The day started off with me walking right smack into the edge of my bedroom door. My head bounced off and my mouth said a few ungraceful words (no bad words, of course) to the door as I gave it a punch. Why did I punch the door? I still don’t know. I guess it made me feel a little better…well, until I looked down and saw a little blood and then felt the pain. Stupid me!
The day was cloudy and rainy. It was one of those days that I would have preferred to sit in my favorite chair, read a book, while listening to the crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace.
I left the house at 7:15 a.m. to go to my office. I arrive in less than ten minutes. I’m alone! Ahhh. I open the window blinds, turn on my computer, and begin my day’s work. I write. I read. I watched a video for a class I teach. I gave a presentation at one of the assisted living facilities. I made several phone calls, answered calls. And, replied to e-mails. I was feeling good. Progress, I thought. It is now about 4:15 and I was making last minute preparations for a meeting I had at 7:00 p.m. My wife calls and asked me to pick up some items at the grocery store before coming home. So, I did.
It has rained all day. I drive to the store, step out of the car and make my way inside. As I was walking, I noticed that my foot was feeling wet. That’s weird, I thought. I walked over to the canopy to get out of the rain. I lifted up my foot to check the bottom of my shoe. To my surprise, the sole of my shoe had a crack all the way across.
My sock is wet and I could hear the irritating sound of a squeaky shoe as I walked through the store! I walked as quickly as possible and with the least amount of squeakiness I could possibly make. However, I felt uneasy, embarrassed, and vulnerable. I also thought about the Scripture where Paul talks about having our “feet fitted with readiness…” (Ephesians 6:15)
I didn’t feel ready. Sure, it was my shoe. But, the shoe I was wearing was not going to protect me from the rainy weather. At this point in my day, the stuff I accomplished after hitting my head and punching the door did not seem as significant as the shoe I was wearing in the rain.
Spiritually speaking, our shoes are vitally important. For anyone fighting in a war, his shoes were of utmost importance. If he lost his footing, he lost the fight. Paul says in Romans 1:16 that our footing is the gospel, the good news by which we were saved.
As you get dressed for work or the day, check the bottom of your shoes (also, watch out for the door!). Mostly, pray that God will equip you with the right shoes so that you can keep your faith firmly planted when your are tested and as you battle Satan. Without the proper shoes, we become vulnerable and we will not be able to keep our footing when there are tests, temptations, and trials.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Role Model? Me? YES!
During the “what we call the invitation song,” a little girl named Emily handed me a note. It was folded three times. On the very front it said, “Open!!” So, I did. The next fold said, “Keep going” So, I did, The next fold said, “One more” And, I did. Inside the note she wrote:
Dear Mr. Brian,
The lesson today was great! When you said “I can speak
for myself,” I thought, “Yep! Your Brian McCutchen!
Hero and preacher!!” I think of you as my role model in Christ terms!
Thanks Mr. Brian!
Sincerely,
Emily B.
Role model? Me? According to Emily, Yes! But, how? She said, “In Christ terms.”
How is one a role model in “Christ terms”? Jesus said, “For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me. "But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you'll soon wish you hadn't. You'd be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don't have to make it worse—and it's doomsday to you if you do.”
Matthew 18:3-6 (The Message)
Role Model? All of us? YES! How? Jesus said, “Be like a child” A child has an innocence about them that is pure and vulnerable. They are accepting. Loving. Forgiving. Trusting. Jesus said we need to be just like a child…pure and vulnerable; no hidden motives. Masks. Facade.
Role Model? All of us? YES! We have a responsibility to demonstrate spiritual truths that will keep our kids from sinning and seeing corruption that will destroy their faith. Our words and actions do matter! Our children are watching and listening.
Role Model? Yes! We are role models that will help our children see God. Jesus. Spirit. The way we live life will tell our kids how important our spiritual walk with God really is.
Role Model? Yes!
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Dear Mr. Brian,
The lesson today was great! When you said “I can speak
for myself,” I thought, “Yep! Your Brian McCutchen!
Hero and preacher!!” I think of you as my role model in Christ terms!
Thanks Mr. Brian!
Sincerely,
Emily B.
Role model? Me? According to Emily, Yes! But, how? She said, “In Christ terms.”
How is one a role model in “Christ terms”? Jesus said, “For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me. "But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you'll soon wish you hadn't. You'd be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don't have to make it worse—and it's doomsday to you if you do.”
Matthew 18:3-6 (The Message)
Role Model? All of us? YES! How? Jesus said, “Be like a child” A child has an innocence about them that is pure and vulnerable. They are accepting. Loving. Forgiving. Trusting. Jesus said we need to be just like a child…pure and vulnerable; no hidden motives. Masks. Facade.
Role Model? All of us? YES! We have a responsibility to demonstrate spiritual truths that will keep our kids from sinning and seeing corruption that will destroy their faith. Our words and actions do matter! Our children are watching and listening.
Role Model? Yes! We are role models that will help our children see God. Jesus. Spirit. The way we live life will tell our kids how important our spiritual walk with God really is.
Role Model? Yes!
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
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