He be awright. He don’t own this!

It was one of those recent beautiful autumn days when you enjoyed having the car window down.  We were sitting at a traffic light in the lane designated to go straight or turn left.  There was a car next to us in the lane designated to turn right with two young ladies who also were enjoying the weather with their car windows down.  We smiled at one another as we waited for the light to turn green.  At once one of those oversized pickup trucks pulled up behind her car.  You know the type; they drive right up to your rear bumper and look down at your car letting you know they could devour you for a light snack.  He immediately began honking the horn.  He obviously wanted her to turn right on the red light so he could move on and intimidate other drivers.  She was not comfortable with doing as he wished.  She looked at us, raised her eyebrows and cocked her head backwards toward the bully with the loud horn and big truck, saying; “He be awright.  He don’t own this!” as she nodded her head and pointed to herself.   I loved it and gave her a thumb’s up with a big smile. When the light changed and she felt comfortable and safe she made her right-hand turn and we all moved on.  However, that moment stayed with me.

I have often pondered on how much we allow our lives to be affected and intimidated by the expectations of others.  This young lady eloquently stated she was not concerned about being bullied into doing something uncomfortable.  She was comfortable owning and living up to her expectations rather than those of the stranger behind her seeking to force her to do something she was clearly not at ease doing.   The driver of the truck would indeed be alright waiting his turn for the light to change. 

Our life is too precious and brief to be spent seeking to please or live up to the expectations of others.  We are each unique individuals.  The Psalmist tells us that we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14.)  We each have our unique and individual personality, set of gifts, thoughts and pathway to life a fulfilling life.   There is no one quite like you.  There has never been anyone quite like you.  You have your own pathway to pursue and offer this world.  Our life is best lived following the direction and leadership of our creator rather than the well-intentioned or bullying expectations of others whether they are family, friends or strangers.  As we live following the direction and leadership of our creator we will also make the best contribution to the world and those around us. 

A little over forty years ago I received wonderful advice from a spiritual mentor during my public ordination service to the ministry.  I sat on the front row of the church as Rev. Harry Morotto preached a ‘charge to the church’ that was ordaining me into the ministry.  His message explained the seriousness and responsibilities of publicly setting aside a young man to be recognized as a minister.  That message was followed by ‘charge to the candidate’.  This was a sermon directed exclusively to me.  I sat on the front row while the congregation watched and listened to Rev. Paul Davis, the Director of Missions for the Sedgwick County Baptist Association; as he delivered a strong message directed to me.  I still remember the moment and the symbolism. 

Rev. Davis was a tall distinguished man well known and respected for his lengthy career in ministry.  He looked down on me as he spoke from the platform and pulpit that was already several feet above the floor.  I sat on the front pew looking up at him, which I would have done even if we stood at the same level.  He was 6’3” and I am 5’7” on my best day.  He had a thick headful of gray hair and was well seasoned in life and ministry.  I had a thick headful of blonde hair and was still green and inexperienced in ministry and much of life.  So in that setting, as I was beginning my career in ministry, he gave me wise counsel on the responsibilities of life as a public minister.  There was one moment that is burned in my memory.  He uttered the following sentence; “Please God first and yourself second.”  He then paused to let those words sink in.  That is some of the best advice one could receive no matter what career or pathway in life is pursued. 

If God is pleased with me then I should be pleased with myself as well.  If God is pleased with me it means that I am acting in a way of kindness and compassion as I ‘love God with all my heart and love my neighbor as I love myself’ (Matthew 22:36-40).  If I am living my life pleasing God and I am also pleased with such a pathway, it really should not matter what others think or expect of me.  People have many different expectations for their pastor, child, sibling, friend, boss, employee, co-worker, etc.  One can drive themselves crazy trying to please and meet the various expectations of others.  We are best served, and serve others best by following God’s expectations.  After all He is the only one to whom we will be finally and eternally accountable. 

King Solomon, who was known for his gift of wisdom, searched all the ways one could experience life and concluded Ecclesiastes 12:13-14  with this: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.  For God will bring every deed into judgment including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”   In other words it doesn’t matter what you do or think the only thing that matters in the end is God’s judgement on the way you lived. 

