So I am wondering when God will give up trying to teach me patience…I get a phone call telling me that one of my Dad’s best friends from back home has died. I don’t need to tell him this over the phone. Cathy and I go to tell him in person. On the way we stop to get his favorite snack to soften the bad news, he told me earlier in the day to bring him some Honey Buns (when you are nearly 84 you should eat all the sweets you can). I swing in the store to quickly grab a box and head to the express counter (I am always at top speed even when I don’t need to hurry...it is just my pace of life). A lady with a few more items than me almost pushes me out of the way to go ahead. OK, I am a gentleman (even though I only have one item) my mother taught me Ladies’ go first so I step back. She then seeks to pay with a food stamps card. It doesn’t work. The young high school clerk struggles to make it work. The woman becomes indignant barking instructions embarrassing the young clerk.
I am now growing impatient; my wife is waiting in the car. I told her I would only be a second. We are trying to visit Dad and share the news, stay to comfort him and then still get home without staying up too late because we both have early work days tomorrow. I am now thinking about leaving the single box of Honey Buns (I can get some later) and just leaving. However, that will call attention to me as someone who seems publicly impatient and now I spy my next door neighbor at the next register. She knows I am a pastor and I need to be aware of my public behavior. “Lord, will you try to teach me to be patient at a better time?”
Now the manager has been called in and he is not helping to expedite the situation. The line behind me is growing longer as the manager is struggling to make the food stamps card work. I am now thinking about just paying for her groceries myself so we can get on the way…wait she is trying to pay with a food stamps card. I am a tax payer. I AM ALREADY PAYING FOR HER GROCERIES! “Lord why won’t you teach me patience some other time?”
Finally the manager tells her the card simply will not work. The woman PULLS OUT CASH and PAYS FOR THE GROCERIES! “Lord why won’t you teach me patience some other time?”
I get out to the car and Cathy asks me what took so long…as I tell the story and get wound up (I am a preacher, I am a professional at getting wound up). I then begin to realize all that has happened to me is a few extra minutes in an express lane. I am not about to hear news that my best friend has died. I am not a grieving widow back in my home town who has lost her mate and best friend of most of her life. I settle down and thank God for the lesson in perspective and PATIENCE. “Thank you Lord for teaching me patience at this time!”
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
"Where Are You?"
“Where are you?” That’s the first recorded question from God to man. God did not need a GPS to locate Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:9. He knows the numbers of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30). He knows the very secrets of our hearts and where we are even in the darkest night. There is nowhere we can go to flee his Spirit or presence (Psalm 139). So what was God asking by calling out, “Where are you?”
The question then and today is introspective. Adam & Eve were clearly seeking to avoid an encounter with their creator because they had committed the first act of disobedience. They were seeking to hide themselves in shame because of their disappointment and failure. We have many methods of ‘hiding’ today. We seek to hide in work, other relationships, drugs (prescription drugs count also), ego gratification, such as food, sex, power grabs, etc. even religious activity or any number of other ways to hide our own shame or admission of failure.
Since Eden we all have failed. The word most translated sin in the scriptures comes from a Greek word that simply means ‘to miss the mark’. We were created in the image of God for divine and unique fellowship with the Supreme Being of the universe. Anytime we fall short of his glory (which is daily) we fail.
God wanted Adam & Eve to examine themselves (and us as well) to see where they were in their relationship with Him. He was seeking to restore them and provide means for restoration. He is always seeking to do the same with us. This is only done through faith in Christ. They, like us, were and are the only entity in all creation with the ability to make ‘God-like’ choices with and in our lives. With this opportunity comes responsibility. To make responsible, better or God-like choices we must continually examine our motives, heart, mind and soul asking, “Where am I?”
Examining our own heart, beliefs and motives on a continual basis leads to a walk closer to God rather than one that wanders away. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates said that at his trial for heresy. He was on trial for encouraging his students to challenge the accepted beliefs of the time and think for themselves. I Thessalonians tells us to “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” Now, that doesn’t mean that I need to try cheating, crime, drugs, adultery, drunkenness, etc. I don’t need to re-test that which is already proven defective and destructive. Nonetheless, I do need to be open to continually ask myself “Where are you?” in my own thoughts, motives and actions; am I being honest with others, myself and God?
