Think About It

RELIGIOUS MILITANTS

2012-01-21T10:16:00.000-08:00

101 – JANUARY 2012
THINK ABOUT IT

mil•i•tant n. A fighting, warring, or aggressive person or party.

Okay, I have a question.
Why do some people violently hate others for the way they believe?
Think about it!
Why do some militant Muslims want to put a hood over their face and chop off someone’s head with a sword? That’s savage! That’s evil!
Why does the militant Westboro Baptist Church picket and protest other peoples’ beliefs with such hateful signs and yelling? Demonstrating at a young man’s funeral because he fought in the war - That’s outrageous! That’s cruel!
Why, even, do some atheists become militant towards people who believe in God?
They can be quite mean also.
It seems as though some Darwinian Academia are repulsed with God-believers. They seem to view them as 2nd class living beings of the human race, mocking their beliefs and ridiculing their prayers. I dunno - They just seem to be so mad! Because someone believes in God! Especially Christians! Not so much Hindu! Nor Buddhist! Especially … Nor Muslim!

Now, many people believe that there is a God and that through Christ, when they die, there will not be one millisecond of time where their soul and spirit are not still alive. I believe that! I believe that when I die, I will slip out of my body and be in the presence of God, who created all things.
Other people don’t believe that way. Some say that your soul and your spirit will disappear into nothingness and your body will be burned to ashes or rot away in the grave.
Now, I don’t believe that … But, I’m not mad at them for the way they believe.
I’m not mad at anybody for the way they believe.

There is no real reason to be militant.
We should not want to fight or war against those who do not believe the same way.

Proverbs 11:12 “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but
that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Let’s be filled with love and peace and grace. Let’s desire that we might be able to offer something good to anyone who is “running on empty” and asks for help. Usually one person at a time!
You cannot change the world. But, you can help to change the world for someone.

James 3:17 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

BUMP THE LAMP

2011-12-16T05:48:00.000-08:00

100 – DECEMBER 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

The movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit has a particular scene in which Roger Rabbit runs across a room that is lit by a hanging lamp. The production question arose as to whether or not Roger should bump the lamp as he sped from one side to the other.
One thought was that, at multiple frames per second, it would cause incredibly difficult light and shadow change for the artists AND that it would not make any difference to the story line NOR to the viewer.
The other thought was simply … “We are Disney – Bump the Lamp.”
Since then, “Bump the Lamp” has become a bit of a slogan and reminds the entire Disney staff that they should always go the extra and never cut corners.

It’s a great lesson and one that we use in our studio business. We create the nuances and labor the unnoticeables. We “go the extra mile” for each client and although they may not realize all of the things that we do - they will sense a difference of service and quality in the finished portrait. Our aim is to bump the lamp.

So, now I’m thinking, “How does ‘bump the lamp’ apply to non-business relationships”?

Mt 14:18-20 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.

Jesus fed the 5,000 and had fishes and loaves left over. This is an example of lavish love. He could have miracled the amount fishes and loaves to the very last drop, but He did not. He could have figured it precisely so He could get the heck out of there and move on to His next “thing-to-do”. But He did not. He provided more than necessary.
He might have done this because He knew that this mob really liked “leftovers” … but I don’t think so. I think He was showing us a principle about love. Love lavishly! Love without measure! That’s what He did … ultimately and to the max.

Jn 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Now, most of us will not have to go that far … but we could easily bump the lamp a bit. Add some bonus to our love. Some luxury to our kindness! Optional extras to our caring! Maybe add a product stamp to our bottle of servant hood;
“Me - New and improved”! Or, “Me - Now with 20% More Enthusiasm!”

‘Tis the Christmas season and you probably have a bunch of things to do. Slow down! Take a deep breath and smile real big. Spread a whole bunch of hope and cheer and other good stuff… especially to those you think might not deserve it.
Bump your love lamp! Someone out there is waiting just for you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

THANKFUL FOR MY WIFE

2011-11-09T07:32:00.000-08:00

99 – NOVEMBER 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

The first “Think About It” was over 8 years ago … July of 2003.
I write them mostly as a portion of legacy for my children and my grandchildren. How Papa’s brain works! The things he thinks about! I don’t give a lot of answers but simply offer matters to consider in their quest for some answers to a spiritual life.

As I thought about this 100th TAI, I decided to share a few of the many reasons why I am thankful for my wife.

* Pat loves her family. She is the memory maker. She would do anything for her family. They are always on her mind and she would drop everything to serve them. She never complains about obligations, inconveniences, or serving.
* She loves me. Through my good times and my bad times*, I can know that she loves me. Her smile is a gift to me … and she laughs at all my dumb jokes. She is faithful and I know she will ‘be there’ through all the thicks and the thins.
* She loves God. This is the best. There is something very special and pure about her love for Him. She lights up when she talks about Him. If she is in a yank about something - I just touch her shoulder, offer a prayer, and she melts like butter. She loves Jesus with an innocent and childlike heart.

Mark 10:15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of
God like a little child will never enter it.”
1 Peter 1:8 “ … you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,”

So …I’m glad I asked Pat to dance (1968). I think I found a good thing!

Proverbs 18:22 “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

* Disclaimer (fine print) : I once told Pat that she was a “99”. With a proud smile on my face, I explained that she scored “GREAT” for 99 days out of 100 and that she provoked me only 1 day in 100. She became insulted by what I thought was a great compliment. So, I asked her to assign a number for me and that’s when she turned up the heat on our exchange. After being insulted with my high number “99”, she had the audacity to present me with a “50”. A “50?” I wondered if she really understood the numbering system that I had offered and she replied, “Yes! It means, ‘Every other day’, ‘1 outta 2’, ‘If you’re nice today I might not expect it tomorrow’, ‘ET CET ER RUH!!!” I asked “You know why God made Eve?” She answered “No!” I snarled “Neither do I!!” 

TRIGGER STONES

2011-10-19T11:09:00.001-07:00

098 – OCTOBER 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

Just as a trigger sets a bullet into motion, we have triggers that set our minds into a motion of thought.

My granddaughter, Willow, and I went into a contract to always pick up a penny that was on the street. I gave her a bank with a challenge to see who could pick up the most pennies.
Now, each time I pick up a penny, I think of my agreement with Willow. And this triggers an appreciation of God’s presence and subsequent prayer for family and friends.
It’s pretty cool. I like it.

Why settle for only the reminders that are spontaneous and unexpected? Old Testament Israelites had a great idea. They would place stones and make altars to serve as reminders of significant encounters with God.
In the 4th chapter Joshua, we find the Israelites preparing to cross into the Promised land. As they touch their feet to the swelled waters of the Jordan, God causes the waters to separate and creates a dry passage for them to cross. Joshua immediately instructs 12 men to each carry a stone out of the miraculously dry passage way and place them on the dry land in Gilgal.
Joshua 4:5-7 “… and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder …
that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’
Then you shall answer them … And these stones shall be for a memorial (reminder) to the children of Israel forever.”

They purposely set a visual as a prompt to remember … and not forget.

We all have some on-purpose reminders:
Photographs, wedding bands, carefully placed souvenirs and tchotchke, my Aunt’s clock, my Mom’s swing, and … abandoned pennies.
And yes - Pat and I have placed large rocks in particular places, as prompts to remember great experiences with God & family … so we might not forget.
You may have a place/s where God appeared with a miracle or a life changing experience. A “rock reminder” could serve you well (a trigger) and, when someone comments that the rock in your living room detracts from the décor, you can tell ‘em the story.
Tell ‘em, also, that you pick up pennies!!! Yes, even with ”heads down”!!!
Tell “em it’s an aide-mémoire to pray.
Yes, I speak French! Not really!

HUMILITY

2011-09-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

097 – SEPTEMBER 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;…

In 1976, I surrendered my life to Christ. I got “saved” and we started to go to a Bible preaching church. It was an energizing time as I began to see life so wonderfully and differently … with new eyes.
One day, during these “grasshopper” years, I learned a great lesson:
I was in a Catholic church where I had just photographed the wedding formals. While everyone made their way to the reception, I lagged behind to return some chairs and flower arrangements to their proper places. I remember looking around and feeling fortunate that, after I had made my decision for Christ, I chose a church that was a bit more “Bible based” and a lot less “religious”.
It was not a super haughty thing that was going on in my head, but brainless nonetheless.
I grabbed my camera and I strolled down the aisle to what I though was an empty church. I then spotted this “Catholic” lady with a grocery bag next to her. She was leaning forward on the pew that was in front of her … and she was weeping.
God did not have to speak anything. The message was loud and clear. I immediately recalled the following parable that, because of this early experience, has become one of my favorites … and one that I cannot forget.

Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
Luke 18:9-14 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer[b]: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!
I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

THE PLANK IN YOUR EYE

2011-08-25T04:56:00.000-07:00

096– AUGUST 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

I am very aware of the urge to cast judgments. That cerebral ego action satisfies my fleshy flesh, however … to not judge others is a good thing.
There are many reasons to withhold your all-important examination and psychoanalysis towards others. I have listed 3:

1. We do not know the whole story. Too often, we draw conclusions based on just a
few tidbits of information.
I remember a particular guy that played in the men’s’ softball league. He was hot headed, yelled obscenities at the opposing team, and wasn’t super nice to his own teammates. No one liked him and the popular comment towards him was “What a jerk!”
I happened upon him at a noontime restaurant. We decided for a quick lunch together and I listened to his very sad story of childhood abuse. I always viewed him a bit differently after I had this time to listen. That lunch time changed my life. It caused me to cut people slack by recognizing that, most times, I do not have sufficient information to make a wise judgment.

2. We have our own baggage. With all of the flaws and shortcomings in our own
lives, it seems rather silly to speak bad words about someone else.

Luke 6:41-42 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Think about that. Read it again … if you dare.

3. It will come back on you. It is too easy to stand on the outside of someone’s life and make hasty judgments that are usually faulty. You can be sure that others have done this to you and …

“Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure
you use, it will be measured to you.

I want to breathe easily when thinking that God will judge me in the same manner
that I judge others, therefore I am determined to rise above this shameful itch of the flesh. It makes no sense and is, quite simply, a substandard and unacceptable way to perform.
1 Cor 13:11 “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”

REMINDERS

2011-07-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

095 – JULY 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

I have 3 photographs that I display in my office as personal reminders:

1. HUSTLE - An autographed photo of Enos Slaughter sliding into home plate.
Slaughter is remembered for his hustle. (He always ran to first on a “walk.”) In the 8th inning of the seventh game of the 1946 World Series, Slaughter made this famous “Mad Dash” for home from first base on Harry Walker’s single ... scoring the winning run. This photo encourages me to be prepared and to run the race well. It reminds me to work hard and to value life with a great gusto.

2. PICK YOUR BATTLES - A photo of the comedian, Bill Murray.
He was in the movie “Meatballs”, in which he led the boys from the summer camp into the chant - “It Just Doesn’t Matter!” Murray is a goofball and this photo reminds me to keep things “light”. It reminds me to “pick my battles” and not get in a “spin” over the things that just don’t matter.

3. LOVE - A photo of Carl Seefer. Carl, at age 18, died after a tragic auto/pedestrian accident. It was a great loss to humankind because Carl was, quite simply, a summary of “love.” Love came so natural to him and I have always referred to him as “The Natural”. I have to work at it so much and it is not always natural for me.
I recall with great fondness the times we sat for breakfast with the Seefers. It always began with everyone choosing their coffee cup. Conversation would follow and eventually a name would come up during our conversation … example: Lee Estridge. Carl would smile and assert with great delight - ”Don’t you just love Lee!”
This happened all the time and I always thought that maybe, in my absence, when my name came up, he would say “Don’t you just love Chris!”

Memories of Carl prompt me to enjoy the people that God has so wonderfully placed in my life. Special recollections of Carl cause me to smile and to laugh. His photo reminds me to love … always … and purely, without motive.
This is my favorite of the 3 reminder photos.
Because, think about it – not much works very well without “love.”

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13:8 “Love never fails …”

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

THE THOUGHT SEQUENCE

2011-06-10T04:44:00.000-07:00

094 – JUNE 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

The thought sequence is like a journey.
Ernestine met Armand. They got married and had 3 kids. I was the always-in-trouble middle child. I met Pat. We got married and helped God to make 2 kids. On Saturday, we visited my son’s family in Boston. On the way down, we listened to the “60’s” channel on Pat’s satellite radio. We heard a song that had a couple of mandolin parts. The mandolin reminded me of my Dad. I remembered that he was a great musician and could play mandolin, violin, guitar, banjo, and piano. Then I began to wonder if I ever told him how talented he was and, now, I am writing this Think About It.

Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another

I think that we often forget to tell people how wonderful they are. Too often, we neglect to say a word of encouragement or we underestimate the importance of a deeply felt “thank you”.
Knowing how heartening it is when someone says something nice to us, it seems as though it would be more natural to pause and to thank someone. Or to tell them that you love them and that you are glad they are your friend. Or to tell them that you noticed how great or talented they are.

I don’t know if I ever told my Dad how great a musician he was. I think I might have. I hope that I did.
Maybe you could use this thought to write a note to someone who needs to hear from you. As an extension of Himself, God could use you with some words of kindness for someone who is “down”, words of comfort for someone who may need a “lift”, or words of assurance when someone may want to quit.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

E-mail and Facebook is okay but does not compare with a telephone call or hand written note. So, grab a pen (it’s that thing that is long and narrow and makes marks when you move it on paper) and write a great note of love, encouragement, and thank you. You could start out with a “Have I ever told you that … !” A parent, a friend, a kid, a mentor, or (imagine this one!) a spouse. Someone is out there that needs a boost .

Think about it - all this from a thought sequence. I would not have had this thought without the sound of a mandolin! Or was it because Pat bought the car with the satellite radio? Or because my Dad married my Mom? Or when Pat’s Dad married her Mom?

Chris

P.S.Great mandolin in “Baby, Don’t Go”, Sonny & Cher

HOPE DEFERRED

2011-05-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

093 – MAY 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

It’s tough out there. There’s a lot of stuff in the air. World stuff. U.S. stuff. Economy stuff. Health, money, and relationship stuff. Family stuff. Stuff stuff.
Life problems can sometimes overwhelm us. Issues of defeat and worry can put a cloud over our spirit and , if we don’t guard our hearts, could elbow us into a bit of depression.
Difficulties can cause our hope to spring a leak … or take a long vacation.

Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick …”

In the Bible, there was a guy named Job who faced some enormous life problems. All of his troubles caused Job to view life with some hopelessness and depression.

Job 6:11 “What strength do I have, that I should hope?
Job 7:6 “And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, And are spent without hope.”

Solomon (the wisest person ever!) writes a whole 12 chapters (Ecclesiastes) in a search for answers to life’s questions. As he plods through all of this, he solves very little. He appears disheartened and even a bit weakened after the quest.

Ecclesiastes 2:17 “Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind

It has to do with our hope … or our lack of it.
In a TV episode of House - the quarrelsome doctor passed judgement on a patient who was happily hopeful; “That guy will never be happy.”
His associate replied, “When you are hopeful, you will always be happy.”
Hmmm! Maybe true! Maybe not! Think about it!

Hope implies that there is good stuff out there also. Family, friends, faith!
Personally, I don’t battle a lack of hope too often. I have a great hope in God and … I put my hope in Him.
And, my hope is from God. It is supernatural! It’s a hope that permeates my soul and becomes a foundation to the joy that I find in Christ. It’s true!

Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure”

Spiritual hope is not a want or a wish. It is not a craving or a dream. Spiritual hope is a “knowing” … an “assurance” of something yet to come.

Romans 8:25 “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

And, one day - I know I will see Him “face to face”.

TRUTH

2011-04-18T08:03:00.000-07:00

092 – APRIL 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

John 3:28 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Jesus said this in context to the Son of God, to the law of the Spirit, and to God’s power to set us free from the law of sin and death. I think it’s “legal” to consider it in a more extended manner. So …, with seminary apologies, let’s chew on this quote.

“The truth shall set you free!” Sometimes the truth makes me upset. Truth can disappoint me and send me into denial prison. I would rather believe the lie to protect my interest and my esteem. The likelihood of any faulty character truths? … I just don’t process that very well. And, assuredly, I will hiss and boo the messenger.

Last summer, I read the book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, by Marshall
Goldsmith. I had mixed reviews for the book but found it very interesting that Goldsmith listed 20 bad habits that stifle already successful careers and personal goals.
He convinces corporate leaders to receive truthful input that is obtained from unsigned questionnaires that goes to staff. Ouch!!! Can you imagine that?
Marshall finds the common denominator/s for flaw/s and presents the info to the business chief … to help set him/her free from the shortcoming/s.
The procedure seems to reveal some truth and yet the first reaction is not freedom but rather a bit of denial and rejection to the “news”.

This life dilemma might best be summed up in the famous line from the movie, A Few Good Men.
In a heated military courtroom exchange Jack Nicholson screams at Tom Cruise, “You want answers?”
Cruise responds with a yell, “I want the truth!”
And, Nicholson shouts this great line, “You can’t handle the truth!”

So we need to examine this verse again,
John 3:28 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

I think that a key word in this short verse would be “know”. It comes from the Greek word ginosko which translates know absolutely, with understanding, with resolve, …
Truth alone, without receiving it, may upset or anger a person. Only when a person accepts the information as “truthful” can they be in a position to change and be set free.

Therefore, the next time someone presents brings a personal critique to me, after I escape from my miserable protection mode, I hope that I will take the high road. I hope that I will take a deep breath and ask the question “Is this true?”
I might discover that it is … and be made free!
I may be “off” on this, but, at least, it will give you something to think about.

But, let’s be gentle ‘bout this whole thing. And, don’t be passing out no “Let’s Evaluate Chris” forms to anybody.

THE LOVE COMPASS

2011-03-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

091 – MARCH 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

Sometimes people can be very rude. People can annoy you, provoke you, mistreat you, and be down right mean spirited towards you.
Most times, our natural reaction is to hit back and let them know who is right. That response usually ends up in some sort of failure. You would think that we might learn … but we don’t.

I am finally realizing that “love” is the answer to all of these issues.
1 Cor 13:2-3 “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. “
1 Cor 13:4-7 “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth … “

And how about this?
1 Cor 13:8 Love never fails.

Love never fails.
We might try to solve things by getting provoked, but that will usually fail. Practice some envy, parade ourself around, puff ourself up. It will fail. We try again - Act rudely, demand our own way, let everyone know that we are right. Blah! Blah! Blah! It all fails.
Love never fails. Repeat that a bunch of time – out loud - so you can hear yourself say it. “Love never fails.” Accent the first word – “LOVE never fails.” Accent the second word – “Love NEVER fails.” Say it again. One more time.

Due to the Earth's magnetic field - a compass points to the North Pole. If you get lost or need direction … no matter where you stand on Earth, you can use the compass in your hand and it will always point toward north … and head you in the right direction.
Due to the God’s nature - a spiritual compass points to His love. If you get lost or need direction … no matter where you stand on Earth, you can use the spiritual compass in your heart and it will always point toward love… and head you in the right direction.

Whenever you need to react in victory - pick up your spiritual compass. It’s the “love compass”. It’s in your “right” pocket. (Actually, you’ll find it in your heart.) The needle always points to love. Because love never fails.
Throw away the “me compass”. It’s in your “wrong” pocket. (Actually, you’ll find it in your heart also.) Be careful! The “me compass” gives you bad advice. It sings, “Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, …” It constantly fails. Throw it out!!!!!

1 Cor 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

ADVERSITY

2011-02-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

090 – FEBRUARY 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

Adversity n 1. distress; affliction; hardship 2. an unfortunate event or incident

Us humans ! We can be a sad lot! Why does it take a setback, a catastrophe, or a funeral for folks to pause and consider the weightier things of life and death … and God?
For most of us, it takes some species of adversity to acknowledge and to surrender our lives to God. And, even after we develop a tight relationship with Him, we sometimes slip away and relax into a worldly comfort - only to discover that it might take a similar type of hard times, life problems, and misfortune to bring us home.

Deuteronomy 8:12-14 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

A few weeks ago, I threw my back out … first time in 20 years! Now, by comparison, a temporary back affliction is a modest adversity. However, there was enough pain and limitations to bump me out of my comfort zone and cause me to reflect on my life.
Perspective! I could see a bit differently – examining life in a panorama and being thankful for things that I sometimes take for granted.
Although I need reading glasses, my eyes work. Although I get a few joint pains every once in awhile, my legs and arms and fingers and toes work. My taste buds work. My ears work. And although I speak sometimes when I shouldn’t, my vocal chords work. It’s nice to have things work.
I realized the importance of beginning each day with a prayer declaration, “Thank you Lord! Praise your Holy name. This is going to be a great day!”

Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts
with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

We ought to be more thankful every day and avoid the trap of allowing adversities to be our steersman to a wholeness in life and God.

SILLY & SELFISH

2011-01-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

089 – JANUARY 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

I’m really not a very moody person and I sure do dislike those times when I react in an
ill-mannered behavior. I feel a bit of victory when I can wittingly detach from some “issue and I am disappointed when I allow myself to get tangled into some brainless emotional me-trap.
Do you know what I am talking about?
We don’t get our way and we react poorly. We don’t agree with some little decision and we counter unkindly. As the confrontation persists, we add animated facial disfigurations to enhance our words. A bad spirit incarcerates us and we become moody, “bent out of shape”, “pity partied”, and sometimes … downright “pissy”. And, certainly, we file the “issue” for times when we may have to visit it again.

1 Corinthians 13:5 Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged

There is no logical reason to become so self-interested:
1. Poor reactions are silly. In the big picture, the “issue” is not that important. It just doesn’t matter! It’s a dot. It’s a blip in an ocean of things to be thankful for.
2. Poor reactions are selfish. We eventually gather people into our drama and hand out” stuff” for enough time to jostle them into our pickled corner. We help rob them of their peace and then wonder, ”Why are they so touchy all the sudden?”

So - Is there any hope to solving this problem? Well, think about it – of course there is.
How ‘bout self control?
Proverbs 25:28 “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls”
How ‘bout the peace of God?
Philipians 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds … ”
How ‘bout a few more?
Seek God, Die to Self, Put on Love, Abide in Him, Put Away Childish Things, Watch & Pray, Be Thankful, Rejoice, Have Mercy, Do Justly, Walk Humbly,
… One of the Above, Some of the Above, All of the Above !!! ???

In summary - “pissy” is not in the dictionary but ya’ll know what it means. It’s not a pretty thing! If your moods swing to testy or prickly, take a recess and decide to be nice instead. If you can’t find a handle on it from the list I just presented … then find your own answer. But, find something !!!

CHRISTMAS TIME

2010-12-16T07:03:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-19T12:39:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-06T05:10:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-16T04:30:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

“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

2010-06-09T05:20:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

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!.

ROAD RUTS

2009-12-16T05:34:00.000-08:00

076 – DECEMBER 2010

ROAD RUTS

Most times, it’s best to stay in the middle of the road and avoid the ruts that are found on both sides.
The road to Christmas Day is no exception. Wow!

Rut - side 1. The holiday trap. If your parents passed it down, you will do it too. If you grew up with less you want to be sure that your kids experience things better.
I’m talking about the abnormal compulsion to gift giving and presents. ‘What do I get Uncle Bobby?’ ‘What did they get me last year?’ ‘I need to spend another $20 on Suzie … to even things out.’ ‘What can I get for hubby? He’s already got everything he needs!’ (interesting)
And on and on and on … and on!
Rut 1 is a silly side to be on.

Rut – side 2. The Grouch! Bah! Humbug! The season can actually put some people in a bad mood. ‘Don’t get nothin’ for me and I don’t want to get nothin’ for you.’ ‘The whole thing is just stupid.’ ‘Scrooge had it right in the first place.’ ‘Sweetie, listen to me – I know what I’m talking about.’ ‘I hate this time of year!!!’
And on and on and on … and on!
Rut 2 is a silly side to be on.

The whole Christmas giving issue comes up every year. The Rut 1’ers resolve to not fall into dizzy mismanagement … again next year. And, the rut 2’ers promise to be nicer.

It would be wise to decide what to do and make some gift giving plans. But, that can often fail and make things worse. So, you should now be saying to yourself, “Doesn’t sound like this guy has any answers.”
And, that’s correct! After many years of impasse, I still have no answers to this. I do, however, offer the following suggestions to help avoid the ruts and work your way to the middle of the road:
* Be aware that some folks are really excited about all of this.
* Be aware that some folks are really not excited about all of this.
* Practice restraint, esp. if you have entered into limit agreements with spousie.
* Don’t be a selfish scrooge and spoil things for others.
* Enjoy every day of this great Christmas season.
* Share a lot of joy. Smile, laugh, and be merry … as in Merry Christmas!
* Purpose to delight in family and friends. Mmmmmm!
* Above all – remember the reason for the season and, in all that you do, you do it unto the Lord and give God thanks. (Romans 14)

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Jesus Christ the Lord”

SIMPLE PLEASURES

2009-11-24T08:43:00.001-08:00

075 – NOVEMBER 2009

SIMPLE PLEASURES

I enjoy the simple pleasures of life. It comes quite natural for me. I don’t require a lot of ‘things’ or a lot of hoopla to keep me happy. I am thankful for my life and am determined to enjoy those moments that I could so easily take for granted. I don’t want to be that person that grudges through daily living only to respond for a short period due to a tragedy or a death.

I wake up each morning and acknowledge life with a stretch and a deep breath. Both feel very good. I smile and say “Good Morning, Lord!” (Not “Good Lord, it’s morning!”) I am already determined to savor the stuff of the day.
So, I hit the switch and the lights go on. Sometimes I just stare at the outlet and thank those who are so much smarter than I am. (That’s most people.) Think about it – you stick this 2 pronged thing in the whatever and you get power!!! … to create light, to perk coffee, to cook eggs, or to open your garage door. Power at the flick of the switch! Why would we take that for granted?
I marvel that I can spin the faucet handle and water comes running for me. I love the smell of the soap and think of Sammy as I squirt a bit of hooch to my neck.
I squeeze a dab of toothpaste on my brush. I also do the same for Pat’s brush and grin playfully as I keep the score for this thoughtful morning deed. I easily hold a 10 to 1 advantage.
The rest of the day is similar. Stirring trouble at Dunkin’ Donuts. (Non morning people are such a great target.) Spontaneously, I’ll yell out a bad joke to everyone. I.e.: 2 cannibals were eating a clown and one scrunched his nose and asked “This taste funny to you?”
The morning crowd has no sense of humor. They seem grouchy, but I know they love me.

