Chewing Our Cud

Another new year and, as most of us do, time for a little self-examination, thinking about the year passed and just what sort of changes in our life, and/or lifestyle, we could implement that would make this year, 2009, the best ever. Well, if it’s like any other year the majority of us will find ourselves doing pretty much the same thing next month as we were doing last month. Change is difficult and major lifestyle changes, which we tend to try to put ourselves through, is nearly impossible. A well thought out plan is always best for change and the slow methodical implementation of that plan generally brings about favorable success. But, if you’re the sort of person that’s happy chewing the cud of last year, January 26th is your day. It’s the Chinese New Year and this will be the year of the Ox. Everybody knows what a cud is, right? When a cow grazes it fills it’s first stomach with grasses and feeds, then settles down in a quiet place and brings up that which has been eaten, so that it can chew it more fully, preparing it for proper digestion. The regurgitated food is called cud. Probably the worse thing we can do for ourselves in the New Year is to sit around chewing on unpleasant experiences of the past. Bringing up the past is not good for our digestive system, or our blood-pressure. If you do nothing better for yourself this year, resolve issues of dissension. Get happy with yourself.
The young graduate asked the elderly farmer, “Which is correct: Is the hen setting or is the hen sitting?” The old farmer replied rather slowly, “Don’t matter! What’s important is, is the hen laying or is the hen lying.”
The Bible teacher asked, “If I sold my house and my car and gave the money to the church, would that get me into heaven?” “NO!”, shouted all the students. “If I clean the church building and mow the yard every week”, he asked, “would that get me into heaven?” Again the class yelled out in unison, “NO!” “Okay”, the teacher continued, “if I were kind to all the animals, gave candy to the children, and loved my wife more, would that get me into heaven?” The answer again, “NO!” “Well”, the teacher insisted, “then how can I get into heaven?” A five-year-old boy shouted, “You gotta be dead!”
[Psalm 119: 97-112] I suppose the “cud chewing” process could be disgusting to some. Here’s a little “food for thought” from a disciple of Christ. I think too many people approach God’s Word as a fast food item, you know, show up to worship once a week, maybe twice a year, quickly gobble something down, then go about their business. That’s not very nourishing and most such dieters simply get fat on what they think they know about God. The Word of God needs to be approached as a feast. We need to fill ourselves, as often as possible, with its goodness and then find a quiet time and place to “bring it back up” and “chew on it” for a while. Go to a dictionary and you’ll find a human application to “chewing the cud”. It relates to meditation: to consider; to mull over. Throughout Psalm 119 the poet speaks repeatedly of the spiritual value of meditation – what one scholar, perhaps with the cud chewing cow in mind, called mental mastication. We live in a society dominated by the demand for instant gratification, fast food and quick fixes. The people of God need to promote a calmer, quieter, more reflective approach to life. Let us fill our innermost parts with spiritual food and take the time to chew and re-chew this life-sustaining feast from God’s lush pasture, His Word.

Knight Or Lord?

Chivalry is described as a medieval system of knighthood; knightly qualities, bravery, courtesy, respect for woman. True knighthood, professional military officers, only lasted less than one hundred years as leaders of cavalry forces. The knight grew to be what was described as a moving fortress, with his armor developing from reinforced leather to sheets of molded metals. Well anyway, with the introduction of gunpowder and advanced infantry strategies, the knight was just getting in the way of the battle and soon found himself out of a job. The warrior may be gone, but knighthood, in a sense, still exists as an honor bestowed upon those found to highly possess the aptitudes of chivalry. Now, I’m no knight in shining armor, nor a Romeo romantic, but I tend to think that bravery, courtesy and respect for women courses in my veins enough I’ve not been domed to a life of wimp-hood. What I really want to know is, what happened to the door lock on the passenger side of our automobiles? How’s a man suppose to shine his chivalry when he can’t even open the door for his wife anymore? Even the little remote pushbutton door unlocker thingy doesn’t unlock any door but the drivers. Then the rest of the doors have to be manually unlocked from the drivers door. First they took away the bench seat, whereupon you just slid your girlfriend in on the drivers side, put in bucket seats, and now in the name of paranoiac security we have to leave our loved one out in the open, unattended, while we unlock the doors. What’s this world coming to?
A group of women were debating what constituted the perfect man. You would have thought they would decide on some actor or athlete or even a wealthy tycoon. They decided that the perfect man was Mr. Potato Head. They gave four reasons for their conclusion. He’s tan; he’s cute; he knows the importance of accessorizing; and if he looks at another woman you can rearrange his face. Now, that’s just not right!!
My father said he didn’t like women who drive from the back seat. My mother said back-seat-drivers were no worse than men who cook from the dining room table.
[John 14:6] Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus came into the world “to seek and save what was lost”. (Luke 19:10) His salvation is offered to all without distinction. Christ invites the poor, the oppressed, peoples of all nations, Jews and Gentiles, all to be saved in exactly the same way. Slaves and masters stand as equals in His sight. (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 14:21-23; Acts 10:1-11:18; Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:28) Though He has assigned men and women their respective roles, He treats them both as fellow heirs of the grace of life. (1 Peter 3:7) Is Jesus your knight in shining armor? Do you see Him sitting on a white horse, “Defender Of Righteousness”? Maybe that’s why people are looking to religion as “out dated” and needing revision. Jesus is much more than a knight. Peter said, “He is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which he must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12) Paul said, “...God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow ...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Jesus is Lord, Ruler, over all things. (Hebrews 1:1-4) Jesus has unlocked and opened the door to salvation.

The Bride of Christ

My wife, Paula, and I recently celebrated our twenty-third year together traveling through life. We’ve had our ups and downs the same as any marriage, but our devotion to one another and the lifestyle we have built has been a good bond for our love. I’m not a dominant, but I do worry when she’s a little more than a few minutes past an expected rendezvous time. We don’t always think the same or agree on everything, but being tolerant and compromising generally keeps peace under the roof of our humble home. We owe nothing to nobody, except that which we choose to spend, of which Paula has always been very frugal, the only reason I have anything today. I joke that I started with nothing and still have most of it, but have to admit, if it weren’t for my wife I’d probably be a worthless bum. It’s true, behind every good man, there’s an encouraging woman.
Comedian, Red Skelton, had some pretty good tips for a happy marriage. He used his own wedded bliss as an example. “Two times a week we’d go to a nice restaurant, have a soft drink, then some good food and companionship. She goes on Tuesdays and I’d go on Fridays. ...We also sleep in different beds. Hers is in Ontario and mine is in Tucson. ...I used to take my wife everywhere, but she always found he way back. I once asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. ‘Somewhere I haven’t been in a long time’, she said. So I suggested the kitchen. ...We still hold hands when we’re together. If I let go, she goes shopping. ...The last fight we had was all my fault. My wife asked, ‘What’s on the TV?’ I said, ‘Dust’. ...Actually, I haven’t talked to my wife in eighteen months. I don’t like to interrupt her. ...I have to admit, I married Miss Right. I just didn’t know her first name was Always. ...Remember this; marriage is the number one cause of divorce, and statistically, 100% of all divorces begin with marriage.”
Because of a shortage of maids in the area, a minister’s wife advertised for a manservant. The next morning the minister answered the door to find a neatly dressed young man standing before him. Already late for an appointment the minister fired off some questions, “Can you start breakfast by 7 a.m.?” “I guess so”, answered the man. “Can you polish all the silver, wash all the dishes, do the laundry, take care of the lawn, wash windows, iron clothes, and keep the house neat and tidy?” “Well”, said the young man, “I came here to ask if you would perform my upcoming wedding, but if marriage is going to be as much work as all that, you can count me out right now!”
[Ephesians 5: 22-33] Marriage is not to be taken lightly. “Two shall become one” means leaving a lot of ones former life behind. Thus, Paul lifting up the church as the bride of Christ is very fitting. Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Why can’t we understand the concept of giving up our lusts for the world when we become one with Christ through baptism and become a part of the church? (Romans 6: 3-8 & Galatians 3:27) Lifestyle changes must be implemented when entering into a physical marriage for it to become profitable and productive, and so it must also be, when giving yourself to the church, the world must be left behind. We have taken on the name of Christ, as in marriage – Christian. Christ is the head over one spiritual body (the church), as the man is the head of the house in a physical marriage, as designed by God. The church is expected to be productive. Are you bringing lost souls to God’s saving grace?

