Think About It

One of the questions routinely asked in modern religion is, “If someone wrongs me, but doesn’t seek my forgiveness, do I have to forgive them?”.  Most of us know of the need to forgive someone if asked to do so, but many struggle with pro-active forgiveness.  The other day I came across a teaching of Jesus that seemed to shed a little light on the topic.  While dealing with forgiveness Jesus taught, “ Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.   And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent’, forgive him.” (Luke 17:3).  Honestly, folks, I could have gone all day without reading this because Jesus adjusts the spotlight of forgiveness to “me”.  When someone harms me, I can’t just sit back and wait for them to do something about it, I have an obligation to do something – actually two things.  First, I have an obligation to go to them and tell them that th...

Often, when we read, “ Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27) the first thing that comes to mind is financial assistance to those who have trouble meeting their daily needs.   While this is a possibility, have we noticed that the challenge is not just to help people with limited financial assets, it involves assisting those vulnerable groups in any kind of “distress”?   We live in a world where there are a lot of decent social programs that might be able to provide adequate fiscal assistance, but that does not mean that all the needs are provided.   What about the child who needs a father-figure to help them navigate those tough times or a substitute mother to give them a hug when they need it the most?   What about someone who can help an elderly widow navigate through the confusing and (of...

There are certain events that seem to spotlight pivotal points in history.   For the late 1960s, Woodstock may be one of those events.   The “Aquarian Exposition:   3 Days of Peace & Music” was actually held on Max Yasqur’s dairy farm some forty-three miles southwest of Woodstock, New York.   According to history (and supposition) thirty-two musical acts performed for an estimated 400,000 people.   The festival lasted from August 15-18, 1969 but has been a fixture in our nation’s culture since that time.   While the festival is well-known for those who performed, I found it interesting to read about some who chose not to be there.   Ian Anderson (from the group Jethro Tull) declined to perform because he didn’t like the counterculture influence (inappropriate nudity, heavy drinking and drug use) he knew would be there.   According to Tommy James, he and his band passed on their invitation because it was pitched to them in this way, “... there...

What does it take to make a good marriage?   I have gotten the opportunity to do my share of weddings, but as I look back on it, very few people have asked me what it takes to make a good marriage.   It is easy to focus on what colors look good together, what songs sound good in a ceremony, what biblical verses should be included and when you should cut the cake; but a successful marriage is more than a beautiful wedding.   So, with this in mind, here are a few observations I have made through the years: 1.   Spouses should spend more time cheerleading and less time coaching .   It is tempting to try to grow a better husband or wife, but the thing that might make an even better relationship is by merely encouraging each other.   When we cheer for rather than critique each other, we build a foundation that will help us transcend most of our challenges. 2.   Marriage is better when each spouse gives 75% .   I hadn’t really thought of this until...

The further we get into the 21 st Century, the more we lose sight of one of the greatest characters from Major League Baseball.   Yogi Berra was a poor kid from St. Louis who made it to the bright lights of Yankee Stadium.   Yogi was a pretty good ballplayer, but most of the world remembers Yogi for his wit and “wisdom”.   Berra had some of the best one-liners ever recorded.   Things like “You can observe a lot just by watching”, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it”, “I knew that record would stand until it was broken”, “Baseball is ninety percent mental.   The other half is physical” and one of my favorites, “How can you think and hit at the same time?”.   Honestly, I don’t know if Yogi said everything he is credited with saying, but I came across another Yogi-ism that was truly thought-provoking, “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.”.   While this final thought might make us scratch our heads, it can...

One of my favorite biblical words is “meekness”.   I believe that meekness has gotten a bad reputation for meaning weakness, but I don’t think that is the intent of the concept.   Rather than referring to an inability to do something, meekness refers to the self-control of not doing something.   I really enjoy the way that some people have described meekness as power under control and used the illustration of a bridle-led horse.   When a horse is prepared to be ridden, the trainers don’t destroy the physical ability of the powerful animal, they merely teach them to respond to the controls used by the rider.   The horse still has the ability to run fast and the muscle mass to do incredible tasks, but they use them at the direction of their owner. A meek Christian isn’t emasculated to the point that they allow the world to overwhelm them, they merely respond to the directions of their Master.   It isn’t that they “can’t” do what everyone else can do, rathe...

Have you ever heard the religious analogy that describes Christians as the “hands and feet of Christ”?   Have you ever thought about where that comes from?   The other day I was doing some researching and found a poem attributed to Teresa of Avila that includes the words, “Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours ... Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good, yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world ...”.   I realize that there is a lot literary license taken in this work but it seems to make sense.   Jesus showed us how He expected us to live through His life on earth, then left His work up to us.   We are one of the major ways that today’s society can get to know Jesus.   Centuries before Teresa penned her poem, the Apostle Paul provided us with another example of how believers can make a difference, “ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg ...