March 23

Today is March 23, 2018.  It is Friday.  38 years ago March 23 was on Sunday.  I have two important reasons to remember that fact.  First, I baptized Sam Hatcher that Sunday morning.  Sam was the first person I baptized.  I was serving as an intern minister at a church in Euless, TX.  That meant I didn’t earn a salary.  I was offered the job in my last year as a seminary student by a friend who was the pastor.  He told me that as an intern I would not receive a salary but the experience would be invaluable.  Don’t you love the way that they make working for free sound good?  Anyway, I had never performed a baptism and he let me baptize Sam during the morning service.   

Since this was a special event I asked my girlfriend to attend.  I had to be there early so she came later in her own car.  Afterward I took her to the most expensive Italian restaurant that I could afford, Pizza Hut.  Don’t forget, I was an ‘intern minister’ with no salary.  Even Pizza Hut stretched my budget.   She and I had been dating a few months.  I knew I liked her and thought she liked me, at least she kept agreeing to go out with me so that was a rare and good sign.  The day was special as I had made it through my first baptism but something seemed to be different for me as we had lunch.  She was at the salad bar and I remember looking at her, smiling as I was overcome by a sensation that seemed to come out of nowhere realizing, “this girl could be a great wife and mother for my children”…I did not have any children at the time but this was God’s way of telling me she was the one for me.  Cathy must have seen the crazy smile on my face as she returned to the table, saying: “What is it?”  I brushed it off saying, “Oh, nothing” but I kept thinking, “If this feeling does not go away, I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

As a word of explanation, this wasn’t like me.  I’m not a spontaneous person by nature.  In fact, I’m quite the opposite.  Rarely do I say or do anything that has not been well thought out.  In fact, I usually think things to death.  That is what OCD people do.  We obsess with our thoughts seeking to make certain we make the right decision.  Then we obsess wondering, “Was that the right decision?”   OCD becomes a crippling disorder when the person gets so obsessed with making the ‘right’ decision that they cannot make a decision at all.  And here I was about to make the most important decision in my life, other than my decision to follow Jesus, without obsessing or thinking about the ‘right’ decision at all.  Maybe it just seemed so right that there was no need to obsess.  This was also early in my theological studies but I’ve now become very much aware that God rarely does things that fit perfectly into our logic and reasoning. 

I knew I liked Cathy; I liked her a lot…more than anyone I had ever met.  But, I had not yet thought of marriage.  I was too practical for that.  Remember I was only an ‘intern minister’ with no salary.  I was one semester from graduating from seminary with no real idea where or what kind of ministerial position I would have after graduation…or even if I would be hired by any church.  How could I think of marriage when I could barely take care of myself?  However, the feeling did not leave as we finished our lunch and I drove her back to the church parking where she had left her car.  I parked next to her car, turned off the ignition, turned to face her and said, “I want to ask you something before you get out of the car.  Will you marry me?”  She punched me in the arm and said, “Stop fooling around!” She could tell by the serious look on my face that I was not fooling around and then she got the same serious look on her face and said yes.   She still has to occasionally punch me in the arm and tell me to stop fooling around but on August 23 we will celebrate 38 years (in a row) of marriage to one another. 

I still shake my head on occasion and think how I made that most important and life changing decision in a manner that is so out of character for me.  It took me weeks to make a decision about buying our first sofa.  Even in my cautious, OCD careful ways of making decisions God seemed to get through and give me to comfort to trust Him as this was His plan for us.  Sometimes we need to step out of our normal routine or character or we will never experience the wonderful adventure that God has right in front of us.  We can get too locked down in our safe pattern of thinking and comfortable routine.  We do not need to explain or have complete understanding for every decision or action.  Faith often defies explanation or understanding.  I once had a poster in my office with two pictures and two captions.  The first picture is a person cautiously looking over a cliff with the caption, “What if I fall?”  The next picture on the poster is one of one of those ‘base jumper wingsuit flyers’ who leap off the cliff to soar along the mountainside like a bird.  That caption reads, “Oh, but what if I fly?”  

There are times when we need to follow our heart and trust God in faith as we leap. Now, we are not to jump foolishly off the cliff but we are also not to hang back in fear when we feel God calling us to trust His hand by faith.   Jesus said, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”  Those who raise their sail to catch and follow the ‘wind of the Holy Spirit’ find joy, peace and life beyond expectation.  Those who lower the sail waiting in the harbor of life for everything to be safe and perfectly fitting into their logic before making a decision may miss the God’s plan and the adventure of a lifetime.

