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.”  

Sic transit gloria mundi

The recent funeral of another oppressive dictator called to memory a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”  I have seen the fall of many dictators in my day; Nikolai Chauchesku in Romania, Manuel Noriega in Panama, Saddam Hussein in Iraq.  Recently, in quick succession, we observed the fall of such men such as Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi.  Such exits are never pretty and often gruesome.  However, the seductive temptation of power continues to lure people to compromise integrity, morals and ethics often to do whatever is necessary to grasp power.  We see this scenario acted out continually in national politics, local institutions as well as church and family systems as people desperately want power, influence, attention or approval as a way of feeling loved. 

The news from around the world or locally can often cause one to despair as we hear of people exercising power or control over others in an unethical manner.  However one must remember truths like the quote from Gandhi but even more comforting are words from the master of the universe spoken through his prophets.  Such as Isaiah 40:23, “He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.” 

In his timeless best seller, ‘The Road Less Traveled’, Dr. M. Scott Peck writes, “There are two kinds of power: political and spiritual. “Political power is the capacity to coerce others, overtly or covertly, to do one’s will.” It derives from a person’s position and not from the person. The capacity of spiritual power is the “capacity to make decisions with maximum awareness. Most people most of the time make decisions with little awareness of what they are doing.” But, with spiritual maturity, we can. ”We can come to power.” Those who have “succeeded in coming into alignment with the mind of God” have a joyful humility. “The experience of spiritual power is also terrifying.” Our greater awareness may involve us in complex decision-making situations. Those with spiritual power can make those decisions wisely and with awareness and not shrink from the job. Another problem with spiritual power is aloneness (not loneliness). Politically powerful people have their cronies; spiritually powerful people “will likely have no one in his or her circle of acquaintances with whom to share such depth of understanding.”

As Dr. Peck eloquently summarizes the result of the seduction of power we are reminded that all of us are seduced in this area in one way or another.  People will continue to seek to control, manipulate or gain popularity to make themselves feel powerful as a way of feeling fulfilled or loved.  Power, the capacity to influence others, is a potent factor that can easily be used for good or bad.  Let us discern and teach the important difference in power.  Political power is the capacity to influence others by one’s money or dominant position.  Spiritual power is the capacity to influence others by the loveliness of one’s being.  Let us not despair but continue to seek, support, and exemplify the power that is spiritual.  Political power comes from men and leads to pride which eventually leads to destruction.  Psalm 33:10 tells us “The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes.”   Spiritual power comes from God and leads to humility which leads to exaltation.   This is best illustrated in Philippians 2 as the humility of Jesus is portrayed in his complete submission to the Father’s plan, even when it resulted in his own death.  “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Now there is an example and a leader to follow. 

Happiness is a Choice

Earlier I was visiting a church member in the hospital. He was battling cancer bit had a positive attitude. Those times cause one to focus on the matters that are most important to life. I noticed a book beside his bed. The book was, How we Choose to be Happy. We discussed the importance of attitudes. I have always believed in the importance deliberately being in charge and having a choice with one’s attitude, philosophy and approach to life. I often tell people, “I am know I am going to have fun doing (whatever the activity may be). They will ask, how do you know you will enjoy it. I respond by telling them, “I know I will have fun because I am planning on it.” Later he gave me a copy as a gift. The writers made an extensive three year study of extremely happy people. They discovered nine choices that people who are extremely happy make. I share them as I hope it will be helpful.


The Nine Choices of Extremely Happy People (from ‘How We Choose to be Happy’)

Intention: The active desire and commitment to be happy and the decision to consciously choose attitudes and behaviors that lead to happiness over unhappiness. Regardless of what happens or the circumstances present, we make a conscious choice to be happy or unhappy.

Accountability involves making the choice to create the life you want to live—to assume responsibility for your actions, thoughts and feelings, and the emphatic refusal to blame others or view yourself as a victim. It is okay to grieve, but being a victim gives the power to others. Learning to let go moves us toward happiness.

Identification is the ongoing process of looking deeply within yourself to assess what makes you uniquely happy apart from what you are told by others should make you happy.

