sometimes i need a shake up/wake up

it generally comes in threes - the hearing or reading about a concept or idea that stirs my brain, (kinda like the way i have someone read a verse to me three times in the memorization process) and then i guess the telling or the blogging is just the next natural step (like the repetitive quoting to make it stick).

have you ever put off doing the things your mom left on a to-do list because she wouldn't be back for quite some time? or have you ever been in "mad cleaning" mode because someone was coming to the house? i guess my thinking's sort of along those lines... but in a much grander, eternity type serious mode...

the sermon last night came from 1 Peter 4, and the part that really struck me was verse 7: "the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers." (nkjv) the point which the pastor emphasized was how very different our prayer lives would look if the impending end of the world was in our view! too many times we can become like the people before the flood, or of sodom and gomorrah, or worse, like the scoffers of 2 Peter 3:3-7. Jesus himself warns in Luke 17:26-30 that the last days will be full of oblivious people. too often, i am that oblivious one... WITH NO EXCUSE FOR MY STATE.

this morning, i listened once again to the online preview of listener's new album, and was struck by the closing lines:

"there is something coming, and everything matters. guard your heart, and watch the wind."

finally, i was rereading over thomas watson's "heaven taken by storm" in preparation for sunday school and was gripped by these words on the way we listen to the preaching of the Word of God:

"it may be the last time that God will ever speak to us in His Word; it may be the last sermon that we shall ever hear; we may go from the place of hearing to the place of judging. if people would think thus when they come into the house of God... with what devotion would they come! how would there affections be all on fire in hearing!"

as i think on these things, may i take peter's admonitions to heart:
1. being self-controlled and sober minded in prayer (1 Peter 4:7)
2. living a life of holiness and godliness (2 Peter 3:11)
3. being diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish and at peace (2 Peter 3:14)
4. taking care not to be carried away by lawless error (2 Peter 3:17)
5. growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18)

what's it worth to ya?

"my son, if you

RECEIVE my words
and TREASURE up my commandments with you,
making your ear ATTENTIVE to wisdom
and INCLINING your heart to understanding;
yes, if you CALL OUT for insight
and RAISE YOUR VOICE for understanding,
if you SEEK it like silver
and SEARCH for it as for hidden treasures,

then

you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God."

Proverbs 2:1-5