However, we are not often the best to search and evaluate where we are. We have proven ourselves to be biased and blind to some of our best hiding places. We can justify, rationalize and cover- with the best of them. Who then is the best to seek, find and bring us out of ‘hiding’ to enjoy the place for which we were created which is unsheltered, blissful, divine and unique fellowship with the Supreme Being of the universe?
Psalm 139 closes with the wonderful answer to the self-examining question. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Begin each day and pause several times during the day to ask the Father, “Where am I?” He will let you know if you have wandered. He will bring you back. He misses you and desperately wants you back. This is why he continually walks the garden asking, “Where are you?”
The question then and today is introspective. Adam & Eve were clearly seeking to avoid an encounter with their creator because they had committed the first act of disobedience. They were seeking to hide themselves in shame because of their disappointment and failure. We have many methods of ‘hiding’ today. We seek to hide in work, other relationships, drugs (prescription drugs count also), ego gratification, such as food, sex, power grabs, etc. even religious activity or any number of other ways to hide our own shame or admission of failure.
Since Eden we all have failed. The word most translated sin in the scriptures comes from a Greek word that simply means ‘to miss the mark’. We were created in the image of God for divine and unique fellowship with the Supreme Being of the universe. Anytime we fall short of his glory (which is daily) we fail.
God wanted Adam & Eve to examine themselves (and us as well) to see where they were in their relationship with Him. He was seeking to restore them and provide means for restoration. He is always seeking to do the same with us. This is only done through faith in Christ. They, like us, were and are the only entity in all creation with the ability to make ‘God-like’ choices with and in our lives. With this opportunity comes responsibility. To make responsible, better or God-like choices we must continually examine our motives, heart, mind and soul asking, “Where am I?”
Examining our own heart, beliefs and motives on a continual basis leads to a walk closer to God rather than one that wanders away. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates said that at his trial for heresy. He was on trial for encouraging his students to challenge the accepted beliefs of the time and think for themselves. I Thessalonians tells us to “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” Now, that doesn’t mean that I need to try cheating, crime, drugs, adultery, drunkenness, etc. I don’t need to re-test that which is already proven defective and destructive. Nonetheless, I do need to be open to continually ask myself “Where are you?” in my own thoughts, motives and actions; am I being honest with others, myself and God?
However, we are not often the best to search and evaluate where we are. We have proven ourselves to be biased and blind to some of our best hiding places. We can justify, rationalize and cover- with the best of them. Who then is the best to seek, find and bring us out of ‘hiding’ to enjoy the place for which we were created which is unsheltered, blissful, divine and unique fellowship with the Supreme Being of the universe?
Psalm 139 closes with the wonderful answer to the self-examining question. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Begin each day and pause several times during the day to ask the Father, “Where am I?” He will let you know if you have wandered. He will bring you back. He misses you and desperately wants you back. This is why he continually walks the garden asking, “Where are you?”
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Life is Good!
The last Monday of February marks my 9th anniversary. I celebrate my only kidney stone. Nine years ago I woke at 2 AM on a journey that saved my life. I was packed and ready to join some friends for a two day conference. My ‘alarm clock’ was a mild and unusual kidney stone. I never had a stone before or since. The doctors said men ‘my age’ rarely have their 1st stone. (Don’t you hate it when that phrase becomes part of the dialogue?) The scan showed a calcium deposit that led to another doctor (remember this pattern).There was an aneurysm on my renal artery. Others doctors and scans later revealed other aneurysms outside both kidneys and a very rare renal artery disease called Fibro Muscular Dysplasia. This is not the way one wants to learn new vocabulary words. One also does not like to hear doctors say, “This is now more complicated than my area of expertise.” Now we move to see special doctors in other states. Nothing gets your attention like a talk with the most prominent specialist in the field in the nation and hearing, “I don’t like the looks of this.”
