Reminded Again

Can I make a confession?   Ok, here goes…

Some days I don’t feel very creative. I sit and stare at the computer screen trying to think of something to write. Something that will teach, encourage, inspire, or captivate the thoughts of a listener or reader.   So here I sit – a blank screen in front of me – and as I sit a long lost memory comes to mind. (I suspect it is a nudging from God.) 

Years ago, as I was “shaking out” folks after church, I greeted a fellow who had been a Bible college professor and preacher for years. Having him present was always intimidating, after all he can read a Greek bible. So I said something to him along the lines of doubting if my message had taught him anything or done much to help deepen his faith.  And he agreed – it hadn’t!

But he was okay with that. Because, according to him, most who come to church on Sunday know quite a bit about the teachings of scripture. Many have attended for years. So, to him the role of the preacher was to remind, encourage, and help folks see in a new light what they already know.    

In his second letter, Peter reminds readers that God has given them everything needed to live a godly life. And then he challenges believers to make every effort to live well by adding moral excellence to faith, then adding knowledge, then self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and finally to add a love for everyone.

No surprises. Stuff we already know - right?!?!

But then he wrote this: “Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught.”  2 Peter 1:12 (NLT)

Peter dedicated his life to teaching and re-teaching believers. So taking a cue from Peter (and with the encouragement of a friend), here a few reminders:

·         Stay faithful and true to Christ! (Hebrews 10:23)

·         Spend time in the Word! (2 Timothy 2:15)

·         Keep on praying! (1 Thessalonians  5:16-17)

·         Help others know Jesus! (2 Corinthians 5:11)

·         Keep your faith alive by doing! (James 2:26)

·         Encourage others! (Hebrews 10:24)

·         Attend every possible worship service! (Hebrews 10:25)

·         Excel in giving! (2 Corinthians 8:7)

·         Guard your thought life! (Philippians 4:8)

The list is not exhaustive, but I encourage you to ponder it carefully. It contains no new “news” or surprises. It is simply a re-teaching, a re-encouragement, and a re-reminder. But if we truly believe that God inspired the words to be written - and that the great men and women of our faith taught these things over and over - maybe we should make every effort to live in manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ!!!

Reminded to remind,

Ron

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Blessed Beyond I Deserve

For the last six years I’ve regularly donated blood. I have a few simple reasons for giving: 1) blood is needed, 2) it is an easy way to serve and be salt and light in the community, 3) my blood test is the only test I’ve taken and gotten a “grade” of A+, and, 4) to honor my mother-in-law, Edna Mae Joy, who was a faithful donor who gave gallons in her lifetime.

This past Friday I had an opportunity to give a pint of my A+ blood. As it happened the blood drive was in honor of Kevin Coffey. Four years ago Kevin died in Syracuse, NY, following a bus accident while on a trip to Toronto, Canada. He was from Manhattan, Kansas and was a 19 year old sophomore honors student at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

Kevin was an Eagle Scout and giving blood was one of his passions. So, his parents and friends have “Kept the Drive Alive” by holding yearly blood drives in Kevin’s honor in Manhattan and at Temple University.

After giving blood, and waiting the prescribed amount of time, and of course downing a couple of cookies, I got up to leave. On my way out I passed a table where Ray Coffey (Kevin’s dad) was standing. Ray was handing out “Keep the Drive Alive” t-shirts to those who had donated.  Ray was also encouraging donors to place an entry into a drawing for a chance to win a Bill Snyder autographed football, 2 tickets to a McCain performance on December 19, or a gift certificate to the Olive Garden Restaurant (as I recall).

I never win these things, but who could pass up a free drawing!?!?!

So I filled out a sheet of paper with my name and number on one side and on the other side I put an “X” in the box indicating that I wanted a chance to win the autographed football.

While filling out my form another fellow came up to the table. Ray gave him a t-shirt and asked him if he wanted to enter the drawing too.

When he saw the prizes, I heard him mention that December 19 was his wedding anniversary and his wife would love to go to a show to celebrate. I thought that was pretty cool – this guy was thinking of his wife and of celebrating his marriage to her. (I wonder if Sharon would like a football, hmmm…)

So, I told him I thought what he was doing was cool and so I was going to mark an “X” on the back of my drawing ticket for the McCain performance and that if I won I’d give him the tickets. So we exchanged business cards. My sentiment counted for something, so I left feeling good. I never gave the drawing another thought – after all, I never win these things.

This morning I got a call from Ray Coffey. Guess what – I won. Ray told me I had a choice between the football and the tickets. Great!  Kind of.  Which do I pick? Do you know how many times I’ve tried to win a Bill Snyder autographed football!?!? 

I wanted the football. But I had promised the tickets. Which would you choose?  That guy would never know I won – would he?

So, I told Ray I really wanted the football, but I also wanted to die with integrity so I probably ought to take the tickets. Then Ray had an idea. He said something about being on the McCain board and that he knew there were still tickets available for that performance. So, if I wanted to buy a couple of tickets I could have the football and die with integrity!

