Desecrating the Temple

Shaking my head in disbelief at their stupidity I read the report of college students using alcohol enemas at parties to increase the effects of the alcohol. Seriously? “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Cor 6:19-20 NIV)

Whose Teaching

In the area of teaching and leading not all men and women are created equal and class attendance sometimes depends on whether or not our favorite teacher is teaching that week. I found it interesting that some of the Old Testament prophets prophesied during the same period of time, but they didn’t prophesy in the same place or to the same audience. It was probably a really good scheduling decision on God’s part. Can’t you see some folks skipping a prophetic message just because they were waiting to hear the message delivered by their favorite prophet?

Campaign Quarterbacking

It is being reported that a strategy in Romney’s play book for the first debate is to defend his reputation by rebutting the mischaracterizations made by Obama’s campaign. The pundits however are all advising Romney that if he wants to win he should forget about defending his personal character and focus on policy, the economy and connecting with the voters. The Apostle Paul comes to mind and I’m not sure the Corinthians would have been as responsive to his message had he not first defended his character and expounded on his credentials. “…I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again”. (2 Cor 11:23b NIV)

Discipleship Tax

An interesting article in the newspaper reported that some European governments are taxing registered believers and then turning the collected tax over to the church. Apparently Catholics in Germany who refuse to pay the tax “will be denied sacraments, including weddings, baptisms and funerals”. I can only imagine the Lord’s reaction to supposed guardians of the faith who take it upon themselves to put a price on the basic outward expressions of Christianity. “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” (1 Cor 7:23 NIV)

I Spy

It’s that time of year when gardens tend to over produce. I am amazed that every day I can find vegetables that I missed picking the previous day. I can understand cucumbers being overlooked because they blend so well with the leaves. But for the life of me I can’t understand ripe tomatoes – bright red, orange and yellow – that are able to escape my contortions of bending, stooping and lifting of leaves. Transferring this image to fellow believers makes me laugh. No doubt I’ve been guilty there as well of overlooking the Fruit of the Spirit that they produce.

I’m Carrying Whose Burden?

Recently a woman asked the prayer chain for prayers to stop the progression of a disease, but the qualifier was, “She wishes to remain anonymous, but God know who this woman is.” We sometimes use that same thought in worship services when we take public prayer requests and then the speaker adds the caveat that if you can’t express your request out loud to the congregation it’s OK because God still knows your need. Certainly we would all agree that God knows our needs, but I can only imagine what the Apostle Paul would have to say about anonymous burdens. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2 NIV)

Having a Bad Day

When my son was in the 4^th grade his teacher suffered from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). From the very first day of class she let her students know that if she were physically having a bad day she would warn them so that they could then be on their best behavior. Not long after starting 5^th grade Troy came home from school frustrated and mad at his new teacher. Apparently the entire class had gotten into trouble and through tears Troy said, “We didn’t know. He didn’t even tell us he was having a bad day!” On the Day of Judgment I suspect there will be many who look at God through their tears and wonder why He didn’t warn them that He was having a bad day. “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Tim 4:8 NIV)

Targeted

With all the upheaval in the world I’ve been considering buying a small hand gun. The style I’m leaning toward is a small, light weight revolver with a laser. The salesman showed me the simplicity of turning on the laser and I was a little startled by the red dot that appeared on the wall. Somehow the gun with the laser seemed more intimidating than the same model without the laser. The salesman didn’t see the humor when I suggested that maybe all I needed was the laser to point at an intruder. God doesn’t use a visible laser when He is aiming for our hearts, but in a way I wish He would. It would be a good reminder for me that God’s sights are always set on every human heart.

Beating a Dead Horse

In videos of the unrest in Libya there are clips where militants are attacking businesses and government offices in order to disrupt the establishment. One video clip shows a neighborhood with three torched police cars with flames shooting through the windows. As the vehicles burned a couple of the rebels were aggressively beating the cars with sticks. I was laughing as I thought, “Look, the cars are already dead…move on.” As believers Paul reminds us that we need to have purpose when we are running the race and fighting the good fight. “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.” (1 Cor 9:26 NIV)

Occupied

Last week the organizing of a church member’s funeral had some scheduling conflicts, so the decision was made to set up the family viewing area at the church. The night before the service the open casket was put in place and the flowers arranged. There was only one minor detail that was overlooked…no one remembered to tell the early morning cleaning crew that the deceased was in residence. I can only imagine that these two ladies were as shocked to find the occupied casket as the two Marys were to find an empty tomb. “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matt 28:5-6 NIV)

Insightful

There are those who recently attended a County Commissioner meeting where their whole purpose was to inflame public opinion and belittle the Commissioners. One speaker admitted that a few days before he had put in a request for public information, but he didn’t want to wait for the answers to come through the proper channels because “wanted them answered in a public meeting”. It is no coincidence that this is an election year and two of the three commissioners are running for reelection. Whether in the Middle East or in the United States, those who incite discord among the people today are no different than those recorded in Scripture, “But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.” (Acts 17:5 NIV)

Grudgingly

My mother, bless her heart, perfected the art of never forgetting an infraction. Many years ago she was in a doctor’s waiting room for an extended length of time and she eventually left without ever seeing the doctor. She held a grudge against this doctor because he didn’t have the courtesy to at least tell her why there was a hold up in the scheduled appointment. Fast forward 20 years and this same doctor, whom she had never met before, actually saved her life by putting in her pacemaker. She admitted the doctor gave her excellent care, but she couldn’t let go of the fact that at one time he had kept her waiting. Spiritually speaking believers can fall into a similar trap when we expect the Lord to keep our scheduled appointments.

Open and Closed

Occasionally we’ll hear of a surgeon stopping an operation in mid-surgery because his patient’s condition is worse than first expected. In lay terms we say, “They just closed him back up because there wasn’t anything else they could do.” I always think of this dire situation through the eyes of the patient and his loved ones, but I forget the role of the surgeon and the helplessness he must be feeling. Jesus is the Great Physician and I can imagine the sadness He must feel when all he can do in the hearts of some people is to close the patient back up.

