Confirmation 8-1-2002
Last Sunday was Confirmation Sunday at the church I attend. Seven young people knelt at the altar and vowed to remain faithful to God. They reaffirmed their Baptism -- the time when water and the Word worked a miracle in their lives. What a joy to see young people so serious about their vows.
Hopefully they will remember their vow in the months and years ahead. It seems that vows today do not have the same importance as they once had. There was a time when a person who took a vow would keep that vow no matter what the circumstances. People would remain faithful to their word. There were no "loopholes," no "wiggle-room," no "small print" that allowed a person to bend or break their vow. We now demand people to put their promises in writing. Why? We are cynical. We have had too many disappointments in our lives. We have had trusted friends promise but not deliver. We have had trusted officials promise and not deliver. We have had family members promise but not deliver.
The media has also desensitized us. We are bombarded with product claims that cause us to doubt. We hear ads for medicines that will cure our ills but it might cause nausea, headache, and (in extreme cases) death. Now that is a product I want. We hear ads for cleaning agents that will clean anything, except the spot on the new tie. We hear we might have already won, but never receive a prize. We are cynical.
As Pastor read the Confirmation verses, I listened to see if anyone would receive mine, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." - Romans 1:16
That verse has been a comfort to me ever since my Confirmation day. It reminds me that I am saved through the power of the Gospel. This is a promise that is true. I can and do count on it. I pray God will give me the strength to keep my vow and know that even if I break my vow, He never breaks His!
Hopefully they will remember their vow in the months and years ahead. It seems that vows today do not have the same importance as they once had. There was a time when a person who took a vow would keep that vow no matter what the circumstances. People would remain faithful to their word. There were no "loopholes," no "wiggle-room," no "small print" that allowed a person to bend or break their vow. We now demand people to put their promises in writing. Why? We are cynical. We have had too many disappointments in our lives. We have had trusted friends promise but not deliver. We have had trusted officials promise and not deliver. We have had family members promise but not deliver.
The media has also desensitized us. We are bombarded with product claims that cause us to doubt. We hear ads for medicines that will cure our ills but it might cause nausea, headache, and (in extreme cases) death. Now that is a product I want. We hear ads for cleaning agents that will clean anything, except the spot on the new tie. We hear we might have already won, but never receive a prize. We are cynical.
As Pastor read the Confirmation verses, I listened to see if anyone would receive mine, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." - Romans 1:16
That verse has been a comfort to me ever since my Confirmation day. It reminds me that I am saved through the power of the Gospel. This is a promise that is true. I can and do count on it. I pray God will give me the strength to keep my vow and know that even if I break my vow, He never breaks His!
Word Play 8-8-2002
I have some very dear friends who send me jokes, stories and other items of interest. I particularly like puns -- they are the lowest form of English humor. I also enjoy word play i.e. "What's TUMS spelled backwards?" (That was a favorite of my Dad's - he would ask me that every time he saw me grab for the TUMS. He would ask the question -- then answer it -- then we would both laugh. Yes, I am easily amused.)
I recently came across some bumper stickers or "sermons in a sentence" that caused me to grin, but also to reflect. I am not really a big fan of bumper sticker theology, but a couple of the sayings did make me think. "You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him," and "The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you," both touched me today.
I see the truth of the first saying in the people that surround me. Most would not have a clue as to the trials and tribulations that some of those around me face daily. Issues such as life-threatening disease, care for elderly parents, children who are facing difficult and serious trials and financial difficulties are just a few of the problems confronting people that I know. Yet these friends are the first to encourage, the first to pray, the first to offer help when I face a difficult time in my life. They are not discouraged -- to a person they rely on God to provide them their daily bread. Their eyes are firmly on their Savior. Their heart trusts. I see the truth of the second saying almost everyday. God does indeed protect me. I also see how God protects those around me. It is a comfort to me that God's Grace is sufficient.
Good news -- the backyard pond is being built even as you read this. Hooray!
“Can it get any better than this?” Yes, only in heaven.
I recently came across some bumper stickers or "sermons in a sentence" that caused me to grin, but also to reflect. I am not really a big fan of bumper sticker theology, but a couple of the sayings did make me think. "You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him," and "The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you," both touched me today.
