Creating You Own god

In a neighboring community a Unitarian-Universalist Congregation is starting an evening study titled, Build Your Own Theology. The press release reads, “Based on the assumption that everyone is their own theologian, the classic Unitarian adult education program invites members to develop their own personal credos, fundamental religious beliefs, values and convictions that inform and direct their lives.” I’m not sure where one would begin to build their own theology, unless of course you borrow a little of this from one religion and a little of that from another. It must be lonely worshipping your own ideas…unless of course you can suck others into your way of thinking.

Preparing for Rescue

A few weeks back Chinook helicopters were doing high altitude training exercises in our area. One resident complained to elected officials because of the noise and she also had safety concerns because the helicopters were flying so close to her home.

Fast forward to last week and the devastating floods on Colorado’s front range. What I find interesting is the training that was going on in our backyard is now bearing fruit as Chinook helicopters are the only means of rescuing hundreds stranded people from the flood waters.

I see a reverse of this situation with the prophet Jonah. A vine, which once had shaded Jonah from the blazing sun, withered and died. Jonah was angry and more concerned about the plant dying than he was about the people of Nineveh perishing. The Lord’s perspective is quite different when he tells Jonah, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” (Jonah 4:10-11 NIV)

Flourishing

My mother-in-law just turned 90, but we couldn’t celebrate this milestone with her until she returned home from a weeklong conference in Maine. A week after Ruth returned home we had an open house and invited friends and family to the Birthday celebration. As the party progressed I was getting weary, but I could hear Ruth visiting with friends and making plans for the conferences of 2014 in Reno and 2015 San Antonio. Don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful that at 90 years of age Ruth is healthy and active, but I have to tell you she is making some of the rest of us look really bad. The Psalmist considers the advanced years of the righteous and says they will flourish like a palm tree, “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (Psalm 92:14-15 NIV)

Too Much of a Good Thing

A recent editorial in my local paper cites that when it comes to the number of nonprofits in one location, our city is one of the leaders in the State. No wonder I get so irritable every time a fundraiser knocks on my door, or I have to run an obstacle course of good causes in order to go to the grocery store. The newspaper correctly diagnosed the community as having “charity fatigue”, but I question their prescription. Their cure is to have one community umbrella organization receiving donated funds and then dispersing those funds to other nonprofits who qualify for support. Wow…This would be like asking all the churches in the city to put their tithes in one pot and then an umbrella agency would oversee dispensing the tithes as they deem appropriate.

As Long as He Lives

Both previously widowed, Laura and her fiancé David attended Laura’s 50^th class reunion. When she asked David to take a picture of her and her gal pals, Laura absent mindedly called David by her deceased husband’s name, Nick. One of her friends elbowed her in the ribs while another whispered in her ear, “David…His name is David!”
Very matter-of-factly David re-told of the episode saying, “Well, it’s not like I haven’t called her Karen a couple of times.” I laughed at how non-pulsed both were at the faux-pas. Shrugging it off Laura quipped, “It’s OK. Really, David and I don’t care…and Nick and Karen don’t care either!”
Laura and David are both believers, so I’m certain they have Paul’s blessing. “A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.” (1 Cor 7:39 NIV)

Please Pass the Baton

On more than one occasion Paul compares the Christian life to running a race. The image that usually comes to my mind is one of individual competition and Paul even says that only one person gets the prize. However, I’m wondering if the race I’m running more closely resembles a relay race. As part of a relay team I still have an individual responsibility to, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Cor 9:24b NIV), but I’m positioned in the leg of the race that is best suited to my abilities. Just as Paul passed the baton to Timothy and others in the early church, the race continues today and everyone has not only an opportunity, but an obligation, to run in the race and carry the baton.

There is No Free Lunch

There are two well established meal sites in my community who are purported to be in great need of volunteers, food staples and fresh produce. I find the number of free breakfast and lunch meals served to be astounding for our mid-size community. Both organizations boast of being respectful of their clientele’s situation in life, “We’ll feed anyone who comes in for a meal; we never ask any questions [about their financial need].”  The Prodigal son who squandered his wealth in wild living comes to mind. I have to wonder if he ever would have come to his senses and returned to his Father had his employer served him a daily complimentary breakfast and lunch. This lost son, “…longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.” (Lk 15:16 NIV)

The Door

We have one back door that we seldom use, but it can serve as an emergency exit if we ever have the need. The other day when Bill decided to use the door as a short cut to the alley the family dog, Charlie, was hot on his heels. Charlie, who didn’t even know the door existed, stopped dead in his tracks when the door opened and the whole outside world greeted him. I had to laugh. It was definitely one of those Wizard of Oz moments when the world of black and white suddenly turns to color. Wouldn’t you just love to have a Lord’s-eye-view of people when they open the door to Jesus? “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20 NIV)

Righteous Man

Recently New York mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner got into a shouting match with a Jewish constituent who confronted Weiner about his sexting scandal and the hurt it must have caused his wife. Unable to shut the constituent down, an angry Weiner got in his face and accused him of judging, “You are not superior to me. You are not my God.” Weiner went on to call the constituent a jackass.
First let me say, kudos the Jewish man for standing firm while shining a light on sexual immorality.
Although Weiner is correct in that the man was not God, that doesn’t mean that the Jewish man wasn’t sent by God. Jesus said, “…anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Matt 10:41b NIV)

Go Team, Go

The game show ‘Wipeout’ has contestants racing against one another on an obstacle course, and depending on the show, they participate either as individuals, or on teams of two. During a recent episode one contestant was trying to get his partner out from under some pressure so he told her to just take her time. From the announcer’s booth one of the hosts quipped, “Yeah right…it’s not like this is a race or anything.”
I had to laugh because if I were a contestant I too would have slipped into the role of being an encourager by telling my teammates to take their time and just do their best.
I can almost hear the Apostle Paul groan, “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.” (1Cor 9:24 NIV)

