Second Chance!

I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you.

Ezekiel 36:27 

 

There have been many (many, many, many) times, as I look back on my life, where I have been allowed a second chance.  I, like so many of us, am very prone to screw life up more times than not.  And when a second chance is offered, what a wonderful feeling!

 

I've already made some New Year's Resolutions:

     *     I will not eat asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower.

     *     I will strive to more tolerant of those who dislike meat.

     *     I will strive to be more encouraging.

     *     I will strive to be more positive and optimistic.

 

I may, once again, fail miserably as I have in years past when I made resolutions.  Look at this 1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible.  Someone found it in a barn and restored it, now it has a second chance!    But God offers us second chances!

Changing Others

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ’s table, wouldn’t it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn’t eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God’s welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help. ~Romans 14:1-4

Have you ever heard someone say something about God they believed to be completely true, but you knew that they were wrong?  Did you tell them they were wrong?  

I once had a co-worker who said that God was just a big Grandfather type guy who sits in Heaven, is hard of hearing and doesn't know what's going on here on Earth because He's not doing anything to help her.  When I heard her say that, I began grinding my teeth, my blood pressure shot WAY up and I wanted to berate her, chapter and verse, that her "knowledge" was false.  But I knew that starting a debate would turn into an argument which usually never ends well.  So I was silent, prayed for her, and still accepted her.

FIVE YEARS later, she came into my office and asked me if God is real or is He just a Santa Claus kind of guy you ask for things and He give them to you.  I explained, as best as I could, that my belief (stressing that this was MY belief) that God is very real and no matter what happens to me, He is still in control.  I went on to explain that regardless what happens in my life, God can take my circumstances and turn them into something amazing.  She told me that she was glad I hadn't confronted her when she had made those statements five years before, because she now knew that God is real and is in control and is definitely very close to her.

After our talk, I began to recall how many times I had witnessed or heard of churches splitting because of some silly argument that ultimately lead to "our way or the highway" (things such as the color of the pew cushions, which side of the sanctuary should the piano be on, the temperature setting of the sanctuary, the length of the announcements vs. the length of the sermon, and on and on).  What purpose do such arguments serve except to prove to others that the church is not a loving place?

We are to be accepting, and let God deal with the issue.  Why?  He's got more practice at resolving issues than any of us!

Merry Christmas

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:14 

 

Merry Christmas!

When You Feel Lost And Alone

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Deuteronomy 31:8 

As you know, I like music almost as much as I love (am addicted to) coffee.  A number of years ago, and I'm dating myself here, Bob Seger performed a song called "Turn The Page" and if you listen to the lyrics it's about the lonely life of a performer.  

During the holiday season, there are many who feel lost and lonely. Matter of fact, there are those who feel that way all year around or at some point during the year. I can admit to you that I have felt that way, even when in a crowd of people.  I encourage you, if you are feeling that way, talk to someone!  

Our instinct is to merely withdraw into ourselves (especially if you are like me and are Introverted).  However, unless we talk with someone how will anyone know what's going on in our hearts?  I've said it many times before and am saying it again, if you don't tell someone how will they know?

What Do You Mean?

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-2

 

We have a way of thinking that can lead us astray if we aren't careful.  For example, the phrase translated as "wise men" is actually the word "magi" who were royal astrologers, alchemists, magicians, and well versed in philosophy.  

Then there is the traditional thought that there were only 3 Wise Men.  Scripture doesn't say that.  It simply states "Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem."  And if they were royal Magi, then an entire entourage would have accompanied them, so their caravan would have been pretty substantial.

Finally, they came to Jerusalem to ask King Herod, "Where is the one who is born king of the Jews?" which means they were familiar with the Jewish prophets and Scriptures.  But their purpose for coming is made very clear: "For we saw his star when it rose and HAVE COME TO WORSHIP HIM."  

Remember why we celebrate Christmas.

What Do You Want?

