Taking action

I was thinking tonight about how we decide to take action.  Generally there seem to be two ways to act: We can "react" to circumstances that come up or we can anticipate circumstances and be "proactive" to get ahead of problems.  But tonight a third way of acting occurred:  We can follow leadership coming from an outside source.  Sometimes following can be kind of mindless.  I remember marching in the Navy and being boxed in by guys on all sides.  It didn't take a lot of effort or energy to follow then.  But how beautiful to have the kind of intimate relationship with our Lord that allows us to sense His presence, hear His voice, feel His nudge and know He is our guide.  I really believe that we can follow the Lord.  Of course, if we're going to practice this kind of following it will call for focus, blocking out many distractions, communication and a confidence that He will show up in our lives.  Perhaps our need for direction can become one our greatest catalysts for growth.

 

Matthew 9:9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

To be known and to know

I use a number of software and internet applications each day.  Most of them require that I enter a user i.d. and a password to gain access.  Sometimes I forget one of these and I have to contact the web site to get them reset.  It occurred to me today that the user i.d. is how the computer knows who I am and the password is how I can "know" the computer program.  In a similar way, we have a unique identity fashioned by the Lord and He knows us as one of His unique creations.  The world knows us by our name, social security number and driver's license.  We, in turn, have access to our wonderful Lord through the most wonderful "password." of all.  The interesting thing about this password is that, while the spelling is commonly known, it only works properly when activated by keying it in with faith.  You don't have to worry about forgetting the password.  Once the password is received you may forget Him, but He'll never forget you!  I hope your identity and His identity have come together.  Heavenly access is the outcome.

 

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

tomorrow

Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow,  For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

 

I had just finished buying a few things at Wal-Mart last night and on the way out spotted a sign:

Wal-Mart

Today's Stock Price: $48.90

tomorrow's price depends on you

 

I think the sign was directed primarily at employees (though the customers play a big role too!).  But it occurred to me that there really isn't a direct correlation between how hard the employees work, or how much the customers spend and what happens to the stock price from one day to the next.  There are so many forces that can affect a stock from one day to the next, from world markets, to domestic fears about inflation and the price of oil.  A major law suit or product recall can certainly impact the stock.  (This is not to diminish the important role of hard work, good service and loyal customers, of course).  But just as Wal-Mart employees can't directly control the price of company stock just by their efforts, so we can't control our tomorrows through ours.  But there is One who can look past the horizon of today and know what tomorrow brings.  He is aware of the battles that lie just ahead and He is able to order events and circumstances just as He pleases.  He is the One who will take our good intentions and our heart to walk closely with Him and incorporate that with His marvelous plan.  We can't know what tomorrow brings, but we can be assured that investing ourselves in Him is a sure way for our spiritual stock to do well.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

the world turned upside down

Luke 8:36-37 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.  Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

 

Tradition tells us that when Cornwallis surrendered the British forces at Yorktown his musicians played a song called "The World Turned Upside Down".  This seems appropriate in light of the unlikely victory of a start-up nation with a poorly equipped army defeating the greatest world power of the time.

 

The world can also seem "turned upside down" when we are distant or separated in relationship from the Lord Jesus.  In the account from Luke, above, Jesus has just delivered a man who has been held captive by demons for a long time.  In the place where he lived, his wild behavior had become part of their world.  They may not have enjoyed this man, but he was part of their reality.  When Jesus set the man free, and he was restored to his right mind, the locals reacted strangely.  Rather than embracing Jesus and showing gratitude for this deliverance they rejected Him.  The thought occurs that when we are distant from the Lord, even that which is good can be construed to be bad and that which should attract us to Him can cause us to separate further.  Embracing the familiar can sometimes lead to an "upside down" experience with the Lord.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

living in abundance

Tonight, on the way back from a dinner in Virginia Beach we needed to fill the car with gas.  After surveying prices in an area that generally is reasonable for gasoline we pulled into a convenience store with gas pumps.  This was not a national franchise convenience store but it certainly had a catchy name above the main entrance: Featuring their fried chicken prominently the sign said "Gizzards and More".  I suppose it's hard to imagine just how good life is with Gizzards and then the very idea of Gizzards and More just about leaves you breathless.  I was pleased just to buy gasoline for less than $3 a gallon.  But it is good to count our blessings, whether they include gizzards, wings or drumsticks.  These days I'm especially grateful to be able to play with a two year-old grandson named Peter (enough fun to make you forget the joys of gizzards).  I hope you don't have to look far to realize how blessed you are, with the joys of life that the Lord has poured out on you!

