Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Random Thoughts
Just some random thoughts I had.
1. I hate explaining my job to someone only to have them ask, "So do you do anything fulltime?"
2. 20 years from now in your wildest dreams brought on by a mixture of alcohol and prescription medication can you image an “oldies but goodies” rap radio station?
3. They talk about multi tasking like it is something new. For years I have been able to read the paper, talk on the phone, collect my thoughts, and eat a sandwich all while in the crapper.
4. My boss keeps coming by my office to catch me working. You would think he would give up by now.
5. I can remember yesterday like it was 20 years ago.
6. I would have been a better student in school if the questions would have been easier.
7. Saying, "I understand women" is as silly as saying, "My cat loves me."
8. If you want to have a great time, go to a class reunion from a different school.
9. I now wear glasses to help me find my reading glasses.
10. Its a man's world right up to the time you get hit in the crotch.
11. A "fall down" drunk is simply an overachiever.
12. I would smoke but I feel I can look stupid enough on my own without it.
13. My spell check now cusses at me after the 5th or 6th try.
14. I like to go to the Big and Tall shop and scream at the manager for not having anything in my size. (I am 5'9")
15. My advice to men. Make a lot of mistakes with the dishes and laundry when you first get married. Your wife still loves you enough not to kill you in your sleep and it gets you out of a lot work for the rest of your life.
16. I am starting to think that maybe OJ did do it.
17.
1. I hate explaining my job to someone only to have them ask, "So do you do anything fulltime?"
2. 20 years from now in your wildest dreams brought on by a mixture of alcohol and prescription medication can you image an “oldies but goodies” rap radio station?
3. They talk about multi tasking like it is something new. For years I have been able to read the paper, talk on the phone, collect my thoughts, and eat a sandwich all while in the crapper.
4. My boss keeps coming by my office to catch me working. You would think he would give up by now.
5. I can remember yesterday like it was 20 years ago.
6. I would have been a better student in school if the questions would have been easier.
7. Saying, "I understand women" is as silly as saying, "My cat loves me."
8. If you want to have a great time, go to a class reunion from a different school.
9. I now wear glasses to help me find my reading glasses.
10. Its a man's world right up to the time you get hit in the crotch.
11. A "fall down" drunk is simply an overachiever.
12. I would smoke but I feel I can look stupid enough on my own without it.
13. My spell check now cusses at me after the 5th or 6th try.
14. I like to go to the Big and Tall shop and scream at the manager for not having anything in my size. (I am 5'9")
15. My advice to men. Make a lot of mistakes with the dishes and laundry when you first get married. Your wife still loves you enough not to kill you in your sleep and it gets you out of a lot work for the rest of your life.
16. I am starting to think that maybe OJ did do it.
17.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Lessons from Dying
Part Two
Speaking of learning lessons from dying, (see Part One) there’s a story in the Bible about learning some valuable lessons from watching someone go through the dying process.
The person learning the lessons is a Roman guard and the person dying is Jesus.
Jesus’ whole life was about teaching us lessons. Lessons we would learn from his words, his actions, and just simply from his life itself. So it goes almost without saying (but then why would I be writing this) that we could also find lessons for our life from his death.
At least the Roman guard seemed to learn from it.
I am guessing this unnamed centurion had no idea what the day would hold when he clocked in for work that day. I am sure he had heard of Jesus but we have no idea if their paths had ever cross before this day of death rolled around. The crowds were probably bigger and a little noisier than usual but for him and his men it was just another day at work.
But for this centurion it didn’t turn out to be just another day.
The Roman guard had experienced the act of a crucifixion many times over the years and he no doubt had seen first hand the horrible dying process that crucifying someone can bring about. He knew all he needed to know about how to kill a man in this manner and how the crucified reacted. But today was different. Well, not the day but the man being crucified certainly was.
So the centurion was about to see something new. He was about to learn some very valuable lessons.
As Jesus hung on the cross the centurion watched, and listened and learned.
Forgiveness
After being wrongfully arrested, beaten, mocked, spit on, kicked, and thorns pushed into his scalp. Jesus was then nailed to a cross to die. And after all that he looks to the sky and says, “Father, forgive them for they do not don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) I would bet the centurion never heard those words come of the mouth of one of his customers. If they called out to God at all they probably called down curses rather than forgiveness. But this man was different. This man taught the centurion about forgivenss.
Part Two
Speaking of learning lessons from dying, (see Part One) there’s a story in the Bible about learning some valuable lessons from watching someone go through the dying process.
The person learning the lessons is a Roman guard and the person dying is Jesus.
Jesus’ whole life was about teaching us lessons. Lessons we would learn from his words, his actions, and just simply from his life itself. So it goes almost without saying (but then why would I be writing this) that we could also find lessons for our life from his death.
At least the Roman guard seemed to learn from it.
I am guessing this unnamed centurion had no idea what the day would hold when he clocked in for work that day. I am sure he had heard of Jesus but we have no idea if their paths had ever cross before this day of death rolled around. The crowds were probably bigger and a little noisier than usual but for him and his men it was just another day at work.
But for this centurion it didn’t turn out to be just another day.
The Roman guard had experienced the act of a crucifixion many times over the years and he no doubt had seen first hand the horrible dying process that crucifying someone can bring about. He knew all he needed to know about how to kill a man in this manner and how the crucified reacted. But today was different. Well, not the day but the man being crucified certainly was.
So the centurion was about to see something new. He was about to learn some very valuable lessons.
As Jesus hung on the cross the centurion watched, and listened and learned.
Forgiveness
After being wrongfully arrested, beaten, mocked, spit on, kicked, and thorns pushed into his scalp. Jesus was then nailed to a cross to die. And after all that he looks to the sky and says, “Father, forgive them for they do not don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) I would bet the centurion never heard those words come of the mouth of one of his customers. If they called out to God at all they probably called down curses rather than forgiveness. But this man was different. This man taught the centurion about forgivenss.
Family
Peering through thorns and blood dripping from his brow Jesus was able to make out the faces of those standing near the cross. Although most of his friends and family had left him alone there were still a few that had stayed. And in that group was his mother. A good mother would never leave her dying son and Mary was a good mother. And Jesus was a good son. And as he looked at Mary he said, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27) In the midst of his own pain and suffering Jesus took time to take care of his mother. And with this single act the centurion learned the lesson of how important family is.
Forever
This day of death and destruction was not only for Jesus but for two other men as well. On each side of Jesus hung two thieves. As the three men hung there waiting for death to arrive, a conversation broke out between them. And as they spoke the centurion listened. One of the thieves cursed and mocked Jesus but the other one saw something in Jesus that caused him to ask Jesus to remember him in his kingdom. To which Jesus replied, “..today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Quite the lesson learned here. The lesson of how to live with Jesus forever was taught and learned that day. Before his very eyes this centurion pupil learned how you can go from the agony of the cross to the comfort of the kingdom all in a matter of hours. No doubt this lesson stuck in the centurion’s mind. And surely it stuck in his heart too.
Father
As the hours passed and the cross did its work the now much wiser centurion must have sensed that his new found teacher was not long for this world. He had seen so many men die before that he surely knew when death was close by. But there was one more lesson for him to learn. As the sky darkened and the earth began to rumble Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) Earlier the centurion heard Jesus speak to his mother but now it was time to speak to his father. What a lesson to learn. To live a life in a way that as death creeps in we are found talking to our heavenly father. We start the conversation on this side of heaven, death interrupts but just for a moment and then we complete the conversation it on the other side.
This mighty man started the day as a Roman guard and he ended the day as a Roman guard. On the outside that is. But I believe he ended the day’s work a different man on the inside. After learning about forgiveness and the importance of the family, and how to spend forever in God’s kingdom. He then learned who’s name he should be calling when his life comes to a close. And after learning these things there was only one conclusion this now much wiser centurion could come up with, “Surely this man was the Son of God.”
And it is my prayer that we will all learn the same lessons. And as we look at the life and the death of Jesus we will come to the same conclusion.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Lessons from Dying
(Part One)
As most of you know I recently had the misfortune of losing my stepfather Dale to liver cancer. He lived almost exactly two years after being diagnosed with the dreaded “C” word. Dale passed away on March 10, 2009.
After being diagnosed with cancer Dale showed very little effects of the cancer for almost a year and half. But during what turned out to be the last few months of his life you could visibly see what the cancer was doing to his body. For me and the rest of the family it was so hard to watch this giant of man (in heart and body) dwindle down to a state where he could no longer get out of bed or even feed himself.
As I write this it is so hard to make myself think about Dale being gone. But he is. And it is hard to think about the dying process that he went through. Not only for him but for mom. My heart still breaks for her.
Over the 45 plus years that he was my stepfather Dale taught me so much about life and living. And I as try to work through all this I realize he taught me a lot of lessons in his dying as well.
He taught me although we don’t welcome death, we don’t have to fear it either.
I learned it is OK to laugh and joke around even when death is just days away.
And that peace really can be found in the middle of the storm.
He taught me dignity is more a state of mind than the state you find your body in.
But mostly I learned that your faith and your family are the most important things when we face the trials of life. And the trials of death.
I learned so much from Dale’s life. But I also learned from his dying.
And I know as I continue to process this, more lessons will surely follow.
(Part One)
As most of you know I recently had the misfortune of losing my stepfather Dale to liver cancer. He lived almost exactly two years after being diagnosed with the dreaded “C” word. Dale passed away on March 10, 2009.
