CHRISTMAS TIME

088 – DECEMBER 2010

It’s Christmas time.
It’s a time to exchange gifts … and to be thankful for those that we already have.
I am so thankful for my family and friends.
Family & friends are great gifts.

Hugs & Kisses!!!
and Merry Christmas !!!
Chris & Pat

Hark! The Heralds Angels Sing
Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847

Hark! The heralds angels sing, “Glory to the new born King;
Peace on Earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! The heralds angels sing, “Glory to the new born King.

THE BRAIN

087-NOVEMBER 2010

FACT: As adults the brain averages 1300-1400g (about 3 lbs).
COMMENT: Great things come in small packages.

FACT: Your brain is about 2% of your total body weight but uses 20% of your body's energy. And, more electrical impulses are generated in one day by a single human brain than by all the telephones in the world.
COMMENT: It’s no wonder we get headaches! . … Each year Americans consume 50 billion aspirin tablets or 15.5 million tons.

FACT: The composition of the brain = 77-78% water, 10-12% lipids, 8% protein, 1% carbs, 2% soluble organics, 1% inorganic salt.
COMMENT: That’s absolutely crazy. The greatest computer in the world - and it is mostly water. Inconceivable! … except that it’s a God thing! Seriously, think about it - He breathes some sort of magical life into that 3 pounds of chemical medley and it all works.… Could we do that? With all of our intelligence? No way!

Isaiah 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

FACT: There are 100,000 miles of blood vessels in your brain and over 100 billion neurons in your brain
COMMENT: I see! There’s a bit more to it. Do you finally understand all of this? Am I explaining it well? Oops, I forgot to mention electrons.

FACT: The brain can survive only 5 minutes without oxygen before it starts to die.
COMMENT: It works cooperatively with a working heart that pumps blood through out the entire nervous system. As brilliant as we are , we need to understand that all knowledge we obtain and use originates from that little package of goo that sits beneath our skull.
C’mon! We get all of our genius from that 1300 grams of God’s gumbo and we rely on His invisible breath of life to make it all work. You have now entered the Twilight Zone!

2 Corinthians 4:18 “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”



P.S. FACT: After age 30, the brain shrinks a 1/4 of a percent (0.25%) in mass/ year.
COMMENT: Now, that explains a few things!

Brain facts from - www.environmentalgraffiti.com/sciencetech/facts-about-your-brain/7038

THE GOLDEN RULE

086 – OCTOBER 2010

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good

The Italian Godfather answers a person’s favor with - “I owe you a favor.”
That same Don answers a person’s betrayal with - “Get out of my sight. I’ll spare your life, but you’re a dead man to me.”

The Golden Rule asks for the opposite … “Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you.”
As we’ve discussed - Most times, we drop the words 5, 6, 7, and 9 and the rule of reality reads, “Do unto others as others do unto you.”
OR – The Godfather’s Rule would read “Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you … unless they treat you like crap! Then you retaliate and treat them like crap also.”

The fact is we have all been guilty of treating others the way they treat us:
Someone makes mistakes that affect us and we treat them a bit more casual than we treat others.
Someone falls short in their response to us and we put our finger on the “off” button.
Someone fails to meet our expectations and we demote them to ”inferior human being”.
Someone treats us with disrespect and we choose to void their irreverence with our well chosen and superior words of intellect.
Too often, we return people’s behavior by acting in the same manner.
If they are nice, we like them and we do unto them nicely. If they are not nice, we don’t like them and we do unto them not nicely.

It is a wide and easy path. Anyone can react this way.
I challenge you to not want to be just anyone. Anyone can do that! Choose a more narrow and difficult path and rise above the calm of mediocrity.

Luke 6:28 Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Ouch! This not going to be easy!

vs.29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
Forget it! I quit! … Just kidding!


Homework - Try saying the Godfather lines with a raspy voice. And keep your hands moving as you speak. Amuse yourself.

DYING TO SELF

085 – SEPTEMBER 2010

Sometimes, we can become so self absorbed that, in fairness, we need to re-title and sing some love songs with a bit more truth. Some re-titles to consider:
Only You (The Platters) - Only Me
You are So Beautiful to Me (Kenny Rogers) - I am So Beautiful to Me
I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston) - I Will Always Love Me
I Got You Babe (Sonny & Cher) - I Got Me Babe
You Are the Sunshine of My Life (S. Wonder) - I Am Are the Sunshine of My Life
And my favorite …
You Were Always on My Mind (Willie Nelson) – I am Always on My Mind

Wouldn’t it be great to die to your selfishness? Wouldn’t it be wonderful? Think about it! Send up a little prayer and watch yourself be transformed! Simple! Done!
No more bad attitudes. No more temper tantrums! No more self-centeredness! Just walking around loving and serving on everybody!