Melodic Sounds

Walking through the park the other day the quiet stillness was interrupted by measured squeaking coming from the playground swings. Unlike the annoying squeak of a pulley in need of oiling, the swings rhythmic call brought back memories of youth, carefree summers and reaching for the sky. I continued walking and when I had a line of sight through the trees I could see a group of handicapped adults swinging and enjoying an unhurried field trip. For a moment I felt a little envious that, even at their chronological age, they were still enjoying their youth. “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”— (Eccl 12:1 NIV)

Ready, Set…Maybe Not

Last Sunday the preacher reminded us that even with Jesus preaching, not everyone was convicted. He went on to say, “Some people are just not ready, not open to the Lord.” For some reason this was one of those ah-ha moments. When my witnessing seems unsuccessful with friends and family I usually think of it in terms of rejection, rebellion and lack of understanding. I’m not so sure that I’ve ever looked at the lost sheep that I’m trying to reach as simply not being ready. What a relief. Just because I am ready and prepared to impart the WORD doesn’t mean my friend is ready to receive the Gospel. If a guy’s not ready, he’s just not ready.

Resume

I’ve been helping a couple of people update their resumes and both have worked for their respective companies for so many years that they have trouble recognizing their own value. For them, talking them through their talents, abilities and accomplishments is a real eye opener. They begin to realize they are much more than ‘just’ an employee, they are an asset. I can imagine David’s reaction to being labeled, “a man after God’s own heart” or Nathaniel being described as, “one in whom there is no guile”. I’m now beginning to think it might be a good idea if we all thought about updating our spiritual resumes. After all, we are more than ‘just’ a Christian.

Hedge of Protection

The last few years we’ve had a summertime problem with dogs using our yard as their personal rest station and in the winter kids use the low growing evergreens as a slope for sledding. It’s finally time to put up some chain link fencing, but the assumption that my problems would be solved were dashed when the estimator remarked, “Fencing won’t keep anything out; it only serves as a deterrent.” I think his observation can also have a spiritual connotation. Every once in awhile I mentally start building a spiritual fence thinking that it will somehow keep sin out. The conversation the between Satan and God over the man Job is a reminder that there is only one Master Fence Builder. “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.”(Job 1:9-10 NIV)

Reapers

Speaking to his disciples Jesus said, “…the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” (John 4:37-38 NIV) I find it interesting that most of us have determined in our own mind that our ‘mission’ is sowing. We seldom recognize reaping, whether it is in ourselves or in others and yet Jesus said, “I have sent you to reap what you have not worked for.”

Priceless

We learn of the exorbitant prices people pay for objects of art, precious gems or seats on a space shuttle, but we know that the value of anything is set by what someone is willing to pay.
During worship services I often hear meditations that reflect what a terrible and awful price Christ paid on the cross and I wonder if that thought is skewed. Certainly the death of Jesus was awful and terrible, but is the price that he paid for our salvation awful and terrible?
The price was set by God, which was the blood of Christ and that puts all of us in the category of priceless. “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” (1 Cor 7:23 NIV)

Lurking

While reading a book on blogging I learned that ‘lurking’ describes a person who looks at and reads on-line discussions, but never participates in the discussion. Although lurking sounds diabolical, when used in this case it does not carry a negative connotation.

I was surprised that most web users are actually referred to as lurkers. The time they spend on the internet is simply in reading and looking at blogs.

I’m now wondering if lurking might also be a component of today’s church. We have a lot of folks who are perfectly satisfied with listening and learning, and they have no desire or need to get plugged into church programming. It may be that some of the church’s organized efforts to force-feed fellowship and generate discussion are misguided.

So the next time a Sunday School teacher tries to pull a comment out of you, you can just tell them you’re lurking.

Taking the Shot

On Fox News I watched an interview with Jack Taylor, the young man who scored 138 individual points in a basketball game.  Overwhelmingly breaking the previous record Jack acknowledged the Lord and then he said, “It was as though I couldn’t miss. Even when I was off balance a little, I still made the shot.” I can just imagine young David sharing similar thoughts after he toppled Goliath. I sometimes miss the fearlessness of youth…no doubt the Lord misses it in me too. “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Sam 17:47 NIV)

I Don’t Get It

Sometimes I just don’t always catch a joke when it’s written or in a cartoon. If I ask someone in the family to explain it they’ll laugh and say, ‘Mom, if I have to explain it, it’s not that funny’. I can imagine Jesus having a similar reaction when he used His parable about clean and unclean. The audience may have gotten the gist of the parable, but the lesson was lost on his disciples. After they left the crowd and went into the house the disciples asked about the parable and Jesus responded, “Are you so dull? Don’t you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him ‘unclean’?” I can so relate to the disciples and their waiting until they were in the house to ask for clarification. I find it interesting that Jesus let them save face by not calling them dull in public. (Mark 7:18 NIV)

Health Screening

One of our church members mentioned that last week he and his wife visited a church in a neighboring small community. He was impressed with the size of gathering, the powerful sermon and the number of families in attendance. “There were a lot of young families. It was really neat; they’ve got something going for them.” It struck a chord with me that I’ve heard before – the inference that the health of a church can be measured by the young families in attendance. It’s as though we are confident the church will continue to live on as long as we can actually see another generation waiting in the wings. It’s great when there are multiple generations in a body of believers; however, neither silver hair nor youth are a good measure of the spiritual health of a church.

Better Living Through Chemistry

Once a week the retired old-boys at church get together for coffee to visit and roast one another. The resident patriarch preacher, who had been incapacitated because of a bad hip, showed up to the coffee looking energized. When asked how he was feeling he moved around freely demonstrating the wonders of what one Vicodin and a couple of Advil can do. With his physical body now in better alignment with his spiritual thinking he quipped, “You remember that mountain that used to be south of town?”

