Feedback 3-3-2004
Today I spent a few hours tinkering with computers. I installed a network card in one of St. Luke’s school computers and I repaired the printer port in another one. Whenever I work with the computer, I find it very rewarding.
I can install a net card, load some software and voilà – it works! That brings a smile to my face and joy in my heart. Sometimes I work on a computer and get frustrated – no matter what I do, the computer will not compute. I have been known to sit for hours trying to get a computer up and running. I try many different solutions, combinations and prayer and then it works – or doesn’t. Sometimes I just have to stop. The reason I enjoy working with computers is that they can give me instant feedback. If I type something wrong, the little red underline alerts me to that fact. If I use improper grammar, the green underline will appear. If I transpose numbers in the IP address, the network will not be found. If I type in the correct IP address, I instantly find all of the network resources. The computer is consistent, predictable and merciless. The computer will always – each and every time – do exactly what I tell it to do – not what I want it to do – not what I wish it would do – not what I think it should do. It keeps a record of all that I do – the good and the bad. It is unyielding.
Contrast the instant feedback of working with the computer with teaching, preaching, or evangelizing. As a Pastor, sermons are written and given; hospital visits are made, prayers prayed, all with the goal of sharing God’s Word of comfort or condemnation. As a teacher, lessons are taught, parent conferences given, prayers prayed, all with the goal of sharing God’s Word of comfort or condemnation. As a Christian, words of hope are shared, acts of kindness performed, lives are lived with the goal of sharing God’s Word of comfort or condemnation. Often our Christian witness can be discouraging, for we seldom see the results. Does what we say or do have an effect?
Ah, but that is my sinful human nature speaking. I selfishly want to see the harvest. I selfishly want to claim the credit for another person coming to faith. I must always remember that it is not what I do, not what I say that works faith – it is the power of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit works faiths; I just share a witness. I thank God that I can share His Word with those around me.
I can install a net card, load some software and voilà – it works! That brings a smile to my face and joy in my heart. Sometimes I work on a computer and get frustrated – no matter what I do, the computer will not compute. I have been known to sit for hours trying to get a computer up and running. I try many different solutions, combinations and prayer and then it works – or doesn’t. Sometimes I just have to stop. The reason I enjoy working with computers is that they can give me instant feedback. If I type something wrong, the little red underline alerts me to that fact. If I use improper grammar, the green underline will appear. If I transpose numbers in the IP address, the network will not be found. If I type in the correct IP address, I instantly find all of the network resources. The computer is consistent, predictable and merciless. The computer will always – each and every time – do exactly what I tell it to do – not what I want it to do – not what I wish it would do – not what I think it should do. It keeps a record of all that I do – the good and the bad. It is unyielding.
Contrast the instant feedback of working with the computer with teaching, preaching, or evangelizing. As a Pastor, sermons are written and given; hospital visits are made, prayers prayed, all with the goal of sharing God’s Word of comfort or condemnation. As a teacher, lessons are taught, parent conferences given, prayers prayed, all with the goal of sharing God’s Word of comfort or condemnation. As a Christian, words of hope are shared, acts of kindness performed, lives are lived with the goal of sharing God’s Word of comfort or condemnation. Often our Christian witness can be discouraging, for we seldom see the results. Does what we say or do have an effect?
Ah, but that is my sinful human nature speaking. I selfishly want to see the harvest. I selfishly want to claim the credit for another person coming to faith. I must always remember that it is not what I do, not what I say that works faith – it is the power of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit works faiths; I just share a witness. I thank God that I can share His Word with those around me.
Thorns 3-10-2004
Have you ever trimmed a rose bush? Have you ever been stuck by rose bush thorns as you trimmed a rose bush? Have you ever worn gloves and still have been stuck by rose bush thorns as you trimmed a rose bush? If you have, you know the feel of sharp intense pain, followed by the dull throbbing of aggravated nerve cells. The feeling is so intense that it becomes the focus of all actions. All productive work is stopped until the pain can be quieted.
Sometimes the pain stops when the thorn is removed. Often the glove must be removed to find the part of the thorn that has lodged in the hand; only when that small piece of thorn is removed will the pain subside. Once in awhile a small piece of thorn or dirt remains behind and becomes infected. An infection requires some form of further pain relief. My Dad’s pain reliever of choice was Jim Beam. A little Jim poured on the open sore will cure most infections. Mom preferred Bactine spray. I prefer a little after-shave – I can smell good while I heal.
It is always fascinating to me how small most of the thorns are. It almost seems as if there is a theorem at work, “The smaller the thorn, the greater the pain.” I can avoid the large thorns, but the smaller thorns grab me with a vengeance.
