Taxes and Stress

The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. (Proverbs 12:24-26 ESV). Today is tax day for many people. It is a stressful day for many people. I saw some tips lately from a book, Why Make Yourself Crazy? 100 Ways to Rid your Life of Needless Stress by G. Gaynor McTigue. Perhaps they will be as helpful to you as they were me: 1. Do one thing at a time. We are experts at multitasking; however, it often leads to mistakes, or unreliable performance. While you might want to argue with that, it probably depends on the job and what machinery is involved. The point is that when we are doing too many things at once, we lose the satisfaction of focusing on a job, giving it our total attention, and doing it well, and then finishing and moving on to the next thing. I do think that multitasking adds seriously to our level of stress these days. McTigue emphasizes, "Enjoy the experience. Why make yourself crazy?" 2. Throw something out every day. McTigue says, "You've got too much stuff in your house. Office. Garage. Attic. Useless clutter that weighs you down, getting in the way, obscuring the things you really need. Be realistic. If you're not going to use it, lose it." Or give it away. Just getting rid of one thing a day should help to keep the clutter under control. 3. Eliminate meaningless deadlines or useless meetings. Our life is full of deadlines. Arbitrary and unrealistic time constraints imposed by ourselves and others that serve only to make us more pressured, anxious, or stressed out. We can save our stress energy for the truly immutable deadlines, like tax day, or Christmas. 4. Don't be so self-conscious. Most people aren't judging you. In fact, they're usually so wrapped up in the business at hand, or in their own image, they're barely noticing what you're wearing, how you're coming off, or that everything isn't just so. Lighten up on yourself. 5. Just do it. This may seem like a contradiction to the above, but rather than procrastinate over something you have to do and stress out about it, just do it. Usually the time spent stewing and brewing is longer and more stressful than just tackling the job and getting it done. Or chop the job down to manageable, bite size portions. 6. Spend some time doing nothing. Spring is full of chores to be done. There is gardening and summer schedule is ramping up. But do take time to just be, hang out, read, sleep, relax, meditate, and focus on God. This is easier for some of us than others. But we all benefit from taking a little time to do nothing at all. Our reading today comes from the wisdom of Proverbs. It speaks of a balance in our lives. In today’s world, our concern is not doing nothing, but doing everything! Take a little time and reevaluate your stress levels. Eliminate those that you have control over. You will be healthier and happier!

Spring Turkey Season

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV). Spring means many things. One of those things is the coming of Turkey season. One of the nice things about that is that it gives me an excuse to get out in the woods again. I like to go and walk around at this time of the year. Meandering along some of the deer trails will reveal many things that I did not see during the fall and early winter season. If I go slowly enough and look carefully along the way, I may be lucky enough to find some shed antlers. Two things are important about this. First I can learn what kind of bucks survived the winter. And, second, I may learn which areas are most frequented by these bucks. It’s a fun exercise. I’m sure there are those of you who think that nothing cold be further from fun that this kind of walk. There are different kinds of walkers. Some people prefer a brisk walk through their neighborhood or at the local running track. I call that “mall-walking.” That is good exercise, but it’s way too fast for my taste. I prefer to meander, stopping to notice things along the way. Thinking about my style of walking recalled Jesus’ words in our reading today. Just as I prefer the easy road on my daily walks, many folks choose the easy road on their journey through life. But the easy road doesn't always lead to the right place. Are you traveling with those "few" on the narrow road to heaven or sailing smoothly down the expressway in the wrong direction? To those plodding along on the "deer trail," folks on the four-lane going nowhere appear to enjoy their trip more. It's quick, easy, and seemingly without pitfalls and potholes. That crowded highway seems easy and more carefree than the nature trail; but looks can be deceiving. People on the broad, easy road aren't knocked down by the "tree branches" of life and they aren't on constant vigil watching for the "spiders and snakes" of temptation that catch one unaware, but they are in grave danger of reaching the wrong destination. Though the narrow path leading to life can seem difficult, the heavenly destination is definitely worth the effort. If heaven is our goal, we must find and stay on that narrow path. To do this requires acceptance of God's Word and obeying the commands of Jesus. Some of us are making great time in the fast lane; but what good is that if we are breezing along on the wrong road, oblivious to the fact that we are headed for hell? In the Scriptures, God spelled out what He expects of us. Our road map is there. Are you following it where He wants to take you?

