Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.

My high school graduating class is celebrating a class milestone.  The ‘class of 70’ is turning 60.  My life's journey has taken me away from my home town in Mississippi as I now have lived away longer than I lived there.  I look forward to the return for several reasons. Growing up in Columbus in the 60’s, for me, was like Opie growing up in Mayberry. It seemed such an innocent time. I could walk the streets alone, as a child, and be safe. We knew our neighbors, their children and classmates (if not intimately well enough to wave or speak in passing and to look out for one another). Oh sure things were not perfect. There were injustices. Some have been defeated over the years; others remain present or have evolved into different issues over time. Evil and injustice has been present throughout history. However, for me, it seemed such a simple wonderful time and place to grow up. As I prepare to return my mind is stirred with many memories. At age 60 memory can be tricky. I think it was Mark Twain (if not he it sounds like something he would say) who said he had arrived at a place in life when he could remember things that never happened.


Celebrating 60 years of life should be a time to look back and learn from experiences and memories. I am first reminded that life is fragile. Psalm 144:4 tells us that, "Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow".  There are classmates who will be absent because they did not live to celebrate 60 years of life. I remember Ricky, my best friend from 1st grade through High School. He had the greatest imagination, was as a very talented artist and one of the most gifted musicians I have known. I’m glad for the memories of all the creative things we did growing up and still miss hearing him play. I remember attending the funeral of Alan & Bill with most of my classmates. For most of us this was the first funeral we attended that was one of us, not a grandparent or older person. We often teased Arnold about riding a moped when many were driving cars to school. Most didn’t know the moped was because his seizures prevented him from obtaining a license to drive a car. In fact, many did not know of his struggle until a massive seizure took him away from us. I think of Dobert (most friends called Diane by her last name) calling me asking to ride home from college as we usually went home every Friday. I can’t remember why I would be delayed as I told her she could ride with me the next day. That was the last time we spoke as she drove alone in her own car. She never made it to Columbus but arrived in heaven that fateful weekend. There are others I and fellow classmates could name. Many reading this who are not classmates from Lee High’s class of ’70 will not know those names but all have similar memories.

What is the best way to handle such memories? I honor and cherish the memories of those with whom I was privileged to call a friend as my life was enhanced by them. It is good to look back and cherish memories. We are reminded that life is truly fleeting, fragile and precious. It is vital to make the most of each moment. We never know when our last words with someone will truly be the last words. Therefore our words should always be positive and pleasant. There is never a reason to harbor anger or ill will. We never know when or if we will see one another again in this life.

I look forward to sharing memories of 60 years of life with former high school classmates. I cherish the memories of friends. More than anything else I want to make the most of each day and each relationship. Randy Pausch, author of ‘The Last Lecture’, said, “We don’t beat the reaper by living longer. We beat the reaper by living well and living fully.” Colonel Jack Jacobs who was famous for being direct said, “I believe in getting the most out of life because I am going to be dead a long time.” While I like the sentiment of both of those quotes Jesus put it best in the text I used in the first sermon I preached over 30 years ago from John 10:10 when he said, “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” If I have learned and can share anything worthwhile over these 60 years, it is that life is indeed fragile, precious and fleeting. Therefore it is wise and best to follow the purpose of Jesus in life. We make the most of each day fulfilling His purpose for our lives and living for Him, forgiving and loving others as He forgives and loves us. Happy Birthday class of ’70!

Eat Your Bread With Gladness

Two months ago today I had my 60th birthday. I would have thought that this milestone would be significant but so far there has not been much change. The accommodations to aging started some time ago. Reacting to my obsessive compulsive tendencies I made a list of all of my physical ailments that are on the increase due to age, but I can’t seem to remember where I placed it. Anyway, as one grows older it is expected that one would grow wiser. As I hopefully move toward becoming a wise ‘old’ sage, I look back and wonder if I have picked up any wisdom in these years. It seems that the older I get the more I seem to question and wonder about. So, I have learned to yield to one much older and wiser.

