LifeVesting » 100 Words

Dear Texas Department of Transportation

Andy Wood — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:56:46 +0000

Thanks for spending the money and manpower to tell us, not once but three times, what we already knew from the rattling and bouncing of our vehicles.

Is it too much to ask you to actually solve the problem?

I guess if you can’t amaze us with the outcomes, you can always astound us with the obvious.

Hmmm.

If fixing roads doesn’t work out for you, maybe you should consider a career in journalism. It’s a similar skillset.

Or maybe politics.

Then the three signs would read:

Rough Road, Vote for me.

Rough Road, Not my fault.

Smooth Road Ahead.

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Passing Shadows

Andy Wood — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:33:53 +0000

Lord, what are mortals, that you notice them;

mere mortals, that you pay attention to us?

We are like a puff of wind;

our days are like a passing shadow (Psalm 144:3-4).

As this shadow passes across another year, what’s obvious on the playground becomes clearer in life: the further away from that initial push, the shorter the passes are.

So…

You can pretend the shadow doesn’t exist…

Search for temporary, artificial pushes…

Surrender to futility and fatality.

Or…

You can embrace the shadow with childlike wonder…

Knowing that all shadows – including this life – are silhouettes of something real.

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The Glassblower

Andy Wood — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:51:54 +0000

Guided by a clear vision of what could be, and wisdom and skill known only to master craftsmen, the glass blower takes raw, shapeless material and goes about his work.

Molding.

Forming.

Bending.

Shaping.

A beautiful form begins taking shape, made possible by the searing flame.

If the little glass cylinders were given a vote, they’d choose to remain cool.

Comfortable.

Unbent.

Unremarkable.

But masterpieces only materialize when the clay says to the potter, “Have your own way.”

Or when stiff glass (or stiffnecked people) submits in faith to the heat of the furnace and the heart of the Creator.

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When Evening Shadows and Stars Appear

Andy Wood — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:12:28 +0000

Yesterday at sunset I watched the words to a hymn materialize before my eyes.

As the “day was dying in the west” I saw heaven touch earth with rest.

So I decided to wait. And worship…

A God who can make even the broken things beautiful…

…who gives us wings to fly…

…faithful companions,

and wisdom to find our way home…

…who attends to the least of us…

…and alerts us to the dangers and adventures in our world.

…who still fills our lives with wonder …

…and our hearts with peace…

…as He sings to us of His nearness.

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I Have a Maker

Andy Wood — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:00:50 +0000

Take a look at this picture.

Care to guess where these beautiful stones came from?

It could be from the last beach you visited.

These are actually sand particles, magnified over 250 times.

Notice how each grain is wonderfully unique.

How their true nature is only revealed in magnified, magnificent light.

How what appears ordinary to the naked eye is actually quite beautiful.

And yet being so small, each grain of sand is most useful when connected and engaged with other grains of sand.

I wonder if that suggests something about you.

And me.

And us.

And the Lord Jesus.

(Enjoy the video to the right. Click on the post title to view from the feed.

Want to see more photos? Click here.)

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I Kissed a Deer

Andy Wood — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:35:25 +0000

(Lessons learned from three fawns and a coupla’ mamas…)

Careful where you wander – you may wind up in the devil’s driveway.

Know where to run for safety.

When you’re hungry or nervous, stick close to Mama. She knows where the good stuff is.

Always have a place to turn for rest – body, soul, and spirit.

Chillin’ with friends makes the down time sweeter.

You’re rarely as hidden as you think you are.

Curiosity is its own form of boldness.

Breaking bread (or apples) together is its own form of communion.

Earning trust is a beautiful thing.

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Firstborn

Andy Wood — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 05:19:08 +0000

They spend the first fifth of their lives exposing rookie parents

To the uncharted waters of raising adults.

They accept without much discussion the role of

Domestic Prime Minister or House Speaker –

While they’re idolized by younger siblings

And held to higher standards by parents.

When the Lord sent his Son to the world,

It was their role He was given…

Firstborn son, Firstborn among many brethren,

Firstborn of all creation… Firstborn from the dead.

And though a parent’s love runs deep

For every child that graces their home,

The beautiful bond with the firstborn

Will live on for generations to come.

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The Fever Heat of Summer

Andy Wood — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:46:28 +0000

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;

My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer (Psalm 32:4).

Everybody talks about the fever heat of summer.

But nobody talks about the heavy hand of God anymore.

Isn’t it backwards when the only people who relate the fever heat of summer to a lifestyle or relationship are scientists and politicians?

Meanwhile in Zion, we’re holding back. Hiding. Hoping tomorrow brings a break in the action.

We’re withering. Wasting. Weary. Weak.

And Heaven weeps, waiting to heal and bring happiness to the heart of the forgiven.

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The Testimony of the Redeemed

Andy Wood — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:09:16 +0000

I live because…

Jesus fought me. He was my holy enemy, mercifully blocking my stubborn rebellion.

Jesus bought me. He was my sacrificial redeemer, willingly shedding His blood for my pardon.

Jesus sought me. He was my desperate lover, tenderly calling me out of my hiding.

Jesus caught me. He was my relentless pursuer, powerfully drawing my heart to believing.

Jesus taught me. He is my wise revealer, lavishly deepening my understanding.

Jesus wrought me. He is my master craftsman, faithfully forming me into His image.

Jesus brought me. He is my faithful intercessor, constantly bearing me unto the Father.

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Footprints in the Dog Water

Andy Wood — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:01:20 +0000

(With humble apologies to the Mary Stevenson Estate)

One night I dreamed that I was dipping my feet in the dog’s water bowl

And walking the lonely journey across my patio,

Leaving wet footprints along the way.

Soon I noticed tiny little footprints appearing behind mine.

This bothered me because I noticed

That the little footprints would sometimes follow my direction

And at other times they would wander off elsewhere.

It also bothered me because

The dog’s water was getting really dirty.

So I asked the Lord about it.

“Keep leaving a clear path to follow, My child,” He said.

“And get some fresh water for the dog.”