Woo-hoo! Another installment of Deep Thoughts! Yup—another deep thoughts segment for you, my blessed and highly favored readers.
This is the time I cast my mental net into the roiling waters of my mind to draw up what’s been swimming around in my noggin. Some of these are serious. Some are laughably not.
So, here they are. Deep thoughts to bless you or annoy you. Whatever. Enjoy!
· Simple pleasure – taking a hot shower after recovering from an intense illness. Glory!
· Something to ponder.
Me: Lord, why don't Christians see more of your power in the Church?
The Lord: Because they are convinced they can do it themselves.
Me: Why was there so much power in the Early Church?
The Lord: Because they were convinced they couldn't do it themselves. (Selah)
· To say that signs, miracles, and wonders do not appear today in the church, which is supposed to be ruled by God, are we usurping God's kingdom? Are we trying to do God’s work in our own strength? That's dangerous territory.
· Why is it that church organizations have to keep coming up with “strategies” to lead people to Jesus? Only two things are needed: God's word proclaimed and living God’s word in love. “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ” (Romans 10:17 CSB), “Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth” (1 John 3:18), and “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
· (Warning: Political comment.) The Left better settle down and learn to work well with others. They’re not immune to societal blow-back. “For the churning of milk produces butter, and twisting a nose draws blood, and stirring up anger produces strife” (Proverbs 30:33).
· I believe that being a spiritually changed (i.e., born-again) follower of Jesus, filled with His Spirit, and who knows and lives God's whole Word are the primary qualification for any U.S. political leader. It’s not the sole qualification, but the first one. Why? Because God’s transforming and guiding power and knowledge of His will are the only control mechanisms that can possibly keep a person’s lust for power and greed in check. Without that key component in your candidate’s life, you’re begging for trouble when you grant them access to power and public funds. I encourage all mature followers of Jesus to consider running for public offices.
· “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat” (1 Peter 3:10-12). Now that's global warming! Try to stop that!
· (This one hit me when so-called Christians leaders blessed an abortion clinic in 2019.) They are prophets (profits) for murder. These warped leaders are servants of a god, but not the God. We are truly living in the day of apostasy.
· Let's be clear. The progressives place their agenda over life. Therefore, your life means nothing if it challenges their agenda. If they will let a baby die rather than sacrifice their beliefs, they will sacrifice you for their beliefs. It's up to you to decide which way this goes. Has the 20th century taught you nothing about giving such people power?
· Saying we Christians need only to live under God’s grace and not His Law (because the Law has supposedly been done away with via Jesus’ sacrifice) is like saying I can live freely in my parents' house while I disregard their rules. The real question is this: when my parents graciously let me live in their home, how do I please my parents while I follow their rules properly?
· Many Christians disparage God's Law (Torah) and exalt grace in its place. Grace loses its power if you don't need it. So, learn God's commands. Learn why you need grace. Then learn how to walk God's commands with God's grace (Matthew 5:17-18).
· On the day this post is published (February 7), we celebrate National Send A Card To A Friend Day, National Fettuccine Alfredo Day, and National Periodic Table Day (which we celebrate periodically). Because this date falls on the first Friday in February, we also celebrate National Wear Red Day, and Bubblegum Day. Our world can be such a crazy place, so it’s good to take hold of the fun moments as they pass by. Therefore, put on your favorite red outfit and grab yourself some fettuccine alfredo. (Sadly, the red clothing won’t cover up alfredo stains. Wear a red napkin when you dive in!)
· I have a friend who says he has the coronavirus. He drank a 12-pack of Corona last night and woke up with a headache and vomiting. #shouldibeworried
· People of Israel, remember “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). You're in good hands!
· No Christian should be antisemitic or tolerate antisemitism. Antisemitism rejects Jesus’ teaching for His followers to love others and is a slap to his face for being a Jew. Christians, do you really want to act against the one you claim to love and follow? Every Christian needs education about Church history, Jewish-Christian relations, and the history of Christian antisemitism.
· My grandchildren don’t sleep. They recharge.
· True leaders serve up, not rule down.
· Am I the only one that does this? When Amazon makes a delivery at my door, I start singing, “O-ho the Wells Fargo Wagon is a-comin’ down the street. Oh, please let it be for me!”
· During the next Antifa/Leftist riot I think someone should open the Ark of the Covenant in the middle of it, and shut their eyes for a few minutes. It sure would clean up the streets. Just sayin’.
· I should have bought stock in breath mint companies before the COVID mask mandates kicked in. Hello...millionaire!
· Because we have “feet of clay,” we’re all clods before God.
That’s it for this installment of Deep Thoughts. Something for everyone, right? Stay tuned for our next foray into the weird landscape of my mind.
Shining the Light of God’s Truth on the Road Ahead
Pastor Jay Christianson
The Truth Barista, Frothy Thoughts