Adding On

I used to dig the old western series ‘Gunsmoke.’ Marshall Dillon, 

Miss Kitty, Doc, and Fester would always have some dilemma going on in Dodge City, KS, that would consistently pull me in.

It messed me up to find out that the Dodge City that was depicted on this show was not really in Dodge City.
There was no LongBranch Saloon – No Jail – No Store – No office for Doc upstairs…for it was only a façade. It was just a wooden structure that only made it look real when you watched it. These characters who were so believable were not really sitting in the LongBranch because they were really sitting on a made up set somewhere.

(Jerusalem Mill area)
Bel Air, MD

In this life today, we have so many Christians walking around  mimicking the Gunsmoke set. They only have a front that has no substance behind it. Their lives are only a façade. For this very reason, many cannot afford to be transparent because others would be able to see right through them.

In every facet of our personal lives, we must be about developing something behind that façade. It is the growth of character and the information of who we are endeavoring to become. 

But developing this substance is easier said than done.  

Peter understood this, for in II Peter 1:5-11, he admonished all believers to hasten - jump - don’t delay in adding to your Faith:
Goodness – Knowledge – Self-Control – Perseverance – Godliness – Brotherly Kindness – Love.

(Inner Harbor)
Baltimore City, MD

Having a coasting mentality to get to fulfillment in Christ is not going to get the job done. It is like going to buy a new car and you are so infatuated with it that it is no big deal that it doesn’t come with cruise. 

Power windows?? Who needs those. 

Then the new wears off and it begins to become more and more frustrating that these ‘add-ons’ did not come with your new car.

(Unfinished home)
Bel Air, MD

In this walk with Christ, there is no way to experience salvation and then simply coast our way into eternity by never adding on to what He has already done for us.

For after the new wears off:
- Of our marriages: The lovey dovey feeling is gone.
- Of our jobs: The increase in pay doesn’t balance having to put up with that situation.
- Of our church: We are no longer the first time guests where everyone is hanging all over us.
- Of our walk with Christ: when we find out that God doesn’t always answer and handle our needs the way we think He should.

Peter summed it up well in II Peter 1:8-10: 

8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,

Grow and add some substance behind what everyone else sees – if you do, you will never fall.

For ordering blog pictures, please visit:

www.morningjogphotography.smugmug.com