Humbled...There's Just No Other Way To Say It

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?

~Psalm 8:3-4

The last several days have shown how destructive water can be; and how it can destabilize roads, homes, lives, communities, and even states and regions.  But I have seen a miracle during this time that I never thought I could see...in this time of distress, people are, for the most part, not concerned about themselves as much as they are concerned about others.  I have seen First Responders work themselves to the point of exhaustion and still push themselves to do more.  I have seen Utility Crews work feverishly to restore power and water, and they have gone far beyond expectations.  I have witnessed an overwhelming show of support from places not effected as much by the rain and flooding as South Carolina has been.

I spent a lot of time just listening and talking with people over the last few days.  And I have been humbled!  People who were displaced by the floods were not only grateful for the communities reaching out to help them, but many were more concerned for people other than themselves.  But the one event that broke my pride came when I gave a young boy a bottle of water and he handed me his teddy bear because he said I looked like I needed a hug. 

Tonight, as I look into the sky and give God thanks and praise for His love for us, it will be with a very humbled heart.  Why should God care about us when we have been so hateful and hurtful toward each other for so long?  In my opinion, He probably shouldn't.  If I were in His place, I would probably tell humanity: "Ya'll are on your own! I tried but ya'll just can't seem to get the fact that I love you so much that MY ONLY Son paid for your mistakes.  I'm out!"  But that's why God is God and I am not.

God not only put all the stars in their place and called them by their name, he put each one of us in place and called us by name.  He has recorded and collected all our hurts and tears.  He has counted every hair.  And He loves us and provides for us in the most remarkable ways through the most remarkable people.

I am humbled...there's just no other way to say it.  

Thank You to all who came to the aid of others in their time of need.  THANK YOU!!! And I thank God for each of you!

ME?

I heard the voice of the sovereign master say, 

“Whom will I send? Who will go on our behalf?” 

I answered, “Here I am, send me!”

Isaiah 6:8

For the longest time I was convinced that nothing I did made a difference or could do any lasting good because I was just one person. And, after all, what can one person accomplish that has any sort of positive lasting impact on society. Looking back at my own life, regardless of what it might look like or what has been said, there were a few bright moments, but for the most part let's just say I was eager to leave the party.

My Grampa was one of those bright spots in my life.  During one visit, I remember sitting on the bumper of his car (1965 Ford Galaxy 500 that I wanted SO badly), and I was just numb.  Grampa came out, lit his pipe (as was his custom) and leaned against the car. And he said, "Ain't seen a face that long since the last time the mule ate saw briers. What hog ate your snake boy?"  So I told him that no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't seem to make an impact on anyone.  Grampa's advice? "You're sleeping in the garage tonight boy!"

The next morning at 5am, Grampa came out and told me to get up because breakfast was ready.  I had never slept so little that I could remember....EVER!  On the way into the house, Grampa said: "Still think you don't make an impact on others?"  I mumbled something to the affirmative, and his response floored me like a right hook from a street fighter, "Mosquito wasn't looking to have an impact on anyone either. Mosquito just doin' what God made him to do.  But he impacted your sleep last night, eh?"  I remember looking into Grampa's face with my sleep deprived eyes and he got nose to nose with me and told me, "Ain't YOUR job to make a splash!  It's YOUR job to do what God tells you because all the water you trying to splash is His!"

And you know, I don't need a wall full of plaques and certificates to know that God uses even people as flawed as me to make a difference.  Don't believe it? Have you seen the faces of folks light up with something as small as a Tootsie Roll?  Have you seen people change when you let them know they are appreciated?  Have you heard the stomach of the homeless person stop rumbling because you gave your lunch to them?  It doesn't take a big splash to make a difference, it just takes a heart that is willing when God asks, "Who shall I send?"

And I have to put in this shameless plug.  My bride and I married in 1999.  I gave her my very first BUBBA (Butt Ugly Butt Big Afghan) that took over 2 months to make.  She thought I was weird and possibly certifiably missing a few of the more important synapses, but she accepted it graciously.  After we had been married a few months we sold gave a sofa to a lady who had come from SisterCare, my sweet bride took the BUBBA I had made for her and gave it to this lady.  I can tell you that they hugged and cried and prayed right there in our garage for almost half an hour.  All from a simple gesture of giving one ugly blanket away. AND my bride is now a HUGE part of the BUBBA Project whether she knows it or not.

Do you have an impact?  BEYOND A DOUBT!!!

Strength For Today

As soon as I pray, you answer me;
    you encourage me by giving me strength.

Psalm 138:3

I have noticed a thing or two as I now enter into my 54th year on this spinning marble.  One of the things I have noticed our reaction when things don't go the way we want, even to the point of going horribly wrong.  You see, when things go wrong, we usually take one of two stances: 
     1. We get angry and blame God for everything we think is wrong in our life, questioning His love and even existence; 
     2. We cling to Him because we understand that without Him we wouldn't have the strength to continue on.

