So Help Me God

When giving testimony in a legal proceeding you take an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. However, the truth that you tell is often dependent upon the questions asked by the attorney or the judge. The whole truth is not always revealed because you are limited by what is admissible. During Jesus’ ministry there were times where He didn’t respond to questions, or he might answer a question by asking one of his own, or He chose to respond in parables. However at His trial Jesus was ask, “Are you then the Son of God?” He spoke the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth…

Greener Grass

The house next door is a rental property and over the years we’ve watched renters come and go. One tenant will spend the summer tilling, seeding and watering the yard, then he leaves and the next guy moves in and lets the yard revert back to nature. The last neighbor’s Labrador pup dug so many holes that the yard could have passed for a prairie dog colony. However the children in the family loved driving their Tonka trucks around the pocked marked terrain. Similar to watching the yard next door, I picture God watching our spiritual lot. We have to decide if we’re going to make the grass greener or just play in the dirt.

Actors

I get irritated with Hollywood actors who think that their star-power somehow entitles them to a political persuasion and authority in social issues. It would be more understandable if they were trying to engage just their fan base, but it appears that they really think that the world is their stage and everyone is an admirer. Likewise, there are those who have a certain amount of star-power within the body of Christ that think the masses will embrace their views when they take the political and social stage. Paul has a warning for all who think highly of themselves. “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Gal 6:3 NIV)

Here's Your Sign

At a stoplight in the Denver metro area a man was holding a sign that read, “Trying to heal, wishing I had a home and a job”. I thought it was an interesting commentary for one’s life and it reminded me of the man, an invalid for 38 years, who laid beside a pool. Jesus said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” It occurs to me that busy traffic intersections have become the equivalent of a modern day pool called Bethesda. I can imagine Jesus saying to those carrying signs the same thing he said to the invalid, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” (John 5: 6b-8 ESV)

Cut and Paste

Both of my young grandchildren use the English Standard Version of the Bible, however their dad had the American Standard and their mother the New King James. Last week mom and dad bought new Bibles and switched to the ESV. “Good!” said six year-old David. “Now we’re all going to be reading the same thing.” I can so appreciate where he’s coming from. Every once in a while the congregation is led in saying the Lord’s Prayer in unison…that is until we get to the part about forgive us ‘our debts’ and some of us don’t know whether it’s our debts, or our trespasses (Matt 6:9-13). I conferred with an older preacher and we both agreed that we memorized it as trespasses, but I can’t for the life of me find a translation that uses the word trespass in the Lord’s Prayer. However, the word trespass does appear in the two verses following the Lord’s Prayer in the King James Version. So now I’m in a quandary…did I do a mental cut and paste and get it mixed up, or did my childhood Sunday School teacher goof and give me a gold star for an incorrect memorization?

Sent on a Mission

As Executive Board members, I and another woman were asked to attend a meeting of one of the sub-committees. We quickly learned that we had entered a hostile environment and that we were not the first board members to be attacked at these meetings. In a subsequent meeting the Executive Board was told by a committee representative, “We want you to send a Board representative to our next meeting…but don’t send any of those people who’ve already come before.” Obviously the representative was hoping to keep going through Board members until he found one who would take up their cause. I’m reminded of the Parable of the Talents. At harvest time the landowner sent some of his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.” (Matt 21:33-40 NIV) I certainly wouldn’t encourage any of the other Board members to attend those committee meetings…I know what happened to the landowners son.

Candidates

You often don’t discover the motives of a political candidate until after they are elected. Some want to build on the civic foundation already laid, while others want to tear down what has been built and go a different direction. Sadly we sometimes see something similar in the church when new leadership takes over and begins to dismantle what others have built – both spiritually and physically. Paul says to the Corinthians, “This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.” (2 Cor 13:10 NIV)

Getting Your Comfys On

I love the picture Paul paints when he tells us, “Therefore put on the full armor of God…” (Eph 6:10-18 NIV) and then he list the items we are to wear. The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit. The implication is that you should always be ready and dressed in your armor. I don’t know about you, but in the evenings I like to get out of my clothes, put on my comfys and just relax. Thank goodness for guardian angels.

Born With a Silver Spoon

Every once in a while I’ll run in to someone who seems to get much more than they deserve. Maybe they don’t pay a penalty for their actions or they just seem to stumble into good fortune. And then there are those who are born first or into a favored gene pool with a linage of royalty. We all understand Paul’s analogy between God (the Potter) and man (the pot) when he says, “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” I’m not sure that I’ve ever said ‘why did you make me like this?’, but I’ve certainly said ‘why did you make him like that?’ (Romans 9:20b NIV)

Survey

My Wal-Mart receipt said if I took a simple email survey that I would be entered to win one of five $1000 gift cards. Why not? Somebody’s going to win, so I might as well have my name in the pot. No sooner than hitting send, the phone rang with a representative wanting to enroll me in college. I checked my email and was welcomed by three different businesses thanking me for subscribing to their newsletters. I frantically started to ‘unsubmit’ myself from subscriptions I hadn’t ordered. I think this is the same kind of tactic Satan might use. He dangles one little forbidden fruit in front of us and we bite before we understand all the consequences.

Tower of Babel

Night before last the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm alert for our region. We had a microburst, with wind gusts up to 57 miles an hour, rain in the evening and snow on the ground the following morning. After a few telephone busy signals, it became apparent that a cell tower had been knocked out. Some in our family are totally without phone service and Bill even resorted to looking up phone numbers in his cell and then dialing them the old fashioned way on the landline. Well, I guess God still has His way of stopping babble…

Reminder

I schedule all my activities on a big desk calendar that hangs on the inside of my pantry door. When I look at the coming week I often fire off a prayer, “Lord you’re just going to have help get me through this.” And He does. I recently had to look back on one of the filed calendar pages to see what I did and when it was done. Wow! It was a good reminder for me to see just how busy the Lord has been in coming to my rescue. While my calendar was a good way to jog my memory, Paul uses a different approach with the Philippians. “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” (Phil 3:1 NIV)

Eyjafjallajokull

I’ve been watching the televised eruption of Iceland’s volcano…the name of which no TV reporter can pronounce (see above). It’s easy to summon up all kinds of stories to go along with the visuals of smoke and ash that we are seeing. There’s Sodom and Gomorrah, Mount Sinai, the Abyss and Babylon, just to name a few. It’s interesting to note how in God’s book smoke can in one instance represent something worshipful and in another be a sign of destruction.