Our logic and reasoning can and should be be helpful but they should never take the place of or get in the way of following God by faith.  Again, I have noticed in nearly a half century of careful Bible study that God rarely does things that fit perfectly into human logic and reasoning.   Isaiah 40:31 says, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles.”  We may not have complete understanding of every issue and it may not fit our comfort zone or plans but if we live in a trusting relationship with God we can depend on His hand to guide to soaring heights us as we follow where the Holy Spirit leads.  I am reminded of that truth each day, and especially on March 23. 

What is Truth?

What is truth?  As a person who made my living by studying and seeking to understand and reveal the correct meaning and relevance of words, I have long realized the importance of the way properly we use and understand words.  Words are significant because words have meaning.  Changing the meaning of words can have a significant result. 

We have seen recent changes in the meaning of certain words and the elimination of some words.  There are indeed words that are vulgar offensive and should not be used.   I always said that using profane, vulgar and offensive language was a sure sign of ignorance and a poor vocabulary.  However, changing the meaning of words can cause major changes in our culture.  ‘The Gay Divorcee’, a 1934 American musical film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers would probably be quite a different movie with that title today.  Hallmark's ornaments for the holiday season caused some controversy when the replacement of the word "gay" while quoting "Deck the Halls” on their red "Holiday Sweater" ornament was decorated with the lyric, "Don we now our fun apparel."  Well that is the original meaning of the word, ‘gay’.  I raise eyebrows when I tell people that I have always been in favor of gay marriage.  I think every marriage should be fun. 

Back to a more serious discussion on the matter I believe we live in a precarious time where words are intentionally and cleverly used incorrectly to advance an agenda, be a weapon or provide a diversion from truth.  Several years ago I noticed a phrase that began to creep into our language.  It seemed innocent and even positive as people spoke of and were encouraged to follow ‘their truth’.  It was a way of giving permission to do whatever anyone wanted, as long as it seemed ‘true’ for them.   Now we are seeing people appear on TV and are “appreciative of this opportunity to speak “my truth”.  By the way, when my children were very young I told them to remember that “everything you see on TV is there for one primary purpose, to create a large audience and make money for their sponsors.”  In this day of ‘fake news’ and playing fast and loose with the language, I think we should remember that we need to listen and watch everything with a very careful filter.  The problem with such declarations as “following or speaking my truth” is the misguided belief that ‘truth’ is a malleable concept to be individually defined (and changed) according to how one feels at the moment. 

2000 years ago a Roman governor stood before a man on trial for his life and asked him the simple yet profound question, “What is truth?”  Little did Pontius Pilate know that he was looking at the truth as he asked the question.  Before Jesus could respond Pilate turned away.  Too often that mirrors our encounter with truth today.  We turn and walk away before seeing the real “way, truth and life.”  Our cultural march toward relativism and the desire for tolerance for those following ‘their truth’ has not created more agreement for other opinions or lifestyles but just the opposite.  We seem to find ourselves more easily offended than ever.  Offended people often become very angry people.  Unless that anger is properly handled it can be destructive.  Mature people understand that while they are entitled to their own opinions, they are not entitled to their own facts.  Facts (truth) should never be changed to validate one’s desired conclusion.  If I could have changed truth/facts to authenticate my desired outcome, I probably would have remained an accounting major in college.  I always had trouble getting my outcome to match the teacher’s math. 

Let me offer a few suggestions to keep from being a growing population of people who are so easily offended, then I will close with a way to find and follow real unchanging truth.  First, of all the real difficulties in life, things don’t get much smaller than an offense.  An offense taken only produces a feeling, a moment of emotional confusion.  Through the course of your life there will be many more serious matters to deal with than a brief hurt feeling.  Also, you can do more about being offended than most anything else you will encounter.  You do not need to see a specialist, take medicine, or have a medical procedure.  You can simply choose how you will respond, act or feel.  You can choose to be offended, upset or angry or you can choose not to allow the negative actions of someone else dictate negative results in your life.  If you are looking to be easily offended, upset or angry; you will not have to look far.  Likewise, if you are looking to overlook, love and forgive; you will usually find ample opportunities all around.  Which outlook and lifestyle would you rather choose?  It’s your choice!

