Saturday, November 17, 2007

Looking Back

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 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.