Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34 ESV). Covenant is one the words used in the Old Testament to describe the relationship between God and his people. It is a relationship initiated by God - what he has done and will do for his people because of his great love. God expects man to respond in the same kind of love. In this passage, Jeremiah tells the Israelites that God will make with them a new covenant, yet to come. God had given the law, written on stone tablets, to the ancestors of Israel and Judah. Many thought of this law as external to themselves. God intended this covenant, made with his ancient people, to be similar to the covenant between a husband and a wife. God had been a faithful and loving husband, but Israel had not been a faithful and loving wife. The real problem was an internal or "heart" problem. Jeremiah tells that the new relationship between God and his people will be intimate and personal. I know you remember the story of Pinocchio. It is a good illustration of this relationship. Pinocchio was a wooden marionette who came to life, but at first did not have his own conscience. Little Jiminy Cricket tried to function in that role, telling Pinocchio what to do and what not to do, but the problem was that Pinocchio would get away from him. "If only I could get inside of him," Jiminy Cricket would say, "then I could be with him all the time and help him." It is just this type of relationship that God wants with us. He wants to get inside our hearts and minds. He wants our love and desire to do his will just because He first loved us. He gave us His most precious gift, that of his son Jesus Christ. If we will let him get "inside our hearts"' we will respond not just by following the rules, but with the love that the new covenant intended. An interesting thing about flight in outer space is that you must "slow down in order to catch up." If two satellites, or spacecraft, desire to rendezvous, the one that is making an approach cannot accelerate. It must decelerate. If it increases its speed, the craft goes into a higher orbit, but if it decreases its speed, it will drop into a lower orbit and actually gain on the craft ahead of it. Most rendezvous are designed so that the approaching craft comes in from a higher orbit and "slows down, in order to catch up." As a result, it drops into place by decelerating. In a sense this is how we best discover God's will for our own life. If we struggle spiritually and emotionally to please God, we only make it hard on ourselves and will probably move further away from God's perfect will. The best way to serve God is to submit our lives to his control. The more we yield ourselves to his power, the more power is available to use for service. It's a case of "If you lose, you win; if you give in, you won't give out." Do you need to slow down a little today? Let Him catch up to you!

Helping Hands

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37 ESV). The Parable of the Good Samaritan appears only in the Gospel of Luke and is one of the first parables we learn as children. A kind man, a foreigner, stopped to help an injured traveler at considerable risk to himself, after a priest, a symbol of God's righteousness and a Levite, his assistant failed to help. When Jesus told this story he used a Samaritan, despised for his ethnic and religious impurities, to make his point that goodness transcends even the most despised. Samaritans in a modern context are simply defined as strangers who help in times of need without expecting pay back, who perform their good works out of a love for their fellow humankind and their love of God. We read about such people almost daily in our newspapers, and hear about them on radio, and on television. In the aftermath of the attacks on our nation in September, we saw many “heroes” with their helping hands. Praise God these people exist. But when a crisis affects you personally, the meaning of God's love, the power of prayer, and the caring of good Samaritans takes on a new and stronger meaning. There have been many times in our lives as a family that we needed a helping hand or two. Each time people we hardly knew, or did not know at all came to offer their help and comfort. It was more help than we could express. It was a living example of Jesus’ parable. At the end of telling his parable to the man of letters, Jesus asks, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in law replied," The one who had mercy upon him". Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise" [Luke 10:36-37]. We are all called to be good Samaritans, and need to heed Jesus instructions to "Go and do likewise" Becoming people with helping hands is not something we do, as much as it is someone we are. Commit yourself to such a lifestyle today. Renew your desire to be helping hands to those the Lord places in your path today.

The Seven Wonders of the World

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. (Psalm 145:1-9 ESV). I recently received the following story in an email from a friend. Whether it is true or not, I cannot say. However, it does call to mind an important truth for all of us to be reminded about. A group of Geography students studied the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of that section, the students were asked to list what they think were considered to be the present Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the Following got the most votes: 1. Egypt's Great Pyramids 2. Taj Mahal 3. Grand Canyon 4. Panama Canal 5. Empire State Building 6. St. Peter's Basilica 7. China's Great Wall While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't make up my mind because there's so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help." The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are: to touch, to taste, to see, to hear… she hesitated a little, and then: to feel, to laugh, and to love. The room was so full of silence it was deafening! It's far too easy for us to look at the exploits of man and refer to them as "wonders" while we overlook all God has done for us, regarding them as merely "ordinary". God has shown and given us so much that we can hardly “make a list”! Like David in the psalm we read this morning, we ought to break out into praise for His wonderful love toward us!

Shelf After Shelf

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (John 21:24-25 ESV). Have you ever been to a really big library or bookstore? Mary and I love a good bookstore. It is not terribly unusual for us to go to the Barnes and Noble in nearby Cool Springs just to browse. Our tastes differ, but reading is a common love. This bookstore is one of the larger ones in the area. However, it’s not the largest I’ve ever visited. One in Chicago had nine stories of books! After reading this morning’s passage, I began to think about a library as big as the world to contain all the things Jesus has done. It boggles the mind! John closes his Gospel account with the disclaimer that this is not all that happened. The account John presents to us is a taste or a sampling of the teaching, miracles and travels of Jesus. The items that are presented are enough to make the mind reel at the possibilities. John is stressing a point that the world would not contain the books that would be written about the details of Jesus. Even though Jesus is the most written about person in history, my nine-story bookstore wouldn’t be able to hold all those books. It makes it difficult to focus clearly. Matthew helps a bit: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV). It might take another nine stories of books to describe the idea of total authority in heaven and earth. Jesus holds the title deed to planet earth. We see it in the seven seals that are broken from the scroll in the Revelation. Even though the enemy would have us believe that he is the authority here, it is just another lie. That kind of total authority in human history has been devastating from the Khans to the Caesars to the Czars to Hitler. Life becomes cheap and values are crushed and twisted. Jesus authority is extended FOR us, not against us. If we are willing to accept that authority, it becomes our hiding place, our safe haven. Shelf after shelf could be filled with books describing the security we have through the authority of Jesus on our behalf. What a thought! Today think about how Jesus’ victory over death is yours also. No matter how bad things may seem He really is with you always, even until the world ends!

