Resistance Is Not Futile

      I awoke this morning to the song of a mockingbird just outside my bedroom window. Nothing too unusual, except it was two o’clock, a little early for a wake-up call. The song was never ending and the repertoire was that of imitating every bird-song it had ever heard, over and over again. It was so loud I had to find my earplugs to escape the irritant. I don’t fault the bird for singing its praises to the Lord, but I still think it’s a little early in the morning to be singing at the top of your lungs. Remember when you used to be a pest around the house at the wrong time? Mama or some other adult would suggest, “Why don’t you go fly a kite?” The great winds this spring almost tempted me enough to go buy a kite. I remember taking my kids out to a vacant field and flying kites. My son and I would dive and sore our kites seeing how close we could come to one another without crashing. The dynamics of kite flying are rather weird. As long as one keeps a taut string on the kite the resistance keeps the kite aloft. Slack up on the string and the kite doesn’t fly away uncontrolled, it falls like a rock. Pull back on the string, causing resistance again, and the kite begins to climb. I was reminded of all this by a story on the radio the other day. It was an object lesson about breaking away from authority and doing whatever you want to do. A father had not allowed his son to do something and the son replied, “I’ll be glad when I’m not tied to your rules anymore and I can do what I want to, when I want to.” While father and son were kite-flying, the boy wanted his kite to be up in the air higher than any of the others around him. When he had all the string let out and his kite was way up in the air, it still wasn’t as high as one other. The dad suggested cutting the string and letting it fly higher on its own. The boy realized he would lose the kite if they did that, but dad said, “That’s okay. We’ll get another one.” The string was cut, and without any resistance to hold the kite against the wind, it fell to the ground with a mighty crash. The father explained to his son that that is why there are rules in this world that must be followed. If one were to just cut lose from the rules, the inevitable “crash” will occur. We can’t simply separate ourselves from those things we feel are a resistance to our way of life. Rules are in place to help us stand strong and proud of who we are as we soar through life.
      [Psalm 2] I know everybody’s life is different and each of us has a will to go and do what our heart desires, hey, it’s the American way. The problem lies in the fact that many are no longer following the American way, which is God and country. This country soared high when it held firm to the teachings of the Bible, but, selfishness, individual personal unearned rights, total tolerance and immorality are cutting the strings of resistance held by God. Once we do that, we’re going to fall with a mighty crash. Read your world history. In-fighting of leaders, political corruption, failing economy, decline in morals, ethics and values, and natural disasters, have brought devastation to past empires. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Folks, we need to physically embrace Faith, Hope and Love, and spiritually embrace Father, Son and Holy Spirit if we truly expect to soar to satisfying personal heights and to ever reach heavenly heights. These two, three-strand cords, are the resistance we need to avoid the meism that tears down righteous living. Resistance helps us fly under control.

Worldly Preoccupation

      Eastern Air Lines Flight 401, carrying 163 passengers and 13 crew members, left New York's JFK Airport on Friday, December 29, 1972 at 9:20 p.m., en route to Miami International Airport. The flight was routine until its approach into Miami International Airport. After lowering the gear, the co-pilot noticed that the landing gear indicator, a green light identifying that the nose gear is properly locked in the "down" position, did not illuminate. The pilots cycled the landing gear, but still failed to get the confirmation light. They then told the tower that they would discontinue their approach to the airport and requested to enter a holding pattern. The tower cleared the flight to climb to two thousand feet, then hold west over the Everglades. The second officer was dispatched into the avionics bay beneath the flight deck to check visually if the gear was down through a small viewing window. Fifty seconds after reaching their assigned altitude, the captain instructed the co-pilot to put the jet on autopilot. As they worked on the light, the jet began a descent into the black night sky so gradual it could not be perceived by the crew. The altitude warning chime, located under the engineer's workstation, was triggered, but the engineer had gone below, and there was no indication by the recorded pilot's voices that they heard the chime. The plane was at half its assigned altitude as they started another turn, and noticed the discrepancy. Co-Pilot: “We did something to the altitude.” Pilot: “What?” Co-Pilot: “We're still at 2,000 feet, right?” Pilot: “Hey! What's happening here?” Less than 10 seconds after this exchange, the jetliner crashed. The crash occurred as a result of the entire flight crew becoming preoccupied with a burnt-out landing gear indicator light and failing to notice the autopilot had inadvertently been disconnected.


