Cheater Cheater

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" – Matthew 16:26

We all know people consumed with winning. They don't care who, or how they cheat, so long as they come out on top. In fact, they compromise and turn a blind eye to ethics, principles and morals for the sake of the win. It seems as though the way of the world these days, has more to do with the scam than it does with integrity. 

Tony Dungy is challenging young people to become "uncommon" young men and women. To win God's way. To find victory through strength in character. And as much as I have enjoyed his book "Uncommon," I got thinking about the sad truth of the book's title.  How telling is it, that the world has declined to a point where values such as honesty, ethics, integrity and character are considered uncommon.

I fear that my prayer for a world in which those things are "common," is a distant dream that I will only see on the other side.

Uncommon

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Lesson 5 to Live By

LESSON 5: Our life does have purpose.

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5

You've heard "can't see the forest for the trees." Sometimes we are just too close to our daily lives. So close that we just can't see the value we bring to the lives of those around us. Fact is, even the least of these enrich lives around them. It may be that through your encouragement, someone decided to keep a child rather than abort it. Maybe the work that you find so ordinary saves lives every day.  Or maybe the smile on your face each day gives someone the encouragement they need to make it through another day. Sometimes, it's the smallest things that have the greatest impact.  So it is...your life does have purpose.  Every life does.  You may just need to take a step back to see what it is.

Lesson 5 concludes this series.  I hope you have enjoyed it.  To learn where my inspiration came from, rent the movie "5 People You Meet in Heaven."  It just may change your life.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Lesson 4 to Live By

LESSON 4: Love is not lost with death. 

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:4

Because of sin, life on earth must end at some point, but love does not have to. A memory is love meant to dance forever. Something to hold on to. Something to be cherished. Death, while the end of life in this world, is not the end, but a brief goodbye. As we learned in Lesson 2, when we lose something, something else is gained.  To the believer in Jesus Christ, life lost here, is a life gained in eternity. Those we loved in this world, we will be with again in Heaven.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

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Lesson 3 to Live By

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25

LESSON 3: Let go of any anger and to forgive those for the damage they caused in your life.

Everyone gets angry from time to time. It's a normal human emotion. But when we can't let go, anger consumes our thoughts, and begins to destroy our lives. Our hearts harden, we become bitter, and joy is sapped from our daily existence. 

Make it a habit to allow the offenses of others to roll off your back like water on a duck. Historical anger is like a malignant tumor.  While its effects may go unnoticed at first, it will eventually be a painful, all-consuming death sentence to your soul. Let go of it and smile.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Lesson 2 to Live By

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." – Philippians 1:21

LESSON 2:  When we lose something, we gain something else. 

All endings are new beginnings.  The day we graduate from high school is the end of our youth, but the beginning of adulthood. The day we get married is the day we say goodbye to our single life, and begin a union with our spouse. The day our first child is born is the day our life changes forever. And the day we turn our life over to Christ is the day we die to this world, but are born into eternity.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Lesson 1 to Live By

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

LESSON 1: There are no random acts in life, and that all incidents are intertwined in some way.

Remember the benediction at the end of each Brand New Day entry?  "You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power."

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

A Betrayal of Biblical Proportions?

"I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."  – Genesis 12:3  (The New King James)

In the context of this verse, God has commanded Abram to leave the land of his birth, promising to create a great nation through him, which we now know to be Israel.  As the passage continues, we learn of another promise God made.  And it is this promise that is the focus of the Brand New Day today.

There is only one way to interpret Genesis 12:3. God blesses the people (plural) who bless Abraham and his descendants (Israel), and will curse the person (singular) who cursed Abraham or his descendants, and the world would be blessed by the His people (the Jewish) people.

We learn in the Old Testament, of God's many rewards for obedience, and His severe punishments for disobedience. God's truth is His truth.  What was true 5000 years ago is true today. And for our announced betrayal today of Abraham's descendants, may God show mercy upon our country.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

A Worth Greater than Diamonds

"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.." – Proverbs 31:10-15

...for my wife Melanie, and my mother Lynda.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Lost in Our Selfishness

"

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice" – James 3:14-16

In our world, we are often so centered in pride and selfishness, that we find no room for God in our hearts. It's all about us, how much stuff we can accumulate, and our position in life. It's not until God knocks us down a peg or two, that we begin to realize that we have all we need in Him.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

I AM the True Vine – Lesson 7

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser." – John 15:1

In the next verse, Jesus says, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." 

About a month ago I pruned my grapefruit tree. I do it every year to stimulate blossom and new growth.  I also take time to prune away dead branches and water sprouts that draw nourishment away the fruit. And by late next fall, I should have about 250 grapefruit. So when Jesus says He is the true vine, and His Father is the vinedresser, I have a very good mind-picture of what this verse means.

We know the Jews knew the name "I AM" to be the name of God.  So incensed by what they believed to be blasphemy, they wanted to stone Jesus for saying He was equal with God. No other religious leader in history, not Moses, Buddha or Mohammed claimed what Jesus claimed for Himself – I AM!  He never retracted anything he said. He never guessed or was uncertain. He never made mistakes. He is the sinless Son of the Father.

As this series comes to a close, I hope you have been impressed with the greatness of the Book of John.  While reading it will bring great knowledge. However, knowledge of the truth is not enough. What counts is a personal relationship with the Shepherd – day-by-day.

