Wild America

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV). Sometimes I watch National Geographic. Recently I saw a program that compared the amount of land that could be considered “wilderness” in both America and Africa. The statistic was surprising. The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% while the percentage of North America that is wilderness 38%. That certainly didn’t fit my imagination of the “Dark Continent.” In fact, just to add a little more surprise to the wilderness of our country, did you know that California, which is home to one of the most populous cities in the world, is more than 90% wilderness? Images can be very misleading. The amount of media play a topic gets makes it loom in our minds as more important than items that fly under the public radar screen. Friends in broadcasting tell me that a story is news when it has great impact on a few people, or moderate impact of a great number of people. And the more sensational the impact, the more likely it gets into the news. I don't know about you, but I sure am tired of hearing about violence and illicit sex every day of the year! And I just don't run into those issues in my own life very often. What I experience is the loving support of friends, the daily working out of relationships among families who want things to work, the hard work to put food on the table and a bit of savings in the bank for a rainy day and concern that spiritual time is so hard to get in the hubbub of the everyday bustle of modern life. In Paul's writings, he encourages Christians to live simple, loving lives. To let the ways of the world go its way and make deliberate choices to live according to the simple rules laid out by Christ. Love God. Love one another. TV is fun. Microwaves are speedy. Cars are consuming. And there are many, many things to distract us from honoring the God who made us, our parent in the greater sense of the word. And there are so many complications when we set about to love one another. Today’s reading speaks of love. It is not simple, but it is essential. Use it to give you a few guidelines to draw upon when living together gets complicated. Put love’s power into perspective in your life. When love is shared in simple little ways, it gets passed on. My prayer for you is that love will become simpler for you, as natural as breathing, as simple as nurturing touch. Life is not about violence and pain. Look for and practice the good in life and you will be surprised how much more you see and receive.

Wild America

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV). Sometimes I watch National Geographic. Recently I saw a program that compared the amount of land that could be considered “wilderness” in both America and Africa. The statistic was surprising. The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% while the percentage of North America that is wilderness 38%. That certainly didn’t fit my imagination of the “Dark Continent.” In fact, just to add a little more surprise to the wilderness of our country, did you know that California, which is home to one of the most populous cities in the world, is more than 90% wilderness? Images can be very misleading. The amount of media play a topic gets makes it loom in our minds as more important than items that fly under the public radar screen. Friends in broadcasting tell me that a story is news when it has great impact on a few people, or moderate impact of a great number of people. And the more sensational the impact, the more likely it gets into the news. I don't know about you, but I sure am tired of hearing about violence and illicit sex every day of the year! And I just don't run into those issues in my own life very often. What I experience is the loving support of friends, the daily working out of relationships among families who want things to work, the hard work to put food on the table and a bit of savings in the bank for a rainy day and concern that spiritual time is so hard to get in the hubbub of the everyday bustle of modern life. In Paul's writings, he encourages Christians to live simple, loving lives. To let the ways of the world go its way and make deliberate choices to live according to the simple rules laid out by Christ. Love God. Love one another. TV is fun. Microwaves are speedy. Cars are consuming. And there are many, many things to distract us from honoring the God who made us, our parent in the greater sense of the word. And there are so many complications when we set about to love one another. Today’s reading speaks of love. It is not simple, but it is essential. Use it to give you a few guidelines to draw upon when living together gets complicated. Put love’s power into perspective in your life. When love is shared in simple little ways, it gets passed on. My prayer for you is that love will become simpler for you, as natural as breathing, as simple as nurturing touch. Life is not about violence and pain. Look for and practice the good in life and you will be surprised how much more you see and receive.

Epitaphs

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:38-44 ESV). It is not unusual for many people to spend a little time at the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. A grave is a reminder of the person who had lived. It might be asked if we must be buried or can we be cremated. As I thought about that, I was taken to the tomb of Lazarus and wondered what might have been written there after Jesus raised him from the dead. Epitaphs are always interesting to read. In Lazarus’ case, he might have had chiseled something like “I’m not here any more!” In any case the following are some that I have pulled off the web for your consideration. Each of them has some interesting impact. Epitaph #1: Of a Young Worldly Woman: Here lies, what once, in beauty's bloom was every eye's delight; But now, the tenant of a tomb, its form would shock our sight. The soul that breath'd within the clod, fled in the pride of youth; learn hence betime to seek thy God, And choose the way of truth! Epitaph 2: Forbear to ask, whose dust lies here, beneath the turf or stone? Remember, thou must soon appear before thy Judge's Throne! Epitaph 3: Where is thy sting, O Death? And where thy victory, Grave? The ransom's sinner yields his breath to Him, who died to save. Epitaph 4: Is there some fond enchanting tie, that fetters thee to earth? And does the thought, that thou must die, make thee lament thy birth? O rise beyond these meaner things, these poor terrestrial toys; peace from a heavenly fountain springs, and swells to endless joys. Epitaph 5: Our body, as the food for worms, is loath'd, A shroud is all that it can boast of dress; But every soul for heav'n that's duly cloth'd shines in the robe of Christ's own righteousness. What will your epitaph read? As for me, I hope it says something about the wonder of life both before and after death! In Christ you may find joy in this life and surely you will know joy in the next!