That brings me to the way to find and follow real unchanging truth.  Let’s go back to the question of Pilate in John 18:38.  He did not know he was looking truth square in the face when he asked Jesus that question.  He was not in the room earlier (John 14:6) when Jesus told his disciples (and now us), “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  So if you are wondering about how to know what is right and wrong, how to keep from being confused, led astray or how to live the best life in confusing times.  Look at unchangeable truth; Jesus!  He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).  He is the truth you need to live a stable and fulfilled life, free from petty feelings and life on an emotional roller-coaster.  Don’t let the words or actions of others hurt your feelings so easily.  However, if your feelings do get hurt before you respond in a negative fashion take a look at the truth.  Take a close look at the scarred hands of the Truth.  He had far worse done to him than will ever be done to you.  None of us will ever be beaten and nailed to a cross yet he loved them and asked for their forgiveness as hung there dying.

Real, unchanging and eternal truth is a life loving God with all your passion, heart, and intelligence and loving others as well as you love yourself while you treat them the way you want to be treated.  That’s the Bill Drees translation of the Greatest Commandment and Golden Rule but it is still true!

God, Billy Graham and me!

It was May 16, 1975 and I was miserable.  I was 23 years old with no idea what to do with my life.  I had a horrible job and lived alone in a large city where I knew very few people except those I worked with and they could not be considered friends.  I was rarely home long enough to make friends.  I was a traveling field representative for a company in Jackson, MS.  I left the office each Monday morning heading to different parts of the state with my travel agenda for the week and usually did not get home until Friday evening.  I had a company car, expense account and traveled all over the state.  I would usually be in a different city and motel each night.  That may have sounded exciting initially for a 23 year old but it got old in a hurry.  Once I would finish work in the town I was in there was usually nothing for me to do.  Each evening I was a stranger in a strange town.  I soon learned why some traveling businessmen wind up in a bar at the end of each day.  I didn’t drink so I usually sat in my room channel surfing.  Once I was so bored I ate dinner twice.  Hey, I was young and could eat more in those days and the company paid for it.  I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life but I knew that this was not it. 

Most Friday’s I had no reason or excitement to rush home after work was done.  There was usually no one to meet and nothing to do.  However, this Friday was different.  After work I was going home to see Billy Graham.  No, he was not at my apartment waiting for me.  He was holding a crusade in Jackson.  As a believer I had long been praying and seeking God’s plan for my life however, I kept coming up empty.  Somehow I had a notion that God was going to speak to me and give my life the direction I needed through Billy Graham.  I was eager to finish my work and head home.  I was working a few accounts in Memphis.  It was about a three hour drive home to Jackson.  I knew I might miss the opening music but I had grown up in church and knew most of the hymns anyway.  Billy was the one I was going to hear. 

As I drove down I-55 from Memphis to Jackson it started raining.  “No, it can’t rain.  God, don’t you know I’m going to Billy’s crusade to have a special encounter with you?”  He must have heard my frantic prayer uttered while I was driving because the rain let up and the crusade would go on.  The stadium was wet but packed.  I made my way down front.  I wanted to be close to the field so I could be one of the first to ‘come forward’ as the choir began to sing, ‘Just As I Am’ after the invitation was given.  All of my excitement was drowned in the damp evening as Billy Graham approached the pulpit and announced his topic for the evening; this was going to be a special message on marriage and family.  It would be especially for those who are married, soon to marry or seeking to marry.  I did not fit any of those categories.  I was single with no girlfriend.  I didn’t even have the prospect of a date in the near future.  I wanted to leave.  If I had not been sitting so close to the front I would have but it would have been quite embarrassing to be the only person in recorded history to get up and walk out before Billy Graham even started his message.  So I stayed.

To this day I cannot tell you anything about the sermon but I can tell you what happened.  As I write and recall that evening 43 years later I still get goosebumps.  Somewhere in the message I felt a strange sensation.  To this day I have a hard time explaining or even understanding it but I knew God had reached down and touched my life.  I was already saved but this was a touch that began my journey to follow a call into ministry.  That journey led me to my wife and family with all the blessings God has given me in the years since that night.  No, I did not hear a voice, see a burning bush or have a vision.   But I knew God had touched my life and had given me new direction and meaning.  I wanted to run out share my experience but Billy was still preaching.   I sat there and waited for the invitation and as ‘hundreds moved forward to profess Christ’ one person ran in the opposite direction to call someone, a family member or anyone to share the feeling I was experiencing. 