Boasting & Bragging

To boast is to brag; speak proudly of; to possess with pride. Have you ever bragged on something just to see it go sour right before your eyes? I think we’ve all had that happen once or twice in our lifetime. We’ll go to braggin’ on our children or grand-children just to have them disappoint us by getting into some sort of unexpected trouble. We brag about our job and how long we’ve been employed at a certain company only the get laid off the next week. We tend to boast about our fine homes, just to open the door one day to find the hot water heater had bust, flooding the whole house. I guess the classic subject is how we boast about our automobiles. Just about the time we tell someone, “It’s been a good one. I’ve maintained it well and it’s never let me down. I tell ya, if dies tomorrow, it doesn’t owe me a thing.” And then it dies! Sometimes I think we jinx the things we brag on. I was braggin’ on my van the other day, how it turned over two hundred thousand miles and I wasn’t afraid to take it anywhere with confidence. In fact I drove it to Houston for Thanksgiving dinner without a thought of it breaking down. Ya, well, two days later the transmission, without warning, exploded. Having been rebuilt only less than three years ago, a part inside simply decided to give up, rendering itself useless. Of course the vehicle we love when functional, is the same one we want to fire a bazooka at when it’s broke down. Mother said there’d be days like this.
At a banquet a man complained his false teeth were hurting him. The diner to his left looked intently at his face, then reached for his briefcase on the floor beside him, opened it and produced a denture plate, “Here”, he said to his fellow diner, “try these.” “No , they’re too tight”, replied the other, whereupon the kind gentleman exchanged that denture for another. “Well then, try these”, he insisted. The second denture fit perfectly. After the meal, while returning the teeth, the man said to his benefactor, “Those teeth fit beautifully. You a dentist?” “Nope!” was his answer, “Undertaker.”
The minister had been invited back to dinner after coming two months prior. Immediately after giving thanks for the food one of the children at the table said, “Ya know what? That’s the first time we’ve said grace since you ate with us before.”
Sanitary hot-air driers were installed in the church building restrooms, but were removed two weeks later. When asked why, the preacher confessed they worked great but he found a sign hanging on the one in the men’s room that read, “For a sample of next weeks sermon, push the button.”
[2 Corinthians 10 & 11] (NIV) Paul has a lot to say about boasting. Paul says he himself must be careful not to boast about himself, and his work, that people might think he’s somebody. And in the same way, not to boast about someone else and their work, too much, that his boasting might destroy them and their work. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he instructs that we are saved by grace through faith “...it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2: 8-9) James says that when we boast and brag on ourselves, such boasting is evil. (James 4:13-16) Paul says, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (2 Cor. 10: 17-18) The broken transmission belongs to God, not me. If it be God’s will, it’ll soon be back on the road, doing His good work.

Working On The Temple

I pray everyone had a happy and joyous Thanksgiving Day with friends and family. It’s just not the same celebration as when I was growing up, yet it is. I mean, Thanksgiving is still the kick-off weekend for the holiday season, but the reverence and the true thought of “giving thanks” seems to be fading into the shadows of commerce more and more every year. It was nearly a crime to do business on Thanksgiving Day in the 50’s, but today the family is ever-more-so being dragged apart with members protecting their employment by having to work away from home. It used to be that a holiday decoration was never seen before Thanksgiving, but now it seems the first of November isn’t early enough for some. It’s also the day children are to have their Christmas gift wish lists ready for distribution. One small boy was giving his lists to his parents with the following instructions: “Fax this list to Santa; Email this list to God and I want to talk direct to Grandma.” Most kids still know who really butters their bread when it comes to getting what they want. An end run around mom and dad, touchdown! Don’t let them try to fool ya, grandparents love their job and only wish they could have had their grandchildren first. Spoil them rotten with love, then send them home.
A six-year-old was asked where his grandmother lived. “Oh”, he said, “She lives at the airport and when we want her, we just go get her. Then when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”
Two young boys were spending the night at their grandmother’s house. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers. The youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs, “I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE. I PRAY FOR A NEW PLAY STATION. I PRAY FOR A NEW DVD...” His older brother leaned over and nudged him saying, “Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn’t deaf ya know!” The younger replied with confidence, “No, but grandma is!”
[Haggai 1: 2-11] After 70 years of captivity, God graciously allowed the Israelites to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. In Ezra 3:10, the work began with great joy. Soon afterward though, the Israelites let adversities stop the work and the temple of God remained barren and desolate. The message God sent through Haggai was: “Consider your ways!” The Israelites were willing to put forth for themselves, but not for God. Are we like the Israelites? Where are our priorities? “Do you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3: 16-17) The coming holiday season is a strange time of the year. That’s when people celebrate the birth of the “Prince Of Peace” by buying toy guns, video games full of violence, disrespect for others and the glorification of illegal activity, cell phones for secret texting and an array of “look at me” clothing accessories. Are we spoiling our children by giving into their every want and desire, or are we destroying the temple of God? Are we “providing” for ourselves when we spend more time on our houses, lawns and cars than we spend on God’s work, or are we destroying the temple of God? Why are we having so much trouble in life lately? Is God holding back because we’re not working on the temple? I think so. Read Haggai again and decide for yourself.

Are You Sleeping Well?

I’m hearing from friends and family concerning the recent financial problems across the country and around the world. Some are being laid off at their place of employment and others have watched their employer simply shut the doors to businesses decades old. Others are now well-aware that their debt far surpasses their means to pay it off, as their average income dwindles. It’s hard times for those who have not been living within their means and a pay-as-you-go plan. I seriously believe this crisis would have been avoided if our lawmakers and representatives of the people, state and federal, had to actually follow the rules and laws they themselves impose on the rest of us. Somehow I think they would have seen this coming if they actually had to buy their own gas, and car, life and health insurance, or deal with a banker, or Freddy and Fanny for a roof over their head. Have you ever heard of a retired elected official living off Social Security and Medi-Care? Ain’t gonna happen. But if they had to, things would be a lot different.
A farmer owned some land along the Atlantic seacoast and constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic coast, dreading the awful storms that raged there, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops. One day a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. “Are you a good farm hand?” asked the farmer. “Well, I can sleep when the wind blows”, answered the little man. Puzzled by his answer, the farmer desperate for help, hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk. The farmer was well pleased with the man’s work. Then one night the wind began to howl loudly, a storm was coming in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired man’s sleeping quarters. He shook the little man, “Get up! A storm is coming! We must get things tied down before they blow away!” The little man rolled over in his bed and firmly said, “No sir! I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.” Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all the haystacks had already been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured, everything was tied down; nothing could blow away. The farmer understood what his hired man meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.
[2 Timothy 3] Those who are prepared, spiritually, mentally and physically, have nothing to fear in this life. The hired man in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. Are you sleeping well? Can you sleep while stormy winds howl through your life? You can. Security in the storms of life is accomplished by grounding ones self in the Word of God. If we all could hold true to the fruit of the spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5: 22-26), our needs would always hold priority over our wants, keeping our lives in a manageable order, even in the midst of a storm. The world wants you to have the newest and the best, which overpowers your need for God. God has promised eternal security and has prepared a place of rest for those who are prepared. Do you comfort yourself in God’s will for man? Can you sleep when the wind blows?

Foul Smelling

A man came into my office the other day looking for advise. He explained to me how he has seen a change in his son and felt that he was really serious about confronting his problem with alcohol abuse. I’ll be the first one to tell you I’ve been there, done that, and ain’t going back, so whenever someone else has decided to give it up I’m there to help and encourage. The father talked about some of the things that were going on with his son which rattled a lot of old dead bones in my closet. Memories better forgotten, but valuable lessons that can be shared with others looking to change their lifestyle. A lot of people in my life tried to show me the ways of my errors, but nothing changes a person until that person decides in his own mind that change is needed. Even when my alcohol soaked body and mind started to fail me, family, friends and customers started to shun me, my false sense of being 7 foot tall and bullet-proof kept me traveling on the road to destruction. We always think we have things under control even when we know very well we are out of control. One day I finally came to my senses as I had been observing others around me, living the same lifestyle, throwing away their life for one more drink. I discovered I had too much to lose and a lot more life to experience in sober love.
Charlie was 15 and was sure he knew everything there was to know about life in the country. He had a way with creatures of the wild and thought he had a gift for taming them. His old father on several occasions warned Charlie not to fool with skunks, but the boy just smiled and dismissed the warning as valueless. One day while crossing a field his eye spotted a beautiful skunk. Confident in his ability with wildlife, Charlie carefully approached the striped kitty. The creature was enthralled as the boy advanced toward him on all fours, cooing and speaking softly. This assured Charlie of his gift and inflated his confidence. Finally he was within two feet of the exotic creature. Slowly he reached out to stroke the fur of the lovely animal, but somehow something went terribly wrong. In an instant the little animal wheeled around, raised its tail and plastered Charlie with its horrible, foul smelling spray. In an instant, Charlie not only found out he had overestimated his skill with animals, he was so tainted with the skunk’s sickening aroma, he was suddenly a man without a home or friends. His mother wouldn’t let him in the house, he had to sleep in the barn. He couldn’t go to school nor did his friends want to be around him, even his girlfriend fled when he approached her. Poor Charlie. Too bad he was not smart enough to take his dad’s advise.
[James 4: 1-12] The wisdom of our heavenly Father likewise goes unheeded too often, resulting in the world turning on us and spraying the terrible, foul smelling, odor of sin and shame on us. (v.7) “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (v. 8) Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James says we must change our worldly laughter to mourning and our worldly joy to gloom. We must humble ourselves before the Lord and He, not the world, will lift us up. Yeh, I thought full participation in the world was making me happy, yet at the same time I knew it was deceiving me. The more I take to heart the advise of my heavenly Father, found in His Word, the Bible, the easier life becomes and I have no need to seek any substitute for the comforts I have living the Christian lifestyle. Seek heavenly things first.

Who's In Charge?

