Bam Wham Computer Down!

Nothing like starting the day with great expectancy and promise. Then all it takes is one major kink in the hose, so to speak, to stop the flow. And, in my case, it was bam, wham and my computer was down. That means a call for 911 computer help! Fortunately, that day last week happened after I posted my early morning blog. And, thankfully, I have a 24/7 repair guy. Well, he may not agree with that all-day-and-night hours of business, but he was there when I needed him that early morning. Twenty-four hours later (he pulled an all-nighter – well, actually, the computer pulled an all-nighter getting all my files and programs restored). BTW, if you’re local to me, I’ve got the whiz-older-kid repair guy for you! Reasonable, fast and efficient!

We know how productive we can be when our computers AND our lives are operating at top performance. And we also know how counter-productive we can be when our computers crash or we crash. Our computers are of such importance to us that we use security, filters, and firewalls to help protect them and we do regular back-up of our information. But what about us? We are like a sophisticated, advanced, powerful, intricate, masterfully designed and crafted, highly intelligent, capable of so much input AND output computer -- created by God. Nothing like starting the day with great expectancy and promise and then all it takes is one major kink in the hose, so to speak, to stop the flow. And, in my case, it was bam, wham -- computer down! That means a 911 computer tech call for help! Fortunately, that pivotal calamity unfolded after I posted my early morning blog. Thankfully, I have a 24/7 repair guy. Well, he may not agree with that all-day-and-night hours of business, but he was there when I needed him that early morning. Twenty-four hours later (he pulled an all-nighter – actually, the computer pulled an all-nighter getting all my files and programs restored). BTW, if you’re local to me, I’ve got the older-whiz-kid repair guy for you! Reasonable, fast and efficient!

We know how productive we can be when our computers AND our lives are operating at top performance. And we also know how counter-productive we can be when our computers crash or we crash. Our computers are of such importance to us that we use security, filters, and firewalls to help protect them and we do regular back-up of our information. But what about us? We are like a sophisticated, advanced, powerful, intricate, masterfully designed and crafted, highly intelligent, capable of so much input AND output computer -- created by God.

Our minds are really like a computer, and how we program them and what we input into them determines our output. Negative thinking and speaking is like a corrupted program or virus that comes from an external source (i.e., the enemy of our souls) that can make its way in and infects our thinking. That's when we need to use the DELETE button and reprogram ourselves with software that says "I am more than a conqueror"; "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me", "Greater is He Who is in me than he that is in the world", "If God be for me, who can be against me?" That is the input we need and then the output will be conquering, winning and being blessed.

It's time we get really good at hitting the DELETE button and then say, "I am who God says I am. My mind is alert and my heart is receptive to only God's voice. No one can make me feel inferior without my permission. Voices from the past are no longer a stronghold over me." When voices say, "You'll never get ahead." DELETE. "You're stupid." DELETE. "You're defective." DELETE. Say, "I am equipped, well able, I will fulfill my destiny. God says I am His masterpiece. I am not defective or flawed. God has crowned me with his favor. I am the apple of His eye, and one of His prized possessions. I am accepted, approved, and I am valuable."

Maybe, it's time to reboot, reprogram, re-input, and renew your mind (your computer). And, for goodness sake, we MUST keep our computer CLEAN, free from viruses of hate, anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, worry, and defeat. We must make sure our FIREWALL is working well -- the FIREWALL of God's Word that protects against the adversary's voice and his devices and tactics. And, remember to DELETE when necessary!

Tougher Than Nails – Holy Saturday

Yesterday, as always on Good Friday with my husband, I watched "The Passion of the Christ" movie again. Not for entertainment, but for reminding me of the unspeakable price Christ paid for me. I think Mel Gibson got it right because Isaiah 52:14 says "His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness". Our Lord was nailed to the cross and bore every sin we've ever committed. He carried every sickness we have ever had, and will have. He gave His life so that we would live forever and ever with Him. That was His promise, but this day after -- the day-in-the-middle -- the day between Christ's crucifixion and His resurrection, His disciples and followers could only think: "It's all over for us! Life will never be the same again."

This “in-the-middle” day between the crucifixion and the resurrection must have been a dark day for them all. They had forgotten Jesus said: “I’ll be back!” But, praise God, WE KNOW what happens tomorrow – so it’s not a gloomy day at all! We know that Jesus was tougher than the nails that hung Him from the cross. We know JOY COMES in the MORNING!

I googled “tougher than nails” to find a graphic for this blog and a country song by Joe Diffie popped up. I listened to it. It’s about the “toughest man he knows”. Here are the lyrics, and if you’d like a little “country” on this Saturday morning – take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOE3dnMq9CI

Little boy walks in with a bloody nose,
Got beat up on his way home from school, again,
His dad caught him running out the back,
Tears in his eyes and a baseball bat, oh -- revenge,
Said: “Son I won't stop ya, but before you go,
Let me tell you a little story about the toughest man I know,
You hit him and he just turns the other cheek,
Don't think for a minute he was weak,
'Cause in the end he showed them,
He was any-thing but frail,
They hammered him to a cross,
But he was tougher than nails.

Well he dropped that bat like it weighed a ton,
Father put his arms around his son and said, just let it go!
Believe me I've been in your shoes,
Had to ask myself what would Jesus do, here's what I know,
Whenever I'm in doubt, I look up what he said,
It's all there in the good book, in black and white and red,
Hit him and he just turns the other cheek,
Don't think for a minute he was weak,
'Cause in the end he showed them,
He was any-thing but frail,
They hammered him to a cross,
But he was tougher than nails,
Yeah in the end he showed them,
He was any-thing but frail,
They hammered him to a cross,
But he was tougher than nails,
Tougher than nails, oh, oh, oh,

What does it mean to be "tough?" Though I’m amplifying the real toughness of our Savior – I’d like to amplify the toughness of my fellow “shelter-in-place” friends. The expression "tougher than nails" is generally used to describe someone who is physically strong, but I know physical strength can’t be compared to the tenacity, fortitude, determination and resilience of people during these times. I’m thinking our big Brother, Jesus, must be mighty proud of His brothers and sisters – demonstrating their toughness. You resemble Him.

Jesus set the example for us. Even before the cross – Jesus was tougher than nails. He was constantly mocked, criticized, and ostracized. He was always challenged spiritually, emotionally and physically. But, like Joe Diffie’s song said “He was tougher than nails.” Our first reactions are to retaliate, to have to have the last word, to speak our mind, to prove ourselves right. Not Jesus – He was tougher than nails in His everyday reactions to hatred and loved right through them all. That is what is called “Tougher than Nails”!

Being a devoted follower of Christ is something that can definitely be described as "tough." We may not all have the physical stamina to be on the front lines, but we do have the ability to forgive when someone has wronged us and to love in spite of what is said or done to us. When we follow our Lord’s lead, we, too, can safely call ourselves "tough" in a way that honors the price He paid for us. When we look to our Savior we are strengthened because we remember that we serve the One who was "tougher than nails." Please, make me more like You, Jesus! Tougher than nails.