Monthly Archives: April 2010

C. S. Lewis taught that we need more reminding than teaching, to that end (being reminded), I read the following texts regularly (nearly daily) to have the Scripture remind me. Having mentioned this practice elsewhere and having been asked to post them, I share them here…

Deut. 6.4-5

Deut. 5.6-21

Psa. 19.7-14

Psa. 46.1-3

Psa. 103.1-14

Isa. 1.17

Isa. 43.19

Jer. 17.7-8

Lam. 3.22-24, 40-42

Hab. 3.17-19

Matt. 5.3-12

Matt. 6.9-13

Matt. 11.28-30

John 15.1-17

2 Cor 2.14-17

Col. 1.15-20

Col. 2.6-15

Rev. 4.8b, 11

Rev. 5.9-10

I hope to turn these into links directly to the text soon.

I enjoy mowing. Its good to be outside with purpose. I like the feeling of having finished the job. It is good to sit down in the back knowing the job is done.
It occurs to me that mowing is kinda like following Jesus, it is better to keep up with it instead of putting it off. There are some hills on our yard that are a little steep, they aren’t too big, but you still have to watch the angle that the mower is on for safety, life has steep hills that are more easily tra versed when we keep up with Him. I’ve found that if you don’t mow frequently enough, it is hard to mow the first time. I know some guys who mow once a month whether they needs to or not. Some people approach following Jesus like that. They don’t bother to connect with Him and the “yard” starts getting shabby. Then, when you decide to mow, its hard to get going again and this kind of mowing is seldom enjoyed. Me, I like to mow frequently in the late afternoon, and then sit out back and be glad. As you are following Jesus, are you just hacking down grass in the yard or are you careful to mow frequently? Discipline, in mowing and in following Jesus… Now if would just apply this to bushes and painting…

The purpose of the Law is not to give us rules to follow so as to win favor. Instead it is to show us our natural need for a saviour, Jesus. The statue in the Met is of Moses and the Law from the Byzantine period.

To leave comfort is to grow. To give up control is to grow in faith. To be placed out of the expected is to grow. When we lose control of our direction and give it to others we learn to grow in dependence on that which is not ourselves. For those of us who are independent and self reliant, to allow others to be in control is a hard thing. But it is a good thing. To sit back and let others lead, and allow them to make mistakes is to trust. Even if that trust is misplaced and momentary mistakes are made, in the grand scheme of things our long term growth is more important and thus the experience is valuable. To trust and to follow Jesus is simultaneously wonderful and frightening.

Again…