Ready or Not ...2019

Can you believe another year is in the books? Time marches relentlessly onward without asking for either our consent or approval. 2018 isn’t even cold yet and 2019 is already relentlessly marching for­ward. Nothing you or I do will ever get that time back. With each passing day we creep closer towards time’s end. Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will be passed to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal powers will shrivel to irrelevance. It won’t matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire. The wins and loses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won’t matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end. It won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant. So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave.

[John 10:1-17] The year 2019 will bring with it days of defeat and success. 2019 will bring with it both sadness and great joy. 2019 will bring days of suffering bal­anced with days of healing. 2019 will bring with it days of loss and others of enrichment. For some 2019 will bring with it a day of finality. But, as always, with Jesus there is good news, for there will not be a single day in 2019 that you will have to encounter alone! We have One who can lift us up from de­feat, comfort us in sadness and sustain us through suffering. There is One who can truly place momentary loss into eternal perspective. And not to be forgotten, we have each other, charged with the duty of sharing in life’s highs and lows (Romans 12:12-15) and with bearing “one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). While you are powerless to keep time from sifting through your life like sand through your fingers, you can do something about how you spend it. What will matter in how you spend your fleeting moment in time is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your confidence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone. What will matter are not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters. While much time will fall wasted at the feet of humanity, as a follower of Christ you can use your time to God’s glory and time will ultimately deposit you in His timeless glory. Moses said of the Lord’s commands, “This day I call the heavens and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years...” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20a,b). “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

Rejoice Anyway

Once again Christmas-time is upon us. It’s the season when familiar sights, sounds and smells are all around us. It’s also the time of year when the secular progressives of the world turn their attention more sharply to anything and everything decidedly “Christian”. It’s the season when municipalities ban, or attempt to ban, nativity scenes, Christmas trees, and Christmas lights – not only on public property, but in private businesses as well. It’s the time of year when the long beloved greeting of “Merry Christmas” is replaced by the corporate mandated, “Happy Holidays” and “Seasons Greetings.” Tis the season when the smallest minority of the country, atheists, get a great deal of air time to attack Christianity and Christians from our openly anti-Christian, liberal media outlets. It’s the time of year when it’s most clear that liberal organizations interpret the words “freedom of religion” to mean “freedom from the Christian religion.” It’s the time of year when public school administrators have to walk on eggs in fear of reprimand or reprisal for allowing too much Christianity onto their campuses. Tis the season when the words, “separation of church and state” are twisted, misapplied, and perverted beyond anything our founding fathers had in mind. Tis the season to wake up and realize that we are at war with the ideologies of the god of this world. Tis the season for Christians to take a stand against the devil who is attempting to eradicate everything Christian from our cities, our states and our country. Our God-fearing moral nation is at risk, and freedom is not free.

[Ephesians 6:11-12] Ever wonder what causes the angels in heaven to shout for joy? There are several instances of angels proclaiming joy, and they all seem to have a common thread. The first instance of the heavenly host expressing joy is during the creation of the heavens and the earth. Recounting the incident, God tells Job that when it happened, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:1-7). Most Bible scholars agree that the morning stars and sons of God are in reference to angels, who apparently were created prior to the earth. So in this instance, we see the angels being joyous because of God using His creative powers to make something that had never existed before. Let’s look at another instance of the angels showing joy. When the proper time came (Galatians 4:4), God sent His Son to be born of the human race. It is at this time in announcing the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds that angels proclaimed it a time of “great joy” (Luke 2:8-14). So here the angels express praise and joy at the coming of the Christ-child, the God-Man, Jesus. As in the creation, they are expressing joy over something that had never before existed. There is one more instance I can find in the Bible of the angels expressing joy – and this one directly involves us. In Luke 15:10 we are told that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Seeing a sinner come to God and becoming a new creation brings great joy to the angels. From these three instances, I think we can clearly see that angels get excited over new creations. Think about it: when we have our lives made new through baptism into Christ and we continue to live each day renewed in the Spirit, the angels rejoice over us. What an encouraging thought! “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!” (Revelation 12:11-12a). Tis the season for spiritual warfare. To God be the glory and rejoice with the angels on high.

Clean From The Inside Out

There’s a lot of talk about giving this month. Even the retail stores, who have separated themselves from the reason for the season, have not moved away from this concept. It is a time to “give to everyone on your list” and “we’re only here to help you with this task …‘cause we have better sales!” But, the reason so many Millennial’s are abandoning Christmas for Halloween as the biggest holiday is because when the “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:8-14) is cut off, crass commercialism and greed are not enough reason to sustain it. Giving to others only makes sense to an increasingly selfish world when it realizes that God gave first …and the most. The expression is true: “we can’t out-give God.” But do we try? Truly understanding and appreciating His gift is the first step for us to pull our focus from our self-absorption and give to others from gratitude to Him.

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old, worn out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day, the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?” The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.” The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!” “So you think it is useless?” the old man said. “Look at the basket.” The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. “Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.”

[James 1:17-18] Thus, we must; “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9-11). “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Are you being cleaned from the inside out?

The Gospel According To YOU

Not too long ago I read the story of a farmer who was just devastated over the fact that his barn’s roof fell in. Someone asked the farmer, “What happened?” The farmer said that the roof had been leaking so long that the timbers supporting it just rotted through. Of course, one’s initial thought is why did he let the roof get so bad before fixing it? The farmer’s response: “Well ...it just seemed ...when the weather was good there weren’t no need for it, and when it was rainin’ it was too wet to work on it.” I think relationships are much like that old barn. Could it be that some of our relationships are on the brink of collapsing because efforts have not been made along the way to strengthen their infrastructure? What do you thing will happen to that relationship when the next major storm of life develops? How many marriages will fall apart tomorrow because, while at the moment things are good, constant efforts are not being made to strengthen the resolve to love one another “until death do us part” (Ephesians 5:22-33)? How many children will leave home never to communicate with father or mother again because at this very moment fathers are not getting involved in the lives of their children, and mothers are not instilling discipline in their children to grow up to be faithful Christians (Ephesians 6:1-4)? While today may be a good day, and I pray that is for you, don’t forget that tomorrow a storm may come and life could all fall apart if efforts are not made each day to strengthen your relationships. Want to have good healthy relationships? Commit regularly to the little things, so that when the big issues arise, the roof doesn’t collapse!

[2 Corinthians 3:1-3] What would you say is the most read gospel? Is it Matthew, the first book that a reader comes to in the New Testament? Is it the action packed gospel of Mark? Is it Luke, the gospel for all men? Is it John, the gospel penned by the disciple whom Jesus loved? In all likelihood, the most read gospel is not any of these four. It is the fifth gospel – YOU! Leroy Brownlow (Give Us This Day) wrote: “The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Are read by more than a few, But the one that is most read and commented on, Is the gospel according to You. You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day, By things you do and words that you say. Men read what you write, whether faithless or true, Say, what is the gospel according to you?” To the saints in Corinth, Paul wrote, “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on your hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” The Corinthians were an epistle known and read of all men. Of course, the same holds true with us. What are men reading in, You? Will your life cause them to glorify God? “...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16); “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12). Or, will they blaspheme God? “As it is written: ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you’” (Romans 2:24; Isaiah 52:5; Ezekiel 36:22) or His word “...so that no one will malign the word of God” (Titus 2:5). Wednesday is our 33^rd wedding anniversary and I pray often that we continue in the love found in God’s Word.

What's Your Request?

“What do you want for Christmas” is a question asked millions of times each and every year in the pursuit of one attempting to please another with giving gifts that will bring happiness. When I was a boy, I was into the Sears catalog a full month or two before Christmas. The toy section was full of wants and dreams. I never thought of the expense involved, they were gifts, right? I never did get all I wanted but it seems I always had what I needed. My parent’s monetary constraints never did dampen my wishes though.

