There has been a nice surge of online inquires since the recent My Hope broadcast by Billy Graham.
I volunteer as a chat counselor for people who respond to the web site with questions.
Some inquiries are from people seeking God and some from Christians with doubts.
It's a humbling and encouraging opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus.
This week a man used the occasion of our online chat (both of us are anonymous to the other online) to ask about God's forgiveness in Christ. He was stuck on the basic tenant of Grace - that God forgives us even though we do not deserve forgiveness. This, because Jesus died in our place on the cross, for the forgiveness of our sins. I explained that God then looks at us and sees no sin - Jesus having redeemed us.
The gentleman asked pointedly, how could God be so easily fooled - to see no sin when it is simply with Jesus. We went back and forth on this for quite some time, the man clearly struggling with God so easily re-directed, so as to overlook our sin.
This is not an unusual conversation. This man and many others have a hard time accepting God's willingness to forgive and love, because of what Jesus did on the cross.
I finally typed back to him..."its not that God is foolish to see past your sins...it is that he is merciful."
And that is what broke through for this man.
"Merciful." Ah, that made sense where the pure logic of retribution in our world did not.
Mercy is a foreign concept today. Especially mercy with no payback. Mercy without justice. Mercy with humble thanks.
The bible says "God saved us, not because of anything we did - but because of his mercy." Titus 2:5
For at least one person I met this week - that made all the difference.
What do you believe?
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Seeing in the Dark
I woke up the other morning just as my wife was leaving for work.
She left the lights off so as not to wake me, and was finding her way from the master bath to our door.
Since I'd woken in the dark, my eyes were already adjusted and I could survey the scene.
She had one hand extended out in front of her, moving slowly left to right. And her feet were carefully shuffling one step at a time.
To her, stepping out of the lighted master bath, all was darkness in the room. Her hand was out in front to protect her from hitting the doorway. Her feet were shuffling so as not to trip or stub a toe.
To me, I saw someone cautiously trying to find their way through what I could see clearly. What she could not see, I could see.
Light and darkness.
The first chapter of John's Gospel says a lot about Jesus being the Light of this world.
"In him was life, and that life was the light of mankind. the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:4-5
and of Jesus' birth, John said,
"The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." John 1:9-10
Knowing Jesus is like flipping on life's light switch.
You worry less about holding your hands out in front of you, worried about what you may encounter. You plant your feet more confidently, less concerned about stubbing your toe.
There is great joy and confidence walking in the Light of Jesus.
There is also great joy when you can see someone who used to walk in the dark, now walking in the light. Especially when it is someone you care about, someone you love.
Is there anyone you love enough to empower with the Light of Jesus? Or, will you let them walk in the dark, hoping they "find their own way?"
"For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God in the light of life." Psalm 56:13
"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord." Psalm 89:15
"Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God." Isaiah 50:10
What do you believe?
She left the lights off so as not to wake me, and was finding her way from the master bath to our door.
Since I'd woken in the dark, my eyes were already adjusted and I could survey the scene.
She had one hand extended out in front of her, moving slowly left to right. And her feet were carefully shuffling one step at a time.
To her, stepping out of the lighted master bath, all was darkness in the room. Her hand was out in front to protect her from hitting the doorway. Her feet were shuffling so as not to trip or stub a toe.
To me, I saw someone cautiously trying to find their way through what I could see clearly. What she could not see, I could see.
Light and darkness.
The first chapter of John's Gospel says a lot about Jesus being the Light of this world.
"In him was life, and that life was the light of mankind. the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:4-5
and of Jesus' birth, John said,
"The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." John 1:9-10
Knowing Jesus is like flipping on life's light switch.
You worry less about holding your hands out in front of you, worried about what you may encounter. You plant your feet more confidently, less concerned about stubbing your toe.
There is great joy and confidence walking in the Light of Jesus.
There is also great joy when you can see someone who used to walk in the dark, now walking in the light. Especially when it is someone you care about, someone you love.
Is there anyone you love enough to empower with the Light of Jesus? Or, will you let them walk in the dark, hoping they "find their own way?"
"For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God in the light of life." Psalm 56:13
"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord." Psalm 89:15
"Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God." Isaiah 50:10
What do you believe?
Healthy Grass Crowds Out Weeds
I fired my lawn service again last year.
After 5 years or so, my lawn wasn't any better and I was getting even more weeds.
"You just have to water it more," the service kept saying while my neighbors' yards looked beautiful.
So the new guys came in, very confident in their approach.
They recommended aeration, fertilization and something new...a compost top dressing.
The top dressing layer would be applied in the fall, about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of rich organic matter to complement aeration and over seeding.
The lawn got off to a good start in late spring and summer.
The grass looked more consistent, although the same thin spots and patches of crab crass were there.
Then the weeds roared back in August.
"What are you going to do about this?" I asked. "It looks worse than before with all the weeds?"
The lawn guy confidently held his ground and explained his process.
"Sir, we're about to aerate and over-seed your lawn. We can't put down weed killer or we'll hurt the new grass that germinates."
Sounded like same-old, same-old to me, but he persisted.
"Sir, you have to think about what makes healthy grass. If you don't have a good base layer of soil throughout for healthy roots, then you'll never get out of this cycle. You'll have just what you have now. Patches of good grass and patches of bad. Its your lawn, but this is what I recommend."
I still didn't see how this would get rid of weeds. Wouldn't they just grow faster and healthier too?
But no.
Two months later, with a new base of soil and over seeding, the lawn looks fabulous.
And the darn weeds have been crowded out by...healthy grass.
I honestly would never have believed it.
A strong base helps the good thrive together and crowd out the bad. Just turn in your bible to the gospel of Mark, chapter 4 and read Jesus' parable of the farmer sowing seed.
But what got the job done for me? This young man was steadfast in his belief that a firm foundation would conquer the weeds. He risked his lively hood by NOT telling me what I wanted to hear.