After being diagnosed with cancer Dale showed very little effects of the cancer for almost a year and half. But during what turned out to be the last few months of his life you could visibly see what the cancer was doing to his body. For me and the rest of the family it was so hard to watch this giant of man (in heart and body) dwindle down to a state where he could no longer get out of bed or even feed himself.
As I write this it is so hard to make myself think about Dale being gone. But he is. And it is hard to think about the dying process that he went through. Not only for him but for mom. My heart still breaks for her.
Over the 45 plus years that he was my stepfather Dale taught me so much about life and living. And I as try to work through all this I realize he taught me a lot of lessons in his dying as well.
He taught me although we don’t welcome death, we don’t have to fear it either.
I learned it is OK to laugh and joke around even when death is just days away.
And that peace really can be found in the middle of the storm.
He taught me dignity is more a state of mind than the state you find your body in.
But mostly I learned that your faith and your family are the most important things when we face the trials of life. And the trials of death.
I learned so much from Dale’s life. But I also learned from his dying.
And I know as I continue to process this, more lessons will surely follow.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Chapter 2
The Bible is a very unusual book. In a lot of ways but in particular in the way it is written. In most books the author will take pages and pages if not chapters to introduce a character. With his most eloquent and descriptive words he can come up with the author will paint a picture of a character so the reader can almost visualize what they look like and how they will react to a certain situation.
But the Bible doesn’t do that. Many of its characters just seem to show up with little or no introduction. I know, it is different with some. We get the background to the birth of Moses and then we read a lot about his life and then it continues on until his death. With Jesus we have the announcement of His birth and then obviously the Bible covers in detail His three year earthly ministry along with His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection.
But most of the time a character found in the Bible just seems to show up on the scene. And then in most cases is either seldom or never heard from again. We have been reading about these people for hundreds of years but in most cases we only get to read Chapter 1 in their lives and nothing from Chapter 2.
Two people come to mind when I think of characters like this. The rich young ruler and the Samaritan woman at the well. Both just show up for their scene, interact with the main character and then are never heard from again.
In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10:17-27) we read the story of the rich young ruler. As Jesus is walking along and teaching this young man out of nowhere runs up to Jesus and immediately asks him a question. No background or character development at all on this guy. In fact you have to read the other gospels that tell the same story just to find out the guy is rich, young, and a ruler. Mark doesn’t take the time to tell us these things about the man.
The ruler asks Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Over the next several verses Jesus gives the guy His answer. At first the young man is excited because he feels he has done everything that is required of him to find this eternal life he is looking for. But Jesus knowing his heart lists one more requirement. “Sell everything you have and give it to the poor and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come follow me.”
The rich young ruler is deeply saddened by this. To follow Jesus is going to cost him more than he is willing to pay. Sadly he turns from Jesus and walks away. Speaking to the people that are left Jesus then makes a point about how hard it is for a rich man to inter the Kingdom of Heaven. But we never hear from this man again. There is no Chapter 2 for this character.
Another “Chapter 1 only” character is the Samaritan woman Jesus meets at the well. This story is found in the Gospel of John (John 4: 4-45). Jesus is traveling to Galilee and on his way he stops at a well in Samaria. He is hot, dry, and thirsty but I am sure he stopped there for a greater reason than to just quince his thirst.
Jesus setting alone by the well is soon joined by a Samaritan woman who has come to the well to draw some water. They start up a conversation which is strange since Jesus is a man and a Jew and in most cases a Jewish man would never lower himself to talk to a Samaritan woman. But they do talk. They talk about a lot of things. She mostly talks about earthly issues while Jesus spends more time on heavenly issues. But still they talk.
And during that conversation the woman starts to realize that this is no ordinary Jewish man. Jesus asks her to go get her husband at which she replies that she has no husband. Jesus responds with, “You are right you have no husband but you have had five husbands and the man you are living with is not your husband.” She wonders, how can a perfect stranger know all these things about her?
The conversation continues and she finally realizes that this stranger is actually the Messiah she knew would be coming someday. For her, that day was today. With her knew knowledge of Jesus and with great excitement she leaves her bucket at the well and heads home to tell everyone what she has discovered.
Jesus ends up following her into town and he spends two days there teaching the people about who He is. Because of the testimony of the woman and the teachings of Jesus himself, many put their faith in him. And then Jesus heads off to Galilee. Chapter 1 is over for the Samaritan woman. We never hear from her again. No Chapter 2 for her.
Maybe I am just curious. But I would just love to know what happened to these two people. How did their story end? What was in the next chapter of their lives?
After walking away did the rich ruler suddenly turn back and say, “No wait, I want to follow you. I want to give away the one thing that keeps me from following my Savior.” Or was it months or even years later that he realized mistake. And to his amazement he found the Savior that loves him was still there waiting for him to follow.
Or sadly by saying no to Jesus this one time make it easier to continue saying no in the future. Did he ever say yes and follow Jesus? We don’t know. We only have Chapter 1.
What about the woman? After her mountain top experience with her Savior did it all come crashing down when her new found spiritual life came face to face with her old natural life? While Jesus was walking out of town did He brush shoulders with the man she was living with as he was walking into town? If so, now what does she do? Does she pick her Savior or does she pick the man? Again we don’t know. We only have Chapter 1.
On this side of heaven there is no way to know what the rich young ruler and the woman at the well did with the rest of their lives. We can only guess.
But what about us? What would our Chapter 2 look like?
Now someone reading this that is in there 20’s might think, “Chapter 2? What about Chapter 6, 8, or all the other chapters of my life I will live? I will have many more chapters than just two.” And the person in their 80’s might say, “Sonny, my life is already on Chapter 30.”
But I don’t think so. I may be wrong but I see Chapter 1 as the story of our life that has been lived up to now. No matter your age. And Chapter 2 is the life you choose to live today. Like the movie Ground Hog Day the second chapter of your life starts over each day. Because each day you have to choose what you are going to do. Follow God or not to follow God.
Chapter 1 of our lives is over. We can’t change it. We can’t rewrite it. We can remember it and learn from it but it is what it is.
I think that is why the Bible doesn’t spend a lot of time dealing with the background of most of its characters. It’s because God is more interested in what we are going to do than what we have done. What we have done in the past whether good or bad is still in the past and it is over. But for today there is still hope. Hope that we will make the right choice and choose to follow Him.
And God believes we can do it. He knows we can make the right choice. As Rob Bell once said, “It is important to believe in God but it is also important to know that God believes in us.” God believed in the Jewish nation. He believed in the disciples. He believed in the church He started. And He believes in you today.
The rich young ruler and the woman at the well both crossed paths with their Savior. And both had a choice. To follow or to walk away.
We have that same choice today.
The Bible is a very unusual book. In a lot of ways but in particular in the way it is written. In most books the author will take pages and pages if not chapters to introduce a character. With his most eloquent and descriptive words he can come up with the author will paint a picture of a character so the reader can almost visualize what they look like and how they will react to a certain situation.
But the Bible doesn’t do that. Many of its characters just seem to show up with little or no introduction. I know, it is different with some. We get the background to the birth of Moses and then we read a lot about his life and then it continues on until his death. With Jesus we have the announcement of His birth and then obviously the Bible covers in detail His three year earthly ministry along with His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection.
But most of the time a character found in the Bible just seems to show up on the scene. And then in most cases is either seldom or never heard from again. We have been reading about these people for hundreds of years but in most cases we only get to read Chapter 1 in their lives and nothing from Chapter 2.
Two people come to mind when I think of characters like this. The rich young ruler and the Samaritan woman at the well. Both just show up for their scene, interact with the main character and then are never heard from again.
In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10:17-27) we read the story of the rich young ruler. As Jesus is walking along and teaching this young man out of nowhere runs up to Jesus and immediately asks him a question. No background or character development at all on this guy. In fact you have to read the other gospels that tell the same story just to find out the guy is rich, young, and a ruler. Mark doesn’t take the time to tell us these things about the man.
The ruler asks Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Over the next several verses Jesus gives the guy His answer. At first the young man is excited because he feels he has done everything that is required of him to find this eternal life he is looking for. But Jesus knowing his heart lists one more requirement. “Sell everything you have and give it to the poor and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come follow me.”
The rich young ruler is deeply saddened by this. To follow Jesus is going to cost him more than he is willing to pay. Sadly he turns from Jesus and walks away. Speaking to the people that are left Jesus then makes a point about how hard it is for a rich man to inter the Kingdom of Heaven. But we never hear from this man again. There is no Chapter 2 for this character.
Another “Chapter 1 only” character is the Samaritan woman Jesus meets at the well. This story is found in the Gospel of John (John 4: 4-45). Jesus is traveling to Galilee and on his way he stops at a well in Samaria. He is hot, dry, and thirsty but I am sure he stopped there for a greater reason than to just quince his thirst.
Jesus setting alone by the well is soon joined by a Samaritan woman who has come to the well to draw some water. They start up a conversation which is strange since Jesus is a man and a Jew and in most cases a Jewish man would never lower himself to talk to a Samaritan woman. But they do talk. They talk about a lot of things. She mostly talks about earthly issues while Jesus spends more time on heavenly issues. But still they talk.
And during that conversation the woman starts to realize that this is no ordinary Jewish man. Jesus asks her to go get her husband at which she replies that she has no husband. Jesus responds with, “You are right you have no husband but you have had five husbands and the man you are living with is not your husband.” She wonders, how can a perfect stranger know all these things about her?
