Saturday, November 25, 2006

Nouns And Adverbs

Tis’ the season to be good and kind to others less fortunate than yourself. I have a hard time understanding why it’s only for a month out of the year though. People have needs all year ‘round, but seem to be invisible in the sunshine of summer. You’ll seldom hear me boast or brag about anything, but I’ve got to tell you, it doesn’t take much to bring a smile to a deeply discouraged life. I’ve seen such things as a little food, some clothing, a ride to a doctor’s appointment or a simple conversation of encouragement, begin the recovery process of a lost lifestyle. I also know you can’t help a little today and expect everything to be o.k. tomorrow. Don’t get me wrong now. If your heart is touched by someone in need, do what you can to help, and when you reach your limitations, find a service or program to continue your good work, but follow up on the progress. There’s no better medicine or encouragement, than to show you really care.
The school system in a large city had a program to help children keep up with their school work during extended stays in the city’s hospitals. One day a teacher who was assigned to the program received a routine call asking her to visit a particular child. She took the child’s name and where he was located, then spoke briefly with the child’s regular class teacher. “We’re studying nouns and adverbs in his class right now,” the regular teacher said, “and I’d be grateful if you could help him understand them so he doesn’t fall too far behind.” The program teacher went to see him that afternoon. No one had mentioned to her that the boy had been badly burned and was in great pain. Upset at the sight of the boy, she stammered as she told him, “I’ve been sent by your school to help you with nouns and adverbs.” When she left she felt she hadn’t accomplished much. Arriving at the hospital two days latter with another lesson for the boy a nurse confronted her asking, “What did you do to that boy?” The teacher felt she must have done something wrong and began to apologize. “No, no,” said the nurse. “You don’t understand what I mean. We’ve been worried about that little boy, but ever since your visit his whole attitude has changed. He’s fighting back and responding to treatment. It’s as though he’s decided to live.” Two weeks later the boy explained that he had given up all hope until the teacher arrived. Everything changed when he came to a simple realization. He expressed it this way. “They wouldn’t send a teacher to work on nouns and adverbs with a dying boy, would they?”
[John 6: 25-59] The teacher, with good intentions, was tending to the boys’ growing mental needs so as not to fall behind his peers, but unintentionally, the teacher touched his spirit with hope. And that’s what it’s all about. I can’t perform miracles in other peoples lives, and if I could I’m not sure I’d want to, because I’d probably tend to try to make them just like me. Tend to the body of others, but don’t neglect the spirit, for it’s the spirit that brings life to the body. Yes, I understand that we’re all going to the grave one day, and personally, I going with a happy heart and a spirit full of life, because I’ve been obedient to the will of God. Ease the hurts of life the best you can in others with a loving, caring spirit and you might just be rekindling a dying spirit. Remind, or teach them of Jesus, and the promise of life eternal in the love of our heavenly Father. Life isn’t fair, but with a healthy spirit eating of the bread of life, I’ll be strong in the Lord.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Giving Thanks

Is it that time of year again? It seems like we just did this only a couple of months ago! The season for thanks and for giving is upon us once again. A time when we count our blessings and share with others. It’s a time of the year when, if you’re like me, we reminisce of times past and the way things used to be. The further back in time we go the more comfortable life seemed to be for us and there’s a longing for “the good old days” in our heart. We think on family and of Thanksgivings past, celebrated in fanfare far different than any other family gathering of the year. It didn’t matter if the family was rich or poor, with just a little effort and ambition some sort of special celebration was put together for this day of thanks. I pray your family enjoys a great day together.
Can you remember when it took the TV five minutes to warm up; nobody had a purebred or “designer” dog; when a quarter was a decent allowance; all your male teachers wore a necktie and the female teachers wore high heels and a dress; and laundry detergents had free glasses and dishes hidden inside their box? Do you remember when gasoline was 19¢ a gallon? Included in the price you would get your windshield cleaned, oil checked and gas pumped, every time, without asking. You didn’t have to pay for air or water, and you got trading stamps! Do you remember Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Laurel and Hardy, Howdy Doody, The Lone Ranger, Nellie Bell, Roy and Dale, Trigger and Buttermilk? Can you remember when being sent to the principal’s office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited you when you got home? Well, longing for the good old days or not, I doubt any one of us would want to return any time soon, with the exception of longing for the gasoline prices. We certainly have a lot to be thankful for.[1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18] On November 23rd Americans will once again celebrate a national day of thanksgiving. It’s a day that’s been set aside to give thanks unto God for our great heritage and the many blessings He bestows upon us. For many, Thanksgiving has simply become a day off from work. It’s a time to overeat, enjoy parades and ball games, and visit friends and relatives. However, for the child of God, every day is truly Thanksgiving Day. In the scripture passage Paul admonished, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks”. So, what should the child of God give thanks for? GIVE THANKS FOR: God’s goodness and mercy (1 Chronicles 16:34); God’s holiness (Psalm 30:4); God’s creation (Psalm 75:1); God’s deeds (Psalm 105:1); God’s righteous judgment (Psalm 119:62); our food (Matthew 15:36); the body and blood of Jesus (Matthew 26:26-28); the victory found in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57); the care and compassion of others (2 Corinthians 8:16); God’s unspeakable gift – Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15); our brethren (Ephesians 1: 16); all things (Ephesians 5:20); the church (Colossians 1:12-13); all men (1 Timothy 2:1); civil authorities (1 Timothy 2:2); the hope of heaven (Revelation 11:16-17). Paul concluded “…for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” [Matthew 6:25-34] Jesus teaches we are not to be anxious for the things we don’t have, but to seek the kingdom of heaven and all we need will be supplied. Winston Churchill said, “People occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off like nothing happened.” Stumbling over the truth of God’s Word, is worth your thanks, and praise.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Me, Myself

