words of wisdom

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THE HOPE IS STILL ALIVE

A while back I wrote in my diary, “Today I’m 60, but I’m going to live forever so I’m just a kid.”  I haven’t felt much like a kid since I wrote this, but the hope is still alive.  One of my old flippant sayings when confronted by a health conscious (health food nut) person was, “I don’t get my new body till I wear this one out.”  I want you to know I’m doing well with the wearing this one out part.  However it’s not as fun as it once was.  The wearing out is now quite painful, but the new body hope is still alive.

Sunday morning I found myself doing what I used to think was a strange activity that old people did.  I was reading the obituaries in the newspaper.  Not only was I reading them, but I was emotionally involved in reading them.  The short assessment of a person’s life was somehow hauntingly relevant.  As I sense the nearing of life’s end, I think, “What might be written about me?” What in my years was good and what was bad?  Fortunately, most obituaries focus on the good.  The family usually keeps the bad to themselves.  Woo, I say as I contemplate this.

I could get lost in these thoughts, but what I wrote on my 60th birthday is the real truth.  I have the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus.  I’m going to live forever.  The assessment of this short beginning time is recorded by the eternal God.  He makes the final evaluation.  Praise be to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The bad is forgiven and forgotten because the most significant act of my years was receiving the great gift Jesus purchased for me on the cross.  The worth of my other acts is in his hands.

Life has seemed long, but when I look back the part that has passed went by rather quickly.  There is still more to come.  I relish what remains.  And, the hope is still alive!

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SIBLING RIVALRY

Have you ever felt like God’s favorite?  God has a unique way of making each one of his children feel special.  He knows us intimately and speaks to us individually in a personal specific manner.  No one else knows us this well.  He is never condemning even when correcting us.  Therefore we should rejoice in our close relationship with God, but we should also be aware that this intimate closeness is available to all who will receive him.

Being special to God does not in any way invoke superiority in comparison to others.  For us humans who carry a sinful nature, this is an important caution.  We want to be special, but in our fallen state, we feel it necessary to prove ourselves superior to others.  I’m better than so-n-so because _______.  It’s easy to fill in the blank because we’ve all been there.  However, Christ died for all of us.  We each get the full power of redemption through his shed blood.  Nobody gets or needs a greater portion.

As the principal of a Christian school, my position had a great deal of responsibility and prestige.  The young man who cleaned the building had a different position.  We were both called of God to fill our respective positions.  Was one job superior?  Not in God’s eyes.  We were both walking in what God had set before us.  With God there is no favoritism. (See Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11, Ephesians 6:9).  We were equally important in God’s kingdom.  Both of us were created and gifted to fulfil our purpose for Him.  We were also equally loved by God.  In God’s eyes we were and are his special children.

God is able to have an infinite number of favorites.  We are each one God’s favorite.  We are all special to him.  In the family of God there is no need for sibling rivalry.  We need only to love one another and trust our Father to provide what we need.  He created us with a special purpose in his kingdom.  As he directs you through your life be content.  You are unique and special in his eyes.

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TREES

There is much beauty and wonder in this world that God created.  From the elemental foundations of creation God produced a vast array of intricate and beautiful objects.  Each day the sun rises to illuminate before our eyes amazing things, yet because we are so use to them we often hardly notice.  Today I invite you to take a few moments to explore with me the wonder of trees.

Here in sun drenched California, we go to extremes to find shaded parking.  We are seeking a tree.  At the end of a day’s work, we arrive home to our wood structured homes and recline on a comfortable wood structured chair with perhaps a handful of almonds or an apple all brought to us by a tree.  Trees provide so much of life’s amenities.  Just think of all the things in our daily lives that come from trees.  Trees are immeasurably useful, but they also contribute to the aesthetics of life.

A grove of trees becomes a forest.  If you think of a forest, memories will flood your soul.  A lone palm tree may stir visions of a tropical island and a cool ocean breeze.  The quaking of an aspen grove is amazingly soothing.  What can compare with the beautiful colors of a New England forest in autumn?  There is something magical about walking on a path through a wooded area.  When we were children, the forest provided great adventures.  We have all been touched by the vision of trees.

When I was in the Navy, our missions often took us to sea for long periods of time.  During these times, there were two things that I sorely missed trees and potato chips.  (We’ll save the wonders of potato chips for a later discussion.)  I’ve always loved trees.  My childhood memories are deeply imprinted with trees.  On my grandparents farm in Pennsylvania stood a large maple tree near the chicken house.  I spent many hours in that tree.  By climbing high into its limbs, I could hide away from all cares, and my mind would flow with countless thoughts.  For a time, my family lived in rural Virginia.  Our home was right in the forest.  When the leaves fell in autumn, they piled as high as two feet.  My brothers, sisters and I would rake streets through the leaves and create our own city.  This city occupied many hours of play time.

There is so much wonder and beauty in God’s world.  Thank you for joining me for a few moments with trees.  Think of those parts of creation that most stimulate you.  Take time to enjoy them even if you only have time to explore your memories of them.  It will quiet your soul.

