Think About It

Is it possible to be right and do wrong at the same time? Okay, I realize that this may be a bit confusing, so let me see if I can make it a bit simpler by asking if we can have the right answer, but the wrong spirit? (By the way, I believe the answer is “yes”. We can be technically correct but display an attitude that all but negates our correctness. While truth can be expressed in a definitive way, unless we do it with an appropriate attitude, it has a tendency to lose is effectiveness.) Centuries ago, the wise man, King Solomon wrote a lot about knowledge and wisdom in the Old Testament book of Proverbs. Throughout the book he sought to balance the two related concepts. Knowledge allows us to understand facts, but it is wisdom that helps us put them into practice – especially when interacting with others. In the book he observes, “The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.” (Proverbs 15:2). Let’s seek to be as accurate as we c...

December 7, 1941 … a date that will live in infamy. When I was a child these words, echoed in my ears. No, I wasn’t alive when they were spoken, but it had only been a couple of decades before that they were uttered and they launched us into the second World War. When I look back on that date and that conflict I think of it as good vs. evil … democracy vs. world domination. Maybe it was just how I was raised, but it seemed much easier to tell the good guys from the bad guys back in that day. One of the struggles of modern life is trying to delineate the good from the bad. Maybe it is our permissive society to even the situational ethics that surround us, but good and evil are not as defined as they used to be. Now, while that may be true in a relative society, we can still find the definition of good and evil in we look in the right place. No, righteousness is not determined by politics or social morays, it is determined by the Word of God. Sure, each society takes it upon its...

Does it seem like religion has become too complicated? One criticism I often hear is that there are too many factions in “Christianity”; but, there is something else that seems to trouble me. I believe that we have made Christianity too complex. Now, I realize that mankind can never fully comprehend the depth of the mind and workings of God; but, I also understand that we can make things more difficult than they should be. Centuries of study and commentary have tended to muddy the waters when it comes to the essence of spiritual living. From the beginning Jesus highlighted the simplicity of His movement: love your God and love your fellow man. By being obedient to the King and kind to our neighbors, we are able to be pleasing to God and uplifting to each other. While we should all seek to gain a deeper understanding of our spiritual lives, let’s never overlook the true spirit of discipleship. Let’s keep in mind the message of Paul who said, “May the Lord direct your hearts into...

The New Testament book of II Peter provides us with a unique look at the Second Coming of Jesus. As the book draws to a close there is a glimpse of what is going to transpire on that last day – a time of joy for believers and a time of tribulation for those who have rejected God. While this event is prophesied for some time in the future, there is an interesting observation made about how we are called to live in the interim. After predicting that the world will be changed in an instant, the writer challenges believers, “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” (II Peter 3:11-13). In essence, believers should make the most of this life ...

Our community is in for a change beginning this weekend. Outgoing Sheriff Tim Cameron is stepping away from county law enforcement and incoming Sheriff Steve Hall takes over the reins of the Sheriff’s Office. It has been my pleasure to get to know these two men over the last few years and the one thing that stands out to me is how much they care about the people of St. Mary’s County. They have made it their life’s work to protect and serve their neighbors. The job is not easy, but they have been willing to make the sacrifice so that they can leave a legacy for others to follow. This weekend, we wish Sheriff Cameron good luck as he heads to Wyoming and Sheriff Hall best wishes as he moves into the corner office. I realize that this may seem like a rather localized thought to those of us in Southern Maryland, but honestly, this transition is a reminder for all of us – no matter where we live. You see, if we truly care about our community, we will be willing to get involved in makin...

What if everything that we had worried about had actually happened? We are very good about worrying about things, even things that never come about. In fact, only a small amount of things that create anxiety actually play out. I think we know this logically, but we still invest in worrying to the point of it that it can steal our joy or even paralyze us from taking action. I am not sure why so many of us struggle with anxiety, but we do. We fear the worst and, even when it doesn’t materialize, we don’t seem to lighten up or learn our lesson; rather we just gear up for the next perceived crisis. The other day, I came across a saying that reminds, “There are more men threatened than stricken.”. While this is true of actual threats, it may be even more true of worry. Anxiety isn’t based on fact or logic, but too often our feelings get in our way. After comforting His disciples by reminding them they don’t need to worry, Jesus drives home the point with true logic, “So do not wo...

In yesterday’s thought, we took a look at Jesus’ parable that has often been called “The Good Samaritan”. The basic premise of the story comes from Jesus’ answer to the lawyer who asked Him, “Who is my neighbor?”. The answer that comes from the story is anyone who needs our help is our neighbor. While this is the primary teaching from the parable, I noticed something else interesting this week. This lesson would have been easily taught if the helper was a Jew and the victim was a Samaritan, but does Jesus’ choice of the Samaritan as the hero of the story teach us something more? You see, the Jews looked down on the Samaritans and often treated them with disdain. (The Apostle John explained, “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” in John 4:9). It would have been a powerful story if a Jew would have helped a Samaritan … but the reverse is also intriguing. By using the Samaritan to demonstrate kindness, does Jesus teach us about our willingness to help everyone – even those...