I will spare you details but there is no feeling like lying in a hospital room after having prayed with your family and seeing them walk out the door and then knowing you will wake up either in the recovery room or Heaven. There is reality! I had two life saving surgeries. The first was in June. I could not have the second until I recovered enough strength for the second in November. Major artery reconstruction was preformed and three aneurysms were removed. I was told how serious the condition was but reality set in after the 2nd surgery when the patient after me with the next surgery that day with the same condition and same surgeon died in the next bed in ICU. My doctor told us most that situations such as this do not find the aneurysm until the autopsy, after it ruptures causing death with no warning or symptoms. He said, “God still has some work for you!" So, as I begin each day ‘admiring’ the 25 inch scar around my 33 inch midsection and go through the day with no feeling in that area of my abdomen, I seek to make the most of the gift of life. I do admit times of frustration I when I see people throwing away the precious fragile gift of life wasting time, fussing, fighting and arguing over petty matters.
I am amazed at the ways we find to become angry and unhappy when we live in such a blessed country and are so blessed by God. Do you know that your garbage disposal ‘eats’ better than much of the rest of the world? People in many countries who are caught worshipping Jesus are beaten or killed. We have total freedom to assemble and worship the risen Christ and a spring shower is enough to keep many away from church. Others go to church and fuss about anything and everything that displeases them rather than finding the unity in Christ that He prayed for just before going to the Cross (read John 17:20-26).
I am reminded of an old TV commercial for cell phones. They end the commercial saying, “We’re, part of the AT&T wireless network…and we get it!” I often think we could do a similar commercial but we would have to change the words and say, “We are Christians living in America, saved by the abundant grace of Christ, living in a free nation to enjoy life at the fullest…and we don’t get it!” I Thessalonians 5:16 commands us to “Rejoice always” yet we often sit in the middle of God’s blessings and frown. Next time you think you are having a bad time, remember the blessings you have here in America, read I Thessalonians. 5:18 and move on. You could have been born in India as an ‘untouchable’ (how would you like a life of cleaning out sewers with no hope of bettering your status in life?) or in you could have been born in Pakistan or Cambodia and not had the freedom or blessings that you have. John 10:10 says Jesus came to give abundant life. Let other stuff go and live! If I can rejoice over a 25-inch scar and celebrate the 9th anniversary of a kidney stone, you ought not to look too far to find your own reason to rejoice.
Happy Anniversary!
I will spare you details but there is no feeling like lying in a hospital room after having prayed with your family and seeing them walk out the door and then knowing you will wake up either in the recovery room or Heaven. There is reality! I had two life saving surgeries. The first was in June. I could not have the second until I recovered enough strength for the second in November. Major artery reconstruction was preformed and three aneurysms were removed. I was told how serious the condition was but reality set in after the 2nd surgery when the patient after me with the next surgery that day with the same condition and same surgeon died in the next bed in ICU. My doctor told us most that situations such as this do not find the aneurysm until the autopsy, after it ruptures causing death with no warning or symptoms. He said, “God still has some work for you!" So, as I begin each day ‘admiring’ the 25 inch scar around my 33 inch midsection and go through the day with no feeling in that area of my abdomen, I seek to make the most of the gift of life. I do admit times of frustration I when I see people throwing away the precious fragile gift of life wasting time, fussing, fighting and arguing over petty matters.
I am amazed at the ways we find to become angry and unhappy when we live in such a blessed country and are so blessed by God. Do you know that your garbage disposal ‘eats’ better than much of the rest of the world? People in many countries who are caught worshipping Jesus are beaten or killed. We have total freedom to assemble and worship the risen Christ and a spring shower is enough to keep many away from church. Others go to church and fuss about anything and everything that displeases them rather than finding the unity in Christ that He prayed for just before going to the Cross (read John 17:20-26).
I am reminded of an old TV commercial for cell phones. They end the commercial saying, “We’re, part of the AT&T wireless network…and we get it!” I often think we could do a similar commercial but we would have to change the words and say, “We are Christians living in America, saved by the abundant grace of Christ, living in a free nation to enjoy life at the fullest…and we don’t get it!” I Thessalonians 5:16 commands us to “Rejoice always” yet we often sit in the middle of God’s blessings and frown. Next time you think you are having a bad time, remember the blessings you have here in America, read I Thessalonians. 5:18 and move on. You could have been born in India as an ‘untouchable’ (how would you like a life of cleaning out sewers with no hope of bettering your status in life?) or in you could have been born in Pakistan or Cambodia and not had the freedom or blessings that you have. John 10:10 says Jesus came to give abundant life. Let other stuff go and live! If I can rejoice over a 25-inch scar and celebrate the 9th anniversary of a kidney stone, you ought not to look too far to find your own reason to rejoice.