⁷ That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

⁸ Solomon replied to God, “You showed great and faithful love to David, my father, and now you have made me king in his place. ⁹ O Lord God, please continue to keep your promise to David my father, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth! ¹⁰ Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly, for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?”

¹¹ God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people— ¹² I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!”
2 Chronicles 1:7-12

Did you ever have to write a list of things you wanted for Christmas or for your birthday?  I did.  Yes, I realize today's passage is a little longer than most, but there's a reason for that.

1. Solomon, son of King David, had just become King over Israel.
2. Solomon had gone to the temple and made 1000 offerings to God.
3. God came to Solomon and said, "What do you want?  Ask, and I will give it to you."
4. Solomon could have asked for ANYTHING, but he chose wisdom and knowledge to lead the people properly.

I can't say I would have asked for that.  Just think if God came to you and said, "Whatever you want, just ask and I'll give it to you!"  I know there are some who would believe they would be righteous enough to ask for something like world peace, or end of hunger and poverty, or something unselfishly helpful, and I applaud those who would ask for such gifts.  

 

I will be honest, my FIRST instinct would be to ask for something for me.  Why?  Because, I'm not afraid to admit that I struggle with being selfish at times.  My bride and I watch quite a bit of HGTV and ask each other how on earth these 20-somethings can afford a $1.5M house.  Or how are the rude drunken louts able to afford the $200,000 fee for a 2-day cruise on a luxury yacht.  Then there are those who have hurt me or treated me unfairly.  

 

So, yeah, my list would have been a lot different than asking God for Wisdom and Knowledge to do a good job.  But because Solomon made that choice, God gave him wealth, riches, and fame such as no king has had before or since.  WOW!  

 

My prayer for a long time now has been simple: "Father, use me and keep me out of your way."   

You Mean Decisions Have Consequences?

Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
    but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

Proverbs 28:26

 

 It was a clear summer morning.  A couple of friends and I decided to ride our inner tubes down the Saluda River, I mean it was summer break and we had a whole day to ourselves.  So off we went.  I will tell you that the water in the Saluda doesn't really get warm except in certain places and in certain circumstances.  While we were floating along, one of my friends spotted what appeared to be a fire hose wrapped around the limb of a tree.  Upon closer inspection, it turned out to actually be a fire hose that had been used to swing out over the water and drop in.  So my friend decided this was something he could not pass up.

 

He began to unwrap the hose and after about the fourth turn he found himself face to face with something that didn't like being disturbed and let him know that his decision was a VERY bad one.  My friend came very close to walking on water that day.  As it turned out, the critter was a bat.

 

But think about some of our decisions.  Perhaps it was a tattoo you got and now regret.  Perhaps it was the person you chose to marry, and now you spend most days happily enjoying being together.  Maybe you made a decision to call in sick when you really weren't just because you wanted a day off.  Maybe you said something to someone that hurt them (like the first time I was told that I reminded someone of their grandfather; or the time I was given the "senior discount" without being asked to provide identification).

 

Understand that our every decision will have consequences, good or bad.  So let us learn to use the wisdom we have been given and if to trust those who are wiser than us, even if we don't agree with them.  You see, when we begin to think things through, we are on the path of wisdom.

I'm SO BORED!

Using a dull ax requires great strength,
    so sharpen the blade.
That’s the value of wisdom;
    it helps you succeed.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 

 

Ever been bored?  I'll admit it, I have been bored in so many meetings and classes that it was all I could do to keep my eyes open.  When you are bored, time itself seems to run slow (and sometimes feels as though it is running backward).   We are so accustomed to instant gratification that anything that makes us wait creates in us a sense of boredom!

 

I have ridden with deputies who cursed my name forever when I said something to the effect of, "Hope it's not too busy this shift."  Most deputies with whom I am familiar feed on the energy of action.  If they have to stop (to write a report, for example) they very quickly become bored.

