The Cracked Pot

Let me tell you a story based on a story from Brennan Manning’s book Ruthless Trust.

“Once upon a time there was a water bearer who had two large pots.  Each hung on opposite ends of a pole that he carried across his neck. 

“One of the pots was perfect. The other had a crack in it.

“The perfect pot always delivered a full measure of water to

the master’s table, while the cracked pot leaked and arrived with only half a measure.  Needless to say, the cracked pot was discouraged.  He was ashamed of his performance because of his cracks. 

“One day, the cracked pot spoke to the water-bearer.  “I am ashamed of myself.  I only deliver a portion of what you expect of me each trip to the well.  You see, I have a crack and I lose most of my water on the way back home.”

“The water-bearer smiled and replied, “My poor cracked pot.  As we walk home today I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

“And sure enough, there were dozens and hundreds of beautiful, colorful flowers on his side, all along the path home.

“The water-bearer pointed out, “Did you notice that there were flowers only one your side of the path and not on the side of the perfect pot?  I know about your flaws.  Every day for two years, as we walk this path, you have been watering the seeds on your side and they have grown into beautiful flowers.  You have brightened the world simply by being exactly who you are, cracks, flaws and all.

Have you had some less than stellar days in your life?  Have you performed at less than your best?

Do you sometimes feel you have nothing but cracks and holes?

Maybe your life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Remember what the pot discovered?

The pot’s weakness became its strength.

What?

Our weakness becomes our strength, if we let it. 

Brennan Manning offers this insight in Ruthless Trust. 

With all your cracks and fissures,

you are capable of greatness

in God’s kingdom.”

Do you see that God uses cracked pots, disabled people, broken human beings, disappointing individuals, and those with broken dreams and weak knees? 

Consider David 2 Samuel 11

Rehab, the Harlot Joshua 6:25

Just imagine this re-phrasing of Matthew 11:28?

“Come unto me, all you cracked pots, disheveled, smelly, unfocused, lost and dreamless ones.  I’ll take you.

And, oh yeah, you perfect ones, you can come too.  I’ll even find a place for you too.”

The actual wording goes something like this:

“Come to me all of you who may be weary, weighted down, disorganized, dislocated, displaced and disheveled.  I will take you and give you a resting place.” 

I love perfect people, and I’m not perfect.

I relate to cracked pots, for at times, more times than I sometimes want to admit, I am one too.

Please watch this

Brokenness by David Meece

My Prayer for You

God:

In our moments of brokenness you come to us.  You reach for us and lift us up.  You willingly offer restoration, repair and mending if we allow it.

Thank you God.  Take the pieces of my heart.  I lift them up to you.  Make something beautiful of my cracks and broken places.

Your Cracked Pot

Pastor Mike

P Michael Biggs

Internet Church

Offering Words of

Hope Encouragement Inspiration

Never Out of Mercy

Have you ever run out of milk, or eggs, or money?  Running out of stuff is no fun. 

Our thought today is on God’s storehouse of mercy and grace. 

He never runs out of …

Love

     Grace

          Care for us

               Patience

God never runs out of necessities … and especially, ESPECIALLY God never runs out of mercy.

Mercy is not a term used much in today’s normal conversations.  So, what is mercy?

Some synonyms for mercy are …

Compassion

   Pity

      Clemency

Forgiveness

   Kindness

      Sympathy

Understanding

   Leniency

      Benevolence

Strong words

                     Good words 

Someone offering mercy is reaching, stretching, dishing out some pretty amazing “stuff” to the receiver.

I've had times in my life when I could have used a whole bucket load of mercy.  Have you?

There is a verse from the Bible, in Daniel, that speaks about mercy.  Daniel is talking to God and says this:

"We do not make requests of you

because we are righteous,

but  because of your great mercy."

~Daniel 9:18

  

He knows a bit about God to be able to say something this profound, for he gives God the compliment of “because of your great mercy.”

Have you ever needed great mercy?

In another place we find this example of the mercies of God.  It is from the book of Lamentations. 

“…because of the Lord’s mercy

and loving-kindness

we are not consumed,

because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning.

Great and abundant

is your stability and faithfulness.”

~Lamentations 3:22-23

In other words, God cannot run out of mercy. 

-He never gets tired of helping you. 

-He never takes a nap.

-His eyes never leave you.

-He never wanders off to the mall or the golf course.

-He never forgets you.

Every morning …

EVERY MORNING, when you awaken, God has a fresh batch of mercy waiting just for you. 

