Shrewd as Serpents and Innocent as Doves

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." —Matthew 10:16

Well, today I failed the first part of Jesus' command.

Erin and I were invited to Aaron Alswager's graduation party which was today. Overall we had a good time. Catching up with relatives on my dad's side. It was really fun to see them all again; Anna espescially. It has been a while since Erin and I have had the time to see her.

Anyway, as we get out to the Jeep, I notice that our newly purchaced iPod was missing. Yep, you guessed it, it was stolen. The trusting fool that I am left the windows down so anyone could just reach in and take it. Sure I'd like to rationalize it by saying it's the middle of the afternoon, we were only there for about an hour, and in a very nice neighborhood, but that doesn't change the fact that I was irresponsible. I just feel sick about it. But thankfully we have our Lord.


So what does our heavenly Father say about a stolen iPod?

• Well, taken in context, getting an iPod stolen won't affect the grand scheme of things in life. There are much more important issues in the world that I should be feeling sick over instead of a stolen mp3 player.

• Whoever has taken it, God will deal with. That is much more than Erin or I could ever do to a person. I would rather face the wrath of a person than God. Plus that person needs prayer. He/she probably isn't saved and will suffer the greatest judgement of all. We shouldn't wish that guilty verdict on anybody.

• We experience trials in life to bring us closer to God. Right now I'm finding myself more thankful for what Erin and I do have. The Lord has blessed us with a great family, house, Jeep, job, even a miniature dachshund. All of which can't compare to a $400 iPod. I still haven't mentioned the greatest gift of all, that Jesus Christ has chosen Erin and I to love and follow Him!

So have I learned my lesson?

Of course. But with living comes hardships. I'd much rather suffer this loss than a Katrina/Sunami sized one. My point in writing this is that hopefully you would learn from my mistake and remember that we are just passing through our live on earth. Heaven is our end goal, not accumulating nice possessions.

With that, I'll leave you with this VERY fitting verse:
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light." —Matthew 6:20-22

Thank you Lord for EVERY situation!

—b



Saturday, July 22nd 2006/Proverbs chapters 22-24

GOD'S MESSAGE FOR ME TODAY
Deliver those who are being taken away to death,
And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.
If you say, "See, we did not know this,"
Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts?
And does He not know it who keeps your soul?
And will He not render to man according to his work?
—Proverbs 24:11 and 12

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
I'm not sure if this is a "missions" specific reference or not, but fits with God's command concerning the Great Commission. We are to proclaim Christ's name and hopefully the Holy Spirit will rescue those who's final destination is eternal death. As Christs, we are all called to missions. Wheter it's becoming a missionary in the Middle East or in our own backyard.

Copyright 2006, City Vision / John A. Mayer
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WITCHCRAFT IN THE TWIN CITIES
There are an estimated 20,000 witches of all types who live in our metro area who meet in 179 different witch covens/groups. Many witches are drawn to the Twin Cities area because of the many lakes and rivers, which have spiritual significance to them.
• American Traditional Wiccan Training Group, Minneapolis