Happy Anniversary!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Are You Serious?
I smiled at the cashier looking at her name tag and said, “The last time I met someone with that name, I married them!” The person next to me suddenly looked shocked thinking I was blatantly flirting. He seemed shocked because he is my Music Minister and knows my wife’s name is Cathy. He also knew I was not flirting because he has been with me long enough to know there is a method to my madness. The cashier was…well bless her heart, not petite (different ethnic background) and probably not used to people being nice but she flashed a lovely smile when I finished my sentence…after my dramatic pause. Yes, I did marry someone with your last name. I was the preacher who performed the ceremony. My wife is Cathy. Her smile and my acknowledgement of my relationship with Jesus opened the door to a wonderful conversation about her faith, love for music in her church and brightened both of our days.
I have been on staff at this church for nearly a year and the staff jokes that they can’t take me anywhere. I seem to cause a stir everywhere I go talking to folks and having a little fun and trying to help them enjoy the love of Christ. The key is doing it with everyone. This morning the cashier was Chris and the conversation starter was his tattoo. He wound up telling me about his daughters. When we finished our transaction we both were smiling.
The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35, “Jesus wept”. However, the second shortest verse is “Rejoice Always” (I Thessalonians 5:16 NKJV). Four more letters make a huge difference. This is also a command not an option. I take the commands from the Father seriously. So, I look for reasons to rejoice, smile, get happy and share this with others. There are plenty of people who think their contribution to the planet is to find dark clouds in every silver lining so I think my place is to be the Light of Christ and let people know there are reasons to rejoice (seems I read that somewhere). Every screw up I have ever made, and I have made plenty is completely forgiven and forgotten. The worst thing that will happen to me is that one day I will die…and then I will spend the rest of time in Heaven. How bad is that?
Life is too short not to rejoice at every opportunity. That is why I look for reasons to get happy ASAP. When my wife and I have some of those discussions that growing marriages have (don’t look at me funny you know what I mean). I will often say, “OK how long do we have to be mad about this and when can we start having fun again…is five minutes long enough or can we do it in one?” (Please pray for Cathy…she is a special woman to put up with me.)
Oh, I know we can’t laugh and smile about everything. I know there are serious times in life. As a pastor I am the guy who has held hands and prayed with a spouse or parent as their husband or child eased into eternity. I am the guy who sat in the waiting room with the family when the doctor came and said, “It is worse than we thought.” I am the guy who was on the operating table twice nine years ago facing major surgery wondering if I would wake in the recovery room or heaven (I will share more about this experience in a couple of weeks). Believe me, I do know serious!
I also know Jesus. He is in the daily business of transforming serious into joy. He transformed death into everlasting life. Top that! So, if you having a bad time turn things to Jesus. Let him turn it transform despair to joy. If you are looking for motivation or for a verse to learn & live try the 2nd shortest and give it a whirl every day with every opportunity and everyone you encounter. It is fun and contagious!
I have been on staff at this church for nearly a year and the staff jokes that they can’t take me anywhere. I seem to cause a stir everywhere I go talking to folks and having a little fun and trying to help them enjoy the love of Christ. The key is doing it with everyone. This morning the cashier was Chris and the conversation starter was his tattoo. He wound up telling me about his daughters. When we finished our transaction we both were smiling.
The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35, “Jesus wept”. However, the second shortest verse is “Rejoice Always” (I Thessalonians 5:16 NKJV). Four more letters make a huge difference. This is also a command not an option. I take the commands from the Father seriously. So, I look for reasons to rejoice, smile, get happy and share this with others. There are plenty of people who think their contribution to the planet is to find dark clouds in every silver lining so I think my place is to be the Light of Christ and let people know there are reasons to rejoice (seems I read that somewhere). Every screw up I have ever made, and I have made plenty is completely forgiven and forgotten. The worst thing that will happen to me is that one day I will die…and then I will spend the rest of time in Heaven. How bad is that?
