Heroes and Heroines

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9 ESV).

Gal Gadot appears in the leading role of the newly released film, “Wonder Woman.” It has taken over 75 years for Wonder Woman to be the lead in her own live-action movie. First introduced in a short comic story in 1941, it took less than a year for the Amazonian princess to become the first female superhero to land her own solo comic-book series. Then it took her 35 years until she was the lead in her own TV show. She doesn’t always have superpowers and she isn’t always called Wonder Woman. From fighting Nazis to running a clothing boutique and even ascending to become an Olympian god, various incarnations and interpretations of Diana of Themyscira have appeared in comic panels and on television since her debut. But unlike her male peers, Wonder Woman has never even been seen on the big screen until recently. It was a box office hit to the surprise of many. However, I am curious how it will be played in the national media in the coming weeks. We live in a world full of billboards and 25-second television ads that all seek to influence our basic core values and beliefs about everything from what deode3rant we buy to who we choose as our leaders. Today is a day when we need the kind of influence that is meaningful; it cannot merely be something more meaningful than the popular culture of consumerism, but something most meaningful. That “something” may very well be a person of real integrity; it should be someone who is in love with the living Christ and committed to obedience, completely given to a vibrant relationship with Christ. This is the encouragement of Paul in our reading today. A relationship like Paul’s to believers in Philippi is so important in the Christian life. One of the most enriching gifts that God gives us through the Spirit is the ability to be surrounded with quality people who want nothing less than for you to be more like Jesus Christ. Find you heroes and heroines of the faith in today’s world and walk as they walk. Look, listen and copy them. That will produce a real heroic life. It will bring real meaning into our world.

Police Lights

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:1-4 ESV).

Yep, that was the image in my rearview mirror last night around 10 pm. I had gone to the bank to make a deposit at the last minute since we had been visiting with the kids for Mary’s birthday and was nearly home. We live in the country. So, as I turned on the county road that leads to the entrance to our little subdivision it was a big surprise to see the flashing lights. It is a very narrow road and I thought I would slowly go to a place where I could pull off the road. There isn’t a shoulder of any kind on this road. I was going about 10 mph as I didn’t want to give the impression I was “running” from the stop. However, he hit the siren and I knew I’d better stop immediately regardless. I pulled to the right as far as possible and waited for the sheriff’s deputy to approach. I had already gotten my driver’s license and License to Carry ID out for him. I rolled the window down and he politely asked for my identification. He saw the LTC and asked if I had my weapon in the car to which I simply answered “No sir.” I was still baffled as to why he stopped me. I knew I wasn’t speeding. He looked at my address and asked if I was on my way home. I said I was and he said, “Well, the reason I stopped you is because you have a license plate light out.” I must admit I probably wasn’t as courteous as I could have been. I said, “Really?” Then he retreated to his patrol car and checked my information. Not being a fleeing felon, I suppose he was a bit more relaxed when he came back the second time. He informed me he wasn’t going to give me a ticket, and the real reason he stopped me was that I was driving such an old car that he was checking to see if I was someone casing the neighborhood to break into a house! I do drive a 2003 Tahoe. It is old, but very serviceable. He apologized a bit and told me to get the light fixed, which was out, and then we had a nice chat for a few minutes. He went on his way, I went on home. That reminded me of our reading today. The Apostle Paul was very careful to state his identity clearly at the outset of his letter to the Corinthians. He wanted no misunderstandings over that. Sometimes I think we forget that our identity is not determined by degrees or positions; it is not gender based; it is solely based on the relationship we have with Christ. That’s the ID that really counts! What’s yours say?

Happy Birthday, Mary!

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6-9 ESV).