When I made my commitment to Christ, I became a new creature. The Spiritual realm opened up to me and I began to see new things. Indeed I have a new nature. I have a new natural way to act. I don’t see things the old way. It’s not natural anymore. I listen and I see with a new nature.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

So, we made it. Great! All finished! … in one magical Holy Ghost sweeping of our souls! Mmmmm!
Yet, we quickly learn that the flesh is still operative. The Bible refers to it as the Old Man or the Old Nature (the old natural way). Without doubt, we have a new natural way … but the old man will still raise its ugly little head.
There are times when we can backslide to the point where the flesh establishes control. We can go long periods of time in some justified denial and slip into a satisfaction with self-centeredness that befuddles the truth of our magnificent conversion.
A person who has died does not have this conflict. Therefore - Die! While we live, we can die! We can make some great trades and die to our impatience, envies, boastings, demands, rudeness, records of wrong, and puffings up … to name a few.

Romans 6:7 “because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.”

Some folks interpret that this “dead to self” thing has been completed. Not me! Each morning, I deliberately and consciously put on the “selfless robe” and I pray;
”Dear Lord! Thank you for this great day. Help me to keep this robe on. Remind me that my purpose is to love and to serve. Help me to walk in my new nature and to avoid selfish actions that would draw me from that purpose for living. Amen!”
1 Corinthians 15:31 “ … I die daily.”

SIGNIFICANCE

084 – AUGUST 2010

The movie, Gangs of New York, is set in a small New York city neighborhood in the mid 1800’s. The young city is already filled with corruption and gangs have begun to establish their little territorial kingdoms. You watch the turmoils and the interactions of the 2 rival gang leaders as they protect their turf. You are drawn into their world as they suffer defeats and celebrate victories. You become interested in all the deep emotions, conflicts, and agonies of their lives.

There is a rather vexing scene at the end of the movie. The 2 opposing gang leaders die and are buried side by side. The camera lingers on this cemetery scene … the graveyard in the foreground with the NYC skyline across the Hudson River and looming in the distance. You watch the graveyard and the skyline “time lapse” from 1863 to 2002.
Your mind races as you compare the changing skyline to the graves that become overgrown with grass and weeds.
And you listen intently to the final line of the movie;
“For the rest of time, it would be like no one ever knew he was ever here.”
In the vast reach of the globe and in relation to the world’s past, present, and future - the lives in a small NYC neighborhood for 20 years becomes insubstantial.

Job 21:18 “They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.”

1. There is a haunting truth to the ending of this movie – my life is insignificant!
In the scope of things, I am teeny weeny. Consider the countries, the cultures, and the billions of people on this earth. Add to that vast mix the years of history and the years yet to come and you realize how trifling your little kingdom is. This discovery should help me to limit the battles that I engage in. and realize that most things just do not matter.
2. Contrarily, a different thought arises - my life is significant!
In the scope of things, I am bigsy wigsy. I cannot change the world but I can change the world … for someone. I have great hope. A strong sense of eternity insists that what I do or say may have an influence on others. And each person that I impart something to can pass it on, etc., etc.
Therefore, think about this, our lives will produce an eternal trickle effect that will affect others long after we have died. So, we need to be careful what we impart to others.

1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love”


Note: Gangs of New York is an “R” rated movie. In an attempt to portray the reality of NYC in the mid 1800’s, the directors/producers used very vulgar and implicit scenes. I would not suggest that you rent this movie.
However, you can view the final 1 minute scene on You tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-8Lu7MRjQs

Beam Me Up, Lord

“The Rapture”, in the Christian faith, refers to a great event that is to take place. Although the word rapture does not appear in the Bible, the event is clearly announced.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Theologically, these 2 verses are open to great discussion. Although most believe this will happen (some don’t), there is a cerebral divide as to when the rapture will happen.
* Some believe it will happen and a period of tribulation will follow.
* Some believe this tribulation will come before the event.
* And, some believe it is simply the end of time, as we know it.

Anyhow, if I am alive when the trumpet sounds, I believe I will fly away to meet Jesus in the air and will continue this life eternal.

