There was a verse at the end of the reading in Psalm 78 this morning:
" He remembered that they were but flesh,
a wind that passes and comes not again." (ESV)
The verse above reads like this in the NLT:
"For he remembered that they were merely mortal,
gone like a breath of wind that never returns."
My life is like a wind that passes through and then is gone. God says I am but a mere mortal, just another soul living for a brief time and then is gone. But I don't want it to be like that, I want to be more significant than that.
I am in the middle of reading a book that Dwayne gave me for my birthday, The Passage of Power, the Years of Lyndon Johnson, by Robert Caro. This is not just another book about a man who became President of the U.S., Caro has written three others on this theme, but its time period covers the years 1960 through 1963, when this man, who had been a power in the Senate and significant in the political world, is elected the Vice President under John Kennedy, and becomes a nobody, the butt of political jokes and a symbol of "the fall of the mighty".
LBJ becomes a "mere mortal" during those years, a footnote in the annals of history, before he is thrust again into the limelight by the assassination of JFK. Those three years of obscurity almost destroyed the man, mainly because he had lost his position of power in the political world and seemed to have no other life to live.
Now, I confess that, according to my Kindle reader, I have only covered 30% of the book so far, and may have a different take on the man after I read the rest, but the contrast between the lives of a man, who goes from the "penthouse to the outhouse" in the terms of his perceived worth, is striking.
Most of us will not even end our lives by becoming a footnote of history. We may be a memory in the minds of a couple of generations, but most likely just a name in a genealogy chart or an inscription on a tombstone. We want to be significant, but don't. We end up becoming "a mere mortal and a breath of wind that never returns".
But even as our names may be forgotten over the years, our lives can still have an impact through our influence on others around us. An action or a word can change the life of someone, and who knows what that act will mean down through the years? We can't know, we can just do as God leads and let Him be the final arbiter of that.
We may be a "mere mortal" in the eyes of men, but in God's eyes we can one of His, and there is a world of difference in that.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
HFM=T+T
Last week at this time, I was getting ready to play in the Gathering Place golf tournament and really looking forward to it. It was an occasion to remember, but as I thought about it this morning, a conversation that I had with a friend from church, on that golf day, came back to me.
First a little about this man. He is much younger than I, has a wife and 3 kids, all pretty young, and his job is a high profile one with a regional bank. In fact, his partner for the day of golf was none other than the president of the Sea Island Co., the largest employer in our small area and the proprietor of the 5 star resort on these islands. My friend is a great guy, a dedicated Christian, and well connected to boot.
After chatting for a minute or two, he stopped and said "You know I have never forgotten what you said at that family night a couple of years back, and I think about how I can use that in raising my kids. Your ideas about creating happy family memories has stuck in my mind, and I want those kinds of things to be a part of the legacy that I leave to my family."
Fortunately, I kept that little talk on my computer, so I looked back at it this morning. The gist of it all was found in the formula that I made up to go along with the examples that I used, examples gathered from my kids the night before the event. This formula read:
HFM=T+T (Translated that stands for Happy Family Memories equals Time plus Togetherness)
I can see how those words and formula might affect a successful man with a growing family. Often his time is filled with work, and he recognizes those pressures that take him away from his family. We were fortunate, when raising ours, that we could make the time to do this stuff. Plus, since I like to play as much as any of my kids, it was a joy to do it all together, for me anyway.
Now all my kids, and their kids, live away from us, so I might not know all the ins and outs of their particular family life, but I do see them all doing things with their own, working, playing and just being together, making those kinds of memories for each one involved.
Copies available.
First a little about this man. He is much younger than I, has a wife and 3 kids, all pretty young, and his job is a high profile one with a regional bank. In fact, his partner for the day of golf was none other than the president of the Sea Island Co., the largest employer in our small area and the proprietor of the 5 star resort on these islands. My friend is a great guy, a dedicated Christian, and well connected to boot.
After chatting for a minute or two, he stopped and said "You know I have never forgotten what you said at that family night a couple of years back, and I think about how I can use that in raising my kids. Your ideas about creating happy family memories has stuck in my mind, and I want those kinds of things to be a part of the legacy that I leave to my family."
Fortunately, I kept that little talk on my computer, so I looked back at it this morning. The gist of it all was found in the formula that I made up to go along with the examples that I used, examples gathered from my kids the night before the event. This formula read:
HFM=T+T (Translated that stands for Happy Family Memories equals Time plus Togetherness)
I can see how those words and formula might affect a successful man with a growing family. Often his time is filled with work, and he recognizes those pressures that take him away from his family. We were fortunate, when raising ours, that we could make the time to do this stuff. Plus, since I like to play as much as any of my kids, it was a joy to do it all together, for me anyway.
Now all my kids, and their kids, live away from us, so I might not know all the ins and outs of their particular family life, but I do see them all doing things with their own, working, playing and just being together, making those kinds of memories for each one involved.
Copies available.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Seasons
I have always liked the differences in the seasons of the years. As one type of weather changes into another, a new set of conditions stretches outward toward the future. There is something out there that seems to say "look forward to something new and different and get ready for some new experiences".
For some reason this summer has seemed pretty long, and it is not over yet. We have had hot weather for many weeks and it is not even August yet. The time has seemed to slow down in its passing and the days move slowly toward the Fall season. Maybe when there is the prospect, no matter how far away it seems, of cooler days, the lingering days of summer, well, they just linger, lying there on the hot sidewalk.
I not only see the subtle changes in weather, however slow they may be coming, but I see those changes that come in my life as I get a little older. Not old, mind you, just a little older, as we all do. In my mind I can still do all the stuff I did 20 years ago, but my body just won't cooperate. Goodness knows, I try, but then I see that maybe, I really can't do it as well.
As I was in the atrium at church this morning before the service, I noticed a man in a baseball jersey sitting at a desk. I then heard him talking to another person about church league softball, and I walked over to speak to him. He was signing up people for a team to play in a coed softball league. He then asked if I would like to sign up, and my first thought was "yes". But then the memory of 20 years ago, when I last played, put a halt to that thought. When I realized that I could not catch the ball, could not throw it, or hit it, that earlier excitement stopped quickly. Then the remembrance of that popped hamstring on the way to first base at the field in Collegedale sealed the deal. No Way!
Life continues on, and changes are a normal part of that life. As in the way my body functions, so it is in other areas. Children grow up and move away with families of their own. Instances of importance in various avenues of life give way to new roles of observation and less of leadership.
God can use the circumstances of life to let me know what I need to be, and how I need to respond. I guess I could moan and groan and say "woe is me", but maybe a better way would be to ask the question, "what is out there for me now, something that God is leading me toward?"
OK, I'll try to listen, but I think I could still play....
For some reason this summer has seemed pretty long, and it is not over yet. We have had hot weather for many weeks and it is not even August yet. The time has seemed to slow down in its passing and the days move slowly toward the Fall season. Maybe when there is the prospect, no matter how far away it seems, of cooler days, the lingering days of summer, well, they just linger, lying there on the hot sidewalk.
I not only see the subtle changes in weather, however slow they may be coming, but I see those changes that come in my life as I get a little older. Not old, mind you, just a little older, as we all do. In my mind I can still do all the stuff I did 20 years ago, but my body just won't cooperate. Goodness knows, I try, but then I see that maybe, I really can't do it as well.
As I was in the atrium at church this morning before the service, I noticed a man in a baseball jersey sitting at a desk. I then heard him talking to another person about church league softball, and I walked over to speak to him. He was signing up people for a team to play in a coed softball league. He then asked if I would like to sign up, and my first thought was "yes". But then the memory of 20 years ago, when I last played, put a halt to that thought. When I realized that I could not catch the ball, could not throw it, or hit it, that earlier excitement stopped quickly. Then the remembrance of that popped hamstring on the way to first base at the field in Collegedale sealed the deal. No Way!
Life continues on, and changes are a normal part of that life. As in the way my body functions, so it is in other areas. Children grow up and move away with families of their own. Instances of importance in various avenues of life give way to new roles of observation and less of leadership.
God can use the circumstances of life to let me know what I need to be, and how I need to respond. I guess I could moan and groan and say "woe is me", but maybe a better way would be to ask the question, "what is out there for me now, something that God is leading me toward?"
OK, I'll try to listen, but I think I could still play....
Friday, July 27, 2012
A Psalm for Me Today
I resonate with the title of the Psalm reading for today as given in the Good News Version of Psalm 69:
A Cry for Help
That is so often my prayer as I read and see how far I fall short of what I feel God would like for me to be. It is easy for me to see myself in comparison to the standards that He sets up for righteousness, and that picture is not too good.