I doubt that’s what the Lord had in mind when he said, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt 17:20b NIV)

There’s a Time and a Place

A recent obituary told of a man’s love of baseball and his involvement in softball leagues. The time and place for the funeral service was listed and in lieu of flowers, “…a donation box will be available at the memorial service”, with the contributions going to local baseball leagues. I’m not suggesting that having a donation box is wrong, I just find it strange. It’s almost as though any assembly is now an opportunity for fundraising. I suppose it’s no different than the grocery store checker asking me if I’d like to donate to the store’s designated project by rounding-up my bill to an even number. Maybe that’s why I find it curious…there’s no difference.

How is My Driving?

While I was driving on a four lane highway a car came up behind me and just hung there on my bumper. He seemed oblivious to the fact that he was following too closely, but he could have passed me at anytime. Calling him a jerk co-mingled with thoughts of defensive driving. When he finally passed me I first noticed the traditional fish magnet on the trunk of car and then my eyes were drawn to his personalized license plate which read, ‘YESLORD’. At the moment the only thing that would have soothed my irritation was if he’d had a bumper sticker that read, HOW IS MY DRIVING? Call 1-800-Lord-God.

Captive

In our family we may start to speak our mind and either we will catch ourselves, or someone will jokingly remind us to, ‘take that thought captive’. Of course we have to give the Apostle Paul the credit for the illustration, which he used in defense of his ministry, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor 10:5 NIV) I’m not being boastful, but I do a fairly good job of taking thoughts captive and keeping them from escaping out of my mouth. I can put them in solitary confinement, but rehabilitating them and making them obedient to Christ sometimes seems to be beyond my ability.

CPR

Many years ago I took a CPR class, but I decided it was time for a refresher, so last Saturday I took a Red Cross class. A few things have changed, particularly that there is more emphasis on chest compression and less on rescue breathing. The rationale being that there is a certain amount of oxygen in the blood, so the most important thing is keeping the blood circulating and the vital organs alive until professional help arrives.

The class started me thinking about spiritual life and death and I had to laugh. Over the years some of my unrepentant family members have become indignant with my witnessing techniques and have accused me of trying to save them. I can now in good conscious tell them that I’m simply practicing Spiritual CPR.

Rewriting History

My local newspaper has a column that uses archived papers to remind people of the past. They rewrite newsworthy events that happened a year ago, 10 years ago, and even 35 years ago. The problem is the column is often used to wound people in the community and pit neighbor against neighbor.

All under the guise of journalistic license we are reminded of homicides, community conflict and local political upheaval.
Proverbs 26:17 seems applicable, “Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.” (NIV)

Abandoned

The last few years some houses in my neighborhood have been unoccupied for an extended period of time. For the neighborhood boys the vacant driveways and alley have turned into a raceway and property fences are now balance beams. Last week I looked out the back window to see three middle school boys piled onto an old riding lawnmower. They were having a great time cutting didoes in one yard full of knee high weeds. At least they were having a good time until they were confronted by a mother…a mother other than their own. Jumping off the running lawnmower the boys scattered, but returned a few minutes later to turn off the mower. As the mother wagged her finger the oldest boy protested loudly, “But nobody cares, nobody lives here.”

Jesus tells of an evil spirit leaving a man, but later returning to find the human-house still unoccupied, yet swept clean and put in order (Matt 12:43-45). I’ve always pictured a well kept and well maintained, albeit spiritually empty house. Obviously an unoccupied house, regardless of whether it is tidy, is an open invitation for mischief.

Peace and Safety

During a discussion with friends the conversation turned to our nation’s deterioration. Because we were all believers our comments echoed past generations that said God will not put up with us much longer, things can’t get much worse than they are, and the Lord would be coming soon. One man said, “I think we [America] are worse today than in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.” (Gen 18) I have to disagree with my friend. Unlike Sodom, I feel certain the Lord can find at least 10 righteous people sitting in my church on a Sunday morning. Paul reminds us that the signal for the Lord’s return is not the lack of righteous people. “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thess 5:1-3 NIV)

Mini-Sermon

Sunday morning a transient came to church and during the welcome time the preacher offered him a doughnut and something to drink. The young man sat his backpack down, leaned his tattered cardboard sign against the wall, shook hands with a couple of people and said his name was Chris. As the worship service began Chris was noticeably edgy looking around the room and over his shoulder. When it was time for communion the preacher sat down next to our guest, put his hand on Chris’ shoulder and quietly explained the emblems that were being served. The young man nodded his head in understanding and joined the congregation in communion. It was only a few minutes into the sermon that Chris, acting like he was burning daylight, picked up his belongings, and made his exit. I have to smile when I think that Chris may not have heard a full sermon, but maybe my preacher’s explanation was the only sermon he needed to hear. “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor 11:26 NIV)

A Body at Rest

A current television commercial is bombarding the airwaves with Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion, ‘a body in motion tends to stay in motion and a body at rest tends to stay at rest’. Today’s church is programmed and focused on being in motion and purpose driven. Being at rest is not a part of our vocabulary; it is rarely mentioned from the pulpit and seldom seen in Bible studies. But Scripture reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10 NIV)

Knowingly

I have a hard time with people who knowingly offend me, but fail to return to the scene of the situation and apologize, or make amends. For instance, when someone knowingly says hurtful words, but makes no attempt to say they are sorry.
Similarly, I find Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the garden very curious. I wonder if their punishment might have been less severe had they gone to God and asked forgiveness, or at the very least said they were sorry for their actions. I suppose they could have been contrite before God and their repentance was simply not recorded in the Genesis account. Maybe the penalty of being banished from the garden was actually less severe than what their actions really deserved.

Seekers

For over 20 years a Sweet Corn Festival has been held in our community. Recently at a meeting I attended the discussion question for the day was, ‘Have you ever gone to the Festival, why or why not?’

Over the years this heavily advertized festival has had big name entertainers with attendance well over 20,000. However, the last few years attendance has been dropping drastically.

As my group discussed the topic I was taken back when the comments overwhelming revealed that most of those in the room had never attended, or they attended one year, but will not attend again. The reasons given for not participating in the festival were large crowds and loud music.

