I went to visit an old friend the other night. Just a few years older than I and a great influence on the direction my life has taken over the years, I’ve known Ed since my teens. After being drafted into the armed forces and serving four years, each time I was home on leave I told him I had found paradise in South Texas and had no thoughts of returning to the snow country. About a year after my discharge I received a phone call from Ed asking if I could help him out as he was broke down in a little place called Pflugerville, just north of Austin. He had suffered some great financial problems, so headed for paradise with his wife and six children. Well, to make another long story short, he and I partnered up in business for a while until I was faced with great difficulties in my life. After a seven year relationship I moved on. Because of Ed, I had the courage to open my own business which ran for nearly twenty years. I kept loose track of Ed and his family for all this time knowing he lost three of his children in an auto accident and for the last five years he had been fighting cancer. He had found paradise, for he made a good living and lived his dream of building and showing hotrods and custom cars. I went to the funeral home to see him one last time and he looked good.
We live in an age of specialists, and their presence complicates life. Who hasn’t heard of the maid who proudly proclaims, “I don’t do windows!” No longer can you just go to the doctor; you must find, or be referred to, one who treats exactly what ails you. There are doctors who treat feet, those who work on the head, those who work on the nerves, and doctors who are specialists for almost every part of the body. Believe it or not, such specialization has entered even the realm of “faith healing”. It seems a faith healer came to town one day and a woman came to him with a kidney disorder. Following his prayer of healing, she began jumping around on the platform stage, rejoicing over her “cure”. She became so excited, she fell off the platform and broke her leg. When someone suggested that an ambulance be called another remarked, “No need for that. Get the preacher to heal her.” When everyone turned to him, his reply was, “I don’t do broken bones, just vital organs.” One of those things that make you go, Hmmm.
[Revelation 2:7] I must have been pretty convincing to get Ed to move his life to Texas thirty years ago. But, I also believe that God leads us and sees that we get to the places where He wants us to be, doing the things He wants us to do. Ed and I, and our families, were influenced and brought to the Lord by God fearing people in the ‘70’s. I came to the Lord in baptism first and he a few years later. The devil sifted each of us to see just how strong we were and to see if he could stop our growth in the faith. I’ve got to tell you, the devil is a mean, sorry, evil being, not wanting to lose a single soul and it seems he’ll do anything to discourage anyone from coming to the Lord. He changed both of us, but our faith kept us strong. I don’t want to discourage anyone, but get ready for trials and temptation to come your way testing your new found belief in Christ. If you’ve become convinced that there is a place called paradise, and Jesus is waiting there to show you a better life, then leave everything behind and move. I’ll tell you right now, it won’t be easy, but resist the devil and he will flee from you. I try to convince people daily there is a place called paradise and I want to see them, and Ed, there again one day.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Are You A Stumbling Block?
A man was watching his neighbor as he plowed a field with his old mule. Finally, he said, “It would be a whole lot easier if you would just say “gee” and “haw” instead of pulling so hard on the harness trying to control your animal.” The old farmer replied, “This mule kicked me six years ago and I ain’t spoke to him since!” Well, thank goodness we don’t have to contend with hard-headed ole mules out in the field anymore, but I’ll bet you’ve known a few stubborn old two legged mules. I think we all pass through a stubborn streak in life, but for most it doesn’t last long because stubbornness becomes a stumbling block to ones self. It’s not long before we figure out we can get a lot more done with kind words than we can with a “my way or the highway” approach.
A family of four went to worship one Sunday. After they returned to their home and were sitting around the table eating their noontime meal, the father said, “Well, I just didn’t like the preacher’s sermon today.” The mother said, “I liked the sermon alright, but the song leader was all out of tune.” Teenager Frances said, “I enjoyed the singing, but that sermon was long enough to wear out the patients of Job.” Little Johnny piped up, “Daddy, I thought it was a great show, for the dollar you paid.”
