Horrible Boss?

Don’t leave your job
    just because your boss is angry with you.
Remaining calm solves great problems.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 

 

Ever had a boss who made you absolutely miserable?  You know, that boss that during staff meetings you dream of their ultimate excruciatingly and very public demise, possibly involving boiling lava, pitchforks, and some ravenous carnivorous brain beetles ?  The one that makes you yell vile profanities in your mind and you are afraid that one day you will say them out loud.

 

I've had bosses like that before.  As a matter of fact, the absolute worst one was the senior pastor of a church where I once worked.  When he entered the building, you could sense a disturbance in the force.  The closer he got to the office area, the birds outside would flee.  This person was OCD about being OCD and not afraid to berate the staff for the slightest perceived error.  It was a situation where I dreaded going to work.  My sweet bride would remind me that I didn't have to agree with the pastor, just do my job to the best of my ability. The best day I had in that position was the day I left.

 

But as horrible as that person made the job, I learned some valuable lessons.  

•  Chances are the horrible boss is not going to change.  But I can change MY interactions with the horrible boss. 
• Realize that they are the way they are for a reason.  Perhaps God is reminding me that I need to make some changes.  Perhaps it is so I can learn patience under fire.  Perhaps it is so I can learn how not to act.  Perhaps, and this is the truly painful part, I really am in need of correction for my attitude, performance, timeliness, accuracy.
• If my boss is upset with me about my attitude, I need to look at the attitude I show toward others as well (who haven't said anything to me about it, but have become distant).  Everyone likes to believe they are in the right and anyone who disagrees is in the wrong (we are NOT perfect and shouldn't act as though we are).

Here are the words of wisdom shared with me by a very wise person: "Only person you can change is you! So make the changes you need to make and don't be stupid enough to think you have nothing that needs changing. You can't change anyone else, but you can change how YOU react to THEM! Don't be resentful.  Don't be angry. And for goodness sake, don't let your mouth run free!"

Have a horrible boss?  Think on this...you are someone else's boss, so take care.  Could be your spouse who adores you, could be your child who needs to learn to become self-sufficient, could be your pet.  You are the boss to someone else, so make sure you set the example!

 

 

We Are Family!!

In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. 

And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, 

because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

~ 1 Peter 5:5 

 

 

It's time for a little history lesson....go ahead and roll your eyes, yawn, stretch, and get your coffee...way back when I was a child, I remember my Mom getting ready for church and after she was dressed in her "Sunday go to meeting" attire, she would put on an apron and prepare lunch, which would cook while we were gone so it would be ready to eat when we got home.  What was the purpose of the apron? To keep her clothes clean.

 

In the old days, before color photography, tradesmen would wear aprons, overalls, and even coveralls when they were working (this was way back when even the garbage collectors wore ties). Why? So they wouldn't get their clothes dirty.  But it was also one way of marking the blue collar worker from the white collar worker.

 

Now...When Peter tells us to "clothe yourselves with humility toward one another" he is using the language that indicates putting on an apron (in Peter's day, slaves word aprons and it distinguished them from former slaves, called freedmen).  What Peter is telling us is to not be afraid or hesitant to understand that we are no better than anyone else!  Peter, a fisherman by trade, was very familiar with the idea that there are some who believe they are better than everyone else...the "don't you know who I am?" club.

 

It's taken quite a few lumps, bumps and bruises, but I have learned that I am not better than anyone else by any stretch of the imagination.  I, like everyone else, must take in nourishment, expel waste, and breathe.  In its basest form, those are the functions of existing.  Therefore, unless I can figure out how to exist without having to go through those processes, I actually might be better than others.

 

Here's the fact: God created us (ALL OF US) in His image! If you remember the story of the Last Supper, Jesus removed His clothing, wrapped a towel around Himself, and washed the feet of His Disciples!  If Jesus could humble Himself in such a way, why is it so difficult for us?

Guard Your Heart!

Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

~Proverbs 4:23 

What is the focus of your life? Is it your wallet?  Perhaps it's your job?  Maybe even your family?  Or is it the weekend?

Have you ever done a half-hearted job or just enough to get by and then wonder why someone else got the accolades or promotion?  Because your heart wasn't in the project!

Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that "As a man thinks, so is he."  

Want to be a better spouse?  Make your spouse the most important earthly relationship in your life and make that relationship your offering to God!  

Want to be noticed (positively) at work? Remember that you work for God and make your efforts your offering to Him!