Measuring Up

It has been a year since one of our older gents from church was widowed and he continues to be somewhat at a loss and grieving. Like many others during their later years of life he says, “I don’t know why I’m still here.” We compassionately accept this thought from the elderly because after years of laboring for the Kingdom we know some of them are feeling tired and they want to go home to be with the Lord. Is it possible that when we are weary we take it upon ourselves to measure our own usefulness to the Lord? “When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” (2Cor 10:12 b NIV)

Prepared

I get irritated and feel short changed when a speaker opens his presentation with, ‘I really didn’t know what I was going to talk about, but at the last minute I came up with this thought…’  I can’t help but wonder how some of these procrastinators would feel if they arrived at the pearly gates only to learn that the Lord waited until the last minute to come up with a design idea for their place in heaven. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”  (John 14:2 NIV)

Corrective Action

In my overview of the Minor Prophets I was struck by how patient God is with people and nations. I’ve always felt that if God applied corrective action sooner rather than later, most of us would learn more quickly from our mistakes. However, it just dawned on me that if God were to strike us with lightening at every sinful infraction our obedience would be out of fear, not out of freewill. My focus on God’s seeming slowness in reacting to sin is apparently misdirected. Sinful issues are all around and as a spectator I want to see God smite the offender. However, what I should be looking for and learning from, is God’s grace, patience and mercy towards the offender.

Abdicating Leadership

The City Council in a neighboring community finds themselves caught between a rock and a hard place over a zoning issue. There is immense political pressure from two opposing factions, one business and the other environmental. Instead of making a decision on the zoning, the Council punted and will put the issue on the April ballot to let the people decide. I was reminded of Biblical characters who also shirked their leadership duties. Aaron let the people decide whether to worship God or a golden calf and Pilate let the crowd decide who should be set free, Jesus or Barabbas. There is no doubt that we can all think of times when the Lord has put us in leadership roles and we relinquished decisions to others by asking, “So what do you think we should do?”.

Light of the World

Last week my brother-in-law came to worship at our church and he plans to come back next week. Ray is a believer, however he is not actively a part of any church family. A week from now Ray is schedule for cancer surgery and he knows the Lord has the power to heal, but he also recognizes the power of believer’s prayers. Jesus has told us we are the light of the world, but I’m wondering if we sometimes forget that we also give light to everyone in the house. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matt 5:14-15 NIV)

$1,000 Pie

Eight of the 259 homes lost in the June 2012 High Park fire belonged to firefighters. In a fund raising event for the volunteer fire department one of the wives was talked into baking a pie to be auctioned off, but she lamented that since the fire she’d forgotten how to bake. She went on to explain that her rolling pin, pie plates, oven and her mother’s 1947 cookbook were all burned up. Over the centuries we’ve heard accounts and reports of God’s people being deprived of or even losing the Word. I can only imagine that they too woke up from their catastrophe feeling that they somehow lost the ability to worship. “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:10-11 NIV)

Ashamed to Beg

In the current political environment I heard a Hispanic politician ask, “When have you ever seen a Hispanic panhandling or begging?” He went on to say that in his culture it is an embarrassment to the family for anyone to beg. I think he has a point. Hispanics may take advantage of the social services offered in the community, but I have never seen a Hispanic panhandling. I’m reminded of Jesus’ parable of the shrewd manager. The manager was about to lose his position and said to himself, “What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg.” (Luke 16:3 NIV) I’m wondering if the element of being too embarrassed or ashamed to beg has been lost in today’s society.

Captor

Founder of the Unification Church the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a self-proclaimed messiah, has died at age 92. I have a classmate who, in her search for God, wound up spending three years in spiritual captivity under the oppression of the Moonies. In the 1980’s Deanna wrote a book, Life Among the Moonies chronicling the dehumanization she witnessed and experienced and how she escaped the cult. If I were in Deanna’s place today I would be rejoicing at the news of Moon’s death – not for the loss of his soul, but that other souls might now be saved from deception. “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” (Matt 24:10-11 NIV)

Aim for the Heart

A 92 year-old WWII veteran shot and killed an intruder who broke into his home. The elderly man said that he had no fear because his war service gave him the skill and the right to carry a gun, “I aimed right for his heart.”  Spiritually speaking I believe we can learn something from this veteran. In our attempts to bring people to Christ we often take aim at their actions, attitude or their apparent lack of salvation. It strikes me that we might be more successful if we took aim at their heart. “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Ro10:10 NIV)

Gone Fishing

A portion of Sunday’s sermon was about the lame excuses people make for not going to church. The congregation had a good laugh, because not only have we heard them all before, but some of us have even used them over the years. At the end of the service the preacher asked if there were any additional prayer requests that needed to be made known. A visitor in the back of the room raised her hand. “I know this was mentioned, but I have four young men up on the lake fishing right now and I told them I’d pray that they catch some fish. So I would like to ask that you pray for each boy to catch two fish.” Seriously, I can’t make this stuff up. This appears to be a classic example of a sermon failing to hit its mark. “He who has an ear, let him hear.” (Rev 13:9 NIV)

Transfused

Many years ago my father-in-law (now deceased) had a blood disorder that required blood transfusions. As the transfusions increased in frequency it became apparent that the best he would ever feel would be on the day of the IV and as soon as the transfusion was complete, his energy would begin deteriorating until the next IV. Spiritually speaking the same can be said for me as a believer. The moment I’m no longer being transfused with the Word I begin to deteriorate. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4 NIV)

Labor Day Rest

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30 NIV)

Fruitless

At first blush the remedy Jesus has for an unproductive plant, tree or disciple can seem pretty harsh. I have a better appreciation for the Lord’s view point when I look at the huge tomato plant in my mini garden. The plant is stout, sturdy and healthy and even though it’s loaded with flowers, there is no fruit on it anywhere. It is merely taking up space, water and sunlight. The thought of cutting it down and throwing it into the trash is not such a difficult decision after all.

