Blessing Your Problems

It’s that time of the year when we aim to please and if we fall short of our goal, we tend to come down really hard on ourselves. It’s unfortunate, but I’ve seen people who think that the only way to enjoy a good holiday season is to make it bigger and better than the year before. Thanksgiving dinners and holiday parties, in some cases, have become an internal family competition rather than a celebration, stirring up harsh emotions rather than cheerful joys. I think this year has opened the eyes of most families knowing that, like any marathon competitor, the “wall” has been hit and from here on all you can do is the best you can do. A lot of disappointment will be realized, with the shortfall of funds, to travel and lacking the ability to entertain, as they might like. This is all good though, because we’re all extremely thankful for all that we do have, right?
The preacher decided that a demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday morning sermon. Four worms were placed into four different containers. The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second into a container of cigarette smoke. The third worm was placed in a container of chocolate syrup. The forth worm was put in a container of good clean damp soil. At the conclusion of his lesson, the preacher reported the following observation: The first worm in alcohol, dead; The second worm in cigarette smoke, dead; The third worm in chocolate syrup, dead; The forth worm in good clean soil, Alive! The preacher unwittingly asked the congregation, “What can we learn from this demonstration?” A little old lady in the middle of the audience raised her hand and said, “As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate you won’t have worms!”
Daniel Defoe gave some good advice through his fictitious character Robinson Crusoe. The first thing Crusoe did when he found himself on a deserted island was to make out a list. On one side of the list, he wrote down all his problems. On the other side of the list, he wrote down all his blessings. On one side, he wrote: I don’t have any clothes. On the other side, he wrote: But it’s warm and I don’t really need any. On one side, he wrote: All of my provisions were lost. Opposite he wrote: But there is plenty of fresh fruit and water on this island. And on down the list he went. In this fashion, he discovered that for every negative aspect about his situation, there was a positive aspect, something to be thankful for.
[Psalm 30] Are you on the island of despair? Perhaps it’s time to take inventory of your blessings and turn your depressed state into an expression of thanks. And some of us may be long overdue in expressing our thanks to God. The prophet Samuel called David, a man after God’s own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14) No matter what the earthly circumstance David found himself in, he could make a list of his troubles and counter them with a list of blessings, of which he gave all the glory to God, whom he trusted and loved with all his being. We should take to heart the examples recorded for us about the life of David and his relationship with God. When facing the giants of life, is it better for me to attack with the armor of man, or the armor of God? When I have strayed from that, which I know is right and have done wrong, is it better to make excuses to men or confess to God and beg His forgiveness? Stop looking at all the depressing problems of life and take an inventory of your blessings. Give God the glory and worries fade away.

Coincidence / Providence?

I can’t count the times I’ve been asked if I have a fax machine in my office and I’ve always had to say no. That’s weird because I’ve always had a fax at home and offer it to anyone who wants to transmit some paperwork. Most people just said, “Oh, never mind. I don’t want to put you out” and it seems all the “It’s no trouble at all” pleas couldn’t change the mind of most people. I understand the comfort of the office verses a private home atmosphere. Well, I’m seriously thinking of dumping my solicitor infected telephone landlines, so considered donating my fax to the office, seeing the need. Just when I thought I was going to contribute to the cause in walks a complete stranger with an all-in-one copier/scanner/fax machine and asked if I could use it. You could have floored me with a feather, but of course, typically human, in the back of my mind I’m thinking, “Yeh, probably like the rest of the stuff donated around here, it’s most likely worn out or only half works”. Of course I accepted the machine with a smile and “thank-you”. First thing I find no owners manual or installation DVD. No problem I can get all that online. I plug it in and everything seems to work fine, but what about the fax? I was pleasantly surprised the machine works great and the answer to a prayer. The gentleman even returned several days later with the manual and the install DVD. I just never know what any given day might bring forth, some good, some disappointing, some surprising.
Did you hear about the elderly woman who went to the dentist to have her false teeth adjusted for the fifth time? “Well”, said the dentist “I’ll do it again this time, but no more. I see no reason these shouldn’t fit your mouth perfectly and comfortably.” “Who said anything about my mouth”? she answered. “They don’t fit in the glass!”
A group of expectant fathers were in a waiting room while their wives were in the process of delivering babies. A nurse came in and announced to one man that his wife had just given birth to twins. “That’s quit a coincidence,” he responded. “I play for the Minnesota Twins!” A few minutes later a nurse came in and announced to another man he was the father of triplets. “That’s amazing”, he exclaimed. “I work for the 3M Company!” About that time a young soon-to-be father fell faint against the wall. When asked if he was okay he answered, “I’m not sure; I work for the 7-UP Company.”
[Romans 5: 1-11] Most people live in a world of “coincidence”, that is things just seem to happen at the same time without any apparent connection to each other. It’s a coincidence when you meet someone you know while on vacation miles from home. It’s a coincidence when two people, not paying attention to their driving, meet in the middle of the same intersection. Two happenstances “coincide”, occupying the same space at the same time. Coincidental living is generally shrouded in mystery and wonderment. Through the wisdom and understanding of God’s Word, I, and most mature Christians, live a life of “providence”, foresight, prudence, with God’s care and protection. For me, “things” don’t just happen. My God, the God of the Bible, is alive and active in my life. I am exactly where He wants me to be and doing exactly what He wants me to be doing and I believe this trend will continue as long as I live according to His will. The fax machine was not a coincidence, but God active in my life. How many times does God have to show himself to you, before you start giving Him credit for the wonders of life?

Do You Smell Smoke?

