Think About It

          Late Saturday afternoon I participated in the suburban sport known as “speed mowing”.   While I can’t speak for everyone, I think that most of us are familiar with the game that has its roots in precipitation and procrastination.   As I was finishing up my supper I looked outside and realized my lawn needed some attention.   When I took a glance at my schedule and the weather forecast I realized that unless I got right on the task, by the time I got around to it I was going to have to bail my grass or rent it out for pasture.   I hurried through my supper, asked Alexia how much time I had before sundown and headed out the door.   I hustled to get the job done before I ran out of natural light.   (I think it would have looked silly to mount a flashlight on my mower, but   sometimes a guy has to do what a guy has to do.)   I have to admit that Alexia is pretty smart because she was right on poi...

Early on in Jesus’ ministry He appears to go on record as   to what His disciples (and His adversaries) could expect from Him.   One certainty was controversy.   Jesus made a lot of startling statements throughout His life, many of which come in what is called the Sermon on the Mount.   One such statement is, “ For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses  that  of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)   The scribes had become the “experts” in the Law of Moses and the Pharisees consisted of some of the most religious people in the nation, so this statement was bound to raise some questions (as well as some ire).   How could Jesus’ disciples become more righteous than those who had dedicated their careers to religion?   The answer is found in those two “r” words – righteousness and religion.   Jesus’ disciples were to practice His religion, but they were also to emulate His...

Have you ever thought about how early Christianity spread?  Many of us are familiar with how the church was formed in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, but how did it get from that one fixed point to changing the world?  I am sure there were several things that came together to create growth and expansion, but interestingly enough, one of the them was persecution.  After Christianity got off to such a rousing start in the home of Judaism, the Christians began to feel pressure and were forced out of the city.  Interestingly, the early Christians didn’t leave their faith at home, like Johnny Appleseed they took it with them and spread it wherever they went.  The Bible tells us, “ Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.”.   (Acts 8:4)   The believers refused to deny their beliefs and that was the beginning of something wonderful. When I think of the sedentary world in which Christianity was born it gets me to t...

Ninety-seven years ago our world changed.   Some of you might not have heard of this, but it was on April 11, 1921 that radio station KDKA in Pittsburg completed the first broadcast of a sporting event when Florent Gibson announced the boxing match between Johnny Ray and Johnny Dundee.   I don’t know if anyone knows who won this match (and I don’t think that history really cares), but what began on that day has had a huge impact on the world.   In the last century sports has become so important to our society that we have regional sports stations, 24-hour sports channels, pay-per-view channels, talk radio sports channels, sport-specific electronic print, electronic and digital magazines.   Sports is a major money maker – both through legitimate and illegal means.   We are passionate about our sports! What would happen if we took as much interest in our social issues as we do our sporting events?   How much good could be done if 2 million people would gat...

I really like to travel.   When I think about why I enjoy traveling, I think the thing that makes it special is getting to experience something new and different.   Sure, I like to go back to those comfortable places (especially the ones that have white sands, clear water and palm trees), but there is something special about getting the chance to experience things that are new and different.   Maybe it is a beautiful vista, a new taste treat or a historic site, but I really enjoy getting the chance to broaden my horizon.   As I was thinking about this a few days I ago I got to thinking about how easy it is to get into a rut when it comes to spiritual living.   When I pray, I tend to cover the same topics.   When I set out to do good deeds, I usually rely upon the same talents I have used throughout the years.   When I read inspirational material, I typically go back to those writers with whom I have always agreed.   Sure, doing something is bet...

          Okay ... it is time for a test.   This isn’t timed, but you can only rely on your own knowledge to come up with the answers – no calculators and no “googling”.   Here goes: 1.   What is the smallest Asian country? 2.   What is 8237 x 234? 3.   Who is Billy Sample? 4.   What is the highest point in the state of Florida?           How did you do?   In all honesty it is possible for someone to come up with all the correct answers, but it is pretty doubtful.   If there was someone who could answer all these questions, we might think they were pretty smart, wouldn’t we?   We place a lot of stock in people who are intelligent.   We tend to show deference to them when making decisions, so why is it that we have so much trouble following God’s Word?   Not only can He answer all of the preceding questions, but He can even answer th...

          Okay ... so, it has been almost a week since the Easter weekend ended – how is your spiritual life going?   Many of us do a pretty good job of focusing on the life and teaching of Jesus while the world around us is discussing His death, burial and resurrection, but what happens when the crosses come down?   Are we still convicted to the cause of Christ or are we back to our old ways – focused on the secular? One of the challenges of defining a “Holy Week” is that it tends to reduce the other 51 weeks as being less “holy”.   We are more willing to expect less spirituality from others and demand less godliness from ourselves.   Yet, when Jesus called people to be His disciples He didn’t recruit them for a week or a season, but He demanded their obedience for a lifetime – 24/7 each and every day! Before we get to far away from Easter I would like to challenge us all to keep a constant watch on our lives as we keep our eye on the ...