Amazing!

And the invitation comes like this …

“… Come boldly

to the throne of grace (to God)

that we may obtain mercy

and find grace to help

in our time of need.

~Hebrews 4:16

Reach out right now to the God of great and abundant mercy. 

He is waiting for your call.

Please Watch this

Lord Have Mercy-Christ Have Mercy

Michael W. Smith

and Amy Grant

If the above video link does not work, please click here

Lord Have Mercy-Christ Have Mercy

Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant 

A Prayer for You

God:

Without your mercy where would we be?  Life is tough.  And hard.  And it doesn't always work out the way we hoped and planned. 

But your mercies endure forever. 

How is this possible?

Why would you continue to extend this mercy thing to us?

Only one answer surfaces – You must really love us in spite of everything.

  In spite of our lost-ness

    Our lack of faithfulness

      Our contrariness

        Our selfishness

          Our mundane representation of you

You really do love us.

And our heartfelt response is – Thank you so much.

Thank you.

          Thank you.

                    T h a n k  y o u .

Amen,

  

Pastor Mike

P Michael Biggs

Internet Church

A Ministry of

Up-Words (Web Site)

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

God's Qualifying Rules

Welcome to Internet Church – the place you can come to just as you are.  This is a space created just for you.  If you seek a connection with God, then come on in. 

Let’s begin with this thought.

Does God have qualifying rules?  Are there certain words and phrases, stances, body postures and other such actions that we must adhere to in order to be accepted by God?

Consider the woman caught in adultery.  Christ came along when she was about to be stoned and rather than preach her a sermon, He turned to her accusers.  He said “If any of you are without sin, you may throw the first stone.” 

 John 8:1-11

And when they all slipped away and she was left all alone in front of the son of God, He simply said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”

That’s it.  End of story.  

Another example:

Zacchaeus was called down from his tree to go and have supper with Christ.  He didn’t seek Christ out.  And Christ did not make him bow and scrape all the way to his house.  Zacchaeus was the first one to offer repentance and reconciliation.  Christ just said “I want to have supper with you.”                                                                             

Luke 19:1-10

Supper! 

          Fellowship! 

                    Friendship! 

He didn't say, “But first you have to wash seven times.”  “Go run around Camelback Mountain and cut yourself and shave your head.” 

No such qualifying commands were given. 

Simply come be with me. 

The hallmark of God is love. 

We don’t change until after we come to Him.  It appears over and over that repentance and change follows forgiveness, not before. 

The prodigal son

The woman caught in adultery

Zacchaeus

What qualifies us in God’s eyes?  Coming near.  Turning toward.  It’s an action, not words. 

Do you want words to put with this concept?  Try this one.

HELP!

Anne Lamott says “this is the greatest prayer ever prayed.”  That sometimes is the hardest prayer of all.  It admits defeat, surrender, powerlessness. 

Help says “I’m done in.  I need something, someone bigger than what I face.  God, if you are listening then come forward, now!”

The God I serve responds to these kinds of words.  He has shown, again and again these attributes

Kindness

   Compassion

      Tenderness

         Forgiveness

            Abundant mercy

Come meet my God.  I guarantee that He will treat you with the same openness and acceptance.

Please watch this video of God Will Make a Way

If the above link does not work, 

please click here ...

God Will Make a Way

My Prayer for You

God:

Your methods run counter to anything we’ve ever seen. 

-You offer love when it is undeserved. 

-You over forgiveness when punishment should be the norm. 

-And you offer peace and kindness in the face of turmoil and strife.

What a God you are. 

You respond to our faintest cry for help.

And you really do make a way where there is no way.

Thank you God.

Amen!

Pastor Mike

P Michael Biggs

UP-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

The Letter

Welcome to Internet Church!  The place you can come to just as you are.  This is a space created just for you, whoever you are, whether you speak with an accent or speak southern.  If you seek a connection with God, then this is the space and this is the place.

Let’s begin with this song.  Feel free to sing along if you wish.

Open the eyes of My Heart

Michael W. Smith

If the above link does not work, please click here. 

 Open The Eyes of My Heart Video Link

Today’s Thought:

I received a letter in the mail yesterday.  It’s the first time I’ve ever received a letter such as this.

It was from God. 

He asked me to send this letter out to my readers.  I’m nothing special – just a messenger.  So here is what he wanted me to tell you.