Happiness and a Positive Attitude

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man. So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 ESV). So many people have come to believe that happiness and things are tied together. Solomon found out that simply was not true. Being in a good mood is not difficult. It does take a little work, and it also takes responsibility. Because it's better to be happy than upset, putting yourself in a good mood is definitely worth it. Even the happiest of people find themselves in a bad mood now and then. Others unfortunately may find themselves in low spirits more often than not. The following tips can help both types of people create a better mood each day. 1. First, take inventory. The first step is to realize you are in a bad mood. If you don't realize it, it's going to be tough to change it. This realization can come from several sources. You are usually the best judge of your mood. You can also get that type of feedback from others. 2. Second, decide to change. Now that you know you are in a negative mood, you have to decide you want to change it. This isn't as easy as it sounds. When we're upset, we usually don't want to hear how we should be happy. We usually want to be left alone. That is why this is the toughest step. 3. Third, find the source. You know you're not happy, and you want to change. The next step is to look for the source. I know that when things start piling up I get a little tense. Once I feel that I am getting upset, I think about what things I am concerning myself with. This helps to bring order to my cluttered mind. Look for the source of the negativity. Did someone say something that upset you? Are you worried about something that you did? About something you still have to do? 4. Fourth, fix the source. When you find the source, it's time to fix it. If someone upset you, talk with them. If you are worried about getting something done, do it. If you are worried about something you can't change, accept that you can't change it and move on. 5. Fifth, do something to make yourself happy. Sometimes fixing the source isn't enough to change our mood. In this case, think of things that put you in a good mood. It could be anything that you choose. There is no reason to endure unhappiness in our lives. With the power of the Holy Spirit to help us, we can take the steps necessary to maintain positive attitudes and secure happiness in our lives. Take the steps!

The Groom's Day

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV). I read the following true story recently. It is amusing and it holds a deeper truth than any of us might at first imagine. It seems that, fed up with the way the bride invariably steals the show at her own wedding, the university at which Rob Tombes works (exact school unknown) carried in its news weekly its own “unbiased” account of his recent marriage to Mary Beth Snyder: Mr. Robert Tombes, son of Dr. and Mrs. Averett Tombes of Fairfax, Va., became the bridegroom of Miss Mary Elizabeth Snyder today at Fairfax Presbyterian Church. His brother Thomas Hamilton Tombes as best man attended Mr. Tombes. As the groom approached the altar he was the cynosure of all eyes. Blushing handsomely, he replied to the questions of the clergyman in low but firm tones. He was charmingly clad in a 3-piece suit consisting of coat, vest and pants. The coat, of some dark material, was draped handsomely about the shoulders and tastefully gathered under the arms. A touching story was current among the guests that the coat was the one worn by his father and grandfather on their wedding days. Mr. Tombes would neither affirm nor deny the truth of this sentimental touch. The vest was sleeveless and met in the front. It was gracefully fashioned with pockets and at the back was held together by a strap and buckle of the same material. The groom’s pants were of some dark material, and were suspended from the waist, falling in a straight line almost to the floor. The severe simplicity of the garment was relieved by the right pantelet which was caught up about four inches from the floor by a Boston Brighton worn underneath, revealing just the artistic glimpse of leather, laced with string of the same color. The effect was rather chic. Beneath the vest the groom wore blue galluses attached to the pants fore and aft and passing in a graceful curve over each shoulder. His neck was encircled with a collar characterized by a delicate sawedge, and around the collar a cravat was loosely knotted so that it rode up under his left ear with a studied effect of carelessness which marks supreme artistry in dress. The best man’s costume was essentially the same as the groom’s, and as the two stood at the altar, a hush of awed admiration enveloped the audience. As Miss Snyder led the groom from the nuptials, it was noted that she wore the conventional white veil and orange blossoms. Unbiased? Hardly! It sounds so strange because we are used to the splendor of the bride being described. It just doesn’t seem fitting for that same sense of “glory” to be attached to the groom. And yet, in a spiritual sense it is most fitting. For those who are in the church are the “bride of Christ,” and the groom is none other than Jesus Christ himself. And while we are used to hearing about the splendor of the bride, in this relationship it is the groom who is to be held in awe. Any glory that is ours is only because of what the groom has done for us. Focus your attention on the Groom and his magnificent glory today!

Snow Tomorrow

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV). I’ve seen it happen more than once since moving to Middle Tennessee. Every weather forecaster in our area agreed, “We will get snow!” We were told that it would begin with rain and then change to snow with perhaps some significant accumulations. And, right on cue, we had rain and it changed to snow. But, the ground really wasn’t cold enough for it to stick. There was no accumulation, no cancellations, and no snowmen! It was beautiful, but disappointing. Being disappointed because it did not snow is one thing. However, other disappointments are not so easy to handle. Like when you’ve been sick of your job for years. You think you are finally getting your chance. You’ve prayed for the opportunity. You’re confident. Then, you get the call, “You didn’t get the job.” Or, it may be when you’ve dealt with the disease. You’ve followed the doctor’s orders. You’ve rested. You’ve taken your medicine. You’ve prayed. But, then you hear the doctor say, “It’s back.” Or, you’ve prayed all your life for a Godly mate. You think you have found her. The relationship is progressing nicely. Then, out of the blue, she tells you, “It’s over.” Your hopes are gone. Your dreams have faded. What might have been, will not be. What do you do? How do you deal with the disappointment? When those following Jesus faced their great disappointment and saw their dreams dying on the cross, they were confused and afraid, but they waited... they hoped... they prayed... they listened... they opened their eyes... they opened their hearts... they saw Jesus... they believed... and, their disappointment turned to joy. We aren’t promised that if we follow these steps we’ll wake up tomorrow and find our disappointments gone. However, if we look to Jesus in our disappointment, the Lord does promise that our disappointment will eventually turn to joy. Fred Smith has said, “Cynicism is cancer of the spirit. The bad cells of sarcasm attack the good cells of hope and, if undiagnosed, will eventually destroy them.” During football season, the college bookstore at Iowa State puts a big sign in the window saying "Kill Kansas" or "Whip Washington" or something like that, depending on the name of the upcoming foe. In 1983, just before Iowa State was devastated 72-29 by the nation's top-ranked team, the wording was altered a bit. The sign read: "Maintain Dignity Against Nebraska." Don’t let disappointment defeat you. Keep hope alive in your heart!

The Little Things

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (Luke 16:10 ESV). Roy H. Williams wrote in the Monday Morning Memo: “People frustrate me. For all their talk about being ‘goal-oriented,’ most people either aren’t willing to dream big enough or they’re not willing to start small enough. Maybe I’m being harsh, but it seems to me that most ‘goal-oriented’ people just sit around sighing wistfully, ‘If only...’” The more I thought about that, the more I began to agree with him. People can be a source of frustration! Especially when I see Christians who toss around terms like “abundant life,” “eternal life,” and “the full spiritual life.” Often they end up with little more than the same sort of life that can be found just about anywhere else. No wonder so many non-Christians ignore the Church, or laugh at the pseudo-spirituality that promotes about as many problems as it does answers. The truth from the Scriptures is far different that the empty weakness so visible in many peoples lives today. There isn’t anything we can ask or think that God can’t do. We can’t even think up impossibilities for God. Now he won’t necessarily choose to do them just because we thought them up. The point, however, is that God is limitless. Our puny efforts at accomplishing significant things for God’s kingdom are largely due to the fact that we think far too small. And, not only do we often think too small, we also are not willing to start small enough. I’ve known people who have been so disappointed because they were expected to do something small that they didn’t do anything at all. The spiritual truth that faithfulness in small things is the doorway to big opportunities in the long run. Not only that, but sometimes we are most effective in the small things. When little ideas are paired with the unwillingness to start small failure is virtually guaranteed. All the time, it’s as if God is saying, “Hey! Think up something really big and get to work on it being faithful with your small beginnings! Do this, and I’ll help you.” Old and trite as it is the truth that great oaks start as small acorns still holds meaning for us. How tragic that so many people never get an oak tree because they were never willing to start with an acorn. Instead of bemoaning the “smallness” of your life ask yourself the following questions: Am I thinking great enough? Have I relied upon the Lord for wisdom, strength and guidance? Did I begin small enough to succeed? Don’t take the short cuts that are destined to end in failure. Be faithful in the little things and He will make your grow beyond your wildest imagination!