"Sir, you could do it your way, but you'll just continue in the cycle that you have now..."
We have to be willing to tell people the Truth of the Gospel.
"Sir, Ma'am, you will not fix hate, envy, pride and corruption with weed control alone."
You must first build up the healthy layer of humility, honesty, mercy, forgiveness...and Grace.
We see ever encroaching patches of unhealthy philosophies. Thin layers of false hope. Ugly bare spots where past experiments have failed and withered - with nothing left to even build on.
Sir, Ma'am, without Jesus, we will simply continue in the ever worsening cycle we are in now.
With him, we are only a season away from renewal. I've seen it with my own eyes.
What do you believe?
After 5 years or so, my lawn wasn't any better and I was getting even more weeds.
"You just have to water it more," the service kept saying while my neighbors' yards looked beautiful.
So the new guys came in, very confident in their approach.
They recommended aeration, fertilization and something new...a compost top dressing.
The top dressing layer would be applied in the fall, about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of rich organic matter to complement aeration and over seeding.
The lawn got off to a good start in late spring and summer.
The grass looked more consistent, although the same thin spots and patches of crab crass were there.
Then the weeds roared back in August.
"What are you going to do about this?" I asked. "It looks worse than before with all the weeds?"
The lawn guy confidently held his ground and explained his process.
"Sir, we're about to aerate and over-seed your lawn. We can't put down weed killer or we'll hurt the new grass that germinates."
Sounded like same-old, same-old to me, but he persisted.
"Sir, you have to think about what makes healthy grass. If you don't have a good base layer of soil throughout for healthy roots, then you'll never get out of this cycle. You'll have just what you have now. Patches of good grass and patches of bad. Its your lawn, but this is what I recommend."
I still didn't see how this would get rid of weeds. Wouldn't they just grow faster and healthier too?
But no.
Two months later, with a new base of soil and over seeding, the lawn looks fabulous.
And the darn weeds have been crowded out by...healthy grass.
I honestly would never have believed it.
A strong base helps the good thrive together and crowd out the bad. Just turn in your bible to the gospel of Mark, chapter 4 and read Jesus' parable of the farmer sowing seed.
But what got the job done for me? This young man was steadfast in his belief that a firm foundation would conquer the weeds. He risked his lively hood by NOT telling me what I wanted to hear.
"Sir, you could do it your way, but you'll just continue in the cycle that you have now..."
We have to be willing to tell people the Truth of the Gospel.
"Sir, Ma'am, you will not fix hate, envy, pride and corruption with weed control alone."
You must first build up the healthy layer of humility, honesty, mercy, forgiveness...and Grace.
We see ever encroaching patches of unhealthy philosophies. Thin layers of false hope. Ugly bare spots where past experiments have failed and withered - with nothing left to even build on.
Sir, Ma'am, without Jesus, we will simply continue in the ever worsening cycle we are in now.
With him, we are only a season away from renewal. I've seen it with my own eyes.
What do you believe?
Yahtzee Imposter
Yahtzee is a game we've played since I was a kid.
It involves shaking multiple dice and trying to score a list of combinations - three of a kind, series, highest combined value, etc.
There are many other dice games out there. We walked through a game store recently and saw a different brand's version. Generally the same - shake the dice and accumulate various combinations to build your score. In both games, highest score wins. Pretty simple.
Standing there in the store, we were trying to decide whether we should try the alternative game. Nice packaging, lots of exciting, fun statements on the box. Pictures of happy, laughing people. Not too expensive.
But without additional information, we weren't convinced that it would be that different. And we weren't really dissatisfied with our old reliable version.
Back home, I typed both game names into an internet search and asked, 'which is better?'
Several blog posts described how they each worked, and how much the person liked their game of choice. But none of the authors made a compelling case to stay or change.
We still plan to ask our friends what they know about both.
Then just this week we encountered a spiritual version of the same dilemma.
One of our young, 20-something friends moved to a new neighborhood and decided to attend a nearby church.
He told us about the nice people there and how he enjoyed the service. They told him the roots of their church were Christian-oriented, although other faiths were welcome. "They call it Unitarian Universalist," he said.
We were able to explain to him that this was not actually Christian - that beneath the "packaging" and nice people was a philosophy, but not salvation in the sufficiency of Christ. He was grateful for the personal insight from people he knew. Better equipped to now make his own informed decisions.
This is why we need to be more openly engaged in conversations about spiritual matters. Do you have a young person or friends in your life who are talking about knowing 'god' or going to 'church?'
"What is it that you are looking for in a church?"
"What is it that you hope to find in a relationship with god?"
These are good starting points to help people understand the love and mercy of God, in Jesus.
"In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to to give an answer to everyone who asks for the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1Peter 3:15
What is it that you are hoping to find in a relationship with god?
Find some answers here:
peacewithgod.net
What do you believe?
It involves shaking multiple dice and trying to score a list of combinations - three of a kind, series, highest combined value, etc.
There are many other dice games out there. We walked through a game store recently and saw a different brand's version. Generally the same - shake the dice and accumulate various combinations to build your score. In both games, highest score wins. Pretty simple.
Standing there in the store, we were trying to decide whether we should try the alternative game. Nice packaging, lots of exciting, fun statements on the box. Pictures of happy, laughing people. Not too expensive.
But without additional information, we weren't convinced that it would be that different. And we weren't really dissatisfied with our old reliable version.
Back home, I typed both game names into an internet search and asked, 'which is better?'
Several blog posts described how they each worked, and how much the person liked their game of choice. But none of the authors made a compelling case to stay or change.
We still plan to ask our friends what they know about both.
Then just this week we encountered a spiritual version of the same dilemma.
One of our young, 20-something friends moved to a new neighborhood and decided to attend a nearby church.
