Finding & Keeping Hope

I had just finished meeting with my staff when my secretary told me there was a man in the waiting area outside my office “needing to talk to a minister”.  Over the years I learned that “needing to talk to a minister” could mean any one of numerous things; someone seeking counsel on spiritual, relationship or financial matters.  In my experience, most of the time strangers came to the church ask for money.  However this situation would prove to be different. 

I introduced myself and invited the gentleman into my office.  He did not respond by giving his name.  That wasn’t unusual.  People seeking counsel from a minister other than their own usually want to remain anonymous.  I asked how I could help and he responded with this question, “If a person commits a terrible sin just before dying will they still go to Heaven?".  This immediately got my attention as it was August 12; the morning after the comedian, Robin Williams, had committed suicide.  I knew the real question was; “If I kill myself will I go to Hell?”  This man was contemplating suicide. 

I have studied, taught and shared this misunderstood query over the years.  People have asked if their loved one, who took their own life, also lost their way to Heaven with the act of suicide.  The correct theological answer is NO!  The last act a person commits, no matter how sinful, does not determine one’s eternal destiny.  That is determined by a person’s faith relationship with Jesus.  But this was not the time to discuss theological technicalities.  I needed to keep this man from harming himself. 

When a person indicates that they are contemplating suicide every counselor obviously seeks gently to guide the person away from such action.  I told him I would answer his question but first I asked him to tell me a little about what was going on in his life.  This man was not really seeking a lesson in theology.   He needed someone to give him hope.  I listened and then we began looking at reasons to have hope and move past the discouragement and despair of the moment.  He never told me his name but thanked me for helping him and we prayed before he departed.  I prayed again after he left.  I tried my best to give him the help he needed to keep from harming himself but since he wanted to remain anonymous and I knew I had no way to check up on him.  So, I prayed him into God’s care and had to leave it there. 

I always enjoyed walking around the sanctuary before the worship service started, speaking to members and greeting visitors.  Several months after the encounter described above I noticed a lady sitting on the end of the pew next to the isle.  I had never seen her before and began to approach and welcome her when I noticed the gentleman sitting next to her.  I knew I still needed to honor his desire for anonymity so I greeted him and his wife as if I had never met either of them before.  As I welcomed them to our church she reached out her hand and as I extended mine (mother taught me that a gentleman always waits for a lady to extend her hand first) she held my hand gently and looked at me with a knowing smile of gratitude and said, “Thank you so much for everything!”  Without any other words the three of us silently rejoiced in hope that had been found and restored.

 

We are living in some stressful and uncertain times.  I often tell people that life on this planet is always uncertain and the only thing that is really certain is the reality of uncertainty.  We just don’t realize it unless there is a sudden reminder, such as the current pandemic or an unexpected phone call with bad news or a medical exam that did not give a positive response.  In those times we are smacked in the face with the reality that the future is uncertain.  Rather than becoming discouraged or hopeless we must seek to do as my anonymous friend and I did in my office that Tuesday morning several years ago.  Instead of looking into a black hole of gloom and hopelessness we must always seek reasons for life and hope.  

I am re-reading ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’, Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir and descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival.  Frankl speaks of the importance of finding a reason to live no matter how difficult and discouraging life can become, and I don’t think too many of us can even truly imagine the horrors of being a prisoner in a Nazi death camp.  Friedrich Nietzsche, long before those horrors, spoke of the importance of overcoming negative and discouraging situations by having a reason to live; “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

Again, I know we are living with much uncertainty today.  However, there is not better ‘why to live for’ than Easter gives us.  There is no better hope than that given by the bodily resurrection of Jesus.  That power to restore life to a cold dead body is still available to restore hope and give a reason to live abundantly no matter what the circumstance may be.  This is why the Apostle Paul wrote the following while unjustly imprisoned; “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”  (Philippians 4:11-13)

I have to admit that I was never as inspired or as eloquent as the Apostle but I have been fond of telling people that; “We need to remember that we are the people of the resurrection!  We are the people of the empty tomb.  I recently checked and all the founders of major religions such as Mohammed, Siddhārtha Gautama (better known as Buddha), Confucius, Joseph Smith, etc. are all still dead.  Only one has an empty tomb.  Jesus is the only one in history who actually borrowed a tomb.  He only needed it for the weekend.  When we look to Jesus and place faith in Him there is eternal hope and reason to live abundantly.  The worst that can happen for a believer is that we die and go to Heaven forever!”  