Life is too short not to rejoice at every opportunity. That is why I look for reasons to get happy ASAP. When my wife and I have some of those discussions that growing marriages have (don’t look at me funny you know what I mean). I will often say, “OK how long do we have to be mad about this and when can we start having fun again…is five minutes long enough or can we do it in one?” (Please pray for Cathy…she is a special woman to put up with me.)
Oh, I know we can’t laugh and smile about everything. I know there are serious times in life. As a pastor I am the guy who has held hands and prayed with a spouse or parent as their husband or child eased into eternity. I am the guy who sat in the waiting room with the family when the doctor came and said, “It is worse than we thought.” I am the guy who was on the operating table twice nine years ago facing major surgery wondering if I would wake in the recovery room or heaven (I will share more about this experience in a couple of weeks). Believe me, I do know serious!
I also know Jesus. He is in the daily business of transforming serious into joy. He transformed death into everlasting life. Top that! So, if you having a bad time turn things to Jesus. Let him turn it transform despair to joy. If you are looking for motivation or for a verse to learn & live try the 2nd shortest and give it a whirl every day with every opportunity and everyone you encounter. It is fun and contagious!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Maybe You Can Go Home
Last week I had a chance to go back home for a brief visit. I reconnected with dear friends and rekindled wonderful memories to remind myself the importance of a good foundation, maintaining good friendships and the importance of home and security. I went back and visited the house I lived in as a child. Many memories of a good foundation of my life were rekindled. All of us need a strong foundation. I was blessed to grow up in a good home with a good family. Not everyone has such a blessing. One cannot control the home or family we are born into. Some, like me, are blessed to be born into a loving nurturing home and learn the gift of love, laughter and joy (don’t be misled, it could be strict I am not a perfectionist and driven for no reason). Others are born into homes with dysfunction or abuse and have to struggle for much of their lives to overcome the warped foundation that was their groundwork for life.
Having a safe secure home is critical. There is good news for all. If the home you were born in was not safe or happy you could not help that but you can change how it affected you. If the home you are currently living in is not safe or happy you can change it and how it affects you. There is a way everyone can have a safe and secure home, no matter what type of home we came from or live in today. Jesus tells us about his Father’s house, the safest and most secure home that exists. In the 14th chapter of John he lets us know that there are many rooms available. I know many beautiful gospel songs talk about mansions but the actual Greek word used is monai which means abiding place or room. So the picture Jesus is describing is a large house with many rooms, a nice big rambling house or safe comfortable home with a loving father.
This is one of the most loving pictures of our permanent dwelling place, if we follow Jesus, in the Bible. Jesus, who learned carpentry from Joseph, his earthly father, tells us that none other than he is going to go and prepare our room in the Father’s house. In other words, when I placed my faith in Christ and decided to follow him as my Savior and Lord. Jesus, the master carpenter began construction on my room in Heaven. When he has it completed and perfect for me to move in he promises he will come and escort me to my permanent safe and comfortable home. It is a room in a house where other loved ones who have gone before me are waiting and we will live safely together forever. What a great way to look at the future. He even said we could trust him and not be troubled as he shared this truth! Wow!
There is still a bonus, we don’t have to need a GPS or worry about how to get there. I know many worry about the trip (I am using easy language and I enjoy life and we have to die to get there…Duh). I do not know anyone who enjoys life as much as I but it does not last forever. Trust someone who does funerals for a living. Death is a frightful thought for most and we fear the journey but Jesus tells us we don’t have to worry. He has been there, done that and when the time comes he will come and take out hand and he will be the one to escort us along the way safely (he has already been there). He will walk us to our room he has prepared and I have a feeling there will be a welcoming party with familiar faces who have been waiting for us to join them in our permanent safe, comfortable perfect room at home. Look forward do seeing you Mom!
