Tomorrow begins a new month. In His last words on earth, Jesus told us to teach everyone to obey all He commanded. Too often ‘religion’ gets in the way of following His teaching as people tend to push or become rigid with their particular church agenda, religious tradition or religious ideas. All of His teaching He wished to pass on to us in His words is recorded in 4 books. One can read three short chapters a day and discover all His teaching through His words and deeds as recorded in these four books in a month. Give it a try and see how it makes a difference in your life.
Through The Gospels in a Month
Jesus told us to teach everyone everything He commanded us. To know what he commanded, we must become familiar with his teachings and life. The following is a plan to read the Gospels in a month. There are 89 chapters in the four Gospels. Each day one should read three chapters on the corresponding day to complete the reading each month.
Day Chapters
1. 1-3 (Matthew)
2. 4-6
3. 7-9
4. 10-12
5. 13-15
6. 16-18
7. 19-21
8. 22-24
9. 25-27
10. 28- Mark 2
11. 3-5
12. 6-8
13. 9-11
14. 12-14
15. 15- Luke 1
16. 2-4
17. 5-7
18. 8-10
19. 11-13
20. 14-16
21. 17-19
22. 20-22
23. 23-John 1
24. 2-4
25. 5-7
26. 8-10
27. 11-13
28. 14-16
29. 17-19
30. 20-21
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
True Grit
A popular movie, True Grit, follows more faithfully to the Charles Protis’ novel than the older movie starring John Wayne. Young Mattie Ross shows courage, spunk and knowledge beyond her 14 years of life as she seeks to find Tom Chaney to avenge his cold-blooded murder of her father. She seeks a lawman who has grit to do the job. She is led to Marshall Rooster Cogburn who has several failings but she decides he has the ‘True Grit’ needed for this task.
As the viewer watches the adventure unfold one cannot help but notice familiar themes in the background music. The score contains and cleverly weaves excerpts of ‘Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand’, ‘What a Friend We have in Jesus’ and ‘Leaning on the Everlasting Arms’. Carter Burwell, upon composing appropriate music wondered about Mattie Ross who had unquestioning determination to go to the wild country in pursuit of her father’s killer. “Where would a 14 year old girl come by the audacity to browbeat outlaws and lawmen, follow them into the wilderness and even correct their spelling? Church of course!”
It was a hard time but folks in that day found strength to sustain any hardship through their faith. The strength of young Mattie’s faith shows her to be the one with True Grit that never wavered and lasted until the end. Today times have changed in may fashions however there are these constants that still exist. There are always situations in life that are difficult and often potentially devastating, such as 14 year old Mattie experienced with the murder of her beloved father. There are always unreliable, unfaithful and even evil people that will disappoint discourage and deceive. However, there are always those who remain faithful and unshaken to righteousness and justice no matter the circumstances. Even though they may seem few their faithfulness gives them True Grit. They are the ones who make a difference for good. They are the ones who go to work everyday, make their marriage work, teach children to behave and hold the moral fiber of society together. They may not be glamorous, famous or wealthy. In fact they usually are not. However, there has always been, will always be, as is necessary the minority who have True Grit required to maintain morality and civility in society.
There is a Biblical teaching called the Doctrine of the Remnant referring to God’s faithful who are always there even when the majority seems to be moving in an evil destructive path. My hat is always off to those who have the True Grit to stand faithful no matter the odds.
Elisha the prophet give a great example as the king of Aram was frustrated with Elisha’s prophecies that worked against his agenda to the point that he sent his army against this single prophet. Elisha was traveling only with his servant. One morning the servant woke to find outside was the powerful army of Aram surrounding the city. They had come for Elisha. He was scared to death as they were greatly outnumbered and outgunned by the powerful army. He asked what they would do. Elisha had the True Grit to trust God. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." God’s angels of protection were not visible to the one who had fear. However the prophet had faith, vision and 'Grit' to hang in there with God was able to see God’s hand that would always be present for his faithful.
Fear not, remember those who are with us are more than those who are with them. True Grit is shown in always following, trusting and being redeemed by ‘God’s Unchanging Hand’. Press On!