I had a friend tell me one time, in a comment to this blog, that I am too hard on myself, but he does not know the real me. I can see myself and I know myself deep down, not as good as God does, but better than someone looking from the outside. So here I am again today, comparing my life, as I live it out, to what I read about God's desire for my life.
And so I read in this Psalm these words that ring true to me this morning:
"Don't let me bring shame on those who trust in you,
Sovereign Lord Almighty!
Don't let me bring disgrace to those who worship you,
O God of Israel!"
I do not want the things that I do, or the words that I say, lead someone in the wrong way. I do not want to just look good on the outside for my own self glorification, I just do not want the added shame of being an example that someone else might follow and be led in the wrong direction. It is enough that I do not measure up, but to bring someone else along with me, that is really bad.
Reflecting on these verses almost want me to be a hermit. I could be by myself, in a spot where no one else but God would see me, and then I would not fall victim to this possibility. But I know that is not the way that God desires. He has put me in a place where my life is lived out before others. Whether it be in the church, or on the golf course, or at home, others are there and they see.
Even when I go into the prison and look around me at the inmates put there for various offenses, I am aware of my own sins, and I do not want the things that I say to them, be a stumbling block to their picture of God's love for them. I often pray for the words to say that might be the right path to lead them to Him.
So, it is fitting that I cry for help. Not to bring shame or disgrace on those who are Yours.
Help!
A Cry for Help
That is so often my prayer as I read and see how far I fall short of what I feel God would like for me to be. It is easy for me to see myself in comparison to the standards that He sets up for righteousness, and that picture is not too good.
I had a friend tell me one time, in a comment to this blog, that I am too hard on myself, but he does not know the real me. I can see myself and I know myself deep down, not as good as God does, but better than someone looking from the outside. So here I am again today, comparing my life, as I live it out, to what I read about God's desire for my life.
And so I read in this Psalm these words that ring true to me this morning:
"Don't let me bring shame on those who trust in you,
Sovereign Lord Almighty!
Don't let me bring disgrace to those who worship you,
O God of Israel!"
I do not want the things that I do, or the words that I say, lead someone in the wrong way. I do not want to just look good on the outside for my own self glorification, I just do not want the added shame of being an example that someone else might follow and be led in the wrong direction. It is enough that I do not measure up, but to bring someone else along with me, that is really bad.
Reflecting on these verses almost want me to be a hermit. I could be by myself, in a spot where no one else but God would see me, and then I would not fall victim to this possibility. But I know that is not the way that God desires. He has put me in a place where my life is lived out before others. Whether it be in the church, or on the golf course, or at home, others are there and they see.
Even when I go into the prison and look around me at the inmates put there for various offenses, I am aware of my own sins, and I do not want the things that I say to them, be a stumbling block to their picture of God's love for them. I often pray for the words to say that might be the right path to lead them to Him.
So, it is fitting that I cry for help. Not to bring shame or disgrace on those who are Yours.
Help!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Living or Just Existing?
As I read the Scripture in Matthew 27 this morning, I am struck by the reactions of several people to the events of the crucifixion of Jesus on that Friday.
The disciples of Jesus scattered, John to take care of Mary, Jesus' mother, Judas to commit suicide, but the rest in fear of the same punishment.
The women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, sitting by the tomb in sorrow.
Joseph of Arimathea taking the body and putting it in his new tomb.
The religious leaders, fearful of a plot to steal the body from the tomb, posting a guard there and making sure that no one could get into the area, at least without their knowledge.
All of these reactions to the events of that Friday, reactions of courage in the case of John and Joseph, reactions of sorrow by the two women, reactions of fear by most of the followers of Jesus, and the reaction of the high priests and Pharisees of concern lest their whole plot be negated by others. The disciples were worried that the religious leaders would come, and those same leaders were concerned that the disciples would come.
But who was anticipating the return of the man that was in that tomb? It looks like no one considered that possibility. The Pharisees remembered that Jesus had said he would rise in 3 days, but the others did not even remember that at all. There was no eager crowd surrounding the tomb area, waiting for Sunday morning in anticipation of the event.
Was that Sabbath Saturday just another day at the Temple, the events of the day before just filed away in the memory, a day of shock and disappointment for some and a day of no consequence for others?
I read all of this narrative and forget that real people lived all of this out. It is not just words on a page, but the story of flesh and blood folks, and I can see myself in all of that. I have to ask myself all those questions, probing the attitudes of the people involved to find mine.
Is this just another day, or is it somehow different? Is there any anticipation of something, anything? Could I hear Jesus say "I will be with you", or will I just get up from this exercise of writing and go about my usual day? Am I up or down or just existing? Does it matter?
Yes it does. Each and every day is a gift from God, and I need to treat this one as such. I may sit and wonder how I would have reacted in that long ago day, but what really matters is what I do about today.
Live and not just exist.
The disciples of Jesus scattered, John to take care of Mary, Jesus' mother, Judas to commit suicide, but the rest in fear of the same punishment.
The women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, sitting by the tomb in sorrow.
Joseph of Arimathea taking the body and putting it in his new tomb.
The religious leaders, fearful of a plot to steal the body from the tomb, posting a guard there and making sure that no one could get into the area, at least without their knowledge.
All of these reactions to the events of that Friday, reactions of courage in the case of John and Joseph, reactions of sorrow by the two women, reactions of fear by most of the followers of Jesus, and the reaction of the high priests and Pharisees of concern lest their whole plot be negated by others. The disciples were worried that the religious leaders would come, and those same leaders were concerned that the disciples would come.
But who was anticipating the return of the man that was in that tomb? It looks like no one considered that possibility. The Pharisees remembered that Jesus had said he would rise in 3 days, but the others did not even remember that at all. There was no eager crowd surrounding the tomb area, waiting for Sunday morning in anticipation of the event.
Was that Sabbath Saturday just another day at the Temple, the events of the day before just filed away in the memory, a day of shock and disappointment for some and a day of no consequence for others?
I read all of this narrative and forget that real people lived all of this out. It is not just words on a page, but the story of flesh and blood folks, and I can see myself in all of that. I have to ask myself all those questions, probing the attitudes of the people involved to find mine.
Is this just another day, or is it somehow different? Is there any anticipation of something, anything? Could I hear Jesus say "I will be with you", or will I just get up from this exercise of writing and go about my usual day? Am I up or down or just existing? Does it matter?
Yes it does. Each and every day is a gift from God, and I need to treat this one as such. I may sit and wonder how I would have reacted in that long ago day, but what really matters is what I do about today.
Live and not just exist.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
A Good Epitaph
Today, my reading in Psalms 72 is a psalm of David, interceding for his son Solomon, who will be the next king of Israel. In his prayer for his son, he asks God:
"May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!"
Then a little later he writes:
"For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has no helper.
"May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!"
Then a little later he writes:
"For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy."
Then he concludes by asking:
"May people be blessed in him"
It would seem that the focus of the prayer and David's expectations of God's blessings on Solomon have to do with his acknowledgment of the presence of the poor in the land, and the needs of those that have no power of their own.
Is God concerned about those who are poor, and those who are powerless in the land of Israel? Is He still concerned about those same people in our society, those who are designated as the underclass?
If He is concerned, His people should be also. Really concerned, not just to throw a dollar out to them sometimes or give money to organizations that help in this area, or do none of the above, but trust in the government to take care of all that.
I should certainly do those acts of kindness and concern in situations that He brings to my attention, but what else? What can one man do? What does God expect?
The least I can do is to ask God to open my eyes to see those that are in need, and not be so caught up in my own stuff that they are just scenery on my road. Uncaring and selfishness too often dominate my living. God help me to truly see.
What better epitaph could be written of a man than:
"People were blessed when he passed this way"
and saves the lives of the needy."
Then he concludes by asking:
"May people be blessed in him"
It would seem that the focus of the prayer and David's expectations of God's blessings on Solomon have to do with his acknowledgment of the presence of the poor in the land, and the needs of those that have no power of their own.
Is God concerned about those who are poor, and those who are powerless in the land of Israel? Is He still concerned about those same people in our society, those who are designated as the underclass?
If He is concerned, His people should be also. Really concerned, not just to throw a dollar out to them sometimes or give money to organizations that help in this area, or do none of the above, but trust in the government to take care of all that.
I should certainly do those acts of kindness and concern in situations that He brings to my attention, but what else? What can one man do? What does God expect?
The least I can do is to ask God to open my eyes to see those that are in need, and not be so caught up in my own stuff that they are just scenery on my road. Uncaring and selfishness too often dominate my living. God help me to truly see.
What better epitaph could be written of a man than:
"People were blessed when he passed this way"
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Who Is Calling?
