Ahhh, Thanksgiving. A time for reflection and remembering the past, bringing out the things we’re so thankful for. For some reason I always find myself returning to the days of my youth, I suppose it was just a simpler time then. We were the typical Norman Rockwell over-organized dysfunctional family that gathered at grandmother’s house for the day. There was always so much food the huge table we sat at couldn’t hold it all. Grandma was a baking freak. Pies and cakes and cookies were always visible cooling in the kitchen and/or the enclosed porch at the back of the house. Never once, that I can remember, did she not have something mixed up and baking in the oven, I think she baked every day. And if it wasn’t in the oven, she had something cooking in a pot over a flame for the next scheduled feeding. I can also remember much of her baked goods going out the back door to a sick friend, a close friend, a family in need, or just a relative with love. As I grow older I realize her quiet activities of thoughtfulness had a little more influence on me than I had previously understood, another good reason to revisit the past every now and then, and be thankful for who we are because of others.
It’s not always in our best interest to look back. A Sunday school teacher was describing how Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, “My mommy turned back once while she was driving”, he announced, “and turned into a telephone pole!” On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a mile in less than four minutes. Within two months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds. On August 7, 1954 the two met for a historic race. As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead. It looked as if he would win, but as he neared the finish he was haunted by the though, “Where is Bannister?” As he turned to look, Bannister took the lead. Landy later told a Time magazine reporter, “If I hadn’t looked back, I’d have won!”
[1 Corinthians 9: 24-27] One of the most descriptive pictures of life in the Bible is of an athlete competing in a race. There is a finish line and there is a prize awaiting those who desire it. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that lasts forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.” The basic lesson here is to live, as God would have us to live, always looking ahead with hope to the reward at the end of our race, eternal life in God’s love. We are encouraged to not look back on our mistakes and past sins letting them bog us down in guilt and shame. We have to believe that what’s behind us must be erased from our mind and forgotten. That’s hard to do because they’re always mixed in with the good things we wish to remember and cherish. There’s a great cure for this dilemma. Jesus has instructed the believers, that on the first day of the week, each should look back and remember a great tragedy, His death on the cross. And to remember His triumphant resurrection from the grave wherein lies our hope and strength for running the race of life. It is the resurrection of Christ that points me heavenward and guides me to the finish I so desire. Jesus is preparing a place (prize) for me, right now.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Treasure It Or Lose It
It’s true, that one man’s trash can become another man’s treasure. To illustrate, I have a little personal story to tell. About twenty years ago I came into possession of a, in my opinion, somewhat historical Bible. Well, in its self not a grand story, but it had been retrieved from a trash dumpster being used by a public school system for common waste, and also at this time, by the high school library while it was weeding and tossing unwanted books. A deeper uprooting of moral values and the enforcement of separation of church and state put the Bible on the hit list of books to be eliminated from public school libraries reasoning that religious materials, even though donated, can not sit on bookshelves bought with tax dollars. Stepping down from my soapbox, I have to tell you the book is dated as of when it was presented, and by whom, and even has a “run number” of authenticity. It’s a 1955 School and Library Reference Blue Ribbon Edition, which I use regularly and will treasure for as long as I possess it.
It’s amazing what some people can conclude from Bible scripture. >Helping his wife wash the dishes, the minister protested, “This isn’t a man’s job!” “Oh yes it is” his wife retorted, quoting II Kings 21:13, “… and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.” >“Dad, the Bible says if you don’t let me use the car you hate me”, said the son. “Where does it say that?” asked the father. The son replied, “Proverbs 13:24; ‘He who spares the rod hates his son’” >A Sunday school teacher asked her class, “What was Jesus’ mother’s name?” One child answered, “Mary!” The teacher then asked, “And who can tell us Jesus’ father’s name?” A little girl said with confidence, “Verge!” Confused the teacher said, “I don’t understand where you got that name.” “Simple” replied the girl, “Everyone calls them Verge n’ Mary.”
[2 Timothy 3:16 – 4: 5] On the facing page of the book of Genesis, Chapter 1 in this treasure of mine is an introduction to God’s word worthy of sharing with you. It reads; “This Book Contains: The mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, doom of sinners and happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is the travelers map, the pilgrims staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldiers sword and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in Judgment and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor and condemns all who trifle with its holy contents.” Next week is Thanksgiving and next week is National Bible Week. Since the first one rolled off the presses, it is estimated that between 5 & 6 billion printed Bibles have been purchased throughout the world. I pray your bible is not residing with the accumulated junk we all seem to collect and stash in a closet or storeroom. Find it or purchase one. Read it and teach from it. Live its principles and share its love. Oh, what a different world this would be if we all treasured God’s word.
It’s amazing what some people can conclude from Bible scripture. >Helping his wife wash the dishes, the minister protested, “This isn’t a man’s job!” “Oh yes it is” his wife retorted, quoting II Kings 21:13, “… and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.” >“Dad, the Bible says if you don’t let me use the car you hate me”, said the son. “Where does it say that?” asked the father. The son replied, “Proverbs 13:24; ‘He who spares the rod hates his son’” >A Sunday school teacher asked her class, “What was Jesus’ mother’s name?” One child answered, “Mary!” The teacher then asked, “And who can tell us Jesus’ father’s name?” A little girl said with confidence, “Verge!” Confused the teacher said, “I don’t understand where you got that name.” “Simple” replied the girl, “Everyone calls them Verge n’ Mary.”
[2 Timothy 3:16 – 4: 5] On the facing page of the book of Genesis, Chapter 1 in this treasure of mine is an introduction to God’s word worthy of sharing with you. It reads; “This Book Contains: The mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, doom of sinners and happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is the travelers map, the pilgrims staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldiers sword and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in Judgment and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor and condemns all who trifle with its holy contents.” Next week is Thanksgiving and next week is National Bible Week. Since the first one rolled off the presses, it is estimated that between 5 & 6 billion printed Bibles have been purchased throughout the world. I pray your bible is not residing with the accumulated junk we all seem to collect and stash in a closet or storeroom. Find it or purchase one. Read it and teach from it. Live its principles and share its love. Oh, what a different world this would be if we all treasured God’s word.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
The Zeal
Well, I’ve done it again. My office (man cave) has become so cluttered, the only part of the floor that’s visible is a path between the door and the chair. It doesn’t take long to decide whether I want to drag something home for “future use” but it seems to take forever to decide where to store it until that time comes. “Oh, I’ll just put it here for right now and get to it later.” How many times have you said that? If I were to sit down right now just to read all the stuff I want to, it would probably take to the end of the year. That isn’t half the mess. I’ve printed out hundreds of stories that need filing away in my big, nearly empty, filing cabinet. The problem is, every time I get started I run into the decision of what to file each item under. It’s going to take some determination and zeal to get this mess cleaned up and organized. If I’m going to git’er done I’m going to have to stop self-defeating my purpose and press on with a firmer grip on the goal.
As a very young child, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. had a peculiar and memorable fear of church, according to David McCullough’s book, “Mornings On Horseback”. Teddy was so terrified that he refused to set foot inside a church building if alone. Finally, his mother so insisted that he told her he was afraid if something called the “zeal”. Using a concordance, his mother read aloud the passages containing the word “zeal” from her King James Bible. Suddenly he told her to stop! The passage was John 2: 17 (Psalm 69: 9). “And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.” When asked about this “zeal”, he admitted he was not sure what it was, but thought it was probably a large animal like an alligator or a dragon. Needless to say, Teddy Roosevelt’s attacks of asthma occurred more often early Sunday mornings.
[Romans 12: 9-21] zeal: n fervent devotion, fanaticism. Did you notice it’s a noun? Zeal is something you possess. Most people treat it as a verb, something you must do. Let’s look at it this way. Have you ever truly wondered why Jesus loved to have the little children around Him, or why He said, “…anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it”? I think because children are full of zeal. What sort of heart does it take to learn how to walk? To learn how to talk? To endure the first day of school, and the many years to follow? To live with siblings? To love abusive parents? It takes a heart full of zeal. The heart of a child picks them up when they fall, starts them over and over again when they fail, until they get it right, and allows them to see, and seek to comfort, the pain in others. But alas, we allow the trials and tribulations of life to change our zeal, from a joyous possession, to a chore of drudgery. So, Jesus encourages us to return to our childhood, to both help us endure the trials of life and embrace the Kingdom of God with an attitude of complete devotion and love. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he uses words like, must, sincere, hate, cling, devoted, never, fervor and so on. He teaches with zeal. He’s fanatical about how those in the Kingdom should live daily and treat one another. Jesus didn’t hide His feelings for those buying and selling in the temple courts the day He upset their applecart. He felt the pain of his Father and was embarrassed with shame for what the people were doing. Does your idea of zeal grow your faith as a chore, or is your faith growing and sharing because zeal for eternal life fills your heart? The heart of a fighter is “eaten up” with zeal. Get up and live.
As a very young child, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. had a peculiar and memorable fear of church, according to David McCullough’s book, “Mornings On Horseback”. Teddy was so terrified that he refused to set foot inside a church building if alone. Finally, his mother so insisted that he told her he was afraid if something called the “zeal”. Using a concordance, his mother read aloud the passages containing the word “zeal” from her King James Bible. Suddenly he told her to stop! The passage was John 2: 17 (Psalm 69: 9). “And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.” When asked about this “zeal”, he admitted he was not sure what it was, but thought it was probably a large animal like an alligator or a dragon. Needless to say, Teddy Roosevelt’s attacks of asthma occurred more often early Sunday mornings.
[Romans 12: 9-21] zeal: n fervent devotion, fanaticism. Did you notice it’s a noun? Zeal is something you possess. Most people treat it as a verb, something you must do. Let’s look at it this way. Have you ever truly wondered why Jesus loved to have the little children around Him, or why He said, “…anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it”? I think because children are full of zeal. What sort of heart does it take to learn how to walk? To learn how to talk? To endure the first day of school, and the many years to follow? To live with siblings? To love abusive parents? It takes a heart full of zeal. The heart of a child picks them up when they fall, starts them over and over again when they fail, until they get it right, and allows them to see, and seek to comfort, the pain in others. But alas, we allow the trials and tribulations of life to change our zeal, from a joyous possession, to a chore of drudgery. So, Jesus encourages us to return to our childhood, to both help us endure the trials of life and embrace the Kingdom of God with an attitude of complete devotion and love. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he uses words like, must, sincere, hate, cling, devoted, never, fervor and so on. He teaches with zeal. He’s fanatical about how those in the Kingdom should live daily and treat one another. Jesus didn’t hide His feelings for those buying and selling in the temple courts the day He upset their applecart. He felt the pain of his Father and was embarrassed with shame for what the people were doing. Does your idea of zeal grow your faith as a chore, or is your faith growing and sharing because zeal for eternal life fills your heart? The heart of a fighter is “eaten up” with zeal. Get up and live.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Imitate Truth And Love
Oh, I hate to admit it, but the years are beginning to add up. I get reminded of this on anniversaries of major events in history that I’ve experienced. The news media will remind us of an event that seems like it happened only a few years ago, but we’re given the factual date of decades making one wonder where the time has gone. Well anyway, isn’t it weird how some world events can be so rooted in our memory and even bringing about great emotion when contemplated? One such event surfaced just this past week that still impacts the generation of “baby boomers” like no other. Up front I want you to know, that I know, Elvis is dead. I kind of fell in the years when Elvis and “rock ‘n roll” didn’t mean anything to me. If it didn’t have a big engine, chrome and wheels, it didn’t turn my head. So, the day Elvis died, I was busy working, customizing a ’68 Vette, when my boss, a few years older than me, announced with tears, Elvis had died. Sorry, but I didn’t shed a tear. Now, thirty years later, thousands of people stood in line outside “Graceland”, the Presley estate, for upwards to fifteen hours, just to walk past the burial place of Elvis Presley. There are hundreds of impersonators around the globe entertaining millions of people, keeping the memory of ‘Elvis’ alive for as many years as possible. Elvis literally changed the world with his life, even as short as it was.
[1 Thessalonians 1] I’m reminded that school starts again very soon, yeh, that’s been many years ago too, and I can’t help but think, and maybe worry a little, about who and what is influencing our children, filling their memory banks and shaping their future. Our children are like computers, starting out with the basics, allowing them to function, but unable to produce anything due to the lack of input, or knowledge. I can’t help but to repeat what every computer expert agrees on, “garbage in – garbage out”. I’ve got to express this. School is opening the eyes of our children to the world. Who is opening their hearts to the truth? Youth is a precious period of life and is the time when our habits of life are made. It seems in too many cases, parents tend to drift away from their children after they start school. Too many parents follow the ideology of allowing children to sow their wild oats, believing that when they get older, they will get better. All children are out to please someone in their life. Throughout life we’re all looking for praise for our accomplishments, that’s what motivates us to press on to higher ground. Who will your children most want to be like while growing in the truth they are being taught? Who would you most like to see your children imitate in life? Now is the time to instill the great values and principles of truth and righteousness. Now is the time to teach them Jesus and the truths taught by Him and the Apostles found in the New Testament of the Bible. When children are taught of authority and of God when they are young, they will have a foundation upon which they can stand when they get older. They must learn honesty, above all. Honesty will allow them to see the truth, when otherwise they might be blinded by the prejudices of the world. Just what is being input to the memory of your child? How will your child function on his own when it comes time to compute a right or wrong decision? Jesus, as short as His life was, changed the world. Are you willing to hold your child’s hand and show him the cross of Jesus, the one who died for our sins? Can you imitate Jesus in order to open his heart to the truth and love of life?
[1 Thessalonians 1] I’m reminded that school starts again very soon, yeh, that’s been many years ago too, and I can’t help but think, and maybe worry a little, about who and what is influencing our children, filling their memory banks and shaping their future. Our children are like computers, starting out with the basics, allowing them to function, but unable to produce anything due to the lack of input, or knowledge. I can’t help but to repeat what every computer expert agrees on, “garbage in – garbage out”. I’ve got to express this. School is opening the eyes of our children to the world. Who is opening their hearts to the truth? Youth is a precious period of life and is the time when our habits of life are made. It seems in too many cases, parents tend to drift away from their children after they start school. Too many parents follow the ideology of allowing children to sow their wild oats, believing that when they get older, they will get better. All children are out to please someone in their life. Throughout life we’re all looking for praise for our accomplishments, that’s what motivates us to press on to higher ground. Who will your children most want to be like while growing in the truth they are being taught? Who would you most like to see your children imitate in life? Now is the time to instill the great values and principles of truth and righteousness. Now is the time to teach them Jesus and the truths taught by Him and the Apostles found in the New Testament of the Bible. When children are taught of authority and of God when they are young, they will have a foundation upon which they can stand when they get older. They must learn honesty, above all. Honesty will allow them to see the truth, when otherwise they might be blinded by the prejudices of the world. Just what is being input to the memory of your child? How will your child function on his own when it comes time to compute a right or wrong decision? Jesus, as short as His life was, changed the world. Are you willing to hold your child’s hand and show him the cross of Jesus, the one who died for our sins? Can you imitate Jesus in order to open his heart to the truth and love of life?