“My Dear Child:

I am still here.  I haven’t left.  I have not abandoned you. 

When you face the challenges and traumas of life on earth, I am with you. 

I am with a new-born baby just as I am with the aged and the distressed.

I know the trials and joys you face and I am with you in the middle of them all. 

Your government is in my hands as well.  You may or may not like the current political party or the majority mindset at play, but I am watching.  I have a steady hand on the helm of this world, and I’m not losing my grip.

When you are in distress, I am near.

When you are discouraged, I whisper words of encouragement in your ear.

When you are well and at peace, I am present.

When you prosper I smile.

Let me remind you of some things you may have forgotten.

~I AM. Exodus 3:14

~I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

~My peace is with you always.   John 14:27

~My grace is sufficient for any circumstance you face.
2 Corinthians 12:9

~My forgiveness is available and I never remember past faults.  Hebrews 8:12

~Seek me and I will be found. Jeremiah 29:13

~Call on me and I will answer. Jeremiah 33:3

~Come to me and rest.  Matthew 28:11

Signed, Your God

Draw near my friend.  You will find God’s arms wide open, and all the love, forgiveness, acceptance and comfort one could ever hope for.

Now, please watch this inspirational video clip by Hillsong.

 Here I Am to Worship

A Prayer for All of Us:

God:

We want to draw near to you.  We want to come with all the trappings of our lives and allow you to help us sort through all this stuff.  Your promises sound too good to be true. 

Are you really the God who allows us to draw near?

Are you really the God who forgets about past sins?

Help us in our reticence to reach out to you. 

Please accept our threads of cautious trust.  We are looking for ropes with anchors.  Will you be our anchor?

Amen.

Pastor Mike

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Press On

What do we do when the world caves in on us?

When it looks bleaker than bleak, what do we do?

Why we hold on.  We press on, in spite of the circumstances, in spite of the weather conditions, and in spite of the economic and political climate.

We remember that God loves us, and He has his eyes always on us.  He knows each of us by name.  Isaiah 43:1-3

Press on my friend.  Press on.

Good news is ahead. 

Remember this:

When you have a dream

When your dreams turn to dust

In Jesus’ name press on

When love comes along

When love leaves you in the dust

In Jesus’ name press on

When you’re on top of the world

When you’re down in the dumps

In Jesus’ name press on

When life lays the golden egg in your lap

When you lay a bad egg

In Jesus’ name press on

When you are happy

When you are in tears

In Jesus’ name press on

When people cheer you on

When people jeer on you

In Jesus’ name press on

When you feel great

When you feel like grousing

In Jesus’ name press on

When you have bucks

When you are broke

In Jesus’ name press on

When you conquer

When you are conquered

In Jesus’ name press on

When you resist evil

When you succumb to evil

In Jesus’ name press on

When you have plenty

When you are in want

In Jesus’ name press on

In good times and bad, in happiness and joy, and in sadness and sorrow, always – always – always - Press on!

God is watching over us.  Here is a promise that I personally cling to.  May it enrich your life as well.  Jeremiah 29:11

And in another place, I have found great comfort in this verse.  Joshua 1:9

Please watch this:

If the above link does not work, please click here:

Press On - by Selah

My Prayer for You

God:

You amaze us.  To think that you know our names and call to us.  How can this be? 

But do you know what we've done? 

Do you know where we've been?

I want to trust you, even cling to you, but I may not be dressed the best.  I may have a bad smell because of what I've rolled around in. 

Can you still want me?

And of course the answer is “Yes”.  Always “Yes” from the God who loves me and is very fond of me.

Thank you God.  I stand amazed at your grace.

Amen.

Pastor Mike

P Michael Biggs

UP-Words Web Address

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

God Does Not Flinch

Don’t you hate rejection?

We experience rejection on many levels and at odd moments in our day. 

The worst kind of rejection is the flinch.  You know the flinch.

~People look at a nasty wound and flinch.

~People hear a nasty story about your relationship breakup and they flinch.

~People hear about your financial woes and they flinch.

~People see an ugly side of your life and flinch.

I hate the flinch. 

Know what?  God doesn’t flinch.

He knows us, knows we are weak, and knows we sometimes make bad choices, but he doesn’t flinch.  Never. 