Where does my worth lie?
I have heard it preached and said a lot of times. "your worth is not in who you are as represented by what you can do now, or what you have done in the past", but it is hard to break out of that performance mold.
When I was younger, a lot of the time my self worth rested on who I was in the business, or community or church world. It also had a lot to do with what I could do in the athletic arenas of golf, or tennis, or cycling or running. Not that I was great, or anything like that, but I was able to compete some at my age level. At least I was active and not a couch potato.
I confess that even today, I like to hear someone say, "I hope I can still do that when I am your age", and a lot of that talk centers around the sport activities that are still on my calendar. I like to play, and I still like to be relevant in those areas. I have bought into the whole self esteem mode of worth from performance, and some days God sees fit to point out the error of my ways.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to play in a charity golf tournament, held at an exclusive club that I had not played before. I looked forward to the event, partly because of the new venue, but also because I had been playing pretty well (for me anyway), and I could be a contributing factor for my team of friends. I could have, but I did not, and, when our team won the first prize in our flight, it was because the other team members performed well, and I was just along for the ride and the scenery.
Then God seemed to say, "put it all in perspective and realize where your worth comes from", as the verses from Psalms 62 showed up on my computer screen this morning:
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
I have heard it preached and said a lot of times. "your worth is not in who you are as represented by what you can do now, or what you have done in the past", but it is hard to break out of that performance mold.
When I was younger, a lot of the time my self worth rested on who I was in the business, or community or church world. It also had a lot to do with what I could do in the athletic arenas of golf, or tennis, or cycling or running. Not that I was great, or anything like that, but I was able to compete some at my age level. At least I was active and not a couch potato.
I confess that even today, I like to hear someone say, "I hope I can still do that when I am your age", and a lot of that talk centers around the sport activities that are still on my calendar. I like to play, and I still like to be relevant in those areas. I have bought into the whole self esteem mode of worth from performance, and some days God sees fit to point out the error of my ways.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to play in a charity golf tournament, held at an exclusive club that I had not played before. I looked forward to the event, partly because of the new venue, but also because I had been playing pretty well (for me anyway), and I could be a contributing factor for my team of friends. I could have, but I did not, and, when our team won the first prize in our flight, it was because the other team members performed well, and I was just along for the ride and the scenery.
Then God seemed to say, "put it all in perspective and realize where your worth comes from", as the verses from Psalms 62 showed up on my computer screen this morning:
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God."
My worth is only who I am in Jesus Christ, not on the golf course, in the community, or the professional world, or even the church. I find that I want the any glory for myself, and it is His alone, or should be anyway.
Come on, Don, you know it, but you sure don't show it a lot of the time. It is God calling you, not the Senior Tour.
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God."
My worth is only who I am in Jesus Christ, not on the golf course, in the community, or the professional world, or even the church. I find that I want the any glory for myself, and it is His alone, or should be anyway.
Come on, Don, you know it, but you sure don't show it a lot of the time. It is God calling you, not the Senior Tour.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Knowing and Living It Out
In the Psalm reading this morning, these words appear from Psalm 56:
"This I know, that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
"This I know, that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid."
This is a Psalm of David, and David says that he knows. There is a surety there. David has been through some tough times, and God has been there for him. Some of the bad times are the result of bad decisions on his part, and some because of the wickedness of his enemies, but he has seen the hand of God work in his life, pulling him out of the pits, self made and otherwise.
Benjamin Franklin, who is purported to be a Deist, and not a follower of Jesus, recognized this fact as he addressed the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He said:
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?
God works in the affairs of men. A blanket statement to be sure, but if I bring it closer to home, I know that God works in my life as well. The combination of the working of God in the lives of all men produces his outcomes.
It is only when I take the time to sit and think, that I see where God has worked in the past. Can I see His hand in the present, in my common ordinary life that I live out each day and in the very minute that I spend writing these lines? If I see it in the past and feel it in the present, can I not trust His hand to be there in the future as well?
I know that I am apt to move along the path of my life without much regard for God and His plans and desires. It is only when some verse or quotation stirs my mind, that I step back and acknowledge His work in my life and His call on it.
And so I know that He has led me to think about all of this today. I know it is true, but the question for me is: Will I remember it as I live out these hours before me? Reflection and remembering are good and profitable for a man, but is not living it out the desired end?
This is a Psalm of David, and David says that he knows. There is a surety there. David has been through some tough times, and God has been there for him. Some of the bad times are the result of bad decisions on his part, and some because of the wickedness of his enemies, but he has seen the hand of God work in his life, pulling him out of the pits, self made and otherwise.
Benjamin Franklin, who is purported to be a Deist, and not a follower of Jesus, recognized this fact as he addressed the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He said:
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?
God works in the affairs of men. A blanket statement to be sure, but if I bring it closer to home, I know that God works in my life as well. The combination of the working of God in the lives of all men produces his outcomes.
It is only when I take the time to sit and think, that I see where God has worked in the past. Can I see His hand in the present, in my common ordinary life that I live out each day and in the very minute that I spend writing these lines? If I see it in the past and feel it in the present, can I not trust His hand to be there in the future as well?
I know that I am apt to move along the path of my life without much regard for God and His plans and desires. It is only when some verse or quotation stirs my mind, that I step back and acknowledge His work in my life and His call on it.
And so I know that He has led me to think about all of this today. I know it is true, but the question for me is: Will I remember it as I live out these hours before me? Reflection and remembering are good and profitable for a man, but is not living it out the desired end?
Sunday, July 22, 2012
I Need Time to Sort This Out
This morning in church, John talked about who God is in relationship to each of His believers. I guess I had never looked at some of these truths in this way.
I know from the Scriptures that God is strong, powerful, a mighty warrior, an everlasting God, omnipotent, omnipresent, creator, and a lot of other things, but He is also:
Intimate and involved with each of His creations
Accepting and filled with joy and love
Warm and affectionate
Always with me and eager to be with me
Patient and slow to anger
Loving, gentle and protective
Trustworthy and wants to give me a full life
Full of grace and mercy
He gives me freedom to fail
He is committed to my growth and proud of me, his beloved child
I am the apple of His eye
All of the above come with a Scripture verse to back up each claim, but it is hard for me sometimes to think in those terms. I want to think of God as a Creator and an all powerful being, that rules over everything. I want to think that He is loving and does care about each one of us, but then I have to get it down to an individual person, me.
It is much easier for God to be just "out there, looking on", rather than wanting to be with me all the way. He wants to be "my Dad". He wants to be in relationship with me as I want to be in relationship with my kids.
That can only happen when I choose to spend time with Him, when I want His thoughts and advice, and when I make the effort to know what He thinks. I think it also takes a quiet time, maybe just thinking about all He is and wants to be, and trying to get my head around those facts.
My Heavenly Father is My Dad?
Let me digest that for a while.
I know from the Scriptures that God is strong, powerful, a mighty warrior, an everlasting God, omnipotent, omnipresent, creator, and a lot of other things, but He is also:
Intimate and involved with each of His creations
Accepting and filled with joy and love
Warm and affectionate
Always with me and eager to be with me
Patient and slow to anger
Loving, gentle and protective
Trustworthy and wants to give me a full life
Full of grace and mercy
He gives me freedom to fail
He is committed to my growth and proud of me, his beloved child
I am the apple of His eye
All of the above come with a Scripture verse to back up each claim, but it is hard for me sometimes to think in those terms. I want to think of God as a Creator and an all powerful being, that rules over everything. I want to think that He is loving and does care about each one of us, but then I have to get it down to an individual person, me.
It is much easier for God to be just "out there, looking on", rather than wanting to be with me all the way. He wants to be "my Dad". He wants to be in relationship with me as I want to be in relationship with my kids.
That can only happen when I choose to spend time with Him, when I want His thoughts and advice, and when I make the effort to know what He thinks. I think it also takes a quiet time, maybe just thinking about all He is and wants to be, and trying to get my head around those facts.
My Heavenly Father is My Dad?
Let me digest that for a while.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
This House Is Quiet..Maybe Too Quiet
It is Saturday afternoon. The Virginia parents have taken Drew north, back toward his home in Blacksburg. The house is quiet again, but maybe I would welcome a little noise.
When I think back over the 8 days that we had him with us, I remember a lot of fun times, not any worthwhile disagreements and a bare minimum of conflict. What few times we had to remind him of what he needed to do, or not do, he would just smile, say he was sorry, and thank us for letting him come here. Of course I know that grand parents are super indulgent, and perhaps that contributed to the amiable atmosphere.