I see the truth of the first saying in the people that surround me. Most would not have a clue as to the trials and tribulations that some of those around me face daily. Issues such as life-threatening disease, care for elderly parents, children who are facing difficult and serious trials and financial difficulties are just a few of the problems confronting people that I know. Yet these friends are the first to encourage, the first to pray, the first to offer help when I face a difficult time in my life. They are not discouraged -- to a person they rely on God to provide them their daily bread. Their eyes are firmly on their Savior. Their heart trusts. I see the truth of the second saying almost everyday. God does indeed protect me. I also see how God protects those around me. It is a comfort to me that God's Grace is sufficient.
Good news -- the backyard pond is being built even as you read this. Hooray!
“Can it get any better than this?” Yes, only in heaven.
Words and Actions 8-15-2002
I recently received another list of one-sentence sermons. There was one that really hit me. “Watch your step carefully! Everyone else does.”
That saying is true on a number of different levels. When President Clinton first admitted to marijuana use, I was shopping in a market in old Mexico. I came to a booth that was selling T-shirts. One of the T-shirts had a marijuana leaf and a big “M” in the shape of the MacDonald arches. The slogan under the leaf was, “Over 10,000 smoked.” The owner of the shop was wearing a crucifix, so I asked if he was a Christian. He said he was. I then asked him how he could promote such a T-shirt in his shop. His reply was. “Your president did it.”
Yes, everyone does watch what we do.
Every Christian has had a discussion with a non-Christian about the reasons for going to church. How many times have you heard, “If that is the way Christians act, then I don’t want any part of it.” Usually the speaker is referring to a church member who is not matching words and actions. The non-Christian world will watch Christians and usually rejoices when the Christians have troubles.
Every teacher knows exactly what is said at home. The children will repeat what is said at home when they are at school. Every teacher knows what happens at home, for every student will behave at school just like he sees the people at home act. Little eyes watch and little ears hear what mommy and daddy do and say.
Every parent knows what the teacher had to say about the subject. “Teacher says,” becomes a cry that parents tire of quickly. As a teacher I was often reminded that lots of pairs of eyes watched my every movement and heard every word. The challenge I faced as a teacher is to make sure the students remembered the right words and actions.
One of my daily prayers is, “Lord, help me match my actions to my words and my both glorify you.” Do I fail, yes. For that I am sorry. My pride, my arrogance, my anger, my worry, my doubt all show in actions and words. It is then that I rejoice in God’s mercy. He forgives.
That saying is true on a number of different levels. When President Clinton first admitted to marijuana use, I was shopping in a market in old Mexico. I came to a booth that was selling T-shirts. One of the T-shirts had a marijuana leaf and a big “M” in the shape of the MacDonald arches. The slogan under the leaf was, “Over 10,000 smoked.” The owner of the shop was wearing a crucifix, so I asked if he was a Christian. He said he was. I then asked him how he could promote such a T-shirt in his shop. His reply was. “Your president did it.”
Yes, everyone does watch what we do.
Every Christian has had a discussion with a non-Christian about the reasons for going to church. How many times have you heard, “If that is the way Christians act, then I don’t want any part of it.” Usually the speaker is referring to a church member who is not matching words and actions. The non-Christian world will watch Christians and usually rejoices when the Christians have troubles.
Every teacher knows exactly what is said at home. The children will repeat what is said at home when they are at school. Every teacher knows what happens at home, for every student will behave at school just like he sees the people at home act. Little eyes watch and little ears hear what mommy and daddy do and say.
Every parent knows what the teacher had to say about the subject. “Teacher says,” becomes a cry that parents tire of quickly. As a teacher I was often reminded that lots of pairs of eyes watched my every movement and heard every word. The challenge I faced as a teacher is to make sure the students remembered the right words and actions.
One of my daily prayers is, “Lord, help me match my actions to my words and my both glorify you.” Do I fail, yes. For that I am sorry. My pride, my arrogance, my anger, my worry, my doubt all show in actions and words. It is then that I rejoice in God’s mercy. He forgives.
Family 8-22-2002
Today I drove Bunny to the airport so she could fly to Chicago and spend some time with her two sisters. They will be spending time “relaxing, gabbing and sewing” with a few trips to the Mall thrown in for good measure. Due to the number of years between them, this will be the first time that the three of them will have such an extended opportunity to spend time together.
We just returned from Sebewaing, MI, where we spent ten years as teachers, neighbors and friends. It was a joy to visit with church family and colleagues. Our hearts were full when we left.
I cherish and love my family and I cherish and love my church family. Often times I am so very thankful to have caring church family members who listen without speaking, observe without judgment and accept me -- faults and all. With my family spread out all over the United States, sometimes members of my church family are the first responders. They see me, hear me and touch me faster than my family members. I have often sung about being brothers and sisters in Christ. My church family are truly brothers and sisters.