He told us about the nice people there and how he enjoyed the service. They told him the roots of their church were Christian-oriented, although other faiths were welcome. "They call it Unitarian Universalist," he said.
We were able to explain to him that this was not actually Christian - that beneath the "packaging" and nice people was a philosophy, but not salvation in the sufficiency of Christ. He was grateful for the personal insight from people he knew. Better equipped to now make his own informed decisions.
This is why we need to be more openly engaged in conversations about spiritual matters. Do you have a young person or friends in your life who are talking about knowing 'god' or going to 'church?'
"What is it that you are looking for in a church?"
"What is it that you hope to find in a relationship with god?"
These are good starting points to help people understand the love and mercy of God, in Jesus.
"In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to to give an answer to everyone who asks for the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1Peter 3:15
What is it that you are hoping to find in a relationship with god?
Find some answers here:
peacewithgod.net
What do you believe?
God in the Rear View Mirror?
Yesterday I was merging into a two lane stretch of highway about a mile from home. I make this merge 100's of times in a year, coming back from work or shopping.
This two lane very quickly collapses to one lane before the curve. You have to jockey for position to get over from right to left. If you are patient and polite, you accelerate slowly and simply slip into the back of the line. If you're aggressive or impatient, you hit the accelerator and try to jump out in front of a few cars before the merging lane ends. Of course, if the other lane's drivers are aggressive, THEY may accelerate to squeeze you out of the merge, forcing you to back off and slip further back in line.
The time difference to anyone involved is a few seconds at best.
Yesterday I was distracted with other thoughts and automatically looked left to judge the oncoming traffic speed before starting my entry to the two lane section. I toyed with the idea of accelerating ahead of one more car before changing lanes, but I did not. However, I smiled to see the car ahead of me do just that, and he almost got pinched out by a left-laner accelerating to close the gap and block him out.
Seconds later, we all rolled to a stop at the red light. It was then that I looked in the rear view mirror.
The guy behind me looked familiar. He was wearing a distinctive white collar with his black shirt. It was my church pastor!
I immediately blushed and quickly recounted the previous 30 seconds of my life.
In vivid color I recalled my merge in front of the oncoming car, and how I had gaged his speed before sliding left in front of him. That was ok, there had been plenty of space, so he didn't have to brake. And how about my last minute consideration to pass the car in front of me, could pastor have detected my latent aggression simmering right below the surface? Probably not. And most likely he had no idea it was even me in that car. Or did he?
Sometimes that's exactly how I replay scenes in my life when I finally think about God in my rear view mirror. Did I treat that person at work unkindly? Was I wasting too much of my spare time when I could be volunteering? Am I praying and reading scripture as diligently as I follow the news? And I do blush to think he knows of my willful "merging tactics"...
Better that I drive life like God is always beside me, not to "catch me" doing things wrong, but to help me stay strong on his path of righteousness.
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:25-27
What do you believe?
This two lane very quickly collapses to one lane before the curve. You have to jockey for position to get over from right to left. If you are patient and polite, you accelerate slowly and simply slip into the back of the line. If you're aggressive or impatient, you hit the accelerator and try to jump out in front of a few cars before the merging lane ends. Of course, if the other lane's drivers are aggressive, THEY may accelerate to squeeze you out of the merge, forcing you to back off and slip further back in line.
The time difference to anyone involved is a few seconds at best.
Yesterday I was distracted with other thoughts and automatically looked left to judge the oncoming traffic speed before starting my entry to the two lane section. I toyed with the idea of accelerating ahead of one more car before changing lanes, but I did not. However, I smiled to see the car ahead of me do just that, and he almost got pinched out by a left-laner accelerating to close the gap and block him out.
Seconds later, we all rolled to a stop at the red light. It was then that I looked in the rear view mirror.
The guy behind me looked familiar. He was wearing a distinctive white collar with his black shirt. It was my church pastor!
I immediately blushed and quickly recounted the previous 30 seconds of my life.
In vivid color I recalled my merge in front of the oncoming car, and how I had gaged his speed before sliding left in front of him. That was ok, there had been plenty of space, so he didn't have to brake. And how about my last minute consideration to pass the car in front of me, could pastor have detected my latent aggression simmering right below the surface? Probably not. And most likely he had no idea it was even me in that car. Or did he?
Sometimes that's exactly how I replay scenes in my life when I finally think about God in my rear view mirror. Did I treat that person at work unkindly? Was I wasting too much of my spare time when I could be volunteering? Am I praying and reading scripture as diligently as I follow the news? And I do blush to think he knows of my willful "merging tactics"...
Better that I drive life like God is always beside me, not to "catch me" doing things wrong, but to help me stay strong on his path of righteousness.
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:25-27
What do you believe?
Sunday, September 08, 2013
A Simple Box of Memories
We've spent the summer preparing a 65 year old home for sale.
My dad decided it was time to leave the home he'd literally built with his own hands, and move into a more manageable apartment. It was good timing and a wise decision for all of us.
At age 85, he is nicely settled into his place and already making new friends.
His move to the apartment triggered a sometimes overwhelming set of tasks for us 'youngsters' to attend.
None of us had space to absorb 60 years of furniture, decorations, tools, equipment, household items and...memories.
So little by little, item by item, we had to wrestle with the decisions of keep, give away, or discard.
Countless families have had to deal with this, so I won't waste any words feeling sorry for us or our process.
What I did learn very quickly was that items aren't just items. Each of us have attached (locked) certain memories to the acquisition of, or use of certain items. Other items represent an event or time period.
It was very interesting to see how one person's "give away" was another person's "keep" or "discard" and why. Ok, 'interesting' doesn't even begin to describe it. The stress levels we reached over these decisions was excruciating at times. Surprisingly, most of the angst was not over who got what. It was more about "how can we somehow keep" things that had been in the family for so long...no matter their value to the rest of the world.