So never worry about the expectations or opinions of others.  In the words of another wise man, Theodor Seuss "Ted" Geisel better known by most as Dr. Seuss: “Be who you are and say how you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”

Love Thy Neighbor

Years ago I remember reading a column by a news correspondent that began; “It was a tense and tumultuous day in the Middle East…which is to say it was a normal day in the Middle East”  One could say that about the current situation in the US today.  We seem to be explosively divided over many political and social issues.  We are struggling with racial and political unrest as well as a global pandemic like few have seen in our lifetime.  These are truly difficult days but they may not be that abnormal.  I am not Buddhist but I understand and somewhat agree with two of their Four Noble Truths:  The First Truth is that life consists of suffering, pain, and misery. The Second Truth is that this suffering is caused by selfish craving and personal desire.   Much of life does seem to consist of suffering, pain and misery (sounds a lot like me waking and trying to get my 68 year old body out of bed).  Our selfish cravings and personal desires have led us to be in the midst of some interesting, painful and confusing times for many. 

Four years ago I received a call from a former church member who said, “Pastor, you have given me wise counsel over the years from the pulpit and in personal discussions.  You always taught us to follow the direction of the scriptures but I am having trouble finding scriptural guidance and I need your guidance on how to vote.”  While I was flattered that my counsel was still considered worthy I was also taken aback.  I had never publically approached any political opinion as a minister.  I always considered my job to promote Jesus and his love and stay away from politics.  I never backed away from a moral directive that had a Biblical basis but I never wanted anyone to know what my political leanings or opinions were.  Heck, I didn’t even want them to know what sports teams I followed.  I did not want anything to take away from my presentation of the Gospel. 

I thanked the friend for their trust in my counsel and told him that I could not tell him how to vote except to follow his understanding of God’s guidance and his own moral convictions in making his choices.  The Bible does not give specifics on these matters. The Apostle Paul gave the following advice; “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—or kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).  So we are to pray for them that we may live peaceful and quiet lives.  I personally always liked the advice of my barber in Louisiana (which is famous for wild politics).  He told me that his grandfather advised him to; “Always vote the incumbents out!” 

Putting politics aside, in all my years I have sought the most Biblical and peaceful direction in life.  When you are always the shortest guy in the room it is easy to be one who seeks the pathway of less conflict.  However, Jesus also told us the peacemakers will be blessed and “called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).  Therefore, I have always sought to make peace with my fellowman.  My mother was a peacemaker and I guess I inherited those genes from her.  Thank you Mom!

I have also been influenced by my upbringing as a child of the 60’s growing up in Mississippi in the middle of the violent civil rights movement.  I was just 3 days shy of my 12^th birthday when Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner were murdered by a group of civic leaders and law enforcement officers.  Their crime was seeking to help black people have the right to vote.  This happened 81 miles from my home.  I was forever impacted by these events.  In fact, I began this occasional blog on August 9, 2008 with an article entitled Labels are Best on Soup Cans referencing this evil event. 

One of the advantages of being old is that you have lived through many crisis situations and realize that while the days may seem gloomy and dark, we have always survived.  When I was in my pre-teen years there was murderous racial strife, riots, assassinations of a president, political and civic leaders along with a war that was deemed unwinnable and unjustified.  However, some 50 years later we are still here.   

In my 40 years of ministry I have served as a Pastor and Director of Missions (where duties consisted of being a pastor to pastors, a mission’s leader, and church conflict mediator among other duties) and I have learned much.  I have had the privilege of meeting and becoming lifelong friends with some of the sweetest saints that one would wish to encounter in life.  I have been blessed to travel and share God’s love to 5 of the 7 continents.  I don’t know if I will ever make it to Australia (even though I speak the language, 'Mate') or Antarctica.   I have also met some of the meanest and hardhearted people who are in church every Sunday and have even acquired positions of leadership.  Surprisingly to many, my greatest spiritual experience in worship occurred in the chapel of the toughest maximum security prison in the state and not a church. 

I have discovered that there are loving people in and out of the traditional church.  I have also learned that there are mean and evil people everywhere.  Some are in political office and some are in church and even in pulpits.  Remember I am a child of the 60’s where segregation was preached from some pulpits in Mississippi.   

So, without rambling on too much more, where does this lead?  In all these years of study, ministry and travel I have learned that it doesn’t really matter if one is a Democrat, Republican, Socialist, Communist, Liberal, Conservative, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, Agnostic, or whatever; the best theology, philosophy or way to seek the best life each day is to simply “love your neighbor as yourself.”  If we will give our fellowman the same status in life as we think we deserve and treat them as we seek to be treated the whole world will see more harmony and peace. 