God, I'm Mad

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV). I heard a story the other day of a man who encountered a bit of trouble while flying his little airplane. He called the control tower and said, "Pilot to tower, I'm 300 miles from the airport, six hundred feet above the ground, and I'm out of fuel. I am descending rapidly. Please advise. Over." "Tower to pilot," the dispatcher began, "Repeat after me: "Our Father Who art in heaven...'" Sometimes it’s easy to get mad at God. The key in those times is understand the source of our anger and then take the steps to release it appropriately. I read the following story recently in a journal for college students: Sweat ran down Dan's face and splashed onto the engine of his ailing Firebird. He had removed the faulty alternator easily enough, but getting the replacement to fit had become a 4-hour exercise in bloodied knuckles and fractured patience. Dan had long since passed the point of mere disgust. He was now ranging deep into the homicidal zone. Turning his grimy face skyward, he bellowed in exasperation, "Do You think I could get a little help here?" Five minutes later, he finished the job. There's something about the fresh honesty of certain "prayers" that God seems to delight in. Yet we may not even think of them as prayers. God knew about Dan's car problems. And God knew that Dan was a good mechanic who was relying on his own ability to get him through his problem. Dan's anger and frustration did not take God by surprise. The real question is why did God let Dan struggle in the first place? That question is at the heart of our anger. It was when Dan asked God for help that he finally met with success. Dan’s prayer strains our concept of prayer. We tend to believe that God should be angry at Dan's anger. I think God was just waiting to hear from Dan. One thing I've learned about our heavenly Father is that He loves to surprise His children with His grace and compassion. It is true that we should maintain reverence for God's power and perfection and holiness. But the whole point of the Incarnation was to make God accessible to us. This is the truth in our verses this morning. It is because of Jesus that we may approach God with boldness. When you pray, do you try to tell God what you think He wants to hear? Or, do you really communicate with Him? He does know the deepest secrets and feelings of your heart. Share them with Him and turn yourself toward the power that is available to you to face every circumstance you face. Prayer really works!

Growing in Crises

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. (Hebrews 11:1-2 ESV). It won’t be too much longer before we begin to start the spring season of yard word. The winter is always a time to pull back and rest, both for people and plants! However, when the warm weather begins everything will emerge for a new season. That means work for us! There is always one area of this task that surprises me. The grass that has grown between the cracks in the driveway seems to do the best all year long. Even now when the rest of the yard starts to “die,” it seems to do well in the cracks! As I got to thinking, however, it made perfect sense. These grasses are very resistant to heat and direct sunlight. In fact as the moisture drains down the rooftop at night, so the roots were able to pick up nourishment and refreshment that seeps down into the crack. It doesn’t just survive, it was thrives! The image of this tough grass growing in a crack in the driveway was a powerful thought as I began to prepare this morning’s devotional. I began to think of all the people who have known suffering in their lives. They often are like the grass that grew in the crack in the concrete! They find a way to thrive even when life is hard, unkind, unfair, and tough. They have discovered a tremendous secret in their faith. Too often, people blame their problems on someone else, using their backgrounds as an excuse for their failures and wickedness. All of the faithful characters mentioned in the chapter our reading is taken from this morning are reminders of what God can do with folks who are yielded to him. God can take them and make them strong, healthy, and beautiful, even if they are planted in a crack in the asphalt. When you’re living for God, you don’t have much time to make excuses; you’ve got to get on about life. It reminds us that people of faith were not special because they had it easy, but because they believed God was at work in their lives and that he would reward their faithfulness. Because of their faith, they grew in the cracks. Their growth doesn’t leave much room for us to say: “You don’t understand, life hasn’t been fair.” “You can’t expect as much from me because of the hard times I grew up with.” No, their faith reminds us that life is seldom easy, and that joy and success are rooted in whom we serve and not where we serve. The issue of life is not where we begin, but where we’re going and where we end up. So if we find ourselves in a crack of life, let’s not let it discourage or defeat us. No, let’s use it to help us grow! Some of us just simply grow best in the cracks!

As Fast as Thought

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:1-10 ESV). Chuck Swindoll said, "Man is incurably addicted to doing something for his own salvation." The November issue of The Business Press has an article on the computer industry. One item in it is about the computer chip. Here's a quote from the article that really impressed me: "It was in 1965 that Intel co-founder Gordon Moore offered a prediction so prescient that it would become known as Moore's Law: that the speed of chips would double every 18 months. From Bell Labs' first, lone transistor, Intel had by 1971 advanced to a chip that contained 2,300 transistors. Today's top-of-the-line Pentium II holds 7.5 million circuits and runs at a speed of 300 megahertz, or millions of operations per second. By the end of the century, Intel's premium chip. . .will hold 20 million transistors and run at 800 megahertz; by 2011, the top chip will hold a billion transistors and run at 10,000 megahertz." That is incredible. The potential for a machine that may be able to function as fast as thought is in our future! There was more though. The article's basic explanation of how computer chips work was fascinating. It said that "The microchip...it is based on a structural principle that is childishly simple. In essence, the chip is nothing more than a series of on and off switches. Those on-off switches form the binary code that is the lingua franca of the computer age." The application dawned on me. It's how to handle the war going on inside of you. And how to fill the void you feel deep down inside that keeps gnawing at you and won't go away. No one can deny the struggle of the flesh with the spiritual within. When we are drawn to Christ a war begins between them. We must come to understand the “on/off” switch in our lives. Success, fun and material possessions will not provide what you really need inside. Jesus will. If you are a Christian but have drifted away from God, turn back to Him now. Trying to be a good person, enjoying an hour in church each week or even doing religious things is not what you need. What you need is to turn back to God. God has not moved, you have. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. You may have tried every self-help book, fancy gadget and new management technique; the answer you seek is Jesus. Flip the switch today!