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

I enjoy my first cup of coffee. I enjoy all the people that I meet. I love making a “Things-to-do” list and crossing off the things as I go through the day. I may get too much pleasure from that. Is that bad? Should I see someone about it?
I enjoy Judge Judy, FreeCell, Aesop’s Fables, and root beer floats. I am thankful for chairs, scissors, country music, and great smelling liquid soaps. I get excited that my car starts each day and I love that my reading glasses are still at 1.75+. I am totally wowed figuring out my new GPS. Who can be so smart to create that?
At the end of each full day, I am aware of the happy calm when my muscles and bones relax horizontally on the bed. I contently close my eyes and deliver a long and delightful ‘ahhh’.

1 Timothy 6:6-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

I am thankful for my relationship with Christ and fully realize that it is because of God that all these pleasures of life are not eternally futile.

With Thanksgiving upon us - BE THANKFUL! Enjoy the simple pleasures that you could take for granted. Lighten up and savor the moments of each day.

* Note: I am not perfect in this savoring thing. I am on record to say that I am not fond of gout, tofu, skunks, or airline travel. And I can be a real ‘pill’ around these things. (Golf is pending daily.) Signed:

LOVE

2009-10-21T14:23:00.001-07:00

074 – OCTOBER 2009

LOVE

Love is a feeling?
Whether it is romantic, maternal, friendship, or other – love begins and you react.
“Oh, I think I will faint. What an angel … I’m so in love. I could just kiss that person!”
Love certainly seems to carry a lot of feeling.

Love is a choice?
As you meander through a relationship, and conflict rears it’s ugly head - you react.
“Oh, I think I will leave. What a jerk … I’m so upset. I could just strangle that person!”
Different feelings! And, now you might have to make a choice to love that person who is bugging the heck out of you.

Maybe a feeling? Maybe a choice? Maybe both? Maybe neither?

1 John 4:16 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

Because God is love and because we are made in His image - Love should rule our hearts. It should be our nature to love. It should be the essence and the structure of our soul to love.
Whether someone is nice or naughty, the disposition of our very being should respond in love. Whether someone annoys or delights, our substance should react in love.

My greatest goal is to sense God’s presence ‘by the moment’. I want to breath God. I want to inhale His spirit and exhale love. I want it to be spontaneous and instinctive.
In other words - I don’t want to have to work so hard at this love thing. I want it to be natural. I want it to be my nature.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old (nature) has gone, the new (nature) has come!.”

When I wake up each morning I say “Good morning Lord! What do you have planned for me today?”
Before I leave the house, I whack the side of my head and repeat to myself – “Chris, don’t forget your purpose - Love and serve. Love and serve. Love and serve.”

Oh, the wonderful day when I don’t have to remind myself and love rules my heart!
Albeit, I believe this love thing is getting easier … more automatic and less thinking about it.
Think about it!

BE BOLD - SEPT 2009

2009-10-21T14:22:00.002-07:00

073 – SEPTEMBER 2009

BE BOLD

There are times when your prayers will result in miraculous victories and there are other times when the same prayers of faith seem to not line up with your expectations.
I do not have all the answers for that, but I do know that I am called to pray … and then trust the resolve to God.

James 5:16 ” … and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Because of our faith, Pat and I have never been shy to pray for people - especially in the marketplace. (My def: marketplace - anywhere outside of the church, synagogue, or other location where one might expect prayer or other religious activity.)
We try to be alert to pray for people at conventions, Dunkin’ Donuts, and on the street. We are not reluctant to pray for strangers or new acquaintances … in the elevator, at the studio, or attending a ball game.
Sometimes the situation is such that we are not able to follow up.
However, just these last 3 months, we have been excited to receive a significant amount of reports from some prayers through the years:
* During High School Senior portrait season, 3 different parents shared how we prayed for their children during baby portrait sessions … 16 years ago !
* One Senior boy is a tae kwan do champion and instructor. His mom reminded us that we prayed for him at our studio when he was a baby with health issues regarding growth and strength development.
* One woman stopped by the studio to remind us of our prayers in the studio for her husband. She had scheduled a family portrait session because the father had been diagnosed with untreatable cancer. She shared that, today, he is alive and well.
* Another lady, during a family portrait sale with Pat, asked “Do you remember me?”
Pat tried to recall as the woman proceeded to share an experience with Pat that had happened 5 years before.
She said “Remember? I had a cane and you asked ‘Why?’ You then laid your hands on me, prayed for healing of lupus, and I have since regained health. No cane! It changed my life in other ways also and I am so thankful that you had the heart to pray for me.”

Psalm 31:24 ” Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the LORD.

I believe the past 3 months have been a supernatural time of God sent encouragement. It served the challenge to continue to have courage, to love, to serve, and to engage our life into actions of caring and compassion.
And think about it - Most people are encouraged to know that God cares (and are surprised that some non clergy/photographer person would boldly pray with them.)
So, be bold! When someone has a need – love on them! It’s important! Pray with them and watch what God might do through your actions of love and faith.

JOY

2009-10-21T14:22:00.001-07:00

072 – AUGUST 2009

JOY

acrostic - def: a composition in which sets of letters, taken in order, form a word or phrase.

How ‘bout this one! JOY J = Jesus, O = Others, Y = You

Explanation? Simple! If you want to have “joy” in your life, you set your priorities of concern and focus in the acrostic order.

1. God – Deut 6:5 “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (The first commandment)

2. Others – Phil 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.”

3. Yourself – Col 3:3 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
Rom 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; …”

If you have no joy, if you lost your joy, or if you are never had joy in your life – you might discover that your acrostic is in the reverse order. That spells YOJ! I don’t even know what that means but it sounds awful … as though you might be a bit miserable or something.
You could have your eyes so cast down on yourself that you miss the wonderful blessings of a joyful heart that surround you. So, “Get outta yo’self!”

I think this acrostic idea is simple, wise, practical and profoundly powerful. You could push it aside and say “That was cute!” or you could take some time to really think about it, make some decisions and take some action about your life. If you need some joy!
Some additional joy! Any kind of joy! This could work for you!
Start loving God! Serve others! And, for Heaven’s sake, stop thinking about yourself all day long!

Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these

NEW THINGS

2009-10-21T14:20:00.001-07:00

071 – JULY 2009

NEW THINGS

Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weavers shuttle, and are spent without hope.

Have you ever questioned the meaning for life and your purpose for breathing? Have you ever determined that nothing is making any sense? Does life sometimes seem silly? … ending abruptly in some worthless dust and meaningless ashes? I used to ask these questions. All the time! I remember looking at old photos from the late 1800’s and becoming very disturbed about the people in the photos. Born – Lived – Died ! !!! ??? What the heck! It was an eerie feeling and I thought, “There has to be more!”
In addition to those weighty life questions, I was not too happy with myself. October of 1976 - As I looked into the mirror, I was very disappointed with the reflection that I viewed. My heart was far from pure and I was miserable. I concluded that only “with God” could anything make sense. I was 27 years old and I was desperate for meaning and purpose. I shouted out to God, “If you are real, I need to know.”
That wonderful Monday morning, I made a commitment to Christ. I decided that I would seek Him and serve Him until the day that I passed from this earth and into eternity with Him. That morning, my life changed!

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

Upon this conversion, I received a new heart … much softer and kinder than the original.
I received a new tongue so that I could speak more encouragingly … and without swearing.
I received new eyes … leaving the system of the world and entering into a spiritual Kingdom that I had never seen before.
I received some new ears so that I can now hear the voice of God.
Actually, I received a whole bunch of new things and, as I look back on it – it was easy! I wish that I had done it sooner! However, think about it, the old adage “Better late than never!” does not apply more profoundly than in this incomparable contract with life.
2 Cor 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.

BE A 10

2009-10-21T14:19:00.001-07:00

070 – JUNE 2009

BE A 10

I stopped my car just before the crosswalk and watched this teenage boy give me a smile and a very nice thank you wave. It was so nice to see, because the news can sometimes suggest that our ‘global society’ is declining into a pit of self-centeredness and that everyone seems to be retreating from a proper spirit of gratitude.
It seems to be a correct evaluation, but I think it may be less societal and more of a human nature thing . Think about it – Maybe things haven’t changed that much.

Luke 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Jesus healed 10 lepers and only 1 returned to give him a ‘thank you’. Only 1! 1 of 10! 10%!
I believe that this 1 in 10 can apply to human nature and I have a saying that I use from this Bible account – “Be a 10!” Be that 1 of 10 that has gratitude. Be that 1 of 10 that will take the time to be courteous, considerate, and well mannered. Take the time and be thoughtful and friendly to both friends and strangers.

It’s easy to be a 90! It’s easy to be in the 90% group. That’s why it’s 90! It’s more difficult to be a 10. It’s hard to be in the 10% group! That’s why it’s 10!
Be a 10! Find ways to get out of yourself. Make it a point to slow down and be attentive to the virtues that will have positive affects on others. Share smiles more quickly and use positive words of kindness, encouragement, praise, and good manners.

It may be easier to skip past all of this but then you’ll be just a 90. You’ll just be average! In my mind, I see that teen pedestrian … with the big smile and courteous wave. He’s a 10! He might have just finished a can of Red Bull and was responding from a caffeine overdose … but I don’t think so. I’m guessing that a spirit of thankfulness lives in the foundation of his character.

Charlie “Tremendous” Jones was my favorite motivational speakers. At age 80, just one month before he died, he gave an interview. The final question was “After all of these years of life learning, what would you say is the most important thing you have learned about life? ” Jones leaned over, touched the reporter on the shoulder and said, “Always be thankful - A thankful spirit is what breeds every other quality.”!”

PURE HEARTS

2009-10-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

069 – MAY 2009

PURE HEARTS

Have you ever encountered someone whose conversation is a bit scheming?
Maybe you know someone who seems obsessed with underlying motives and plotting words … cleverly working towards some type of control? Do you ever find yourself wandering into these clever areas of communication?

Pure Hearts (Chris’ def.) “Persons who think and speak with honesty… and without guile or false motive.”
Other words that are closely allied to this thought are: genuine, simple, sincere, real, truthful, etc. You know people like that. They are truly unaware that they are a pure heart. “Isn’t everyone?”

1 Peter 3:10 “Wherefore, lay aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking.”

Whenever I think of a “pure heart”. I think of my friend - Bob Jenks, whom I have known for over 30 years. Bob has a non controlling spirit and you don’t have to guess if there might be concealed motives to what he says. I’m not talking about someone who is clever or someone who is “sicky-sweet”, but someone who is honest in heart. Bob’s thoughts is clean are not clouded or contaminated with ulterior purpose or bad thoughts.
Not that Bob doesn’t spit, cuss, or chew – but his communication and conversation is quite pure hearted and, therefore, he speaks from the abundance of that virtue.

Matthew 12:34 “ … For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

In addition, he likes everyone and never shows contempt towards another.
I have never heard him say a bad word towards someone. That’s impressive! That’s a pure heart! I wish I was always pure in heart. I want to be that. I want to have my thoughts and my words be spotless before man and before God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

So, although I occasionally fall short, I know that I’ve been renewed. I know that I can gain victory through the life changing power of Christ who is working in me for that very pure heart that I desire.

5 STEPS

2009-10-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

068 – APRIL 2009

5 STEPS

I have implemented these 5 steps to a bit of financial success.

1. GIVE. The most important step is the 1st one. This step is often neglected and simply should not be. Giving sets the entire plan into proper directional motion. It is a spiritual step that puts your finances and your life in order. 10% of your income is a good idea.
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

2. SAVE. Not only do people not save anymore, but most folks are in debt. This
should not be. Save 10% of every dollar that you receive. Put it away and don’t look at it. A young couple earning $50,000 per year could invest 10%. At 8% interest, this couple would compound their annual $5,000 investment to over $2.2 million by age 65. (google - moneychimp / compound interest calculator)
Proverbs 30:25 “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;”

To this point, you might be saying “I can’t live on what I got … and you’re asking me to give and save 20% of that. Isn’t that impossible?” Answer: No! You’d be surprised.

3. INSURE. You do not want a catastrophe to wipe out your entire plan for saving. In some instances, it is mandatory - you must have insurance to own a house or drive a car. Health insurance with a medium deductible should protect you from any major financial setback.

4. NEEDS. Note that this is the 4th step! The list includes food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Add to that - “debt reduction”. It has become a need.

5. EXTRA. If you have followed steps 1 – 4 correctly and you have extra, you can do what you want with it!!! Travel. Buy a diamond ring. Go to the movies. Buy a new piece of furniture. Throw a party. Whatever you want. It’s the 5th step!

It is simple and it works! I have used this 5 step plan every week of my professional life. I have taught it and I have written a children’s book about it.
My son was only 1 year out of college. I asked him if he was using the 5 step principle with his income. He said “Run through it one more time!”
I proceeded through the steps and he laughed out loud before he spoke, “I’m doing it all backwards! In reverse!”
That’s why so many folks are in such a financial jam. Think about it! If you use the steps in reverse, you will never get to steps 1 and 2. You may never be in a position to give or to save. Going down hill is a lot easier but only for a while. Eventually you will have to start making the climb again.
Proverbs 3:13 “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding,”

WHO CARES

2009-10-21T14:14:00.002-07:00

067 –MARCH 2009

Who Cares?

James 2:16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

Just last week, Pat and I were eating out and this fellow walked up to our table. His eyes lit up and we greeted each other in an excitable manner. Pat asked who it was and I explained that, “20 years ago, on my way to work, I spotted him next to his stalled car and I turned back to help him. I know him as Dan. It was the only time we have ever had an exchange of time but, whenever we cross paths, we picture the 2 of us with our heads under his hood … trying to get him to work on time.

I often wish that I had more stories to share. I wish that there were a thousand people like Dan. I wish that my life was less busy. I wish that I wasn’t so easily inconvenienced. Sometimes it is too easy to neglect someone in need.

Luke 10:30 “And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,”
Read the rest of this story.

Everyone in Pat’s family always wondered why her Dad would always go out of his way to pick up a few groceries at Dente’s Market. I will never forget that moment when he opened his wallet to show us something that no one had ever seen before. The mystery was being revealed as he carefully unfolded this old and tattered invoice that was ripping at the folds. He explained
“We moved to Barre and I started a car dealership. It took a while for things to get started and at one point we were seriously broke. With 3 small children needing to eat, I dragged myself to this small market and asked Mr. Dente if he would trust me for a few groceries. He did not know me but he showed compassion and trusted me for the purchase. I paid the bill in a few weeks and I carry this IOU invoice in my wallet as a reminder of his great kindness.”
Our throats lumped up as we gazed at the yellowed piece of paper. The bill totaled around $13. It was in his wallet for over 50 years.

The enclosed photo (with permission) is a copy of a painting by Mauricio Palacio. (A beautiful 27 X 20 poster is available at http://www.lastdaysministries.org/. under “Art.”) It is an artistic interpretation of a Godly vision written by General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army. I won’t add explanation to it. Just study it for a moment and then … ‘Think About It’.

TRUST IN GOD

2009-10-21T14:14:00.001-07:00

066 – FEBRUARY 2009

TRUST IN GOD

I was so humored with the question to Dionne Warwick regarding the 1998
bankruptcy of her Psychic Friends Network (PFN). As Warwick persisted that these were bona fide psychics, the interviewer asked, “So, if that is true, why didn’t they foresee that your ‘psychic network hotline’ was going to go bankrupt?”

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.”

John Stossel (ABC News, 20/20) had a great series titled “Give Me a Break”, with which he exposed some myths, lies and other silly things. At the end of each investigative report, he would say - “Give me a break.”
My most favorite of these reports was when he collected 30 astrological believing people in a room. He asked them to fill out a personal information form which he would feed into a computer for a personal horoscope report based upon their “sign”.
As the computer results were handed out, each person shared approval and astonishment at this incredibly accurate account of their personality and their future. After 5 minutes of excitement (laughing, crying, and hugging), Stossel asked this question, “What would you think if I told you that you all received the same report?”
There was a long and freaky silence before he said “You all have the same report!”
You could feel their panic as he prepared them for his 2nd question, “What would you think if I told you that it was a copy of an astrological computer report from personal information given by a mass murderer on death row?”
There was a longer and more freaky silence just before he said “It is!”
Stossel then closed with his anticipated adieu, “Give me a break!”

Many enthusiasts will ask, What is your sign?”
I used to answer their question quickly … to which they would reply “I knew it!” Now, I answer “You tell me!” They go through 6 or more guesses before they
answer correctly. Then, astonishingly, they triumphantly declare, “I knew it!”

Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

Why do people trust in psychics, horoscopes, fortune tellers, or … tarot cards?
Some stranger deals out a bunch of cards and prognosticates a bunch of stuff! What makes her look so reliable? The scarf around her head? The glass ball on the table? The mole on her cheek? The $50 fee? Think about it – This innocent ‘dabbling’ could harm your invaluable life with misdirection. Maybe God has someone with blue eyes for you!

Why put your trust in ‘silly things’? You can be assured of peace and healthy restful nights by trusting in God. Ask Him!

Isaiah 26:3 “God will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him!

THAT'S A LOT OF POTATOES

2009-10-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

065 – JANUARY 2009

THAT’S A LOT OF POTATOES

When someone has offended you and caused you harm, it is just not easy to extend forgiveness (The greater the harm – the greater the challenge.) Our flesh loves to bathe in the warm pool of unforgiveness. It feels good to be upset with the villains of our life and we hang on with great excuses and justification.
“I need to forgive that person … But, but, but!!!” Sounds like a billy goat!
Unforgiveness is a soul weight that easily besets us. In a physical comparison – it would be like going through life while dragging around a 100 pound bag of potatoes.

Unforgiveness! We place a debt on someone. Maybe we want an apology? Maybe a confession of blame? A bit of remorse? Or maybe it’s a money thing? We require something. They owe us. We should know because we have sent the Accounts Payable to them. Multiple times!!! They owe us for the mistake that they made and we will hold that grudge we until we receive payment … or until we die. Ouch!

The ”Lord’s Prayer” is found in the 6th chapter of Matthew and contains this contingency request in verse 12.
“And forgive us our debts (trespasses) as we forgive our debtors (those who trespass against us).”
Quite simply, we pray that God will forgive us and we ask Him to do it in the same manner that we forgive others. Ouch #2! It might be better to drop the prerequisite that we give to him and just pray “Forgive me my trespasses and disregard the manner with which I forgive those who trespass against me.”

It seems rather silly. I know that you have earned the right to hold the grudge but it would be so much easier to accept the challenge and take the high road of forgiveness. It’s a decision that you need to make. Do away with the “fitting” debt to your hurt and maltreatment. Let go of excuses and justifications. Take the time to think about this and decide to forgive someone.
This could be a great way to begin the New Year. Release the debt. Set free the person who has wronged you. Deliver yourself. And, liberate your family and friends, who are probably being affected by this added weight.

So – be good to your soul. Let go of that sack of potatoes . 100 pounds! It will put that hop back into your step.

Next? I gotta lose 20 pounds. And, I’m talking about body.

THE STOCKING STUFFER

2009-10-21T14:12:00.002-07:00

064 – DECEMBER 2008

THE STOCKING STUFFER

For some reason, I have been stuffing Christmas stockings for over 20 years. How I was picked to do this … I do not know! But, I am the stocking stuffer man. I am the Santa Claus that stuffs those stockings to overflow. It started with 3 stockings and has grown to 10. Ten! Ten!

1. Shopping for stuffers. I hit the stuffer trail and visit my 3 favorite places (Unidentified - I can’t give away all my secrets) and begin the process of shopping. After 20 years of practice, I move through the aisles with great confidence and buying precision. I can now purchase over 100 gifts in only 2.34 minutes. Really! Not really!
Of course, I buy everything in “10’s”. The foundational gifts include - 10 rulers, 10 stretch gloves, 10 tooth brushes, 10 Pilot “P-700” fine point pens, 5 “8-packs” of mini candy bars, 10 decks of cards, etc. All are wrapped in aluminum foil. Really!
Because of my great stuffer skills - I also include 4 or 5 original stuffers. This year, one of the unique items will be the “Ped Egg”. I love those infomercials.
2. Sorting the stuffers. I go back to my secret sorting place. I gather 10 bags, write names on them and … I sort!
3. Stuffing the stockings. On Christmas Eve, after everyone has gone to bed, I pour the bagged stuffers into the appropriate stockings. Simple ! Done! I can make a perfect “pour” … every time. Each item goes from bag to stocking without a miss. I’m unbelievable.

Christmas morning, the most unusual facial contortions begin and verbal gratitude includes ”Aw, Dad!” / “Oh, Wow! A ruler!” / “Dad, you really went all out this year.” / “Dad! Really! A Ped Egg?“ / and additional loving insults.
They balk at the standard stuffers and they scorn at the new “never received before” items, YET - just last week I was visiting my daughter and we were looking for a deck of cards and not one was to be found. They get 5 decks each Christmas!!!! My stuffer genius continues to astound them all.

Each year I try to pass on this ghastly responsibility, but no one will ever take it on. I ask them all if I have “Dummy” written across my forehead and they all respond with an enthusiastic “Yes!”
My granddaughter, Sophia, is now 13 years old and had helped me with the process for the past 2 years. She called in sick this year! Really! Not really!

So, Merry Christmas! Enjoy your Christmas this year. Be thankful for all of your seasonal traditions and take time to appreciate all those who love you.
And, be thankful that God didn’t pack a stocking full of stuff. He carefully chose the one greatest gift for each of us.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

HABITS

2009-10-21T14:12:00.001-07:00

063 – NOVEMBER 2008

HABITS

Question : If you had 2 plants, and fed only one of them, what would happen?
Answer: One would grow. One would shrivel – and eventually die.

Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

I find myself in this human predicament of not being able to do the things that I should be (or want to be) doing. As I prepare to fall asleep each night, I think about some of the bad daily habits that I have. I determine “Tomorrow – I am going to start new habits to get in better shape, to find a way to add more exercise to my schedule and to stop all the unnecessary snacking after 7:00 P.M.”
Morning arrives. The day moves on. The bad habits follow. You tighten up on your evening resolution and become more determined for the next day - only to come up short and fumble again. And, on and on and on - and on!
In a like manner, you leave church all pumped up to begin a good habit or to end an old one – only to have forgotten the whole thing just after lunch.
Think about it! Think about how pitiful it is!! I can’t seem to do the things that I want (need) to do and, I can’t seem to not do the things that I don’t want (need) to do. Whether it is deciding “No” to a trivial indulgence or a weighty and disturbing sin, it is not easy to follow through with our decisions.

Paul verbalized this struggle with the old nature in his letter to the church at Rome:
Romans 7:15 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do, I do.
18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

Although this struggle is commonplace, it does not mean that we should succumb to it’s outcome. We have a choice to feed the one and not the other. We can choose to be weak, give in to the bad habit or the bad sin , and feed the monster flesh. Or, we can choose self-control, rise above the fray, and feed the spirit. With either choice, one will grow and the other will shrivel – and eventually die. It would be astounding (miracle?) to watch your struggle droop - and die.

Romans 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me …?”

Paul gives us additional help at the end of Romans 7. Read the whole chapter and feed the spirit.

BODY, SOUL & SPIRIT

2009-10-21T14:11:00.001-07:00

062 – OCTOBER 2008

BODY, SOUL & SPIRIT

A brief conversation released penitence and great faith from one of the men who hung next to Jesus at the cross.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Unless we are faced with it, we don’t spend a lot of time talking about death. We tend to avoid the subject. In fact, we only think about it during those occasional weekly spreads provoked by a death and funeral. It’s an uncomfortable subject.
And it’s a bit scary … especially if you believe that when you die your “life” will decay in the earth. Ouch! I don’t believe that!
Nor do I believe that you will come back to Earth as a caterpillar, a cow or a more enlightened human being (status dependent on how well you performed in your previous life.)

2 Corinthians 5:18 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

We are made in 3 parts – body, soul & spirit. I believe that my body is a temporary house for my eternal soul and spirit. And, when I die … I don’t!!! I just slip out of my body.
If a glove was my body and my hand was my spirit and soul - I could wiggle my hand and, as people viewed the glove, they might say “That’s Chris.”
Now, when I die, my hand will slip out of my glove. People will look at the limp glove, and say “He’s dead.” Yet, they will need to observe that my hand is still alive and my fingers are still moving. Through Christ, I am alive. And, as I move out of the glove, there will not be one millisecond of time that I am dead. I simply proceed from this earthly pilgrimage into eternity. I leave wiggling and … very alive!!! I am immediately in the presence of God.

We seem to be a bit preoccupied with the body. We seem to be overly troubled about what, when and how often we should eat. We observe ourselves in the mirror and wonder how cute we might be without certain blemishes and lines. Forget the full length mirror! We diet, shave, and shampoo. We trim our nails, wash our feet, and as we age, witness hair disappear from areas that we want it to be and travel to areas where we don’t.

We should not neglect our body yet, think about it - you can’t really tell a book by it’s cover.
It would be wise to inject time into the soul (will, intellect & emotions), to resolve an excellence of behavior and attitude, and to seize a desire to be more caring, more forgiving, more positive and more loving … to name a few.
The spirit is the pulse beat of your being. It would be most wise to discover your spirit. It is the heart of your soul. It is “life” itself – with God being the source for your spirit to be alive. Apprehend God and have Him be the essence of your life.

2 Cor 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

SPEAR THROWING

2009-10-21T14:10:00.002-07:00

061 – SEPTEMBER 2008

SPEAR THROWING

David loved and adored King Saul of Israel. He honored the King, played music for him, and would have done anything the King asked him to do. Saul’s response seems to be a love/hate thing. At times, Saul seemed to love David. Yet, at times, he would become enraged to the point where he would throw spears at him.