As the viewer watches the adventure unfold one cannot help but notice familiar themes in the background music. The score contains and cleverly weaves excerpts of ‘Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand’, ‘What a Friend We have in Jesus’ and ‘Leaning on the Everlasting Arms’. Carter Burwell, upon composing appropriate music wondered about Mattie Ross who had unquestioning determination to go to the wild country in pursuit of her father’s killer. “Where would a 14 year old girl come by the audacity to browbeat outlaws and lawmen, follow them into the wilderness and even correct their spelling? Church of course!”
It was a hard time but folks in that day found strength to sustain any hardship through their faith. The strength of young Mattie’s faith shows her to be the one with True Grit that never wavered and lasted until the end. Today times have changed in may fashions however there are these constants that still exist. There are always situations in life that are difficult and often potentially devastating, such as 14 year old Mattie experienced with the murder of her beloved father. There are always unreliable, unfaithful and even evil people that will disappoint discourage and deceive. However, there are always those who remain faithful and unshaken to righteousness and justice no matter the circumstances. Even though they may seem few their faithfulness gives them True Grit. They are the ones who make a difference for good. They are the ones who go to work everyday, make their marriage work, teach children to behave and hold the moral fiber of society together. They may not be glamorous, famous or wealthy. In fact they usually are not. However, there has always been, will always be, as is necessary the minority who have True Grit required to maintain morality and civility in society.
There is a Biblical teaching called the Doctrine of the Remnant referring to God’s faithful who are always there even when the majority seems to be moving in an evil destructive path. My hat is always off to those who have the True Grit to stand faithful no matter the odds.
Elisha the prophet give a great example as the king of Aram was frustrated with Elisha’s prophecies that worked against his agenda to the point that he sent his army against this single prophet. Elisha was traveling only with his servant. One morning the servant woke to find outside was the powerful army of Aram surrounding the city. They had come for Elisha. He was scared to death as they were greatly outnumbered and outgunned by the powerful army. He asked what they would do. Elisha had the True Grit to trust God. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." God’s angels of protection were not visible to the one who had fear. However the prophet had faith, vision and 'Grit' to hang in there with God was able to see God’s hand that would always be present for his faithful.
Fear not, remember those who are with us are more than those who are with them. True Grit is shown in always following, trusting and being redeemed by ‘God’s Unchanging Hand’. Press On!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Making the Most of Time
As I reflect on the passing of another year and look forward to the year ahead, I become more conscious of the passage of time. In our youth we often think we are indestructible and will always have all the time we need. As we age we seem to focus more on how quickly time zooms along. I once had a deacon tell me he seemed to have a birthday each week after turning 65. While I have yet to hit that number I must admit that the calendar does seem to be increasing in speed.
Bank accounts and society structures measure us at different levels but there is one measure that places us all on equal ground, levels the scale for everyone and gives us all equal opportunity. That equalizing measure is time. It does not matter how wealthy, strong, intelligent or powerful one may be we all have the same amount of time. Neither Bill Gates nor Oprah has any more minutes in their hour than you or me. However, the difference often lies in what someone does with this equal resource. Some make the most of each moment while others waste precious time with bad habits, poor decisions, and poor time management. I have a poster of an African proverb in my office that reminds me to make the most of each moment entitled ‘Every Morning in Africa’. It says; “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It does not matter if you are a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you better be running.”
This is one of my reminders that each day I wake with life I must set myself with purpose to make the most of each moment. There is not a moment to waste being lazy, angry, selfish, upset, or simply wasting time due to poor time management or repeating bad decisions. Each moment is not to be taken for granted. The next moment or breath is never promised. One does not know how long one has to live. So we are left with an interesting situation. While we do not know how much time we will have in our life span, we all have the same amount of time that is given in equal measure each day. Time is equal for everyone in that sense and it is a resource that is not retrievable once spent. It can only be wasted or used wisely. Therefore, since I (and you) have just as much of this precious resource as the most powerful and wealthy person on the planet each day we are alive and since it is not something we can store or retrieve once it is spent it just makes sense to spend or invest it wisely.
That is why God tells us to do that very thing. Ephesians 5:15-16 says “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit could have used either of two common Greek words for time: chronos or kairos. Chronos refers to time in general or clock time. It is the root word for chronological. Kairos refers to a predetermined, specific amount of time. It is measured, allocated and fixed. The Holy Spirit led Paul to use kairos.