Those Who Help Themselves

The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. (Proverbs 12:24 ESV). For many years I have listened to people as they misquote the Scripture by saying God helps those who help themselves. There just isn’t any passage that contains those words! However, there are very clear instructions in the Scripture for us to be diligent in our work and optimistic in our lives. God does help us, sometimes even when we don’t expect it, and always when we don’t deserve it. That’s at the heart of the proverb for today. The following story comes out of the life of Abraham Lincoln: "I meant to take good care of your book, Mr. Crawford," said the boy, "but I've damaged it a good deal without intending to, and now I want to make it right with you. What shall I do to make it good?" "Why, what happened to it, Abe?" asked the rich farmer, as he took the copy of Weems's "Life of Washington" which he had lent young Lincoln, and looked at the stained leaves and warped binding. "It looks as if it had been out through all last night's storm. How came you to forget, and leave it out to soak?" "It was this way, Mr. Crawford," replied Abe. "I sat up late to read it, and when I went to bed, I put it away carefully in my bookcase, as I call it, a little opening between two logs in the wall of our cabin. I dreamed about General Washington all night. When I woke up I took it out to read a page or two before I did the chores, and you can't imagine how I felt when I found it in this shape. It seems that the mud-daubing had got out of the weather side of that crack, and the rain must have dripped on it three or four hours before I took it out. I'm sorry, Mr. Crawford, and want to fix it up with you, if you can tell me how, for I have not got money to pay for it." "Well," said Mr. Crawford, "come and shuck corn three days, and the book 's yours." Had Mr. Crawford told young Abraham Lincoln that he had fallen heir to a fortune the boy could hardly have felt more elated. Shuck corn only three days, and earn the book that told all about his greatest hero! "I don't intend to shuck corn, split rails, and the like always," he told Mrs. Crawford, after he had read the volume. "I'm going to fit myself for a profession." "Why, what do you want to be, now?" asked Mrs. Crawford in surprise. "Oh, I'll be President!" said Abe with a smile. "You'd make a pretty President with all your tricks and jokes, now, wouldn't you?" said the farmer's wife. "Oh, I'll study and get ready," replied the boy, "and then maybe the chance will come." Hard work and optimism are the two ingredients for success. Optimism is not merely positive thinking. It is resting in the faith that combined with our diligence the grace and power of God is more than enough to guarantee success. I wonder what might have happened if young Abe would have shirked his responsibility for the damage of the book that he borrowed? He could have made some excuse for it being damaged, but he didn’t. The Christian life ought to contain liberal amounts of responsibility mixed with faith. That’s the recipe for happiness and success in any endeavor. Those who want to “help themselves” ought to trust and obey!

Help Wanted

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:9-17 ESV). Imagine that you just moved to a new city. You have to make new friends, but you don't know where to start. The loneliness begins to surround you. Or suppose one of your parents is an alcoholic. He or she comes home drunk one night, verbally abuses you, and threatens you physically. Picture yourself eating lunch with some acquaintances when the topic turns to religion. One of them asks you why you believe in Jesus. You know that most of the people at the table are not Christians. All of these situations and many more call us to feel like we need help. Sometimes we are desperate for help. We look around for some source to pull us through the tough times. But where do we go? How do we know what to do? What gives us the strength to do what is right? I thought about this issue the other day as I drove past a restaurant. Out by the road was a sign that read, Help Wanted. Inquire Within. The restaurant manager was obviously trying to fill a need, and he wanted people to come in so he could determine who fit the requirements. He was looking for help. There is a huge difference between what that restaurant manager did and what we should do when we need help. We don't have to put out a Help Wanted sign. According to our Bible reading for today, if we are followers of Jesus Christ we already have help within. We have the Spirit of God to give us assistance. He is ready, willing, and able to help us in our times of need. He even assists us when we try to tell God what we need and we're so confused that we don't even know what it is. If help is wanted in your life today, inquire within; turn to the Holy Spirit.

I Luv U

And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:5-6 ESV). The love of God toward us is so difficult to express. The following story came to me from an unknown author and unknown source, however it calls to mind the way God has chosen to show His love toward us. How tragic that we fail to take advantage of that love until it is often too late! There was once a guy who suffered from cancer... a cancer that can't be treated. He was 18 years old and he could die anytime. All his life, he was stuck in his house being taken cared by his mother. He never went outside but he was sick of staying home and wanted to go out for once. So he asked his mother and she gave him permission. He walked down his block and found a lot of stores. He passed a CD store and looked through the front door for a second as he walked. He stopped and went back to look into the store. He saw a young girl about his age and he knew it was love at first sight. He opened the door and walked in, not looking at anything else but her. He walked closer and closer until he was finally at the front desk where she sat. She looked up and asked, "Can I help you?" She smiled and he thought it was the most beautiful smile he has ever seen before and wanted to kiss her right there. He said, "Uh... Yeah... Umm... I would like to buy a CD." He picked one out and gave her money for it. "Would you like me to wrap it for you?" she asked, smiling her cute smile again. He nodded and she went to the back. She came back with the wrapped CD and gave it to him. He took it and walked out of the store. He went home and from then on, he went to that store everyday and bought a CD, and she wrapped it for him. He took the CD home and put it in his closet. He was still too shy to ask her out and he really wanted to but he couldn't. His mother found out about this and told him to just ask her. So the next day, he took all his courage and went to the store. He bought a CD like he did everyday and once again she went to the back of the store and came back with it wrapped. He took it and when she wasn't looking, he left his phone number on the desk and ran out! RRRRRING! The mother picked up the phone and said, "Hello?" It was the girl! She asked for the boy and the mother started to cry and said, "You don't know? He passed away yesterday..." The line was quiet except for the cries of the boy's mother. Later in the day. The mother went into the boy's room because she wanted to remember him. She thought she would start by looking at his clothes. So she opened the closet. She was face to face with piles and piles and piles of unopened CDs. She was surprised to find all those CDs and she picked one up and sat down on the bed and she started to open one. Inside, there was a CD and as she took it out of the wrapper, out fell a piece of paper. The mother picked it up and started to read it. It said: Hi... I think U R really cute. Do u wanna go out with me? Love, Jacelyn The mother opened another CD... Again there was a piece of paper. It said: Hi... I think U R really cute. Do u wanna go out with me? Love, Jacelyn. God has written each of us many love notes. Don’t let the circumstances of life keep you from reading them!

The Wind in the Trees

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:5-6 ESV). One of the best things about Middle Tennessee is the way there are so many different places to just “get away.” Hunting season has just come to an end; and, though I did not get a “wall-hanger,” I had the best time in years. Just being in the woods provides an excellent opportunity to get alone with God. It is usually very quiet except for the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. Sometimes not even the birds disturb the sound of the wind in the trees. Recently, on one of these hunts, I began to recall the passage we read today. What really caught my attention was not that Enoch was “translated” into heaven, but that “he was approved as pleasing to God.” What an incredible thought! He so pleased God that he was taken into heaven. Then it struck me. All that is required to please God is to have faith in Him, to believe Him. Most of the time I spend a great deal too much energy trying to hear or understand God. All that is necessary is for me to believe Him. Like the wind through the trees, I don’t need to know how it works, or even where it comes from. All I need to do is get out in it and I can experience it. So it is with the Holy Spirit. Just get out in Him and we can know His power. That’s a word for all of us in the midst of our busy lives! I am well aware of the near exhaustion that many of you feel today. That would only be normal. We live in a world that does its best to beat us down into submission and defeat. Sometimes it is all we can do to just sit for a w while. However, sitting is an exercise in power. Think of it. Sit still and rest in Him. Let the Wind bath your spirit in healing and renewal. Once you’ve managed to sit a while, then you can stand. We must stand against the evil of this world. Yet, so many people find themselves beaten and discouraged because they never sat long enough or still enough to restore their strength. Can you see it in your mind’s eye? Standing in the midst of the Wind you may find your greatest strength. Now you are ready to run! This time your running will not tire you. In fact the promise of God is that we may run and not be weary putting on wings as if we were eagles to soar the heights above! As busy as you are today, as tired as you may be, isn’t it time for you to take a little walk in the trees of your life? Isn’t it time for you to feel the Wind in your face? Turn your attention to Him today and be restored!

