Here's My Box

The story of the woman with the alabaster box has got to be one of the greatest in the Bible. That's probably why Jesus said it must be told whenever the gospel is preached. Recently I have been studying this story and speaking about it from various angles.
Consider your life as that box.
All the good experiences! Like the day you were saved. The first time you led someone to the Lord. The times you have felt renewed in His presence and were off to a fresh start.
Also consider your pain. The abuse, hard words, broken dreams and broken promises-- all neatly packed away in that box.
The good, bad and ugly all living together.
Now picture the woman carrying the alabaster box. Recall her reputation.
Can you imagine her emotional baggage--the pain and humiliation?
This box of perfume was her most valued possession.
Despite how she had earned it.
When she found out that Jesus was near, she tucked the box under her arm and set out on a journey. She made her way out of her familiar place of abode and into the streets where she was likely looked upon with disgust.
At this point, nothing mattered but Him and a divine appointment of sorts. And Simon's house...a meeting place to trade her pain for his healing.
When she came through the door, she fell to her knees in worship. She bathed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She worshiped until she was finally able to offer the one thing that she held in high esteem; the only thing that could give her real identity and true purpose--her box.
The box held it all.
She reached for it and with all the strength she had, she broke it! She took what she had held dear and gave it away!
It was love and worship. It was emptying--a dieing out of what she was. It was also a discovery of who she was about to become.
Jesus wants your box, too. Your box is intended to be a blessing. All the wrongs and rights mingled together in that box are designed to bless someone else. Give Him your box.

Shut up and Think

Fridays are supposed to be my "off" day-- if there is any such thing as an off day being a pastor! I was on my way to the beautiful Little Red River nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains to do some fly fishing which has got to be the most enjoyable and restful sport ever! Apologies to you golfers. While driving, I was listening to the radio and this guy who was a guest on Dr. Dobson's broadcast was speaking about the "prodigals". In the middle of his message I received a text so I turned the volume down on the radio to make a phone call. When I finished the call, I resumed listening to this message! Perfect timing. Although I missed the introduction to this wonderful story, I heard the important part.

A pastor of a church had been bringing in the "nobodies" to his local church. One day a lady in the church came to him saying, "Pastor you are destroying our church. We have always had this good place of worship and fellowship and now all these people that don't fit and make it very uncomfortable are invading our quaint little atmosphere"! (paraphrasing, but real close) Most of us, if in this pastors shoes, would call the fire of God down on this woman's head and give her lots of Biblical proof that Jesus would have the same people following His ministry! Instead, he turns too her in a gentle voice and says to her, "Your right" and then asks her, "What should we do about it?" then asks her if she would help by disciplining some of the ladies! This lady became a great help to this church.

Proverbs 15:1 says: "a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger".

You have to understand that if someone has the courage too come to you and criticize what you are doing--when you and most everyone else know its the right thing--you can bet that person (whoever they are) has thought it through, weighed the consequences and is prepared to take on your response!! Further more, they are ready for a fight! This is where you need to"shut up and think"!

I once heard it said, "Wisdom is knowing what to say and when to say it"! The next time you are challenged by someone's opinion, stop and say too yourself, "This is a good time to build a bridge and mend a heart!" Give it a try. You'll never know if it works unless you give it a try!!

Shut up and Think

Shut up and Think

I once heard that there are some people who have "diarrhea of the mouth"! Wow, how true!
And, yes, "WE" all have had this problem at least once!

Fridays are supposed to be my "off" day-- if there is any such thing as an off day being a pastor! I was on my way to the beautiful Little Red River nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains to do some fly fishing which has got to be the most enjoyable and restful sport ever! Apologies to you golfers. While driving, I was listening to the radio and this guy who was a guest on Dr. Dobson's broadcast was speaking about the "prodigals". In the middle of his message I recieved a text so I turned the volume down on the radio to make a phone call. When I finished the call, I resumed listening to this message! Perfect timing. Although I missed the introduction to this wonderful story, I heard the important part.

A pastor of a church had been bringing in the "nobodies" to his local church. One day a lady in the church came to him saying, "Pastor you are destroying our church. We have always had this good place of worship and fellowship and now all these people that don't fit and make it very uncomfortable are invading our quaint little atmosphere"! (paraphrasing, but real close) Most of us, if in this pastors shoes, would call the fire of God down on this woman's head and give her lots of Biblical proof that Jesus would have the same people following His ministry! Instead, he turns too her in a gentle voice and says to her, "Your right" and then asks her, "What should we do about it?" then asks her if she would help by disciplining some of the ladies! This lady became a great help to this church.

Proverbs 15:1 says: "a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger".

You have to understand that if someone has the courage too come to you and criticize what you are doing--when you and most everyone else know its the right thing--you can bet that person (whoever they are) has thought it through, weighed the consequences and is prepared to take on your response!! Further more, they are ready for a fight! This is where you need to"shut up and think"!

I once heard it said, "Wisdom is knowing what to say and when to say it"! The next time you are challenged by someone with "diarrhea of the mouth" stop and say too yourself, "This is a good time to build a bridge and mend a heart!" Give it a try. You'll never know if it works unless you give it a try!!