Focus

When I’m driving if want to avoid something in the road the first thing I have to do is focus on an area that is away from that object. Invariably if I focus on the object itself I’ll hit it dead center. I think something similar happens we’re overwhelmed with the worries of life. If we start dwelling on the attacks of Satan and his minions we’re going to run into them every time. Just think how much we’d save a on spiritual realignment if we’d just keep our focus on Jesus.

Measuring Up

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1-2 NIV) I’ve always thought this verse applied only to our judging and measuring others. Now I’m not so sure. At one time or another we’ve all encountered believers who seem to preach at others by using themselves as an example. Isn’t it possible that their inflated opinion then becomes the measuring stick? Certainly when our actions do not agree with our words we’re a candidate for being measured by our own self-imposed standard. Who hasn’t heard those in the world say, “And she calls herself a Christian…”?

No Stranger

I drove through the Starbucks drive-up, but it was Bill who placed his order from the passenger side of the car. The voice at the other end of the microphone was sunshiny, chatty…and sweetly flirtatious. I pulled around to the service window and the attractive blonde paused with a startled “Oh…” and then she immediately switched to her customer service voice for female customers. Certainly the voice alone can be a tricky and deceptive thing, unless of course you know the voice who calls you, “…his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:4b NIV)

Incoming Darts

When Satan attacks believers, we’re to, “…take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one…” (Eph 6:16 ESV) I try to imagine how I might respond to those incoming darts. Would I hunker down behind my shield, or peek over the top to see how many were coming in? I’d like to think I’d push my shield forward to meet the impact. I guess step one is to pick up the shield.

Send and Receive

Sometimes after sending an email I hover around the computer waiting for a response. It seems like if the message goes out quickly then, the response should come back just as quickly. When I’m really impatient for an answer, I’ve been known to pick-up the phone and call the recipient to tell them I sent them an email. I do something similar to the Lord. Because I know He’s always at the other end of a prayer, He could if He were so inclined, answer my prayer even before I hit send.

So Who's the Problem?

I serve on a lot of community committees and I was lamenting to a friend that every one of the groups seems to be in turmoil. She good naturedly said, “Well, so what is the common denominator?” I did laugh, but thankfully I can say ‘it’s not me’. These organizations were all in crisis mode before I started serving on their boards and I’m now scrambling to learn the unsavory history. I do think her point is well taken…especially when applied to those of us who serve in the church. Above all other places, the church is the one institution where we should strive to be of one accord. If we are disgruntled in any of our areas of service, it’s possible that we just might be the common denominator. Doing good works doesn’t release us from the obligation of self-examination. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you…” (2 Cor 13:5a NIV)

Temptation

We were having a movie night at my son’s house and it was the grandkids bedtime before the movie was over. A half hour later my daughter-in-law got up from the couch to get a drink of water and caught 4 year-old Lydia in the hallway sneaking a peek at the movie. Confronted by her mom she sprinted to her room and confessed through tears, “Mama, I tried not to be tempted.” Such childlike innocence was lost when Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It’s interesting to think that God might have responded differently if, rather than blaming God, the serpent and one another, the couple would have simply confessed, ‘I tried not to be tempted’.

Blurred Vision

Two blind men called out to Jesus, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus did show mercy by touching their eyes, but He added a disclaimer to their healing, "According to your faith will it be done to you…" (Matt 9:27-29). Thankfully their faith measured up, but what if one of them had weak faith, partial faith or even borrowed faith. Might he have then been half-healed with blurry vision? It’s a good day when Jesus doesn’t say, ‘Oh you of little faith…’

Clothe Yourself

I’m going through my closet and getting rid of old clothes. I have to admit that at first it was quite painful. Those clothes represent who I used to be…and who I thought I could become again. Never mind that I couldn’t button the pants or comfortably cross my arms in a jacket. Regardless of the fact that the clothes are two sizes too small and no longer in style, I have a mental and financial investment in them. As believers we’re to, “…have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Col 3:9-10 NIV) Even though our old self no longer fits, I suspect that more than a few of us have some pieces hanging in that closet.

Come on Down

An advertisement hook in Saturday’s paper reads, “Do you want to be baptized?” It then goes on to say if you’re a believer, 8 years or older, bring a towel, a change of clothes and come on down. The Bible reference says, “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16 NIV) On so many levels I find the ad fascinating. People who excel in disciplining must be cringing at this shotgun approach.

The Days of Lot

After leaving the house for worship services Easter morning, I got whiplash when I drove past a neighbor’s hastily thrown up yard sale sign. Who has a yard sale on Easter Sunday? Taking that though a step further, who goes yard sailing on Easter? Then down the street a liquor store was open at 9:00 am…and customers were entering the store. Jesus told the Pharisees that the coming of the Kingdom of God would be no different than in the days of Lot. “People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:28-29 NIV) Believers know that the Son of Man could be revealed at any time…maybe even on an Easter Sunday!

Resurrection Games

The Sunday evening news showed a video clip of Easter services at a church in Texas. The stage resembled the ‘Price is Right’ studio, right down to a spinning Plexiglas drum with ticket stubs. During services the church gave away new cars and flat screen TV’s. The image of Jesus clearing the temple jumped to the forefront of my mind. “In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.” (John 2:14-15 NIV) On a much smaller scale and closer to home, a local church held Easter egg hunts for the children while their parents attended Easter services. My thoughts turned to Jesus at the age of 12. He had been missing for three days when Mary and Joseph, “…found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” (Luke 2:46-47 NIV) Is this what some people think it takes to fill the pews on Easter?

April Fools

April 1st gives our newspaper an opportunity to issue a special edition and provide commentary, all in the name of humor. Barbs are thrown, leaders are roasted and biases overexposed. While some items really are funny and good natured, others are mean-spirited, politically motivated and even offensive. No doubt any protest against some of the articles would be met with, “Oh, it was meant as a joke, it was all in good fun.” Solomon has something to say on the subject, “Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘I was only joking!’”(Proverbs 26:18-19 NIV)

Delegate

The last few days I’ve been getting both mail and emails from candidates wanting my support as a delegate. After a little research I learned that my district was short on delegates, so someone nominated me and I was automatically assigned to the position. While I’m honored with the vote of confidence, I now feel caught between a rock and a hard place. As a bipartisan elected official I really don’t want to get into party politics. However, with my name on a list as a delegate, people are going to think I’m a slacker shirking my duties if I don’t show up and participate. I’m attempting to get my name removed from the list, but in the mean time it seems sort of reminiscent of being listed on the church membership roll and yet failing to be an active member.