Thousands of years ago a man who had the wisdom, resources and ability to search and seek every avenue of life for answers wrote a book about his journey looking for answers to the best way to live. Ecclesiastes is the search for meaning and answers to life’s questions by one who not only had the wisdom, wealth, power and desire to seek every avenue of meaning and purpose in life. As I read his conclusions I am left with the following three conclusions.

One: It is not good to be alone. People, not things, are life’s most important pleasures. In my 60 years I have had the pleasure to travel to many parts of this world and meet people from all walks of life. I have discovered that people are truly the crowning glory of God’s creation. Jesus told us that all the commandments could be summed up as we love God with all our heart, soul and mind and love our neighbor as our self. Oh sure, there are some neighbors that are harder to love than others. But, if we will work on truly getting to know our neighbors and showing them love we will often find that we have opened the door to one of life’s greatest treasures. So spend your days developing, maintaining and growing relationships with the people around you. This is one of the greatest ways to invest your life.

Two: Accept pain as part of this life. This may not be as much fun as the first lesson but it is essential to finding meaning and purpose in your existence. Ecclesiastes names many hurts, injustices and instances of pain that we will experience as part of this life. We need to accept the reality that we live in a world that has been scarred by sin. Injustice and pain are part of this world. I often told my children, when they would gripe about things not being ‘fair’; “The only place you will find ‘fairness’ in this life is in the dictionary!” (Thankfully they still love me). We are prone to seek to avoid pain with pills, alcohol or rebellious behavior (all of which often lead to more pain). One cannot avoid pain and live. Dead people are the only ones who truly feel no pain. God may allow and often use pain to teach. Hebrews 2:10 tells us that pain was used to teach and make Jesus perfect. Pain is often the sign that change is needed. As I write this a friend is undergoing a medical procedure due to pain. They finally realized the pain is an indication of a life change that is necessary. When pain comes it is important to discern if the pain is due to the sin scarred world in which we live or do I need to ask “Is there something God may be teaching or saying to me in this situation?”

Three: Make the most of each moment! As the author of Ecclesiastes indicates, I have learned that life does not consist of great events as much as everyday moments. Life is lived best by laughing & finding joy in each moment. Rabbi Harold Kushner, in his book ‘When All You’ve Ever Wanted Wasn’t Isn’t Enough’, writes of an interview with an elderly woman who reflected on her long life and said, “If I had to live my life over, I would dare to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would be sillier. I would take things less seriously. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. You see I am one of those people who lived seriously and sanely hour after hour, day after day, who never went anyplace without a thermometer, hot water bottle, raincoat or parachute. If I had it to do over again, I’d travel lighter.”

Long before I became 60 preached my first sermon on John 10:10 where Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly”. I learned the best life places faith in Him remembering the importance of loving and enjoying the people I meet, learning and making the best of the difficult times while I enjoy making the most of each moment. So, as one who is still working to be a wise old sage, I borrow from my predecessor in Ecclesiastes as I “go and eat my bread with gladness” as well as my ‘sister’ who taught me to “eat more ice cream and less beans”! Have fun!

My Father Used To Say...

One cannot help nor do anything about the family one is born into.  I was fortunate.  I began life in a home where I was blessed with a loving mother and father who nurtured me and gave me the example of what a healthy, loving and mature life should be.  This time of year always serves as a reminder for my great appreciation to Jack and Dot Drees.  Father’s day is just a few days away.  On June 14, 1997 my mother, after spending Saturday with Dad and his family, decided to end the day by giving her husband of nearly fifty years his Father’s day card.  She handed him the card telling him she wanted to give it to him early.  As he read the card she said, “I have a sharp pain in my head!”  Those were her last words as she collapsed and died from a massive cerebral hemorrhage.  Two years ago on May 18 Daddy joined her in Heaven.  I will always be indebted to them as they gave me a loving home that served as a foundation teaching me to live a life of responsibility, maturity, faith, love and laughter.  I remain grateful and seek to continue following, learning, and sharing from their example until we are together again in Heaven.