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LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES, BLESSINGS

I’m sitting here in my study looking at the weather station that shows it’s 105 degrees on the north side of my house in deep shade.  Yes, it’s hot!  In the back yard it’s 109.  My refrigerator died earlier this month, so I had to buy a new one.  My not very old washing machine quit working, but woo, I was able to fix it.  The espresso machine went on the fritz.  All this is happening when we’ve recently lost a fair portion of our monthly income.  Life has its difficulties.

In addition, I live in drought ridden California, so we’re trying to be very careful with our water usage.  A sprinkler valve stuck in my front yard sending a great wash of water down the street.  I replaced the valve, but not very well, so it broke loose and flooded the front yard.  Yes, and I forgot a hose I left running that flooded my back yard.  Really, I’m trying to be good!  The August water bill will reflect that I’m not being very successful.  Life has its difficulties.

As I reflect on these difficulties, I’m suddenly embarrassed.  A vision of the suffering across the earth passes through my mind.  I see the pictures of starvation, famine and war suffered by my fellow humans.  My difficulties pale in comparison.  I live a very comfortable and blessed life.

Even though it’s hot outside, my air conditioned house is a comfortable 80 degrees.  I love my new refrigerator, and it’ll be paid off in a few months.  I have the convenience of a washer and dryer right here in my house.  The espresso machine is working again!  And though we’ve had a financial set back, all our bills are paid.  Life has its blessings.

About now you’re wondering where the scriptures and the adaption of a spiritual message are.  Well here it is.  When living in God’s world, trust him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (See Proverbs 3:5)  Both difficulties and blessings are covered by this verse.  It is his world.  We can trust him with the outcome.  He worked out our salvation.  He can handle all the rest.  He loves us through the difficulties and the blessings.

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PRAISE THE LORD

The other day, I was driving along the city streets when I started to feel a sensation through my being.  From within came persuasion to praise the Lord.  I started to pull my car to the side when all the cars around me just came to a halt.  People began to step out of their cars.  Then an unexpected sight developed before my eye.  All those around me began to lift their hands toward the sky, and their mouths were moving as if they were talking to the sky.  As this phenomenon progressed, I could hear the words of praise coming from those around me.  Following along, I joined this spontaneous worship and praise.

The scene propagated as far as I could see.  People lifted their hands and spoke words of praise.  The trees that lined the street began to lift their branches toward the sky.  A tiny squirrel, poised on a tree branch, raised its voice and tiny paws upward.  On the street corner, a dog lifted his head and howled toward the sky.   The combined sound of our praise increased in a crescendo of love and thanksgiving.  It seemed as if the entirety of creation was lifting praise to the Lord.

While reading the words of Psalm 148 this visualization came to me.  I was imagining what the whole of creation praising its creator might look like.  What a stirring thought, the whole of creation giving to our God what is rightly due him.  The psalmist states in verse 5 “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.”  In the midst of our busy week, let’s stop and remember to give praise to the one who created us.

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Prejudice

The first time I ever saw a dark skinned person was when I was seven.  I was walking with my Mom down a street in the small town of Easton, Pennsylvania when we happened upon some black men unloading a delivery truck.  Having never seen a man with black skin, I asked her, “Who are they?”  I don’t exactly remember her reply, but she told me that some people think they are different than us.  The first inkling of racial prejudice came to my childhood mind.  Then we moved to north-east Washington D.C.

In Washington I went to an elementary school as one of the three “white kids” in the school.  My sister was one of the other white kids.  We didn’t think there was anything out of place.  However, the white people in our apartment building were always warning my Mother not to let her kids hang out with “the blacks”.  To me this seemed stupid.    They were my class mates.  I later came to hate racial prejudice.  Besides, black people were usually a lot more fun than white people.

In those early years, I prided myself as being above prejudice.  However, now that I have a better understanding of the word prejudice, I realize that feeling superior to those who embraced prejudice was in itself a form of prejudice.  I was separated out from those “prejudice people”, and I could therefore look down on them.  I find that it is in my nature to be prejudice.  I am always looking for ways to show myself better than others.  I may not have been prejudice against black people, but I have many prejudices.

Paul says in Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”  This is the anti-prejudice scripture.  Notice that the term others is not qualified.  It doesn’t say other Christians, or other white people, or other Jewish people.  Therefore, others must be all inclusive.  I can’t justify any prejudice when compared to this word from Paul.  Since it is an inherent tendency, I will fight prejudice in myself for the rest of my life.  With God’s help, I will fight to love others not belittle them.

On a Quest
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On a Quest

A young man stumbled down the path to the village square.  He stopped to rest at the well and then collapsed.  The villagers gathered to see the stranger, but were hesitant to approach for he appeared to be sickly.  His body was dirty and emaciated.  Mrs. Murphy, who was never hindered by indecision, strode through the crowd right up to the boy.  After ascertaining that he was alive, she instructed several of the men to carry him to her cottage.  There they laid him on a cot in her den while Mrs. Murphy went to the kitchen to warm the lad some broth.

