One of the first points Paul makes is that he is urging the readers to make this change. This is not a casual suggestion; this is an urgent plea.

There aren’t many things that we urgently recommend to people anymore. We have been so conditioned to “leave well enough alone” that I doubt many of us would confront a fellow Christian on an area of importance, regardless of the negative impact their decision will have on themselves and/or others.

Paul is not that way. What’s more, I don’t think we are to be that way, either.

Throughout my Bible reading lately (Joshua, Proverbs, Romans and 1 Corinthians) I see repeated pleas to encourage others to walk in a manner worthy of their calling in Christ Jesus. Why should we encourage others in this manner? Because we care.

Let me ask you – who in your life do you care about? Do you care enough about them to challenge them on areas where they are making wrong choices? Do you care enough to call them to make a change that will positively impact their walk, relationships, life?

The call is urgent. Care about someone else today.

Arts and Craft Headboard

$1,500 (US)

• Oak headboard
• 62.5 inches x 32.5 inches.
• Hand Stained to a rich Chestnut color
• Hand-rubbed finish to semi-gloss
• Mounts to wall with french Cleat (included)
• Shipping Not Included

But I don’t think it works that way.

In the wood shop I’ve learned a lesson that fits well here. There are no quick steps to making quality furniture. They all take time, patience and work. If you aren’t interested in having a quality piece of furniture, then go to Ikea, get your painted glued sawdust board, screw it together in three easy steps, and BAM!! You’ll have a sort-of usable thing that will last for a little while…maybe.

That might work for a piece of furniture that doesn’t matter, but is that the same approach we want to take with our lives? Our marriages? Our kids?

I heard once that “God doesn’t want us to be happy; He wants us to be holy.  And it’s then – and only then – that we’ll be truly happy.”

“Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In ALL your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

I didn’t use everything here, and there were some aspects of the discussion that weren’t part of the “plan.”  One additional thing I included was asking the people which hymns we’d sing.  That was a good discussion topic.

I found that it was a great way to reflect on our study in a different way.  If it give you an idea for your study, great!

There has been a lot of discussion lately concerning volunteering in America.  The statistics may surprise you.

• Barna Research found that from 1994 to 2004 volunteering has only gone down by 1 percentage point from 25% to 24%. (http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/136-religious-activity-increasing-in-the-west).  These numbers are pretty much consistent with the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in 2010 the largest amount of volunteering (33.8%) was offered to Religious Organizations. (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.t04.htm)
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that younger Americans are quite comparable with other age groups in the area of volunteering.(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.t01.htm)
• Finally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that 41.6% of volunteers took it upon themselves to become involved, but 42.7% were asked by someone else — and more than half of those were individuals within the organization. (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.t06.htm)
• In Baby Boomers and Beyond, author Amy Hanson presents compelling research, interviews, and personal experience to show that the Baby Boomer Generation has no intentions of sliding into retirement with nothing to do.  On the contrary, they are ready and excited to break out of the mold and make a difference through volunteering or second-careers.

Take a look at these statistics.  What does it all mean?

Well, contrary to what a lot of people think and say, the younger generations are more volunteer-minded than you might think.  Second, if you are in an organization and need more help, ASK.  There are those who will offer to help on their own, but more are likely to help if they are asked.  Finally, people want to be a part of something bigger that will count beyond them.  If your organization doesn’t present that type of adventure, you might want to re-think what you are doing, how you are doing it, and who you are including in the mission.

“Thousands of pastors are frustrated in ministry because the church did not take children seriously as spiritual beings needing development when they were young. Those underdeveloped minds and hearts belong to today’s adults in our churches. As God warned, we reap what we sow.”

George Barna

1 Kings 18:1-2

“Dad, if you ever get fired, you should preach one more week and use that message.   It was awesome!”

I’m not exactly sure how I should take that.

1 Kings 17

Numbers 22, 23, 24 and 31

"Is Your Saw Sharp?"

My most recent project in my wood shop is building a set of handsaws.  Yes, I know what you’re saying.  “Hey buddy, can’t you buy a hand saw at the local big box store?”  Yes, you can.  But It wouldn’t be a saw that I built.

The three saws I’ve been working on are all backsaws.  Backsaws are typically made with thin blades, cool-looking handles, and a reinforced metal piece across the back to keep the blade straight and protect it from kinking.

Building the saws has been a lot of fun, and I’m getting an heirloom tool for a fraction of the price.  It’s also pretty rewarding to know what goes into making the saws that I’ll be using to make projects for and with my family.

One of the necessary steps in the process of building a saw is sharpening it.  There are two basic choices when it comes to sharpening a saw.  Rip or Cross-Cut.  Without going into too much detail, sharpening a saw for Rip cuts means that you are cutting the wood “with the grain.”  I use my Rip saw a lot when cutting dovetails.  Cross-Cut is, just as it says, used when cutting “across the grain.”  I use my Cross-Cut saw when I’m cutting tenons.  While both options are used to cut wood, how the teeth of the saw are sharpened is vastly different.

In either case, however, there is one similarity: the saws work best when they are sharp. It takes time.  It takes effort.  It takes a careful hand and a keen eye.  But the time spent sharpening a saw will produce great results with much less effort.  What’s more — since the saw is sharper, it is also less likely to get damaged during the course of regular or over-extended use.

Roll this into life.  Have you taken the time to consider what work you are designed to tackle in a day?  Look at this week – do you feel like you are cutting with the grain or across the grain?  (Back to the saw for a moment — It’s not that either way of cutting is better than the other.  And both saws will cut wood in the other format.  But it’s not ideal.  It will not produce as good of a cut, and over the long haul, it will not be good for the saw.)  Have you recently been sharpened so you are facing the day at your optimum level?

Can I make a recommendation to you and me?  Take some time each day to let the Master Carpenter sharpen you for the work ahead.  You’ll see the difference in your day, your work, and your level of wear and tear. You’ll be happy you did.