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Melanie
I’ve been greatly tempted to just skip writing this week because of a tragedy of life that entered our home this past Tuesday. But then again, I feel that not writing because of personal sorrow, I would be betraying the whole purpose of this column to begin with. We’re all on the road to forever and it comes a time when even loved ones will depart from this world unexpectedly. Our daughter Melanie went to be with Jesus on the morning of October 1st . She was 43-years-old with the mental capacity of an innocent 6-year-old, always full of joy and at times finding it hard to deal with the world when things didn’t make much sense to her. She had a stubborn independence about her, but was always willing to share every ounce of her love through a great big smile, a heart-felt boisterous greeting and a hug. She was generally the center of attention and it was always fun for me to just step back and watch her take over a room with greetings to each individual present. Her queries to adults about children and newborns in their families were real and of much concern to her. You see, Melanie was given a talent of extraordinary memory and recall. When it came to names, addresses, birthdates, relationships, and wedding anniversaries, she always had the answer. Well, Melanie was born with an abnormal heart, which was her demise, stealing her life away. We’ll miss her greatly, but when you look at the big picture, we’re not far behind.
I tell you this, to share with you this. Melanie had been on a medically challenged roll-a-coaster ride for about the past three years raising the fear of her having to be locked away from the general public. She had been living away from home, in group homes for the mentally challenged, for many years, because she demanded needs we could no longer supply at home. She lived many miles away, but we had her home weekends and holidays as often as possible. Then even the group home couldn’t supply all her needs anymore. My wife Paula, her dedicated mother, worked tirelessly searching for alternatives and it seemed nothing was working. With prayer, much tears and the hope that the Lord would solve our dilemma, a new facility was found and Melanie was moved one more time, the fourth in two months. At this point in time, Melanie’s participation in any joy and happiness had dwindled to nothing. So sad to see.
[1 John 4: 7-12] We do not always see God’s love when it is shadowed in earthly fears. My wife has a sentimental streak and birthdays are at the top of her list. When the family has a clump of birthdays she gets us all together on a convenient weekend to celebrate, Melanie always included. It so happened three Sundays ago, so the family loaded up two vehicles and went to celebrate with Mel at her new residence. What we experienced, as we now can see clearly, was a gift from God. Melanie was in true form. A transformation had taken place and we were greeted with an all to familiar, and almost forgotten, booming voice as each of our names was announced followed by a hug and a smile from the heart. Our son-in-law even provoked a little jig from her, which we had never seen her do before. We told her we were there to celebrate birthdays and she commenced to tell who’s and their date born. What a wonderful visit and a great hope arose that once again her life would be filled with laughter. But alas, that is our selfish will and not God’s. I’m sure of one thing. She’s now perfect and announcing, JESUS!
I tell you this, to share with you this. Melanie had been on a medically challenged roll-a-coaster ride for about the past three years raising the fear of her having to be locked away from the general public. She had been living away from home, in group homes for the mentally challenged, for many years, because she demanded needs we could no longer supply at home. She lived many miles away, but we had her home weekends and holidays as often as possible. Then even the group home couldn’t supply all her needs anymore. My wife Paula, her dedicated mother, worked tirelessly searching for alternatives and it seemed nothing was working. With prayer, much tears and the hope that the Lord would solve our dilemma, a new facility was found and Melanie was moved one more time, the fourth in two months. At this point in time, Melanie’s participation in any joy and happiness had dwindled to nothing. So sad to see.
[1 John 4: 7-12] We do not always see God’s love when it is shadowed in earthly fears. My wife has a sentimental streak and birthdays are at the top of her list. When the family has a clump of birthdays she gets us all together on a convenient weekend to celebrate, Melanie always included. It so happened three Sundays ago, so the family loaded up two vehicles and went to celebrate with Mel at her new residence. What we experienced, as we now can see clearly, was a gift from God. Melanie was in true form. A transformation had taken place and we were greeted with an all to familiar, and almost forgotten, booming voice as each of our names was announced followed by a hug and a smile from the heart. Our son-in-law even provoked a little jig from her, which we had never seen her do before. We told her we were there to celebrate birthdays and she commenced to tell who’s and their date born. What a wonderful visit and a great hope arose that once again her life would be filled with laughter. But alas, that is our selfish will and not God’s. I’m sure of one thing. She’s now perfect and announcing, JESUS!
The Race Home
I’d like to start with a personal note of thanks from my wife Paula and I, to all those who have expressed their love and support in our time of distress. Melanie’s going home celebration was well attended, which did her mother’s heart good. Many sympathy cards and notes have been received, several from unexpected sources bringing comfort that the sender may not comprehend. Emails and phone-calls and knocks on the front door all added to the healing process and lifting our spirits to carry on with what we must do. Once again, we just want to say thanks for your kindness, it’s meant a lot.
The most used cliché of comfort by people, and I can’t leave myself out, about a dearly departed loved one is, “But I know he/she is in a far better place now, without pain or distress.” I honestly believe that most people believe what they are saying, but sometimes wonder if they’re ready for that day to arrive at their doorstep. I’m reminded of a story, I think a preacher story, found in the book, Thinking And Acting Like A Christian by D. Bruce Lockerbie, that goes like this. A world-class runner was invited to compete in a road race in Connecticut. On the morning of the race, she drove from New York City following directions given to her over the phone weeks before. She got lost, stopped at a gas station and asked for help. She knew the race started in the parking lot of a shopping mall. The attendant also knew of a race starting in a nearby mall and directed her to it. When she arrived she was relieved to see a modest number of competitors, but far from the number she’d expected. Inspecting the course map, the race was also easier than she had been led to believe. At the registration desk she was surprised by the reception of the race officials’ at having such a renowned athlete show up at their race. No, they had no record of her entry, but if she’d hurry and put on this number, she could just make it before the gun goes off. She ran, and naturally she won easily, some four minutes ahead of the first male runner who finished second. Only after the race, when there was no envelope containing her sizable prize and performance money, did she confirm that the event she had just run was not the race to which she had been invited. That race was being held several miles up the road in another town. She had gone to the wrong starting line, run the wrong course, and missed her chance at winning a valuable prize.
[Hebrews 12: 1-3] Each of us is running a race on our road to forever, and many are expending a lot of time and effort in completing the course. How sad it would be to learn at the end that we have run the wrong course. There are many races out there, worldly and spiritually, that people are running, looking for a prize at the end of the course. I’ve chosen to run the race of a Christian, worldly and spiritually. Here are two reasons why. I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, protected by the Holy Spirit, and will be till the last day. The Bible, unlike other spiritual teachings, teaches of love for the Creator, for one another and ones self, not of hatred and retaliation. Secondly, I believe Jesus is the son of the living God. I believe He was resurrected from the dead and witnessed rising into the heavens. I’m not alone. His influence on mankind was so great and man’s new relationship with God so strong, even time was started over again. God has invited you to a race home. Don’t go to the wrong starting gate. (Matthew 7: 13-14)
The most used cliché of comfort by people, and I can’t leave myself out, about a dearly departed loved one is, “But I know he/she is in a far better place now, without pain or distress.” I honestly believe that most people believe what they are saying, but sometimes wonder if they’re ready for that day to arrive at their doorstep. I’m reminded of a story, I think a preacher story, found in the book, Thinking And Acting Like A Christian by D. Bruce Lockerbie, that goes like this. A world-class runner was invited to compete in a road race in Connecticut. On the morning of the race, she drove from New York City following directions given to her over the phone weeks before. She got lost, stopped at a gas station and asked for help. She knew the race started in the parking lot of a shopping mall. The attendant also knew of a race starting in a nearby mall and directed her to it. When she arrived she was relieved to see a modest number of competitors, but far from the number she’d expected. Inspecting the course map, the race was also easier than she had been led to believe. At the registration desk she was surprised by the reception of the race officials’ at having such a renowned athlete show up at their race. No, they had no record of her entry, but if she’d hurry and put on this number, she could just make it before the gun goes off. She ran, and naturally she won easily, some four minutes ahead of the first male runner who finished second. Only after the race, when there was no envelope containing her sizable prize and performance money, did she confirm that the event she had just run was not the race to which she had been invited. That race was being held several miles up the road in another town. She had gone to the wrong starting line, run the wrong course, and missed her chance at winning a valuable prize.
[Hebrews 12: 1-3] Each of us is running a race on our road to forever, and many are expending a lot of time and effort in completing the course. How sad it would be to learn at the end that we have run the wrong course. There are many races out there, worldly and spiritually, that people are running, looking for a prize at the end of the course. I’ve chosen to run the race of a Christian, worldly and spiritually. Here are two reasons why. I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, protected by the Holy Spirit, and will be till the last day. The Bible, unlike other spiritual teachings, teaches of love for the Creator, for one another and ones self, not of hatred and retaliation. Secondly, I believe Jesus is the son of the living God. I believe He was resurrected from the dead and witnessed rising into the heavens. I’m not alone. His influence on mankind was so great and man’s new relationship with God so strong, even time was started over again. God has invited you to a race home. Don’t go to the wrong starting gate. (Matthew 7: 13-14)
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Dissapointed In You?
I never thought I would ever in my life be disappointed that I can’t get out and mow the lawn. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Well, since I’ve become more domesticated of late, I’ve sort of been looking forward to tending to my lawn and other chores around the house, but the incessant rains this spring and summer are drowning my efforts and dampening my spirit. When I do get to mow, the grass simply mocks me by popping up here and there looking like a bad haircut when I’m through. And what’s up with all the crickets and toads? When pushing the mower through the grass it looks like a miniature animal round-up with bugs and frogs hopping about to get out of the way. Explain to me how crickets get into ceiling florescent light fixtures, and why do they want to be there anyway? Well, we have the promise of sunshine soon, not soon enough for me at the moment, and of course that will probably bring about a new crop of disappointments.
A small town prosecuting attorney called his first witness of the trial to the stand, a grandmotherly, elderly woman. He approached her and asked, “Mrs. Jones, do you know me?” “Why yes, I know you Mr. Williams”, she responded. “I’ve known you since you were a little boy, and frankly, you’ve been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their back. You think you’re a rising big-shot when you haven’t the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yeh, I know you.” The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, “Do you know the defense attorney?” “Why yes I do”, she began. “I’ve known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, also. I used to baby-sit him for his parents and he too has been a real big disappointment to me. He’s lazy, bigoted, and has a drinking problem. The man can’t build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the shoddiest in the entire state. Yes, I know him.” At this point, the judge dropped his gavel and rapped for silence. He then called both counselors to the bench. In a quiet voice, he said with menace, “If either of you asks her if she knows me, you’re going to jail!”
[Genesis 6: 5-8; Revelation 2 & 3] God has never been afraid to express His disappointment in the actions of the man He created. Don’t get me wrong here. God’s disappointment lies in the physical man, not the man created in His image, the spiritual man. The man who walks the earth is sinful, disobedient to his Father in heaven, yet the Father loves us so much He wants to be with us even as we walk the road to forever in this life. God may be disappointed in us for the things we do and don’t do, but He still sees to it that we have all we need for life and living. He doesn’t talk about us or gossip about the things we do that are not pleasing to Him, nor does He try to manipulate us in such a way as to bring us around to His way of thinking. God has simply seen to it that we have the truth that sustains life, physically and spiritually, and has given mankind the power of reason to make up his own mind as to the existence of God and the eternal life to come. He loves us so much He sent His own Son to shed His life’s blood, to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. When we’re baptized into Christ through the likeness of His death, we put away the physical man and walk with the Holy Spirit given to us by God. (Acts 2:38) Are you prepared for the second coming? (2 Peter 3) Read it!
A small town prosecuting attorney called his first witness of the trial to the stand, a grandmotherly, elderly woman. He approached her and asked, “Mrs. Jones, do you know me?” “Why yes, I know you Mr. Williams”, she responded. “I’ve known you since you were a little boy, and frankly, you’ve been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their back. You think you’re a rising big-shot when you haven’t the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yeh, I know you.” The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, “Do you know the defense attorney?” “Why yes I do”, she began. “I’ve known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, also. I used to baby-sit him for his parents and he too has been a real big disappointment to me. He’s lazy, bigoted, and has a drinking problem. The man can’t build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the shoddiest in the entire state. Yes, I know him.” At this point, the judge dropped his gavel and rapped for silence. He then called both counselors to the bench. In a quiet voice, he said with menace, “If either of you asks her if she knows me, you’re going to jail!”
[Genesis 6: 5-8; Revelation 2 & 3] God has never been afraid to express His disappointment in the actions of the man He created. Don’t get me wrong here. God’s disappointment lies in the physical man, not the man created in His image, the spiritual man. The man who walks the earth is sinful, disobedient to his Father in heaven, yet the Father loves us so much He wants to be with us even as we walk the road to forever in this life. God may be disappointed in us for the things we do and don’t do, but He still sees to it that we have all we need for life and living. He doesn’t talk about us or gossip about the things we do that are not pleasing to Him, nor does He try to manipulate us in such a way as to bring us around to His way of thinking. God has simply seen to it that we have the truth that sustains life, physically and spiritually, and has given mankind the power of reason to make up his own mind as to the existence of God and the eternal life to come. He loves us so much He sent His own Son to shed His life’s blood, to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. When we’re baptized into Christ through the likeness of His death, we put away the physical man and walk with the Holy Spirit given to us by God. (Acts 2:38) Are you prepared for the second coming? (2 Peter 3) Read it!
It's Never Too Late
WOW! Two whole days without rain! As much as we would like to see the rain stop for a while, I caution you if you’ve been praying for it to stop. That could start our next drought. There’s a lot of construction at a crawl if not a stand-still because of the weather, but things should get back to normal soon. I hear tell a lot of out-of-state families are moving into our county, many coming from California. I hope they don’t think our cool, wet weather and beautiful lawns are the summer norm here. I overheard a portion of a conversation recently while at a check-out, one man saying to another, “Well, a lot of Californian’s are just like me, happy to get out before it’s too late.” I don’t know what all that means, but it sounds like he’s relieved to be from California. I have a new neighbor from out-of-state. I haven’t personally met them yet, but believe their name is Chaparral and I hear they’re from New Mexico. I’ve seen them walking in the neighborhood often, but as yet I haven’t made a social connection. The couple is a curious sort. He’s always well dressed, and she also, but in a rather Amish way, you know, a lack of color sort of thing. Both have a rapid stride with straight posture to their walk. What I’ve noticed most is their curiosity about the neighborhood. They stop along their route and simply stare at properties as if shopping for another home. They don’t seem to want to socialize, as whenever approached, they turn away and quicken their pace in the opposite direction. I’ve thought I might follow them some day just to see where they live, but I certainly don’t want to chase them down like they were criminals. I just get the feeling that I’ll probably never get to know them all that well, unless of course they move into my back yard. No, “Roadrunners” don’t mind being seen, but at the same time don’t really want to get chummy with the neighbors. All joking aside, I’m thrilled to see the neighborhood wildlife returning. Over the years, the fire ants have really done some great damage to the wildlife. But now, some-what under control, things like horned toads, jack rabbits, squirrels and ground nesting birds are making a rather remarkable comeback. Like the, not so endangered anymore, Eagle, it’s never too late to correct some of the mistakes that have altered nature and live in harmony, again.