      [2 Corinthians 4] “…we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (1John 1:5-7) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (v.16-18). Nearly everything being sold to the consumer of the world today is in some way related to improving ones lifestyle. The world is constantly reminding me that I’m getting older, but that there is a solution to my every problem in life, and most of the time all I have to do is take a pill. The focus of man has become so self-centered that he can no longer feel in his heart, his separation from God. The worldly man is unaware that his attitude and altitude toward a safe landing in the heavenly realm, is in reality, going to crash short of his goal, because he’s so focused on himself; he’s taken his eyes off of God. I think some treat Jesus, our Savior, like an auto-pilot, and at the same time, ask God if they can go into a holding pattern while they live life in the world as they please. Man can not perceive the depths he is falling into and one day it is going to be too late to avoid eternal punishment. Read the last Old Testament book, Malachi. Man’s behavior then, which brought about the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, wasn’t much different than it is now. The Day of the Lord is coming again and this time all of creation will be destroyed. Are you a crippled and blind “living” sacrifice to your God? (Malachi 1:14; Romans 12:1-2) Are you robbing God with worldly self-centered thinking? (Malachi 3:6-18)

Kilroy Was Here

      For the WWII generation, this will bring back memories. For you younger folks, it is a bit of trivia that is a part of our American history. This is a story about a guy named Kilroy. You may be familiar with his picture; a fellow with only his fingers, elongated nose, pointed head and eyes peeking over the top of an imaginary wall with the caption “Kilroy Was Here”. So, who was Kilroy and where did he come from? In 1946, through its radio program, “Speak to America”, the American Transit Assoc. sponsored a nationwide contest to find the real Kilroy. Out of forty responding men, only James Kilroy of Halifax, Massachusetts had evidence of his identity. Kilroy was a 46-year-old shipyard worker. Rivets were the mode of ship assembly, not welding, and the riveters were paid by how many rivets they installed in a work-shift period. Kilroy counted and marked each rivet with a semi-waxed lumber chalk so wages could be calculated. The problem was, the riveters removed some of the marks getting groups of rivets counted twice and being paid twice. Once this was discovered and verified, Kilroy started using a waxy chalk to mark his counted rivets, which the riveters couldn’t remove completely. Kilroy started adding his little man peering over the invisible wall just to remind the riveters they were being watched closely and the count was correct because “Kilroy Was Here”. With the war on, the ships were leaving the shipyards without paint and the rivet counting evidence was plain to see. As a result, Kilroy’s inspection “trademark” was seen by thousands of American servicemen who boarded the troopships he worked on. To the troops aboard those ships, however, he was a mystery; all they knew was that somebody named Kilroy had “been there first”. As a joke, U.S. servicemen began placing the graffiti wherever they went, claiming it was already there when they arrived. Kilroy became the U.S. super-GI who had always “already been” before everyone else. Throughout the European and Pacific theatres of war, Kilroy was reported as having been there and it is reported that the “Kilroy Was Here” graffiti has been found atop Mt. Everest, the Statue of Liberty and even scrawled in the dust of the moon. Really Buzz?


      [Genesis 1: 2-24; John 1: 1-14; Colossians 1: 15-20; 1 Corinthians 15: 20-28] Whoa!! That’s a lot of reading there Tom. Well, it won’t take you long to discover that the one we call Jesus was everywhere way before Kilroy, and Jesus is not a legion. In the beginning, God said, and God said, and God said. At the Word of God, all things were made as testified to by the books of Genesis and John. “The Word became flesh and made his (Jesus) dwelling among us” (John 1:14). God’s signature is on everything we see and he’s there before we arrive, anywhere we go. In Colossians 1:15 we read Jesus was “…the firstborn over all creation.” You can’t get any more first-er than that! Then in 1 Corinthians 1:20 “…Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (v. 17) “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” [James1:16-18] “…He chose to give us birth through the word of truth (Jesus), that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.” Guess what? You are first in the heart of God! You’re first and probably don’t even realize it. Now that you know, what are you leaving behind to let others know? Are you living a life worthy of being number one? Are you striving to stay number one in God’s heart?