That intentional word choice by God is huge. It reminds us that we have a specific amount of time given by God on earth. While He knows the measure of our days we do not. We need to make the most of each moment. I have been with people in their last moments on earth. No one has said, “I wish I had more time for my job or hobby”. Rather, people are comforted in their last moments when they have love with their family, friends and God. So, it makes sense to use every moment to love God and others as much as possible. My dad had a plaque on his desk that read, “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” It was a reminder to get over things and make the most of each moment in a positive joyful manner. The clock is ticking even now. How are you spending your seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years or life? What are you doing with your time?
Bank accounts and society structures measure us at different levels but there is one measure that places us all on equal ground, levels the scale for everyone and gives us all equal opportunity. That equalizing measure is time. It does not matter how wealthy, strong, intelligent or powerful one may be we all have the same amount of time. Neither Bill Gates nor Oprah has any more minutes in their hour than you or me. However, the difference often lies in what someone does with this equal resource. Some make the most of each moment while others waste precious time with bad habits, poor decisions, and poor time management. I have a poster of an African proverb in my office that reminds me to make the most of each moment entitled ‘Every Morning in Africa’. It says; “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It does not matter if you are a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you better be running.”
This is one of my reminders that each day I wake with life I must set myself with purpose to make the most of each moment. There is not a moment to waste being lazy, angry, selfish, upset, or simply wasting time due to poor time management or repeating bad decisions. Each moment is not to be taken for granted. The next moment or breath is never promised. One does not know how long one has to live. So we are left with an interesting situation. While we do not know how much time we will have in our life span, we all have the same amount of time that is given in equal measure each day. Time is equal for everyone in that sense and it is a resource that is not retrievable once spent. It can only be wasted or used wisely. Therefore, since I (and you) have just as much of this precious resource as the most powerful and wealthy person on the planet each day we are alive and since it is not something we can store or retrieve once it is spent it just makes sense to spend or invest it wisely.
That is why God tells us to do that very thing. Ephesians 5:15-16 says “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit could have used either of two common Greek words for time: chronos or kairos. Chronos refers to time in general or clock time. It is the root word for chronological. Kairos refers to a predetermined, specific amount of time. It is measured, allocated and fixed. The Holy Spirit led Paul to use kairos.
That intentional word choice by God is huge. It reminds us that we have a specific amount of time given by God on earth. While He knows the measure of our days we do not. We need to make the most of each moment. I have been with people in their last moments on earth. No one has said, “I wish I had more time for my job or hobby”. Rather, people are comforted in their last moments when they have love with their family, friends and God. So, it makes sense to use every moment to love God and others as much as possible. My dad had a plaque on his desk that read, “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” It was a reminder to get over things and make the most of each moment in a positive joyful manner. The clock is ticking even now. How are you spending your seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years or life? What are you doing with your time?
Friday, December 24, 2010
The Greatest Mission Trip Ever Taken
“Everyone should go on at least one mission trip in their lifetime!” I have often heard that statement made. I do not know much that has a more rapid and profound spiritual impact than leaving one’s comfort zone and going to an unfamiliar land on mission. It will change lives…primarily yours. God dealt with me on the shores of Mombasa, Kenya in 1995 in ways that changed me to this day. Since then I have been blessed to lead & participate in mission trips to five of the seven continents over the years. When God leads me to Australia and Antarctica I will have a complete set (maybe I will get a set of steak knives). I already know the language of Australia, “Mate” but I may need to go to Antarctica first. If Al Gore is right it may be underwater soon.
Mission trips involve leaving familiar surroundings, people, customs and comfort to spend time and spread the love of God to others. As we enjoy the familiar surroundings, people, customs and comfort of our usual Christmas season remembering ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’ it is fitting to remember ‘The Greatest Mission Trip Ever Taken’. Jesus left the familiar surroundings and comfort of Heaven to come here to change our lives for eternity.
I have gone through some long and uncomfortable travel. I have ‘enjoyed’ accommodations that are not quite ‘Four Star’ sleeping in different ‘beds’ (that is what they called them). I have had the ‘exhilaration’ of automobiles in traffic & driving styles that I never imagined, from racing down unpaved roads in vans with steering wheels on the wrong side to sitting on the back of scooters in the busy streets and rice patties of Cambodia. I have dined on crocodile, python, zebra, antelope and other cuisine that was unknown or cannot be listed (tasted like chicken).