 

I can remember going on family trips across the country and after we had been informed that "Are we there yet" would result in a bruised bottom, we would switch to "I'm SO BORED!"  So we learned to always carry books with us.

 

Speaking of being bored, I had been asked to deliver the sermon, several years ago, and there was a big guy seated about half way back.  When the hymns were sung, he sang enthusiastically. When it was Welcome and Greet Time, he shook hands with so much enthusiasm.  Then when I stood up to deliver the sermon, his head fell forward and he was sound asleep.  He woke up when I finished, and then greeted me at the back door with "Great sermon Preacher!  Can't remember when I've heard something so moving."  I won't tell you the colorful monologue which took place in my mind, but suffice it to say, it wasn't "Bless you my child."

 

God did not create us to be constantly on the go and always doing something.  We can't cut trees all the time!  Sometimes we have to stop and sharpen the ax.  Believe it or not, boredom is a choice!  Use your time wisely!

Do We Really Prove It?

Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. 

Have respectful fear of God. 

Honor those in authority over you.

1 Peter 2:17 

Respect...we all want it.  Some even DEMAND it.  But are we willing to show it?   Some would call it "courtesy" because what was once "common courtesy" is no longer common.  But when Jesus reminded us to treat each other in the same way as we want to be treated by others, He wasn't kidding!

But prove your respect for others by your actions, rather than mere words.  Words are easy and cheap and we tend to forget many of the promises we speak ("I'm praying for you", "I'll always be there for you", "I love you").  Words are only proven by our actions! 

The word Jesus uses that is translated "Treat" is an action word.  It requires intentional and direct action!  If you want to be respected and honored, RESPECT AND HONOR others!

What's In Your Field?

Do not be fooled: You cannot cheat God. People harvest only what they plant. 

Galatians 6:7 

 

Remember in the movie "Christmas Story" when the kid got tricked into putting his tongue on an ice cold pole?  I admit, I laughed out loud by his predicament.  But think about this, and I will be brief, How many times are we talked into doing or saying something that ends up with us in a similar predicament?

 

Remember, You cannot plant corn and get coconuts instead.  Be careful what you allow yourself to get talked into doing. 

It Only Took A Breath...

Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. 

He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, 

and the man became a living person.

Genesis 2:7

 

My Bride and I have a dog, Woody Bear, who loves to dig in our back yard and has running trails all around our back yard. Woody Bear is of undetermined lineage as he looks rather like a Chocolate Lab, with the head of a Pit Bull, and the blue tongue and strong curled tail of a Husky.  So he's pretty much a "Near Miss" of anything on the grid.

 

One of the times I was out with him in the back yard, I noticed that our yard is made of different kinds of dirt. Some sections are dark while others are light. And that cranked up the thought generator....when God gave Adam the breath of life, what color was Adam (having been formed from the dust of the Earth)?

 

And you know what?  The Bible doesn't tell us that, because the skin pigmentation is irrelevant!  The only thing that matters is that God's Breath of Life was breathed not only into Adam, but into everyone of us who draw breath.  God breathed into us the ability to love and the desire to be loved.  God breathed into us the ability to think.  God breathed into us the ability to be compassionate.  God breathed into us the ability to help each other.  God breathed Himself into us!

 

So with that within us, why do we focus on what is outside us?

What Gift Did YOU Give?

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished

Luke 2:16-18 

While reading today's passage, and having had to deal with some of the traffic on Harbison Boulevard, I had a bit of a re-epiphany.  Re-epiphany is an epiphany that you had before and has smacked you in the noggin' one more time.

Do you know what gifts Jesus got for Christmas?  Shepherds!  That's right, people who smelled like sheep.  You may say, "But Padre, the Bible says the Wisemen came and brought Him gold, frankincense and myrrh."  True, but that occurred about two + years later.  On the first Christmas, Jesus got a visit by a bunch of sheep scented men.  And they were SO impressed that THEY had been chosen to see this child Jesus, that they ran through the streets telling everyone they saw about Him.