We are all neighbors on this planet with a wide diversity of people.  God seemed to enjoy different people because he made a lot of them.  We have different backgrounds, beliefs, skin color, cultures and experiences.  These should never divide us but they should be used to bring us together and enjoy growing and understanding the vastness of whom we are and who we can be when we are in harmony with one another. Life is better when we love one another! Trust me, I am a Doctor! 

“Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht”

“Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht” is an old Yiddish adage meaning, “Man Plans, and God Laughs.” Despite our most careful planning, the Road of Life is unpredictable.  If we have learned anything from this year of COVID-19 we have certainly learned the truth of this ancient proverb.  This was to be the year of celebrating our 40^th wedding anniversary with a Rhine River Cruise.  When we booked and paid for the special trip at the beginning of the year no one in our country had heard of CORONA or COVID-19.  Heck, I had never even heard of the previous 18 COVIDS!  I guess they never got out of hand until number 19 came along.  Now we have to do our best to stay married to try again next year. 

In all seriousness, there have been far more serious changes to plans due to the deadly virus than our trip.  People have lost loved ones, health, jobs, etc.  We do not know how the world will be on the other side of COVID but we know it will not be the same.  There will be permanent scars. 

Proverbs 19:21 says; “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.”  I do not believe that God necessarily has a purpose in disease or disaster.  I have long studied and proclaimed that we live in a “sin-scarred” world where bad things happen sometimes for no rhyme or reason other than we live in a fallen world.  The earliest teaching of the Bible declares that deciding to do ‘what we choose’ instead of obeying ‘what God said’ brings disastrous consequences.   Before man’s disobedience there was no recorded sickness, storms, death, destruction or even a heat wave.  So, over the years when I have been with families dealing with tragic sickness, tragedy or death, I have never said; “You know God has a purpose in this!” That is not what Proverbs 19:21 says.  It tells us that God’s purpose prevails no matter what our thoughts, plans or actions may be.  So, what is God’s purpose when things do not go as we planned? 

I will explain and finish this thought in a few moments.  But first let me set the stage.  We do live in an imperfect world and we all have our flaws and shortcomings.  I recently told my wife that anything made by man will eventually break or malfunction.  Who knows what we were talking about?  I was probably making another excuse for something I broke but anyway…the point is that even when we try our best things probably will not work out as we planned. 

I confess that early in my ministry I would be planning a sermon and the thought would pop into my head that this is exactly what a certain person needs to hear.  Inevitably that particular person would be absent that following Sunday.  So, much for my plan!  I also have memories of working all week to have a message that would come to a great climax to make the critical point.  As I would get to that crucial place in the sermon either a baby would begin crying or someone would begin coughing loudly.  Now everyone would be watching the baby or the coughing victim.  Again, so much for my plan!  

Over the years I have participated and led many overseas mission trips.  I would always give an orientation as many participants had never been overseas.  I told them to memorize two words that would become helpful at some point; “BE FLEXIBLE”!  I learned that no matter how well I planned something unexpected would always happen and being OCD, I planned excessively.  My largest group was a team of 53 volunteers going to Romania.  We had people from 24 churches over different parts of the state.  The plan had team members flying from 5 different regional airports to Atlanta where we would all meet at the gate for our flight to Romania on the same plane.  I had many trips under my belt and was not worried about the logistics…until I was ready to board my flight for Atlanta.  I was informed that weather had delayed several flights in other cities.  We wound up scattered on several flights over the Atlantic Ocean.  When I landed in Europe, as I was rushing to the desk to find out where and when the rest of the team would arrive I was repeating my mantra…BE FLEXIBLE…BE FLEXIBE.  I did manage to get all 53 people together for our mission work in Romania and safely home but not as I planned. 

While it is good and practical to make plans, we need to be aware that God may indeed be smiling as He sees the big curveball that is heading our way.  Again, I do not believe that God may have always thrown the curveball.  As stated previously, we live in a world of uncertainty and chaos that is primarily due to our own limited wisdom and poor decisions as a human race explained in Genesis 3.  While God may not always cause the disruption in our plans He may let it happen.  Now back to Proverbs 19:21, no matter how many and how diverse our plans may be God has a purpose that will prevail.  