In the mean time, can anybody do something about the airlines? You’ve heard the saying, “If man was meant to fly, God would have given him some wings”? I am starting to believe that. I am quite easy going, but this air transportation gets me really upset.
Example: I board the plane 10 minutes late and begin my taxi to the runway. The pilot announces that I am “3rd in line for take-off” so I breath a sigh of relief that I will, indeed, make my connection flight.
“2nd in line!”
And then … “We have a small mechanical failure and need to taxi back to the terminal. It will only cause a 30 minute delay. Thank you for your patience.”
What? I have no patience! I am now a total wreck. Pat tells me to calm down and I bark at her “I will not calm down!”
These types of incidents have fueled my dislike for air travel. I am becoming a home body. My only hope is to be around when man discovers how to magically transfer us. Remember Star Trek! People would march into this tube. They would be translated to wherever they wanted to go and they would arrive “On Time” … with all body parts intact. That’s important!
When they wanted to return to the ship, they would pull out this little cell phone (already done) and say, “Beam me up Scotty!”
Now, that’s a ticket for round trip travel that anyone could handle.

In summary:
1. I have no desire for more airport/jet travel episodes … zero, nada, zilch.
2. That could reverse if the Star Trek tube becomes a reality.
3. Given the choice, I would forfeit a tube trip in order to be ensured of the greatest air travel experience in human history. Think about it!!
Dear Lord - When it’s time for me to go home … Beam me up!!!

WHOOSH

082 – JUNE 2010
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Whoosh

I call it a “whoosh”! It is a bit juvenile, but someone had to call it something. With apologies to Mr. Webster, I have coined this uncommon definition:
Whoosh – a mystical rush, a joyful surge, or an inward impression of “everything is exceedingly wonderful.” It sweeps your soul and suddenly, for no apparent reason, you feel this wave of euphoria. It lifts your spirit and you feel 100%. You feel as though you are in Heaven. You are warmly overflowed with peace producing an inner smile of comfort and contentment.
As I explain this to some folks, they distort their face with a “What the heck are you talking about?” Maybe they never experienced it. Maybe they’re in a constant state of bliss and are wondering why I am making such a big deal of it.

It’s a whoosh! For me, it doesn’t happen often enough and it doesn’t last for very long … a minute or 2. I’m glad the exhilaration happened but I’m not sure why it did. It seemed to out of nowhere.
The provocation is a bit of a mystery, however, there does seem to be one common denominator - I know that the whooshes happen when someone is in my presence. Always family or friends. How cool is that?
Every wonderful once in a while, when you are with someone you love, you might just get one. It seems to be the link for the whoosh and … the reason for this TAI.

Paul’s final epistle is very interesting. It was towards the end of his life when he wrote this letter to his friend. In Timothy 2, Paul closes this final letter with what seems to be most important at this time of his life. He writes not about what he had accomplished, but rather about the friendships and acquaintances that he developed. He concludes the letter and mentions over 18 different names. 9 in the last 3 verses!
“Luke is with me.” / “Get Mark and bring him with you.” / “Bring my coat that I left with Carpus.” “I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila.” “Erastus stayed in Corinth.” / “I left Trophimus in Miletus.” / “Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia send their greetings, and so do all the other Christian brothers.”

Think about it! When you are at the end of your life you will want to be near those things that you value most. You won’t say ”Could you please bring me my bowling trophy from 1992. I want to take one more look at it before I go."
No, you will want to be near your friends and family … remembering and reminiscing about all of the precious people in your life. So, take time to enjoy those who love you. Savor the time you spend with them.
And, I do hope you get a whoosh this next week!


P.S. I’m just glad that my wonderful friends’ names are more simple. That way I won’t forget you! What’s with “Eubulus”? “Erastus”? Or “Trophimus?” Oy!

PERSPECTIVE

081 - May 2010

PERSPECTIVE

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens on earth.

Light travels at a speed of 186,000 miles per second. A light year is a measure of distance... the distance that light travels in one year, approximately 5.88 trillion miles. Think about that for a minute and then continue.

I retrieved the following information from Wikipedia:
The Universe is a very large and possibly infinite in volume; observable matter is spread over a space at least 93 billion light years. By comparison, our Milky Way galaxy is roughly 100,000 light years in diameter, and our nearest sister galaxy, the Andromeda Galaxy is located roughly 2.5 million light years away. There are probably more than 100 billion galaxies in the observable universe.
We are talking BIG!!!!

Isaiah 40:26 "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

I retrieved the following information from dmturner.com:
An atom is the smallest particle of matter that can exist. Anything smaller than an atom is just energy, not matter. An atom is one million times smaller than the human hair and the nucleus of the atom, compared to the rest of the atom, is so small it is like a single paper clip compared to the size of the whole school. An atom is so small that light beams miss it. That's why you cannot see an atom, even under a regular-light microscope.
We are talking SMALL!!!!