Throw Out the Net Again

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. (John 21:1-6 ESV). If it weren’t so tragic, it would be amusing how so many people quit just shy of success. In today’s verses, did you notice that Jesus told the disciples to throw their nets in the same place they had been fishing all night and caught nothing? I believe He was trying to teach them two important lessons. First, they could not be successful without Him and His direction. And, second, they gave up just short of success. Les Brown, a noted inspirational speaker, tells the story of one of his friends, a salesman, who was in financial trouble because sales were down. Les asked him, "How many phone calls are you making a day?" His friend answered, "Twenty five." Les didn't hesitate with his advice. "Double them," he said. "Make fifty. Or seventy-five. Or one hundred." The salesman answered, "Aw, man. That’s too much." "Too much!" replied Les. "You tell me that you are behind on your bills and then you say it's too much. You know, one way to get back on your feet real quick is to miss two car payments. How can you say anything is too much when you have everything at stake?" The advice Les Brown gave his friend needs to be heard by people everywhere. It's amazing what we can do when we're "hungry" for success. Most people, who say, "I've tried," haven't scratched the surface of their potential. Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” Although there are those times when I am forced to cut my own firewood, I cannot say that I enjoy it! It is hard work. That’s especially true when I need to split some of it with an eight-pound maul! If you’ve ever done that, you know that it often doesn’t split at the first blow. In fact, sometimes the wood is just plain stubborn! At least it is right up to the point where you strike it “one more time” and you hear that unmistakable sound of the wood giving up and coming apart. Ulysses S. Grant was one of the most persistent leaders during the Civil War. He is quoted as saying, “One of my superstitions has always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, never to turn back or to stop until the thing intended was accomplished.” That’s good advice! Why don’t you throw out you net again? And again if necessary? Trust in the strength of Jesus and don’t quit!

Whopper King and Benny's

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:42-49 ESV). If you take your summer vacation in Bogota, Colombia, you'll see a lot of restaurants and products that remind you of the USA. You'll find Dunkin' Donuts and Pizza Hut. But you'll also find places like Whopper King, Friday's, and Benny's, eating places which imitate the well-known US franchises Burger King, TGI Friday's, and Ben & Jerry's. Benny's has the same type of sign, the same dairy cow motif, and even many of the same Ben & Jerry's ice cream names. But there is a big difference, quality. Ben & Jerry's version of Cherry Garcia has cherry ice cream and chunks of chocolate and cherries. But according to one reporter, the Benny's version is "a bland mix of artificial-tasting ice cream and candied cherries." Clothing companies are doing the same, producing cheap copies of athletic shoes or jeans and sticking a popular brand name on them. According to Myriam Henao of the Universidad del Valle in Bogota, "Acquiring [the] label becomes more important than having the quality of the genuine item." A similar tactic is being carried out throughout the world in the most unlikely places--among people who wear the label "Christian." It happens every time people talk and act as if they were strong believers, when actually they seldom open their Bible. They don't even think about praying or applying biblical principles to the way that they behave or how they work on the job. What label do you and I wear? Do we profess to be more than we are so that we can fit in with the church crowd and make people happy? Or are we serious enough about our faith in Christ to be honest when we face spiritual struggles? Are we concentrating on obeying Christ in every area of life? Let's not give ourselves a label unless we have the quality to go with it.

Saddle Up!

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! (Psalm 31:19-24 ESV). John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” And, Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.” The artist Michelangelo often stirred up the opposition of the contemporary artists of his day. Many of them envied his magnificent abilities. One example was the architect Bramante. Pope Julius retained Michelangelo to build him a splendid tomb. Michelangelo gladly accepted the project and spent eight months in a marble pit personally cutting and selecting the most perfect stones. When he returned, he found the pope had second thoughts. Bramante had turned Pope Julius against the project. The Pope canceled it. Later the idea for another special project entered the Pope's mind. Bramante saw the project as a time consuming trap for which there would be little public recognition. Bramante recommended Michelangelo for the job. The great artist saw the trap. He knew what Bramante was up to. He wished to turn the project down but did not want to refuse the Pope's request. So Michelangelo went to work. He spent many years doing the slow and tedious labor the project required. Oh, yes, this work was the Sistine Chapel! The inspiration and power of the Lord is available to anyone who will trust Him. It cannot be stopped. It is a living, powerful river that easily circumvents all obstacles. Michelangelo collected his inner forces for a complete victory. When David wrote the psalm we read today, he faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles to fulfilling his destiny. It is easy to imagine the many voices that were counseling him to quit. However, he knew there was only one voice that could be trusted. He committed himself to being loyal to the Lord and knew he would be protected against everything. That attitude allowed him to saddle up and get moving toward his goals. Who are you listening to today?

I Want to Fly

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:7-10 ESV). Yesterday I centered our focus on friends. The following story comes from Roger Dean Kiser, Sr. It is a wonderful illustration of the warmth and encouragement that comes from friendship. Once upon a time there was a little boy who was raised in an orphanage. The little boy had always wished that he could fly like a bird. It was very difficult for him to understand why he could not fly. There were birds at the zoos that were much bigger than he was, and they could fly. "Why can't I?" he thought. "Is there something wrong with me?" he wondered. There was another little boy who was crippled. He had always wished that he could walk and run like other little boys and girls. "Why can't I be like them?" he thought. One day the little orphan boy who had wanted to fly like a bird ran away from the orphanage. He came upon a park where he saw the little boy who could not walk or run playing in the sandbox. He ran over to the little boy and asked him if he had ever wanted to fly like a bird. "No," said the little boy who could not walk or run. "But I have wondered what it would be like to walk and run like other boys and girls." "That is very sad,” said the little boy who wanted to fly. "Do you think we could be friends?" he said to the little boy in the sandbox. "Sure." said the little boy. The two little boys played for hours. They made sand castles and made really funny sounds with their mouths. Sounds that made them laugh real hard. Then the little boy's father came with a wheelchair to pick up his son. The little boy who had always wanted to fly ran over to the boy's father and whispered something into his ear. "That would be OK," said the man. The little boy who had always wanted to fly like a bird ran over to his new friend and said, "You are my only friend and I wish that there was something that I could do to make you walk and run like other little boys and girls. But I can't. But there is something that I can do for you." The little orphan boy turned around and told his new friend to slide up onto his back. He then began to run across the grass. Faster and faster he ran, carrying the little crippled boy on his back. Faster and harder he ran across the park. Harder and harder he made his legs travel. Soon the wind just whistled across the two little boys' faces. The little boy's father began to cry as he watched his beautiful little crippled son flapping his arms up and down in the wind, all the while yelling at the top of his voice, "I'M FLYING, DADDY. I'M FLYING!" Who do you need to help “fly” today?