The boy regained consciousness enough to drink the warm fluid, and throughout the night Mrs. Murphy stirred him with more broth, and then let him return to sleep.  By morning the young stranger had recovered somewhat.

“What’s your name?” asked the town constable who had arrived early to look into the matter.

“William Morgan,” the boy replied.

“Well, William Morgan, what brings you to our village?”

“I’m on a quest to find my parents,” the lad said with unquestionable sincerity.  “I awoke one morning, and they were gone.  I searched everywhere, but I could not find them.  Finally, I set off to search for them, but I have yet to find them.”

Just then the constable’s assistant interrupted, “A dispatch came in some months ago from Broaden Flats.”  “It said that a Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were looking for their lost son.”  “He disappeared one morning while they were out walking.”

“Broaden Flats is where I’m from!” cried William.

When on a quest searching for God, just remember that he’s right there.  He hasn’t gone anywhere.  He’s waiting for you.

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With Great Expectation

I woke up this morning feeling better than I ever remember feeling.  My heart felt light, and I was in love with the world.  My wife seemed to be having the same kind of morning.  We had a pleasant breakfast together then left for work.  Walking out to my car several of my neighbors greeted me with a friendly good morning, and for the first time, I felt a genuine love for them as I returned their greeting.  I got in my car and headed out on my normal route to work.  I noticed that the normal intensity from my driving companions was missing.  People were not cutting each other off, but they were yielding to others and giving way in a very uncustomary manner.  All the tension and animosity of the usual experienced was gone.  I turned on the radio to hear the morning news.  Every report was of kind and generous acts occurring around the world.

Then I really woke up.  I realized I was dreaming.  To my dismay the scourge of sin was still among us.  Hatred, selfishness and mistrust were still guiding our actions.  How I longed for the world of my dream.  At that moment I realized, it is coming.  The reign of sin will end.  We will live in God’s presence where sin cannot exist.  God will usher in a new heaven and a new earth, and we won’t even remember the time of sin’s domination.  Hallelujah!  Let us patiently wait with great expectation.  (see Isaiah 65:17-25 and Revelation 21 & 22)

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Sharing Truth

I have long been careful to not be dogmatic about my Christian faith.  My main concern is that it would lead to controversy rather than conversion. It’s true that I believe every tenet of the Bible.  I believe it to be the word of God given to man.  I believe the creation story to be an accurate account of man’s beginning.  I believe there was a worldwide flood caused by God as judgment on man’s evil and all the stories of God and man as recorded within the Old Testament.  I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God that he was crucified an innocent man, that his death was in my stead to provide me with salvation, and that he was raised from the dead.  I believe that all of the New Testament is true.  So, why am I restrained when expressing this belief?  I am obviously dogmatic about it.

The answer is unequivocally love.  Truth shared dogmatically, untempered by love, is as the Apostle Paul declared in I Corinthians 13:1, “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal”.  He goes on to remind us that “Love is patient; love is kind, Love is not boastful, not proud, not rude, and not self-seeking.  Incorporating the characteristics of love, when sharing my faith, certainly makes it more effective.  It’s not about me being right. It is about sharing with another the life changing experience that I have found.  Their reception of the message is in God’s hands.  Only God can change the heart.  I am the messenger, but the message is God’s.

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GOD AMONG US

The recent flood of movies based on ancient mythology depicts gods with the more base human characteristics of violence, greed, covetousness and murder. The hero god battles the dark side and wins in the end. What a great story line! The same basic story line found in the popular super hero movies.  I love them.  I go to see them often. We all love to see good win over evil. There seems to be a feeling of vindication when the hero wins. I like feeling vindicated.  But, (you knew a but was coming) what if the evil that needs to be defeated is inherent in us? You know those base human characteristics. How’s a super hero or a god going to overcome that?

Now think how the actual event of God walking among us differs from the good vs. evil stories we all love. Jesus came as a helpless baby. He walked unassumingly on the earth as one of us. Who knew that he was an all-powerful being through whom the earth was created? He never whipped out his sword and killed the bad guys. Actually, the bad guys killed him. But, (Yes, we know this but.) He rose from the dead. Now there’s a great story line, and it’s a true story. Don’t you love those stories based on real events. It seems to give the story a lot more impact.

Yes, a great story, but how was the victory won? He didn’t kill all of us who have inherent evil. We’re grateful for that. What he did do was:

Romans 8:3b God….. (sent) his own son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man…

By surrendering himself (all-powerful being-God) to death, which appeared to his enemy like defeat, his death condemned sin in sinful man. The victory came in his death and was displayed for all to see by his resurrection. This is a powerful real life story that has impacted us for thousands of years. Wow, God really did come to earth and walk among us. It was very different than our favorite stories. The ways of the real God are not our ways:

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”