Years ago I ran across three sentences describing the growing understanding and perspective of a child and father.  They are; “My Dad can whip your Dad!”, followed by, “My ‘old man’ don’t know nothing!” then, “My father used to say!” I love this concise description of the way a child sees his dad (or parent) initially as that most powerful force capable of ‘whipping’ or handling any situation.  Then there are often the years when one goes through a time when immaturity produces an over-inflated ego leading one to the mistaken opinion that one knows more than anyone else about life (those with teenagers, who have raised teenagers or were teenagers should understand).  Finally, if/when one moves past that disillusion of their ego they realize the wisdom of those who sought to lay a helpful foundation for their life.  Real wisdom is not created as much as it is learned and passed on. 

My Dad had a unique way of making points that still guide me in life.  Some of those points were made by example.  I always knew my mother, my sister and I were more important to him than any job, amount of money or social standing.  When I first read I Thessalonians 4:11-12 I thought my father could have written this as he lived and taught me “to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”  I grew up in a home where we loved, laughed and lived a life of responsibility and quiet dignity. 

There were other points made by things "my father used to say" that will remain in my life and heart for the rest of my days.  I still remember him teaching me the importance of providing for my family (a teaching I also found in I Timothy 5:8) as Dad said, “Never be ashamed to do any job that will allow you to take care of your family.”  Not only is it important to work and provide but it is important to hang in there and never quit until/unless you have something better waiting.  "It is always easier to get a job when you have a job."  He taught me the importance of living within your means and avoiding unmanageable debt with the simple guides such as “Never have a monthly payment larger than a week’s pay.” Dad was not what one would describe as a profound theologian but I saw him live until his 84^th year with an unwavering faith.  When things seemed overwhelming and became difficult he would say, “Always trust God and things will work out in the end!”

Perhaps your memories are just as blessed, maybe more so.  Maybe there are not many pleasant memories as some have the misfortune of growing up in difficult situations.  As I stated just a few minutes ago, “one cannot help nor do anything about the family one is born into.  I was fortunate.”  While one cannot help the family one is born into, any life can be changed and transformed by being born into the family of God (Read John 1:12).  I have briefly shared a few things my earthly "father used to say” that helped shape me but when we place our faith in Jesus and follow him we will be eternally blessed as we follow the things our Heavenly Father “used to say”…and still says!

Play Till The Final Whistle

On Super Bowl Sunday I preached a message relating life to the four quarters of a football game.  As most fans know a football game is divided into 4 periods consisting of 15 minutes or ¼ of an hour.  Each quarter in the game can have a different strategy or momentum.  It is possible to start well in the first quarter and lose the game in the fourth quarter by not finishing well.  Inversely a poor start can be overcome by learning, correcting mistakes and improving over the course of each quarter and finishing well.   So, in the game of football the final outcome is often never certain until final quarter.  Therefore, it is important to do as well as one can making the most of each quarter.

I related the importance and uncertainty of the four quarters of a football game to the up and down periods of life.  Moses speaks of this in Psalm 90: 10 where he says, “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures.” If we divide those 80 years into four quarters we have the first quarter of our life as birth -20.  The second quarter would be 21-40.  Ages 41-60 would be the third quarter giving us a fourth quarter of 61-80.  Of course some go into overtime and live past eighty.  As you can imagine, especially if you are a football fan, one can make many parallels in this analogy.  I may have gone a little past noon with the sermon that day. 

I will be 60 in June.  According to my analogy (with the third quarter being ages 41-60), I am in the last minutes of the 3rd quarter of my life (if I don’t get hit by a truck later today).  As a team concludes the third quarter and prepares for the final quarter often they will gather to remind themselves of the importance in finishing well.  I have been extremely blessed in my previous years.  My first quarter got off to a great start in a loving home where I was nurtured into the joy of God’s love by parents who loved God, one another, their children, life and laughter.  I grew up in a small southern town where most of us knew each other, if not well we knew who we were to wave and give a pleasant greeting.  I got off to a great start.  My second quarter was fed by that positive momentum.  I followed God’s call for my life, found a special gift for lifetime companionship.  We married and raised two wonderful girls.  So I felt I had a comfortable lead entering into the third quarter.  Life began chipping away as that big lead during the 3^rd quarter.  I lost both parents, experienced work difficulties and had medical issues that threatened to take me out of the game.  Miraculous major surgeries allowed me to keep in the game.  As I conclude the third quarter I feel the momentum returning and look forward to finishing well. 