Drop Everything

      Bubba, not what you would classify as “the sharpest knife in the drawer” type of person, walked into the doctor’s office and the receptionist asked him what he had. “Shingles”, said Bubba. She wrote down his name, address, got his medical insurance information and told him to have a seat. Fifteen minutes later a nurse’s aide came into the waiting room and called Bubba to another room. She asked Bubba what he had. “Shingles”, Bubba replied. She interviewed him, writing down his height, weight, a complete medical history, then told Bubba to wait in the examining room. A half an hour later a nurse came in and asked Bubba what he had. With a great big sigh Bubba replied, “Shingles!” The nurse told him she was there to help and gave Bubba a blood pressure test, an electrocardiogram and drew some blood for testing. Then she told him to take off all his clothes, gave him a backward shirt to put on and to take a seat and wait for the doctor. About an hour later the doctor came in and asked Bubba what he had. Disgusted and tired Bubba calmly said, “Shingles.” The doctor asked, “Where?” Bubba said, “Outside in the truck. Where do you want ‘em unloaded?”


      I guess you can tell I’ve been dealing with doctors again. My wife was admitted to the hospital for a couple of days last week, through the emergency room. Even though her doctor had called ahead to the ER with information concerning her case we felt more like aliens from another world when we arrived. Every person along the line wanted to know, “Why are you here?” The problem here is I don’t talk doctor, a totally foreign language to me, hence the reason for the phone call from the doctor to begin with. No one seems to have the information. Only the phantom ghost doctor of the hospital knows what’s going on. We all did our best to get treatment started for my wife and eventually the doctor with the information showed up and everybody got on the same page of why we were there and what had to be done. All in a day of life.

      [Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43] As Jesus and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, a blind man named Bartimaeus, sitting by the roadside begging, asked what was going on. He was informed Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Bartimaeus was a pretty sharp fellow and knew of Jesus’ healing powers so cried out to him, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Of course the parade leaders, most likely prominent local townsfolk, told Bartimaeus to shut his trap, but Bart shouted all the more for Jesus’ help. Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” Someone went to get Bartimaeus, ‘“Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.’” I suppose if I hung around doctors long enough I would begin to understand their language, but I know when I need a doctor I have to drop everything and go, just as Bartimaeus did. The language of religion is difficult and can be understood when studied. There comes a time in every life when begging and excuses gets old and crying out for help seems right. By faith we seek God’s favors and drop everything to pray. “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…”(Hebrews 12:1-13). God heals the faithful.

Motherhood

      Motherhood. If a job description was to be found in the Library of Congress it would probably read something like this: Position: Mother, Mom, Mama. Job Description: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive campsites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses NOT reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required. Responsibilities: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until $5 bucks is needed. Must be willing to bite tongue, repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat, in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysterious sluggish toilets, stuck zippers and crashing computers. Must screen all phone calls, maintain appointment calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have abilities to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute and an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half a million cheap plastic toys and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final and complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facilities. Possibilities for Advancement and Promotion: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retaining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you. Previous Experience: None required, unfortunately. On-the-job-training (OJT) offered on a continually exhausting basis. Wages and Compensation: Get this! You pay them; offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18, because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you will actually enjoy it and wish you could give more. Benefits: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life, if you play your cards right.


      [Luke 2:51 & John 19:25] Although we know very little of Jesus’ childhood, we do know something about his mother. She “treasured” her memories of Jesus. We barely see Mary in his adult life, but we see her at the cross weeping for her dying son. When all others had deserted Jesus, Mary was there to love and comfort her son. “The love of a mother is never exhausted. It never changes; it never tires; it endures through all; in good repute, in bad repute, in the face of the worlds condemnation, a mother’s love still lives on” - Washington Irving. A fitting attribute of our faithful God, attached to the heart of woman, who nurtures the precious embodied spirit of mankind with the love of God.