With all of this going on around us and putting this into some sort of perspective, the questions should arise - "What dumb thing are you upset about today?"
In the course of one day, light has traveled over 16 billion miles and all we can do is find something to be upset about. From the smallest to the largest, life is filled with amazing mind boggling wonder.

However, we can sometime lose our connection to this marvelous creation. Silly fears raise their ugly (and pointless) little heads and we choose to act snippy towards someone about something... about anything... about nothing! Sometime our ego gets a bit bruised and we create a complication over a hill of beans. We talk and we talk and we talk some more. Sometime our control issues drive us to convince the other party (usually family) to discover the "real truth" and we unsuspectingly draw them into the anxiety trap that we created. Sometime we become oblivious to all of the wonder of life. Sometime we misuse our valuable time and forfeit blessings in order to create mountains our of molehills.

Matthew 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life

Think about it. In the scope of God's great wonder, most of our issues are just silly things. So, relax. Enjoy your life. Stop giving folks a hard time. Enjoy the people who are close to you. You'll be so glad you did.

BAD TRADES

080 - April 2010

BAD TRADES

Esau was the first born and was entitled to special blessings and birthrights. One particular day, Esau arrived home and was very hungry. He asked his brother, Jacob, for some porridge, to which Jacob offered the porridge in exchange for Esau's birthright.
"And Esau said, "Look, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?" (Genesis 25:32)

Desires and selfish ambitions can sometime cause people to make bad trades. We trade birthrights for a bowl of porridge. We exchange our character for a few minutes of carnal itch and we cash in our principals for a bit of fleeting power. And, sadly, we swap relationships and friendships for a few bucks.
We all do it. Think about it - you are not immune. We are all vulnerable to the porridge. A bit of hunger, lust, power and money can cause us to act unwisely.

We used to have a small camera shop and I remember a friend who brought in a Polaroid camera that he had acquired. He asked me for instruction. So, we spent an hour in the shop talking photography and explaining the operation of his camera. Five minutes after he left, I wanted some chewing gum and I ran to the pharmacy that was 10 doors down. There he was, my friend, standing in the checkout line with 5 packs of Polaroid SX-70 film in his hand. I asked "What'd you do that for?"
He embarrassingly declared that he has saved $3.00!

I've also been "cashed" in for some large bowls of porridge:
Twice for over $2,000 and, more recently, for a whopping $4,500.
So I figured I am doing quite well. It appears my "friendship dollar value" is growing... from a few packs of Polaroid file to almost $5,000.

1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..."
Money can cause people to act strangely and behave unlike their seeming character. It makes them do funny things!

The porridge makes people do funny things!
To satisfy a fleeting urge, we make reckless decisions. Cravings and greed and jealousy raise their ugly little heads and cause us to see unclearly. We become blind and exaggerate a bit of hunger into an imagined doom... the payoff resulting with a bad trade!

Oh yeah, and one more thing - Never trade an eternal birthright in Christ for a temporal moment of carnal urgency. That's the ultimate bad trade.
More dreadful than the Red Sox selling a young Babe Ruth for a few cursed dollars.
You can say that again.

The Rooster and the Hens

Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

I always liked to read Aesop’s Fables. Each fable starts with a story and ends with a moral. I had a great illustrated book when I was a kid and Pat bought me one for this last Christmas … while I am still a kid.
I thought I might try to emulate this fable formula with a 21st century Chris’ Fable.

THE ROOSTER AND THE HENS

A rooster was born and bred in Randolph. He asserted himself to the rank of governor and the protector of 30 egg laying hens. He strutted around the barnyard with apparent cockiness yet he was becoming very disgruntled with his life. He was annoyed with everything and was very upset with his surroundings. The hens in the coop were driving him crazy with their constant squawking and complaining. He would crow and peck at them to no avail. His morning wake-up crow was less enthusiastic as each morning passed by. He was becoming a bit depressed with his situation and would daydream about the hens of Bethel. He often heard that the Bethel barnyard was the very best in the county.
One horrible day, 3 hens gathered together and gave him a squawk that you could hear for miles. The rooster made up his mind that he had enough and, knowing that he might not be able to return, he began the long walk to Bethel.
He arrived at midday and immediately noticed that things were much better in Bethel. The Barnyard was bigger and better. All 60 hens were all so very friendly and, most importantly, they all greeted him with the respect he deserved.
His morning crow was renewed. It was exhilarating and the rooster received great praises from the all of the barnyard residents.
However, it only took 1 week for the shine to disappear. The rooster realized that the barnyard wasn’t as big or as nice as he originally thought it was. The hens were twice as loud and twice as annoying as the hens of Randolph and, most importantly, their greetings of respect diminished as each day passed by.
By the end of 2 weeks, he regretted his decision and he began to miss his old friends at Randolph.