I AM the bread of life!

I AM the light of the world!

I AM the door of the sheep!

I AM the good shepherd!

I AM the resurrection and the life!

I AM the way, the truth, and the life!

I AM the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser!

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

I AM the Way – Lesson 6

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." – John 14:6

Jesus is THE ONLY WAY to the Father.
Jesus is the word of God.  And the word of God IS THE TRUTH.

Without the Father, there is no life.

Will you follow Him to eternity?

I Am the bread of life!

I Am the light of the world!

I Am the door of the sheep!

I Am the good shepherd!

I Am the resurrection and the life!

I Am the way, the truth, and the life.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

I AM the Ressurection – Lesson 5

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." – John 11:25

Only the Son of God could make such a claim. With confidence and power Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. With the same power, Jesus was resurrected. Likewise, to those whose have received salvation, we shall live after death; and after the resurrection, both body and soul shall know no evil for evermore.

In John 5:25, Jesus said: "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live."

I Am the bread of life!

I Am the light of the world!

I Am the door of the sheep!

I Am the good shepherd!

I Am the resurrection and the life!

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

I AM the Good Shepherd – Lesson 4

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." – John 10:11

Spend any time around animals, and you learn that they quickly become reliant on you for food, shelter, and protection. Try feeding a stray cat just one time – right Meghan? Likewise with sheep, a strong bond forms between them and the shepherd.  They learn to trust and rely on him completely for protection. Unlike hired hands who may run at the first sign of danger, leaving the flock unprotected, the shepherd committed to watching over his sheep.

In verse 11, Jesus makes it clear He is the good shepherd, who in verse 15, says "I will lay down My life for the sheep."  He is the defender of life, saying in John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

I Am the bread of life!

I Am the light of the world!

I Am the door of the sheep!

I Am the good shepherd!

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

I AM the Door of the Sheep – Lesson 3

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep." – John 10:7

Each evening the shepherds would lead their flocks into stone enclosures to protect them from predators and thieves. Because these structures had no doors, the shepherd would lie in the opening, so that any would-be attacker had to get through the shepherd to get to the sheep.  Likewise, with Jesus as our shepherd, If we are willing to stand behind Him, trusting Him with our life, the enemy has to first come through Christ to get to us.  And we know that the enemy cannot defeat the Son of God.

As the door of the sheep, Christ is "the door" of our salvation.

I Am the bread of life!

I Am the light of the world!

I Am the door of the sheep!

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

I AM the light – Lesson 2

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12

We learn at a young age the literal difference between the darkness of night, and the light of day.  In darkness we can't see our hand in front of our faces, but in the light of day, we can find our way.  Likewise, in the the spiritual world, with Christ as our light, the pathway to truth is plain to see. To a world in darkness, God sent His son to be the constant light of holiness.   In saying "I am," Jesus makes an exclusive statement to the world, that He is the light to God.

"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." – Ephesians 5:8

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." – Psalm 119:105

I am the bread of life!

I am the light of the world!

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

I Am – Lesson 1

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. – John 6:35

This is the first "I Am" statement in a series of lessons on what Jesus said about himself in the book of John.  When he said "I am the bread of life," Jesus tells us that He is to the soul, what bread is to our bodies.  However, bread nourishes and eases our hunger for a while, but His spiritual nourishment is permanent. Bread exists in some form in every country and is thought of as a basic food of life. In the context of this verse, Jesus is the true living bread, sent from heaven to give eternal life to the world.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

Mom

You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. ~ 1Peter 3:4

Mothers give birth, nurture and wipe away tears. They love unconditionally, teach compassion, love and fearlessness. Moms are precious souls who give unselfishly, who dreams great dreams for her child, and teaches him to chase them. Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but hold their hearts forever.

Video: Thank You Mom

Excuse This House

Some houses try to hide the fact
That children shelter there,

Ours boasts it quite openly,
The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges are on the doors

I should apologize, I guess
For toys strew on the floor.

But I sat down with my child
And we played and laughed and read

And if the doorbell doesn’t shine,
His eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I’m forced to choose
The one job or the other,

I’d like to cook and clean and scrub,
But first I’ll be a mother.

Seeking and Following,
Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

It Matters to Me

"But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you..." Acts 26:16

The status on a friend's FaceBook page recently caught my attention.  It read:  The two most important days of your life:  The day you were born, and the day you figured out why.

When we think of important days in our lives, things like marriages, graduations, the birth of our children are usually what comes to mind.  For me, the three greatest gifts of my life are: my salvation, my wife and my kids.  Seldom, do we think of our own birth or the day when we realize our purpose.

But the day of our birth is a gift only He can give. It's the day He gives us breath, the chance to live, grow, learn and love. And for our families, had we not been born, our children and grandchildren would not be of this world (remember the butterfly effect?).  Our life, while imperfect, was created in His image, with His spirit indwelling. In return, His desire is that we choose Him, and strive to be more like him.  The day we figure out why we were born, is the day that God speaks loudly, and we hear clearly, a day in which we are rewarded for our prayer life and obedience.  And it's the day we are set free to go and do His work.

God is God, the Creator of all things in the universe. He knew us before we were born, and knew the purpose He had for you. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." To understand the importance of your life, look into the eyes of your children.

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.