[Mark 10:36, 51] Our wish list with a God who has no such constraints would be extensive. If, however, we could only receive those things which were justifiable needs, what would they be? Well, we always need more money, but we’re still living without it. Imagine for a moment that Jesus is literally standing in front of you. With bated breathe you wait for him to say something, and then, to your surprise, His words are in the form of a question, “What do you want me to do for you?” You might have expected him to say, “get your life straight...” or “follow me...” or “go and make disciples...” but not, “What do you want me to do for you?” Why not? Jesus is a servant (Mark 10:45) and is willing to give all he has to you. So, what would you do if Jesus asked what he could for you? Would you ask for greater health? Jesus asked a man who had been lame for 38 years if he wanted to get well (John 5:6). The man said he needed help and Jesus healed him on the spot. Better health is an appropriate request, but we can’t keep it forever. Would you ask for greater faith? A father brought his son to Jesus (Mark 9:14-29). The boy was possessed by a mute spirit that would throw him down, cause him to foam at the mouth, gnash his teeth and become rigid. Jesus’ disciple couldn’t cast the spirit out. The father said to Jesus, “...if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus replied, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” The boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Jesus commanded the spirit to come out of the boy never to enter him again. A stronger faith is an appropriate request. Would you ask for a better relationship with the Lord? This was the desire of the apostle Paul when he said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10). Paul latter affirmed he was given his desire, “...That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day” (2 Timothy 1: 12).There’s nothing more important than a right relationship with the Lord Jesus growing in His grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:15-18). The single greatest thing that we truly must have from God is salvation, redemption, forgiveness, and the reward of heaven. It matters not if we prosper in wealth and health is vain, compared to salvation (Matthew 16: 24-27). A person rewarded with heaven is saved from hell. This is the thing we need. This is what we must have and it can only come from Jesus (John 14:6). He, therefore, is the Savior and he stands not only able to provide this but is willing and desirous to do so. Isn’t it ironic that failure to receive the one true thing we need is the result of our refusal to accept it, or for that matter, ask for it? And heaven is yours for the asking and the answers are in God’s Word, Jesus (John 1:14). The gracious Lord of heaven still says, “What do you want me to do for you?” What’s your request?

Expecting The Unexpected

On any given commercial airplane flight, one never knows when, first the flight attendant and then the captain announces over the intercom that the seatbelt signs have been turned on because they were “expecting unexpected turbulence.” There’s nothing like a good oxymoron to entertain excitable airplane passengers. It may not be a bad idea to every now and then contemplate the idea of expecting unexpected turbulence along our life’s journey. I’ve lived long enough to experience turbulence not only on a personal basis, but have had my life unexpectedly agitated a few times by worldly activities I never imagined coming my way. I’m reminded every year of November 22, 1963 and the assassination of President John F. Kenedy. I was thirteen and it was the last day of school before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Our English teacher, an ex-Marine who still commanded attention, was absent from the room at the beginning of class. The room, full of excited adolescents in the last class of the day, buzzed with rumors of the shooting of a governor or prince or king of somewhere, but nobody really knew any details. Entered our teacher, and I’ll never forget the sadness on his face as he informed the class that our President was dead. Then he sat at his desk and cried. Nation-wide the Thanksgiving of 1963 was the most somber time I have ever experienced, including 9-11. That’s when I learned to “expect the unexpected” in life and depend on the pilot to get me through it.

[Psalm 46] “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. ...He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The Lord Almighty is with us...” The Christian life is a journey - a long journey, with quite a bit of turbulence. And the turbulence we experience often comes at unexpected times. And, while we might not be able to predict when tur­bulent times will come, we can and should expect them. In preparation for the turbulence in life, the Christian needs to buckle up. In other words, we need to utilize the safety mea­sures we have at our disposal, understanding that God is ever present in our lives providing a strong belt of peace of mind that comes from knowing for certain that we’re protected from any calamity that might come our way. Almost 2,000 years ago Jesus said we are wise if we build on a firm foundation, the solid rock. Matthew 7:24-27 states “...everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had it’s foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell with a great crash.” My faith, my spiritual house, is built upon the rock foundation that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:15-18; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11). This journey that we’re on will be long, exhausting, and full of turbulence, but getting to our destination is worth the trip. “...We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22). Friend, lets follow and obey Jesus Christ for, “...the man who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15-17). Don’t let worldly turbulence destroy your soul. Buckle-Up and Live!

Giving Thanks, Always

As life goes onward day by day, Let each one to his conscience say, That flesh is weak but God is strong, That right is right and wrong is wrong. That I have found my workday flies, But therein all my life’s hope lies. That on life’s upward path I’ll run, My face forever to the sun. That I shall do my best today, Not let one moment waste away; And as I travel on life’s road I’ll try to share a brother’s load. That force has power, but love has more; That peace is mightier than war; That real success is only won, By deeds of kindness one has done. (Author Unknown)

In this season of thanksgiving I thought I might introduce you to some unusual things to be thankful for. * Be thankful when you don’t know ...it gives you opportunities to learn. * Be thankful for difficult times ...it’s during those times you grow. * Be thankful for limitations ...they present you opportunities for improvement. * Be thankful for a new challenge ...it will build strength and character. * Be thankful for your mistakes ...they will teach you valuable lessons. * Be thankful when you’re weary ...it means you’ve made a difference. * Be thankful for the taxes you pay ...it means you are employed. * Be thankful for clothes that fit a little snug ...it means you have plenty to eat. * Be thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing ...it means you have a house. * Be thankful for the spot you find at the far end of the parking lot ...it means you are capable of walking. * Be thankful for all the complaining you hear about our government ...it means we still have freedom of speech.  * Be thankful for that huge heating bill ...it means you are warm. * Be thankful for the lady behind you in church service who sings off key ...it means that you can hear. * Be thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing ...it means your loved ones are nearby. * Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours ...it means that you are alive with somewhere to go and something to do. * Be thankful for weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day ... it means you’ve been productive. It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the set-backs. “...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). I pray you have a blessed Thanksgiving Day.

[Romans 5:6-8] Thankfulness is an attitude of heart and mind that expresses itself in speech and action. Most of us have experienced ingratitude from another at some point in our life when we have done something for someone and receive little or no appreciation.  It makes it hard to want to do it again. I often wonder how God feels at His creation’s ingratitude. How many have felt God’s sunshine, breathed God’s air, been blessed with God’s rain and yet never stopped to think of, or thanked, the Creator for all these things. Many, I’m sure, never give a moments thought to God, though they are here living by God’s grace and alive by God’s favor. What ingrates we humans can be. Even more, think about the greatest gift God has conferred upon man – the gift of His Son, Jesus. When we were undeserving, when we were yet enemies of God, the Father, in infinite love, gave His Son to die on our behalf. God’s lovely and innocent Son paid the debt we owed, took upon himself the penalty we deserved, and accepted punishment for the transgressions of our disobedience toward God. Thank God for his saving grace through His loving Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. God so loved the world... (John 3:16). Blessed!

Known But To God

Just outside Washington, D.C., across the sparkling blue waters of the Potomac River, lies Arlington National Cemetery. Since 1864 some 45,000 plus courageous individuals have been laid to rest beneath the soil of the gently sloping hill of that impressive field. Among the honored dead is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This tomb has become a national shrine and is Arlington’s outstanding memorial. Thousands stand quietly and reverently at its graveside annually. The inscription on the tomb reads: “Here, known but to God, lies an unknown soldier.” That particular tomb has come to represent all the men and women of our armed services who’ve bravely fought and dies defending our nation’s freedom. It’s not only a memorial for every major general, but for every grunt and unknown soldier who’ve sacrificed so much protecting life, liberty and happiness.