I don’t know where you are in life’s game.  All can make our own personal analogy.  Some experienced bad breaks at the opening whistle starting off in a deficit and feel overwhelmed ‘playing to catch up’ every day.   Even you felt the entire game has been more struggle than fun, take heart you are still in the game.  All of us have memories those who are no longer in the game as we had family or friends taken out in each quarter.  If you are reading this the clock has not yet run out on you.  There is always time to rally.  Unlike football, we do not have a scoreboard in life that shows us the number of minutes we have remaining.  Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” We are reminded in Scripture of the brevity of life (James 4:14), of the need to take advantage of every opportunity (Eph. 5:15).  So as we break this huddle let us realize there is no time to lose.  Play hard with passion until the final whistle, making the most of each day by living an abundant life loving God with all your heart, loving others as you love yourself.  Live each day as if it is the game breaker!

Pay Attention!

Every Sunday I get up and prepare to go to church to do my best to deliver God’s truth in a way that people can understand and apply to change and improve their lives.  It is not a task I take lightly.  James 3:1 reminds me, “…that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”  It is important that I get it right and seek do my best every week.  That is why I spend hours each week in study and preparation.  II Timothy 2:15 tells me (and you), “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  That is why I went through the sacrifice, expense and effort to earn Master’s and Doctorate degrees.  Lifetime change and eternity may hang in the balance for someone each time a message preached or heard.  That is why I also urge members of every congregation to do their best to be good listeners. 

Just this week as I went about my normal routine on Sunday morning I was having breakfast and flipped through a couple of channels on the TV.  The image of a well-known pastor flashed across the screen.  I paused to hear what he was saying.  It was a typical ‘feel-good’ message.  I am continually amazed at the number of people who flock to any speaker from pulpit or political podium who will tell them what they want to hear or make them feel good.  I should not be surprised as 2 Timothy 4:3 says, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”  There is growing spiritual, political and social confusion today as we love to hear what sounds good.  Anyway before I get too carried away back to my point; in just a few short minutes I was shocked to hear him refer to a verse of scripture to make his point.  My shock came, not because he used scripture, but because he misused the verse.  It sounded good and helped him drive home his point but the popular speaker’s point was the exact opposite of what the truth of the scripture actually taught when placed in its full context. 

As soon as I heard this I cried out (my wife is used to me doing that at the TV) “That is not what the Bible teaches! It teaches just the opposite point!”  I was shocked as no one in the congregation cried out, walked out or seemed surprised at what they heard.  In fact, the camera panned to people applauding, nodding approval and taking notes.   It sounded good, made them feel good, he is an impressive and smooth speaker, his hair looks nice.  It must me true!  However, it was completely false according to the truth of the scripture!  No one seemed to notice or care.  It is always dangerous when untruth is accepted rather than corrected.  This is why it is vital to be good listeners! 

I am continually amazed as we often listen with numbed minds to preachers, politicians, celebrities and anyone who can gain a forum.  I have known enough preachers to know that most are honest and sincere but also it does not hurt to be skeptical and careful when I listen to what is being proclaimed (again eternity may hang in the balance, it is important to be careful). The amount of spiritual confusion seems to be growing. I have been around long enough to realize that while many seek and serve as humble public servants, often a politician’s promise is as sound as the dollar that their policies keep inflating.   And I have never figured out why we give such credibility to the words of celebrities.  They may be attractive, rich and eloquent but they make their living primarily from reading what others have written, being good at acting or playing a role (we used to call that pretending when I was a kid) or being paid to say what they say. 

No matter how polished, popular or attractive the speaker may be (by the way that lets me out) one should always listen with an objective and educated ear.  How do you do this?  Always do your homework before and after you listen.  There are many voices out there.  In the final analysis, your life will be shaped by how you respond to what you hear.  “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”