I think often of the Apostle Paul.  Paul was following God’s leadership preaching and wound up in jail.  The normal response might be, “This is the thanks I get! Why try?”  However Paul changed his thinking.  This was not what I planned but how can God’s purpose prevail here?  He no longer had to worry about gathering an audience.  He now had a ‘captive’ audience with the guards as he explained in Philippians 1:12-30.  When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.  Rather than becoming discouraged, disappointed or frustrated when our plans are not working look for God’s purpose in the day or the moment.  He always wants us to practice patience, kindness and love no matter how our plans have blown up or what the situation may be.  That may sound simplistic but that is always His purpose.  When we seek to have the most loving response no matter what happens His purpose will always prevail and we will find His joy.    

Are We In The Last Days?

Interpreting the signs of the end times can be tricky, depending on who you listen to and the many different interpretations of scriptures.  Since the ascension of Jesus well-meaning Christians have looked at various events considered as signs in their times and had diverse interpretations to predict the coming of the end times and have always been wrong.  How do I know they were all wrong?  Well, Jesus has not come again yet and we are still here aren’t we?  People in the days of the Apostle Paul thought the signs had been fulfilled in their day.  Some stopped working thinking the end was about to happen at any moment.  “If the end of the world is coming tomorrow, why go to work?”  He addressed some of that in his letters to the Thessalonians.

Numerous sincere believers thought World War 1 was Armageddon and Kaiser Wilhelm was the Antichrist.  When the war ended and Jesus did not return many lost faith.  When Nixon was dealing with foreign policy that some believers did not approve people started looking at signs of the end times.  There was even a formula concocted by some using numbers to substitute for letters of the alphabet (example A=1, B=2, C=3, etc.) to determine that the Antichrist was the Secretary of State in the Nixon administration.  The total numerical value of Henry Kissinger’s name added up to 666. Oohhh!!!

Then along came Operation Desert Storm, the war in Iraq and many sought to make that fit into their understanding of fulfilled Biblical prophecy.  All of this is to say that depending on one’s interpretation the signs have been fulfilled in every generation.  However we must remember that Jesus did not give us signs to be used for predicting the time of his second coming.  They were simply given as messages to give hope in times of persecution and difficulty to encourage believers to remain faithful. 

The book of Revelation was an uninterrupted drama that was meant to be read aloud in one sitting to gain the full effect of the story.  It was not intended to be chopped up and dissected to be used to make prophecy charts and prediction of the fulfillment of particular signs.  If one were to stop a classic movie every few moments and make charts and debate or discuss every detail of the previous scene one would probably miss the drama and full meaning of the story.  It is filled with symbolism that was not to be taken as much literally but to tell a colorful story conveying a message to believers not to be discouraged no matter how difficult things become in the world at a given time, those who remain faithful will be saved in the end.   Not looking at the story in its entirety can give the wrong message.  For instance if one were to view a few isolated scenes from ‘Gone With The Wind’ out of context of the whole movie one could get the idea that Rhett and Scarlett were the ideal couple.  That is certainly not the case when one views the entire movie.  I have long had a mental picture of those who use scriptures to form charts and graphs so they can ‘know’ and ‘properly interpret the signs of the times’ being shocked when Jesus shows up…not on their timetable but His and they are stunned saying, “This can’t be right.  I still have two squares unchecked on my chart!” 

One of the best places I could refer concerning interpreting such signs is Matthew 24 where Jesus addressed the disciples’ questions about the end times.  Jesus clearly says that no one knows when the end will come in verse 36; “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Verses 42-46 give a good summary of the way Jesus wanted us to look and live in preparation for that day; “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”

I have a personal theory (more for fun more than theology) that Jesus will return on the third day after His ascension.  He was in the tomb three days and was resurrected so I think it would be great symmetry to return for His second coming on the third day after his ascension into Heaven.  Wait, that was some 2000 years ago…we are way past the third day!!!  Hey, don’t forget that, “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (Psalm 90:4 & 2 Peter 3:8)  So according to that timetable, Jesus has only been away a couple of days and perhaps will return in another day…sometime around the year 3000.  So, hang in there!

Seriously, in my humble opinion, there have always been troubling times in history and there have always been those who seek to make the events of the time fit their agenda or theology. However, I believe it is best not to worry about such matters, as Jesus said, but to be faithful each day because we do not know when The End Times (or our end time) will come.  So live each day to the fullest honoring God and sharing His love to those around you and I think it will all work out OK for you whenever the end comes.  