“Take me to your leader!” Remember the years of science fiction movies where the alien from outer space demanded to meet with a leader? I often wondered how the alien knew the person they were talking to wasn’t who they were looking for. I consider myself somewhat a leader, but in my lifetime one thing’s for sure, I’m glad for the leaders we have had over the years in this country. I’ve experienced some mighty anxious times in the past, what we now call “historical moments in time”. Just some of the things that come to mind are; the Great Northeast Blackout in 1965, where I grew up; the Assassination of President Kennedy, Nov. 22 1963, a very solemn Thanksgiving that year; Equal Rights Movements, over the years, some good, some not so good; Urban Riots, a very ugly time; Sputnik; Communism, it’s rise and fall; the Atomic Bomb Era; the Race to the Moon, which wasn’t a race at all; Vietnam and now it’s brother Iraq; the Berlin Wall; the loss of two NASA Shuttles; 9-11; and of course our present World Wide Financial Crisis. I’ve really only touched the hem of the historical garment, but it’s a reminder that as a people we’ve survived history, moving on to make more history, in spite of ourselves. I think sometimes the only lessons we learn from history is how to stick our necks out farther, thumbing our nose at the possibility of losing our head, all the while playing chicken with the guillotine operator. Just who is in charge, anyway?
[1 Timothy 2: 1-2] “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intersession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” I received an email from a friend the day after the elections reminding me of just who I am and who’s in charge. It’s a very well thought out and written essay by a minister of the gospel, Randy Missildine. I want to share a few thoughts from it, and if you wish to read his entire column, I have it posted on my blog. It’s entitled, “Where Do We Go From Here?”. The national election for the next president of the United States has been decided and with mixed emotions some citizens are elated and some disappointed, but all are asking, “What’s going to happen now?” and “What does the future hold?”. As a Christian, where do I go from here, what do I do now? If you’re worried about what decisions the new president will make, what policies he will try to enact, what direction he will take this country in, then pray for him. PRAY HARD! Pray the president and the congress will look to God for guidance, the they will seek to do His will. And remember this one thing. God is still in control. Some think we are looking into the depths of God’s wrath on this country for the evil we have allowed to blossom over recent decades. Maybe so, I don’t know. Read your Bible and you’ll discover God has in the past allowed bad things to happen to accomplish His will. If God is indeed bringing punishment upon this nation, faithful Christians may suffer some of the consequences. The righteous often suffer with the unrighteous, but Christians must be faithful. Our leaders are appointed of God. Read God’s will on this matter, (Romans 13: 1-7 & 1 Peter 2: 13-17). It doesn’t matter who the president is, who’s in congress or even what kind of government we have. Our first loyalty is to God and his will. We should never be afraid of what the future holds, rather rejoice over our future reward, (2 Timothy 4:8). Pray, Pray, Pray.

Where Do We Go From Here?

I received this in my e-mail the other day and it sure reminded me of who I am!!
Thought you might find these words encouraging from a brother in Christ.


Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2008, 2:45 PM
Where Do We Go From Here?
November 5, 2008

Before you read this, I have two favors to ask. Number one, please read the entire piece. I know it’s a little long, and you may disagree with some of what I say, but I believe it’s worth your time. Number two, pause, take a deep breath, and say a prayer of thanks to God. Thank Him for His love for you. Thank Him for sending His Son to die for your sins. Thank Him for allowing you to be His child and to be called “Christian.” And thank Him for His bountiful blessings that He showers us with each and every day. Go ahead, pray right now. I’ll wait.

So…, the election is over and a winner has been declared. Some of you are very happy and joyful right now. Some of you are unhappy and upset. In fact, some of you are downright afraid. It’s been there a while, that fear, even before the election. I’ve seen it in your faces, heard it in your voices. You worried what would happen if it turned out the way you didn’t want. You fretted over the future with a leader you didn’t want. Now that the results are in, it seems your fears are confirmed and you are imagining the worst. “What’s going to happen now?” and “What does the future hold?” are questions that you’re groping to find the answers to. As Christians, where do we go from here? What do we do?

1. We pray. Many of us have been praying since the campaigning started last year. We’ve prayed that the right man would be chosen; that the man chosen would seek God’s face and wisdom as he leads. Why should we stop doing that now? The Holy Spirit teaches us to pray for our leaders and all in authority. "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,"- I Timothy 2:1-3

If you’re worried about what decisions the new president will make, what policies he will try to enact, what direction he will take this country in, then pray for him! Pray hard. Pray that the president and the congress will look to God for guidance, that they will seek to do His will. Some of you may even be viewing the new president (and congress and governors, etc.) as an enemy; diametrically opposed to everything you believe in and stand for. Jesus teaches us to “love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you”.- (Matthew 5:44) So keep praying. If you believe the new president isn’t the kind of man he needs to be, pray that he will change. Pray that he will be shown the truth, that he will accept it and live and govern and lead as God would have him to. We’ve also prayed that God’s will would be done in all things. We have the results. Do we accept that as God’s will? If we practice what we preach, we should. And we should pray that we continue to accept His will in all things (Matthew 6:10; 26:42). Pray, pray, pray.

2. We remember that God is in control. If we accept that what has happened is God’s will, then we realize that He’s in control. “… for God is King of all the earth.”- Psalm 47:7 God’s plan has been working since day one, even when humans tried to mess it up. (See Genesis 3) Realizing that God is in control means we need to remember that God often uses what we would consider “bad things” to accomplish His will. Joseph was sold into slavery (a bad thing) in order to save his family later (a good thing) and preserve the lineage of the Messiah (a great thing). God used the enemies of His people to attack and kill many of them (a bad thing) in order to bring them back to God (a good thing). Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross (a horrible thing) in order to save us from our sins (the most wonderful thing of all). Maybe (and I mean maybe, because I don’t know the future nor the immediate plans of God) God is trying to give us a “wake up call” as He often did to the Israelites. Perhaps God’s patience has run out and He intends to punish this nation for its sinfulness. I don’t know, but if so, remember He’s still in control. And, if that punishment does come…

3. We will not be afraid. God may very well want and need to punish this nation. For many years now, this country has been steadily moving away from God and more towards sin and Satan. But as Christians, as those trying to follow His will, as those who have committed their lives to living for Him, we should not be afraid because He has promised to take care of us and be with us. “Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”- Joshua 1:9

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”- Isaiah 41:10

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don't worry about tomorrow,… ”- Matthew 6:33-34a

“...for He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ Therefore, we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’”- Hebrews 13:5b-6

“...And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”- Matthew 28:20b

If God does indeed punish this nation, faithful Christians may suffer some of the consequences. The righteous often suffer with the unrighteous. But we should never be afraid of what the future holds. Rather we should rejoice over our future reward. “In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.”- 2 Timothy 4:8

4. Pray for forgiveness and for the nation to return to God. If God brings (or is already bringing) punishment on this nation for its sins, we need to once again hit our knees and pray. Pray that God would turn His wrath away from this nation. (See Psalm 106:23; Daniel 9:16) Pray that the nation would repent of its sins. Pray that we would realize we need God, that we must follow Him and do His will. “Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord- the people He has chosen to be His own possession!”- Psalm 33:12

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people”- Proverbs 14:34

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.”- James 5:16

5. Be a Christian. It doesn’t matter who the president is, who’s in congress, or even what kind of government we have. Our first loyalty is to God and His will. His word teaches us to be a Christian no matter where we are or what we are doing. “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”- Colossians 3:17

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,”- Colossians 3:23

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”- Matthew 6:33a

Remember Daniel and the three young men who served God faithfully even though they were captives in a Godless country. Remember Paul and the early Christians who served Christ even though they lived under a decadent Roman rule and were eventually persecuted and many put to death by that same government. Remember your brothers and sisters in foreign lands who do not enjoy the religious freedoms we do, who must worship in secret or in the midst of great hardship. If they can be faithful under those extreme circumstances, so can we, even if we eventually face those same circumstances.

Those of you who know me personally know that I am an eternal optimist. It takes a lot to get me down and into a depressed frame of mind. I don’t know what the next four years will be like for this country. I don’t know if we will continue down the path of sin or if we will wake up and, as a nation, turn our hearts back to God. I don’t know what the world will be like in the future for my two beautiful and precious children. What I do know is that I am saved, by the Grace of God and the gift of His son, Jesus Christ and His precious blood shed for me as are all faithful and obedient Christians. I know that He’s in control of all things and that He has promised to be with me, guide me, help me, and strengthen me. I know that I will do my very best to live faithfully for Him, that I will teach the children He’s blessed me with to love Him and keep His commandments. I know that I will continue to share the knowledge of Jesus with others so that those who are lost can be saved from their sins and have a home in heaven one day. I know that I will continue to pray for this nation and its leaders to govern well and to seek God in their leading. I will pray that as a nation, we will return to God, confess our sins to Him and beg His forgiveness and mercy. And I will continue to thank Him for His everlasting love for me.