In the end, we have imperfectly endured the process as I'm sure other families have.
For me, the essence of the family home - other than photos, our most precious resource - is now comfortably resting here on a simple oak table.
One of my mother's crosses and one of her rings.
The cuff links and tie clasp that my dad wore to their wedding.
The hospital wrist band from my birth.
All tucked into my favorite wood music box. A simple, unremarkable item that I always enjoyed seeing in the living room of our humble home.
Faith, family, fidelity and simple pleasures.
My bride and I are looking around our own home with a different perspective now. What will our daughter and son most value some day when it comes time to keep, give away or discard.
I sincerely hope that their choices will somehow reflect elements of those same four themes.
My dad decided it was time to leave the home he'd literally built with his own hands, and move into a more manageable apartment. It was good timing and a wise decision for all of us.
At age 85, he is nicely settled into his place and already making new friends.
His move to the apartment triggered a sometimes overwhelming set of tasks for us 'youngsters' to attend.
None of us had space to absorb 60 years of furniture, decorations, tools, equipment, household items and...memories.
So little by little, item by item, we had to wrestle with the decisions of keep, give away, or discard.
Countless families have had to deal with this, so I won't waste any words feeling sorry for us or our process.
What I did learn very quickly was that items aren't just items. Each of us have attached (locked) certain memories to the acquisition of, or use of certain items. Other items represent an event or time period.
It was very interesting to see how one person's "give away" was another person's "keep" or "discard" and why. Ok, 'interesting' doesn't even begin to describe it. The stress levels we reached over these decisions was excruciating at times. Surprisingly, most of the angst was not over who got what. It was more about "how can we somehow keep" things that had been in the family for so long...no matter their value to the rest of the world.
In the end, we have imperfectly endured the process as I'm sure other families have.
For me, the essence of the family home - other than photos, our most precious resource - is now comfortably resting here on a simple oak table.
One of my mother's crosses and one of her rings.
The cuff links and tie clasp that my dad wore to their wedding.
The hospital wrist band from my birth.
All tucked into my favorite wood music box. A simple, unremarkable item that I always enjoyed seeing in the living room of our humble home.
Faith, family, fidelity and simple pleasures.
My bride and I are looking around our own home with a different perspective now. What will our daughter and son most value some day when it comes time to keep, give away or discard.
I sincerely hope that their choices will somehow reflect elements of those same four themes.
What do you believe?
Saturday, September 07, 2013
Strike Down Hail Stones upon that Ugly Red Truck...
The ugly red pickup truck has been making me crazy.
Its an unspoken contest among early arrivers at work to claim the 1st parking spot.
It's directly across from the main entrance, just in front of the flag poles.
Honestly, it doesn't affect your walk by more than a few seconds, but it's still the first spot filled on any given morning. You have to arrive before 6 a.m. to even have a shot at it.
Normally I couldn't tell you the brand or color of the car that parked there if my life depended on it.
But the rusty red truck's driver has been regularly backing into the first spot and crossing the yellow line for the 2nd spot as well. That forces everyone to the third spot and puts the old red beater on clear display across two prime spots.
These are very bad parking manners. I might understand it with a shiny new vehicle - but even then a new owner would park in the "back 40" to protect their new paint finish from flung doors and swinging brief cases.
My inside voice sounded something like this:
Day1: "...sloppy parking, you shouldn't back into a spot if you can't line up correctly."
Day2: "...how rude, somebody should leave a note or something, don't they know they're doing it?"
Day3: "what an idiot - I bet they're doing it on purpose - an in-your-face to the rest of us with nicer cars. Probably a liberal who thinks the world owes them an extra space."
Day4: "I'm going to squeeze my car into the 2nd spot, right up against their door and see how they like it." (I didn't, figured they had nothing to lose by losing some red paint on my nice car)
Day5: "There's no excuse for this. By now they realize what they're doing and just don't care. Total disrespect and selfishness."
And so its progressed with each day I saw that fat red truck hogging those spaces. While I waited for the behavior to change those first few times, I soon gave up and simply believed the worst of them. The driver is ill-mannered and will always be ill-mannered. Leave them to their miserable, selfish existence.
That's when I had an 'aha' moment.
I sensed God smiling at me in a bemused fashion. Not unkindly, or disgustedly.
More like he was sitting in a lawn chair watching the whole scene unfold, and waiting for me to get it.
Its me in that ugly red truck of my own pride and selfishness.
How many times do I carelessly back into life's parking spaces and hog the next one too?
Spend money on an expensive latte and then steer clear of a panhandler.
Indulge myself in weekend sporting events without pre-planning the prime time with my lovely bride.
Skip my morning bible reading because I slept too late and wanted to read the news before work.
It's not that I do these things one time and learn from them. I keep backing into the same parking space and covering up the second one. Over and over again. Rude to those who deserve better from the gifts God has given me. Worst of all, rude to my Creator.
Yet there He was, smiling at me. Loving me. Willing to forgive me.
Even as I walked past the stupid red truck and yet again castigated the driver for their repetitive character flaw. The driver who could well be my neighbor. Could well be me.
Lord God, please forgive me for my sins. Please don't give up on me.
Please bless me with the Grace to forgive others and for us all to realize how much we need you.
I ask this in Jesus' Holy name, Amen.
What do you believe?
Its an unspoken contest among early arrivers at work to claim the 1st parking spot.
It's directly across from the main entrance, just in front of the flag poles.
Honestly, it doesn't affect your walk by more than a few seconds, but it's still the first spot filled on any given morning. You have to arrive before 6 a.m. to even have a shot at it.
Normally I couldn't tell you the brand or color of the car that parked there if my life depended on it.
But the rusty red truck's driver has been regularly backing into the first spot and crossing the yellow line for the 2nd spot as well. That forces everyone to the third spot and puts the old red beater on clear display across two prime spots.