Fortunately, most people are grateful for the goodness that you show them. But, sometimes it happens. Sometimes a person that you help ends up being a person who mistreats you. You pour yourself into helping someone out of their troubles and their sorrows … only to have them respond with disrespect towards you. Go figure! People can seem to dislike you for no reason at all!

If this has happened to you, you can find a bit of comfort in the fact that you are not alone. It’s no big deal! It happens! Don’t flinch! Don’t live your life based on these few setbacks.
You must understand that, many times, unexpected ill-treatment is someone’s reaction due to their inability to admit blame or accept truth for a situation. It could also be due to some sort of jealousy.

1 Samuel 18:7 “And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”
Having said all of this – I must admit that there have been times where I spent way too much time and energy on analyzing these unfair reversals. I would remind God of that “give and receive” thing. I would murmur that, while I gave and gave and gave, I received nothing but reproach from the person that I poured my heart into. God set me free as He whispered to me (this is very important) that the destination that you “give to” will not always be the source that you “receive from”.
So, continue to give. You need to think about that!

In conclusion – I decided, long ago, that I would rather live my life trusting and being run over a few times … than to live my life wincing and worrying about whether or not I should trust someone. Folks may abuse your goodness. They may chuck spears at you. Don’t flinch. Move on. Determine to be a lavishly giving person. Decide that you will never reciprocate kindness with spite or ill will. And, you will surely get (most times indirectly) a heavenly return.
And be thankful for the many loyal friends, family, and acquaintances that you have.

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
What happened with David and Saul? ( Good reading – 1 Samuel 8:19 – 31:13 )

A MERRY HEART

2009-10-21T14:10:00.001-07:00

060 – AUGUST 2008

A MERRY HEART

Luke 24:17 “And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these, that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?”

I remember when Pastor Bob Walton posed a question that went something like this – “When you end a conversation, the person with whom you spoke can affect you to feel refreshed or to feel sapped. How do people leave a conversation with you?”
I have always tried to fill my conversation with positive words and encouragement. I surely desire to have people leave a conversation refreshed and not sapped.

Sophia is my 12 year old granddaughter. Just recently, I walked into her bedroom and tried to calm her emotions over a minor distress. I began by imparting wisdom and consolations. And, as I continued to strike conversation - her brother Sam walked in the door. Sam is 5 years old and he asked, “What are you guys talking about?”
I responded by asking him to step into the hallway and we would be done in 5 minutes. Sophia and I began to speak and were disrupted from the hallway in a melodious “I can h-e-a-r you.”
I said, “Sam, close the door.”
I turned to Sophia and noticed a slight smile on her face. We tried to resume our talk when from the other side of the door came “I can still h-e-a-r you.”
Sam knew perfectly well that he was being comical. Sophia’s smile grew and I fueled the comic relief by asking Sam to step back and stand on the hallway carpet. Within a minute we heard, “I can still h-e-a-r you. What are you t-a-l-k-i-n-g about."
We both laughed out loud. We threw up our hands in surrender and Sophia jumped off the bed … healed of all distress.

Proverbs 15:15 “… but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”

So, I want to step it up a bit. I surely want to refresh but I also desire to be more light hearted. I would love to use more quips and clever comebacks. I would like tap into the satire and wit of a Mark Twain, a Winston Churchill, or a Will Rogers. I know that all of those great men participated in some very weighty conversations, but they all seemed to have a knack for being cleverly lighthearted at precise moments. The serious times will come and will require somber and thoughtful conversation. But what about the rest of the times?
Some of my friends that have this knack of lighthearted quick wit – Bryan, my son in law / Aaron, my son / Dan, the Chiropractor / Brian, the BK computer genius / … to name a few. When you leave conversation with them, you are not only refreshed but you usually have a smile on your face.
And there are those who really enjoy laughing – My mom had an easy and contagious laugh. Also, Pat, my wife / Herm, the Pastor / Sarah, the photographer / Arlene, the Dentist… to name a few more.

Pr 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

So – step it up a bit. Be refreshing. Laugh. And bring laughter. Think about it. It’s like medicine to the soul. And Sam is “getting it” … at 5 years old.

HARSH WORDS

2009-10-21T14:09:00.001-07:00

059 – JULY 2008

HARSH WORDS

Psalm 64:3 They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows.

I do not like to hear the words “stupid”, “idiot”, or “moron” (many times preceded by the words - “Shut up, you …”) Most strong attack words are usually assigned to name calling and I am just not a fan of harsh words.
I especially don’t like to hear these words come from the mouths of parents. Husbands and wives need to eliminate it also. Ditto, friends. Ditto, enemies. Leave this strong vocabulary to those it was designed for – the politicians. J
Remember growing up? Remember the neighborhood? Remember the little ditty
that you sneered back to the kids who called you a bad name (and maybe hurled some swear words)? “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” C’mon - it’s a lie. It’s a cover up that serves only as a quick and witty rebut to make the conflict go away. And as children walk away, they are hurt on the inside.
As I have grown older, I still hear adults using the “big 3”. Also, in their maturity(?), they have added to their name calling arsenal. You can hear more sophisticated hallmarks, such as “bigot”, “self-righteous”, “hypocrite”, and some perfectly timed adult-allowable obscenities. And, as adults walk away, they are hurt on the inside.

Col 4:6 “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

So, let’s grow up! If you feel a harsh word scooting from your heart to your mouth – cover your mouth. If it’s too late and the bomb already fell from your lips – yield a quick and sincere apology.

Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

This is just my interpretation of this matter. You can do whatever you want. And, I’ll concede that timely name calling can surely satisfy the flesh, but, think about it – we really do have a much higher calling. You can drop all harsh words and replace them with words of compliment and praise. Load your tongue gun with positive words that promote blessings, healing, and celebration.

Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Johnson Oatman / Charles Gabriel

PUTTING ON

2009-10-21T14:08:00.000-07:00

058 – JUNE 2008

PUTTING ON

In the middle of your seemingly impossible dilemma to alter some sin or bad habit, some well meaning person advises “Just relax and let God do it .”
What does that mean? I know that God could do it and He could do it a whole bunch better than I do. But what exactly does He do and what (if any) is my part in the whole thing.

I believe that you are responsible for the action and God responds by changing your heart. This is very important so let me explain.

Thought 1. You cannot change your heart. David was overwhelmed with a heavily repentant and apologetic heart when he wrote Psalm 51. Helplessly, he pleaded to God to change the heart.
Ps 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Thought 2. You can, however, change your actions.
In the middle of Colossians chapter 3, there is a great code of counsel. It should be on the top shelf of the “Self-Help” section in every book store. It is a principle for change. It is a key for setting yourself free from the sin and bad habits that you wish you did not have.
Col 3:12 “Put on therefore … mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another … even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.
The phrase “put on” comes from the Greek word “enduo” and means to “clothe yourself” or to put on as though you were putting on a piece of clothing.

Therefore, in those instances where you want to be angry - put on peace. Where you might want to be intolerant – put on patience. Where you are craving revenge - put on (clothe yourself with) forgiveness.
These are all acts of righteousness (doing what is right) and obedience to God. You would be consciously acting to do the right thing … even though your flesh is screaming for it’s own way.

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

You are responsible for the action and God responds by changing your heart. In your quest for change, God is with you. You can execute the assignments with “faith” … believing that while you are replacing (sometimes reluctantly) your substandard garment for one that is much nicer, God responds. He begins the process of changing you. That’s very powerful!
Example - If you are an intolerant person, you can make a decision to put on tolerance. You can trudge through a bit of self control with the assurance that God is honoring your actions and is changing your heart. You will wake up one morning and realize that you have changed and that you are now a tolerant person. You applied the action with the faith that God would change your heart. Think about that! It’s quite incredible.
(I used the “intolerance” example, because it was one of my own changes of heart.)

Col 3:14 And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.

DELIGHT IN THE LORD

2009-10-21T14:07:00.003-07:00

057 – MAY 2008

DELIGHT IN THE LORD

I went golfing the other day. It was a last minute decision so I was alone and I played a quick 9. I cleared the ravine on the 6th hole and, as I walked to the ball, I spied a lost golf ball in the ravine. It was about 50 feet away and I did not really want to brave the bushes and the wet grounds. Also, I have hundreds of golf balls (from being in the woods so often.) But, upon some quirky adventurous impulse, I headed for the little white ball … worth a buck!

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

I picked up the ball and noticed that it was a TopFlite (my favorite). I thought that was quite cool and voiced a heavenly “Thank you”. I looked to the left and there was another ball … a TopFlite! As I straightened up, I noticed another. And then another And another! The first 5 were all TopFlites. Together, God and I delighted in this crazy fun and I walked out of the ravine with 10 golf balls - 7 TopFlites, a Nike, a Molitor, and a Pinnacle. It was exciting! It was crazy! And, it was fun to have someone to share it with!

Psalm 37:4a “Delight yourself in the Lord …

Some folks believe that God orchestrates every area of our life. My humble theological opinion is that He has combined His written word with a lot of living-liberty. God doesn’t have a spoken word of direction for every move that we make. (Although, on the other hand, I think He desires to speak to us more than we are in a position to hear.)
So - this little golf adventure was probably not arranged by God. It certainly was not a miracle and the 10 golf balls were not a desire of my heart. We simply experienced a light hearted time of friendship. It was easy and natural to sense His presence. In the scope of great matters, this 5 minute period was insignificant, yet I truly delighted in it. We enjoyed each other in a bond of companionship. I even giggled out loud a few times.

Psalm 37:4b “ … and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

The true desires of my heart lie in the areas of faith, family, friends, and health.
So, the golf ball hunt was a “delight in the Lord” thing. The treasure was certainly not the golf balls but rather the pleasant fellowship with God.

In the midst of all of the world’s great issues of life, God wants to have a relationship with us. Determine to invite God into every area of your life. Resolve to experience His presence in all things. Delight in His friendship.
And, the promise is that He will give you the desires of your heart.

SHEEP

2009-10-21T14:07:00.001-07:00

056 – APRIL 2008

SHEEP

Ps 23:11 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

I admit it! I have trouble being a sheep!
I know that my life would become more simple if I were a sheep. It would be nice to move through life more slowly, graze leisurely, bleat a few times each day, trust the shepherd, and listen for his voice.
But, nope! Not me! I seem to prefer to run around with my head cut off. That’s what I do. I suppose I must enjoy it - a hectic schedule, talking way too much, and trusting my decisions with out hearing from God.

It’s hard! I’d rather be a bull. I certainly wouldn’t mind being a lion or a tiger … maybe even a charger. I just have trouble being a sheep!
Imagine a pro sports team selecting such a passive team mascot:
“Let’s hear a big cheer for your San Diego Sheep!”?
Or, “And now the starting lineup for your Chicago Lambs!”?
How could you even expect to win?

Yes, I know that God does not want us to sit around all day grazing and bleating. God wants us to be busy about the Kingdom. However, it’s very important that we understand this sheep/shepherd relationship that He has prepared for us.

Ps 23:2 “… He leadeth me beside still waters.”

As I move along through my years, I find that, more and more, I want to be directed. At home or at work, I simply want someone to tell me what needs to be done, to point me in a proper direction, and to say “Go!”
More than any other voice , I do want to hear His. Think about it - As the Great Shepherd - He provides, He protects, and He leads. He cares for you. He loves you and wants the best for you. He even seems to stop what He is doing in order to find you when you get lost.

Mt 18:12 "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”

So, surrender a bit of the “in charge” status and listen for His voice. You’ll hear it.

THE ROOM THEORY

2009-10-21T14:06:00.001-07:00

055 – MARCH 2008

THE ROOM THEORY

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.”

I’m having a hard time with this evolution theory. I realize that I am not a scientist but the whole thing raises a lot of elementary type questions.
* Was there really a first living cell that came outta nowhere? Really - Where did the first cell come from? If this is really true, then this is a big deal! Shouldn’t we name it and honor it with a holiday or something?
* Did this first cell reproduce? How long did it have to wait for another cell to come along? Did a whole bunch hit the scene like a street gang? And, how did they know they had to make more? Did they have brains first?
* They must have evolutioned the brain first, otherwise how did they all know they were going to need more than one eye, or one ear, or one hand? The brain must have come first to be able to sense these needs. But then, how can you sense a need for seeing when you don’t even know it's available? Does anyone really believe that the eye merely evolved? How about the brain?
* I have always wondered why there is not a species creature that evolved with just one leg? Just hopping around having a blast? … not even knowing that he might need a second leg? One eye, one arm, one index finger, one ear, … ? What’s with the two? So, why not 2 noses then? How did all these little cells evolve on their very own and not have a great mix of onesys and twosies?
* Finally – If man really evolved from the apes … Did the apes know that they needed to be smarter? Did they care? Or, did they (somewhere in their little evolutionary brain) know that eventually they would require conveniences such as roads, buildings, toilets, refrigerators, or potato chips? Those apes!

I have a new theory – The Room Theory! I think that they (the little one cell things that came from nowhere) all got packed in a little (Didn’t have to be too big!) room (for millions of years of course). Now picture this - Maybe one of the little itty bitty cells got stuck in the back wanted to see over the crowd what was going on up front. For years this little cell grunted and pushed and strained. Maybe this cellular situation caused it to became a giraffe or something. Maybe a need to hear something caused the rabbit to evolve? A need to wiggle to the front caused the snake? A need to smell the skunk (who had already evolved) caused the blood hound?
A big question is how all these little guys in this room, became “alike per species.” Why are there a bunch of the same? Why are there a bunch of orangutans? Or sharks, or centipedes, or roses, or moose? Think about it - Acting on their own - Shouldn’t there only be one?
Maybe, all of the cells had an opportunity to observe what they wanted to evolve to. Or, was there a boss cell who plucked each little guy from the Main Gathering Room and decided for all of them which of the species they were to become?
I can picture it – The boss points to a selected Species Evolving Room (with a category sign on the door) and the poor little cell starts to cry ”I don’t want to be a plant?” Or screams, “A fly? Are you crazy … “I’ll spend a million years evolving to a lousy fly and then have only 24 hours to live?” Forget it – I’d rather be a worm or even a pond leech!”
I realize that my new Room Theory has a bunch of flaws and questions. For example - While they were all in this room – Did they have to eat? What did they eat? And the big question, based on the fact “When you gotta go – you gotta go!”, will be - Can you imagine having to go to the bathroom for a million years?
The Room Theory is pretty silly. But, if I could just get enough people to believe it …?

Nehemiah 9:6 “Thou, even thou, art Lord alone: thou has made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all the things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou you preservest them all …”

DIFFERENTLY THE SAME

2009-10-21T14:05:00.001-07:00

054 – FEBRUARY 2008

DIFFERENTLY THE SAME

Par-a-dox Pronunciation [par-uh-doks] 1. A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

The Bible has a bunch of beautiful paradoxes. Here are a few:

Give to receive.
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure …, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Die to live.
Gal 2:19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.”

When you are weak, you are strong.
2 Cor 12:10 “ … for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

One of my own paradox blends is “We are all differently the same.”

We are the same. We all have a body, a soul, and a spirit. We think, we speak, we act. We sleep, we eat, we cry, we laugh. We succeed, we fail, we get hurt, and we cause hurt. We rejoice, we grieve, we justify, we forgive. And, of course, the list goes on. We are the same.

We are different. We certainly look differently from everyone else. We think differently, act differently, and speak differently. Government and Law Enforcement tracks your identity by your unique thumb print, your eyes, and even your ears. We are different.

The relevance of this paradox is in the encouragement that it gives.

A It’s nice to know that you are the same as everyone else. So - We can understand and we can share our lives. We are able to rejoice, to celebrate, and to share our triumphs with one another. We are also able to endure heartaches, face tragedies, lose a friend, and survive conflicts with a loved one. We can have assurance that there will be someone to offer comfort. There will be someone to love you, hug you and serve hope when it is needed. Be encouraged We are all in this together. We were created in the image of God.

B. It’s nice to know that you are different from everyone. You act and react differently than anyone else that ever was or ever will be. Think about it. You are different! You are special! There will never be another you! That is Gods’ creative intention and He loves you. You were created in the image of God.

VISIONS

2009-10-21T14:04:00.002-07:00

053 – JANUARY 2008

VISIONS

God wants to have 1st place in your heart. He, at least, wants to have easy access.

During a time of Holy Spirit meditation, I had a vision. (which means I am getting younger*). It was a short vision that disclosed God’s hands parting the “stuff & things” that lay between He and my heart. It appeared that God was trying to get some admittance and was having a bit of trouble getting there. As He persistently parted the growth, He grew closer … only to witness new “stuff & things” continue to sprout. The thickness of the field eventually had Him back off from His approach. (End of vision.)
This vision often applies to my state of being … and maybe yours. It certainly applies to the world and, quite probably, the church.

Matthew 22:35 “Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.

Wouldn’t it be great to give Jesus the first place of honor? Think about it! … Wouldn’t it be great to have God so dominate your life that you could have the confidence of Godly righteousness in all of your response, reactions, thoughts and deeds? Yuh? Yuh!

So, for me, I am determined to bring passion to the famous hymn I Surrender All and pursue a heartfelt rededication of His life in me.
“Now” is the best time for that. I will take a good look in the mirror of my heart and examine the “stuff & things” that hinder His authority to my soul and spirit.

And, I am convinced that (though you might feel a 1,000 step separation between you and God), if you take the first step of rededication, He will minister grace to close the remaining gap.
All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus, I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with thy love and power, Let thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
Judson W. Van de Venter, 1855-1939 / Winfield S. Weeden, 1847-1908

* Acts 2:16 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” J.

THE LAW OF LIBERTY

2009-10-21T14:04:00.001-07:00

052 – DECEMBER 2007

THE LAW OF LIBERTY

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Romans 14. It is often referred to as The Law of Liberty (what an interesting grouping of words).
It is a short discourse that answers the questions about those non sin issues that tend to separate and cause disagreement among folks … what to eat, what to wear, when to stand, when to sit, where you should go, etc.

Romans 14:2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only herbs. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

That verse contains a great word template that you can fill with all those silly ‘things’ that have the potential to stir discord and dissension:
He who ---------, --------‘s to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not --------, to the Lord he does not --------, and gives God thanks.
Example - He who wears blue jeans to church, wears blue jeans to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not wear blue jeans to church, to the Lord he does not wear blue jeans, and gives God thanks.
Ditto - raises their hands during ‘worship’, wears make-up, wears gaudy jewelry, covers their head, allows ‘entertainment’ in the church service (that will get me in trouble), etc.

The Christmas Season presents a few challenges. This festive season road contains a religious rut where one could become a bit legalistic and judgmental … questioning all the “things” that others do during the season:
You can add to the template: decorate a tree, shop for gifts, attend a party, heartily sing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”, allow your kids to watch the Grinch, or allow your kids to believe in Santa (definitely in trouble now), etc.

For the next few weeks of this Christmas season – Relax regarding other folk’s choices that are different from yours. Remember that this is about the birth of Christ. It’s a big, big birthday celebration for the one died for you.
Stay joyful! Greet one another with warmth and kindness. Let everyone do their thing and just make sure that you bring Christ into whatever you choose to do or that you choose not to do.

CONTENTMENT... AND A PARABLE OF SUCESS

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051 – NOVEMBER 2007

Contentment … and A Parable of Success

Proverbs 15:16 “ Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.”
1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

The following is a modern day parable. It causes me to think about a lot of things. I really like it and I hope that you do too.

The Mexican Fisherman by Unknown Author
An American businessman was at a pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of fish and asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish. The fisherman said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. Then the American asked what he did with the rest of his time?
The fisherman responded, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, and stroll to the village each evening – where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos.”
The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and I can help you. You have a very special talent for fishing. You should spend more time fishing. With the proceeds, you could buy bigger boats and hire more employees. You could eventually have a fleet of boats, open your own cannery, cut out the middleman, and control all product and distribution. You might have to leave your fishing village and live in LA or New York to run your enterprise. But in 20 years - you would announce an IPO, sell your company stock to the public, and make millions!”
The Mexican fisherman responded, "Millions, Senor? Then what?"
The American said, "Why, you could retire! You could move to a small coastal village where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your children, take a siesta with your wife, and stroll to the village each evening – where you would sip wine and play guitar with your amigos.”

Think about it!

INTIMACY WITH GOD

2009-10-21T14:03:00.001-07:00

050 – October 2007

INTIMACY WITH GOD

If someone asked you to describe the personality and the character of a casual acquaintance, you might respond, “Well, she seems to be a very nice person. Uh, whenever I meet her, she has a nice smile. Um, I don’t really know her that well.”
Contrarily, if someone asked you to describe your wife, husband, son, daughter, or someone else that you love dearly, you would respond, “Oh, she’s wonderful! She’s caring and kind and giving and … I could go on all day! How much time do you have?”
The difference is in the amount of time and the times that you have shared with that person.

I believe that God wants a personal relationship with us and, think about it, our depth of response to “Describe God!” would vary due to the amount of time and the times that we have shared with Him.

The Bible speaks often of the importance of a “morning watch” … a time of one-on-one with God. This is a time that you spend seeking intimacy with Him.

Ps 5:3 “My voice shall thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

Devote a time each morning to talk with God. It is easier than you might think to find a quiet place, close your eyes, and concentrate on Him. It is a time of prayer that includes the following:
* Thanksgiving – There is a lot to be thankful for.
* Praise - God “… inhabits the praises of His people.”
* Confession – Acknowledge and disburden your offences.
* Intercession – Praying for others.
* Petition – Praying for yourself.
* Listen – Don’t do all the talking. Use spiritual ears to hear His voice.
* Read – Open your Bible, for faith comes from hearing … the Word of God.
* Speak – Preach some of the things that you just read. Speak words of faith … Out loud!
* Meditate – Ponder your time. Close your eyes and feel His presence.
* Praise – End with praise (expecting to feel His presence throughout the day.)

Verse 1 and the chorus from my Mom’s favorite hymn, In the Garden:

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.e tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.

I have enclosed a cue card for your convenience.

TREASURES IN HEAVEN

2009-10-21T14:02:00.003-07:00

049 – SEPTEMBER 2007

TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Proverbs 13:7 “There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
I happened upon a bunch of trophies and ribbons from the back of our portrait studio. They represent many years of photographic awards and I had intensions to rescue and repair them from years of tarnishing, rusting, molding, and breaking tops ... but I gave up quickly as I realized that they had declined beyond repair. I’m not quite sure what to do with them.
Don’t get me wrong – Pat and I are very honored to have received these awards. We, in fact, still enter photographs in the different State, Regional, and National Print Competitions. These awards bring back some great memories, but think about it - when I depart from this world, who will want them? Answer: Nobody! And, in the scope of life’s important matters, of what great value are they?

1 Timothy 6:7 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

My attention to the depreciation in value of theses pieces of wood and metal stimulated some thinking.
Life! What’s it all about? All of the sudden, a little sperm works it’s way to some little egg and Boop! … it started! From nothin’ … to me! That’s noteworthy !
So, why do I age? I dunno! Good question!
And, what happens after death? Big question! As for me, I am convinced of eternity! I am sure that I will slip into the arms of Jesus … forever!
And then what? I dunno! But it’ll be real good! And I do know that 80-90 years on this planet is a particular part of my eternal life that has unique relevance and purpose, yet … a mere droplet in the ocean of time eternal.

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So, think about it - we might want to focus on eternal things. We might want to focus a bit on the kingdom of God, on love, on peace, on faith, and on affecting others in a great way. After all, everything material will rust, corrode or decay. Except, maybe, for plastic? Just kidding! I know that God thought of that. After all, it does melt! J

LIFE QUOTES

2009-10-21T14:02:00.001-07:00

048 – AUGUST 2007

LIFE QUOTES

A life quote is a concisely worded piece of advice for living a good life.
One example from the Bible inventory of wise counsel is from James 1:19,
“ … be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

My current selection for life quote is – “Pick your battles.”
I chose this because we have such a tendency to be extremely touchy over every decision. . We can make mountains out of molehills and live a life of conflict and duress … over some very trite issues. And, the emotional disagreements over silly things can cause unnecessary tension in our lives, as well as our loved ones’.

Luke 10:41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,”

Think about it. We debate, squabble and fight over the dumbest things. We become testy and touchy over hackneyed matters. And even though you will have some issues or disagreements that are worth a fight, most are not worth the stress that the battle brings.

Proverbs 25:28 “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

So - “Pick your battles.” Lay aside your passion for everything. Withhold your tongue and don’t feel that your opinion is so vital to every conversation. Relax and enjoy others’ views.
Worry less, trust God, cut some slack, relax, and save your energy for the issues that really matter.

Assignment - If someone asked you for just one piece of ‘life’ advice … what would you say? I know that you must have a few, but if you could choose just one, what would be your life quote? What one thing would you tell someone to help them through life? What one thing would you choose to say to help them live a happier, more productive, and more peaceful life?
I have asked this question to many people. All the responses are great and I have listed just a few for your thoughts:
Jamie Hayes – “Surround yourself with happy people.”
Kent Smith – “Love and be honest.”
Pat Beltrami – “Give Jesus a chance.”
Jed Taufer – “Never hesitate to sincerely apologize.”

(Note: Send me one of your life quotes and I will publish it in next month’s TAI.)

EVERYTHING IS SATISFACTUAL

2009-10-21T14:01:00.003-07:00

047 – JULY 2007

EVERYTHING IS SATISFACTUAL

Have you ever had a song that attached itself to you. As hard as you try, you cannot get the ditty off your mind or your tongue. I call it Stuck Tune Syndrome - an affliction that causes you to sing one particular song over and over. A song leaps from the airwaves and sticks like glue … sometimes for an entire day.
Pat, my dear wife, seems to think that she can tell my thoughts or my moods by those songs that stick. She may be right. The Andy Griffith Show whistle may not apply, but songs like “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”, “All Alone Am I”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, or “What Kind of Fool Am I” could be evidence to her theory.

There is, however, a big difference between a song in your head and a song in your heart. There is a song in your heart. It is at the core of who you are. It could be your spirit. It’s at least a mood in your spirit. It’s not a particular title or tune … but a “song” nonetheless. My song has always been one of lightheartedness, thankfulness, and joy.
Recently, I had misplaced my song. Ugh! I made a bad trade. I began to “sing” a deep reflection, melancholy, “Sunrise, Sunset” type of song.
While talking with God, I became aware of my condition and prayed for a new song.