Then we look under our Christmas Trees at the stacks and stacks of gifts.  We spend weeks and even months sweating, fighting, and getting frustrated on the safari to gather the gifts for Christmas.  And on Christmas morning, we shred through the wrapping paper in seconds, boxes are torn apart in a few more seconds like a shark feeding frenzy, and then we sweat the bills that will arrive in January.

We may say we remember the True meaning of Christmas, but do we?

When I Grow Up...

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature 

and in favor with God and all the people.

Luke 2:52 

 

 

Were you ever asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up"?  I was asked that by many people throughout my childhood.  There were even some people (my Bride) who wonder if I will ever truly grow up.  Then there were those who would always tell you to "act your age."  And there were those who would tell you, usually in exasperated tones "Just Grow Up Already".

But if you look at today's verse, you will see that Jesus already knew what His life's journey was going to entail because "Jesus grew in WISDOM and in stature and in favor and all the people."  Jesus didn't just grow up...Jesus GREW COMPLETELY! 

 How many of us can honestly say we have grown in WISDOM?  And, NO being a sarcastic smart aleck doesn't count.  Wisdom includes accepting that others will see thing differently than you.  Wisdom means you understand that the right thing to do IS the right thing to do (even if it's not popular).  Wisdom doesn't mean you can't have fun, but wisdom teaches us when to have fun and when to be serious.  Wisdom includes learning that childish tantrums do not solve problems, they create problems.

Jesus also grew in STATURE.  He grew up physically.  As a trained carpenter, He knew about hard work.  He needed to learn the skills to make all the things He built would be sturdy and of good quality.

Jesus also grew in FAVOR WITH GOD!  Yes, Jesus is God's Son, but that didn't mean He didn't have the choice to rebel.  He could have very well made the choice to go His own way and done His own thing.  After all, Satan was once one of God's most High Angels until he chose to go his own way.  But He chose to use the Wisdom He had learned to do what was right.

Jesus also grew in FAVOR WITH ALL THE PEOPLE!  Jesus was well liked.  He was respected.  Why? Most likely because He was respectful and courteous, sincere and likable.  I've met some people who acted like they hate everyone, and I've met people who were very likable.

The fact is simple: WE decide how we will grow up! 

When the Lights Just Won't Work

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. 

He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

Genesis 50:20 

 

One of the traditions my bride and I have is to watch National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation" every year.  The scene that sticks in my mind the one where Clark Griswold has spent all day putting the lights on his house, checking and re-checking every bulb, and when the grand moment arrives, he calls all the family outside to bear witness.  When he plugs the cords together, nothing happens and Clark is left in the dark depressed and angry after all the work he had invested didn't pay off.

 

We all have such moments in our lives where we invest ourselves and work very hard only to have nothing happen.  Or you get reprimanded for "wasting so much time and energy."  OR someone else gets the credit for your hard work and time investment.  Then we are left angry, hurt, frustrated, and willing to lash out at whoever we can.

 

The more I thought about the movie, and the fact that, all it took was flipping the switch at the power source to light up the house, the answer is right there in front of us.  We seem to forget (yes, I am one too) that God has been here before we ever arrived on scene, knew what was going to happen, and already had a plan in place before we were ever conceived to resolve our issue.  You see, the switch we need to flip is the one where no matter what happens, we remember that God is the one in charge!  It's HIS job to get us through this life!  We need to stop trying to do His job!

Living A Life Of Illusion

Pride goes before destruction,
    and haughtiness before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18 

 

I like music.  Well.....let me change that to "I like MOST music" because there are some genre's and artists and songs that really just make my eardrums just want to explode.  But I digress.  One of the songs I rather enjoy is by Joe Walsh and is called, "Life of Illusion" (YouTube it and give it a listen).

