West Cobb Church / Ken Williams Blog

“It’s all in the delivery.” That’s what Kenn Kington – a talented, local comedian – told me when I asked him why his version of the same joke was funnier than mine.  Humor is amazingly powerful.  When we laugh, our hearts open to hear the truth.

Jesus was a funny teacher.  (Maybe not as funny as Kenn Kington, but still funny.)  In today’s reading, Jesus is being humorous when he says we should cut off a hand or gouge out an eye.  Sitting around Jesus, his audience would have chuckled, listening to him.  But they would have also gotten the point… sin harms us, so treat it like a horrible infection.  Do everything we can to rid ourselves of it.

How about sharing some humor from your life that illustrates a truth about life and/or God?  I can’t wait to hear what you write…

“I don’t know how I ever lived without these applications!”  Those were the words of a fellow iPhone user.  We were talking about how iPhone applications have become an integral part of our lives.

I’m like this iPhone user, I depend on my apps, but let me tell you about my favorite one… RunPee.  It’s especially designed for small bladder-ed people like me.  (I know… TMI!)  I always have trouble in movies because I go to the bathroom at the most inopportune times.  I have a knack for choosing critical scenes and missing important developments in the plot.  But that issue is gone with RunPee.  I open the app, choose a movie, tell my phone when the movie starts, and the app cues me when I can head to the bathroom without missing important information.  (It even tells me how long I have.)  Amazing!

Now jump to today’s reading.  As I SOAP the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), I notice how important these verses are to my life.  Every verse is counter cultural and God uses words like, “blessed are the meek… the merciful… the pure in heart,” to reset my thinking.  They keep me from missing the life that God has designed for me.  In fact, they’re like my own little app.  I could call them, RunToGod.  They help me get in sync with God’s design for our world.

I read the Beatitudes – my RunToGod app – often.  I even memorized the verses several years ago.  And even though RunPee app occasionally gets it wrong.  (The timing’s off or the movie information isn’t quite right.)  Not so with God.  He’s right on the mark every time.

I’d love to hear about the Bible verse(s) that God uses to reset your thinking.  Join the discussion and share them with the rest of us…

The Hawks are dominating the Bucks tonight and I’m watching it from club seats a few rows from the floor. They are sweet seats! Great view. Padded leather. Unbelievable food (especially the dessert bar). And best of all… no waiting in the women’s bathroom. (Shawna added that comment.)

I didn’t do anything to get these seats. They cost $135 each, but I didn’t pay a dime. I just showed up, told them my name and they gave me the tickets.

A member of our church got us the seats. He offered. He chose the seats. He lined it all up. All I had to do was say ‘yes’ and show up.

Tonight, I’m enjoying grace… undeserved favor. There’s a part of me that feels guilty, like I need to repay the guy who got me the tickets. I guess that’s my baggage, huh??? It’s hard for me to receive grace, but what can I do to repay him? Give him a special audience with me??? Not.

I’m sure you see the parallels between tonight and our journey with Jesus. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it

And yes, I’m writing my blog during the game. It’s a nerd thing…

- Posted from My iPhone

Location:Andrew Young International Blvd NE,Atlanta,United States