Pure Refreshment -- Online

Pure Refreshment 2.13 -> A Christmas Thought

2007-12-22T08:16:00.001-08:00

22 December 2007 As I think back about Christmas, three memories come to my mind. One involves the gift of a bike that my father 'won' at a convenience store (he 'won' it by entering in a drawing, but didn't get his name selected. He found the winner and bought the bike from him). Another memory involves the lavish get-togethers my grandparents put on annually, filled with family, friends

Pure Refreshment 2.12 -> The Perfect Storm

2007-12-07T17:43:00.001-08:00

It wasn’t exactly the best night in the world to take a boat ride. Yet it was the best night.But before we get there, let’s go to earlier proceedings from the day. Jesus was teaching the people who gathered as he stood on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. At some point, the crowds got so large that he jumped into a boat and sat down to teach. On this day (as was standard practice), the method

Pure Refreshment 2.11 -> Human Arrows

2007-10-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

* Photo is the public domain - http://commons.wikipedia.org In our society today, it takes all kinds of people to make a company successful. For every CEO, one can find vice presidents, secretaries, messengers, and a slew of workers, right down to the custodians and security guards that help keep a building clean and secure. To this end, some jobs are more desired than others. A few

Pure Refreshment 2.10 -> The Well

2007-09-14T14:10:00.001-07:00

14 September 2007There was originally another topic planned for this edition of Pure Refreshment. It has sat on my desk at home, unfinished, for the last two weeks. You will get to read that edition in due time, but something more important has come up instead that needs to be shared. A number of months back, I noticed that what was originally planned as a biweekly reflection had became less

Pure Refreshment 2.09 -> No More Black Eyes

2007-08-03T21:57:00.001-07:00

This edition of Pure Refreshment will be a little different than normal. I say this because there's something that I've been thinking about for a while that seriously needs to be brought to light—and now.It involves black eyes.When one takes a good look at the history of the church since Jesus returned to heaven in Acts 1, there are a few items worth noting. People have come to know Jesus as

Pure Refreshment 2.08 -> Mistaken Identity

2007-07-03T07:40:00.001-07:00

I've been fascinated with the seemingly endless number of reality-based game shows on television during the last eight or nine years. The possibility of getting on national television and winning vast sums of money has lured hundreds of thousands of people to stand in lines or call phone numbers, hoping to be selected for a moment of glory. What I've noticed is that the simpler the game show

Pure Refreshment 2.07 -> Unknown Conversations

2007-06-01T22:18:00.001-07:00

One doesn't have to look too far to notice that change is a constant, if not necessary, part of life in the 21st century. To think that the 8-track player my parents owned while I was growing up has been rendered obsolete by the ability to download songs from a personal computer. To think that the encyclopedia sets found in school gather dust while history is recorded (often in real time) on

Pure Refreshment 2.06 -> Waving the White Flag

2007-05-10T20:10:00.001-07:00

Before I begin, I want to let you know the reason for the recent delay in Pure Refreshment. Our family has been busy packing up our belongings and moving to a new residence. Now that things have returned to normal, subsequent editions will return to a biweekly schedule. In addition, I will be offering a more media-centric approach to the topics shared (you'll see some of this below). Thank

Pure Refreshment 2.05 -> Two Letters

2007-04-06T13:24:00.001-07:00

The celebration of Easter is unique for a number of reasons. All involve the letters "re": --A reply from God regarding his love for those he created and the relationship he desires for each of us to have with him. --The process of redemption that was so costly for Jesus: a deep betrayal, a rushed trial, a mocking audience, a released prisoner, a indescribable beating, a

Pure Refreshment 2.04 -> Peter and the Fish

2007-03-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

18 March 2007 Why do I like to read the Bible? What's in it that I can use? Is it some book that's full of nothing but ancient history (not that that's bad)? How can it be 'living and active' while being older than anyone I know? Two reasons come to mind. One is that, quite simply, it contains the words of true life inside. The other involves my imagination. Before you go "Huh

Pure Refreshment 2.03 -> The Seasons of Life

2007-02-23T17:43:00.001-08:00

23 February 2007 From my desk perched on the second floor of our residence, I can look out at the single tree in our front yard. At this moment, it stands elegantly despite having surrendered its leaves a few months ago. Soon it will be dressed in the colors of springtime, as large green leaves sprout from its numerous branches and will remain that way through the dry, hot summer