Ps 40:3 “And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: …”

So, I have my old “new song” back. This does not mean that I can’t have deep reflections, but it sure is nice to wake up each day and say “Good morning, Lord!” (vs. “Good Lord, it’s morning!”)
Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

If you don’t like the song that you are singing – Start praising God. And, then, try this song on for size. Thank and praise God as you sing and … it should be a good fit!

Zip-A Dee-Do-Da! Zipadee-ay Mr. Bluebird’s on my shoulder.
My! Oh my! What a wonderful day. It’s the truth! It’s actual!
Plenty of sunshine headed my way. Everything is satisfactual !!
Zip-A Dee-Do-Da! Zipadee-ay! Zip-A Dee-Do-Da! Zipadee-ay!
Wonderful feeling! Wonderful day!
Yes, you can thank me that I have given you a great melody for Stuck Tune Syndrome. It could get stuck in your head for all of today . And, Think about it – If you need one, it’s not a bad theme for a new song in your heart.

FRIENDS

2009-10-21T14:01:00.001-07:00

046 – JUNE 2007

FRIENDS

Have you ever been hurt by an enemy?
Have you ever been hurt by a friend?
What a difference in the “hurtometer”!

Ps 55:12 “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear it;
Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, …
13 But it is you, a man my equal. My companion and my familiar friend;
14 We who had sweet fellowship together …”

Just recently, I was deeply hurt by a friend. Quite simply, this person did something that I never have done to a friend. It cut deeply and I shed tears of anguish over the incident. In this ill fated deed, this friend broke the bond of loyalty* and actually joined the “other side”. This person knowingly and willingly entered the enemies’ camp and joined their forces to knife me in the back. (The easiest target is there.)

This happened over a month ago. I have been working through this “hurt” thing and have come out the other end with some growing up. Here’s what I have discovered –
They asked Peter if he was Jesus” friend. Peter responded that he didn’t know him.
Mt 26:71 “When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 And again he denied it with an oath, “I do no know the man.”

Ouch! 3 times!!! With an oath! That must have hurt Jesus. It must have cut deeply.
Yet Jesus understood. Jesus understood his weakness. Jesus understands our weaknesses.
He understands. He forgives us. And, he still calls us friends. (John 15:15)

I need to understand also. I may not have done exactly what this friend did to me but I know that I am very capable of messing up and coming short of the loyalty* that friendship hopes for.
John 8:7 “ … If any one of you is without sin,
Let him be the first to throw a stone …”

So, who am I to get all upset at the very thing that I am so capable of doing. I must
take the Jesus high road! He is gracious to me. A lot of people are gracious to me. So how can I do less? I’ll understand. I’ll forgive! And, I will still call them friend.

Honestly – Does it still hurt? Yep!! But what else can you do? Think about it!

*I took a poll!
Question: “What is the most important thing that you look for in a friend?
Answer: The #1 answer, overwhelming, was … loyalty.

SUNRISE, SUNSET

2009-10-21T14:00:00.003-07:00

045 – MAY 2007

SUNRISE-SUNSET

As I was remembering a particular event, I realized that it had occurred one year ago. One year! 365 days! That’s a lot of days. Not 10 or 20! Not 100! Moreover – 365 of them! It seems like only yesterday since that event happened. Yet I have slept, awakened and experienced a “day” … 365 times! Three hundred sixty five times!

Job 7:6 “My days fly faster than a weaver’s shuttle.Job 9:25 “My days pass more swiftly than a runner.

Where do these days go? They become, in fact, history. They are now “past” … to be remembered but not relived.

We, therefore need some inspiration to live our life with more watchfulness. Country singer George Strait sings, “There’s a Difference ‘Tween Living and Living Well.” And Roget’s Thesaurus gives us a few synonyms for this distinct essence of the word “live”.
“To live” : enjoy life / relish / savor / delight in / experience / love /
make every moment count / take pleasure in

That series of words should be an encouragement to live your life more richly. Those words should be a challenge to love more. Smile more. Hug more. Kiss more. And bring hope to so many who need it. Savor your moments because they so quickly turn to days. And your days, “one day at a time”, so quickly turn to years.

One year passes. I have journeyed another 365 days, yet it seems as though … just yesterday … I was 12 years old!
This is deep thinking for me. It blows my mind and provokes the “Twilight Zone” song in my head. It launches me into “life questions”. It causes me to examine my earthly visit and I must conclude that the only thing that makes any sense is that life is not temporal but eternal.
I believe that we have eternal souls and that there is more than just hanging out in this funny little body suit on this funny little planet for a few years. This is just a visit and it is like a scratch in time on the Grand Canyon wall of eternity.

2 Cor 5:1 “Now we know that if the earthly body we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”

Ps 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

WILL WE EVER GROW UP?

2009-10-21T14:00:00.001-07:00

044 – APRIL 2007

BIG BRATS - WILL WE EVER GROW UP?

I am wondering if we “grown ups” are still children, but in adult bodies.
We seem to have a great difficulty putting away childish things. All of the sudden, we are men and women. All of the sudden, we have the freedom that comes with adulthood. All of the sudden, we have the responsibilities that come with marriage and parenthood. We have the same issues that we had as children … but with a lack of authority and accountability in our lives.*
We complain, we cry, we sulk, and we stomp our feet. We show selfishness, we display jealousies, we act moody, we are unthankful, and we throw tantrums.
We go unchecked, unpunished, and undisciplined - for things that children would never get away with. Poor kids! Think about it! We drink, smoke , spit, cuss, and chew. And it’s just fine … because we are “adults”. We may even lie, cheat, and steal … and think that it is all in secret. But it’s not!

* Proverbs 5:21 “For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and He examines all his paths.”

It appears that as we pass through adolescence and into adulthood, we take a heavy backpack of “stuff”. The pack seems almost magical as it instantly delivers the nonsense necessary for proper tantrums and demanding of our own way. The pack is heavy! We really don’t like it! It wears us down and we can sometimes feel very defeated.
The good news is that it is easier than you might think to discard this awful weight.

Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

The Bible says that we can ‘lay it aside’ (this backpack weight). Could it be that easy? Sure! With God, all things are possible. Make a good decision and flood it with patience, with faith, and with love.

As I conclude this “big brat” thought, I decide to accept a life challenge to drop the weight of this needless backpack and experience the real freedom that comes from truth.
John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs …
11) When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

THE EYES HAVE IT

2009-10-21T13:59:00.003-07:00

043 – MARCH 2007

THE EYES HAVE IT

Psalm 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well”

You have these two fleshy spheres in your skull that begin the process that enables you to see the outside physical world? The outside enters inside your soul by going through a little hole, traveling through a little nerve, entering your fleshy brain, displaying a moving picture of what is out there, and causing you to say “Wow!” Do you understand? Sure! Mmmm, not really!
It raises a lot of questions.
Your body is equipped with the round things and your soul is packaged in your body. So is it your body or your soul that actually sees the stuff?
Why doesn’t the process require you to be hooked to some LTD or plasma screen? No, your soul is the screen! It’s just there! You see it! You walk around and take it all in.
Think about it! How many ways can I say it before you begin to get dizzy about it?
Take a walk and look around. Be amazed that you are this single breathing soul with some miraculous ability to see the physical world. Take a minute to lift your eyes from this paper and marvel with a dropped jaw.

Sight! I wonder how those little evolutionary one celled things thought that this would be a great gadget to have. How did they even know that there was a physical world out there? Did they hear something? Did they get ears first? The brain must have come first? It had to!
Maybe all these one celled living globs gathered in the corner of a room and one of them (probably an owl cell) said “I sense that there is more. We need to see!”
They strained for millions of years and some were able to develop these 2 skull balls (How did they know that they would need 2 eyes for depth?) Those that were successful eventually became lions, ants, fish, dogs, birds, orangutans, and human beings, etc. The other living cells simply did not try hard enough and never got the eyes. Trees, grass, or plants?
Anyhow, there are many things to ponder but, for this moment, take the time to be
overwhelmed with the gift of “sight” and how it relates to purpose. Although, it’s nice to understand the diagram and answer the “How?”, it’s eternally important to go beyond and allow yourself to ask the “Why?” Why are we here? What is it all about? There must be more than just “birth to death for 90 years”. And I thank God, through Jesus Christ, that there is!

2 Cor 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.”

A GOOD QUESTION

2009-10-21T13:59:00.001-07:00

042 – FEBRUARY 2007

A GOOD QUESTION

When concentrating on your faith, one particular way that your entire awake time may be divided is into the time you spend with God, church folk fellowship, or people outside the faith.

On a scale of 1 to 10, (“1” being “not Important” and “10” being “Very Important”) place a number for the following:
1. Importance of time spent intimately in prayer or meditation with God …………. ______
2. Importance of time spent in fellowship or study with the people of church …. ______
3. Importance of time spent with unchurched such as fellow workers, street folks, golf
buddies, and other acquaintances, etc. …. ______

Pause …………………… C’mon! Be a sport! Place the numbers before you read on.

Many people have contracted a religious affliction and will quickly plop a “10” on #1 and #2, while pondering over #3 with an eventual “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, or “8”.
These results are the product of a highly contagious religious disease that that I have named “churchy-itis” … and it’s not a pretty sight!

Think about it! All of our time should be a “10”. Moreover, Jesus put much emphasis on spending time with those who need a bit of faith, hope and love.
* He, himself, spent much time with sinners and tax collectors. Luke 15:2
* He taught that we are the light of the world and the salt of the Earth. Matthew 5:14
* He explained that we have the same “call” and purpose for our life that He had. Luke 4:18 & John 20:21
* His last words to us, after His resurrection and just before He ascended to the Father, could have been “Attend Church!”, “Pray!”, or “Be Holy!”. These instructions are all important and worthy of the Last Words category, but He chose to say “Go!” Matthew 28:19 & 20

A prayer closet for times with God is crucial to a victorious walk. And, surely, fellowship with the saints is important. However, those who have caught a glimpse of God have a responsibility to share with others. If we have hung around God and taken possession of His heart, we should begin to see with new eyes. We should understand that we are ambassadors to the world from the kingdom of God. And, we should realize the urgent need to “Go!”
I think that C. Austin Miles understood the Heart of God when he wrote the last verse to the great hymn, In the Garden:

“I’d stay in the garden with Him Though the night around me is falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling.”

God places great importance to the opportune times we have to care for others. Embrace the times when you have the chance to share love, faith, hope, grace, praise and encouraging words.

Reconsider Question #3. If, originally, you placed anything less than a “10” on question #3, take this TAI as medicine for any religious disease that you might have contracted.

BUSY-NESS

2009-10-21T13:58:00.001-07:00

041 – JANUARY 2007

Busy-ness!

Luke 10: 38-42 “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.
40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41 "Martha,Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,
42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

A typical day for modern man involves the following commitments to “time.”
Awake, Shower, Shave, Shampoo, Brush, Add scents, Select Attire, Get Dressed, Eat Breakfast, Find Misplaced Keys, Start Car, and Back To the House for Something that You Forgot.
Drive to work, Stop for Coffee, Gas Up, Have a Chat, Arrive at work, and Back to the Car for Something that You Forgot.
Work, Lunch, Work.
Drive home, Stop for Last Minute Grocery Items, and maybe Visit Mom.
Arrive Home, Listen to the Telephone Messages, Return a Few Calls, Get Your E-Mail, Reply, Prepare the Meal, Eat, Do the Dishes, Watch the News, Snack, Clean Things Up a Bit, Receive 2 Personal Telephone calls, Receive 6 Telemarketing Calls, Wash, Dry and Fold Laundry, Watch 2 hours of TV, Snack Again, and Get Some Sleep.

I totaled that up … to 25.1 hours !!! All in one day !!! Think about it!
Praise God for the weekends!. And for vacations!

And that total did not include miscellaneous time for - Visit to the Motor Vehicle Department, Visit to the Bank, Shopping, Paying the Bills, Auto Repair, Flat Tires, Appointment with the Dentist, Idle Time, or Running to the Store for One Item.
And that total did not include “kid” time !!! Oy !!
And that total did not include Spiritual time for Bible Reading, Prayer, and Meditation. Remember those things? Food for our spirit and our soul? Did we forget? Are we too busy?

Most of these duties, routines and inconveniences are necessary. It is undeniable that the dishes will need to be washed but, as in the story of Martha and Mary, busy-ness with temporal concerns can be a trap that robs you of time spent on eternal matters.
42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
When Jesus is on the scene and wanting to talk, we need to drop what we are doing and make an eternal choice. When you sense a drawing of the Spirit, you need to be wise and select what is truly needful. When there is opportunity to spend time with God, you need to do it.

Busy-ness? We make it so difficult to “find time for God” when, in fact, we would find it eternally rewarding to design our schedule around and about Him.

So, become a good steward of your time. It’s important.

HELPFUL HINTS

2009-10-21T13:57:00.002-07:00

040 – DECEMBER 2006

HELPFUL HINTS

I do like the Christmas Season!! It’s a time that can bring out the best in everyone. It can be a special time of merriment, human kindness, and glad tidings of great joy.
You will, in fact, begin to see a lot of folks wear a big grin and say “This is my most favorite time of the year.”
Yet, this special season has the ingredients to produce a vast supply of grumpy waiters, discourteous sales clerks, contemptible shoppers, over tired whining kids, and angry folks trying to adjust to all of that merry stuff.
Therefore - Caution: Contents of this season are pressure sealed. When opened - will include busy schedules, mobbing shoppers, “perfect gift” buying, looming deadlines, out of stock items, a flood of last minute stuff, and the pressure to produce.

Helpful Hints to stay joyful:

1. Enjoy each day and each thing that you need to do. Whatever the day and whatever the task – approach it with a good attitude. Smile at people. Talk positive. And, spread the joy that will have them wonder why you act that way.
Today is my favorite day, God made it in a special way.
I like tomorrow and yesterday, But today is my favorite day.
Ps118:24 “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

2. Keep things in life’s proper perspective. My photographer friend from Los Angeles was sued one year for not providing a Christmas Portrait in time for Christmas. The truth in the circumstances made the whole thing rather foolish, but in the deposition, the clients continued to emphasize that “but this was the main gift.” How silly! Most of the stuff that can irritate you is trivial at best.
Much ado about nothing - Remember to keep things in life’s proper perspective.

3. Give. Quite simple - Someone is out there that needs your time or your money.
Cut off all attaching strings and give to someone in need … a family, a “cause”, a homeless person. If you listen real well, you will probably know “who” and “what”.
Acts 20:13 “ … and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more
blessed to give than to receive.

4. Keep Jesus 1st. We tend to neglect the spiritual side. Think about it. In the midst of all of the tree decorating, gift shopping and party attending … in the swarm of rude waiters, peculiar Santas, and impatient shoppers – we can forget to delight in God. Don’t let that happen.
In everything that you say or do, breathe God. Thank Him for embracing you to have a relationship with Him. Be glad that you are able to talk with Him and that you are able to sense His presence in your life.
Proverbs 3:6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Merry Christmas!

BE CAREFUL LITTLE EYES

2009-10-21T13:57:00.001-07:00

039 – NOVEMBER 2006

BE CAREFUL LITTLE EYES

Who are you? And, how did you get that way?
I think that I might have this process figured out.
1. The 5 senses. Your 5 senses are collectors of information that are directed to your brain.
2. The Brain. Your brain is a processor of information.
3. The Heart (figurative). Your heart is the results
of information collected and processed. There is a constant
and steady drip (sometimes a “flow”) of processed information
from the brain to your heart.

Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart,
so is he …”

The heart is “who you are”. The heart is your soul.
It is the core of your being and the pulse beat of your
essence. If you have a warm heart, you are a warm person
- a person who cares. If you have a pure heart, you are
a pure person - a person with few motives. Cold heart?
Soft heart? Hard hearted? Big hearted? Heartless?
And so forth!
Think about it - Throughout your life, the information
that you collect will have a tremendous influence as to who you are and who you will become. You will have a lack of control over some of the information that you experience but, for the most part, you will be able to choose … the books you read, the people you spend time with, the shows you watch, where you go, and what you do!
Understand this process. Blend it with faith. And this is how you can change.
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Final Thought
4. The Tongue (figurative). Your tongue is the main source of revealing exactly who you are. The information is collected through the 5 senses, processed in the brain, dripped to the heart, and proceedeth out the mouth.
Matthew 12:34 “ … for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

“Be careful little eyes what you see. Be careful little eyes what you see.
For the Father up above is looking down with love.
So, Be careful little eyes what you see.” Ditto – Little ears what you hear, little feet where you go, little hands what you do, etc.

PRESUMPTION

2009-10-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

038 – OCTOBER 2006

PRESUMPTION
[pri-zuhmp-shuhn]
* an assumption, often not fully established, that is taken for granted in some piece of reasoning.

Mt 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.”

While visiting a particular church, where it was the religious custom for the women to cover their heads, I spotted this one particular older lady. She was seated about 4 pews in front of me and I noticed that she had used a handkerchief to cover her head. I further noticed that the handkerchief was unwashed, very dirty, and in need of ironing. I decided that even if she was a poor person, she ought to be able to use a more clean covering in public. I thought, “Couldn’t she just see how distasteful this was?”
As the church service ended, I watched her stand. Next, I watched someone take her arm and escort her out the pew. With interest to see her face, I watched her turn toward the aisle. It was then that I spotted her clouded eyes … and her white cane. I hung my head in shame for the crass judgement which I so easily made.

It was 25 years ago when I learned that valuable lesson. Although the Bible is so very clear about not “Judging Others”, it seems that folks continue to spend a lot of time doing it. I have learned that it is a waste of time because it is impossible to draw an accurate judgement. Think about it- All of our judgements include a mixture of presumption. We cannot have all of the information to make a flawless judgement . We are on the outside-looking-in and, every day, millions of inaccurate verdicts are made … a few towards you. I am sure that someone has drawn a conclusion about you that was based on lack of information and resulting in poor judgement . I am sure that you did not like that, yet … we still allow ourselves to be caught in that fleshy trap.

Romans 2:1 “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you, who pass judgment, do the same things.

Have you ever heard someone make a comment such as, “Can you believe that person is a Christian and they drive a Mercedes?”
I always respond to those comments with a series of mischievous questions, “Where is it, oh Wise One, that we should draw the line? Is it okay for me to drive a Volvo? Ford Taurus? Or maybe a 3 year old used car? As long as it isn’t a Mercedes, of course?”

I wear a diamond ring on my right hand. It is ample in size and some folks probably think that I am blinging it. Some may suppose that I am wearing it for some sense of self worth or a statement of net financial worth. Honorably, they reason that I should be giving this type of money to the poor. Eventually, the urge to have others agree will follow with, “That person is a Christian and he flaunts a huge diamond ring.”
Okay … So here we are again! How huge can the diamond be? What about other jewelry? What about wrist watches? Which particular watch do we determine to be the limit for a proper person? A Rolex? Never! A Timex? Okay! But, could there be a permission clause to buy something a little bit nicer? As long as it doesn’t cost over $200? 150?
Can you see how silly it all is? And how dangerous it can be to appoint yourself as the lawmaker and judge? And I wonder how many times each day, we make ‘busy body’ judgements infused with an assumption, not fully established? I wonder how disappointed God feels as He observes this mess?

Mt 7:2 “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

The rest of the story - Shortly after my Grandmother died, my Mom received a small inheritance. She immediately went to the jeweler and, as a huge expression of love, used the entire amount to buy a good sized diamond ring for her husband … my Dad. He proudly wore this ring until his death in 1996 … upon which my Mom gave me the ring and said she would be honored if I wore it.

MULLIGANS

2009-10-21T13:54:00.000-07:00

037 – SEPTEMBER 2006

MULLIGANS

I think that a good way to wreck a Saturday is to “go golfing”. It is a very funny game indeed. You have a great round and, just when you think that you are ready for the pro tour, you spend the next 9 holes in the woods and wondering why you have returned to the shanks, hooks, slices, and “duffs” that you thought you had conquered. The fact is that most weekend golfers are hoping for one good shot to brag about at the office.
Now, with a motive to score well, weekend golfers add a popular rule called a “Mulligan”. Each golfer gets one for every 9 holes and the Mulligan is proclaimed when a golfer duffs a tee shot or hits the ball into the woods. The rule allows the person to tee up a second ball while ruling the first misguided tee shot as never been swung at. As the person tees up again and you will hear him openly say, “I’ll use my Mulligan on this hole.”
It’s quite silly, actually … if you think about it. You are presenting yourself with a better score than you actually shot - a gift of 2 or 3 less strokes. However, as everyone happily agrees with this rule, it’s seems only fair to apply it.

As I was thinking about Mulligans, I began to reflect on this – Wouldn’t it be great if we could apply this exceptional concept to some familiar mistakes of our daily walk? We could establish one Mulligan for every 2 of our waking hours. It would eliminate such bothersome errors as:
Spilling coffee on your shirt? Just say “I’ll take my Mulligan on this”, look down, see an unstained shirt, and take a 2nd and more dexterous sip.
Lock your keys in the car? “Mulligan!” Try it again. Open the door, sit back down, and get out of the car with your keys in your hand.
Crack your shin on the coffee table? Say, “I need a Mulligan here.” Pain will disappear, you can back up, step forward again, and, this time, avoid the whole achy thing.
Burned the Thanksgiving turkey? Big time “Mulligan!” Time backs up, the turkey is ready to cook again, and, this time, you can be more attentive.

What about sin stuff? There is a more sure method. God has offered a great rule for us … that if we acknowledge our sins and ask Him for forgiveness, He will be sure to forgive us and remove the sin “as far as the East is from the West.”

Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am He that blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember your sins.”

If you realize that you have told a lie? Ask for God’s forgiveness.
Are you sorrowfully aware of stealing, cheating, cursing, swearing, or looking at things you should not be looking at? Did you give someone a mean look, use a harsh word that you wish you could stuff back in your mouth, or act selfish by demanding your own way? You should be feeling badly about it. Maybe tell any hurt person that you are sorry and ask God to forgive you. Acknowledge your offenses and ask for forgiveness.

1 John 1: 8 & 9 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

God is much more gracious than a Mulligan. He actually says that not only will He forgive the error but also will cast it in to the sea of forgetfulness. It will be as though we did not do the deed … as though we never took the bad swing.
Think about it! God is a God of new beginnings and it is so wonderful that we can wake each day and know that, as we stumble, jumble, grumble, and bumble … God’s grace is available at all times.

REALLY STINKING

2009-10-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

036 – AUGUST 2006

REALLY STINKING

My favorite motivational speaker is Charlie “Tremendous” Jones.
Jones is a great encourager and much of his speaking helps people to be confident and positive about themselves. Moreover, his trademark line is “You are tremendous!”
Romans 8:37 “ … we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.Ephesians 3:12 “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the
faith of him.”
2 Corinthians 2:15 “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ …”

He also, however, has the incite to know that we possess a great knack to become prideful or judgmental and he will always reconcile his encouragement with a caution about admiring yourself too greatly. He reminds you how much nicer life would be if you will simply accept your great talent for err and blunder. Jones often communicates about how life can be pretty miserable if you are not able to laugh at yourself and his gunfire of wisdom laced with wonderful humor continues to help folks to understand just how funny they really are.
When you become upset with someone’s shortcomings, when you become vexed or annoyed by someone’s failures – remind yourself that you are far from perfect and capable of making the same (or greater) mistakes.
I will always remember one of Jones’ great lines in respect to this important advice,
“I know that I stink! But I’d rather stink, thinking I stink, than to think I don’t … and really stink.”

This thought was on my mind when I was challenged by the Society of XXV (an international photography group that I belong to) to create a self portrait.
The enclosed self portrait is how I often see myself. Whenever I begin to get a bit too serious about “me”, whenever I begin to turn inward, or whenever I begin to become self absorbed … whenever I get in a dither over a molehill, or whenever I get to admiring myself too greatly, I can quickly adjust my thinking to see how silly it all is and how funny I really am.

Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;

Would you like to be set free from judgmental remarks or self centered inclinations? Concede your inventory of flaws and defects and then start to laugh at yourself … because you are very funny. Indeed!
With a big, but lighthearted, laugh on your face – Speak something like :
“I know that I stink! But I’d rather stink, knowing that I stink, than to think I
don’t and really stink!” That’s so good! Think about it!

BRIDGES

2009-10-21T13:37:00.002-07:00

035 – JULY 2006

BRIDGES

2 Cor 5:18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

When I first committed my life to Christ, I was shown a very helpful illustration to the Gospel – The drawing displayed me and God, disconnected and on opposite sides of a colossal chasm … but with a bridge added to allow crossing. The bridge is Christ who paid the price for this separation and offers a bridge so that we might not only gain entrance to God but also have relationship with Him. God made it easy for us to return. With all of our mess, He did this for us. We surely can do the same for others, whose mess is much smaller.

Rom 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

After 15 years of using a particular professional printing lab, our studios chose to send our printing orders to a different company. I always had a great relationship with the original lab and the owner was obviously disappointed. I tried to keep a connection and maintain communication, but he chose to be become very resentful and ultimately dug a ditch between us. He created a gorge … with no bridge for return.
A similar situation arose, in which we decided to use an East Coast framing supplier. We cut back our orders to a Los Angeles based frame company which we have been doing business with for over 20 years. The owner was disappointed but said “I understand! You have been a great customer and I am aware that things change. If there is anything that we can do for you, please let us know. And, lets’ not have this end our personal relationship. I wish you well.”
This man chose to build a bridge. In the possibility that I might want to return, he left a way back. He has made it easy to return to business and to relationship.

1 Cor 13:5 Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs

Sometimes our emotions cause us to act in ways that damage relationships. Resentment and unforgiveness challenge our behavior. If we give into the flesh, our actions can even become mean spirited and damaging. Think about it - What begins as a small breach that can be easily bridged turns to an abyss with virtually no possibility for return.

“Don’t burn your bridges!” - Good advice!
Remember the good times. Remember the love and the laughter that you shared. Things happen, but you can always be thankful for the ‘season’ and be mindful that you may one day want to return.
If there is a past relationship that has been damaged or detached – be as Christ. Build a new bridge! Clean up the debris of the burned bridge and build a new one. Call somebody. Say something like “I just wanted to let you know that I miss you.” Or “I just wanted to thank you for all the good times that we had” or “ You are a great person. I understand that things change. If there is anything that I can do for you, please let me know. I wish you well!”

