Risking all?

(08.12.21– Risky Behavior? –1 Corinthians 13:13)

My friend, may I ask you a question? Being poised to move even when there is the chance we need to retreat, is this what makes a Christian life interesting?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

I'm a big, baseball fan. I loved playing the game when I was younger and enjoy watching it today. Baseball, in my estimation, is a game of risks. The pitcher, ball in hand, seams spinning between his fingers, risks the next pitching decision. Is the batter expecting a curve ball or a fastball? The decision has to be made in a matter of seconds and then the ball delivered, hoping for the best. Risk. I was watching a game recently and the batter had made it to first base. He was fast and very capable of stealing second base. He knew it; the first baseman knew it and the pitcher knew it. There he stood, with a leadoff from first base of three steps, just tempting the pitcher to throw the ball in an effort to pick him off. His left foot was poised to retreat back to the bag, but his right was poised to start a run for second base. The amount of risk was exhilarating to watch. It's what makes the game interesting, even intriguing at times.

Being poised to move even when there is the chance we need to retreat is what makes a Christian life interesting as well.

Here's a story: During World War I, Thomas Edward Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British soldier assigned to help mobilize the Arab revolt against the Turkish Empire. In 1915, as Lawrence was crossing the Arabian Desert with some Arabs, they rode with their hoods covering their heads for protection from the wind and the sand. Their supplies were low and they were rationing water when one Arab noticed an empty camel. "Where is Jasmin?" he asked. "I don't know." said another. "Jasmin is worthless anyway. He's a murderer and a thief." replied the first. It soon became evident that Jasmin had fainted because of the heat and had fallen from his camel. Finally, one Arab said: "What does it matter? Jasmin was not worth half a crown. " So the caravan pressed on. But Lawrence turned around and rode back into the desert's blazing heat. After an hour and a half, he found Jasmin delirious and wandering in the sand. Lawrence shared the last of his water and put him on his own camel. That night when he caught up with the caravan, they were stunned he had risked his life that way. (Speakers Library of Business Stories)

Love is action. It means taking a risk to help another. Do you love those people the Lord has placed in your life? Or, are you standing with both feet firmly planted on first base with no intention of taking the risk of moving on that love? Doubtless, there are more people in this world who wish to be loved than there are willing to love. I guess that means the path to second base is wide open. All you and I have to do is take a risky lead off from our safe and comfortable lives with an eye on reaching the love-goal God has set for us. There's always the danger of failing, but THIS risk is worth it.

We pray. Heavenly Father, You have taught us that love is action and it means taking a risk to help one another. Help us to love those people You have placed in our life? Forgive us if we are standing with both feet firmly planted on first base with no intention of taking the risk of moving on that love. Lord there are more people in this world who wish to be loved than there are willing to love. I guess that means the path to second base is wide open. Help us to take a risky lead off from our safe and comfortable lives with an eye on reaching the love-goal You have set for us. There's always the danger of failing, but THIS risk is worth it. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Risking all?

(08.12.21– Risky Behavior? –1 Corinthians 13:13)

My friend, may I ask you a question? Being poised to move even when there is the chance we need to retreat, is this what makes a Christian life interesting?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

I'm a big, baseball fan. I loved playing the game when I was younger and enjoy watching it today. Baseball, in my estimation, is a game of risks. The pitcher, ball in hand, seams spinning between his fingers, risks the next pitching decision. Is the batter expecting a curve ball or a fastball? The decision has to be made in a matter of seconds and then the ball delivered, hoping for the best. Risk. I was watching a game recently and the batter had made it to first base. He was fast and very capable of stealing second base. He knew it; the first baseman knew it and the pitcher knew it. There he stood, with a leadoff from first base of three steps, just tempting the pitcher to throw the ball in an effort to pick him off. His left foot was poised to retreat back to the bag, but his right was poised to start a run for second base. The amount of risk was exhilarating to watch. It's what makes the game interesting, even intriguing at times.

Being poised to move even when there is the chance we need to retreat is what makes a Christian life interesting as well.

Here's a story: During World War I, Thomas Edward Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a British soldier assigned to help mobilize the Arab revolt against the Turkish Empire. In 1915, as Lawrence was crossing the Arabian Desert with some Arabs, they rode with their hoods covering their heads for protection from the wind and the sand. Their supplies were low and they were rationing water when one Arab noticed an empty camel. "Where is Jasmin?" he asked. "I don't know." said another. "Jasmin is worthless anyway. He's a murderer and a thief." replied the first. It soon became evident that Jasmin had fainted because of the heat and had fallen from his camel. Finally, one Arab said: "What does it matter? Jasmin was not worth half a crown. " So the caravan pressed on. But Lawrence turned around and rode back into the desert's blazing heat. After an hour and a half, he found Jasmin delirious and wandering in the sand. Lawrence shared the last of his water and put him on his own camel. That night when he caught up with the caravan, they were stunned he had risked his life that way. (Speakers Library of Business Stories)

Love is action. It means taking a risk to help another. Do you love those people the Lord has placed in your life? Or, are you standing with both feet firmly planted on first base with no intention of taking the risk of moving on that love? Doubtless, there are more people in this world who wish to be loved than there are willing to love. I guess that means the path to second base is wide open. All you and I have to do is take a risky lead off from our safe and comfortable lives with an eye on reaching the love-goal God has set for us. There's always the danger of failing, but THIS risk is worth it.

We pray. Heavenly Father, You have taught us that love is action and it means taking a risk to help one another. Help us to love those people You have placed in our life? Forgive us if we are standing with both feet firmly planted on first base with no intention of taking the risk of moving on that love. Lord there are more people in this world who wish to be loved than there are willing to love. I guess that means the path to second base is wide open. Help us to take a risky lead off from our safe and comfortable lives with an eye on reaching the love-goal You have set for us. There's always the danger of failing, but THIS risk is worth it. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.