The conversation continues and she finally realizes that this stranger is actually the Messiah she knew would be coming someday. For her, that day was today. With her knew knowledge of Jesus and with great excitement she leaves her bucket at the well and heads home to tell everyone what she has discovered.
Jesus ends up following her into town and he spends two days there teaching the people about who He is. Because of the testimony of the woman and the teachings of Jesus himself, many put their faith in him. And then Jesus heads off to Galilee. Chapter 1 is over for the Samaritan woman. We never hear from her again. No Chapter 2 for her.
Maybe I am just curious. But I would just love to know what happened to these two people. How did their story end? What was in the next chapter of their lives?
After walking away did the rich ruler suddenly turn back and say, “No wait, I want to follow you. I want to give away the one thing that keeps me from following my Savior.” Or was it months or even years later that he realized mistake. And to his amazement he found the Savior that loves him was still there waiting for him to follow.
Or sadly by saying no to Jesus this one time make it easier to continue saying no in the future. Did he ever say yes and follow Jesus? We don’t know. We only have Chapter 1.
What about the woman? After her mountain top experience with her Savior did it all come crashing down when her new found spiritual life came face to face with her old natural life? While Jesus was walking out of town did He brush shoulders with the man she was living with as he was walking into town? If so, now what does she do? Does she pick her Savior or does she pick the man? Again we don’t know. We only have Chapter 1.
On this side of heaven there is no way to know what the rich young ruler and the woman at the well did with the rest of their lives. We can only guess.
But what about us? What would our Chapter 2 look like?
Now someone reading this that is in there 20’s might think, “Chapter 2? What about Chapter 6, 8, or all the other chapters of my life I will live? I will have many more chapters than just two.” And the person in their 80’s might say, “Sonny, my life is already on Chapter 30.”
But I don’t think so. I may be wrong but I see Chapter 1 as the story of our life that has been lived up to now. No matter your age. And Chapter 2 is the life you choose to live today. Like the movie Ground Hog Day the second chapter of your life starts over each day. Because each day you have to choose what you are going to do. Follow God or not to follow God.
Chapter 1 of our lives is over. We can’t change it. We can’t rewrite it. We can remember it and learn from it but it is what it is.
I think that is why the Bible doesn’t spend a lot of time dealing with the background of most of its characters. It’s because God is more interested in what we are going to do than what we have done. What we have done in the past whether good or bad is still in the past and it is over. But for today there is still hope. Hope that we will make the right choice and choose to follow Him.
And God believes we can do it. He knows we can make the right choice. As Rob Bell once said, “It is important to believe in God but it is also important to know that God believes in us.” God believed in the Jewish nation. He believed in the disciples. He believed in the church He started. And He believes in you today.
The rich young ruler and the woman at the well both crossed paths with their Savior. And both had a choice. To follow or to walk away.
We have that same choice today.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
How in the world…….”
There is a game that is used a lot times as an “ice breaker” game. It is simply called Gossip. Most of you have played it or at least have watched it played. The game of Gossip is not only a fun parlor game for children or adults, but it is a good sociological demonstration of what happens to information when it is passed by word of mouth.
The game is played by having a group of people sit in a circle or next to each other to form a line. One person who is not part of the line comes up with a phrase and writes it down on a piece of paper. The piece of paper is then handed to the first person in line and they read it and commit it to memory and then gives the paper back to the person (the source) that wrote the phrase.
The first person in line then “whispers” the information, as well as they can remember it to the next person in line. Then this person does the same, passing the information down the line until it reaches the end. The last person reveals what they have been told to everyone assembled. The first person then reads the phrase out loud.
It is amazing how the phrase changes from its original format to what is actually spoken from the last person in line.
You might start with:
Little Billy was so silly in the way he would ride his bike through the streets at night while eating a moon pie.
And then end up with:
Larry and Willy got so chilly way in the woods and they hiked while wearing sheets on nights with a full moon.
Some of the words are right and some of them are not. There is usually a big laugh from everyone when the last person says out loud what he “thinks” he heard. And then usually the person that came up with the phrase says, “How in the world did you come up with that?” And people in the circle offer up, “That’s not what I heard or said.”
Great fun. If it was only a game.
In my way of thinking and I know I have a weird way of thinking or seeing things but I almost get the feeling that this is exactly what has happened to the modern day church.
In the Bible, Acts chapter 2 gives us a great picture of what the church is supposed to look like. And to me the church of today looks very little like the church found in the book of Acts.
After Jesus leaves his disciples in Acts chapter one and ascends to heaven he sends his Holy Spirit to them. Through his spirit he communicates to his disciples on how to continue the work that he started and how to set up God’s church.
And I think Acts 2:42 is a perfect picture of what the church should be. And I get the sense that God wrote it down on a piece of paper and showed to the disciples and this is what he said:
“They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings and to the fellowship, to breaking of bread and to prayer.”
So this is what the early church did. They devoted themselves to each of these areas. To the apostles teachings (studying God’s word), to fellowship, (sorry Baptists but this is more than just eating together) to breaking of bread (the Lord’s Supper) and to prayer (devoted to prayer not to prayer meetings).
And so, God’s church was established with these few directions.
God’s spirit whispers into the ears of the disciples, and the disciples whisper into the ears of the first church, and the first church whispers into the ears of the next generation, and on and on it goes.
And now it has been whispered into our ears. And now we have the modern day church. And sometimes I get the sense that God is standing there saying:
“How in the world did you come up with that?”
Now I am not so closed minded or so cynical to think that the church of today should be exactly like the church we see in the book of Acts. Of course the technology of our world is going to affect our spiritual world. But then again maybe it should be our spiritual world should affect our technology. Hmm
And I am not saying the church is bad or we have it all wrong. But I am wondering if this is what God had in mind. Maybe it is. Or maybe not.
Maybe all the deacon’s meetings, business meetings, associational meetings, session meetings, committee meetings, bake sales, garage sales, ski trips, staff trips, senior adult trips, meetings for the library committee, flower committee, softball committee, daycare committee, color of the carpet committee, and the fried chicken verses baked chicken committee are all part of God’s glorious plans. Or maybe they are the plans of “someone” else that would rather see us so busy doing meetings we don’t have time to be devoted to things we should be devoted too?
So what I am saying? I am saying take time to look at your church and see what it is devoted to. Look at all the things listed in your church bulletin or discussed at the last business meeting and see if they have anything to do with bible study, fellowship, the breaking of bread, or prayer.
Better yet, let’s look at our own lives and see what we are devoted to. Since we “are” the church then we as individuals should be devoted to these things. We don’t have to wait for Bible Study to be listed in the bulletin for us to study the bible and we don’t have to wait for the Wednesday night prayer meeting to pray.
God established the church and the church will always be. I just pray that it will always be what God intended it to be.
And I pray that has our generation whispers into the ears of the next generation they will clearly hear us say, “Devote yourselves to apostle’s teachings, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.”
There is a game that is used a lot times as an “ice breaker” game. It is simply called Gossip. Most of you have played it or at least have watched it played. The game of Gossip is not only a fun parlor game for children or adults, but it is a good sociological demonstration of what happens to information when it is passed by word of mouth.
The game is played by having a group of people sit in a circle or next to each other to form a line. One person who is not part of the line comes up with a phrase and writes it down on a piece of paper. The piece of paper is then handed to the first person in line and they read it and commit it to memory and then gives the paper back to the person (the source) that wrote the phrase.
The first person in line then “whispers” the information, as well as they can remember it to the next person in line. Then this person does the same, passing the information down the line until it reaches the end. The last person reveals what they have been told to everyone assembled. The first person then reads the phrase out loud.
It is amazing how the phrase changes from its original format to what is actually spoken from the last person in line.
You might start with:
Little Billy was so silly in the way he would ride his bike through the streets at night while eating a moon pie.
And then end up with:
Larry and Willy got so chilly way in the woods and they hiked while wearing sheets on nights with a full moon.
Some of the words are right and some of them are not. There is usually a big laugh from everyone when the last person says out loud what he “thinks” he heard. And then usually the person that came up with the phrase says, “How in the world did you come up with that?” And people in the circle offer up, “That’s not what I heard or said.”
Great fun. If it was only a game.
In my way of thinking and I know I have a weird way of thinking or seeing things but I almost get the feeling that this is exactly what has happened to the modern day church.
In the Bible, Acts chapter 2 gives us a great picture of what the church is supposed to look like. And to me the church of today looks very little like the church found in the book of Acts.
After Jesus leaves his disciples in Acts chapter one and ascends to heaven he sends his Holy Spirit to them. Through his spirit he communicates to his disciples on how to continue the work that he started and how to set up God’s church.
And I think Acts 2:42 is a perfect picture of what the church should be. And I get the sense that God wrote it down on a piece of paper and showed to the disciples and this is what he said:
“They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teachings and to the fellowship, to breaking of bread and to prayer.”
So this is what the early church did. They devoted themselves to each of these areas. To the apostles teachings (studying God’s word), to fellowship, (sorry Baptists but this is more than just eating together) to breaking of bread (the Lord’s Supper) and to prayer (devoted to prayer not to prayer meetings).
And so, God’s church was established with these few directions.
God’s spirit whispers into the ears of the disciples, and the disciples whisper into the ears of the first church, and the first church whispers into the ears of the next generation, and on and on it goes.