Are we getting so multi-tasking preoccupied we can’t even think anymore? An automobile manufacturer is having a problem with the driver’s side floor-mat, weaseling its way up under the accelerator pedal, entangling itself in the works, placing the vehicle into a full throttle run-away. You noticed I didn’t say, an out of control, run-away. I can imagine the panic, while tooling down the highway in cruse control, the vehicle all of a sudden begins to accelerate for no apparent reason. You sit up taking notice of the situation, not knowing you just pushed the culprit floor-mat even further into the pedal causing the vehicle to go even faster, thinking, “…what’s happening here?” Some people simply panic and crash. Calmer heads will rationalize the cruse control is going berserk and will turn it off, thinking that will solve the problem, but it doesn’t, because the pedal is jammed to the floor, so they panic and crash. It takes a clear mind to flash forward to the ultimate solution of simply shutting off the engine to save the day. Duh!
A young and stupid pilot wanted to sound cool on the aviation frequencies. This one time he was approaching the landing field during the nighttime. Instead of making any official requests to the tower he simply said, “Guess who?” The ground controller of the field turned off the runway lights and replied, “Guess where?”
In the Victorian theater, it was not uncommon for just one actor to embrace the stage and simply quote the writings of philosophers, well-known authors or a few self-composed sonnets. Some of these actors were well known and respected for their work. Just as one such actor was about to take the stage, an employee of the theater stopped him and explained there was a fire in the building and an evacuation was in order. The actor was asked to inform the audience in a calm manor, as to not cause any panic, asking them to evacuate the building immediately. The actor presented himself before the audience, receiving a grand applause, and informed them of the impending danger urging them to proceed in an orderly manor to the exits for their safety. When he had finished there was dead silence in the theater. Then one patron stood and began to clap his hands for the performance of the actor followed by a standing ovation from the rest of the audience. Never knowing what the well-know actor might present when he took the stage, no one heard the message of impending doom, until they smelled the smoke.
[2 Peter 3] Am I so busy today, preoccupied with being politically correct and making everyone comfortable, I’ve forgotten the message? Am I so busy satisfying my physical wants and needs I’m neglecting my spiritual life? Has worship become so mundane it has become a ritual? Have I become a paid patron in the worship assembly? Have I come to worship just to see the show? Am I receiving the Word of God as an act from the pulpit, from an actor on stage? The message from the pulpit is one of doom and hope. It’s not an act! Jesus has delivered a message for all to hear. The end is near and total destruction is coming. However, there is a way of escape. Anyone can be saved from the fires of hell through obedience to God’s Word. Are you listening to what’s being preached and taking it seriously? I can guarantee you one thing. If you continue to satisfy your “itching ears” (2 Timothy 4: 1-5) and ignore the commands of God, when you smell the smoke it’s going to be too late. This run-away world cannot save you!

Too Quiet Silent Majority

To desensitize something is to remove or reduce its sensitivity. We’ve seen a lot of that in our society over the past twenty years and most people haven’t even recognized it. In the state of Texas, such things as pari-mutuel track betting on horses and the state lottery were very sensitive issues when first proposed. It took several years for each to become a part of society through a positive public vote. How did this happen? Because, those wanting to see it happen simply kept telling the public how good a thing they were passing up. Okay, so what happened as soon as each of these proposals passed the public “yes” vote? Big contrives cropped up about money. Who gets paid what and exactly where is all this money going once the state gets its hands on it? The Fed does the same thing all the time. Issues are desensitized just enough to get the votes it takes to pass laws, good or bad, for the general population, as long as a few more “good buddies” are made, everything’s going to be fine, not to worry. I’m happy to see some of the desensitizing isn’t working as apparent in the national vote this month. The voices of the people were heard loud and clear on several issues and I for one am happy to see it.
Could we learn something from the now defunct USSR? Known once again as Russia, the government officials are hard at work ridding the country of the things that brought it under the control of socialist. A headline seen not long ago stated, “Russia Bans All Gambling And Shuts Casinos” Why did they do it? Moscow deputy mayor, Sergei Baidakov, said the ban was “to protect the health of society”. Even some of the addicted gamblers thought the ban might help them. “Maybe this is all a good thing. I’m a family man and come here every day and lose all my money. I’ll be happy to see them (casinos) go”’ said a 40-year-old Muscovite. Not long after that, another headline appeared, “Religion Will Return To Public Schools In Russia”. It is estimated that only about five percent in that country are “observant believers” in Christianity. So, what has Russia learned that we haven’t? I wonder how long it will be before Russian’s have problems like those in South Carolina. Specialty automobile license plates featuring the words “I Believe” are being challenged in federal court. How long do you think will it be before the USA is known as the ACLUSR (American Civil Liberties Union Social Republic)? In the words of comedian, Yaakov Smirnoff, “What a country!”
“Your dog bit me and I’m going to sue you!” “Never mind”, came the reply. “I’ll give you $100 to settle out of court.” “I’ll take the money”, satisfied but curious, “say, what are you laughing at?” “That’s a counterfeit bill”, said the jokester, “what are you smiling about?” Having to admit defeat, “Your dog bit my wooden leg.”
[Luke 16: 8] “…for the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light.” The silent majority is being desensitized to a point of defection from the truth. The conservative Christian is scared to open its mouth for what is morally right or wrong in fear of political correctness and is no longer shrewd with their own kind, “children of light” concerning God’s word and righteous living. The church is being desensitized from without and within by those picking apart God’s word to make it more palatable. The church is not a democracy. The laws of righteous living cannot be compromised and expect the same promised blessings too.