Say what you will, but this has been by direct observation over and over and over.  And it all boils down to that "R" word which tends to terrify the timid and worry the proud.  I'm talking about RELATIONSHIP!  When the Sheriff's Department hires new folks, I am allowed time to talk with them and explain who I am and why I do what I do (drink coffee, give out Tootsie Rolls, etc.) and the main thing I tell these new hires is this: "My purpose here is to build relationships with you because, should something happen and you need to help, you aren't likely to want to talk to someone you don't know."

Hmmmmm.......How's your relationship with God?  Do ya'll talk, have a nodding acquaintance in passing, or do you ignore Him?  When (not if) your life takes an unexpected turn, wouldn't it be more comforting being able to talk with someone who you not only have a relationship with, but also is big enough to make a difference and resourceful enough to take care of you and strong enough to carry you?  

Just sayin'

God Is How Big?

And we know that God causes everything to work

 together for the good of those who love God and are 

called according to his purpose for them.

~Romans 8:28

 

 

This verse seems to be unclear for many, so let's take a look at it.  How big is God to you?  Is God only God when you think you need Him?  Is God only God when you find yourself on the horns of a dilemma? Is God the one you say "thank you" to at mealtime?  Is God the one you call to when things are not going according to your plan?  Is God surprised by the things we do, think, or say?  Is God ever taken off guard?  Can we hide from God?

 

Let me be blunt...

     * God is the God who spoke the entirety of everything into creation.  

     * God is the God who took dust, shaped it, and breathed life into it and called his breath bag "Adam."  

     * God is the one who told the sea that they can only come so far and no farther.  

     * God is the one who named every single star.  

     * God is the one who knows exactly how many hairs you have.  

     * God is the one who satan has to report to, and God also has set limits on satan (not to mention has already defeated him). 

     * God is the one who knows everything about everything because He made everything.

     * God is the one who tells us not to worry because He has everything under control.

     * God is the one who reminds us to let Him fight our battles for us.

     * God is the one who has never lied.

     * God is the one who cannot be defeated.

     * God is a LOT smarter than we could ever hope to be.

     * God is ALWAYS with us even when we can't see Him because we are focused on our storms.

     * God is the God who takes our screw-ups, mistakes, blunders, and outright defiant rebellion and works it all for OUR good.

     * God is the one who woke you up this morning (and let you see the world around you).

     * God is the one who created all those amazing place we dream about going to relax.

     * God is the one who put the mountains in their place in such a way as to direct the winds.

     * God is also the one who put beaches at the edge of the ocean to draw us there.

     * God is the one who CALLS US BY NAME and loves us more than we will ever understand or appreciate.  He loves us IN SPITE of ourselves.

 

So let me ask you again, "Just how big is YOUR God?"

Humble? Me? That Doesn't Sound Very Fun!

 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
~Philippians 2:3-5 

"BE LOUD, BE PROUD, AND BE LOUD SOME MORE!"  We have this idea blasted at us constantly.  We hear things like "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" which tells us that if we are annoying enough for the "right" reasons we get what we want.  I have heard children work this on their parents with the barrage of: "Mom.......Mom.......Mom........Mom........Mom.......Mom.......MOM......MOM.......Mom........MOM" and on and on until Mom has had enough and snaps back with "WHAT?"  

But look at what today's verses are telling us.  Did you see it?  Here it is in a nutshell: "IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU!"   I can hear the shocked intake of breath you just had.  I had the same reaction when this became very clear to me.  Believe it or not, my presence on this earth is NOT about me!  It's about helping others.  Granted, some don't want to be helped so they can get their own life moving, some want to be "helped" by someone else providing for them, and that is just plain wrong!

We are here to look out for each other.  Imagine if we actually followed the example of Christ and put others first!  That means you are more important to me that I am to me.  Likewise, I am more important to you than you are important to you.  We'd have a LOT fewer disagreements and a lot more understanding of each other.

Thomas of Assisi is credited with saying, "PREACH the Gospel!  And it you must...use words."  Meaning we are to live in such a way that the Gospel is so apparent in how we deal with others that no one needs to wonder if we are followers of Christ.  Jesus was humble enough to do the one task at the Last Supper that not one of His Disciples would do.  Jesus took on the role of a servant and washed every one of their nasty feet.

Are we too proud?  Believe it or not, there are those who are VERY proud to be "humble."  The picture of some of our politicians seeking public acclaim by washing the feet of someone.  This is contrived and is false humility!  The truly humble need not draw attention to themselves or their humble actions.  Their actions should speak for them.   

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.