“The Legend of the Colors”

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:4-7, 16 ESV). Of course we know that God as a sign of his promise created the rainbow after the flood. However, the following “legend,” while only a story, is thought provoking. Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best. The most important. The most useful. The favorite. Green said: "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority." Blue interrupted: "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing." Yellow chuckled: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, and the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun." Orange started next to blow her trumpet: "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you." Red could stand it no longer he shouted out: "I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy." Purple rose up to his full height: He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey." Indigo spoke, more quietly than others, but with determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace." And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of their own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort. In the midst of the clamor, God began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me." Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands and God formed them into the rainbow. There is no one better than the other within the body of Christ. We are all valuable in the work God has called us to. Celebrate your diversity and unite in your brotherhood.

Two Wolves Within

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 ESV). I was reading through some old notes this week and came on the following story. Even though I do not know who originally wrote it, it is a wonderful illustration of the tension we often feel as we relate to others. There was grandfather, his little grandson often came in the evenings to sit at his knee and ask the many questions that children ask. One day the grandson came to his grandfather with a look of anger on his face. Grandfather said, "Come, sit, tell me what has happened today." The child sat and leaned his chin on his Grandfather's knee. Looking up into the wrinkled, nut-brown face and the kind dark eyes, the child's anger turned to quiet tears. The boy said, "I went to the town today, with my father, to trade the furs he has collected over the past several months. I was happy to go, because father said that since I had helped him with the trapping, I could get something for me. Something that I wanted. I was so excited to be in the trading post; I have not been there before. I looked at many things and finally found a metal knife! It was small, but good size for me, so father got it for me." Here the boy laid his head against his grandfather's knee and became silent. The Grandfather, softly placed his hand on the boys raven hair and said, "and then what happened?" Without lifting his head, the boy said, "I went outside to wait for father, and to admire my new knife in the sunlight. Some town boys came by and saw me, they got all around me and starting saying bad things. They called me dirty and stupid and said that I should not have such a fine knife. The largest of these boys, pushed me back and I fell over one of the other boys. I dropped my knife and one of them snatched it up and they all ran away, laughing." Here the boy's anger returned, "I hate them, I hate them all!" The Grandfather, with eyes that have seen too much, lifted his grandson's face so his eyes looked into the boy's. Grandfather said, "Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times. It is as if there are two wolves inside me, one is white and one is gray. The White Wolf is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. But it will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. But, the gray Wolf is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing. Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit." The boy, looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes, and asked, "which one wins Grandfather?" The Grandfather, smiled and said, "The one I feed." It is often difficult to maintain an attitude of love when others continue to hurt us. However it is true that the “wolf” we feed is the one that wins. Which are you feeding today? Let go of past hurts and face today with a renewed sense of hope and affirmation.

Getting Up After You Fall

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV). Someone once asked Paul Harvey to reveal the secret of his success. “I get up when I fall down,” said Harvey. There is a wonderful story about a girl who was born into a very poor family in a shack in the hills of Tennessee. She was the twentieth of twenty-two children, prematurely born and frail. Her survival was doubtful. When she was four years old she had double pneumonia and scarlet fever, a deadly combination that left her with a paralyzed and useless left leg. She had to wear an iron leg brace. Yet she was fortunate in having a mother who encouraged her. Her mother taught her that despite the brace and leg, she could do whatever she wanted to do with her life. She taught her that all she needed to do was to have faith, persistence, courage and indomitable spirit. So at nine years of age, the little girl removed the leg brace, and she took the step the doctors told her she would never take normally. In four years, she developed a rhythmic stride, which was a medical wonder. Then this girl got the notion, the incredible notion, that she would like to be the world's greatest woman runner. At age 13, she entered a race. She came in last, a distant last at that. She entered every race in high school, and in every race she came in last. Everyone begged her quit! However, one day, she came in next to last. And then there came a day when she finally won a race. From then on, Wilma Rudolph won every race that she entered. Wilma went to Tennessee State University, where she met a coach named Ed Temple. Coach Temple saw the indomitable spirit of the girl, that she was a believer and that she had great natural talent. He trained her so well that she went to the Olympic Games. There she was pitted against the greatest woman runner of the day, a German girl named Jutta Heine. Nobody had ever beaten Jutta. But in the 100-meter dash, Wilma Rudolph won. She beat Jutta again in the 200-meters. Now Wilma had two Olimpic gold medals. Finally came the 400-meter relay. It would be Wilma against Jutta once again. The first two runners on Wilma's team made perfect handoffs with the baton. But when the third runner handed the baton to Wilma, she was so excited she dropped it, and Wilma saw Jutta taking off down the track. It was impossible that anybody could catch this fleet and nimble girl. But Wilma did just that! Wilma Rudolph had earned three Olympic gold medals. She did not know how to quit! Whatever disabilities or setbacks you may be facing, remember the promise of faithfulness from your heavenly Father. Don’t give up! If you have fallen, get up and try again!