Nothing compares with the mission trip taken by Jesus that began with the first Christmas. He left the comforts of Heaven to journey here ‘on mission’. I find it hard to mumble about sleeping arrangements I have experienced when the first bed of Jesus was an animal feeding trough. In spite of being out of my ‘comfort zone’ I was usually made welcome as people in those distant lands usually welcomed and treated me like family. It would be difficult enough to be rejected by strangers in a foreign land but can you imagine the sadness revealed in the first chapter of John’s Gospel as it tells us Jesus “was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”
In spite of that sorrow and hardships we cannot imagine, He remained faithful on His mission trip. Although He was the creator and ultimate King, He humbled Himself by “taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2) He knew His mission trip held our eternal salvation in the balance so He gave His all. As we pause to reflect on life this Christmas let us follow our ‘mission’ and focus “our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12).
By taking the greatest mission trip ever taken, He left the greatest home ever known, suffered the greatest shame and punishment ever experienced He demonstrated the greatest love for us ever known. His mission trip, suffering, shame and ultimate punishment for our sin gives the opportunity to be to all who “receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1). The greatest story ever told is about the greatest mission trip ever taken to present you with the greatest gift ever offered. Receive, open, let His gift change you then share His gift as you go on mission in the days ahead.
Mission trips involve leaving familiar surroundings, people, customs and comfort to spend time and spread the love of God to others. As we enjoy the familiar surroundings, people, customs and comfort of our usual Christmas season remembering ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’ it is fitting to remember ‘The Greatest Mission Trip Ever Taken’. Jesus left the familiar surroundings and comfort of Heaven to come here to change our lives for eternity.
I have gone through some long and uncomfortable travel. I have ‘enjoyed’ accommodations that are not quite ‘Four Star’ sleeping in different ‘beds’ (that is what they called them). I have had the ‘exhilaration’ of automobiles in traffic & driving styles that I never imagined, from racing down unpaved roads in vans with steering wheels on the wrong side to sitting on the back of scooters in the busy streets and rice patties of Cambodia. I have dined on crocodile, python, zebra, antelope and other cuisine that was unknown or cannot be listed (tasted like chicken).
Nothing compares with the mission trip taken by Jesus that began with the first Christmas. He left the comforts of Heaven to journey here ‘on mission’. I find it hard to mumble about sleeping arrangements I have experienced when the first bed of Jesus was an animal feeding trough. In spite of being out of my ‘comfort zone’ I was usually made welcome as people in those distant lands usually welcomed and treated me like family. It would be difficult enough to be rejected by strangers in a foreign land but can you imagine the sadness revealed in the first chapter of John’s Gospel as it tells us Jesus “was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”
In spite of that sorrow and hardships we cannot imagine, He remained faithful on His mission trip. Although He was the creator and ultimate King, He humbled Himself by “taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2) He knew His mission trip held our eternal salvation in the balance so He gave His all. As we pause to reflect on life this Christmas let us follow our ‘mission’ and focus “our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12).
By taking the greatest mission trip ever taken, He left the greatest home ever known, suffered the greatest shame and punishment ever experienced He demonstrated the greatest love for us ever known. His mission trip, suffering, shame and ultimate punishment for our sin gives the opportunity to be to all who “receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1). The greatest story ever told is about the greatest mission trip ever taken to present you with the greatest gift ever offered. Receive, open, let His gift change you then share His gift as you go on mission in the days ahead.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Have an Intelligent and Smart Christmas
I have been driving a car for 43 years. This is the first time I had to read the manual to learn how to use my key. It’s called an ‘Intelligent key’. Actually it is not a key at but resembles a key remote (reminds me of the one I had when I lost my last set of car keys. Now, I don’t feel so dumb losing those keys and remote. They were the ones not ‘intelligent’). Anyway, once I put the remote, excuse me… once I put the ‘intelligent key’ in my pocket the car senses when we are close enough to unlock. When inside the car I still do not have to remove the ‘intelligent key from my pocket. The car senses it is in the car, I push a button and the car starts. While I am driving the car figures gas mileage, the average speed and how much further I can go on this tank of gas, tells me the outside temperature and even senses when a small child is in the front seat who would be endangered by the passenger air bag so it disables that air bag until the child gets out of that seat. I quit reading the manual after learning those things. I have had enough of being intimidated by my car’s superior intelligence that seems to threaten my own.
