Month: September 2015

The Wile E. Coyote

Posted on by Shawn

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper…” Isaiah 54:17

roadrunner-590x330When I think about this scripture, I think about one of my favorite cartoon rivals as a child—the story of the “Road Runner vs. the Wile E. Coyote.” If you remember that cartoon, the Road Runner was always minding his business, doing what he’s supposed to do, but there was this relentless enemy who would not leave him alone no matter what. It seemed like it was his life’s work to destroy the Road Runner, so the  Road Runner had to constantly be on alert for his arch-enemy. The Wile E. Coyote was so crafty in the methods he chose, but it didn’t matter because nothing worked. In fact, every scheme he plotted led to his own humiliation. I find that scenario so interesting because I see that very clearly in the way that the enemy attacks us. As we strive to do what we are supposed to do as Christians, this enemy uses anything he can to destroy us. That’s where this scripture comes into play. There is no weapon that the devil can think of that will prosper against us. I came across an article written by TIME magazine called “The 9 Rules of Every Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner Cartoon,” and two of the rules really stuck with me. The first states that the Wile E. Coyote’s biggest threat is not the Road Runner, but is gravity. The same goes for our enemy, Satan. Satan is known as the “fallen angel,” so from his fallen state, he tries to accomplish his goal. No matter what he tries to do, his efforts have already failed before they get started, because he is already defeated (fallen). Read More

You Decide

Posted on by Shawn

choicesYou may recall some of the popular game shows from back in the day where the contestants would claim a prize by opting to see what was behind door numbers 1, 2 or 3. Those games were always exciting because the audience would be screaming out which door they believed would contain the brand-new car, while the contestant stood onstage nervously pondering their decision. It was truly a mind game because the contestant would have to decide whether they would listen to the screaming audience, their own reasoning, or the “advice” the game show host would offer. In very rare instances, the contestant would choose correctly and would walk away with that brand-new car or dream vacation, but in many more occasions, the “grand prize” ended up being something less desirable like a frying pan. Now, suppose you were on that same game show and you had to choose which door you would open. Whatever door you choose would have a major impact on your life going forward. Suddenly, the spotlight is on you and it’s time to make a decision. The crowd begins to scream out their opinion and your insides reel with anxiety because your next move is absolutely critical…but then suddenly, out of nowhere, the game show host interrupts the show and announces which door contains the prize you desire. Perhaps a bit skeptical, you consider the information for a second and decide to go with it, because you really have no idea what to do. To your amazement, the prize behind the door is exactly what the host said it would be and you leave the show feeling completely satisfied.

“…I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19

In this text, God is providing us with two options. Behind “Door #1” is life and blessings. Behind “Door #2” is death and curses. But instead of playing mind games and making it hard for us to decide which to choose, God tells us exactly what to do. He clearly says to choose life! But it’s up to us to decide whether or not we will listen to the screaming studio audience (other people, society), our own flesh (human reasoning, understanding and rationale) or choose God (the Lord of Hosts)…The spotlight is on us, and the decision is now ours to make.

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