These are very bad parking manners. I might understand it with a shiny new vehicle - but even then a new owner would park in the "back 40" to protect their new paint finish from flung doors and swinging brief cases.
My inside voice sounded something like this:
Day1: "...sloppy parking, you shouldn't back into a spot if you can't line up correctly."
Day2: "...how rude, somebody should leave a note or something, don't they know they're doing it?"
Day3: "what an idiot - I bet they're doing it on purpose - an in-your-face to the rest of us with nicer cars. Probably a liberal who thinks the world owes them an extra space."
Day4: "I'm going to squeeze my car into the 2nd spot, right up against their door and see how they like it." (I didn't, figured they had nothing to lose by losing some red paint on my nice car)
Day5: "There's no excuse for this. By now they realize what they're doing and just don't care. Total disrespect and selfishness."
And so its progressed with each day I saw that fat red truck hogging those spaces. While I waited for the behavior to change those first few times, I soon gave up and simply believed the worst of them. The driver is ill-mannered and will always be ill-mannered. Leave them to their miserable, selfish existence.
That's when I had an 'aha' moment.
I sensed God smiling at me in a bemused fashion. Not unkindly, or disgustedly.
More like he was sitting in a lawn chair watching the whole scene unfold, and waiting for me to get it.
Its me in that ugly red truck of my own pride and selfishness.
How many times do I carelessly back into life's parking spaces and hog the next one too?
Spend money on an expensive latte and then steer clear of a panhandler.
Indulge myself in weekend sporting events without pre-planning the prime time with my lovely bride.
Skip my morning bible reading because I slept too late and wanted to read the news before work.
It's not that I do these things one time and learn from them. I keep backing into the same parking space and covering up the second one. Over and over again. Rude to those who deserve better from the gifts God has given me. Worst of all, rude to my Creator.
Yet there He was, smiling at me. Loving me. Willing to forgive me.
Even as I walked past the stupid red truck and yet again castigated the driver for their repetitive character flaw. The driver who could well be my neighbor. Could well be me.
Lord God, please forgive me for my sins. Please don't give up on me.
Please bless me with the Grace to forgive others and for us all to realize how much we need you.
I ask this in Jesus' Holy name, Amen.
What do you believe?
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Planned Parenthood Celebration
Should the government really be funding Planned Parenthood?
Should anyone?
What do you believe?
Should anyone?
What do you believe?
Obama shouldn’t support Planned Parenthood
May 4, 2013
On April 26, for the first time in United States history, a sitting president addressed a Planned Parenthood "gala." The dictionary defines "gala" as a festivity or celebration. I wonder what they were celebrating. Planned Parenthood reports that in 2011, they were responsible for snuffing out the innocent lives of 333,964 babies via abortion. I might add here that this is federal taxpayer-funded abortion. This president assured the group that Planned Parenthood wasn't going to go away or be denied federal funds for their "cause" and that they have a president who will be there to support them all the way (my words). Reminds me of Proverbs 6:16-18: "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
I will say in that 12-minute span, another 7.6 abortions took place. He concluded his remarks by stating, "God bless you, Planned Parenthood." Reminds me of another verse of scripture in Isaiah 5:20: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil ..."
Jeanie Lane
Protect your children with your Votes
What do you believe?
Obama approves ‘morning-after’ pill for 15-year-olds
ABORTION
Associated Press/Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais
President Barack Obama said late Thursday he was comfortable with the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to lower the age limit for buying the so-called “morning-after” pill without a prescription
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Going to Surgery - How, What to Pray?
One of my neighbor friends was going to have a cardiac heart cath procedure done this week. That's where they check for coronary artery blockage and can choose to insert a stent to improve blood flow if necessary.
He and I have a running dialog about God in the general sense, but I gather that he has not invited Jesus into his heart as Savior (although I'm not sure). I've enjoyed our ongoing neighborly friendship and we ride bikes together during the summer months. We talk about the gamut of life's topics - sports, family, yard work. But I've stopped short of inviting him to consider a prayer of salvation. I always figure that might happen at some future time when he's curious, which is fine with me.
So when we chatted on the sidewalk this week before his procedure, things took a different perspective for me. Heart cath procedures are generally very safe (I work in the industry), but in the unlikely event that things go wrong, you may not see the person afterwards. So the immediacy of our conversation was not lost on me.
I won't share the specific conversation I had with my friend this week - but he's fine after the procedure, thank you Jesus.
For the next friend or family member, this situation did help me to boil down the essentials of salvation into two very simple phrases. I thought of these as the "walk-away" reminders for a friend or loved one with whom you've had conversations about God and His Son, but aren't sure you'll ever have another opportunity...
1. Tell God your sorry.
2. Tell Him you accept Jesus as your Savior.
"God, I'm sorry for my sins, and I accept Jesus as my Savior"
There's more to this conversation - realizing that God has always had a plan for our lives (Romans 5:1), and that we're saved because of His mercy, not our good deeds (Titus 3:4-5), and that Jesus chose to die for us on the cross, as a way to reconcile us with God (1Peter 2:21-25).
But if you're ever having to help someone who is facing the toughest moments of life:
Lost a job
Terribly sick
Lonely
Divorced
Addicted
Hopeless
In danger
Tired
Tell God your sorry for your sins. Tell Him you accept Jesus as your Savior.
If there is the blessing of another minute or hour or years in your life after that, then find me on the sidewalk and I'll tell you the rest. Or go to that church down the street and ask the pastor. And believe.
What do you believe?
He and I have a running dialog about God in the general sense, but I gather that he has not invited Jesus into his heart as Savior (although I'm not sure). I've enjoyed our ongoing neighborly friendship and we ride bikes together during the summer months. We talk about the gamut of life's topics - sports, family, yard work. But I've stopped short of inviting him to consider a prayer of salvation. I always figure that might happen at some future time when he's curious, which is fine with me.