Authority

Sometimes in the church our serving is stifled because we’re waiting for someone to give us an assignment or to give us authority to proceed. For better or worse, part of my make-up is the need to get permission before I do something. I want to know that if someone asks, “Who told you that you could do that?” I can refer them to a higher authority. Jesus was teaching in the temple courts when the chief priests and the elders came to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” (Matt 21:23 NIV)

Fortunately

Most of us put little stock in the fortunes that come out of a fortune cookie, but I like to play a mental game with them to see if the sentiment is Biblically sound. A few months ago I had one that said, “For light, go directly to the source of the light, not any reflections.” I thought I could make a spiritual application, because even though we reflect the Lord’s glory, that reflection comes from the Lord – the Light. (2 Cor 3:18) My most recent fortune cookie however, has left me no spiritual connection. It reads, “Oops… Wrong cookie.”

Mr. Fix-It

On one of the boards that I serve there is a vacancy, so the current members are reading resumes from folks who’d like to serve with us. It’s surprising how many applicants subtly, and some not so subtly, reveal a bias toward the group they want to join. They’ll highlight what they perceive to be flaws and then proceed to tell you how they can fix the organization once they are appointed to the position. We do something similar in the church when we tell others that we know what is best when it comes to music, the sermon, or serving. It doesn’t hurt for us to be reminded that, “…in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (1 Cor 12:18 NIV)

Burying the Hatchet

There are some people and organizations in my community that have a lot of axes to grind, especially with each other. I’m thinking someone should create a bury-the-hatchet cemetery. The world doesn’t have to kiss and make up, but as believers the Lord calls upon us to turn the other cheek or do unto others or love your neighbor…

Fighting the Good Fight

When I became a believer I knew there were spiritual battles to be fought, but I suppose I thought in terms of fighting a few rounds here and there. Perhaps running the occasional race or following a graph of maturing faith as it inches its way up. Obviously I was thinking in spurts, rather than lifetime achievement. Paul looks back over his 30 years as an apostle saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim 4:7 NIV) I rejoice over folks who come to the Lord in their latter years, but I am really heartened by those who can look back on their life knowing that they fought the good fight.

Keep on Moving

A slim young woman who goes to my fitness center appears to have debilitating rheumatoid arthritis in her hands, feet and possibly her hips. Now I know when we get ‘stove-up’ that the doctor recommends we keep on moving because if we sit and do nothing we’ll be in worse shape. However this woman does more than just try to keep moving. She arrives early in the morning, uses the few apparatuses that she can manage, and does a flurry of partial sit-ups that most able bodied people wouldn’t do. Because of her exercise regiment, I’m giving more thought to the invalid by the pool at Bethesda. You’d think that an invalid of 38 years would at least try to keep on moving to keep his strength up. It seems fitting that Jesus would ask him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:1-8).

Apprenticeship

I recently visited with a lady who wants to be a professional speaker, but she’s just so busy that she doesn’t have time to write a speech. Actually she admitted that she doesn’t care to write speeches at all and she’d like to find someone to do the writing for her. I think I see a similar thought process with Moses. Inexperienced, young (relatively speaking), and untrained in leadership, Moses avenged a fellow Israelite by killing an Egyptian and he “…thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.” (Acts 7:25 NIV) Rather than receiving the title of ‘rescuer’, he fled to Midian and lived in that dry and desolate place for 40 years. I think Moses had to do an apprenticeship in the wilderness before God was ready to appoint him as the one to deliver Israel.

Innocence

My son and daughter-in-law were doing their family Bible Study and the text happened to be on the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3). Though Troy didn’t want to gloss over the term, he also wanted to choose his words carefully in explaining it to his young children. Before he could form his thoughts six year-old David said, “Oh, I know what it means. Adult - tell - ree…It’s when an adult has something they want to tell you.” You’ve just got to love childhood innocence. The apostle Paul says, “…I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” (Ro 16:19b NIV)

Mirror

I just had an extreme make-over on my hair and I’m trying to cope with a new look. Last Sunday it was obvious that a few men didn’t quite know what to say. I relieved their awkwardness by joking that until I become competent with fixing my new hairdo, it may appear that I’ve put my finger into a light socket. Because I don’t yet have a sense of what I look like, every time I pass a mirror I look at myself. It gives me a whole new appreciation for James’ observation, “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 1:23-24 NIV)

Forgiveness

Our Sunday School class has been studying the parable of the prodigal son and we’ve had some interesting discussion from well seasoned believers. One class member stated, “It’s harder for me to forgive a fellow believer than it is to forgive an unbeliever.” Another commented, “Love your enemies…you made them!” I chimed in, “It’s easier for me to forgive someone who sinned against my neighbor than it is to forgive someone who sins against me.” I love the fact that we can honestly and openly share our weakness with one another. Believer, unbeliever, enemy or neighbor... “Forgiveness isn’t earned…it’s given.”

Unlimited

I used to get frustrated with the commentary notes in my Bible that failed to comment on my verse of interest. Or, when they did comment they might give you something inconclusive and offer a couple of different interpretations. John 3:34 is one of those instances. “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.” (NIV) Some think it is Jesus alone that was given the Spirit without limit, while others argue that Christ gives the Spirit to believers without limit. We know that the Spirit lives within the believer (Romans 8:11). To me it seems reasonable to think that the Spirit is only hindered by the self-imposed limits we put on ourselves.

Falling Rock

We recently had a huge rockslide in Glenwood Canyon that closed I-70 for a few days and the interstate is now down to single lane traffic. In one place there is a 10 by 20 foot hole punched through the upper deck of the highway. As CDOT workers and experts assessed the damage they had one eye on the road and the other eye on the canyon wall searching for more unstable rocks. I’m not sure how you’d get out of the way of a boulder even if you saw it coming. One driver who’d gone through the canyon 90 minutes before the rockslide breathed a grateful sigh of relief that no one was injured. If the report is correct, this same man had survived a bolder hitting his car 2004, an incident which took his wife’s life. It’s frightening to think about rocks falling on you and yet John writes, “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” (Rev 6:15-16 ESV) Apparently these folks would rather take their chances with falling rocks than with the returning Christ.

What Time Is It...Really?