It Is The Soldier by Charles M. Province, U.S. Army, November 1, 2004. “It is the Soldier, not the minister; Who has given us freedom of religion. It is the Soldier, not the reporter; Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Soldier, not the poet; Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer; Who has given us freedom to protest. It is the Soldier, not the lawyer; Who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the Soldier, not the politician; Who has given us the right to vote. It is the Soldier who salutes the flag; Who serves beneath the flag; And whose coffin is draped by the flag; Who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

[Matthew 6:1-8; 16-18] The Bible has its unknown soldiers scattered throughout its sacred pages; that is, godly soldiers who teach us about sacrifice, courage, love and faith. Their identities are known only to God; however, the good that they accomplished will be forever etched in the annals of Sacred Script. For example, there were the seven thousand who did not bow to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). There was the maid-servant of Naaman who led her master to a cure (2 Kings 5:2-3). Who can forget the poor widow who gave her last two mites to God (Mark 12: 43-44)? In addition, there were those early Christians who, despite persecution, continued faithfully in their service to God (Acts 8:1-4). Just ordinary, every-day people who did what they could for the cause of Christ. Jesus taught in his famous sermon: “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But, when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then, your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. ...they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so it will not be obvious to men that your are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; ...and He will reward you.” Thus, we learn from Jesus that it is enough to serve simply as an unknown Christian soldier, known only to Him.

Forever Friends

A man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, “Lord, I would like to know what heaven and hell are like.” The Lord led the man to two doors. He opened one and the man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms. Each found it possible to reach the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoon back into their mouth to eat. The man shuddered at their misery and suffering. The Lord said to the man, “Now you have seen hell.” They walked to the other door and opened it. Inside that room the man saw exactly the same thing as in the first room. There was a large table with a large pot of stew in the middle. All the people were equipped with the same long handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking among themselves. The man turned to the Lord and said, “I don’t understand.” The Lord smiled and said, “It is simple. It requires but one skill which they learned in life. You see, they have learned to feed one another, while the greedy people in the other room are still only thinking of themselves.

[John 15:9-17] An English publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Some received were: “One who multiplies joy and divides grief” and another, “One who understands our silence.” The winning definition was, “The one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.” Friends are with us, period. Trials and hardships not withstanding the friend endures with us. As this definition states, when the world leaves, the friend is entering. Others abandon us during hard times, but a friend is a friend all the time. Jesus, when he walked the earth, was derided by his opponents for those with whom he was a friend. “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners”’ (Matthew 11:19). Friendship in the world is all too often shallow. It rests more on superficial elements such as beauty, status, power or money than anything substantial. Jesus was friends with those who needed him. True friendship is sacrificial in nature. In our noted reading, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one but this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). The ultimate example of friendship is the sacrifice of Jesus for us. God is just such a friend to us. Think of those who have been God’s friends. God did not desert them during the difficult times but remained their friend, even when sometimes hurt was inflicted upon Himself. Paul teaches that while we were yet ungodly and sinners God loved us and acted on our behalf (Romans 5:6-8). In our deepest, darkest hour, God is the friend who stays and comforts and continues to love, all the while forgiving and forgetting. You see, that’s what friends do. In turn, we are taught that since God so loved us, we ought to then love one another (1 John 4:7-21).Christianity is also about friendship. Not friendship as the world practices. It is a friendship taught and practiced by God (John 15:14). Even if the world turns away from us God will not turn away, neither will the brethren (Proverbs 18:24). This is how friends act. Surely, this is what it means, in part, to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1-2). “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). Believe God – you will be called God’s friend (James 2:23).

God's Model Home

Take a moment to listen today to what your children are trying to say; Listen to them, whatever you do or they won't be there to listen to you. Listen to their problems, listen to their needs; Praise their smallest triumphs, praise their littlest deeds. Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter; Find out what's the matter, find out what they're after. If we tell our children all the bad in them we see; They'll grow up exactly how we hoped they'd never be. But if we tell our children we're so proud to wear their name; They'll grow up believing that they're winners in the game. So tell them that you love them every single night; And though you scold them make sure you hold them, and tell them they're all right, "Good night, happy dreams; Tomorrow's looking bright." Take a moment to listen today to what your children are trying to say; Listen to them whatever you do; And they'll be there to listen to you (Dr. Denis Waitley). Almost all of us have heard the adage, “There’s no place like home.” Scripture and social science testify to the undeniable truth of that statement. For good or ill, no place and no people impact us like those at home. The quality of our home life can make us or break us, hurt us or heal us. More than perhaps any other single factor, how things are in a home impacts how things will be for the people who live together in that home. Be careful to note the subject under consideration is the home, not the house. The house may look like a dream on the outside even as life for those inside it has become a nightmare. Life in the home will be as good or as bad, as strong or as weak, as healthy or as unhealthy as the people who make it up. It is not the house that shapes the happiness, stability, emotional and spiritual well-being of the people who live in it. Rather it is the home itself – that is, the cumulative sum of characteristics, personalities, priorities, values, attitudes, actions and behavior of the people who make it up that determines, more than anything else, the quality of the home, family and married life. The crying need in America at this very hour is not more model houses, but more model homes. Poet William Cowper called the home “the only bliss of Paradise that has survived the fall.” True enough when home life is as God designed it.

[Psalm 127:1] “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain”. Many homes today are neither built nor maintained according to God’s Word (thus we stand guard over a country the Lord may or may not still be watching). In the worse case scenarios – abuse, addiction and abandonment make some homes more like outposts of hell than a foretaste of Heaven. A house, someone observed, is built by human hands, but a home is built by human hearts. Ephesians 5:18 thru 6:4 sketches out God’s plan for insuring that your family will live in a home, not just a house. Note this scan of the various attitudes, roles, relationships and behaviors in a home where God guides and abides: joy, spirituality and happiness (5:18-19); gratitude instead of complaining (5:20); cooperation instead of “it’s all about me” (5:21-24); love and selfless giving (5:25); concern for moral purity and holiness (5:26-27); emotional nourishment where every family member is appreciated and valued (5:28-29); intimacy, unity and devotion to others (5:30-32); respect, courtesy, obedience, honor, well-being, training, teaching, nurturing, loving discipline, concern for the Lord’s will and His way (5:33-6:4). No matter the kind of house, there’s no place like that home - a home the Lord watches over as you guard it from the wilds of the world.

The Model

A young ambitious sort of boy asked one of his teacher’s if he could borrow their cell to make a quick phone call. The teacher obliged, assuming he was going to call a parent, and stood nearby to safe-guard both the boy and the phone. “Hello, Dr. Anderson. I’m seeking to earn a few dollars for camp and was wondering if you needed a boy to mow grass and maybe run some errands for you? Oh, you already have a boy? Are you completely satisfied with the boy you have? Okay then, good-bye Doctor.” As the boy thanked his teacher while returning the cell phone, the teacher said, “Just a minute son. If you’re looking for work I could use a boy like you.” The boy replied, “Thank-you, but I have a job already.” The teacher queried, “Didn’t I just hear you trying to get a job from Dr. Anderson?” “Oh, that,” said the lad, “no, you see I’m the boy who works for Dr. Anderson. I was just checking up on myself.” Not a bad idea for all of us to perform.