Having a safe secure home is critical. There is good news for all. If the home you were born in was not safe or happy you could not help that but you can change how it affected you. If the home you are currently living in is not safe or happy you can change it and how it affects you. There is a way everyone can have a safe and secure home, no matter what type of home we came from or live in today. Jesus tells us about his Father’s house, the safest and most secure home that exists. In the 14th chapter of John he lets us know that there are many rooms available. I know many beautiful gospel songs talk about mansions but the actual Greek word used is monai which means abiding place or room. So the picture Jesus is describing is a large house with many rooms, a nice big rambling house or safe comfortable home with a loving father.
This is one of the most loving pictures of our permanent dwelling place, if we follow Jesus, in the Bible. Jesus, who learned carpentry from Joseph, his earthly father, tells us that none other than he is going to go and prepare our room in the Father’s house. In other words, when I placed my faith in Christ and decided to follow him as my Savior and Lord. Jesus, the master carpenter began construction on my room in Heaven. When he has it completed and perfect for me to move in he promises he will come and escort me to my permanent safe and comfortable home. It is a room in a house where other loved ones who have gone before me are waiting and we will live safely together forever. What a great way to look at the future. He even said we could trust him and not be troubled as he shared this truth! Wow!
There is still a bonus, we don’t have to need a GPS or worry about how to get there. I know many worry about the trip (I am using easy language and I enjoy life and we have to die to get there…Duh). I do not know anyone who enjoys life as much as I but it does not last forever. Trust someone who does funerals for a living. Death is a frightful thought for most and we fear the journey but Jesus tells us we don’t have to worry. He has been there, done that and when the time comes he will come and take out hand and he will be the one to escort us along the way safely (he has already been there). He will walk us to our room he has prepared and I have a feeling there will be a welcoming party with familiar faces who have been waiting for us to join them in our permanent safe, comfortable perfect room at home. Look forward do seeing you Mom!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Living 60 Seconds at a Time
I had a strict curfew when I was growing up. I had dates that could stay out later than me. It was a bone of contention, but I have to admit it did keep me from trouble. I grew up in a small town and there was often not much going on late (that was worth being involved in). But, I was always afraid that I would miss something. No matter how dull the evening, I just knew something might happen when I went home and I was afraid I would miss it. That passion to get the most out of life drives me today. I don’t want to miss anything. I guess I got some of that from my father. We believed in making the most of each moment, not lingering on problems to let them hinder progress and getting over anger to find joy as soon as possible. He had a plaque on his desk that read, “For every moment you are angry you lose 60 seconds of happiness.”
The first message I preached was about living a full life (John 10:10; Jesus said, “The thief comes to rob, kill, steal and destroy. I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly). I am amazed at the way so many toss away the ticks of life’s clock as if we will get them back. It is mind-boggling to me to spend one’s time on something that is not an investment that will outlast your life here. Life is a sacred fragile gift. It zooms by at an alarming rate, even a long live of 80+ years seems like a blink. Now I have not lived that long, at my pace I may not make 60, but I have met and talked at length about the subject with many who have, including my grandmother who missed 100 by two years.
God has given us life and riches beyond what we deserve. Romans 3:23 & 6:23 teach that in spite of being created in God’s image we have fallen short of the mark and death is what we earn. However, the gift of eternal life is available and we have received his grace in ways we take for granted each day. You may think you struggle with your check book but simply by being born in the USA you are well ahead in the game. You have a better home than 80% of the rest of the world. Many (24%) have no electricity. Think about that when you flip on the heat or A/C. If you are reading this you are better off than 67% of the rest of the world who can’t read. Many of you graduated from college. That places you ahead of the class from 99% of the rest of the world with no college education.
Many are working on New Year’s diets because 66% in the USA are overweight while half of the rest of the world are malnourished. You are reading this on the Internet. Even in today’s advanced society some 90% of the rest of the world do not have easy access to the internet as do you. So if you have a meal in fridge, dressed with shoes, bed & roof you are better off than 75% of the rest of the world. Those with a bank account and money in pocket have it better than 92% of the rest of the world. When you go church and give thanks for your blessings remember also as you enter the church without fear of arrest, harassment or death you are taking for granted a privilege 3 billion around the world do not have.
