During Christmas I got a new hair dryer. This is one of those semi-fancy ones that has all the settings. Hot, warm, cold, cool shot button, high, medium and low. It also stated it was a ceramic, ionic hair dryer. The purpose of the ceramic is to heat up faster reducing drying time. I looked to Wikipedia for a clearer explanation on the iconic feature:
"Many also feature “ionic” operation, to reduce the amount of static electricity build-up in the hair. Manufacturers also claim this makes the hair “smoother.” Some stylists today consider the introduction of ionic technology to be one of the most important advances in the beauty industry."
My hair gets really frizzy so I was excited about this ion feature but after using it for a few weeks now I haven't really noticed any difference at all. Oh well, it's just a hair dryer. But then, yesterday, for the first time, I notice a little switch on the very top of the hair dryer. It says ion feature and the button can be switched off or on. Duh!! The default came out of the box switched to off, all I had to do was apply the button and there it was. Was the ion feature missing this whole time? No, it was right there the whole time, I just wasn't using it. I immediately thought of another area where we have what we need the whole time and sometimes wonder why it doesn't work.
It made me think about the power of Christ in our lives. When we are saved we have it within us through the Holy Spirit. Are we always using it or applying it to our lives? No. Does this mean that we don't have the power? Are we missing it? No, its there in us, we just aren't applying it to our lives.
I have now switched the ion button to "on" on my new hairdryer. But in my life am I applying the power of Christ that I already have in me? Something to think about for sure.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Jesus Comes to Us
The past few months I've felt this disconnect with God. To the point for like a month or so I didn't even go to church. Finally went and talked to my pastor about it. He was saying that Jesus never leaves us, which I knew in my head. But he was talking about how Jesus pursues us even in the midst of our doubt. Whether or not we isolate and back off from church and Christians or not. He gave two great stories from the Bible to illustrate. The stories have really stuck with me, enough that I've told them to a few people and was thinking about it again today so decided to share it here on my blog.
First he shared about how Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead, yet even in his doubt he stayed connected to the body of believers. And there Jesus revealed himself to Thomas.
John 20:25-29 (NLT)
25 The other followers told him, “We have seen the Lord!” He said to them, “I will not believe until I see the marks made by the nails in His hands. I will not believe until I put my finger into the marks of the nails. I will not believe until I put my hand into His side.” 26 Eight days later the followers were again inside a house. Thomas was with them. The doors were locked. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “May you have peace!” 27 He said to Thomas, “Put your finger into My hands. Put your hand into My side. Do not doubt, believe!” 28 Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you believe. Those are happy who have never seen Me and yet believe!”
The second story was one I wasn't really familiar with. It took place after the resurrection, two men were walking to Emmaus and discussing all that had happened. They had left the rest of the believers in Jerusalem, walking sadly because they had thought Jesus was the Messiah but now they doubted that He was and even doubted the story that He had risen. Jesus came alongside them but they didn't recognize Him. He shared with them and then later that night He revealed who He was to them.
Luke 24:13-49 (NLT) (bold and italics mine)
13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” 19 “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. 22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” 25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! 32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” 35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched. 44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things. 49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
The point of the two stories was to show that in our doubt, no matter where we are, Jesus WILL reveal Himself to us. Yes, it is best to stay connected to the body of believers and fellow Christians, but even when we walk away, He will always continue to pursue us and show Himself to us. Pretty awesome, huh?!!
First he shared about how Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead, yet even in his doubt he stayed connected to the body of believers. And there Jesus revealed himself to Thomas.
John 20:25-29 (NLT)
25 The other followers told him, “We have seen the Lord!” He said to them, “I will not believe until I see the marks made by the nails in His hands. I will not believe until I put my finger into the marks of the nails. I will not believe until I put my hand into His side.” 26 Eight days later the followers were again inside a house. Thomas was with them. The doors were locked. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “May you have peace!” 27 He said to Thomas, “Put your finger into My hands. Put your hand into My side. Do not doubt, believe!” 28 Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you believe. Those are happy who have never seen Me and yet believe!”
The second story was one I wasn't really familiar with. It took place after the resurrection, two men were walking to Emmaus and discussing all that had happened. They had left the rest of the believers in Jerusalem, walking sadly because they had thought Jesus was the Messiah but now they doubted that He was and even doubted the story that He had risen. Jesus came alongside them but they didn't recognize Him. He shared with them and then later that night He revealed who He was to them.
Luke 24:13-49 (NLT) (bold and italics mine)
13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” 19 “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. 22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” 25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! 32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” 35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched. 44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things. 49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
The point of the two stories was to show that in our doubt, no matter where we are, Jesus WILL reveal Himself to us. Yes, it is best to stay connected to the body of believers and fellow Christians, but even when we walk away, He will always continue to pursue us and show Himself to us. Pretty awesome, huh?!!
Garland Sloan Sheeks
ALBANY -- Garland S. Sheeks, 82, of Albany, GA died Thursday, December 29, 2011 at his residence after a valiant fight with cancer. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, January 2, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Matthews Funeral Home. Rev. Tom Pollock will officiate. Interment will follow at Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Born January 6, 1929 in Mooresville, NC, Mr. Sheeks resided in Albany since 1949, moving from Virginia. His passion was providing students with a marketable skill and he did this with dedication and creativity as a Machine Tool Technologist for 34 years until his retirement from Albany Technical College in 1991 after which he remained an active member of Georgia Teachers Retirement Association. He was proud of his country and served in the Air Force, serving in the Berlin Airlift and during the Korean Conflict. His service to his country will be recognized with a military funeral during his interment.
He knew Christ as his personal Savior and was an active member of Sherwood Baptist Church. He loved life and history and was able to live this out through his love of camping, traveling all over the country, often taking his grandchildren with him. He was a long-time member of the SOWEGA chapter of the Good Sam Club and of the Winnebago Camping Club. He was also a big fan of the Atlanta Braves.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Loraine Sheeks of Albany, GA, a daughter and her husband, Pam and Mike Amos of Albany, GA. He has eight grandchildren, Hannah Bowyer and husband Ron, Thomas Amos and wife Christina, Nathan Amos and wife Jewell, Joel Amos and wife Wendy, Catherine Mutter and husband Lance, Jonathan Amos, Caleb Amos and wife Katie, and Elliot Amos. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren with a ninth one on the way.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home.
Those desiring may make contributions, in lieu of flowers, to the American Cancer Society, 323 Pine Ave, Suite 100, Albany, GA or to Albany Community Hospice, 320 Foundation Lane, Albany, GA 31707.
To sign our online registry or send condolences to the family, you may visit Matthew's website at www.matthewsfuneralhome.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)