My car is not the only clever device in my life. My daughters call me on their ‘smart’ phones. I have yet to go that route. I don’t want a phone so arrogant that it even brags on being smart with its name. Although, I have had some 23 years of formal education (no, that does not mean I wore a tux to class.) I don’t go around crowing or calling myself ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’! (Perhaps those who spend time around me and know I still have not found my keys and remote to my old car, as well as a growing list of other things that humble me, understand why I don’t go around claiming to be ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ like some cocky phones & keys.)
We have become accustomed to ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ devices that can help us in our daily life. They answer the phone for us, watch favorite TV programs when we are not home (and even skip over the commercials we would not want to watch). Nevertheless, there is a point I want to make as I continue to marvel at all the devices that that have come into our lives that seem to be so ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’. Since we can create such ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ devices to aid our lives why can’t we be smart or intelligent enough to realize that a holiday that was set to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ should be known as Christmas?
Although Jesus was probably born closer to September on our calendar, historically December 25 has been set aside as a holiday to acknowledge and celebrate his birth. This is not unlike the way we set aside a day in February to acknowledge and celebrate the birthdays of President Washington and Lincoln, neither were born on Presidents’ Day but the purpose of the day is to remember both. It would not be ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ to ignore Lincoln or Washington on that particular day. The original purpose of the day is to recognize both men…Duh! Long before this commonly accepted practice, as well as other similar holiday celebrations, the precedent of Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus was historically set. So, how ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ can it be to assign or promote some nebulous “Holiday Greeting” to seek to avoid the real meaning and purpose of Christmas? It is stupid to do otherwise. Enough already!
Therefore, if my car keys can be ‘intelligent’ and our phones can be ‘smart’ why can’t we be bright enough to just be done with all the foolishness that seeks to avoid Jesus, especially at Christmas and have a Merry Christmas? How dumb can we be? Now, if I could just find my glasses I could address some Christmas cards to share Christ like love and greetings. Oh well, I guess I will have to do the ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ thing and honor the birth of Jesus by living a life that brings “peace on earth and good will to men”!
Merry Christmas!
My car is not the only clever device in my life. My daughters call me on their ‘smart’ phones. I have yet to go that route. I don’t want a phone so arrogant that it even brags on being smart with its name. Although, I have had some 23 years of formal education (no, that does not mean I wore a tux to class.) I don’t go around crowing or calling myself ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’! (Perhaps those who spend time around me and know I still have not found my keys and remote to my old car, as well as a growing list of other things that humble me, understand why I don’t go around claiming to be ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ like some cocky phones & keys.)
We have become accustomed to ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ devices that can help us in our daily life. They answer the phone for us, watch favorite TV programs when we are not home (and even skip over the commercials we would not want to watch). Nevertheless, there is a point I want to make as I continue to marvel at all the devices that that have come into our lives that seem to be so ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’. Since we can create such ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ devices to aid our lives why can’t we be smart or intelligent enough to realize that a holiday that was set to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ should be known as Christmas?
Although Jesus was probably born closer to September on our calendar, historically December 25 has been set aside as a holiday to acknowledge and celebrate his birth. This is not unlike the way we set aside a day in February to acknowledge and celebrate the birthdays of President Washington and Lincoln, neither were born on Presidents’ Day but the purpose of the day is to remember both. It would not be ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ to ignore Lincoln or Washington on that particular day. The original purpose of the day is to recognize both men…Duh! Long before this commonly accepted practice, as well as other similar holiday celebrations, the precedent of Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus was historically set. So, how ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ can it be to assign or promote some nebulous “Holiday Greeting” to seek to avoid the real meaning and purpose of Christmas? It is stupid to do otherwise. Enough already!
Therefore, if my car keys can be ‘intelligent’ and our phones can be ‘smart’ why can’t we be bright enough to just be done with all the foolishness that seeks to avoid Jesus, especially at Christmas and have a Merry Christmas? How dumb can we be? Now, if I could just find my glasses I could address some Christmas cards to share Christ like love and greetings. Oh well, I guess I will have to do the ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ thing and honor the birth of Jesus by living a life that brings “peace on earth and good will to men”!
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Gonna be a good day!