God taught me two important truths that night that shaped my life and ministry to this day.  First, I learned the significance of a spirit of expectation.  God can touch anyone at any time no matter their attitude, but a spirit of expectation creates a door that God likes to use.  Expectation and faith are blood brothers.  Notice how many times people were healed by Jesus because they believed He could heal them.  See how often he said, “Your faith has healed you.”  When you wake each day do you wake with a spirit of expectation seeking what God has in store for you?  Do you go to church expecting to have an encounter with the living God or do you go because it is Sunday’s habit?  Try living with a spirit of faith expecting Godly encounters on a daily basis and see what a difference it will make.

Secondly, God taught me that it is not always important to understand Him and how He works.  After years of theological study on a Masters and Doctoral level, I have yet to sufficiently understand or explain how God moved in my life that night.  God is greater than my understanding and comprehension.  He also knows each one of us individually and how best to speak in our lives.  Duh! He created us.  So, He deals with each of us according to His best way to connect with us.  Don’t waste too much time trying to figure how things happened.  That is what Jesus scolded Nicodemus for in John 3.  I like the example of Vance Havner, the country preacher who said, “I do not understand all about electricity, but I don't intend to sit in the dark until I do.”  As long as your experience does not contradict scripture trust God by faith and follow where He leads. 

Don’t compare the experience, ‘wisdom’ or ‘helpful advice’ of others above what you know God did or is doing in your life.  Jesus healed several blind people.  Once he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes and told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam”.  Another time He spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him.  He simply told Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, “Go; your faith has made you well.” There’s that phrase again.  Jesus dealt with each as needed.  Each person was blind and given the miracle of sight but in a different fashion.  One was not better or ‘more spiritual’ than the other.  The result was the same in all.  Jesus gave them all the same miracle of sight.  Your experience with God may not be as dramatic or easy to explain as someone else.  Don’t be troubled.  If you have an experience with the living God that does not contradict scripture, it may not be something you can fully understand or explain but don’t let that stop you or discourage you from following God by faith through your unique life. 

Forty three years ago, on a cool damp night at a Billy Graham crusade, God touched me in a way I have yet to fully understand or explain however each day I rise and follow His direction by faith.  That’s what Paul is saying in Philippians 3:13-15; “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.  All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view.” Like Paul, I have not ‘laid hold’ on understanding all God has done and is doing but by faith, I will continue to ‘press on’ by faith until I encounter Billy Graham again…in Heaven!  

Or...

For the past few months I have been on a medical odyssey that, as sportscasters are fond of saying, seems like “Déjà vu all over again”. Let me explain.  At the end of February, 2001 I began a journey that started with a kidney stone and led to the discovery of three aneurysms outside both kidneys and a rare renal artery disease.  My mother died at age 68 with an aneurysm so this got my attention.  I wound up having to go to a major medical facility in another state where a specialist performed two major abdominal surgeries (one in June and the other in November) to remove the aneurysms and a complete renal artery bypass.  Where young male fitness models have a set of six-pack abs I now have a softball sized space with no feeling.  I have a medical excuse for not being able to suck in my gut.  But, each morning I look at the 25 inch scar as a reminder that I could have died 18 years ago. 

I had never had a kidney stone before, but I have always been thankful for that stone as it led to lifesaving discoveries.  Now 18 years later I was diagnosed with my second stone in August.  Since that time I have had a similar journey of one test leading to another.  Hopefully it will all result in a positive result.  I get to meet a lot of new doctors as a result.  Earlier this week a nurse called to let me know my doctor wants to do another test Monday as the last lab report showed something he wanted to check with my liver.  I asked what “we” would be looking with my liver in this latest procedure.  She replied that it could be a couple of minor things or a tumor.  I guess being blunt is the new sensitivity. 

That answer got me thinking for several reasons.  First, harking back to my previously mentioned situation in 2001, I was reminded that while most of the time these tests don’t show any serious or alarming results but, there can always be the times when you get a result that is not the news you want to hear.  Tumor is one of those results you usually prefer not to hear.  However, I was really taken more by one brief word in her answer and believe it or not it was much shorter than the word ‘tumor’.  That was the word ‘OR’.  “It could be a couple of minor things OR a tumor”, the little two letter word ‘OR’ can make a big difference. 