Moral: If you ain’t happy where you is, you sho’ won’t be happy where you ain’t.

THE THIN COIN - FEB 2010

078 – FEBRUARY 2010

THE THIN COIN

Every so often, I like to relax and watch some of those TV court shows. After the plaintiff has stated their case. I think "Wow, what a louse that defendant is!" … only to hear the defendant’s side and become so confused as to who is right. Both state their sides with such conviction and, yet, the 2 stories are distinctly different. There is emotional clashing, tears, and hostility.
Now, I really like Judge Judy the best. She gets 15 minutes to sort through these opposing accounts and make a decision. She has to determine who’s story is the truth.
The folks are quite good at embellishing … and lying. They are convinced of their innocence and state their position in detailed account. Most of the time, I marvel at Judge Judy’s insight and wisdom in deriving a decision for the court.
These 15 minute arguments emphasize an old quote that my daddy once told me. (He didn’t really . It just sounds better when I preface it that way.) Referring to disputes, disagreements, and personality clashes - "There’s never been a coin made so thin that there weren’t 2 sides."
Deuteronomy 12:8 "… every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes."
Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise."
Proverbs 21:2 "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weighs the heart."
When you are speaking to someone and they begin to share their side of a story – remember that the missing defendant probably has an entirely different view of this situation.
There is usually a lot of truth in famous quotes. That’s why they’re famous.
In conversation the other day, someone was the whistle-blowing plaintiff with me. In the middle of telling their side, I interrupted with the "thin coin" quote. The person replied "I don’t agree with that quote. Sometimes, as in this case, … I have the truth and there is no other side."
My eyebrows lifted. I dropped the instruction and reaffirmed, "Thus, the quote!!!!!"
* So - Remember the "thin coin" quote. Try not to make a judgement with only the plaintiff speaking.
* Furthermore – Think about it! This is the big test for the day.
Question: If you have heard both sides, can you defeat your temptation to be the wise master who determines justice?
Answer: Sure you can! It is quite simple Grasshopper - Assign the ‘thing’ to Judge Judy for a verdict. That’s what she gets paid for.
* Ultimately – Trust God, whose judgement is supreme … and filled with mercy.
Ps 36:5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

INVENTORY - JAN 2010

077 – JANUARY 2010

INVENTORY

God is more interested in what you be than what you do, because what you be will determine what you do. How do you like that one?

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.“
When Pat and I lecture, I often ask the audience to call out the things in their life that they treasure. What do you value most? What are the things that are dear to your heart and essential to your life? What are your treasures?
Hands go up and answers are shouted out with strong convictions. There are many answers and all are correct but “the big 4” includes family, friends, faith, and health.
Next, I unveil to them that those may be the answers they wish were true but not necessarily true.
I playfully appeal for some honesty. I ask for just one person in the crowd to be honest, raise their hand, and shout with excitement, “Ooo, ooo,ooo! I love T.V. Wow! I could watch it for hours. I do watch it for hours. Mmmm!”

James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Where you spend your time and money is a great indicator of what you really treasure and, as the original hand lifting went up, it would have been a lot of fun to have the answers be a bit more truthful. E.g.:
* “Oh, Boy! I love junk food. I can’t wait to open that bag of chips or tear open the wrapper to a snicker bar.”
* “Are you kidding me! I just love gossip. I really value all that wasteful talk. I love to watch those shows and buy those magazines. Yeah!”
* “I’m sorry! I just need to be truthful and say that I value laziness. The thought of exercise just creeps me out. A little flab is OK and my eyes are on that couch.”
* “Ok, so the Bible has a bit of dust on it. I just prefer to read best selling novels and People magazine. C’mon! It’s more fun. You can’t blame me for that.”

So, just think about it. What you say you value and what you really value may just not add up. There may be nothing acutely wrong with that, but you do need to be honest!

Lamentations 3:40 “Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the LORD;”
You might want to take the time to inventory this whole ‘values’ thing and decide …
A. Am I okay with this disparity? Or,
B. Do I need to balance what I do with what I declare my treasures to be.

Personally - It’s time for me to line up one of the big 4’s (Health) with what I, in reality, do treasure (Bad eating habits and lack of exercise).
Why?
Because I hit the scales this morning and almost broke the thing … That’s why!.