[Matthew 7: 13-14] I’ve never been known as a socialite, in fact I prefer solitude, not that I dislike people, and if the Chaparral’s were my new human neighbors I would make a special effort to introduce myself and get to know them a little better. My work of the past five years has definitely helped me to develop better social skills. I’ve been working at it hard, and some might say they don’t see much difference, but I do. What I notice the most is my comfort zone of knowing that I’m enjoying a life in harmony with God, a life that I’m willing to share with anyone. Even though I’ve always survived with a healthy fear of God and knowing the consequences of doing wrong, I’d never really embraced the joys found in the knowledge that I’m free of all the mistakes of my past because of my obedience to the Gospel through baptism and my righteous dedication to God’s will in my every day living. Too many people think that God will not love them because of their past and when speaking with them they dwell on it for some time. I let them know and show them in scripture, it’s never too late to make a comeback with God. Jesus died for all, that we might seek God with a straight posture and a joyful heart
[Matthew 7: 13-14] I’ve never been known as a socialite, in fact I prefer solitude, not that I dislike people, and if the Chaparral’s were my new human neighbors I would make a special effort to introduce myself and get to know them a little better. My work of the past five years has definitely helped me to develop better social skills. I’ve been working at it hard, and some might say they don’t see much difference, but I do. What I notice the most is my comfort zone of knowing that I’m enjoying a life in harmony with God, a life that I’m willing to share with anyone. Even though I’ve always survived with a healthy fear of God and knowing the consequences of doing wrong, I’d never really embraced the joys found in the knowledge that I’m free of all the mistakes of my past because of my obedience to the Gospel through baptism and my righteous dedication to God’s will in my every day living. Too many people think that God will not love them because of their past and when speaking with them they dwell on it for some time. I let them know and show them in scripture, it’s never too late to make a comeback with God. Jesus died for all, that we might seek God with a straight posture and a joyful heart
Saturday, July 14, 2007
When Crickets Preach
I got up this morning to hear the area was under a flash flood warning and we also had a 50% chance of more rain. The sky is full of big “thunderhead” clouds, but as yet no rain. Probably the heat of the day will trigger them into action. I’ve looked over the yard to see the grass needing to be cut back again, already, due to the abundance of moisture we’ve received. We certainly live in a different world when it’s wet verses when it’s dry. This past week it seems a body can’t take a step without squishing something mushy or mashing something squishy. Web worms, big black beetles, snails and crickets are all under foot and getting into everything. Gnats and mosquitoes are constantly looking for someone to pester with their never ending circling of the head. Just thinking about it makes you want to scratch an itch. This is also the prime weather condition to raise a bumper crop of grass burrs which get brought into the house via foot traffic. Most of the time the deposited grass burrs are in the house undetected, but are eventually found by bare feet in a rapid trip to the bathroom. Yeeoow!! It’s said that we’d complain if hung with a new rope and I have to admit one thing’s for sure. Having to put up with all this because of the wet weather is still better than dust everywhere.
A young boy was squirming through another worship service. This particular Sunday was to have an added distraction. As soon as the preacher got up to deliver his lesson, a cricket followed him onto the stage. He probably came in through one of the many cracks that could be found in the old building. Everyone in the first three rows saw the cricket. The boy’s eyes followed its every move. It would come close to the edge of the pulpit area, then move away only to return. “Jump! Jump!”, he thought. But alas the cricket did not jump. The young boy never knew if the sermon was good or not, but the cricket was sure fun to watch. When the invitation song began, everyone stood up and watched as the cricket ran off. Several people laughed when the cricket almost got stepped on by the song leader as he approached the microphone. Then the boy’s laughter turned to amazement. Someone had gone forward! It was his dad! The boy and his mom had been trying for years to get him to come to worship with them, to no avail until today. Now the preacher was taking him to the water for baptism. “Dad”, he asked later. “What made you want to be baptized today?” His dad replied, “Didn’t you hear how Jesus gave His life for us so that we could be saved from our sins?” The boy hung his head in shame. The beautiful message of the Bible had not reached him that day. He had been watching the cricket.
[Mark 4: 1-20] In Jesus’ parable the seed is the Word of God and the farmer sowing the seed is a teacher of the Word. As with the young boy, the world is full of distractions drawing us away from God and His truth. “Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.” Are you hearing the word, but not really hearing it at all? If the world is in our heart, there lies our understanding of life. If we “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6) we will fulfill God’s plan for life. Every time God’s Word is preached the devil is nearby distracting you with fretful babies, a sneeze, a cough and crickets. Don’t let Satan rob you of the life-giving, soul-saving power of God’s Word.
A young boy was squirming through another worship service. This particular Sunday was to have an added distraction. As soon as the preacher got up to deliver his lesson, a cricket followed him onto the stage. He probably came in through one of the many cracks that could be found in the old building. Everyone in the first three rows saw the cricket. The boy’s eyes followed its every move. It would come close to the edge of the pulpit area, then move away only to return. “Jump! Jump!”, he thought. But alas the cricket did not jump. The young boy never knew if the sermon was good or not, but the cricket was sure fun to watch. When the invitation song began, everyone stood up and watched as the cricket ran off. Several people laughed when the cricket almost got stepped on by the song leader as he approached the microphone. Then the boy’s laughter turned to amazement. Someone had gone forward! It was his dad! The boy and his mom had been trying for years to get him to come to worship with them, to no avail until today. Now the preacher was taking him to the water for baptism. “Dad”, he asked later. “What made you want to be baptized today?” His dad replied, “Didn’t you hear how Jesus gave His life for us so that we could be saved from our sins?” The boy hung his head in shame. The beautiful message of the Bible had not reached him that day. He had been watching the cricket.
[Mark 4: 1-20] In Jesus’ parable the seed is the Word of God and the farmer sowing the seed is a teacher of the Word. As with the young boy, the world is full of distractions drawing us away from God and His truth. “Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.” Are you hearing the word, but not really hearing it at all? If the world is in our heart, there lies our understanding of life. If we “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6) we will fulfill God’s plan for life. Every time God’s Word is preached the devil is nearby distracting you with fretful babies, a sneeze, a cough and crickets. Don’t let Satan rob you of the life-giving, soul-saving power of God’s Word.
The Cost Is Great
Well, after years of depending on someone else to mow the grass at my house I’ve decided to take on the chore myself once again. I had gotten away from doing yard work for several reasons, the largest being allergies. I think I’ve actually gotten over most of my grass and mold allergies as I’ve grown older, though some symptoms still remain. Another reason is that the guy doing my lawn is becoming undependable, or too busy, or something, as he doesn’t get around as often as I would like to see him. This year I especially want my grass mowed more often because of all the rain we’ve received. Not keeping the grass cut down sure breeds the mosquitoes, not to mention it just makes the place look trashy. Of course that means more money to pay out and my wife doesn’t like to do that at all. So, I looked at the cost and weighed my options before making my decision, which also included the fact I could use a little exercise. Now I’ve got to tell you I went “green”, buying an electric mower and weedwacker. I just don’t want to have to deal with gasoline and all the problems that come with it. Putting a pencil to all of this looks to be a full return on the investment if it keeps raining all summer, which looks pretty promising at the moment. I’m doing a good job so far and happy with my decision. I just hope the new domestic chore won’t wane, like it did before.
One day a housework challenged husband decided to wash his favorite sweatshirt. He shouted to his wife from the laundry room, “What setting do I use on the washing machine?” “It depends”, she replied. “What does it say on your shirt?” He yelled back, “University Of Oklahoma!”
Two fellows took their wives into a nearby Gulf Coast town to do some holiday shopping. While their wives were shopping they rented a boat to get in some winter saltwater fishing. While they were out a storm blew in. Retreating to shore and running to fast, the men ran the boat up on a sand bar. They jumped out to try and free the boat from the bar. With mud up to their waists and ice cold water up to their chins, one fellow turned to the other and said, “Sure beats holiday shopping, doesn’t it?”
With picnic sandwiches clutched in his hand, the father was standing at the edge of a cliff admiring the sea below. His son approached and said, “Mother says it isn’t safe here and you’re either to come away from the edge or give me the sandwiches.”
[Luke 14: 28-35] Do we not all keep vigilance over the activities of daily life weighing the favorable and not so favorable aspects of what’s happening around us? Of course we do. It’s part of our self-preservation instincts. My biggest problem is, when someone approaches me with a thought to get me involved in something, I weigh it to a point where I think it’s going to cost me too much, then draw a line as to how involved I’m going to get. What does it cost to be a Christian? Can you imagine what people thought when Jesus said, “…any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Even today, people want their Christianity to be a “part” of their life, dedicating so many hours a week to worship and depositing a set sum of money for the “church” to do good works in the community. The Christian life is every day in every way. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3: 17) Christian = Servant.
One day a housework challenged husband decided to wash his favorite sweatshirt. He shouted to his wife from the laundry room, “What setting do I use on the washing machine?” “It depends”, she replied. “What does it say on your shirt?” He yelled back, “University Of Oklahoma!”
Two fellows took their wives into a nearby Gulf Coast town to do some holiday shopping. While their wives were shopping they rented a boat to get in some winter saltwater fishing. While they were out a storm blew in. Retreating to shore and running to fast, the men ran the boat up on a sand bar. They jumped out to try and free the boat from the bar. With mud up to their waists and ice cold water up to their chins, one fellow turned to the other and said, “Sure beats holiday shopping, doesn’t it?”
With picnic sandwiches clutched in his hand, the father was standing at the edge of a cliff admiring the sea below. His son approached and said, “Mother says it isn’t safe here and you’re either to come away from the edge or give me the sandwiches.”
[Luke 14: 28-35] Do we not all keep vigilance over the activities of daily life weighing the favorable and not so favorable aspects of what’s happening around us? Of course we do. It’s part of our self-preservation instincts. My biggest problem is, when someone approaches me with a thought to get me involved in something, I weigh it to a point where I think it’s going to cost me too much, then draw a line as to how involved I’m going to get. What does it cost to be a Christian? Can you imagine what people thought when Jesus said, “…any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Even today, people want their Christianity to be a “part” of their life, dedicating so many hours a week to worship and depositing a set sum of money for the “church” to do good works in the community. The Christian life is every day in every way. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3: 17) Christian = Servant.
Waxing Nostolgic
I’ve been waxing nostalgic all this past week. It started last week when I took a young lady to church singing school, the same one I attended several years in the mid 90’s. I learned of a reunion following this, their 40th consecutive school session, and I couldn’t wait to get home to dig out my photos and pour over some other memorabilia from the sessions I attended. I’m going to try making the reunion. Then early week, I found time between the thunderstorms to work on a long awaited store room cleaning. Well, I guess you know what happens when you start digging into the past. Yep, it takes forever to sort and discard. My wife did an Elvis. She simply turned and left the building. “You sort and toss”, she instructed. “If I don’t see it I won’t miss it.” Oh boy, this won’t take long now! Then I ran across a box I thought had been lost years ago, after finding my High School graduation yearbook damaged and separated from it. I stared into a box from the 60’s when youth sprang eternal. Boy Scouts, High School, Auto Racing, pay stubs from my first big employer and the bill of sales for the only new car I’ve ever bought, a 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback for $2,746.44, after trade-in and down payment. I owned it three months before Uncle Sam owned me. It’s all safely repacked until the next time. Then the other night I was surfing and stopped at the Sci-Fi channel which was running a “Twilight Zone Marathon”. Before MASH, there was the Twilight Zone. I love that show and could watch every episode over and over without getting tired of them. Well, the only problem with waxing nostalgic is the mind becomes flooded with the “what ifs” and “whys” of life that tend to make us second guess ourselves. But I must say, I find myself quite content at the end of this nostalgia trip.
One day a man said to his wife,’ I don’t know how you can be so beautiful and so stupid at the same time.” The wife responded, “Allow me to explain it to you. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me. God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you.” Then there was the minister who had been invited back to dinner after coming three months prior. Immediately after giving thanks for the food one of the children turned to the preacher and said matter-of-factly, “Know what? That’s the first time we’ve said grace since you ate with us before.” How about the Bible teacher that asked her class what the Epistles were. One said, “They were the wives of the Apostles”.
[2 Peter 1: 1-15] In this entire letter, Peter reminds us that we need to open the past of God’s word to review what we already know, but perhaps has become a little skewed from listening to the world a little too much. It’s easy for us to slip-slip away from the basic truths that brought us to Christ and salvation in the beginning. We need to be reminded of these basic truths, even though we feel we have a firm grip on them. Are we still building our Christian faith and hope on the same foundation we started with? Are we building as God has instructed us to build? We need to examine our Christian walk every day and “wax nostalgic” on why we came this way to begin with. We have a treasure chest of history to open and reminisce through whenever we want. It’s called the Bible. Not only can we look into the past to witness God’s love throughout the ages, but know the future that awaits mankind through God’s promises yet to be fulfilled. I’ve read the end of the book and those who build on the promises are the winners, forever.
One day a man said to his wife,’ I don’t know how you can be so beautiful and so stupid at the same time.” The wife responded, “Allow me to explain it to you. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me. God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you.” Then there was the minister who had been invited back to dinner after coming three months prior. Immediately after giving thanks for the food one of the children turned to the preacher and said matter-of-factly, “Know what? That’s the first time we’ve said grace since you ate with us before.” How about the Bible teacher that asked her class what the Epistles were. One said, “They were the wives of the Apostles”.
[2 Peter 1: 1-15] In this entire letter, Peter reminds us that we need to open the past of God’s word to review what we already know, but perhaps has become a little skewed from listening to the world a little too much. It’s easy for us to slip-slip away from the basic truths that brought us to Christ and salvation in the beginning. We need to be reminded of these basic truths, even though we feel we have a firm grip on them. Are we still building our Christian faith and hope on the same foundation we started with? Are we building as God has instructed us to build? We need to examine our Christian walk every day and “wax nostalgic” on why we came this way to begin with. We have a treasure chest of history to open and reminisce through whenever we want. It’s called the Bible. Not only can we look into the past to witness God’s love throughout the ages, but know the future that awaits mankind through God’s promises yet to be fulfilled. I’ve read the end of the book and those who build on the promises are the winners, forever.
And That Was Good
I’m not one to dive head-long into anything new. I worked around automobiles long enough to know that the only way to truly find out if a product is good or not is to give it to the good-ole American public to use and abuse. If it survives, it’s a miracle. If engineers can improve on it and continue to sell it at a profit for several years, it gains my attention. Well, it took forever to get me into the computer age and now I don’t know what I’d do without one, or two, or three. I’m now about to embark on the cell phone scene. I’ve been avoiding it in fear of how I see the way that little communicator can dominate and overpower every aspect of life. One good thing I think I can see in it. Now I’ll be able to find my wife faster in the super shopping centers. Just call her up!