And now it has been whispered into our ears. And now we have the modern day church. And sometimes I get the sense that God is standing there saying:
“How in the world did you come up with that?”
Now I am not so closed minded or so cynical to think that the church of today should be exactly like the church we see in the book of Acts. Of course the technology of our world is going to affect our spiritual world. But then again maybe it should be our spiritual world should affect our technology. Hmm
And I am not saying the church is bad or we have it all wrong. But I am wondering if this is what God had in mind. Maybe it is. Or maybe not.
Maybe all the deacon’s meetings, business meetings, associational meetings, session meetings, committee meetings, bake sales, garage sales, ski trips, staff trips, senior adult trips, meetings for the library committee, flower committee, softball committee, daycare committee, color of the carpet committee, and the fried chicken verses baked chicken committee are all part of God’s glorious plans. Or maybe they are the plans of “someone” else that would rather see us so busy doing meetings we don’t have time to be devoted to things we should be devoted too?
So what I am saying? I am saying take time to look at your church and see what it is devoted to. Look at all the things listed in your church bulletin or discussed at the last business meeting and see if they have anything to do with bible study, fellowship, the breaking of bread, or prayer.
Better yet, let’s look at our own lives and see what we are devoted to. Since we “are” the church then we as individuals should be devoted to these things. We don’t have to wait for Bible Study to be listed in the bulletin for us to study the bible and we don’t have to wait for the Wednesday night prayer meeting to pray.
God established the church and the church will always be. I just pray that it will always be what God intended it to be.
And I pray that has our generation whispers into the ears of the next generation they will clearly hear us say, “Devote yourselves to apostle’s teachings, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.”
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Windshield Wipers
As I was heading to work today I noticed rain clouds moving into the area. With as much rain as we have received lately the clouds were not a real surprise.
I had only driven a few blocks when I noticed a few drops of rain on the windshield. My car’s windshield wipers have a feature where if you push the lever up the wipers will make one swipe of the windshield and then turn off. It was barely raining so this is all I needed during the first couple miles of my drive to work. I would hit the lever every now and then to keep the windows clear.
But then it started to rain just a little bit harder. It lightly started to sprinkle so I used the “intermittent” feature of the windshield wipers. Just one click down on the lever and the windshield wipers would come on every few seconds at a set interval. So as it was sprinkling rain my wipers would come on every few seconds and wipe away the water on my windshield. This worked fine for a few more miles.
But then it really started to rain. No more just hitting the lever every now and then or using the intermittent feature. I had to turn my wipers “on” so they would constantly stay on and keep my windshield clear enough to safely drive.
Sorry, this really isn’t a “How to Drive in the Rain” story.
But I think it is a story that gives us a good picture of what our prayer lives can look like.
Clear skies, no clouds, no rain, and no need for the wipers. No need for prayer. But then a few drops start to fall and we take a “hit” at the wipers to clear the windshield. In our lives those “few drops” can look like an upcoming test in school, that job interview, or when grandma is sick. We take a hit at prayer to clear the way. Then the test is over, the job interview is behind you, and grandma is feeling better. No more need for prayer.
Or for some of us we set our prayer life on “intermittent” so it will come on every now and then. We pray at church on Sunday, before our meals, and at the Wednesday night prayer meeting. Set intervals. Each week. Like clockwork.
Don’t get me wrong. I think we should pray at all of these times. (The trouble is we usually listen to the preacher pray on Sunday, ask the kids to pray before the meals, and avoid eye contact with the preacher so he doesn’t call on us to pray on Wednesday nights. Not a lot of actual praying going on.)
But the bible says we should pray at all times. (Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17) Not a hit at it once in a while, not intermittently, but at all times without ceasing. But how do we do that? By having an attitude of prayer. An attitude that makes us want to talk to God. At all times. By doing this no matter what comes across our paths we will go to God in prayer. Whether life brings you sunshine, a few sprinkles, or a real down pour. (Or “toad strangler, as we say here in the Midwest.)
So if we have started the day in prayer and remained in prayer throughout the day, the sunshine will be appreciated more and the storms of life will be easier to handle. (Just a reminder, prayer will not keep the storms from coming. Prayer gives us someone to talk to during the storms. Storms are bad enough, being alone in a storm is really scary.)
So the next time it starts to rain and you reach for the controls for your windshield wipers let it remind you of your prayer life.
It is just a hit every once in while?
Is it intermittently?
Or is your prayer life turned on at all times?
As I was heading to work today I noticed rain clouds moving into the area. With as much rain as we have received lately the clouds were not a real surprise.
I had only driven a few blocks when I noticed a few drops of rain on the windshield. My car’s windshield wipers have a feature where if you push the lever up the wipers will make one swipe of the windshield and then turn off. It was barely raining so this is all I needed during the first couple miles of my drive to work. I would hit the lever every now and then to keep the windows clear.
But then it started to rain just a little bit harder. It lightly started to sprinkle so I used the “intermittent” feature of the windshield wipers. Just one click down on the lever and the windshield wipers would come on every few seconds at a set interval. So as it was sprinkling rain my wipers would come on every few seconds and wipe away the water on my windshield. This worked fine for a few more miles.
But then it really started to rain. No more just hitting the lever every now and then or using the intermittent feature. I had to turn my wipers “on” so they would constantly stay on and keep my windshield clear enough to safely drive.
Sorry, this really isn’t a “How to Drive in the Rain” story.
But I think it is a story that gives us a good picture of what our prayer lives can look like.
Clear skies, no clouds, no rain, and no need for the wipers. No need for prayer. But then a few drops start to fall and we take a “hit” at the wipers to clear the windshield. In our lives those “few drops” can look like an upcoming test in school, that job interview, or when grandma is sick. We take a hit at prayer to clear the way. Then the test is over, the job interview is behind you, and grandma is feeling better. No more need for prayer.
Or for some of us we set our prayer life on “intermittent” so it will come on every now and then. We pray at church on Sunday, before our meals, and at the Wednesday night prayer meeting. Set intervals. Each week. Like clockwork.
Don’t get me wrong. I think we should pray at all of these times. (The trouble is we usually listen to the preacher pray on Sunday, ask the kids to pray before the meals, and avoid eye contact with the preacher so he doesn’t call on us to pray on Wednesday nights. Not a lot of actual praying going on.)
But the bible says we should pray at all times. (Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17) Not a hit at it once in a while, not intermittently, but at all times without ceasing. But how do we do that? By having an attitude of prayer. An attitude that makes us want to talk to God. At all times. By doing this no matter what comes across our paths we will go to God in prayer. Whether life brings you sunshine, a few sprinkles, or a real down pour. (Or “toad strangler, as we say here in the Midwest.)
So if we have started the day in prayer and remained in prayer throughout the day, the sunshine will be appreciated more and the storms of life will be easier to handle. (Just a reminder, prayer will not keep the storms from coming. Prayer gives us someone to talk to during the storms. Storms are bad enough, being alone in a storm is really scary.)
So the next time it starts to rain and you reach for the controls for your windshield wipers let it remind you of your prayer life.
It is just a hit every once in while?
Is it intermittently?
Or is your prayer life turned on at all times?
Friday, March 20, 2009
Francis Dale Vining
1937 - 2009
(My notes from my stepfather's service.)
Funerals are hard. Dealing with death is hard. Dealing the death of a loved one is especially hard.
It’s hard for the family. It’s hard for the friends of the family. No one quite knows what to say at times likes these. I know I never seem to have the right words. I wish there was something I could say to my mom or my brother that would somehow magically take away the pain they are feeling. But I can’t.
And I am guessing you can’t think of words that would do it either.
The reason for the pain is quite obvious. For the last 46 years every time our family got together Dale was there with us. And Dale always made those times together better. Whether we were playing wiffle ball in the backyard, playing cards most of the night, driving across country with five people loaded in the car, or even having water hose fights with the neighbors, Dale always made it better. Well, maybe not better. But at least a lot more fun.
But today our family and so many friends are gathered together and Dale is not here with us. And without him here this is just so hard.
But I think there is another reason this is hard for our family and his friends. I don’t think God designed us to handle death and the feelings that come with it. Probably a strange statement but I feel that is what scripture might be telling us.
As you know the book of Genesis gives us the account of all of God’s creations. The creation of the earth and everything on it and the creation of man.
In Genesis 2 verses 8 and 9 it says:
“Now the Lord God had planted a garden to the east, in Eden and there he put the man he had formed. And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
And starting in verse 15 it says”
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
When God created man, dying and dealing with death were not in God’s plan. Man was to work and take care of the garden and he could eat anything he wanted. But he was not allowed to eat from one tree. If man follows God’s command, death never happens. If death never happens we wouldn’t find ourselves here today. But death does happen. It happened to Adam. And it still happens today. Man’s sin against God brought about death.
But it wasn’t God’s design for it to happen. And we weren’t made to deal with it. So it’s no wonder that we don’t have the words to say at times like this.
But God does. Here is just one example. Psalms 34:17-18 says:
“The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them. He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Now those are words that I can find comfort in. I pray I will continue to search God’s word for the comfort and healing that only He can give. And I hope my family does. And I hope all of you will too.
I wish I could have made this a little more light hearted. Dale loved a good joke and he had the greatest laugh. He made people laugh wherever he went and there are a million stories about Dale that I could tell. And I am sure me and the other family members will share some of them with you later during the reception once we are finished here. And I hope you will share yours with us too.
I will share a story or two about Dale but first there is something I have to say. If I can.
