something to consider

Less people, more power
Less money, more value
Less resources, better use
Less time, better time. -unkown

something to think about for sure.

andy

Naked and Barefoot

Isaiah
Isaiah son of Amoz
66 chapters

It is utterly impossible to deal with such a text as Isaiah with a one page report. Thousands of pages have been written. Some of these have been with a historical perspective, others with a personal (narrative) perspective, others still with a strictly prophetical perspective, and the rest tend to mix them all together. For the sake of content I would like to say first that this report is ONLY a report about the idea of Isaiah. This is a report to better understand what and why. Why was this book written? Why was this book so readily available? Why is this book referenced many, many times in the New Testament. What does it say?

Isaiah is a book that describes in detail the current state of affairs for God’s chosen people, the requirement of action by God, the inclusion of all men in God’s purposed plan, and the future looking bright. Really bright.

I want to begin by stressing the importance of this book in the history of the World. No other book foretells the coming of the Messiah like this one does. There are 121 prophecies in this book regarding the Messiah fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This is no accident. God reveals his plans, his purposes, and in love appeals in logic to his people. God had no reason to even begin to appeal to our logic to help us understand, yet He is a God of love. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet they shall as white as snow; Though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18. I think this verse speaks volumes to the message of this book. God is letting everyone know that he is getting ready to do something. Though they are scarlet, they will be white. How powerful is that. From the first chapter on he begins to tell them that there is change about ready to happen, change because He is making it happen. Scarlet sin was the story of life until Jesus. Isaiah captures God’s words speaking about the depravity of men here and how he must act. Isaiah is called by God after seeing him “High and Lifted up” He accepts the call and shares visions of the Lord trying to get through to His people.

I think the best illustration of what is going on in this book is, “He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.” Isaiah 59:16 Isaiah’s vision is essentially God seeing that there is no one to help, and so he decided he will become the answer. This is the most incredible thought pre-cursing the birth of our Saviour. A Saviour born to die as foretold in chapter 53.

This is a record of depravity, debauchery, unwillingness to change. A record of hard-heartedness, infidelity, misery leading to misery. But also a record of intense love, sweet redemption, high stakes, and powerful arms reaching out of the sky joining man and God in this Messiah Jesus. Men spent the next 600 years looking for this Messiah. Fathers would tell their children at night about He who will come. But many missed it. This message is a light to the gentiles also! “I the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, Can you believe it?!?! God letting us in on the plan, it’s right there. We get in on this glorious God and salvation, Who else is like our God? Jesus is the fulfillment! The apostles put it best, simply, “The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.” He changes everything! This is the vision of Isaiah.

Did I mention he was crazy obedient to God? He was an living example to Israel by going around naked and barefoot! Isaiah 20. Sometimes God calls us to things so we won’t be average! Naked and Barefoot is counter-culture. They had shoes and clothes, Isaiah didn’t. He heard from God. He was obedient. That is the end game. Obedience no matter what.

in other words

I think that it is interesting as I read through Isaiah the way the Lord speaks to Israel. I was reading through and arrive upon a verse that echoes 1:18. “let us reason together” This just blows my mind, rocks my head, and sends me backward like a finger in a socket. Can you imagine? The Lord after thousands of years of testiomonies of ancestors and the law and the pillar and the cloud and the bush and the prophets and David and the temple we still didn’t get it, so God appeals to them/us in logic laying out his case. He spends time really wanting us to get it. To ask. Seek. Know. Understand. What a God. What a father. I am so sick of hearing about people I love being indifferent to such a great truth in the word of God. I must be sure to give prayer its proper place. I must be sure to give the word of God its proper place. We must pay more careful attention. He is paying careful attention to us! Unreal, so real!

Andy

who in their right mind?

Ok, so I made a quiz. A quiz on facebook. Why? I have no idea. But based upon those who have taken it so far either, A. I made it too hard. B. Lied on the quiz. C. People don’t know me. D. No way to tell. HA! So anyways here are a few things to share about me. Hopefully these things will be off the beaten path of who knows what questions

1. I used to read and get read classic books, in the children’s versions, when I was a kid. I am enthralled with them to this day.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Count of Monte Cristo
The Time Machine
Swiss Family Robinson
Treasure Isalnd
Robinson Crusoe

2. I lived in 3 different houses on Second St. Grabill IN, USA.

3. I have been fully convinced before only to realize that I was wrong.

4. I sung in front of the entire sixth grade a love song to Abbi Johnson. It goes to the
“always coca-cola” jingle

5. I broke my arm in football and my nose in baseball.

6. I was in the following plays and musicals
Ten Little Indians – “Rogers”
Hello Dolly – “Chorus”
Up the Down Staircase – “Rusty O’Brien
Lil’ Abner – Earthquake McGoon
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – “Huckleberry Finn”
Arsenic and Old Lace – “Teddy” – the crazy brother who thought he was the president Teddy Roosevelt
Meet Me in St. Louis – “Chorus”

7. I have only had two jobs.
I was a clerk at WeeBee Convenient for 4 years.
I currently have been with Starbucks for 3.5 Years.
*I worked for East of Chicago Pizza for 1 Day. (doesn’t count)

8. Brooklyn Street Grill is something almost therapeutic in my week.
2 Eggs. Rye Toast. Oatmeal. my new usual.
# 6 over easy, onions, rye. That is my old usual.