[Romans 14: 1 – 15: 6] Do you see the glass half full or half empty? Are you a positive thinker or a negative thinker? Are you a building block to those around you or a stumbling block? As a congregation of God’s people, our theme for the year is “Lead Someone To Heaven” and is a challenge for each member to accomplish in 2007. To get started, we are, at the beginning of this year, working to become more positive, especially in our speech to one another. That means keeping our negative thoughts to ourselves and, stop the gossip. We really need to stop acting like the world. And, maybe our attitude adjustment needs to start before we gather with the church. The following is probably not a positive way to start the week. Wake up late on Sunday morning. Fuss at the children for not getting out of bed rapidly. Hurry through breakfast. Look for your Bible. Yell at your companion, “We’re going to be late!” Fuss at the children for not getting ready fast enough. Drag them to the car. Honk the horn at your spouse. Go back in the house for your contribution check. Arrive late at worship and stumble over people getting into a pew. Glare back at those staring at you. Then focus on the things you don’t like: The temperature is too hot/cold; The songs are too new/old, or too fast/slow; The preacher said “git” instead of “get”; The usual order of worship was changed; Somebody needs to turn the sound up/down; Why can’t the mothers do something about those noisy children; If this service lasts much longer I’m going to miss the kick-off of the football game. Be sure to leave the building without speaking to anyone, but rejoicing in your heart that you fulfilled your duty in worshipping God, and setting the good example to your family. Also, on the drive home, be sure to point out the people playing golf when, “they ought to be in church”. I pray this is not your house, but maybe that’s where some of us need to start with our positive thinking. With this sort of attitude do you think you’re helping others grow the spirit of David when he said, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Are you building people up with blocks of love and praise or tripping their faith with stumbling blocks of judgment? Think about it.
A family of four went to worship one Sunday. After they returned to their home and were sitting around the table eating their noontime meal, the father said, “Well, I just didn’t like the preacher’s sermon today.” The mother said, “I liked the sermon alright, but the song leader was all out of tune.” Teenager Frances said, “I enjoyed the singing, but that sermon was long enough to wear out the patients of Job.” Little Johnny piped up, “Daddy, I thought it was a great show, for the dollar you paid.”
[Romans 14: 1 – 15: 6] Do you see the glass half full or half empty? Are you a positive thinker or a negative thinker? Are you a building block to those around you or a stumbling block? As a congregation of God’s people, our theme for the year is “Lead Someone To Heaven” and is a challenge for each member to accomplish in 2007. To get started, we are, at the beginning of this year, working to become more positive, especially in our speech to one another. That means keeping our negative thoughts to ourselves and, stop the gossip. We really need to stop acting like the world. And, maybe our attitude adjustment needs to start before we gather with the church. The following is probably not a positive way to start the week. Wake up late on Sunday morning. Fuss at the children for not getting out of bed rapidly. Hurry through breakfast. Look for your Bible. Yell at your companion, “We’re going to be late!” Fuss at the children for not getting ready fast enough. Drag them to the car. Honk the horn at your spouse. Go back in the house for your contribution check. Arrive late at worship and stumble over people getting into a pew. Glare back at those staring at you. Then focus on the things you don’t like: The temperature is too hot/cold; The songs are too new/old, or too fast/slow; The preacher said “git” instead of “get”; The usual order of worship was changed; Somebody needs to turn the sound up/down; Why can’t the mothers do something about those noisy children; If this service lasts much longer I’m going to miss the kick-off of the football game. Be sure to leave the building without speaking to anyone, but rejoicing in your heart that you fulfilled your duty in worshipping God, and setting the good example to your family. Also, on the drive home, be sure to point out the people playing golf when, “they ought to be in church”. I pray this is not your house, but maybe that’s where some of us need to start with our positive thinking. With this sort of attitude do you think you’re helping others grow the spirit of David when he said, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Are you building people up with blocks of love and praise or tripping their faith with stumbling blocks of judgment? Think about it.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
To Serve or Be Served