Mom, I just want to say THANKS for finding a man like Dale to be your husband and a stepfather to Eric and me. Wow, he loved you so much. And he loved us too. He wasn’t a perfect man but he was the perfect man for our family. He taught Eric and me so much about life. But mostly he taught us how to enjoy it. Thanks mom. You found quite a man when you found Dale.
Two quick stories.
Dale’s last days were spent in a hospital bed in our home. Each day he was there he seemed to grow weaker and weaker. Mom did such a wonderful job of taking care of him. But towards the end Dale finally got so weak that he couldn’t eat or even suck water through a straw. He slept more and more as time went on. But one time when mom was leaning over his bed and was checking on him he suddenly puckered up for a big kiss. Towards the end Dale might have been through with food and water but he wasn’t through loving his wife.
But maybe my favorite story took place almost two years ago. Shortly after Pops was diagnosed with cancer I made a trip to Webb City to see the folks. Late one night while setting in the living room I simply asked Dale what his spiritual beliefs were.
He smiled and said, “You know Jon, I know I am a sinner. There is no doubt about that. And I have asked and believe that Jesus has forgiven me of my sins.”
We talked a little bit about what sin was and what happens if we don’t take care of it. And how Jesus, and Jesus alone can take that sin away. I prayed, and we hugged, and I cried. And it just doesn’t get any better than that.
And that gives me comfort today. And it will next week and the weeks to follow. I hope it gives comfort to mom and Eric and the rest of the family. And I hope it gives comfort to everyone else gathered here today.
1937 - 2009
(My notes from my stepfather's service.)
Funerals are hard. Dealing with death is hard. Dealing the death of a loved one is especially hard.
It’s hard for the family. It’s hard for the friends of the family. No one quite knows what to say at times likes these. I know I never seem to have the right words. I wish there was something I could say to my mom or my brother that would somehow magically take away the pain they are feeling. But I can’t.
And I am guessing you can’t think of words that would do it either.
The reason for the pain is quite obvious. For the last 46 years every time our family got together Dale was there with us. And Dale always made those times together better. Whether we were playing wiffle ball in the backyard, playing cards most of the night, driving across country with five people loaded in the car, or even having water hose fights with the neighbors, Dale always made it better. Well, maybe not better. But at least a lot more fun.
But today our family and so many friends are gathered together and Dale is not here with us. And without him here this is just so hard.
But I think there is another reason this is hard for our family and his friends. I don’t think God designed us to handle death and the feelings that come with it. Probably a strange statement but I feel that is what scripture might be telling us.
As you know the book of Genesis gives us the account of all of God’s creations. The creation of the earth and everything on it and the creation of man.
In Genesis 2 verses 8 and 9 it says:
“Now the Lord God had planted a garden to the east, in Eden and there he put the man he had formed. And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
And starting in verse 15 it says”
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
When God created man, dying and dealing with death were not in God’s plan. Man was to work and take care of the garden and he could eat anything he wanted. But he was not allowed to eat from one tree. If man follows God’s command, death never happens. If death never happens we wouldn’t find ourselves here today. But death does happen. It happened to Adam. And it still happens today. Man’s sin against God brought about death.
But it wasn’t God’s design for it to happen. And we weren’t made to deal with it. So it’s no wonder that we don’t have the words to say at times like this.
But God does. Here is just one example. Psalms 34:17-18 says:
“The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them. He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Now those are words that I can find comfort in. I pray I will continue to search God’s word for the comfort and healing that only He can give. And I hope my family does. And I hope all of you will too.
I wish I could have made this a little more light hearted. Dale loved a good joke and he had the greatest laugh. He made people laugh wherever he went and there are a million stories about Dale that I could tell. And I am sure me and the other family members will share some of them with you later during the reception once we are finished here. And I hope you will share yours with us too.
I will share a story or two about Dale but first there is something I have to say. If I can.
Mom, I just want to say THANKS for finding a man like Dale to be your husband and a stepfather to Eric and me. Wow, he loved you so much. And he loved us too. He wasn’t a perfect man but he was the perfect man for our family. He taught Eric and me so much about life. But mostly he taught us how to enjoy it. Thanks mom. You found quite a man when you found Dale.
Two quick stories.
Dale’s last days were spent in a hospital bed in our home. Each day he was there he seemed to grow weaker and weaker. Mom did such a wonderful job of taking care of him. But towards the end Dale finally got so weak that he couldn’t eat or even suck water through a straw. He slept more and more as time went on. But one time when mom was leaning over his bed and was checking on him he suddenly puckered up for a big kiss. Towards the end Dale might have been through with food and water but he wasn’t through loving his wife.
But maybe my favorite story took place almost two years ago. Shortly after Pops was diagnosed with cancer I made a trip to Webb City to see the folks. Late one night while setting in the living room I simply asked Dale what his spiritual beliefs were.
He smiled and said, “You know Jon, I know I am a sinner. There is no doubt about that. And I have asked and believe that Jesus has forgiven me of my sins.”
We talked a little bit about what sin was and what happens if we don’t take care of it. And how Jesus, and Jesus alone can take that sin away. I prayed, and we hugged, and I cried. And it just doesn’t get any better than that.
And that gives me comfort today. And it will next week and the weeks to follow. I hope it gives comfort to mom and Eric and the rest of the family. And I hope it gives comfort to everyone else gathered here today.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
God’s Way
Isaiah 55:8 says:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways”, says the Lord.
I have read this verse or heard it quoted many times before. I have heard sermons on it and being a Sunday school teacher I have even taught lessons on it. And it seems like most of the time the verse is used it is used in almost a negative way.
It seems when someone faces a tragedy in his or her life, like losing a loved one, or when something terrible happens to a young child that can’t be explained any other way. Or really anytime we are facing a tough situation and we are not sure why. We seem to turn to this verse to kind of explain it away.
Now I am the first to admit I don’t understand all the reasons God allows struggles to come into our lives. Why the innocent suffer and the guilty seem to go free. Why this or that disaster happens. And there are truly times in our lives where the only answer is that God’s way is different than our way.
But what about the positive side? What about God’s love for us? I think the verse also applies here too. And I think it applies a whole lot more often to the positive than when it applies to the negative stuff.
Bad things happen in our lives. Always have and always will. But if we are honest most bad times are for a moment, or a day, or at worst a season.
But God’s love is for every moment, every day, and every season. And God’s love for us is something else I don’t fully understand. But I don’t have to. That is the great thing about God’s love.
As humans we tend to love those that love us. We show love to those that show love to us. And then we think this same process applies to God’s love. But God’s love is not like our love. His “ways” are truly different.
God is love. So He loves us all the time. He loves you and me even if we don’t love Him. And He shows His love to us no matter if we ever show our love to Him. I know He does this. This morning’s sunrise and this evening’s sunset says, “I love you.” My last breath and my next breath says, “I love you.” (Even if it is my “last” breath.) The smile on my son’s face each day says, “I love you” from my son and my God.
And just when we think we might have God’s love figured out He crawls out of the little manger in Bethlehem and walks toward the cross at Calvary. And says, “I told you My ways are different than your ways.”
Bad times will come. It’s guaranteed. But before they get here let God’s love prepare you. And while the bad times are here, let His love protect you. And then, when they pass, and they will pass, let His love comfort you.
God is love. So let Him love you today. And let Him do it God’s way.
Isaiah 55:8 says:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways”, says the Lord.
I have read this verse or heard it quoted many times before. I have heard sermons on it and being a Sunday school teacher I have even taught lessons on it. And it seems like most of the time the verse is used it is used in almost a negative way.
It seems when someone faces a tragedy in his or her life, like losing a loved one, or when something terrible happens to a young child that can’t be explained any other way. Or really anytime we are facing a tough situation and we are not sure why. We seem to turn to this verse to kind of explain it away.
Now I am the first to admit I don’t understand all the reasons God allows struggles to come into our lives. Why the innocent suffer and the guilty seem to go free. Why this or that disaster happens. And there are truly times in our lives where the only answer is that God’s way is different than our way.
But what about the positive side? What about God’s love for us? I think the verse also applies here too. And I think it applies a whole lot more often to the positive than when it applies to the negative stuff.
Bad things happen in our lives. Always have and always will. But if we are honest most bad times are for a moment, or a day, or at worst a season.
But God’s love is for every moment, every day, and every season. And God’s love for us is something else I don’t fully understand. But I don’t have to. That is the great thing about God’s love.
As humans we tend to love those that love us. We show love to those that show love to us. And then we think this same process applies to God’s love. But God’s love is not like our love. His “ways” are truly different.
God is love. So He loves us all the time. He loves you and me even if we don’t love Him. And He shows His love to us no matter if we ever show our love to Him. I know He does this. This morning’s sunrise and this evening’s sunset says, “I love you.” My last breath and my next breath says, “I love you.” (Even if it is my “last” breath.) The smile on my son’s face each day says, “I love you” from my son and my God.
And just when we think we might have God’s love figured out He crawls out of the little manger in Bethlehem and walks toward the cross at Calvary. And says, “I told you My ways are different than your ways.”
Bad times will come. It’s guaranteed. But before they get here let God’s love prepare you. And while the bad times are here, let His love protect you. And then, when they pass, and they will pass, let His love comfort you.
God is love. So let Him love you today. And let Him do it God’s way.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Shortly after turning 50 this thought came to mind.