9. I was going to major in Philosophy and a week before met Pastor Chilly. I never went to register. Praise God.

10. Most of the time situations present themselves in a almost film-like “scene”. I have no idea why. Ask me and I will explain this to you.

11. I want to communicate, always.

12. my first sip of real coffee was in the Meridian Circle downtown Indianapolis. Starbucks Christmas Blend.

13. Mention adventure and you could sell me in a second.

14. I confuse myself, So instead of trying to figure me, out I figure out Christ.

15. My favorite pasta is Bucatini what is bucatini?

16. I own one cookbook. It’s called the silver spoon. what is the Silver Spoon?

17. I own one dvd. The Time Machine with guy pierce.

18. I try and remember every person I meet and I try to meet every person I can.

19. I am not interested in deep thoughts as much as in relationship.

20. Reading the Bible currently: Isaiah.

21. Memorizing: John.

22. Chapters I read more than others (i.e. favorites) : 2 Corinthians 6, Philippians 3, 1 Corinthians 9.

23. I like to drink one shot of espresso.

24. Sample cups of coffee are my new way of enjoying my employer’s great brews.

25. One quote that has changed my life: “Don’t be interesting, be interested.”
But I must add. “In any given situation, contribute.”

26. I have been profoundly impacted by the life and teaching of Chilly Chilton. He has challenged me to my knees, to the Bible, and to people as long as I have known him. I am eternally grateful.

27. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

What an adventure it’s been so far!

Andy

if only

Listen! We have come — you and I — once more to the parting of the ways. All our past failure,
all our past inefficiency and insufficiency, all our past unfruitfulness in service, can be banished
now, once and for all, if we will only give prayer its proper place. Do it today. Do not wait for a
more convenient time. – the kneeling christian

decision time

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus STOOD and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as[c] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." -john 7

promise time

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[c] When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. -luke 5

it can happen, he is willing

Andy

flash bulbs

There are moments in life I get one shot at.
It is absolutely crucial to be ready when it comes.
It is never near a card table or slot machine.

On that day

If I wake up late, I could snooze right through it.
If I forget to pray, my heart may be blind to seeing it.
If I get lost in the trivial, I may never know that it came.
If I am self focused, I definitely miss it.
If i hesitate, I will see it, and contemplate the rest of my life. Why did I hesitate?
If i question it, I bid it farewell.

Peter lived AROUND the water and worked IN the water his whole life, But one evening, unbeknownst to him, a one time opportunity came. He was ready. He walked ON the water!!! On that day he was enabled to live the rest of his life at a higher plane of life.

Will you be ready?

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked ON the water, and came toward Jesus.
                                                                                                    matthew 24:29

Andy

I am not moved by what I see.
I am moved only by what I believe.
I know this — no man looks at appearances if he believes.
No man considers how he feels if he believes.
The man who believes God has it. -smith wigglesworth

So often, soo, soo often, I am moved by what I see. I walk into a situation and my brain instantly begins to analyze and record data, to get a handle on what’s going on, make adjustments, decisions, observations, to better adapt to what is going on and how to best make my next move. For instance today, a opportunity came to offer prayer to a crippled woman getting off a bus whom I have never seen before. I missed it. I logically summed up that it was time to go back to work, that I shouldn’t pray for a women because I am a guy and don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea, or, well you get the idea. Logic beat me down.

I just see in this quote such a testimony. He had the disciplines in his life to really say this in truth. Smith Wigglesworth never read a single book besides the Bible. He allowed no books in his home but the Bible. He read the Bible and prayed for the first 8 hours every day. He knew God. He was not moved by what he saw.

What just gets me though, is that I bet all of us could say that we have been there, missing an opportunity ultimately because we didn’t believe. But who wants to live the statement made by my friend Smith?  I do. What must be done then? He preached many, many, many times, ONLY BELIEVE.

But this isn’t  for faith to do miracles. This is to kill unbelief. I will chase the lion of unbelief, but seeking his hand in miracles isn’t the answers. "I believe, therefore I spoke." the psalmist says. (psalm 116:10)

SO…
I must fight unbelief, until I win.
Toe to Toe.
My head may be enemy number 1.
so I will use my heart, (which it’s true is wickedly deciteful (jer. 17))
Throw my lot in with God.
And run this dang thing!

Forget everything else except what God says about Jesus. -wigglesworth.

Runnin.
Andy

scandal

Act just once in such a manner that your action expresses that
you fear God alone–you will in some measure or another, in-
stantly cause a scandal. – kierkegaard

I want to make the tabloids this week.

Andy