Distractions

I am easily distracted by noises, movement, and other things that happen aroun . . . sorry a Cardinal flew by my window, where was I  . . . oh yeah, distractions.  I can be reading a good book, watching a game or TV show, talking on the phone, studying, or in a conversation with someone and something simple will happen and my focus changes. 

This interrupt driven nature can get in the way of relationships.  I learned early in our 20 year marriage, that when Amy wants to talk, I mute or even turn off the TV.  I do the same when our son, Andrew, asks a question.  If I am on the computer (working or researching) I choose to completely turn away from the keyboard or screen.  People are more important than technology.

This characteristic also can inhibit effective study.  I am struggling this week especially, there are roofers on my house, where I am working this week, so I can be here if they need to ask a question.  The hammering, scraping, the sound of falling debris, and their banter keeps getting me off task. (What was that noise? - brb . . . They dropped a load of shingles in the trash truck.)  See what I mean?!

I am sure I am not the only one easily distracted.

There is one other area that distraction can cause great harm; the realm of spiritual focus.  Many of us find the things of the world way too distracting.  The world pulls at us, flashes pretty lights, makes beautiful music, and paints beautiful scenes that lead us to at best momentarily lose focus on God and at worst lead us completely away.  That must be why Peter penned the following warning: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Pet 5:8 (ESV)

Scott

Gospel Bees - an Old Sermon Outline

Edward Earnest, one of our shepherds at Parrish Church of Christ recently shared an old pocket sized book with me.  The book's title is simply: Sermon Outlines: Over 150 sermons by A. J. Bachman.  McQuiddy Printing, Nashville, TN 1921.  The first sermon makes for a good study and reminder, even though it may need a few less points:   
Gospel Bees . . .

1. Be Peaceful - Rom 12:18
2. Be Ready - Matt 24:44
3. Be Contented - 1 Tim 6:8
4. Be Steadfast - 1 Cor 15:58
5. Be Faithful - Rev 2:10
6. Be Unmovable - 1 Cor 15:58
7. Be Holy - 1 Pet 1:16
8. Be Reconciled - 2 Cor 5:20
9. Be Strong - Eph 6:10
10. Be Patient - Jas 5:7
11. Be of the Same Mind - Rom 12:16
12. Be Transformed - Rom 12:2
13. Be Baptized - Acts 22:16
14. Be Zealous - Rev 3:19
15. Be Doers - Jas 1:22
16. Be Temperate - Titus 2:2
17. Be Sober - 1 Thess 5:8
18. Be Wise - Matt 10:16
19. Be Worthy - Phil 1:27
20. Be Kind - Eph 4:32
21. Be Long-suffering - 1 Thess 5:14
22. Be Obedient - Titus 3:1
23. Be Gentle - Titus 3:2
24. Be Watchful - 1 Pet 5:8
25. Be Merciful - Lk 6:36

I think I will post this on my mirror, refrigerator, (bind to my hand, put on the doorpost, place as frontlets before my eyes - Deut 6:8,9) so I will remember what I should BE.

Scott

Visual Awareness

The above video is a public service announcement from Great Britain to remind motorists to watch for cyclists.  This is good advice for a new year. 

Better advice is to see some spiritual applications from this awareness test.  Paul might point us to what he penned in 2 Corinthians 4:18, " . . . as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

As you and I Focus Again in 2010, may we look not so much at the things of the world, but the things of heaven.  If we are looking to the visible world, we may very well miss the invisible God.  It is easy to miss what you are not looking for . . .

Scott

Getting back to blogging

I am at Exposure Youth Camp this week and will not take take to blog.  I will try to wrap up the whole Exposure Experience on Thursday when I get back to a somewhat regular routine.  For now here is a promo video for EYC:



Scott

Happy Christmas!

Rudy was well known and respected in his small town.  Even those that had not met him, knew him on sight because of his flaming red hair (everyone in town called him "The Red").  One morning in late December, Rudy and his wife discussed the weather over breakfast.  "The forecast is for snow this Christmas," she said.
"Nope," replied Rudy, "the air is too warm."
The banter continued until a clap of thunder made them both look outside.  "You were right," Rudy's wife proclaimed.
His only comment was "Rudolph the Red, knows rain, dear."

Merry Christmas!
Scott

Jesus' First Coming

Here is a slide show from Slideshare.com of the lesson we studied at Parrish this past Sunday morning.

Dec 20 Am Jesus’ First Coming

View more presentations from Scott McCown.

Scott

Top Ten Passages on God's Grace

Here is a list of ten of my favorite passages about grace.  Feel free to add your own passages.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (Joh 1:14-17)

But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." (Act 15:11)

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Act 20:24)

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (Rom 3:21-25)

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 5:15-21)

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! (Rom 6:14-15)

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. (2Co 4:15)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2Co 8:9)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:4-10)

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2Ti 2:1-2)

Dear Father, Thank you for the undeserved favor that you offer each of us through the gift of Your Son our Savior, Jesus the Christ. - Amen

Scott