An Old Friends Face

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17 ESV). Recently I was contacted by one of my high school classmates about any interest I might have in a 50th Class Reunion! It is still four years away, but it seems they are beginning to plan for the celebration. I don’t know how could nearly fifty years could have passed so quickly! Time seems to slip away before I know it. I read the following poem recently from an unknown author that underscores the need to stay in touch with our friends. Since Valentines Day is soon approaching, perhaps it may challenge you to contact those “old friends” just to say hello. Around the corner I have a friend In this great city that has no end, Yet the days go by and weeks rush on, And before I know it, a year is gone. And I never see my old friends face, For life is a swift and terrible race, She knows I like her just as well As in the days when I rang her bell, And she rang mine. We were younger then, And now we are busy, tired men. Tired of playing a foolish game, Tired of trying to make a name. "Tomorrow" I say "I will call on Jane" "Just to show that I'm thinking of her" But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And distance between us grows and grows. Around the corner!-yet miles away, "Here's a telegram sir-" "Jane died today." And that's what we get and deserve in the end. Around the corner, a vanished friend. If you love someone, tell them. Remember always to say "what you mean". Never be afraid to express yourself. Take this opportunity to tell someone what they mean to you. Seize the day and have no regrets. Most importantly, stay close to your friends and family. What a difference it may mean today to someone, perhaps whom you have not spoken to for a long time, to hear your voice.

Prescription for a Better Me

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:38-48 ESV). John E. Bell received a new pacemaker on April 17. What makes Mr. Bell’s case so unusual is the fact that this is his second pacemaker. Doctors installed the first when he was 104. It failed after 11 years. So, at 115 years of age, Mr. Bell received a second, new lease on life! Dr. Ronald Berger, the cardiologist who implanted the device during surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, observed, “He outlived the battery. He deserves to have a heartbeat for as long as the rest of his body allows him to. I’ll be delighted to replace the pacemaker when he’s 125.” How does a person live for 115 years? Mr. Bell offered this summary of his personal secret: “I treat everybody like they should be treated. God said, ‘Feed his sheep’.” Mr. Bell’s Baltimore neighbors know him well as the “mayor of Oldtown,” and they have honored him for his work among the poor and for his efforts at community cleanup. Except for a stroke a decade ago and the glaucoma that robbed him of sight in his left eye, Mr. Bell remains in good health. The truth is that when people remove themselves from the center of the universe, wonderful things usually happen to them and everyone else. The best way to take care of yourself might be to develop a good case of self-forgetfulness! Think for a moment. On the job: How would your fellow employees respond to your decision to relate to them with respect, kindness, and civility. What might happen if you began really caring for everyone who works with you or for you? At home: If you intentionally responded to your children and your mate with consistent, thoughtful concern and attention, what would result? Would your relationships improve, remain the same or deteriorate? In your neighborhood: What if you gave your friends and neighbors what they needed? What if you thought of them before thinking of yourself? You can extend the list into every corner of your life. Here’s the ultimate challenge for your life: to have it said of you, “He deserves to have a heartbeat for as long as the rest of his body allows him to.” How about you?

On Star

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 ESV). One of the standard pieces of equipment in some of the models from General Motors is “On Star.” Even Batman uses it in ads for the product. It is a marvel of modern technology. A part of it uses RFID and Global Positioning Satellite. RFID units have been widely used in managing supplies and resources for both the war and the delivery of aid to Afghanistan. So what is an RFID? An RFID is a “Radio Frequency Identification Tag” that is placed in a unit. An RFID receiver can read them and global positioning satellites can even help track some kinds of them, so that at any given time, those in charge can know exactly where that vehicle is. They’re never lost. Their location is always known. One of our great comforts as God’s people is that our heavenly Father always knows our position. We don’t have to have an RFID, he always knows where we are. That doesn’t just apply to location, but also emotion and spirit. In her poem “The Parable of Tomorrow,” Ruth Gibbs Zwall offers this description of the Savior’s provision: “I looked at the mountain. ‘It is too hard, Lord,’ I said; ‘I cannot climb.’ ‘Take My hand,’ He whispered; ‘I will be your strength.’ I saw the road, ‘It is too long, Lord,’ I said; ‘so rough and long.’ ‘Take My love,’ He answered; ‘I will guard your feet.’ I looked at the sky. ‘The sun is gone,’ I said; ‘already the way grows dark.’ ‘Take the lantern of My Word,’ He whispered; ‘that will be light enough.’ We climbed. The road was narrow and steep, but the way was bright. And when the thorns reached out, they found His hand before they touched my own. And when my path grew rough, I knew it was His love that kept my feet from stumbling. Then I grew very tired. ‘I can go no farther, Lord,’ I said. He answered, ‘Night is gone. Look up, My child.’ I looked and it was dawn. Green valleys stretched below. ‘I can go on alone now,’ I said—and then I saw the marks. ‘Lord, Thou art wounded. Thy hands are bleeding. Thy feet are bruised. Was it for me?’ He whispered, ‘I did it gladly.’ Then I fell at His feet. ‘Lord, lead me on,’ I cried. ‘No road too long, no valley too deep, if Thou art with me.’ We walk together now and shall forever!” I’m so glad that I come equipped with my own special “On Star”! And, I can never be separated from my Father! Aren’t you?

Travelling Billboards

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17 ESV). Just when you thought you’d heard it all; an advertising company has developed a new twist in the business. An enterprising California man has capitalized on the idea of transforming private automobiles into traveling billboards. Daniel Shifrin's company pays drivers up to $400 a month to have their personal cars draped with a clear vinyl wrapper that touts everything from insurance to ice cream. One rival company is planning to offer carefully selected applicants a pre-wrapped car to drive free for two years. And there hasn’t been a shortage of people willing to be traveling billboards. While some people object to this further intrusion of advertising into private life, others see no difference between a wrapped car and the designer logos on shirts and jeans. "I'm making the choice to do with my car as I please," said a San Francisco driver who receives $250 every month for a partial wrap. Actually, that’s a part of what taught in our verses this morning. All of us are wrapped in something and we choose what it is every day. From our clothes to our personalities, we are walking advertisements for something or someone. When Paul wrote to the Christians in Colosse, he urged them, ". . . clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. . . . And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (Colossians 3:12,14). In other words, we are to wrap ourselves in Christ and let His presence permeate everything we do and say. That begins with quiet time to talk to the Lord in prayer and to listen to Him through His Word. It continues by offering ourselves to Christ each day, asking Him to show us the way to honor Him in all our relationships, and receiving the Holy Spirit's power to follow through. A car that looks like a pint of ice cream is worth a second look. And so is a person who acts like Jesus. What will you advertise today? Make a conscious effort to show others the character of Jesus in all you do and say today.