I know it’s the time of year for joy and happiness, office parties and family gatherings, but take a little time this week or next to seek out a family which has a member in harms way serving in the Armed Forces overseas. Many have had their income drastically reduced with the major bread winner away from home. I know there are agencies in every community who know the needs and are helping such families through private donations from people who want to help but don’t know how. Here’s a poem I’ve received from several readers and thought this might be the time to share it.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this house did live. I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking hanging from the mantle, just boots covered with sand, and on the wall pictures of far distant lands. With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sobering thought came to my mind. For this house was different, so dark and so dreary, the home of a soldier, I now could see clearly. The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home. The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States soldier. Was this the hero of whom I had just read, curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight. Soon ‘round the world the children would play, and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the soldiers like the one lying here. I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry. The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, “Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice. I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more, my life is my God, my Country, my Corps.” The soldier rolled over and soon drifted to sleep, I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, and we both shivered from the cold evenings chill. I didn’t want to leave on that cold dark night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”
[Matthew 20: 20-28] To serve, or to be served, that is the question; Whether ‘tis nobler to give or to receive. We live in a great country and most of us have not earned, nor are willing to pay for, the rights we demand, because it may very well result in the giving of our life. Jesus came to earth to serve and to teach. When offering to you and I the Kingdom of God, Jesus express that very thought. His sole purpose of being born, leaving heaven to live among men, was to die on a cruel cross producing freedom from sin and guilt for all mankind. Jesus opened the way to a new and personal relationship with God by taking away the sins of the world, bringing man and God together as one, once more, through the Holy Spirit. This new relationship is entered into voluntarily, but it takes a passport to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God. It requires that one must believe Jesus is the Son of God, repent of all sins and be baptized, receiving the Holy Spirit. Are you willing to serve God for the freedom He gives? Will you teach others?
‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this house did live. I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking hanging from the mantle, just boots covered with sand, and on the wall pictures of far distant lands. With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sobering thought came to my mind. For this house was different, so dark and so dreary, the home of a soldier, I now could see clearly. The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home. The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States soldier. Was this the hero of whom I had just read, curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight. Soon ‘round the world the children would play, and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the soldiers like the one lying here. I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry. The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, “Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice. I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more, my life is my God, my Country, my Corps.” The soldier rolled over and soon drifted to sleep, I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, and we both shivered from the cold evenings chill. I didn’t want to leave on that cold dark night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight. Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”
[Matthew 20: 20-28] To serve, or to be served, that is the question; Whether ‘tis nobler to give or to receive. We live in a great country and most of us have not earned, nor are willing to pay for, the rights we demand, because it may very well result in the giving of our life. Jesus came to earth to serve and to teach. When offering to you and I the Kingdom of God, Jesus express that very thought. His sole purpose of being born, leaving heaven to live among men, was to die on a cruel cross producing freedom from sin and guilt for all mankind. Jesus opened the way to a new and personal relationship with God by taking away the sins of the world, bringing man and God together as one, once more, through the Holy Spirit. This new relationship is entered into voluntarily, but it takes a passport to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God. It requires that one must believe Jesus is the Son of God, repent of all sins and be baptized, receiving the Holy Spirit. Are you willing to serve God for the freedom He gives? Will you teach others?
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Spoon-Fed Love
This is the time of the year I do not look forward to coming. No, I’m not talking about the holiday season, but rather the change of weather season. Here in South Texas, it’s either summer or winter, and that can, and does, switch back and forth day by day. Two days ago the temperature was near 8o degrees and yesterday sleet fell from the cold overcast sky all afternoon. Gee, I wonder why everyone’s sick? That’s the part I don’t look forward to. I generally make it through the first two cold fronts with only a few sniffles caused by cedar pollen, but the third cold front, most of the time, is the one that gets me. A good artic blast of cold will come through, chilling me to the bone and I know the next morning I’m going to wake up sick. Well, that’s where I’ve been for the past week, sick. I’ll keep spoon-feeding the medicine down, for this too shall soon pass.
