Reed's Rants, Raves, Ramblings and Random Reflections

RTNT Matthew 20

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

RTNT Matthew 20 Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 20:20-24 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are

RTNT Matthew 19

2012-01-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in on year M-F (Link to Schedule ) Matthew 19:24-26 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things

RTNT Matthew 18

2012-01-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in on year M-F (Link to Schedule ) At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles

RTNT Matthew 17

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament 2012 M-F ( Link to the Schedule ) Matthew 17: 5 -8 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid

RTNT Matthew 16

2012-01-23T07:46:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament 2012 M-F (Link to Schedule) When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread." Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you

RTNT Matthew 15

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 15:16 "Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. This is one of those verses that does a number of things to me, seemingly all at the same time. I find myself shocked, humored, reassured, relieved, and reproved all in a moment. First I’m shocked that Jesus talked this way. This is not how I usually envision the

RTNT Matthew 14

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 14:28 -31 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and

RTNT Matthew 13

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew13:52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” When I was in early elementary school there would occasionally be a school holiday and I would be watched for the

RTNT Matthew 12

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 12:1-3 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he

RTNT Matthew 11

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This passage has always been one that has brought me much encouragement

RTNT Matthew 10

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 10:19-20 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Jesus speaks in this chapter about experiencing hated and persecution from the world because of

RTNT Matthew 9

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 9:14-17 Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. "No one sews a patch

RTNT Matthew 8

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 8:2-3 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. Chapter 8 is full of really interesting people:The Gentile Centurion with a

RTNT Matthew 7

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Small Gate Wide gate Narrow Road Broad Road

RTNT Matthew 6

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 6:1-4 Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the

RTNT Matthew 5

2012-01-08T16:27:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 5:29-30 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your

RTNT Matthew 4

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every

RTNT Matthew 3

2012-01-04T22:15:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 3:13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. From other passages in the

RTNT Matthew 2

2012-01-04T22:12:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they (the Wise Men) saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold – A gift for a King. This is the King of Kings. Frankincense – A gift for a Priest who often

RTNT Matthew 1

2012-01-04T22:09:00.000-08:00

Reading through the New Testament in 2012 M-F (Link to the Schedule) It is interesting that there are four women mentioned in Jesus genealogy. That is an unusual thing in itself, but the backgrounds of these women are less than stellar from some perspectives. Tamar ( v3) is denied her rights as daughter-in-law and resorts to deception to get them and as a result has a child by her

READING THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT IN 2012

2012-01-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

According to Dr. Oz there are four things essential for a successful New Year's Resolution. He states, "Make a resolution and make it the right way, the chance of succeeding is 10 times greater than if you don't make it the right way." His four tips are: 1. Write it down2. Announce it publicly3. Arrange your environment to help4. Track your progress. Each year I set out on a plan on Bible

MORE ON THE ONE THING

2012-01-01T20:57:00.000-08:00

In my last blog I posed a question: If you could do one simple thing to make a huge difference in your church would you do it? Let me recount. This one simple thing: costs no money, requires no extra time commiment, requires no exta work like reading, makes a difference in outreach, worship and connection with God, is not anything spiritual so anybody could do it, even a non Christian, and

ONE THING

2011-12-28T17:08:00.000-08:00

If you could do one simple thing to make a huge difference in your church would you do it? What if I told you it wouldn't cost you a dime, it would not require any extra time and would not require reading or homework or anything like that. Would you be willing to do it? What if this thing would improve our outreach, enhance our worship and improve your connection with God. Would you be

TOOLS ARE NOT TOYS

2011-12-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

Sunday at church I was asked if I had loaded up my new Galaxy Tab computer the church gave me with lots of video games. To be honest I don’t play games on my computer. To me computers and other cool electronic gadgets are tools. I have fun with them but I don’t play games on them. I finished the conversation by saying, “My Dad always taught me, ‘Tools are not toys.’” Later in in the day I got

REED'S RULES?

2011-12-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite T.V. programs is NCIS with Mark Harmon as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. (Usually just Gibbs.) I love the criminal investigative aspect but also the characters with all their flaws and idiosyncrasies. One of the ways that Gibbs mentors his team is by sharing his lessons for life comprised in his “Rules.” The rules are to be obeyed at all times or the crusty Marine

Trip to the Pumpkin Farm

2011-10-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

BRAKE JOBS AND DISCIPLESHIP

2011-10-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

This past week my two daughters and three grandkids came up for a visit. I’ve shared with you that whenever I go visit them they have “Daddy Do” lists ready for me to tackle. Two weeks ago, when I was down in Riverside for a Cal Baptist Trustee meeting, it was sprinklers (again) and repairing an over that would no longer light. So when they came up here to visit I had a “Daughter’s Do” list

LILY AND THE "I DON'T LIKE THE GRASS DANCE."

