I’m not what you would call an alarmist, a pessimist at times and always a thinker of the future, which makes me a pest at other times, but I received this interesting article not too long ago, via email, and thought it was time I share part of it with you.
About the time our thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tytler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2000 years earlier. “A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist right up until the time voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to the loose financial policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During these 200 years, those nations always progressed in sequence from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependence; from dependence back into bondage.” Think about it and I believe you’ll discover that the democracy we live in today has become very dependent on its treasury.
A four-year-old boy was asked to say the blessing at Thanksgiving dinner. He began thanking God for his mommy and daddy, brothers and sisters, grandparents and every relative he could think of names for. Then he began to give thanks to God for the food spread before him. He gave thanks for the turkey and dressing, the cranberry sauce and fruit salad, the pies and cakes, even the Cool Whip. Then, after a short pause, he looked up and asked his mother, “If I thank God for the broccoli, won’t He know I’m lying?”
[Luke 16: 1-15] Way too often we work hard to convince others, and ourselves, that our good works are solely for the benefit of others, yet we tend to make sure we receive some sort of benefit in return for our “voluntary” labors. An investment in Christian love has no pay off in this world and all the beneficiaries of your unselfish love you may never know. A thirsty man crossing the desert stumbled upon a well with an old-fashioned hand-operated pump. Hanging on the pump handle was a small jar of water with a crude sign: “Prime The Pump First And It Will Give You All The Water You Need. Then Leave The Jar Full Of Water And Covered Tightly So The Next Traveler Can Prime The Pump”. The man was so thirsty he was tempted to ignore the sign and gulp down the water. He instead decided to pour half the water into the pump handle. Sure enough, after a few minutes, the water expanded the seal in the pump handle and he began to pump up an ample supply of clear, cold water. He went on his way with his thirst quenched and a full canteen as well. Being a faithful steward is something like priming the pump. When we take our eyes off ourselves and think about the needs of others, we are inevitably blessed in the process. One of the great joys of life is to be a pump primer in the cause of Christ. For others to receive God’s grace you must show them the blessings you have received through your dependency on God’s treasury.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Occam's Razor
I’ve always been mechanically inclined and a visual learner, which means let me get my hands on it and I’ll understand it better. I took mechanical drawing classes in high school and trade school, but only got to practice my profession about one year before being drafted into military service, whereupon, Uncle Sam plunged me back into hands-on mechanics. In trade school I had a great teacher. He was the designer/engineer of the rotating drier oven used very commonly today by industries throughout the world. His original design was used by producers of Portland cement, cutting drying time of materials to a fraction of what it was, thus increasing production output. The whole thing was actually very simply and efficient. Well anyway, the one thing he taught me with regards to solving any problem was to “KISS” it. The acronym, KISS, has several applications, but I learned it as, “Keep It Strictly Simple”. In other words, don’t make it more than it has to be or create a bigger problem than what you started with. THINK!
Friar William of Occam (ock-ham) (1285-1347), was a brilliant English logician and philosopher. He was said to be the most influential thinker of the 14th century. He was also a theologian who dared to challenge the power of the papacy and for that he was excommunicated. It is believed that he died a victim of the Black Plague which swept through northern Europe. In his many years of teaching and controversy, Occam made much use of what was known as the “principle of parsimony”, expressed as , “It is pointless to do with more what is done with less”. Another expression of this rule is, “entities are not to be multiplied”, which meant that all unnecessary acts or constituents in the subject being analyzed should be eliminated. His contemporaries described Occam as, “dissecting every question as with a razor”. The word “razor” was used to describe the shaving away of all unnecessary assumptions in order to reach the simplest explanation. Occam did not originate the idea that bears his name, but he did make it famous. This rule is commonly used in our society, although few know it as “Occam’s Razor”. It is better known as, “The simpler the better”. The simplest is usually the best approach, “Just cut to the chase”.
[2 Peter 1: 3-11] Communication, a simple thing in itself, has become so complex in the 21st century some people don’t even bother trying anymore. Even God’s simple message of salvation has become so perverted by wild interpretations that souls have given up trying to communicate with and understand their creator. What kind of world do you think we’d live in if, for instance, we treated our Bible, God’s Word, like we treat our cell phones? What if we carried it around with us all day, every day? What if we opened it and flipped through it several times a day? What if we forgot it one day? Would we return home to get it? What if we actually received messages from its texts? What if we treated our Bible like we couldn’t live without it? What if we gave it to our kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? Could we use it in case of emergency? And you know, you don’t have to worry about being disconnected from God. Jesus has paid the bill in full for your lifetime. Don’t make life more complicated than it has to be. Cell phone gossip and stress is creating a lot of unnecessary problems. Got a problem? KISS it, and PUSH! (Pray Until Something Happens) God loves you.