Putting Out the Fleece

Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. (Judges 6:36-38 ESV). Today’s verses refer to the famous “putting out the fleece” story of Gideon. Gideon wanted to be certain of what God was calling him to do, so he put out a fleece and ask God to do a miracle with it. If you know the passage then you also know that God did just as Gideon requested and Gideon asked him to do it again. God performed two miracles to help Gideon overcome his uncertainty and fear. In my forty years as a Christian I have heard people “putting out a fleece” many times. They will attempt to put God to the test, so to speak, to insure that God is indeed speaking to them. I’m not going to advise anyone NOT to “put out a fleece”, but I am going to caution against putting God to the test. Christians today have a distinct advantage over Gideon. Gideon lived in the days of the law. We live in the days of grace. Gideon had the rare opportunity to talk with God face to face. Not everyone in those days had that experience. Today, if you are a Christian, you can talk to God anytime, because you have the Scripture and the Holy Spirit of God. Again, I’m not saying don’t use the fleece test, but what I am saying is that God wants a relationship with us so strong that we can clearly understand the counsel of God through the Scripture and the Holy Spirit’s influence in our life. God wants us to be able to discern His guidance. God has given us His Spirit, the counsel of the Word, and wise men and women who also have His Spirit within them, so that we can walk in the Spirit of God and always know and obey His commands. If you are having trouble understanding God’s plan for your life or hearing from God, my advise would not be to improve your testing of God’s will, but to improve your knowledge of and relationship with God.

Another Day, Another Time

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 ESV). With so much uncertainty in our world, many commentaries have been written and aired in the media that call us to remember another day and another time. While watching the news recently I began to think about our day. George Carlin said it this way: The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, and throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete. There are some things we have forgotten in our rush to be successful. We should remember to spend more time with our loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

The Little Teacup

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV). Yesterday I told you about a new blend of tea that has been recommended to me. I began to muse a little further in that thought. Did you know that house dust is made up of 97 percent skin cells? Isn't that thoroughly fascinating and utterly disgusting all at the same time? I suppose we should start saving all the dust from the vacuum and build a MAID! There’s probably enough under the couch or refrigerator to do it now! Maybe we could train her to do laundry, clean windows and serve high tea (see, I told you I was thinking about tea)? Good tea is hard to beat as a thirst-quenching drink. Mary and I have always had tea in the house. It is a staple on our table for meals. That aside, do you remember the "I'm a Little Teapot" song? I like the song. Perhaps I like it so much because it reminds me of how I am starting to look, you know, "short and stout" and all! There’s another version that I have heard that is pretty funny, it goes like this: "I'm a little teapot, short and stout. Here is my handle, Here is my handle... Hey, I'm a sugar bowl!" It makes me think of how God crafted and shaped us to be exactly who we are. He didn't get to the finished project and say, "Oh no! I was trying for a teapot on this one!" There's big-time frustration in trying to be something or someone God has not designed us to be. It's like a teapot trying to be a sugar bowl or a vacuum cleaner or a stealth bomber! It's just not going to work. But as the teapot surrenders to the purpose its designer had in mind, do you know what happens? The teapot is filled up with goodness and warmth. Then, as it serves, it shares that warmth and goodness with others. It's doing exactly what it was made to do. What could be more satisfying for a teapot? The Apostle Paul urges us to pour ourselves out in good deeds in our reading this morning. They may be simple and almost insignificant, however each kindness given is like a refreshing drink to the thirsty. We are all different, with many gifts, however, in this regard we are all alike – we are like teapots with refreshment to be poured out for others. Look for you “cup” today!

Kombucha

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV). Having a relatively obscure malady that affects my iron levels I have been the recipient of many “home remedies.” The most recent is “Kombucha.” It is an increasingly popular home-brewed unique tea, which has a reputation for being beneficial to your health. Brewing it is not be easy though, for unlike most store-bought teas you can simply purchase at the local grocery store, this drink must be passed on from a friend. Kombucha is a beverage, which is typically made by fermenting common black tea and white sugar using a special Kombucha colony. It is this active culture, which is first needed before you can brew the tasty drink which some people compare to tart apple cider. The culture, however, may only be obtained and utilized while it is live, and since each time a batch of Kombucha tea is prepared it produces a new culture, you must first find someone who is willing to share their new culture so that you can then make your own tea. I haven’t found any yet, though I have found a popular auction web site on the Internet that makes the claim to be able to supply the culture. It seems there is a site with contact information on the Internet, which basically hooks up private Kombucha sellers with individual buyers. What intrigued me about the ad was that it stated she offered Kombucha cultures for free! In fact, several of the sellers made note that they were so blessed by the acclaimed health benefits of the exotic drink, giving away an active Kombucha culture to someone who needed one was their way of giving back to society. I was somewhat suspicious, thinking that there must be some sort of catch as no one gives something for nothing these days. "The clincher must be in the shipping and handling," I thought. "They probably offer the product for free and then double up on the shipping expense!" That theory was proven wrong however when I was written back saying there was no added or hidden costs, and any shipping charge would come out of her own pocket. Now I was really baffled! I know that Christ taught us about the beauty of giving and receiving with a cheerful heart, but I had never seen it applied in such a situation like this one. I received an email assuring me not to worry, that everything I would need to brew my first batch of Kombucha would also be included in the package. I haven’t written back yet, however I did begin to think of how great an illustration of the truth from our reading today this is! Not only does God encourage us to give cheerfully, but also he has already given to us such a great gift in Christ as an example. He gave us His Son so that we may have life more abundantly. He gave to us the ability to call out to Him for forgiveness, comfort, praise and salvation. His gifts are free, and the only price to pay is the simple peace and joy making Him a part of your life will offer your heart. Then we may give what we have freely to others! No shipping or handling charges!