For or Against

An incident was reported in the newspaper about Martin Luther King Jr. being arrested in the 1960’s. Both President Kennedy and his brother, Robert Kennedy, worked behind the scenes to help garner Mr. King’s release. It’s interesting that King tried to minimize their participation in his release from jail because, campaign-wise, he didn’t want the Kennedys to benefit from his name recognition. I was reminded of the disciples trying to stop a man from using the Lord’s name to drive out demons simply because the man was not one of them. Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:50 NIV)

The Greater Debt

I stumbled onto an interesting phrase that apparently has been around for a long time, but it was new to me. “If I owe you $1,000 I’m in trouble; if I owe you $1,000,000 you're in trouble.” The thought provoking observation has a familiar sound. Jesus was having dinner at the home of a Pharisee when he told his host about two men who owed money to a moneylender. One man owed 500 denarii, the other 50. Neither had the funds to repay their loans, so the moneylender cancelled the debt for both. Jesus then ask Simon, “Now which of them will love him [moneylender] more?” Simon judged correctly when he said, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled.” So, now I’m wondering about our debt in salvation and whether one person’s debt is greater or less than another’s.  (Luke 7:42-43 NIV)

Excommunication

One of my on-line college classes is titled “Historic Christian Belief” and it has my head spinning with all the theories and heresies that have been handed down through the centuries. On the day of Pentecost, A.D. 431, during the Third Great Ecumenical Council, Nestorius was excommunicated before his supporters could arrive.  Then, “When the bishop of Antioch and his party arrived a few days late, they in turn excommunicated the Alexandrians!” And today we get heartburn and change churches over hymns vs. praise songs…seriously?

Déjà vu

We recorded the Denzel Washington movie Déjà vu on our cable box and the movie it true to its title because now it refuses to be deleted. Apparently it has taken up permanent residence on our movie list. As believers we also deal with a spiritual déjà vu of sorts. We have inactive sin issues sitting on the shelves of our minds and while we may not always be able to erase the identifying titles, we don’t have to replay them just because they are there. Paul addressed this struggle, “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” (Ro 8:5 NIV)

Unencumbered

In this type of weather Charlie the dog climbs over snow banks and gets snow packed between his toes. Then he stands there with his paw in the air waiting for you clean off his foot. When we’ve put booties on him, he gets indignant and sidesteps down the sidewalk shaking first one leg and then another trying to throw off the booties. If you think a one-dog Conga Line you get the picture. Charlie’s antics remind me that I too have a few things I need to throw off. “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Heb 12:1 NIV)

One-Way Ticket

A Utah man, who is one of 1,058 applicants, is one step closer to getting a one-way ticket to Mars. The proposed flight is more than a decade off, but if chosen he would be leaving behind his wife and four young children; the youngest of which is now only six months old. The man admits to being, “kind of selfish”, which at first blush is a good assessment. Surprisingly, the wife is trying to be supportive. However, she feels rejected and has considered divorce so that she can go on and make a life for herself and the children. This scenario does give me pause when I consider that believers also hold a one-way ticket which was purchased for us by the blood of Christ. It’s curious that the loved ones we will be leaving behind don’t seem at all concerned. No one knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return, but He says we are to plan ahead and keep watch, “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” (Matt 24:40-41 NIV)

Assertive

In a letter to a newspaper advice column a woman wrote that she is not a confrontational person, so she didn’t how to confront an ongoing family issue.  The columnist prefaced her response with, “You don’t need to be confrontational. You need to be assertive.” I love this change in vocabulary and thought. Many of us, including myself, often confuse the two. Without going into deeper study on the subject, my sense is that Scripture would have us be confrontational with sin and the believer caught up in sin, but be assertive in matters of faith and obedience. I’m wondering if my Christian character and witness might be strengthened if were I to adopt these two words as my new best friends.

Show of Support

During a potentially confrontational meeting the audience was silent and the chairman then complimented them saying that their silence on the matter was a “show of support” for the work that went into an agreement. I love the way this was handled on all sides because it toned down and defused the situation. However, when I apply this same scenario to the Church I come away with a different feeling. Around every corner people of religious convictions avoid awkward situation with silence, not only in our beliefs, but for any and every potential demonstration of the faith we have in Christ. Our keeping quiet on Scriptural matters results in a show of support to those who want to silence the Lord.

Identity

The lines between various Christian denominations are getting more blurred all the time. There are some leadership-types who would have believers compromise away our differences, all for the sake of their version of a unity. I like the fact that during the foundation of the Church Peter and Paul were sent to different audiences; Peter to the Jews, Paul to the Gentiles. These pillars of the church didn’t ask their respective followers to give up their own culture or history for one another. For instance, Paul would not let the Jewish believers impose their practice of circumcision on the Gentiles. Maybe rather than having a “denominational demolition derby” we should take a page from the early church and realize we can have unity in Christ without giving up our identity in fellowship.

Woe to You

My newly married niece, who is gay, recently sent out invitations for a wedding celebration. I was disappointed that one of the invitations, along with an RSVP, went to her 90 year-old grandmother. This older generation did not accept homosexuality and grandma found herself in an impossible situation. Trying to run interference, I discovered it was my sister-in-law who actually suggested to her daughter that she send the invitation. At first blush I thought there was a terrible lack of judgment all around. However, I then realized that God has already passed judgment in sexual immorality, so the issue is not with the gay niece, her marriage, or the invitation. The real problem is with those who encourage others to take part and celebrate sin. Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. (Luke 17:1 NIV)

Hurtful

I am amazed at the number of gays coming out of the closet and how they are welcomed with open arms, even in the church. One pastor recently lamented that he can see how his past sermons were hurtful to gays. If a believer in the church is a practicing homosexual, Paul says, “But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” (1Cor 5:1-13 NIV) We all have sin in our life, but if a person in the church is practicing adultery, practicing greed, practicing homosexuality, etc. we are not to associate with him. The Word of God is not negated because someone may find it hurtful.

