Think About It

Well, once again, the tax man cometh! Taxes are due today. Now you might be wondering why it is April 18 rather than April 15 and the answer is simple – sort of. April 15 is a Saturday and the next weekday is Emancipation Day a holiday in Washington, D. C., so today is the day. We may have a three day break, but there is still a day of accountability. Through my lifetime, April 15 has lost some of its dread. With the insight to have extra taxes withheld, the availability of several for-profit preparers, the sophisticated self-service products and the opportunity to file online, most people don’t cringe when mid-April rolls around. Now, while the day may not be as scary, there are times when the task is not pleasant. Taking money away from people typically isn’t pleasant, especially when we don’t always agree on what the taxes fund. However, I want to remind us of a couple of things that might help soften the blow. First of all, our tax rates are based off of our income, so the...

Can people tell the difference between us and the people who don’t claim to be Christians? Coming out of the previous generations, where believers were often perceived as prudish, many modern church-goers have sought to develop a connection with the world by looking like they look. The rationale is somewhat logical – how can influence people if they don’t want to be around you – but, in an effort to become “relevant” have we become too world-like? In an effort to bridge the gap between believers and non-believers have we become too much like the people we say we are hoping to convert? The Apostle Paul cautioned against this slippery slope by saying, “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. “ (Ephesians 5:3-4). He would go on to say, “Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness...

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could prove the existence of God? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to figure out how God did what He did? Often times we find ourselves trying to defend God’s place through the use of scientific or historical evidence and feeling excited when we feel like we found proof of God’s place in the universe. While all this may be well and good, I wonder if we aren’t approaching this backwards. You see as part of God’s creation it is presumptuous of us to try to prove God! It doesn’t matter whether we “feel” that God exists, He does! When King David reflected on God’s presence in the world he observed, “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Psalm 90:1-2). David had the insight to realize that our job isn’t to prove the existence of God, our duty is to be approved of by God. He doesn’t really care if we can prove ...

If there is someone who seemed to exemplify what is good about the game of baseball in our generation, it probably would be Cal Ripken, Jr. I realize his record streak of playing in 2632 straight games is becoming “ancient history” (having been established almost 25 years ago), it is also one of the most impressive sports accomplishments of many of our lifetimes. Cal Ripken’s streak wasn’t easily accomplished – it involved being willing to play with pain, work through personal challenges and even involved switching positions – but in the end, he was there day-in-and-day-out. While physical talent and mental toughness helped Ripken do what he was able to do, I believe there was something else that helped him reach his milestone. I recently came across his quote, “I always thought being a gamer and someone who had a sense of responsibility to the game and to my teammates was the honorable thing.”. Setting the record wasn’t just a personal accomplishment, it was something he did bec...

When we think about the message of Christianity, what comes to mind? Unfortunately, to many people, they envision a harshness that is designed to keep them from having any fun. Others perceive that the New Testament is intended to keep one particular type of people down. Still others believe that the message is filled with hatred, meanness and oppression. Yet, I want to ask us to set aside our preconceptions for just a second and take a look at the original intent of the message of Jesus. Throughout the New Testament, the message of Jesus is referred to as the “gospel”. According to the original meaning, the gospel is good news. When you really analyze it, the message of the Bible – especially the New Testament – is that Jesus came to save us from our sins and that is the best of news. Through the years the precepts of the uplifting message of Jesus trek to earth have been misconstrued, but when we go back to the beginning, to the original message of salvation, we can still sha...

I wish I could eat as much ice cream as I would like and never gain weight. I wish I could wake up tomorrow morning and be able to run a marathon without doing a day’s worth of training. I wish I was 6 feet tall and had a head full of healthy wavy hair. I wish … . We can all wish, but just because we’d like something doesn’t mean that it will happen. In fact, often, we find ourselves wishing because we know that it will never happen. As I look around at the world today, I see a lot of wishing. I see people wishing that they can live a hedonistic lifestyle and not have to worry about negative consequences. I see people wishing they could rewrite history in a way that they could choose their own heroes and morals. I see people wishing they could do as little as possible, but gain great advances. The problem with this type of wishing is similar to what I have learned in my own life – wishing doesn’t make it so. Truth and reality supersede a wishful existence. Let’s be willing ...

Can you imagine what that Monday was like? I would imagine that a lot of people where packing up and heading home from observing the feasts and festivals in Jerusalem. Others probably sat around debating the disruptions that had come to that year’s Passover season. There were some that may have awakened wondering if what they had just experienced had really happened. Yet, for a particular band of believers, this truly was the first day of the rest of their lives. The risen Savior meant that they were on the right path, but as they gathered together I wonder if they were filled with joy or overwhelmed with the reality of their ministry – or both? Jesus’ disciples had just gone through a whirlwind of events and emotions, now it was time to get to work! Many modern Christians wake up on the Monday after Easter filled with a sense of joy for what has just happened. A lot of them are coming off of a great worship experience and spending time with friends and family. Yet, what will M...