 

Genesis 49:25 By the God of your father who will help you,
      And by the Almighty who will bless you
      With blessings of heaven above,
      Blessings of the deep that lies beneath,
      Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.

 

blessings and more,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

 

 

high and low

I was struck this morning by the prevalence of ravines in our area. Deep trenches leading to creeks are common.  They sculpt our wooded terrain and fashion scenic woods and provide shelter for deer and other wildlife.  Apparently these ravines were an indirect result of the glaciers many years ago that melted and caused the ocean level to rise and then subsequently fall.  The ravines are the etchings of water draining back to the sea as the ocean level fell.  I'm glad the Lord added this interesting aspect to our land.  It could have been perfectly flat, like the salt plains of the far west.  In our lives, the pressures of life and the relief of God's deliverance can etch lines of character within us.  Perhaps this adds beauty and interest as the Lord looks within.

 

Psalm 65: 13 The pastures are clothed with flocks;
         The valleys also are covered with grain;
         They shout for joy, they also sing.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

birds stay warm

I was wondering this chilly morning how the birds I heard singing out around me were able to stay warm in the winter.  They certainly have small bodies and don't have much fat (or fur) and they live outside.  It turns out that the feathers serve as a blanket and the bird has special muscles that allow it to "fluff" the feathers.  Even a small bird has a thousand or more feathers.  This creates air spaces that serve as insulation, like a down jacket.  So the Creator designed the bird with amazing efficiency.  The same feathers that allow the bird to fly keep him warm.  I'm reminded that God's design is perfect and efficient.  There isn't any aspect of life He hasn't prepared us for.  But I suppose it's good to remember that He designed us to hold His presence in our hearts so that we might be warmed and also fly with Him.

 

Psalm 55:6 So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

 

warm blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

brisk or frozen

On my walk this morning I experienced a cold Virginia morning.  It wouldn't be so cold for Michigan or Massachusetts or Maine but 29 degrees means below freezing and that's cold for Virginia.  But the air felt good and it occurred to me that this kind of temperature can be seen one of two ways: uncomfortable and unpleasant or brisk and energizing.  On the positive side, the bracing air was a good wakeup feeling and encouraged a fast walking pace.  My thoughts and desire to pray were stimulated.  It was a positive experience.  But if I weren't prepared for the cold, it would have been very unpleasant and my thoughts would have only been about escaping the cold as soon as possible.

 

If we prepare for unpleasant conditions, we can walk through them and benefit despite them.

 

Job 38:29 From whose womb comes the ice?
      And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth?

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

How are you being?

Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

 

"How are you doing?" is possibly our most familiar greeting when we see friends and want to catch up with them.  We have a strong focus on doing.  We do things all the time..at home, at work, for hobbies, for exercise.  We stay "on the go" from the time we rise till the time we recline at night.  Sometimes I think that "doing" becomes an intentional distraction so we don't let all the moving parts settle and consider how we are on the inside.  Is there peace?  Is there a sense of intimacy with the Lord?  If not, do we just trudge on and cover the unsettled areas of our heart with more "doing"?  With all of God's amazing creative acts, you might think He'd identify Himself as "The Great Maker".  He chose to clarify to Moses who He was by declaring His existence (I AM..)...and that was enough.  Before we just put our heads down and march through another day of "doing", let's consider who we are in the Lord.  We might say "I am because He is"!

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

Wind and water

Proverbs 8:29 When He assigned to the sea its limit,
      So that the waters would not transgress His command,
      When He marked out the foundations of the earth

 

This weekend I spent time at a friend's house located on a point of land flanked by water on two sides.  A creek lay on the side and a river connected to the Rappahannock filled the view from the rear of the home, which was situated on a rise creating a peaceful view of the water.  I spent a little time walking down to the water's edge to hear the small waves wash over the plants growing where water and land met.  I also enjoyed gazing out over the water as it danced in constant motion and tossed reflected light in diamond shimmers up to us.  The water seemed to be almost a living thing.  I was talking to a friend who lives on the water and he said that the view constantly changes as the winds play with the waves and tease them into anger or caress them into bobbing submission.  The wind and waves have that kind of direct relationship and it is impossible for the water not to react to the personality of the air moving above it.  Less obvious was the gradual rise and fall of water with tidal change, caused by the pull of the sun and moon.  The tides shift the entire river level by several feet every day.  We know that our lives can be like the water too.  On the surface we tend to react, almost immediately, to the winds in our lives...whether stormy gale or calming breeze.  There are underlying forces that are less obvious but that pull with irresistible force, as well.  The thought today has to do with the forces that influencing you.  Do you allow the winds that whip through your life to have the greater effect, or do you remember the trustworthy pull of God's tide, which like the moon, draws you in and sends you out no matter what happens on the surface?