Eph 4:32 Be kind & compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

TALENTS

2009-10-21T13:37:00.001-07:00

034 – JUNE 2006

WE NEED EACH OTHER

1 Cor 12:14 “For the body is not one member, but many.”

People have different gifts and talents. Sometimes it’s nice to know which are yours and … which are not.

Now, I am not a carpenter:
When I pick up a tool, my family starts to shake their heads. If I pick up a power tool, they all run for cover.
I cannot find a stud. If my life depended on it, I could not find it. I can hammer and knock all day, only to drive nails through the sheetrock and into the empty space that lies behind it. I’m not sure that I could find the things, even if the sheetrock was not up yet!!!
My dad was a finished carpenter. He could measure and cut to a paper-width of a fit. I am quite satisfied with somewhere between a quarter and a half inch fit. For example, I made a bookshelf and the distance between the end of the shelves and the insides of the verticals were so wide that we lost the Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary down the sides.
The worst job I ever did was to assemble one of those huge one piece picnic tables. Everyone always ate on a slant.
It’s simple. We are all different. We have different gifts and talents. I can take a decent photograph but you need to call someone else for your carpentry needs.

1 Cor 12:15-17 “If the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I do not belong to the body …
And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I do not belong to the body …
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the smelling be?

I can teach a bit, but you would not want me in charge of decorating the church.
I’m a bit charismatic so I can do an acceptable job at “greeting” but don’t ask me to cook for the church supper.
I could, however, wait on table, but expect some kind of water disaster if you ask me to fix the plumbing problem in the men’s rest room.
I could even play the guitar to help out with the music, but I can’t read music very well and the Easter Cantata would collapse if I were in charge.
Think about this - I can share hope with my circle of acquaintances (photographers, business community & basketball friends), but someone else will have to share with those that I may never meet. It’s nice that I don’t have to feel the pressure of relying on me for the whole thing.

I Cor 12:21 “And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
24 “But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

We are all different and we need each other.

FULL TIME FOR THE LORD

2009-10-21T13:36:00.001-07:00

033 – MAY 2006

Full Time for the Lord

I always find it quite interesting when someone says something like, ”I wish that I was ‘full time for the Lord.’” Or, “I’d love to quit my job so I can go ‘full-time for the Lord’”.
I know that they are referring to becoming a Pastor, a Minister, a Missionary, or a T.V. Evangelist but I always answer these statements with … “You already are full time for the Lord.”
These statements cause me to wonder about clerical collars, churchly robes, professional headgear, golden “things”, and such. I am aware that here have been some very Godly men and women who have worn religious garb but I wonder, in the long run, if it is wise to create this gulf between clergy and laity. I wonder if it produces an apathetic misconception of who we are and I wonder if it is, therefore, a very serious error of man made “stuff.” It just makes me wonder.

The truth is, as you’ve given your life to God, you are “full time.” You are full time for the Lord and it is important that you understand this so that you can bring hope, peace, and love to those who bump your daily path.
In fact, in your quest to be great, you will need to serve and you will need to become a “minister”.

Mt 20:26-27 “…but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.”
“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”
We are all ministers. This scripture refers to everyone. The verse does not presuppose that you must lead a church, be a Rabbi, or become a missionary to a third world country. You do not have to be an eight hour per day full time Reverend or a Professional Evangelist. Whether you are a bank teller, a waitress, or an air traffic controller - you are called to be a servant. Whether you are a doctor, a construction worker, or a photographer - you are called to be a “minister.”

It is a very important matter that you understand this truth. It’s important that you “get it”. It would be a good thing to have this truth root deeply in your spirit, because it will change your life. You are a minister. Think about it, you have been deputized by God. So don’t leave it up to someone else, even if they do have a professional minister’s title.

You wish that you could be serving the Lord in a full time position? You are serving the Lord in a full time position.
You wish that you had a Minister’s job - so that you could be involved with the loving, serving, counseling and such? You do have a Minister’s job - so that you can be involved with the loving, serving, counseling and such.
You wish that you had a ministry? You do have a ministry.
You wish that your 8 hours at work each day was for God? Your 8 hours at work each day is for God.
You wish that you could be a full time minister? You are a full time minister.
You wish that you could be active in the Church all day long? You are active in the church all day long.
You wish your job was ministry based? Your job is ministry based.
You wish that you were full time for the Lord? You are full time for the Lord!

Get it?

THE COURTROOM

2009-10-21T13:35:00.002-07:00

032 – APRIL 2006

The Courtroom

Law 101. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.”
The plaintiff sits nervously at the table while the Sate Prosecution points his finger of blame and states his case clearly and with passion, “That person is ‘guilty’ and must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
The plaintiff goes to the witness stand and is duly sworn in for statements.
“What is your defense?”, asks the accuser.
“Well, I didn’t do anything that bad!”, answers the accused. “It’s not like I murdered someone or something! And, there are people out there who have done a lot worse than I have ever done! There are even people who should know better that have committed some really bad things. I know of some professing do-gooders that have done some pretty bad things and I know of some church goers that are real hypocrites. I even know of some ministers and preachers who have done things that I would never do. Sure, I messed up … but I’m not a bad person.”
The prosecution states his closing argument to the great judge, “ Your honor, just because a person is not a ‘bad person’ does not excuse them from their crimes. Because someone has not committed murder does not mean that they are innocent of their own felonies and infractions. Simply because there are others who have done worse deeds, does not excuse this person from the crimes that they are guilty of. I demand that you send this person to jail and exercise the letter of the law by serving a life sentence.
Law 102. Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death …”
The wonderful Counselor finally speaks, “Your honor, the defendant has continually violated the law. My client stands guilty before you and I agree with my adversary - the law must be upheld.
However … !!! … I humbly remind the court of a higher law of ‘mercy’ and ‘substitution’ … and refer to thousands upon thousands of prior cases of precedence that:
1. Guarantees that the price for the defendant’s infraction have already been paid, and
2. Empowers you to free and to declare my client to be innocent of all his transgressions.”

“Will the defendant please stand.”, the judge speaks and He leans forward in His great chair. He looks sternly at the prosecutor and says, “Must we go over this again! We will adhere to the law of the land.”
Law 103. Romans 6:23b “… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The great judge then turns His focus to the defendant, “You are indeed a fortunate soul. Be thankful!.”
He lowers the gavel, and declares, “Innocent! This court is adjourned.”

Cast of Characters
The Prosecutor ……………………………………. The Devil, the accuser of the brethren
The Judge ……………………………………………………….……………………………… God, the Father
The Defense Attorney ……………………………………………. Jesus, wonderful counselor
The Defendant ……………………………………………………….. YOU

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

NUMBERS

2009-10-21T13:35:00.001-07:00

031 – MARCH 2006

Numbers

I have always enjoyed math and “numbers”!
This morning, I was in line for my Dunkin’ Donuts coffee for 12 minutes. I started to consider the hours that I spend “line waiting … Dunkin’ Donuts, Grocery Stores, Motor Vehicle Department, Movies, Post Office, Ballgames & Concerts, Banks, Restaurants, Airlines, Theme Parks, etc. I estimated that, by age 90, I will have stood for almost 2 years of my non sleeping life.
(So, make the best of it. Bloom where you are planted and spread a little joy while you stand in these lines. Strike up some conversation and stir up a bit of mischief.)
By the way - 2.3 coffees per day, at $1.50 each, for 60 years adds up to over 50,000 cups and over $76,000.00 !!!

On a ‘Big Number’ level, let’s consider this one: The National debt is over a trillion dollars. How much is that? How much is a trillion dollars?
Assume that someone goes to work each day and all that they do for 40 hours per week is count out a $100 bill … every second. Every week - 40 hours per week - a $100 bill - every second. At that rate, how long would it take to count out a trillion dollars worth of $100 bills?

As large as a trillion dollars might be, it is paltry to God’s infinite creation.
Psalm 8:3 “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
Consider the number of sands of the earth. Albeit finite, it would be a mind blowing number that we simply cannot count. Considering ‘the deserts, in the oceans and around the oceans’, the thought of it will give you a headache. It is immeasurable by man and only God knows the number.

In spite of all these big numbers and infinite wonders, it is unmistakable that He cares for me. I am special. I am ‘the apple of His eye’ -
I have already slept & awakened 20,914 times. And, considering that my heart beats about 86,000 times each day - To date, my heart has beat 1,810,166,000 times (One billion, eight hundred ten million, one hundred sixty six thousand times) … and counting.
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you. Be not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

Last “‘numbers” thought … a special for the Pastors - There are 168 hours in a week and church usually lasts about 1.5 hours. That’s less than 1% of your time to devote to hanging out in a pretty good place and with a bunch of folks seeking to make contact with God. 1% of your time !!! So, think about it – That makes most non attending excuses rather slack and wobbly.

* 40 hours per week … 52 weeks per year … no vacation … a $100 bill … every second. At that rate, how long would it take to count out a trillion dollars worth of $100 bills?
Answer: Over 190 years !!!!!!!!

SOUR PICKLE SUCKING

2009-10-21T13:34:00.003-07:00

030 – FEBRUARY 2006

SOUR PICKLE SUCKING

Charles Lewis is a well known photographer and a brilliant platform speaker concerning portrait sales and marketing. He once spoke about portrait clients and stated, “I am now in a successful time in my career and I no longer have to deal with ‘cold pricklies’. I can choose to photograph and service only the ‘warm fuzzies’.”

I like being around enthusiastic people. I like people with a positive attitude and an easy smile. I like to hang out with those who love easily and with those who bring hope, peace, and joy into our conversation.

Now!!! Pretend that you just took a bite of the most sour pickle you have ever tasted and make a face that would identify with the shock of that experience. Most likely – You grimaced. Your cheeks raised up, your eyes squinted and your lips pursed tightly. A sour pickle sucking expression represents a negative spirit and a dratted attitude. It is an awful sight, yet some folks walk around that way.

Proverbs 27:19 “As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Make the face again. Now, picture a church that way. Really! Close your eyes for a second and picture a entire congregation seated in church … with sour pickle faces.
Unfortunately, some religious church goers have presented that vision to the outside of the church. People who have questions about God have observed a sour pickle sucking representative and have consequently decided that this is what Jesus, the Shepherd of our soul, is all about.
Think about it – Those representatives are a witness for God … a bad witness. They could choose to be a positive, joyful, and enthusiastic ambassador for Eternal Life but opt to grimace as an alternative.

2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

If you find yourself grumbling and complaining – stop quickly! If you catch yourself pitching a legalistic theme to people, if you suddenly realize that you are sharing a pity party to someone, if you notice that a person leaves your conversation dry rather than refreshed … remember that all of these listeners might be people who are searching for God or thirsting for an answer to life.

So! Always remember the sour pickle sucking face that you made … And don’t let it happen to you !!! Decide each day to be a “warm fuzzy”.

P.S. This T.A.I. also applies to prunes!

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU

2009-10-21T13:34:00.001-07:00

029 – JANUARY 2006

IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU

Psalm 8:4 “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?”

The first 4 words in Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, are “It’s not about you.”
We have a clouded understanding of this game-plan because, in this flesh, we are inclined to operate as Kings and Queens of our own little Kingdoms. You easily zoom away from the Universe, from planet Earth, from a nation, a state, a city, a neighborhood and finally to a world that revolves around our self. Our kingdom. And we become the King. We invite God into our lives but never allow Him to be Lord. We sit on the throne of a Kingdom that most times seems so important and yet so small in the scope of events.

Someone says something to offend you. Someone forgets to thank you in the proper manner. Or someone gives you a unsettling facial expression. Your crown has been challenged and you are Royally upset. This could affect you for the whole day … maybe a week, maybe longer. Yet - everything still goes on. People will still go to work, Dunkin Dounuts will still be busy for morning coffee, the Stock Market will open, and the Red Sox will even play a baseball game. You want to scream to the world, “Don’t you know that someone just upset me?”
Think about it – Just outside of your teensy weensy Kingdom, your concerns go unnoticed. 100 years from now, the offences to your Kingship will be as dust in the wind. It’s just not about you.

Actually, and quite simply - it’s a “love” thing:

1 Corinthians 13:5 (Amplified Bible) “Love is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride) … Love does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

So – in those times when you when you find that your Gospel application has become self-centered rather than Christ-centered … inconspicuously slither off the throne of your life and allow God to be properly seated.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE

2009-10-21T13:33:00.001-07:00

028 – DECEMBER 2005

THE TWILIGHT ZONE

“You are only an observer … hovering over a small town. You notice the frenzied activities for an unusually big birthday party. The townspeople are oo’ing and ah’ing over the incredible decorations. There are presents everywhere, beautifully wrapped, and they’re planning a lavish birthday dinner.
Now, look more closely. There is something unusual. The birthday person is nowhere to be seen. At once, you sense that this person has not been invited to His own birthday party.
Strange? Yes! Warning - you are now entering … the twilight zone!”

It’s December, 2005 and the world is slowly removing Christ from Christmas. Don’t let yourself be caught in that trap. Think about it - You enter the season with good intentions and, before you know what happened, you accept the bait. Splat! … you’re caught. You later realize that you shopped and decorated and cooked and celebrated - without honoring the birthday person. You sadly realize you plowed through the season like a 1 hour “Twilight Zone” episode.

Here are a few suggestions to help you avoid the ambush:

1. Don’t be grumpy. Enjoy your salvation and decide to let your light shine … bright-bright!
Mt 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

2. Prompt yourself each morning. Wake up with Jesus on your mind. Speak to Him out loud with thanksgiving and determine to avoid all traps for the day.
Ps 5:3 “… oh Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee; and will look up.

3. “In all that you do…”. When you decorate the tree, when you cook the roast, when you sing the songs, when you buy a gift for someone … in all that you do – have Jesus on your mind.
Eph 5:19 “… speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

4. A gift for Him (imagine that). Decide to give a gift to a needy person or family. It will be your very best gift!
Mt 25:40 “ … inasmuch as you did it to the least of these – you did it unto me.”

5. Say “Merry Christmas!” Forget the “Season’s Greetings” or the “Happy Holidays”. Say “Merry Christmas” … with a smile and a joyful blessing attached!
Rom 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first and also for the Gentiles.”

6. Give thanks. On Christmas day, take your time and enjoy it. You might even gather the family to read the Christmas Story. And before you have your coffee, before you exchange gifts, and before you have dinner – give thanks to God.
* Eph 5:20 “…giving thanks in all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!!!!

P.S. With apologies for the “Twilight Zone” introduction. But, you might want to re-read it with Rod Sterling’s voice.

CHANGE THE WORLD

2009-10-21T13:31:00.001-07:00

027 – NOVEMBER 2005

CHANGE THE WORLD

Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but, longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Just the other day, while in Boston, I entered the elevator and joined this noticeably prosperous and wise businessman. He was reading the newspaper and as we approached the end of the ride, he looked up, with an empty and hopeless expression, and said “The world is in an awful mess!”
I replied “There is something that I learned a long time ago – “You can’t change the world, but you can change the world for someone.”
He looked at me, very surprised, and he responded “That was really good!”

Ephesians 5:15-16 “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
Making the most of your time because the days are evil.”

It’s November 2005. And all of the newspaper headlines contain the accounts of “coward (some call them terrorist) attacks” on nations all over the worlds. Muslim zealots are killing people in America, Spain, India, Iraq, Russia, Indonesia, Great Britain, France, and on and on. I can’t understand this?
This is an evil that won’t fight soldier to soldier but rather creeps into populated arenas, drops a pipe bomb and kills innocent men, women, children and babies. These victims were innocent people who were breathing. They were laughing and planning and working and playing and … alive. And, in the matter of one disastrous second, their lives are gone. Family and loved ones are left behind to weep and mourn and grieve and wonder … “Why did this have to happen?”
I certainly don’t understand these things. These actions are so horrifying and outrageous to me and I am sure that these are the thoughts that this business man was grieving over when he correctly observed that world was in an awful mess.

How are you supposed to respond to all of this? What can you do?

A little boy walked on the seashore and began to toss beached starfish back into the ocean. An older man approached the boy and asked ”What are you doing?”
The boy replied “If these starfish do not get back into the ocean, they will dry up and die.”
The man scoffed to the boy “Why, son, look at the thousands and thousands upon thousands of starfish that are on this beach. It’s hopeless! What difference will it make?”
The boy picked up a starfish and, as he tossed it into the ocean, he said to the man ”It’ll make a difference for this one!”

So, be ready to share your hope
1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you …”
Don’t be overwhelmed! Become motivated! As you think about the headlines of the world, become motivated to help someone or anyone, because …
“You may not be able to change the world but you can change the world for someone.”

A NEW SET OF RULES

2009-10-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

026 – OCTOBER 2005

A NEW SET OF RULES

Have you ever been ill-treated by someone, maybe for the 10th time, when you finally decide, “There’s a new set of rules to this old game.”?

Mt 10:16 “… be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

The virtues of a Christian walk include gentleness, forgiveness, humility, love, mercy, and grace … to name just a few. Yet, you notice that foolishness is not on that list. Foolishness is not a virtue.
For example - You have a business and someone bounces a check for the 2nd time. The next time you do business with that person, you might want to ask for “cash only, please.” And, this does not make you a bad person.
Or, someone simply takes advantage of your good nature. In your kindness, they repeatedly walk all over you! You might begin to add some wisdom to the predicament. You might take a courteous but firm stand and say “There needs to be a new set of rules to this old game.”
Fool me once – Shame on you. Fool me twice – Shame on me !!! ???

Pr 26:11 “As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool to his folly”
Pr 18:23 “Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gets understanding.”

Sounds pretty good … right?
Well, maybe! Maybe not! … Because having presented this thinking - How do we reconcile it to what Jesus said?:

Mt 5: 39-40 “… but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have
thy cloak also.”

Or,
Mt 18: 21-22 “Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, How oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Till seven times?”
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but Until seventy times seven."

The scriptures cannot be contradictory so how do we put these 2 seemingly opposing thoughts together What can be the answer?

I have a few thoughts but maybe I’ll just let you think about it !! ?? J

THE FLOWER

2009-10-21T13:29:00.002-07:00

025 – SEPTEMBER 2005

1 Cor 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, love; and the greatest of these is love.”

There are different ways to communicate love and encouragement. I rank a few methods in the following order:

Love Communication Impact
1. Hand written letter. The very best. Grade A+
2. A personal visit with a love communication purpose. Very nice. Grade A
3. A phone call. Not too bad either. Grade B+
4. E-Mail. Personally – Yuck! Not the best for exchanging great and personal thoughts but …
it is better than saying nothing at all. Grade C-
5. Nothing at all. Grade F

In the midst of all the bills, advertising and magazines - I still get excited to discover a nice love letter or a note of encouragement. It’s like a flower in the midst of a bunch of dreaded weeds. I don’t open the letter too quickly. First, I pull the weeds (sort the junk mail) and then I slowly pick the flower. I savor the moment of reading something special from someone who not only was thinking about you but also took the time to write a special letter.

Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones.”

In a time when life can be hectic and the world can be filled with sorrows, we need to take the time to express our love to those we sometimes take for granted.
With all this in mind - I determined that I would be a letter writer.

In 1981, I wrote a letter to my 11 year old daughter, Christy. It was a simple love letter and included things like: “I love you.”, “I love the way you smile.”, “I love the way you listen when I have some fatherly philosophy to share.”, “I love the way you dance and flit around the house.” “I love you way too much.”
I addressed the envelope, added a stamp and dropped the hand written letter in the mail box. The next day I came home from work and Christy greeted me at the door. She jumped in my arms and with bubbling great enthusiasm said “I love you so much, Daddy!” … and then she left.
Think about it! It was just a little love letter. And, the response was only 10 seconds of my time on Earth … but I will never forget that glorious time when Christy jumped into my arms.

Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary …”

You must have a list of folks that need hope, encouragement, a thank you or a some sincere words of love. Take a minute and drop a note to someone. When they sort the mail, they’ll find a beautiful and priceless flower in the midst of their everyday weeds.
You might do it now, while it’s on your mind.
And, as we are all creatures of habit(s) – “flower sending” would be a good one to have.

THE BEST MAN

2009-10-21T13:29:00.001-07:00

024 – AUGUST 2005

GIFT OF GRACE

James 1:7 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights …”

My son asked me to go to the pond where we could sit and chat. His wedding date had just been set and he wanted to share some thoughts on his selection for “Best Man”.
He began to share about each of the candidates. He started his thoughts about the first friend with - “How about this guy?” And he proceeded with amazing stories about this great friend.
He ended with “Now, there’s a contest!”
He went through a few more in the same way. “How about this guy?” And, one by one, he shared great stories about each person’s character, friendship, good times, and a “Now, there’s a contest!” at the end.
I was wondering how he thought I could help him with this difficult decision when he reached into his pocket and pulled out all of these notes and letters. With great seriousness, he said “And, how about this guy?”, and he began to read.
He was 10 words into the first letter when I recognized that he was reading from letters and notes that I had sent him through the years. As I realized that he had kept them through all the years, I was overwhelmed. And I began to weep as I rationalized where he might be going with this dramatic set up.
He finished a 3rd letter, looked at me with intensity, and said “Really now, there is no contest. Dad, will you be my best man?”
Aaron had slowly and dramatically untied the bow and opened the wrapping to an incomparable gift.

I would like to think that this was a “sow and reap” thing -

Galatians 6:7 “… for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also
reap,”

But I know that I am undeserving of such a great gift of love and honor. And
I know that it’s by God’s grace (undeserved or unmerited favor) that we are all able to receive incredible blessings such as these.

Romans 9:16 “It does not therefore depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s grace.”

THE CREATOR

2009-10-21T13:28:00.002-07:00

023 – JULY 2005

THE CREATOR

Deut 29:29 “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us …”

I like to play a word game that can blow your mind a bit. I take complicated things and put them into simple form:
The automobile – Figure that one out. You pour a bunch of strong smelling liquid into a tank. The liquid eventually feeds through some pipes and lines … and then some carburetor thing and some piston things. They all work together with other things and the gasoline is burned into fuel energy. And this causes your engine to start and the wheels to turn. Then you can drive. Got it?
The T.V. - Really now! Some photographer guy in Australia aims a box at weird guy who plays with alligators. The scene goes through glass, into the box, and proceeds out the back through a wire. Then the whole captured thing (with all color and all sound !!!) beams through the air into outer space … in order to bounce off some orbiting thing and back to a T.V. station. More wires!!!, and the stuff eventually gets to your living room where you have a big box with glass in the front. It’s “plugged in” to a wall socket. You know - Where you stick 2 prongs into a wall and you get “energy power.” Hit the remote and an invisible signal scrambles through the air and you get to view the alligator man with pictures, colors and sound. As well as 565 other channels
Compact Disc – A 30 cent piece of plastic that holds pictures and sound. You ask how all that information can be on this little thing. After all, “It’s only plastic!” And someone says “Oh, that’s easy you just burn a whole bunch of zeros and ones. It’s all zeros and ones!!”
And you reply, “Oh, I understand now.”
“Beam me up Scotty!” ?????

Job 26:7 “He stretcheth out the North over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.”

Birth – I was watching my daughter and was reminded of her birth on September 20, 1969. Nine months before that? – Nothing!
Now, think about it. A little microscopic squiggly thing works it’s way to some microscopic receiver thing and “Shazaam!” … Life begins! And! – That modest egg and sperm have all this DNA stuff (micro-micro-microscopic). Development begins – eyes, ears, hands, feet, toes, …and “Boop!” - The little baby pops out with all of these mommy & daddy looks and characteristics.

Ne 9:6 “Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, the earth and all the things that are therein, the seas and all that is therein, ands thou perservest them all, and the host of heaven worships thee.”

Think about it! Eventually, no one will escape the truth of God and His creation. How great it is that we can marvel at His infinite knowledge and wisdom.
And, amidst all of this … He loves you!

TWO WORDS THAT ARE HARD TO SAY

2009-10-21T13:28:00.001-07:00

022 – JUNE 2005

There are 2 words that people find difficult to say and yet these words hold more immediate healing power than any others that I know.
Through my short walk on this planet I have been shocked to see how difficult (impossible?) it is for many, many, many people to say these 2 words … despite the fact that they release this stream of healing to the hearer.
Have you guessed yet? The 2 words are “I’m sorry.”
Reluctance to say “I’m sorry” is not a pronunciation riddle, so why is it so difficult to say these modest words of healing?

Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given to me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think …”

It’s rooted in pride, self-regard, and inability to admit failure.
But, think about it, your spiritual insides are well equipped to overpower this phony giant of difficulty and help you to find a way to say these words more easily and more often, as it becomes necessary.
“Love means never having to say you’re sorry!” ??? Where did that come from? That’s food for the flesh! Because once you realize your offense to someone, the Spirit within you will reveal an instinctive wanting to repair your mistake … and a tender hearted remorse.

Matthew 26:75 “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly.

“I’m sorry!” exhibits God’s power of the spoken word.

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue …”

A heartfelt “I’m sorry” can immediately cut in half the strife and the agonizing emotions that the faulted person is experiencing. Follow it with a light touch or a caring expression and, most times, the tension is reduced dramatically, if not totally. (caution: a flippant, insincere or emotionless “I’m sorry” can have the opposite effect.)
So, whenever it becomes necessary, determine with God to say “I’m sorry” …. Determine to be positive and speak words of life!! Speak words of healing, encouragement, blessing and praise. It’s a good thing

CHEERLEADING

2009-10-21T13:27:00.002-07:00

021 – MAY 2005

CHEERLEADING

PROVERBS 15:13 “A MERRY HEART MAKES A CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE: BUT BY THE SORROW OF THE HEART THE SPIRIT IS BROKEN.”