You see, we will reflect our hearts! I've said it before and I'll share it again: "What's in your well comes up in your bucket!"  Want your life to be better? Then focus on the positive instead of drowning yourself in the negative sludge!  Yes, it will take a LOT of effort to change perspective.  No, it will not be instantaneous.  BUT, your efforts will be rewarded! 

You reflect your heart!  And you determine what you let into your heart to be reflected.  Guard your heart!!! 

Want An Easy Life?

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. 

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. 

But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

~John 16:33 

"Why is life so hard?  Why can't it be simple?"  I have heard this, and said this, many times.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if everything in life was easy?  And I remember something my parents taught me from an early age, if it's easy it's not appreciated.  I was taught that if I wanted an allowance every week, then I had chores to do.  If I didn't do my chores, and do them well, then I would not receive the allowance.

Keeping that in mind, consider this: Jesus stated "Here on earth you WILL HAVE trials and sorrows."  There's no question about that! We are going to have struggles.  But these struggles are not meant to destroy us, but to strengthen us!  Now, there ARE people who seem to believe that they shouldn't have to do anything because they expect others to give them everything.  This is not life!  This is being a slave to convenience!

When you have a rough spot on a piece of wood, what do you do?  You use sandpaper (which is a rough surface) to smooth out the rough spot.  The friction and the scraping of one rough surface against another produces a smooth surface.  Hmmmm....."Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" - Proverbs 27:17

Life is rough?  Good! Because if it were easy we would have no adventure.  If it were easy we wouldn't learn anything.  If it were easy, it wouldn't be a life, it would be merely an "existence."   If it were easy, we wouldn't need to turn to God.

Teach Your Children Well!

 Always remember these commands I give you today. Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 

~Deuteronomy 6:6-7

When I was a child, I remember wanting to sit at the adult table at family gatherings.  Their stories always fascinated me and I learned quite a bit just from listening.  It was in listening to these stories that I learned that my Grampa's father abandoned the family when Grampa was in second grade and, as a result, Grampa had to leave school to go to work.  And I learned that he was a "coal monkey" on the locomotives.  Life was hard during the Depression.  As I get older, I like to think I have learned a few things along the way and can share nuggets of wisdom with those coming after me.  

How do we learn if no one will teach?  How can we know if no one tells us?  How can we become wise if we don't listen to the wise?

Here's the point: Your legacy that you will leave on this earth will be what you have invested in others.  Will you teach love or will you teach hate?  Will you teach caring or indifference?

One of the most amazing songs I have heard is a Jimmy Buffet song called, "The Captain and the Kid."  Listen closely to the lyrics and you will hear the tale of an old grizzled Captain teaching a young boy.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtxmgBYlrTs

For the record, I want my legacy to be that, while my name may not be remembered, the investment in the lives who listened and learned were forever changed for the good.  THAT is a great return on the investment. 

What's In A Title?

 “Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? Food doesn’t go into your heart,

 but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” 

(By saying this, he declared that every 

kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.) And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you.  
For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, 
deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness.  
All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
~Matthew 7:18-23

People love to be treated special, don't we?  We LOVE it when we are given deference; when doors not normally open for others are opened for us.  I remember when I was interviewing for a position with an organization where many of its members had political clout, and the first question asked me was "And just who do you know?"  I eventually got the job even though I didn't know anyone with the right clout, and then I got to deal with a whole new pool of "Don't You Know Who I Am?" clods.

One of my seminary professors had a wall full of degrees (5 Doctorates earned...not honorary and 7 Masters Degrees), so you can imagine the intimidation of having to meet with him as a lowly seminary student hoping to achieve my first Master's Degree.  I was nervous and called him Doctor and Reverend and Bishop... He looked at me sternly and said, "Stop! You are trying to impress me and you are failing, so STOP!"  I asked him sheepishly what I should call him.  Imagine my surprise and relief when he smiled and said, "Call me George.  It's the name on my birth certificate."

Think about this, how many times do we encounter people who insist on being called by their titles instead of their names, as if titles make them better than human.  That same professor reminded our class that "All the degrees and titles in God's universe will not save you from being human! Learn to be humble; to get into the dirt and wipe the filth from those you have been called to minister to; listen to the soul in agony of loss pouring out their hurt to you.  Never lose who God birthed you to be in the forest of titles and degrees!  Matter of fact, I have never found in Scripture where Jesus had a degree yet we seek to example this carpenter from Nazareth."