In a dream, a man was having a conversation with the Lord and asked, “I would like to know what heaven and hell are like.” The Lord led the man to down a hall to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the man looked in. There in the middle of the room was a large table and in the middle of the table was a huge pot of stew, which smelled delicious, making the man’s mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly looking. They appeared to be famished. Each person held a very long handled spoon which was strapped to their arm. It was possible to reach into the pot of stew and get a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arm, they could not get the spoon to their mouth. The man shuttered at their misery and suffering. The Lord said, “You have seen hell.” They went to the next room and opened the door. The scene was exactly the same as the first, big table, big pot of stew and long handled spoons strapped to each person’s arm. The only difference was the people looked well nourished, in fact a little plump, and they were laughing and talking as though enjoying themselves. The man turned to the Lord and said, “I don’t understand.” “It’s simple” said the Lord. “It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy next door think only of themselves.
[John 17: 20-25] No, I don’t have the seasons mixed up. I know the birth of Christ is the reason for this season, so why would I pick a scripture from the time of His death? In the garden Jesus prayed for himself, the disciples and for all the believers to come, that’s you and me. And “…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Then Jesus gave His all for you and me. God the Father gave us His son without a thought of gain. Jesus gave himself without a thought of gain. When you give this season, will you give without thought of gain? While teaching the birth of Christ to others and expressing your love with gifts, don’t forget to reach deep in the pot and feed them also, the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. For Jesus was born to die on a cruel cross, the perfect sacrifice to God for the sins of the world, saving us from ourselves, and that’s a spoon-full of love we could never get for our self, nor can we ever repay. Feed someone from God’s Word.
In a dream, a man was having a conversation with the Lord and asked, “I would like to know what heaven and hell are like.” The Lord led the man to down a hall to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the man looked in. There in the middle of the room was a large table and in the middle of the table was a huge pot of stew, which smelled delicious, making the man’s mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly looking. They appeared to be famished. Each person held a very long handled spoon which was strapped to their arm. It was possible to reach into the pot of stew and get a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arm, they could not get the spoon to their mouth. The man shuttered at their misery and suffering. The Lord said, “You have seen hell.” They went to the next room and opened the door. The scene was exactly the same as the first, big table, big pot of stew and long handled spoons strapped to each person’s arm. The only difference was the people looked well nourished, in fact a little plump, and they were laughing and talking as though enjoying themselves. The man turned to the Lord and said, “I don’t understand.” “It’s simple” said the Lord. “It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy next door think only of themselves.
[John 17: 20-25] No, I don’t have the seasons mixed up. I know the birth of Christ is the reason for this season, so why would I pick a scripture from the time of His death? In the garden Jesus prayed for himself, the disciples and for all the believers to come, that’s you and me. And “…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Then Jesus gave His all for you and me. God the Father gave us His son without a thought of gain. Jesus gave himself without a thought of gain. When you give this season, will you give without thought of gain? While teaching the birth of Christ to others and expressing your love with gifts, don’t forget to reach deep in the pot and feed them also, the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. For Jesus was born to die on a cruel cross, the perfect sacrifice to God for the sins of the world, saving us from ourselves, and that’s a spoon-full of love we could never get for our self, nor can we ever repay. Feed someone from God’s Word.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Wind And Sunshine
My spouse and I are coming up 21 years together the 12th of this month and to be honest, it doesn’t seem to be that long. Paula may want to argue that, but I’ll try to avoid the confrontation. Like all families, we’ve had our ups and downs, but our faith always carries us through and keeps us aimed in the right direction, for that I’m thankful. We’re a low maintenance couple, happy with, and proud of, the possessions we’ve been blessed with to steward for a short while. We’re the couple songs are written about. We were literally two ships passing in the night, running our own course of life without the love and security of a helpmate. I’m far from being a romantic and Paula has a hard time making a decision about anything, so I guess when she insisted we go to the judges chambers to get married, I must have said or done something right. We have no debt to speak of, although she still works because health insurance would be difficult for me to obtain since my illness a few years back. But, not too many years from now we’ll be “boomer seniors” when the whole insurance scene completely flips, throwing life into a brand new fit of turmoil. Paula will watch over that, and maybe I’ll write a book.