[2 Corinthians 13:1-10] “...Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves...” A young preacher was shaking hands with members as they filed out after worship. One lady told him as she passed by, “Young man, you are a model preacher.” He felt really good about this. But his self-esteem and preacher’s pride took a serious hit when he got home and looked in the dictionary under “model” and read the definition: “a small imitation of the real thing.” Mankind (man and woman alike, hereto referred to in the masculine form) today is a magnificent creature. He possesses faculties and capacities which places him far above all other living creatures. Endowed with free moral choice, man can reason, plan, think and create. He is possessed by a powerful drive to question, learn, explore and discover. He has developed knowledge, skills and technology that have enabled him to accomplish amazing things. He harnesses the power of the sun, wind and water to improve life. He has developed brilliant and astonishing medical knowledge and techniques. Communication technologies not heard of a generation ago now makes possible wireless and instantaneous communication with anyone anywhere on the earth. Man can access an almost unlimited amount of information on practically any question or subject thanks to the internet. He has been to the moon and now has his eyes on Mars and beyond. He builds roads, bridges, buildings and dams that are breathtaking in scope. He builds cars, planes and trains whose beauty, comfort and efficiency are a tribute to his creative genius. On top of all this he paints, sings and produces magnificent works of art, music and drama that touch and stir the heart making us laugh, cry, hate and love. No one can deny man is a magnificent creature. But man is a small imitation of the real thing God originally created him to be; made in the image of God to have dominion over all creation (Genesis 1-2). Sin marred the model man and man is unable to fix himself. In spite of intellectual, academic and technological magnificence - war, hatred and crime dominate the headlines. The gift of human sexuality is expressed in ways that pervert the Creator’s plan. TV and the internet are saturated with vulgarity and pornography. People lust, lie, steal, kill, deceive, divorce, grumble, gamble, grab, hate and hurt others to get what they want or enact revenge. As a result there is death. Sin has indeed marred man’s magnificence. Is there no hope to restore man’s glory? With God’s help there is! Jesus is the answer (Hebrews 2:5-18), “...Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Jesus: n. Savior (to save us from ourselves).

Your Influential Ballot

As a concerned citizen of this great nation, and more importantly, as a citizen of the kingdom of God, I believe it to be vitally important where the candidates running for public office stand on certain issues, especially those relating to God and morality. I know that many people vote for the candidate that best assures them financial and national security. These are important, but are they the MOST important? I think not.

William Crawford was pretty put out with his two sons. He was running to retain his seat on the central committee of the Erie County (Ohio) Democratic Party. He and his challenger, David Giese, got exactly the same number of votes – 43 each. Now here’s the hang-up. Crawford has two sons, both eligible to vote for their dad, but neither of them bothered to cast a ballot. Andy is a college student who lives at home with mom and dad, and Jim lives just across the street from the family home. They simply chose to skip the election. Who knows why? When you think about it, it’s not really that big a deal. The fate of the republic was not at stake here. But it does illustrate the fact that we complicate our own lives and those of others by being disconnected and careless. Apathy is a terrible thing. I guess Jim and Andy had no idea they would put their father’s position in jeopardy by failing to show up to vote. I’m sure there was no conspiracy to take down their father. It was simple negligence fostered by the common idea that one person just doesn’t make all that much difference. I wonder if Eve thought that. Aren’t you glad Noah didn’t think that way? What about Jesus? When Paul left Jerusalem to evangelize the Gentile world, did his efforts make a difference? I know that the phrase “make a difference” is so cliché these days, but you will almost surely have a decision to make today that may seem small or inconsequential to you, but may have long term, even eternal consequences that could affect you and others around you. Don’t sell yourself or your influence short. An old preacher was once heard to say, “God has cast his vote for you to be saved and to live in righteousness, joy and peace. The devil has cast his vote for you to share hell with him. It’s a tie, and you will cast the vote that decides the election for your eternal seat.”

[Deuteronomy 8] Moses spoke: “...Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes... lest when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God... Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God for it is he who gives you power to get wealth... And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.” God will not Bless America while His Word is being abandoned through legislation that approves the shedding of innocent blood. God cannot Bless America while there are those who are seeking the dismantling of the home – the very backbone of society. Read 2 Kings 21, to see what happened to Judah when God and His Word were removed from the country. I can assure you that if we continue to ignore the issues before us that have pushed God aside there’ll be no bright future to look forward to in America.

Building Up or Tearing Down

While driving the other day on the major highway that runs through town, I couldn’t help but to take exception to the changes in the business landscape over the past thirty plus years. Much of what used to be is gone and that which remains has either been surrounded into near obscurity or repurposed to serve a different aspect of everyday life. Very few places still hold true to there hometown roots serving the community as they did a generation ago. It’s amazing how long it takes for a new business building to be erected and opened to the public and yet it takes no time at all for the old to simply disappear. It seems with the snap of the fingers the local High School became a parking lot after it looked like it would take forever to build a replacement. A small tornado damaged a couple of favorite eateries, one an almost historic hamburger stand, and poof, one day they were gone. Spring and fall migrating birds are still coming through town, as they have for probably thousands of years, only to find less and less natural landscape to roast on, so cover the parking lots and power-lines after a lucky few find rest in the scarce amount of trees remaining; post-progress. I guess the old adage, “Out with the old; In with the new” will forever be, but I’ve seen some of the old is still better than the new.

[Ephesians 4: 29] Progress is the building up of what exists, not necessarily the show of total replacement with something new. It’s easy to demolish something. It doesn’t take much skill or wisdom to tear down. One doesn’t need to read a blueprint or give much attention to details. All it normally requires is brute force and power. When it comes to the matter of a Christian’s influence on others, the Bible is quite clear that we are not to be in the business of demolition, but edification; building up. “But,” one might argue, “Demolition is so easy.” And, it is! All it takes is a few power words like, “failure”, “hopeless”, “ugly”, “bad”, or “worthless”. There doesn’t have to be any affection or carefully measured words of encouragement. It takes only a few blows of the tongue, even in gossip, to become the sledgehammer blow that shatters a heart. Sometimes the Christian’s influence on others is most effective when one is silent; actions speaking louder than words. A big Marine sergeant was once asked the circumstances of his conversion to Christianity. He told of a private in his company who was frequently harassed by other soldiers for his religious faith. One night the private came into the barracks quit late. It was a very rainy night. Before getting into his bunk, he knelt, as was his custom, to pray. The sergeant said he picked up one of his own boots, heavy with wet mud, threw it across the room and hit the private in the side of the head. The private said nothing. He wiped the mud from his face and crawled into bed. The next morning, when the sergeant woke up, he found his boots clean and polished by his bedside. The sergeant said to the interviewer, “It broke my heart!” Turning the other cheek is not easy (Matthew 5: 38-42). The first inclination is to strike back, to get even, or to seek revenge. The route Jesus urges upon us is the behavior which is more likely to influence the other person for good. May we all give care to what we say and do! To tear down the spirit and worth of another takes no godliness at all. To batter down those already discouraged by troubles is about the easiest task one will ever find. On the other hand, to be a masterful builder of men, to inspire love and dedication to God in those we meet, is to be like Christ himself. Please pray for our country, our representatives, judicial and executive branches of government – and prepare to vote in November.

False Accusations

I am proud to be living in a land of God blessed privileged people under a Constitution inspired by God’s Word granting me life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But, of late I find myself ashamed of the actions being portrayed by the Keepers of the Constitution. A strict Interpreter of the Constitution has been presented to the Keepers of the Constitution who over the years have been dismantling it to suit their style of life. In subtle ways the liberal Keepers of the Constitution have been purposely misinterpreting the Constitution to manipulate and change the lifestyle of righteous God-fearing self-sufficient citizens into a communal anything goes society. What we are becoming is a lawless society that no longer honors the Constitution or God. Sad to say, the liberal Keepers of the Constitution cannot allow a conservative Interpreter of the Constitution to sit in judgment of their actions concerning the defamation of the Constitution. So, they distributed fake news about the Interpreter, hired agitators to confuse and discredit him before the people and even an accuser to destroy his righteous life. What next? Falsely execute him?