So when we chatted on the sidewalk this week before his procedure, things took a different perspective for me. Heart cath procedures are generally very safe (I work in the industry), but in the unlikely event that things go wrong, you may not see the person afterwards. So the immediacy of our conversation was not lost on me.
I won't share the specific conversation I had with my friend this week - but he's fine after the procedure, thank you Jesus.
For the next friend or family member, this situation did help me to boil down the essentials of salvation into two very simple phrases. I thought of these as the "walk-away" reminders for a friend or loved one with whom you've had conversations about God and His Son, but aren't sure you'll ever have another opportunity...
1. Tell God your sorry.
2. Tell Him you accept Jesus as your Savior.
"God, I'm sorry for my sins, and I accept Jesus as my Savior"
There's more to this conversation - realizing that God has always had a plan for our lives (Romans 5:1), and that we're saved because of His mercy, not our good deeds (Titus 3:4-5), and that Jesus chose to die for us on the cross, as a way to reconcile us with God (1Peter 2:21-25).
But if you're ever having to help someone who is facing the toughest moments of life:
Lost a job
Terribly sick
Lonely
Divorced
Addicted
Hopeless
In danger
Tired
Tell God your sorry for your sins. Tell Him you accept Jesus as your Savior.
If there is the blessing of another minute or hour or years in your life after that, then find me on the sidewalk and I'll tell you the rest. Or go to that church down the street and ask the pastor. And believe.
What do you believe?
Monday, April 29, 2013
Coarse words - anyone hear me?
I finished a phone call on my way home from work last week, clicked off and dropped the phone in my lap. More work! More deadlines! And right before the weekend.
I was also irritated because the car in front of me had been straggling along below the speed limit. Hurry up already!
Just before the stoplight he finally decided to speed up, make the amber, and leave me stuck waiting for the next light.
Expletive Deleted !
I uttered a coarse set of words without thinking.
But then I did think - had I really turned off my phone?!
Blushing bright as the red light, I reached down and picked up the phone to check.
It was off - and I was relieved - saved the embarrassment of somebody hearing me at a weak moment.
You know where this is going, right?
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
God heard me loud and clear - and my words would not have benefitted anyone who might have listened, let alone the creator of the universe. I had every reason to be embarrassed, phone or no phone.
There are too many things I let myself "get away with" in the course of some days simply because no one is there to hear or see my actions - or read my thoughts! But reading the bible helps to keep me honest, because I come across verses like Ephesians 4:29. And more often than I'd expect, a recently read verse will even help to pre-empt a traffic light moment (just not this time...).
"Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend." Proverbs 22:11
I believe I can do better. And I like having as a friend, the King of Kings.
What do you believe?
I was also irritated because the car in front of me had been straggling along below the speed limit. Hurry up already!
Just before the stoplight he finally decided to speed up, make the amber, and leave me stuck waiting for the next light.
Expletive Deleted !
I uttered a coarse set of words without thinking.
But then I did think - had I really turned off my phone?!
Blushing bright as the red light, I reached down and picked up the phone to check.
It was off - and I was relieved - saved the embarrassment of somebody hearing me at a weak moment.
You know where this is going, right?
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
God heard me loud and clear - and my words would not have benefitted anyone who might have listened, let alone the creator of the universe. I had every reason to be embarrassed, phone or no phone.
There are too many things I let myself "get away with" in the course of some days simply because no one is there to hear or see my actions - or read my thoughts! But reading the bible helps to keep me honest, because I come across verses like Ephesians 4:29. And more often than I'd expect, a recently read verse will even help to pre-empt a traffic light moment (just not this time...).
"Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend." Proverbs 22:11
I believe I can do better. And I like having as a friend, the King of Kings.
What do you believe?
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Gosnell Abortion Murders Trial
A very insightful article from Andree Seu Peterson at Worldmag.com
Broken scales and death at the Gosnell trial
ABORTION
Abortion centers definitely need better inspecting to assure that records are accurately kept and cleanliness is maintained. The goal, after all, is to kill babies, not mothers.
What do you believe?
Monday, April 01, 2013
Clear Varnish - Stained Colors
I finally got around to re-boxing our outdoor Nativity figures (its Easter weekend).
It's a bit of a chore to fit them back into the foam core packing, plus I wanted to first re-apply the weather protective varnish.
I made space in the basement, found a brush and opened up the gallon can of varnish.
I made space in the basement, found a brush and opened up the gallon can of varnish.
It looked a little murky while I was stirring it, like muddy brown creek water. But it was the same can I used when I first bought the set a couple years ago, so it must be alright. It probably goes on murky and then clears up, I thought. Varnish is funny that way sometimes.
But no, by golly. I drew the first long brushstroke down Mary's shawl and dirty brown swirls made an immediate stained contrast to her beautiful off-white, original covering. Yikes! It was going to look awful. What to do?
I frantically grabbed the nearest clean cloth I could find and began wiping off the liquid. To my great surprise, the varnish - and the color - came right off. None of it seeped permanently into the finish. The previous coat of varnish had done its job and made this clean up quick and manageable. I was so relieved!
I frantically grabbed the nearest clean cloth I could find and began wiping off the liquid. To my great surprise, the varnish - and the color - came right off. None of it seeped permanently into the finish. The previous coat of varnish had done its job and made this clean up quick and manageable. I was so relieved!
Turns out that the brown stain had mixed in with varnish because I also used it to treat the wooden stable backdrop after the figures. I'd forgotten that part. It looked muddy brown this time around - because it was!
Lots of lessons compared here.
Once we acknowledge our belief in Jesus, we are covered - head to Soul - in the protection of the Holy Spirit.
"Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." Romans 4:7
We are sealed.