For Us

A fellow believer is struggling with whether or not she can support Mitt Romney for President because she feels his religion is a cult. I view Mr. Romney as a person of faith, although he and I do not share the same faith. I’m reminded of the disciples wanting to stop a man from driving out demons because he was not “one of us”.  Jesus said, “Do not stop him. No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.” There are some areas of doctrine where Mr. Romney is not one of us, but I have seen nothing indicating that he is against Christ. (Mark 9:38 NIV)

Rewards

Because of the need for financial disclosure, Mitt and Ann Romney’s church tithing record has become public record. To their credit they have a respectable record of giving, but I can imagine their discomfort at having their donations put out for public consumption. Jesus said, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matt 6:3-4).

Peculiar People

I visited with a woman last Sunday whom I thought was a first time visitor, but later discovered she had been has been worshipping with us throughout the summer. I learned that she wintered in Arizona and summered in Colorado and was hoping to have dual membership so that she could have a home church in both locations. However, she did preface her membership desires by saying that she was reserved and not outgoing when it comes to joining activities. After worship I learned that another couple who has worshiped with us for a couple of years was pulling their membership because the church was not charismatic enough. Their leaning was more toward talking in tongues. We believers are a strange lot. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV)

Planned Parenthood

Some people think it’s admirable for a man to support a woman’s right to choose, but I have to wonder if it is a cop out. Instead of letting the woman make the choice, I see it as burdening the woman to take all the responsibility for the decisions that are made. Essentially a man can easily shirk all his responsibility on the abortion issue by simply saying it’s a woman’s right to chose. I see shades of Adam in the Garden of Eden saying, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” (Gen 3:12 NIV)

Saved

As Jesus hung on the cross bystanders were heard saying, “Let’s see if Elijah comes down to save him.” (Matt 27:49b NIV) I find it interesting that the more outspoken believers are about their faith, the more they are scrutinized. Bystanders are just watching to see if Jesus will come down and save them from every predicament and struggle they have in life. What they fail to realize is that, like Jesus, we’ve already been saved.

Division

I remember being a new believer who, because I lacked biblical knowledge, felt ill-equipped to fight a lot of spiritual battles. I hated having to walk away from spiritual conversation because my footing wasn’t as good as that of my opponent. We all know the importance of using the Word when we are in combat with Satan, but we seem to think in terms of winning and losing. I’m now wondering if some of us are working on the wrong end game. Jesus said, “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?” (Luke 11:17-18a NIV) Rather than defeating or defending, the real victory is in dividing.

Lesser of Two Evils

The fortune in my fortune cookie read, “If you must choose between the lesser of two evils, pick the one you’ve never tried before.”  At first blush I laughed at what appeared to be the obvious, but when I applied that logic to political races, it gave me pause. Political parties are often putting forth such weak candidates that constituents do in fact make a choice based on what they perceive to be the lesser of two evils. Somehow I don’t think the Lord is impressed with our standard of measurement. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Ro 13:1a NIV)

Advice Columnist

With the tagline “Let her help”, our local newspaper is launching an advice column and encouraging readers to submit their questions to the author. I suspect that because syndicated advice columnists Dear Abby and Ann Landers are expensive to contract with, the proposed new column is a cost saving measure and the publisher is hoping that their readership will embrace an unknown author. The newspaper has given us the name of the author, but they failed to offer any credentials, qualifications or background information. I was reminded of Job’s friend Bildad who also thought himself qualified to give advice. Sarcastically Job critiqued his friend’s advice, “What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed!” (Job 26:3 NIV)

Reason to be Offended

There are some people who, when they want to get out of a situation, look for or even create a reason to be offended. Occasionally their reasoning may have a ring of legitimacy, but more often than not it is a lame excuse that others can see through. Recently a church member wanted us to change our worship schedule to an earlier time slot so that people could then have more time to get out on the golf course on Sunday. Out of diplomacy the leadership took a survey, however the consensus of the congregation was to leave the time alone. The person making the request is now sending out signals that he will probably stop worshipping with us because, ‘No one listens to me’. Objectively the Apostle Paul says, “… Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” (Ro 12:3b NIV)

Supporter

On short notice I learned of a problematic meeting that was going to take place so I called one of the committee members to see if I needed to be there to lend my support. After making a few phone calls and giving it a little thought he felt the meeting was not in jeopardy of being hijacked, so he really didn’t think I needed to be in attendance. I was relieved that I didn’t have to rearrange my schedule in order to attend, but did add that I would hold the meeting up in prayer. He laughed, “Now that’s who we need to come to the meeting…we need God in there!”

A Time to Speak Up

Recently I was in a public meeting where a man made a racial slur during his time at the microphone. It was an awkward situation and the chairman, without making any comment, simply moved on with the meeting. After the meeting an audience member, who was of that heritage, was visibly upset because no one spoke up to condemn the comment. My first reaction was to agree with her that someone, presumably the chairman, should have interjected that racial slurs are not acceptable, nor would they be tolerated. However after giving it more thought I concluded that everyone in the room, including the person offended, could have or should have spoken up. I find it interesting that even in the church when something comes up that has an element of controversy, we’re always waiting for the other guy to speak up. “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.” (Psalms 138:3 NIV)

Qualifications

In 2008 my sister-in-law unabashedly stated that she voted for Obama because, “I wanted to be able to say that I voted for the first black American President.” Politically speaking I guess we’re all entitled to have our own standards. Spiritually speaking, it’s somewhat of a relief that the Apostle Paul gave us instructions for picking leaders in the church by narrowing down the eligibility field. “…I am writing you these instructions so that…you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (1 Tim 3:14-15 NIV) Seriously, if it were left up to us, can you imagine what type of individuals we might put in positions of leadership?