Now I can live with that!

Staying Home

Years ago I asked God to give up on providing me opportunities to learn patience.  You know how it works, you are running late on a two lane highway and the car in front of you drives ridiculously below the speed limit…and there is no safe place to pass.  Or you run in the store for three quick items and get in the ‘Express Check-Out’ line (15 items or less) since you only have three items and the person in front of you clearly can’t count!  My Gosh, how can you think a 47 items are the same as 15 or less?  And yes I counted them all!  I had plenty of time while I had to wait on you to buy a month’s worth of groceries in the EXPRESS LINE!!!  And how can you still not figure out how to use the credit card device???? You just swipe or insert the card in the chip reader!!!   Come ON!!! 

I think you get the point of my struggle.  So, I certainly do not have the patience to ‘shelter-in-place’.  Why not just say, “Stay Home”?  I guess ‘shelter-in-place’ sounds more official.  I should have more patience with the terminology we often use also.   I understand that we are in very unusual times and we have to try to keep ourselves and one another well.  However; for those of you, like me, who are social animals and who also get ‘cabin fever’ about every 15 minutes here are a few of the ways I try to keep my sanity (what’s left of it) in these days of staying home.  Maybe you will find some helpful ideas for yourself. 

There is always ‘binge watching’ TV programs.  I would suggest keeping away from the news other than catching a brief summary of necessary information.  I begin each morning by checking with several national, international and local Internet news sites.  I can quickly click on information and filter out the politically and agenda driven ‘news’ and then I can sort out  the truly helpful information.  However; if you are hyper, like me, there is only so much time you can sit and watch anything. Then I turn it off and seek to move to positive activities for my body, mind, soul and spirit. 

Since the gym has closed I have returned to walking the streets in my neighborhood.  As an early morning person I find it physically and spiritually refreshing to take a brisk two mile walk as I watch the sun rise on a new day of life.  Our front porch faces the setting sun so, at the end of the day, we enjoy sitting in our rocking chairs waving at neighbors who are walking in the evening while we read or catch up with friends and family on the phone.  Social distance is not an issue when you FaceTime!

This is a great time to call elderly family, friends and church members.  I found, during my pastoral career, that the elderly who are primarily home-bound even during normal times battle loneliness more than we realize.  Many have lost their spouses and were truly energized when the pastor came to visit.  It also energized me as they have so much wisdom and experience in life to share.  In these days when older adults are wisely encouraged to stay home, a phone call from a friend or loved one can truly lift their spirits…and yours as well. 

We have also enjoyed finding new recipes and taking the time to cook at home more now that restaurants are limited to ‘take-out’ or delivery.  However, I would encourage moderation or you may have to take an extra lap around the neighborhood. 

This is also a great time to catch up on reading.  While many libraries may be closed there are many resources on the web to find books.   Most libraries have free apps like Hoopla, Overdrive, Nook, etc.  There is also a book that is already in most homes (and easily available on the Internet) that could be helpful for the soul and spirit in these difficult and uncertain times. 

One of my seminary professors gave me a plan that allows the follower to read through the New Testament in one month.  Even a slow reader, like me, can do this in about thirty minutes a day.   A common failing even among Christians is lack of Bible knowledge.  This plan calls for reading the New Testament through every thirty days if the reader desires to do so. 

However, if that is a little too much for you, have no fear I am a master at seeking something simpler.  Remember I am a product of the Mississippi public school system.  I grew up saying, “Do we have to read all of this?”  I counted and there are 89 chapters in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John).  I also noticed that there are 30 days in a month (I know about February…don’t get too technical).  I know you didn’t know math was going to be included but hang with me…So, if you read 3 chapters a day, you can read through the four Gospels in a month.  Jesus told us to teach (and follow) everything he commanded us.  To know what he commanded, we must become familiar with his teachings and life.  So each day one should read three chapters on the corresponding day to complete the reading each month.  Hey, they don’t give out Doctorate degrees to chimps!  Seriously, this is a great way to become more familiar with the life and teachings of Jesus as an inspirational and uplifting activity that only takes a few minutes each day. 