Is that not the way it is with our lives? We can usually avoid the big thorns of temptations without too much effort. Most of us do not murder, steal, or crave that which is harmful. We can see the big sins and say, “No.” It is all of the little sins that reach out and stab us. We will not murder, but will get angry. We will not steal – cars – but can steal time and little things without a second thought. We will not crave insidious drugs, but will smoke tobacco, eat too much and want to “veg out” on the sofa. All of our pet little sins can be explained, rationalized and justified. They are still harmful. They still condemn us to eternal separation from God.
It is when I look at the blood-soaked face of Christ ringed by His crown of thorns that I am reminded that I am a poor miserable sinner. He suffered the punishment for my sins. It is only through His suffering, death and resurrection that I can claim my place in the Kingdom of Heaven. His thorns were large. His life was perfect. When I am pricked by a rose thorn, I am reminded of just how much Christ did for me – that is very humbling. When I am faced with my sins, I am reminded that Christ paid the price for me – that drives me to my knees in repentance and thankfulness.
I thank God that I can rise each day renewed and restored. I thank God for my opportunities.
Sometimes the pain stops when the thorn is removed. Often the glove must be removed to find the part of the thorn that has lodged in the hand; only when that small piece of thorn is removed will the pain subside. Once in awhile a small piece of thorn or dirt remains behind and becomes infected. An infection requires some form of further pain relief. My Dad’s pain reliever of choice was Jim Beam. A little Jim poured on the open sore will cure most infections. Mom preferred Bactine spray. I prefer a little after-shave – I can smell good while I heal.
It is always fascinating to me how small most of the thorns are. It almost seems as if there is a theorem at work, “The smaller the thorn, the greater the pain.” I can avoid the large thorns, but the smaller thorns grab me with a vengeance.
Is that not the way it is with our lives? We can usually avoid the big thorns of temptations without too much effort. Most of us do not murder, steal, or crave that which is harmful. We can see the big sins and say, “No.” It is all of the little sins that reach out and stab us. We will not murder, but will get angry. We will not steal – cars – but can steal time and little things without a second thought. We will not crave insidious drugs, but will smoke tobacco, eat too much and want to “veg out” on the sofa. All of our pet little sins can be explained, rationalized and justified. They are still harmful. They still condemn us to eternal separation from God.
It is when I look at the blood-soaked face of Christ ringed by His crown of thorns that I am reminded that I am a poor miserable sinner. He suffered the punishment for my sins. It is only through His suffering, death and resurrection that I can claim my place in the Kingdom of Heaven. His thorns were large. His life was perfect. When I am pricked by a rose thorn, I am reminded of just how much Christ did for me – that is very humbling. When I am faced with my sins, I am reminded that Christ paid the price for me – that drives me to my knees in repentance and thankfulness.
I thank God that I can rise each day renewed and restored. I thank God for my opportunities.
Discouraged 3-17-2004
Have you ever felt discouraged, depressed, or otherwise down? It happens. For me it happens around 2:00 A.M. It seems as if my mind is active even when my body is not. My mind works on some problem, some slight, some issue all night. My mind can’t let go. It churns and turns until the body follows. I drag myself out of bed and deposit myself in the recliner. (Problems seem less difficult when one has one’s feet in the air.) I sit and try to recapture what it was that had my mind going.
I have found that all of my concerns and issues stem from one of three major categories: issues with work, concerns with family and my relationship with God.
If I define my worth, my happiness, or myself in terms of my job, I will be disappointed. For no matter how hard I work, no mater how many hours I spend at the job, no matter how much homework I do, I will fail. There will be jobs incomplete, there will be expectations unmet, and there will be times when I fall short. I know before I start that there will be times that I will fail. I do not work for failure. I take every possible precaution to avoid failure, but fail I do. Very rarely will my failure result in a critical problem for my boss. More often my failure causes problems for me and my ability to continue to accomplish that which I would like to accomplish. Even more common are failures that only I consider a failure. These failures are only unmet expectations of my mind alone. I become my harshest critic.
If I define my worth, my happiness, or myself in terms of my family, I will be disappointed. For no matter how much I wish it otherwise, I will disappoint my family and they will disappoint me. Nothing I can do or say now can undo anything I said or did in the past. My past words and actions live in the collective family memory and have the habit of pushing themselves out at every possible opportunity for embarrassment or discouragement. I can be disappointed by the actions of my family. I can be embarrassed by the actions of my family. I can lose sleep over the actions of my family. I cannot change the actions of my family. That is a fact that is hard for me to accept. I want to control, manipulate, and shape the family to my thinking. I set myself up to be knocked down.