OR, used in a sentence, usually separates two options/choices.  One being better than the other OR they could be two polar opposites such as, “This could be a great experience OR it could kill me.”  It also could separate two similar options with one being slightly better OR slightly worse than the other; “Would you like ice cream, pie OR both?” (That’s a no-brainer), “Would you prefer a spanking OR being grounded for three weeks?” (Wonder why that came to mind so quickly?).  Anyway I think you get the point I am trying to make that the word ‘OR’ can be a very important and very powerful word. 

The way you look at the ‘OR’s’ in your life can determine whether you have a positive uplifting experience OR suffer a negative pessimistic life.  Let me show you what I mean.  No matter what happens with medical tests or any other event in life, you have a choice with how you react and respond to the ‘OR’.  While we may not have much control to be able to change a situation, we have total control of which ‘OR’ we choose to follow.  That realization can make a profound change.  I can let this situation get the best of me OR I can make the best of this situation!  You see how the ‘OR’ can make all the difference?  When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.  People who live discouraged and disappointed lives usually make a habit of going with the worst option/decision separated by the ‘OR’.  People who live abundant joyful fulfilled lives that encourage others make a practice of going with the best option/decision separated by the ‘OR’.  What we do with the OR can make all the difference in life. 

I could go on and try to wax eloquently trying to make a simple point OR I could cut to the chase and make the point.  I choose the latter.  I know it is a simple message but look at it this way; you can take this brief message as inspiration to continually seek the better and more positive choice that will lead to an abundant joyful fulfilled life OR…

Is This About Me?

I hope you are sitting down because I am going to tell you to do something that will dramatically show you the cause of 99% of your problems.  OK, now that you are sitting down I want you to get up and go into the nearest bathroom.  Stand in front of the sink and look straight ahead at the mirror.  You are now standing face to face with your biggest problem.  That’s Right, no matter how much you want to make excuses, you are usually the one to blame.  The greatest hindrance for your spiritual growth can also be found by looking in the mirror.  We get in our own way more often than we wish to admit or realize.  We are born with a nature that causes us to love ourselves.  Look at a 2 year old.  They aren’t taught that they are the center of the universe.  They just know it!  It is not only 2 year olds who suffer with this overblown sense of self-importance.  Try this experiment at any age; get a group picture that includes you.  It doesn’t have to be a large group.  It could be three or thirty in the picture.  Now look at the picture.  Who did you look for first?  Go on, it’s just me and you…it’s ok to admit we usually look for ourselves first.  We can’t help it. 

This self-love/narcissism is vital in developing our self-image.  It is important and healthy that we first develop a healthy self-love.  But it is equally important and healthy that we learn to consider others rather than exclusively dwell on ourselves.  Jesus sums all scriptural teaching ‘Greatest Commandment’, “love our neighbor as we love ourselves” (Matt. 22:39).  He was quoting the Old Testament teaching from Leviticus 19:18.  Both Old & New Testaments both teach and command a healthily balance of self-love combined with love for others.

However, many hang on to narcissism too long, miss the full life God intended for emotional and spiritual maturity.  If we stay “the center of the universe” in our mind & emotion we’re in for a long difficult time, not to mention those around us.  It’s so sad to see people well past their 2nd birthday still behaving as if they believed the world existed for them. Many go to church faithfully, many become leaders in the church and community.  Some even stand behind pulpits or rise to the highest political offices. They become experts in advancing through charm, bullying, deception, manipulation or whatever it takes to advance their ego.  And there it is…the identity of the real culprit: EGO.  Ego is defined by Webster as “a person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance”.  I found a more telling definition as EGO means to Edge God Out! 

You see the more we are concerning about our self-esteem or self-importance the more we push God out of our lives.  You cannot follow Jesus and follow your own desires!  You cannot follow Jesus and follow the desires of others (pleasing them)!  To follow Jesus, you must deny self (die to self)!  The way may not be easy but it is worthwhile.  The more we proceed in diminishing our narcissism, our self-centeredness & sense of self-importance, the more we find ourselves not only less fearful of death but also less fearful of the worries of life.   This is the mysterious and wonderful paradox in real life!  The more we release the more we gain!  It is only when we take our mind/eye off of self that we can truly see/think of others & love others.  Only when we do not think of ourselves or our feelings can we really serve & love unconditionally.  Only when we no longer fear loss of life can we be free to live life.  Satan can no longer manipulate us with fear.  Dead people aren’t scared of anything.  Satan can no longer worry or burden us.  Dead people aren’t worried about anything.  Satan can no longer embarrass us. Dead people aren’t embarrassed about anything.  Next time you are at a funeral look inside the casket and say, “I can’t believe they are wearing that outfit.  It looks awful.”  It’s OK you won’t hurt their feelings or embarrass them.  Excuse me for sounding harsh but I think you get my point. 