My growing-up-years were in the Fifties and Sixties. The “baby-boomers” are getting old enough that our childhood days are jokes of Comedians, our grandkids snicker at our stories and twenty-something’s shudder and say, “Eeeew!” But our childhood really wasn’t that bad. In 1953 the U.S. population was less than 150 million …yet you knew more people then, and knew them better …and that was good. The average annual salary was less than $3000 …yet our parents could put some of it away for a rainy day and still live a decent life …and that was good. A loaf of bread cost about 15¢ …but it was safe for a five-year-old to skate to the store and buy one …and that was good. Prime-Time meant “I Love Lucy”, “Ozzie and Harriet”, “Gunsmoke” and “Lassie”, and nobody ever heard of ratings or filters …and that was good. We didn’t have air conditioning, so the windows stayed up all summer and a half dozen mothers came running when you fell off your bike …and that was good. We addressed our teachers as Miss Matthews, or Mrs. Adkins, or Mr. Logan, not Ms. Becky or Mr. Dan …and that was good. The only hazardous material you knew about was the grass burrs growing around the light pole at the corner …and that was good. You loved to climb into a fresh bed because sheets were dried on the clothesline …and that was good. People generally lived in the same town as their closest relatives, so childcare meant grandparents or aunts and uncles …and that was good. Parents were respected and their rules were law …children didn’t talk back …and that was good. TV was in black-and-white, but all outdoors was in glorious color …and that was certainly good. Your dad knew how to adjust everybody’s carburetor, and the dad next door knew how to adjust all the knobs on the TV set …and that was very good. Your grandma grew snap beans and raised chickens out back of the garage …and that was definitely good. And just about the time you were about to do something bad, chances were you would be observed by someone who knew your name and your father’s phone number …and even that was good. Our childhood even felt good.
[Matthew 19: 16-17; Romans 3] What we perceive to be good is no doubt what makes us feel good. In truth we are all sinners and only God is good. Goodness and being good is a large subject in the New Testament of the Bible. The Apostles teachings have very little to do with doctrine of the church and everything to do with daily living. Study, and you’ll conclude that the only way you can even come close to being good, is to live a life in obedience to God’s law, through faith in Jesus Christ. A faithful baptized believer will be a good servant, and his master will be well pleased with his good works.
My growing-up-years were in the Fifties and Sixties. The “baby-boomers” are getting old enough that our childhood days are jokes of Comedians, our grandkids snicker at our stories and twenty-something’s shudder and say, “Eeeew!” But our childhood really wasn’t that bad. In 1953 the U.S. population was less than 150 million …yet you knew more people then, and knew them better …and that was good. The average annual salary was less than $3000 …yet our parents could put some of it away for a rainy day and still live a decent life …and that was good. A loaf of bread cost about 15¢ …but it was safe for a five-year-old to skate to the store and buy one …and that was good. Prime-Time meant “I Love Lucy”, “Ozzie and Harriet”, “Gunsmoke” and “Lassie”, and nobody ever heard of ratings or filters …and that was good. We didn’t have air conditioning, so the windows stayed up all summer and a half dozen mothers came running when you fell off your bike …and that was good. We addressed our teachers as Miss Matthews, or Mrs. Adkins, or Mr. Logan, not Ms. Becky or Mr. Dan …and that was good. The only hazardous material you knew about was the grass burrs growing around the light pole at the corner …and that was good. You loved to climb into a fresh bed because sheets were dried on the clothesline …and that was good. People generally lived in the same town as their closest relatives, so childcare meant grandparents or aunts and uncles …and that was good. Parents were respected and their rules were law …children didn’t talk back …and that was good. TV was in black-and-white, but all outdoors was in glorious color …and that was certainly good. Your dad knew how to adjust everybody’s carburetor, and the dad next door knew how to adjust all the knobs on the TV set …and that was very good. Your grandma grew snap beans and raised chickens out back of the garage …and that was definitely good. And just about the time you were about to do something bad, chances were you would be observed by someone who knew your name and your father’s phone number …and even that was good. Our childhood even felt good.
[Matthew 19: 16-17; Romans 3] What we perceive to be good is no doubt what makes us feel good. In truth we are all sinners and only God is good. Goodness and being good is a large subject in the New Testament of the Bible. The Apostles teachings have very little to do with doctrine of the church and everything to do with daily living. Study, and you’ll conclude that the only way you can even come close to being good, is to live a life in obedience to God’s law, through faith in Jesus Christ. A faithful baptized believer will be a good servant, and his master will be well pleased with his good works.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Memorial Memories
My memories of Memorial Day while growing up in Upstate New York are of Spring in full bloom and signs of warm summer weather approaching, a few more weeks of school (we didn’t get out till the middle of June), the first downtown parade of the year, the Indy 500 on the radio and full anticipation of an unruly summer vacation. Well, the last part never happened because my dad saw to it that we kids were busy doing something constructive, keeping us out of trouble. Anyway, Memorial Day never really meant much to me, I guess because I had no personal stake in death due to war. I only remember my mother speaking about her brother never returning from WWII with no recorded loss, just “Missing In Action”. His memory lived in a picture hanging on the wall, in honor, at grandmas house, with no known grave site to visit. At the risk of sounding bitter, at my High School graduation many of the males in the class were going to war and it was only a matter of time that the draft would catch up to most of us and like it or not, Uncle Sam would be steering the direction of life for a period of time. I’ve pondered the thought of where I would be and what I would be doing today if it weren’t for war, but I don’t worry about it, because I know I’m right where God wants me to be.
If there’s anything good in war it would be learning survival disciplines which carry over into whatever one involves themselves in the rest of their life. Fred and his wife Edna went to the state fair every year. Every year Fred would say, “Edna, I sure would like to fly in one of them there airplanes.” Edna would reply, “I know Fred, but it’s ten dollars to ride and ten dollars is ten dollars.” Finally, one year Fred said, “Edna, I’m 71 years old. If I don’t ride that airplane this year I may never get another chance.” Edna reminded Fred, “But ten dollars is ten dollars.” The pilot overheard the little spat and said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you both up for a ride, if you promise to not say one word the entire ride. Added to that, if you’re quiet the whole ride I won’t charge you the ten dollars.” Fred and Edna agreed, and up they went. The pilot did every stunt in the book, twice, but never heard a sound out of his passengers. After landing the pilot turned to Fred and said, “By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell out, but you didn’t.” Fred replied, “Well, I was going to say something when Edna fell out of the plane, but ten dollars is ten dollars!” Discipline; that’s what I’m talkin’ about!
[Ephesians 6: 10-18] Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, was established following the American Civil War as a time of national mourning. It was instituted to honor the war dead and to renew ones pledge to an undivided republic. Each and every one of us is at war every day. “…not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” In the Christian life there is also a memorial day, a communion, and a remembrance, which Christ established for the unified body of the church. From the beginning, the church has gathered together in memory of the risen Christ on the first day of the week, the day of the resurrection, sharing in that communion which Jesus said to do in remembrance of Him, until his return. Don’t be declared “missing” following the Judgment Day. Put your armor on! In the name of Jesus, fight a good fight, and maybe one day physical war will be no more.
If there’s anything good in war it would be learning survival disciplines which carry over into whatever one involves themselves in the rest of their life. Fred and his wife Edna went to the state fair every year. Every year Fred would say, “Edna, I sure would like to fly in one of them there airplanes.” Edna would reply, “I know Fred, but it’s ten dollars to ride and ten dollars is ten dollars.” Finally, one year Fred said, “Edna, I’m 71 years old. If I don’t ride that airplane this year I may never get another chance.” Edna reminded Fred, “But ten dollars is ten dollars.” The pilot overheard the little spat and said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you both up for a ride, if you promise to not say one word the entire ride. Added to that, if you’re quiet the whole ride I won’t charge you the ten dollars.” Fred and Edna agreed, and up they went. The pilot did every stunt in the book, twice, but never heard a sound out of his passengers. After landing the pilot turned to Fred and said, “By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell out, but you didn’t.” Fred replied, “Well, I was going to say something when Edna fell out of the plane, but ten dollars is ten dollars!” Discipline; that’s what I’m talkin’ about!
[Ephesians 6: 10-18] Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, was established following the American Civil War as a time of national mourning. It was instituted to honor the war dead and to renew ones pledge to an undivided republic. Each and every one of us is at war every day. “…not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” In the Christian life there is also a memorial day, a communion, and a remembrance, which Christ established for the unified body of the church. From the beginning, the church has gathered together in memory of the risen Christ on the first day of the week, the day of the resurrection, sharing in that communion which Jesus said to do in remembrance of Him, until his return. Don’t be declared “missing” following the Judgment Day. Put your armor on! In the name of Jesus, fight a good fight, and maybe one day physical war will be no more.
Monday, May 07, 2007
The Observation Of Others
“Get away from me kid, you bother me!” W.C. Fields didn’t have much use for children. It seems every time Fields was “cooking up” a scheme to fleece someone of their money or property, a young boy would appear looking over his shoulder to learn from the master. Well, that’s how children mostly learn, by observation. The local school district has an annual luncheon for businesses and church congregations honoring and thanking them for the help they provide throughout the year for families in crisis. Oh, by the way, May 6 – 12 is National Family Week. Okay, back to my thought. How did all these people get involved? The school district, and I don’t think we’re unique here, has a very conscientious and concerned social department, that reaches into the community, with love, to find the resources needed to help families out of a crisis that has hindered the learning abilities of their children. For example: food, clothing, utility costs, legal counseling, medical help, and the list goes on and on. The things most of us take for granted could have a huge negative impact on other families. The whole community recognizes the needs and willingly pitches in. Personally, I think it’s the social workers that deserve the pat on the back for caring and loving enough to do what needs to be done to see that every child has the best of chances to learn and prosper. My hat’s off to them for having the courage to ask for help from the community and not turning their back on those less fortunate. I know this could be argued all day long, but when I get the call I know there’s a real need and a child is suffering. I answer the call.
During the minister’s prayer one Sunday morning, there came a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Gary’s mother was horrified! She pinched him into silence. After worship she asked him, “Gary, what made you do such a thing?” Gary answered soberly, “I asked God to teach me to whistle and He just did!”
A grandmother was curious as to whether her granddaughter had learned her colors so decided to test her. She would point out something and ask her what color it was. The girl would always respond with the correct answer. The grandmother was having fun so continued the little game. With some frustration in her voice the little girl said, “Grandma, I think it’s about time you tried to figure out some of these yourself!”
[Psalm 1] Families, and the children thereof, are on a journey of growth, which includes a huge learning curve, not equally achieved by everyone. My children are grown and successful, and if I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I’d certainly do things different. I find it hard, sometimes, to keep from using my knowledge to chastise the lack of knowledge in others, not remembering I once was ignorant. So, I’m happy to serve in the background and not on the front lines, but I continue to learn by observation of others. We all learn by observation from birth to death. What are you showing the less fortunate? Giving from a virtuous heart will relieve tension, combat depression, reduce stress, improve blood circulation, invigorate, rejuvenate, generate good will and elevate self esteem. And guess what? This applies not only to the recipient, but the giver also! I see great things happening in our schools. Children are being taught to look out for one another, with love and concern. We need to look over the master’s shoulder, Jesus, to become the examples our children need to observe.
During the minister’s prayer one Sunday morning, there came a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Gary’s mother was horrified! She pinched him into silence. After worship she asked him, “Gary, what made you do such a thing?” Gary answered soberly, “I asked God to teach me to whistle and He just did!”
A grandmother was curious as to whether her granddaughter had learned her colors so decided to test her. She would point out something and ask her what color it was. The girl would always respond with the correct answer. The grandmother was having fun so continued the little game. With some frustration in her voice the little girl said, “Grandma, I think it’s about time you tried to figure out some of these yourself!”
[Psalm 1] Families, and the children thereof, are on a journey of growth, which includes a huge learning curve, not equally achieved by everyone. My children are grown and successful, and if I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I’d certainly do things different. I find it hard, sometimes, to keep from using my knowledge to chastise the lack of knowledge in others, not remembering I once was ignorant. So, I’m happy to serve in the background and not on the front lines, but I continue to learn by observation of others. We all learn by observation from birth to death. What are you showing the less fortunate? Giving from a virtuous heart will relieve tension, combat depression, reduce stress, improve blood circulation, invigorate, rejuvenate, generate good will and elevate self esteem. And guess what? This applies not only to the recipient, but the giver also! I see great things happening in our schools. Children are being taught to look out for one another, with love and concern. We need to look over the master’s shoulder, Jesus, to become the examples our children need to observe.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Squawk, Then Listen
I heard a long time ago that “old age ain’t for sissy’s”. Well, the older I get the further away from “old age” I feel, yet I can remember a time when my grandfathers, at my now age, were old men in the eyes of a youngster. I know “old age”, for me, is out there somewhere, because the gap between my able body and the age of some of my older acquaintances, with all the normal maladies of “old age”, is narrowing. Yeh, I guess you could say I’m not really looking forward to being “old”, but then again it beats the alternative. Physical and mental health is important to me, because I plan on living a good long time, God willing. So, I’m marching in as a warrior, not a “big sissy”.
I know you’ve heard of the “Serenity Prayer”. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference. Recently I’ve come across the “Senility Prayer”. God grant me the senility to forget all the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into those I do and the eyesight to tell the difference. But what is unfamiliar to most is the rest of that famous prayer which says: Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him in the next. Amen.
In the 70’s I worked for an aircraft manufacturer in San Antonio, Texas as a flight technician and mechanic. Part of my job was climbing into a “green” airplane, one which had never been off the ground before, and documenting all the problems observed by the test pilot, to be corrected before the next test flight. Something more about aircraft while in their test phase, there’s nothing in the interior except for a lot of wires, minimum instrumentation, a squawk & talk radio and two parachutes, which I never knew how to use anyway. Well, if you know anything about South Texas weather you know that a summer thunderstorm can appear almost like magic. The airport tower called us one day to let us know about such a storm forming and to return ASAP. With only visual navigation I’m here to tell you it’s hard to find your way home when clouds are blooming up in front of you faster than you can go around them. The squawk part of the radio sends a signal to the airport tower letting the controller know where we are in the air in relationship to other aircraft. Our ziging and zaging about the clouds sure made the controller nervous, but with his help of guidance we made it home safe and sound.
[Proverbs 3: 5-6] (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. We’re all on a journey, a test flight, to examine ourselves and correct those things which need correcting, but unfortunately thunderstorms erupt we don’t ever expect. In light of the Virginia Tech tragedy this past week, my heart and prayers go out to all those parents and friends of the victims taken that day, those snatched from life who will never grow old, and we don’t know why. For those who remain, they will navigate around this cloud, which has obscured their focus on life, and press on. In the storms of life we squawk out a signal to God, wondering if He knows what’s happening to us. YES, God knows. Listen to Him, for He is guiding you through the storms of life.
I know you’ve heard of the “Serenity Prayer”. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference. Recently I’ve come across the “Senility Prayer”. God grant me the senility to forget all the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into those I do and the eyesight to tell the difference. But what is unfamiliar to most is the rest of that famous prayer which says: Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him in the next. Amen.