Anyway, I hope some of this has been helpful as we seek to ride out the days of this pandemic.  Hang in there until we can get together again ASAP.  Until then, pray for one another and stay well. 

Practicing Generosity, Peace and Valuing the Right Things

I live in the county that has been called the epicenter of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in my state.  Yesterday I went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription…no I am not sick or contagious.  You will not catch any disease by reading this.  I needed to renew an old prescription of a daily medicine.  Many of us older folks take some kind of pill on a daily basis.  Anyway, as I approached the drug store I noticed a sign on the door communicating that they were not allowing anyone in the store for the health of their employees.  The sign had the pharmacy number to call and they would fill the prescription and bring it to your car.  OK, I am getting used to this.  I had the same treatment at the local library. 

However, as I sat waiting for my curbside prescription delivery I noticed that the package store next door had no such policy.  People were going in and coming out at will with their purchase.  I mentioned this to my wife who has been lecturing me because I believe we are living in too much of a panicked atmosphere.  She told me that this was probably because many sick people go into the drug store and they did not want to take a risk of catching and/or passing along viruses.  I responded, “So, I guess it is better for your health to consume alcohol than to purchase medicine?”  Forgive me for failing to learn not to comment on certain things even at my advanced age.  I won’t go into the rest of the conversation because that is not the subject of this moment.  However, I also noticed that the hardware store across the street had the same open door policy as the liquor store. 

Forgive me again but I still did not see the logic of being able to walk in a store to buy nails or liquor and not be allowed to go in to my local drug store to purchase or speak to a pharmacist about medicine.   I did manage to keep my next sarcastic remark to myself…see, I’m learning.  Oh, what the heck, here it is; “So, I guess it is ok to go in and those stores and buy enough nails and liquor to board myself up in my house and drink until this is over?”  See why I should learn to keep certain thoughts to myself?

There is much that confuses me today; hoarding toilet paper probably tops the list!  I have always done much of the grocery shopping in our family.  I was a bachelor for several years and bought groceries before marriage.  Even today when we go to the grocery store she grabs the shopping cart and says, “I’ll push.  You get” (the groceries we need).  We are in the stores often because we never have been people who ‘stock-up’ when buying groceries.  Since I am not good at ‘stock-up’ grocery shopping, I certainly don’t understand the current ‘hoard-shopping’ (my word for panicked virus shopping)! 

I know we live in uncertain times and they can be scary times for many.  However, as I shared in my previous blog, we do not need to live in anxiety or fear.  Fearful hoarding prevents people who actually may need certain items (especially medical items) from being able to acquire them when they are unnecessarily hoarded by others.  In uncertain times we need to be especially mindful of our behavior, toward ourselves and others.  When we live in fear or selfishness we are not able to enjoy life or the day that we have been given.  I know these are serious times but we need to be “wise” or “shrewd” and be “innocent, gentle and harmless” in our dealings with others as Jesus recommended in Matthew 10:16.

So if these times are causing anxiety leading to hoarding, selfish attitudes, wondering what to hold onto or value or worrying about things that can pass away in a blink or things over which you have no control (like your retirement savings); don’t be anxious, fearful and illogical!  Wash your hands, practice social distancing, stay home if you don’t feel well and pay close attention to what those who know more than we do about the best, healthiest, safest and anxiety free way to live…especially Jesus!  I will give Him the last word on hoarding, worrying and knowing what is really valuable in life.  I like the way the Contemporary English Version translates Luke 12:16-34 (the separation and titles are mine).

Hoarding

So Jesus told them this story: A rich man’s farm produced a big crop, and he said to himself, “What can I do? I don’t have a place large enough to store everything.” Later, he said, “Now I know what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I can store all my grain and other goods. Then I’ll say to myself, ‘You have stored up enough good things to last for years to come. Live it up! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.’” But God said to him, “You fool! Tonight you will die. Then who will get what you have stored up?”  “This is what happens to people who store up everything for themselves, but are poor in the sight of God.”