The children begged for a hamster, and after the usual fervent vows that they alone would care for it, they got one. They named it Danny. Two months later, when mom found herself responsible for cleaning and feeding the creature, she located a prospective new home for it. The children took the news of Danny’s imminent departure quite well, though one of them remarked, “He’s been around here a long time – we’ll miss him.” “Yes” mom replied, “But he’s too much work for one person, and since I’m that one person, I say he goes!” Another child offered, “Well, maybe if he wouldn’t eat so much and wouldn’t be so messy, we could keep him.” But mom was firm. “It’s time to take Danny to his new home now”, she insisted. “ Go get his cage.” With one voice , in a tearful outrage the children shouted, “Danny? We thought you said daddy!!”
[Genesis 2: 19-25] One day the wind and the sun were arguing about which of them was strongest. “Look” said the wind, “I’ll prove to you that I’m more powerful. See that man down on earth? Let’s each exercise our power, and whoever can make the man shed his coat fastest will be acknowledged as the most powerful.” “Fine” the sun replied, smiling. “You go first.” So the wind howled as he huffed and puffed. Pulling out all the stops, the harder he tried, the more the man pulled his coat closer to him to shield himself from the cold. Finally the wind died down, exhausted from his efforts. Then the sun began to shine, gently but persistently, until the man began to unbutton his jacket. Before long, he had shed not only his coat, but rolled up his long sleeves as well. The wind had to admit he was beaten. Selfishness and unkindness are like that wind. While there’s a certain kind of power in them, they do not have the power of love and kindness, which can open the hearts of people just as the suns’ rays can cause people to shed their overcoats. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can honestly say this. I know I’ve blown a lot of wind in the direction of my wife over the years, but what I got in return was mostly sunshine. I’m thrilled that my God is big and powerful enough to put me with a good woman whose sunshine has shed me of some pretty selfish ways. I’m also thrilled that the sunshine of Jesus’ love has shed me of the sins I’ve committed against my God.
The children begged for a hamster, and after the usual fervent vows that they alone would care for it, they got one. They named it Danny. Two months later, when mom found herself responsible for cleaning and feeding the creature, she located a prospective new home for it. The children took the news of Danny’s imminent departure quite well, though one of them remarked, “He’s been around here a long time – we’ll miss him.” “Yes” mom replied, “But he’s too much work for one person, and since I’m that one person, I say he goes!” Another child offered, “Well, maybe if he wouldn’t eat so much and wouldn’t be so messy, we could keep him.” But mom was firm. “It’s time to take Danny to his new home now”, she insisted. “ Go get his cage.” With one voice , in a tearful outrage the children shouted, “Danny? We thought you said daddy!!”
[Genesis 2: 19-25] One day the wind and the sun were arguing about which of them was strongest. “Look” said the wind, “I’ll prove to you that I’m more powerful. See that man down on earth? Let’s each exercise our power, and whoever can make the man shed his coat fastest will be acknowledged as the most powerful.” “Fine” the sun replied, smiling. “You go first.” So the wind howled as he huffed and puffed. Pulling out all the stops, the harder he tried, the more the man pulled his coat closer to him to shield himself from the cold. Finally the wind died down, exhausted from his efforts. Then the sun began to shine, gently but persistently, until the man began to unbutton his jacket. Before long, he had shed not only his coat, but rolled up his long sleeves as well. The wind had to admit he was beaten. Selfishness and unkindness are like that wind. While there’s a certain kind of power in them, they do not have the power of love and kindness, which can open the hearts of people just as the suns’ rays can cause people to shed their overcoats. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can honestly say this. I know I’ve blown a lot of wind in the direction of my wife over the years, but what I got in return was mostly sunshine. I’m thrilled that my God is big and powerful enough to put me with a good woman whose sunshine has shed me of some pretty selfish ways. I’m also thrilled that the sunshine of Jesus’ love has shed me of the sins I’ve committed against my God.
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