head out into battle again, knowing that He's still with me. Thank you, God. Wyatt