I’m wondering if the lack of interest in big events might also affect the religious landscape. Those labeled ‘seekers’ who once flocked to the mega-church with its large crowds and rock band persona, may now be seeking a smaller, cozier fellowship structure.

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47 NIV)

Flaming Hair

My previous neighbors, a mother and daughter, marched to their own drum and didn’t care about what others thought. They loved to experiment with hair color and every week a new color would walk out their back door. Purple, pink, green - or a combination of all three, were the norm. The day they got into their car to move to another town the mom’s long locks were a mixture of flaming red and florescent pink, but surprisingly the teenager was a normal blond. Scripture tells us, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” (Proverbs 16:31 NIV) These ladies will eventually have gray hair and I have to smile when I think about the color they will use to add accents to the splendor.

Eat Dessert First

Last weekend we went to a picnic and much to my discomfort we arrived just as 40 other guests were eating their dessert. I felt like a party crasher. The confusion was attributed to three email notifications, each with a different dinner start time, which was coupled with a last minute decision to start the meal early because people were filling up on chips and dip. 

The huge pasta salad I brought to share basically went untouched and there was little time to visit with anyone because while we were eating most of the others were packing up to go home.

I felt embarrassed, discouraged and frustrated. In hindsight I should have just shrugged off the main course and simply joined everyone else with their dessert.

I can picture people who are new to the faith having similar feelings when they walk into the ‘spiritual potluck’ at church and feel as though they are coming in late to the party.

I think I’ll start telling them it’s OK to eat dessert first and then go back for the main course.

Valuing Our Gifts

My friend is an excellent, in-depth adult Sunday School teacher, however, some of his pre-requisites for teaching are hindering his chances of doing a class. He wants at least 20 students, those who are committed to the study and faithful in attendance.

I feel certain his ultimate goal is to help mature the body of Christ, but I also think he wants to make sure that his preparation investment is worth his effort.

I understand where he is coming from because when I’ve been on the verge of some teaching situations, I too have had those same thoughts cross my mind.

Paul is quick to bring us back into spiritual balance, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: 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 12:3 NIV)

Wakeup Call

As a way to support my friend I often ask how her adult daughter is doing. One Sunday the mother sought me out to tell me her daughter was charged with domestic violence, but her reaction was not what I expected. Even though the situation was going to be an emotional and financial hardship on the mother, she was rejoicing. “It’s the wakeup call my daughter needed to get her act together. Now she’ll have to get to court ordered counseling and she is finally moving to get away from this toxic relationship.”

Don’t you just love watching Scripture play out right in front of us? “Not only so, but we  also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Ro 5:3-5 NIV)

Taking to Task

I find it disconcerting that Pope Francis would take journalists to task for asking questions and reporting on gay priests. The Associated Press writes that Pope Francis makes the distinction that being gay is an issue of sin, but sexually abusing children is a crime. The implication being that journalist should be reporting on crimes, not on issues of sin.Thankfully the New Testament writers were not of the same cover-up mindset.

Rather than keeping issues of sin closeted, Paul wrote to the Corinthian church to expose their tolerance of an individual practicing sexual immorality. He took these believers to task for being proud, rather than being filled with grief. “When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.” (1 Cor 5:4-5 NIV)

Not the Judge

I’m surprised by some candid remarks from Pope Francis. The Associated Press slants their report to say that the Pope is referring not just to gays, but to priests, “Who am I to judge when it comes to the sexual orientation of priests…We shouldn’t marginalize people for this. They must be integrated into society…If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”

Good grief. How does the Pope get around 1 Timothy 3, which tells us an overseer (elder, deacon, priest) must be above reproach, husband of one wife, and have a good reputation with outsiders?

Integrating gays into society is one thing, integrating gays into the position of church leadership is quite another.

The Pope is right in one respect, he is not to judge the salvation of someone who is gay, seeks the Lord and has good will – the position of Judge is already filled.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Ro 12:2 NIV)

What Sets Us Apart

Without using a direct quote, the Associated Press credits Pope Francis with saying, ‘…a church that doesn’t go out and preach simply becomes a civic or humanitarian group’.

This makes me wonder about some of the local ministries that my church supports – the food bank, soup kitchen, and so on. While these are worthy programs established on Christian principles, believers and non-believers alike support these activities.

I realize that we can spread the Gospel through our actions, but do recipients and non-believers recognize it as the Gospel in action?

Worth the Investment

Out of the blue with no context seven year-old Lydia said, “Momma, I really am worth raising.”

While I got tickled at her self-evaluation, I can’t help but think that we should all be so confident.

It’s interesting that we sometimes suffer feelings of worthlessness even though God says and shows us that we were worth being created.

During Jesus’ life the market value for two sparrows was a penny and yet they were valued by the Father. Jesus said, “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matt 10:31 NIV)

Know It All

It’s not that I’m never wrong, but I really do have a pretty good track record for being right. Consequently, my family takes way too much pleasure in highlighting when I’ve been wrong about something.

It’s my observation that many of us downplay our knowledge, wisdom, and intuition, and yet we celebrate the demonstration of joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).  I suppose we are cautious to expose our wisdom for fear of being labeled a know-it-all.

Rather than downplaying the gift wisdom, perhaps we should acknowledge the source of the wisdom…the One who truly is the Know It All.

“For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6 NIV)

Generational Blessings

I would describe my grandma as a woman who was righteous, outspoken and a pillar of faith. However, because she walked the walk and talked the talk, her adult children sometimes resented what they thought was her ‘peachiness’.

I know my mom, aunts, and uncle appreciated and loved their mother as a mother, but I’m not sure they ever considered that the blessings they experienced in their lives might well be a direct result of their mother’s righteousness.

“The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.” (Proverbs 20:7 NIV)

Devising Injustice

President Obama continued to weigh-in on the Trayvon Martin case by saying that he could be Trayvon. Reflecting on his youth, Obama remembers walking by cars and hearing a clicking sound as people locked their car doors.