For the next few days many of us will be going around comparing the old time with the new time. We know what the clock says, but is it 9:00 am or is it actually 8:00 am disguising itself as 9:00 am. Referencing his return Jesus said, “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.” (Mark 13:32-33 ESV) I can just see the Lord returning on one of the days we ‘spring forward’ or ‘fall back’.

No Forgiveness

During last week’s communion I took the emblems and then passed the tray on down the row. It came to an older gentleman, one who is having a few memory issues. He took the bread and ate it, then he took the cup and drank it saying, “There’s nothing in there…it’s empty.” Obviously, he mistakenly picked up a cup that had already been consumed by someone else. His wife then helped him get an untouched cup from the tray. I thought about the emblems; the bread represent’s the Lord’s body and the juice His shed blood. Imagine what it would mean for us today if the Lord’s cup truly was empty. “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb 9:22 ESV)

Depth Perception

It’s not unusual for our eyes to lose depth perception as we get older, but generally speaking our perception of one another’s character gets better with age. Where we might use life experiences in measuring another’s character, God has a unique way of determining the depth of our spiritual character. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb 4:12 ESV) I suppose some believers actually neglect the word of God in hopes of avoiding the spiritual autopsy.

Outside Looking In

I met a man who is a self-described land conservation activist. I’ve always found it strange that preserving a wilderness area often means that very few can enjoy what is preserved. God created His model of conservation when He put Adam in the Garden of Eden to care for it. Certainly conservationists might argue that they too are taking care of the land by making laws restricting access to the general population. Today’s environmentalist would certainly protect the garden by banning Adam and Eve. Oh wait…that’s exactly where they found themselves because they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Caught Napping

During a TV interview a zealous politician was asked about his political involvements during the 1990’s and he said, “Well, I think at that time I was politically asleep.” I hate to admit it, but I can relate to his self-examination on more than one level. There are times believers are spiritually asleep and we fail to expose unfruitful works of darkness. Paul says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Eph 514b ESV). Of course then there are those folks who are only half awake and just pull the covers up over their head when the Lord shines on them.

Ah-Ha

It’s not unusual to have discussion in Sunday School where someone will interject a little tidbit they learned while doing their own devotions or Bible Study. While those ah-ha moments are exciting for us, others don’t always share our enthusiasm. They may understand what we’re saying, but the Spirit is just not giving them the same ah-ha. Jesus taught in parables and it reminds me when Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” (Luke 12:41NIV) A similar thought comes to mind, ‘Lord, is this ah-ha just for me, or is it for others too?’

Evangelistic Survivor

Within less than a week of each other, I had meetings in both Denver and Washington DC. In packing my bags I tried to think of all the contingencies - weather, lost luggage, delayed flights. I couldn’t fathom taking either of these trips with only the clothes on my back, no itinerary and no purse…although it would have been a breeze to get through security checks. When Jesus sent the Twelve out to preach, teach and heal he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.” (Luke 9:3 ESV) It sounds to me like the Lord sent them out to play a game of Evangelistic Survivor.

For Us

With upcoming elections starting to heat up, I recently read an anonymous blog, where a constituent blasted a former elected official saying, “What did Representative Doe ever do for us in his previous term?” Although I can’t say that I really remember Doe’s accomplishments, I do think he could respond, “I didn’t sell you out.” Often men and women of integrity are the ones who, in the eyes of the world, seem to accomplish the least. When Jesus was before Pilate the people shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” I think I can also hear the world saying, “What has this Jesus ever done for us?” Jesus didn’t sell us out; rather He bought us for a price.

Community Living

I think the upcoming Census will put the population in my community somewhere around 18,000. It’s interesting that Peter’s sermon at Pentecost was so motivating that “…those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41ESV) If Peter preached in my town today it would mean that over 16% of the current population would come to the Lord. Can you imagine the impact of living in community like that?

Sampler

Often evangelistic efforts focus on telling unbelievers what Jesus can do for them…forgive sins, salvation, caring burdens. When you think about it, it’s somewhat presumptuous of us to try and quantify the things the Lord will do for others. When Jesus healed the possessed man from the demons known as Legion, the Lord sent him on his way with the instructions, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” (Luke 8:39 ESV) I think it’s interesting that in this instance the preferred means of evangelism was not to serve up a sampler plate of what the Lord can do for others, but to simply give a personal testimony.

Are You Really My Dad?

Our local newspaper just reported on a father and son finding each other through Facebook after 25 years of separation. As I read the story, a modern day parable of the Prodigal Son unfolded. The father reacted to the end of his 25 year search, “My jaw hit the floor, and I was wondering if I would ever find him. I would look at that [picture] and think about him all the time.” When the father first saw a picture of his son on the computer he pointed to the screen and screamed, “There you are! My heart was so full of joy…” The son’s message to the father was, “Are you really my dad?” and he responded “Yes!” I can imagine those who’ve been estranged from God returning to Him saying, “Are you really my dad?” and He answers, “Yes!”

Undercover Boss

I really like the new CBS reality series Undercover Boss, where a disguised CEO goes into his own company to discover the good, the bad and the ugly. Unsuspecting front-line employees interact with the incognito CEO and all involved are surprised by what is revealed. Actually, the concept for the show isn’t new. For believers it’s always been a part of our reality. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Heb 13:2 ESV)

For or Against

Speaking from a personal point of view there are times we need to remain neutral, such as not picking sides in a family squabble. However, some of us try to take this same neutrality unto our spiritual life where we equate being non-committal to being non-judgmental. Our pride in neutrality doesn't stand up to Scriptural truth...Jesus is pretty narrow-minded when it comes to the narrow gate. "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Luke 11:23 ESV)

Eye to Eye

I recently had a lengthy conversation with a man that avoided eye contact and only occasionally looked at me. We certainly understood the words we were saying to one another, but I can’t say that we saw eye to eye, because I couldn’t see his eyes. It really was disconcerting. Jesus said, “Your eye is the lamp of your body…” (Luke 11:34a ESV) and my Bible footnote on this verse says, “An eye that is healthy describes a spiritually healthy way of looking at things.” Turning that thought around, I wonder if those looking into our eyes can see our spiritual health.