In the 70’s I worked for an aircraft manufacturer in San Antonio, Texas as a flight technician and mechanic. Part of my job was climbing into a “green” airplane, one which had never been off the ground before, and documenting all the problems observed by the test pilot, to be corrected before the next test flight. Something more about aircraft while in their test phase, there’s nothing in the interior except for a lot of wires, minimum instrumentation, a squawk & talk radio and two parachutes, which I never knew how to use anyway. Well, if you know anything about South Texas weather you know that a summer thunderstorm can appear almost like magic. The airport tower called us one day to let us know about such a storm forming and to return ASAP. With only visual navigation I’m here to tell you it’s hard to find your way home when clouds are blooming up in front of you faster than you can go around them. The squawk part of the radio sends a signal to the airport tower letting the controller know where we are in the air in relationship to other aircraft. Our ziging and zaging about the clouds sure made the controller nervous, but with his help of guidance we made it home safe and sound.
[Proverbs 3: 5-6] (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. We’re all on a journey, a test flight, to examine ourselves and correct those things which need correcting, but unfortunately thunderstorms erupt we don’t ever expect. In light of the Virginia Tech tragedy this past week, my heart and prayers go out to all those parents and friends of the victims taken that day, those snatched from life who will never grow old, and we don’t know why. For those who remain, they will navigate around this cloud, which has obscured their focus on life, and press on. In the storms of life we squawk out a signal to God, wondering if He knows what’s happening to us. YES, God knows. Listen to Him, for He is guiding you through the storms of life.
Not A Bitter Pill
Are you self-taught? I am. I’ve always had a tendency to watch others, read instructions carefully then roll up my sleeves and get to work. I learn by doing and frankly, that’s about the only way I can get things to sink into my thick skull where I won’t forget. So anyway, I’m having lots of fun laying down the new floors in the house. I’m always up to a new challenge and as always when the endeavor is new, planning ahead, as what to do next, can be difficult. Nothing spoils a good project like having to backtrack, you know, tearing up what you thought was finished, because something else should have been done first. Well, I’ve only had to back-up once so far because of my poor planning, and unlike some of the other many blunders in my past, this last bitter pill of “redo” wasn’t all that hard to swallow. Now, on to the next room.
I guess we’ve all had to back-up and been forced to swallow a bitter pill or two. While preparing the bulletin for a church, the editor called the preacher to get his sermon topics for the upcoming Sunday. The preacher replied that he had not yet selected the morning topic but the evening sermon would be on the text, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Not waiting for a decision on the morning sermon title the editor pressed on toward publication. When the announcements appeared, here’s what they read. Morning: “Sermon By Minister”; Evening: “What The Fool Said”. (Oooops!)
[Hebrews 2] (v. 9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. I sometimes wonder what children are being taught about the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Last week the world celebrated the resurrection of Christ, but I fear the day passed by most children, shrouded with bunny rabbits and eggs. I also wonder if adults are able to explain to their children the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. I honestly believe we have been so desensitized about death, we have lost our reverence for that which Christ did for our sins and souls. Have you ever smelled death? How do you think Christ must have smelled as he hung nearly naked on the cross? He had been up all night, now sweaty and dirty. He had been beaten to within an inch of his life, bloody from head to toe. He had been mocked, insulted and spat upon. Less than twenty-four hours earlier Jesus dined with the twelve and shared with them unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. He explained to the disciples that the bread was His body and the fruit of the vine was His blood and asked them to continue sharing this feast among the believers until His return. He said, “This do in remembrance of Me.” If the unleavened bread we eat tasted like his body, mingled with blood, sweat and spit, it would be disgusting – impossible to put into ones mouth. If the fruit of the vine tasted like real blood, thick, salty and warm, most of us wouldn’t be strong enough to stomach it. God has protected us from these tastes. The fruit of the vine is sweet and unleavened bread nearly tasteless. The emblems blend into a pleasant after-taste that lingers as we think about His death. And while we must physically die some day, God has protected us from spiritual death through Jesus, for He has tasted death for everyone and brought us back into a one on one relationship with God. Jesus is not a bitter pill to be taken, but rather the Sweet Savior of our lost souls.
I guess we’ve all had to back-up and been forced to swallow a bitter pill or two. While preparing the bulletin for a church, the editor called the preacher to get his sermon topics for the upcoming Sunday. The preacher replied that he had not yet selected the morning topic but the evening sermon would be on the text, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Not waiting for a decision on the morning sermon title the editor pressed on toward publication. When the announcements appeared, here’s what they read. Morning: “Sermon By Minister”; Evening: “What The Fool Said”. (Oooops!)
[Hebrews 2] (v. 9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. I sometimes wonder what children are being taught about the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Last week the world celebrated the resurrection of Christ, but I fear the day passed by most children, shrouded with bunny rabbits and eggs. I also wonder if adults are able to explain to their children the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. I honestly believe we have been so desensitized about death, we have lost our reverence for that which Christ did for our sins and souls. Have you ever smelled death? How do you think Christ must have smelled as he hung nearly naked on the cross? He had been up all night, now sweaty and dirty. He had been beaten to within an inch of his life, bloody from head to toe. He had been mocked, insulted and spat upon. Less than twenty-four hours earlier Jesus dined with the twelve and shared with them unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. He explained to the disciples that the bread was His body and the fruit of the vine was His blood and asked them to continue sharing this feast among the believers until His return. He said, “This do in remembrance of Me.” If the unleavened bread we eat tasted like his body, mingled with blood, sweat and spit, it would be disgusting – impossible to put into ones mouth. If the fruit of the vine tasted like real blood, thick, salty and warm, most of us wouldn’t be strong enough to stomach it. God has protected us from these tastes. The fruit of the vine is sweet and unleavened bread nearly tasteless. The emblems blend into a pleasant after-taste that lingers as we think about His death. And while we must physically die some day, God has protected us from spiritual death through Jesus, for He has tasted death for everyone and brought us back into a one on one relationship with God. Jesus is not a bitter pill to be taken, but rather the Sweet Savior of our lost souls.
Pure Unto Death
Yuck! I’ve been pulling up some carpeting and I’ve got to tell you, no matter how clean you think the top is, it’s what’s underneath that’s making you sneeze all the time. I’ve been reading about carpeting and indoor pollution with all the micro organisms we live with every day. It’s really creepy. I suppose if one were to dwell on it too long a real phobia for cleanliness could develop. But, I’ve discovered that no matter how much or often you clean carpeting, short of taking it up, washing it and hanging it on the line to dry, you can’t get what ails you out of it. Hence, the hardwood floor craze. Wall to wall carpeting is out and bare floors, with the occasional throw rug, are in. Well, the carpeting I’m taking up has plenty of years on it, so adios, it’s out of here!
An Ermine is a cute little animal, related to the weasel, with shiny black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a narrow body that’s some twenty inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern regions of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by the black tip on its tail. If you looked up a picture of the ermine in the library, you’d be shocked by the purity of its white fur. The ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. It’s most unusual characteristic is it’s hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunter’s that know this will fill an ermine’s burrow with filth and wait with their dogs for the prized furry animal to return. Once the ermine spots the dogs, the snow white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a bloodstained coat than live with a dirty one. That’s why the ermine’s coat is used on the robes of rulers and judges. It serves as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
[Acts 8: 26-35] The eunuch in the story was reading from the book of Isaiah, and the scripture he was reading, we know as chapter 53. What I like best about this encounter is the fact that Phillip (verse 35) “…began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” To me there’s so much good news to tell I’d be talking for hours, but here’s the best news. Jesus was sent by his Father to establish a new covenant between God and mankind. The new covenant would become a spiritual bonding in love and truth. Jesus walked among us, proclaiming God’s love and truth, teaching a new way of life and with signs of wonder and miracles, healing the physically sick. But how was Jesus going to show that He was the real deal? God had that all planned out. You see, even though Jesus did pray for a different resolution for the salvation of mankind, other than him giving His life, Jesus was not willing to accept the temptation of remaining in the world. To accept the world would mean entering into sin, which he absolutely was not going to compromise His deity. So, Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him. Rather than give in and enter into the dirty sinful world, Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice to God the Father for the redemption of the sins of mankind. Jesus died for you and me, bloodstained, but pure, without sin. “…For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) My hope is in God (1 Peter 1:17-21)
An Ermine is a cute little animal, related to the weasel, with shiny black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a narrow body that’s some twenty inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern regions of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by the black tip on its tail. If you looked up a picture of the ermine in the library, you’d be shocked by the purity of its white fur. The ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. It’s most unusual characteristic is it’s hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunter’s that know this will fill an ermine’s burrow with filth and wait with their dogs for the prized furry animal to return. Once the ermine spots the dogs, the snow white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a bloodstained coat than live with a dirty one. That’s why the ermine’s coat is used on the robes of rulers and judges. It serves as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
[Acts 8: 26-35] The eunuch in the story was reading from the book of Isaiah, and the scripture he was reading, we know as chapter 53. What I like best about this encounter is the fact that Phillip (verse 35) “…began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” To me there’s so much good news to tell I’d be talking for hours, but here’s the best news. Jesus was sent by his Father to establish a new covenant between God and mankind. The new covenant would become a spiritual bonding in love and truth. Jesus walked among us, proclaiming God’s love and truth, teaching a new way of life and with signs of wonder and miracles, healing the physically sick. But how was Jesus going to show that He was the real deal? God had that all planned out. You see, even though Jesus did pray for a different resolution for the salvation of mankind, other than him giving His life, Jesus was not willing to accept the temptation of remaining in the world. To accept the world would mean entering into sin, which he absolutely was not going to compromise His deity. So, Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him. Rather than give in and enter into the dirty sinful world, Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice to God the Father for the redemption of the sins of mankind. Jesus died for you and me, bloodstained, but pure, without sin. “…For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) My hope is in God (1 Peter 1:17-21)
Temptation, The Refinery
WOW, the past six months has simply flown by. Last Friday was time for my vocal cord check-up, as it is every six months, you know the scope up my nose and down my throat thing, and praise God everything looks great. I got to my appointment a little early and just sat quietly in the parking lot for a few minutes unwinding from the 45 mile drive. A pair of birds landed in the grass to my left, a species I don’t recall seeing before. The size of a wren, I could tell they were a couple, though I know little about birds. I do know the male is the colorful one of the two, this one red breasted, not to look good, but to attract the attention of predators, drawing them away from the female. In human life it’s the colorful female which draws men away from other females. Well, just watching the bird couple as they feasted on the tiny flowering “weeds” in the spring-time grass relaxed me so, that my normal apprehension about the appointment I was soon to enter into, had melted away, and it passed quickly. It’s good to “stop and smell the roses”.
A young lady was vacationing in Florida when a little boy approached her, looked up and asked, “Do you believe in God?” In surprise she nodded affirmatively. “And do you always go to church on Sunday?” “Yes, I do”, replied the woman with an inquisitive look. “And read the Bible?” “At every opportunity”, responded the lady. “Well then”, the boy said, “Will you hold my quarter while I go swimming?”
[1 Peter 1: 3-9] No one enjoys being tempted. It’s hard to deal with. Why would you want to be tempted? Why can’t a good Christian live life without temptations? The Bible says we need temptations in our life. Why? To some this may be hard to grasp, that we should enjoy it when we have the opportunity to defeat Satan’s snare, and that we should consider ourselves blessed when we suffer for Christ (James 1:2). Let’s look at it this way. The purest gold, is of course, the most expensive, isn’t it? And how is it made pure? Through fire! A goldsmith will put the gold into fire several times so that the fire will burn away the impurities. The more times the gold goes through the fire, a melting/cooling process, the more impurities are removed and the more pure the gold becomes. This is the same with Christianity. As I endure in my Christianity, with each trial, with each temptation, with each decision I make, I am being refined by God’s Word. As I apply the truths of God to my life, removing worldly thoughts and selfish wants, I become more pure and beautiful in the sight of God. (Read James 1: 12-15) God does not tempt! “…each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” Dragged away from what? God’s truth! By whom? The evil one! “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Death is ruin; it is not pure. (Read Isaiah 53) Isaiah writes about the coming Christ. Isaiah tells the Christ will be nobody special, that He will grow-up right under the noses of those looking for Him, but Jesus will be overlooked. (Read John 20: 26-31) Jesus was the one of whom Isaiah wrote. He was not colorful or flamboyant, just a simple man, with all the power and truth of God. Jesus is God. But yet with all that is recorded for you and I, so we might believe Jesus is God, why don’t we use Him as a deterrent to draw Satan away from us? “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” STOP; and look to Jesus, for strength and purity in life.
A young lady was vacationing in Florida when a little boy approached her, looked up and asked, “Do you believe in God?” In surprise she nodded affirmatively. “And do you always go to church on Sunday?” “Yes, I do”, replied the woman with an inquisitive look. “And read the Bible?” “At every opportunity”, responded the lady. “Well then”, the boy said, “Will you hold my quarter while I go swimming?”
[1 Peter 1: 3-9] No one enjoys being tempted. It’s hard to deal with. Why would you want to be tempted? Why can’t a good Christian live life without temptations? The Bible says we need temptations in our life. Why? To some this may be hard to grasp, that we should enjoy it when we have the opportunity to defeat Satan’s snare, and that we should consider ourselves blessed when we suffer for Christ (James 1:2). Let’s look at it this way. The purest gold, is of course, the most expensive, isn’t it? And how is it made pure? Through fire! A goldsmith will put the gold into fire several times so that the fire will burn away the impurities. The more times the gold goes through the fire, a melting/cooling process, the more impurities are removed and the more pure the gold becomes. This is the same with Christianity. As I endure in my Christianity, with each trial, with each temptation, with each decision I make, I am being refined by God’s Word. As I apply the truths of God to my life, removing worldly thoughts and selfish wants, I become more pure and beautiful in the sight of God. (Read James 1: 12-15) God does not tempt! “…each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” Dragged away from what? God’s truth! By whom? The evil one! “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Death is ruin; it is not pure. (Read Isaiah 53) Isaiah writes about the coming Christ. Isaiah tells the Christ will be nobody special, that He will grow-up right under the noses of those looking for Him, but Jesus will be overlooked. (Read John 20: 26-31) Jesus was the one of whom Isaiah wrote. He was not colorful or flamboyant, just a simple man, with all the power and truth of God. Jesus is God. But yet with all that is recorded for you and I, so we might believe Jesus is God, why don’t we use Him as a deterrent to draw Satan away from us? “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” STOP; and look to Jesus, for strength and purity in life.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
For Escape, Look Up!
My wife has been after me to remove the wall to wall carpeting from throughout the house for some time now, wanting new hardwood floors laid down. Well, I’ve done my research, watched as many DIY programs as it takes to get the nerve up to commit to the project, and bought the materials to get started. No backing out now. Knowing mistakes are going to be made, I chose the first room, a small one, which has been planned to be a little office and junk room for my spouse. I figure most of that floor will get covered. So far I haven’t gotten into too much trouble, learning as I go, and after the trim is applied I already think it’s going to look great. In fact, I’m looking forward and planning more of the same in other rooms. My biggest mistake so far is getting my finger between an immoveable mass and a hammer moving with swift velocity. The end result is great pain commonly described under restraint with words better not said out loud, and a purple fingernail. Not learning my lesson quickly, I immediately did it again. Tylenol please.