It is amazing how much of our life is affected by what others say or think of us or what we want them to say or think of us.  Look at how often events, large or small, boil down to advancing or soothing a person’s ego.  It may be the ego of one who has advanced themselves to be a head of state, leader of a religious movement, neighborhood group or head of a family.  Whatever the level may be, the egotist will do whatever it takes for their own cause, belief or feelings.  So much of their whole existence is controlled by what others think or say about them.  This is the complete opposite of true spiritual maturity.  The spiritually mature person is only concerned with one opinion, what does God think?

The first step in true spiritual maturity is realizing and admitting that it is not about me!  Jesus tried to drill that point home continually.  Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24. Mark 8:24 all teach the essential truth that following Jesus means death to our own ego.  It no longer matters what we want, think or feel; all is put aside to follow Jesus so we think, feel and want as He does.  There is a great freedom when we do not have to worry about what others do, think or say about us because the important thing is that they see Jesus in us.  That is the key that gave Enoch freedom from the difficulties of life and death.  The fifth chapter of Genesis tells us Enoch walked with God for most of his life.  What happens when we walk with someone? Imagine that you and a close friend are enjoying a walk down a country lane. You are in close proximity. You talk, laugh, listen, and share your hearts. Your attention is focused on this person to the exclusion of almost everything else. You notice the beauty around you or an occasional distraction, but only to point it out to your companion. You share it together. You are in harmony, and you both enjoy the peaceful camaraderie.  Walking with God is like that.

Finally Enoch came to the place where “he was no more”.  That may mean that God took him from this world in a way that avoided the fate of death that we all will experience. Or could it mean that Enoch was so surrendered to walk with or follow God with his entire being that people no longer saw Enoch but looked upon him and saw God?  In other words for all practical purposes Enoch no longer lived but God lived completely through Enoch.  Isn’t Paul saying the same thing in Philippians 1:21 where he states; “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”?

So, as Ross Perot was fond of saying, “Here’s the deal”.  No matter how long or short our life may be, the best use of the day(s) we have is to put our feelings, desires, thoughts and agenda aside and walk with God putting His desires, thoughts and agenda first.  The more we practice sacrificial love for God and our fellowman the more we realize the wonderful freedom of no longer worrying about what others think or say about us.  We no longer have to be anxious about what is happening in the world around us or the future because we know that God is accomplishing His purpose in, with and through us and He will take us in His time as he did Enoch.  I like the way a young girl expressed her understanding of Enoch as she described it this way; “God and Enoch enjoyed walking, talking and being together so much that they lost track of time and one day as the sun was going down God said; “Enoch, we are closer to my house than yours so just come and stay there.”  

The path to freedom from hurt feelings, fear, and anxiety is the path of surrendering your ego to completely follow God every day.  Life then becomes a journey of loving others as you walk with God until one day He says, “Hey, we are closer to my home than yours so just stay with me!”

I Spread Joy!

I didn’t feel good this morning.  I am at the age where some parts of my body wake up slower than others.  My knees have been giving me more trouble than usual.  I am delaying knee replacements until Amazon delivers them in a simple do it yourself kit.  I certainly didn’t feel like going to the gym today.  The holiday break from working out was making it difficult to get back in the routine.  I knew I needed to go.  The average American gains 11 pounds during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holiday.  I am proud to say that I am a little below average on that note but I needed to get back on track.  I joined the gym in February and lost 26 pounds in 4 months.  Since then I have gained 6 so I decided to go even when my body wanted to get back in bed. 

I had a good hard work out.  When I went to my car afterward I noticed it was not where I remembered leaving it.  I smiled at myself for being forgetful and went to the next row where I thought I saw my car and that car was black.  Mine is blue.  Had someone stolen my car while I was inside?  I joke with some of the folks I have come to know at the gym telling them that I know it’s time to quit when I go to get a paper towel to wipe down the machine and by the time I return I can’t remember which one I just used.  This must have been a really hard work out since I couldn’t remember where I parked my car.  It was really time to go home…if I could find my car.  I kept circling and looking when I decided to try the fail-safe way to locate a lost car…hit the alarm button on the remote (as a matter of pride you should only do this when no one is looking). 