A Fool and His Folly

Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly. If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. (Proverbs 17:12-14 ESV). Ed Price tells a wonderful parable that illustrates the foolishness of quarrelling. It seems that there lived a bear in a cave deep in the woods. Nearby was a meadow in which a farmer kept his cattle -- and one large, ferocious-looking bull. Each day the bear hid at the edge of the woods, watching the bull. The bear was known as the strongest, most fierce creature for miles around. No other beast in the forest dared to tangle with him. As the bear watched the bull peacefully gazing, he wondered which one of them would win a test of strength. He thought about this for many days. Then one morning he decided to challenge the bull to a fight to the finish. The bull had just chomped down on a fresh clump of clover when he looked up and saw the bear barreling across the meadow toward him. He stopped chewing. The red flag of danger popped up in his head. The bear skidded to a halt in front of him. The bull lowered his head menacingly, his sharp horns aimed right for the bear's throat. For long moments they stood in place -- eyeball to eyeball -- neither one of them moving. Finally the bull grew tired of the stare-down and asked, "What do you want, Bear?" "I want to fight you," growled the bear. "Why?" asked the bull. "Because, I want to prove that I am a stronger and better fighter than you are." The bull laughed. "I thought you really wanted something. You can't possibly win against me. I have sharp horns that can cause terrible injuries." "And my claws are sharp and quick," the bear shot back. "I have defeated many an enemy -- anyone who would harm my cubs or take away my mate. I am the king of the forest!" "Then go back to the forest," the bull bluntly advised. "This is the meadow." The bear blinked in surprise. "I beg your pardon..." "I mean, what's the point of me fighting with you?" the bull asked. "What would that prove? We are not enemies. I have not harmed your cubs or taken your mate." "It would prove that I am the strongest." "Okay," said the bull, smiling. "I'll buy that. You are strongest. Now leave and let me graze in peace." "Just one cotton-pickin' minute. What do you mean by that?" The bear raised a club-like paw. "I will tear you to shreds. Defend yourself." "What you do is up to you," the bull answered calmly. "But if you do, what will all your friends -- the ones who are watching us right now -- think about you?" "They will think that I am the strongest," yelled the frustrated bear. "I don't think so. I do not choose to fight you just because you choose to fight with me. I would only fight to defend one of the cows in my care. If you attack one of them, then I'd be obliged to give you a good lashing." "I can't attack them," protested the bear. "They can't fight back. There would be no victory to it." "Exactly," answered the bull. "But what if you did? And what if I should try to defend them? What if something should happen to me? Who would protect them then? You? Would you trust me to protect your cubs if something happened to you? What would happen to your family if you lose the fight?" "I never thought of that," said the bear. "Go back into the woods, Bear," said the bull as he turned to walk away. "Live in peace. And I will stay in the meadow and do the same." The bear turned toward the woods. He had come spoiling for a fight -- to prove which one was the strongest. But he had learned an important lesson from a very wise bull. In peace, there are no losers.

Ramblings of a Retired Mind

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:21-29 ESV). Just recently I received the following “ramblings of a retired mind” from a friend of mine. They are pretty funny, however they also lead us to an important truth. Before we get to that, read them:  I was thinking about how a status symbol of today is those cell phones that everyone has clipped on. I can't afford one so I'm wearing my garage door opener.  You know, I spent a fortune on deodorant before I realized that people didn't like me anyway.  It might help if women put pictures of missing husbands on beer cans!  I was thinking about old age and decided that it is when you still have something on the ball but you are just too tired to bounce it.  I thought about making a fitness movie for folks my age and call it "Pumping Rust."  I have gotten that dreaded furniture disease. That’s when your chest is falling into your drawers!  You know when people see a cat's litter box, they always say, "Oh, do you have a cat?" Just once I wanted to say, "No, it's for company!"  Employment application blanks always ask who is to be notified in case of an emergency. I think you should write, "A Good Doctor!"  Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do . . . write to these men? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen could look for them while they delivered the mail?  I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older then it dawned on me... They were cramming for their finals. As for me, I'm just hoping God grades on the curve. Maybe there is some need to “cram” for the final, although the real key is not in the final “test.” After it is all said and done, there will only be one criterion that will be evaluated. If you have built your life on the solid foundation of faith in Christ you will have eternal life. You will have passed the “final exam.” What kind of foundation are you building on?