The reading I have chosen today may seem a bit odd. After all, it’s Mary’s birthday and this passage is not a direct reference to celebration or observance of such a special day. However, in light of the events of this year in our family, it seemed appropriate. Before I get to any of that, I do want to say a public Happy Birthday to my wife, Mary. Today we celebrate the 29th anniversary of her 39th birthday (you do the math, I’m not publicly writing that – I may be ugly, but I’m not stupid). Recently when Mary and I visited with Aaron, our youngest son, we went to brunch at a wonderful little French restaurant in Washington, D.C. It happened to also be Mother’s Day, so the celebration was a double pleasure. Of course, Kyle and David called to wish her “Happy Mother’s Day”; however, we went to see Aaron before his summer teaching responsibilities took him abroad. It was a wonderful trip in many ways. We hadn’t been able to get away much over the past few months as we have been dealing with other issues which were quite a surprise to both of us. In fact, the past two years have been like that. These months have been full of surprises and adjustments. Two things came to my mind as I turned my attention to this birthday devotional. First, none of these things were a surprise to God. His thoughts are simply not my thoughts. His perspective is vastly greater and different than mine. I pictured our retirement a bit different than it has evolved. I certainly didn’t think we would be spending our time with weekly visits to various doctors diagnosing and treating an unexpected and challenging illness. He did; and, he purposed our good from it (cf. Romans 8:28). It has already brought a “reset” to my mind. Things I took for granted no longer are on the “back-burner.” They are now front and center. Second, it also brought into clear certainty how temporary this world is. God has been preparing us through this journey for our final home. Just as we moved into our new Texas home a few months ago, we are moving toward our final home each day. We don’t know that schedule, but it gets closer with each passing moment. That is truly a cause for celebration! I’m so glad to celebrate Mary’s birthday today; but, more so, I celebrate the coming of eternity with her. Nothing can take that away (cf. Romans 8:31-36). I hope you can celebrate like that too!

Chaos

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. (2 Peter 3:1-7 ESV).

I don’t know about you, but I’m looking at our world in chaos. It shows itself in our world of politics in America, in the global scale of terror, in the ever increasing of our racial divide, increasing violence, a disappearance of the rule of law, and in the virtual destruction of our institutions. The Truth of God has been subordinated beneath legalese and God’s righteous command and rightful authority are being smothered beneath manmade convenience, mob rule, and arrogant control. I find myself asking what could be going on? There is an answer; however, it is not one which will be palatable to many Americans. God’s answer is Himself. Just as it was in the beginning when God’s answer to the formless chaos of the waters was His Spirit hovering over it and His Word declaring order into it, a time is coming when He will return into this world and the present chaos being sown by mankind will be finally answered. A justice some claim to want now that they have no idea what they’re asking. It’s not a slogan or some sign to carry around. It’s nothing that superficial. For some, being answerable will be a sigh of relief, a final rest, and an eternal Hallelujah. For others, it will be both a terrible and a terrifying Day of Judgment upon the evil they are and the evil they do. I am more and more convinced those last days are nearer than any would like to imagine. There are many voices crying out the absurdity of such an end to this world. In fact, many people have come to embrace the error of lawless men and women. I see them on the news and read about them every day. They’re quick to share opinions and slow to see what God says about it all. I don’t want to be one of them. I don’t want you to be either. Today is a simple call to turn your mind toward Christ. He is our only hope. Trust in him!

O! Say Can You See?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV).

Memorial Day this year reminded me of the importance of a strong national commitment. I guess I naturally went to our anthem for inspiration today. The Star Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Keys as he looked at the flag flying over the battle at Ft. McHenry has become one of the nation’s best-loved patriotic songs. The flag itself is enshrined at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. It gained special significance during the Civil War, a time when many Americans turned to music to express their feelings for the flag and the ideals and values it represented. By the 1890s, the military had adopted the song for ceremonial purposes, requiring it to be played at the raising and lowering of the colors. Despite its widespread popularity, “The Star-Spangled Banner” did not become the National Anthem until 1931. The anthem isn’t present in all or even most hymnals. Those that contain this patriotic song consider it a hymn; and, the ones that don’t apparently consider it a secular song. Yet, before we’re too quick to judge it as a song exalting a war-time footing that has no place in the Christian world, there’s something you should know. There is a second verse in the hymnals we never sing. Most people don’t even know there’s a second verse at all. There are actually four stanzas, only two of which show up in our hymnals and one of which we sing. The last stanza is most instructive: O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation. Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’ And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Does it strike you as strange that our national anthem touts “And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust’ and yet we find it so popular to deny God in most of our public national life. Our reading today is so clear in the wisdom of trusting God whether as an individual or a nation. Perhaps we all could use a reminder in whom we should be trusting.