Most of the daylight hours were spent playing, and, by far, the most prevalent activity was golf. I'm sure he would have played more, but the old man had to rest sometime. If we were not playing, we were watching the British Open on the tube. Drew is a knowledgeable about the game and its players, so it was a treat to do it together.
As the week progressed, his shots got straighter and longer, and resulted in a couple of pars on the final nine of the day on Friday. But the driving and putting were not the only things that I could see getting better, some maturity was emerging in the game as well. There was still the disappointment when his shots went awry, but he did not dwell on that, but bounced back ready to make it right on the next attempt, most of the time. Maybe it was the fact that all the golf balls he was hitting into the pond were mine, but I think it was more. He was growing up.
So I will look forward to the the next time we can play together. Whether it be here or in Virginia, or somewhere in between, we will have fun together, and that is the important thing.
The only trouble is, the two holes he parred on that last day, I bogeyed. I sure hope that does not become a habit.
When I think back over the 8 days that we had him with us, I remember a lot of fun times, not any worthwhile disagreements and a bare minimum of conflict. What few times we had to remind him of what he needed to do, or not do, he would just smile, say he was sorry, and thank us for letting him come here. Of course I know that grand parents are super indulgent, and perhaps that contributed to the amiable atmosphere.
Most of the daylight hours were spent playing, and, by far, the most prevalent activity was golf. I'm sure he would have played more, but the old man had to rest sometime. If we were not playing, we were watching the British Open on the tube. Drew is a knowledgeable about the game and its players, so it was a treat to do it together.
As the week progressed, his shots got straighter and longer, and resulted in a couple of pars on the final nine of the day on Friday. But the driving and putting were not the only things that I could see getting better, some maturity was emerging in the game as well. There was still the disappointment when his shots went awry, but he did not dwell on that, but bounced back ready to make it right on the next attempt, most of the time. Maybe it was the fact that all the golf balls he was hitting into the pond were mine, but I think it was more. He was growing up.
So I will look forward to the the next time we can play together. Whether it be here or in Virginia, or somewhere in between, we will have fun together, and that is the important thing.
The only trouble is, the two holes he parred on that last day, I bogeyed. I sure hope that does not become a habit.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Plans for Today and Tomorrow
This morning begins the last full day of Drew's visit to us this summer. He has been here a week, and his parents will be here tomorrow to pick him up and take him home. It has been a good week, one filled with activities that I hope he has enjoyed. We have played tennis, a lot of golf, some games here in the condo, a bunch of meals together, some pool time and just a lot of being together.
This boy has a life stretching out in front of him. What will it look like? I know he has a good heart and a soft one at that. He is a typical soon-to-be-12 year old boy, with his silliness and his likes and dislikes, but he prays the sweetest prayers, and I think that God will continue to place His stamp on his life.
Like a boy standing in an empty soccer net, wondering what will happen next, he just needs to know that God knows.
I think of that verse in Jeremiah 29 that speaks to a future for Drew:
"I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 12"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen."
God really knows this boy. He sees his future. He has plans for him, plans that include more than just another round of golf, or another trip to the beach. God's plans are to bless him and put him in the places that are right for him. There is no way I can know the exact scenario, but I can be assured that God is in control and that what He has in store will be the best for Drew. However long or short that life may be will not matter, if he lives it in the shadow of God's will.
The future stretches out before Drew, as indeed it does for all of our grand children, and this morning I pray for each one by name, that they will be drawn close to the God who created them, and that they will be led to that plan for their lives that will, not only give satisfaction to them, but will bring that eternal satisfaction that is God's will for their lives.
I see the light of a new day coming in the window and soon there will be a boy standing in front of me with the question of the day: "Papa, what are we going to do today?"
God is ready with an answer for that, I better be also.
Golf anyone?
This boy has a life stretching out in front of him. What will it look like? I know he has a good heart and a soft one at that. He is a typical soon-to-be-12 year old boy, with his silliness and his likes and dislikes, but he prays the sweetest prayers, and I think that God will continue to place His stamp on his life.
Like a boy standing in an empty soccer net, wondering what will happen next, he just needs to know that God knows.
I think of that verse in Jeremiah 29 that speaks to a future for Drew:
"I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 12"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen."
God really knows this boy. He sees his future. He has plans for him, plans that include more than just another round of golf, or another trip to the beach. God's plans are to bless him and put him in the places that are right for him. There is no way I can know the exact scenario, but I can be assured that God is in control and that what He has in store will be the best for Drew. However long or short that life may be will not matter, if he lives it in the shadow of God's will.
The future stretches out before Drew, as indeed it does for all of our grand children, and this morning I pray for each one by name, that they will be drawn close to the God who created them, and that they will be led to that plan for their lives that will, not only give satisfaction to them, but will bring that eternal satisfaction that is God's will for their lives.
I see the light of a new day coming in the window and soon there will be a boy standing in front of me with the question of the day: "Papa, what are we going to do today?"
God is ready with an answer for that, I better be also.
Golf anyone?
Thursday, July 19, 2012
This Might Be A Tough Test
The Word comes to me in two places in the Scripture reading in Psalms 50 this morning:
Verse 14 says: "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,"
Verse 23 continues: "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;"
How is thanksgiving truly a sacrifice? Perhaps it is found in the verb "offer" that is used in both of the above passages.
Back in the Old Testament, there is a whole series of sacrifices that the children of Israel were commanded by God to offer to Him. These were instituted for the people in order for them to conform their lives to the laws of the God they served and who had saved them. A sacrifice would be an act of obedience, showing that a person wanted to be in right relationship to Him. These people gave up the right to something that they had in order to fulfill the law of God.
How about an offering of thanksgiving? What do I give up in order to present this attitude to God? What does it take for me to do this?
I know from reading more of the lives of the Israelite people, that God was not always pleased with the sacrifices they made, sacrifices that were made strictly to look good, but were not made from the heart. The attitude of the person was more important than the act. The condition of the heart was the key to acceptance of the sacrifice.
So when I willingly give to God the offering of my grateful heart, I present an acceptable sacrifice to Him. I give up the right to be prideful of what I might have done, but instead give Him the praise for what He has done. I give up the right to take any credit for the circumstances of my life that I might like and instead give credit where credit is due for His gifts to me.
I also give up any rights that I might have to be down or to bemoan my life at that particular moment, to say woe is me, and also my right to compare myself to another.
I have been blessed by God, through nothing that I have done, and I am grateful for all of that. A lot of that has come in the form of material blessings which I enjoy and the health that is mine now. My acknowledgment of all that is a beginning, but can I give it all back to Him in the true spirit of sacrifice and still be thankful?
Do I really want that test?
Verse 14 says: "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,"
Verse 23 continues: "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;"
How is thanksgiving truly a sacrifice? Perhaps it is found in the verb "offer" that is used in both of the above passages.
Back in the Old Testament, there is a whole series of sacrifices that the children of Israel were commanded by God to offer to Him. These were instituted for the people in order for them to conform their lives to the laws of the God they served and who had saved them. A sacrifice would be an act of obedience, showing that a person wanted to be in right relationship to Him. These people gave up the right to something that they had in order to fulfill the law of God.
How about an offering of thanksgiving? What do I give up in order to present this attitude to God? What does it take for me to do this?
I know from reading more of the lives of the Israelite people, that God was not always pleased with the sacrifices they made, sacrifices that were made strictly to look good, but were not made from the heart. The attitude of the person was more important than the act. The condition of the heart was the key to acceptance of the sacrifice.
So when I willingly give to God the offering of my grateful heart, I present an acceptable sacrifice to Him. I give up the right to be prideful of what I might have done, but instead give Him the praise for what He has done. I give up the right to take any credit for the circumstances of my life that I might like and instead give credit where credit is due for His gifts to me.
I also give up any rights that I might have to be down or to bemoan my life at that particular moment, to say woe is me, and also my right to compare myself to another.
I have been blessed by God, through nothing that I have done, and I am grateful for all of that. A lot of that has come in the form of material blessings which I enjoy and the health that is mine now. My acknowledgment of all that is a beginning, but can I give it all back to Him in the true spirit of sacrifice and still be thankful?
Do I really want that test?
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Imitation
Imitation is the highest form of flattery. So goes the old saying, but is it the best for the person doing the imitating?
This morning, during our church elder's meeting, our pastor wrote 3 questions on the board.
1. Is your life worth imitating?
2. Is your family worth imitating?
3. Is your community worth imitating?
That got me to thinking about my life and whether or not it would be worthwhile for anyone to imitate it. Would it draw anyone closer to God, or even put them on the right track to head in that direction?
It is not all bad, but is it the best? Would the following of my path lead someone to a good place in their life, or would it lead to the best place? Might this imitating hurt their spiritual growth in the long run, because they might settle for a small part of what this Christian life is all about?