Arrogance gives Christians a very bad name!  Let's learn to humility and genuine caring.

Look Up!

Look up into the heavens.
    Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
    calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
    not a single one is missing.
O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
    O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

~Isaiah 40:26-31 

 

As a child, I remember laying on my back in the driveway looking at the stars.  Looking up at the vastness above me, I felt more than a little insignificant.  I remember thinking that with all God has to keep up with, how could He possibly have any idea what I struggled with or that I even exist.  I mean, let's face it, ALL those stars and planets moving in perfect synchronicity?  It made my head hurt just trying to imagine it, so I had NO idea how God could do it.  

 

Later in life, when I was in the Army, our Chaplain came to perform our service.  It was a Sunday night and the stars were already out.  He chose today's passage.  He told us (but it sounded like he was talking directly to me) that God is the God of ALL creation.  He reminded us that God calls each star by name, but more than that, God has called each of US by name! AND has carved OUR names into His right hand.  AND sent His Son to die for US.  And because of all of that, not only are we important to God as His children, but God infuses us and fills us with what we need for the situation we are in.  I felt foolish for asking, partly because I didn't want to feel stupid, but mainly because I didn't want anyone else to think I was a complete imbecile, but I asked the Chaplain how was this possible?  If God gives us what we need for the situation we are in, why do I get angry and upset, why do I feel frustrated and helpless, why am I resentful?  

 

You see, I wasn't the intellectual behemoth I am today (and there are those who are laughing because they know me).  That Chaplain told me something I hope never to forget. He said, "Keep the conversation going.  You know the people who love you because you talk to them and listen to them.  You deal with them differently than those you don't know very well.  When we keep the conversation with God ongoing, we learn to hear His voice.  We learn to listen to His guidance.  We learn just how much He loves us!  If we aren't talking with God, we how can we know anything about Him?  We think God is some old bearded guy who sits around in the clouds ready to smite us, but that isn't true. The more we talk with God, the more we understand that we can rely on Him for EVERYTHING!"

 

Chaplain Eargle was absolutely right.  It was that very night that I began to seriously have a conversation with God.  Yes, it was awkward at first.  Yes, it was a lot of me doing the talking.  No, I didn't see a cloud of smoke before me and a thunderous voice come from within it.  I slowly began to learn to "pray without ceasing." And guess what?  I have learned that God has already put the answer in place for whatever situation I find myself before He ever spoke the Universe into creation.  I am still learning to listen to Him (I am more than a little stubborn).  I still fail miserably, but God has already dealt with that before the Universe was spoken into creation as well.  Nothing surprises Him.  Nothing startles Him.  And best of all, there is NOTHING that can defeat Him!

 

When God gives us a mission, He has already planned every detail and every contingency and through us His mission will not fail! EVER!

Hating The Haters Makes You Like Them....A Hater!

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much."

~Matthew 5:43-46

 

There has been quite the uproar of late about how one group hates another group and fights ensue leaving chaos and injury in their wake.  And then, we have people like the black officer helping an member of the KKK with a heat related condition into the shade.  Let's be completely honest here, that officer did not HAVE to help this man, but he did.  He did not HAVE to bring him to shade, but he did.  He could have called a white officer over to take care of this, but he chose to do it himself.  He could have told this member of the KKK, "You hate me because of my skin.  You believe you are better than me.  So good luck to you."  But he didn't.

 

THIS is how God expects us to act.  THIS is how Jesus instructed us to act.  We, as believers, are SUPPOSED to be weird; we are SUPPOSED to be different, even if it shocks the rest of the world.  

 

When we hate the haters...we are just like them!  Yet Christ called us to love those who hate us.  

 

Let me state the obvious here: 

Skin Color Is Just The Gift Wrap, The Gift Or The Curse Is What Is In The Heart! 

 

Look at the gift, not the wrapping.  BE the gift worth receiving! 

Too Busy to Live!!!

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

~Matthew 11:28-30

Have you ever stopped being busy long enough to wonder why you're so busy? Several years ago I took a long weekend vacation to just get away and relax.  Guess what I discovered?  The place I had chosen to relax was a very busy place with lots to do, and my phone kept alerting me that someone needed my help so I spent most of the time walking from one shady place to another to answer emails, texts, phone calls, Facebook messages, and working.  How much relaxation do you think I got?