Friar William of Occam (ock-ham) (1285-1347), was a brilliant English logician and philosopher. He was said to be the most influential thinker of the 14th century. He was also a theologian who dared to challenge the power of the papacy and for that he was excommunicated. It is believed that he died a victim of the Black Plague which swept through northern Europe. In his many years of teaching and controversy, Occam made much use of what was known as the “principle of parsimony”, expressed as , “It is pointless to do with more what is done with less”. Another expression of this rule is, “entities are not to be multiplied”, which meant that all unnecessary acts or constituents in the subject being analyzed should be eliminated. His contemporaries described Occam as, “dissecting every question as with a razor”. The word “razor” was used to describe the shaving away of all unnecessary assumptions in order to reach the simplest explanation. Occam did not originate the idea that bears his name, but he did make it famous. This rule is commonly used in our society, although few know it as “Occam’s Razor”. It is better known as, “The simpler the better”. The simplest is usually the best approach, “Just cut to the chase”.
[2 Peter 1: 3-11] Communication, a simple thing in itself, has become so complex in the 21st century some people don’t even bother trying anymore. Even God’s simple message of salvation has become so perverted by wild interpretations that souls have given up trying to communicate with and understand their creator. What kind of world do you think we’d live in if, for instance, we treated our Bible, God’s Word, like we treat our cell phones? What if we carried it around with us all day, every day? What if we opened it and flipped through it several times a day? What if we forgot it one day? Would we return home to get it? What if we actually received messages from its texts? What if we treated our Bible like we couldn’t live without it? What if we gave it to our kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? Could we use it in case of emergency? And you know, you don’t have to worry about being disconnected from God. Jesus has paid the bill in full for your lifetime. Don’t make life more complicated than it has to be. Cell phone gossip and stress is creating a lot of unnecessary problems. Got a problem? KISS it, and PUSH! (Pray Until Something Happens) God loves you.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
You Will Have Trouble
Have you heard the good old saying, “If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself”? Well, one of my resolutions for the year is to take better care of myself, if I intend to live even longer than I had expected. I’m now at the age when I thought my grandfather was old and I was ten, but I’m not old, am I? I’m beginning to believe one can tell when they’re getting old by the number of personally monogrammed pill bottles lined up on the kitchen counter and the number of medical appointment cards stuck under refrigerator magnets. Our mortality begins to come into focus and we figure now’s the time to put our best effort into better health. A recent TV commercial stated it well; “I’m so there!” “Matured” adults have new dangers to face as I found out recently. Medications bring out the best and sometimes the worst of an ailing body. My eye doctor prescribed an eye drop medication to help reduce the pressure in my eyes, which over the years has been going up. I’ve never had a bad reaction to any type of medication in my life, until now. It took me a day or two to figure out what was going on, but believe me, those printed papers that come with your prescriptions are a life saver. Don’t just throw them in the trash. It took over two weeks for my body to react adversely toward this medication and I figured out which of my meds was doing it by re-reading the “possible side effects” and comparing them to my symptoms. All and all, I’m learning life doesn’t get any easier. You’ve got to keep on your toes all the time.
A man was speaking to a group of senior men and said, “I have this joke that is so funny it will make your hair fall out – it will just make your hair fall plum out.” Knowing that several of the older gentlemen were partially and completely bald, he scanned the room while giggling loud enough for all to hear, then added, “I see that many of you have already heard the joke, so I’m not going to repeat it.”
The teacher asked the little boy, “If both of your parents were born in 1965, how old would they say they are now?” The young one said, “I suppose that all depends on if you ask my father or my mother.”
Calling the newspaper office, the irate customer loudly demanded, “Where is my Sunday paper?” The employee answered politely, “Ma’am, today is Saturday. The Sunday paper will be delivered tomorrow.” There was quite a long pause on the phone followed by, “I guess that explains why I was the only one at worship this morning”
[John 16:33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” One thing in life is certain: we all have our share of pain, sorrow, difficulties and suffering. Bad things happen, and they often happen to good people. Age, disease and sickness threaten to destroy health. Family problems threaten to destroy the lives and souls of those we love most dearly. In our states of depression, I’m afraid we find ourselves standing on the wrong side of the fence way too often. We question, “Does God really care?” when we should be examining ourselves by asking, “Do I really believe in God’s promises?” Throughout life’s ups and downs, on the road to forever, am I holding tight to this physical world with its troubles or to the peace and hope found in Christ Jesus? And, am I faithfully looking forward to the day of redemption with gladness? (Romans 8: 18-39)
A man was speaking to a group of senior men and said, “I have this joke that is so funny it will make your hair fall out – it will just make your hair fall plum out.” Knowing that several of the older gentlemen were partially and completely bald, he scanned the room while giggling loud enough for all to hear, then added, “I see that many of you have already heard the joke, so I’m not going to repeat it.”