Doubly Blessed

Bill and I ate at the Red Robin Restaurant in a neighboring town the other day and my mushroom-Swiss burger was more than I could eat. Leftovers aren’t as good as the original meal, so when I microwaved the half-burger it was a bit blah. The bun became soggy, the aroma was nonexistent and the ambiance was missing. I started to bless my carryout and it occurred to me, this thing had already been blessed once. Did it need to be blessed again? Did it even deserve another blessing? Remembering there were a total of 19 basketfuls of leftovers from feeding the 5,000 and the 4,000 I decided that it’s entirely possible someone re-blessed them before redistribution. (Mark 8:17-21) A double blessed burger couldn’t hurt.

On its Own Merits

I have a friend who is incredibly gifted in carving and his finished pieces sell for a handsome sum. I am in awe of his craftsmanship; that is until he starts talking about his creation. It’s then that the beauty before me becomes smeared with ego, draped with pride and flawed with boasting. It makes me think about going to a museum and spending hours appreciating the old masters. Maybe we should be glad those artists aren’t alive and standing beside their work explaining every stroke of the brush. It strikes me that our craft of serving in the Kingdom just might be held in higher regard if we too would simply remove ourselves and let the work be appreciated on its own merits.

Tidying Up

Because of the high volume of traffic on Main Street, many businesses have a hard time keeping their sidewalks clean from dirt and litter. I’ve noticed that some proprietors just give up and turn the maintenance over to Mother Nature. One of our local churches relocated to Main Street and last Saturday I watched an elderly woman sweeping the sidewalk, gutter and the parking spaces adjacent to their front door. Because of her age and the way she was dressed I assume she was a volunteer rather than the janitor. Her cleaning might easily be undone before the next day’s service and will likely go unnoticed by others as they hurry into worship, but it was not done in vain. I felt a rush of appreciation for her efforts on behalf of her church and on behalf of the Lord.

Signs of Character

A friend had an old 1981 Ford truck whose only function was to haul trash. When he no longer needed the truck and was unable to sell it, he gave it to Bill. It has four-wheel drive and a massive front bumper capable of taking on elk if necessary, but it also has almost 200,000 miles and it really is an ugly truck. The paint is dying, the quarter panels are rusting out and the dashboard is cracked and crumbling. Early this winter a tree branch broke off and dented the top edge of the bed, but we weren’t upset. In fact we laughed about it. The new dent just seemed to add more character to the poor thing. I think believers have something in common that old truck. The longer we’re in service to the Lord the more battle scars we’ll wear…and the new dents just add to our spiritual character.

Now Serving the Word

As we’ve remodeled a restaurant/bar into our church, I’ve made it a point to encourage curious folks to come for a worship-visit or to just drop by and check out the facility. In the Children’s Activity area we have tables and chairs where families can sit together and kids can color or read books during the service. Shortly after we opened the building up for worship a young family came in that we didn’t know. Bill welcomed them, gave them a bulletin and showed them our seating arrangement. The dad was a little red-faced and appeared to be upset. Bill wondered if maybe they had a spat while coming to church, or he could even be irritated at having been drug to church. Before we even finished the first hymn the family shot out of their seats and left the building. Was it something we said, the song we were singing, could someone have offended them? Not knowing what caused them to exit so abruptly always worried Bill, that is until one of the other elders said, “Oh, I just think they just probably thought they were coming to a restaurant for breakfast.”

Pollsters

I just read where the Presbyterian Church USA has taken yet another poll, this time on the church’s statement of faith. The poll, according to the AP, says that one in three members think there is some wiggle room for non-Christians to get into heaven. I can’t imagine believers taking a poll on the clearly stated issue of salvation. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 4:16 ESV) Jesus has a warning for individuals, but I think it’s also applicable for churches and denominations. “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man [or denomination] through whom they come!” (Matthew 18:7 NIV) Emphasis added mine.

Re-Birthday

Last Friday afternoon a young man was the first person to be baptized at our new facility and the first to one use the new baptistery. February 12th, the date of his baptism, also happens to be his Birthday. He said, “I’m being re-born on my Birthday.” How cool is that!

Instant Messaging

I forwarded an email with my added comments to a co-worker and only after hitting send did I realize I’d actually hit reply rather than forward. No harm, no foul…this time, but I can see how easily you can get yourself in a predicament when you’re not attentive to your messaging. Much of our communication today is done electronically and for many it is their way of speaking to one another. Although James is referring to hearing and doing the Word, I think his instruction also has application to my emailing. “…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…” And slow to hit send! (James 1:19 ESV)

What Did You Hear

It’s interesting how two people can hear the same sermon and each leave with a different take-away. Similarly, a friend mentioned a meeting where two people told her differing accounts of the same event. “It’s like they were at two totally different meetings.” Today’s journalists don’t agree even when they’re reporting the news…and that’s with the cameras is rolling. It makes it all the more profound that the four Gospel writers are in almost complete agreement with what they saw, heard and recorded. What are the odds of that?

What We're Here For

I’ve just started reading Sarah Palin’s book, Going Rogue and it looks like I’ll be learning a lot about Alaska. In her book she relates a lesson from her softball coach and I’m glad she passed it on to her readers. Sarah describes herself as a weak softball player so catching a fly ball was an opportunity for celebration and rejoicing. The coach yelled, “That’s what you’re supposed to do girl! Quit acting surprised when you do what you’re put there to do!” We believers often bathe ourselves in surprised when we see what the Spirit accomplishes through us. I can imaging the Lord saying, ‘Quit acting surprised when you do what you’re put here to do!’

Swimming Lessons

Last weekend our family got together at a local hotel for a mini-reunion. It was nice that we had the swimming pool all to ourselves so the littlest cousins could enjoy one another. Mikayla, my 10 year-old niece, is severely autistic and because of a birth defect is missing the left side of her brain. With her life vest on, Mikayla started to get in the pool and then changed her mind and headed for the hot tub. Coming up behind her, her daddy scooped her up in his arms, made her into a human canon ball and then pitched her into the middle of the pool. I was glad we were the only ones there because an observer could have easily jumped to the wrong conclusion and misunderstood. Mikayla came up smiling, paddled to the steps, got out of the pool and undeterred, headed for the hot tub. I have a mental image of the Father making sure we have our life vest on before He scoops us up in His arms and tosses us into the world.

