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December 8, 2007
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Human Interface Device, by Russ Lawson
My computer keyboard at my office had been giving me a little trouble,
so I decided to change it. I dug out my favorite old keyboard from home
and brought it to my office to use. I plugged in the keyboard and a
message popped up that I don't recall ever seeing before. The message
said, "New Human Interface Device."
I had never thought of a keyboard as a "human interface device," and
was somewhat surprised to see this description. I guess however, from
the computer's perspective, it is. I have external cooling fans, an
external hard drive, a mouse, a phone synchronization cable and a
printer. All of these devices except for my mouse are considered
"hardware devices." These things don't require any input from me to
operate them. The keyboard, however, is another matter entirely.
With this "human interface device" (my computer keyboard), I directly
input my thought and feeling to the computer. I can communicate with
people who literally live all over the earth. It allows me to add
"human qualities" -- my thoughts, ideas, and input -- to a mechanical
device.
That's really not so different from what Jesus does for us, is it?
Jesus coming to earth was God adding a "human interface device" to his
connection with humankind! Jesus brought the human part into the
relationship. Jesus provided us an "interface," a way to understand and
communicate with God in a way that we can understand and know that God
understands -- of course God understands everything, but Jesus' coming
assures us that he understands from human experience.
Paul reminds us of this profound truth:
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he
was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made
himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and
appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled
himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross (Philippians
2:5-8 NLT).
He has given us the ability to talk to God.
John helps us understand the greatness of this truth in his gospel when
recounting the conversation between Jesus and the apostle Philip.
[Jesus said] "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been
among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the
Father"(John 14:9 NIV).
Jesus' claim in this verse reinforces the claim John made about Jesus
in the beginning of his gospel:
No one has ever seen God. But his only Son, who is himself God, is
near to the Father's heart; he has told us about him (John 1:18
NLT).
Jesus provided us the "human interface" with God! He has given us the
ability to talk to God and understand a relationship that was beyond
our understanding. He not only translated it all into things we can
understand, he also demonstrated God's love for us.
Let me suggest, if you are having trouble relating to God that you go
back and "reboot" (restart) the relationship by looking closely at the
Son as we see him in the pages of the New Testament -- read especially
the Gospels, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. For now, I'll
stop using this "human interface device" -- my keyboard -- in hopes
that you will spend time with the better model.
---------
(c) 2007 Russ Lawson <rlawson@wclo.net>, Messages from the Heart
<http://www.mfth.net/aboutus.html>. All rights reserved.
RELATED LINKS:
* The Astonishing Christ
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200612/20061215_astonishingchrist.html
* One of Us
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200412/20041217_oneofus.html
* An Incarnation
http://www.heartlight.org/family/family_990707_v1208.html
* Messages from the Heart
http://www.mfth.net/aboutus.html
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200712/20071208_interfacedevice.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
VELVET ELVIS: REPAINTING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, by Rob Bell
In this provocative, hopeful book, Bell asks what the church might look
like if today's believers fully embraced "the way" of love, peace,
sharing possessions, compassion, risk, forgiveness, and harmony.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?254
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
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