The teacher asked the little boy, “If both of your parents were born in 1965, how old would they say they are now?” The young one said, “I suppose that all depends on if you ask my father or my mother.”
Calling the newspaper office, the irate customer loudly demanded, “Where is my Sunday paper?” The employee answered politely, “Ma’am, today is Saturday. The Sunday paper will be delivered tomorrow.” There was quite a long pause on the phone followed by, “I guess that explains why I was the only one at worship this morning”
[John 16:33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” One thing in life is certain: we all have our share of pain, sorrow, difficulties and suffering. Bad things happen, and they often happen to good people. Age, disease and sickness threaten to destroy health. Family problems threaten to destroy the lives and souls of those we love most dearly. In our states of depression, I’m afraid we find ourselves standing on the wrong side of the fence way too often. We question, “Does God really care?” when we should be examining ourselves by asking, “Do I really believe in God’s promises?” Throughout life’s ups and downs, on the road to forever, am I holding tight to this physical world with its troubles or to the peace and hope found in Christ Jesus? And, am I faithfully looking forward to the day of redemption with gladness? (Romans 8: 18-39)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Self-Improvement
Do you remember the self-improvement craze of the late nineties? It seemed like everybody was writing a book on how to change ones lifestyle to live a happier life. Well, that sort of got pushed aside for a short while by extremist that had us all shook up over Y2K and the world falling apart at midnight December 31, 1999. After the dust settled and we awoke in a new century to find nothing had really changed, the self-improvement regime returned with a few new twists added, like how we shouldn’t worry so much and how stress was bad for our health. And if we weren’t depressed enough in our feelings of neglect toward our physical well-being every time we stepped on the scales, our psyche completely fell apart September 11, 2001. It’s my belief that obesity has stemmed from armchair psycho book writers convincing, happy to have what they’ve got, contented 8-5 laborers, that they’re failures in life because they don’t drive a Lincoln. So, one day you find yourself eating potato chips, washing them down with soda while sitting in front of the TV listening to someone telling you to go out and buy yourself something new to make yourself feel better. How did this happen? But guess what? That’s exactly what the world did and now we’re so far in debt we actually believe it’s all someone else’s fault. But, look on the horizon. There’s a change coming! Ya, right! You and I must change to bring about a change. Think about it.
TODAY, I have decided to change my life. TODAY, I have decided to improve my lifestyle. TODAY, I have decided to improve my attitude. It will not all change by tomorrow, but it will start with me today. The past is no longer and tomorrow will be what I make of it. TODAY, I will forgive, even myself. TODAY, I will forget the past, because it is forever unchangeable. TODAY, I will give, love, lend an ear and smile at a stranger, because tomorrow I may need these things. TODAY, I will rely on God to make my tomorrow’s better and if tomorrow never comes, I’m happy I changed, today.
A man went to the doctor seeking a cure for his snoring. During his examination the doctor asked, “Does it bother you wife or keep her awake at night?” The man replied, “No, it just embarrasses her. It’s the rest of the congregation that’s upset with me.”
A husband and wife got into a petty argument. As is our nature, neither of them would admit the possibility that one of them might be in error. To her credit the wife finally said, “Look, I’ll tell you what. I’ll admit I’m wrong to arguing with you if you’ll admit I was right in the first place.” “Fine”, he said. Taking a deep breath, she looked him straight in the eye and said, “I was wrong.” He grinned and replied, “You’re right.”
[Matthew 6: 19-34] The best self-improvement book ever written, Proverbs, was authored by the “teacher”, King Solomon, son of David, over two thousand years ago. The book begins with its purpose “...for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.” At the end of the authors introduction he adds “...The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Seek first the kingdom of God and life will no longer be a burden. People own one, but don’t read it. Wisdom comes from God’s Word, the BIBLE; Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
TODAY, I have decided to change my life. TODAY, I have decided to improve my lifestyle. TODAY, I have decided to improve my attitude. It will not all change by tomorrow, but it will start with me today. The past is no longer and tomorrow will be what I make of it. TODAY, I will forgive, even myself. TODAY, I will forget the past, because it is forever unchangeable. TODAY, I will give, love, lend an ear and smile at a stranger, because tomorrow I may need these things. TODAY, I will rely on God to make my tomorrow’s better and if tomorrow never comes, I’m happy I changed, today.
A man went to the doctor seeking a cure for his snoring. During his examination the doctor asked, “Does it bother you wife or keep her awake at night?” The man replied, “No, it just embarrasses her. It’s the rest of the congregation that’s upset with me.”
A husband and wife got into a petty argument. As is our nature, neither of them would admit the possibility that one of them might be in error. To her credit the wife finally said, “Look, I’ll tell you what. I’ll admit I’m wrong to arguing with you if you’ll admit I was right in the first place.” “Fine”, he said. Taking a deep breath, she looked him straight in the eye and said, “I was wrong.” He grinned and replied, “You’re right.”
