Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 365

In Step With Jesus

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Matthew 9:2

2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Matthew 9:6 – 9

6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

7 And he arose, and departed to his house.

8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Seeing things you’ve never seen before, that’s what is so intriguing about The Lord Jesus. It’s not the miracles, but the experience of a relationship with Jesus that appeals to seekers. Yes, we have problems, and needs, but it’s more than a miracle worker we seek, it’s a life changer. That is what Matthew both saw, and followed after.

I’ve read the Scriptures the majority of my life, and I don’t remember making the connection of these two events before. Yes, I believe Matthew saw love in Jesus’ eyes, but he had first seen it modeled in the forgiveness of the man who had palsy, and watched him transform the man.

Is it possible that Matthew saw his own sins that paralyzed him in his condition, not physically but spiritually? Is it possible that Jesus saw Matthew because Matthew was looking at Jesus? We’ve always assumed, or at least I have, that Jesus made eye contact first, but maybe that’s not the case.

Jesus saw Zacchaeus, after he climbed up the tree, and put himself out on a limb. Perhaps it was Jesus who met Matthew’s gaze, and not the other way around. Of course Jesus knew what was happening, the Bible says this miracle happened in Jesus’ own city. Besides the fact that He is God wrapped in flesh, He knew where Matthew would be sitting, and He knows where we are today.

The Lord knows what we’re facing, just as He did with Matthew. Another word in the Greek for custom is toll. If you’ll pardon the play on words, He knew the toll life had taken on Matthew called Levi, and He knows the same of you and I.

Whatever you’re facing, or whatever you’re sitting behind, leave it and place Jesus in front of you. Matthew didn’t only get out from behind the things that separated him from Jesus, he placed Jesus as His focal point and guide.

Jesus said follow Me, and Matthew did just that, all the way to Glory, but before that, He followed to prison, and according to tradition, to martyrdom. Matthew knew that nothing could separate us from Jesus, not even death itself. For he saw Jesus conquer it first! Matthew called Levi, which means attached, joined himself to The One who could empower you to walk away from the things that bind you, and walk into newness of life.

What is separating you from victory today? I challenge you to leave it behind, and follow Jesus today. Don’t try to figure out everything, only which way The Master is walking. Everything else will fall in line, or in step with Jesus.

iPainting Harpy Eagle

The Harpy Eagle is an interesting Mexico and South America. We hope you enjoy this iPainting of the "Harpy Eagle."

Eddington Prune Coffee Cake

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I hate prunes, and I love coffee. Why someone got the idea to put them together into a prune coffee cake I’ll never know. I don’t like when people get the bright idea to put good and bad things together. The same thing happens with news, it’s usually a mixture of good and bad.

At least it has been for us the last few months with this mess. Now, we had the good news that the Professor’s so called Gardener was caught trying to steal the artifacts. The bad news, it was the Professor who reported him before he was caught.

Apparently the Professor sold the authorities on the fact that he had overheard a conversation the gardener had with someone at his club. When the gardener and his crew made an attempt to steal the artifacts, the police were waiting.

“Why would he make an attempt and report it?” Sam frowned when he answered me. “He’s gloating. He’s letting us know that he is not only aware of what we were trying, but that he’s smarter. More importantly, he discredits the one connection that was a weakness for him.”

“So like always we have nothing. When are we going to either win, or lose? I’m tired of getting reminded that I’m not brilliant.”

Otecko had been patient, but he had enough of my whining. “Victory in war, is a series of battles, wins and losses. You don’t give up when a few battles go against you. Instead, if you are fighting for what is right, you fight, and you don’t stop to keep score. There isn’t time.”

He looked at Sam. “Where’s the next battle? What do we do now?” Sam scratched his head. “We use what he gave us to work with, his lieutenant, the gardener. Let’s see if we can give him some incentive to teach the Professor something.”

iPainting Maine

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One of the places Ashley and I want to visit, is “Maine”.

iPainting Grenadier Guard

This is an iPainting of the "Grenadier Guard".

Our Choice

Today my wife and I will gather with people we love, to worship Our Savior we adore @ #pointofmercy. This isn't only our Sunday choice, but our daily one. It is the most rewarding choice of our lives. I encourage you to meet with The One who loved us enough to make Sundays a reality, on an old rugged cross and an empty tomb.

iPainting The Rock And Moses

The Golfer

This is my iPainting of a statue I saw. We call it "The Golfer".

Eddington Java And Jewelry

Daylight doesn't suddenly happen, it's not like a light switch. You don't suddenly blink and it's day, it's gradual. Plus, light never completely goes away, the moon is a reflection of the sun, and the stars are there, even when you can't see them.

What does all this have to do with java and jewelry? It's a reminder that good always wins, light is better than darkness, and hope never gives up. I saw that over the next few days from my hospital bed. Otecko would spend the afternoons with me, and he would tell me the stories of how men and women made a difference, on both sides of the ocean.

He knew I didn't need daily updates on what Sam was doing, only to be reminded that he was doing something. "Consistency in coffee and life Tomàs, that produces lasting results." The day I checked out, was a little different.

Otecko came in almost bouncing, he was happy as could be. "Someone has attempted to put their hand in the cookie jar. The trouble is, no cookies, only prunes. The Professor has misstepped, and we will use the opportunity to knock him off his feet!"

Watercolor Laurel And Hardy

I hope you laugh at this watercolor of two very special men, "Laurel And Hardy".