Randy Missildine, Minister
Waynesboro Church of Christ
wabopreacher@bellsouth.net



May God Bless You Today!!!!
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." Romans 8:28
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Preachers

I had the privilege of preaching God’s word to our congregation on Sunday morning a few weeks back and I’ve got to tell you, every time I prepare a message to deliver I gain a greater respect for pulpit ministers. A five-year-old lad named Glen became quite attached to the preacher in his congregation. On Sunday morning following worship the preacher was conversing with folks in the foyer when Glen came running up giving the preacher a great big hug. This drew some attention and the preacher said, “Well, hi Glen”, then turning back to the others continued, “Glen here tells me he’s going to grow up to be a preacher, aren’t you Glen?” His reply was, “Well I know we preachers all preach on Sunday, but what do we do the rest of the week?” Yeh, that broke up everyone in the foyer. I guarantee you, pulpit ministers are very busy men every day of the week with people tugging at him from all directions for all kinds of matters. Just studying and putting together a timely message lasting between thirty and forty-five minutes wore me plum out. Too much? Too little? Clear or muddy thoughts? I love doing it, but it’s work.
A grocery store clerk was swarmed with last minute shoppers on a holiday weekend. He shook his head in disgust and said to a preacher he knew standing in line, “It’s funny to me that people always wait until the last minute to prepare for a trip they knew they were going to take.” “Yeh, I know exactly where you’re coming from son”, replied the preacher. “I have the exact same problem in my business.”
The preacher was speaking on the relationship between “fact” and “faith’. To clarify his thought on the matter he said, “That you are sitting in front of me here is a fact. That I am speaking to you from this pulpit is a fact. But it is only faith that makes me believe that any of you are truly listening.” I tell you, it’s not an easy, rewarding job, sometimes.
And no matter how hard the preacher tries he can’t satisfy everybody. A preacher told the mechanic that he hoped he would not charge too much for the repairs. “I’m just a poor preacher”, he pleaded. “I know”, replied the mechanic. “I’ve heard you preach.”
A member said to the preacher, “I listened to your sermon on suffering last Sunday, and I just want to let you know, I didn’t know what suffering really was until I heard you preach!” Personally, I’ve never gone to the doctor’s office to be entertained.
[2 Timothy 4:1-5] The apostle Paul charged Timothy to preach the Word of God in this manner; “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in the view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge; Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” Preaching the Word of God is a noble profession and one that carries great responsibilities. A preacher cannot teach in error or for self gain without consequence. He above all people will have to answer for what they have taught according to God’s Word. Think the job is easy? Try teaching a weekly Bible class first.

Hide & Seek

The financial crisis of the world has a lot of people worrying about their invested money in the stock market. It’s definitely a gamble to put it there in the first place, and twice the gamble to allow someone else to manage it for you. Personally I don’t have that kind of money, so my worrying won’t do any good. If you’re a worrier, here are a few thoughts to consider. Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere! Blessed is the man who is too busy to worry in the daytime, and too sleepy to worry at night. I once heard of a man who worried so much about his debts the hair began to fall out of his toupee. I never thought I’d ever be happy to see gasoline prices at $2.00 a gallon. Because people throughout our country have become more conscientious about their excessive driving habits, the overall miles driven per vehicle has dropped dramatically, bringing the price of unsought gasoline down with it. Now that you know what can happen with the price of gas because of our selfish guzzling of oil products, are you going to continue practicing your conservative ways or are you going to return to your uncaring, foolish, wasteful ways? We’ve got a long way to go before the financial woes of the world stabilize, but not learning from our mistakes is something I do worry about. It’s so easy to fall back into the selfish “me” syndrome when life appears to be getting easier. Careful, that snake might just bite you again.
In a restaurant, the elderly gentleman had just been served his food, and he bowed his head to offer a silent thanks. To the young hooligans at the adjoining table, this was a very funny thing to observe. One of them, needing to show off for his peers, waited for the gentleman to raise his head, then sarcastically yelled out, “Hey Pops! Do they all do that where you come from?” The old man answered, “No son. The pigs don’t!”
The Bible class teacher was telling the Old Testament story of how Lot’s wife “looked back” while running away from the destruction of Sodom, disobeying God’s directive to not look back, and suddenly turned into a pillar of salt. Little Susie piped up, “My mother looked back once while she was driving and turned into a telephone pole.”
[Ephesians 5: 8-21] In hard times people seek the favors of God and in many cases what they faithfully seek, they find, and their life is changed forever. With others a relationship with God is like a game of hide and seek. Do you remember playing hide and seek as a child? Just before dark, when the shadows were long, was the best time to play. If you were “it”, your job was to find those who were hiding and finding someone was always rewarding. If it got too dark to roam around looking, whoever was “it” would call out, “Ally, Ally in free”, signaling those who were still hiding in the dark that they could come out of hiding and return home without penalty where we enjoyed each others company until we were beckoned to come in the house by mom at bedtime. Many people seek God in time of need, but soon return to the shadows and darkness of the world seeking self once again. What they’re doing in the shadows isn’t pleasing to God and as long as they stay in the darkness, they cannot have fellowship with God. You can “come home free” in Jesus. Live in the light as He is in the light and have fellowship with Him. This world is scheduled for destruction. If you keep looking back into the darkness you could be lost forever. Don’t wait too long. God is looking for you now.

Changes Save

People are thinking about it. People are hearing sermons about it. People are reading articles about it. People are being effected daily on a personal level. People are regretting their past behavior and are evaluating ways to change their behavior. People are talking to family and friends about it. People are soliciting the assistance of others to help them change. People are hearing national leaders addressing the problem. People are thinking about their children having to face the problem. People are teaching their children responsibility concerning it. People are counting the cost of changing – and of not changing. People are taking steps to change. So, what’s happening? Have people all of a sudden begun to listen to preachers and study their Bibles? Unfortunately, no. The foretold description of people feeling the need to change has nothing to do with sin. Though the subject might at first glance appear to be about sin and repentance, it’s actually about gasoline consumption. People are seeing for themselves the high cost of dependence on petroleum. Because of the inflated cost of crude oil we are paying more for virtually every product and service we purchase. I’m amazed by the sweeping effects of the current gas crisis. Yet, there’s really no mystery about it. People change when they see the need to change, especially when it involves their money. There’s something else about this crisis. Because people are being effected personally, they see the need to help others change as well. It seems we all realize we must change our own behavior and also know it will be better for all concerned if we persuade others to do the same. Prices at the pump are coming down because nationwide drivers are driving less miles in more fuel efficient vehicles. Personally, a few years back I bragged on my 20 mpg average minivan but not anymore. The discouraging part about trying to improve fuel mileage on most vehicles is, it can’t be done if it’s already performing at it’s best. It’s mechanical and no matter how kindly I talk to it, my vehicle doesn’t care about my wallet. I either put gas in it or it doesn’t run. My vehicle is heartless and will leave me on the side of the road in a heartbeat. That reminds me. I better get to the filling station this afternoon.
[1 John 2: 15-17] We can also talk all day long about sin and it’s consequences, but a person will not move in the direction of repentance and change until they know it applies to them personally and are persuaded that change is something they can and should do. I think too many people look at religion and salvation as something they have to purchase and at the moment it happens to be an unnecessary commodity. Most people are just too busy in the world achieving personal gain to be bothered with getting prepared for the next life. In all his lectures and sermons I wonder how many times Jesus said, “He who has ears, let him hear.” Jesus was appealing to our intelligence of understanding that what he was teaching was the awakening and the maturing of the spirit of man. Remember, man is made in the image of God. God is spirit, thus man is first, spirit. To have an everlasting relationship with God we must learn to think spiritually and live as God would have us to live. That, my friends, is where salvation is found. It can’t be bought. It’s already paid for. Jesus purchased your salvation with his life, a gift to you from God. All you have to do is receive it in love and understanding. God is love. (1 John 4:16) God’s love will never run out, leaving you on the road alone.

A Stone's Throw Away?

At the beginning of every public school year the creation/evolution debate catches fire. It becomes a hot potato that nobody really wants to handle for too long as pressure from both sides of the issue butt heads over what should be taught to our children. These curriculum decisions have been granted to each individual state by the Supreme Court and it’s an on-going battle year after year. Personally, I’ll begin to believe in evolution when children begin being born with a cell phone for one ear, a controls’-it-all remote built into one forearm, a GPS Navigator built into the other and a digital mouse integrated into the fingertips of one hand. Oh, I almost forgot. A USB port will be found in the other ear. It seems we can’t get along in life, not even one day, without these essential life sustaining items, so evolution should be kicking in within the next couple of generations according to the “theory” of me being a monkey’s uncle.
The math teacher noticed little Johnny wasn’t paying attention to her lesson on the addition of multiple numbers. She asked, “Johnny, what is 2 and 4 and 28 and 44?” Johnny immediately answered, “CBS, FOX, Cartoon Network and Discovery Channel.”
Two women met for the first time since graduating from high school. One asked the other, “You were always so organized in school. Did you manage to live a well planed life?” “Yes indeed”, said the other. “My first marriage was to a millionaire; my second marriage was to an actor; my third was to a preacher; and now I’m married to an undertaker.” The first asked, “So, what do failed marriages have to do with a well planned life?” “One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to go”
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) lived with a great fear of being damned and going to hell. In his writing, “Confessions”, he relates how he came to calm his anxiety and found assurance of his eternal salvation. One day while walking and pondering this melancholy subject, Rousseau amused himself by throwing stones against the trunks of trees. While engaged in this exercise he said to himself: “I’ll throw this stone at the tree opposite; if I hit it, I’m saved; if I miss it, I am damned.” He then recounts, “While speaking, I threw my stone with a trembling hand and a terrible palpation of the heart, but with so successful an aim that it hit the tree right in the middle, which, to tell the truth was no very difficult feat, for I had been careful to choose a tree with a thick trunk close at hand. From that time I have never had any doubt about my salvation.” There’s a Greek word for that kind of thinking, the same word describes evolution, HOGWASH!
[1 Peter 1: 3-9] While that may have satisfied Rousseau, I’m confident that most of us desire something more. By inspiration, the apostle Paul presents salvation in three tenses: We are born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (v3); We are kept through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (v5); And, as the outcome of our faith we obtain the salvation of our souls (v9).
[2 Peter 1: 3-9] God has granted us everything we need for life and godliness, but we must make every effort to 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. Salvation of the soul is not a stones throw away. God’s Word is proven truth, not theory.

