Jesus Christ

Miracle Maker

by Andy Wood on May 18, 2009

in Five LV Laws, Principle of Abundance

fish-and-breadImagine being one of the 5000 people who ate bread and fish at the hand of a miracle by Jesus Himself.  Bet it tasted good!  I’ll bet it was an amazing spectacle to behold.

The laughter between bites.

The wonder.

The amazement.

The satisfaction of your appetite.

Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if, after the miraculous feed, you had never hungered again? [click to continue…]

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Scattershooting, and wondering whatever happened to Blackie Sherrod

Asleep at ComputerRip van Computer
I feel like Rip van Computer.  Last weekend I finished the book I’ve been writing with Kaye, the latest Regent class, and Carrie and Kyle’s move.  I found my email inbox with a record 761 messages in them (sorry if yours was one of them – I promise I wasn’t trying to diss you.)  My Google Reader had nearly 900 entries.  But this goes much deeper and further.  For seven months I’ve been in “hunker down” mode, time- and responsibility-wise.  The clouds have parted, and the time-sun is starting to shine.  But I feel like I’ve been asleep at the keyboard.

Catch-up Stains
Right after that, prophetically, I read this story from John Fischer, reportedly from the writings of Rabbi Kushner, about a group of tourists who went on a safari in Africa and hired several native porters to carry their supplies for them. After three days, the porters announced they would have to stop and rest for a day. When the tourists asked why, the porters said they weren’t tired, “…but we have walked too far too fast and now we must wait for our souls to catch up to us.” John talked about the need to let our souls catch up, and I can relate.  It’s time for some soul work.

Resumes and Cover Letters
My son sent me his resume with a cover letter this morning for me to review.  It reminded me of the massive staff search process we have just been through.  I absolutely know how the American Idol judges feel when they do their nationwide search.  Sometime soon I’ll share with you some of the good, the bad, and the you-gotta-be-kidding-me stuff we received (with names changed to protect the laughing).

Handling Fees?
Jackie Huba just shared an experience in which she was purchasing a $50 gift certificate from her favorite day spa. (I can relate – I just did that for my wife).  As the clerk filled out the certificate, she said the total would be $51.50.   “Handling fee,” she said.  When asked what kind of handling was involved, she said (with a straight face, I suppose), “Writing out the certificate,” she said. “It’s labor-intensive.”

I’m not sure whether to laugh, cry, get mad, or get inspired.   We all know about the airlines introducing fees for different things we all sort of took for granted.  Before long, I suppose, we’ll see all kind of new fees for “labor-intensive” or “optional” services: [click to continue…]

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Which Way Out?

by Andy Wood on May 27, 2008

in 100 Words

A Picture and a Hundred Words

Way OutIn a train station somewhere is a parable for our time.  Just count the arrows.

Don’t you wish sometimes there was just one way out? 

One way home?

Don’t you wish somebody – anybody – would make it plain?

Multiple choice is fine when you’re picking soup or paint colors.

But some decisions require a way – a truth.

When the “way out” only involves a map, any set of steps will do.

But when it’s real life you’re looking for, limit your choices to Someone who is willing to be the way – not just point. 

I AM,” said He. 

He is.

(Photo by liamvictor)

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Christmas in May

by Andy Wood on May 15, 2008

in Life Currency, Love

Laura Kate 4I’ve said it often in church life:  there is nothing more useless (and sometimes obnoxious) than a new grandparent.

Uh huh.

So anyway…

Amazing creatures, these babies – resting peacefully in somebody’s eager arms or lying in the bed, quietly watching the world go by.  Filled with wonder at times, filling the room with noise at times.  Innocent and defenseless, yet powerful enough to hold your heart in their tiny hands.  So capable of needing and being needed, even before she takes her first nap. Babies!  I realized the other day how long it had been since I had held one, or played with one.  I remembered how little we still truly know about them.

How does God do that anyway?  How can one life be created in the image of two, a miniature version of her Mommy and Daddy?  How can she be so unable to care for herself, yet totally equipped to learn, to grow, and to develop?  What’s really going through her mind as she lies there quietly?  What will she become one day?  Will she be a woman or a witch, an angel or a devil?  We talk of “accidents,” but God never does.  What does God have in mind for her?  How much of God will she ever truly experience?  What kind of God will she see in me?  Or in her parents?

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). 

[click to continue…]

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Love Crucified Arose

by Andy Wood on March 21, 2008

in Five LV Laws, Principle of Eternity

(with a big salute to Michael Card)

Empty TombHe waited, and waited, and waited. He put up with so much. While His love was spurned, He suffered long, awaiting that one climactic moment in time that was a part of His eternal plan.

When that moment came, He took the initiative and arrived on the scene. In kindness He reached out to us with tangible expressions of His love – a healing touch, the pleasure of His company, a word of forgiveness. His kindness was refreshing, because it touched those who weren’t used to receiving it.

He was criticized, questioned, suspected, and ultimately undermined by jealous people. But there wasn’t a jealous bone in His body.

He went toe-to-toe with an establishment of hypocrites who loved to parade themselves before men. But in spite of His immense popularity, He never flaunted Himself.

[click to continue…]

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