Truce

An on-line article in Leadership Journal was about fighting Christians calling a truce during the holidays. I liked the premise of the article because sometimes we do look for reasons to pick a fight with one another over interpretations, denominations, and doctrinal points. The author, Pastor Bob Hyatt from Portland, Oregon called for a one week holiday truce saying, “Let’s forget, just for a moment that we are progressives, conservatives, emergent, Anabaptist, young-restless-and-reformed -that we are pro-gay marriage or pro-traditional family, that we are egalitarians or complimentarians, Protestant, Catholic or Orthodox…and just be followers of Jesus Christ.” For a moment there I thought maybe the author wanted me to play the game of “what doesn’t fit in this list”. Scripture is pretty clear that God has already passed judgment on same-sex relationships. It’s wrong for the pastor to put up a stumbling block by asking believers to reconcile with the sin of homosexuality, rather than reconciling with God. I have to wonder if the writer wants a truce with the pro-gay marriage contingent, would he object to a truce with the pro-abortionists, or pro-idol worshipers.

Slavery

During a TV interview a woman lamented she needed to dust off her resume because her unemployment benefits would soon expire. The AP is also reporting that even though jobless rates would drop, analysts were concerned that stopping the long-term unemployment benefits would result in less money, “…for consumers to spend on everything from clothes to cars.” Sadly many people in our country have become enslaved by government subsidies. Paul talks about the slave/master relationship for believers of his day, “Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.” (1 Cor 7:21 NIV) It will be interesting to see if eliminating the 96 weeks of long-term unemployment benefits might somehow force people to gain their freedom from government entitlements.

God Saw It Was Good

God’s first creation was light and He saw that it was good. The light He called “day” and the darkness “night”. God has already seen the light and the darkness of 2014…and He saw that it was good.

Senseless

A homeless man living under a bridge in a neighboring community was asleep in his sleeping bag when he was attacked and repeatedly stabbed. Sometime later the attacker returned to the scene of the crime and found his victim still breathing. He then used a rock to bash in the man’s head before throwing him into the river to finish the deed. The murderer flippantly confessed to his family that he thought he could get away with it and there was a thrill to the act. He told one of his friends that the bum woke up during the attack asking, “Why brother, why?” So senseless, and yet it brings to mind the first murder recorded in the Bible, the story of brothers Cain and Abel. Abel’s offering to God was acceptable, but Cain’s was lacking. In anger Cain took his brother out into a field and killed him; you can almost hear Abel asking “Why brother, why?” The Lord stepped in to confront the murderer Abel and said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” (Gen 4:10 NIV)

Honor You Father and Mother

There are interesting stories coming out of China about parents suing their children for neglect, both for financial support and emotional estrangement. One such story is about a 94-year-old half-blind woman who lives in a dark, damp, and cluttered storage space. Her only bathroom is waste-can beside her bed, which is too heavy for her to empty. Her sons protest that they are too old and poor to care for their mother, and the daughter-in-law is painted as a shrew. There really is no excuse for the children’s elder abuse; however I remind myself that this is the mother who raised these uncaring men. The story also reveals that the mother was widowed in a previous marriage, but her mother-in-law at the time set her free, releasing her from the care giving obligation. I was reminded of Ruth, who too was set free by her mother-in-law. Unlike the Chinese woman, Ruth chose to continue her care giving responsibilities regardless of the gift of freedom.  The outcome of each story is dramatic and eye-opening.

I Tell You the Truth

I sometimes struggle with speaking in love what I know to be the truth. Is my tone too harsh, my words too blunt, or do I sound unsympathetic or judgmental? Unfortunately many of us are so uncomfortable that we simply opt-out of speaking the truth at all. Paul, referencing spiritual infancy and maturity said, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Eph 4:15 NIV) Apparently there is an element of spiritual maturity needed for both parties if they are to hear and speak words ‘in love’. I wonder if a key to this love language is to follow the example of Jesus, “I tell you the truth…”

With Prayer

The Apostles questioned why they were unable to eradicate a demon from a possessed man and Jesus told them that this particular demon could only be driven out by prayer.  Certainly when we have a loved one in the throes of addiction we coalesce around them in prayer. However, I’m wondering if any of us ever bother to ask the person who is imprisoned, ‘Are you praying to the Lord, and if so, what exactly are you praying for?’ It may well be that the person we see being held captive doesn’t even want freed from his situation. For all we know his prayer may be simply that his family get off his back. Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mk 11:24-25 NIV)

Re-Gifting

More and more we hear of people re-gifting presents that, for whatever reason, were items they don’t need or want. I recently learned of a fruitcake that one family has lovingly passed around for years - that is a real fruitcake, not the collective family fruitcake. In a spiritual sense Paul told Timothy how to re-gift the Holy Spirit. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self–discipline.” (2 Tim 1:6 NIV) This Christmas season may we too re-gift and give to others the essence of the Spirit Who lives within us.

My House

We cheer when Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves in the temple courts. He chastised their activity by quoting Scripture, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’” (Matt 21:13 NIV) I’m now thinking about our homes. In the name of hospitality, and keeping the peace in the family, many of us have allowed others to occasionally bring their lifestyle into our homes - homosexuality, alcoholism, coarse language, grudges, bitterness, etc. Maybe it’s time for some of us to clean house and reclaim our own temple-homes. “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15 NIV)

Light of Observation

I just learned that a member of my extended family is drinking heavily and refuses to seek medical, psychological, or spiritual help. Because there has been a lot of alcoholism in my family I made myself available if he wants to talk, but I then began to wonder what I might say if given the opportunity. As I thought about how Jesus interacted with people I realized He often convicted people by simply stating the obvious. Examples would be, ‘You have had five husbands…, you of little faith…, you do not have in mind the things of God…, friend, do what you came for.’ It may be that shining the light of observation on the reality of a situation would be more thought provoking than focusing on the individual.

Let Him Serve

Each month our mission’s coordinator highlights a different local mission for the congregation to support. It’s always been curious about why the church collects food for the local food bank when everyone in the community knows the need and many in our congregation are already individual supporters. When the topic came up during a recent conversation the coordinator laughed, “Oh, my intention isn’t support for the mission; I’m just trying to motivate people to serve in the community.” Well, that explains a lot. It’s no wonder I’ve lacked an emotional connection to the monthly mission focus. Not that the coordinator’s efforts aren’t well intended, but it just seems like his efforts to motivate believers to serve is akin to preaching to the choir. Paul tells us that in the body of Christ there are many members with different gifts, but not all of us having the same function. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.  If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;…” (Ro12:6-7 NIV)

Superheroes

‘Tis the season for watching Christmas plays. Yesterday I attended a third grade student performance that had five superheroes interacting with those involved in the birth of Christ. The heroes - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Hulk, and Spiderman- had heard a rumor that a new Superhero was arriving on the scene and that He would save the world. The heroes were a little miffed because, after all, it was their job to save the world. They wanted nothing to do with a new Hero if He intended to replace them by eliminating their jobs. I’m wondering if there might not be a little bit of superhero complex in all of us. We get so caught up in saving the lost that we forget that our real job is to worship the King.