[John 18:1-19:16] Once upon a time, long, long ago, in a land far, far away, there came a man to a God blessed privileged people as a strict Interpreter of the Law of God. The present Keepers of the Law opposed his “interfering” with their twisted interpretations and adjustments that they were making to the Law to suit their style of life. Over the years they had added to and taken away from the Law in small, subtle ways, as to make the people think it was all for the greater good. Meanwhile they gained power over the people to a point where the people no longer honored the Law and were afraid to confront the Law Keepers for fear of retribution. The people found favor in the interpretation and teaching of the Law from the One who was not of the Law Keepers. The Keepers of the Law felt they were losing control of the people they had governed for so long, for in their attempt to discredit the new Interpreter of the Law, they found themselves embarrassed by the perfect thoughts and examples He used to bring the Law of God into the light of true life. The Keepers of the Law hated the strict conservative Interpreter and plotted to kill Him. They accused Him of blasphemy because he said he was the Promised One of God written about in the Scriptures. The Keepers of the Law hired an accuser for thirty pieces of silver to take them to arrest the Interpreter. They themselves couldn’t rid the Interpreter of their discomfort, so handed Him over to the Ruler of the land for his judgment. The Ruler examined the Interpreter but could find no basis for the charges that had been brought against Him by the liberal Keepers of the Law. To satisfy the Keepers of the Law the Ruler turned the Interpreter over to some ruthless, godless, vigilantly soldiers who for hours abused and beat Him within an inch of His life. They did not kill Him so the Keepers of the Law insisted that He must die for calling Himself the Son of God. A plan was devised to let the people decide the fate of the Interpreter. Fake news about the Interpreter was distributed and crowd agitators were planted to contort the decision of a prisoner exchange – an accused murderer for an innocent righteous Man of God. The paid accuser had no idea how he was being used until death overshadowed his greed. In his remorseful state he rejected the blood-money and committed suicide (Matthew 27:1-5). Is history repeating itself? The righteous are about to be persecuted for not being liberal enough to add to and take away from God’s Law and live for self only.

Words Can't Hide It

I heard it said the other day that we, the citizens of these United States, have found ourselves in a state of “Constitutional Crisis” and if we don’t do something about it very soon 250 years of freedom fighting will be for naught. In the midst of the underhanded, deceitful, vengeful, deplorable, inexcusable actions being displayed by the “leaders” of this nation over the past week, my heart was so hurt I about broke down and cried to think these same “leaders” are plotting to overthrow the government and nobody is doing a thing about it! Just about the time I thought this sandbox war couldn’t get any worse, somebody went over in the corner and dug up some more cat poop to throw. I’ve been searching for a proper word to describe what I’ve been witnessing over the past ten years and it has to be, “chicanery.” According to Webster, chicanery is underhanded dealing, trickery; verbal subterfuge. “Subterfuge” is a trick employed to conceal something. So, every time they open their mouth to divert your attention away from the truth of what’s trying to be accomplished to protect the Constitution of the United States, they’re sending up a smoke-screen to cover up their real agenda, which is to destroy righteous living.

[Proverbs 12] I’m afraid that unwittingly, we have been a party to lessening the impact of sin in the lives of other people. How so? Through the use of euphemisms. Our society seems to want to dress up nearly every undesirable concept with “soft” and “friendly” words. For instance, getting fired from your present employment is called a “career change opportunity.” Students no longer fail courses in school – they “achieve a deficiency” (it almost sounds like something to be proud of). Everyone has been promoted to the highest standard possible. Underappreciated trash collectors are now referred to as “Sanitation Engineers” and who can stand the deplorable assignment in life known as a “housewife” when one can hold the status of “Domestic Goddess.” Actually I don’t mind the use of euphemisms being used in certain contexts, but I do mind it when we use them in reference to sin. When we lessen the impact of one’s sinful choice by referring to it euphemistically, we are contributing to the sinners escape from the reality of their sin. When we employ words that carry less guilt, we aid people in their attempt to escape facing what they don’t want to face, or that of which they are ashamed. Are we not guilty of doing that? Really? Well, let’s see how you fair with the following: When referring to sin, do you say... * “fib”; “stretching the truth”; “white lie”; or do you call it what it is – a lie? * “affair”; “fling”; or do you call it what it is – adultery? * “living together”; “in a relationship”; or do you call it what it is – fornication? * “gay”; or do you call it what it is – homosexuality? * “news”; or do you call it what it is – gossip? * “risqué”; or do you call it what it is – immodest? * “colorful language”; or do you call it what it is – cursing? * “a little too much”; or do you call it what it is – drunkenness? This is just a sampling of how we lessen the force of sin through the use of euphemisms. You can probably think of many more. I’m simply suggesting that we shouldn’t be a party to removing the guilt a sinner should feel for his sinful actions. We can still speak the truth in love without removing the guilt or shame a person should naturally feel. It’s the guilt and shame that aides one in repenting of their sin. Let’s do our best not to clutter up our nomenclature with post-consumer secondary materials... uh, I’m sorry! What I meant to say is, let’s do our best not to clutter up our language with garbage. Pray, and vote!

What Time Is It, Really?

Political apprehension is building once again as we approach “mid-term” elections this November. I pray you are taking the time to investigate and weigh all the candidates up for election in your community, state and nationally. Maybe this would be a good time to adapt a “Twelve Step” principle that goes like this: “There are two days of the week about which we should never worry or fear. One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and faults and its aches and pains. Yesterday has past, forever beyond our control. We cannot bring it back. The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow with its burdens and disappointments. This leaves only one day – today. Anyone can fight the battles of just one day. It’s not the problems of just one day that push us over the edge. It’s when we add to today’s problems all the remorse of the past and all the dread of what tomorrow may bring that we become overwhelmed. Live one day at a time.”

[Ecclesiastes 3:1-17] What time is it? This question is readily answered by looking at your time-piece or a clock on the wall. You might reply, “It’s eight o’clock”. However, the question I ask here is, “What time is it, really?” In your life if you can imagine a lifetime represented by 24 hours, what time is it for you? Time for a newborn would be 12:01 a.m. At age ten, 3:00 a.m. At age twenty, it is 6:00 a.m. At age thirty, 9:00 a.m. At age forty, it is noon. At age fifty, it is 3:00 p.m. At age sixty, 6:00 p.m. At age seventy, 9:00 p.m. and beyond seventy, it is getting very late. What time is it for you? The Bible says that the days of our years are seventy or eighty years, if we have the strength, and that they quickly pass and we fly away (Psalm 90:10). In light of these facts, the Bible says, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). We all should remember that life is fragile and brief (James 4:14). What time is it for our nation? This nation was founded 242 years ago and the founders planned for it to be a Christian nation. They spoke of God and the need for God’s help. They believed that, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34) and the nation is blessed whose God is Jehovah (Psalm 33:12). Our Constitution is expressed evidence of their faith and the presence of the belief in God’s sovereignty is seen all over our nation’s capital on public buildings and in the prayers offered at the opening of sessions of Congress and the Supreme Court. How far we have departed from the intentions of the founders! We have legalized the killing of unborn children; we have been toying with the God given definition of marriage; we are calling good evil and evil good. Time will only tell if there will be enough salt and light to preserve our way of life. What time is for the world? The world is approaching “the end” (2 Peter 3:3-13). The end will be ushered in by the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the destruction of the world, and judgment. Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36); “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42); “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44). So, what time is it? Good question! And here’s some good advice: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might...” (Ecclesiastes 9:10); and “...making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). “...now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

Following God's Game Plan

Well, it’s September and that spells Football. Personally, I’ve never really been a big fan of football and over the past several years even less so. My wife watches a lot of it on TV, college and professional. I have a whole grocery list of reasons for my distaste of, especially, professional sports. At the top of my list are the few full-of-themselves alpha meism worshippers, which seem to be in every sport, that just have a way of turning my attention elsewhere. Some professionals can’t conduct themselves in a greater manor than an eight-year-old while celebrating or protesting in or out of the playing arena. It’s a shame that with the stage they have to use, they could be using it to positively build up instead of selfishly tearing down. Also, money causes the rule books to keep getting thicker every year; it’s not a game anymore. One more thing: I have a problem with a multi-millionaire expressing to me how oppressed they are in this country. A man once reminded me, “You are who you are because that’s who you want to be.” The Americans I know are happy with who they are. Stop trying to make American’s socialized brats.