If I define my worth, my happiness or myself in terms of my relationship with God, I can never be disappointed. God is faithful. He never wavers. He never allows more than what I can handle. He always provides the window of escape. He answers my prayers – always – in the way that is His Will. If I am disappointed in my relationship with God, it is my problem. I try to mold God in my image. I want God to do what I want, when I want it, in the way I see fit.
At 2:00 A.M. I find it best to read the Bible and be reminded once again of how important I am in God’s sight. God sent His Son to stand in my place of judgment. I am loved with a perfect love that goes beyond anything I can give or receive.
I will continue to be discouraged, depressed or down – that is my sinful nature. I thank God for His great love that builds me up – that is His perfect nature.
I have found that all of my concerns and issues stem from one of three major categories: issues with work, concerns with family and my relationship with God.
If I define my worth, my happiness, or myself in terms of my job, I will be disappointed. For no matter how hard I work, no mater how many hours I spend at the job, no matter how much homework I do, I will fail. There will be jobs incomplete, there will be expectations unmet, and there will be times when I fall short. I know before I start that there will be times that I will fail. I do not work for failure. I take every possible precaution to avoid failure, but fail I do. Very rarely will my failure result in a critical problem for my boss. More often my failure causes problems for me and my ability to continue to accomplish that which I would like to accomplish. Even more common are failures that only I consider a failure. These failures are only unmet expectations of my mind alone. I become my harshest critic.
If I define my worth, my happiness, or myself in terms of my family, I will be disappointed. For no matter how much I wish it otherwise, I will disappoint my family and they will disappoint me. Nothing I can do or say now can undo anything I said or did in the past. My past words and actions live in the collective family memory and have the habit of pushing themselves out at every possible opportunity for embarrassment or discouragement. I can be disappointed by the actions of my family. I can be embarrassed by the actions of my family. I can lose sleep over the actions of my family. I cannot change the actions of my family. That is a fact that is hard for me to accept. I want to control, manipulate, and shape the family to my thinking. I set myself up to be knocked down.
If I define my worth, my happiness or myself in terms of my relationship with God, I can never be disappointed. God is faithful. He never wavers. He never allows more than what I can handle. He always provides the window of escape. He answers my prayers – always – in the way that is His Will. If I am disappointed in my relationship with God, it is my problem. I try to mold God in my image. I want God to do what I want, when I want it, in the way I see fit.
At 2:00 A.M. I find it best to read the Bible and be reminded once again of how important I am in God’s sight. God sent His Son to stand in my place of judgment. I am loved with a perfect love that goes beyond anything I can give or receive.
I will continue to be discouraged, depressed or down – that is my sinful nature. I thank God for His great love that builds me up – that is His perfect nature.
He Knows Our Name 3-24-2004
In 1971 Bunny and I packed up and moved from the Chicago area to New Minden, Illinois. It was a very exciting time for us – we were starting our career together as teachers. Bunny had the Call to teach grades 1-4 and I would teach grades 5-8 at St. John’s Lutheran School. She would be the girls’ coach, I the boys’. We would be Youth group counselors and Sunday school teachers. I would be principal. The only part of the Call we received that we couldn’t perform was to be the church organist. We were apprehensive, nervous and thrilled when we rounded the curve and caught the first glimpse of the church and house that would be our home for the next six years.
Coming from the city, we were not totally prepared for the customs and expectations of a small rural congregation. One of the biggest surprises to us was how much people wanted to meet us. We attended our first church service and were asked to stand outside of the doors. The Board of Education members lined us up, stood by our sides and introduced us to each and every member of the congregation that processed out of the service.
“This is Teacher Cohrs and this is his wife, Bunny,” was repeated over a hundred times as people streamed out of the service.
“This is Teacher Cohrs and this is his wife, Bunny,” over and over again.
After the reception, we were whisked away to dinner. Congregation members made sure we ate well. At dinner that Sunday, Bunny asked the Board of Education Chairman, “What did you hire me to do here?”
“Why, to teach.”
“I worked hard to earn my degree and I am certified to teach.”
“And…”
“And I didn’t go through all of that to be introduced as ‘his wife’.”
The next Sunday as we once again greeted the people outside of the church, the Board of Education introduced us – “This is Teachers Cohrs and this is her husband, Rich.”
Yes, we are unique individuals. We may find our names linked to others. We may be introduced as part of a whole, but each of us has his own separate identity. How comforting that is. God looks at us and knows each one of us – our heart, our mind, our soul. We are special in His sight. He knows our name and will never leave us.