[Matthew 6: 19-34] The best self-improvement book ever written, Proverbs, was authored by the “teacher”, King Solomon, son of David, over two thousand years ago. The book begins with its purpose “...for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.” At the end of the authors introduction he adds “...The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Seek first the kingdom of God and life will no longer be a burden. People own one, but don’t read it. Wisdom comes from God’s Word, the BIBLE; Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
An Unworthy Servant
“I am no prophet or the son of a prophet, but there is one thing I know: A revolution is coming and there is no way to stop it! It is going to sweep across our nation as quickly as a prairie fire borne by strong southern winds. And nothing will be able to stand before it. ...Whatever efforts we make to confront our coming revolution will be as silly and as ineffective as those suggested by some in a past century. The revolution has begun, and shortly will take over every federal government office, judgeship, police force, state government, school, hospital, business and every church. This is certain and sure, and there will be no exceptions. This revolution is the youth of today. Today we have the opportunity to teach and train. Tomorrow will be too late. It is of unspeakable importance to ‘train up a child in the way he should go’. If we work upon marble, it will perish; if on brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds, and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and love of our fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity.” – Daniel Webster
There was a barber who thought he should share his faith with customers more than he had been doing. So the next morning he vowed to himself, “I’m going to ‘witness’ to the next person that walks in that door.” A man walked in and stated he wanted a shave. The barber stepped into the next room, said a prayer that he would say the right thing, and returned to his customer, razor in one hand and a Bible in the other. “Good morning sir”, he said, “I have a question for you – are you ready to die?”
A businessman, well known for his ruthlessness, once announced to Mark Twain, “Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I’m going to climb Mount Sinai and atop that mountain I’ll read aloud the Ten Commandments.” “I have a better idea”, replied Twain. “You could stay in Boston and keep them.”
[Matthew 20: 20-28] A group of children were asked in Sunday morning Bible class, “Why do you love the Lord?” One child responded, “I don’t know sir, I guess it just runs in our family.” Think about it and that statement is both true and sad at the same time. There are many who profess to be a Christian and have no idea why. They’re simply walking along behind someone else thinking they’ll walk straight into heaven with them. Our theme and goal for the year 2009 in our congregation is to become better servants, not only to our fellow man but to the Gospel of our Lord. Over the years we have done a great “disservice” toward our children and to those seeking the Lord. We have taken them by the hand, taught them just enough about God and Jesus to awaken their spirit, but then fail to help them mature in the spirit. The church is doing a great job of socializing folks, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but learning how to get along with each other and surviving in the world from day to day isn’t going to get me into heaven. I’ve had a letter on my desk for three months now, from a man in prison asking for a Bible and some lessons to help him grow spiritually, and I haven’t found the time to fulfill this simple request. I am an unworthy servant of God and the Gospel of Christ. Why is the world in financial crisis? We have failed as parents and spiritual leaders to prove to others that the physical world is finite and spirituality is forever.
There was a barber who thought he should share his faith with customers more than he had been doing. So the next morning he vowed to himself, “I’m going to ‘witness’ to the next person that walks in that door.” A man walked in and stated he wanted a shave. The barber stepped into the next room, said a prayer that he would say the right thing, and returned to his customer, razor in one hand and a Bible in the other. “Good morning sir”, he said, “I have a question for you – are you ready to die?”
A businessman, well known for his ruthlessness, once announced to Mark Twain, “Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I’m going to climb Mount Sinai and atop that mountain I’ll read aloud the Ten Commandments.” “I have a better idea”, replied Twain. “You could stay in Boston and keep them.”
[Matthew 20: 20-28] A group of children were asked in Sunday morning Bible class, “Why do you love the Lord?” One child responded, “I don’t know sir, I guess it just runs in our family.” Think about it and that statement is both true and sad at the same time. There are many who profess to be a Christian and have no idea why. They’re simply walking along behind someone else thinking they’ll walk straight into heaven with them. Our theme and goal for the year 2009 in our congregation is to become better servants, not only to our fellow man but to the Gospel of our Lord. Over the years we have done a great “disservice” toward our children and to those seeking the Lord. We have taken them by the hand, taught them just enough about God and Jesus to awaken their spirit, but then fail to help them mature in the spirit. The church is doing a great job of socializing folks, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but learning how to get along with each other and surviving in the world from day to day isn’t going to get me into heaven. I’ve had a letter on my desk for three months now, from a man in prison asking for a Bible and some lessons to help him grow spiritually, and I haven’t found the time to fulfill this simple request. I am an unworthy servant of God and the Gospel of Christ. Why is the world in financial crisis? We have failed as parents and spiritual leaders to prove to others that the physical world is finite and spirituality is forever.
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