Password

I have an account that requires I change my password every six months. Just making the change is frustrating enough, but the IT Department requires that you be a gymnast and jump through hoops to come up with a password you can never remember. The minimum requirements are:

·       Is at least eight characters long

·       Includes at least 1 uppercase letter (A-Z)

·       Includes at least 1 lowercase letter (a-z)

·       Includes at least 1 number (0-9)

·       Does not include any portion of your name

·       Is not a previously used password

Thank goodness my five letter salvation Password is simple…Jesus.

Quoting the prophet Joel, Luke writes, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21 NIV)

Lip Service

When I ask Bill to do something he will often in jest salute me saying, “Yes Boss, whatever you say boss. Yes ma’am.” I normally take his joking in stride, however if it is something that I have repeatedly asked him to do for me, it can get under my skin. The other day there was one of those occasions so I snapped back, “I’ve heard that before…that’s nothing more than lip service.” The Spirit wasted no time letting me know that there have been occasions where I too have offered lip service to the Lord. Jesus chastised the Pharisees and the teachers of the law concerning their lip service, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men’.” (Matt 15:7-9 NIV)

In Flight Training

The automatic pilot in an Alaska Airlines airplane malfunctioned causing the cabin to lose pressure. In his analysis, one expert said, “When the automatic pilot fails, the pilot needs to know how to fly the plane.” No argument with me on that one. The concept did however cause me to think about those who are mature in the faith and so firmly planted in the Word that, spiritually speaking, we are often flying on automatic pilot. Personally speaking it’s a real shock when the Lord switches me to manual to test me and see if I really know how to fly.

Deep Cleaning

I’m working on having a yard sale in a couple of weeks and when the task starts looking overwhelming I start procrastinating.  I’d really like to have my whole house cleaned out all at once, but there are times when I just don’t want to go through one more closet or one more cupboard. Family members are gently and sometimes not so gently, encouraging me to keep going. At the moment, rather than cleaning out a whole room, my tendency seems to be to clean a little in this room and then a little in that room. Consequently no one room is completely finished. I’m wondering if I do the same thing when I’m trying to get rid of the sinful clutter in my heart. When I look at the sin I’ve piled up in the corners of my heart, it too can be so overwhelming that I just want to do a little picking up here and there and then leave the rest of it for another cleaning day.

Banking On It

Our church missions group is suggesting that we participate in year-round contributions to the local food bank. Each month we will be encouraged to donate specific items listed on a food-wheel. I have to tell you I’m somewhat agitated by the list. For August, September and October the items are laundry soap, hygiene products and paper products (toilet paper, napkins). How did we go from feeding the hungry to handing out boxes of Kleenex? No doubt there are good intentions behind the suggested donations, but I now feel there is a stigma attached to the food bank. I suppose it would be different if we were taking up donations for a laundry soap bank, a hygiene bank or a paper products bank.

Bad Badminton

It’s reported from the 2012 Olympics that badminton teams from South Korea, China and Indonesia have been caught deliberately losing their matches so they can gain a more favorable quarter final draw. My righteous indignation kicked in until I recognized that sometime we believers are also guilty of throwing our spiritual matches. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (I Cor 9:21 NIV)

Hands Off

In a local newspaper there is a weekly Sunday column titled You Said It…Here’s what’s on your mind. The forum allows people to have their say anonymously and some of the comments are critical, while others are complementary and praise worthy. In last week’s column a letter writer said, “Get your government hands off my food stamps.” Seriously? And yet I can see this jaw dropping comment filtering into the church. We want the assurance of salvation, but our actions are often saying to God, “Get your hands off my earthly life”.

Sampler Platter

Coming back from the fitness center the other morning I passed an SUV that had the back window rolled down and a dog’s head sticking out. It had rained the night before and the Golden Retriever, with his nose in the air and his large dangling tongue flapping in the wind, was getting a taste of the crisp morning. He was a really happy dog. “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalms 34:8 NIV)

Brothers and Sisters in Action

Yesterday I drove 120 miles round trip to have a meal at Chick-fill-A, and oh my goodness. At 12:30 there were three police cars in turn lanes with lights flashing and uniformed police officers directing traffic. The line of customers wove itself around inside the building and then spilled over into the parking lot where it snaked around the building. The city street at the side of the restaurant was bumper to bumper cars as it formed a new drive-through lane. Over a period of four hours I went back to the restaurant three different times hoping to find a lull, but none was to be seen. Even though I never made it all the way to the cashier line, I’m convinced that taking my place in the line of cars trying to get into the restaurant driveway showed my support. There was one lone protester carrying a homemade sign that read, “Love is love” and standing next to him on the corner was a white-haired Christian gentleman sharing Jesus’ love.

No Betrayal

My niece, who I haven’t seen in over three years, was in town and some of our family got together for a quick lunch at a local fast food restaurant. The atmosphere didn’t lend itself to an in depth discussion, but I did learn that at age 45 she is living with an older man whom she calls her boyfriend. She is a grandma, compliments of her eldest son, and she allowed her youngest son to be adopted by her mother. Later that evening I emailed all the cousins to bring them up to speed on the brief mini-reunion and there was a fleeting moment the word gossip crossed my mind. I did some soul searching and concluded that what I passed on was not gossip, because she shared it openly. “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” (Proverbs 11:13 NIV)

Speaking of Translations

The critique on a new Bible translation, The Voice, says that it is written like a screenplay and cites the use of drama to make the Scripture come alive. I listen to the dramatized version of the NIV on CD and I appreciate how dramatization enhances the text without changing the text. However, The Voice adds to the text. An example is at the birth of Cain, “Eve (excited): Look I have created a new human, a male child, with the help of the Eternal.” I suppose Eve may have been excited, but I hate it when an author tries to read between the lines for me.