Bigger Snakes

As my wife and I listened to the news correspondents on TV the other night talking in terms of billions and trillions of dollars she casually commented to me, “What ever happened to millions”? The manipulation of money to ensure larger dividend payouts every year on invested moneys, in the long run, simply hasn’t paid off. The consumer has abandoned financing his basic needs for fulfilling his every want with borrowed money he can’t repay. And the government continues to borrow money from borrowed money. I hate to sound pessimistic here, but the dance is over and it looks like it’s time to pay the fiddler. The warped American dream of keeping up with the Jones’s and bigger being better, as an outward sign of success in life, has come home to roost. We have found ourselves in a financially grave condition of which only common sense and thrifty spending will see us through. “In Wall Street We Trust” doesn’t seem to be a sound truth to build a successful life upon. I’m praying for this country, are you?
Leroy Brownlow tells the story about a family of wayward church members – a father and his three sons. Once active, but now indifferent, they had been visited by the preacher and the elders. Everything within reason had been done to restore them – all in vain. One day while working, a large rattlesnake bit John, one of the sons. The doctor was summoned and pronounced his condition grave. The doctor observed that about the only thing left was prayer. Immediately the preacher and the elders were called. The preacher was asked to pray for John’s recovery, which he did, sort of. Here’s his prayer:
“O wise and righteous Father, we thank thee that thou hast, in thy wisdom, sent this rattlesnake to bite John, in order to bring him to his senses. He has not been inside the church house for years, and it is very doubtful that in all that time he has, until now, felt any need for prayer. We have been doing everything we know for years to restore this family, to no avail. We trust that this will prove a valuable lesson to John, and that it may lead to a genuine repentance. It seems, therefore, that what all our combined efforts could not do, this rattlesnake has accomplished. And now, O Father, wilt thou send another to bite Sam, another to bite Jim, and a BIG ONE to bite the old man? We thus have concluded that the only thing left that will do this family any good is rattlesnakes, so Lord, send us bigger and better rattlesnakes. In Jesus name we pray. Amen”
[Luke 16: 10-15] “...No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money”. It’s ironic that the very dollar bill we selfishly use for our own pleasure, before service to others, has printed on it, “In God We Trust”, yet we don’t. Jesus taught that we are not to worry about what we need, for it will be supplied, IF, we first seek the kingdom of God. (Luke 12: 22-34) It seems nobody has the time, or should we be honest with ourselves here, most people won’t take the time, to seek God, serving Him before anything else. Why not? It seems to be the better deal. So, what should our prayer to God be, concerning our financial crisis? Should we thank God for bringing us to our senses? Is this snake bite great enough to bring us to repentance, or will God have to send a bigger snake? History is plain about empires that exchange the fear God for selfishness – they crumble! This country’s foundation is God, not money.

Another Fine Mess

In light of the deepening financial crisis gripping the country, which will in one way or another effect everybody, even though you feel you’re not guilty of contributing to the problem, I thought of the comedic team of the 30’s and 40’s, Laurel & Hardy. They’re on screen personas are described as “...two supremely brainless, eternally optimistic men, secure in their perpetual and impregnable innocence.” I think that description could apply to every stock exchange floor trader. What brought them to mind was that famous quote of Ollie’s, when he discovers that the two of them are so deep in trouble they might never see the light of day again. Even though Ollie was just as involved in the comedy of errors that always got them into so much trouble, he always laid the blame on Laurel for getting them there. Hardy would look at Laurel, with hands on hips, and say, “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into.” Today I feel like Oliver Hardy felt one time, as I look to the financial geniuses that got us into this mess. Ollie had stated his famous quote on screen so many times, once he simply turned to Stan Laurel with hands on hips and impatiently says, “Well...” with Stan replying, all the while scratching the top of his head, “Here’s another nice mess I’ve gotten you into.”
One day while on a walk through the local park, a man happened upon a Tee-Ball game in progress. Needing a short rest he sat down behind the first base players bench. He asked one of the uniformed boys what the score was. “We’re behind 14 to nothin’”, he replied with a big smile. “Really”, said the man. “I have to say, you don’t look very discouraged.” “Discouraged”? the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face. “Why should I be discouraged? We haven’t even been up to bat yet!” Being optimistic enough to never feel you’re in trouble, should be reserved for youthful experience only.
With this financial crisis looming over us, some expectations may take a greater imagination to conquer on an even tighter budget. Rick forgot about his wedding anniversary. His bride was really angry and told him, “Tomorrow morning I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 180 in less than six seconds ...AND IT BETTER BE THERE!!” The next morning she awoke to find her husband gone. She looked out the window and sure enough, there in the middle of the driveway was a gift-wrapped box. Puzzled, she put on a robe, ran outside to retrieve the box, and brought it into the house. She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale. Rick hasn’t been seen since.
[1 John 2: 15-17] When James Garfield, former President of the United States, was principal of Hiram College in Ohio, a parent asked if the curriculum could be simplified for his son. “Certainly”, Garfield replied, “But it all depends on what you want to make of your boy. When God wants to make a oak tree, He takes a hundred years. When He wants to make a squash He requires only two months. Do you want him to be more like a squash or an oak tree?” Personally, I want to be strong like the oak. We seem to have a real big problem weighing and prioritizing our wants and needs in this life. God’s word teaches me that the love of the world makes me weak and the time I have to spend here will probably only produce a squash. To live forever I must become strong in the Lord and live according to the will of God. That, my friend, takes a lifetime of commitment.

Preparing For The Worse

Well, the big news this week was the coming of Hurricane IKE. With landfall and strength a really big uncertainty up until two days prior to landfall, people all along the Texas coast were preparing for the storm. Folks south of us, the Corpus Christi area, were getting out of harms way, because all the data indicated the hurricane was going to hit the coast at that point. A mass exit was under way beginning on Wednesday with people heading north to escape the worst of the storm. Some would have to wait until the last minute needing to tend to business before leaving, but most of them had a place to stay away from home. Hotels and motels in and around San Antonio were booked solid and awaiting the arrival of thousands from the coastal areas. Here at home everyone predicted a day of wind and heavy rain, thus we were preparing for electrical power outages and the lack of basic essential necessities which could last several days. I was at the grocery store on Wednesday, along with hundreds of other people, only to find I had almost waited too long to get my desired supplies. Shelves where bread and canned foods were normally full to capacity, lay naked with employees repeating over and over again the uncertainty of when the shelves would be restocked. I did get what I wanted, then stood in line longer than usual, even with every check-out isle open and running as fast as possible. Then it happened. The final prediction for the storms path changed. It was to turn north sooner than expected sending it ashore at Houston, hundreds of miles to the east. Hotel and motel reservations were being canceled by those evacuating south of us, but at the same time reservations were being made by all those people east of us wanting to come west away from the brunt of the storm. As I sit here this day, which I had anticipated to be a very ugly day at the beginning of the week, the sun is shining in partly cloudy skies with a soft breeze blowing. I have kin in Houston, whom I know have prepared for the worst yet don’t seem to feel this storm is all that significant. Well, I hope their alright, but I’ll worry for their safety and pray until I hear form them.
[1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11] It’s amazing how we will prepare for the forth-coming wrath of mother-nature, like we could hold back the ocean tides or tame the stormy winds. Man has the capability of seeing and predicting coming storms of peril which can be warned about days before their arrival. It’s amazing how quickly we are ready to defend our properties and fear the loss of all we own, but ignore the impending wrath of God as if we can readily prepare a defense when that day arrives. The prediction has been there since the beginning of time, for if there is a beginning, there must be an end. James says this about life. “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14) The last day, if you’re still alive, will be a scary one. (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18) Do you believe Jesus will return one day? He’s not hanging around for you to get prepared, ya know. He’s going to gather up His church and return to heaven and those left behind are, well I really don’t want to think about it. Today is the day to begin your preparations for departing this world, you do know you’re going to die some day, right? Do you have confirmed reservations in heaven? Peter says you need to be sure. (1 Peter 1: 3-11) Call on the Lord through baptism, then spend the rest of your life preparing, for eternal life.