Strength, Humility and Hope

From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence.  It is an unusual time in our country, which is to say that it is actually a typical time in our country.  If one examines the history one quickly sees that we have had times of terrible disease before, times of extreme division (even to the point of a bloody Civil War), times of racial discrimination and injustice (experienced by Native Americans, as well as those who came here from different lands with different ethnic and religious backgrounds such as; Asian, Irish, Jewish, Polish, German, African, Catholics, Muslims, etc.), and we have seen times of political turmoil and hatred before even to the point of the assassination  of some of our leaders.

We have also seen times of great prosperity, hope and heroism.  We have come together to defeat the end ‘The War to end all Wars’ (How little did we know what was to come in the near future).  When the evil of the next world war reared its destructive head we rallied again to defeat Nazism and destructive Japanese imperialism (we also gave up on the idea of a ‘War to end all Wars’ and just gave that one a number calling it the second one).  We have seen our country lead the world in many charitable and humanitarian causes. 

We are indeed not perfect. We are and have been since our beginning in an up and down cycle of good, great, bad and horrible times; sometimes it seems all in the same brief period.  An up and down ride on a roller coaster may be worth waiting in line to enjoy but as a way of life it can become quite unsettling without a proper perspective.

In a few months we will have a presidential election. There is no other country on the planet now or in history that exhibits the civil transfer of power as does the United States of America. No matter how one votes, this is and should always be a time of great celebration of our freedom and unique strength as a nation. I hope every president finds a special and significant place in the White House.  I once read that there is an unpainted section of the White House on the Truman Balcony. It is exposed charred wood that was burned when the White House was occupied by the British and burned during The War of 1812. History can be quite interesting. This section was left exposed and unpainted as a reminder of that occupation for three reasons that we should always remember as a nation and as children of God.

As is often indicated in the Old Testament and in our lives today, we are people of a short memory. We frequently need historical reminders of God’s grace and providence in our Spiritual lives as well as in the life of our nation. As we acknowledge another significant time in the life of our nation I thought it would be appropriate to remember the three reasons for the exposed charred wood on the Truman balcony.

First, it is a reminder of STRENGTH. The United States of America was strong enough to be established as a free nation where people could live and worship freely. We had the strength, as a fledgling group of colonies, to declare our independence from the British Empire, one of the greatest powers in the world, and defeat that great military power to win our declared freedom.  This freedom gave us the strength to come back from the British invading, taking and burning the capital on August 24, 1812. We were strong enough to resist the British once again, regain the White House and rebuild it.  The White House remains a symbol of strength today. We must never forget that strength comes from freedom.

Second, the section of charred wood is a reminder of HUMILITY. We must always remember that we can fall. We must never take our sovereignty or strength for granted.  Pride can always lead to a fall.  Humility comes from a Greek word describing a stallion that is under the control of the bridal.  Humility is not weakness but strength under control.  Strength without humility leads to arrogance and recklessness which is almost always destructive.  We have previously had foreigners invade and burn our capital. We must never become too proud to think that we are above failure and annihilation from outside forces or from division within.

Finally, there is always HOPE. No matter how dark the days may seem there is always hope when men seek freedom.  That is the American dream.  Even when the President of the United States of America had to flee and run for his life as the White House was invaded by a foreign power and burned there was hope for the future.  All was not lost.  The White House was regained and rebuilt.  The country became stronger as a result.  We must always have hope.

As a follower of Jesus I find eternal STRENGTH in Him as I can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13), I seek to follow His eternal example of HUMILITY (Philippians 2:1-12) and I find my HOPE for eternity through faith in Him (John 14:1-6).  As we celebrate this 244^th anniversary of the birth of American independence I ask that you will join me in praying that our elected leaders will find and follow that same trinity of Strength, Humility and Hope.

68

It was an early morning in West Point, MS on June 24, 1952 when we met.  I met her first and him a little later.  In those days expectant fathers had to wait in a separate room.   A nurse came in and told him he had a son and both mother and child were well.  It was 68 years ago so I don’t really remember my first impression of Jack and Dot Drees but I will always remember the lasting impression they had, and still have on my life.  Both have been physically absent from this world for many years now.  He has been gone for 10 years and she left us far too early 23 years ago.  She was 68.  Today is my 68^th birthday. 