I heard the horn, located my car and quickly turned off the alarm hoping no one noticed.  Too late!  I heard the following to my right, “You over here hon, next to me!  We came in at the same time!”  I looked and now remembered the lady who was parked next to me when I arrived.  I had seen her at the gym before, always smiling and very friendly.  She approached and I tried to joke about being lost in the parking lot but she quickly relieved my embarrassment with her smile and positive attitude.  She proudly proclaimed, “I spread joy!”  She moved so quickly and naturally into her story that one could tell she had a lot of practice in sharing her reason to spread joy.  Her name is Gloria.  She had a miraculous story of her discovery, surgery and complete recovery from cancer.  That experience led her to know that she was here for a reason…to spread joy.  She had succeeded in making my day more joyful with her smile and positive attitude as well as her story. 

I thanked her and said, “Now I want to share the story of my miracle.”  I began telling her of my experience in 2001 where a kidney stone led to the discovery of three aneurysms and a rare renal artery disease.  That led to two lifesaving major surgeries.  I won’t go into all the particulars here since I wrote a more detailed account in a previous blog (if interested look in the archives under February 21, 2011 for a blog entitled ‘Ten Years Later’).  My doctor told my wife that this was the type of situation usually discovered in the autopsy where you hear about someone who appeared young and healthy but died suddenly and unexpectedly.  He told me that God obviously was not finished with what he wanted me to do here in this life.  Afterwards I would wake up each morning and the 25 inch scar around my 31 inch waist would serve as my reminder that this day of life was a gift from God and I was to be mindful of making the most of it. 

However, I must confess, that was over 17 years ago and I had begun to once again take life and the blessings of God for granted.  As I have gotten older I have notice a growing sadness.  Seeing parents and loved ones decline and pass away has taken a toll on me.  Often as the minister who is called upon to comfort, attend and preside over sickness, tragedy and funerals I wasn’t able to express my feelings and grief as did others.  I have always tried to be upbeat but that had become more difficult for me recently as I had begun focusing on my increasing aches and pains and a growing sense of melancholy.  I found myself missing the joy of today as I longed for days gone by…until I lost my car and found Gloria.  She quickly reminded me that every day of life was a gift.  She shared her story of her miracle victory over cancer and reminded me that I had a miracle story to share as well.  After she heard my story she wanted to give me a hug.  She didn’t care that before sharing our stories we were strangers from different ethnic groups.  She saw me as she saw everyone else, as a fellow child of God with whom she could spread joy. 

Whether you think you don’t have a miraculous life-saving story to share or not, you have been given life and breath today.  That is a miracle!  The fact that you woke to life today is a sure sign that God has a purpose for you.  If you are wondering about your purpose take a look at 1 Thessalonians 5:16.  It makes it pretty simple, “Rejoice always”!  So no matter what is going on or has gone on in your life, if you have been given breath for today (I assume that you are still breathing if you are still reading this) you have a purpose for the day.  God did not give you breath today to find fault, gripe or focus on yourself.  Gloria understood and got it when she told me that she realized she had been given the gift of life today for a reason; “I spread joy!”   I don’t know about you but I needed that today.   

Everyone Matters

Many people include reading through the Bible as a New Year’s resolution.  They have good intentions and get off to a good start.  The Genesis story is quite compelling, however, they begin to lose steam when they get into the genealogies.  I admit I once had trouble with all the ‘begats’.  I found it hard to get inspiration from ‘so-in-so begat so-in-so’.  Then I would remember 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells me that “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.”  So if all scripture is inspired and useful to teach, correct and train us in righteousness so we may be proficient and equipped for every good work then the begats must be worth more attention. 

The book of Matthew begins with a genealogy.  Matthew was written primarily for an original Jewish audience.  Genealogy was very important to the Hebrew people.   Matthew took this into consideration but he also raised a few pious Jewish eyebrows when he included women (it was clearly a man’s world at that time) and he really caused a stir including a woman of questionable reputation in verses 4 & 5 of chapter 1 verses 4 & 5; “Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab…”  Whoa, why would any noble Hebrew want a prostitute (Joshua 2:1) out front in the important names of family history? 