"...the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you are sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30
And sins wiped away,
"Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19
But if we do let ourselves get back into the mix of sin - even after seeing its obvious murky stain trying to blend in - God gives us a way to clean up, thanks to that protective covering we have:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:9 God does this for us, in the name of Jesus.
I was so relieved to see that dirty varnish wipe off the protected surface - like it hadn't even occurred.
I tell myself to be more vigilant next time, on the alert before letting sin come into contact with what God has already made righteous - but somehow there does always seem to be a "next time..."
What do you believe?
Lots of lessons compared here.
Once we acknowledge our belief in Jesus, we are covered - head to Soul - in the protection of the Holy Spirit.
"Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." Romans 4:7
We are sealed.
"...the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you are sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30
And sins wiped away,
"Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19
But if we do let ourselves get back into the mix of sin - even after seeing its obvious murky stain trying to blend in - God gives us a way to clean up, thanks to that protective covering we have:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:9 God does this for us, in the name of Jesus.
I was so relieved to see that dirty varnish wipe off the protected surface - like it hadn't even occurred.
I tell myself to be more vigilant next time, on the alert before letting sin come into contact with what God has already made righteous - but somehow there does always seem to be a "next time..."
What do you believe?
Friday, March 29, 2013
I let a sparrow die and I am so sorry
This happened more than 25 years ago, but it bothers me to this day.
We lived in a wooded area and kept a dry stack of split wood in the garage for our fireplace.
This inevitably attracted wood mice during the winter and I sometimes placed glue traps near the wood stack.
There were a few seeds on each trap, the mice would come by to investigate, get stuck and be easily disposed of. It didn't bother me that much to be rid of rodents, although a couple of friends did suggest that glue traps were not the most humane method available. Still, it was expedient and effective.
Then one day in spring I was working on the driveway and heard something rustling in the garage. It took me a second to trace the sound over to the wood stack. "Ugh, a mouse," I thought.
But it wasn't a mouse. It was a tiny, brown flecked sparrow. It had somehow smelled the seeds and gotten stuck on the trap. Its toothpick leg was bent across the glue and it was fluttering in a circle, trying desparately to get away.
I was sick and horrified. Unlike the occasional dead mouse I usually found, this poor creature was alive and looking at me. I tried to work through the mechanics of extricating its leg, but that was going to do more damage, and the poor thing was frantic. I walked away at one point just to collect my thoughts - maybe I should jump in the car and drive to an animal shelter. But then I would be admonished for my glue trap - bad enough we were using them for mice. By the time I got back to the bird it was dead.
I am so sorry that I had anything to do with that. That was one of the cruelest, saddest events I ever contributed to in my life. I've asked God to forgive me. I believe He has. I still regret it.
25 years ago.
If I had participated in one sparrow death like that per minute - every minute of every hour - of every day - of every year - for the last 25 years...that would have been 13 million deaths. What a horrifying thought that would be.
There have been over 50 million abortions in the USA since a determined group of people chose to push through Roe v. Wade - and countless others have actively contributed to advocating and expanding the practice. People who fund the ACLU or work at and fund Planned Parenthood, or elect enabling politicians. 50 million lives as helpless as a sparrow on a glue trap. God will forgive any of the people involved who are sorry and seek his forgiveness. But what a heartbreaking grief to overcome.
Abby Johnson did just that - overcame her role as a professional abortion enabler at Planned Parenthood. Linking to her website here - and encouraging anyone else who needs to reconcile with God on a past mistake. He loves you and will forgive you. Tell others and help stop the madness.
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God." Luke 12:7
What do you believe?
We lived in a wooded area and kept a dry stack of split wood in the garage for our fireplace.
This inevitably attracted wood mice during the winter and I sometimes placed glue traps near the wood stack.
There were a few seeds on each trap, the mice would come by to investigate, get stuck and be easily disposed of. It didn't bother me that much to be rid of rodents, although a couple of friends did suggest that glue traps were not the most humane method available. Still, it was expedient and effective.
Then one day in spring I was working on the driveway and heard something rustling in the garage. It took me a second to trace the sound over to the wood stack. "Ugh, a mouse," I thought.
But it wasn't a mouse. It was a tiny, brown flecked sparrow. It had somehow smelled the seeds and gotten stuck on the trap. Its toothpick leg was bent across the glue and it was fluttering in a circle, trying desparately to get away.
I was sick and horrified. Unlike the occasional dead mouse I usually found, this poor creature was alive and looking at me. I tried to work through the mechanics of extricating its leg, but that was going to do more damage, and the poor thing was frantic. I walked away at one point just to collect my thoughts - maybe I should jump in the car and drive to an animal shelter. But then I would be admonished for my glue trap - bad enough we were using them for mice. By the time I got back to the bird it was dead.
I am so sorry that I had anything to do with that. That was one of the cruelest, saddest events I ever contributed to in my life. I've asked God to forgive me. I believe He has. I still regret it.
25 years ago.
If I had participated in one sparrow death like that per minute - every minute of every hour - of every day - of every year - for the last 25 years...that would have been 13 million deaths. What a horrifying thought that would be.
There have been over 50 million abortions in the USA since a determined group of people chose to push through Roe v. Wade - and countless others have actively contributed to advocating and expanding the practice. People who fund the ACLU or work at and fund Planned Parenthood, or elect enabling politicians. 50 million lives as helpless as a sparrow on a glue trap. God will forgive any of the people involved who are sorry and seek his forgiveness. But what a heartbreaking grief to overcome.
Abby Johnson did just that - overcame her role as a professional abortion enabler at Planned Parenthood. Linking to her website here - and encouraging anyone else who needs to reconcile with God on a past mistake. He loves you and will forgive you. Tell others and help stop the madness.
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God." Luke 12:7
What do you believe?
Grab Your Own Oxygen First
Have you ever actually listened to an airline's pre-flight safety talk?
In the event that we lose cabin pressure, the yellow oxygen masks will drop from the overhead.