Sleeping Through It All

Well, we have our two Presidential nominees confirmed who will be waging battle with each other for the next two months trying to gain the trust of voters, thus winning the vote in November. They will each spend over two hundred million dollars while they tell us how they’re going to save the economic structure of the country. I have a hard time dealing with the wild spending of money our politicians have never earned. Once again the Sunday Comics and my friend Baldo may have shed some light on why this country is confused and Washington is broken. Baldo is standing in front of an ATM showing signs of indecision as what to do next after being instructed by the machine to “Please Select Your Language”. Of course the options are “English” and “Spanish”. Well, Baldo, being a young Latino teen with a firm grasp of both languages, pushes both buttons at the same time, crashing the computer. Maybe that’s what’s happening in Washington. I think too many buttons are being pushed at the same time and that’s why nothing’s getting done. Oh well, what do I know. It’s a comic strip. Nonsense, right?
Here’s a little something we can pass along to our public servants. “You tell on yourself by the friends you seek, By the very manner in which you speak, By the way you employ your leisure time, By the use you make of the dollar and the dime. You tell on yourself by the things you wear, By the spirit in which you your burdens bear, By the kind of things that make you laugh, By the places you go to photograph. You tell on yourself by the way you walk, By things in which you delight to talk, By the manner in which you bear defeat, By so simple a thing as how you eat. By the books you choose from a well filled shelf, In these ways and more you tell on yourself. So there is not a particle of sense, In an effort to keep up a false pretense.” Please wake-up, Washington!
Do you remember the story of Rip Van Winkle? He fell asleep one day in a quiet out of the way spot on the banks of the Hudson River and didn’t wake up for twenty years. He fell asleep a subject of the British crown and awoke an American citizen. The tragic part was, he slept through the revolution that brought him freedom from the dictatorship of King George III, depositing him into a life of liberty and happiness. While he snored, oblivious to his surroundings, earth-shaking events had taken place. I think Rip fell asleep believing there wasn’t a thing he could do about the tyranny he lived under and I think a lot of Americans are asleep this very day thinking they can’t make a difference. People are always desensitizing issues getting you to think their way. That is, they are constantly talking about them until they mean nothing to us anymore and a lot of us are snoring in our easy chairs watching sitcoms as if they were reality.
[Luke 22: 39-46] While all of heaven watched breathlessly, Jesus’ disciples fell asleep, oblivious to the events unfolding before them in the garden. Jesus was preparing himself to die. Jesus was about to give his life in exchange for the sins of all mankind, freeing man from the slavery of sin, reuniting man with God the Creator. Sadly, most of the world is sleeping, oblivious to what Jesus has done for them. Teaching God’s truth to others has become more difficult over the years, because the purpose of the church has become desensitized through the false teachings of some. We are preoccupied with our own self-importance forgetting what is really important. Wake Up! The devil seeks you.

Is Your Heart Right?

I took someone to the bus station in the big city early one morning last week and at five in the morning the downtown area has a distinctly different feel about it. There are no cars or buses running along the streets nor people walking on the sidewalks. It’s eerily quiet except for the constant little commotion at the entrance of the bus station, like that of an ant hill. It doesn’t seem like those in the doorway are coming or going, they’re just there, milling about. Other doorways in the immediate area are filled with overnight transients and homeless, still curled up, clutching their worldly belongings, not yet having awaken from their slumber. Inside the station it’s orderly and quiet. Several are in line anticipating their boarding of a bus while others are sitting in a waiting area busying themselves with coffee, books, iPods and newspapers. There’s a preacher on the TV, but the sound is turned all the way down rendering his message useless. In the midst of all the uncertainty I could feel in the station, there stood out a young man, an employee, who, without question, displayed his authority of organization and availability to help anyone in need. While waiting for the boarding of my charges’ bus, a woman with a noticeable limp, in stocking covered shoeless feet, approached him. He smiled as he spoke with her and as she passed me returning to her seat, she also wore a smile of confidence. In a short while he approached the young female teen I brought to the station, somehow knowing she was traveling alone, to escort her to the bus and an appropriate secure seat for her journey. Then he did the same for the woman he had spoken with earlier. I wonder how many times he’s thanked for his love and compassion as he dutifully performs? Yes, I did, with a hand gesture and a smile, which he returned.
There was once a girl who hated herself for no other reason except she was blind. It seems she also had a hatred for everyone else in the world except for a boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry him. One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and she was able to see everything, including her devoted boyfriend. He asked her, “Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?” The girl was shocked when se discovered her boyfriend was blind. Not wanting to be burdened by a “blind” person, she refused to marry him. Her rejected boyfriend walked away in tears obviously heartbroken. The girl who had been so fortunate to have the world opened up to her continued enjoying it day after day trying to never miss a single pleasure life had to offer. One day she received a letter from her ex-boyfriend which simply stated: “I sincerely hope you’re enjoying your new life. Your happiness is all that ever mattered to me. It pleases me to no end, knowing you are able to see the world as you had always dreamed. I would like to ask one parting favor of you, my only love. Please take good care of my eyes.”
[Hebrews 13:1-7] Do you call yourself a Christian? Do you remember what your life was like before? Are you showing and sharing the love brought down from heaven with those around and about you? How often do you thank your Lord and Savior, Jesus, for his sacrifice of life, saving you from your sins? I am a Christian. I am free of sin and guilt. My citizenship is in heaven and I thank my God for that every day. I make myself available, as a servant of God, so others might know Jesus and live in His love, also.

It's Really Not Foreign

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). I didn’t even now what that was until just a few years ago. I have since self-diagnosed this disorder to my lack of abilities to complete tasks I assign myself, hence I now have a disability and a proper excuse for not getting things done on time. Well, maybe I just need to work harder on prioritizing my life rather than adding more tasks. I’ll think on that and get back with you. If I were going to school today I have no doubt I would have failed a grade at leased once and would probably be on some sort of medication to help me concentrate. I had a terrible time with reading, math and English especially in the later grades, but still ended up with a High School Diploma. Of late, I’ve promised myself to learn a little bit of Spanish, bought some books, tapes and the like, the same as everyone else, but haven’t learned much because I don’t spend the time with it. I think I’m like most people, simply afraid the new language will be so complicated it will be impossible to master so give up before we even start. I thing we simply worry too much about the embarrassing moments of learning and using. The fact of the matter is, we’ve already half mastered the most complex language in the world, English. But then again, my limited intelligence can easily be bashed by a true Lexiphile, a lover of words. Lexiphiles are next to impossible to converse with as they use giant words with minute meanings, making the English language sound foreign to even the best high school grad.
I grew up with English, but I’ll bet it’s not easy teaching it to someone. Here are a few of the reasons English is so difficult to comprehend. >The bandage was wound around the wound. >The farm was used to produce produce. >The dump was so full it had to refuse more refuse. >He could lead if he would get the lead out. >The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert. >Since there was no time like the present, he decided to present the present. >When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes. >The insurance was invalid for the invalid. >They were too close to the door to close it. >I had to subject the subject to a series of tests. >I did not object to the object. >Upon seeing a tear in the painting I shed a tear. >After a number of injections my jaw got number. >If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn’t the plural of booth, beeth? >One goose, two geese. One moose, two meese? >If you get rid of all but one of your odds and ends, is it an odd or an end? >Why do we ship by truck and send cargo by ship? >Why do we drive on parkways and park in driveways? >Why do noses run and feet smell? Enough already!!
[1 John 4] I think most people view the church as a good thing, but it’s foreign to them and easily give up on any notion of learning more. Too often the church is tested by its physical properties and not it’s spiritual intent. The church is about developing a strong spiritual relationship with God and learning of his love for each and every one of us. The church is about developing a strong spiritual bond of love for one another as we struggle through this life. The church is about hope for the life after death promised by God, for those who learn of, and follow, His will. True baptized believers of Jesus, worship God in spirit and in truth according to God’s Word, the Bible. Learning of God’s will for man will bring your foreign spirit out into the open for you to enjoy in this life. A suppressed spirit cowers in fear, but immersed in God’s love, the spirit lives.

My Never Changing God

What a great rain we had the other night. What do you mean you didn’t get any? Yes, typical South Texas weather in August can bring about thunderstorms pouring rain on some, leaving others high and dry. We have a promise of a general all around rain pattern coming through next week, but I’ll believe it when I see it. The old timers say the weather isn’t anything like it used to be years ago. I tend to agree, not that I’m old, but it seems our winters aren’t as cold as they used to be, yet cold fronts are passing through in the middle of summer bringing rain from the northwest. Go figure. Am I the only one, or is it getting harder to stay current with the technical stuff of this world? I educate myself, but there’s so much going on it’s almost impossible to keep up. I thought I had this computer thing pretty much nailed down, but then I find myself lagging behind. I’ve had to upgrade my computers, again, because new programs are coming on DVD’s instead of CD’s and I don’t have DVD players. Have you seen the TV commercial about the generation that said it was never going to get old and it hasn’t? Well, I don’t feel old, but looking back in time can sure make a person think they’re old. I may not be able to keep up like I used to, but I’m still running a good race and hope to for a long time to come.
There was a young man who loved to play golf. He found himself with a few hours to spare one afternoon, so figured if he hurried he could get in nine holes before dark. Just as he was about to tee off an old gentleman shuffled onto the tee and asked if he could accompany the young man as he was golfing alone. Not being able to say no, he allowed the old gentleman to join him. To his surprise the old man played rather quickly. He didn’t hit the ball far, but plodded along, not wasting much time. Finally, they reached the ninth fairway, and the young man found himself with a tough second shot. There was a large pine tree right in front of his ball, directly between it and the green. After several minutes of figuring just how to make the shot, the old man piped up, “You know, when I was your age, I could hit the ball right over that tree.” With the gauntlet laid down, the youngster chose his club, swung hard, hit the ball up, right smack into the top of the tree, knocking it back to the ground where it rested not ten feet from where it had originally laid. The old man waited for the young man’s reaction, then offered one more comment, “Of course, when I was your age, that pine tree was only three feet tall.”
[ Hebrews 13: 8-9] “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.” One of the oxymorons of life is that we’re always looking for change, but we hate to change. We like stability, but seek excitement. God is not that way. God is love. (1 John 4: 8) What is love? Read 1 Corinthians, chapter 13. Love is powerful, yet gentle. Without love we have no life. Without loving we are nothing. We have been blessed with love, by God’s grace, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Love does not change over time, nor can it be altered. Stability for me in this life is God’s truth and love. We cannot make God love us greater than He already does by developing new ceremonies and rituals. The world around me looms bigger and greater every day, but God never changes. I’m blessed to be old and wise enough to see God changing me.

