Posts

Wednesday; March 4

When I watch Dick Van Dyke on the “oldies” television channels, it is hard to believe that he is 100 years old.   I still think of him as the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins or the handsome and suave television writer in his sitcom.   But time marches on … and so does Dick Van Dyke.   The other day I did some research and came across an interesting observation of his, “Just knowing you don’t have the answers is a recipe for humility, openness, acceptance, forgiveness, and an eagerness to learn – and those are all good things.”.   Typically, when we think about acceptance, our first inclination is to be the smartest kid in the room; however, if we really want to fit in, we need to be honest about who we are and what we know.   Few people are genuinely accepted by being arrogant or headstrong.   Most people are able to build lasting relationships by accepting themselves for who they are and admitting the deficiencies in their lives.   No one expects us to ...
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Tuesday; March 3

Have you got life figured out, yet?   Okay, okay – I can hear the smirks.   Most of us would readily admit that there are times we don’t understand the questions much less have the answers!   Even though there are people who advocate that life is simple, the truth is that we are complex human beings dealing with complex problems in a complex world.   I believe that we tend to make it even more difficult by trying to make all the pieces fit together in a way that makes us feel comfortable.   Unfortunately, life is not only not fair; there are a lot of times it doesn’t make sense.   So, how do we live successful lives?   I think the answer is to seek wisdom.   We may not always be able to answer the question, “Why?”; but when we search for “How?” – as in how do we make the best of this situation – we are more apt to be successful.   We may never truly understand why things happen the way they do, but when we seek to focus on moving forward with...
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Monday; March 2

I saw a shocking bumper sticker the other day.   It read, “I hope something good happens to you today.”.   After seeing all the in-your-face messages tattooed on cars, this one really stood out to me.   It was so nice and kind, it was almost unbelievable! In a world that seems intent on making a point and having our voices heard, it has become more infrequent to see or hear kindness.   People who want to be noticed often take on an aggressive personality, so I think a good way to stand out might be to do something unusual – demonstrate good wishes to those we come across.   Years ago, “Have a good day” became cliché, so what could happen if we bring back the sentiment and really mean it! Years ago, the wise man of Proverbs noted, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1).   Maybe a 21 st Century application to this is that a calm, quiet message can make a splash in a noisy and aggressive society.   I real...
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Friday; February 27

          George Washington Carver was born into a slave’s family in Missouri in the early 1860s, but before he passed away almost 80 years later, he had made a name for himself and a mark on society.   His journey wasn’t easy nor linear; but it led him to the presidency of Tuskegee Institute.   Carver is well known for many of the products and innovations he developed; but it is a quote I want us to consider, “When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.”.   It is tempting to believe that we have to come from a special place or do special things to make a difference, but the truth of the matter is that all we need to do to have an impact is find what we can do and do it!   Sure, there are going to be special people in life who seem to excel at the exceptional, but for most of the rest of us we make our mark on people by doing what we can do.   Does that make us less specta...
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Thursday; February 26

When you think of the World Trade Center bombing, what date comes to mind?  For most of us, it is September 11, 2001; however, that was the second attack.  On this day in 1993, a bomb exploded in the basement of the World Trade Center killing six people, injuring several hundred and causing some $500 million in damage.  Sure, it pales in comparison to what happened a decade later, but for those impacted on that day, it was a catastrophe. I am sure there are several lessons that can be learned from these two incidences but I think one important one is that we must remain vigilant.  Just because something happens once doesn’t mean that we are immune from it happening again.  While this might be a lesson for us in our geopolitical world, I think it is also a spiritual lesson.  If satan attacks us through temptation, don’t believe that it is just one-and-done.  In fact, if he has success in derailing us once, he might come back and try again – this time ho...
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Wednesday; February 25

Have you noticed how our language has tended to deteriorate?  The other day, Jeane and I started watching a show and couldn’t make it though the first few minutes because of the coarse language.  It seems like famous people like to be on the cutting edge with the words they use – even to the point where the news is remarking at their vulgar language.  When I was younger, I was taught that it was people with a limited vocabulary who cussed – now, I think it is more trying to make an impression than it is from ignorance.  Even though swearing is becoming more commonplace, that doesn’t make it any more appropriate – especially for people who claim to be spiritual.  While this might be a modern problem, I get the impression it isn’t a new problem.  As far back as the first generation of Christians believers were warned, “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must b...
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Tuesday; February 24

Have you ever heard death referred to as having lost someone?   Well, the other day, I heard a song by Bradley Walker that struck quite a chord with me.   In the song, “We Know Where He Is”, the singer recounts the death of his grandfather.   The old man had been faithful in his spiritual walk, so at the end of his life he observed, “We haven’t lost him, we know where he is.”.   While it might be a common expression to say that we “have lost someone” when they pass, but when they have been faithful, they are anything but lost, they are safe and secure in the hereafter. Some of us might have been raised not to take our salvation for granted, but does that mean we have to live in doubt?   Interestingly, the writer of I John seems to tell us we don’t have to live in fear.   We are encouraged, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (I John 5:13).   Wouldn’...
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