Bunny had her bone scan last Tuesday. The scan is designed to show how the cancer cells are doing. We will not receive the results for a number of weeks. In the meantime, it is life lived in the hand of God. We know that God has great plans for us -- plans to prosper. We hold fast to that promise and know that we are indeed blessed.
I thank God Bunny has the time, energy, and painkillers that allow her to visit with her sisters. I thank God that we had the opportunity to visit with our church family in Michigan. I thank God that He allows me to continue to share with you.
We just returned from Sebewaing, MI, where we spent ten years as teachers, neighbors and friends. It was a joy to visit with church family and colleagues. Our hearts were full when we left.
I cherish and love my family and I cherish and love my church family. Often times I am so very thankful to have caring church family members who listen without speaking, observe without judgment and accept me -- faults and all. With my family spread out all over the United States, sometimes members of my church family are the first responders. They see me, hear me and touch me faster than my family members. I have often sung about being brothers and sisters in Christ. My church family are truly brothers and sisters.
Bunny had her bone scan last Tuesday. The scan is designed to show how the cancer cells are doing. We will not receive the results for a number of weeks. In the meantime, it is life lived in the hand of God. We know that God has great plans for us -- plans to prosper. We hold fast to that promise and know that we are indeed blessed.
I thank God Bunny has the time, energy, and painkillers that allow her to visit with her sisters. I thank God that we had the opportunity to visit with our church family in Michigan. I thank God that He allows me to continue to share with you.
Flowers on the Table 8-29-2002
Flowers on the Table -- I think that is a great name for a book. My mom loved fresh cut flowers. She would never buy them, but she cherished every gift of flowers she received. Dad would give her roses and she would smile. Dad would give her carnations and she would smile. Bunny and I would send her floral arrangements for special days and she would smile. When I was small, I would present her with a bouquet of dandelions and she would smile. Mom’s smile was not the grin of laughter; it was the look of complete contentment and joy. Mom always told us, “I don’t want flowers at my funeral; I want them when I can enjoy them.” When Mom reached the point when it was difficult for her to leave the house, Dad planted flower gardens so that she could sit in her chair and enjoy the color of the blooms. He also made sure the African violets were placed so she could see them. There were very few flowers at Mom’s funeral; she enjoyed them when she was alive.
Bunny enjoys flowers, also. (I think it is a mom thing --all moms love flowers, especially from her children.) I would often remember and send her flowers -- birthdays, anniversaries and holidays were big flower days. Her hospital stays also occasioned flowers from hubby. Her face betrayed her pleasure. After Bunny’s illness, I made a promise to myself that she would always have fresh flowers on her table. It is a small thing, but means so much. I found that flowers from the supermarket have the same effect as flowers from exclusive shops. I can afford the cost and the effort it takes to bring my wife pleasure. It is no big deal. However, for most of our married lives, I made it a big deal. For that I am sorry. For the rest of our time together, it is my goal that she sees flowers on the table or in the garden.
I have often ignored that which would bring joy to those around me. The sad part is that I have often failed to make a witness for Jesus as Savior to those around me. Introducing someone to Jesus is not unlike putting flowers on the table. It is “doable,” not to be reserved for special occasions, and can take many forms. For the rest of my time on earth, I pray that others will be introduced to Christ through me.
Bunny enjoys flowers, also. (I think it is a mom thing --all moms love flowers, especially from her children.) I would often remember and send her flowers -- birthdays, anniversaries and holidays were big flower days. Her hospital stays also occasioned flowers from hubby. Her face betrayed her pleasure. After Bunny’s illness, I made a promise to myself that she would always have fresh flowers on her table. It is a small thing, but means so much. I found that flowers from the supermarket have the same effect as flowers from exclusive shops. I can afford the cost and the effort it takes to bring my wife pleasure. It is no big deal. However, for most of our married lives, I made it a big deal. For that I am sorry. For the rest of our time together, it is my goal that she sees flowers on the table or in the garden.
I have often ignored that which would bring joy to those around me. The sad part is that I have often failed to make a witness for Jesus as Savior to those around me. Introducing someone to Jesus is not unlike putting flowers on the table. It is “doable,” not to be reserved for special occasions, and can take many forms. For the rest of my time on earth, I pray that others will be introduced to Christ through me.