Pure Refreshment 2.02 -> Having A Ball

2007-02-01T23:41:00.001-08:00

Recently my wife and I were cleaning the upstairs portion of our home. I sat in a chair organizing books and clearing off our desk while she worked in the walk-in closet. After a while, I took a break and went over to see if she needed any help. She was going through a box of various items when she pulled out a ball of yarn approximately the size of a grapefruit. "What is this for?" I

Pure Refreshment 2.01 -> The Two Doors

2007-01-16T07:14:00.000-08:00

As we begin the second season of Pure Refreshment, I'd like to ask you a rather odd question: How many doors do you open and pass through on any given day? During a typical work week, I perform this task more often than I realize. There are the doors inside the house. There are the car doors that I open to get in and out. There are the doors to the office complex and the doors to

Pure Refreshment 1.24 -> Christmas Anew

2006-12-23T11:22:00.000-08:00

As the days count down to Christmas, life seems to speed up instead of slow down. There are final preparations to make for the arrival of loved ones. There are last-minute gifts to acquire while navigating through crowded stores and boutiques. There are stockings to fill, presents to wrap, and traditions to follow through on.But despite the breakneck pace of the holiday, it’s also a good idea to

Pure Refreshment 1.23 -> Obey the Signals

2006-12-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

They have the ability to exert control upon our daily activities. They speak a language that is understood by billions of people. They also swing from overhead wires and hang on the tops of poles. Traffic signals are a necessity in today’s fragmented, get-it-done-yesterday society. So in order to keep vehicle accidents as low as possible, intersections are equipped with a series of

Pure Refreshment 1.22 -> A Safety Lesson

2006-11-15T07:06:00.000-08:00

15 November 2006 It was a trip I had made a number of times since moving to the Central Valley of California. Get on the freeway, drive to the local airport, and return home. The previous journeys weren't incredibly exciting or out of the ordinary. Saturday morning changed all that. On the way home, I heard a thump-thump-thump sound from the back of the car. Not sure what

Pure Refreshment 1.21 -> Manufactured Impressions

2006-10-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, the city of New Orleans reopened one of its most recognizable landmarks to the general public. Once known as the eighth wonder of the world, the Superdome was used as an evacuation shelter during Hurricane Katrina. However, the storm's winds and rain combined to rip sections of the roof off the building, eventually forcing the evacuation of everyone inside. I watched the

Pure Refreshment 1.20 -> The Voice

2006-10-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

06 October 2006 At my current place of employment, I have the opportunity to interact with a large number of people. Sometimes I answer their questions. Sometimes I listen to their issues. At other times I observe and read what's written on their t-shirts (while working, of course). After all, what a t-shirt says is a likely indication of what a person thinks and/or believes. During

Pure Refreshment 1.19 -> Who Hit You?

2006-09-16T15:13:00.000-07:00

16 September 2006 This edition's thought comes in a different form than usual. Read on and reflect on what it means to you. And as God refreshes you, may you in turn refresh others. Who Hit You? Nothing to see, yet looking to the future;Nothing to say, yet speaking volumes;Waiting for the next round of a plan's design—To take a life and make it into the vine.Voices of contempt, of ridicule

Pure Refreshment 1.18 -> Ahhh . . . Refreshing!

2006-08-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

There's a scene in Brad Bird's film The Incredibles (2003) that effectively captures what it means to be truly refreshed. Under the pretense of 'bowling night,' Mr. Incredible and his pal Frozone decide to save some people from a burning building. While inside, the two get in a heated exchange about why Frozone cannot put out the fire. Frozone emphatically explains that he's dehydrated; thus,

Pure Refreshment 1.17 -> A Memorable Gift

2006-08-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

I wasn’t sure what was happening. Nervously, I paced the floor and tried to stay calm despite the combination of excitement, nervousness, and anxiety in the air. There was music playing on the radio, flowers on a table, and members of my extended family watching television. The wait was becoming excruciatingly long. Suddenly, there was a knock on

Pure Refreshment 1.16 -> No Further Rules

2006-07-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

The first day on the job for a new company is normally an exciting and busy time. There are new procedures and routines to learn. There are other employees to get acquainted with. There are packets of paperwork that have to be filled out. In addition, a new hire typically receives an employee handbook detailing the many rules and regulations

Pure Refreshment 1.15 -> Ring the Bell

2006-07-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

“If we did well, ring the bell!” A sign bearing this comment sits to the left of the exit doors at a local fast-food eatery. Bolted to the wall nearby is a old-fashioned bell, complete with a rope hanging from the end of the clapper. As with most everyone, I have a subconscious expectation of