The Gist of It All

My friend, who is in multiple Bible studies, recently told me that one of her weaknesses is not digging deeper into the Word. Her preferred Bible is the Living Bible (paraphrased) translation. I have to wonder if our choice of Bibles has a direct correlation with not only our own Spiritual maturity, but also our witness to others. For me, using a paraphrase version of the Bible is akin to reading the Cliff Notes and I just can’t hide that version in my heart. The Psalmist recorded, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 NIV)

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Late yesterday afternoon I rubbed my ear and to my chagrin I realized that all day I had worn mismatched earrings. Oh, they were both green, but not the same color of green, nor the same size or shape. I wonder what James would have to say about the person who doesn’t even know what they look like while they’re still standing in front of the mirror. “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)

Second Greatest Commandment

There is a fellow believer who I intentionally avoid because she causes a lot of wear and tear on my Christianity. One example of her egocentricities was using her brassiere as a bandanna to keep her hair in place while riding in the car with the windows rolled down. She then took the exhibition one step further and wore her new found hair accessory into a gas station to purchase a drink and boast to the male attendant about her creativity. This woman, who is a student of the Bible and well beyond her youth, takes more pleasure in drawing attention to herself and embarrassing others than she does in “Love[ing] your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt 22:39 NIV)

Adjustment

In an article on poverty a young woman described going from a lavish rich lifestyle to being poor because of the economy. In contrasting then and now she said, “I grew up going to Hawaii every summer. Now I’m here, applying for assistance because it’s hard to make ends meet. It’s very hard to adjust.” My compassion meter was registering low so my first reaction was, Hawaii every summer. Really? I’ve never been to Hawaii. However, once I put on my spiritual hat I was reminded that the believer can more easily adjust to the current economy by praying, “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matt 6:11 NIV)

Measure of a Church

I was somewhat taken back Sunday by one of our ladies who was beside herself after church. All those taking part in the service with announcements and prayer requests failed to mention the recent shooting tragedy in Aurora. She asked tearfully, “Why didn’t someone have prayer for the victims and their families? What kind of a church is this? What is wrong with this church that we can’t all pray for them?” My response to her was that it was not an intentional oversight by the leaders. I remaindered her that she too had more than one opportunity at the closing of the service to bring the concern before the congregation.  Weighing most heavily on my mind is her question, “What kind of a church is this?” I hate to think that those who fellowship as a congregation measure a church by their prayers. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matt 6:5-6 NIV)

On the Offense

From my front window I watched what appeared to be two sparrows in an aerial dogfight with a raven four times their size. Their aggression didn’t let up for a moment until they had chased the raven out of their air space. I doubt the raven would be intimidated had there been only one sparrow, but with two of them the scavenger was outmatched, outwitted and outmaneuvered. According to Jesus believers too have power when we come together. “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt 18:19-20 NIV)

Feet to the Fire

At a recent meeting one elected official was referring to another elected body when he said, “I’m going to hold their feet to the fire. They are going to have to collaborate with us on some of the issues facing the community.” I had to laugh. First of all, he has absolutely no authority to hold anyone’s feet to the fire and secondly, he can’t force another group to play in his sandbox. Really, he just needs to let it go. Too often believers fall into a similar trap. In our mission to serve the Lord we often give ourselves more power and authority than we actually have. Jesus reminds us that sometimes we just need to let it go. “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.” (Matt 10:14 NIV)

Records of Wrongs

As I tidy up my mom’s affairs I’m not only shredding old bank statements and medical records, I’m also shredding the grudges she kept. The documentation of a lawsuit that she lost 35 years ago, a 20 year-old outstanding loan to a family member that was never repaid and the unequal divorce settlement of a failed marriage. I appreciate Paul’s reminder to us of what Love really is, “It is not rude, it is not self–seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1Cor 13:5 NIV)

Placeholder

Citing family concerns a pseudo-candidate for the local County Commissioner race in November just dropped out. His decision to withdraw is no surprise. It has been obvious from the beginning that his candidacy was merely a placeholder for another politician who needed more time to set the stage and test the political waters before entering the race. Unfortunately in the church we occasionally see a similar bit of maneuvering. There are those whose lives have never been invested in the Lord, yet they are depending on someone or some circumstance to hold their place in line at the pearly gates. My life on earth is the only opportunity to choose whether I will stand at the right or the left hand of God. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matt 25:34 NIV)

American Arrogance

I’m taking an on-line Old Testament Survey class and the text highlights the pride and self-sufficiency of the Hebrews who opted for political treaties with neighboring countries rather than seeking help from the Lord. There seems to be some parallels with the Hebrews of old and today’s Americans. Rather than going to the Lord for help, we implement treaties with other countries, look at different economy theories and hold out hope for the November election. Hosea’s rebuke of the northern kingdom of Israel can easily be applied to the US. “Israel’s arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this he does not return to the LORD his God or search for him.” (Hosea 7:10 NIV)

Old Dog, New Trick

Sometimes our older generation is laid back and can be seen as being sweeter and mellower than they were when they were middle age. However, there are also others who figure their age has given them to the right to be outspoken and say whatever they want to say, whenever they want to say it. Regardless of the various aging personalities, I have to laugh at the visual of our older folks, or even those of Paul’s time, attending a class which is intended to teach them to how to be temperate and self-controlled. “Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self–controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” (Titus 2:2 NIV)

Entitlements

Because of the weak economy the shelves of many food banks are beginning to look pretty sparse. Although these organizations feed the hungry, I can’t help but wonder if they aren’t also helping to feed the sense of entitlement that so many people are coming to expect. In his warning about people who are idle Paul said, “Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.” (2 Thes 3:12 NIV) Paul doesn’t specify when a person should earn their bread, so I’m assuming it could be before, or even after, they have eaten. I can’t say that I’ve ever actually known anyone to go hungry, but neither have I known an organization to ask their clients to earn the bread they eat.