Back Talk

In my parent’s generation if you talked-back to an adult you were immediately backhanded. In my generation a sharp tongue resulted in a spanking. However, today parents are more apt to reason with a child, or take away their privileges. I recently had a sit-down talk with my grandkids about back talking. Eight year-old Lydia’s ability to articulate exactly what she is feeling sometimes gets her in hot water. In sharing my observations with them I mentioned that I hadn’t noticed David back talking, but the 10 year-old was quick to say, “Well, I think about it. I say it in my head; I just don’t say it out loud.” I chuckled at his confession, and then praised him for his honesty. Often we adults hold our tongues simply because it is the ‘mature’ thing to do, but we also need to recognize that taking our thoughts captive is the first step to teaching them obedience. “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)

Go Team Go

The Christian school fifth grade put on a play and one of the scenes had students divided up into teams. Rather than having the red team and the blue team, the names were Team Loyalty and Team Excellence. I began wondering if the Lord assigned believers to teams, which team might He would put me on. Would He put me on Team Obedience, Team Faithfulness, or would I be simply be designated the cheerleading mascot who warms the bench. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)

Gibberish

The interpreter for the deaf who signed for speakers at Nelson Mandela’s funeral has been employed for many events. However, at this funeral he was exposed as an imposter and a fraud who ‘spoke’ gibberish to the deaf when President Obama and other dignitaries spoke. Event organizers are now saying while the man is able to interpret; he is not a trained professional. When interviewed later the man excused his actions by saying he was schizophrenic and had seen angels descending in the stadium during the event. This gives me a whole new perspective to add to my thoughts on speaking in tongues and about those who step forward to interpret.  Paul reminds us, “So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.” (1 Cor 14:9 NIV)

Too Much of a Good Thing

My recently married daughter didn’t want to move her succulent houseplant across the state, so she left it in my care. The plant always looked spindly and thirsty, but I didn’t realize until it was too late that Bill was watering it also. I’m afraid we drowned the poor thing, or in Bill’s words, “We loved it to death.” Paul uses an agricultural analogy to show the lifecycle of the Gospel, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” (1 Cor 3:6-8 NIV) It’s wonderful that God rewards our labor, but now I’m wondering how He might feel about over-watering a new believer.

Before His Time

I’m in the early stages of learning Twitter, but because it allows you to use only 140 characters it puts ‘writing tight’ in a whole new perspective. I had to laugh thinking about the Apostle Paul literally being tongue-tied if someone limited him to 140 characters per thought. Jesus, on the other hand, was light years ahead of this generation with tweets and getting His message across with limited words. With 88 characters Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV) And with132 characters Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

Dilemma

Years ago one of the ‘rules’ for the prayer chain was that you not pass the request on to anyone other than the next person in your link. The concern was that a prayer need could be turned into gossip. Recently my friend was soliciting prayers, but she deliberately excluded asking one woman to pray because the woman was a known gossip. I understand both situations, but it is a bit of a quandary that has me asking questions. Does the Lord care if the prayer comes from a gossip? Should we try to micromanage prayer warriors? Can the request be worded in such a way that there is no fodder for the gossiper? Does the Lord want us to withhold asking for prayers simply because we don’t want a particular individual praying for us? I suppose the real question we should ask; does our fear of gossip trump our need for prayers?

Plank Pulling

Often believers withhold spiritual confrontation with one another for fear that the other party will get mad and/or accuse them of judging. I’m toying with the idea that I can in fact correct another spiritually, but must first admit that I too may have the same fault or sin. Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  (Matt 7:3-4 NIV) Jesus does not say to ignore the speck (the sin), but rather to examine ourselves first lest we have the same inclination. The question then becomes, do I recognize the craftiness in others because I too have craftiness to my character? Or, do I see adultery in others because I too have a lustful heart? I’m wondering if acknowledging our own craftiness or lustfulness then frees us to confront that same sin in others.

Holiday Message

I’ve noticed that the weakest sermon presentations occur in and around national holidays. Preachers will even joke from the pulpit, ‘I pulled my New Year’s Eve sermon out of the file and just dusted it off for today’s message.’ I understand the dilemma, because I fall into the same trap when I force a blog post to conform to a holiday. The Christmas message has already been said, there is nothing new under the sun, and it’s hard to come up with a new thought provoking idea for the season. Sadly pastors and speakers think their audience won’t recognize that they have fallen back on tried and true holiday rhetoric. Maybe the faith community would hear fresher material if we’d take a page from the retailer’s playbook and have Christmas in July.

Beached

Recently dozens of pilot whales have shown up in the shallow coastal waters of Florida and wildlife officials are trying to coax them back into deep sea, their normal habitat. At least 10 whales have already died and the fear is that more will succumb. The reports describe the situation saying, ‘the challenges are very, very difficult…the whales are not cooperating…it will be difficult for them to navigate out on their own.’ I have this image of similar situation within the extended church family. We can see friends and loved ones struggling in the shallow waters of the world, but getting them into deeper spiritual waters before the beach themselves is very, very difficult.

Fear

A promotion video clip for AMC’s War Heroes Marathon, which was televised on Memorial Day, caught my attention. If the title was given I didn’t catch it, but the movie appeared to be set in the Viet Nam era. Actor Sean Penn, who played the part of an enlisted Army man said, “Yea though I walk through the valley of evil, I shall fear no death.” Considering the evil that is in our world today I felt a connection with this twist on the 23^rd Psalm. Thankfully the more mature we become in the Word and in faith, we neither fear death, nor evil.