This is all significant to me for several reasons.  First it’s my continual reminder that life is precious, fragile, fleeting and uncertain.  Mom was in great health.  To my knowledge she was only a hospital patient twice in her life; first on that June morning in 1952 when we met 68 years ago and then two years later when she and my sister met for the first time.  On June 14, 1997 she and dad were winding down a fun Saturday with family and friends.  It was the day before Father’s Day.  Before going to bed she came to dad as he was in his recliner flipping channels on the TV remote control.  Men often finish the day in the recliner flipping through the channels before turning the TV off and going to bed.  Men don’t watch one channel as much as they want to know what else is on.  Anyway, mom came to him and said, “I am going to give your Father’s Day card and gift a little early”.  As he was looking at the card she said, “I have a sharp pain in my head”.  She slumped in her recliner and those were her last words.  A massive cerebral aneurysm changed everything for our family that night. 

I think about that night often.  I especially thought about it when I was told I had three aneurysms just before my 49^th birthday.  Thanks to some divine intervention, two lifesaving major surgeries from a great surgeon and his team I am here for birthday number 68.  If interested a more detailed story of that event is in the blog archives for 2011 entitled ‘Ten Years Later’.  Back to today; now that I am the same age as mom was when she died and having experienced survival from aneurysms I am thoughtful and thankful for the things I learned from her life and death. 

From her death, as mentioned previously, I learned that life is precious, fragile, fleeting and uncertain.  None of us know what the next moment will bring or how long we will live.  Therefore I am continually encouraged to follow the advice from John 10:10 to ‘live abundantly’ and make the most of each moment.  Life is too short to hold on to anger, hurt feelings, fear, worry, anxiety and destructive thoughts or behavior.  Let go of all that is negative or destructive and celebrate each moment.  Cherish each moment with family and friends while you can.  I miss mother because she was such fun to be with but I’m glad for each moment we had and happy that when we parted we were on great terms. 

From her life, I learned the importance of being a peacemaker.  Mom was the peacemaker of our family.  I have cherished memories of growing up in a harmonious family.   I have often said that I am blessed with memories of growing up in the happiest family I knew.  I have no memories of mom and dad arguing.  I am certain that happened but I don’t remember any major disagreements in front of my sister and me.  While I have memories of joking, laugher and having fun growing up there were the typical minor disagreements either between brother and sister or parents with teenage children.  So there was, as in every family and group in society, a need for a peacemaker.  In our family that was mom.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9).  The dictionary defines a peacemaker as, “a person who helps others solve a conflict and reach a peaceful solution”.  One doesn’t have to look very far today to see the need for more peacemakers.  Jesus describes this is the character trait of “a child of God”.  True children of God pursue harmony and peace as they seek to lead others to the same type of reconciled life. 

These two things I learned from mother’s life and death actually go hand in hand.  When we remember that life is precious, fragile, fleeting and uncertain we will try to make the most of each day and seek to be at peace with God and our fellowman.   We cannot truly live abundantly if we are not in harmony with God and our fellowman.  1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our misdeeds to God, He will forgive and cleanse us from all wrongdoing.  It is simple really, if you have wronged God, confess it to Him and receive his grace.  If you have wronged someone, confess your mistake(s) and seek a peaceful reconciliation ASAP.  If someone had wronged you, forgive them ASAP.  It’s not rocket science!

Mother didn’t get to attend college.  She rarely traveled more than a few hundred miles from home and never visited another country.  She never wrote a book, a song or was a political leader.  However, she was known to bring laughter, joy, and peace wherever she went.  When she died over 500 people came to express what she meant to them.  She is still remembered with a smile by all that knew her.  So, as I enter my 68^th year, which was her last year, I plan to make the most of each day living abundantly in peace, joy and harmony.  Why not join with me?

Hold On To All That Is Good

We live in very confusing times and it seems to be getting worse rather than better.  I have to admit that am becoming more skeptical of everything every day.  I have stopped watching the news.  I once thought it was important to stay informed but now it seems as if each network or program has a very different version or presentation of what is going on in the world.  Each one appears to try to make things more alarming to keep viewers tuned in to their program or I get the impression that they are simply seeking to sway viewers to their agenda or point of view.  I remember growing up listening to Walter Cronkite to find out what was happening in the world.  He was a liberal Democrat who went sailing with the Kennedys but one never could discern that from his broadcast.  You could trust a more objective presentation of the day’s important events as he concluded with, “And that’s the way it is”.