2011-09-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

9/11 Reflections

2011-09-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you spent some time Sunday reflecting on 9/11. Perhaps you spent some time watching the various new reports and documentaries on T.V. I did. As I watched the various images, heard the testimonies, and read articles online I found myself caught off guard and moved to sudden tears twice. I really don’t understand why these two things hit me as they did, but I want to share these with

Redneck Side

2011-09-06T21:43:00.000-07:00

GRACE REMINDERS FROM LAWN SPRINKLERS

2011-08-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

I lost a sprinkler in my front lawn. I’m sure it was there at one time, but for the last couple of years I could not find it. Fortunately there was enough coverage from the other sprinklers so it wasn’t that big of a deal, yet it bugged me. Saturday I was adjusting the duration of the sprinklers when I saw a tiny squirt of water from the base of the tree. There was that lost sprinkler! It now

DISCIPLE LESSONS FROM A NEW DRIVER

2011-07-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

My youngest son started driving this week. This is not the first time I’ve been to this rodeo, but it adds a heighted level of anxiety to the driving experience. I will always recall the first time our oldest daughter drove the short distance from our house to the church in Lompoc. When she turned the car off in the parking lot she said, “That was scary.” My wide-eyed wife in the front seat

BIG BOOTS TO FILL

2011-07-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

My Dad always had nice (western) boots. Mine were OK but his were more expensive. A number of years he stopped wearing them and he tried to give them to me. Not only was Dad taller than me by a bit, his foot was a half size bigger, so I never accepted the boots. However, the other day I decided I would wear them. With some insoles I have for added arch support and thick socks it was do-able.

SO THAT'S WHERE IT COMES FROM

2011-06-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Monday, June 27, was an emotion filled day. We encrypted my Father with military honors in the Mt. Vernon Court of Honor. I choked on the closing prayer - a first for me. We returned to my mom’s house and viewed old slides of family (pre and early JT) with one of my cousins who made it up for the family graveside service. That was both nostalgic, fun and quiet at times. It’s all

FAMILY LEGACY

2011-06-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

Today was my Dad's funeral. This is one of the videos I prepared for the memorial service.

THE ENDING OF AN ERA

2011-06-20T04:32:00.000-07:00

Last night I posted on Facebook – On Father’s Day today my dad peacefully died at age 88. He went to church, had a great lunch with family, had apple pie and ice cream, took a nap and went to see his Heavenly Father. I'm OK with that. Today was the closing of an era that spanned over 100 years. My dad was one of four boys – The Reed Boys – that began in 1906 in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) with

MISSIONAL CHURCH VIDEO

2011-06-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

SIMPLY MISSIONAL

2011-06-04T20:18:00.000-07:00

Simply Missional (excerpted thoughts by Ed Stetzer and Eric Geiger) Dell Computers has shattered the warehouse myth. Most companies love big warehouses. They feel safe with lots of inventory on large shelves in massive warehouses, always ready for that next order. In their minds, the well-stocked warehouse confirms the belief they will always be able to meet customer demands and customer

EVANGELICAL SUBCULTURAL - "THE BUBBLE"

2011-06-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

From Breaking the Missional Code by Ed Stetzer and David Putman – Chapter 3, Responding to the Commission of Jesus. Missions makes this point: it's not about us and our preferences. It is about his mission and the fact that he sends us. We want to practice our preferences. We want things to be the way we like them. But God wants us to be on mission with him, to be sent to some group of people

GOOD READING AND SOME FREE BOOK CHAPTERS

2011-06-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I downloaded an ebook to my phone and read it in waiting rooms and other times I when I could grab a few moments. It was “Transformational Church” by Thom Rainer and Ed Stetzer. After finished the ebook I decided to reread three other books I have by the same author(s). Break Out Churches by Thom Rainer (Get a book summary) Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making

JOB ONE

2011-06-02T17:18:00.000-07:00

This past weekend my wife and I enjoyed being with our daughters, their husbands, and our three grandkids. It was number two grandson's first birthday. At the birthday party it was planned chaos. Not only were my three grandkids there, all of the friends invited had children around the same ages. In total there were twelve or thirteen – it’s hard to count moving targets. It was interesting

Osama bin Laden - Mixed News

2011-05-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

GOOD NEWS - Sunday the theme of the message was the gospel, the good news. News is reporting something that has happened, it is not advice on how to make something happen. It is good news because it addresses and deals with bad news. If it does not address and deal with bad news it is just news. The gospel of Jesus is good news because it deals with the heart of the world’s problem – sin and

FIND US FAITHFUL

2011-04-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a funeral for M.G. Upton, a long time CA pastor and great guy. M.G. was born in 1914 and even in his last weeks was still leading bible studies and leading people to the Lord at the care facility where he was residing. His life story, and ministry experience is fascinating involving not being raised in a Christian home and coming to know the Lord by listening to a radio

DRESSED REHEARSAL FOR THE BIG SHOW

2011-03-22T21:57:00.000-07:00

WorshipWalkWithTheWorshipPros #41