Anxiety and Worry

Jesus said to his disciples: I tell you not to worry about your life! Don’t worry about having something to eat or wear. Life is more than food or clothing. Look at the crows! They don’t plant or harvest, and they don’t have storehouses or barns. But God takes care of them. You are much more important than any birds. Can worry make you live longer? If you don’t have power over small things, why worry about everything else? Look how the wild flowers grow! They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of these flowers. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. Won’t he do even more for you? You have such little faith! Don’t keep worrying about having something to eat or drink. Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father knows what you need. But put God’s work first and these things will be yours as well.

Treasures in Heaven

My little group of disciples, don’t be afraid! Your Father wants to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves purses and wallets that never wear out. Make sure your treasure is safe in heaven, where thieves cannot steal it and moths cannot destroy it. Your heart will always be where your treasure is.

Fear Not

I grew up in Mississippi.  I have not found the documentation yet but I firmly believe the old joke about the last words of a redneck originated in my home state.  Surely you don’t have to Google it…”What are the last words of a redneck?  Hey Y’all, watch this!”  While that joke/statement is not always funny or followed by a funeral it is usually followed by a silly stunt that has not been well thought out…if thought out at all.  My first experience with this tradition of yelling that famous phrase to a group of friends before throwing caution and common sense to the wind was concluded with a mad dash to the emergency room and a large cast on my broken left arm.  I was almost certain that although I had never tried it, I could perform that Olympic Gold medal gymnastic somersault on the swing set in the yard.  It looked fun and easy on TV.  I was 8 years old. 

As I grew older I learned, perhaps a little slowly but remember I am from Mississippi, that there is often a fine line between being courageous and being just plain stupid.  For example, trying to do a flip on water-skies just moments after being upright on them for the first time is not courageous.  Some of us take longer to learn the difference between bravery and stupidity.  I was a teenager then and at least I had learned that the water would break my fall better than the ground broke my arm as an 8 year old. 

Eventually I did grow older, more careful and hopefully wiser however; I still never wanted to live a life in fear.   I may not have been a Rhodes Scholar but I had learned that fear and anxiety can choke the joy out of life.  Many years after surviving those foolish days of my youth I was in a conference with my wife.  The speaker was addressing an auditorium filled with ministers and their wives on ways to overcome fear and anxiety in the ministry and life.  He asked us to use the pad that was provided and take a few moments to list all the things that cause anxiety and fear in our lives.  Everyone in the room began writing furiously making their list.  After a few moments my wife noticed that I was not writing.   I was finished…after listing only one item that caused me to have fear and anxiety; “I am afraid I will miss something!”   She rolled her eyes…not the first time for that reaction but this time I was really not trying to be macho or funny.  That was my honest answer. 

I have always wanted to live life to the fullest and experience the most that God has for me each day.  My first sermon text, John 10:10, was very intentional.  It has been my guide in life ever since I was that young blonde kid growing up learning about life, fear and faith.  Jesus was contrasting the destructive work of Satan with His way of abundant and full life.   “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  Fear and anxiety cannot exist in the same realm as an abundant full life. 

Thankfully, although I did my share of stupid things growing up, I did eventually learn that while it is never wise or spiritually mature to live or act in a foolish manner, it is always wise and spiritually mature to trust God and live without fear or anxiety.  It may not be the easy pathway but when we trust our lives to God and are content with His direction and outcome we can always find peace which leads to an abundant and full life. 

God never does anything on impulse and is never caught off guard by anything that happens.  I have searched the scriptures far and wide and consulted with religious leaders from different faiths in different parts of the world and have never found God saying; “Wow!  I didn’t see that coming!”   I have discovered that all that happens in our lives is not caused by God.  The source of many, if not most, of the problems we encounter in life can be found in the mirror.  However, if we will seek to trust and follow God’s will and wisdom through and in all things that happen we can find His peace and comfort. 

God is always sending us messages to calm anxiety and give us peace.  Why do you think He created angels?  The Greek word άγγελος or ángelos; from which we get our word, angel literally means "a messenger" (from the word angello, "to deliver a message").  So an angel is literally a direct messenger from God with a message for the moment straight from God.  I used to say an angel is like a telegram from God. Wow, does that show my age?  Now I would say an angel is like a text directly from God. 