He also sees us through the eyes of Christ and calls us “Saved.” We are His children, born to live with Him forever.
“This is Rich, a child of God, and yes, this is Bunny, a child of God.”
Coming from the city, we were not totally prepared for the customs and expectations of a small rural congregation. One of the biggest surprises to us was how much people wanted to meet us. We attended our first church service and were asked to stand outside of the doors. The Board of Education members lined us up, stood by our sides and introduced us to each and every member of the congregation that processed out of the service.
“This is Teacher Cohrs and this is his wife, Bunny,” was repeated over a hundred times as people streamed out of the service.
“This is Teacher Cohrs and this is his wife, Bunny,” over and over again.
After the reception, we were whisked away to dinner. Congregation members made sure we ate well. At dinner that Sunday, Bunny asked the Board of Education Chairman, “What did you hire me to do here?”
“Why, to teach.”
“I worked hard to earn my degree and I am certified to teach.”
“And…”
“And I didn’t go through all of that to be introduced as ‘his wife’.”
The next Sunday as we once again greeted the people outside of the church, the Board of Education introduced us – “This is Teachers Cohrs and this is her husband, Rich.”
Yes, we are unique individuals. We may find our names linked to others. We may be introduced as part of a whole, but each of us has his own separate identity. How comforting that is. God looks at us and knows each one of us – our heart, our mind, our soul. We are special in His sight. He knows our name and will never leave us.
He also sees us through the eyes of Christ and calls us “Saved.” We are His children, born to live with Him forever.
“This is Rich, a child of God, and yes, this is Bunny, a child of God.”
Happy Easter 3-31-2004
Soon it will be my most favorite day of the year – Easter. This Easter I will awake and greet Bunny with the greeting I have used for the past 35 years – “Happy Easter, Bunny.”
Bunny was born at home with her Aunt serving as the mid-wife. She was very pale when she was presented to her Daddy, but her nose and ears were bright pink. Her father told her mother, “Ruth, she is as cute as a little Bunny.” Her nickname was given. She would get her Social Security card, driver’s license, marriage certificate and insurance as “Arlene,” but “Bunny” is for those who know and love her.
Her name is very special. Whenever I am away from her, I just have to recall her name, Bunny, and she is with me. I can picture her face, hear her voice, and smell her perfume. As long as I recall her name, she is never out of my mind, my memory, my heart.
I, too, have a nickname. I was named Richard after my father. My middle name, Paul, was given me in honor of my Godfather, Uncle Paul. However, I was called “Ricky” from birth until I went to college. It was then that I took “Rich” as my name. However, my family still calls me “Rick” in memory of my childhood. Whenever I hear “Rick,” I am reminded of my Mom and Dad. Whenever I hear “Rich,” I am reminded of my adult life. Whenever I hear “Honey” or “Dear,” I know that Bunny is near.
This Easter I will hear “Rick,” “Rich,” Honey,” “Daddy,” and most importantly, I will hear “My son.” As I kneel at the altar and receive Christ’s body and blood, I will once again be reminded of the most important name I carry – Child of God.
What a glorious name I carry – what a glorious name you carry. I pray that God continues to shower you with His blessings.
(Almost time to declare – He is Risen!)
Bunny was born at home with her Aunt serving as the mid-wife. She was very pale when she was presented to her Daddy, but her nose and ears were bright pink. Her father told her mother, “Ruth, she is as cute as a little Bunny.” Her nickname was given. She would get her Social Security card, driver’s license, marriage certificate and insurance as “Arlene,” but “Bunny” is for those who know and love her.
Her name is very special. Whenever I am away from her, I just have to recall her name, Bunny, and she is with me. I can picture her face, hear her voice, and smell her perfume. As long as I recall her name, she is never out of my mind, my memory, my heart.
I, too, have a nickname. I was named Richard after my father. My middle name, Paul, was given me in honor of my Godfather, Uncle Paul. However, I was called “Ricky” from birth until I went to college. It was then that I took “Rich” as my name. However, my family still calls me “Rick” in memory of my childhood. Whenever I hear “Rick,” I am reminded of my Mom and Dad. Whenever I hear “Rich,” I am reminded of my adult life. Whenever I hear “Honey” or “Dear,” I know that Bunny is near.
This Easter I will hear “Rick,” “Rich,” Honey,” “Daddy,” and most importantly, I will hear “My son.” As I kneel at the altar and receive Christ’s body and blood, I will once again be reminded of the most important name I carry – Child of God.
What a glorious name I carry – what a glorious name you carry. I pray that God continues to shower you with His blessings.
(Almost time to declare – He is Risen!)