If I step back and look at my life, I see a lot of good things, at least on the outside. There is a pretty consistent time of Bible study and prayer, There is a online journal to record my thoughts and prayers. There are several areas of service to the church, and there are leadership roles in that local body of believers.
I think of Jesus with His disciples as they follow Him everywhere. They see all the parts of His life, and how he acts and reacts with those around Him, especially those that are out to discredit Him and His teachings. They not only hear words and see actions, they sense attitudes, they feel the tensions. and they would hear the "private" words not meant for public consumption.
Would I want someone to do that to me? Would I put on my best face and watch all my words and actions; in short, would I be myself, or just be the person that I wanted others to see? A person cannot do that on a full time basis without his life conforming to a standard, and the one on the inside will win out, whatever that one might be. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde won't work here.
I'm afraid that my life is not worth imitating a lot of the time. My public persona might be OK, but I know my private side, and it is not always pretty.
God help me to make my total life one worthy of imitation, in Your eyes and the eyes of others.
This morning, during our church elder's meeting, our pastor wrote 3 questions on the board.
1. Is your life worth imitating?
2. Is your family worth imitating?
3. Is your community worth imitating?
That got me to thinking about my life and whether or not it would be worthwhile for anyone to imitate it. Would it draw anyone closer to God, or even put them on the right track to head in that direction?
It is not all bad, but is it the best? Would the following of my path lead someone to a good place in their life, or would it lead to the best place? Might this imitating hurt their spiritual growth in the long run, because they might settle for a small part of what this Christian life is all about?
If I step back and look at my life, I see a lot of good things, at least on the outside. There is a pretty consistent time of Bible study and prayer, There is a online journal to record my thoughts and prayers. There are several areas of service to the church, and there are leadership roles in that local body of believers.
I think of Jesus with His disciples as they follow Him everywhere. They see all the parts of His life, and how he acts and reacts with those around Him, especially those that are out to discredit Him and His teachings. They not only hear words and see actions, they sense attitudes, they feel the tensions. and they would hear the "private" words not meant for public consumption.
Would I want someone to do that to me? Would I put on my best face and watch all my words and actions; in short, would I be myself, or just be the person that I wanted others to see? A person cannot do that on a full time basis without his life conforming to a standard, and the one on the inside will win out, whatever that one might be. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde won't work here.
I'm afraid that my life is not worth imitating a lot of the time. My public persona might be OK, but I know my private side, and it is not always pretty.
God help me to make my total life one worthy of imitation, in Your eyes and the eyes of others.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Three Causes
In the midst of Psalm 45 are these words:
"ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;"
Three words to live by, but how do I do that?
First of all "riding out" denotes action, and victoriously is a confident attitude. So I can picture a warrior, at the head of his men, leading them forward with assurance and a consciousness of right action. Why is he so confident in what he is doing? Because his cause is right and he knows it.
He rides out for the cause of truth. Not just "his truth", that which he perceives it to be, but absolute truth, the truth of God. I know that absolute truth sometimes has a bad connotation these days, because it takes away the individual from the equation. Is what I perceive as true, really true, or is that all I can know, and maybe someone else has a better perception. I guess that is what is meant by relative truth, truth for you and then truth for me. But behind all of that posturing is the concrete of God's truth, the only one that matters. At the end of the truth confusion, there must be one absolute concept and that is God.
How about meekness? Seems like a "I'll let anyone walk over me anyway they want, and take it" mind set. Is that true meekness, or is the use of the term here one of quiet strength, of the assurance that there is one right way, and I will follow it, regardless. There is a lot of talk today about "self", but most of the jargon seems to focus on a self esteem that receives its validity from what I can do and who I am. There is another way, and that involves self assurance, a way that revolves around who I follow rather than who I am. The focus on "me" is replaced by one of dependence and a knowledge of the truth of God for me.
Lastly there is the righteousness issue. How can I get there, knowing me as I do? It is surely not by comparing myself to any other person. I can always find someone worse, but is that the comparison that leads to that right living? The Bible says that "there is no one righteous, no not one", so I can't be that on my own either. Only if God declares me righteous can I actually be, not matter my thoughts of my own goodness, and that is only because He does not see me standing there, but Jesus, who I trust to take away my sins.
What a word picture, a warrior riding out (probably on a white horse) knowing that he goes forth in the cause of truth, with the humility and self assurance of meekness, and right standing with God, to do battle, leading from the front and pointing his followers to the way.
The causes are right, the true leader is Christ, and can I be one of his follower-leaders, at least in my small sphere of influence?
Good examples, but hard achievements. For me anyway.
"ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;"
Three words to live by, but how do I do that?
First of all "riding out" denotes action, and victoriously is a confident attitude. So I can picture a warrior, at the head of his men, leading them forward with assurance and a consciousness of right action. Why is he so confident in what he is doing? Because his cause is right and he knows it.
He rides out for the cause of truth. Not just "his truth", that which he perceives it to be, but absolute truth, the truth of God. I know that absolute truth sometimes has a bad connotation these days, because it takes away the individual from the equation. Is what I perceive as true, really true, or is that all I can know, and maybe someone else has a better perception. I guess that is what is meant by relative truth, truth for you and then truth for me. But behind all of that posturing is the concrete of God's truth, the only one that matters. At the end of the truth confusion, there must be one absolute concept and that is God.
How about meekness? Seems like a "I'll let anyone walk over me anyway they want, and take it" mind set. Is that true meekness, or is the use of the term here one of quiet strength, of the assurance that there is one right way, and I will follow it, regardless. There is a lot of talk today about "self", but most of the jargon seems to focus on a self esteem that receives its validity from what I can do and who I am. There is another way, and that involves self assurance, a way that revolves around who I follow rather than who I am. The focus on "me" is replaced by one of dependence and a knowledge of the truth of God for me.
Lastly there is the righteousness issue. How can I get there, knowing me as I do? It is surely not by comparing myself to any other person. I can always find someone worse, but is that the comparison that leads to that right living? The Bible says that "there is no one righteous, no not one", so I can't be that on my own either. Only if God declares me righteous can I actually be, not matter my thoughts of my own goodness, and that is only because He does not see me standing there, but Jesus, who I trust to take away my sins.
What a word picture, a warrior riding out (probably on a white horse) knowing that he goes forth in the cause of truth, with the humility and self assurance of meekness, and right standing with God, to do battle, leading from the front and pointing his followers to the way.
The causes are right, the true leader is Christ, and can I be one of his follower-leaders, at least in my small sphere of influence?
Good examples, but hard achievements. For me anyway.
Monday, July 16, 2012
There Is A Time And A Season For Sleeping
There is a part of me that is in complete sympathy with the disciples of Jesus as I think about them this morning. The Passover meal has ended and Jesus has taken them to the Garden of Gethsemane, leaving eight disciples at one point, He takes Peter, James and John on a little farther into the garden. He then asks them to keep watch while he goes to pray. We know the story, they fall asleep, not once but twice as the Scripture says:
"They simply couldn't keep their eyes open."
The events of the day and all the things that Jesus had talked to them about just wore them out. The Message puts it this way:
"There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."
Yes, they would follow Jesus anywhere, but their bodies imposed a limit.
That is me this morning. Drew has been here with us for only two days, and my body says to sleep in this morning. After many holes of golf, swimming in the pool, some games on the Wii, and several other activities, that bed feels so very good.
But then these words of Jesus, a few verses down in the narrative say:
"Get up! Let's get going!"
There is a time to sleep and a time be up and about. After all, this day will not happen again. There are waking hours stretching out in front of me where I can be with my grand son, making memories that he might remember, enjoying the day together.
But I bet we will both sleep good tonight.
"They simply couldn't keep their eyes open."
The events of the day and all the things that Jesus had talked to them about just wore them out. The Message puts it this way:
"There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."
Yes, they would follow Jesus anywhere, but their bodies imposed a limit.
That is me this morning. Drew has been here with us for only two days, and my body says to sleep in this morning. After many holes of golf, swimming in the pool, some games on the Wii, and several other activities, that bed feels so very good.
But then these words of Jesus, a few verses down in the narrative say:
"Get up! Let's get going!"
There is a time to sleep and a time be up and about. After all, this day will not happen again. There are waking hours stretching out in front of me where I can be with my grand son, making memories that he might remember, enjoying the day together.
But I bet we will both sleep good tonight.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Let The Fun Begin....
It is Saturday morning. Doug and Dawn and Drew came last night, and the parents left this morning for Florida to catch a boat for a 7 day cruise, leaving Drew with us for a week. We have looked forward to this time with this almost 12 year old, because he is a joy to have around.