Above The Storm

I can’t believe it’s already been four months since my vocal cord surgery. I finally got to see my surgeon for my follow-up, check-up after an appointment reschedule. My appointment actually has me seeing two specialists in the same office and because of the lengthy travel involved, about 60 miles one way, his office staff is good to me by scheduling both to see me one right after the other, which doesn’t always work out. Well anyway, Shantell gets to abuse me first with her little camera probe. I guess I’ve graduated from the through the nose probe to the camera down the throat, neither of which I find any enjoyment, but accept as part of the plan. The desktop computer records and saves what the camera sees and I get to witness the actions of my own voice. My surgeon was pleased with what he saw, which always pleases me. He explained what went on in surgery and that the new equipment he used was far better and more precise than seven years ago and my first surgeries. He asked me what I though and I told him I believed my voice was better than ever before. He said he agreed, but didn’t know why because that shouldn’t be. I told him the Lord has bigger plans and I need a good voice to carry them out for Him. He sort of shrugged his shoulders and reminded me that we may have to do this several more times throughout the rest of my life.
If you’ve done a lot of flying, like I have, you’ll know what this story relays. If not, I hope the story gives you the sense of what it means to be on the other side of the storm. “I soared around the storm with effortless ease and great confidence for I was in a giant metal bird ...above the storm. The vicious storm, with several destructive tornadoes, made it impossible to land. All we could do was circle and wait. Having experienced the devastating power of a West Texas spring storm, the calmness of the sky above the storm was almost mystical. The moon was full and ruled the calmness with a sense of majesty. The clouds below looked soft and harmless, gently rolling in the wind. Even the savage lightning and booming thunder were hidden from my sight. It was easy to get caught up in this amazing sight. There was no great desire to be on the ground where the storm was ripping through the countryside with a vengeance. It had been a long day, but now there was no tiredness in body or soul as we soared above the storm. This was a new view of a fearsome, destructive storm. The other side of the storm was one of incredible beauty and peace. How could this storm be so savage, and so peaceful?”
[Romans 8:38-39] “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I’ve heard it said ‘there’s always a calm after the storm’ and conversely stated ‘the calm before the storm’. I have found, in Christ Jesus, there is a calm during the storm. The storms of life bring uncertainty and a sense of putting life on hold, circling, unable to land in comfortable surroundings. I’ve found a peace during my storms, knowing that my God is there to calm my fears with the assurance that no matter what may be found after the storm, He will still be there. This life with it’s daily battles, forgotten rewards and passing storms will end one day, and then we’ll see our God. “Enter in, my good and faithful servant”, will be my reward forever, above the storm.

How Much Is Too Much?

I think if I get any busier I’m going to have to split and become twins. Don’t get me wrong here. I enjoy being busy and only wish there were more hours in a day and I could be in two places at once, most times. But, we tend to run down and have to waste time resting and/or sleeping before we just collapse from total exhaustion. Seriously, I know what it’s like to be in need of a friend and asking that friend to go out of his way for me without knowing how I could ever repay him for his kindness. A friend told me one day ‘I don’t do it for the pay. If I give you ten dollars, I give it never expecting repayment. If when you’re able, you give it back, I’m rewarded beyond my expectations, because I gave in love and have already received my reward’. I didn’t understand his philosophy then, but I do now and express that same thought to those I help. My reward is not of this world and that which I can share, I try to do freely, with concern and love.
The teenager lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his mother it was nowhere to be found. Undaunted, she went outside and in just a few minutes returned with the lens in her hand. Surprised, the teen asked, “How did you find it, mom?” “We weren’t looking for the same thing”, she replied. “You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150.”
A young mother was quite alarmed when her young son swallowed a coin. “Hurry, call the doctor,” she urged her husband. “No, I think we should call the preacher.” He replied. “The preacher? Why, you don’t think he’s going to die, do you?” exclaimed the frightened mother. “Oh, no”, said the husband. “But you know the preacher as well as I do - he can get money out of anybody!”
[2 Corinthians 9: 6-15] ...“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” So, do I give too much? Well, maybe; sometimes; oh, I don’t know. I do know one thing’s for sure. I don’t give beyond my means, but sometimes give to a point I, myself, do without. Jesus said to “...become like little children for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such”. Little Luke told his mother one Sunday morning during worship as she handed him a few coins, “I don’t want to put change in the collection plate anymore”. He wanted a bill. His mother opened her billfold which contained a one dollar bill and a five. Luke took the five out and put it in the plate. His mother later confessed while telling the story, “How do you tell a child that he’s giving too much to the Lord?” That’s a good question, isn’t it? Children don’t do all the calculations we do. If they are touched by an event, they will give away everything they have. They’ll not only give you their money – they’ll throw in the piggy as well. What simplicity! What beauty! Children have been known to give away their favorite doll, or even their bicycle. As adults we have to sit down and figure. With a sharp pencil and calculator, we take note of percentages. We figure not only what we’re going to give, but how much we’re going to keep. Rarely do we give spontaneously. We normally give in a cold, calculating and precise way. Generally our giving is respectable, but not necessarily generous. Lets face it. When we give, most of the time, it’s out of duty, not desire. So, how do you go about giving to someone who was crucified for you? Careful now. You don’t want it to be too much now, do you?

Who's First?

With the Summer Olympics about to get under way, I got to thinking about what it takes to be first, to be the best, to be at the head of the line with perfection. All the participating athletes have practically devoted their entire young lives to be first in their part of the world, earning them the right to compete with others of the same caliber in a collective world engagement. I think we’re all born with a competitive nature and we all want to be first in whatever we do. Most of the human race is not of the athletic persuasion, but it seems we choose what we’ll compete in each and every day. Sometimes what we compete in isn’t always to the liking of the competitive nature of others. For example, someone with a controlling personality, someone like myself, has a tendency to overpower conversations and situations as if in a competition, rather than just allowing ones self to simply be a participant in the activity. I’m happy to say I’ve worked very hard at controlling myself, rather than others, but I still have a way to go. Maybe you’re competing for first chair at your place of employment. That can get rather messy at times. Do you have to be first with “information” about others? That’s called gossip, ya know. I hope you get the idea I’m trying to portray to you. We don’t always have to be first in everything we do, and relationships fail when we try. Think about this. Second place might be the first loser, but the optimist still sees himself as being first.
A little boy in worship for the first time watched as the ushers passed around the offering plates. When they came near the pew he was sitting in, the boy said with a loud command, “Don’t pay for me daddy, I’m under five!”
Another little boy was attending his first wedding. After the service, his younger cousin asked him, “How many women can a man marry?” “Sixteen”, the boy responded. His cousin was amazed that he had an answer so quickly. “How do you know that?” he asked. “Easy”, the little boy said. “All you have to do is add it up. Like the preacher said, four better, four worse, four richer and four poorer.”
[Mark 9: 33-35] They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Now there’s a tough one to swallow. No competition among the followers of Christ? Jesus said, “...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) In total obedience to the will of his father, Jesus shed his sinless blood, gave his life, a ransom for the sins of the world. And because of his obedient sinless life, God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. ...But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep ...so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23) My competitive side may not always show it, but Jesus is first in my life. I want to be a servant, the last to be served. Jesus was witnessed resurrected from the dead and ascending into heaven. He had no competition. This is one time none of us should be ashamed to be second, because when Jesus returns, those found serving will be first.

Where Did I Put That?

