Think About It

When Peter warns Christians of their adversary notice what he writes, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8). Through the years we have accepted this as truth –we are in a spiritual war with satan – but I also think it is important to acknowledge what he doesn’t say. He doesn’t write that our adversaries are the next door neighbor who parks in front of our house … he doesn’t say it is our child’s teacher that seems bound and determined to flunk Little Johnny … he doesn’t say the adversary is a historic figure from two centuries ago or even a modern politician or political party. While we may not get along with these folks or even like what they do, they don’t fit into the category of our arch-nemesis. Sure, we are going to have conflicts with people, but I believe we do more harm than good when we perceive them as the “enemy”. We must remember that we are in an all out war for o...

I may sound a little bit like George Carlin here but why do they call it “the news” when it is the same old thing day after day? Throughout my lifetime I have watched as the way the news is reported has changed – not just the technology but how the tenner has changed in the 21st Century. Now, please don’t think that I am naïve enough to believe that what I grew up listening to was the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (in other words – news without spin or commentary), but I do think that 24 hour a day media outlets need to package their product so people will come back time and again. Once again, please don’t think I have an agenda – I really don’t care which outlet you watch, but I would like to offer a few warnings to protecting ourselves from being overly (and overtly) influenced by news coverage: 1. Watch/listen/read to be informed of what is happening, not just to have your beliefs reinforced . Be aware of the differences between reporting on events and commen...

Living when and where we have, I really enjoy the Mexican culture. From the traditional foods to the use of bright colors and the sounds of regional music I enjoy the influences of Mexico. I have enjoyed vacationing on the Yucatan coast and been fascinated by how Mexico’s history parallels ours in many ways, but is also uniquely distinct from what has happened in the United States of America. I realize that Cinco de Mayo may be more of a U.S. celebration than it is Mexican, but any chance to celebrate Mexican culture is okay by me. All around the states there will specials on foods and a focus on our southern neighbor. While I am fascinated by Mexico, I am also keenly aware of some of the challenges that exist between the two countries. Now, let me rethink that statement … I don’t know that the challenges are as much between the two nations as they are between certain people who are using generalities to promote their own agenda. Sure, no two nations will see things exactly the...

The other day I was typing a Biblical reference and got to thinking about how these references have become such an integral part of our religion and our lives. It has almost become a type of religious shorthand. For example, if you see someone hold up a sign that says “Acts 2:30”, you don’t just read those symbols, you think, “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”. If we want to convey God’s love, we can write out, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” or just write “John 3:16” and most people will pick up on our meaning. Scriptural citations have become an important part of our spiritual education, but have you given much thought into how we got them? Interestingly, they seem to have come to us as reference marks in the Bible. Imagine your minister pr...

The other day I was pondering our future and I got to thinking about where we have been throughout our lifetime. At first, I started thinking about how, if I would have made different choices, we might have more stored up in a nest egg for the future or a stronger financial portfolio – but then, I got to thinking about some of the things we would have missed. I have been blessed to be able to have a couple of careers that didn’t pay as much as others, but brought opportunities to have direct impacts on people’s lives and community well-being. We may not have lived in places that provided as much financial security, but we have experienced incredible scenery and wonderful community support. We have taken trips that cost us some money – but we have memories that will last through the rest of our lives. We haven’t lived in the midst of glitz and glamor, but the places we have lived in cared for and protected our family. As George Bailey might say, it’s been a wonderful life. It is e...

As a youngster I remember hearing people say, “We don’t take charity”. Back in the day, there seemed to be a pride in not only not needing help, but also in not wanting help. While I think there is value in a desire to being self-sufficient, I also believe that this type of mentality can have a negative impact as well. You see, when we are unwilling to accept help, that may also translate into being unwilling to offer help. If we could do it on our own, others should be able to as well. However, if we are willing to allow others to make our lives easier and better, we feel the love and want to pass it on to others. People who are gracious receivers can be some of the most benevolent givers. Yes, I realize the dangers of a sense of entitlement, but that’s not what we are talking about. There is a difference in “expecting” someone to help us and “allowing” someone to help us. When we are taught to receive with gratitude – we will develop into people who look for ways to give wit...

One of my favorite traditions of May Day is the dispensing of May Baskets. Now, the term “basket” may be a bit misleading because many of the ones I received weren’t much more than a plastic cup filled with goodies. Interestingly, the thing that makes May Day so special isn’t the container – or even what was in the container – it was the generosity of the heart. For those of you who many not be familiar with this tradition (I wasn’t until I spent some time in the Midwest), May Baskets are simple gifts left anonymously for others. The Old Farmers Almanac describes the process as “People would leave a paper basket or cone containing spring flowers and sweets on each other’s doorsteps, usually anonymously. This tradition was popular though the 19th and 20th centuries, especially with children or sweethearts. The custom was to knock on the door, yell ‘May basket!’ and then run.” Honestly, even though this tradition might be showing its age in the 21st Century, I believe the idea of g...