Repetition

It’s been so warm the last couple weeks that at night I’ve left the bedroom window open to get a light breeze. Then every morning at dawn I’m serenaded by a couple of birds perched in the tree next to the house. These guys are really, really happy at first light. I’m no expert on bird songs, but it sounds like one bird will keep repeating the same notes and cadence over and over again, while the other bird will chime in only occasionally. Interestingly, every morning it’s the same song. “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Rev 4:8 NIV)

Ashes to Ashes

Now that I have the ability and the control to discard some my loved one’s earthly possessions, I’m on a cleaning binge and nothing is sacred. For instance my sister Shelly lived with us for awhile before she passed away in ’09 and still sitting on a shelf in her bedroom were the cremated remains of her beloved dog Cowboy. I certainly mean no disrespect to those who have passed away, but their treasures are not my treasures, so yesterday I unceremoniously put Cowboy in the trash. I can picture the Lord viewing all of my earthly possessions in a similar fashion. “Do not love the world or anything in the world….The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”  (John 2: 15-17 NIV)

Getting Our Affairs in Order

For many years I encouraged my mom to sort through her things and get rid of stuff she didn’t need. Her solution was to put everything in storage and keep on accumulating. The last couple weeks of her life I begged and pleaded with her to not leave me with piles of stuff to sort through. Selfishly I didn’t want to be dealing with all her stacks of papers and plastic bags while I should be considering her end-of-life issues and grieving. Since my mom passed away a little over a week ago it has crossed my mind that she found it easier to go home to be with the Lord than to dispose of any of her treasures. Very few of us have our affairs in order for when we die and we give little thought to the fact that someone is going to have to clean up our mess. Jesus on the other hand, always practiced what He preached. Not only were His affairs in order, but Jesus also made arrangements for John to take care of His mother when He was gone.“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”  (John 19:26-27a NIV)

Trashing Your Treasures

I am in the process of sorting through my mom’s things and my emotions run from grief to anger to laughter. Mom was a hoarder, so the magazines and stacks of papers that were near and dear to her heart are simply heartburn for me. I really am trashing her treasures. Mom was a believer, who obviously didn’t struggle with storing treasures on earth vs. storing treasures in heaven. For her it was not a matter of either or, but rather a matter of being able to do both. Interestingly Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and yet He never mentions our being surrounded with any earthly possessions that once brought pleasure and comfort. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2 NIV)

American Pickers

I enjoy watching American Pickers, a TV show where Mike and Frank travel across the country picking through peoples treasures trying to buy pieces for their antique shop in LeClaire, Iowa. On a recent episode in the south they came across a man who had a collection of over 50 VW busses on acreage behind his house. As the pickers wandered through the graveyard of neatly positioned busses, not one bus appeared intact. All of them, exposed to the elements, had rusted bodies, dilapidated doors and broken windows. The busses were not only the habitat for birds and small rodents, but trees and weeds were also taking up residence growing up, around and through the vehicles. What a great visual for believers. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:19-21 NIV)

No Pain, No Gain

There is an old joke about a man going to the doctor complaining that his finger hurt when he moved it. The doctor said, “Well if it hurts when you move it, don’t move it.” Unfortunately many people of faith take the doctor’s advice. Being a Christian is often painful – physically, emotionally and financially. Actually, accepting Jesus is painless, it’s the following Him that can be painful and some of us are just not willing to endure any discomfort. Jesus said, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matt 19:29 NIV)

Independence Day

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 NIV)

Emotional Whiplash

Even though my mom’s funeral will be today, other activities of life are still scheduled and moving forward. On Saturday I went to a 50^th Anniversary Celebration, but it was awkward trying to celebrate while I was being comforted with sympathy. On Sunday I opted to stay home from church because sympathy from my church family would likely have overridden my worship. Grief co-mingling with celebration is a strange concoction. “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Cor 1:7b – 8 NIV)

Flash

I found our communion meditation a couple of weeks ago very thought provoking and comforting. The speaker contemplated death and suggested that when our loved ones die in Christ, they’re really not dead. They have simply, in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, gone from life to life – from physical life to eternal life. I like that image. It sure beats the reports from some people on their out of body experiences of walking down a dark tunnel towards a light. (1Cor 15:52)

The Unexpected

It was expected, but yet when my mother passed away early yesterday morning it was oddly enough, unexpected. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55 NIV)

Citizenship

This year there seems to be a multitude of crises, both in my personal family as well as in the church family. This is one of those seasons in life where there are so many situations going on that I can’t even prioritize which one deserves more of my attention. I can easily start beating myself up over my earthly responsibilities, but thankfully Paul puts things in the proper perspective when he says, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Phil 3:20 NIV)

Tuned Out

I have a friend who is a political activist and while I would agree with most of what he says, I’m tired of hearing it. It’s the same thing over and over. Normally I just let him go and blow, but if he wants my attention he needs to get a new script or come up with a new platform. It’s dawned on me that we believers may do something similar when we witness to our family members. Is it possible that our scripted gospel message is delivered it in the same manner, with the same judgmental tone and same worn out phrases? “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Col 4:5-6 NIV)

Fading Authority

I see an interesting common denominator with some of our community agitators. Many of them come from a career in the military where they retired as either officers or high ranking enlisted personnel. These folks are accustomed to giving orders and having subordinates jump-to. When civilians fail to respond, the old-timers get indignant, demanding and assertive. It’s a good lesson for those of us in the church. If the Lord moves you to a new position in building the kingdom, don’t just assume that your past authority moves with you.

Fading Authority

I see an interesting common denominator with some of our community agitators. Many of them come from a career in the military where they retired either as officers or high ranking enlisted personnel. These folks are accustomed to giving orders and having subordinates jump-to. When civilians fail to respond, the old-timers get indignant, demanding and assertive. It’s a good lesson for those of us in the church. If the Lord moves you to a new position in building the kingdom, don’t just assume that your past authority moves with you.

Saving Business

I find that environmental groups often push their agenda and burden the public with their demands. Recently I attended a public meeting that was designed to get feedback on community recycling. There was an ecologically zealous crowd and the majority in attendance wanted to force city residents to not only recycle, but those who refused to recycle should be charged more. One woman said, “We have to save the world, we must save the world.” It wasn’t the place to burst her bubble, but I would have loved to tell her that the world cannot be saved. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.” (Rev 21:1 NIV)

Hospice

Since the first of the year I’ve had four family members admitted to Hospice. It’s interesting to me that none of them thought it was time for them to make such a decision. Apparently we don’t always see things clearly for ourselves and in order to fully accept our situation it takes someone in authority to tell us that all of our options have been exhausted. From Mount Nebo God showed Moses all the Promised Land and then told Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.” (Deut 34:4 NIV) Moses was 120 years old, however his eyes were not weak, nor was his strength gone. I can imagine Moses thinking, “Really. It’s time for me to be in hospice?”

