Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton
Saturday, May 15th, 2010
Title: WOW! You've Been in the Son!
Text: Luke 11:36 (NIV) Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."
Today myself and my 2 boys, TK and Carson, went out to watch some lacrosse. It was a great spring day in North Carolina, but it was also probably the hottest day of the year, so far. As the day went on and the sun rose higher in the sky, of course the temperature and the effects of the sun began to be felt. But no one really minded and the fellas never even complained about the heat. The games were great, we hung out with friends and TK and Carson both ran around familiarizing themselves with their new sports interest. Both are die-hard football players, but their interest was certainly peeked by another sport where players wear helmets, you get to knock people down and even hit them with a stick. Sounds pretty cool to me.
Anyway, when the last game ended, we all said goodbye to our friends, loaded up in the car and made our way home. We were all a bit tired, yet our conversation definitely centered around a great day together and our introduction to lacrosse. When we got home and began to cool down for the morning in the sun, Carson came walking into the living room and simply stated, "I got a sunburned today!" All I could do was chuckle and then confirm the observation of my hilarious 6 year old son by saying "WOW! You've been in the sun!" It was one of those duh-huh moments. I mean, anyone Carson would have encountered would have no problem noticing the fact that Carson had been in the sun. All the signs were present. His face was red. His neck was red. And he was sporting quite the spectacular farmer's tan. But he didn't mind. He had a blast and was thrilled to have spent the time watching a game, and even whacking a few people with a stick.
The question I have to ponder is this one. When you and I have the opportunity to spend some time in the "Son", does it become glaringly obvious to those we come in contact with that we have experienced something very cool and even life-changing? Much like the effects the sun's rays have on our physical bodies, shouldn't we be effected by the interaction we have the Son of God? The blessings that come from the opportunity to spend time with the one who lived, died and made the ultimate sacrifice for us, and the fact that that very same person is passionately and intimately in love with each and every one of us, should leave us not only spiritually changed, but changed in such a way that enables each person we meet along our journey to see and experience the obvious effects of our physical, mental and spiritual selves. I mean, if we did have a true encounter with Christ, one that is not centered around what God can do for us, and instead is fully about basking in the greatness, love, compassion and grace of Jesus, how can the change in us not be as easily seen as the most brilliant farmer's tan in the history of the world?
So, if you consider yourself an authentic Christ-Follower, are others seeing the Son on your face? Or even more important than that, in your face? If not, maybe you should get out a little more. Get out of the shade and step into the presence of God. Then enjoy the effects. The best part is... no sun screen needed!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday, May 7th, 2010 "Open Mouth, Insert TANK!"
Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton
Friday, May 7th, 2010
Title: Open Mouth, Insert TANK!
Text: Proverbs 15:4 (NIV) 4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
From time to time, believe it or not, I can say things that I would consider funny. And by the reaction of those around me on those occasions, they seem to affirm that. So, I enjoy being the big and funny guy. Well, a couple of nights ago I was watching one of my favorite television shows. "LOST" is a show that I have watched since its very first episode. I have never missed a show, and now as the final season is coming to end and I can direct my obsessive behavior towards another program that will consume me for far too long, I have found great pleasure by watching this with my wife and a great friend. My buddy Ryan is my associate youth pastor at the church I serve and he too has the "LOST Sickness". So, it is natural that he would be a great person to join us for the show each week.
Anyway, as we watched this week's episode, the character Claire, who is a beautiful, blond Australian young lady appeared on the screen. I had noticed and kept very quiet about the fact that Claire's hair was a fright. I mean, it has gotten worse week by week, and I finally had to say something. I simply stated that her once beautiful, blond locks now more closely resembled a "Rat's Nest". It was frizzy and wild and just out of control nasty. I followed that up with the statement, "I wouldn't be surprised if there were a guinea pig or ferret in there somewhere." We all chuckled about it and then went on with watching the show.
The next day Ryan attended an area middle school to eat lunch with some members of our youth program. They sat and enjoyed some great conversation, discuss what was happening in their lives and just chilled out. Then, Ryan saw his chance to be a funny guy. A woman entered the cafeteria and made her way across the room. Her hair was bit wild and crazy. So Ryan simply said, "Wow! Look at her hair! I bet there is a guinea pig living in that thing." All of a sudden, a young man from down the table leaned up, looked Ryan in the eye and said, "That's my mom." Come to find out, the young man was correct. And at that moment, Ryan had done more than opened his mouth and inserted his foot. Ryan inserted a TANK!