I am at the place in life where some parts wake up quicker than others every morning. Years of “hey let me try this” and attempts at sports I was not deemed to play have taken a toll. However, I still wake each morning with exercise. If I wake on my face I do a push-up. If I wake on my back I do a sit-up. It is easy to wake and find reasons to complain as the body responds slower. It is easy to find reasons to complain as the TV is turned on and the morning news is gloomy. However, it is easier to find reasons to rejoice when one reads and listens to words from the one who created me.
He tells me to “Rejoice always”. I Thessalonians 5:16 is the 2nd shortest verse in the Bible (‘Jesus wept’ is the shortest, found in John 11:35). The commandment to ‘rejoice always’ (it is not a suggestion…’give a shot to rejoicing always’) is not only short but it is effective in changing your entire outlook. It is followed by a second verse that helps me know how to rejoice, “Pray always”. When I find it hard to rejoice I am reminded that I can take all my cares and concerns to a higher authority who has power and wisdom well beyond me to take care of all things in perfect order according to His power and wisdom. Philippians 4:6-7 tell me, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In other words, don’t worry about anything but pray about everything and you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will then protect our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus.
Without a deliberate decision to rejoice or celebrate constantly one can find reason to despair in almost every direction in this sin scarred world. However when one follows God’s command one develops a new perception. I have discovered the following truth, 'When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change'. One can find a reason to delight as the third verse of the important trilogy in I Thessalonians 5, verse 18, guides us to be thankful in all things for this is God’s will in Christ Jesus.
It is truly impossible to be thankful ‘for’ everything in life however, it is possible, helpful and commanded by our loving Father to give thanks ‘in’ the midst of all things. In everything we can find a reason to look up and be thankful. I am thankful that my aching body is able to get up each morning. I am thankful for the breath of life that starts my waking hours. I am thankful for the fun and life I enjoyed (which is better than I deserved) and now can look forward to exulting (“Rejoice always”) in the day ahead because no matter what faces me I am not alone. I can share it with the creator and ruler of the universe (“Pray without ceasing”). When I commit my life and day to Him I know that whatever happens is in Hands and I can be glad (“in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”)
Gonna be a good day!
He tells me to “Rejoice always”. I Thessalonians 5:16 is the 2nd shortest verse in the Bible (‘Jesus wept’ is the shortest, found in John 11:35). The commandment to ‘rejoice always’ (it is not a suggestion…’give a shot to rejoicing always’) is not only short but it is effective in changing your entire outlook. It is followed by a second verse that helps me know how to rejoice, “Pray always”. When I find it hard to rejoice I am reminded that I can take all my cares and concerns to a higher authority who has power and wisdom well beyond me to take care of all things in perfect order according to His power and wisdom. Philippians 4:6-7 tell me, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In other words, don’t worry about anything but pray about everything and you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will then protect our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus.
Without a deliberate decision to rejoice or celebrate constantly one can find reason to despair in almost every direction in this sin scarred world. However when one follows God’s command one develops a new perception. I have discovered the following truth, 'When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change'. One can find a reason to delight as the third verse of the important trilogy in I Thessalonians 5, verse 18, guides us to be thankful in all things for this is God’s will in Christ Jesus.
It is truly impossible to be thankful ‘for’ everything in life however, it is possible, helpful and commanded by our loving Father to give thanks ‘in’ the midst of all things. In everything we can find a reason to look up and be thankful. I am thankful that my aching body is able to get up each morning. I am thankful for the breath of life that starts my waking hours. I am thankful for the fun and life I enjoyed (which is better than I deserved) and now can look forward to exulting (“Rejoice always”) in the day ahead because no matter what faces me I am not alone. I can share it with the creator and ruler of the universe (“Pray without ceasing”). When I commit my life and day to Him I know that whatever happens is in Hands and I can be glad (“in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”)
Gonna be a good day!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
If You Have To Swallow A Frog...
I have a poster in my office with a picture of a large ugly frog and the following caption, “If you have to swallow a frog, don’t look at it. If you have to swallow a bunch of frogs, take the biggest one first.” Looking an ugly frog in the face with the knowledge that you have to swallow that sucker does not make the unpleasant task easier. Hopefully none of us will have to take that phrase literally but we know what it is to have unpleasant tasks staring us in the face. Putting things off rarely helps when dealing with an unpleasant task.