I don’t even trust the weather forecast anymore.   When they predict storms I think, “it may rain…or maybe not.”  I go back to my dad’s ‘rope method’ of discerning the weather.  You hang a rope out the window and when you pull it in you can know the weather.  If the rope is wet…rain.  If the rope is warm or cold, so is the weather outside.  If it is white…snow!  I know, I know…but it was his sense of humor. 

I remember watching a forgettable movie but was captivated by the following dialogue between a college professor, Coleman, and his friend, Nathan, who was a burned out author isolating himself in a cabin in the woods after becoming disillusioned with everything; NATHAN: “What's the moment called in Greek tragedy, you know, the one where the hero learns that everything he knows is wrong?” COLEMAN: “Peripeteia.”  NATHAN: “That's me. I've come to the woods to lick my wounds.”

PERIPETEIA (Also spelled peripetea is the Greek term for "sudden change") is the sudden reversal of fortune in a story, play, or any narrative in which there is an observable change in direction. In tragedy, this is often a change from stability and happiness toward the destruction or downfall of the protagonist.  I have to admit that the scene stuck with me as I often find myself questioning everything I know and things I have learned in the past.  Perhaps I was too innocent and naïve in the past or else the world around me seemed to have been less volatile and more understandable.  Now almost everything seems to be questionable, unclear or ambiguous.  How can you know who or what to trust?

I have heard famous and eloquent preachers say things that sound convincing but I have also had enough training in that area to know that what was just proclaimed was not necessarily scriptural truth.  As happens with many news programs sometimes preachers also can become more interested in advancing their program, ego, and agenda than proclaiming the unvarnished truth.   Whether it is a famous newscaster, preacher or even your local meteorologist, it is hard to know who to trust.  (you can’t say weatherman anymore without being considered sexist but that is another discussion for another day).  So, again, the question how can you know who or what to trust?  It is the age old question asked by Pilate 2000 years ago as he faced Jesus; “What is truth?” (John 18:38)

Don’t fret, I think it is good to question and not be too easy to trust anyone and everything.  Scripture tells us to “examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).  When I was a pastor I told my listeners to be careful with everything they hear.  Just because it sounds good and seems to be coming from a reliable source, it is still wise to question and examine everything carefully for yourself.  I offered the following; “If you hear something from me that sounds questionable.  Search it out and research it for yourself.  If you find out that I am wrong call me up and we will go to lunch.  Show me my mistake and I’ll pick up the check!”  I was, and still am, interested in the truth…even if it changes what I always thought or believed.  I have always been wary of anyone who is not open to a challenge to their thoughts or opinion.  I prefer being open minded, always ready to learn new things rather than the stubborn closed minded thinking such as; “Don’t bother me with the facts.  I have my mind made up!”

Be a very careful listener to everything.  Notice the subtle ways that ‘truth, facts and ideas’ may be presented and don’t be afraid to have some healthy skepticism.  I have noticed a term that has become popular but I consider dangerous as people now want to tell “my truth” or “their truth”.  Truth is not possessed or owned by any individual.  I know what they are really presenting is their version of the truth but phrasing it in such a way grabs my attention because once someone becomes fixed in ‘their truth’ they are no longer open to the actual truth, which may oppose or differ from ‘their truth’. 

A younger pastor in a small rural church asked me to come and help with a controversial issue in his church.  I told them we were going to look at the teaching in its original language, cultural and historical context and discern the truth that it is conveying to us today.  Immediately a lady on the front row closed her Bible and crossed her arms showing a scowl and body language revealing, “I am closed off to anything you are saying.”  After presenting and explaining the actual meaning of the verses I gave time to reflect.  In a few minutes an older gentleman who had grown up in the church leaned forward and said, “You mean we may have had it preached to us wrong all these years?”  I smiled and welcomed his openness to seeking truth and said, “Maybe so.”  That same Bible the lady with the scowl closed tells us to “examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

We live in confusing times indeed.  Be careful with everything you hear and see.  It is good to have healthy skepticism and do your own homework before accepting anything as factual.  No matter what “you always heard” or “always believed” or where it comes from, don’t hold on to anything that is not helpful, harmonious or good.