On the final day, I decided that I had to put a stop to this "workcation" because, after all, I didn't spend all this money to get a room, enjoy good meals, and fuel to and from, just so I could do the same thing I did every other day.  So I put the cellphone in the suitcase, put the suitcase in the car, and went for a walk.  The first place I went was to a pier with some day-old bread I had purchased on the way.  I spent time feeding the seagulls, pigeons, and any other hungry bird that happened to show up.  And while I was there, a dolphin with her calf swam right past the pier.  These experiences I continue to cherish because God showed me to slow down and live.

That great theologian, George Carlin, is credited for remind us how we are far to busy to remember to live:

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. 

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom."

I heard a Jimmy Buffett song recently that reminded me of the dolphin and calf and how God showed me the amazing creations He puts in our path every day when we take time to look.  You Parrotheads will appreciate this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxuJ-cumHh8

Send Who? Me?

Then I heard the Lord asking, 

“Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? 

Who will go for us?”I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
Isaiah 6:8 

In the time of the Roman Empire (I had not been born yet), the messengers would run from destination to destination delivering their messages.  Some more important than others.  If a messenger arrived at the Senate to deliver news of a campaign Caesar was engaged in, the message would be delivered and the first question asked of the messenger..."Who sent you?"  For you see, the most trusted messengers were sent by Caesar and their messages were deemed to have come from the lips of Caesar.  If the messenger came from one of the generals or governors, the messages did not always carry such weight.

The point of having reliable messengers was of vital importance because they reflected the one who sent them.  Would you trust a messenger who delivered you request for supplies to say to the Supply Officer, "Ummm.....you that king guy wants you to send him some stuff or whatever.  y'know stuff like socks, underwear, coats, toilet paper, and whatever."  Or would you trust a messenger who could articulate your message accurately, "Caesar requires 1000 tents, 4000 spears, 10000 sacks of grain..."

Therefore, when God entrusts you with His message, you were selected for a reason.  Are you the person God has chosen to bring his message of hope to a doubting single father?  Could it be God has trusted you to bring His message to the hurting soul that God's love NEVER fails?  Perhaps you are the one whom God has chosen to bring His message of reassurance to the one struggling with illness and despair that God is ALWAYS with us!

As a believer, God has called for us to be His messengers.  Will you accept the call?  Will you step forward and deliver His message?  "Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?"   What will YOUR answer be?

Come To The Dark Side

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

~ 1 Peter 4:12-13

 

I remember seeing a documentary on salmon when I was in grade school (and we had a substitute teacher with no lesson plan).  The thing that struck me about salmon is that when it is time to spawn, they head upstream against the current, fighting to overcome the waterfalls, the bears, the fishermen, and all sorts of challenges just so they can spawn. This made me wonder, would it not have been much simpler to just find some shallow pool along the way to spawn?

 

I asked my Grampa, who was an avid fisherman, why the salmon endured all that just to spawn.  Honestly, I was expecting some of his sage wisdom like "because they are stupid" or "Bears and fishermen have to eat."  Instead, his answer made me thing even more because he said, "They do it to teach us."  I didn't understand that answer no matter how much I pondered it.  It wasn't until I was in college that the simplicity of his wisdom hit me like a speed train.  During chapel one Tuesday, the speaker said "Let's face facts, if sin wasn't easy and fun our enemy would be out of a job.  If you aren't bumping into the enemy, you are walking with the enemy."

 

This made everything pretty clear for me.  I shouldn't be surprised when I am tempted to do wrong because the temptation comes in the fact that doing wrong is easy, popular, and fun.  Doing what is right is often difficult because you are going against the popular opinion, and because it is unpopular doing what is right is not fun.  BUT doing the right thing in spite of popular opinion and personal discomfort is what God has called us to do.  God calls us to be different than the world.  God calls us to be weird like that.  

 

So......HI, My name is Paul and I rather like being weird.  Don't always get it right, but I do try and do try to learn. How about you? 

Focused Thinking Reveals Much

Finally, brothers and sisters, 

whatever is true, 

whatever is worthy of respect, 

whatever is just, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is commendable, 

if something is excellent or praiseworthy, 

think about these things.

~Philippians 4:8

 

Ever lost your train of thought?  Ever been so distracted that you forgot something important?  Ever tried to concentrate but found your mind wandering toward everything BUT what you needed to concentrate on? I have and still do.  Thinking is not as easy as it sounds.