 

The reason I bring this up is because many of us seem to be living a life of illusion, and we have done it so long that we actually believe it to be true.  Then when our illusion begins to crumble, we are left devastated and wondering why.  And the simple answer is, we were living a life of illusion.  We fool ourselves!  

 

Look at the photo.  It would appear that this vehicle is about to take a ramp to a lower section below the street.  However, this is 3D chalk art.  It is not real.  The car will simply drive over the drawing and keep going on its way.  Yet some drivers were truly stunned and believed that they were going to be descending the ramp to another place.

 

We do the same thing!  Until reality is staring us eyeball-to-eyeball and the bubble we chose to live in bursts.  I have seen the toughest of the tough weeps such bitter tears because they responded to a scene where a child was involved who was near the same age as one of their children or grandchildren.  I have seen the high and mighty reveal the cracks in their facade when they are caught in an unguarded moment.  And I have seen the face in the mirror reveal failure after failure especially when I refused to admit I had failed.

 

It's time for us to begin, right here and right now!  Let us stop Living The Life Of Illusion and be honest and real.  Our time on this Earth is limited, so why waste it trying to be something we are not? 

"And That's The Way It Was..."

Don’t ask, “Why was life better in the ‘good old days’?”
    It is not wise to ask such questions.

Ecclesiastes 7:10 

 

George Bernard Shaw is credited with saying, "If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance."  Let's face it, every family has skeletons.  Every person in every family has things in their past that they would like to forget, from bad decisions to idiotic actions to embarrassing moments, we all have a past. We've discussed this issue before, but it bears repeating because, quite frankly, the past just keeps popping up and distracting us.  

 

I've heard the "good old days" stories and, I know this will come as quite the shocker, have told a few myself.  Yes, I grew up where we played outside as often as possible.  Yes, I grew up riding my bicycle to the store where I traded glass pop bottles for candy.  Yes, I grew up when bubble gum was only a penny.  Yes, I grew up when we couldn't wait for the Sears Wish Book to arrive (and it weighed several pounds). Yes, I did some really idiotic things and made some REALLY bad decisions.

 

But here's the thing to remember (from our last chat on this topic): everything in your past has helped to shape who you are NOW!  And everything that is happening to you NOW is going to shape who will BECOME! 

 

1.  Learn from the past.  It's a great teacher if you pay attention.

2. Don't dwell in the past.  You can't plow a straight line looking over your shoulder.

 

Time is Fleeting!

By the sweat of your brow
    will you have food to eat
until you return to the ground
    from which you were made.
For you were made from dust,
    and to dust you will return.

Genesis 3:19 

 

Stop for a moment, and consider how much of our lives are merely routine.  

     *   We get up

     *   We shower (hopefully)

     *   We get dressed 

     *   We get something to eat

     *   We go to work

And on, and on, and on.  Meetings, travel, activities, even our vacations are crammed with events.  Our lives are so full of stuff!   

 

But are we making a difference?  When your time on this Earth is over, will you be remembered for all your activities and work and stuff, or will you be remembered as one who made a difference in the lives of others?

 

We are told in Scripture that we were made from the dust and we will return to the dust.  Between those two dusty times is what we have to offer.  When I was a bit younger, a group called Kansas, performed a song called "Dust in the Wind" and part of the lyrics included the line "All we are is dust in the wind." 

 

Our routines will simply be taken over by someone else, but will our lives leave a memory worth remembering?

Forever

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

 

Yesterday, we talked about God's peace.  We trust God's loving plans which brings us peace.  Because of that, we should Give thanks to God, for He is not only good, but His faithful love is with us FOREVER!

 

I was informed earlier this week of a friend who had died.  My heart ached for his family and his friends, but I also gave God thanks for the honor of being allowed to know him.  I gave God thanks for loving him.  I gave God thanks that, even as the pain of loss was felt so deeply, God still loves and comforts us forever.

 

FOREVER is a mind blowingly long time!