I can predict a lot of what will go on during this period. We will play a lot of games in the condo, board games, card games, Wii games and others that we might make up as we go along. He and I will play a lot of golf, possibly every day, on the 9 hole section where we live. There will be times at the beach, at the park, at the lighthouse and on the bike. In short, we will try to fill his days with things that he likes to do, and he will keep us busy doing just that. He is a player and that suits his Papa just fine.
As I sit here right now, in the quiet of this morning, I think of all this week might hold, and I voice a prayer to God for these times that will not happen exactly like this again. What do I pray for right now?
I pray that Drew will have a good time this week, that he will always see our home as a fun place to come to, and that he will always want to come and be with us. It is sometimes hard to see our grand children grow up, because their lives change. They begin to have a lot of stuff to do, and grand parents who live far away, don't always figure into that mix. Interests and schedules do not always lend themselves to time together, no matter how much each may desire that. I would often like to just freeze time so that I could enjoy those moments that we can just be together.
Lucy, Drew, and Caroline (Our Virginia circus)
I would also pray that Drew would see in his grand parents their love for him and for the rest of this extended family. We have a great bunch of kids and grands, and we dearly love each one, with all their different characteristics, attitudes and abilities. We realize that we are the past and that they are the future, but we do love to be around them and share their lives and dreams.
I pray for strength and stamina this week as I try to keep up with an active almost-teenager. I pray for wisdom in dealing with everything that comes, and flexibility to not let my plans get in the way of the fellowship that is available during these days.
There is a lot more that I could pray for, and I will as things come up, even today, but there is an activity scheduled in 10 minutes, one that I promised we would do this morning, so I had better get the clubs out and find some little white balls, so that we can get started on the week in the right way.
Let the prayers that I have voiced this morning in this time cover me throughout the day's activities, along with all the others that will surface along the way. Help me to be the Papa that I need to be for him, right now in this stage of his life.
Then let the fun begin.
I can predict a lot of what will go on during this period. We will play a lot of games in the condo, board games, card games, Wii games and others that we might make up as we go along. He and I will play a lot of golf, possibly every day, on the 9 hole section where we live. There will be times at the beach, at the park, at the lighthouse and on the bike. In short, we will try to fill his days with things that he likes to do, and he will keep us busy doing just that. He is a player and that suits his Papa just fine.
As I sit here right now, in the quiet of this morning, I think of all this week might hold, and I voice a prayer to God for these times that will not happen exactly like this again. What do I pray for right now?
I pray that Drew will have a good time this week, that he will always see our home as a fun place to come to, and that he will always want to come and be with us. It is sometimes hard to see our grand children grow up, because their lives change. They begin to have a lot of stuff to do, and grand parents who live far away, don't always figure into that mix. Interests and schedules do not always lend themselves to time together, no matter how much each may desire that. I would often like to just freeze time so that I could enjoy those moments that we can just be together.
I would also pray that Drew would see in his grand parents their love for him and for the rest of this extended family. We have a great bunch of kids and grands, and we dearly love each one, with all their different characteristics, attitudes and abilities. We realize that we are the past and that they are the future, but we do love to be around them and share their lives and dreams.
I pray for strength and stamina this week as I try to keep up with an active almost-teenager. I pray for wisdom in dealing with everything that comes, and flexibility to not let my plans get in the way of the fellowship that is available during these days.
There is a lot more that I could pray for, and I will as things come up, even today, but there is an activity scheduled in 10 minutes, one that I promised we would do this morning, so I had better get the clubs out and find some little white balls, so that we can get started on the week in the right way.
Let the prayers that I have voiced this morning in this time cover me throughout the day's activities, along with all the others that will surface along the way. Help me to be the Papa that I need to be for him, right now in this stage of his life.
Then let the fun begin.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Indignant or Furious
Indignant: a feeling, characterized, or expressing strong displeasure at something...
In Matthew 26, Jesus is at a dinner hosted by a local man, and where Jesus went, his disciples went also. I guess when you invited the Master to dinner, you got the entourage also. Anyway, in the middle of all the festivities a woman comes in and pours an expensive perfume on His head. Matthew records the next part of the story:
"But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
The Message translates these verses in this way:
" When the disciples saw what was happening, they were furious. "That's criminal! This could have been sold for a lot and the money handed out to the poor."
Regardless of the translation, we get the idea; the disciples were upset. "Uh oh, Jesus must have not been aware of the true consequences of his acceptance, it is up to us to set Him straight and make sure this kind of thing does not happen again. How could he have done such a thing? Maybe we had better watch more closely."
I look at this incident from the viewpoint of 2,000 years and I think, "how could these men who have followed Him for 3 years have felt this way?" Surely I would have done better.
Were the disciples that concerned about the poor? I can't remember any times in the Gospels were it speaks of Jesus or the disciples handing out money to the poor. Perhaps people gave money to them to live off of, because it says that Judas kept the bag, and even dipped his hand in sometimes, but how it was taken in or spent, I don't know.
Do others look at us Christians and say "what a waste of (time, money), there are better purposes to use that". Am I willing to look foolish in the eyes of those around me, because I see the higher purpose in some actions?
Am I indignant or furious at others around me, because they do not fit into my mold, because they do not perceive what I know to be right? Do I really sense the heart of God or just trust to my own ideas?
Perhaps, a closed mouth and an open mind is the wiser course.
In Matthew 26, Jesus is at a dinner hosted by a local man, and where Jesus went, his disciples went also. I guess when you invited the Master to dinner, you got the entourage also. Anyway, in the middle of all the festivities a woman comes in and pours an expensive perfume on His head. Matthew records the next part of the story:
"But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
The Message translates these verses in this way:
" When the disciples saw what was happening, they were furious. "That's criminal! This could have been sold for a lot and the money handed out to the poor."
Regardless of the translation, we get the idea; the disciples were upset. "Uh oh, Jesus must have not been aware of the true consequences of his acceptance, it is up to us to set Him straight and make sure this kind of thing does not happen again. How could he have done such a thing? Maybe we had better watch more closely."
I look at this incident from the viewpoint of 2,000 years and I think, "how could these men who have followed Him for 3 years have felt this way?" Surely I would have done better.
Were the disciples that concerned about the poor? I can't remember any times in the Gospels were it speaks of Jesus or the disciples handing out money to the poor. Perhaps people gave money to them to live off of, because it says that Judas kept the bag, and even dipped his hand in sometimes, but how it was taken in or spent, I don't know.
Do others look at us Christians and say "what a waste of (time, money), there are better purposes to use that". Am I willing to look foolish in the eyes of those around me, because I see the higher purpose in some actions?
Am I indignant or furious at others around me, because they do not fit into my mold, because they do not perceive what I know to be right? Do I really sense the heart of God or just trust to my own ideas?
Perhaps, a closed mouth and an open mind is the wiser course.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
A Goat In A Sheep's Wool Coat?
Even though I used the verses from Matthew 25 the other day, as I related some stories from the sermon time on Sunday, they come up today in my regular reading, and I visit them again in a little different setting.
The Biblical section is entitled The Parable of the Sheep and Goats, and concerns some actions taken, or not taken, by people that show their priorities. Jesus praises the sheep group and chastises the goats. In fact, praise and chastisement are too mild an outcome, the actions of the people (with animal designations) affect their eternal destination.
Jesus says:
"I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me."
These folks did something, and what they did showed the character of their lives, they cared about others. If their lives consisted of these kinds of actions, they understood most of what Jesus taught about relationships. Others became the focal point of their lives, not themselves.
It is too easy for me to look at these actions and see one that I occasionally do, like go into prison and visit some guys, and pat myself on the back and say I qualify for praise on this. What about all the other stuff? Do I even notice someone in need, much less actually help them? Do people actually register on my radar screen except when I can gain something from them?
I know my selfish self, and, even though I can maybe put a check next to one line of the verse, too often these other lines show my true heart:
"I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes"
God, You have given me so much. Help me to love others like You do.
I need to live like a sheep and not just pretend to be one.
The Biblical section is entitled The Parable of the Sheep and Goats, and concerns some actions taken, or not taken, by people that show their priorities. Jesus praises the sheep group and chastises the goats. In fact, praise and chastisement are too mild an outcome, the actions of the people (with animal designations) affect their eternal destination.
Jesus says:
"I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me."
These folks did something, and what they did showed the character of their lives, they cared about others. If their lives consisted of these kinds of actions, they understood most of what Jesus taught about relationships. Others became the focal point of their lives, not themselves.
