The Plumbline

If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.  (Thomas Aquinas) So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” (I Peter 1:15-16) Seafaring men would tell you a storm is no time to launch out on a journey, but when a storm erupts right smack dab in the middle of the journey, you have no choice but to navigate through! The ship has left port and it there is no time to debate what to do next - the captain urges his crew onward. In just the same manner, Jesus urges us onward in spite of the storms, rough conditions, or 'unease' we may feel with the progress we a...

Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. (Matthew 6:19-21) It is always good to look at where we put or find our treasures, isn't it? Some are facing great loss due to fires, floods, and inclement weather of all sorts, and it is possible 'all' will be lost as a result of the terrible devastation they face. I put the word 'all' in quotes today because there are many who have put all their hope in the 'treasures' they have amassed right here on this earth and quite possibly have missed out on the greatest treasure of all. I shall not make light of the great loss so many have experienced in terms of homes, vehicles, family, and friends - their loss is tragic and beyond words. It gives all of us an opp...

Sometimes we need a reset in life – a new year is usually considered a good time to begin again what we may not have done well in the previous year. If you are anything like me, you might be having a harder time ‘beginning anew’ that diet plan. All the other stuff that I have committed to this year is going well, but that ‘healthy eating’ lifestyle change is harder after you have become accustomed to eating all those sweets over the holidays, isn’t it? Those ‘carbs’ just have a way of latching onto us and holding us captive to their allure! Sin is kind of like that in our lives, too. It has a way of appealing to some urge we might not have enough ‘inner power’ to overcome on our own. If that pull is what is keeping you from moving forward this year, perhaps it is time to revisit the issue with God. Watch what God does, and then you do it; like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Obser...