Richard Craig, Author at GraceAndWorks - Page 33 of 60

BRIDGES!! Built-Torn Down OR Repaired?

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When I lived on the farm, we had different types bridges. We had a farm road that ran by our house and just down the hill there was a creek that ran through our property. The county built that bridge out of steel, concrete and planks. We had simple plank bridges on the farm across ditches. Either way they were used to get from one side to the other. Bridging the gap, if you will. The Golden Gate bridge is an example of an engineering marvel. Either way you look at it, life is the same way. Whether it is family, work, friends or church, bridges have to be built. Some are as simple as the planks going across the ditch and some are as complicated to build as the Golden Gate Bridge. For a good relationship to be built, it has to have a bridge built. How simple or how extravagant is up to those that are building the relationship.  That relationship can also depend on how hard we want to work at it.

Sometimes bridges have to be torn down. They become beyond repair. I’m sure most of us have had that occur in our lives. Regular bridges need planks, steel and/or concrete repaired to the point it is not fixable and a new one has to be rebuilt or you just tear it down and leave it with no way to get from one side to the other. The Golden  Gate bridge has been there for years, yet, on occasion it has to be repaired. No one thinks about not repairing it. It was put together with such strength that nothing can destroy it. As we live life are we willing to destroy the bridge we built with someone or are we going to try to fix it? Sometimes it has to be torn down and we just move on. That is tough to do because it leaves us feeling empty and alone. It can be devastating to end a relationship. Yet it must be done. Most of us have been there and don’t want to have to face that kind of challenge again.

Many times bridges can be repaired. It may take a little or a lot of work. Does a simple plank need replaced? Does the steel need replaced? If it has concrete or paving on it, are there holes and the material needs replaced? Most relationships that we have are worth fixing. We may have to work harder at it, than the one we are in the relationship with. Are we willing to do that? Can you replace the plank, steel, concrete or paving without a lot of help? Most times, if you can, that bridge will be stronger than when you first built it. It may be worth doing the repairs. TRY IT!!

There is one bridge that will never have to be repaired or torn down, and that is the bridge that God extends to us. He is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever. That will never change or need repairs. However, the bridge we  build to God, can and probably will, need repaired on occasion. We get off track and do things that can do harm with our relationship with God. He tells us in 1st Corinthians chapter 10 that He will never put more on our shoulders than we can handle and He will always show us a way out. If our bridge with God gets to where it needs repaired, are we going to be able to work and fix what is in need of that repair? Or do we just throw up our hands and tear the bridge down and move on? I would hope we have the energy, understanding, knowledge and wisdom to know that repairing or rebuilding the bridge with Him is for the best.

Proverbs 6:12-15

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A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth; He winks with his eyes, he shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers; Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord. Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.

Galatians 6:2-8

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Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Hebrews 12:14-15

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Pursue peace with ALL people and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.

Psalm 71:1-3

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In you, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me. Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.

Check Your Ego At The Door

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We deal with egos everywhere and every time we have associations with other people. We have those that are of low self esteem (little or no ego), those that have ultra egos and those with super egos. Each one is individualistic in their own way and need to be handled somewhat differently. Checking your ego at the door does away with who you are as an individual. Never be self conscience about yourself, your beliefs or how your particular ego functions (Egotistic).

I was listening to an interview with Coach “K” the other day and he was talking about egos. He said to never check your ego at the door because you will lose your individuality. There are things in life that we need to learn to ignore and peoples traits that rub us wrong are one of those things. It’s hard to ignore those kinds of traits and it is a learned process. We need to be the bigger person at times like these and let the little things that bother us just go away.

He also said that we need to live in the moment. Don’t be concerned with what happened yesterday and don’t worry about tomorrow. Just live for today!! As he talked about his teams and especially the Olympic Basketball Team, he said it is not all about the numbers, but, more about those special moments that players have with each other and the success they enjoy not only as an individual, but, also as a team. The Coach, watching, as the passion, smiles and high fives occur. He said that is what keeps him coaching.

As I thought about that, I though about a congregation of Christians. How peaceful it would be if we could look past peoples egos and just get along. How nice it would be to not be so concerned with numbers and live in the moment. How nice it would be to watch the passion and smiles of the ones that have worshiped their God and not have to be individuals, but, a true congregation of God’s people. How special, that moment, when someone comes up from the watery grave of baptism, and we celebrate as one. Those are the types of moments Coach “K” was talking about.

Be happy with yourself and “Live In The Moment”. That’s what Coach “K” says, that’s what I say and that’s what God says!!

Have a good week all.

Daniel 4:1-3

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Ne-bu-chad-nez`zar the king,

“To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: peace be multiplied to you. I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.”

Proverbs 18:6-8

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A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.

1st John 1:9-11

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He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.