Have you ever had one of those days when at the end of the day you feel as frustrated as a dog chasing his tail? One of those days when the more you think you’re accomplishing, the less you’re actually getting done? You know, one of those days when you’re overwhelmed with the feeling, “the faster I go, the behinder I get”. Well, like every other malady in life, doctors have pinned a name to this diagnosis of extreme fatigue and sense of “now where did I put that?”. It’s called “Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder”, A.A.A.D.D. for short. How do you know if you have it? The following is a classic example of symptoms found in A.A.A.D.D. sufferers. ☺☺☺☺☺
One patient told his doctor: The other day I decided to water my garden. As I turn on the hose near the driveway, I looked over at my car and decided my car needs washing. As I start toward the garage I notice the mail on the porch table, which I had brought from the mailbox earlier. I decide to go through the mail before washing the car. I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the trashcan next to the table, and notice the can was full, so decide to put the bills back on the table and empty the trashcan first. But then I think, as long as I’m going so near the mailbox to empty the trashcan, I may as well pay the bills first. I opened my checkbook to find only one check, so I go to my study in the house to retrieve more checks from my desk, where I find a can of soda that I had been drinking. Pushing the can of soda aside to avoid any accidental spill while I search for the checks, I noticed the soda was getting warm and decide to put it in the refrigerator. As I head toward the kitchen with the can of soda a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye and decided that they needed watering. So, I set the can of soda on the counter wherein I discover my reading glasses that I’ve been looking for most of the morning. I decide I’m going to put them back on my desk, but first I’m going to water the flowers. I set the glasses down, fill a container with water and notice someone had left the TV remote on the kitchen table, again. I realize that when I want to watch TV tonight I’ll be looking for the remote so decided to put it in the den where it belongs, but first I’ll water the flowers. While watering the flowers I spill most of the water on the floor, so set the remote down on the table and get some towels to wipe up the water. Then I walked down the hall trying to remember what I was about to do. At the end of an exhausting day the car wasn’t washed, the bills weren’t paid, there’s a warm can of soda on the counter, the flowers still need more water, my check-book still has only one check in it, I can’t find the TV remote, I can’t find my glasses and I don’t remember what I did with my car keys. So I sit and try to figure out why nothing got done that day. I’m really baffled, because I know I was busy all day long.
[Proverbs 14:12] “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Spending eternity in heaven or hell is a decision given to us by God. Do you keep setting your religion aside while wandering around in life try to get other things done? I saw a t-shirt the other day with this printed on it: “LIFE IS FRAGILE, HANDLE WITH PRAYER” Life is so fragile, we could die in any given minute. Don’t misplace God’s Word in your busy life, for the Word is life to your spirit. (John 14:6) To live with God you must first know God. Worldly wisdom and deeds won’t get you there.

Preparing Your Grave

I have satellite TV and enjoy watching the Discovery channels, the History Channel being a favorite. The ancient Egyptian Pharaohs were gods in their own mind, thought to have been put on earth to rule over the greatest kingdom on earth. They also believed in life after death and a reassignment to an even greater status of ruler. They so much believed in this that they made provisions for survival in their burial tomb. When they would awaken in the afterlife the provisions would sustain them until such time they would leave their tomb. All their prize possessions, and in most cases, their entire family were buried with them. Gold abound in the tomb, because they felt it would be needed in the afterlife. Well, time has proven that what is found in this world is going to stay in this world. Museums around the world are full of the goods taken from Egyptian tombs over the centuries as a measure of “protection” and “preservation” for future generations to witness. I guess this has been done rightfully so, because if not the greed of man would have spent it all on sex, drugs and rock-n-roll by now. I wonder what the ancient Egyptians would think about the TV advertisement guaranteeing top money for your “scrap gold”? Let’s see, I think I’ll give you my gold for a few worthless pieces of paper that I can’t even trade for silver. Seems our long-term relationship with gold has lost its luster over the centuries. Maybe this is good. It’ll never get past the casket anyway.
A casually dressed middle-aged man walked into a New York City bank and asked to see a loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was going to Bakersfield on business for two weeks and needed to borrow $5000, but he was not a depositor of the bank. The officer told him the bank would require some sort of security for the loan whereupon the man handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car as parked on the street in front of the bank and man produced the title, which checked out just fine. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest. Later, the bank’s president and loan officer had a good laugh thinking about the man using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral on a $5000 loan. The Ferrari was safely deposited in the bank’s underground garage. Two weeks later the man entered the bank, paid off his $5000 loan, with interest of $23.07. The loan officer said, “Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away we checked you out and discovered you are a multi-millionaire. Why would you bother to borrow $5000?” With a big grin the man said, “Where else in New York City can I park my car two weeks for $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?”
[Romans 12: 1-2] “...offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good pleasing and perfect will.” There’s nothing in this life worth anything in the next life, except your mind, and what you think about God and His will for you concerning righteous living. To enter into God’s eternal love we must first love. To enter into heaven we must first divorce ourselves from the ways of this world, then we must become one with God’s will in all that we do in this life. I’ve tested God’s will and approve of it. I’ve found it to be pleasing and perfect. I’m saved.

The Enevitable Day

I caught part of a story on the radio the other day about leap year of which this year is one. What sparked my interest was, I thought I hear the speaker say that every four hundred years, scheduled or not, there is no added day to the calendar. What? Well, I made a note to myself to investigate what I just heard, or thought I heard. At home that evening I got on the computer and “Wikipedia’d, Leap Year” and found myself in another time dimension with way more information than expected. Wikipedia is an on line, non-profit, encyclopedia written and edited by scholars of the world. To start with, I had no idea how many calendars are currently being used in the world today. The most commonly used is the Gregorian, the one most of us are familiar with. Then, there’s the Julian, familiar to those in industry and the military; the Coptic, Ethiopian, Revised Julian, Chinese, Hebrew, Islamic, Hindu and Iranian. Anyway, back to leap year. In the Gregorian calendar, the standard is, if the year is divisible by four (4) it’s a leap year. Not always! Years that are evenly divisible by one hundred (100) are not leap years, unless they are also divisible by four hundred (400), then they are. The years 1600 and 2000 were leap years, but the years 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not. See, I told you, way too much information. It’s all because our annual trip around the sun takes 365.242374 days giving us an extra day every four years, unless those other rules invade the formula.
It’s incredible to think that man has the patience and the ability to sit and figure out the exact time of day to the billionth of a second, yet can’t, or won’t, accept inevitable dates of time that must be faced. Our mother’s taught us that certain days would come our way, but we never prepared for them. Did they come? Yes! Most of us procrastinated on school assignments until the last minute, resulting in a poor half-hearted failing effort to complete the task to the best of our abilities. This very day we’re all in a pickle because we didn’t believe the cost of fossil fuel would skyrocket dragging the cost of everything we use and consume up with it. Had we been warned of this day coming? Oh-ya! Three or more decades ago we were put on notice to find a replacement fuel for our vehicles and what did the manufactures do for us? They built bigger fuel-hungrier land yachts, which, in today’s economy, are worthless dinosaurs. Now we’re told it will take another decade or two to develop that which we should have been working on. I guess we’ll all simply adjust our formula for life and living and press on.
[2 Peter 3] Read the whole chapter and pay particular attention to the warning in verse 10 ... “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” If you truly believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, are you preparing for this day to come? How about the statement found in Hebrews 10: 27 ...”Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”; are you ready for that day? Not every procrastinator is blessed with knowing that death will come soon by means of an illness. No, death is also a thief, no matter how long you live. In either case we must be found with humble hearts, prepared to face judgment holding to the hope of receiving God’s grace. We can’t adjust God’s time to fit our wants. God has hidden nothing from us. The last day is inevitable, and only God knows when it will come.

Are You Listening?

How many times in your life have you ended up with egg on your face because you didn’t listen close enough to instruction? How many times in your life have you given instruction, only to find that those whom you instructed weren’t paying attention and failed to follow your instruction? How many times have you heard someone say, “Nobody ever listens to me!!”? And how many people go through life frustrated because there truly is nobody who will take the time to really listen to what they have to say? Everybody wants to talk, but so few want to listen. I have been self employed for most of my working life, and learned a long time ago, self employment doesn’t separate one from listening closely to instruction. Even as a boy delivering newspapers door to door, customers gave specific instructions as to where they expected to find their newspaper each day. Failure to do so generally brought about a confrontation when it came time to get paid for my services. The same was true while working on automobiles. Do less than what the customer instructed and I have an unhappy customer. Do more than what was instructed and I have an unhappy customer, unless of course I did it for free. I include myself when I say, we are all guilty of giving poor instruction and receiving instruction when really not listening to what is being said. In our pursuit for independence we too often nonchalantly and half-heartedly listen to what is said to us and I’m afraid we miss out on friendships and relationships that could have had great influences in our life.
A story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, often enduring long receiving lines at the White House, who complained that no one really paid attention to what was said. One day during such a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who came down the line and shook his hand he murmured, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” The guests responded with phrases like, “Marvelous!; Keep up the good work, Mr. President; We’re all so proud of you. God bless you, sir.” It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Not quite knowing what to say, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, “I’m sure she had it coming.”
[James 1:19-27] James writes: “My dear brothers, take note of this; Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” “...Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” God has given us full instruction that we might save ourselves from destruction. If I wish to become independent from this sinful world, to live the righteous life that will save me in the end, I must follow the instruction of God as perfectly as I possibly can. And I must strive to follow all His instruction. I can’t leave out what I don’t want to do, nor can I add to His instruction hoping to gain an edge on my salvation. Extras accumulate no points with God. “...the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.” What a deal!! Most people pass this up! If I follow the instruction of God, I will enjoy life! Paul writes in Romans 8:31, “...If God is for us, who can be against us?” Benjamin Franklin said, “A pair of good ears will drink dry a hundred tongues.” Drink from God’s Word, and live.