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I've said for years that Romans 8:15-17 is my favorite passage of scripture. And it is, only I don't know that it should be. When you go through the Old Testament, especially Proverbs and the Psalms, you note a heavy dose of scripture references, and an unabashed love for God's Word; but you don't see any overt preference. That is, you don't read where King Saul says: "You gotta hear this, this is my favorite verse!" Jesus and Paul both rely heavily on scripture, but again, without any indication of favoritism.
So, am I wrong to favor one passage of scripture over there others? It's not that I don't like the others, it is just that those three verses hold for me a wealth of comfort and inspiration--not that the others aren't inspired.
Let me do you one better: While I do read the old testament, it is primarily in my passages in my "Through the Bible in a year" efforts each year. The vast majority (we're talking 85% or better) of the time, my studies are New Testament studies. I'm not really sure why. I'm not sure that it is intentional. It is just the way it is. I do know that for some reason, the NT seems more relevant to me. So, am I wrong to favor (even if unintentionally) the NT over the OT?
Here I am seeking your Wisdom for the Word. Let me hear from you. Oh, if you too have a favorite verse, let me know what that is also.
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So much of what I write is on the serious side. Frankly, I'm not sure why. I think my friends would tell you the serious side of me is only a small portion. I'm sure a psychiatrist could give me a reason...and it might even be right.
But for this post, I wanted to share a discovery this past week--the bliss of Bisquick is more than cooking.
On Monday evening, we decided to have pancakes for dinner. You know there's nothing healthier than pancakes!
So my wife made the batter perfectly as I got out the seldom used electric griddle. Just as finished the first round of flapjacks, I called the boys to the table. But to no reply. My youngest is normally crawling into his seat even before dinner is ready, so for me to call "dinner's ready" and not be swarmed by swaddlers (diaper brand) is most unusual.
After a second's thought, I decided I would give in to their silent urging of "hide-and-seek" before I poured the next round of golden goodness.
I took the few steps necessary to go into the room I could clearly see into with our open floor-plan. As I approached the couch, I noticed white'ish tiny hand-prints on the back of the couch and my mind raced for a reason--most of which rested on our propensity to put off cleaning as long as humanly possible.
 Photo not visible above, click here
That's right, the silence was the deafening laughter of my nearly two-year old finding joy in Bisquick mix.
All we could do was laugh as well. After all, we left it where he could reach it, knowing he loves to grab anything and everything he can reach. Especially when he has never seen it before.
That day the McGown family experienced Bisquick Bliss, and great pancakes too.
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This is a four part series, the first three parts will focus on each of the words in the title, "Live Your Life," and the fourth part will briefly tie them together.
Life
Pronunciation: \ˈlīf\ Function: noun 1 a: the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body b: a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings c: an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
2 a: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual b: one or more aspects of the process of living.
Source
I love the very first definition above. It captures the gift of Christ more clearly than a 1000 sermons. So, what is that "quality"? Christ, of course!
In the King James Version (and a couple others) you can see the phrase: "walk in the newness of life," when talking about salvation. I love the image that paints in my head--the action of walking, and the idea of 'newness' evokes a perpetual 'new car smell.' Now and forever walking in a perpetually 'new' relationship with Christ.
But, you can't ignore my 'go to' translation either. In it (the NIV) that same passage is translated as: "live a new life." This version perfectly captures the "do over" we find in the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Not the "do over" of elementary school playgrounds, but a complete, no record, no memory, "as far as the east is from the west" do over. The kind ONLY God can provide.
However, leave it to good ol' John to give us the passage that puts the finest point on this topic. The Gospel of John has hands down the best opening lines of any. In John 1:4, we find: "In him [Christ Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of men." In those 39 letters, we find the basis for an entire religion, the key to an eternity of reward. In those 12 little words--none longer than five letters--we find a path for living, the foundation of existence, and the hope of our future. So much is said with so little.
"The quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body." "Vital" = Acceptance of Christ | "Dead" = Rejection of Christ. Christ is quality, Christ is light, Christ is life.
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This is a four part series, the first three parts will focus on each of the words in the title, "Live Your Life," and the fourth part will briefly tie them together.
Your
Pronunciation: \yər, ˈyu̇r, ˈyȯr\ Function: adjective 1 : of or relating to you or yourself or yourselves especially as possessor or possessors, agent or agents
2 : of or relating to one or oneself
Source
It is interesting, I've gotten some grief about this portion of the series before I've even posted it. I've even taken some shots on the title of the series. The most frequent goes something like: "It's NOT my life, it's God's"
At a certain level I agree, but in the "poetic" sense. That is, emotionally I understand that when I'm living as God planned, it is His life. Also in the "omni-powerful" sense. That is all is God's and He can take anything; He is, after all, God.
All too often I see the forfeiture of will as an excuse not to make a decision or action. In effect, excusing oneself from being actively involved in their relationship (if you can call it that, at that point) with their Savior. As God's creations, and creations in His (Their) own image; we were given an intelligence and a will--these are ours, and we are expected to use them.
"Your" is possessive, and like it or not, it is our God given (and commanded) responsibility to take on the possession, and to do so actively. In that light, when we are "walking" in God's will everything we do is a "calling."
Let's start with one of the more popular scriptures in the old testament: Jeremiah 11:29. In this passage God explicitly states He has plans for us, His plan is unique to us, His plan is as our fingerprint--different with every soul. You will note that not in this verse (or any other) does God FORCE us to take an action, that has always been on us.
"...live a life worthy of the calling you have received..." (Eph 4:1). I think it could have also been said: 'live a life worthy of your calling.' Paul reminds us that we are all called for God's purpose, the that purpose is as varied as the population itself.
Add to that, the fact that we are each fearfully and wonderfully made.
Speaking of popular scriptures, how about this one--Romans 8:28. The first part of the passage is quoted often, but what about the second part: "...those who...have been called according to his purpose." In this verse you see a promise of hope for those who live out their calling.
But, to my way of thinking, the most powerful passage comes from the lyrical verses of Psalms, in the King James Version. "...the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (27:1)
This is MY life, you have YOUR life, we are each called to a holy purpose.
Life Your Life
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