It was my day off. I wanted to spend the day doing something enjoyable. I already had experienced a long week and knew a heavy work weekend was waiting. However, the leak under the sink (due to a leaking garbage disposal) needed to be remedied. I prepared to ‘swallow the frog’ of replacing the disposal by getting everything ready ahead of time. They did not teach plumbing in seminary but I knew I could handle the task…after all I am a man as well as a Doctor! :-)
I woke ready to begin the task by doing something that humbled me…reading instructions (after all I am a man. We shouldn’t have to read instructions or ask directions!). In a few minutes I was finished with no leaks, cuts or bruises. Now I had the rest of the day to enjoy myself and it was only 7:30 AM. Putting off unpleasant tasks is rarely helpful. “If you have to swallow a frog, don’t look at it. If you have to swallow a bunch of frogs, take the biggest one first.”
Psychologists call this delayed gratification. It is a system of doing the less pleasing things first to have something pleasant waiting ahead. For example, if you enjoy pie but the crust is not as enjoyable as the point of the slice where most of the flavor lies, delay your gratification and save the most flavorful bite for last. People who live following a system of delayed gratification are usually happier and see more hopeful results ahead. They get the least favorable work over first and look forward to enjoying more pleasant tasks ahead. Putting unpleasant tasks off is rarely helpful.
Putting unpleasant tasks off is also rarely helpful when the unpleasant task involves getting something corrected in a relationship. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:22-25 to settle matters quickly when there is a problem in a relationship. The unresolved problem in the relationship will usually get worse if we put off or delay resolution and reconciliation. It also negatively affects our relationship with God as we cannot connect with Him properly until things are resolved with our brother or sister. He tells us to go and be reconciled with them then come back to Him.
Are there unpleasant tasks staring you in the face? Are there unresolved relationships that need to be resolved? If you need to forgive someone, don’t put it off or wait, go ahead. You will enjoy putting it behind you and enjoy the gratification you have been delaying. If you need to ask forgiveness of another and apologize don’t put it off. “If you have to swallow a frog, don’t look at it. If you have to swallow a bunch of frogs, take the biggest one first.”
It was my day off. I wanted to spend the day doing something enjoyable. I already had experienced a long week and knew a heavy work weekend was waiting. However, the leak under the sink (due to a leaking garbage disposal) needed to be remedied. I prepared to ‘swallow the frog’ of replacing the disposal by getting everything ready ahead of time. They did not teach plumbing in seminary but I knew I could handle the task…after all I am a man as well as a Doctor! :-)
I woke ready to begin the task by doing something that humbled me…reading instructions (after all I am a man. We shouldn’t have to read instructions or ask directions!). In a few minutes I was finished with no leaks, cuts or bruises. Now I had the rest of the day to enjoy myself and it was only 7:30 AM. Putting off unpleasant tasks is rarely helpful. “If you have to swallow a frog, don’t look at it. If you have to swallow a bunch of frogs, take the biggest one first.”
Psychologists call this delayed gratification. It is a system of doing the less pleasing things first to have something pleasant waiting ahead. For example, if you enjoy pie but the crust is not as enjoyable as the point of the slice where most of the flavor lies, delay your gratification and save the most flavorful bite for last. People who live following a system of delayed gratification are usually happier and see more hopeful results ahead. They get the least favorable work over first and look forward to enjoying more pleasant tasks ahead. Putting unpleasant tasks off is rarely helpful.
Putting unpleasant tasks off is also rarely helpful when the unpleasant task involves getting something corrected in a relationship. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:22-25 to settle matters quickly when there is a problem in a relationship. The unresolved problem in the relationship will usually get worse if we put off or delay resolution and reconciliation. It also negatively affects our relationship with God as we cannot connect with Him properly until things are resolved with our brother or sister. He tells us to go and be reconciled with them then come back to Him.
Are there unpleasant tasks staring you in the face? Are there unresolved relationships that need to be resolved? If you need to forgive someone, don’t put it off or wait, go ahead. You will enjoy putting it behind you and enjoy the gratification you have been delaying. If you need to ask forgiveness of another and apologize don’t put it off. “If you have to swallow a frog, don’t look at it. If you have to swallow a bunch of frogs, take the biggest one first.”
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