Here’s something I received the other day that might be of interest, about buzzards, bats, bumblebees and people. If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6´ x 8´, entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be your prisoner. The reason being that the buzzard begins flight from the ground by first running 10 – 12´. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but remain a prisoner for life in a jail with no top. The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and painfully until it reaches some slight elevation change from which it can throw itself into the air, then take off like a flash. A bumblebee, if dropped into a glass tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it’s taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists to find some way out through the sides near the bottom, where none exists, until it destroys itself.
[John 12] As we walk this earth struggling with our problems and frustrations, we seem to continually seek solutions through our own wisdom, and if no solution is immediately evident, many times, depression sets in, drug and alcohol abuse enters and anger begins to rule our life. Like the buzzard, we become our own prisoner. Like the bat, we just can’t seem to find a way back to happiness. Like the bumblebee, we look in all the wrong places for a way out. We must remove the faith we have in ourselves to solve our troubles and look up with faith to God, our only means of escape. Jesus was in his last days and upon entering Jerusalem he was triumphantly praised for his great works, “Hosanna! Hosanna!”, which in only days would turn to a murderous conspiracy, “Crucify Him!! Crucify Him!!” Jesus knew all this would happen. He knew he was about to suffer great pain and humiliation. He shared His love for his friends and their love comforted him. But His faith was in God and obedience to his Father in heaven. In distress and agony Jesus would look up to heaven in prayer, the night of His arrest, struggling with what He must do. Jesus looked for a way out, “Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, not My will, but Your will be done.” God knew what was in His heart and sent angels to comfort Him. Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up! I’m so glad Jesus looked up and has shown me the way of escape, from sin.
Here’s something I received the other day that might be of interest, about buzzards, bats, bumblebees and people. If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6´ x 8´, entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be your prisoner. The reason being that the buzzard begins flight from the ground by first running 10 – 12´. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but remain a prisoner for life in a jail with no top. The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and painfully until it reaches some slight elevation change from which it can throw itself into the air, then take off like a flash. A bumblebee, if dropped into a glass tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it’s taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists to find some way out through the sides near the bottom, where none exists, until it destroys itself.
[John 12] As we walk this earth struggling with our problems and frustrations, we seem to continually seek solutions through our own wisdom, and if no solution is immediately evident, many times, depression sets in, drug and alcohol abuse enters and anger begins to rule our life. Like the buzzard, we become our own prisoner. Like the bat, we just can’t seem to find a way back to happiness. Like the bumblebee, we look in all the wrong places for a way out. We must remove the faith we have in ourselves to solve our troubles and look up with faith to God, our only means of escape. Jesus was in his last days and upon entering Jerusalem he was triumphantly praised for his great works, “Hosanna! Hosanna!”, which in only days would turn to a murderous conspiracy, “Crucify Him!! Crucify Him!!” Jesus knew all this would happen. He knew he was about to suffer great pain and humiliation. He shared His love for his friends and their love comforted him. But His faith was in God and obedience to his Father in heaven. In distress and agony Jesus would look up to heaven in prayer, the night of His arrest, struggling with what He must do. Jesus looked for a way out, “Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, not My will, but Your will be done.” God knew what was in His heart and sent angels to comfort Him. Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up! I’m so glad Jesus looked up and has shown me the way of escape, from sin.
Pure Unto Death
Yuck! I’ve been pulling up some carpeting and I’ve got to tell you, no matter how clean you think the top is, it’s what’s underneath that’s making you sneeze all the time. I’ve been reading about carpeting and indoor pollution with all the micro organisms we live with every day. It’s really creepy. I suppose if one were to dwell on it too long a real phobia for cleanliness could develop. But, I’ve discovered that no matter how much or often you clean carpeting, short of taking it up, washing it and hanging it on the line to dry, you can’t get what ails you out of it. Hence, the hardwood floor craze. Wall to wall carpeting is out and bare floors, with the occasional throw rug, are in. Well, the carpeting I’m taking up has plenty of years on it, so adios, it’s out of here!
An Ermine is a cute little animal, related to the weasel, with shiny black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a narrow body that’s some twenty inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern regions of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by the black tip on its tail. If you looked up a picture of the ermine in the library, you’d be shocked by the purity of its white fur. The ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. It’s most unusual characteristic is it’s hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunter’s that know this will fill an ermine’s burrow with filth and wait with their dogs for the prized furry animal to return. Once the ermine spots the dogs, the snow white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a bloodstained coat than live with a dirty one. That’s why the ermine’s coat is used on the robes of rulers and judges. It serves as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
[Acts 8: 26-35] The eunuch in the story was reading from the book of Isaiah, and the scripture he was reading, we know as chapter 53. What I like best about this encounter is the fact that Phillip (verse 35) “…began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” To me there’s so much good news to tell I’d be talking for hours, but here’s the best news. Jesus was sent by his Father to establish a new covenant between God and mankind. The new covenant would become a spiritual bonding in love and truth. Jesus walked among us, proclaiming God’s love and truth, teaching a new way of life and with signs of wonder and miracles, healing the physically sick. But how was Jesus going to show that He was the real deal? God had that all planned out. You see, even though Jesus did pray for a different resolution for the salvation of mankind, other than him giving His life, Jesus was not willing to accept the temptation of remaining in the world. To accept the world would mean entering into sin, which he absolutely was not going to compromise His deity. So, Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him. Rather than give in and enter into the dirty sinful world, Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice to God the Father for the redemption of the sins of mankind. Jesus died for you and me, bloodstained, but pure, without sin. “…For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) My hope is in God (1 Peter 1:17-21)
An Ermine is a cute little animal, related to the weasel, with shiny black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a narrow body that’s some twenty inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern regions of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by the black tip on its tail. If you looked up a picture of the ermine in the library, you’d be shocked by the purity of its white fur. The ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. It’s most unusual characteristic is it’s hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunter’s that know this will fill an ermine’s burrow with filth and wait with their dogs for the prized furry animal to return. Once the ermine spots the dogs, the snow white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a bloodstained coat than live with a dirty one. That’s why the ermine’s coat is used on the robes of rulers and judges. It serves as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
[Acts 8: 26-35] The eunuch in the story was reading from the book of Isaiah, and the scripture he was reading, we know as chapter 53. What I like best about this encounter is the fact that Phillip (verse 35) “…began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” To me there’s so much good news to tell I’d be talking for hours, but here’s the best news. Jesus was sent by his Father to establish a new covenant between God and mankind. The new covenant would become a spiritual bonding in love and truth. Jesus walked among us, proclaiming God’s love and truth, teaching a new way of life and with signs of wonder and miracles, healing the physically sick. But how was Jesus going to show that He was the real deal? God had that all planned out. You see, even though Jesus did pray for a different resolution for the salvation of mankind, other than him giving His life, Jesus was not willing to accept the temptation of remaining in the world. To accept the world would mean entering into sin, which he absolutely was not going to compromise His deity. So, Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him. Rather than give in and enter into the dirty sinful world, Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice to God the Father for the redemption of the sins of mankind. Jesus died for you and me, bloodstained, but pure, without sin. “…For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) My hope is in God (1 Peter 1:17-21)
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Unforgettable Soup
Well, like it or not, it’s time for me to make good on my promise to start fixin’ up some things around the house. My old shop is dirty and unkempt, spiders and all that. I have a storage room with a door falling off, a leaky roof, water damage floor and some siding is coming loose. Procrastination has allowed time to run things down a little and if I don’t get a handle on some it soon, I’m afraid a lot more work is going to be required for good restoration. My wife has also been after me to spruce up the inside of the house, which I’ve promised to get to many times in the past, so I guess it’s time to get out of my “winter mode” and “spring” into action. I just hope I don’t hurt myself.
In England there’s an appeal to restore Charles Darwin’s house. There-in lies a very important lesson for us all to learn about Darwin’s home being threatened by dereliction. The roof had fallen in on his lab; the main house had a leaky roof; the walls of the study were being attacked by dampness and woodworm; without a great deal of effort, this home will eventually become a total ruin. There’s a touch of irony in all of this. Darwin popularized the idea to millions and millions of people that everything has made itself, and that nature has, on a grand scale, organized matter from simple to complex …from chaos to cosmos. But in reality, virtually every single scientific observation confirms that the very opposite is true. What we observe is that, everything that’s left to itself tends to run down – just like Darwin’s house. This house will not rebuild itself. It will take a lot of intelligence and energy to improve it and restore it to its original state.
[3 John] There was a great famine in Eastern Europe. People horded all their food and as a consequence many were starving. A stranger wandered into town, promising to prepare a delicious soup for everyone. He heated water in a cauldron, removed a stone from a velvet bag, and preceded to cook it. He hinted to the curious on-lookers that it would taste much better with a little cabbage whereupon someone brought one to him. The stranger then mentioned other ingredients, one at a time, which the villagers produced. People began to offer the stranger great sums of money for the stone, which he refused to sell. Long after the famine ended, the people reminisced about the finest soup they had ever had, not realizing they had in actuality “pitched in” for the common good of all. How many people do you know who have problems in their life, and you wish there was some way you could help them? Okay, stop counting! “All God’s children got problems!” What happens to people with overwhelming problems? You know, those with so many troubles they just seem to start wasting away. When you have so many problems you begin to look and feel like Darwin’s neglected house. People like that can’t fix themselves, and no one person can bring about a good restoration. Too many say, “How could they let themselves get into this situation. All they need to do is get up off the couch and do something to turn their life around.” Trust me when I say, in most situations, it takes a lot more than self-motivation. Enter the church. God tells us that we’ll always have the poor and those who have made poor decisions, among us. The church is made up of all kinds of people with all kinds of talents. When each contributes what they have, individually and collectively, an unforgettable pot of soup can be made and life can be restored. Are you hording your God-given talents watching others starve?
In England there’s an appeal to restore Charles Darwin’s house. There-in lies a very important lesson for us all to learn about Darwin’s home being threatened by dereliction. The roof had fallen in on his lab; the main house had a leaky roof; the walls of the study were being attacked by dampness and woodworm; without a great deal of effort, this home will eventually become a total ruin. There’s a touch of irony in all of this. Darwin popularized the idea to millions and millions of people that everything has made itself, and that nature has, on a grand scale, organized matter from simple to complex …from chaos to cosmos. But in reality, virtually every single scientific observation confirms that the very opposite is true. What we observe is that, everything that’s left to itself tends to run down – just like Darwin’s house. This house will not rebuild itself. It will take a lot of intelligence and energy to improve it and restore it to its original state.
[3 John] There was a great famine in Eastern Europe. People horded all their food and as a consequence many were starving. A stranger wandered into town, promising to prepare a delicious soup for everyone. He heated water in a cauldron, removed a stone from a velvet bag, and preceded to cook it. He hinted to the curious on-lookers that it would taste much better with a little cabbage whereupon someone brought one to him. The stranger then mentioned other ingredients, one at a time, which the villagers produced. People began to offer the stranger great sums of money for the stone, which he refused to sell. Long after the famine ended, the people reminisced about the finest soup they had ever had, not realizing they had in actuality “pitched in” for the common good of all. How many people do you know who have problems in their life, and you wish there was some way you could help them? Okay, stop counting! “All God’s children got problems!” What happens to people with overwhelming problems? You know, those with so many troubles they just seem to start wasting away. When you have so many problems you begin to look and feel like Darwin’s neglected house. People like that can’t fix themselves, and no one person can bring about a good restoration. Too many say, “How could they let themselves get into this situation. All they need to do is get up off the couch and do something to turn their life around.” Trust me when I say, in most situations, it takes a lot more than self-motivation. Enter the church. God tells us that we’ll always have the poor and those who have made poor decisions, among us. The church is made up of all kinds of people with all kinds of talents. When each contributes what they have, individually and collectively, an unforgettable pot of soup can be made and life can be restored. Are you hording your God-given talents watching others starve?
Friday, March 09, 2007
IN GOD WE TRUST, No More?
I was talking with a friend the other day about the changes we’re seeing in our local community and in the U.S. in general. Our local area has been experiencing changes for some time now as more and more farm and ranch lands are being sold off for housing development. Peanut farming is all but extinct, jeopardizing the recognition our city and county as “The Peanut Capital Of Texas”. Of the two dozen or more dairies that use to dot the local country-side, there’re all gone, save one or two. The “Mom and Pop” business is just about a thing of the past, as everyone is well aware of. My friend thought it an absolute sin that Toyota has been allowed to race with the “good ole boys” of NASCAR. He called the Camry a foreign car whereupon I had to correct him. I said, “Think about this. Of the four auto manufacturers represented in NASCAR Cup racing, the Chevy Monty Carlo and the Dodge Charger are made in Canada, the Ford Fusion is made in Mexico and the only car made in America is the Toyota Camry.” What’s wrong with this picture? Then we got to talking and thinking about all the changes an eighty or ninety-year-old has seen in their lifetime. Change is good, right?
A hunter went to a lodge and bagged a record number of birds. The reason is that he was allowed to use an incredible hunting dog named “Salesman”. That dog was the hardest working, with the most productive spirit, the hunter had ever seen. The next year the hunter returned and asked to use Salesman again. “That mutt ain’t no good any more”, the handler said. “What happened!!” cried the sportsman. “Was he injured …is he sick?” “No”, replied the handler. “Some fool come here and called him ‘Sales Manager’ for a full week. Now all he does is sit around and bark all the time.”
A new congregation needed a preacher. They agreed to look for one that would stay a long time, because typically they stay for a year or two then leave. Several preachers were interviewed and one prospect came close to fulfilling their expectations until they neared the end of his interview. “I’ve been preaching for twenty-five years and I’ve preached for only two congregations. I faithfully continued with both, until they died.”
[Deuteronomy 4: 1-31] A reader of this column from Ohio dropped me a line the other day to inform me of yet another disturbing change. The third time might be a charm, one dollar simulated gold coin is about to go into circulation, again. The two previous coins were emblazoned with images, one an American Indian, I don’t recall her name, and the other, Susan B. Anthony. The new coin sports a portrait of the all American stand-by, George Washington. But something obvious is missing. “IN GOD WE TRUST”, is gone!! Talk is to take it off paper money also in an ever stronger effort to “separate church from state”, I’ve never totally understood that concept. While patient pains-taking surgical like separation is taking place by atheistic nay-sayer’s, the very foundation of our country is being eroded away. God and prayer have long since been removed from our schools and take a look around you at the disgusting moral values we are witnessing in our young people. The money of the United States of America is based on nothing but the God fearing good word of the man holding it. Take God completely out of the equation and I don’t think there’s enough gold in the world to support U.S. Be careful what you change for the good of all. Remember, GOOD minus GOD equals O.
A hunter went to a lodge and bagged a record number of birds. The reason is that he was allowed to use an incredible hunting dog named “Salesman”. That dog was the hardest working, with the most productive spirit, the hunter had ever seen. The next year the hunter returned and asked to use Salesman again. “That mutt ain’t no good any more”, the handler said. “What happened!!” cried the sportsman. “Was he injured …is he sick?” “No”, replied the handler. “Some fool come here and called him ‘Sales Manager’ for a full week. Now all he does is sit around and bark all the time.”