It is too easy for me to look at these actions and see one that I occasionally do, like go into prison and visit some guys, and pat myself on the back and say I qualify for praise on this. What about all the other stuff? Do I even notice someone in need, much less actually help them? Do people actually register on my radar screen except when I can gain something from them?
I know my selfish self, and, even though I can maybe put a check next to one line of the verse, too often these other lines show my true heart:
"I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes"
God, You have given me so much. Help me to love others like You do.
I need to live like a sheep and not just pretend to be one.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
A Second Testimony
Yesterday, I reacted a little to one of the testimonies from the service on Sunday morning. For any who might have watched the video of that service and stopped with the young lady's testimony, I invite you, and others who did not watch at all, to the second in that service.
A young man (and I know, all people are young to me) told his story. It was a powerful presentation, one that spoke of an abusive childhood, an angry teen time, and a wasteful young adult time. In short, it was the type of early life that can take a man down the wrong road in a hurry. Bubba ( how about that for a good South Georgia name) West was that young man, and he has been in our church for some time. I only knew him as a member and one time golf foursome companion, but had no idea of what had happened to him before that time.
I know all of our stories are different, but Bubba's and mine were poles apart. Home environment, parents, schooling and conversion were all very dissimilar. It is thrilling to hear how God reached down and grabbed him out of the life he was living, but hard to relate to.
I think of my children as they would have listened to this, as even now I encourage them to take the time to hear it with their families, because it is that powerful, what would they think? And my two teenage grand children, they have seen some of the bad part of the world of their peers I know, but what do they know of this kind of life?
We surely do not want our kids or grand kids to get so far away from God, that they are in danger of losing all touch with Him, and sinking into the life of depravity that Bubba depicted. God can meet a man or woman anywhere, but, as you can tell from the emotions of that testimony, it took a dramatic turn around in his life to put him on the right path.
How much better to have put God first in the earlier years and spent those wasted years in service for Him.
Anyway, her is the web address for the video, please watch and listen and put yourself there.
http://www.livestream.com/sscc/video?clipId=pla_f3f5bc3c-1c51-4741-8402-521e1872d5a8&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb
A young man (and I know, all people are young to me) told his story. It was a powerful presentation, one that spoke of an abusive childhood, an angry teen time, and a wasteful young adult time. In short, it was the type of early life that can take a man down the wrong road in a hurry. Bubba ( how about that for a good South Georgia name) West was that young man, and he has been in our church for some time. I only knew him as a member and one time golf foursome companion, but had no idea of what had happened to him before that time.
I know all of our stories are different, but Bubba's and mine were poles apart. Home environment, parents, schooling and conversion were all very dissimilar. It is thrilling to hear how God reached down and grabbed him out of the life he was living, but hard to relate to.
I think of my children as they would have listened to this, as even now I encourage them to take the time to hear it with their families, because it is that powerful, what would they think? And my two teenage grand children, they have seen some of the bad part of the world of their peers I know, but what do they know of this kind of life?
We surely do not want our kids or grand kids to get so far away from God, that they are in danger of losing all touch with Him, and sinking into the life of depravity that Bubba depicted. God can meet a man or woman anywhere, but, as you can tell from the emotions of that testimony, it took a dramatic turn around in his life to put him on the right path.
How much better to have put God first in the earlier years and spent those wasted years in service for Him.
Anyway, her is the web address for the video, please watch and listen and put yourself there.
http://www.livestream.com/sscc/video?clipId=pla_f3f5bc3c-1c51-4741-8402-521e1872d5a8&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb
Monday, July 9, 2012
Two Prepositions, How Do They Differ?
Sometimes there is no formal sermon at church, and yesterday was one of those times. Instead we heard living testimonies from two individuals. These folks had taken the words of Jesus literally and gone and done what He said. Those messages are always a challenge to me because they make me consider why I do what I do, and who is it for.
As an example, one young lady talked about going to Haiti where she used her nurses training to help those people down there. She used the verses from Matthew 25 as her focal point:
"Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me."
As I listened to her speak, I thought back to the times I had served in prison. How many times had I gone in and interacted with those men without even thinking why. Oh sure, I knew that we were going in to give them hope, to show them that they were not forgotten, but were human beings, not just a number locked up away from society. I could even tell you the passage, written a few lines above the one quoted above which said:
" I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me."
How many times did I actually see that I was serving Jesus? Did I see Him in the faces of those men? Did I realize that my words and actions were to Him, not just those persons in front of me?
Not for Jesus, to Jesus!
The thing I need to do now is to unpack all of that last statement that I wrote. What does the use of those two prepositions mean? How do I get my mind around that question?
PS: for those who want to hear what the young lady said, and also the gentleman who gave his testimony go to:
http://www.livestream.com/sscc/video?clipId=pla_f3f5bc3c-1c51-4741-8402-521e1872d5a8&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb
As an example, one young lady talked about going to Haiti where she used her nurses training to help those people down there. She used the verses from Matthew 25 as her focal point:
"Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me."
As I listened to her speak, I thought back to the times I had served in prison. How many times had I gone in and interacted with those men without even thinking why. Oh sure, I knew that we were going in to give them hope, to show them that they were not forgotten, but were human beings, not just a number locked up away from society. I could even tell you the passage, written a few lines above the one quoted above which said:
" I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me."
How many times did I actually see that I was serving Jesus? Did I see Him in the faces of those men? Did I realize that my words and actions were to Him, not just those persons in front of me?
Not for Jesus, to Jesus!
The thing I need to do now is to unpack all of that last statement that I wrote. What does the use of those two prepositions mean? How do I get my mind around that question?
PS: for those who want to hear what the young lady said, and also the gentleman who gave his testimony go to:
http://www.livestream.com/sscc/video?clipId=pla_f3f5bc3c-1c51-4741-8402-521e1872d5a8&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Be Prepared
I thought about this motto from the Boy Scouts this morning: Be Prepared
I think about the preparation of the professional golfer, not only how he or she prepares for their work over a long period of time, but how they prepare for one day in a tournament. After watching a little bit of the Greenbrier Open yesterday afternoon and reflecting back on a lot of books I have read, I tried to get into the mind of a player. As I sit here this morning, I try to put myself into the place of a man that I see at church on the Sundays that he is not involved in trying to make a living playing on the PGA tour.
Jonathan Byrd, tied for 2nd place along with 4 other guys, going into Day 3 at the Greenbrier site in West Virginia, has spent hours honing his game, but how does he prepare for the pressure of this particular day near the top of the leader board?
Of course, I do not know for sure, but I can imagine that he will spend time on the range this morning, getting the feel of his swing. He will be on the putting green, testing the roll and speed of the greens on the course, and he will develop his game plan for attacking the course that he has played for the last 2 days. In short, he will be attempting to get his physical side to be ready to hit his shots.
Then there is the emotional and mental side of the game. How in the world do you get that under control in order to play in that pressure cooker? The answer lies in the area of control.
I read this statement by Jonathan, earlier this year:
"I realized that control of a game with many variables is impossible. Whatever I treasure the most will control my heart. Whatever controls my heart will control my behavior. May God be my treasure. HE is big enough."
Is he sitting down and taking the time to connect with his God this morning at the same time I am? Could be and that preparation is the most important for golf and for life.
Will he win the tournament? Only God knows that, but he will be a winner in the eyes of The One Who Matters most.
Then I hear "Go Thou and Do Likewise".
I think about the preparation of the professional golfer, not only how he or she prepares for their work over a long period of time, but how they prepare for one day in a tournament. After watching a little bit of the Greenbrier Open yesterday afternoon and reflecting back on a lot of books I have read, I tried to get into the mind of a player. As I sit here this morning, I try to put myself into the place of a man that I see at church on the Sundays that he is not involved in trying to make a living playing on the PGA tour.
Jonathan Byrd, tied for 2nd place along with 4 other guys, going into Day 3 at the Greenbrier site in West Virginia, has spent hours honing his game, but how does he prepare for the pressure of this particular day near the top of the leader board?
Of course, I do not know for sure, but I can imagine that he will spend time on the range this morning, getting the feel of his swing. He will be on the putting green, testing the roll and speed of the greens on the course, and he will develop his game plan for attacking the course that he has played for the last 2 days. In short, he will be attempting to get his physical side to be ready to hit his shots.
Then there is the emotional and mental side of the game. How in the world do you get that under control in order to play in that pressure cooker? The answer lies in the area of control.
I read this statement by Jonathan, earlier this year:
"I realized that control of a game with many variables is impossible. Whatever I treasure the most will control my heart. Whatever controls my heart will control my behavior. May God be my treasure. HE is big enough."
Is he sitting down and taking the time to connect with his God this morning at the same time I am? Could be and that preparation is the most important for golf and for life.
