Thomas Edward Lawrence wrote, “All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day [believing] that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.”
We’ve all heard people talk about “thinking outside the box”, but the box is still the reference point. I am not sure that is a good thing? Not saying that it isn’t, I just wonder if it is a hindrance to all GOd wants to do IN us and THROUGH us?

I believe that the church, me included, needs to be deprogrammed to this kind of limiting thinking. I really think that the Wright Brothers were not just thinking “outside the box”, but BEYOND the box when they took their first flight.

Our culture, parents, school, friends teach us to live realistic, live on earth. Constantly telling us “we can’t…” not that living realistically is bad, we must “live in the now” as Garth told Wayne in the 1992 film Wayne’s World when he wanted a guitar he couldn’t afford. But I think we should allow for the “beyond the box times” as well.

I feel this is necessary for those who serve in the local church. We must think beyond the normal church “ways” of doing things, beyond what has been classified as “safe”, and let’s not use the “box” as a reference point. And just in case you are concerned about me, I DO NOT think the Bible is the BOX! The Bible should be our reference point not some “box” that has been passed down through the ages.

The “box” in my opinion is empty, and God is not in it, and most likely not even around it, He is beyond it!

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Luke 12:7

Sometimes you can just have too much information.

Peter Arvell Browne, a 19th-century Philadelphia attorney had too much information. Mr. Browne collected hair. That’s right: hair.

He got hair from Napoleon, Daniel Webster, the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the first twelve United States Presidents.

This February 16-18, Mr. Browne’s scrapbook of hair is being displayed by the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Some may think the exhibit which features George Washington’s brown-and-gray locks, James Monroe’s dark curls, and Thomas Jefferson’s reddish-gray hair is a “don’t miss.”

Me? I’ll probably sit this one out. People’s hair just doesn’t interest me that much—even if it does come from the head of someone who was once rich and famous.

In contrast, however, the Lord Jesus says our heavenly Father not only cares about our hair, but He has them numbered as well. That probably shouldn’t be surprising. God is concerned about us from stem to stern. So we might be saved is why He sent His Son into this world to save us—to save our souls, our bodies, and, yes, even our hair.

Think About It! He Never Said “I Love You.”

If you read through the New Testament you will notice that Jesus never said “I love you.” As shocking as that might sound, He never spoke those words to His disciples or anyone else that is recorded.

We know He loved us because of His obedience to go to the cross but He also prayed, that the love God had for Him would be in US as well, John 17. I believe Jesus had His prayer answered.

When did Jesus discover that God loved Him? Through studying the scriptures, the very same scriptures where the Pharisees saw an angry, vengeful God.

By Jesus’ example, we can see that love or God’s love in us is manifested in demonstration more so than just words.

So once you are finally convinced in your heart that God loves you just the way you are, not as you think you should be, then you will begin to see the manifestation of God’s love flowing through you. Some might say now God can use you but in fact, it is you who is cooperating or yielding to His plan and purpose.

So often believers will cry out, “here I am Lord, use me” but what they are really saying is they want to do something to prove to God they are deserving of being loved. God is saying, “Trust and believe that I already love you.” Jesus not only came to teach us how to love, more importantly, He came to show us what it was like to be in love with God.

This love changed Peter from a man who told Jesus he loved Him and later denied knowing Him, to a man who on the day of Pentecost preached to thousands and later gave his life for the gospel. Only the love of God can turn a coward into a courageous Christian.