“Well, how much are the tickets?” I asked. “I’m not sure. But I’ll check and call you back.” Ray replied. Perfect!  A few minutes later the phone rang again. It was Ray. “You just won the football.” he said. He went on to explain that he told the story to the director of McCain. The director thought it was a cool story and told Ray that he’d like to give him two complimentary tickets to give to me, so that I could give them to the anniversary couple!  How cool is that!

This evening I called Justin and told him the story. When I told him that I wanted the football, he said something about that I should take it. He thought he was letting me “off the hook” on my promise. But then I told him there was more to the story. When he heard the rest he was ecstatic (me too!).

The end of the story?  Not yet…

This morning, about two hours before Ray called to tell me that I was a winner, I did my daily scripture reading and journaling. I read from Matthew chapter 17 through 19. In chapter 19, Matthew recounts a time that Jesus was approached by rich man who wanted to know how to get into heaven. “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

Jesus told him that he needed to follow the commandments. “Which ones?” the rich man asked. And so Jesus listed off a few. “I’ve followed those. What else do I need to do?” was the reply. So then Jesus gave him the hard stuff – sell all you have, give it to the poor, and then follow me.

The rich man went away sad because “…it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”  Jesus taught a bit more and then Peter spoke up, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”

Jesus’ reply contained the verses that caught my eye and made it into my journal this morning. Matthew 19:29-30 (NLT) – “Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

I then wrote the following thoughts on these verses…  “God is noticing what we do on behalf of Him and what we do for ourselves. When we sacrifice something that was ‘ours’ for Him, He notices. But He does more than notice. He keeps track and He blesses the giver beyond the gift. So, live with an eternal perspective. What I have is really best used for His purposes. Father this is Your day and I am Yours too. Today I want to spend the day with You.”

Today I won a football. But more importantly I made a couple of friends named Ray and Justin. And more important still, I got a living color lesson on how God is active and working in our lives.

These verses spoke to me before I headed out into the day, but I honestly didn’t connect the dots between this scripture and the day’s events until I began writing down these thoughts this evening.

But God’s Word is alive! It does apply to life! It teaches! It corrects! It encourages! It informs! It directs!

This scripture lesson (and others from earlier in life) must have lodged somewhere. So I gave. And, because I gave I was given too. I considered someone ahead of myself. And, I’m convinced that because I did, God – through others, chose to bless me. And in blessing me, He made His Word come alive in my life. And because it came alive in my life, I’m more driven and excited to absorb and apply His Word further!

   

Today, several were blessed (Ray, Justin and I – hopefully you too as you read this). Could this be the hundred times blessing that Jesus mentioned?  Why not!

God blesses those who live for Him. Even blessing a fellow like me – who really wanted to hang on to what I wanted – but in the end opted for doing what was right and God honoring.

Jesus encouraged His students, who had given up so much to follow Him, with a promise that God was taking notice of what they were doing. And God would bless them beyond their wildest imaginations and on top of that they would also receive eternal life!  Jesus didn’t say when those blessings would be given, so I suppose they could be given in this life and/or in eternity. Who knows, maybe He will even give them today.

Live to give. You can’t keep more than He can give you.

Blessed beyond I deserve,

Ron

Selected to Serve

The letter started with, “You are hereby notified that you have been selected to serve as a prospective juror and you are therefore commanded to report to the Riley County Courthouse…”  I’ve been eligible to serve for 36 years and this is the first time I have gotten this far into the process.

I feel strongly about doing my part in the community, so I was excited about the opportunity. Except for a couple of things.

The dates for the trial were a concern, because they fell in a busy time for me.  But I resolved to make it work.  And then, there was one other little thing about the letter that struck a bit of a sour note for me. It was a word in the first sentence: “commanded.”  Really?  Commanded?  It seemed a bit harsh. All they had to do was ask – I’m more than willing to help. Isn’t everyone?  :)

They could have written, “We need your help with an upcoming trial, so please come to the courthouse on 11/17/2014. We look forward to meeting you. Thank you in advance for helping us out.”  But then again, I suppose experience has taught them that stronger “encouragement” is needed.

On the night before Jesus died, He got up from the table and grabbed a basin of water and a towel. And then He washed every dirty foot in the room – even the feet that were going to betray Him in a few short moments.

After washing their feet, He put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing?   You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am.   And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.   I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. (John 13:12-15)

The Son of God, left a throne, to come and serve – to offer an example that encourages and commands us to follow His lead.  We have been selected to serve!

Today, in my daily scripture reading I read the following verse, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” (1 Cor. 12:7)   Moments before reading, a friend had invited me out to his house – I needed some air for a low tire. He had the air compressor and tire gauge I lacked, so he checked and filled all four of my tires.

Today I witnessed Jesus’ example and Paul’s encouragement!