Again, it is not by accident that the first words of an angel are always; “Fear not!”  I think there is a two-fold reason for this initial consistent angelic proclamation.  First, I think it was initially uttered as calming statement.  An unexpected angelic encounter could be quite startling.  Can you imagine that group of shepherds watching their sheep one night, thinking it was only the sheep and them alone in the field when the quiet night was suddenly interrupted by a choir of angels singing “Glory to God in the highest”?  Of course, the primary message of the angels was the birth announcement of a savior being born that evening in Bethlehem but they also brought the timeless message from God…”Fear not!”   God never wants us to live in fear or anxiety. 

We live in a world that has been inhabited by sin which means that life can be difficult, scary and uncertain at times.  However, God continues to tell us that we don’t have to live under those circumstances.  Fear and faith cannot occupy the same space.  That is the message of John 10:10.  While there is a destructive and evil force in this world there is also a savior who was sent to give us an abundant and full life.  God gives us countless communications to move from fear and anxiety to trust and abundance in everyday life.  I would encourage you to find a favorite message and memorize it.  One of my favorites is found in Philippians 4:6-7.  I like the way the Contemporary English Version states it; “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.”

If something simpler would be helpful, remember I am a product of the Mississippi public school system.  Simple is always good!  Here is something I learned from a young child.  EVIL is actually LIVE spelled backwards.  So when the difficulties of life in this sin-scarred and often evil world seem to be coming in every direction causing fear and anxiety that are choking out the joy of living a full and abundant life remember that God has always been in the business of turning EVIL around so we can LIVE!

“Everybody counts or nobody counts”

Harry Bosch is a detective for the LAPD who is obsessed with solving murder cases.  He is driven by his creed that, “Everybody counts or nobody counts”.  That means that every murder victim, whether they are a homeless drug addict or a leading well known citizen of Los Angeles, is treated with the same respect and energy as he relentlessly seeks to find their killer.  Harry Bosch is a factious creation by author of detective novels and other crime fiction, Michael Connelly.  Harry Bosch may be a work of fiction but I find real truth and value in his creed.  Everybody counts or nobody counts is a great way to view and treat everyone.  While I only recently came across the quote from Detective Bosch, I have long tried to live by my own ‘creed’ that I should treat everyone the same.  That may not sound very profound but we live in a world that has historically made exceptions in giving the VIP treatment for the rich, powerful and famous while ignoring those without power, wealth influence or a strong voice to speak for themselves.  I, and Harry Bosch, believe that the waiter should be treated with the same courtesy and respect as the person who may be a celebrity owner of a chain of successful restaurants. 

This type of approach did not come easy considering the place and time of my youth.  I grew up in the 60’s in Mississippi.  Discrimination and segregation had been the culture for generations.  Everybody counts or nobody counts was not a popular philosophy growing up in the South of the early 60’s.  In fact, it was an unknown concept as privilege was commonly shown to some while mistreatment (to put it mildly) and unequal rights for others was socially accepted.  Racial decimation and segregation was actually proclaimed from some pulpits.  

The violence of the Civil Rights movement came to a boil three days before I celebrated my 12^th birthday in Columbus, MS.  Just eighty one miles from my home in Philadelphia, MS; James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were murdered.  The murder was planned and organized by Edgar Ray Killen along with 17 co-conspirators; many who were some of Philadelphia’s leading citizens and law enforcement officers.  Killen was a KKK "kleagle," (recruiter and organizer) and also an ordained Baptist preacher.  Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner’s only crime was seeking equal treatment for black citizens of Mississippi. 

Although I was not yet a teenager I am grateful that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to such injustice and evil.  One does not need to spend much time in church to learn ‘The Golden Rule’; “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)  I guess Edgar Killen missed that summary statement from Jesus concluding ‘The Sermon on the Mount’.  I also assume Edgar Killen didn’t get much of the rest of that sermon…or anything else Jesus taught or the Bible said about loving your fellowman.  Although many years have passed since those evil times and I am glad to say that my beloved home state has moved away from those horrible days, we still often need to be reminded of the way we should treat our fellowman.  Mistreating and devaluing the life of others seems to be a constant struggle in human history. 