Being Special

So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:26-31 ESV). Do you realize how special you are? Ignore for a moment any humility you may have in regard to self-promotion. The truth of God is that you are special and highly esteemed. Our reading today makes it very clear just how special we are in God’s eyes.

Jesus says we are “of more value than many sparrows. "Sparrow" is the name given to several different species of birds in the Bible. They ate grain and insects and gathered in noisy flocks. Sparrows would often build their untidy nests in the eaves of houses, but were not driven away when they built their nests in the Temple (cf. Psalm 84:3). These insignificant little birds were such social creatures that a lone sparrow was the symbol of deep loneliness (cf. Psalm 102:7). Yet, in the days of our Lord sparrows were sold for a very low price, two of them for a copper coin. A copper coin, an asarion, was a very small Roman coin, was worth about 1/16 of a silver denarius, and was therefore worth less than a quarter in our currency today. Those who were poor and could not afford to sacrifice a sheep or a goat might bring a sparrow to the Temple as was allowed by Jewish law (cf. Leviticus 14:1-7). Yet they were so insignificant that if you bought four sparrows the seller would throw in one more for free. It was this extra sparrow of which Jesus said, "and not one of them is forgotten before God." His care for His creation is so great that even this extra sparrow is noted and observed by God. The point our Lord was making is this: if God is concerned about the tiny sparrow and notes its fate, how much greater must His concern be for man, who is immeasurably greater in value than the sparrow! There is so much more to be said in the depth of this comparison. In life and death God has made sure provision for our best. Whatever circumstance or challenge you find yourself today, you are very special to God. Just like that special treasure you have, he cares for you in a way that is incomparable and immeasurable. Even when it feels as if you have been forgotten, he has already anticipated and made provision for your future in ways we cannot imagine. Face your challenges knowing you are special!

Overcoming

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (1 Peter 2:1-6 ESV).

It’s hard to believe that we have come to the first of June. It seems just yesterday that I was looking out my window from my desk and the gray days of winter stretched out across the vista. For me, June seems to mark the beginning of summer; and, that brings thoughts of long days filled with sunshine, warmth, and vibrant colors. In Texas that “warmth” means temperatures that approach or surpass 100 degrees pretty often, however, being cold-natured I seem to tolerate that much more than the cold of winter. It is also the signaling of a natural break for many people. For me, summer means that I have “made it” to another level. It is almost as significant as January and the beginning of a new year. So, with that thought in mind, I come to our reading today from a perspective of having overcome. So many people feel no victory in their lives. I talk with people everyday who are frustrated and defeated. Our culture has created an environment where loss is not merely experienced but expected. In an age known for flaming emails of anger, tweets that bite, Face Book status updates that give instant life to something best left silent, we have the secret to overcoming all of that and more in this short passage. Yesterday I mentioned adopting “the long look.” The picture I have chosen to accompany today’s devotional is one of an old fence row in the Hill Country. The bluebonnets have been replaced with the more common red Texas wildflowers. They are so common that no real care is given to preserving them like the bluebonnets. They just seem to survive regardless of the circumstances. They are overcomers. I’ll be writing about that over the next few days. Today I want to focus your attention on just one thought. Regardless of the rejection you may feel from others, God has particularly chosen you to be special stones for the building of this grand “spiritual house.” Not any rock will do, only special stones are used. Often that requires the painful masonry of a master craftsman; however, it never fails to reach perfection and completion. Take that long look, knowing you will be complete and the process comes into sharp focus.