All of this is not to lay a guilt trip, but to encourage one another to make the most of each moment. The blessing of the moment is what we have. We can not help what we are born with whether they be problems or privileges in our sight. The question is; “What are you doing with your day & time on earth?” Do you realize you have as many seconds in your hour as Oprah, Bill Gates and the President of the USA or anyone else for that matter. No one has more time in their account than anyone else. Since we all have the same amount of time in each hour or day the question remains; "What will you do with your time this day, hour or moment?"
Jesus tells us, to whom much is given much shall be required in Luke 12:48. Make the most of each moment to have joy, share love and help others to find the riches to make the most of their day. This is the only chance you get for this day! Eternity waits.
The first message I preached was about living a full life (John 10:10; Jesus said, “The thief comes to rob, kill, steal and destroy. I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly). I am amazed at the way so many toss away the ticks of life’s clock as if we will get them back. It is mind-boggling to me to spend one’s time on something that is not an investment that will outlast your life here. Life is a sacred fragile gift. It zooms by at an alarming rate, even a long live of 80+ years seems like a blink. Now I have not lived that long, at my pace I may not make 60, but I have met and talked at length about the subject with many who have, including my grandmother who missed 100 by two years.
God has given us life and riches beyond what we deserve. Romans 3:23 & 6:23 teach that in spite of being created in God’s image we have fallen short of the mark and death is what we earn. However, the gift of eternal life is available and we have received his grace in ways we take for granted each day. You may think you struggle with your check book but simply by being born in the USA you are well ahead in the game. You have a better home than 80% of the rest of the world. Many (24%) have no electricity. Think about that when you flip on the heat or A/C. If you are reading this you are better off than 67% of the rest of the world who can’t read. Many of you graduated from college. That places you ahead of the class from 99% of the rest of the world with no college education.
Many are working on New Year’s diets because 66% in the USA are overweight while half of the rest of the world are malnourished. You are reading this on the Internet. Even in today’s advanced society some 90% of the rest of the world do not have easy access to the internet as do you. So if you have a meal in fridge, dressed with shoes, bed & roof you are better off than 75% of the rest of the world. Those with a bank account and money in pocket have it better than 92% of the rest of the world. When you go church and give thanks for your blessings remember also as you enter the church without fear of arrest, harassment or death you are taking for granted a privilege 3 billion around the world do not have.
All of this is not to lay a guilt trip, but to encourage one another to make the most of each moment. The blessing of the moment is what we have. We can not help what we are born with whether they be problems or privileges in our sight. The question is; “What are you doing with your day & time on earth?” Do you realize you have as many seconds in your hour as Oprah, Bill Gates and the President of the USA or anyone else for that matter. No one has more time in their account than anyone else. Since we all have the same amount of time in each hour or day the question remains; "What will you do with your time this day, hour or moment?"
Jesus tells us, to whom much is given much shall be required in Luke 12:48. Make the most of each moment to have joy, share love and help others to find the riches to make the most of their day. This is the only chance you get for this day! Eternity waits.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Marking Time or Making the Most of Each Opportunity
Over the years I have made a practice of writing thoughts, feelings & observations. It has helped me express, share and understand what God is teaching me in my journey on this planet. At the end of each calendar year I would look back and journal thoughts, feelings, events and things learned and experienced during the past 365 days as a way to grow and prepare for the coming year (or as much time as God would allow me to survive in the days ahead). I hoped this practice would be a way to help me improve and mature each year. In some cases the jury may still be out as they seek to come to a clear decision on that case.
As the years in the past account pile higher I have come to some basic conclusions (Careful they may apply to you also):
First: GOD'S HAND WAS WITH ME ALL MY LIFE (even when I did not realize it…often and especially when I did not realize it!). As I look back over my life I see God’s hand clearly guiding me, preserving, protecting me and leading me (sometimes in spite of myself). That does not mean I have not stumbled and struggled but He has kept me from destroying my life and will always redeem me for His purpose as well as use the experiences in my past to honor Him today when I follow and trust Him. Romans 12: 1& 2 tells me to offer myself completely to God not conforming to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. In other words as I give myself completely to Him, thinking & seeing different from the rest of the world I will then be more able see and understand His will for my life. I will then see more how He has been with me, kept me for this time and His purpose and will.