I LIKE TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL GOOD AND I’VE DECIDED THAT ONE OF MY MAJOR MOTIVES IN LIFE IS TO CHEERLEAD. IT’S A COMBINATION OF 2 BIBLICAL MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS … EXHORTATION AND MERCY (ROM 12:8). IT’S AN UNUSUALLY INSTINCTIVE URGE OR DESIRE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE.
IF YOU ARE DISCOURAGED BECAUSE OF A LIFE’S SETBACK, I CAN ENCOURAGE YOU TO “NEW BEGINNINGS”. IF YOU ARE TROUBLED BECAUSE OF SIN OR LOUSY LIVING, I CAN EXHORT YOU TO HIGHER GROUND.
EITHER WAY, I LOVE TO SAY “YOU CAN DO IT!” I’M ANXIOUS TO SAY “OF COURSE!” AND I AM TRULY IMPULSIVE TO ENCOURAGE SOMEONE WITH A “SURE!” OR A “WHY NOT!”

JESUS WAS ALWAYS ENCOURAGING AND EXHORTING PEOPLE TO LIVE AN ABUNDANT LIFE … A LIFE IN THE SPIRIT, FILLED WITH INTEGRITY AND VIRTUE. IF THE OPPOSITE OF A CHEERLEADER IS A SADLEADER THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO AGREE THAT JESUS WAS A CHEERLEADER. MATTHEW 14:27, “BUT STRAIGHTWAY, JESUS SPAKE UNTO THEM SAYING, BE OF GOOD CHEER; IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID,”

SO - WHETHER IT’S A GIFT OR NOT, WE ALL NEED TO BE ENCOURAGERS. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR PESSIMISM, HINDRANCE, OR DISCOURAGEMENT.
BECAUSE THINK ABOUT IT – ALL THAT STINKIN’ THINKIN’ WOULD BE LIKE ROOTING FOR THE OTHER TEAM. OUCH!

HERE’S JUST A FEW ENCOURAGING BIBLICAL VERSES FOR CHEERLEADING:

MK 10:27 “ … WITH MEN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT NOT WITH GOD: FOR WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.”
PH 1:6 “BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHICH HATH BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST.”
PH 4:13 “YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHEN YOU.”
ROM 8:37 “ … IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS …”

SO, I’M A CHEERLEADER! I LIKE THAT! BEING A CHEERLEADER IS FINE! INDEED - IT’S GREAT! AND THINK ABOUT THIS - CHEERLEADING IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE NEED CHEERLEADERS FOR THE CHEERLEADERS. THAT’S WHAT I’M DOING RIGHT NOW – CHEERING FOR YOU TO CHEER.

“RAISE YOUR SPIRITS, RAISE THEM HIGH
KISS THE ENEMY – BYE! BYE!”

CHRIST IN YOU

2009-10-21T13:27:00.001-07:00

020 – APRIL 2005

CHRIST IN YOU

WHEN YOU SQUEEZE AN ORANGE, YOU WILL GET ORANGE JUICE. WHY? - BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT’S INSIDE. YOU CAN ALWAYS TRUST THE OUTSIDE TO TELL YOU WHAT IS ON THE INSIDE AND TOMATO JUICE FROM AN ORANGE WOULD BE AN “ABNORMALITY”.
BUT THINK ABOUT IT. IF THE ORANGE IS NEVER SQUEEZED YOU CAN NEVER REALLY SEE THE ORANGE JUICE. NOT UNTIL THE PRESSURE IS APPLIED WILL THE INSIDE BE REVEALED.

LUKE 11:37-39 “… A CERTAIN PHARISEE BESOUGHT HIM (JESUS) TO DINE WITH HIM: AND HE WENT IN, AND SAT DOWN TO MEAT.
AND WHEN THE PHARISEE SAW IT, HE MARVELED THAT HE HAD NOT FIRST WASHED BEFORE DINNER.
AND THE LORD SAID UNTO HIM, NOW DO YE PHARISEES MAKE CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF THE CUP… ; BUT YOUR INWARD PART IS FULL OF RAVENING AND WICKEDNESS.”

FROM YOUR SPEECH AND WORDS OF TESTIMONY, PEOPLE WILL VIEW YOU AS A GODLY PERSON. AND, WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GOOD YOU ARE JUST LIKE AN ORANGE - YOUR INSIDE WILL CONCLUDE THE VIEW THAT FOLKS GET FROM YOUR OUTSIDE.
MY WIFE, PAT, SAYS THAT YOU CANNOT KNOW WHAT IS IN A NONTRANSPARENT CUP UNTIL YOU SHAKE IT AROUND. THEN, WHAT IS IN THE INSIDE WILL SHOW IT SELF. THE CONTENTS WILL SPRAY THROUGH THE AIR AND DRIBBLE OVER THE SIDES.
IT’S WHEN YOU ARE SQUEEZED, SHAKEN, OR UPSET THAT YOUR CONTENTS WILL BE REVEALED. WHEN YOU ARE SQUEEZED, SOMETIMES THE AIR IS SPRAYED WITH STRESS OR ANGER, STRIFE OR A BAD ATTITUDE. “THINGS” CURIOUSLY DRIP OVER THE SIDES OF YOUR BODY/CUP AND YOUR INSIDE DOES NOT SEEM TO MATCH YOUR OUTSIDE.

ALBEIT THESE SCENES OCCUR, THE GOSPEL ASSURES A DIFFERENT VIEW OF WHO YOU ARE AND YOU HAVE A COLOSSAL ADVANTAGE FOR INCOMPARABLE VICTORIOUS LIVING.

COLOSSIANS 1:27 “TO WHOM GOD WOULD MAKE KNOWN WHAT IS THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF THIS MYSTERY …; WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY.”

“CHRIST IN YOU”! BE OF GOOD CHEER! HAVE HOPE! – BECAUSE THE REALITY IS THAT GOD IS AN INDWELLING SPIRIT. HE LIVES IN YOU AND, THEREFORE, JOY, PEACE, FAITH, AND LOVE WILL PREVAIL. UNLIMITED VIRTUES ARE ALIVE AND STIRRING INSIDE OF YOU … ANXIOUS TO APPEAR WHENEVER YOU ARE SQUEEZED OR SHAKEN.

SO – THE NEXT TIME YOU’RE SQUEEZED AND THE TOMATO JUICE BEGINS TO APPEAR, DON’T BE DISCOURAGED. BE CONFIDENT OF ‘CHRIST IN YOU’ AND SAY, “I’M SORRY. THIS IS NOT THE PROPER CONTENTS OF MY CUP ,,, IT’S AN ABNORMALITY!”
TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND LET JESUS BE REVEALED FROM YOUR INSIDE. SPRAY THE AIR WITH HOPE AND FORGIVENESS. AND DRIP LOVE AND PEACE ALL OVER THE PLACE.
YOU CAN DO IT BECAUSE IT’S THE TRUTH – “CHRIST IN YOU.”
!!! NEWS FLASH !!!

IT WAS A BIG TASK BUT THE MEETING ROOM IS DONE. IT WILL SEAT 60 PEOPLE AND IS READY FOR SOME GREAT MEETINGS OF REVIVAL, HEALING, PRAISE AND PRAYER.
NOTE: ENTRANCE IS ON PEARL STREET … AT THE BACK RIGHT CORNER OF THE “BELTRAMI STUDIO” BUILDING. PARK ON MAIN STREET OR IN THE PARKING LOT IN BACK.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS:

* TUESDAY, APRIL 12TH @ 7:00 PM - WITH MIKE LEWIS

* THURSDAY, MAY 5TH @ 7:00 PM - WITH RALPH NAULT

* TUESDAY, MAY 10TH @ 7:00 PM - WITH DAVID WRIGHT
!!!! PLEASE BRING A FRIEND !!!!

JUST DROP IT

2009-10-21T13:26:00.002-07:00

019 – MARCH 2005

MATTHEW 5:39 “ … BUT WHOSOEVER SHALL SMITE THEE ON THY RIGHT CHEEK, TURN TO HIM THE OTHER ALSO.”

I FINALLY DECIDED TO UPDATE MY FILE CABINET. POURING THROUGH OLD FILES OF PAPERWORK, I FOUND A SMALL FILE TITLED “PROBLEMS”. I HAD NOT SEEN THIS FILE FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND AS I SCANNED THROUGH IT, I DISCOVERED A FEW PIECES OF “HATE MAIL” - POISONED PEN LETTERS FROM UPSET PEOPLE THAT USE FINGER POINTING AND NAME CALLING OVER NONESSENTIAL, UNIMPORTANT,OR TRIVIAL ISSUES.
NOTE: THROUGH THE YEARS YOU MAY HAVE RECEIVED ONE OF THESE (ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE EVER PRESIDED OVER SOMETHING - A BUSINESS, A LITTLE LEAGUE, A COMMITTEE, ETC.)
PEOPLE DISAGREE. PEOPLE GET JEALOUS. PEOPLE FEEL MISTREATED. THEN, THEY WRITE THAT DREADFUL LETTER!!! IT IS USUALLY A LETTER THAT PUTS YOU DOWN “REAL GOOD”. IT IS CAREFULLY WRITTEN. SOMETIMES VERY MEAN SPIRITED AND TO THE POINT … AND SOMETIMES “SICKY-SWEET” WITH A VEILED VENGEANCE THAT STRIKES TO THE CORE OF YOUR BEING. DON’T YOU HATE THOSE?

MATTHEW 5:44 “…LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU, DO GOOD TO THEM THAT HATE YOU, AND PRAY FOR THEM THAT DESPITEFULLY USE YOU.
MT 5:46 “FOR IF YOU LOVE (ONLY) THEM WHICH LOVE YOU, WHAT REWARD HAVE YE? …”

THINK ABOUT IT. THE REAL AND ONLY IMPORTANT ISSUE IS - “HOW DO I (YOU) REACT TO THESE TYPES OF NEEDLESS LETTERS?” AS WE MATURE IN CHRIST, WE DISCOVER THE FOLLOWING:

CHARACTER EVOLUTION FOR RESPONDING TO “HATE MAIL”

STAGE 1. “LET ‘EM HAVE IT!” THIS IS PREFERRED BY MOST. I’VE DONE IT. SIMPLY WRITE A LETTER THAT IS BETTER THAN THEIRS. SELECT WORDS THAT WILL JUSTIFY YOUR POSITION AND VINDICATE YOUR SELF WORTH. CHOP THEM DOWN TO SIZE AND SATISFY THE RAGING FLESH THAT IS SCREAMING AND PLEADING TO YOUR SOUL TO AVENGE. AFTER YOU HAVE WRITTEN IT TO PERFECTION – MAIL IT, RAISE CLENCHED FISTS TO THE SKY, AND SHOUT A VICTORIOUS “YES!”
STAGE 2. SEND A TONED DOWN RESPONSE. WRITE THE LETTER AS YOU WISH, BUT DO NOT SEND IT FOR A FEW DAYS. READ IT OVER AND IF YOU STILL FEEL THAT YOU NEED TO SEND IT - YOU COULD ELIMINATE SOME OF THE STRONG WORDS AND MAYBE SEND A SOFTER REVISION (THAT, NEVERTHELESS, ABSOLVES YOU OF ANY WRONGDOING). THIS IS CONSIDERED “GOOD ADVICE”.
STAGE 3. WRITE IT BUT DON’T SEND IT. THIS IS A VERY POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSEL. WRITING IT DOWN WILL “GET IT ALL OUT” AND SATISFY YOUR ANGER. NOT SENDING IT WILL HELP YOUR SELF-CONTROL (AND STROKE YOUR FALSE HUMILITY). SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD!
STAGE 4. JUST DROP IT. BECAUSE THESE ARE LETTERS OVER IRRELEVANT MATTERS, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO JUST DROP IT. THERE COULD BE OTHER TIMES THAT YOU WILL NEED TO COMMUNICATE A WELL- MANNERED REPLY. INCLUDE APOLOGIES FOR ANY PART THAT YOU PLAYED IN THE ISSUE AND REPLACE AN URGE TO BLAME WITH LOTS OF LOVE AND BLESSINGS. OUCH!

YOU NEED TO FUNCTION AT STAGE 4. IT’S A “JESUS PRINCIPLE”. IT WILL TAKE SOME EFFORT. BUT YOU CAN DO IT - IF YOU’LL WALK IN THE SPIRIT AND SURRENDER YOUR FLESH.

P.S. I THREW OUT THE ENTIRE FILE. IT HAD BEEN SITTING THERE FOR SUCH A LONG TIME. AND IT ONLY REMINDED ME OF PEOPLE AND OF QUESTIONS THAT I HAD LONG FORGOTTEN ABOUT.
PHIL 3:13 & 14 “… BUT THIS ONE THING I DO, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND, AND REACHING FORTH UNTO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEFORE, I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.”

TIME

2009-10-21T13:26:00.001-07:00

018 – FEBRUARY 2005

SPENDING TIME

PS 90:12 “SO TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS, THAT WE MAY APPLY OUR HEARTS UNTO WISDOM.”

HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED THAT THE VERBS WE USE WITH “MONEY”, WE ALSO USE WITH “TIME”? WE SAY THINGS LIKE “I INVESTED SOME TIME WITH THE FAMILY.” I WASTE TOO MUCH TIME IN FRONT OF THE TV.” “THAT LITTLE TECHNIQUE HELPED ME TO SAVE SOME TIME.” OR, THE BIG ONE, ”LET’S SPEND SOME TIME ….”
YOU DO INDEED “SPEND” TIME. YOU CONTINUALLY MAKE DECISIONS TO SPEND IT. WHEN YOU SPEND TIME, YOU ARE MAKING A TRADE. YOU GIVE YOUR TIME FOR “SOMETHING” AND HOPE THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH THE TRADE.
WHETHER THE TRADE IS FOR WORK OR PLAY, STUDY OR ENTERTAINMENT, ACTIVITY OR SLEEP – YOU DO SPEND IT. IT IS GONE. YOU HAVE TRADED IT FOR SOMETHING.
YOU ACTUALLY WEIGH QUITE A FEW THOUGHTS AS YOU MAKE THE TRADE AND YOU BELIEVE THAT TOMORROW WILL BRING MORE. THERE IS AN INTERNAL GAUGE THAT SHOULD CAUSE YOU TO HAVE AN AWARENESS AND A VALUE ABOUT YOUR “TIME”.

JAS 4:13-14 “GO TO NOW, YE THAT SAY, TODAY OR TOMORROW WE WILL GO INTO SUCH A CITY, AND CONTINUE THERE A YEAR, AND BUY & SELL, AND GET GAIN.”
“WHEREAS YOU KNOW NOT WHAT SHALL BE ON THE MORROW. FOR WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? IT IS EVEN A VAPOR THAT APPEARS FOR A LITTLE TIME, AND THEN VANISHES AWAY.”

SURELY, “TIME” IS A MAGNET FOR SOME MONEY VERBS AND, ALTHOUGH THERE IS A SIMILARITY, I FIND IT A BIT UNEASY THAT WE MIGHT SUBCONSCIOUSLY COMPARE THE 2 WORDS EQUALLY. THINK ABOUT IT - THERE IS REALLY “NO COMPARISON”. IT ONLY DILUTES THE IMPORTANCE AND RELEVANCE OF THAT PRICELESS GIFT OF TIME.
I HEARD A WISE MAN ONCE SAY “WHENEVER YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION BETWEEN MONEY AND TIME – ALWAYS CHOOSE TIME.”
GOOD ADVICE! … LOVING AND LAUGHING, HUGGING AND FORGIVING, SMILING AND PRAISING, AND LOOKING FOR GOD …
THE FACT IS - WE HAVE BUT A SHORT WALK IN THIS EARTHLY TREK OF OUR ETERNAL LIFE … AND WE SHOULD NOT PRESUME UPON TIME OR OPPORTUNITY.

2 COR 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.”

INVEST YOUR TIME INTO ETERNAL THINGS.
TRY NOT TO WASTE ANY OF IT.
FIND WAYS TO SAVE TIME.
AND, … SPEND YOUR TIME WISELY.

HOPE FOR TOMORROW

2009-10-21T13:25:00.003-07:00

017 – JANUARY 2005

HOPE FOR TOMORROW

PS 30:5 “… WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR THE NIGHT, BUT JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING.”

AS A PHOTOGRAPHER, ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT I ENJOY FOR MY PERSONAL ENJOYMENT IS TO PHOTOGRAPH STREET AND HOMELESS PEOPLE. … AND THEN TALK WITH THEM AFTER TO FIND THEIR “STORY”.
I ONCE TOOK A PHOTOGRAPH OF A HOMELESS MAN LYING ON A PARK BENCH. HE WAS INDEED QUITE MISERABLE AND I FELT A PARTICULAR UNEASINESS WHEN I VIEWED THE IMAGE. I WAS ABOUT TO ELIMINATE IT FROM MY FILES WHEN I DECIDE TO ADD SOME SUN STREAMS FROM THE TOP RIGHT CORNER. I TITLED THE PHOTOGRAPH “HOPE FOR TOMORROW” AND I NOW HAVE A SPECIAL CONNECTION TO THIS IMAGE.

1 PETER 3:15 “… AND BE READY ALWAYS TO GIVE AN ANSWER TO EVERY MAN THAT ASKETH YOU A REASON OF THE HOPE THAT IS IN YOU …”

WITHOUT “HOPE”, LIFE CAN BE QUITE EMPTY. IN TODAY’S WORLD, ESPECIALLY, THERE IS A PRESSING NEED FOR HOPE.

HEBREWS 6:19 “WHICH HOPE WE HAVE AS AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL, BOTH SURE AND STEADFAST …”

I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT GOD DESIGNED THE NIGHT AND THE DAY PRIMARILY AS A REMINDER TO EACH OF US THAT HE IS A GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS. HAVE YOU EVER AWOKE TO FIND THE ISSUE, THAT WAS SO PRESSING JUST 8 HOURS EARLIER, TO BE NOT SO IMPORTANT AFTER ALL? IT’S A NATURAL LAW THAT THROUGH THIS SLUMBER TIME OF SOUL REST, HE IS ABLE TO EASE THE STRIFE OF LIFE AND ESTABLISH HOPE IN IT’S PLACE.
WONDERFULLY, THE DISAPPOINTMENTS OF YESTERDAY SEEM TO BE LIGHTENED, IF NOT VANISHED. THE REGRETS, THE STRUGGLES, THE GRIEFS, AND THE CONFLICTS SEEM TO SOFTEN AND YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE, WITH RESTORED NEW EYES, THE GLORY OF YOUR LIFE IN CHRIST.
BY GOD’S GRACE, I AWAKE EACH MORNING WITH A FRESH HOPE FOR THE NEW DAY … THE NEW BEGINNING. I IMMEDIATELY SAY “GOOD MORNING LORD” AND I ASK “ WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR ME TODAY?”
EACH DAY BECOMES A KINGDOM ADVENTURE. I REMIND MYSELF THAT MY PURPOSE FOR LIVING IS TO LOVE AND TO SERVE AND I ASK HIS HELP TO FULFILL THIS PURPOSE.

PS 5:3 “MY VOICE SHALT THOU HEAR IN THE MORNING, O LORD; IN THE MORNING WILL I DIRECT MY PRAYER UNTO THEE AND WILL LOOK UP.”

THINK ABOUT IT. EVERY MORNING SHOULD BE A REMINDER OF HOPE AND A REMINDER THAT, AS YOU VIEW THIS PHOTOGRAPH, YOU ARE ALSO A MESSENGER OF THAT HOPE.
IT IS BY HIS DESIGN AND I AM THANKFUL FOR THAT.

READ THIS AGAIN BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP TONIGHT. PRAY FOR OTHERS AS YOU FALL ASLEEP AND, NO MATTER WHAT BATTLES THIS DAY HAS BROUGHT, WHEN YOU AWAKE TOMORROW – LAY HOLD OF GOD’S LOVE AND HOPE. RECEIVE HIS GRACE AND SAY “GOOD MORNING LORD! WHAT DO HAVE IN STORE FOR ME TODAY?”

WWJD

2009-10-21T13:25:00.001-07:00

016 – DEC 2004

APATHY

DEUTERONOMY 6:10-12 “AND IT SHALL BE WHEN THE LORD THY GOD SHALL … GIVE THEE GREAT AND GOODLY CITIES, WHICH THOU BUILDEST NOT.
AND HOUSES FULL OF GOOD THINGS, WHICH THOU FILLDST NOT, AND WELLS DIGGED, WHICH THOU DIGGEDST NOT, VINEYARDS AND OLIVE TREES, WHICH THOU PLANTEDST NOT; WHEN THOU SHALT HAVE EATEN AND BE FULL;
THEN BEWARE LEST THOU FORGET THE LORD …”

IN HIS STEPS , BY CHARLES SHELDON, IS THE 2ND BEST SELLING RELIGIOUS BOOK (THE BIBLE IS FIRST) OF ALL TIME. WRITTEN IN 1896, IT HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO 21 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND HAS SOLD OVER 30 MILLION COPIES.
AT THE END OF THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THIS BOOK, A PASTOR PRESENTS A CHALLENGE TO HIS CONGREGATION. HE ASKS THEM TO, UPON EVERY DECISION THAT EACH HAD TO MAKE, ASK THE QUESTION ”WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?”
WWJD! WHAT A GREAT IDEA! WHAT A GREAT CHALLENGE!

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THIS THOUGHT HAS BEEN ‘BROUGHT TO MARKET’ AND YOU CAN FIND BRACELETS, T-SHIRTS, AND OTHER ITEMS WITH THE LETTERS “WWJD” PRINTED ON THEM. “WWJD” HAS BEEN MAINSTREAMED AND THE RESPONSE TO IT HAS PICKED UP A FLAVOR OF APATHY. ASK SOMEONE “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?” AND THEY MIGHT REACT “YEAH, YEAH, I KNOW THAT! BUT, WHAT AM I REALLY GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS?”

THAT IS VERY SAD, INDEED! BUT THINGS THAT ARE OVER USED WILL MOST OFTEN GET TAKEN FOR GRANTED. A DULLNESS SETS IN AND THE POWER OF ANY PROFOUND CONCEPT CAN GET LOST IN IT’S RECURRENCE.

THINK ABOUT IT. CAN THE CHRISTMAS STORY BE TOLD TO THE POINT OF APATHY? CAN THE STORY OF THE CROSS BE TOLD SO MANY TIMES THAT A PERSON MIGHT RESPOND, “YEAH, YEAH, I KNOW THAT!” YOU THINK NOT, YET THE MEDIOCRE CONDITION OF MANY SPIRITUAL WALKS IS A RESULT OF BUSY-NESS AND APATHY.

DON’T ALLOW YOURSELF TO BECOME CARELESS IN THE THINGS OF GOD.
WHEN IS THE LAST TIME THAT YOU THIRSTED AND HUNGERED FOR HIM? … HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE YOU WANTED GOD SO MUCH THAT YOU THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BURST?
PS 42:1 “AS THE DEER PANTETH FOR THE WATER BROOKS, SO LONGETH MY SOUL AFTER THEE, OH GOD.”

DON’T ALLOW THE TRAP OF APATHY TO DULL YOUR WALK.
FIND A PRAYER CLOSET. HAVE A MEETING WITH GOD.
THIS IS A GOOD TIME FOR IT.

MONTHLY MEETINGS

MEETINGS WILL BE ON THE SECOND TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH.
WE WILL MEET AT 7:00 AT THE STUDIO IN BARRE.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS … 2ND TUESDAY:
JANUARY 11
FEBRUARY 8
MARCH 8
APRIL 12
MAY 10

FIRST MEETING

WHEN – TUESDAY, JANUARY 11 @ 7:00PM
WHERE – BELTRAMI STUDIO, 173 N MAIN STREET, BARRE

BELIEVE WITH ME FOR REVIVAL!!!!
AND BRING SOMEONE WITH YOU.

P.S. - A CUTE STORY

MY 2 GRANDDAUGHTERS WERE HAVING A GRAND TIME THE OTHER DAY UNTIL SOPHIA (AGE 9) OPENED UP A PACK OF GUM. WILLOW (AGE 4) ASKED FOR A PIECE AND SOPHIA REPLIED “NO!” WILLOW RESPONDED WITH A SULK AND A 2ND PLEA … TO THE SAME EMPTY-HANDED RESULT. WILLOW RESTED HER HEAD IN HER HANDS AND BEGAN TO POUT, SO WISE OLD PAPA WALKED OVER TO THE SCENE TO LEND A HELPING COUNSEL.
“SOPHIA”, I ASKED, “IF JESUS HAD THAT PACK OF GUM AND SOMEONE ASKED FOR APIECE, WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WOULD DO?”
BEFORE SHE HAD A CHANCE TO RESPOND, LITTLE WILLOW BRIGHTENED HER EYES AND SAID, ”I’LL TELL YOU WHAT JESUS WOULD DO. JESUS WOULD SHARE HIS GUM.”
YES, I’M SURE HE WOULD.

DIVIDED I FALL

2009-10-21T13:24:00.001-07:00

015 – NOVEMBER 2004

DIVIDED I FALL

IT IS VERY CONFUSING THAT SUCH A GREAT COUNTRY CAN BE SO EQUALLY DIVIDED … ON EVERY ISSUE. CHOOSE AN ISSUE IN AMERICA AND YOU WILL FIND A DIVERSE 50/50 SPLIT IN OPINION AND THOUGHT. HOW CAN THIS BE? I AM CONVINCED THAT MOST FOLKS SIMPLY ADAPT THEIR THINKING TO THE PARTISAN PARTY THAT THEY MAY INHERE TO . WOULDN’T IT BE NICE IF WE ACTUALLY THOUGHT THINGS THROUGH AND MADE DECISIONS BASED ON PRINCIPLES … RATHER THAN BE MOVED BY THE POLITICAL BIAS THAT WE ALL SEEM TO BEAR.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO UNITE THIS COUNTRY? WILL IT BE TOO LITTLE – TOO LATE?
“UNITED WE STAND. DIVIDED WE FALL.” THINK ABOUT IT - CAN WE CONTINUE TO IGNORE THAT TRUTH AND EXPECT TO REMAIN A GREAT COUNTRY? CAN WE BE THAT FOOLISH?