Obey

Obedience, depending on certain areas of our life, can be a struggle for all of us.  Recently I was taken aback by a speaker in church who added a caveat to his presentation saying, “If you don’t obey, you have never truly brought Jesus into your heart.” Ouch, that’s harsh…and not very well thought out. It would be wonderful if obedience magically appeared when you accept Jesus into your heart, but that is simply not the case. Just ask any parent or child, obedience is an acquired taste and a learned activity. While Jesus was never disobedient, He too learned obedience. The writer of Hebrews says of Him, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…” (Heb 5:8-9 NIV)

Table Talk

My large round oak table dinner table is one that my grandma purchased years ago at a yard sale for 25 cents. Grandma ran an old folks home and we always had four or five old-time gents eating family-style meals with us. Grandma, a staunch believer, never served a meal without first saying the blessing, so the prayers offered over this table would be too numerous to count. Although the table has been refinished, it is seasoned and worn with prayers, petitions and thanksgivings. I can only imagine what this cherished piece of furniture might say if it had a voice. Interestingly, John does give voice to the altar in Revelation. “And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”  (Rev 16:7 NIV)

To God’s Ears

I was doing some extended complaining to Bill about something that had happened and when I finally caught myself I went back and apologized to him for grousing an bending his ear. He accepted my apology with the caveat, “That’s OK. Nobody but me and God can hear you.” I chuckled, but his comment hit a nerve. We sometimes think our communication with God is similar to a light switch. We turn the switch on when we want God to hear our prayers and cries for mercy, but the switch is automatically off if we don’t specifically call on Him in petitions. “I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” (Psalm 66:17-20 NIV)

Condemned Already

We often worry about the salvation of people who are riding the fence, but we know that as long as they live, they still have the opportunity to accept the Lord. One of my college textbooks was thought provoking when it noted, “Believers enjoy eternal life in advance of the age to come, so unbelievers stand under the sentence of condemnation in advance of the Last Judgment.” It’s interesting that we have some level of comfort thinking that the unbeliever is somehow living in a continual stay of execution until they actually come before the judgment seat of Christ. We are so sensitive to the possibility of someone labeling us ‘judgmental’, that it’s hard to look at the unbeliever and know that today they are condemned.

Giving Thanks

Early Tuesday I had a breast biopsy and late yesterday afternoon the doctor called to say that it was benign. I told the doctor I had already made mental plans for a double mastectomy and he laughed and told me to cancel the appointment. I really didn’t think I’d been that worried, but the good news was followed by a huge sigh of relief and rejoicing. “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matt 10:30-31) Giving Thanks in all things.

Giving a Pass

A mainstream newspaper reported on the firing of a university student newspaper editor for plagiarism. The situation was newsworthy, but when the information was released the former editor was not named. The adviser for the students said, “We just felt like college is a time to make a mistake, not have to pay for it for the rest of your life.” Really? Extended plagiarism is not simply a mistake, or an accident – it’s deliberate. The issue that really caught my attention was the advisor giving the university student a moral pass that seems more age appropriate for the elementary or middle school student. Paul reminds us, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (1 Cor 13:11 NIV)

Rejoicing

My friend’s adult daughter was trying to return from a mission trip to the Philippines at the same time the typhoon hit the islands. Betty breathed a sigh of relief when her daughter landed safely back on US soil, however, she also felt a pang of guilt, “It just doesn’t seem right that I’m rejoicing when so many people in the Philippines are suffering.” It is curious that we sometimes stifle our rejoicing out of respect for others who are hurting. I have to wonder if our lack of rejoicing in certain circumstances translates to withholding our praise to God. “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (Psalms 32:11 NIV)

Humbling

I’m allergic to perfume and in my attempts to avoid people who wear it I sit in the back of the auditorium during worship services. My personal pew consists of one lone folding chair situated away from other people. I wouldn’t consider myself to be seated in the bleacher section, but neither do I consider the location a position of honor. A few weeks ago I was bowled over when one of the ladies came up to me before service and informed me she would be sitting in my usual spot. I located another folding chair and sat it behind her, with my back almost against the wall, but I had to laugh. Apparently I only ‘thought’ I had been sitting in the lowliest of positions. Jesus said when you are invited to a wedding feast, “…take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke14:10-11 NIV)

What You Ask For

Three months ago my friend had a breast biopsy and I prayed was that no cancer would be found. My prayer was answered, but the radiologist called her back last week for another biopsy. In hindsight I realize that my prayer should have been, if there is cancer, please let them find it. God does have a sense of humor. No sooner had that thought crossed my mind than I received a call from my own radiologist wanting to re-do my mammogram for clarification. Well there you go now; at least I know what to pray for in this situation.

Swaddling

A medical report out of the UK is causing debate on whether or not newborns should be swaddled. It is suggested that restricting leg movement in developing bones might cause hip problems in the future. One doctor who is against the practice said, “When a baby is growing let him grow.” I think the same can be said for the Gospel. When I hear something that isn’t quite in sync with the Word, my first reaction is to either restrict what is said, or correct the person saying it. I’m afraid I wouldn’t have handled the situation with Apollos quite as delicately as did Aquila and Priscilla. Apollos knew the Scripture, spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately; however, he lacked understanding in the area of baptism. “…When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” (Acts 18:26b NIV)

Betrayer

At the Passover meal Jesus revealed that one of his disciples would betray Him. Interestingly the reaction from the disciples was not one of anger, but one of sadness. One after another they said to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” (Matt 26:22 NIV) Certainly at this particular Lord’s Supper Judas was the only betrayer. However, when we partake of the Lord’s Supper each Sunday, the question might be asked, ‘Is there a Judas among us today?’ One who may be dipping his hand in the bowl as an act of ritual, rather than an act of remembrance. One who refuses to examine himself, or one who takes the emblems in an unworthy manner. ‘Surly not I Lord?’