Going to Wal-Mart
(For guys only)
You are in the middle of some kind of project around the house. Mowing the lawn, putting a new fence in, painting the living room, or whatever. You are hot and sweaty. Covered in dirt or paint. You have your old work clothes on. You know the outfit, shorts with the hole in crotch, old t-shirt with a stain from who knows what, and an old pair of tennis shoes.
Right in the middle of this great home improvement project you realize you need to run to Wal-Mart to get something to help complete the job. Depending on your age you might do the following.
In your 20’s:
Stop what you are doing. Shave, take a shower, blow dry your hair, brush your teeth, floss, and put on clean clothes. Check yourself in the mirror and flex. Add a dab of your favorite cologne because you never know, you just might meet some hot chick while standing in the checkout lane. You went to school with the pretty girl running the register.
In your 30’s:
Stop what you are doing, put on clean shorts and shirt. Change shoes. You married the hot chick so no need for much else. Wash your hands and comb your hair. Check yourself in the mirror. Still got it. Add a shot of your favorite cologne to cover the smell. The cute girl running the register is the kid sister to someone you went to school with.
In your 40’s:
Stop what you are doing. Put a sweatshirt that is long enough to cover the hole in the crotch of your shorts. Put on different shoes and a hat. Wash your hands. Your bottle of Brute Cologne is almost empty so you don’t want to waste any of it on a trip to Wal-Mart. Check yourself in the mirror and do more sucking in than flexing. The spicy young thing running the register is your daughter’s age and you feel weird thinking she is spicy.
In your 50’s:
Stop what you are doing. Put on a hat, wipe the dirt off your hands onto your shirt. Change shoes because you don’t want to get dirt in your new sports car. Check yourself in the mirror and you swear not to wear that shirt anymore because it makes you look fat. The cutie running the register smiles when she sees you coming and you think you still have it. Then you remember the hat you have on is from your buddy’s bait shop and it says, “I Got Worms”.
In your 60’s:
Stop what you are doing. No need for a hat anymore. Hose off the dog crap off your shoes. The mirror was shattered when you were in your 50’s. You hope you have underwear on so nothing hangs out the hole in your pants. The girl running the register may be cute but you don’t have your glasses on so you are not sure.
In your 70’s:
Stop what you are doing. Wait to go to Wal-Mart until they have your prescriptions ready too. Don’t’ even notice the dog crap on your shoes. The young thing at the register smiles at you because you remind her of her grandfather.
In your 80’s:
Stop what you are doing. Start again. Then stop again. Now you remember that you needed to go to Wal-Mart. Go to Wal-Mart and wonder around trying to think what it is you are looking for. Fart out loud and you think someone called out your name. The old lady that greeted you at the front door went to school with you.
In your 90’s:
Stop what you are doing.
Going to Wal-Mart
(For guys only)
You are in the middle of some kind of project around the house. Mowing the lawn, putting a new fence in, painting the living room, or whatever. You are hot and sweaty. Covered in dirt or paint. You have your old work clothes on. You know the outfit, shorts with the hole in crotch, old t-shirt with a stain from who knows what, and an old pair of tennis shoes.
Right in the middle of this great home improvement project you realize you need to run to Wal-Mart to get something to help complete the job. Depending on your age you might do the following.
In your 20’s:
Stop what you are doing. Shave, take a shower, blow dry your hair, brush your teeth, floss, and put on clean clothes. Check yourself in the mirror and flex. Add a dab of your favorite cologne because you never know, you just might meet some hot chick while standing in the checkout lane. You went to school with the pretty girl running the register.
In your 30’s:
Stop what you are doing, put on clean shorts and shirt. Change shoes. You married the hot chick so no need for much else. Wash your hands and comb your hair. Check yourself in the mirror. Still got it. Add a shot of your favorite cologne to cover the smell. The cute girl running the register is the kid sister to someone you went to school with.
In your 40’s:
Stop what you are doing. Put a sweatshirt that is long enough to cover the hole in the crotch of your shorts. Put on different shoes and a hat. Wash your hands. Your bottle of Brute Cologne is almost empty so you don’t want to waste any of it on a trip to Wal-Mart. Check yourself in the mirror and do more sucking in than flexing. The spicy young thing running the register is your daughter’s age and you feel weird thinking she is spicy.
In your 50’s:
Stop what you are doing. Put on a hat, wipe the dirt off your hands onto your shirt. Change shoes because you don’t want to get dirt in your new sports car. Check yourself in the mirror and you swear not to wear that shirt anymore because it makes you look fat. The cutie running the register smiles when she sees you coming and you think you still have it. Then you remember the hat you have on is from your buddy’s bait shop and it says, “I Got Worms”.
In your 60’s:
Stop what you are doing. No need for a hat anymore. Hose off the dog crap off your shoes. The mirror was shattered when you were in your 50’s. You hope you have underwear on so nothing hangs out the hole in your pants. The girl running the register may be cute but you don’t have your glasses on so you are not sure.
In your 70’s:
Stop what you are doing. Wait to go to Wal-Mart until they have your prescriptions ready too. Don’t’ even notice the dog crap on your shoes. The young thing at the register smiles at you because you remind her of her grandfather.
In your 80’s:
Stop what you are doing. Start again. Then stop again. Now you remember that you needed to go to Wal-Mart. Go to Wal-Mart and wonder around trying to think what it is you are looking for. Fart out loud and you think someone called out your name. The old lady that greeted you at the front door went to school with you.
In your 90’s:
Stop what you are doing.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Words Left Unspoken
(Inspired by the passing of Marty Ingram)
We are left
With hearts that are broken
And with so many words
That are forever unspoken
The time was too short
We hoped it would be longer
Please dear Lord
Use this to make us all stronger
I’ve been told not to
But I have to ask why
I want to see Your hand in this
At least I want to try
But thank you God
For the great reminder
To live each day in love
To be nicer and to be kinder
Yesterday is over
And tomorrow isn’t a given
Today may be all we get
So make it worth liven
Say what needs to be said
Love deeply, those that you love
And may all you do with today
Point to the Father above
So if tomorrow brings you sadness
And your heart is all broken
I pray you won’t find
You have words left unspoken
(Inspired by the passing of Marty Ingram)
We are left
With hearts that are broken
And with so many words
That are forever unspoken
The time was too short
We hoped it would be longer
Please dear Lord
Use this to make us all stronger
I’ve been told not to
But I have to ask why
I want to see Your hand in this
At least I want to try
But thank you God
For the great reminder
To live each day in love
To be nicer and to be kinder
Yesterday is over
And tomorrow isn’t a given
Today may be all we get
So make it worth liven
Say what needs to be said
Love deeply, those that you love
And may all you do with today
Point to the Father above
So if tomorrow brings you sadness
And your heart is all broken
I pray you won’t find
You have words left unspoken
Friday, February 20, 2009
Seeing Jesus
Last night I returned from my fourteenth trip to the Orient. After a four hour flight from Hong Kong to Tokyo, an eleven and a half hour flight to Dallas, then a thirty minute flight to Oklahoma City, I was finally home again.
After being gone ten days I was ready to get home and see my family again. And it is always great to see their smiling faces in the crowd of people greeting everyone getting off the plane. As usual there was a pretty large crowd of people but in an instant I could find Janice and James. I didn't really notice any of the other people in the crowd because I was focused on them. And they make sure I can see them. Janice smiles and waves and James usually makes his way to the front of the crowd so I can't miss him.
The reason I can see them so quickly is because I am looking intently for them and because they want to be seen. I think the same is true when it comes to seeing Jesus.
I see Jesus because I am looking for Him. When I am searching for Him and focusing on Him, I can see Him wherever I look. I can see Him in the scriptures. I can see Him in a smile from a stranger, or when He is dressed up as "the least of theses" as a crippled child in China. When I truly focus on Jesus, the rest of the "crowd' or the things of the world seem to disappear. And I only see Him.
And I see Jesus because He wants to be seen. This is probably the most important reason I can see Him. He does all He can to get my attention. He gives me peace when there shouldn't be any. He shows me forgiveness when I don't deserve it. And He holds me in His arms when I need it most. You might say, He smiles and waves and moves to the front of the line, just so I can see Him.
I can see Jesus when I am looking for Him. And I can see Him because He wants to be seen. I pray that you will look for Him today. I know He will be looking for you.
Last night I returned from my fourteenth trip to the Orient. After a four hour flight from Hong Kong to Tokyo, an eleven and a half hour flight to Dallas, then a thirty minute flight to Oklahoma City, I was finally home again.
After being gone ten days I was ready to get home and see my family again. And it is always great to see their smiling faces in the crowd of people greeting everyone getting off the plane. As usual there was a pretty large crowd of people but in an instant I could find Janice and James. I didn't really notice any of the other people in the crowd because I was focused on them. And they make sure I can see them. Janice smiles and waves and James usually makes his way to the front of the crowd so I can't miss him.
The reason I can see them so quickly is because I am looking intently for them and because they want to be seen. I think the same is true when it comes to seeing Jesus.
I see Jesus because I am looking for Him. When I am searching for Him and focusing on Him, I can see Him wherever I look. I can see Him in the scriptures. I can see Him in a smile from a stranger, or when He is dressed up as "the least of theses" as a crippled child in China. When I truly focus on Jesus, the rest of the "crowd' or the things of the world seem to disappear. And I only see Him.