Will he win the tournament? Only God knows that, but he will be a winner in the eyes of The One Who Matters most.
Then I hear "Go Thou and Do Likewise".
Friday, July 6, 2012
Golf and Life
I have heard it said quite a few times that the game of golf is a lot like the living of a life. Now I am not always sure of how these two "games" coincide with each other, bur maybe some of my readers can give me a clue.
For instance, I have been consciously trying to play a different game than has been my norm over these past years. I find that, since I do not hit the ball very far, I must find other ways to post a decent score. Therefore I have come up with some things that I try to do in order to accomplish this goal. Today this new plan seemed to pay off, so I will share my secrets.
1. Stay out of the woods
2. Stay out of the water
3. Keep your eye on the ball when striking it
4. Don't try to kill the ball
5. Don't three putt
6. Try no superhuman miracle shots
7. Bogey is an acceptable score
Since 7 in the Bible is the number of perfection, just following these 2 negative rules and the 5 positive ones, should equate to a good game.
Now, to make this into a Biblical lesson, I must take these 7 and get them to correspond to the Christian Life. Since there must be some wisdom gems here, I need to know what they are.
Any suggestions?
Come on, Think!
For instance, I have been consciously trying to play a different game than has been my norm over these past years. I find that, since I do not hit the ball very far, I must find other ways to post a decent score. Therefore I have come up with some things that I try to do in order to accomplish this goal. Today this new plan seemed to pay off, so I will share my secrets.
1. Stay out of the woods
2. Stay out of the water
3. Keep your eye on the ball when striking it
4. Don't try to kill the ball
5. Don't three putt
6. Try no superhuman miracle shots
7. Bogey is an acceptable score
Since 7 in the Bible is the number of perfection, just following these 2 negative rules and the 5 positive ones, should equate to a good game.
Now, to make this into a Biblical lesson, I must take these 7 and get them to correspond to the Christian Life. Since there must be some wisdom gems here, I need to know what they are.
Any suggestions?
Come on, Think!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Moaning or Moving
Right at the end of the reading for today, in Psalm 18, is a verse that reads:
"The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me."
That can be a scary verse when I stop to really think about it. Do I want God to deal with me on this basis? I know myself and my thoughts, my motives and my actions, and I have to exclaim like Isaiah:
"Woe is me".
Then I think of all the celebrations surrounding yesterday, all the hoopla about America, its founding and its strength. Then there is all the moaning about how we are going downhill at such a rapid pace, how people are not living like they should, how politicians are out for their own good, how the moral climate is causing God's hand to be withdrawn from our nation, and then the verse from II Chronicles 7 comes to mind:
" if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek to please me, and repudiate their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."
God says, if my people will do this. His people bear the responsibility, both as to the withholding of God's blessing and the restoration of it, and I am included in both of these actions.
So, if God says that He will deal with me according to my righteousness and the cleanness of my hands, and, in the same way, He deals with The United States of America how scary is that?
Today is July 5, 2012 and the parades are gone, the fireworks are but a memory and the grand oratory only a passing thought. I may live in the shadow of the greatness of our past, but my responsibility is the present and the building of the future.
Will I wring my hands and quote Isaiah when he says, "Woe is me", or Todd Beamer, as he said on September 11, 2001, "Let's Roll"?
"The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me."
That can be a scary verse when I stop to really think about it. Do I want God to deal with me on this basis? I know myself and my thoughts, my motives and my actions, and I have to exclaim like Isaiah:
"Woe is me".
Then I think of all the celebrations surrounding yesterday, all the hoopla about America, its founding and its strength. Then there is all the moaning about how we are going downhill at such a rapid pace, how people are not living like they should, how politicians are out for their own good, how the moral climate is causing God's hand to be withdrawn from our nation, and then the verse from II Chronicles 7 comes to mind:
" if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek to please me, and repudiate their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."
God says, if my people will do this. His people bear the responsibility, both as to the withholding of God's blessing and the restoration of it, and I am included in both of these actions.
So, if God says that He will deal with me according to my righteousness and the cleanness of my hands, and, in the same way, He deals with The United States of America how scary is that?
Today is July 5, 2012 and the parades are gone, the fireworks are but a memory and the grand oratory only a passing thought. I may live in the shadow of the greatness of our past, but my responsibility is the present and the building of the future.
Will I wring my hands and quote Isaiah when he says, "Woe is me", or Todd Beamer, as he said on September 11, 2001, "Let's Roll"?
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
July 4, 1993 and a Prayer
July 4th is an important day in American History. It symbolizes the break from England and Independence and Freedom, and it lives today as a celebration of what the Founding Fathers achieved. They could not know what would develop from their acts, but they were led to take the risk. They were willing to sacrifice their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for their dream. They stood for something, and they persevered. We are all the recipients of that dream.
Yes, 1776 was an important July 4th and their have been others in the history of this country. In 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, giants among the founders, died. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, the Union won at Gettysburg and also at Vicksburg, two battles that went a long way in deciding the fate of this country.
But today my mind goes to a more personal July 4th. In 1993, our first grandson was born in Reston, Virginia. His grandmother and I were hosting a get together of some of our old friends at our place in Apison. The celebration was going along fine when we got a call from Dwayne that his firstborn was about to enter the world. We quickly sent our guests home, packed up, went to the airport, got the plane out and took off for the DC area. Dwayne and Karen's first child was born that day, Sawyer Austin Bowman, and the whole city of Washington, DC celebrated with a tremendous fireworks display on the National Mall that night, as they have every year since then. It was a momentous day.
Now Sawyer is 19, a rising sophmore at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He has been blessed with a great family, great parents, a good mind, a winning personality and a soft heart for others. He has a great work ethic which has led to success in the classroom and on the athletic field. If there is one word that comes to my mind this morning it is POTENTIAL. He has the abilities to go far in whatever he chooses to do in life.
All of which leads me to spend some time, in the quiet part of this early morning, praying for him on his day, a day in which his life spreads out before him like the brightness of a summer day.
First of all I pray that God would fill Sawyer with a love that will characterize his life. A love for God, a love for Jesus and a love for family and others. A love for country and for all those who have given themselves so that he might stand where he does today, looking out at a life of great potential. Give him a love of the past, a love of the present and its opportunities, and a love that will guide his life in the future, a love based on Your love for him and that results in an outpouring of his love for others.
Secondly, I pray that You, God, will reach into his life in a personal way, guiding his decisions, leading him to men and women and fellow students who will nurture him and give him wise counsel. Make him a man like David of old, a man after God's own heart. Help him to recognize Your call on his life, so that he might live a life of purpose for others, not a life of personal gain for himself.
Sawyer is special, God made him that way, and I'm glad he is my grandson.
Yes, 1776 was an important July 4th and their have been others in the history of this country. In 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, giants among the founders, died. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, the Union won at Gettysburg and also at Vicksburg, two battles that went a long way in deciding the fate of this country.
But today my mind goes to a more personal July 4th. In 1993, our first grandson was born in Reston, Virginia. His grandmother and I were hosting a get together of some of our old friends at our place in Apison. The celebration was going along fine when we got a call from Dwayne that his firstborn was about to enter the world. We quickly sent our guests home, packed up, went to the airport, got the plane out and took off for the DC area. Dwayne and Karen's first child was born that day, Sawyer Austin Bowman, and the whole city of Washington, DC celebrated with a tremendous fireworks display on the National Mall that night, as they have every year since then. It was a momentous day.
Now Sawyer is 19, a rising sophmore at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He has been blessed with a great family, great parents, a good mind, a winning personality and a soft heart for others. He has a great work ethic which has led to success in the classroom and on the athletic field. If there is one word that comes to my mind this morning it is POTENTIAL. He has the abilities to go far in whatever he chooses to do in life.
All of which leads me to spend some time, in the quiet part of this early morning, praying for him on his day, a day in which his life spreads out before him like the brightness of a summer day.
First of all I pray that God would fill Sawyer with a love that will characterize his life. A love for God, a love for Jesus and a love for family and others. A love for country and for all those who have given themselves so that he might stand where he does today, looking out at a life of great potential. Give him a love of the past, a love of the present and its opportunities, and a love that will guide his life in the future, a love based on Your love for him and that results in an outpouring of his love for others.
Secondly, I pray that You, God, will reach into his life in a personal way, guiding his decisions, leading him to men and women and fellow students who will nurture him and give him wise counsel. Make him a man like David of old, a man after God's own heart. Help him to recognize Your call on his life, so that he might live a life of purpose for others, not a life of personal gain for himself.
Sawyer is special, God made him that way, and I'm glad he is my grandson.
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