Intersession

Why is it so hard in some situations but not others to correct someone when they take the Lord’s name in vain? Sometime back Leslie was wearing a pair of fuzzy knitted socks, which were great for inside the house, but treacherous on the stairs. With only three steps to go before she reached the foyer both feet slipped out from under her and she landed with a corner of the stairs poking into her back. Sliding the down the remaining stairs, she twisted around and came to rest face down at the bottom. For a few seconds she didn’t say anything and then her groans of pain mixed with my thoughts about whether or not to call an ambulance. When she finally caught her breath, she was able to swear. I wasn’t about to interrupt her words of anguish…that is until she took the Lord’s name in vain. I tried to lasso her words and said, “Lord, she doesn’t mean that…She doesn’t know what she’s saying.” With her face still buried in the rug and sharp pain stabbing her in the back, she threatened, “Do not make me laugh…I’m dying here!”

Knowing the Basics

The Colorado State Patrol recently arrested a young man and cited him with marijuana possession. His defense was that the marijuana is the, “main sacrament of his religion” and compares his pot use with the wine and the bread Christians use for communion. I had more than a few reactions – laughter, indignation, sadness. Then I asked myself, ‘How would Jesus react?’ The Lord might focus on the fact that the kid at least knew that the wine and the bread are sacraments.

Pre-Planning

In protestant churches when the preacher isn’t available a lay person comes forward to carry out the task. It appears that’s not the case for our Catholic friends, whose sacraments need to be performed by a priest. In the past, when someone was near death, the priest was summoned to perform deathbed rites. Because of a shortage of priests the once-obligatory deathbed rites have been replaced with a new sacrament known as anointing the sick. Folks are strongly encouraged to have the anointing of the sick before they go to the hospital…just in case.

Always a Student

I’m on a committee that is made up of predominantly senior citizens and the old adage about ‘teaching an old dog… ’ occasionally comes to mind. Often older folks believe they already know everything they need to know and what they don’t know…well, it just really isn’t worth learning. The Apostle Paul left young Titus in Crete with instructions not only to teach church leaders the gospel, but to “Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self–controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance…teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live…” (Titus 2:2-3 NIV). Though I feel confident that I could teach the Word to the seniors in my committee, I can’t imagine trying to teach them temperance or self-control.

Kindred Spirit

Our adult Sunday school class is watching a video series from Ray Vander Lann, Fire on the Mountain. When it comes to evaluating the value of a lesson or sermon, we all have our own standard of measurement. I think it’s safe to say it’s a good class because there’s lot of discussion and we’re increasing in attendance. However, what’s exciting is that this series is sending mature believers back to their Bibles to search out Scripture. One member reported, “I read those passages a hundred times and I’d never made the connection before.” We’re hearing a lot of ah-ha’s accompanying the mental light bulbs that are going on. Luke, in speaking about the Bereans, says, “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11 ESV)

Devil's Advocate

It’s interesting that no one even raises an eyebrow when Satan’s name creeps into today’s conversation. When looking at all sides of an issue someone in a group might think of a roadblock and say, ‘Let me play devil’s advocate...’ It’s an interesting thought that the devil might need, or even want an advocate. Because of Satan’s pride, he’s probably cringing at such a suggestion, or else laughing hysterically. We also have a tendency to ‘put the devil in the details’, giving him a place of importance and of course, he’s used as an excuse for our failings. Somehow I don’t think saying, ‘The devil made me do it…’ impresses anyone.

The Gift of Encouragement

Since the beginning of the year I’ve been writing a newsletter for our church. The main article each week is a mini-biography of a member of the congregation and it has proven to be a great tool for getting us acquainted with one another. I was a little caught off guard last Sunday when one of our senior citizens said, “I like these. You’re doing a damn good job!” Stifling a laugh I graciously accepted her compliment. “…in Christ we who are many form one body…If a man’s gift is…encouraging, let him encourage…” (Romans 12:4-8a NIV)

Turning the Tables

Last Sunday a woman wanted to stand in our church foyer to get signatures on a petition. Though she had a worthy cause, I think she also had poor motives. She wasn’t looking at us as a body of fellow believers worshipping God, rather she just saw us a group of people where she could get numerous signatures in one fell swoop. For her we were no different than the customers coming and going at the grocery store. It sort of reminds me of Jesus turning over the tables of the money changers. “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matt 21:13 ESV)

Political Message

I recently had a conversation with someone who thought that the preacher ought to have a sermon encouraging all of us to become more politically active. He assured me he wasn’t interested in party platforms, but rather that Christians need to make their presence known on the political landscape. I’m still chewing on our conversation. While I agree that believers should exercise their political voice, I disagree with the idea that we should be encouraged to do so from the pulpit. For me this is a case of “...render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” (Matt 22:21 ESV) The worship service belongs to the Lord…and the message from the pulpit should be about the spiritual landscape of our lives.

In the Rafters

Believers are creative when selecting a name for their church, or re-naming an established church. They try to be respectful to the Lord, identifiable to the world and unique in their community. In 1578 Catholic Mass was outlawed by the Dutch, but Protestant authorities allowed Catholics to worship as long as it wasn’t in public view. A wealthy merchant purchased a tall, narrow canal house in Amsterdam and built a lavish chapel on the top floor naming it, Our Lord in the Attic. I know these people were forced to worship in secret, but for me the parish name conjures up a humorous vision of them trying to keep the Lord in captivity.

Aftershock

There was an interesting report on Fox News about current Voodoo practices in Haiti. Predominately Catholic, the recent earthquake in Haiti has the country’s Voodoo priests focusing their worship on the, “Big God of the Catholics”. Those same priests however feel that once the country settles down their Voodoo worshipers will return to them asking for help to invoke spirits. Regardless of one’s religious persuasion, when things get rough, people turn to the ‘Big God’.

On a Leash

Leslie and Charlie (the four legged guy in her life) stopped by for a visit the other day and when they left they forgot to grab his dog leash. I emailed Leslie to tell her we had the leash and she responded, “No big, I had another one (two actually) they're just not as long as that one and not as much fun for him.” I couldn’t help thinking that the Lord has a variety of leashes for us too. Sometimes in exploration we go so far out on our leash that we feel total freedom, but I think most of us would agree with Charlie, the short leash just doesn’t seem like it’s as much fun!