And I see Jesus because He wants to be seen. This is probably the most important reason I can see Him. He does all He can to get my attention. He gives me peace when there shouldn't be any. He shows me forgiveness when I don't deserve it. And He holds me in His arms when I need it most. You might say, He smiles and waves and moves to the front of the line, just so I can see Him.
I can see Jesus when I am looking for Him. And I can see Him because He wants to be seen. I pray that you will look for Him today. I know He will be looking for you.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Walking with God
I took a step in Your direction
A step into the great unknown
Not knowing where the journey would lead
But feeling I would never be alone
Some days are full of rain
And a struggle to get through
And many are a blessing
But all are a gift from You
As I travel along
On this journey of wonder
I thank You for the freedom
And for the grace I walk under
Your eyes ever watching
And Your hands always holding
My life of salvation
Without end and always unfolding
And I will continue this walk
Until the road takes me home
Thank you God for walking with me
Because I hate to walk alone
I took a step in Your direction
A step into the great unknown
Not knowing where the journey would lead
But feeling I would never be alone
Some days are full of rain
And a struggle to get through
And many are a blessing
But all are a gift from You
As I travel along
On this journey of wonder
I thank You for the freedom
And for the grace I walk under
Your eyes ever watching
And Your hands always holding
My life of salvation
Without end and always unfolding
And I will continue this walk
Until the road takes me home
Thank you God for walking with me
Because I hate to walk alone
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Listen to the Whisper
Last week at church I noticed something that really caught my attention. I walked into the sanctuary and after shaking a few hands and talking with a couple of people I took my seat. My wife was still making the rounds and visiting with her senior adult lady friends so I was sitting there by myself for a few minutes.
The church was starting to fill up as other people made their way in and started taking their seats. Of course being a good Baptist church it looks like we have assigned seating since everyone usually sits in the same spot each week. Myself included.
Before church starts there is quite a bit of activity in the sanctuary. People were talking, music was playing, and kids running around and laughing.
In all that I noticed a couple sitting next to each other towards the front of the church. At first they weren’t talking but then the man leaned over a little and whispered something to his wife. Apparently she didn’t hear him so she leaned towards him and he whispered it again. With all the other noise going on she still couldn’t hear what he said so she scooted closer to him and leaned over even closer to listen one more time. To help I noticed the man leaned more towards his wife and whispered to her again. I am not sure what he said, after all he was whispering, but apparently his wife finally did. She nodded and smiled at her husband.
While watching this I had the feeling that is how God talks to us. In a whisper. The bible calls it a “still small voice.”
God has spoken to us in a lot of ways. He has used a burning bush. A donkey. And He has sent angels to give His message. Maybe it’s just me but I haven’t seen any burning bushes, talking donkeys, or been visited by any of God’s angels. Maybe you have.
But I know God still wants to talk to you and me. We just need to listen for His whisper.
The problem with hearing a whisper is that it can get drowned out by all the activity and noise that is in our lives. Just like the woman at church that couldn’t hear her husband because of all the “noise” going on around her. We can’t hear God because of all the noise in our lives. So, we need to either get rid of the noise or lean closer to the whisperer. Maybe both would be good.
So why doesn’t God just yell out his message from the mountain top like He used to? I don’t know. I’m not God. But I do know He desires nothing more than to be close to His people. So when He whispers, He leans closer towards us and whispers into our ear. And when we truly try to listen to Him we lean closer to Him. And if we don’t hear Him the first time we “scoot” over and lean even closer.
And that is where He wants us. Leaning towards Him and listening.
But how does God whisper to us? One way might be like this. Ever read a verse or a story in the bible that you have read or heard several times before but all of a sudden something jumps out that you never thought of before? Happens all the time. I think that is God whispering to us.
We just weren’t leaning close enough before.
So watch for the burning bush or the talking donkey because God might use them to talk to you. But listen for the whisper too. It might be His way of getting us closer to Him.
Last week at church I noticed something that really caught my attention. I walked into the sanctuary and after shaking a few hands and talking with a couple of people I took my seat. My wife was still making the rounds and visiting with her senior adult lady friends so I was sitting there by myself for a few minutes.
The church was starting to fill up as other people made their way in and started taking their seats. Of course being a good Baptist church it looks like we have assigned seating since everyone usually sits in the same spot each week. Myself included.
Before church starts there is quite a bit of activity in the sanctuary. People were talking, music was playing, and kids running around and laughing.
In all that I noticed a couple sitting next to each other towards the front of the church. At first they weren’t talking but then the man leaned over a little and whispered something to his wife. Apparently she didn’t hear him so she leaned towards him and he whispered it again. With all the other noise going on she still couldn’t hear what he said so she scooted closer to him and leaned over even closer to listen one more time. To help I noticed the man leaned more towards his wife and whispered to her again. I am not sure what he said, after all he was whispering, but apparently his wife finally did. She nodded and smiled at her husband.
While watching this I had the feeling that is how God talks to us. In a whisper. The bible calls it a “still small voice.”
God has spoken to us in a lot of ways. He has used a burning bush. A donkey. And He has sent angels to give His message. Maybe it’s just me but I haven’t seen any burning bushes, talking donkeys, or been visited by any of God’s angels. Maybe you have.
But I know God still wants to talk to you and me. We just need to listen for His whisper.
The problem with hearing a whisper is that it can get drowned out by all the activity and noise that is in our lives. Just like the woman at church that couldn’t hear her husband because of all the “noise” going on around her. We can’t hear God because of all the noise in our lives. So, we need to either get rid of the noise or lean closer to the whisperer. Maybe both would be good.
So why doesn’t God just yell out his message from the mountain top like He used to? I don’t know. I’m not God. But I do know He desires nothing more than to be close to His people. So when He whispers, He leans closer towards us and whispers into our ear. And when we truly try to listen to Him we lean closer to Him. And if we don’t hear Him the first time we “scoot” over and lean even closer.
And that is where He wants us. Leaning towards Him and listening.
But how does God whisper to us? One way might be like this. Ever read a verse or a story in the bible that you have read or heard several times before but all of a sudden something jumps out that you never thought of before? Happens all the time. I think that is God whispering to us.
We just weren’t leaning close enough before.
So watch for the burning bush or the talking donkey because God might use them to talk to you. But listen for the whisper too. It might be His way of getting us closer to Him.
Sing the Song
Have you ever heard a song and thought, “Wow, what a great song. I need to tell somebody about this.” And you can’t wait until you see your best friend so you can tell them about this great new song that you have heard.
But telling someone about a song really doesn’t work very well does it?
You can tell them about the great words in the song and how it touched your life and how the words seemed to be written just for you. And you just know that they are going to move the person you’re talking to the same way they moved you. You can even tell them your favorite line in the song or how the chorus seems to be stuck in your head and you just can’t get it out. They may smile at you and genuinely want to be excited about the song and they really enjoy your excitement over it. But it’s not the same for them. The words don’t mean the same for them.
Not only do you tell them about the words but also you tell them about the music in it. How the intro really captures your attention and how when you listen to it you just can’t keep from humming along and tapping your toes and it just made you want to get up and dance.
You are so excited over the song and what it meant to you and you told your friend every detail of the song. But they don’t get it like you got it.
Telling them about the song doesn’t work. You really have to sing it.
* * * * * * *
In a sense I think this is where the Pharisees and other religious leaders of Jesus’ day made the mistake. They told the people about the song. But they didn’t sing it.
They heard the song of God’s love. The song of God’s forgiveness. The song of God’s salvation. The song had so much in it. Compassion, grace, mercy, and tenderness. It was a great song and the song had been given to them. It touched them. It moved them. And they wanted to share the song with the people around them.
So they brought everyone into the temple and said. “We have heard a great song and we want to tell you about it.”
So they went about telling the people every single word in the song and they went over it and over it again so they could memorize it and not forget the song. They told them that these were the only words to the songs and that they couldn’t change or add any new words to the song without checking with them first. So after some time everyone had the words memorized.
But the words didn’t seem to mean as much to the people as it did the Pharisees.
Then they taught them about the music. They were so excited. They wrote out the music note by note for the people to follow. They gave them the notes, how the tempo would flow, and how the music should feel when it is played. So after some time everyone had the music memorized.
But just hearing about the music and how to play it didn’t seem to move the people like it did the teachers.
And the teachers did the same with the dance that went with the song. They told them step by step where their feet should go and how they should move in the dance. They explained that by doing this the people could dance just like the teachers danced.
Strangely though the people didn’t really feel like dancing when they heard about the song.
But for years the Pharisees and the teachers led the people in song and dance. They all sang the same song with the exact same words and the exact same music and they all danced the exact same dance. But the song didn’t bring them much joy.
But…then the author of the song showed up. Jesus. And nobody knows the song better than the author. The author knows why the song was written and how it should be played. And how it should move you to dance.
So Jesus started teaching the people the song. The real song. The way it was meant to be sung. But not only did He tell them the words to the song and how the music could be played and how the dance goes. He sang the song. And He danced the dance. When the song spoke about forgiveness He showed them how to forgive. When it spoke of compassion He showed them with tears how to be compassionate. And when the song spoke about salvation He died on the cross and showed them salvation.
He sang the song and He sang it out loud.
But the Pharisees didn’t like His version of the song.
Although many followed and listened to the song Jesus was singing not everyone sang along. Some went back to the old song. And some quit singing all together.
But the ones that did sing along. Wow, what a song. They heard the words and felt the music and danced alongside with the author of the song. Their lives were changed. They would never be the same. Oh, they still had troubles and rainy days. But now they had a song they could sing even in the darkest times. And they taught the song to other people. But more importantly they sang the song so others could hear it.