The Shadow of Death

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:51-58 ESV). As frightening and foreboding as death may seem, it can neither hurt nor destroy the child of God. In his book Facing Death, Billy Barnhouse, relates an experience of Donald Grey Barnhouse, one of America’s leading Bible teachers in the first half of the 20th century. Cancer took his first wife, leaving him with three children all under 12. The day of the funeral, Barnhouse and his family were driving to the service when a large truck passed them, casting a noticeable shadow across their car. Turning to his oldest daughter, who was staring sadly out the window, Barnhouse asked, “Tell me, sweetheart, would you rather be run over by that truck or its shadow?” Looking curiously at her father, she replied, “By the shadow, I guess. It can’t hurt you.” Speaking to all his children, he said, “Your mother has not been overridden by death, but by the shadow of death. That is nothing to fear.” Evidently the Apostle Paul was facing the same kinds of fears with the new Christians in Corinth. He wrote them to assure them that death held no power over them. Because of the work of Christ, “death is swallowed up in victory.” What a thought for us to begin our day with today. In the midst of all the things that might happen to us, we can rest assured that even in death, we still have victory. I like what Benjamin Franklin wrote as he composed his own epitaph. He didn’t profess to be a born-again Christian, but it seems that Paul’s teaching of the resurrection of the body must have influenced him. Here’s what he wrote: The Body of B. Franklin, Printer: Like the Cover of an old Book Its contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Guilding, Lies here, Food for Worms, But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ’d, Appear once more In a new and more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended by the Author. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ! Death is only a shadow to walk through now!

Words of Wisdom - Part 7

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:6-12 ESV). In the last of our series of Words of Wisdom, the following seemed to be appropriate: When it comes time to die, make sure all that you’ve got left to do is die. This is the embodiment of what the Apostle Paul had to say to Timothy in our verses this morning. As we live our lives, we ought to consciously make the effort to live them without allowing regret an opportunity to plant itself in our future. On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds. On August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race. As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead. It looked as if he would win, but as he neared the finish he was haunted by the question, “Where is Bannister?” As he turned to look, Bannister took the lead. Landy later told a Time magazine reporter, “If I hadn’t looked back, I would have won!” One of the most descriptive pictures of the Christian life in the Bible is of an athlete competing in a race. In Philippians 3:12-13, the apostle Paul said, “I press on …forgetting those things, which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” That is impossible to do if we fail to seize each moment God gives us in our lives. Billy Graham, in his autobiography, Just As I Am, tells the following story illustrating the necessity to seize the moments of life: On the way back to the Kennedy house, the president-elect stopped the car and turned to me. “Do you believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?’ he asked. “I most certainly do.” “Well, does my church believe it?” “They have it in their creeds.” “They don’t preach it,” he said. “They don’t tell us much about it. I’d like to know what you think.” “I explained what the Bible said about Christ coming the first time, dying on the Cross, rising from the dead, and then promising that he would come back again. ‘Only then,’ I said, ‘are we going to have permanent world peace.’” “Very interesting,” he said, looking away. “We’ll have to talk more about that someday.” And he drove on.” Several years later, the two met again, at the 1963 National Prayer Breakfast. “I had the flu,” Graham remembers. “After I gave my short talk, and he gave his, we walked out of the hotel to his car together, as was always our custom. At the curb, he turned to me.” “Billy, could you ride back to the White House with me? I’d like to see you for a minute.” “Mr. President, I’ve got a fever,” I protested. “Not only am I weak, but I don’t want to give you this thing. Couldn’t we wait and talk some other time?” It was a cold, snowy day, and I was freezing as I stood there without my overcoat. “Of course,’ he said graciously.” But the two would never meet again. Later that year, Kennedy was shot dead. Graham comments, “His hesitation at the car door, and his request, haunt me still. What was on his mind? Should I have gone with him? It was an irrecoverable moment.” Commit yourself to seizing the moments of life God gives you each day. Carpei Diem!

Words of Wisdom - Part 6

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1 ESV). Here are today’s Words of Wisdomy: Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 6 days, Then perhaps giving advice to God, isn't such a good idea! The following story comes from an unknown source. As you read it I am sure you will agree that it calls us to listen more than we speak to God. Trust and obedience do go hand in hand. At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him. But later on when I met Christ it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable...It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, he said, “Pedal!” I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are You taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I’d say, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord’s and mine. And we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away; they’re extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light. I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ. And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore, He just smiles and says...”Pedal.” Maude Royden has said, “When you have nothing left but God, then you become aware that God is enough.” Maybe you need to stop giving God advice and start taking His advice. Just pedal. He knows the way!

Words of Wisdom - Part 5

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14 ESV). Our fifth installment in the series Words of Wisdom is: To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover the prisoner was you. One of the most beloved of poems is the 43rd Sonnets from the Portuguese, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It reads: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! --and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. However, let me tell you the rest of the story. A childhood accident caused poet Elizabeth Barrett to lead a life of semi-invalidism before she married Robert Browning in 1846. In her youth, Elizabeth had been watched over by her tyrannical father. When she and Robert were married, their wedding was held in secret because of her father’s disapproval. After the wedding the Brownings sailed for Italy, where they lived for the rest of their lives. But even though her parents had disowned her, Elizabeth never gave up on the relationship. Almost weekly she wrote them letters. Not once did they reply. After 10 years, she received a large box in the mail. Inside, Elizabeth found all of her letters; not one had been opened! Today those letters are among the most beautiful in classical English literature. Had her parents only read a few of them, their relationship with Elizabeth might have been restored. They were the poetry of love and forgiveness. Bitterness is the most dangerous of all plagues to healthy Christian living. It will eat away at the vitality of your spiritual life. It is the “cancer of the soul”, and it claims millions of victims each year. It spreads faster than the common cold and threatens the survival of many churches. Yet there is a cure for this plague. One of the most beautiful words in any language is the word “forgive.” The word is a common one, but the essence of the word is in the last part, “give”. To forGIVE means to give someone a release from the wrong that he has done to you. It means to give up any right of retaliation. Forgiveness has creative power to move us away from a past moment of pain, to unshackle us from our endless chain of reactions, and to create a new situation in which both the wrongdoer and the wronged can begin a new way. The alternative to forgiveness is, in the end, a ceaseless process of hurt, bitterness, anger, resentment and self-destruction. Do you need to do some forgiving of someone today?

