The Plumbline

In my line of work, many things are kept as "confidential" - very limited access to the information.  Many times people want to "know" what we have access to, but we have been bound by rules of confidentiality to keep silent.  This is definitely the case with our message of hope and trust in Christ!  We have been given knowledge we are actually encouraged to share! 11-14  God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.   (Titus 2:11-14 The Message) God's readiness to give and forgive - ...

As I write this post, it is Tuesday morning and I have survived another Monday filled with unexpected turns and twists.  Isn't it amazing how many times we look at the week as "good" or "bad" just by how it started?  If we have a so-so Monday, we hope for a good week.  If Monday comes in like a fury, we just buckle up and hold on for the ride!  I was re-reading the creation story in Genesis this morning and came across something which I had never really seen in all these years of reading!  Amazing how we find these "new" things, isn't it?   15  The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.  (Genesis 2:15 NIV) God himself had just settled down after pretty long work week of creating all things.  In recounting his "work week", we find an elaboration of his creation of man.  In the midst of this accounting, we find the words above.  Eden had been created for man to enjoy - but also to w...

I have heard many a person hopelessly announce, "I don't have anything to contribute."  In considering what they "have" in the light of how they may compare to another, they see their own talents or treasures as "deficient".  This is totally not true!  I believe scripture plainly addresses the issue.  Each of us is given a measure of talent - NEEDED talent.  It has a purpose - even if it is a small one.  Look at the widow with the one tiny mite (not even a penny).  She gave it all - nothing compared to the "sizable" offering of the others who came to the temple that day, but it was EVERYTHING to her.   Faithful hands and a yielded heart is all God ever wants.   8-11  God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, " He throws caution to the winds,  giving to the needy in reckless abandon.  His ri...