[Jeremiah 7:23] Football coaches routinely scout their opponents. The scouting report enables them to develop a game plan that will capitalize on the opponent’s weaknesses and disable or avoid their strengths. A pre-game talk designated to motivate the team is usually planned and delivered. You might say that God has given us a scouting report. He has made us aware of potential problems. He promises us victory. And He has the material for a tremendous pep talk. I can almost hear Him now. “Alright now, you Christians are going to have to be mentally alert and spiritually prepared. It is going to take teamwork to win. No one of you can win the victory by yourself. All of you working together cannot win. But when each of you does his part, I’ll add mine and the victory will be in your pocket. Now I want to warn you the opposing coach is unlike any other you will ever face. If he has not contacted you, he will. He will try to recruit you. He will promise you anything to get you to change teams. If that does not work, he will try to bribe you into throwing the game. Do not listen to any of his promises. He is an accomplished liar! (John 8:44). You are going to have to stick to the game plan that I have given you. Do not play their game. Play your own game (Romans 12:2). Let me assure you that this opponent is no pushover. Winning will be costly. You are well aware of some of our distinguished alumni. You know what it cost Moses to play on the winning side (Hebrew 11:24-28). And you are familiar with how Saul of Tarsus gave up everything for the cause of Christ (Philippians 3:7-10). They were great team players, tremendous leaders, but they were just like you. They put on their pants one leg at a time; just like you do. I am going to reveal the secret of their success. I am going to tell you how you can be what they were. It is so simple it is elusive. Paul revealed the secret to the entire Corinthian team, but not many of them capitalized on it. In fact, not many have capitalized on it since. But I want you to engrave this secret on your heart, on your soul, and on your mind. Here it is in Paul’s own words: ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Now listen to me! I knew Moses. I knew Paul. I coached them both. Neither of them were super-human. They were just like you, but I have to say this, they were better imitators than I expected them to be. All I ask of you is, go out there and be as much like Christ as you can be.” God’s Hall of Fame awaits you.

God Labors In Everyone

It’s Labor Day Weekend, the unofficial end of summer – the last big weekend outdoor woo-rah before getting serious about school again. It’s one of those national (federal) holidays since 1894 that got caught up in the Monday, floating date, three-day weekend known as the “Uniform Monday Holiday Act” signed into law June 1968 and was enacted January 1, 1971. To me, September 1^st is Labor Day and that’s that! It’s also my brother’s birthday, my mother’s first child labor day. Her father and mother would always take my brother to the New York State Fair on his birthday. September 1^st was the last day of the fair and it didn’t matter what day of the week it landed on. The only time there was a three-day weekend was when September 1^st landed on a Friday or Monday; otherwise the next day was a work-day or the first day of school. That’s the way it was. Convenience has a way of changing things. I’m glad God’s rules are never-changing.

[Matthew 23:11-14] “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. ‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those who are trying to.’” It never fails to amaze me how God can work in our lives. In fact, how He works in the lives of all people. I suppose one of the things I struggle with in Christian living is that sometimes we put shutters over our eyes when it comes to the power of God and those we think are beyond help. Throughout the scriptures there were people who refused to believed that God could work in the lives of people that they didn’t feel were worthy of God’s attention. Jesse didn’t believe that David was the king that God was looking for when Samuel came to visit. The Pharisees didn’t believe that the woman “caught” in adultery was worthy of God’s grace. The Israelites didn’t believe Moses would be able to lead them out of slavery in Egypt when God had commanded him to do it. And, of course, the Jews did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God. My question is, always, why? Why is it that we refuse to believe that God can work in someone’s life? Is it because we feel they don’t deserve it? I suspect it’s because we feel better than them. We look down on them maybe. The truth is this: Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came to attend to those who needed a physician. He came for the sick, not the healthy. The irony is those who are “healthy” refuse to do the same. They would rather condemn. They would rather lift themselves up instead of lifting up others. They would compromise the needs of those who need help in order to satisfy their own selfish nature. When I read Matthew’s account of the seven woes (Matthew 23) I’m reminded that I need to do my best not to look down on others. At the same time, I can’t sacrifice what I know to be right. Hard to manage? You bet! But I must strive to do my best. I know I’m not perfect, never have been and I’ll never be as long as I roam this earth in this body. But I also know God has done some really beautiful things in my life and it would be more of a shame, more of an evil, more disgusting for me not to share that, because I am weak and frail, than it would be for me to share it in order to encourage others because of His power that is at work in me. Our challenge, my challenge, your challenge is to realize that God can work power, beauty and might in the lives of all people - whether we choose to accept, realize, or acknowledge it! Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in everyone.

Dogs and Love

Sunday, August 26^th is National Dog Day, not to be confused with National Spoil Your Dog Day, which was August 10^th. Celebrating National Dog Day can be as easy as giving your four-legged friend a big hug and kiss (if they like that sort of affection). My little white Chihuahua, Bella, is not an affectionate dog. Try hugging or loving on her and she turns her head away and pushes with her front legs to distance herself from any such advances. Yet she’s my constant shadow and companion whether in the yard, the car or the easy-chair. She knows that nothing good happens at the Vet’s office but is not afraid of the lawnmower or the car-wash. She is perfectly happy in her fenced-in domain playing with her toys or trying to out-fox a tree rat, generally resulting in a race to the nearest fence-line of separation. (Don’t know what she’ll do if she ever catches one). I often find her watching the birds at their feeder and she’s always got her nose exploring the depths of a flower bloom or a bug. Then there are those times when she’s laying on her back in the grass - sunbathing. Of course, she’s always at the door to great me not knowing or caring what kind of day I’ve had, it makes no difference to her, she just wants to share some love. “Dogs have both an outer and inner beauty, an ability to love and a spirit that connects with humans in a way that cannot be replicated by any other living thing” - Colleen Paige. Dogs are forgiving and never hold a grudge – life is too short.

Ten Things You Should Never Do With Your Nose (Metaphorically Speaking) • Look down it at somebody (the sin of pride). • Stick it into someone else’s business (the sin of meddling). • Pick it (the sin of self-destructive behavior). • Get it out of joint (the sin of anger). • Cut it off to spite your face (the sin of bitterness). • Pay through it (the sin of materialism). • Not see beyond it (the sin of selfishness). • Be hard nosed (the sin of stubbornness). • Thumb it at someone (the sin of rudeness). • Turn it up at others (the sin of haughtiness). Rather, let’s keep our noses clean, keep our noses to the grindstone of God’s business, and keep our noses in the Bible!

[Leviticus 19:18; 1 John 4:7-8] The Bible has been promoting the same message for centuries now: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself . . . let us love one another.” We’re told that love is “what makes the world go ‘round.” An old song suggests, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” But just what is love? How would you define it? Much of modern music and media equates love with sexual gratification. Love is portrayed as primarily hormonal. Many people think of love as an emotion, a feeling, over which they have little or no control. They see love as something to “fall into” and, hence, to “fall out of” with the change of whim or the passing of time. For a healthful dose of reality, observe the Bible’s description: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a). Yes, according to heaven’s wisdom, love is something I can control, something I can work on, something I can grow at! Love is more than, higher than, raging hormones or ever-changing emotions. Love, is a decision - a decision to put the well-being of another ahead of my own pursuits. Love, is a greeting without prejudice or bias opinion. Love, is thanking God for Jesus, life, hope, happiness and compeer dogs.

It Won't Take Forever

I’ve been a mechanic in one way or another all my life. Semi-retired I still find myself involved in repair projects in and around the facilities of the church where I manage and maintain most of what goes on there. As I mentioned last week, I recently troubleshot my ailing office computer and discovered the hard-drive had failed (never happened to me before). A computer “expert” couldn’t retrieve any data from the deceased, and with out-of-date back-ups, I’ve spent the past week rebuilding my electronic filing cabinet. Another week and I think I’ll be caught up again, including a more disciplined plan of regular back-ups in place. I’m also building more templates, preventing having to rebuild a bunch of forms, which takes forever. You’re never too old to learn from your mistakes.