Really? It seems the President wants us to equate locking car doors with racial slurs. I can’t imagine a teen going home to their parents and telling them they felt persecuted because someone locked their car door as they walked by. Even if locking one’s doors had a racial connotation, what teen - black, white, or brown - wouldn’t simply blow the offender off and move on?

“Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge uprightly among men? No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.” (Psalm 58 1-2 NIV)

Sorting

Sorting through decades of photographs from multiple generations is overwhelming. I wanted to give some of the pictures to cousins, nieces and nephews, so my first thought was to divide them up according to branches on the family tree. It didn’t help that I also had to deal with broken limbs of marriage, divorce, remarriage and re-remarriage.

I couldn’t always identify who belonged to what side of the family and the holiday and reunion photos began to look like intertwining vines rather than branches. 

I finally decided to lessen my heartburn by simply taking out the photos that I want to keep and boxing up the remaining collection to pass on to the next person in line.

However, as I sorted the photos I throw away many that were of people I don’t know - those with no names or dates written on the back, no family resemblances, and no identifiable homesteads and outbuildings.

Discarding a photograph is much different than discarding a soul, but there is a commonality. “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matt 7:22-23 NIV)

Destinations on Faith

My son and daughter-in-law have decided it’s time to look for a larger home, so they listed their house with a realtor and, thinking positively they immediately started packing.

When 10 year-old David and 7 year-old Lydia began showing signs of anxiety about moving out of the only home they have ever known their daddy gave them a reassuring talk. However the talk still didn’t calm their fears, so he asked, “What exactly is scaring you?”

“Well,” said Lydia, “I just don’t think it’s a good idea to pack up and move when you don’t know where you are going.”

I chuckled in agreement with Lydia’s worldly wisdom…that is until I thought about Abraham. “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’” (Gen 12:1 NIV)

Making Room

My daughter has recently become engaged and will be moving to the metro area in October. However, in the interim she has moved back in with us while she tries to sell her house.

Even though Leslie is moving into a spare bedroom, all of my things had to be moved out of the closets and dresser drawers to make room for her things.

I suppose I could have asked her to live out of boxes for the next three months, but the mannerly thing to do is to give her a place to put her shoes, hang her clothes and brush her teeth. 

When I consider the Spirit moving in and living in the heart of the believer, I wonder if we’ve gotten rid of some of our stuff to make a place for Him, or do we have Him living out of a suitcase.

Serving Justice

Even though a jury acquitted George Zimmerman, it hasn’t stopped people from having their own opinion about his guilt or innocence. It’s interesting that those weighing in on the verdict didn’t set through the whole trial, they didn’t hear all the evidence, but yet they want to be the judge.

We believers get caught in the same trap when we give our opinions on people and situations without having the complete picture…even if that situation happened 2000 years ago.

If we stand at the foot of the cross we see two criminals who not only were found guilty under the law, but one of them actually confesses his guilt while hanging on the cross. “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man [Jesus] has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:41 NIV)

Maybe, just maybe, this thief hanging next to Jesus was not a career criminal, but rather a one-time-got caught criminal.

Public opinion would say that the criminals were both headed for hell and yet Jesus, knowing all the facts and the evidence, told one of the men, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 NIV)

Advocating Anger

Reportedly Trayvon Martin’s parents did not stay around to hear the jury’s verdict because they wanted to get home and be able to go to their church the following day.

When interviewed about the verdict their pastor said (paraphrase), “We’re angry. The Bible says ‘be angry, but sin not’, so we’re angry. We’re not going to forget Trayvon, we’re not going to forget the verdict, and we’re not going to forget Trayvon’s parents.”

Interestingly the pastor is promoting anger that has no statute of limitations. I’m thinking he should have quoted the entire verse when Paul said, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” (Eph 4:26-27 KJV)

Just Another Project

One Sunday after church a woman stopped by the table where I was counting the offering and in an effort to make casual conversation she said, “Oh, that’s something we need to do - make a contribution. But we already support so many other projects.” With a half-chuckle she continued, “And of course you know we’re always helping out our kids too.” I don’t know whether or not she expected a response, but I didn’t have one.

However, Paul’s words to the Corinthians may fit the situation. “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” (2 Cor 8:12 NIV)

Trashing Your Treasures

          Getting new carpet has been the catalyst in doing a major purging of clutter, which includes sorting through containers of mementos belonging to my deceased mother and sister.

I’ve struggled with discarding their high school diplomas, old love letters and envelopes full of photo negatives. However, the reality is that their treasures hold no sentiment or value for me, or for other family members.

Jesus said, “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 6:20-21 NIV)

My catchphrase, “If you can’t store it in heaven…don’t store it at all.”

Branches of Ministry

I’m fascinated by trees, particularly old cottonwoods in the summertime. As abundant as their large green leaves may be, they cannot hide the dead branches that emerge as a reminder of growth and bygone days.

Normally they seem to have more leaves than dead wood, but recently I drove by one huge tree situated by an irrigation ditch that was dead except for one tuft of life in a single branch.

I wonder if the trees might be symbolic of our Christian walk. In years past I served in the church nursery, taught children’s Sunday school, and sponsored teams of junior and senior high Bible Bowlers. At one time those branches of ministry were thriving and alive, but those days are now over.

Looking at the silhouette of a tree there is a distinct difference between the live and dead branches, but they are still all attached to the root of the tree. It reminds me of past ministries interspersed with current service.

Like a Good Neighbor

My neighbors of over five years just moved back to South Carolina, but it was only recently that I even learned their last name and I’m kicking myself for not being a better neighbor.

I didn’t get to know the single mother and her homeschooled teenage daughter very well, but we would visit generically back and forth over the fence. One time I tried the standard Christmas invitation to church, but it was brushed aside when the mother told me they didn’t celebrate holidays.

