Think About It

When I reflect on my life, on a lot of days, I still feel like I am 17.  Sure I hurt in places I didn’t know that I had back in 1976, but I still feel good (most of the time).  It’s not until I take a glimpse at my driver’s license or a good long look in the mirror that I realize I am not a spring chicken anymore.  (If that doesn’t do it more me, the handful of cardiac medication I take each day should be an accurate reminder.)  Now, while I am coming to grips with my age, I am also looking forward to what is coming ahead.  I am much closer to my last day on the job than I am to my first, but that doesn’t mean I am ready to give up.  The other day I was looking at a New Testament verse and found something that challenged me.  When Paul wrote about the phrases of Christian life he observed, “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.” (Titus 2:2).  It is tempting for us – as we get o...

         You might not recognize Theodor Geisel, but I would imagine you probably know him by his middle name, “Seuss”.  Dr. Seuss was born in Massachusetts, but his work impacted more than our county, he became known around the world.  He sold some 600 million books that have been translated in to multiple languages.  I would imagine everyone has a favorite book by Dr. Seuss, but this time of year, the overwhelming favorite seems to be the “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”.  Now, while that is a seasonal favorite, I came across and interesting quote the other day from his work, “The Lorax”.  In the book, Once-ler observes, “It’s not about what is, it is about what can become.”.  I think this is a very appropriate comment for a children’s book, but it can have an impact on adults as well.  This concept is summed up in the word, “potential”.  I think we tend to view potential as a negative (as in, “They never lived up to the...

How are you doing?   Through the years, I have made it a point to put off holiday shopping (and most other planning) until the last minute.   I would like for you to believe that it is intentional, but actually, I think it just sneaks up on me and I have to react.   Now, while this might mean I miss some of the best deals of the year, I also miss out on some of the pressures of pre-planning! I am not going to advocate that we all wait until Christmas Eve to plan, but I do want to challenge us to take a few minutes to just relax and breathe!   I know, I know … there are a lot of things that still need to be done, but remember, this is supposed to be FUN!   This is a time when the world talks about Jesus and hope and joy and a lot of other cool stuff.   We often hear people say that we should stop and smell the roses, but maybe a more appropriate comment for this time of year is to stop and smell the Christmas cookies.   In fact, why not grab one and n...

We get to do something neat this week.   Our congregation participates in a program dedicated to proving housing for the homeless during the winter.   Each year, several churches open up their facilities to prove meals and a warm place to stay for those who don’t have other places to go.   While it does require some logistical work, the joy and satisfaction we get far outweighs the challenges of planning and executing once a year.   I believe the church draws closer and more united by undertaking the project and I know that we get a chance to share some goodwill with our neighbors.   Sure, we’ve had a few bumps along with way, but the good memories of service and fellowship keep us signing up year after year. As I think about this program, I am reminded about how important it is to keep doing good.   It is good to do something for the community occasionally, but if we are going to make a substantial difference, we need to keep on keeping on!   The ea...

It is tempting to look at the Apostle Paul and just see the man who had a hand in turning the world upside down for the cause of Christ.   He spent a lot of years teaching and preaching the gospel and much of the New Testament is dedicated to his writings.   Yet, Paul wasn’t always Paul – there was a time when he was Saul.   Saul grew up as a religious zealot dedicated to the Pharisaic party.   He persecuted Christians and sought to destroy what he saw as an abomination to godliness.   Yet, something happened – actually, a couple things happened.   First, he repented of his ways and converted to Christianity.   Now, while that is neat, it isn’t the most impressive thing … that is reserved for God’s grace saving him.   Rather than holding Saul accountable for battling God, the Lord forgave him and provided him with the mercy needed for salvation.   The man who would write so eloquently about grace experienced it personally.   Paul would r...

I like thumbing through those “This Day In History” sites and periodically I will find something I’d like to share.  Interestingly, as I was doing that for December 11, I found two diverse events that happened on the same date.  On December 11, 1905 a temperature of 120 in Rivadavia, Argentina was recorded and is believed by some to have set the record high for all of South America.  On December 11, 1932 San Francisco experienced its coldest day on record with a temperature of 27 degrees (and snow).  I don’t know if these factoids are going to change the course of anyone’s life; but I did find it kind of neat that the two extremes happened on the same date.  Now, while these events are conceivable on their own, I believe that together they can lead us to an interesting observation about the nature of God … or maybe, more accurately, the God of nature.  You see, in God’s earthly creation, He spun into existence a planet that had two hemispheres.  The no...

What are we looking for in life?  For some, they are looking for the security found in a good job.  For others, they are searching for something that will make them famous.  Still others are seeking an adventure that will define their lives.  Yet, the other day I came across a quote that helped put things in perspective.  In his book, The Icarus Agenda, Robert Ludlum observed, “The most precious jewels are not made of stone, but of flesh.”.  In essence, the riches so many people are trying to find aren’t the true riches that are worth being found.  The genuine treasures of life are those that are found in relationships.  We can make money, we can travel the world, we can accomplish incredible things; but, in the end, the things that make life livable are the people we meet along the way.  Centuries ago, a wise man reflected on relationships and observed, “A friend loves as all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)....