Scratching the Itch

As I read and listen to campaign ads I’m struck by how many politicians run their race on what they are going to do, rather than on what they have done. It’s amazing that we voters often buy the rhetoric and cast our vote for a future promise, rather than a past track record. Unfortunately the church is not immune to such tactics. “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV)

Unwashed vs. Unclean

We took our grandkids to the Father’s Day picnic where they picked clover leaves, dueled with tree branch swords and played hide-n-go-seek. Seven year-old Lydia brought her home hygiene rules to park with her and when it was time to eat she was concerned about washing her hands. We told her that this time, because it was an outdoor picnic, we were making an exception and she didn’t have to wash. “Oh yea. I get to eat with dirty hands!” After living under the critical eye of the Pharisees I can imagine the disciples had a similar reaction when Jesus said, “…eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean’.” (Matt 15:20b NIV)

The Perfect Gift

Our communion meditation on Sunday was a walk down memory lane as the speaker recalled being a child and looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift. His question was, “So, what could I give to the father who has everything?” Then answering the same question for the believer he said, “You give the Father what He wants most, what He has ask you to give, you give Him yourself.”

In Defense

Recently I worked with a group of women for a couple days and one seemed to go out of her way to throw barbs at me…all under the guise of making a joke, of course. Because we were working in one room there was no escaping her jabs and by the end of day two I felt like I was back in junior high. She eventually stopped, I suppose because she wasn’t getting the reaction she wanted. As I rehashed the situation in my mind I think what bothered me more than her playground antics was the fact that none of the other women stepped forward to defuse or deflect any of the comments. If we believers can’t even come to one another’s defense, it’s no wonder we fail miserably to follow the Lord’s example, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NIV)

Follow the Rules

I’m serving on the elections Credentials Committee for a local utility and part of my job is to determine whether or not a returned ballot is valid.  A few people don’t follow the voting instructions, causing their ballot to be invalidated. Interestingly most of the invalid ballots are the result of the voter simply failing to put the ballot in the secrecy envelope, but others fail to sign the ballot or sign for a deceased person. Somehow we voters think that the only thing necessary is getting the ballot to the polling place on time and that it really doesn’t matter if we follow the rules. Wrong. “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor 6:9-10 NIV)

Where Does it Hurt?

A friend and I were discussing the many people we know who are fighting cancer and she remarked, “Most people I know are suffering more in their mind than in their body.” She made a good point and I wondered if the same could be said of Jesus. Certainly crucifixion is a horrible, painful death, but beyond the Lord crying out in a loud voice as he breathed His last, there is no record of Him expressing the physical pain He endured. However there is evidence of His mental suffering, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46b NIV)

Tomorrow

Yesterday in the VA medical clinic waiting room there was an old WWII Veteran and his wife. Each had matching wheeled walkers and they were accompanied by their elderly friend who brought them in for a doctor’s appointment. The vet came back from seeing the doctor looking dejected and a solemn, halting conversation ensued.

Vet: “The doctor said I can’t drive anymore.” His wife gently patted his knee.

Wife: “I guess we knew this was coming.”

Friend: “But it still hurts.”

Vet: “We’ll have to sell the house.”

Wife: “We could move closer into town where we can walk to the store.”

Vet: “Neither one of us can walk.”

Wife: “Well at least we won’t have to buy gas for the car since we can’t drive it.”

Vet: “We’ll have to buy gas for the car if we keep it…I guess we could sell the car.”

Wife: “Well, I think we can cancel the appointment with eye doctor, don’t you?”

From my bird’s eye view my heart went out to all three of the old-timers as they grieved the loss of a driver’s license and tried to formulate plans for the future.  Jesus reminded me, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt 6:34 NIV)

In a Bubble

The space shuttle Enterprise never went on an actual space mission, but it was used for flights in the atmosphere. The new home for the Enterprise is the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York and as per the requirements from NASA, a climate controlled environment is to be built around the space shuttle. Say what? A shuttle that is designed for space travel must now be protected from the earth’s environment. Sounds remarkably like some of us on the religious landscape. Believers are designed for reaching the lost, but some of us just want to stay in the climate controlled environment of the church.

Holding Down the Fort

There are some of us who are always at church on Sunday mornings. We seldom take vacations and we make every effort to schedule out of town activities so they don’t coincide with church. Then there are those members who are sporadic in attendance and they seem to just drop-in every once in awhile to say hello and then you won’t see them again for another month. I have to tell you that it does occasionally yank my chain. However, I recently did an interview with a woman who is out of town a lot because of business travel. Donna said, “It’s such a blessing to be in a church where we take to heart the meaning of being a church family. God keeps me grounded here even when I’m out of town and can’t be here each week.” OK, so holding down the fort is a blessing to others…I can live with that.

Supposition

In his book How We Think, author John Dewey says, “To say, ‘I think so’ implies that I do not as yet know so. The inferential belief may later be confirmed and come to stand as sure, but in itself it always has a certain element of supposition.” I’m still digesting Mr. Dewey’s statement because I have never considered that saying I think means I don’t yet know. However, it does make sense. Jesus was always asking others, ‘What do you think?’, but He himself never told others, ‘I think so’. I’m going to work on changing my vocabulary. I think I may have to stop thinking about things I already know.