With their car loaded and ready to get on the road, we gave our good-bys and well-wishes and then the mother gave me a hug and said, “You’re the best neighbors I’ve ever had.”

I don’t think that I really deserve the compliment, or that I adequately applied the second greatest commandment. Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.” (Matt 22:37-39 NIV)

Refurbished

We recently had some carpet damage, so now I’m in the middle of replacing the carpet on one floor of the house – two bedrooms, an office, the hallway and the dining room. The rooms had to be completely emptied before the carpet layers arrived and I won’t be able to put the furnishings back until they’ve finished – a three day project.

As I look in the empty rooms I’m reminded of Jesus’ teaching about the evil spirit who was evicted from a man’s heart. When the evil spirit was shopping around for a new residence he discovered that his previous abode was still unoccupied, so he and seven of his evil buddies reclaimed the cleaned up residence. (Luke 11:24-26)

It just dawned on me that I feel like I’m in constant clean-up mode when it comes to my heart. I focus on wanting a pure heart, swept clean and put in order…rather than on a comfortable place for the Spirit to reside.

Unashamed

Most of us have at least one family member that we’re not necessarily ashamed of, but that we’d really rather not claim. In our family tree, Bill’s goofy second cousin is his cousin, not mine.  Bill in turn disavows any family connection to my strange aunt.

The writer of Hebrews notes God’s reaction to heroes of faith, “Instead, they [heroes of faith] were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Heb 11:16 NIV)

I’m struggling a little with this verse. If God is not ashamed to be called their God, the antithesis would be that God might well be ashamed of some people who call Him their God...

I suppose it could be those Jesus referred to when he said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matt 7:21-23 NIV)

Weighing Compassion

Throughout the day on the 4^th of July the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) ran a huge television ad campaign. Videos of abused dogs and cats were meant to pull at the heart strings and the plea for donations was both passionate and urgent. 

For me the placement of the ASPCA ads was misguided because they were interspersed with television programming featuring patriots, wounded warriors, and those who suffered the cruelty of war. Veterans, who lost arms and legs, literally gave up their freedom of mobility for their fellow Americans. Groups supporting these disabled veterans also voiced an urgent need for financial aid and adaptive housing.

Certainly we can have concern for the animal kingdom, but one thing that sets us apart from animals…“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph 4:32 NIV)

Policy Maker

A recent letter writer to Dear Abby asked advice about her gay son saying, “I tried reading my Bible, but the wording was hard to understand. I don’t want to talk to my pastor about it because, even though I accept my son for who he is, I still have trouble talking to people about it because I’m not sure how they will react. Do you believe a gay person will go to heaven?”

I find it strange that the letter writer would turn to Dear Abby rather than a pastor to ask about God’s policy on entering heaven. However, what I really grapple with is the fact that she has a pastor and a church…and that the wording in the Bible is hard to understand.

Paul may not be as socially sensitive as Dear Abby, but he certainly is not hard to understand. “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)

Independence Day

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
(2 Cor 3:17 NIV)

Maintenance Required

If I buy used equipment or get something as a hand-me-down, I expect it to someday quit working or wear out. However, I find it painful when I buy something new and it dies, needs to be replaced or needs to be repaired.

I remember moving into a newly constructed home and thinking it would always be new. As I stood outside and admired the house it never crossed my mind that in 20-25 years the house would need new shingles, siding and windows. In my world, ‘new’ should last forever.

 I love that Paul paints a picture of believers in Christ being a new creation, but I wonder if for some of us the newness becomes comfortable, rather than new. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor 5:17 NIV)

Expecting Something

During our Sunday School hour a transient showed up on the church doorstep looking for more than the hand of fellowship; she wanted money. Her car had broken down, she was in need of food, she had no family support, she had some past encounters with the law, she was down on her luck…etc.

I’m reminded of the crippled beggar, who was carried every day to the temple gate to beg for money. One day when Peter and John were at the temple, the beggar looked at them expecting to get something. However, Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6 NIV)

So often the church today feels obligated to offer silver and gold in the form of gift cards for groceries, gas or motel rooms to transients. I can’t help but wonder if we would do better to give these nomads what we do have…Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Leading a Rebellion

Recently a local veteran group installed a retired colonel as their new leader. Reading his quotes in the newspaper the commander isn’t satisfied with simply leading the local chapter of veterans. Taking issue with the government for not listening to the people, he is prepared, if necessary, to start a revolution, overthrow the government, and run all the non-patriots out of town.

Apparently his new found authority has gone to his head and he hasn’t yet noticed that the troops he is trying to rally are no longer on active duty. They don’t have to obey his leadership…nor do they have to pay their dues to the organization. “A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.” (Proverbs 16:29 NIV)

Bizarre Bizarro

A recent Bizarro comic strip titled Divine Intervention depicts God as downcast, sitting on a heavenly cloud surrounded by three angels.

One angel places a consoling arm around God’s shoulder and a comforting hand on his arm. Another angel-scribe reads from a piece of paper and the dialog bubble reads, “…and then there was the weekend bender when you reached rock bottom and created man.”

The take-a-away for the readers is:

·       God drinks

·       God can’t remember

·       God not only makes mistakes, but grieves over his lapse in judgment

·       God hits rock bottom

·       This is only one in a long of mistakes that God has made

·       Angels keep a scorecard on God

·       A function of angels is to console God and remind him of his errors

·       Angels are superior to God because they don’t lose control

I’ve asked my local newspaper publisher to consider dropping the syndicated comic strip. It’s not merely offensive to believers, but it mocks God. “How long will the enemy mock you, O God? Will the foe revile your name forever?” (Psalms 74:10 NIV)

Firmness Test

A few days ago we had a new cement driveway poured and after less than eight hours Bill wanted to see if it had cured enough to walk on so he stepped onto the green cement. Now this is not like sticking a toothpick into a cake to see if it is done, or testing in an inconspicuous place. This was more like pushing in the middle of the cake to see if it would spring back.

