Posted on 2008 11, 15 by Scott Turner
the bible uses several metaphors to remind us how short our life is here on earth. our days on earth are described as a puff of smoke, a fog, a mist, and a vapor. the psalmist hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “i am here on earth for just a little while” (psalm 119:19). every week (recently) I find myself telling Mary “wow, this week just flew by”. i look at my daughter Hannah and it seems like yesterday she was born (but it was over a decade ago). i look at a picture from high school (admiring my awesome mullet and how good of shape i was in) and it hits me - that was more than 20 years ago. I’m reconnecting with friends on facebook that i have not talked to for countless years. I’m approaching my 16th wedding anniversary. I’m seeing more and more grey hairs appear. i actually have some wrinkles now. in 10.5 years i will be 50 - life is moving at the speed of light for me. this all may have something to do with the book we gave everyone in our church recently (one month to live). i think we all need a wake up call to make sure we are fully alive - living life passionately and with purpose. psalm 39:4 needs to be our prayer, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. remind me that my days are numbered and that my life is fleeing away.” never forget (that as followers of christ) we are on this planet as aliens, foreigners and pilgrims. this world is not our home. each day we must focus on why we are here and do what God wants us to do - to love Him, love others and bring a message of hope and forgiveness to those around us. Paul (in 2 Corinthians 6:1) wrote, “i beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given you.”
Posted on 2008 11, 11 by Scott Turner
james ridgers challenged me to do this… hope you enjoy:
1. i’ve been run over by a car (not kidding, a 1977 vw bug)
2. i did not loose a soccer game my entire high school career (played on 2 teams and won 76 games in a row)
3. i got caught stealing something at 15 and spent a night in juvenile jail
4. met my wife in sweden (she is from Kentucky)
5. love 80’s video games (top 5: ms. pacman, galaga, donkey kong, spy hunter, defender)
6. i could eat mexican food for every meal
7. best 2 moments in my life were the birth of my daughters (nothing even comes close)
8. i have a dog (west highland terrier) named mac
9. my mom has been to over 100 nations
10. i have been to over 30 nations (thanks to my mom)
11. i’ve lived in michigan, wisconsin, oklahoma, california, minnesota, vancouver b.c., indiana, and sweden
12. favorite band: U2 / favorite album = the unforgettable fire / favorite song = too hard to pick
13. i got in a car accident before i had my drivers license (and totaled my older brothers car)
14. i had a sweet red mullet in high school (at the time it was called a bi-level)
15. i’ve blown up a car (on purpose - it wasn’t my car)
16. i’m extremely loyal to people
Posted on 2008 11, 04 by Scott Turner
sometimes life is just unfair. the scriptures reveal that rain (not the good kind) falls on the just and unjust alike. circumstances seem to come out of nowhere and try to frustrate, discourage and defeat me. i don’t know about you, but there are plenty of days when i feel like giving up, throwing in the towel and calling it quits! i have to remind myself that the enemy works overtime to bully me, pressure me and tries to get me to submit to problems and set-backs. his entire plan consists of lying to me, blowing things out of proportion and trying to wear me down and wear me out. he is always looking for an open door, for a foothold, for anything he can use to take me down and knock me out.
thank God that deep down i know there are BETTER DAYS AHEAD! i know it is darkest before the dawn. i realize that the enemy brings a vicious attack right before God brings a glorious victory (i have seen it 100 times in my life). as i take my eyes off the problems and put them back (where they belong) on my provider - encouragement fills my soul. the psalmist said, ”i look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.” My help comes from God - the God of the breakthrough. God gives me joy, God gives me strength, God gives me the energy to get up and breakaway from the oppression of the wicked one.
God is an ever-present help in times of trouble. the pain, the pressure, the problems you face will fade. so no matter what you are dealing with right now, remember He is with you and He has guaranteed better days ahead for you. don’t give up, look up!