 

Believe it or not, many people choose not to think!  They merely flow through their day following a stream of consciousness that is filled with rocks, rapids, clogs of stuff, and never seeming to stay on a thought for long.  Why is that?  Our society is one of speed and movement.  It is a visual society.  We no longer have time to read anything completely, much less study it, because we might miss the next fad or trend.  And as a result, we are quickly losing the ability to focus our thoughts and we are left to wonder why we are so stressed and exhausted.  

 

I consider myself to be a contemplative because I like to think!  I like to take time to think things through and try to perceive as many sides of a thought as possible.  I may have large ears but I am not Yoda, I'm just someone who likes to think.  I can sit and think for hours on end.  

 

Want to know why you are stressed and anxious? Take a look at what you allow into your mind. 

 

Want to know why you have trouble with relationships? What do you fill your mind with?

 

Want to know why you didn't get the promotion you wanted or thought you deserved?  Think it through and see if, perhaps, your skills are needed where you are.

 

You see, that with which we choose to fill our minds will impact every single aspect of our lives.  People who are hateful think hateful thoughts and allow others to fill their minds with hateful things.  Those who are cheerful fill their minds with positive thoughts and only allow positive thoughts into their minds (and have learned to look at what could be a negative situation and choose to look at it in a positive way).  

 

The philosopher, Rene Descartes, is credited with saying: "Cogito ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am). We tend to become what we choose to fill our minds with.  By changing the way we think, we change the way we view the world around us.  And perceptions are very contagious, so make sure yours it one worth catching!  

Emanuel AME Church in Charleston

I have, for all this time, withheld my response to the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.  I have been asked on numerous occasions what I thought about it.  Honestly, I can tell you that I think it was a truly horrific action carried out by one who has a very troubled spirit.   

BUT...

When I heard the response of the church body toward the shooter, I was floored.  That congregation proved that God truly IS alive in this world, because they openly declared their forgiveness of that young man. I have contended that forgiveness is a conscious choice that we must make because God's love fills us more than the anger of the acts committed against us.  This pastor and this church have proven that to be true.  They didn't call for riots!  They didn't call for revenge!  They didn't call for anger! They didn't They claimed the peace of God's love!  They have become the living example of Jesus' Prayer to "Forgive us for our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us."   

Let me be brutally and painfully honest in confessing that I don't know if I could have done that.  But then I read the words of Interim Pastor Norvel Goff, Sr. when he declared of the church: "This is God's territory!"

I visited with the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy recently for two reasons; first, to remind them that they are not alone. People are praying for them. And second, to try to care for the caregivers.  During that visit, one of the Chaplains make a very profound statement: "The reaction of the Citizens of Charleston and the members of Emanuel AME Church have reminded me that the Holy City is still Holy."

When tragedy strikes in our lives, can we respond because God's love and forgiveness fills us so much that anger and hatred have no home in our hearts?  That is my prayer! 

My gratitude to Pastor Norvel Goff, Sr. for reminding me that "This is GOD'S territory!"

 

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence 

those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, 

so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 

Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. 

Fear God, and respect the king.

~1 Peter 2:13-17

Respect...what has happened to it?  As a Chaplain and a Minister, I have duties that are celebratory and duties that are somber, and I get to observe how respect is played out in both instances.  For example, I had the honor of conducting a funeral for a man who was, by all accounts, very respected.  Yet, at the service people arrived dressed as though their day at the lake had been interrupted by having to attend this funeral.  

Brace yourself, my inner 'Old Guy' is being released!  When I was growing up, I was taught (painfully at times) that when one enters a building, men are to remove their hat and sunglasses.  I was taught to stand when a lady comes to sit down at the table.  I was taught that, even though we celebrate the life lived, funerals are serious enough to actually come fully clothed.  I was taught to be the first to show respect to others. And most of all, I was taught to respect the flag of this country I have the privilege to inhabit.

We seem to have taken our "Land of the Free' to mean no one matters except ME! We don't show respect, we DEMAND respect to be shown to us.  And respect for our nation's flag has become more of a joke than an actuality. Does anyone else see the problem?

I was taught "Respect is the gift we give that shows others who we are."

Gimme A Break!

Make allowance for each other’s faults, 

and forgive anyone who offends you. 

Remember, the Lord forgave you, 

so you must forgive others.