Before I answer that let’s go back and see the beauty of how and why God led the writer of Matthew and other authors of scripture to give messages ‘between the lines’ to encourage us to mine jewels from Bible study.  So before we look at Rahab let’s look at her father-in-law, Nahshon.  Even those who grew up diligently reading the Bible are not usually that familiar with Nahshon.  However, he was a key leader for the Hebrew people.  According to Jewish rabbinical literature, he was the person who initiated the Hebrews' passage through the Red Sea, by walking in head-deep until the sea parted.  Even if that account troubles you, hang on and I think you might agree that when God parted the waters Nahshon was more than likely the first one to take a step of faith and lead the Israelites into the path surrounded by walls of water.  I know you weren’t told that history would be included so don’t get bored this is important and may be on the test at the end. 

Nahshon was the brother-in-law of Aaron (remember Aaron was Moses’s brother and the first priest of the descendants of Israel set free from Egyptian slavery…oh yeah, those guys).  Reading through the boring genealogies Numbers and Leviticus you find Nahshon as the leader of the tribe of Judah.  Family history was vital for the Hebrew people for many reasons.  As the descendants of Israel were organized for their journey from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land they traveled, ate, slept and camped in columns organized in military fashion comprised of their tribes.  Each tribe had a leader who would lead the column with their tribal banner.  With apologies to Cecil B. DeMille Moses did not lead nearly 3 million people across the wilderness like Gil Favor and Rowdy Yates led herds of cattle in Rawhide (I watched a lot of movies and TV as a child).  The whole thing was very organized.  Seeing God so organized is comforting to an OCD neat freak like me but I digress.  Nahshon was the leader of the largest group, the number of the tribe of Judah was 74,600.  They were the central and largest column who led the way and Nahshon was at the front of the pack.  Can you imagine the responsibility of leading that many people?  He had to get up especially early on travel days.  I used to get frustrated getting ready for a vacation trip and I led a family of four!

When it came time to give an offering in Numbers 7 who do you think went first?  The offering was public (aren’t you glad only the church treasurer knows the amount you give…and they’re not supposed to tell).  Nahshon set a high standard with a huge offering.  I won’t list it here but check it out in Numbers 7:12-17 as you visualize him bringing all this to the altar be glad all you have to do is put an envelope in a passing offering plate.  Each tribal leader followed in the public offering with the same amount.  No one gave less than the standard set by the leader.  A good leader sets a strong positive example for others to follow.  

My wife would tell me that I am now getting long-winded in my story because Nahshon is not my primary focus but I wanted you to see why Nahshon is viewed as primary example of leadership in Jewish history and why the next person is especially significant.

This is where the story gets good as we see a departure in normal Jewish geology as an outsider and a woman is listed.  Nahshon’s son married a woman named Rahab.  She is a little more familiar from our Sunday School lessons as a key figure in the Israelite pilgrimage.  Her story of protecting spies sent to Jericho is found in Joshua 2–6.  Even my childhood conservative Sunday School teacher, who was my pastor’s wife, told us Rahab was a harlot.  I later learned that meant she was a prostitute…goodness!   

Here is the point (FINALLY)!  Rahab is included in the beginning of the first Gospel of Jesus Christ.  She is not judged as immoral, as many churches and ‘Christians’ would do today.  Even as the daughter-in-law of someone who was considered Jewish royalty, most people would keep her in the background due to her shady past.  God does not push people into the shadows.  He elevated her status, as He seeks to do with all of us, and celebrated her spiritual insight, courage and wisdom as she reached out to protect spies sent to Jericho.  She is forever honored for her huge act of courage, spiritual wisdom and faith.   So as Ross Perot was fond of saying; “Here’s the deal”!  There are no insignificant or forgotten people in God’s eyes.  There are hundreds of seemingly trivial names listed in the Bible, far mor than those whom most of us could easily identify as a category on a game show such as Adam, Eve, Noah, Moses, David, Paul, etc.  However each of the countless number of names listed in scripture is someone known, important and dear to God. 

So if the genealogies that are not inspiring to your daily devotionals mean nothing else to you remember THERE ARE NO INSIGNIFICANT OR FORGOTTEN PEOPLE IN GOD’S EYES! I hope you get my point.  And if each person is important to God they should be treated accordingly by us.  Try to look at each person you encounter as does your creator.  Don’t be too quick to judge someone as an outcast by their reputation (like Rahab) as the world does.   When we are not so quick to judge some aspect of behavior but begin looking for the qualities of the heart and spirit of each person we meet, as does God, we may be surprised to find some hidden treasures in people we would normally overlook.  

Heavenly Father, let us be thankful that everyone is important to you and help us see others as you see them!