THIS SAME TRUTH APPLIES NOT ONLY TO NATIONS AND KINGDOMS, BUT ALSO TO US. OUR LIFE ITSELF CAN BE UNITED OR DIVIDED. WE CAN CHOOSE A PARTICULAR PATH AND REMAIN FOCUSSED OR WE CAN REPEATEDLY LOSE DIRECTION BY BEING TOSSED BY EVERY URGE OR CRAVING. OUR DESIRES CAN BE OPPOSED TO ONE ANOTHER AND CREATE A DIVIDED PERSON WITHIN. WHAT YOU SAY YOU WANT … WHAT YOU SAY IS IMPORTANT CAN BE OPPOSED BY WHAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY DOING.

IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS WANTING TO GET IN PHYSICAL SHAPE AND YET CONTINUE TO EAT POORLY … AND TOO MUCH.
IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS WANTING TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THE FAMILY AND YET PLOP IN FRONT OF THE TV FOR HOURS A DAY.
IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS WANTING TO GET CLOSER TO GOD AND YET WE NEGLECT TO PRAY.
IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS WANTING TO READ THE BIBLE AND YET WE SPEND OUR TIME READING GOSSIP OR SPORTS MAGAZINES.
IT MAY BE THAT THE THINGS THAT YOU ACTUALLY DO ARE, INDEED, THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH WATCHING SOME TV OR READING A “SPORTS ILLUSTRATED”. HOWEVER, IF THESE THINGS PREVENT YOU FROM DOING THE THINGS THAT YOU SAY YOU WANT TO DO … YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE A PERSONAL INVENTORY, DETERMINE WHAT IS ACTUALLY IMPORTANT, AND BECOME UNITED WITHIN YOURSELF.
JAMES 1:8 “A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS.”

OUR NOBLE PURSUIT OF GOD ALSO COMES UP SHORT AS WE MAKE DAILY CHOICES THAT ARE OPPOSITE TO EXPERIENCING HIM. WHEN WE DECIDE TO BE INVOLVED WITH THINGS THAT ARE NOT BLESSED, IT WILL PRODUCE A MORE SERIOUS DIVISION OF OUR SOUL. QUITE SIMPLY, WE CHOOSE TO SIN AND BECOME “LUKE WARM”. WE BECOME DIVIDED WITHIN OURSELVES.

DON’T BE DECEIVED - ONE FOOT IN THE DEEDS OF THE FLESH AND ONE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL CAUSE YOU TO STRADDLE. SPIRITUALLY, YOU WILL WALK FUNNY, YOU WILL LOOK FUNNY AND YOU WILL BE UNSTABLE. YOU COULD, IN FACT, FALL.
THINK ABOUT IT - “UNITED I STAND. DIVIDED I FALL.” CAN WE CONTINUE TO IGNORE THAT TRUTH AND EXPECT TO BE STRONG IN OUR FAITH? CAN WE BE THAT FOOLISH?

IT MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO RE-ESTABLISH WHO YOU ARE IN SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY. SET SOME GOALS AND BECOME FOCUSSED. REMOVE THE DIVERSIONS AND CLUTTER THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM ATTAINING ALL THAT YOU SHOULD BE IN CHRIST.

JOSHUA 24:15 “… CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE … BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.”

THIN SKIN

2009-10-21T13:23:00.002-07:00

014 – OCTOBER 2004

THIN SKIN

ROMANS 12:3 “FOR I SAY, THROUGH THE GRACE GIVEN TO ME, TO EVERY MAN THAT IS AMONG YOU, NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT TO THINK …”

WHY DOES IT ALWAYS TAKE ADVERSITY TO ENABLE US TO GET OUR EYES OFF OF OURSELVES AND TO FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS OF LIFE? IT SEEMS THAT WAY DOESN’T IT?
WE GET SO BENT OUT OF SHAPE OVER THE MOST TRIVIAL OF THINGS. WE SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED ABOUT IT. WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT WE GET ANNOYED AT PEOPLE OR SITUATIONS THAT SEEM TO JAR OUR WORLD. MOST OF THESE THINGS ARE JUST “STUFF” … STUFF THAT IS ACTUALLY ONLY A VERY SMALL BUMP TO OUR LIVES. JUST A LITTLE SCRATCH THAT WE GET ALL UPSET ABOUT! WE TURN IT INTO SOME KIND OF OPEN BLEEDING WOUND OR SOMETHING. IT’S A MOLEHILL AND WE’VE MADE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT – AN INCONVENIENCE, A CRITICISM, A DISAGREEMENT, A COMMENT, A BOTHER, ETC.

1 COR 13:5 “(LOVE) … SEEKETH NOT HER OWN …” AND “ … IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED …”

THE “MOUNTAIN” IS USUALLY SOMETHING WHERE SOMEONE HAS FAILED YOU … FAILED TO MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS OR DEMANDS. AND YOU GET ALL BUMMED OUT ABOUT IT. MAYBE SOMEONE’S LACK OF ASSISTANCE, SOMEONE’S SUBSTANDARD PERFORMANCE, OR SOMEONE’S INSENSITIVITY TOWARDS YOUR BRILLIANCE. AND YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOUR WHOLE DAY IS RUINED.
SOMEONE ADVISES YOU “RELAX, BUDDY, NO ONE HAS DIED.”
AND YOU THINK, “YEAH, BUT …”

JESUS SAID, IN MT 23:11, “BUT HE THAT IS GREATEST AMONG YOU SHALL BE YOUR SERVANT.”

SOMETIMES PEOPLE DO DIE. PEOPLE GET SICK. LOVED ONES GET SAD OR LONELY AND JUST NEED A LITTLE LOVE FROM US. THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS THINGS HAPPENING. WE COULD BE A BIG HELP, BUT WE ARE TOO BUSY WITH THE MOLE HILLS … TOO BUSY TO EVEN SEE WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND US. ALL OUT OF JOINT. OVER WHAT?

SO, THINK ABOUT IT. I HOPE THAT YOU ARE WORKING ON THIS AWFUL SELF-CENTERED STUFF. I HOPE THAT YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ARE AS CAPABLE AND AS GUILTY AS THOSE TO WHOM YOU ARE SO UPSET.
CUT SOME SLACK! RELAX! IN COMPARISON TO YOUR LOVE FOR GOD, LOVE FOR FAMILY, LOVE FOR FRIENDS AND YOUR HEALTH … ALL THESE SCRATCHY THINGS DROP QUICKLY DOWN THE LIST OF “WHAT’S IMPORTANT IN LIFE”.
SO – REALLY! LET’S CUT IT OUT! SELF-ABSORBED, EASILY ANNOYED THIN SKIN CREATES A A DISTRACTION FROM LIFE’S IMPORTANT THINGS AND IS ROBBING PEOPLE OF GOOD LIVING. AND, MOST LIKELY, IT IS ALSO ROBBING THEIR LOVED ONES OF THAT SAME GOOD LIVING.

SUMMARY - THE NEXT TIME THAT YOU GET IN SOME SILLY “YANK” ABOUT SOMETHING – THINK ABOUT THIS MESSAGE AND:
1. PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE. (LAY HOLD OF ETERNAL LIFE.)
2. INTERRUPT THE MADNESS. PUT ON THICK SKIN FOR THIN SKIN.
3. MOSTLY, PUT ON LOVE. HUG SOMEONE. FIND SOMEONE WHO NEEDS SOME SERVING. SERVE THEM AND YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT YOUR OWN HURT WILL GO AWAY.

HEARING ONLY

2009-10-21T13:23:00.001-07:00

013 – SEPTEMBER 2004

FORGETFUL HEARING.

MATTHEW 7:24-27 THEREFORE, WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, AND DOETH THEM, I WILL LIKEN HIM UNTO A WISE MAN, WHICH BUILT HIS HOUSE ON A ROCK
AND THE RAIN DESCENDED, AND THE FLOODS CAME AND THE WINDS BLEW, AND BEAT UPON THAT HOUSE; AND IT FELL NOT: FOR IT WAS FOUNDED ON A ROCK.
AND EVERY ONE WHO HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, AND DOETH THEM NOT, SHALL BE LIKENED UNTO A FOOLISH MAN, WHICH BUILT HIS HOUSE UPON THE SAND:
AND THE RAIN DESCENDED, AND THE FLOODS CAME AND THE WINDS BLEW, AND BEAT UPON THAT HOUSE; AND IT FELL: AND GREAT WAS THE FALL OF IT.”

IT’S NOT A MATTER OF HEARING - BUT A MATTER OF HEARING AND DOING!
AFTER WE HAVE HEARD THE RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR PEACEFUL LIVING, I WONDER WHY WE DO JUST OPPOSITE. I WONDER WHY WE DO THE THINGS THAT WE SHOULD NOT.

THE OTHER DAY, I CALLED A FRIEND. I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS ANNOYED WITH A PARTICULAR SOMEONE AND I LAID OUT MY SO-VERY-WISE INTENTIONS TO CORRECT THE OFFENDING PARTY. MY FRIEND TOLD ME THE WISE THING TO DO. HE TOLD ME TO “DROP IT.”
YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR FAITH – THEY ARE THE IMPORTANT THINGS OF LIFE. WELL, I KNOW THAT! I’VE HEARD THAT MANY TIMES. I’VE EVEN PREACHED IT. YET, I WAS ANNOYED … OVER SOMETHING THAT DIDN’T EVEN MATTER.
OF COURSE, I DROPPED IT - BUT I WONDER WHY I WAS ANNOYED IN THE FIRST PLACE. IN COMPARISON TO THE IMPORTANT THINGS OF LIFE, IT WAS SUCH A TRIVIAL THING.

I STILL FIND MYSELF SLITHERING INTO CONVERSATION THAT IS NEGATIVE. I BEGIN TO SPEAK ABOUT THINGS THAT I SHOULD NOT. SOMETIMES I MUST FEEL THAT A CONVERSATION WILL JUST NOT BE EFFECTIVE WITHOUT MY DISCERNING INPUT. GAG ME! REALLY! … JUST GAG ME!
I ONCE HEARD A PERSON SAY “YOU CAN BE CRITIC OR YOU CAN BE A SERVANT.” WELL, I KNOW THAT! I’VE HEARD THAT MANY TIMES. I’VE EVEN PREACHED IT.
OF COURSE, I CAME TO MY SENSES - BUT I WONDER WHY ENLISTED INTO THAT CONVERSATION IN THE FIRST PLACE.

JUST THE OTHER DAY I GRANTED SOMEONE AN UNUSUAL REQUEST. IT WAS A REQUEST THAT I THOUGHT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE (NOR GRANTED) BUT I CORRECTLY MINISTERED KINDNESS TO THE PERSON. I GRANTED THE REQUEST AND THEN … I FRUSTRATED THAT TRIUMPH OF GRACE BY ADDING A LECTURE TO THE PERSON. I CONTINUED TO YAP. DO YOU EVER WISH THAT YOU WOULD JUST BE QUIET AND KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT?
THINK ABOUT THIS - “GOD GAVE US 2 EARS AND ONE MOUTH AND WE NEED TO USE THEM IN THAT PROPORTION.” WELL, I KNOW THAT! I’VE HEARD THAT MANY TIMES. I’VE EVEN PREACHED IT.
OF COURSE, I FELT BADLY AFTER - BUT I WONDER WHY IT SEEMED SO IMPORTANT AT THE TIME … TO CORRECT THIS PERSON.

IT’S NOT A MATTER OF HEARING BUT A MATTER OF HEARING AND DOING! … BECAUSE WE SURE HAVE HEARD ENOUGH … HAVEN’T WE?
I’VE HEARD IT. I KNOW IT. I’VE EVEN PREACHED IT. I NEED TO REMEMBER … AND DO IT!

JAMES 1:25 “… HE BEING NOT A FORGETFUL HEARER, BUT A DOER OF THE WORK, THIS MAN SHALL BE BLESSED BY HIS DEED.”

LEARNING TO HEAR

2009-10-21T13:22:00.002-07:00

012 – AUGUST 2004

LEARNING TO HEAR

1 KINGS 19:2 “ … BUT THE LORD WAS NOT IN THE FIRE; AND AFTER THE FIRE – A STILL SMALL VOICE.”

YESTERDAY, I WAS WALKING DOWNTOWN. TWO TRUCKS DROVE BY IN THE MORNING TRAFFIC … STOPPING AND GOING … STOPPING AND GOING. BOTH WERE UNUSUALLY LOUD AS THEY SHIFTED AND REVVED AND HIT THEIR HIGH PITCHED WHISTLING AIR BRAKES.
MOST TIMES, THIS DOES NOT DISTURB ME. TODAY, IT DID. THE LOUD NOISE WAS LIKE A WRENCHING DISCHORD TO MY SPIRIT AND I IMMEDIATELY REALIZED THAT I NEEDED A QUIET TIME WITH JESUS.

SO, I LEFT THE TRAFFIC AND WENT HOME TO SEEK THE VOICE OF GOD.

I AM LEARNING TO HEAR HIS VOICE MORE CLEARLY. IN THE QUIETNESS OF YOUR SPIRIT LIES THE GUIDANCE FOR YOUR LIFE … ONE DAY AT A TIME … ONE MOMENT AT A TIME. THE TRAFFIC IS UNUSUALLY LOUD TODAY - “TAKE A BREAK.” “MEDITATE ON CHRIST.”

PSALM 46:10 “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD …”

IN THE PAST, A BUSY SCHEDULE WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LET THIS ALL PASS BY. I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE THAT HE WAS CALLING ME. BUT, I HAVE LEARNED TO TRUST HIS VOICE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE TIMES THAT I CAN BE INTIMATE WITH HIM. MORE THAN EVER, I NEED TO QUIET MY SPIRIT TO LISTEN. I NEED TO BE STILL - IN ORDER TO HEAR.

GOD WILL SPEAK TO US. HE IS NEVER TOO BUSY AND HIS SPIRIT WITHIN US IS NOT SLEEPING. HE IS SUPREMELY AWARE OF OUR NEEDS AND WE NEED TO BE ALERT (WIDE-AWAKE) TO THE IMPULSES AND THE NUDGES THAT HE WILL FREELY OFFER TO US. GOD WANTS US TO BE ATTENTIVE TO “CHRIST IN US, THE MYSTERY OF OUR FAITH.” … TO THE PROMPTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO KNOWS MUCH BETTER THAN OURSELVES WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE.

THINK ABOUT IT. HE IS WISER THAN YOU ARE AND YOU NEED TO RESPOND TO HIS LEADING. TRUST HIM. PUSH ASIDE YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE. BE ASSURED THAT HE SPEAKS. LEARN TO HEAR HIS VOICE.

HEBREWS 11:6 “BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM, FOR THE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.”
SO, PUT ASIDE SOME TIME TO MEDITATE ON THE THINGS OF GOD. IF YOU APPROACH HIM WITH A THANKFUL, HUMBLE, AND OPEN HEART … YOU SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN YOU HEAR HIS VOICE.

WHO YOU ARE

2009-10-21T13:22:00.001-07:00

011 – JULY 2004

WHO YOU ARE

YOU WERE MADE IN 3 PARTS - SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY.

YOUR BODY IS THE PART OF YOU THAT CAN BE SEEN … WITH NATURAL EYES. IT IS A PART OF YOUR THREEFOLD MAKE UP BUT IS REALLY ONLY A TEMPORARY HOUSE FOR WHO YOU ARE. IT IS A VISIBLE CONTAINER FOR YOUR INVISIBLE SELF. ALTHOUGH PEOPLE WILL PHYSICALLY IDENTIFY YOU BY IT, YOUR BODY IS NOT ETERNAL AND IS NOT WHO YOU ARE.

2 COR 4:16 “…BUT THOUGH OUR OUTWARD MAN PERISH, YET THE INWARD MAN IS RENEWED DAY BY DAY.”

YOU HAVE A HUMAN SPIRIT … UNIQUE TO YOU. YOU WERE BORN WITH IT. YOU BREATHE BECAUSE OF IT. YOUR SPIRIT IS THE TEMPERAMENT OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL NATURE AND THE CORE OF YOUR VERY BEING. IT IS YOUR HEARTBEAT AND THE VERY ESSENCE OF WHO YOU ARE.
YOUR SOUL IS DIFFERENT. IT IS THE COMBINATION OF YOUR INTELLECT, WILL, AND EMOTIONS. YOUR SOUL IS DEVELOPED AS INFORMATION IS RECEIVED THROUGH YOUR SENSES AND THEN AUTOMATICALLY MIXED WITH AND FILTERED THROUGH YOUR SPIRIT. YOUR SOUL IS ETERNAL AND IT IS WHO YOU ARE .

SO …THIS IS ALL INTERESTING. IT IS ALL FINE AND DANDY BUT YOU MUST EXAMINE IT WITH AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE –

THE BIBLE INDICATES THAT YOU WERE BORN WITH A VOID … THAT CAN ONLY BE FILLED WITH GOD AND, AS YOUR SPIRIT MERGES WITH HIS, YOU WILL DISCOVER UNUSUAL STRENGTH TO DEFLECT NEGATIVE INPUT AND OPPOSING CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR SOUL.
THEREFORE, THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION THAT YOU CAN MAKE FOR ETERNAL LIFE AND THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR SOUL IS TO INVITE CHRIST INTO YOUR LIFE.

GOD DESIRES THAT YOU WOULD SEEK HIM, RECEIVE HIM, AND LOVE HIM. FAITH IN CHRIST WILL PLEASE GOD. IT IS ACTUALLY A NATURAL THING TO HAVE GOD BE IN THE BLENDING OF YOUR SOUL. IT WAS DESIGNED BY HIM TO BE HANDLED THAT WAY. IT IS A GOOD THING. WITHOUT GOD, IT JUST DOESN’T WORK. YOU WILL FIND IT DIFFICULT. YOU WILL FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE.

EPH 3:16 “THAT HE WOULD GRANT YOU, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY, TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT BY HIS SPIRIT IN THE INNER MAN.”

IF YOU DETECT THAT YOUR SPIRIT IS SAD OR DISAPPOINTED OR HEAVY OR COLD OR WITHOUT HOPE … TAKE SOME TIME TO GET OUT OF YOURSELF. GET A HOLD OF GOD. AND INVITE HIM INTO YOUR LIFE. THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT YOU GIVE TO HIM WILL ADD PROPORTIONATELY TO YOUR SOUL. YOU GET THE PICTURE? THIS IS A VERY WEIGHTY MATTER . THINK ABOUT IT - IT IS ABOUT WHO YOU ARE.

2 COR 4:18 “WHILE WE LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS THAT ARE SEEN, BUT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN; FOR THE THINGS THAT ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORAL; BUT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL.”

THE LONG DISTANCE RACE

2009-10-21T13:21:00.002-07:00

010 – JUNE 2004

THE LONG DISTANCE RACE

HEBREWS 12:1 “…LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, AND THE SIN WHICH DOTH SO EASILY BESET US, AND LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US.”

RECENTLY, THERE IS A NOTION IN OUR NATIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEM TO ELIMINATE COMPETITION. REMOVE THE GRADING SYSTEM AND ATTEMPT A “PASS-FAIL” SYSTEM. THIS CONCEPT HAS SLUNK INTO YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS WHERE YOU DO NOT KEEP A SCORE … AND NO ONE CARES WHO WINS OR LOSES.
ALTHOUGH I CAN SEE THE MERITS OF THIS IDEA, I ‘M NOT A BIG FAN OF IT EITHER. I THINK THAT COMPETITION IS GOOD. MOSTLY, I LIKE THE WAY THAT IT CAN DEVELOP CHARACTER AND ENCOURAGE EXCELLENCE.
IT’S A GOOD QUESTION TO THINK ABOUT.

HAVING SAID ALL OF THAT, I AM GLAD THAT JESUS SEES THINGS DIFFERENTLY REGARDING OUR SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE. PAUL WRITES SOME OF HIS FINAL WORDS IN 2 TIMOTHY, CHAPTER 4:
VS. 6 “ … AND THE TIME OF MY DEPARTURE IS AT HAND.
AND 7 “I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.”

WE ARE RUNNING THIS RACE IN A MANNER TO WIN BUT WITH A GOAL TO FINISH. IT’S A “PASS-FAIL” RACE. I AM NOT COMPETING AGAINST YOU … OR ANYONE ELSE. I’M JUST RUNNING TO FINISH.
SPIRITUALLY, MOST WOULD RATHER RUN A 100 YARD DASH, GET AN ACCEPTABLE QUALIFYING TIME (MAYBE UNDER 20 SECONDS), EARN ETERNAL LIFE, AND BE DONE WITH IT … BUT IT DOESN’T WORK THAT WAY. IT’S A LONG DISTANCE RACE.
AND THE DIFFICULT PART OF THIS IS THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT YOU NEED TO ENDURE. IT IS EXHAUSTING.
HOWEVER, THE REWARDING PART IS THAT, WHETHER YOU COME IN FIRST OR LAST … OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN … YOU ARE APPLAUDED FOR COMPLETING THE COURSE. YOU WIN BECAUSE YOU HAVE CROSSED THE FINISH LINE.
REV 3:5 “HE THAT OVERCOMES, THE SAME SHALL BE CLOTHED IN WHITE RAIMENT; AND I WILL NOT BLOT HIS NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE …”

SO …IF YOU’RE TIRED AND FEEL WEARY – DON’T GIVE UP. PATIENTLY RUN THE RACE THAT HAS BEEN SET BEFORE YOU. AND YOU CAN MAKE IT.
IF YOU’VE FALLEN AND YOU’RE HURT – BE ENCOURAGED. YOUR DELAY HAS NO POWER TO STOP YOU FROM COMPLETING THE COURSE. PICK YOURSELF BACK UP. YOU DON’T HAVE TO WIN … BUT YOU DO HAVE TO FINISH.
IF YOU’VE LOST YOUR WAY – IT’S EASY TO GET BACK. THERE IS NO PRESSURE THAT YOU WILL LOSE BECAUSE OF YOUR DEPARTURE FROM THE COURSE. YOU MUST, HOWEVER, GET BACK ON ROUTE. DEVELOP A “DON’T STOP – KEEP GOING” DETERMINATION. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, FINISH YOUR COURSE, AND KEEP THE FAITH.

THINK ABOUT IT.

WHAT WOULD THE DEVIL SAY

2009-10-21T13:21:00.001-07:00

009 – MAY 2004

IN THE 19TH CHAPTER OF ACTS THERE IS AN ACCOUNT OF SEVEN MEN – VAGABONDS WHO WERE EXPERIMENTING BY ATTEMPTING TO EXORCISE AN EVIL SPIRIT. THEY EXERTED SOME SELF-PROCLAIMED POWER AND THEN TRIED TO USE THE NAME OF JESUS TO APPEAL TO THE EVIL SPIRIT. WE FIND A VERY INTERESTING RESPONSE TO THEIR ATTEMPT TO DABBLE WITH THE SPIRITUAL REALM -
ACTS 19: 15 “AND THE EVIL SPIRIT ANSWERED AND SAID, JESUS I KNOW, AND PAUL I KNOW; BUT WHO ARE YOU?”

AT THE END OF THIS EARTHLY LIFE, WHEN I AM TAKING MY LAST BREATH, I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE REGRETS ABOUT MY SPIRITUAL WALK. I WANT TO BE HOT FOR GOD AND I NEED TO SERVE HIM WITH BOLDNESS AND WITH POWER. MOST OF THE STUFF OF THIS WORLDLY KINGDOM IS TEMPORAL AND I MUST BE INVESTING MY TIME IN PEOPLE - THE THINGS THAT WILL HAVE ETERNAL PAYOFF.
THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO DECIDE THAT YOU WANT YOUR LIFE TO BE FILLED WITH THE POWER AND AUTHORITY THAT COMES, NOT KNOWING ABOUT JESUS, BUT FROM KNOWING HIM.
PH 3:10 “ THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION …”

NOW, THE BIBLE CLEARLY SHOWS THAT GOD HONORS HIS WORD AND THAT THE NAME OF JESUS DOES HAVE A SPIRITUAL POWER AND AUTHORITY ATTACHED TO IT. BUT, IN THIS ACCOUNT IN ACTS, THE EVIL SPIRIT FIRST ASKS “WHO ARE YOU?’ AND THEN –
VS. 16 “AND THE MAN, IN WHOM THE EVIL SPIRIT WAS, LEAPED ON THEM, AND OVERCAME THEM …”
THIS IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!!! DID THIS HAPPEN BECAUSE THE MEN WERE NOT BELIEVERS IN CHRIST? DOES THE DEMONIC REALM HAVE A “WHO’S WHO IN ENEMIES OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE”?. IS IT RISKY BUSINESS TO CONFRONT THE ENEMY WITH POWERFUL WORDS BUT LACK PERSONAL DEPTH AND RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
I THINK THAT THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY “YES” TO ALL OF THE ABOVE AND I AM REMINDED OF A SONG, WHAT WOULD THE DEVIL SAY?, BY STEVE CAMP:

“WHAT WOULD THE DEVIL SAY ABOUT YOUR LIFE?
DO THEY KNOW YOU IN HELL LIKE THEY KNOW YOUR CHRIST?
ARE YOU BOILING HOT OR ARE YOU COLD AS ICE?”

“LOOK AT YOU – IN YOUR PEW … SO HAPPY – SO FLABBY
NOT EVEN – PERCEIVING … WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND YOU.”

STRONG LYRICS! … THAT FORCES ME TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS! WHAT WOULD THE DEVIL SAY ABOUT MY LIFE? DO THEY KNOW MY NAME? WHAT IS THE DEPTH TO MY SPIRITUAL LIFE? WHEN I GET DOWN ON MY KNEES TO PRAY, DOES HELL TREMBLE OR DO THEY ALL CHORTLE AND SAY “JESUS WE KNOW, AND PAUL WE KNOW BUT WHO’S THAT?”

THIS EARTHLY LIFE WILL SURELY PASS, LET’S GET ON THE “HOT” LIST.

NOTE: GOOD READING – THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, BY C.S. LEWIS

LOVE

2009-10-21T13:20:00.003-07:00

008 – APRIL 2004

LOVE

COL 3:14 “AND ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS PUT ON LOVE, WHICH IS THE BOND OF PERFECTNESS.”