Remember King David?  He was the apple of God’s eye, yet he had a man killed, committed adultery, and he committed a few other sins, yet God never flinched.  II Samuel 11

Remember the woman caught in adultery.  Christ simply said “Go and sin no more”, but he didn’t flinch.  John 8:1-11

And then there was Zacchaeus.  He was despised by his peers, an outcast in social gatherings, he was a thief, and he had a somewhat shady reputation, yet Christ didn’t flinch.  He walked right up to that tree where Zacchaeus was perched, looked him in the eye, and invited him to come down so they could have supper together. Story of Zacchaeus

I don’t know what you've done, but regardless of what it may be, God will not flinch.

He WILL look at you with kind eyes.  He will have compassion for you, and He definitely offers forgiveness. 

And, oh yeah, He loves you with amazing love.

Love sometimes is an overused expression.  There is freshness in what Brennan Manning, another writer and speaker, says.  “God is very fond of you!”

I love that expression.  I relate to that image.  It speaks of being cherished, being adored, being cared for in more than a casual way. 

“God is very fond of me!”  Say that a few times before you close your eyes in sleep.  That is like a warm blanket on a cold night.

So here is what we have – We have a God who is fond of us and who loves us.  He invites us and calls to us.

Consider this:

“My father and mother may abandon me,

but God will take care of me.”

Psalm 27:10

God knows everything about you, EVERYTHING.  Yet He still loves you – and He doesn't flinch at the thought of you. 

He doesn't say “clean up first, then present yourself.”

He invites.  He calls to us.  “Come, my loved one.  My cherished one.  I am very fond of you.  Come to me.”

I could never imagine God flinching at anything in my life or yours. 

Accept this God who never flinches.

Please watch this.

Crystal Lewis – Come Just a You Are

If the above link does not work, click here

Come Just as You Are - Crystal Lewis

A Prayer for All of Us

God:

Sometimes we are disgusting.  We ooze with bad stuff, we harbor less than honorable thoughts, and we go to bad places.  We commit the seemingly unforgivable. 

Yet you offer forgiveness.  You offer hope in the middle of our mundane lives.

AMAZING!

Help us in our inadequacies.  

Accept our outstretched hand as we reach for you once again.

Catch us God.

Amen!

Pastor Mike

Internet Church

www.up-words.net

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Waves and Billows

Waves can sometimes overwhelm.  Billows can hide and make obscure.

So when we are overwhelmed and our path is darkened,

what then?

How about a bit of good news?

Love this thought.

“But God is the God of the waves and the billows,

and they are still His when they come over us;

again and again we have proved that

the overwhelming thing does not overwhelm.

Once more by His interposition deliverance came.

We were cast down, but not destroyed.”

Amy Wilson Carmichael

That is an amazingly encouraging thought.  Kind of reminds us that God is in control no matter what. 

He is the master of …

  The waves

    The billows

      The problems

        The challenges

          The deficits

            The discouragements

All of this and more is still His. 

In the Bible we are reminded of this:

“He stilled the storm to a whisper;

the waves of the sea were hushed.”

Psalm 107:27

And in another place we find this:

He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,

“Silence!  Be still.”

The wind ceased,

and there was a great calm.”

Mark 4:39

My question for us today is this – What storms and gale force winds are we facing?  Is our boat just about swamped with water?  Are we at the breaking point, fearing for our own survival?  Is some personal crises crushing you?

Never fear. 

N E V E R   F E A R !

He – the God of the universe is on duty.  He is the night watchman.  He is in the lighthouse.  He is the patrolman walking his beat.  We can endure the storms – better than endure – we can survive the storms and watch as His steady hand calms them down to a gentle ripple.

How about that? 

Our God holds us safe and secure, even in the storm. 

In our quote from earlier Amy reminds us of this …

My history has proven that.  So has yours.

Remember that time when …?  You can fill in the blank.  We thought the end was near.  We thought we would never get out of whatever we were facing at that moment. 

And look at us today.  The overwhelming thing did not overwhelm. 

Perhaps it is a good day to give thanks to God.

Now watch this inspirational video by Chris Rice. 

If the above link does not work, click here:

It Is Well with My Soul - Chris Rice

My Prayer for You

God~

You amaze us.  In the middle of our storms you are present and you bring peace.  I think that teaches us something about faith and trust. 

Oh how we need to trust you more. 

You really do have us in your sights.

You really do keep a steady hand on our lives.

You really do care for us.  It’s as if you really like us. 

I know we hear the Sunday school songs about Jesus Loves Me, but, seriously, you not only love us but you LIKE us? 

Amazing!

All we can say is "Thank You God".

Amen.

Pastor Mike
P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time