Mahatma Ghandi said “A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”  Jesus went a step further in Matthew 25:40 when He said, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  In other words the way we treat ‘the least’ is in reality the way we treat Him.  If we are going to sing “Oh, How I Love Jesus” then we also have to sing, “Oh, How I love that guy who just cut me off in traffic!”  How about that as a drastic way to get to the point?  It may not be easy, especially when they cut you off in traffic, but we must constantly choose to see everyone else as a person of value.  We must value and look at everyone as a unique and special creation of God…especially those who have little or no power to speak for themselves. 

Everybody counts or nobody counts does not mean that everybody is always kind or without fault but if we start discounting the value of anyone it leads to a dangerous slippery slope that was eloquently described by Martin Niemöller in his poem, First They Came, as he spoke of the importance of speaking up for others and counting everybody as the same;   

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me.

“Everybody counts or nobody counts”

Jesus in a Bottle

“Well you know what his problem is, he’s looking for Jesus in a bottle!”  Wow, what a descriptive phrase!  I was working at an exclusive men’s clothing store, one of the many jobs I had before entering the ministry, when I first heard the expression; ‘looking for Jesus in a bottle’ as a way to describe a person seeking answers to their problems through alcohol.  I often took my lunch break in the seamstress room in the back of the clothing store.  I enjoyed the company of the two elderly black women who made alterations on the suits we sold.  They were the age of my grandmothers and had observed a great deal over the years that gave them considerable wisdom.  I learned much that is not found in a text book or classroom from talking and listening to them.

I have often thought of how much was expressed in that simple and colorful statement.  Whether we realize it or not we are all seekers in this life.  Most, if not all, of our activities and pursuits are actually seeking the things that are only found in and through the love of God.  Some get lost or discouraged in the journey and look in wrong directions or wrong places such as; alcohol, drugs, sex, power and sometimes even in distorted religious viewpoints but still we all really want the same things.  No matter how we go about it we are really seeking love, fulfillment, joy and redemption as we go through life.

We all have physical needs; food, shelter, etc. but a noted student of human behavior taught me that people have three primary emotional needs in addition to our physical needs.  Physical needs are essential for survival while emotional needs are crucial for the quality of life one experiences.  The three universal emotional needs are described as; the need to be loved, the need to give love and to have a sense of purpose.  One cannot experience the full joy of life without emotional and spiritual maturity. 

A newborn baby needs to be loved.  Babies who are not loved become emotionally deprived and often spend the rest of their lives seeking to be noticed or accepted, frequently in ways that are not healthy or constructive.  They may act up or act out in ways that are destructive to themselves and those around them when they are really seeking to fill the void caused by a lack of love. 

The second emotional need, the need to share love, is also important for healthy and mature emotional health.  A two year old can often be difficult because they think they are the center of the universe and everything exists for their own use or pleasure.  Hopefully the ‘terrible two’ stage is short-lived as the child learns to share or express love to those around them.  Sadly some people never learn to properly give love and spend their lives in a sad immature narcissistic world. 

We also have a need to find meaning or purpose in our existence.  

Herman Melville in his classic novel, Moby Dick wrote the following; “For as this appalling ocean surrounds the verdant land, so in the soul of man there lies one insular Tahiti, full of peace and joy, but encompassed by all of the horrors of the half-lived life”.   We all really want to get the most out of this brief life.  Melville describes the inner peace and fulfillment we seek as a tropical island paradise, “one insular Tahiti, full of peace and joy”.   However the island is surrounded by “this appalling ocean” of uncertainty, depression and despair which can cause a hopelessness described as “the horrors of the half-lived life”, that can lead to destructive ‘escape destinations’, in other words, “looking for Jesus in a bottle!”

I do not think it is too simplistic to say that most, if not all, destructive behavior to ourselves and those around us comes from looking in the wrong places for that which is offered by following the teachings and life example of Jesus.  In nearly 7 decades of a life spent looking for Jesus I have discovered Him in expected and sometimes surprising places.   Sadly I find that He is not seen often enough in churches.  We frequently try to create an atmosphere in church that is actually more emotional than Spiritual.  One can have an emotionally uplifting experience in church but that same result can also be experienced attending a Taylor Swift concert.  I actually was more moved by Tina Turner in my day but that is another subject.  Too often one system of belief tries to claim an exclusive title to truth which actually leads followers farther away from finding Jesus.  No matter what religious belief one prefers (Hindu, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism or Christianity) there is a common ground of truth in all legitimate religious teachings.  In obedience and repentance one finds salvation, if you obey God and do good deeds, you will be blessed, if you disobey you will be lost; that is the clear message of all true religious teachings. 