To Keep Us from Speaking

I get angry at those who attack the public displays of the Ten Commandments, who demand that memorial crosses on government land be removed and who want to take Christ out of Christmas. I just realized that the folks who are trying to stop the Gospel message have a lot in common with the Jews who killed the prophets. Paul views such craftiness as an effort to keep people from being saved. “They displease God and are hostile to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved.”  (1 Thess 2:15b – 16a NIV)

Always in Season

Last Sunday I had empathy for the man who was scheduled to do the communion meditation. Apparently there was a snafu and he didn’t get the word that he was to give the meditation until he walked in for Sunday worship and read it in the bulletin. Since he was not prepared he ask another man, who also was not prepared, to take his place. Interestingly both of these men are Biblically equipped and spiritually qualified for an impromptu meditation. However, one did not feel prepared in his own strength and declined to speak, but the other man spoke relying on the Spirit’s strength. “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Tim 4:2 NIV)

Blood Cry

Recently there was a report of a medical facility worker who couldn’t bring herself to destroy aborted fetuses so she preserved them in jars. One has to consider the reaction of women in the area who had abortions, believed that their deed was simply past-history and now have to wonder if one of those children sitting on a shelf all these years is their child. I thought of Cain killing his brother Abel. Even though Able was dead, his blood continued to be heard. “The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” (Gen 4:10 NIV)

Preaching to the Choir

I get a lot of politically charged email forwards from people who are blowing the trumpet and trying to rally the troops for their cause. I’m not against their efforts, but they are wasted on me because I’m already politically pro-active and armed for battle. I think it’s like hearing a salvation message preached each Sunday morning when everyone in the audience is already a confessed believer. The message we put out, whether political or spiritual, needs to hit the right audience. We can’t simply spend our time looking for lost sheep amongst those who are already in the fold.

Temptation

Bill confessed to eating not one, but two lemon bars. “I just couldn’t resist. No…I didn’t resist!” I think we all give temptation a lot of power and authority that it really doesn’t deserve. Temptation isn’t really in the sin category, it’s merely a precursor to sin. As often as temptation comes our way you would think that we would be able to recognize it by seeing the red flags, hearing sirens go off and feeling the change in the atmosphere. But no, we take the bait and then blame temptation for the sin that follows. I’m not suggesting Bill’s second lemon bar was a sin, I had two myself. However, the thought of resisting never entered my mind. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Cor 10:13 NIV)

The Squeaky Wheel

A shopping cart with defective wheels drives me nuts. I usually grab a cart, take a few steps with it and then turn around and swap it for one that rolls smoothly and doesn’t carry on a conversation with itself. If I have to settle for a noisy cart, by the time I’m finished shopping I have a really bad attitude - I’m mad at the store, the clerks and the other shoppers. Recently a friend told me that she really doesn’t mind a cart with a squeaky wheel, “I look at it like this, people can hear me coming and they get out of my way.” The next time I went to the store I decided to give her outlook a try. She was right. Even people standing in the middle of the aisle who were oblivious to other shoppers heard me coming and gave me a wide berth. It was like the parting of the Red Sea. I also found that I connected with fellow shoppers, even if it were simply a sympathetic look of, ‘you poor dear, I understand your pain.’

Only a Theologian

A Sunday Morning news show was discussing the scandal of Pope Benedict XVI’s butler leaking documents to the media. Implying that Pope Benedict is not minding the store an observer said, “Pope Benedict’s failing is because he is only a theologian and not a ruler.” I’m surprised. I thought all the hoopla surrounding the selection of the Pope has the appearance of it being a decision on whether or not the man is a theologian and spiritually qualified…not whether he is qualified as a ruler. According to Catholic tradition the first Pope was the Apostle Peter. I don’t think Scripture paints him as either a theologian or a ruler, Jesus just considered him to be a fisher of men.

In Remembrance

Memorial Day is a time to remember our fallen. However as believers the significance is not just about the fallen, but it’s also about those who will rise again. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (Col 3:1 NIV)

Those Were the Days

For me it’s easier to look back on my life if I have a few photos to jog my memory. I remarked to Bill that we just aren’t taking pictures like we used to and someday we may regret not remembering the way we were. Bill’s thought processes took a complete 180, “I don’t need photos to remind me I’m not who I used to be.” He laughed, “When I die I want you to do like everyone else does with the obituaries. I want you to find the best looking photo of me in my 20’s so people will remember what I looked like then, not what I look like today.”  I’m not sure if the Spirit is into reading obituaries, but if He were I’m sure He would say Bill is much better looking today than he was in his 20’s.

Finding Your Way

When I break a routine it’s a real struggle to get motivated again. At the fitness center the other morning one member who hadn’t been working out for sometime was greeted by another member, “We’ll, you found your way back.” I was struck that the man returned of his own accord without the involvement of others.  No one called him up, sent him a card or tried to remind him that he has been missing in action. In fact, he wasn’t even greeted with a, ‘we’re glad your back’. I’m wondering if believers put too much emphasis on dragging missing sheep back to church, when we really should be focusing on being at peace while they find their own way back.

High Centered

The drainage ditch running past my house is home to a pair of Mallard ducks who recently became parents of quads. The other afternoon little ones were out for a swimming lesson and all lined up behind mom and dad. Because they were going with the flow it should have been an easy float trip, but the last little guy in line got high centered a cattail reed coming out of the water. By the time he dislodged himself his parents and siblings were around the bend and out of sight. I’ve been there. I can get hung up on a verse of Scripture that I just heard in the sermon and while I’m wrestling with it the rest of the folks have already moved on.

Refreshed

When I think about something being refreshed my mind goes to the icon on my computer, the pine scented air-freshener hanging from a rear view car mirror or to Sunday morning worship. I’ve not really considered that some of my fellow believers are actually in the refreshment business. In writing to Philemon, Paul said, “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” (Philemon 1:7 NIV)

Knock, Knock

My mind was elsewhere when I came up to the big glass door of an office building. I fully expected the manual door to open automatically, but by the time I realized I was my own doorman, I had to do a stutter step and to keep my nose off the glass. I sometimes do something similar with Jesus because there is this expectation that once I’ve accepted Him as Lord and Savior the door opens automatically. “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matt 7:8 NIV)