And the song is still being sung today.
The lesson learned is that we need to be sure that when we teach others the song today we not only tell them what the words and music are but we need to show them. We have to show them what forgiveness, tenderness, love, mercy, salvation, grace, etc looks like. And when we do that and when they join us in the song there is nothing that can quiet us down.
And we will all sing it. Not like we interpret it but the way the author wrote it.
And so may you hear God’s song. And may you sing along. Sing it out daily so the world can hear you. And may you dance the dance. And may Jesus Himself lead you in the dance. And may you teach others the song.
But don’t just tell them about the song. Sing the song.
Have you ever heard a song and thought, “Wow, what a great song. I need to tell somebody about this.” And you can’t wait until you see your best friend so you can tell them about this great new song that you have heard.
But telling someone about a song really doesn’t work very well does it?
You can tell them about the great words in the song and how it touched your life and how the words seemed to be written just for you. And you just know that they are going to move the person you’re talking to the same way they moved you. You can even tell them your favorite line in the song or how the chorus seems to be stuck in your head and you just can’t get it out. They may smile at you and genuinely want to be excited about the song and they really enjoy your excitement over it. But it’s not the same for them. The words don’t mean the same for them.
Not only do you tell them about the words but also you tell them about the music in it. How the intro really captures your attention and how when you listen to it you just can’t keep from humming along and tapping your toes and it just made you want to get up and dance.
You are so excited over the song and what it meant to you and you told your friend every detail of the song. But they don’t get it like you got it.
Telling them about the song doesn’t work. You really have to sing it.
* * * * * * *
In a sense I think this is where the Pharisees and other religious leaders of Jesus’ day made the mistake. They told the people about the song. But they didn’t sing it.
They heard the song of God’s love. The song of God’s forgiveness. The song of God’s salvation. The song had so much in it. Compassion, grace, mercy, and tenderness. It was a great song and the song had been given to them. It touched them. It moved them. And they wanted to share the song with the people around them.
So they brought everyone into the temple and said. “We have heard a great song and we want to tell you about it.”
So they went about telling the people every single word in the song and they went over it and over it again so they could memorize it and not forget the song. They told them that these were the only words to the songs and that they couldn’t change or add any new words to the song without checking with them first. So after some time everyone had the words memorized.
But the words didn’t seem to mean as much to the people as it did the Pharisees.
Then they taught them about the music. They were so excited. They wrote out the music note by note for the people to follow. They gave them the notes, how the tempo would flow, and how the music should feel when it is played. So after some time everyone had the music memorized.
But just hearing about the music and how to play it didn’t seem to move the people like it did the teachers.
And the teachers did the same with the dance that went with the song. They told them step by step where their feet should go and how they should move in the dance. They explained that by doing this the people could dance just like the teachers danced.
Strangely though the people didn’t really feel like dancing when they heard about the song.
But for years the Pharisees and the teachers led the people in song and dance. They all sang the same song with the exact same words and the exact same music and they all danced the exact same dance. But the song didn’t bring them much joy.
But…then the author of the song showed up. Jesus. And nobody knows the song better than the author. The author knows why the song was written and how it should be played. And how it should move you to dance.
So Jesus started teaching the people the song. The real song. The way it was meant to be sung. But not only did He tell them the words to the song and how the music could be played and how the dance goes. He sang the song. And He danced the dance. When the song spoke about forgiveness He showed them how to forgive. When it spoke of compassion He showed them with tears how to be compassionate. And when the song spoke about salvation He died on the cross and showed them salvation.
He sang the song and He sang it out loud.
But the Pharisees didn’t like His version of the song.
Although many followed and listened to the song Jesus was singing not everyone sang along. Some went back to the old song. And some quit singing all together.
But the ones that did sing along. Wow, what a song. They heard the words and felt the music and danced alongside with the author of the song. Their lives were changed. They would never be the same. Oh, they still had troubles and rainy days. But now they had a song they could sing even in the darkest times. And they taught the song to other people. But more importantly they sang the song so others could hear it.
And the song is still being sung today.
The lesson learned is that we need to be sure that when we teach others the song today we not only tell them what the words and music are but we need to show them. We have to show them what forgiveness, tenderness, love, mercy, salvation, grace, etc looks like. And when we do that and when they join us in the song there is nothing that can quiet us down.
And we will all sing it. Not like we interpret it but the way the author wrote it.
And so may you hear God’s song. And may you sing along. Sing it out daily so the world can hear you. And may you dance the dance. And may Jesus Himself lead you in the dance. And may you teach others the song.
But don’t just tell them about the song. Sing the song.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Idol Worshipper
(American Idol that is.)
Ok, I’d admit it. I watched every single minute of last season’s American Idol. And yes, I voted for David Cook. Whew, I feel better getting that out in the open.
I am not sure why I was so hooked on the show this year. In the past I usually just watched the first couple weeks so I could see Simon crucify the poor souls that think they can sing. I couldn’t carry a note if you strapped it to my hip but at least I realize it. Some of those poor folks don’t have a clue. Well, until Simon enlightens them with his wonderful tactfulness.
After several weeks the contestants were whittled down to the Top 10. Then they started to have celebrities from the music world that would come in every week and work with each one of the singers. They had people like Neil Diamond, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, and even Andrew Lloyd Weber. Each of the contestants stood in awe as they worked on songs that the celebrities had made famous.
After the week that Dolly Parton was on the show one of the singers, Michael Johns was interviewed and asked what it was like to work with Dolly and to sing one of her songs. His response struck a chord with me. (No pun intended.)
Michael said, “To be standing there and singing one of her songs to her. And to have her enjoy it. I mean, words can’t describe that.”
And I would think that would be pretty amazing. To stand before the artist that created the song and came up with the idea, the tune, and the lyrics. And then to have them say, “Ok, let’s hear what you do with the song.”
In a way I feel that God is saying the same thing to us.
God along with His Son and Holy Spirit make up the greatest trio ever and they have created a wonderful song. The song of life. They came up with the words and how it should sound. And in the song they sing about love and mercy and grace and compassion. The song also includes things like comfort, joy, peace, and kindness. There is even one whole stanza that is devoted to forgiveness.
And not only did they create this song, they sent Jesus to teach us how to sing it. For three years He walked among us singing this great song of life. He invited everyone He met to sing along. And with the help from the Holy Spirit the song has continued for over two thousands years.
So now it is our turn to sing.
And just as Dolly Parton enjoyed hearing Michael Johns sing one of her songs God himself loves to hear us sing His song.
So when we show mercy and compassion and forgiveness to others or when we truly love as we have been taught to love God is sitting there saying, “Wow, they are singing our song.”
We know the song. It is created inside me and it is created inside you. We heard Jesus sing it in the past. We have His “song book” that we can refer to daily. And His Spirit has kept the tune fresh in our hearts to this day.
So, as we all stand before the Creator of the song, He is speaking to us. And I think He is saying.
“Ok, let’s hear what you can do with the song.”
(American Idol that is.)
Ok, I’d admit it. I watched every single minute of last season’s American Idol. And yes, I voted for David Cook. Whew, I feel better getting that out in the open.
I am not sure why I was so hooked on the show this year. In the past I usually just watched the first couple weeks so I could see Simon crucify the poor souls that think they can sing. I couldn’t carry a note if you strapped it to my hip but at least I realize it. Some of those poor folks don’t have a clue. Well, until Simon enlightens them with his wonderful tactfulness.
After several weeks the contestants were whittled down to the Top 10. Then they started to have celebrities from the music world that would come in every week and work with each one of the singers. They had people like Neil Diamond, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, and even Andrew Lloyd Weber. Each of the contestants stood in awe as they worked on songs that the celebrities had made famous.
After the week that Dolly Parton was on the show one of the singers, Michael Johns was interviewed and asked what it was like to work with Dolly and to sing one of her songs. His response struck a chord with me. (No pun intended.)
Michael said, “To be standing there and singing one of her songs to her. And to have her enjoy it. I mean, words can’t describe that.”
And I would think that would be pretty amazing. To stand before the artist that created the song and came up with the idea, the tune, and the lyrics. And then to have them say, “Ok, let’s hear what you do with the song.”
In a way I feel that God is saying the same thing to us.
God along with His Son and Holy Spirit make up the greatest trio ever and they have created a wonderful song. The song of life. They came up with the words and how it should sound. And in the song they sing about love and mercy and grace and compassion. The song also includes things like comfort, joy, peace, and kindness. There is even one whole stanza that is devoted to forgiveness.
And not only did they create this song, they sent Jesus to teach us how to sing it. For three years He walked among us singing this great song of life. He invited everyone He met to sing along. And with the help from the Holy Spirit the song has continued for over two thousands years.
So now it is our turn to sing.
And just as Dolly Parton enjoyed hearing Michael Johns sing one of her songs God himself loves to hear us sing His song.
So when we show mercy and compassion and forgiveness to others or when we truly love as we have been taught to love God is sitting there saying, “Wow, they are singing our song.”
We know the song. It is created inside me and it is created inside you. We heard Jesus sing it in the past. We have His “song book” that we can refer to daily. And His Spirit has kept the tune fresh in our hearts to this day.
So, as we all stand before the Creator of the song, He is speaking to us. And I think He is saying.
“Ok, let’s hear what you can do with the song.”
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