Intonation

The communion meditation was given by an old-time preacher with a deep, rich voice. I was struck by how he affectionately caressed the Lord’s name every time he said ‘Jesus’. Similar to a singer holding a note, the speaker held the ‘e’ in Jesus and his emphasis delivered an unexpected depth to the Lord’s name. I tried to recall how I’ve said ‘mother’ and I realized that tone, inflection and intensity can all convey different types of affection. More importantly it occurs to me that when I use the name ‘Jesus’, it’s often very matter of fact and lacking emotion. I’m wondering if all of us should be giving the Lord’s name a little more vocal consideration. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:9-11 NIV)

Congratulations

I have always heard that the word blessed means “happy”. However, one of my New Testament text books calls that a mistake noting that those who mourn are not happy. The text says blessed actually means “congratulation to” and it reflects God’s estimate, rather than human emotions. The Lord’s words take on new meaning when read:
“Congratulations to the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.    
Congratulations to those who mourn, for they will be comforted.    
Congratulations to the meek, for they will inherit the earth.    
Congratulations to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Congratulations to the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.   
Congratulations to the pure in heart, for they will see God.    
Congratulations to the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Congratulations to those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Congratulations to you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matt 5:3-11 NIV)

Out of Poverty

A fellow believer lamented she would be lowering her financial support to the church because of a recent, long-term medical crisis. I sympathized, knowing that her reasoning was shared by many, but all the while the voice in my head was saying, our giving corresponds with our income, not with our expenditures. However, after further thought, I decided that my friend may have been saying that her current giving far exceeds that of a tithe and she regrets that she’ll no longer be able to be as generous. My thoughts turned to the widow who put two copper coins into the temple treasury. Jesus using the situation as an object lesson for his disciples said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark12:43-44 NIV) I’m not sure that I’ve ever known someone to ‘give out of their poverty’.

The Heart of the Matter

The Associated Press is reporting that America is following in the steps of Great Britain and establishing atheist mega-churches, supposedly for those folks who consider themselves spiritual, but not religious. One of the co-founders, Sanderson Jones, said the idea stemmed from a Christmas carol concert he attended six years ago. Apparently Jones loved everything about the concert, “…but it’s a shame because at the heart of it, it’s something I don’t believe in.” Apparently Jones and his fellow atheists think they can replicate a spiritual feeling in their fellowship without the Spirit in attendance. My first thought is to be indignant, but the truth is that these folks are no different than some of our churches today who try to enhance their services by borrowing elements of entertainment from secular concerts. The real danger I see here is the atheist trying to hijack spirituality – painting themselves as being spiritual and labeling believers being ‘religious’.

Palming It Off

Next week we’ve scheduled an all-church potluck dinner to celebrate not only Thanksgiving, but also paying off the church mortgage. There was a need for a presenter to recap our journey for the last six years, but a couple of men jokingly declined the position saying that they thought others were, ‘trying to palm something off on them.’ It’s interesting that rather than seeing this as an opportunity, it was viewed as an unwanted responsibility. I was reminded of Moses trying to squirm out of leading the Israelites out of Egypt. In order to help with Moses’ credentials, God gave him three different miraculous signs to perform in front of the people. Still hesitant, Moses responded that he was not the right man for the job because he was slow in speech and tongue. I have to laugh…Moses had three miraculous signs in his arsenal and he references his lack of eloquence as a speaker. Certainly miraculous signs are not warranted for our little potluck celebration, but it’s good to be reminded of the Lord’s words to Moses, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (Ex 4:11 NIV)

Seed-Planter

As I sample different apple varieties, the seeds popping out when I cut into them make me think of Johnny Appleseed – the legendary John Chapman, who planted apple trees and orchards across America. I know this pioneer seed-planter saw some of the fruit of his labor, because he made return trips to the orchards he planted. In one way or another, we today are still reaping the benefit of his labor. I’m now considering picking spiritual fruit from trees planted decades ago by our Christian forefathers. While I have this image of the Apostle Paul being the spiritual Jonny Appleseed of his day, I do wonder what history will reveal about the seeds planted by our generation. “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” (1Cor 3:6 NIV)

Veteran’s Day

Serving our country in the military is a badge of honor and we are grateful to all those who make that sacrifice and commitment. Recently there have been a couple of awkward Veteran’s stories making headlines in my community. Speaking as a Veteran myself, I’m somewhat embarrassed that these fellow vets would use their prior service as a weapon to fight against the rules of establishment. If you were to take away the military status from their argument, no one would listen to their entitlement agenda. I thought of the incident in the temple courts when Jesus, in righteous anger, turned over the tables of the money changers. No doubt the Lord also felt disappointment and embarrassment that these men would put their own occupations above temple worship. Jesus said to them, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer’, but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’” (Matt 21:13 NIV)

Passing Through

On occasion we’ve had people ingratiate themselves into the church and then after a time they abandon our fellowship and move on to another body of believers. It appears to me that rather than looking for a place to worship, they are looking for a place with a readymade audience of followers where they can teach, lead, and serve without oversight. This scenario happens frequently enough that I have this image of the congregation being assessed as a pitiful lot who needs someone to guide us into enlightenment. Unfortunately these pass-through folks don’t understand that the open arms of fellowship are not the same thing as an open door of opportunity for them to step into a leadership role. The Apostle Paul warned the church in Ephesus to stop giving false teachers a platform, because they were promoting controversies rather than God’s work. “Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” (1 Tim 1:6-7 NIV)

Contamination

On a recent hospital visit Bill took a step back when he was told he couldn’t enter the room unless he put on a gown, mask and gloves. Our friend Judy, a fellow believer, had a staph infection that was resistant to antibiotics. Speaking loudly from across the room she laughed, “It’s for your protection, not mine.” Even though she is not yet cured, the antibiotics finally started working and she is no longer contagious. I find it interesting that medical community understands infectious disease and they respond quickly with treatment and precautions. However, we in the church don’t even want to acknowledge the existence of spiritual diseases, much less try to protect ourselves and others.  Paul reminds us, “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (2 Cor 7:1 NIV)

Bad Tree

My friend gave me a couple sacks of Golden Delicious apples from the tree in his backyard. They were so good that they caused me to go on an apple kick. When I went to replenish the apple stock I bought a variety of Gala, Fuji, Red and Golden Delicious. The apples were blemish free and beautiful, but they were also mealy and lacking flavor. So now I’m wondering if the apples were simply picked at the wrong time, or if they were left setting in shipping crate for too long. Jesus often uses fruit analogies, but I’d completely missed the fact that a bad tree is still capable of bearing fruit – bad fruit. “Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” (Matt 7:17-18 NIV)

Casting Your Cares

Every Sunday before communion one of our men will give a brief meditation that leads the congregation to remember that the emblems, the grape juice and the wafer, represent Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Each meditation is unique as to how the speaker wants to unite our thoughts with the Lord’s Supper. Occasionally a speaker will grab my attention with the pre-prayer statement, ‘If you are burdened, you need healing, or maybe you have a friend with problems, now is a good time to bring those prayers and petitions before the Lord.’ I’m not saying it is wrong to cast all our cares on Jesus, but I’m just not convinced that during communion is the right time to lay personal needs before Lord. Jesus did not tell us, ‘Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup tell me your problems and your needs.’ Rather he broke the bread saying, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor 11:24-26 NIV)