“Psssst! I’ve got a secret! If I tell you, will you promise not to tell anyone else?” Have you ever put yourself into a situation like that before? Of course you have. Have you then ever gone on to share the “secret”? Yes, you have, haven’t you! But, it’s what happens after you share the secret that makes you wish you’d kept your mouth shut. It’s hard to not feel superior when in possession of confidential information and it’s harder to control ourselves from wanting to be important. “Letting the cat out of the bag” can, and generally does, cause a lot of trouble, because as the “secret” gets told over and over, it tends to become a vicious rumor, which then has a nasty habit of changing lives. Sharing secrets can ruin friendships, split families, sink ships, lose battles, destroy credibility’s and, who knows, could ultimately change the world. There’s a great responsibility placed on you when “you’re the only one that knows” certain things, so keep it to yourself. The next time someone wants to share a secret, say, “No, thanks.”
The following inscription can be found on a tomb in Westminster Abbey, England. When I was young and free, and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But, it too, seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If only I had changed myself first, then by example, I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.
[Galatians 5: 13-15] “…love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus shared the same thought in His great sermon and today we teach it to our children as “The Golden Rule”: “Do to others as you would want done to you” (Matthew 7: 12 & Luke 6: 31) Our biggest problem here is we tend to use our knowledge and “secrets” in an attempt to change those around us to become like us and do things our way. If you’re “long in the tooth” at all you already know that attempting to change anyone results in rebellion. Think about how you’ve changed over the years. Did the changes in you come by force or more by training, or greater yet, by example? There is a fundamental truth in our relationship with God, no matter what happens around us, no matter what others may be doing, we can be responsible before God only for ourselves. We have obligations to one another, but in the end, the only true change we control is within our self. So think about this. If I study and work to show myself approved before God what better example could I present? What then will I control, but my own attitudes and actions, how I think and how I will treat other people. I will do right, no matter what those around me do. No matter what happens, I must do what is right – what God expects of me. I will act responsibly. It’s not responsible to always be observing others and not ourselves, expecting others to change but not seek to change ourselves. In the end others may be influenced by me, but it is only my own destiny that I control. Are you having problems with others? Maybe you’re the problem. It is no secret; With God all things are possible.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Wrong Is Wrong!

I guess it’s only natural that, for as long as we live, we’re always seeking friendship and guidance from those a little older, more experienced and wiser. I can only speak for myself, but I think it to be generally true, we go about learning from others more by observation, rather than “one on one” counseling. Everyone, at one time or another, has borrowed from the characteristics of another, whether they be good or bad. “Like father-Like son” and “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” are statements about the character passed from parent to child. As we grow we are influenced by teachers, coaches, co-workers, neighbors, political leaders, movies and theater, TV personalities and on and on. I’m learning more and more every day that even my little non-essential life, in my mind, is influencing someone with a character that could last for generations.
Due to over-crowding in an African animal reserve, several adolescent male elephants were moved to another reserve. Left alone in the new area, gradually the “teenaged” elephants became unruly. They even formed gangs, throwing branches and killing rhinoceroses. The managers of the reserve began to take pictures and keep “rap sheets” on each offender. Such a problem had never before developed. Because they had no correction facilities for these juvenile delinquents, some of them were “put down”. Finally, those in charge decided these young bull elephants did not know how to behave like elephants. They needed role models, and father figures; someone who would bring them under control. Some big bull elephants were shipped in and immediately the youngsters learned who was in control. They got whipped into shape in a hurry, and the killing of rhinos ceased. Isn’t it amazing what a little adult supervision can accomplish.
[Proverbs 29] In a period of loose sagging morals, Satan has provided many rationalizations for improper behavior. Those who would live faithful Christian lives must not be ignorant of his devices. Wrong is Wrong even if you don’t get caught. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good”. (Proverbs 15:3) Wrong is Wrong even if you do it for a good cause. The honorable purpose does not justify the dishonorable deed or action. “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4) Wrong is Wrong even if others are doing worse things. It will be little comfort to you in the Day of Judgment, if you should be lost, that others you knew did things you consider to be worse than your own sins. Wrong is Wrong even if it doesn’t bother your conscience. The conscience can be trained or educated to accept wrong doing, but even an “honest” sin or evil done in sincerity is sinful in the sight of God. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) Wrong is Wrong even if it is commonly considered acceptable. “You shall not follow a multitude in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice. (Exodus 23:2) The Christian should – “Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.” (Proverbs 4:14-15) “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) What sort of character are you sharing with the eyes that are watching and wanting to be like you?