Church's Got Talent

A sister church in a neighboring town is getting ready for its 5th annual Talent Contest. Growing up we used to have talent nights and the great thing was that you didn’t have to be talented to participate. The congregation found pleasure in the more seasoned performers and enjoyed the up-and-coming. They were always an encouragement to even the most untalented amongst us. In a sense the audience had a ringside seat in the potter’s house where they could watch the Lord mold and shape His vessels. “Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand…” (Jeremiah 18:6b ESV)

Unashamed

My mother-in-law gave me her wiz-bang sewing machine that does everything from embroidery and monograms, to darning and surging. The only problem is there are so many bells and whistles that I have to read the instruction book before I can even thread the needle or wind the bobbin. I’m not really into sewing and I don’t want to read the manual every time I need to mend a simple seam. The frustrating feelings take me back to being a new babe in Christ. When all I needed was an answer to a simple spiritual question, looking at the Bible was daunting …just give me the Cliff Notes. For a long time it was easier to go to someone like the preacher, who had all the answers. I think there’s an unwritten law somewhere that requires all children to master the Lord’s Prayer and John 3:16…which I did. But it wasn’t until my teen that I really took a verse and made it my own. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15 KJV)

The Perfect Storm

Few of us can resist looking out the window when there is a storm. We’ll look out the front window and report what we see, and then invariably someone else will go to the back door and say, “Wow. Come here, you gotta see it on this side”. It’s only 20 feet from one side of the house to the other and yet the weather watchers are talking like the storm is somehow worse on one side of the house than the other side. No wonder Noah didn’t open the windows on the ark for forty days. (Genesis 8:6)

Safety Lesson

The other evening Bill was doing some work with his table saw when the board he was cutting kicked back, making a direct hit on the index finger of his right hand. There was a lot of blood, the fingernail was split both vertically and horizontally and his ego was terribly bruised and battered. It also doesn’t help that the monthly Woodworkers Guild meeting is coming up where the program includes a safety talk…no doubt he’ll make a very good object lesson. Talking more to himself than to me Bill said, “I knew better, I needed to be using a kick-back block…you can’t lose respect [for power tools] for an instant.’” Maybe that’s something we should be doing in the church…having spiritual safety talks. Who knows, I’m sure we could learn a thing or two from each other.

Paid in Full

My friend continues to struggle with her husband’s one-time-only infidelity even though the adulterous situation happened a few years ago. From the outside looking in, it appears to me that she expects her husband to forever be in a state of repentance. Many of us go through situations where we put a price on forgiveness and we want the offending party to earn their way back into our good graces. The question then becomes, at what point do we mark it Paid in Full? The other day a quote caught my ear, “Forgiveness isn’t earned…it’s given.” And that’s what Christ does for us, over and over again.

Sittin' on Your Talent

State and local governments often depend on grant funding to bringing a project to fruition. Recently I attended a meeting where a group of citizens wanted to reprioritize some grant funds for a specific need at the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration representative explained that you don’t just keep grant funds and decide where you want to use them. “When you take federal money you have to comply with the regulations. You can’t save them [funds] and if they aren’t used, they disappear back into the general fund.” Sounds like a modern day version of the Parable of the Talents. Obviously there were some regulations attached to the talents of money that the master entrusted to his three servants. One servant, the wicked and slothful one, decided to just sit on the funds. Sure enough, when the master returned the funds that he hid in the ground went back into the general fund…where they were then redistributed to the good and faithful servant. (Matt 25:14-29 ESV)

Inalienable Right

Even after we’ve become adults, many of us never lose that childlike need to explain ourselves. We feel if we have a good reason to shove little Johnny, come home past curfew, or disregard our employer’s directive then our actions are justified. As one who works hard to do things correctly, the skill of justification can almost feel like an inalienable right. Actually, making excuses is a really bad habit to get into. Somehow I don’t think the Lord will be overly impressed with any attempts to explain away our actions.

Out on a Limb

During the winter the neighborhood cat can easily spot doves sitting on the limbs of our leafless trees. I recently watched him climb up on a limb and the closer he got to the doves the more bold he seemed to become. His focus never wandered from the birds, yet their feathers remained unruffled as they sat on their perch and watched him creep closer and closer. The birds were in striking range, but there was one problem, they were about a foot and a half above the cat. It seems the cat had taken the wrong fork and he and the birds weren’t even on the same branch. Should believers keep their eye on the prize? Absolutely…but we also need to make sure we’re on the right road.

Boast

Occasionally we encounter a person who boasts endlessly about their grandchildren. You can’t get past a generic greeting before they are telling you about the superior family genetics and breaking out the photos. As if they are the only ones with grandchildren, the one-sided conversation never seems to come around to you or your family. I don’t think the Lord faults me for saying that I’m really tired of hearing their embellishment. I have a self-absorbed friend with a similar problem, the only difference is that she gloats over her ministry. It’s all about her ministry and what they are accomplishing for the Lord…as though other ministries are just somehow not as noteworthy. I have to wonder if the Lord finds fault with me for being really tired of hearing the accolades of a ministry done in the name of Jesus.

Trying to be Perfect

It’s rare to see someone stumble and fall and then nonchalantly pick himself up and dust himself off. Normally we jump up quickly like nothing happened and then we glance around hoping no one was watching. I think we go through something similar when we sin. Of course we know that God sees us when we sin, but He forgives, and He doesn’t laugh. In our pride we prefer that others think we’re perfect and we really don’t want them to see our sin. James says, “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” (James 3:2 ESV)

We Need to Talk

In our family it’s never a good sign when you hear someone say, ‘Why don’t you sit down, we need to talk’. You know immediately that the conversation is either bad news, or else the discussion will be about a behavior that needs correction. It’s hard to be on the receiving end of a sit down talk, but harder yet if you are the one with the burden of correction. Paul often used the Epistles as a means to tell the churches ‘we need to talk’. I wonder how my congregation might react to a letter saying, “So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.” (2 Cor. 2:1 NIV)

Spiritual Hearing Aids

A recent AP report says that more than 30 million adults in the United States have some degree of hearing loss and most could be treated with hearing aids, but only about one in five people use them. The report states, “Many people simply don’t know, or accept, that they need one.” I think this sounds remarkably similar to those who are spiritually hard of hearing. According to Jesus, “He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47 NIV)

Zealous for the Lord

We just had the funeral for my Great Aunt Cleo. Knowingly, and yes even unknowingly, this staunch believer has given me some great anecdotes for the Christian Ear. She was also a zealous member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union - an organization of women concerned about the destructive power of alcohol and the problems it was causing their families and society. Laughing one of her friends said, “We all ought to be glad that Cleo took to religion rather than to alcohol…she’d have been one mean drunk.”