Centrality is the non-negotiable insistence on making central to your life that which brings you happiness. There will always be pressure to meet someone else’s expectations. This is about finding balance to care for those we love and take care of ourselves.

Recasting/Reframing involves the two steps that transform stressful problems and trauma into something meaningful, important and a source of emotional energy. We need to dive into our emotions and search for a way to melt the “emotional pot” and recast it into something that can help us move forward in a positive manner.

Options say we look at life as adventure, full of possibilities. This allows us to create multiple scenarios, open for new possibilities and adapt a flexible approach to life’s journey.

Appreciation in the moment is about making the choice to appreciate deeply your life and the people in it. This requires us to stay in the present moment and deliberately choose to turn each experience into something precious. This involves gratitude for the things we have without focusing our attention on the things we don’t have.

Giving and expecting nothing in return. We make the choice to share with friends, family, our community, and the world at large without any expectation of a return. This habit allows us to let go of the “what’s in it for me” mindset and just give in to being generous.

Truthfulness involves honesty and integrity. It means that what we say and do match. We do not allow people, society or circumstances to dictate how we respond. It means we have clarity around our internal standards and values, and we live in a manner congruent with them so we do not allow societal, workplace or family demands to violate our internal contracts.

*Adopted from How we Choose to be Happy by Rick Foster and Greg Hicks

Three Unique Gifts

Christmas is the season of gift giving. Often lost in the rush to find the perfect gift (or gift card) is the original gift of Christmas. God gave His only son that we might be transformed by placing our faith in Him and not perish. In remembering the birth of Jesus we will see manger scenes, Christmas plays and hear the familiar story of Magi (men of wisdom) from the East who somehow followed a star and found the place where the child was. The scripture tells us of their action in giving the familiar trio of gifts in Matthew 2:11,“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

We have grown up hearing of that story of the miraculous birth of Jesus and the following events. As a child, I remember being a narrator in elementary school memorizing reciting this account from the book of Luke, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Yes, this was a Christmas a play in public school. Times have certainly changed but that is another story.


No matter what our faith background may be, we all have familiar memories of the timeless story. However, many have no idea of the significance of the gifts from the wise men. They brought treasures from their native land but in those gifts God was giving a public statement of the identity of this child. The first gift, gold, was a gift suitable only for a king. In many countries one was forbidden to see the King without Gold. This young child was destined to be King of all Kings (Revelation 19:16). Earthly kings and rulers will rise and fall but only He and His reign are eternal so it only makes sense to follow Him as the ultimate King or master of your life.


Frankincense was a fragrant gum resin. The perfume was used by the priest for worship. Again, God is revealing the identity of this child. Jesus is our high priest. A priest is defined as “one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God”. Jesus is the ultimate perfect ‘mediatory agent’ to connect us to God. All of us seek to connect with God but fall short of God’s glory and His intention for us (Romans 3:23). We are able to reach toward God and do some good but faith in Jesus is the only way of completely connecting with God and all the love, light and illumination that is God.


The third gift may seem to have been the most unusual gift for a baby yet it was most appropriate for this child. Myrrh was a sweet-smelling gum from a tree native to the land of the third Magi. Myrrh however was commonly used in preparing bodies for burial. How strange, giving a baby a gift associated with death. One does not like to think of death at anytime however it is especially not a common thought at a birth, the beginning of life. This birth was different. This cradle had the shadow of a cross (remember at this time the cross was only an instrument of execution). God used this gift to tell us this baby was destined to give His life to be a willing sacrificial gift as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). As well as we may try to 'do right and be good’;  we have no way to pay the penalty for our shortcomings. Christmas is the story of perfect God loving us, who botch things and fail at every turn, by providing the ultimate sacrifice worthy to lead us to abundant and eternal life (Romans 6:23). These three gifts declare the identity of this special child. He is the ultimate King, supreme Priest, and ultimate sacrifice to bring us into an eternal relationship with God.  Christmas truly is the gift of giving. Let us make the most of the season by receiving and giving the gift of Jesus.