Most of my life has been spent around automobiles, although I have wrenched on fighter jets and turbo-prop aircraft in the early 70’s. I’ve worked for some good people, partnered with some and have owned my own business (that for twenty years). I was involved in a paint and body shop in the mid and late 70’s and enjoyed the craftsmanship one had to put out every day. But that’s nothing compared to what some master custom shops do today. There are several reality TV shows that are great examples of what is available across the country for anything from full customization to total restoration of any automotive product. The show will start introducing someone, with a truckload of cash, dragging in a four-wheeler of some sort that belonged to their grandfather or somebody. They’ll want it to look showroom floor brand new, or they’ll want it fully customized to a point of unrecognizing it from its original configuration - and make it go fast! The rest of the TV hour-long program deals with the “build” and the finale of the “big reveal” to the customer. The rest of the show is reality, dealing with the problems that come with this sort of professional business. What we don’t get to see is how long it takes to do these jobs. If I remember correctly, it takes forever! And there are lots and lots of problems to be solved along the way. Caution! Fixing something, lipstick and mascara, and restoring something, are totally different things. One is a cover-up to make it look pretty and the other is a complete rebuild to original condition inside and out.

[Psalm 100] “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” In this world there are but two things we can count on: God is good and His love endures forever. Think about this: * When your life is out of control ...His love endures forever. * When sin has you trapped ...His love endures forever. * When illness gets you down ...His love endures forever. * When anger has a hold on you ...His love endures forever. * When friends let you down ...His love endures forever. *When you need forgiveness ...His love endures forever. * When there is no where to turn for help ...His love endures forever. God’s love is new and fresh and revitalizing ...every morning ...every noon ... every evening. Some lives are in worse shape than others. God, as a Master-Restorer, has the skill to recreate any person. He will solve problems and produce an amazingly restored and transformed life, and it won’t take forever, if we allow Him to do his work.

Good Tools Are Needed For Success

Nothing in this world lasts forever! New cars grow old * Clothes wear out * Roofs spring leaks * Windows crack * Appliances break-down * Batteries run down. And just about the time one thinks they have it all under control, Murphy’s Law will always trump the best hand, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” I’m old enough to have experienced Murphy’s Law over and over again, and to this very day it never fails to frustrate me to no end, because it always inflicts itself at inopportune times. This past Monday morning the hard-drive fail in my office computer. I’m self-taught in everything computer and spent the day troubleshooting the failure, refusing to accept the findings, and looking for a work-around solution, you know, like what we do after leaving the doctor’s office. Well, I’ve never had to use a repair person before, so I went mechanic shopping. I could change the hard-drive myself, but I don’t have the tools to recover the data on the old one. Yes, I have data back-ups, but it’s the programs that take forever to get built back up again. If I insist on being cheap I’m going to need more tools in my box.

[2 Corinthians 6:1-13; 10:4] “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” The apostle Paul referred to “tools” or “weapons” when writing to the Corinthians. He mentions “weapons of righteousness” and “weapons” of our warfare. The tools or weapons of Christianity are spiritual and figurative, yet with them we can help shape and build up those around us. Romans 6:13 tells us our body is an instrument, and we chose to use it for righteousness or wickedness. The Greek word translated “instrument” there means “tool or weapon.” What kind of tool or weapon are you? Are you an instrument God holds in his hand to do His will? Are you a battering ram? The ancients would use a log or some other hard object to break down a wall or door. Have we filled our hearts with the Word to a degree that we can, “...speaking the truth in love...” (Ephesians 4:15) break down barriers keeping the honest-hearted from God? Are you a crowbar? Crowbars pry objects apart. These are things we should separate from our thinking and lifestyle. Are we consistently trying to pull away from worldliness? (James 4:4). Are you a chisel? This is a tool that does meticulous, detailed work. Its blade carves or cuts hard materials. Do we have the tenacity and trust needed to use God’s Word and benefit from His providence to remake our lives into the image of Christ? (2 Corinthians 3:18). Are you a level? We live in not only a dishonest world but also a corrupt world. So many call good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20). Can people find in us a reliable standard of right and wrong, as we reflect the principles of God’s Word? Levels are used to determine whether something is true and as it ought to be. Are you a plane? The plane makes rough surfaces smooth by repetitiously moving it back and forth on the surface. All four gospels (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23) speak of John the immerser’s work as making ready the path of the Lord, making his paths straight. We are not forerunners of Jesus; we follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). As we do follow Him, we are going to forge a path safe for others to follow (1 Corinthians 11:1). Are you a magnet? A magnet is an object that draws and holds another object disposed toward such attraction. Magnets can be used as tools themselves, but they are often made a part of other tools, such as hammers and screwdrivers. By living like Jesus, you will draw people to Him. Are you a good tool?

The Old Paths

I like the old paths: When moms were at home, dads were at work, brothers went into the army and sisters got married BEFORE having children! Crime did not pay, hard work did and people knew the difference. Moms could cook, dads would work, children would behave, husbands were loving, wives were supportive and children were polite. Women wore the jewelry and men wore the pants. Women looked like ladies and men looked like gentlemen and children looked decent. People loved the truth and hated a lie. People came to church for more than funerals. Hymns sounded Godly, sermons sounded helpful, rejoicing sounded normal and crying sounded sincere. Cursing was wicked, drinking was evil and divorce was unthinkable. The flag was honored, America was beautiful and God was welcome! We read the Bible in public, prayed in school and preached from house to house. To be called an American was worth dying for, to be a Christian was worth living for, to be called a traitor was a shame! Sex was a personal word, homosexual was an unheard of word and abortion was an illegal word. Off-colored jokes were only told among “dirty” men folk. Preachers preached because they had the VICTORY! Preachers preached the Bible, singers sang from the heart and sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED! A new birth meant a new life, salvation meant a changed life, and following Christ led to eternal life. Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God, being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord, being a Christian meant your would live for the Lord and being a sinner meant someone was praying for you. Laws were based on the Bible; homes read the Bible and churches taught the Bible. Preachers were more interested in new converts than new clothes and new cars. God was worshipped, Christ was exalted and the Holy Spirit was respected. Church is where you found Christians on the Lord’s Day, rather than in the garden, on the creek bank, on the golf course, or being entertained somewhere else. I still like the old paths best!

[Psalm 14:1 & 53:1] “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” There was a time when men of wisdom looked into heaven and counted the stars. They said, “There are two thousand, and only two thousand stars!” They lacked the tools that would have opened their eyes to the expanse of the universe and its thousands upon thousands of stars. There was an age when men of medicine believed that illness was caused by humor or fog or perhaps even witches. The world of the microbe and virus was not known nor seen and yet it existed. They lacked the tools to see beyond their limited vision. Men of learning would often bleed a patient to remove disease. They did not know the life that was in the blood and thousands died from the treatment they offered. Things they could not see would often kill. Doctors carried death from one patient to another simply because they did not wash their hands. They denied the finding of one doctor who said and proved that their actions were taking lives. Again, the psalmist said, “The fool has said in his heart ‘There is no God.’” As in the past we tend to deny what we cannot see. Believe what is later proven to be false. Look into heaven and count the stars again, examine the hidden world of the microbe. Is it possible you could be wrong - about God? “This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest in your souls...’” (Jeremiah 6:16). God loves you!