A new congregation needed a preacher. They agreed to look for one that would stay a long time, because typically they stay for a year or two then leave. Several preachers were interviewed and one prospect came close to fulfilling their expectations until they neared the end of his interview. “I’ve been preaching for twenty-five years and I’ve preached for only two congregations. I faithfully continued with both, until they died.”
[Deuteronomy 4: 1-31] A reader of this column from Ohio dropped me a line the other day to inform me of yet another disturbing change. The third time might be a charm, one dollar simulated gold coin is about to go into circulation, again. The two previous coins were emblazoned with images, one an American Indian, I don’t recall her name, and the other, Susan B. Anthony. The new coin sports a portrait of the all American stand-by, George Washington. But something obvious is missing. “IN GOD WE TRUST”, is gone!! Talk is to take it off paper money also in an ever stronger effort to “separate church from state”, I’ve never totally understood that concept. While patient pains-taking surgical like separation is taking place by atheistic nay-sayer’s, the very foundation of our country is being eroded away. God and prayer have long since been removed from our schools and take a look around you at the disgusting moral values we are witnessing in our young people. The money of the United States of America is based on nothing but the God fearing good word of the man holding it. Take God completely out of the equation and I don’t think there’s enough gold in the world to support U.S. Be careful what you change for the good of all. Remember, GOOD minus GOD equals O.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
One Billion
Here it is March already. I said that to a friend the other day and she quickly responded, “Oh, and I don’t feel up to a thirty-one-day march at all.” It’s said that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but so far all it’s been is a lot of wind. The mornings are still cool to cold, but people are talking about planting, or should I say gambling on putting some seed in the ground. In spite of the wet weather we had early last month, we’re still looking at the possibility of a continuing drought trend. This El Niño, Ozone Layer, Global Warming, climate altering, reverse osmosis phenomena that scientists say we’re bringing upon ourselves because we’re burning our fossil fuels at an ever alarming rate of increase, just may very well be rearing its ugly head up as a real big, “Oooops!!” Maybe the crackpot scientists should have been taken more seriously in the ‘60’s when they started warning us about this possibility. Did you know that the U.S. alone burns on average 4,000 gallons of gasoline per second? The BP oil refinery in Houston, Texas, just one refinery in the U.S., produces 11million gallons of gasoline per day, 4 billion gallons per year. It’s estimated that the American consumer bought 140 billion gallons of gasoline last year. At this rate we might all be walking soon.
While on the subject of walking; A young boy had just gotten his driver’s permit and inquired of his father if they could discuss the use of the car. His father said, “I’ll make a deal with you. You bring your school grades up from a “C” to a “B” average, study your Bible more, get involved in church activities a little more, get your hair cut and we’ll talk about it more. Well, the boy thought about it and decided he’d settle for the offer, and they agreed on it. After about six weeks they again met in the study where his father said, “Son. I’m real proud of you. You’ve brought your grades up, I’ve observed you studying your Bible more often and your participating a lot more in Bible classes and youth group activities. But, I’m real disappointed, since you haven’t gotten your hair cut.” The young man paused a moment and then said, “You know Dad, I’ve been thinking about that, and I’ve noticed that in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair and there’s even a strong argument that Jesus had long hair.” To this the father replied, “Yes you’re correct on all points, son. Did you also notice that everywhere they went, they walked?”
[2 Peter 3] Every eight hours and twenty minutes our government spends $1 billion. A billion days ago man was not yet here. A billion hours ago man was living in the Stone Age. A billion minutes ago Jesus walked the earth and a billion seconds ago it was 1959. Not a bit of this matters. So what if we burn the last drop of oil! So what if the climates all change because of the greed of man. Everything on and in the earth was given to man for his use. Granted much is being abused and overused, but nothing here is permanent. Don’t get me wrong. I cringe at the outright abuse of resources God has blessed us with. We are to be good stewards of our blessings for one day we will answer to God for the things we have done in this life. But of greater importance, are we preparing for the life to come? The fate of your spirit is far more important than drought or hurricane or tornado, which can hurdle you into eternity. This world is doomed no matter what. Your life will also end. Are you ready for the day of the Lord to come?
While on the subject of walking; A young boy had just gotten his driver’s permit and inquired of his father if they could discuss the use of the car. His father said, “I’ll make a deal with you. You bring your school grades up from a “C” to a “B” average, study your Bible more, get involved in church activities a little more, get your hair cut and we’ll talk about it more. Well, the boy thought about it and decided he’d settle for the offer, and they agreed on it. After about six weeks they again met in the study where his father said, “Son. I’m real proud of you. You’ve brought your grades up, I’ve observed you studying your Bible more often and your participating a lot more in Bible classes and youth group activities. But, I’m real disappointed, since you haven’t gotten your hair cut.” The young man paused a moment and then said, “You know Dad, I’ve been thinking about that, and I’ve noticed that in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair and there’s even a strong argument that Jesus had long hair.” To this the father replied, “Yes you’re correct on all points, son. Did you also notice that everywhere they went, they walked?”
[2 Peter 3] Every eight hours and twenty minutes our government spends $1 billion. A billion days ago man was not yet here. A billion hours ago man was living in the Stone Age. A billion minutes ago Jesus walked the earth and a billion seconds ago it was 1959. Not a bit of this matters. So what if we burn the last drop of oil! So what if the climates all change because of the greed of man. Everything on and in the earth was given to man for his use. Granted much is being abused and overused, but nothing here is permanent. Don’t get me wrong. I cringe at the outright abuse of resources God has blessed us with. We are to be good stewards of our blessings for one day we will answer to God for the things we have done in this life. But of greater importance, are we preparing for the life to come? The fate of your spirit is far more important than drought or hurricane or tornado, which can hurdle you into eternity. This world is doomed no matter what. Your life will also end. Are you ready for the day of the Lord to come?
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Don't Do It Half Way
A certain individual came to me about ten days ago with a temporary job offer for several people and did I know of anyone available. It didn’t take but about a nanosecond for several names to pop into my head, unknown to me at that time, none of which had any transportation. Well, I let the job offer be known to everyone I could think of and spread the word as this company was looking for about twenty people. I saw to it that two of them got to the interview and after getting the job, seeing that they got to work every morning this past week. How they get home again I don’t know, but I insisted that one call me every night to remind me to pick them up in the morning. I tend to forget and skip over some things at times, because I sort of wake up in a new world every day. It doesn’t take me long to get involved, unintentionally, in something deep enough to temporarily forget everything else. I don’t mind helping, but I do need to be reminded.
A woman stole a can of peaches. Her husband escorted her as she went before the judge. “Did you steal the can of peaches”, the judge asked? “Yes sir”, she replied. “Did you eat the peaches”, the judge asked? “Yes sir”, she answered. “How many peaches were in the can”, the judge inquired? “Six”, she replied. “You will spend six days in jail, one for each peach”, the judge sentenced. The husband offered, “Your Honor, she also stole and ate a can of peas.” Then there were three guys talking in the post office. Two of them were bragging about the amount of control they had over their wife, while the other remained silent. One of the two turned to the third and asked, “Well, what about you?” The third fellow said, “Just the other night my wife came to me on her hands and knees.” The first two were amazed. “What happened then ,” they inquired? “She looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘Get out from under that bed and fight like a man!’”
[Colossians 1: 3-29] A hunter raised his rifle and took careful aim at a large bear. About to pull the trigger, the bear said in a soothing voice, “Isn’t it better to talk than to shoot? What do you want? Let’s negotiate the matter.” Lowering his rifle the hunter said, “I want a fur coat.” “Good”, said the bear, “that’s a negotiable item. I only want a full stomach, so let’s sit down and negotiate a compromise.” They sat down to negotiate and in a short while the bear walked away, alone. The negotiations had been successful. The bear had a full stomach and the hunter had a fur coat. Before making a decision to help someone or teach someone, do you first sit down with Satan to negotiate the terms on how far you will go? If we set out to do all things in the name of the Lord, why do we selfishly compromise God’s truth? Christ and His church deserve our very best and utmost loyalty. Here’s a little poem by Laura McKnight. Life without purpose is barren indeed. There can’t be a harvest, unless you plant seeds. There can’t be attainment, unless there’s a goal. A man’s just a robot, unless there’s a soul. Becoming the person God wants you to be, Means being a better Christian and living faithfully. Prayers can’t be answered, unless they are prayed. So, as a child of God, make sure you pray each day. Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health. Not just for honors, prestige and wealth, but pray as a child of God complete, One that the devil cannot beat. Pray for the joy of unselfish giving. Because great is your reward, when you make your life’s purpose the choice of the Lord. Don’t negotiate with what Jesus is preparing for you in heaven.
A woman stole a can of peaches. Her husband escorted her as she went before the judge. “Did you steal the can of peaches”, the judge asked? “Yes sir”, she replied. “Did you eat the peaches”, the judge asked? “Yes sir”, she answered. “How many peaches were in the can”, the judge inquired? “Six”, she replied. “You will spend six days in jail, one for each peach”, the judge sentenced. The husband offered, “Your Honor, she also stole and ate a can of peas.” Then there were three guys talking in the post office. Two of them were bragging about the amount of control they had over their wife, while the other remained silent. One of the two turned to the third and asked, “Well, what about you?” The third fellow said, “Just the other night my wife came to me on her hands and knees.” The first two were amazed. “What happened then ,” they inquired? “She looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘Get out from under that bed and fight like a man!’”
[Colossians 1: 3-29] A hunter raised his rifle and took careful aim at a large bear. About to pull the trigger, the bear said in a soothing voice, “Isn’t it better to talk than to shoot? What do you want? Let’s negotiate the matter.” Lowering his rifle the hunter said, “I want a fur coat.” “Good”, said the bear, “that’s a negotiable item. I only want a full stomach, so let’s sit down and negotiate a compromise.” They sat down to negotiate and in a short while the bear walked away, alone. The negotiations had been successful. The bear had a full stomach and the hunter had a fur coat. Before making a decision to help someone or teach someone, do you first sit down with Satan to negotiate the terms on how far you will go? If we set out to do all things in the name of the Lord, why do we selfishly compromise God’s truth? Christ and His church deserve our very best and utmost loyalty. Here’s a little poem by Laura McKnight. Life without purpose is barren indeed. There can’t be a harvest, unless you plant seeds. There can’t be attainment, unless there’s a goal. A man’s just a robot, unless there’s a soul. Becoming the person God wants you to be, Means being a better Christian and living faithfully. Prayers can’t be answered, unless they are prayed. So, as a child of God, make sure you pray each day. Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health. Not just for honors, prestige and wealth, but pray as a child of God complete, One that the devil cannot beat. Pray for the joy of unselfish giving. Because great is your reward, when you make your life’s purpose the choice of the Lord. Don’t negotiate with what Jesus is preparing for you in heaven.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
"Cast Down" Sheep
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little tired of 60,000 volts of static electricity shooting out of my fingers every time I exit my chair and get within a two inch proximity of anything metal. Low humidity and cool temps are the perfect brew for producing good static charges and for some reason I seem to be one of the best storage vessels looking for a place to discharge. The sparks that fly off me even have the tendency to turn off my remote controlled office radio. I only know of two ways to prevent this from happening. One is to simply stand still until the static electricity naturally dissipates, but I don’t have the time for that. The other is to have air friction discharge the static, but I don’t move that fast. So, until we get our humidity back I guess I’ll just have to remain a little more “shocking” than usual. Bad hair days too!
One day a little girl was watching her mother doing some dishes in the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had some strands of white hair, noticeably contrasting on her brunette head. She inquisitively asked, “Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?” Her mother replied, “Well, every time you do something wrong to make me cry or be unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.” The little girl thought about this revelation and then said, “Momma, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?”
We deem it strange to see a dog or cat lying on its back sound asleep, but I think they find comfort in it, much like you and I, at the end of the day. For me, I think bed rest gives the equilibrium and the neck a much needed rest after a long day of balancing life. Not so when it comes to sheep. Known as “cast down” sheep, the shepherd goes through a lot to get one back on its feet. You see, when sheep lay on their back, gas begins to collect in their stomach. It hardens the stomach, cuts off the air passage, and they suffocate. In addition to that, their legs go numb in that position. Only the shepherd can restore them. The process used by the shepherd to get the cast down sheep back on its feet is slow and takes patience. The shepherd rolls the sheep on its side and begins massaging the four legs to stimulate circulation. Then he begins to talk in a reassuring tone to the sheep, “Everything’s going to be alright. You’re going to make it.” Then he gently lifts the sheep up, and because it cannot stand on its own he’ll hold the animal there while the sheep begins to regain its equilibrium. The shepherd can see and feel the independence of the sheep gaining as blood flow returns to the legs and stability returns. When the shepherd is sure the sheep has recovered and can stand on its own, he begins his walk back to the fold, lovingly encouraging the sheep to follow him.
[Matthew 9: 9-13] Jesus indirectly compares himself to a physician having come to heal sinners. Humanity has dubbed Jesus “The Great Physician”, but I think He would rather be seen in the same light as the shepherd working with the “cast down” sheep. When you’re on your back and the emotional pain of guilt, grief and grudges are overwhelming you, will you remember that the Lord is your shepherd? He lovingly comes with tender hands and reassuring words, picks us up and sets us up straight until we get on our feet again. Then, as He leads the way, He continues to encourage us to follow Him back to the fold. …He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness, For His name’s sake. … And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Fifteen Minutes
Where does the time go? It seems like I just had a birthday and here it is again. Well, like someone said long ago, “Having birthdays sure beats the alternative”. I got to reminisce about my childhood last week with the national news reporting on the big snowfall in Oswego, New York. That’s where I grew up, and I have a sister that still lives there. I remember several such snowfalls and the challenges that came with them. I also now remember why I chose to live in South Texas. I also got to thinking about my fifteen minutes of fame. It is said that we will all experience our fifteen minutes of fame and if I’ve already had mine, I’m sure disappointed. After thinking about it for a while longer I decided that, as far as I know, there isn’t any rule against improving on the fifteen minutes that may have already slipped by. Don’t try to analyze my thoughts now. I’m not planning to do something stupid just to make the national news. I just don’t want my fifteen minutes of fame while laying in a box, you know what I mean?
I don’t guess it matters the age at when your fame surfaces, because it’s what you do that matters, not when you do it. At age 42, Ted Williams slammed a home run in his official last time at bat. Mickey Mantle, age 20, hit 23 homers his first full year in the majors. Golda Meir was 71 when she became Prime Minister of Israel. William Pitt II, was only 24 when he became Prime Minister of Great Britain. George Bernard Shaw was 71 before one of his plays was first produced while Mozart was just 7 years old when his first composition was published. Benjamin Franklin was a newspaper columnists at 16, and a framer of the United States Constitution at age 81.