Words of Wisdom - Part 4

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. (Proverbs 10:11,13,19-21,31-32 ESV). We would all cringe at the thought of a mouth full of gravel. Think of the pain and discomfort! But a stone in the mouth can actually be desirable at least that seems to be true for the cranes that inhabit the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey. These cranes tend to cackle a lot, especially while flying. All that noise gets the attention of eagles, which swoop down and seize them for a meal. The experienced cranes avoid this threat by picking up stones large enough to fill their mouths. This prevents them from cackling and from becoming lunch for the eagles. It is no wonder that the writer of Proverbs spends a lot of time teaching the importance of controlling our speech. In this part of our series on Words of Wisdom, another contemporary proverb comes to my mind: You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to. There are times to speak and there are times to put a stone in your mouth. This is especially true in our marriages. In order to uncover the processes that destroy unions, marital researchers study couples over the course of years, and even decades, and retrace the star-crossed steps of those who have split up back to their wedding day. What they are discovering is interesting. None of the factors one would guess might predict a couple’s durability actually does: not how in love a newlywed couple say they are; how much affection they exchange; how much they fight or what they fight about. In fact, couples who will endure and those who won’t look remarkably similar in the early days. Yet when psychologists Cliff Notarius of Catholic University and Howard Markman of the University of Denver studied newlyweds over the first decade of marriage, they found a very subtle but telling difference at the beginning of the relationships. Among couples who would ultimately stay together, 5 out of every 100 comments made about each other were put-downs. Among couples who would later split, 10 of every 100 comments were insults. That gap magnified over the following decade, until couples heading downhill were flinging five times as many cruel and invalidating comments at each other as happy couples. “Hostile put-downs act as cancerous cells that, if unchecked, erode the relationship over time,” says Notarius, who with Markman co-authored the new book We Can Work It Out. “In the end, relentless unremitting negativity takes control and the couple can’t get through a week without major blowups.” You might have heard it said, “Put a sock in it!” Well, maybe not a sock, but a rock might not hurt at all. Be careful when and how you chose your battles with words. Some just aren’t worth the fight.

Words of Wisdom - Part 3

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:25-27 ESV). Tragically many people worry so much about what might happen tomorrow that they lose the joy of today! Someone has said that people gather bundles of sticks to build bridges they never cross. It just another way of saying that we worry too much about things that are not necessary. Things can get awfully bad. The following list comes from a list titled “You know it’s going to be a bad day when…” You wake up face down on the pavement. You call Suicide Prevention and they put you on hold. You see a “60 Minutes” news team waiting in your office. Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles. You turn on the news and they’re showing emergency routes out of the city. Your twin sister forgot your birthday. Your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell’s Angels on the freeway. Your boss tells you not to bother to take off your coat. The bird singing outside your window is a buzzard. You wake up and your braces are locked together. You call your answering service and they tell you it’s none of your business. Your income tax check bounces. You put both contact lenses in the same eye. Your wife says, “Good morning, Bill,” and your name is George. Now that is BAD! But the truth still remains; worry is counterproductive and destructive in our lives. We are inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. We are so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. We may live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety. A John Hopkins University doctor says, “We do not know why it is that worriers die sooner than the non-worriers, but that is a fact.” But I, who am simple of mind, think I know; We are inwardly constructed in nerve and tissue, brain cell and soul, for faith and not for fear. God made us that way. To live by worry is to live against reality. Connie Mack was one of the greatest managers in the history of baseball. One of the secrets of his success was that he knew how to lead and inspire men. Mack had another secret of good management: he didn’t worry. “I discovered,” he explained, “that worry was threatening to wreck my career as a baseball manager. I saw how foolish it was and I forced myself to get so busy preparing to win games that I had no time left to worry over the ones that were already lost. You can’t grind grain with water that has already gone down the creek.” Stop gathering bundles of sticks to build bridges you’ll never cross! Stop living “just in case” and start living by faith!

Words of Wisdom - Part 2

A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! (Psalm 39:1-6 ESV). As we continue looking at “Words of Wisdom” the phrase time is money came to mind. When reading a recent article by Howard Kaminsky and Alexandra Penney they also mentioned a similar phrase: time is honey. The latter of these two is true wisdom. While it does take time to make money, time means so much more to our health and well being than mere financial gain. Time is one of the only unrenewable resources given to us. Once it is spent, it can never be regained. It is truly a treasure. When we learn to use it well, it can be the greatest asset we possess. That is at the heart of David’s advice in today’s psalm. Kaminsky and Penney tell the following story to illustrate this truth: Ginger, who works in an advertising agency, has a very busy schedule and often doesn’t make it home until eight. Her husband, Bruno, owns a restaurant where he’s also the chef. His hours are even longer than Ginger’s, and frequently he comes home when she’s already asleep. Obviously the time they spend together is precious. Early on they figured out that until they both had more time, their free moments would be spent together. They called this time “honey time.” Luckily they both liked to garden and play tennis. But the time they look forward to most is the time they spend reading to each other. Whenever they do that, they turn the phone off. Telemarketers should be shut out of your life when you’re luxuriating in a pool of time that is truly your own. There is such truth to that! Do you have any “honey time”? Or, are you too busy to spend some time outside of your “work.” Here are some suggestions for your honey time: 1. Take a walk with no particular destination in mind. Just get out of your house and walk. 2. Daydream on purpose. Let your mind wander in any direction you like. Don’t direct your thoughts, let them flow freely either to the past or to the future. 3. Fix yourself a special treat. Make something out of the ordinary and sit down to enjoy it without interruption. 4. Read a book that you don’t have to read for work or school. 5. Take the time to write a letter to a friend. It will be a treasure both to you and them. I know it sounds impossible, but you can spend some time doing “nothing.” Even a little will help you learn how valuable time is and thereby spend it more wisely. After all time is honey!

Words of Wisdom - Part 1

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV). Happy New Year! As we celebrate a New Year we will look at seven “Words of Wisdom.” The first comes from an article in Family Circle Magazine I read some time ago about the importance of positive self-talk. Howard Kaminsky and Alexandra Penny call these “magic words.” They are those words of encouragement and assurance that we all need from time to time in our daily lives. In the following mornings we’ll look at a few of those from various sources I have come upon in my own walk. My prayer is that they will provide a source for your walk to enable you to be “pressed but not crushed.” In the article I have already cited, the authors recall a woman with a golden ring inscribed with a hieroglyph. When asked about the ring, she replied: “I bought this in Egypt from an old man who told me that I should look at it in the bad times because they would pass. But he was emphatic that I should also gaze at it in good times, because they too would pass.” While that seems very cynical at first reading, it does bear a very important truth. Our present experiences are temporary. The apostle Paul clearly understood that truth when he wrote to the Corinthians concerning his own situation. While he was in prison facing a near certain death sentence, he understood that as bad as it was, it was only a temporary inconvenience! Kaminsky and Penney tell the following story: Sarah had always been an easy-going, upbeat person, and when a close pal of hers, Lisa, saw her at a large cocktail party, Sarah seemed exactly the way she had always been – serene and smiling. The next morning Lisa got to thinking about all that was happening to her dear friend. Even though she appeared to be in pretty good shape on the surface, she must be really suffering down deep. Lisa decided to see if there was anything that she or her husband could do to help. She told Sarah she knew all she was coping with and asked how she could make her life a little easier. Could she stay with the kids, bring casseroles? What did Sarah need? Sarah was so grateful for her friend’s generous offer that tears of gratitude welled in her eyes. “For a few weeks I cried and cried,” she told Lisa. “Then I got so angry at everybody and everything I couldn’t see straight. But now I really am fine. It took some time, but I realized that it’s only a rough patch in the long road of life. I can’t really explain why, but just saying those words loud and clear gets me through each day.” It’s only a rough patch in the long road of life. Those are “magic words,” words of wisdom, that may be helpful for you too. Whatever you are facing today, remember that awaiting every believer is a world that cannot be described since it is so wonderful! Keep your eyes on Him and you will not be disappointed. Remind yourself of that truth!