Mind Reader

In preparation for getting married, selling her condo, and moving to the Front Range, our daughter and her dog, Charlie, lived with us for four months. For weeks I’d been trying to read Charlie’s mind as he demanded my attention by sitting at my feet and staring up at me with big brown eyes. Does he need to go for a walk, is he hungry, does he want to play, or is he asking for a treat? I have to admit that lately I’ve been more attentive to Charlie’s nuances than to those in the family. Thinking of this on a spiritual level, I’m now questioning my attentiveness to the Spirit. I stay active in the Word, so I’m not neglecting the Lord; however, I’m wondering if I should be looking for ways to be more sensitive to the Spirit. “However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”- but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor 2:9-11 NIV)

Princess Bride

During the weeks leading up my daughter’s wedding we brainstormed on the preparations, but all the suggestions stopped with the caveat, ‘this is your wedding, so you need to have things the way you want them.’ The choice in bridal gowns styles was almost overwhelming - long length or tea length, sleeves or sleeveless, white or off-white. Interestingly, Leslie made her final selection based not on current trends, or a specific look, but rather on feelings. “I want to feel like a princess.” All believers have given some consideration to the Lord’s return, that wedding feast of the Lamb, when He claims the church as the Bride of Christ. There will be rejoicing, however, I’m now wondering if I have been remiss in not thinking more about how I will feel. “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10 NIV)

Eyes to See

A gigantic front-end loader, not known for speed, was in a commercial parking lot waiting for traffic to clear before turning onto the highway. Immediately behind him was a brand new Cadillac with a munched in hood. I know it’s not funny, but I had to laugh. The driver of the car couldn’t possible have had any speed, other than rolling up to the stop sign before she too could enter traffic. So, how on earth could she not see the rear end of the piece of yellow equipment she was sticking her car under? The front-end loader was obviously unscathed and the equipment driver just stood there shaking his head. “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” (Proverbs 27:12 NIV)

Do You Not Know

So often when we come face to face with sin in society, we either don’t know what to say, or we are afraid to say anything to the offender. The Apostle Paul has an interesting teaching method that he used, particularly with the church in Corinth. When he encountered a sinful situation he would ask the offender, or the audience, ‘Do you not know…?’ To me it is as though he is saying, ‘Didn’t you get the memo?’ I’m thinking we could incorporate Paul’s method into our conversation skill-set today. Modern day examples that I can see using would be: Do you not know that abortion offends God? Do you not know that sexual immorality is an abomination to God? “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Cor 3:16 NIV)

Seeking Advice

An advice columnist recently got a letter from a mother of three young children - middle school and elementary age. Her question wasn’t about whether or not to get a divorce, but rather when to get a divorce. The children, and apparently the husband, had no inkling there theirs was not a happy family. However, the mother was miserable and didn’t think she could wait 10 years until the kids went off to college. She wondered if the children would handle the divorce better now, or when they got to high school. Obviously the mother was looking for divorce support from a non-invested party. I was reminded of King Rehoboam who consulted the elders that had served his father Solomon on how to rule the people. Rejecting their advice, however, he sought the counsel of the young men he’d grown up with. It is amazing how we seek advice from those we think will agree with our plans. “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin… (Isaiah 30:1 NIV)

Burdening the Church

The other day a woman looking for financial help called the church and I listened to her hard luck story. She lost her apartment, didn’t have a job or a car, and she could only survive for a week in her current circumstances. With every suggestion I made about where she might find assistance, she counter punched with justification on why it wouldn’t help. I told her the deacon in charge of our church benevolence would have to interview her first, but unfortunately he was recovering from surgery. She understood, and as if to say she was worthy of help, she said that she attended church with her mom. Then in a quick follow up she said, “But I can’t stay with my family because they don’t have room for me.” Tactfully (at least I think I was tactful) I told her that it’s a family’s responsibility to take care of each another so that the church won’t be burdened. Abruptly she said good-by and hung up. “If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.” (1 Tim 5:16 NIV)

Here comes the Bride

My daughter, Leslie, is getting married tomorrow and for six months we’ve been in the midst of all the preparation trying to make everything perfect. This last week we’ve been putting the finishing touches on the bride herself – the dress, shoes, and make-up selection. A few days we’ve timed how long it takes to style her hair and played with different hair care products to see which one gives her the desired look she is after. I’m now wondering if we believers get so focused on getting to heaven that we forget the daily preparations needed for being the Bride of Christ. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” (Rev 19:7 NIV)

Drinking the Kool-Aid

I’m starting on-line classes again and one of my text books, written by Robert H. Gundry, is titled A Survey of the New Testament. Putting the NT in historical context, Gundry describes the varying sects of that day - Sadducees, Pharisees, and Essenes - and to what extent they followed or manipulated the law. Apparently the legalism of the Essenes exceeded that of even the Pharisees, and they were obsessed with ritual purity. “To maintain ritual purity, they even refrained from bowel movements on the Sabbath; and to symbolize that purity they wore white robes.” OK…I can understand someone coming up with such a hair brained idea, but what I don’t get is their being able to convince 4,000 others to go along with it. “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” (1 Tim 6:3-5 NIV)

Rebuke

Scripture not only recommends, but instructs us to rebuke one another when necessary and appropriate. Most of us are still working on the love one another aspect of being a disciple and the call to rebuke others is way down at the bottom of our must-learn-how-to-do-list. Personally I think we should take a page from Jude. “The archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Maybe when a fellow believer needs discipline or correction we should simply ask the Lord to do it. (Jude 9 NIV)

Self-Made

I’m still chewing on the newly established Community Spirit Church. This congregation purports to have a wide embrace where it is OK to bring your whole self and be real, implying that people are closeted in their worship. Their spokesperson said, “This church is still growing and developing its identity, something it will continue to do over the next few years.” Fascinating…I can only imagine what these folks will look like once they have come up with a fully developed spiritual identity. For believers, our identity is in Christ, we are created to be like God. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph 4-22-24 NIV)

Open Door Policy

When it comes to weddings, many churches place restrictions on their facilities, such as not allowing dancing, or alcohol consumption on the premises during receptions. It’s interesting to me where some churches draw the line. I just read that a local Episcopal Church is partnering with other groups and organizations for space in their facility. One of their partners is the newly crafted Community Spirit Church. According to the newspaper report this new addition to the religious landscape describe themselves as a, ‘theologically open-minded congregation’ who takes their faith and the Bible seriously, however, they do not take the Bible literally. It’s almost funny…if it weren’t so sad. While most churches work hard at keeping new age influences out of their buildings, others throw open the doors and invite them in.