Airline quiz: Who is it that they instruct you to help first with oxygen?
Is it the child seated next to you? Or the worried looking person across the aisle?
It's you. "Place your own mask first, before assisting those around you."
It makes sense. You might pass out while starting to help someone else. And if everybody did that, there would be no one left to help!
The child and the anxious person across the aisle might figure it out on they're own, or they might not.
Be sure of yourself - so THAT you can help those around you.
I think of the airline oxygen sometimes when people pose the distracting spiritual conundrums...
"How will that remote culture's people ever be able to find about your Jesus?"
"How can you expect people to accept God when he lets these terrible things happen?"
"Why would anyone want to follow a God who did all those terrible things in the old testament?
Place your own mask first, before assisting those around you.
I've learned to ask, "but what do you think about Jesus? Why do you think terrible things happen? Do you think its the same God in the old testament and new testament? " Before we talk about what other people think, let's resolve what questions you have - that will give us the best perspective. And then maybe you can breathe easier.
This "what you believe" question is a good starting point for more productive, honest conversation. If the person asking these questions is sincere about seeking answers, they may then be able to explain them to the child in their care. Or the anxious neighbor next door. It's too easy for skeptics to throw out casual challenges about why "other" people should or should not believe. Its save them the trouble of having to make their own spiritual decisions.
What about God and all those other people out there who are struggling to find Him?
What do you believe?
In the event that we lose cabin pressure, the yellow oxygen masks will drop from the overhead.
Airline quiz: Who is it that they instruct you to help first with oxygen?
Is it the child seated next to you? Or the worried looking person across the aisle?
It's you. "Place your own mask first, before assisting those around you."
It makes sense. You might pass out while starting to help someone else. And if everybody did that, there would be no one left to help!
The child and the anxious person across the aisle might figure it out on they're own, or they might not.
Be sure of yourself - so THAT you can help those around you.
I think of the airline oxygen sometimes when people pose the distracting spiritual conundrums...
"How will that remote culture's people ever be able to find about your Jesus?"
"How can you expect people to accept God when he lets these terrible things happen?"
"Why would anyone want to follow a God who did all those terrible things in the old testament?
Place your own mask first, before assisting those around you.
I've learned to ask, "but what do you think about Jesus? Why do you think terrible things happen? Do you think its the same God in the old testament and new testament? " Before we talk about what other people think, let's resolve what questions you have - that will give us the best perspective. And then maybe you can breathe easier.
This "what you believe" question is a good starting point for more productive, honest conversation. If the person asking these questions is sincere about seeking answers, they may then be able to explain them to the child in their care. Or the anxious neighbor next door. It's too easy for skeptics to throw out casual challenges about why "other" people should or should not believe. Its save them the trouble of having to make their own spiritual decisions.
What about God and all those other people out there who are struggling to find Him?
What do you believe?
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Right Path - Wrong Direction
There's a highway near my home town.
It runs about 75 miles in an east-west line between Madison and Milwaukee.
Madison is the home of our magnificent state capitol building. Milwaukee overlooks Lake Michigan.
Imagine if I were to meet a visitor to our area somewhere in the miles between.
She asks me if she is on the road for Madison.
"Well, we both are on the very same road," I confirm.
"Well, I think I'll continue on my way then," she answers, and hops back onto her bicycle.
However, she is heading in the direction of Milwaukee. She is, in fact, on the road for Madison, only she will be getting farther and farther away from it with every push of the pedals.
I call out to tell her, but my friend says, "what are you doing?"
"I'm going to tell her she's headed in the wrong direction," I say, "what do you think I'm doing?"
"Don't be so arrogant," my friend rebukes me. "she seems like a very thoughtful, confident person. Who's to say she won't get to Madison her way, same as us?" And he hops back on his bicycle toward Madison.
I think about how I would feel if it was me and I eventually rolled up to the beach in Milwaukee. What would I think about the people who could have steered me in the right direction? At the very least, I could have ignored their advice. But what if I really wanted to find Madison -- and what if I no longer had the energy, confidence, or courage left to change my direction?
I hop on my bike and go after her - I'm going to tell her what I know. Then she can make her own decision.
"Peter proceeded to speak and said.....they put him to death by hanging him on a cross...he commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts 10:34-43
If your path is leading you away from Jesus, turn around. I don't think you're heading in the right direction.
What do you believe?
It runs about 75 miles in an east-west line between Madison and Milwaukee.
Madison is the home of our magnificent state capitol building. Milwaukee overlooks Lake Michigan.
Imagine if I were to meet a visitor to our area somewhere in the miles between.
She asks me if she is on the road for Madison.
"Well, we both are on the very same road," I confirm.
"Well, I think I'll continue on my way then," she answers, and hops back onto her bicycle.
However, she is heading in the direction of Milwaukee. She is, in fact, on the road for Madison, only she will be getting farther and farther away from it with every push of the pedals.
I call out to tell her, but my friend says, "what are you doing?"
"I'm going to tell her she's headed in the wrong direction," I say, "what do you think I'm doing?"
"Don't be so arrogant," my friend rebukes me. "she seems like a very thoughtful, confident person. Who's to say she won't get to Madison her way, same as us?" And he hops back on his bicycle toward Madison.
I think about how I would feel if it was me and I eventually rolled up to the beach in Milwaukee. What would I think about the people who could have steered me in the right direction? At the very least, I could have ignored their advice. But what if I really wanted to find Madison -- and what if I no longer had the energy, confidence, or courage left to change my direction?
I hop on my bike and go after her - I'm going to tell her what I know. Then she can make her own decision.
"Peter proceeded to speak and said.....they put him to death by hanging him on a cross...he commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts 10:34-43
If your path is leading you away from Jesus, turn around. I don't think you're heading in the right direction.
What do you believe?
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