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

We must bow

We tend to grow up conditioned to see victory in strength and strength coming from victory.  Success appears to be the experience of the few who climb to the pinnacle of the pyramid in some walk of life.  But it is only when we learn to bow...in service, in deference, in preference to others that we prepare our hearts and train our will to yield to our Heavenly Master.  He isn't looking for the few who dominate, but for those who will follow Him and who have learned to surrender self before the Savior. 

 

Luke 9:48 Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest."

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

on stage

"In Stanislavski's approach, by the time the actor reaches the stage, he or she no longer experiences a distinction between his or her self and the character"

Really good actors immerse themselves in the characters they portray...so much so that they "become" the character within the confines of the story.  Sometimes they are so effective that the public expects the actor to actually be the character.  Today I learned that someone in our church just lost their father.  Just the day before, we had heard that this gentleman was very ill and the end seemed very near.  The thought surfaced that we walk this earth as an actor does the stage.  We make our entrance, follow various directors through numerous episodes and acts of comedy and drama, and exit "stage right or left".  Our stage is a bit more elaborate and our production a bit lengthier than Hollywood or Broadway would consider, but  Shakespeare nailed the thought in "As You Like It":

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,

But the thought also emerges that we exit this stage to perform on another and
though we eventually exit this dusty platform we will stand again before another 
more glorious audience.  

And we will finally understand the role we have been playing...

1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; 
then we shall see face to face. Now I know
in part; then  I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

blessings,
Rob Smith
http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

Noble

Definition: "Noble"...of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence; lofty: a noble thought.

The root of noble is similar to that for "knowable" and came from Roman officials who were well known.  Later, noble, also came to be identified with people of excellent character and high moral qualities.  But this morning as I walked our neighborhood just as the dawn was breaking I was struck by the nobility of some basic qualities.  Workmen were already showing up to begin a long day of construction on new homes, lot clearing and road work in our area.  These were obviously not the kind of nobility that ancient Rome would have profiled.  But I have watched these men work hard and work together.  They have come from Mexico and El Salvador and Korea and they have families back there.  They live in humble places and send most of their earnings home.   Theirs is the nobility of work.  I was reminded that work isn't just about an exchange of effort for cash.  It's about the sacrifice of time, effort and convenience for a cause that goes beyond self.  I was reminded that supporting a family reflects the highest kind of nobility.  I'm honored and humbled to be near these noble ones.

Psalm 104:23 Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening....27 These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. 28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.

blessings,
Rob Smith
http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

Sauntering

Henry David Thoreau loved walking.  He wrote a long essay about walking and in the first paragraph described it as "sauntering".  He explained that sauntering is an old word made from two older words "sainte terre" or holy land.  In old days, folks enjoyed walking because it helped them sense a nearness to God.  In a sense, when out in God's creation and free from some of the pressures and distractions that man brings to man our thoughts can turn more freely to the One who made it all.  I've found this to be true and would encourage you to become a "saunterer" as well.  You will find yourself drawn away from many cares and enjoy thoughts of inspiration from the maker of all you see around, above and below your feet.  Come to the Holy Land with me.

 

Happy trails!

 

Psalm 26:3 for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

The faith bond

Matthew 9:29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."

 

It occurred to me today that faith is something like a chemical bond.  Molecules of different substances "bond" when they share electrons and reach a stable connection.  In a sense, it's a little hard to tell where one element ends and the other begins.  Through the miracle of our "faith bond" with God we share a connection that attaches us and changes our properties.  As He extends truth and Himself to us, the wonder of understanding and grasping that reality can be awakened within and we accept Him and form the bond that can not be broken.