Second: I AM A UNIQUE CREATION. I often tell my wife I know that I am weird and I feel as if I am on the wrong planet (she never argues that statement…Hmmm). Psalm 139:14 tells me I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am not an accident of birth. I have been on 5 of the 7 continents and never seen anyone like me (thank goodness, huh?). There is a divine design behind His creation of me. That same Psalm tells me God knit me together in my mother’s womb. There is also a divine purpose and plan behind my creation. I was not created just to bump around, pay taxes and die. As with Paul, in Galatians 1:15, who was set apart at birth and Jeremiah, who was appointed before birth, (Jeremiah 1:5) God has a divine purpose and plan. That is why His hand was evident in guiding me, preserving, protecting me and leading me to be where I am today for his purpose as I submit to Him.
Finally: LIFE IS FRAGILE AND PASSES QUICKLY. James 4:14 describes life as a mist. It is truly fragile. A mist is something that is frail and can disappear in a second. Next month I will share my annual blog about my miraculous preservation from early death by rupture from any one of three thin aneurysms as God still had work for me in His plan. I KNOW life is fragile and needs to be handled with care. That is why I seek to make the most of each moment. I do not know what will happen tomorrow. I do not have tomorrow promised. I may not be able to journal the end of next year. I may not make it home from work today. However, I DO have this moment. As I learn from my journals of the past I need to make the most of this moment. This is why God has me here!
As I think I guessed correctly these conclusions do not apply only to me. I think you see these conclusions applying to you as well. Some people mark time while others choose to do as Ephesians 5:16 guides us and make the most of every opportunity. This is the only opportunity we have here; let us make the most of it!
As the years in the past account pile higher I have come to some basic conclusions (Careful they may apply to you also):
First: GOD'S HAND WAS WITH ME ALL MY LIFE (even when I did not realize it…often and especially when I did not realize it!). As I look back over my life I see God’s hand clearly guiding me, preserving, protecting me and leading me (sometimes in spite of myself). That does not mean I have not stumbled and struggled but He has kept me from destroying my life and will always redeem me for His purpose as well as use the experiences in my past to honor Him today when I follow and trust Him. Romans 12: 1& 2 tells me to offer myself completely to God not conforming to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. In other words as I give myself completely to Him, thinking & seeing different from the rest of the world I will then be more able see and understand His will for my life. I will then see more how He has been with me, kept me for this time and His purpose and will.
Second: I AM A UNIQUE CREATION. I often tell my wife I know that I am weird and I feel as if I am on the wrong planet (she never argues that statement…Hmmm). Psalm 139:14 tells me I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am not an accident of birth. I have been on 5 of the 7 continents and never seen anyone like me (thank goodness, huh?). There is a divine design behind His creation of me. That same Psalm tells me God knit me together in my mother’s womb. There is also a divine purpose and plan behind my creation. I was not created just to bump around, pay taxes and die. As with Paul, in Galatians 1:15, who was set apart at birth and Jeremiah, who was appointed before birth, (Jeremiah 1:5) God has a divine purpose and plan. That is why His hand was evident in guiding me, preserving, protecting me and leading me to be where I am today for his purpose as I submit to Him.
Finally: LIFE IS FRAGILE AND PASSES QUICKLY. James 4:14 describes life as a mist. It is truly fragile. A mist is something that is frail and can disappear in a second. Next month I will share my annual blog about my miraculous preservation from early death by rupture from any one of three thin aneurysms as God still had work for me in His plan. I KNOW life is fragile and needs to be handled with care. That is why I seek to make the most of each moment. I do not know what will happen tomorrow. I do not have tomorrow promised. I may not be able to journal the end of next year. I may not make it home from work today. However, I DO have this moment. As I learn from my journals of the past I need to make the most of this moment. This is why God has me here!
As I think I guessed correctly these conclusions do not apply only to me. I think you see these conclusions applying to you as well. Some people mark time while others choose to do as Ephesians 5:16 guides us and make the most of every opportunity. This is the only opportunity we have here; let us make the most of it!
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