So I look for Jesus in everything and everywhere one can find truth, harmony and love.  Certainly He can be found in church but more often I see Him in the truth of His Word, the innocent smile and joy of a child, the love shown to (or from) a stranger, the faithfulness and forgiveness of a friend or loved one.  We can see Jesus most clearly when we are truly unified as brothers and sisters.  That was his prayer in John 17:21-23.  Thus the love, fulfillment, joy and redemption we really need and seek in life is not that difficult to find if we look in the right places.  Where are you looking today?

Just for Fun

Now that we have survived the holidays and look forward to the New Year let us not forget that we live in a sin-scarred world where bad thing can happen.  Jesus told us that it rains on the just and unjust so I share the following to help you understand and cope when things go wrong.  

Laws That Explain Why Things Go Awry

Have you ever received a phone call the minute you stepped outside and locked the door?  Has the phone started to ring the minute you get into the bathtub?  Certain astute individuals have noticed that such events are not the exception but the rule.  Men like Murphy, Peter, and Parkinson have made it their lifework to ferret out the operating principles, the laws that govern the frustrating lives we mortals live.  Here is a small sampling of these laws from Arthur Booch’s book; Murphy’s Law-and Other Reasons Why Things Go Wrong!

1. Murphy’s Law: If anything can go wrong, it will.

2. O’Toole’s Commentary on Murphy’s Law: “Murphy was an optimist!”

3. The Unspeakable Law: As soon as you mention something, if it’s good, it goes away.  If it is bad, it happens.

4. Nonreciprocal Laws of Expectations: Negative expectations yield negative results.  Positive expectations yield negative results.

5. Etorre’s Observation: The other line moves faster.

6. Law of Selective Gravity: An object will fall so as to do the most damage.

7. Jenning’s Corollary to the Law of Selective Gravity: The chance of the bread falling with the buttered side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.

8. Maier’s Law: If the facts do not conform to the theory, they may be disposed of.

9.  Boren’s First Law: When in doubt, mumble. 

10. Ninety-Nine Rule of Project Schedules: The first 90% of the job takes 90% of the time and the last 10% takes the other 90%.

Since certain laws of nature such as these are often unavoidable.   I find the following diet is very helpful in coping with the stress that builds up during the day.  Please Read and Follow Carefully. 

Breakfast                                                                             Lunch

½ Grapefruit                                                                      4 oz. Lean Broiled Chicken

1 slice whole wheat toast                                               1 cup of steamed spinach

4 oz. skim milk                                                                  1 cup of herb tea and 1 Oreo Cookie

Afternoon Snack                                                              Dinner

Rest of the Oreo's in the package                                 2 loaves of garlic bread with cheese

2 pints of Fudge Royal ice cream                                  Sausage, mushroom and cheese pizza

1 jar of hot fudge sauce                                                 4 cans of Coke

Nuts, cherries & whipped cream                                  3 Milky Way candy bars

Late Evening Snack Before Bed

Entire frozen cheesecake eaten directly from the freezer

Remember the diet is designed to help as stress builds during the day.  There are certain rules to follow that you may find helpful as well.

1.  If you eat something and no one sees you eat it, it has no calories.

2.  If you drink a diet drink with a candy bar, the diet drink cancels the calories in the candy bar.

3.  When you eat with someone else, calories don’t count if you eat more than they do.

4.  If you fatten up everyone else around you, then you look thinner.

5.  Movie related foods don’t have additional calories because they are part of the entertainment.

6.  Cookie pieces contain no calories.  The process of breaking causes calorie leakage.

7.  Foods ‘licked off’ knives and spoons have no calories if you are in the process of preparing something.  The calories remain in the main dish.

8.  Foods that have the same color have the same calories.  Examples; spinach and pistachio ice cream, mushrooms and white chocolate.  (Note: Chocolate is a universal color and may be substituted for any other color.) 

I hope this gave you a little smile and I do hope you have a wonderful and stress free year!