 

John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

The power of paper

I use a lot of paper.  My job calls for a lot of analysis and report creation.  My handy computer and printer team up to produce handy paper output.  I was thinking about the usefulness of paper.  It's inexpensive, lightweight and capable of carrying a great deal of information in words and numbers.  Of course the computer screen takes the place of a lot of paper these days...but there's still something nice about the physical nature of paper.  You can handle it, write on it, carry it home and ball it up and toss it away when you're done.  It reminded me of the power of things that are humble.  You may feel as though you have little to offer...that your skills are simple...your abilities fairly common.  I suppose it's good to remember that the most common and the most humble may also be the most useful.

 

Deuteronomy 7:7 The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples;

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

It just wouldn't be the same

Proverbs 19:21 We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails.

 

I think that most of the time we're thinking about our next move...what we want to do to: a) Make it to Friday and the sanctuary of the weekend, b) Advance our personal agenda...career, happiness, feeling satisfied, or c) Avoid trouble in any form. 

 

I wonder how often we consider that God has specific purposes to accomplish in, through,  and, often, for us.  Have you ever stepped back and reflected on the strengths God has given you and thought about how those gifts could be used as part of God's purpose and plan?  Have you ever realized that your unique DNA makes you the perfect fit for Him?  It's not that we're indispensable...but given His way in our lives there are special assignments for eternity that each of us is equipped to do in a way that no one else can do better.  It's almost like we're all on the Mission Impossible Team and we're being called with an assignment.  If we choose to accept it we'll find the Mission becomes Possible in Him and we find our purpose in His purpose.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

Forget and Remember

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,

 

Each morning I take my keys and wallet from my dresser top and put them in my pocket.  I can't go anywhere without my car keys, I can't prove who I am without my driver's license, and I can't buy gas or lunch without my debit card.  I need to remember these essentials to cope each day.  We need to forget and remember some important things when it comes to the Lord.  We need to forget the past where we may have stumbled and we need to remember the one who picked us up and who, HImself, was picked up from the dead to lead us to eternity.  I need to remember to take Jesus with me, just as I take my keys and wallet, every day.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

Eternity is multi-generational

Job 8:8 "Ask the former generations
       and find out what their fathers learned,

Psalm 22:30 Posterity will serve him;
       future generations will be told about the Lord.

We often divide our lives into two views: our life in the flesh here on earth...and our life to come in heaven.  In a sense I think that's too narrow.  One aspect of the eternal life we have is that we are linked with all the generations that have preceded us and all the generations yet to come.  We actually can draw life lessons from the lives of Jacob, Joseph and David even though they lived thousands of years ago and we can live our lives in such a way that a few thousand years from now the Gospel torch is still being passed to new waves of earth dwellers (should the Lord not appear sooner).  In a sense we are brothers of believers who have gone before as well as those yet to come.  The blessing of time is that it serves as a gateway for millions across the centuries to enter God's Kingdom from the common platform of planet earth.

blessings,
Rob Smith
http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

Eternity is multi-generational

Job 8:8 "Ask the former generations
       and find out what their fathers learned,

Psalm 22:30 Posterity will serve him;
       future generations will be told about the Lord.

We often divide our lives into two views: our life in the flesh here on earth...and our life to come in heaven.  In a sense I think that's too narrow.  One aspect of the eternal life we have is that we are linked with all the generations that have preceded us and all the generations yet to come.  We actually can draw life lessons from the lives of Jacob, Joseph and David even though they lived thousands of years ago and we can live our lives in such a way that a few thousand years from now the Gospel torch is still being passed to new waves of earth dwellers (should the Lord not appear sooner).  In a sense we are brothers of believers who have gone before as well as those yet to come.  The blessing of time is that it serves as a gateway for millions across the centuries to enter God's Kingdom from the common platform of planet earth.

blessings,
Rob Smith
http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/

Uncommon Value

Mark 12:37 "Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?"
And the common people heard Him gladly.

 

A precious metal, such as gold, silver or platinum is highly valued because it is rare, difficult to obtain and carries unique beauty and usefulness.  Sometimes precious metals are reclassified.  Aluminum used to be a precious metal because it was difficult to extract.  But then a Frenchman came along who invented a process to simplify aluminum extraction and it was no longer on the precious metals list (at one time Napoleon reserved his aluminum dishes for his finest guests!). 

 

The wonder of our Lord is that He finds the greatest value among that which is common, not that which is rare.  Even though we all are flawed with a vein of sin running through our raw human ore, He has a process to extract eternal value, purity and great usefulness for HImself from each of our lives.  No wonder the common people heard Jesus gladly in the passage from Mark, quoted above.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/