I think our fifteen minutes of fame just sort of sneaks up on us and I also think we get more than one in a lifetime. Maybe we have to add up the minutes. You know, like fifteen, one minute spurts of fame over a lifetime, or thirty, thirty second proud moments, if only in your own mind. I don’t know. Here are a few things we could all do to help improve our fifteen minutes. Forget each kindness that you do, as soon as you do it. Forget the praise that falls on you, the moment you win it. Forget the slander you hear, before you can repeat it. Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer, wherever you may meet it. Remember every kindness done to you, whatever its measure. Remember praise by others won, and pass it on with pleasure. Remember every promise made, and keep it to the letter. Remember those who lend you aid, and be a grateful debtor.
[James 4: 13-14] Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that city, spend a year there, carrying on business and making money”. Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. It’s only natural that we seek recognition for the things we do in life. As for me I look forward to a lot more birthdays, all the while trying to improve on my fifteen minutes of fame. My past contains a few minutes of fame I just as soon forget and since I’ve given them all to the Lord in baptism, I know I’ve been forgiven of them and they won’t ever again be accredited to my time on earth. I, nor anyone else, have any idea what tomorrow will bring. So for this fifteen minutes I’m going to please God, then the next fifteen, and then fifteen more. I will study God’s Word to learn how to do it better the next fifteen minutes, till comes my day in the box.
I don’t guess it matters the age at when your fame surfaces, because it’s what you do that matters, not when you do it. At age 42, Ted Williams slammed a home run in his official last time at bat. Mickey Mantle, age 20, hit 23 homers his first full year in the majors. Golda Meir was 71 when she became Prime Minister of Israel. William Pitt II, was only 24 when he became Prime Minister of Great Britain. George Bernard Shaw was 71 before one of his plays was first produced while Mozart was just 7 years old when his first composition was published. Benjamin Franklin was a newspaper columnists at 16, and a framer of the United States Constitution at age 81.
I think our fifteen minutes of fame just sort of sneaks up on us and I also think we get more than one in a lifetime. Maybe we have to add up the minutes. You know, like fifteen, one minute spurts of fame over a lifetime, or thirty, thirty second proud moments, if only in your own mind. I don’t know. Here are a few things we could all do to help improve our fifteen minutes. Forget each kindness that you do, as soon as you do it. Forget the praise that falls on you, the moment you win it. Forget the slander you hear, before you can repeat it. Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer, wherever you may meet it. Remember every kindness done to you, whatever its measure. Remember praise by others won, and pass it on with pleasure. Remember every promise made, and keep it to the letter. Remember those who lend you aid, and be a grateful debtor.
[James 4: 13-14] Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that city, spend a year there, carrying on business and making money”. Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. It’s only natural that we seek recognition for the things we do in life. As for me I look forward to a lot more birthdays, all the while trying to improve on my fifteen minutes of fame. My past contains a few minutes of fame I just as soon forget and since I’ve given them all to the Lord in baptism, I know I’ve been forgiven of them and they won’t ever again be accredited to my time on earth. I, nor anyone else, have any idea what tomorrow will bring. So for this fifteen minutes I’m going to please God, then the next fifteen, and then fifteen more. I will study God’s Word to learn how to do it better the next fifteen minutes, till comes my day in the box.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Ouch!!
Do you learn from your mistakes? I generally do, but it normally takes me three or four times before I get the point. It’s not that I want to make the same stupid decisions over and over again, its just that the human mind rationalizes that if you do something that has failed in the past a different way, the results will be favorable. We don’t even listen to experience half the time. “Don’t touch that, it’s hot!”; “Get down before you fall!”; “Slow down! You’re going to kill us all!”. Yeh, right. I’ve got full control here, not to worry. I’m not proud to tell you for many years I pointed my finger at others knowing what was right for them, all the while I was probably in worse condition than they. The human is so self serving it is willing to do most anything to “feel good”. A news report just the other night warned of a new twist on mind altering drugs aimed at our children. Methamphetamines, if you’re not very well versed about them, in my opinion, are equivalent to drinking a glass of gasoline while smoking a cigarette. If that doesn’t bother you, dealers are now adding a strawberry flavoring to their concoction hoping to hook an even younger group, which seems to have an endless flow of cash these days. We’re not learning from our mistakes, so neither can our children. Ouch!
A woman was a half a block from her home when she was stopped by the police. After pulling to the curb she wondered why she was being stopped. The patrolman asked to see her license and proof of insurance. Striking up a conversation the woman stated, “I’m so happy to see a greater presence of police patrol in our neighborhood. I’ve been complaining about the speeders flying up and down our streets for months now.” The patrolman replied, “Oh, in that case madam I’m pleased to report to you, we’ve just caught one of them.” Ouch! Are you a perpetrator of your own complaints?
A little shoeshine boy with ragged clothes and worn out shoes was shining the shoes of a wealthy man one day. While he worked he quietly sang, “Jesus loves me, This I know…” The man stopped the boy and asked, “If Jesus loves you so much, why doesn’t He tell some people to buy you some new shoes and better clothes?” The little boy looked up at his customer with tears in his eyes and replied, “Jesus did tell them mister, but I guess they just forgot.” Ouch! I guess we’re just too busy taking care of ourselves.
[Jeremiah 8: 4-17] Can we learn from the past? Should we try to learn from the past? If you have cause to want to go to heaven, you better learn from the past. In His infinite wisdom, God has seen to the preservation of the growth of His people. We know it as the Old Testament. In his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10: 1-13), Paul states to the brethren that the recorded lessons of their forefathers are for their benefit, that they too may not fall into the same condition, finding themselves destroyed in the end. I find it comforting that God, like any good parent, gives us good examples of what not to do in this life, in order that He would be pleased with our service. And let’s understand one thing here. Satan is the underlying cause of all that is bad and wrong in this world. Built into obedience to Satan are automatic consequences, not as a direct punishment brought by God, but as the inherent results of sin. You cannot live wrong and die right. You cannot sow to the flesh and reap spiritual things. You cannot think wrong and live right. You cannot do the Devil’s work and draw God’s pay. Ouch!
A woman was a half a block from her home when she was stopped by the police. After pulling to the curb she wondered why she was being stopped. The patrolman asked to see her license and proof of insurance. Striking up a conversation the woman stated, “I’m so happy to see a greater presence of police patrol in our neighborhood. I’ve been complaining about the speeders flying up and down our streets for months now.” The patrolman replied, “Oh, in that case madam I’m pleased to report to you, we’ve just caught one of them.” Ouch! Are you a perpetrator of your own complaints?
A little shoeshine boy with ragged clothes and worn out shoes was shining the shoes of a wealthy man one day. While he worked he quietly sang, “Jesus loves me, This I know…” The man stopped the boy and asked, “If Jesus loves you so much, why doesn’t He tell some people to buy you some new shoes and better clothes?” The little boy looked up at his customer with tears in his eyes and replied, “Jesus did tell them mister, but I guess they just forgot.” Ouch! I guess we’re just too busy taking care of ourselves.
[Jeremiah 8: 4-17] Can we learn from the past? Should we try to learn from the past? If you have cause to want to go to heaven, you better learn from the past. In His infinite wisdom, God has seen to the preservation of the growth of His people. We know it as the Old Testament. In his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10: 1-13), Paul states to the brethren that the recorded lessons of their forefathers are for their benefit, that they too may not fall into the same condition, finding themselves destroyed in the end. I find it comforting that God, like any good parent, gives us good examples of what not to do in this life, in order that He would be pleased with our service. And let’s understand one thing here. Satan is the underlying cause of all that is bad and wrong in this world. Built into obedience to Satan are automatic consequences, not as a direct punishment brought by God, but as the inherent results of sin. You cannot live wrong and die right. You cannot sow to the flesh and reap spiritual things. You cannot think wrong and live right. You cannot do the Devil’s work and draw God’s pay. Ouch!
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Enjoy Your Coffee
Ahhh, sunshine. I’m glad to see some of it today for it’s been several gloomy days without it. We sort of take the sun for granite, expecting it to always be there and when the clouds deprive us of it light and warmth we tend to get a little testy and lazy, for this is the time of year when we see less of it and that has a way of wearing us down. Have you ever noticed how we kind of take on the attributes of the day? Cloudy, cold , windy , rainy days have a tendency to pull us down into a depressing mood about everything and too many days of that in a row can really hurt productivity. Then the sunshine breaks through and we sort of pop-up out of our wasteland, wanting to go conquer something. Yes, how the day is dressed is how we dress for the day, but as for me, I’m trying real hard to check my attitude as I enter the day to make it sunny for myself, and others too.
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit an old university professor . The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups – porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal; some plain-looking, some expensive and some exquisite – telling them to help themselves to the coffee. After all his guests had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said, “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, THAT is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it’s just more expensive and in some cases it merely hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and then began eyeing each others cups. Now consider this. Life is coffee, and the jobs, houses, cars, things, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us. God brews great coffee, but does not make the cups. Enjoy your coffee.”
[2 Peter 1: 3-15] There are those who feel that God has short changed them in this world. Well, I’m afraid they don’t understand that Gods plans for this world are not to make it any better than it is already, but in fact to destroy it. Here, Peter is reminding us who we are. God has provided us with everything we need to live in this world, not to conquer the world, but to escape from it, and it’s evil desires. Once we truly understand that we are first spirit and second flesh, then we will want to “participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world”. When we come to the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and that He has delivered us from the clutches of the evil one, then we need to start concentrating on the promises offered by God. Peter says, we must add to our faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. We can’t always have sunshine in our lives, but I can testify to this: If you work on adding to your faith every day in all that you do, you will have SON shine in your life every day in every way. Enjoy the coffee (LIFE).
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit an old university professor . The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups – porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal; some plain-looking, some expensive and some exquisite – telling them to help themselves to the coffee. After all his guests had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said, “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, THAT is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it’s just more expensive and in some cases it merely hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and then began eyeing each others cups. Now consider this. Life is coffee, and the jobs, houses, cars, things, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us. God brews great coffee, but does not make the cups. Enjoy your coffee.”
[2 Peter 1: 3-15] There are those who feel that God has short changed them in this world. Well, I’m afraid they don’t understand that Gods plans for this world are not to make it any better than it is already, but in fact to destroy it. Here, Peter is reminding us who we are. God has provided us with everything we need to live in this world, not to conquer the world, but to escape from it, and it’s evil desires. Once we truly understand that we are first spirit and second flesh, then we will want to “participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world”. When we come to the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and that He has delivered us from the clutches of the evil one, then we need to start concentrating on the promises offered by God. Peter says, we must add to our faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. We can’t always have sunshine in our lives, but I can testify to this: If you work on adding to your faith every day in all that you do, you will have SON shine in your life every day in every way. Enjoy the coffee (LIFE).
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Paradise Not Lost
I went to visit an old friend the other night. Just a few years older than I and a great influence on the direction my life has taken over the years, I’ve known Ed since my teens. After being drafted into the armed forces and serving four years, each time I was home on leave I told him I had found paradise in South Texas and had no thoughts of returning to the snow country. About a year after my discharge I received a phone call from Ed asking if I could help him out as he was broke down in a little place called Pflugerville, just north of Austin. He had suffered some great financial problems, so headed for paradise with his wife and six children. Well, to make another long story short, he and I partnered up in business for a while until I was faced with great difficulties in my life. After a seven year relationship I moved on. Because of Ed, I had the courage to open my own business which ran for nearly twenty years. I kept loose track of Ed and his family for all this time knowing he lost three of his children in an auto accident and for the last five years he had been fighting cancer. He had found paradise, for he made a good living and lived his dream of building and showing hotrods and custom cars. I went to the funeral home to see him one last time and he looked good.
We live in an age of specialists, and their presence complicates life. Who hasn’t heard of the maid who proudly proclaims, “I don’t do windows!” No longer can you just go to the doctor; you must find, or be referred to, one who treats exactly what ails you. There are doctors who treat feet, those who work on the head, those who work on the nerves, and doctors who are specialists for almost every part of the body. Believe it or not, such specialization has entered even the realm of “faith healing”. It seems a faith healer came to town one day and a woman came to him with a kidney disorder. Following his prayer of healing, she began jumping around on the platform stage, rejoicing over her “cure”. She became so excited, she fell off the platform and broke her leg. When someone suggested that an ambulance be called another remarked, “No need for that. Get the preacher to heal her.” When everyone turned to him, his reply was, “I don’t do broken bones, just vital organs.” One of those things that make you go, Hmmm.
[Revelation 2:7] I must have been pretty convincing to get Ed to move his life to Texas thirty years ago. But, I also believe that God leads us and sees that we get to the places where He wants us to be, doing the things He wants us to do. Ed and I, and our families, were influenced and brought to the Lord by God fearing people in the ‘70’s. I came to the Lord in baptism first and he a few years later. The devil sifted each of us to see just how strong we were and to see if he could stop our growth in the faith. I’ve got to tell you, the devil is a mean, sorry, evil being, not wanting to lose a single soul and it seems he’ll do anything to discourage anyone from coming to the Lord. He changed both of us, but our faith kept us strong. I don’t want to discourage anyone, but get ready for trials and temptation to come your way testing your new found belief in Christ. If you’ve become convinced that there is a place called paradise, and Jesus is waiting there to show you a better life, then leave everything behind and move. I’ll tell you right now, it won’t be easy, but resist the devil and he will flee from you. I try to convince people daily there is a place called paradise and I want to see them, and Ed, there again one day.
We live in an age of specialists, and their presence complicates life. Who hasn’t heard of the maid who proudly proclaims, “I don’t do windows!” No longer can you just go to the doctor; you must find, or be referred to, one who treats exactly what ails you. There are doctors who treat feet, those who work on the head, those who work on the nerves, and doctors who are specialists for almost every part of the body. Believe it or not, such specialization has entered even the realm of “faith healing”. It seems a faith healer came to town one day and a woman came to him with a kidney disorder. Following his prayer of healing, she began jumping around on the platform stage, rejoicing over her “cure”. She became so excited, she fell off the platform and broke her leg. When someone suggested that an ambulance be called another remarked, “No need for that. Get the preacher to heal her.” When everyone turned to him, his reply was, “I don’t do broken bones, just vital organs.” One of those things that make you go, Hmmm.
[Revelation 2:7] I must have been pretty convincing to get Ed to move his life to Texas thirty years ago. But, I also believe that God leads us and sees that we get to the places where He wants us to be, doing the things He wants us to do. Ed and I, and our families, were influenced and brought to the Lord by God fearing people in the ‘70’s. I came to the Lord in baptism first and he a few years later. The devil sifted each of us to see just how strong we were and to see if he could stop our growth in the faith. I’ve got to tell you, the devil is a mean, sorry, evil being, not wanting to lose a single soul and it seems he’ll do anything to discourage anyone from coming to the Lord. He changed both of us, but our faith kept us strong. I don’t want to discourage anyone, but get ready for trials and temptation to come your way testing your new found belief in Christ. If you’ve become convinced that there is a place called paradise, and Jesus is waiting there to show you a better life, then leave everything behind and move. I’ll tell you right now, it won’t be easy, but resist the devil and he will flee from you. I try to convince people daily there is a place called paradise and I want to see them, and Ed, there again one day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)