The next morning as I looked over the driveway there were the outlines of two footprints. Fortunately for Bill the outlines are only in the film on the surface and will eventually wear off, but had the cement not been set enough, it would have been like Bigfoot in a bakery.

“Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:26-27 NIV)

Picking and Choosing

A recent discussion on baptism ended with the speaker saying, “Although I don’t have Biblical evidence to back up my thoughts, it’s my personal opinion that there will be some people in heaven who have not been baptized.” I’ve really struggled with his comment because it seems to water down baptism and put it in the area of personal choice. Peter is very clear, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39 NIV) If we set aside baptism as part of forgiveness of sins, can we also set aside repentance?  I can’t imagine anyone saying, ‘It’s my personal opinion that there will be some people in heaven who have not repented.’

The Price of Contrition

Celebrity chef Paula Deen offered an apology for using racial slurs in the past. She admits to using hurtful language and in a video apology states, “I’m begging for your forgiveness. Please forgive me.” Although her brand has been dropped by a couple of sponsors, many of her fans are standing by her with the attitude that ‘we all make mistakes’.

Discussing the situation during a TV news segment a guest commentator questioned the sincerity of Deen’s apology. He suggested that in order for her to really show contrition, she should donate the proceeds of one of her cook books to some group that furthers the cause of racial diversity.

Unfortunately many of us are just like the commentator when we put stipulations and price tags on forgiveness. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph 4:32 NIV)

The Spirit Within

The reality show called Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition follows an overweight person for a year and documents their struggle and their success with losing weight. One episode is of a 21 year-old woman who has been overweight all her life and started the program weighing in at 369 pounds. “I’ve always asked God to just someday let me see what it feels like to be skinny. The person I really am, the one on the inside is trapped in this body.” Although the situation itself is not funny, I have to laugh when I imagine what the indwelling Holy Spirit might say, ‘Just someday let me see what it feels like to be righteous and holy. The Person I really am, the One on the inside is trapped in this body.’

Storm Warning

Some people who thought they could ride out a category 1 hurricane didn’t heed evacuation warnings. One man who suffered loss tried to blame the weather service for his failing to take action by saying, “No way was this a Category 1!” I can imagine those who fail to respond to the warnings of the Second Coming will also be looking for someone to blame. “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thess 5:1-3 NIV)

Weekly Visitation

A City Councilman just bought a new home in another area of town and he will no longer live in the district to which he was elected. According to the City Charter he must vacate his seat if he moves out of his district, however, his current term doesn’t expire until next year and he desperately wants to hang onto the seat. One of his excuses for not changing his address officially is that he is still doing repairs on the new house. If the conversation on the street is correct, say he’d like to ‘live’ at his old residence during the week and ‘visit’ his wife and five children on the weekend. I’m indignant. He swore to uphold the Charter, which he is now trying to manipulate, and his in-action to vacate the seat while continuing to draw a salary borders on fraud. Hmmm. Not much different than believers who want to keep their feet in both worlds. They accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and think they can just visit Him on weekends.

The Bride of Christ

I listened to the 40-something speaker decry the traditional church in favor of a home-based church model. He described his previous experience as being all encompassing – he was the right hand man to the preacher and the go-to-guy for everything going on in the church. Disillusioned, discouraged, and spiritually drained he walked away from the mega-church and for four years wandered in the wilderness. With some pushing and prodding from friends he discovered an outreach church in another State, which he now describes as the ‘real’ church. No one would doubt his enthusiasm for the Lord’s work, but his anger with the organized church permeated his presentation.

 As he denounced the traditional church, some in the audience nodded in agreement as they reflected on the faults within their own church. I on the other hand, wanted to stand up and say, ‘Wait a minute…The traditional church has a few warts, but we are still the body of Christ too!’

 

Certainly people can throw rotten tomatoes at the established church if they so desire, but it gives me the image of the Bride of Christ being pelted with criticism as she walks down the aisle to meet her Groom.

Recall

The June 4, 2013 edition of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel has an article written by reporter Charles Ashby on the recall effort against Senator John Morse. At issue is the work Morse has done to push on the passage of tougher gun-control laws. In the article Mores’ detractors are charging that he is not the same person he was when he was elected. The article states, “Mores, however, said it wasn’t him who changed, but the circumstances.” Interesting deflection. Unfortunately that same attitude weaves its way into the body of believers when we bend to the circumstances in today’s society. However, Paul reminds us of why we need to be alert and mature, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Eph 4:14 NIV)

Following Directions

Last week I served as the chairman of the Election Credentials Committee for my local electric association. We go to great lengths to ensure the election process will withstand any and all scrutiny, but unfortunately every year a few members get incensed when their ballot is rejected because they failed to follow voting requirements.

One member verbally assaulted a Customer Service Representative when she told him his ballot could not be dropped off, but rather had to be mailed, or personally hand delivered to the meeting. He became irate and described the ballot in explicit terms telling her where she could put it.

Another member was highly agitated because we wouldn’t accept his ballot after the polls had closed.

And then there were the argumentative people who showed up with multiple ballots that they wanted to submit for friends and family.

It’s interesting how we always want to blame others for our failure to follow directions. As believers we too have some instructions to follow, but you can bet that when the Lord returns there are going to be those who will want to argue with Him.

Discovery

In the late 1990’s I picked up a new, in the box, electronic game at the thrift store. Although we never had the instructions to the game, we could sort of play one of the concentration games with either one or two players.  Over the years the toy would rise to the top of the toy box and then once again settle to the bottom. Just the other day seven year-old Lydia was reading one of her daddy’s old books and the instructions sheet to the electronic game fell to the floor. What a surprise. We didn’t even know there was an instruction sheet, much less that it was missing. Chuckling we read directions to one another and discovered which buttons to push in order to play a host of different games. “So this is how it works! Well now, this game is worth something. Check this out, this is really cool.” I can see this same scenario being played out with our Bibles. Some of us are content to learn just a little portion of Scripture here and there, but when we do really get into the Word and read the instructions we’re amazed by what we discover.