Looking Back to See

At 0’Dark 30 I took Charlie, the dog, out to the back yard for his predawn relief. He was in front of me on the sidewalk, while I was shinning the flashlight ahead of us so we could see where we were going. A couple of times he stopped and looked back at me as if to say, ‘Are you coming?’ I laughed and thought, ‘You silly dog, I’m the one holding the flashlight and lighting your way…of course I’m coming!’ I suppose we believers are sometimes no different than Charlie. Our forward progress gets stuck because we’re looking back trying to reassure ourselves that the Lord is still there. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NIV)

The Victory

Recently a friend in his 80’s dropped dead from a heart attack. No ambulance, no hospital, and no nursing home. I have another friend who is fighting cancer and desperately wants to live, but the prognosis is for only a few months. Sometimes we believers forget that, just as God has plans for our life, He also has pre-planned our death. Neither we, nor Death, gets to choose the time, place, and means for our dying. Our death scenario was chosen with God’s purpose and our obedience in mind and I wonder what is in store for my passing from death into life. God didn’t allow Jesus to have a heart attack or succumbed to cancer, but rather He sent the Lord to the cross. “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:54-55 NIV)

What You Ask For

For most of her life my octogenarian friend has been a writer, however it wasn’t until this past year that her first book was published. Although she fulfilled every writer’s dream of becoming a published author, her writing has now taken a back seat to the marketing, selling and promoting of her book. Just listening to her schedule of networking, book signings and publicity endeavors makes me tired. Betty laughed, “I don’t know if it’s worth it at my age to even think about writing another book.” I was reminded of the old adage that says, ‘be careful for what you ask for, because you just might get it’. God gives us the desires of our heart, but it is within in His will, His timing…and when we are fully equipped to go beyond our desires.

Pet Names

A few weeks ago I was walking the dog in the park when a young man in his late teens was struggling with his unleashed pit bull. While the dog was on an exploratory mission, the owner kept calling, “Allah, Allah…come here Allah.” I could only shake my head at the choice of his pet name. And then this week I had to laugh at the absurdity of the Malaysian court of appeals handing down a decision that if you are non-Muslin, you cannot speak the name Allah. Thankfully our God is the Living God. Believers are restricted from taking the Lord’s name in vain; however, anyone is free to call on his Name. “As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Ro 10:11-13 NIV)

The Voice

In an Associated Press article Tom Coyne reported on an Indiana family who lost their 19-year-old daughter in a car accident in 2008 and for the last five years they have paid the cell phone bill so they could listen to their daughter’s voice mail greeting. Unfortunately, in a routine upgrade the service provider deleted the greeting and the family is once again grieving because of the loss of their daughter’s voice. I can picture the disciples in the same state of grief knowing they would never again hear the Lord’s voice. However, Jesus told them, “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)

Donation

I recently received a campaign invitation to spend an evening of discussion with a candidate. The fundraising component of the invitation gave me whiplash, “Minimum $50 donation recommended not required.” Sadly, we believers can sound the same way when we manipulate Scripture and make it more palatable. Some in today’s church infer that God would accept, ‘minimum love-donation 100% is recommended but not required’. Jesus is not ambiguous about the Greatest Commandment in the Law, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matt 22:37 NIV)

Networking

Normally on a church prayer chain there is some known association with the person making the request, but occasionally there will be a friend of a friend request. Recently, as the result of a chance meeting, during a shopping trip, a request came in third hand. The need was for a kidney transplant; however the request didn’t relate to the transplant list, surgery, or finances. Rather it was for a donor who would be willing to be tested for compatibility and if there were a match, would then donate a kidney. At first I was a little taken back by the enormity of the request, but that was followed by uneasiness that the prayer chain had just become a networking tool – with man helping man. Referring to the battles within us, James said, “…You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:2b-3 NIV)

Reading the Cues

Charlie the dog will bring me a squeaky toy when he wants to howl and a dog biscuit when he wants to growl and play keep-away. Of course there are also those times when he gives me a stare down and I haven’t got a clue as to what he wants. In thinking of it from Charlie’s perspective it’s entirely possible that rather than my being attentive to him, maybe he’s being attentive me. I’m wondering if he thinks I am the one in need a lift, so he offers a song of howling, or that he is entertaining me with a little bit of keep-away. During those stare down moments it just might be that he is asking me what I want from him, rather than vice versa. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 55:8 NIV)

What a Friend

My kids have introduced me to the on-line game Candy Crush Saga, a game of removing various types of candies from the board by matching three in a row. There are your regular jelly beans, lemon drops and red hots, but there are also special candies that have the power wipe out a line of candies, or explode in all directions. Along the way there are various obstacles that make the levels progressively harder, such as candies tied up in licorice rope or covered with jelly. Interestingly one of the biggest roadblocks is the requirement that you must ask three friends on Facebook to help you before you can proceed to the next stage. First, I had to join Facebook, then I had to find three friends who played the game, then I had to play nice with my new found friends and ask them for favors…such as additional lives in the game. Honestly I’d rather just play the game and not depend on others for my progress.
Not that this game models salvation, but more than a few of us approach the Lord in a similar manner. We want to play the game of eternal life, but we don’t want to have to go through our Friend, Jesus, to get that new life.

Measure of a Church

The change of seasons, holidays and the start of school can all cause a burp in the church attendance graph. I’ve noticed that most of us use attendance for taking the pulse of the church and it determines whether we think we are healthy, sick or coming down with something. It’s interesting that when the Lord spoke to the seven churches in Revelation, not one of the churches were evaluated on the basis of how many people were in attendance at their worship service. The Lord didn’t say, ‘To the angel of the church in Montrose write: I have this against you…you have let your numbers dwindle’.