Slow Down, Feed Your Spirit

A young child came to her mother one day complaining her stomach was hurting. Knowing the time of day was approaching for a good lunch for an active little girl the mother explained, “Oh honey, your stomach is probably empty. You just need to get something in it and you’ll be fine.” About a week later the little girl overheard the preacher speaking to her mother and mentioning he had a headache. “Oh preacher,” the girl blurted out, “Your head is probably just empty. You just need to get something in it and you’ll be fine.” It takes age and experience to discern life’s lessons and apply them with wisdom. We are living in an age that, it seems, everything is accelerating at an ever greater speed and in our pursuit to “keep up” our spirit is being neglected and becoming angry and belligerent. Our spirit’s are hurting and crying out because their empty. It’s the sign of its starvation on our part for not feeding our spirit with the Word of God. Simply observe all the anger in the world and you’ll find the total lack of reverence for the Creator of everything. The only thing you get to keep in this life is your spirit – feed it!

[Psalm 46:10] “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Notice the comma after “be still.” It means to stop, slow down, chill out. It is pretty obvious that the majority of us have allowed our culture to draw us into living extremely busy lives to the point where it is nearly impossible to focus our attention on what is really important. Consider the following: (1) Studies have shown that when we do two tasks at the same time we take about thirty percent of our attention off the primary task. (2) Whenever two people meet in our society, the odds say that one or the other will mention how busy they are. (3) In 1950 we had on average ten activities to choose from as to what we were going to do next in any given day, while today that number can be over one thousand, depending on the size of your income. Things become even more complicated because most of these activities are either fun or deemed worthy of our time. (4) The culture has convinced us that activity is all that counts and anything else is nothing more than laziness. (5) God created both activity and rest. In fact, He commands both of them (Ecclesiastes 3:9-13; Matthew 11:28-29). So, to live within the bounds of his will requires a balance of both. The Bedouin shepherds live in shabby box tents that dot the hillsides throughout Israel. When compared to our lives saturated with modern conveniences it appears they live a very difficult life. However, an interesting fact is that their average lifespan is more than 100 years. While their diets are made up of natural foods which contain no preservatives, that is not the secret of their longevity. The secret lies in their relatively stress-free lives. Stress makes us sick; drives us crazy; and kills us some three decades before the majority of these shepherds. The Bedouins rise from their tents slightly before sunrise and go about the work of their day. As the sun begins to set they gather as families in their tent for dinner. Then they will typically sit around telling stories and singing. Each evening involves three to four hours of family time. Their work is very physical and tiring but their lives are relatively free from the “noise” of life. They typically go to bed at the same time every night and enjoy deep restful and renewing sleep. As the Bedouins lie down all is quiet as they stare up at the clear star-filled sky. Their minds are able to focus on the majesty of God and that is the last thing on their mind as they fall asleep. Slow down. Revere the God of all things.

Jesus Promised Rest

I was out shopping the other day for two items my wife wanted, both of which were eluding me. One of the items, Sprite-0, seems to be on the endangered list because it’s getting harder and harder to find. Knowing my success in one grocery store I went there in hopes of finding the refrigerator 12 pack still being stocked and going home a hero. I was scanning the isle full of sodas and was about to concede its extinction when I saw the spot, on the very bottom shelf of all places, where the 12 pack should be, but appeared to be vacant. Just by chance there might be one way in the back I got down on my knees to look and sure enough there was one. I got spread-eagle on the floor and reached way back for the soda whereupon I heard an eight-year-old proclaim, “Mister, you okay? Do you need some help?” How embarrassing! I looked up and thanked him, “No, I’m fine.”

[Matthew 11:28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Weary people need rest. Jesus provides rest. Rest from the law. The people of Israel were weary from the burden of the law. The law of God given through Moses was good, but people are not good. Therefore, those under the law were always aware that they were not living up to the standard the law set. How wearisome! That is why “...God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law...” (Galatians 4:4-5). Amazingly, the first apostasy from the church was a move to return to salvation by law-keeping instead of faith in Jesus the redeemer. Paul encouraged, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). To this day, Christians are frequently tempted to link their salvation to law instead of to Jesus. When we fall prey to that temptation we quickly find ourselves worn out. Remember that Jesus promised rest. Rest from life’s burdens. People are fatigued by life when it is lived having no hope and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). When people experience hardship, pain, and death they often turn to despair, bitterness, and doom which sucks the life right out of them. Jesus makes possible and teaches us a perspective on life that is full of faith, hope, and love. Jesus provides a real and eternal victory over hardship, pain, and death that allows those burdened by life to be comforted by the words of Jesus: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me” (John 14:1). Jesus also declares: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10) Even when walking through the valley of the shadow of death, the sheep find peaceful and fearless rest with the Good Shepherd. Rest from sin. The lifestyle of sin wears us out physically and emotionally. When we use the phrase “that person has been living a hard life” we mean that that person has been living daily with unrepentant sin. It is not a coincidence that we can see that the “hard life” has taken a hard toll on that person’s body. Sin is physically destructive. As a matter-of-fact, sin is so physically destructive that its final outcome is death! It is also a great burden to carry around the emotional weight of true and heavy guilt. Jesus calls us out of the lifestyle of sin and gives true forgiveness from the guilt of sin “...so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21). Sin, attractive at first, wearies the bones and the soul in the end. Jesus promises rest! Are you okay? Do you need some help? Go to Jesus. He’ll help.

Wisdom Will Guide You

If asked what is the worst shipwreck of all time, what would you reply? There are some monumental and legendary ones: the Lusitania (1915); the Andrea Doria (1956); the Edmund Fitzgerald (1975). Perhaps you would readily say, “The Titanic.” While certainly one of the most well-known, the sinking of the Titanic (1912) was not the world’s worst shipwreck. On April 27, 1865, the steamship, Sultana (with the capacity of only a few hundred people) was transporting 2500 Union prisoners-of-war home at the end of the Civil War. The ship’s boiler exploded, killing 1500 men, just as their ordeal of battle was about to end. In 225 B.C. off the coast of Camarina, Sicily, a Roman fleet of 264 ships was caught in a violent storm. Of those, 184 ships were driven onto rocks and sank. The death toll from this disaster is thought to have been 80,000 to 100,000 souls. However, even these (labeled the worst shipwrecks in America and world history respectively) were not the worst shipwrecks to occur throughout the history of mankind.

[Psalm 40] Sadly, the worst shipwreck has happened countless times and is sure to happen again and again. Paul spoke of it to Timothy: “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you might fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith” (1 Timothy 1:18-19). There is no greater disaster than a shipwrecked faith. Many things can bring about this cause. Jesus spoke of those who are choked by the cares and riches of this world (Parable of the Sower: Matthew 13:22). Demas forsook Paul, “...because he loved this world, has deserted me...” (2 Timothy 4:10a). “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10). Conformation to the world (Romans 12:2) and the love for the same (1 John 2:15-17) have likewise caused the way to be littered with the carcasses of once strong souls navigating life. What about you? Is your “ship” faithfully sailing? Or, is it headed for the dangerous rocky shoreline? The book of Proverbs contains great insight for navigating life and avoiding faith shipwreck. Proverbs is divided into 31 chapters, just enough to average one chapter a day each month. The proverbs have been written to give us wisdom and understanding with which anyone can safely navigate life and reach the safe harbor. Perhaps you’re already headed for an unsafe landing. It’s not too late to find the safe sailing lanes again. Determine to set your sails and turn your helm toward faithfulness. Avoid the worst shipwreck of all. “...Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10c).

“The road is too rough, Dear Lord,” I cried; “There are stones that hurt me so.” And He said, “I understand; I walked it long ago.” “But there is a cool green path,” I said, “let me walk there for a time.” “No,” He answered me, “the green road does not climb.” “My burden is too great,” I said, “How can I bear it so?” “I remember its weight,” He said, “I carried my cross, you know.” “I wish there were friends with me, who would make my way their own.” “Ah, yes,” He said, “Gethsemane was hard to bear alone.” And so I climbed the stony path, content at last to know, that where my Master had not gone I would not have to go. And, strangely, I found new friends; the burden grew less sore, as I remembered long ago He went that way before. Wisdom gives safe passage (Proverbs 2).