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!