Returning the Excess

When my eight year-old granddaughter Lydia, opened presents during her Birthday party the card from her great-grandmother contained money. The card read, ‘Here is $1.00 for every year.’ Lydia giggled as she counted the money, “There’s $10.00 here…and I’m only eight!” Without batting an eye or seeking any advice from the adults in the room, Lydia pulled out two of the dollar bills and handed them to me so I could return them to great-grandma Ruth. We all laughed at Lydia’s quick thinking and her childlike honesty, but the situation gave me pause. God often gives us more than we need or deserve, but how many of us so willingly give the excess back to God?

Blowing Smoke

I think it would be a great offense for a smoker to deliberately blow smoke in the face of a non-smoker. Yet time and again we see people throwing their personal agendas – racial prejudices, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs – in the face of others. My initial reaction to such situations is to put those people on my dislike list. However, I just realized that it is not actually the person I dislike, but it’s their rudeness in those circumstances. Merriam-Webster defines rude as: not having or showing concern or respect for the rights and feelings of other people: not polite. Obviously we can’t make anyone respect our rights, but we can expose their actions as rude, even if that person happens to be a fellow believer. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self–seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Cor 13:4-5 NIV)

Paved With Gold

My husband and I, along with a County Commissioner and his wife, play cards every few weeks with Marvin and his wife, Helen. As long as I’ve known him, Marvin has complained about the disrepair of the county road that goes past his house. Not a card playing night goes by without him gently bending the Commissioner’s ear about the lack of attention to his pot-holed county road. This last Friday we played cards at Marvin’s house and he jokingly asked the Commissioner how he liked driving on the county road to get to the house. Marvin passed away on Monday. I’m thinking the Commissioner is now off the hook and Marvin is content because there are no potholes in heaven. John describes the New Jerusalem, “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.” (Rev 21:21 NIV)

Behind Curtain # 1

The CDC has recently put out a very graphic anti-smoking media campaign called Tips From Former Smokers. In order to educate the public to the hazards of cigarette smoking, former smokers tell their stories and show the price they are now paying in the form of disfiguring and debilitating cancer treatments. In promoting the powerful campaign one supporter said, “These ads are pulling back the curtain on smoking.” Scripture does something similar when it exposes the consequences of sin and its effects on the lives of Biblical characters. I contemplating whether there would be any impact on people today if we believers were to pull the curtain back on our past sins and show the price we are now paying.

Witnesses

Last weekend the ladies at church hosted a wedding shower for my daughter, Leslie. They began the festivities by asking everyone to introduce themselves and tell something about their relationship, or interaction with the bride. It was a trip down memory lane as ladies recounted stories, memories and long forgotten accomplishments. Of course all the comments given were a tribute to Leslie and her character, but beyond being the proud mother of the bride, I think I actually caught a glimpse of heaven. The writer of Hebrews talks about believers being surrounded by a “great crowd of witnesses”, who are spiritual heroes of the past, but I had never thought of a living crowd of witnesses surrounding us today. The Lord is not the only witness when we give a drink to the thirsty, feed hungry and visit the sick. “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”(Matt 25:40 NIV)

Doors

A wheelchair bound man, who hadn’t had a date in years, thought his handicap was holding him back from having a girlfriend and developing meaningful relationships. He turned to Dear Abby for help and she directed him to organized agencies and social outlets. After encouraging him in his quest, she ended her advice with, “There is a saying, ‘Seek and ye shall find,’ and it applies to your situation.” (9/26/2013) It’s interesting the Abby would relegate the words of Jesus to simply being a ‘saying’, as though the phrase might well have come out of a fortune cookie, or the mouth of Confucius. For the record Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matt 7:7-8 NIV) People often confuse seeking The Door to the Father with doors of opportunity and fulfillment.

Carrying One Another’s Burdens

Recently there was a heartwarming story of a homeless man who was honored for turning in a satchel he found which was filled with almost $45,000 in cash and travelers checks. The man said that even if he were desperate, he wouldn’t have taken any of the money. The honoree lost his job of 13 years because of health reasons. He now lives a shelter, gets food stamps, and panhandles to make money for laundry and other necessities. Reportedly he said he, “…doesn’t want to be a burden to his relatives and that people at the shelter help him. He said God has always looked after him.” I appreciate the man’s moral compass which points to God and returning what belongs to another. However, I find it bewildering when people say they don’t want to burden their relatives, yet they have no problem burdening the taxpayer. I suppose it is easier for a panhandler to say he doesn’t want to burden his relatives than it is to say, ‘my relatives will no longer give me support’.

Offer of Proof

I find the tragic mall shooting taking place in Kenya to be very thought provoking. Laying siege to the expansive shopping mall, terrorists are killing Christians and anyone one else who is not Muslim. It is reported that the litmus test given to shoppers is that they must quote a certain prayer or say the name of a specific relative of Mohammad. If they fail the quiz they are immediately gunned down. I‘m thinking that if these demands and roles were reversed, where victims would be spared if they were Christian, many of them might still get shot. Sadly, people roaming the Christian landscape today might also fail the test because they can’t come up with the names of Jesus’ relatives, nor be able to recite the Lord’s Prayer.

Getting the Last Word

Last week an obituary became an Internet sensation when it exposed a 78 year-old deceased mother of eight as being the perpetrator of mental, physical, and emotional abuse on her children. AP writer’s Scott Sonner and Sandra Chereb reported the adult children were celebrating their biological mother’s passing and quoted one son as saying, “The main purpose for putting it [abuse] in there was to bring awareness to the child abuse. And shame her a little bit.” Maybe the adult children will gain some peace and community support through their very public revelations. However, the idea that it might somehow shame their mother is intriguing. The woman apparently felt no shame during her life as an abuser; it seems unlikely that she will feel shame when she stands before the Lord. Of course I have to remember the story Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus, who both died at the same time. Lazarus went to the place of righteousness and the rich man went to hell. The rich man’s torment must have finally reached a compassionate nerve because he said to Abraham, “Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.” (Luke 16:27-28 NIV)

Innovative

As though he were on an amusement park ride the child in the grocery cart came straight at me giggling and waving arms and legs in the air. It took me a second to realize the young dad was pushing the cart from the basket rather than the handle, giving his son the full effect of facing forward with nothing obstructing his view. They reminded me of bobsledders as they sped through the produce isle with the child as the driver and the dad as the brakeman. I am amazed at this innovative father who found a way to let his child look forward. I’m thinking we believers could learn something here…looking forward can be much more exciting than looking backwards at where we just came from.