Pure Refreshment 1.14 -> An Unsuccessful Success

2006-06-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

One of the most astonishing things about God is that he accomplishes his plans in ways custom-tailored to each individual. The Bible contains numerous examples of this: Abraham’s journey to Mount Moriah with his son Isaac (Genesis 22) to test his obedience; Gideon’s army being reduced from 32,000 to 300 (Judges 7) to test his level of trust and reveal the power of God; and Paul’s transformation

Pure Refreshment 1.13 -> The Wish

2006-06-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine that you’re walking along the beach one summer afternoon. As you approach a group of seagulls, something catches your attention. There, bobbing in the waves, is a bottle. Your curiosity gets the best of you as you walk out in the surf to retrieve it. A closer examination reveals nothing distinctive about the bottle, and you scan the horizon for the nearest trash can to dispose of it

Pure Refreshment 1.12 -> Remember the Wonder

2006-06-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

As the first beams of sunlight appeared through my window, I knew the moment had arrived. I went over to where my brother was sleeping and attempted to wake him up. His immediate grogginess soon turned to uncontrollable excitement. It was time to see if there were any presents underneath our Christmas tree. The year was 1987. After our commotion woke up Mom and Dad, we all gathered

Pure Refreshment 1.11 -> The Plate Spinners

2006-05-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

As a child, I remember watching a gentleman on television who had a unique talent: he was able to spin plates on the tops of wooden poles. What intrigued me was his ability to keep thirty or more plates spinning at the same time. He would rush all over the stage, spinning the plates that were beginning to wobble, frantically trying to keep the inevitable from occurring. On every trip, we took pictures. Lots of pictures. “VHS

Pure Refreshment 1.08 -> The Adventure

2006-04-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

The first time I stepped inside my elementary school’s library, I was overwhelmed. Aside from the gaudy creamsicle orange and white paint scheme, the room contained more books that I could possibly read in a lifetime. But I was willing to try. During the next few years, I read children’s books, history books, and even a few cookbooks. However, I had a difficult time reading one type of book

Pure Refreshment 1.07 -> An Easter Edition

2006-04-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

For this edition of Pure Refreshment, I felt it was necessary to do something a little different. What follows is an ‘impersonation’ of a central figure in the story of Easter. I do not claim to know this person’s thoughts exactly, but the Bible contains enough information to make a well-informed attempt. It is a little longer than a normal

Pure Refreshment 1.06 -> Of Emeralds and Men

2006-04-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

The brown envelope arrived in our mailbox, along with a few other bills and solicitations. What made it different was the phrase printed on the front, stating that our family had won a genuine emerald. Being a kid in elementary school, the thought of a rare gemstone in the Sharrer household was quite fascinating. After Mom opened the envelope, she was convinced we had won as well.

Pure Refreshment 1.05 -> All the Best

2006-03-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

It was supposed to be a simple trip across the lake. Instead, the boat’s crew found themselves in the middle of a sudden storm. The wind blew violently and the waves became larger and larger. Even the seasoned fishermen of the group were quite concerned. Waves broke over the sides of their little boat, drenching everyone in the process. Something, however, was strange about the situation—one

Pure Refreshment 1.04 -> Even Better Than the Real Thing?

2006-03-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

The Southern section of the US is known for more than just miles of sandy beaches, distinct accents, and the movie Gone With the Wind. It’s also known for its cuisine. Foods like barbecue, collard greens, and grits normally come to mind (along with ice-cold lemonade served on the front porch). But when I think of Southern fare, I tend to think of chicken sandwiches. Chicken sandwiches?

Pure Refreshment 1.03 -> The Strength of Weakness

2006-03-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

In the midst of the blaring rock music, rows of mirrors, and unmistakable smell of sweat, I tried to get pumped up. All around the room, guys identically dressed in gold t-shirts and blue shorts were clapping and screaming. It was time for me to have a date with destiny. I laid down on the bench and grabbed the bar. You can do this, I kept

Pure Refreshment 1.02 -> Swimming Ducks

2006-03-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

One of the greatest joys of being a parent is watching one’s children grow up. It happens so quickly that if close attention isn’t paid, something significant could be missed. My nearly four year-old daughter is no exception. I am amazed when she stands in our living room and improvises her role in a future ballet production. I am astonished when she shows me that she can write her name. I

Pure Refreshment 1.01 -> "It's Time To Let Go"

2006-02-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

Words can have a powerful influence in the lives of people. Take the Emancipation Proclamation or the writings of JRR Tolkien for example. Located within these documents are words that have challenged and inspired people in a multitude of ways. Their effects are a testimony to their impact. As much power as words have, pictures have a even more remarkable ability to convey truths that are