Think About It

Back in the day it was said that you could tell the “good” cowboy star in the movies because they always wore the white hats.  I am not sure if that was true or not, but “wearing a white hat” has become synonymous in our culture with being the good guy.  Interestingly, something happened along the way – a lot of people began wearing “gray” hats.  Throughout my lifetime, there has been a movement away from being a goodie two shoes and adopting a mindset of blending in with everyone else.  The rationale has become that we can do a lot more good if we look like (and are trusted by) those we are trying to influence.  I am not sure about that.  Wouldn’t it give those who are watching us the wrong message if they are having trouble distinguishing the good from the bad?  The closer we get to the edge, the easier it is to fall off the line and onto the wrong side. When Jesus was establishing His movement, He called on His people to make sure that people knew...

I have been thinking a lot about forgiveness recently.  While I am absolutely thankful that God has forgiven me for what I have done, I also realize the challenge it is for me to forgive others.  I know that the Bible repeatedly says something to the effect of, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32), so why is it so hard to let go of what people have done to us?  There are several reasons why we choose to hang on to offenses done to us – pride, emotion, selfishness, vindication – each one a powerful force.  Yet, I think there is something that might enable us to relinquish our perceived right of revenge – maturity.  Many of us have heard the phrase, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48).  In our own way, we tend to process this in a variety of ways, but I believe this concept of perfection isn’t nece...

If there ever was an individual that seemed destined to failure, it was probably Andrew Johnson.  Johnson was born in North Carolina, but raised in politics in Tennessee.  He ran with Abraham Lincoln and was elected as vice-president in the 1864 election.  Then, just a matter of weeks into this administration, Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed and Andrew Johnson became president.  If the tragedy of the moment wasn’t tough enough, Johnson (the disenfranchised Southerner) had to follow the idolized martyred leader out of the Civil War and into the Reconstruction.  Honestly, I am not sure Andrew Johnson or anyone was up to the challenge – but, suffice it to say, that it really didn’t get much better and his impeachment trial began in 1868.  As you might imagine, Johnson was not reelected and Ulysses S. Grant became president in 1969. Johnson was able to make a political comeback, but by then his history was already being written.  Traditionally, Johnson...

Have you ever had someone say something to you that immediately raises your blood pressure?  You can almost feel the vein in the middle of your forehead stick out and feel the appearance of the redness on your cheeks.  When this happens, our tempers (and temperature) raises and we start calculating what we can say to defend our opinion and defeat the ignorance of what has been said.  When this happens, what do we do?  Maybe a better question is, what should we do?  It is so easy to lash out at people and teach them a lesson – but is that really the most effective approach?  I have learned that when I feel like I need to say something, it is usually a good reminder to say nothing!  It may take an incredible amount of restraint, but it is better to swallow our mean-spirited words than have to apologize for them later on. We live in a world where we are often judged by what we say but, often, we would be much better off if we practiced silence.  Most...

One of the things that seems to be missing in the discussion of modern religion is the concept of courage.   Maybe it is because we live in modern America, but it seems so easy to practice our religion that we typically take it for granted.   However, a religion that is capable of changing a life takes the courage of commitment.   As I thought about this, I was reminded of a confrontation early in the formation of the Christian church that proves this point.   Shortly after Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead Peter stood up during a gathering attended by some pretty religious people and made a case for Jesus being the Promised One.   Then, he summoned the courage to say, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36).   While that was a bold statement, something else happened immediately following this, “Now when they heard this,...

Unless you are new to these posts there are a couple of things you probably know about me.   First, I am a baseball fan … and secondly, I am a Texas Rangers baseball fan.   Up until a couple of years ago, it was tempting to feel like my support was in vain, but the World Series Title in 2023 helped make most of the bleak times bearable.   So, when the Rangers come to my area, you will find me somewhere in the stands.   I will be somewhat subtle in my attire, but I will have something on that will show my allegiance and when things go our way, you might even hear a quite little “golf clap”.    The Rangers are in Nationals Park this weekend, so be looking for me somewhere in the stands. One of the great things about sports is the fans.   We have our favorites – and are willing to show our support in the good times and the bad.   As I thought about this, I see a parallel in our spiritual lives as well.   Have you ever wondered why people go to...

Last weekend, Jeane and I were quietly watching some TV when an incredibly shrill noise came out of our phones.   We knew that was some inclement weather in the area, but we didn’t know we were in a tornado warning … well, we didn’t know it up until that moment, but as soon as our phones shocked us out of our seats … we did then!   For the next several minutes we considered what to do and tried to get information about the dangers we faced.   I looked at the maps online – and really couldn’t see the scary cell.   I tried to find more information about the exact location of the funnel but couldn’t find it.   I checked the text of the warning, but it didn’t have much detailed information.   On one hand, the people who issued the warning got our attention, but I didn’t really know what to worry about.   So, what did I do?   I went outside and looked around.   Not seeing anything, I went back in the house and continued watching my TV show.  ...