Saturday, August 30, 2008

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.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

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.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

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.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

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.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

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?