The Potter

As we traveled to and from Dayton this past weekend, I noticed how rough I75 was, especially in Ohio. There were numerous potholes and cracks in the road. This condition made it more difficult to drive.

Our life's journey is such that the path of life is not always an easy trip.
Remember however,

Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad


Ye turn things upside down! Shall the potter be esteemed as clay; that the thing made should say of him that made it, He made me not; or the thing formed say of him that formed it, He hath no understanding? (Isaiah 29:16)

I have raised up one from the north, and he is come; from the rising of the sun one that calleth upon my name: and he shall come upon rulers as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay. (Isaiah 41:25)

But now, O Jehovah, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith Jehovah. Behold, as the clay in the potter's hand, so are ye in my hand, O house of Israel. (Jeremiah 18:6)

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (Romans 9:20-21)

Considering Freedom

Have we made freedom a god? Or, perhaps, the fight for freedom has become a god?

People have many gods: money, food, power, alcohol, etc.

But what about freedom? What does God's Word say about freedom and gods?

for thou shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
(Exodus 34:14)

No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
(Matthew 6:24)

For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)

For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another. (Galatians 5:13)

as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. (1 Peter 2:16)

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:19-26)

Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32)

Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me, O Jehovah, Even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me; For I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; For I have hoped in thine ordinances. So shall I observe thy law continually For ever and ever. And I shall walk at liberty; For I have sought thy precepts. I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, And shall not be put to shame. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, Which I have loved. I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate on thy statutes. (Psalms 119:41-48)

Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)


We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. (Declaration of Independence)


The unalienable right is to have life, liberty and happiness in Christ, right? Not in a physical/political land. I see nothing in the scriptures above where freedom is found outside of Christ. In fact, scriptures say, " The truth will set you free!" Not ideology, not rallies, not political figures, not money, not power, not anything else. Afterall, God allowed his own people to come into Babylonian bondage and Israel was crushed by the Romans in the first century.

Where does this leave us? Please, I ask you, engage in this discourse with me. This is an issue that I am pondering and would benefit from some of your input.

Eyes on the Road

The other day, a 30 ton rock slid off the top of a hill into a trailer in Pikeville. A young man was killed under the load. Several places in eastern Kentucky there are warning signs to be careful as you travel down the highway.

Some people would give up and never attempt to reach their destination for fear of possible danger. Others will travel and never give a thought to being careful.

As you travel on your life's journey, keep your eyes on the road. Difficulties usually come when we take a look away from our goals. Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

For His Glory!

John Piper discusses a subject that you think you might kinda sorta understand, making it more complex in order that you will understand its complexity, to the humility of saved sinners For His Glory!

Do you love being loved because you're loved or do you love being loved in a way that keeps you from making your love for being loved your god?

Do these statements make sense?

Listen here.


(Warning: this sermon is a little more than one hour but is worth your time.)

Snow

The snow is beautiful as it falls. Traveling home during a snow storm gives me the opportunity to look into the countryside and see the snow on the ground and in the trees. Certain places create a postcard picture.

Snow, if heavy enough, will cover up dirt, mud and trash. Until it melts or is shoveled up, one can not tell of the ugly scene below it.

The prophet Isaiah gave us some very comforting words,

"Come let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow."

Because of the sacrifice of Christ's blood, black sinners can be declared completely righteous if they will but trust in Him.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Happy Belated Birthday!

The birthday of 3M Highway came and went and I missed it! On February 22, this blog turned 1! It has been a fun, engaging and encouraging activity in my days. I am always on the hunt for additional material and continue to enjoy reading through the original letters. I hope you have enjoyed this year of blogging.

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Some "unpublished" thoughts throughout the past year:


(From the pen of C.S. Lewis:)

God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.

A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

I gave in, and admitted that God was God.


(From Ruth of Gracelaced.com:)

Perhaps there is an area of your life that currently feels overwhelming, unending–too great a task for you to wrap your mind around. (Parenting is a perpetual one for me!) May I encourage you to take time to give thanks, and acknowledge what He has already done. Praise Him for what He has already provided. And keep striving with courage, knowing He will continue to fill you with His love for the labor He has called you to carry on.


(origin unknown:)

Friendship is the comfort, the inexpressable comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring all right out just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful friendly hand will take and sift them - keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of comfort blow the rest away.

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As always, I welcome your comments. It is such an encouragement to me to know that there are readers out there and that you are leaning some life lessons along the way.

So, here's to the next year of traveling along 3M Highway!

Newton's Letters

...an acquiescence in the Lord's will founded in a persuasion of his wisdom, holiness, sovereignty, and goodness...So far as we attain to this, we are secure from disappointment. Our own limited views, and short-sighted purposes and desires, may be, and will be, often over-ruled; but then our main and leading desire, that the will of the Lord may be done, must be accomplished. How highly does it become us, both as creatures and as sinners, to submit to the appointments of our Maker and how necessary is it to our peace! This great attainment is too often unthought of, and over-looked; we are prone to fix our attention upon the second causes and immediate instruments of events; forgetting that whatever befalls us is according to his purpose, and therefore must be right and seasonable in itself, and shall in the issue be productive of good. From hence arise impatience, resentment, and secret repinings, which are not only sinful, but tormenting; whereas, if all things are in his hand, if the very hairs of our head are numbered; if every event, great and small, is under the direction of his providence and purpose; and if he has a wise, holy, and gracious in view, to which everything happens is subordinate and subservient;-then we have nothing to do, but with patience and humility to follow as he leads, and cheerfully to expect a happy issue...How happy are they who can resign all to him, see his hand in every dispensation, and believe that he chooses better for them than they possibly could for themselves!

~John Newton, 1725-1807

Right Road

Knowing and doing what is right will take an individual a long way.

The wisest of all men, Soloman, said in Proverbs 16:8:

"Better is a little, with righteousness, than great revenues without right."

Always make it a point to follow the right road.

Have a great day!
Love,
Dad