Beige

Most worship centers are fairly sterile and I’ve always liked that. To me it seemed appropriate for the worship environment to be beige, clean, and orderly. I’m now changing my mind. Our new facility has a lot going on visually. Bold colors accented by directional lighting, a clear glass wall and sunken seating area. With octagon, rectangle and angled open spaces and alcoves, the auditorium ceiling varies in height from 8 feet to12 feet to 20 feet. I’m realizing there is a real benefit to the visual busyness of the facility. During the worship service, whether consciously or unconsciously, eyes don’t search the room to see who coughed or sneezed, nor do heads turn to follow a child whose leaving the room to get a drink of water. Even during the meet ‘n greet time the aesthetics, rather than being distracting, actually brings more focus on those with whom you are talking.

New Year's Resolution

Webster’s defines resolution as, ‘the act or process of resolving’. I think the Apostle Paul has given us a great resolution for 2010. “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Cor 2:2 NIV) This gives a whole new meaning to the catchphrase, 'I know nothing…'

Between the Pages

Helen, one of our older ladies has donated her extensive library to the church and we just completed a 19 foot bookshelf to accommodate all the books. We're going to catalog all the books she gives, but because she is such a student of the Word one thing we won’t need to do is scrutinize each book to make sure of its theological footing. However, this isn’t always the case with donated books. There are those who do judge a book by its cover and they sometimes give books to the church based on spiritual appearance, not on the content. In Paul’s day some new converts took it upon themselves to have a public book burning of inappropriate books that were once prominent on their library shelves…today we just send them to the landfill. (Acts 19:17-20)

Manholes

Recently there was a letter-to-the-editor in the newspaper and the writer was complaining about the manhole covers in the streets. The pavement around some of holes slopes into the covers, so when you drive across them your shock absorbers get a little exercise. It’s not like you’re hitting a pothole, but there is a bit of a jar. I find it interesting that the gentleman wants to make an issue out of level manholes. Most of us who are familiar with the road usually straddle them, drive around them or just take the bump in stride. It sort of reminds me of the highway to heaven. Most of us would like for the path to be smooth, without obstacles or pitfalls. However the reality is that the road is narrow and believers must learn to be defensive drivers.

Loopholes

It’s reported that a Priest in northern England during his Sunday sermon condoned shoplifting for people who are desperate…as long as they steal from a national chain, rather than a family owned business. The Rev Tim Jones says he doesn’t regret what he said from the pulpit, he just regrets that the media is focusing on the shoplifting and not on the underlying problem, i.e. homelessness and unemployment. This guy obviously needs to go back to the basics, like Ten Commandments 101…‘thou shalt not steal’. As a spiritual leader this Priest is held to a higher standard than others, but the truth is many of us are just as guilty of worming our way around Scripture. In attempting to justify our actions we deceive ourselves by creating loopholes in the Word.

Devotional

Steve Corey posts comments on the blog and I’m always amazed at his in-depth response. I have to admit that I’ve often wondered, ‘Where and how does he come up with so many different facets to something that I think of as being just a simple observation? Do his thoughts from many years of study just float around in his head and when he needs to write them down they just spill out?’ Well, I recently learned Steve’s secret...and I’m so relieved. Using the blog for his daily devotion time, he makes it an opportunity to dig into the Word to fully understand what the Bible says on the topic of the day. Who would have thought that even in our devotional time there’s opportunity to go the extra mile?

Treasures of the Heart

The shepherds spread the word concerning what they had been told about the child and, “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” We too treasure these things and ponder them in our hearts, “…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:1-29 ESV)

Home For the Holidays

My Great Aunt Cleo just passed away from a heart attack and I am REJOICING for her! A strong willed, card-carrying American Baptist her whole life, she spoke her mind to everyone - including the Lord. She’s always said, “They may not like what I have to say, but at least they’ll know what I think.” These last few years Cleo has been unhappy with the Lord because she’d made up her mind she was ready to go to heaven and He wasn’t cooperating. Having to go into an assisted living facility it was like the last straw. She refused to use a walker and much to her disappointment when she fell all she got was a few bruises. I really think she was just trying to give the Lord a hand…you break a hip, go to the hospital…and then you die. Right now I can picture Aunt Cleo bending the Lord’s ear wanting to know why it took Him so long to bring her home and the Lord saying, “Patience Cleo, you needed patience.”

Consideration

Last Sunday at the end of the worship service a woman came forward to place her membership with the church. In a quick side bar conversation with the preacher, she was asked if she were an immersed believer. Affirming that she was, he then asked her to repeat the good confession, “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” I appreciate these steps taken by the pastor. Many folks today want to be accepted as a believer by simply saying, ‘I’m a spiritual person…I have faith…’ Lydia, a seller of purple and a worshipper of God, listened to Paul preach and her heart was opened. After she and members of her household were baptized she said to Paul, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” (Acts 16:15b NIV) I feel Lydia’s story delineates the difference between being a worshipper of God and a believer in the Lord.

Sole Survivor

The 19th season of Survivor just ended and one contestant was consumed with the game. Russell H. dubbed himself the greatest player ever to play the game. He lied, cheated and manipulated…and came in second place. Obviously the jury, consisting of players previously eliminated from the game, didn’t share Russell’s opinion of his greatness. So distraught at loosing the title of Sole Survivor, Russell even offered winner Natalie $10,000 if she would sell him her title. Sort of reminds me Simon the Sorcerer who boasted that he was someone great. He become a believer, was baptized and then tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter and John. After being chastised for his wickedness, Simon came to his senses…I think he realized the need for becoming a Soul Survivor.

Let the Little Children Come

This year my four year-old Granddaughter put Jesus on her Christmas list. Her mother explained to her that she didn’t need to actually buy something for Jesus, but that even giving someone a drink of cold water could be similar to giving Jesus a present. Armed with her own money and her shopping list, I took Lydia to the dollar store. She picked out a roll of painter’s masking tape for her Daddy, iced animal cookies for 86 year-old Great-grandmother Ruth and a wine glass for Granddad. I thought we’d completed our shopping when Lydia informed me there was still one more, she still had to get something for Jesus. When I tried to reason with her she simply said, “Hmmm. We need to find the stuff for boys.” A shoe shine kit really took her fancy, and it took a little convincing on my part that Jesus didn’t shine his sandals. She finally decided that something in the food isle might work, because Jesus did feed people. The wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh…Lydia’s Spaghettio’s should fit right in.