EVERY MORNING I REMIND MYSELF OF MY PURPOSE FOR LIVING. I SPEAK IT OUT LOUD. I SOMETIMES SAY IT MORE THAN ONCE, “CHRIS, REMEMBER YOUR PURPOSE - TO LOVE AND TO SERVE. DON’T FORGET IT.”
IT’S A VERY IMPORTANT TIME OF MY MORNING MEDITATION BECAUSE I KNOW THE STRENGTH OF MY OLD SELF-CENTERED NATURE. (IN 1976, I WAS GIVEN A NEW NATURE.)
ANYHOW, I BLEW IT YESTERDAY. I GOT OVER ZEALOUS IN MY EFFORT TO PROTECT SOME FOLKS AND MY COMMENTS BECAME A BIT HARSH. IN FACT - I SURE PUT HIM IN HIS PLACE. EVERYTHING SEEMED SO IMPORTANT AT THE TIME AND I EVEN USED A BIT OF OLD NATURE SARCASM TO “MAKE MY POINT.” IN TRUTH, I WAS SIMPLY ACTING LIKE AN ARROGANT BLOAT.

AFTER YOU EMERGE FROM THIS TYPE OF FLESHY THING AND GOD HELPS YOU TO VIEW IT IN IT’S PROPER PERSPECTIVE … YOU SHOULD FEEL LOUSY ABOUT IT. NOW, YOU WILL HAVE TO CLEAN UP THE MESS YOU MADE. YOU WISH THAT YOU COULD JUST GO BACK AND DO IT OVER … MAYBE JUST KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.
APOLOGIES, REPENTANCE AND SOME SOUL SEARCHING ARE ALL PART OF THE REDEMPTIVE PACKAGE THAT YOU KNOW IS NECESSARY.

I COR 13:5 “ (LOVE) DOES NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY, SEEKS NOT HER OWN, IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED, THINKS NO EVIL:”
THE LIVING BIBLE SAYS “… DOES NOT DEMAND IT’S OWN WAY.” OUCH!!! COULD THAT BE THE ROOT TO ALL OF OUR CONTENTION AND CHILDISH DEBATE? … THAT WE HAVE MISPLACED LOVE AND ARE DEMANDING OUR OWN WAY? I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT.

1 COR 13:1 “THOUGH I SPEAK WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND ANGELS, AND HAVE NOT LOVE, 1 AM BECOME AS A SOUNDING BRASS OR A TINKLING CYMBAL.”
BEEN THERE!!!

1 COR 13:4 “LOVE SUFFERS LONG, AND IS KIND; LOVE ENVIES NOT; LOVE VAUNTS NOT ITSELF, IS NOT PUFFED UP.”
YOU MIGHT AS WELL FIND YOUR BIBLE AND GO READ THE WHOLE CHAPTER. INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT (AN INVOCATION) TO HELP YOU SEE THINGS IN A NEW WAY. TAKE YOUR TIME. THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFE AND MEDITATE ON THE THOUGHTS YOU WILL RECEIVE.

BE SOFT HEARTED. AVOID CONTENTION. LOVE ONE ANOTHER. APOLOGIZE. DO NOT DEMAND YOUR OWN WAY. WRITE SOMEONE A NICE LOVE LETTER. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE … THANK GOD THAT HE CAN HELP YOU TO BE AN EXTENSION OF HIS LOVE. HAVE IT BE THE #1 PURPOSE OF YOUR EXISTENCE.

“CHRIS, REMEMBER YOUR PURPOSE – TO LOVE AND TO SERVE. DON’T FORGET IT.”

PRAYER FIRST

2009-10-21T13:20:00.001-07:00

007 – MARCH 2004

PRAYER SHOULD BE YOUR FIRST CHOICE

LUKE 18:1 “NOW HE WAS TELLING THEM A PARABLE TO SHOW THAT, AT ALL TIMES, THEY OUGHT TO PRAY AND NOT LOSE HEART, …”

I OFTEN RECALL THE CHAT THAT I HAD WITH THE LOCAL MINISTER. HE WAS TALKING ABOUT PHYSICAL PROBLEMS THAT HE WAS HAVING WITH HIS RIGHT ARM. HE SHARED THE ENDLESS STRIVING HE HAD ENDURED FOR SOME SOLUTION AND, AT THE END OF HIS SAD STORY, HE SAID … “I FINALLY RESORTED TO PRAYER.”
THIS CONVERSATION TOOK PLACE OVER 20 YEARS AGO, YET THOSE WORDS STILL RING IN MY EAR. IT’S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE CAN ALL FALL INTO THIS SAME BAD HABIT. WE HAVE A FLESHLY INCLINATION TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT GOD’S HELP. WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO REACH INTO OUR HUMAN BAG OF TRICKS AND FORGET THAT THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS JUST MIGHT HAVE A VERY EXTRAORDINARY AND DISTINCT ANSWER FOR US … IF WE WOULD ONLY ASK.

JA 5:16 “…THE EFFECTIVE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN CAN ACCOMPLISH MUCH.”

JUST THE OTHER DAY, SOMEONE SPOKE TO ME ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP PROBLEM THAT THEY WERE HAVING. WE BOTH OFFERED IDEAS TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AND UNRAVEL THIS VERY REAL DILEMMA. WE PLODDED THROUGH THE SCENARIO AND, AFTER 30 EXHAUSTING MINUTES, I RECALLED THE MINISTER’S COMMENT FROM SO LONG AGO. I SAID, “YOU ARE IN A REAL PICKLE. LET’S BACK OFF. LET’S PRAY!”
WE SIMPLY ASKED FOR GOD’S WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING.
WOULDN’T YOU KNOW, WITHIN A FEW DAYS - THE PERSON CALLED ME BACK TO SHARE GOD’S ANSWER TO OUR PRAYER. THE “OTHER PERSON” RESPONDED IN A MOST BEAUTIFUL AND KIND MANNER. HARMONY WAS RESTORED AND IT HAPPENED … ABSENT OF ANY PLAN OF ATTACK … VOID OF STRATEGY … WITHOUT A BLUEPRINT … WITHOUT A DIAGRAM, SKETCH OR OUTLINE TO” GET THAT PERSON CHANGED!”. “NOW!”

SO, WHY DO WE CONTINUE TO “RESORT TO PRAYER”? WHY DO WE SAVE IT FOR LAST? WHY DOES IT SEEM SO NATURAL TO TRY ALL OF OUR OWN STUFF FIRST?
I’M NOT SUGGESTING THAT GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO “TAKE ACTION” BUT I THINK THAT TODAY WOULD BE A GOOD DAY TO ASK GOD TO HELP YOU TO TRUST HIM. TODAY WOULD BE A GOOD DAY TO DECIDE TO PRAY FIRST IN ALL SITUATIONS.

“OH, WHAT PEACE WE OFTEN FORFEIT,
OH, WHAT NEEDLESS PAIN WE BEAR,
ALL BECAUSE WE DO NOT CARRY
EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER.”

WHY NOT TAKE A MOMENT AND PRAY RIGHT NOW. C’MON … DO IT. IT WILL BE GOOD FOR YOU. CLOSE YOUR EYES, CONCENTRATE ON JESUS AND JUST TALK WITH HIM. PRAY!
CHRIS

RISE ABOVE IT

2009-10-21T13:19:00.001-07:00

006 – FEBRUARY 2004

RISE ABOVE IT

JN 4:35 “SAY NOT YE, THERE ARE YET FOUR MONTHS, AND THEN COMETH THE HARVEST? BEHOLD, I SAY UNTO YOU, LIFT UP YOUR EYES, AND LOOK ON THE FIELDS; FOR THEY ARE WHITE, ALREADY TO HARVEST.”

HAVE YOU EVER RECEIVED ADVICE TO “JUST RISE ABOVE IT!” IT SHOULD CERTAINLY BE INCLUDED IN A LIST OF QUICK FIX SOLUTIONS THAT WELL INTENDED ADVISORS OFFER. THIS TYPE OF INSTRUCTION SUGGESTS THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO, TO ENTIRELY ELIMINATE THE SITUATION, IS TO “PICK YOURSELF UP BY THE BOOTSTRAPS AND MOVE ON.” “JUST TAKE A DEEP BREATH.” “BE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF.” “IT’S QUITE EASY! … JUST DO IT! … RISE ABOVE IT!”
SOMETIMES THOSE TYPES OF ENCOURAGING ADVICE FROM A FRIEND CAN GIVE YOU A SHORT TERM ATTACK AT THE SITUATION. MOSTLY, THOUGH, IT JUST GETS YOU UPSET WITH THE PERSON FOR THINKING THAT THE PROBLEM IS SO EASY TO FIX. HELPFUL TIP: IF YOU ARE AN ADVICE GIVER - THE WORD “JUST” NEVER HELPS WHEN YOU GIVE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.

HAVING SAID THAT, IF YOU STUDY THE EXPRESSION YOU WILL FIND THAT IT IS NOT A BAD COUNSEL. WHAT IF “RISE ABOVE IT” MEANS TO LIFT YOUR SELF UP INTO THE AIR AND TO LOOK AT THINGS FROM A DISTANCE. BACK OFF A BIT. ASCEND TO THE SKY AND LOOK AT YOUR SITUATION AMIDST THE WHOLE OF THINGS. MOST TIMES, YOUR PLIGHT IS A MOLEHILL SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS. YOU ARE STUCK IN THE CONFUSION OF A MOLEHILL AND THINK IT’S A MOUNTAIN. YOU ARE A BUG ON A LEAF AND CAN’T SEE THE TREE … OR THE FOREST. IF YOU COULD RISE HIGH ABOVE THE MOLEHILL, YOU WOULD SEE JUST HOW SMALL THE THING REALLY IS. IF YOU WOULD LIFT OFF THAT INSIGNIFICANT LEAF, YOU WOULD GET A HIGHER AND BROADER VIEW OF THINGS.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE CAPTURED IN YOUR PRIVATE LITTLE WORLD. STRANGLED AND CHOKING IN THE “ME-BOX” YOU’VE MADE FOR YOURSELF. DON’T GET ALL JAILED UP. GET OUT FROM BEHIND THOSE BARS. DON’T FORGET YOUR PURPOSE TO SERVE. SET YOURSELF FREE WITH A WIDE ANGLE VIEW OF LIFE … AND YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU ANYHOW.
JUST YESTERDAY, I GOT IN A YANK ABOUT SOME LITTLE MATTER THAT DIDN’T EVEN SCRATCH THE SCALE OF IMPORTANT THINGS. THE THOUGHT “WHAT WILL IT MATTER 10 YEARS FROM NOW?” WALTZED THROUGH MY MIND. I MEDITATED ON ETERNITY. I COMPARED THE “THING” TO WEIGHTIER MATTERS SUCH AS FAITH, FRIENDS, HEALTH AND THE GOSPEL. I WAS EMBARRASSED THAT I HAD MADE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL AND QUICKLY CALLED MY WIFE TO APOLOGIZE. I TOLD HER THAT IT DIDN’T REALLY MATTER. NOTE: PAT WAS RIGHT ANYHOW … AGAIN.
JESUS, SAID TO LIFT UP YOUR EYES AND SEE THE HARVEST THAT IS READY. MOST TIMES, THE SITUATION THAT WE HAVE TO RISE ABOVE IS A TRIVIAL SELF-CENTERED THING. WE HAVE OUR EYES LOOKING DOWN … SO GLUED TO OUR PITY PARTIES AND DEMANDS THAT WE CAN’T SEE THE HARVEST. WE ARE UNABLE TO LOOK UP TO SEE THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.
THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE ANNOYED OR BAFFLED OR UPSET … YOU CAN “RISE ABOVE” IT ALL. SOAR AS HIGH AS YOU CAN AND BACK OFF TO TAKE A WORLDVIEW OF IT ALL. TAKE A HEAVENLY LOOK. YOU WILL SEE THAT, BY COMPARISON, IT’S JUST NOT THAT IMPORTANT. AND THE NEXT TIME SOMEONE SAYS TO “JUST RISE ABOVE IT.” … DON’T RECOIL SO QUICKLY. IT COULD BE GOOD ADVICE. JUST DO IT!

“TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS – LOOK FULL IN HIS WONDERFUL FACE – AND THE THINGS OF EARTH WILL LOOK STRANGELY DIM – IN THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORY AND GRACE.”

MT 16:26 “FOR WHAT IS A MAN PROFITED, IF HE GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL? OR WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL?”

WATCH MY BACK

2009-10-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

005 – JANUARY 2004

WATCH MY BACK

ROM 12:10 “ BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED ONE TO ANOTHER WITH BROTHERLY LOVE; IN HONOR PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER.”

THE GUEST SPEAKER COMMENTED TO HIS HOST THAT ONE OF THE GROUP MEMBERS “SEEMS TO BE VERY NICE”. TO WHICH THE HOST RESPONDED WITH A SERIES OF NEGATIVE OPINIONS … CLEVER OBSERVATIONS THAT HE FELT OBLIGATED TO SHARE.
THIS, UNFORTUNATELY, IS A TYPICAL SCENE. IT HAPPENS AT MEETINGS, PARTIES, AND EVEN IN CHURCH. RATHER THAN RESPOND WITH A “YES, HE IS VERY NICE.” - WE FIND IT TOO EASY TO SAY,“YES, HE CAN BE NICE BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW … BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.” THE FACT IS THAT THIS VISITOR TO OUR LITTLE GROUP DOES NOT “NEED TO KNOW”.
IT IS, QUITE SIMPLY, GOSSIP … A SIN OF THE FLESH THAT, FOR SOME ODD REASON, MAKES PEOPLE FEEL GOOD. SLANDEROUS GOSSIP IS USUALLY A RESULT OF JEALOUSY AND COVETOUSNESS. IT IS A BIASED OPINION THAT NEEDS TO REMAIN UNSPOKEN.
IT IS ALSO A VERY COWARDLY ACT BECAUSE THE PERSON THAT IS BEING SPOKEN ABOUT IS NOT THERE TO DEFEND THE CRITIQUE … THUS, WE HAVE THE TERM “SPEAKING BEHIND SOMEONE’S BACK.” AH YES, IT’S WHILE THEY HAVE THEIR BACK TURNED, WE FIND IT EASY TO THROW THE DAGGERS OF INSULT AND INJURY. IN A FEW PARTICULAR GROUP ENVIRONMENTS, I HAVE BEEN AMUSEDLY TEMPTED TO WEAR A TARGET ON MY BACK. IT WOULD DO NO GOOD TO HAVE IT ON THE FRONT BECAUSE NONE OF THE SHOOTING GOES ON FROM THAT DIRECTION.
THIS PAST SEPTEMBER, SOMEONE TOLD ME HOW HE OVERHEARD A SERIES OF UNFLATTERING REMARKS BEING SAID ABOUT ME. SOMEONE WHO OBVIOUSLY DIDN’T LIKE ME WAS SAYING THEM TO A GUEST SPEAKER (WHO DID NOT KNOW ME). THE SPY TOLD ME HOW HE WENT UP TO THE SPEAKER AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY DEFENDED ME. HE WATCHED MY BACK … REMEMBER THAT IS THE DIRECTION OF THE ATTACK. HE PROTECTED ME. HE COVERED FOR ME IN MY ABSENCE.
THIS IS NO SMALL MATTER BECAUSE MY DEFENDER COULD HAVE EASILY JOINED THE OTHER SIDE AND SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY TO “SHOOT” ALSO. HE WAS QUITE AWARE THAT I HAVE SHORTCOMINGS THAT COULD RIGHTFULLY INCITE THE ARROWS.
DAVID AND JONATHAN MADE A PACT OF FRIENDSHIP AND PLEDGED TO WATCH EACH OTHER’S BACK. WHAT A GREAT IDEA! MAYBE, YOU COULD TAKE A MOMENT TO DECIDE TO BE BACK WATCHER INSTEAD OF A BACK STABBER. DECIDE TO DEFEND THE ABSENTEE INSTEAD OF ATTACKING HIM. WATCHING SOMEONE’S BACK ACTUALLY MEANS SPEAKING UP. BE THE PERSON WHO IS UNAFRAID OF THE BULLY AND STICKS UP FOR THE DEFENSELESS. DISENGAGE INSTEAD OF ENGAGING IN JUNK TALK.
I REALLY APPRECIATED THAT THIS FELLOW DEFENDED ME. IT’S NICE TO KNOW THAT WHEN MY BACK IS TURNED SOMEONE IS WATCHING IT FOR ME. I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE SOMEONE. I HOPE THAT YOU ARE SOMEONE. ANYHOW, I THANKED HIM FOR IT. I SAID “THANK YOU FOR WATCHING MY BACK.”

READ ABOUT DAVID & JONATHAN 1 SAMUEL, CHAPTERS 18 - 20

CHRIS

THE GREATEST GIFT

2009-10-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

004 – DECEMBER 2003

JN 3:16 “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER SHOULD BELIEVE IN HIM, SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.”

GIFT GIVING IS A CHRISTMAS TRADITION. IT IS BASED ON THE GREATEST GIFT THAT HAS EVER BEEN GIVEN.
I WANT TO PRESENT YOU THIS GIFT. THE GIFT IS NOT FROM ME … BUT I AM A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GIVER. I AM AN AMBASSADOR FOR HIM WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EXPLAINING THE GIFT AND INTRODUCING HIM TO YOU.
THE GIFT IS QUITE NICE AND THE ONLY REQUIREMENT ON YOUR PART IS THAT YOU BELIEVE (IN YOUR HEART) THE GIVER AND RECEIVE THE GIFT.
THE NICE THING ABOUT THE GIFT IS THAT IT IS UNWRAPPED. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU CAN SEE THE WHOLE THING BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO RECEIVE (OR REJECT) IT. IT IS ONE GIFT YET IT CONTAINS 100’S OF EFFECTS AND REVERBERATIONS. AS YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT THE GIVER AND THE GIFT IS TRUE … AS YOU REACH OUT TO RECEIVE THE GIFT … YOU WILL ENTER INTO A VERY MARVELOUS KINGDOM OF MIRACULOUS ADVENTURE.
THE GIFT IS ABUNDANTLY REWARDING BUT I WILL LIST A FEW OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS:
1. FORGIVENESS OF SINS – BECAUSE THE GIFT CANNOT BE MADE TO ANYONE WITH SIN - THIS PART OF THE GIFT IS VITAL TO ALL OF THE OTHER PARTS. PROVIDING THAT YOU SINCERELY ASK FOR FORGIVENESS, THE GIVER HAS PAID A TREMENDOUS PRICE TO ELIMINATE THIS SNAG FOR YOU. AS YOU RECEIVE THIS GIFT, YOU CAN BE ASSURED THAT ALL OF YOUR SINS WILL BE FORGIVEN - AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST.
2. A NEW BIRTH – THIS PART OF THE GIFT WILL LAUNCH INTO A NEW KINGDOM. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE AND HEAR NEW THINGS … THINGS THAT YOU COULD NOT PRIOR TO THE GIFT. IN FACT, YOU WILL CHANGE. FOR THE REST OF YOUR EARTH LIFE, YOU WILL BE A NEW CREATION - AND OLD THINGS AND WAYS OF THINKING WILL SIMPLY PASS AWAY.
3. ETERNAL LIFE – THIS PART OF THE GIFT ENSURES YOUR LIFE FOR ETERNITY. IT’S TRUE! WHEN YOU BREATHE YOUR LAST BREATH IN THIS “EARTH-SUIT” … WHEN YOUR BODY GIVES UP AND DIES … WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU AND SAY “HE’S DEAD!” - YOU CAN BE ASSURED THAT YOU ARE NOT. YOUR SPIRIT, AS A RESULT OF THE NEW BIRTH, IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING WITH THE GIVER OF THE GIFT.

WHAT A GIFT! A HUGE GIFT! THE ULTIMATE GIFT! WHY WOULD ANYONE REFUSE IT? CHILDREN RECEIVE IT WITHOUT HESITATIONS AND WITHOUT QUESTIONS.
THE GIFT DOES NOT COST YOU A THING (OTHERWISE IT WOULD NOT BE A GIFT.) HOWEVER, IT WAS VERY COSTLY. MAKE YOUR DECISION TODAY TO THANK GOD FOR HIS SACRIFICE AND TO RECEIVE CHRIST. HE WILL ERASE YOUR SINS, INFLAME YOUR SPIRIT AND INITIATE YOU INTO ETERNAL LIFE.

LUKE 2:11 “FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID, A SAVIOR, WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD.”

DO A BUNCH OF THINGS TO KEEP CHRIST IN YOUR CHRISTMAS,

CHRIS

LIFE IS NOT YOUR OWN

2009-10-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

003 – NOVEMBER 2003

LIFE IS NOT YOUR OWN

GAL 2:20 "I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: NEVERTHELESS I LIVE; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: AND THE LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME."
THE FACT IS THAT YOUR LIFE IS REALLY NOT YOUR OWN. SO … YOU MIGHT AS WELL GIVE IT UP AND GO WITH THE FLOW. JESUS SAID DIE AND LIVE. DIE TO YOUR "SELF" SO THAT YOU CAN LIVE "IN CHRIST".
I HAD PLANS FOR THIS PAST THURSDAY. I HAD A BUNCH OF PLANS TO GET A BUNCH OF STUFF DONE AT WORK. HOWEVER, MY MOM TOOK A FALL AT 5:00 AM AND I SPENT THE MAJORITY OF THE DAY AT THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE AND AT THE HOSPITAL.
20 YEARS AGO, I WOULD HAVE VIEWED ALL OF THIS AS BOTHERSOME … SOMETHING THAT KEPT ME FROM DOING WHAT I WANTED TO DO. AND I HAD A PRETTY LOUSY ATTITUDE WHEN I FACED THESE INCONVENIENCES
FORTUNATELY, AND BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, I HAVE CHANGED. 180 DEGREES! I NOW SEE THESE THINGS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE. I ENJOYED THURSDAY BECAUSE I KNEW IN MY SPIRIT THAT I WAS DOING EXACTLY WHAT GOD WANTED ME TO DO. I WAS GIVEN A CHANCE TO LOVE & SERVE SOMEONE WHO IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME.
YOUR ADULT LIFE IS BRIMMING WITH RESPONSIBILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, ACCOUNTABILITIES, PROJECTS, AND THINGS-TO-DO LISTS. ALL OF THIS CONTRIBUTES TO THE SIMPLE FACT THAT YOUR LIFE IS NOT YOUR OWN.
IT MAKES EVERYTHING A BIT EASIER WHEN YOU ACCEPT THIS AS A GOOD THING. IT ALLOWS YOU TO SERVE AND DISCOVER THE SPIRITUAL CONTENTMENT THAT COMES FROM DOING WHAT IS ETERNALLY IMPORTANT.
THERE IS A GREAT CHORUS THAT REPEATS THE PHRASE " IF YOU WANT TO BE GREAT IN GOD’S KINGDOM, LEARN TO BE A SERVANT OF ALL."
SO! RELAX! YOUR LIFE IS NOT YOUR OWN. IT’S JUST THE WAY IT IS. AND NOT ONLY THAT, IT’S A GOOD THING! JESUS WILL HELP YOU TO TURN "INCONVENIENCES" INTO "OPPORTUNITIES" TO LOVE AND SERVE.
MT 23:11 "BUT HE THAT IS GREATEST AMONG YOU SHALL BE YOUR SERVANT."

P.S. MY MOM IS FINE. SHE BRUISED HER HIP A BIT,
CHRIS

LIP SERVICE

2009-10-21T13:10:00.001-07:00

002 – OCTOBER 2003

SO, THE CHICKEN SAID TO THE PIG, “I FEEL HONORED TO GIVE BACON AND EGGS TO MAN FOR HIS BREAKFAST.”
THE PIG REPLIED “THAT’S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY. YOUR GIFT IS A
SACRIFICE. MY GIFT IS A TOTAL COMMITMENT.”

IN THE SAME MANNER, THE BIBLE SAYS “TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” .
HOW EASY IT IS TO HAVE JESUS BECOME THE SAVIOR OF OUR LIVES! HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO SURRENDER TO HIS LORDSHIP.
I AM ACTUALLY QUITE WEARY OF SITTING ON THE THRONE OF MY LIFE. EACH TIME THAT I STEAL THAT POSITION – I MESS THINGS UP! BADLY!
MY POSITION ON THIS THRONE IS SURELY A RESULT OF FLESH AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS AND I HAVE DRAMATICALLY PROVEN THAT I AM NOT CAPABLE OF BEING KING. JESUS IS MORE THAN ABLE AND, IN FACT, NEEDS TO BE SEATED PROPERLY IN MY LIFE FOR ANY SPIRITUAL FRUIT TO BECOME EVIDENCED. JOHN THE BAPTIST SAID “I MUST DECREASE AND HE MUST INCREASE.” THAT IS MY CONSTANT PRAYER.

AND, BE CAREFUL! IT IS SO EASY, WITH OUR MOUTH, TO USE THE WORD “LORD”. WE SING IT OFTEN IN OUR SONGS OF PRAISE AND WE REPEAT IT TOO OFTEN IN OUR PRAYERS … YET, BEING TRUTHFUL AND KNOWING IN MY HEART, I TOO OFTEN AM lord AND JESUS IS SHUFFLED TO A POSITION OF CONVENIENCE.
I MUST AVOID LIP SERVICE. IT IS A STRONG TOOL OF THE FLESH AND AN EMPTINESS OF DECEIT TO OUR SOULS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO IMPRESS OTHERS, WE CAN SOMETIMES FOOL OURSELVES. IT IS A SLIPPERY SLIDE INTO A PRIDEFUL TRAP THAT ENGULFS OUR SOUL TO IT’S OWN SELF AND BLOCKS THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM MOVING FREELY.

I AM DETERMINED TO MOVE FROM BIBLICAL HOLY SPIRIT “POSITION- ONLY” TO THE REALITY OF CHRIST IN ME … AND SEATED ON THE THRONE.
TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK INTO THE SPIRITUAL MIRROR OF YOUR SOUL … WHO IS SEATED ON THE THRONE? IS JESUS LORD?
TODAY IS A GREAT DAY TO MAKE THIS DECISION. DIE TO SELF AND REPEAT THE PIG, “ ... MY GIFT IS A TOTAL SURRENDER.”

MATTHEW 15:8 “THIS PEOPLE DRAWETH NIGH UNTO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH AND HONORETH ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.”

GOD BLESS YOU,

CHRIS