~Colossians 3:13

Ever wonder why God put dogs on this earth?  I think I have finally figured out a small piece of that question.  We have a greyhound.  She is a retired racer we named Abby.  Now Abby is very routine oriented.  She knows when she is supposed to get fed; she knows when she is supposed to get a "good girl" cookie; She knows when she is supposed to get her 'bedtime' cookie.  Not only that, but Abby is not afraid to remind me when it's time.  

But I forgot to give her the bedtime cookie on Saturday, despite her reminding harrumphs and snorts and pouting, I got distracted working on a project and just forgot.  But when it did sink in, at 1:00am, I got up and got her cookie and brought it to her.  At first, she turned away and made sure I knew she wasn't looking at me.  I told her that I was sorry for forgetting and put the cookie on her bed.  It didn't take long before I heard crunching followed by a belch followed by wet lock to my face.  I had been forgiven!  We were good again. Abby teaches me a LOT about forgiveness and patience every day.  You see, Abby loves me in spite of myself.

Then there are people.  People aren't so forgiving.  People seem to enjoy being angry.  People seem to relish in take advantage of the kindness of others.  People seem to love ticking each other off!  Why is that?  

Why is it that WE want to be forgiven immediately, but aren't so quick to forgive others (especially if THEY don't apologize to us).  In today's verse, Paul reminds us that we are to be QUICK to forgive others because, after all, God has forgiven us.

Not only that, but if you recall the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive US OUR sins IN THE SAME WAY WE forgive OTHERS."   I didn't say that, Jesus did!

Forgiveness is a decision that we must make.  Do you want to be forgiven, then learn to forgive!  Forgiveness is a gift....don't be afraid to give it.   

When Evil Seems To Win!

Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed!
Do not envy evildoers!

For they will quickly dry up like grass,
and wither away like plants.

Trust in the Lord and do what is right!
Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!

~Psalm 37:1-3

 

"What do we do when evil seems to win?"  This is a question I hear over and over.  It is usually followed by, "What's the point of doing the right thing when it doesn't seem to do any good?"  These are good questions.  Tough questions, but good ones nonetheless.

 

What should we do when it seems evil prevails?  Should we do nothing? Should we get angry and start a fight?  Should we bury our heads in the church and pray for the best?  Well....NO actually.  

 

Then what does God tell us to do?  

•  Do not fret!  Now understand the word translated FRET is the Aramaic word Charah which means: to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled.  God is telling us not to let it burn us up.
• Trust in the Lord! That seems fairly straight forward on paper. The word translated TRUST is the Aramaic word BATACH which means: to have bold confidence.  So we are to have BOLD CONFIDENCE in God!  Remember, God is the God of all creation and is far more powerful than anything we will face.  Also remember that even Satan himself had to present himself before God in Job.  Satan may seem as if he is winning, but he has already lost!
• Do what is right! This means exactly that, do what is RIGHT not what is easiest or most expedient.  Do what is right even when you think no one notices because, believe it or not, your actions are noticed by God and by others.
• Maintain Your Integrity!  My Grampa once told me that Integrity is like a candle in the dark.  The candle shines and isn't concerned who sees because the candle is doing the right thing by sharing light!  That is integrity!

 

Keep calm, trust God, do what is right, and keep your integrity intact.  That is what we are to do all the time and especially when it seems like evil is winning.

With All That's Going On In The World...

Don’t be too quick to get angry

    because anger lives in the fool’s heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

 

We argue and fight for any number of stupid reasons, let's be honest.  Sadly, these altercations don't really resolve anything.  They do tend to make divisions even more prevalent.  They do tend to make the participants look less than the brightest candle on the cake.  So why are we so quick to be offended and angry?  Why are we so quick to jump from discussion to brawl?

 

We have learned somewhere along the way that if you poke me in the eye, then I will shoot you in the head and believe I win (from inside the prison cell).  We seem to have lost the ability to articulate and reason together.  We seem to have lost the ability to have respect for others or ourselves for that matter.  We are quick to DEMAND respect, instead of earning it.  We are also quick to disrespect others who disagree with us.

 

Notice the verse doesn't say "Don't get angry" because there are times when we should be angry (when a child is abused or an elderly person is attacked).  The verse says "Don't be too quick to get angry."  Count to 10 (as my Grampa used to say).  Take a stick and whack a tree with it.  Go chop some firewood.  Go for a run or walk.  Why? Because we, as humans, are very prone to knee-jerk reactions instead of planned actions.  It's easier to escalate than to discuss.  It's easier to talk over everyone else than to actually listen to their point of view.

 

Easy is not always the best!