Makeover

There are a variety of television reality shows that focus on transformations – people, houses, restaurants. Recently I read that a local spa is taking contest applications for a ‘Body and Soul Makeover’ and I have to tell you I’m feeling a little indignant on behalf of the Spirit. But on second thought, maybe the Spirit and those in the heavenly realms are getting a good laugh at the idea that a spa massage and soothing music can actually makeover the soul. “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”  (1 Peter 2:25 NIV)

Acquisitions

At a writer’s conference I discussed a book idea with an acquisitions editor of a Christian publishing house. Although my concept didn’t fit with their current needs, the editor strongly encouraged me to submit to the secular, rather than the Christian market. He reasoned that religious writing meant to hold the church accountable did not have an audience. Curious, I brought up Paul as an example. Paul did not mince words, putting both individuals and churches on notice and exposing their sins – sexual immorality, false idols, impurity, just to name a few. I was flabbergasted by the editor’s response, “Yes, but Paul was in prison so he could say whatever he wanted to say. He wouldn’t lose his job. Preachers [today] won’t preach tough stuff, because they would lose their jobs.” If in fact this editor knows what he is talking about, our pulpit or ministry search committees need to take another look at their acquisitions.

Back to the Basics

At a recent writer’s conference I signed up for a fifteen minute appointment with a technology specialist to talk about social media. I admitted that I have never used Facebook because of all the horror stories, but I proudly proclaimed I was just beginning my 7^th year of blogging.  

 With a grin he said “Well, that’s good. At least you aren’t afraid of blogging.” He went to the Christian Ear blog site and, as though it were somehow inferior, he said, “Oh. You’re not on Blogger, you’re on Blog spot.” It appears my blog is in the wrong neighborhood.

He preceded to quickly diagnosis some of my blog’s aliments by telling me my titles were not catchy enough and the paragraphs were too long. Huh? “You should never write a paragraph over four sentences long and a one sentence paragraph is acceptable. You need more white space around your paragraphs and a photograph of yourself.” Apparently people are more attracted to short thoughts that will fit on their cell phones and they want to see who is doing the writing.

 “Have you ever read a book on blogging?” Well of course I did…seven years ago.

It appears I need re-education in blogging, Twitter...and Facebook.

Spiritually speaking, I suppose one could find themselves in a similar predicament if they hadn’t picked up their Bible in seven years.

Specializing

While attending a recent Christian Writer’s Conference we were reminded that the publishing industry is changing rapidly because of eBooks, blogs and Twitter. Where authors once had publishing houses and editors to help them through the maze of getting published, today’s writers must take on more responsibility for marketing, promotion and selling their own books. The angst between authors and publishers is at a heightened level with authors saying, “What am I paying you for if I have to do all the work myself?” and publishers saying, “We can no longer afford to take a risk on an unproven author or books that may not sell.” I see something similar happening in the church. Years ago the preacher seemed to do everything with help from a few leaders, but then the focus moved to having a paid staff who specialized in youth, seniors and singles. Many of us then abdicated our serving to staff because after all, aren’t we paying them to serve?

Evangelism 101

I took my grandkids to play at a family entertainment center where they made friends with five-year-old Shaylee, who could be overheard telling her grandma, “I’m really having fun with my two new best friends.” About an hour later seven year-old Lydia came to me downcast saying, “I don’t think I like Shaylee anymore. She told me that she didn’t have to love everyone if she didn’t want to.” I know exactly how Lydia feels. There are times when, even as adults, our attempts at witnessing, evangelism, and fellowship get rebuffed simply because we’ve applied the Lord’s commands to the wrong audience. Jesus was speaking to his disciples when He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV)

Leading By Example

My friend David is a PK (preacher’s kid) who in now in his 70’s. One Sunday during the invitation when he was nine years-old his friend sitting next to him went forward. David, who wasn’t going to be left behind, followed his friend up the aisle to the altar where he too made the confession of faith. The following week his dad was satisfied with David’s understanding of accepting Christ and he proceeded to be baptized. A life-long believer, David was recently selected to serve as an elder in his current church. However, before officially taking on the position as elder David surprised the congregation by going forward to be re-baptized. “It was just something that I needed to do. It’s always been in the back of my mind that my motivation for going forward the first time was because I was following my friend.” I have to smile when I think that David is once again following his Friend.

Whatever You Do

The church group Care Givers was discussing ideas on what they could do to support a fellow believer who was critically ill when someone mentioned that people could donate blood. Whipping her head around one woman said, “What did you say? Really, we can donate blood? I’d rather do that than cook a meal any day!” You’ve got to love it. I can only imagine the reaction if asked to take a meal to a shut in and one responded, ‘I’ll donate a pint.’ Paul reminds us, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:17 NIV)

Likability

In giving her report on the local Prison Ministry, Ms. Clair congratulated our small congregation on supplying 100 dozen homemade cookies for the ministry’s yearly retreat. She went on to explain that at the end of the retreat each participating inmate was given a small bag of cookies and they were instructed to give them to someone they disliked. The implications of this unique lesson were formulating in my mind when she continued, “The majority of the bagged cookies were give to a prison guard that most of the inmates don’t like.” I have to wonder if I would have had the same courage displayed by these men if I were asked to do something similar in the work place, the church environment, or in social circles. “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28 NIV)

Life Support

The longer a blog is in existence and as reader activity increases, the more susceptible that blog is to SPAM. Interestingly the Spammers I hear from are getting more sophisticated and are now using a more conversational tone in order to get me to link to their website. One recent blog comment that came in read, “And I actually do have some questions for you if it's allright. Is it just me or does it appear like some of these comments appear as if they are coming from brain dead folks?” I had to smile because Steve Corey is the only person who consistently comments on my blog. People of the world are easily confused when they encounter believers. They assume we are brain dead, when in reality we’re simply on Spiritual Life support.