Now, please allow me to tell you that my buddy Ryan is one of the greatest guys in the world. He's an amazing youth pastor, fun and a little out there. Just like me. And of course it is not his personality to be mean or say a hurtful thing about another person. I'm sure you have probably found yourself in a similar situation. However, I couldn't help but feel led to present the fact that the words we say carry some pretty power effects with it. Words can do amazing things such as building up, affirming, praising and nurturing people. Or they can cut you as deep as a knife. The person reciting the old childhood saying of "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." must have never been on the receiving end of a hurtful comment.
As those who make their way through life with the title of "Christ-Follower" flying boldly above us, we must understand that we are called to be the voice of Christ to a world so desperately in need of a kind word, an affirming statement and a positive interaction with another living soul. Are the words we say, the comments we make, or the discussions we have with others building up or breaking down? If we will just take the time to put ourselves in the shoes of another, remember what it feels like to receive a harsh word, even as harmless as it may have been intended, I know we will truly begin to be that kind, loving and welcoming voice God has asked us to be.
Friday, May 7th, 2010
Title: Open Mouth, Insert TANK!
Text: Proverbs 15:4 (NIV) 4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
From time to time, believe it or not, I can say things that I would consider funny. And by the reaction of those around me on those occasions, they seem to affirm that. So, I enjoy being the big and funny guy. Well, a couple of nights ago I was watching one of my favorite television shows. "LOST" is a show that I have watched since its very first episode. I have never missed a show, and now as the final season is coming to end and I can direct my obsessive behavior towards another program that will consume me for far too long, I have found great pleasure by watching this with my wife and a great friend. My buddy Ryan is my associate youth pastor at the church I serve and he too has the "LOST Sickness". So, it is natural that he would be a great person to join us for the show each week.
Anyway, as we watched this week's episode, the character Claire, who is a beautiful, blond Australian young lady appeared on the screen. I had noticed and kept very quiet about the fact that Claire's hair was a fright. I mean, it has gotten worse week by week, and I finally had to say something. I simply stated that her once beautiful, blond locks now more closely resembled a "Rat's Nest". It was frizzy and wild and just out of control nasty. I followed that up with the statement, "I wouldn't be surprised if there were a guinea pig or ferret in there somewhere." We all chuckled about it and then went on with watching the show.
The next day Ryan attended an area middle school to eat lunch with some members of our youth program. They sat and enjoyed some great conversation, discuss what was happening in their lives and just chilled out. Then, Ryan saw his chance to be a funny guy. A woman entered the cafeteria and made her way across the room. Her hair was bit wild and crazy. So Ryan simply said, "Wow! Look at her hair! I bet there is a guinea pig living in that thing." All of a sudden, a young man from down the table leaned up, looked Ryan in the eye and said, "That's my mom." Come to find out, the young man was correct. And at that moment, Ryan had done more than opened his mouth and inserted his foot. Ryan inserted a TANK!
Now, please allow me to tell you that my buddy Ryan is one of the greatest guys in the world. He's an amazing youth pastor, fun and a little out there. Just like me. And of course it is not his personality to be mean or say a hurtful thing about another person. I'm sure you have probably found yourself in a similar situation. However, I couldn't help but feel led to present the fact that the words we say carry some pretty power effects with it. Words can do amazing things such as building up, affirming, praising and nurturing people. Or they can cut you as deep as a knife. The person reciting the old childhood saying of "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." must have never been on the receiving end of a hurtful comment.
As those who make their way through life with the title of "Christ-Follower" flying boldly above us, we must understand that we are called to be the voice of Christ to a world so desperately in need of a kind word, an affirming statement and a positive interaction with another living soul. Are the words we say, the comments we make, or the discussions we have with others building up or breaking down? If we will just take the time to put ourselves in the shoes of another, remember what it feels like to receive a harsh word, even as harmless as it may have been intended, I know we will truly begin to be that kind, loving and welcoming voice God has asked us to be.
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