Friends, “…don’t get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Gal. 6:9)   Be excited to follow Christ’s lead. Take what He has given you and use it to help someone else. Serve with joy – not out of duty!

Selected to Serve,

Ron

The Rest of the Story

The rest of the story…

Last month I shared about the fence post that I had thought had “sprouted”. But, upon closer examination I found that the post wasn’t alive. Instead another tree was growing up alongside it. I was disappointed, but my disappointment quickly gave way to curiosity.

What kind of tree was this and who could I ask to learn more? The answer was simple – ask the Kansas Forest Service! So I sent an email with a brief description of the tree, its leaves, and berries, along with an attached photo and in a couple of days an answer was received. The answer was... ‘Hmmm… I’m not sure what kind of tree this is.’

Fortunately, my contact at the Forest Service had a friend who served as their ‘tree lifeline’ when stumped (pun intended). So my email was forwarded to a local county extension agent. Again it was a couple of days before an answer was received. This time there was an identification, but I was left incredulous. Time for a second opinion!

So I sent yet another email and picture to a county extension agent in a neighboring county. And again, in a couple of days an answer was received. He agreed with the first agent – ‘Looks like poison ivy to me.’ Now, I’ve spent my fair share of time tromping around in the woods and have never seen a poison ivy tree. Everyone knows that poison ivy grows as a vine.

Doubt gave birth to more research... and sure enough, sometimes poison ivy grows up to be a small tree. (I’m still glad I didn’t grab a few leaves to use in the identification process!!!)

My poison ivy tree got me to thinking… Jesus once said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15     There are so many things in life that fetch our attention, draw us in close, and don’t reveal their true nature until it is too late and we’ve been infected with ‘poison.’

Thoughts of ‘everyone is doing it’, ‘go for the gusto’, or ‘to each his own’ seem innocent at first, but if taken too far they inject their poison in the heart of man. A seemingly innocent decision can send us down a dangerous path: a drink may soon lead to others, a movie late at night and all alone in his/her apartment may put one in a dicey spot, or, a simple climb up the corporate ladder may push faith and family to the backburner. It's impossible to list all of the potential dangers, but suffice it to say the list would be long. So how can we stay out of harms way?

Jesus explained how to recognize threats before it is too late, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:16-20

If you wonder if a thought or philosophy has merit? Examine its fruit. If you wonder if an activity glorifies Christ and edifies man? Examine the fruit. We are called to be careful, aware, and diligent. So, inspect the fruit before consuming it!

Living carefully,

Ron

Clinging to Him

Disclaimer: What you are about to read may be a repeat. If so, I apologize in advance. But the other day I passed by something that I first noticed in 2008, and it is still “cool” to me so I’m risking a second telling.  

I had been driving by this hedge post for years before noticing that it had “sprouted,” but one day it finally caught my eye. I don’t know why it took me so long to spot it - it is so different than other posts in the fence line.

This post is bursting with life. The other posts are old, weathered and bare. One has a future. The others are getting older, more weathered, and less able to hold up a fence. The contrast is stark.

But a closer examination revealed the truth - this post hadn’t sprouted after all! It was just as old, weathered and bare as every other post in the fence line. What appeared to be a sprout was in reality another tree which had grown up around the post and at some point had even been wired in place by the guy who owned the fence.

A hedge post serves to illustrate the truth in what Jesus once said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." (John 15:1-6, NIV)

Every hedge post has the same story. Each one started as a branch on a tree, was trimmed from that tree, “planted” in the fence row, made to hold three strands of barbed wire, and would never again produce leaves and fruit. Fate was sealed the day the branch became a post.

As Christians we are no different than branches on a hedge tree. According to Jesus, He is the vine (tree) and we are the branches. And like branches, if we stay connected to the Source of Life, pursue an ever deepening relationship with Him, and surrender our life to Him, we will live and produce fruit that pleases the Gardener. But if we disconnect, like lifeless posts we wither away in unfruitfulness.

So, from one branch to another… We both know that each day brings opportunities to disconnect. Each day our resolve to cling to our Savior is tested. Each day presents trials and challenges that distract and discourage. So I encourage and implore you – stay connected to the Vine along with other branches that also cling to the Source of Life. Life today, tomorrow, and for eternity depends upon staying with Him!

Clinging to Him,

Ron

Following His Lead

To say I know what I am doing is a stretch…

About two years ago I met a fellow who quickly became a friend. Dave loves to fix and collect cars and before long his hobby began sounding good. A year ago, I found my first car (a ’50 Studebaker). This “beauty” served James Eichman and his family for years, but it hadn’t seen the road for a long time (1959).

The car (“James”) is currently with an out of town friend who is working on get it running again. When he’s done, I’ll have… how do I say this... a “unique driver” that will still need a lot of work. In the meantime, Dave and I have been removing pieces from another “parts” car to eventually install on “James.”

On Thursday, we set out to remove the speedometer. Since I’m a rookie, Dave was under the dash. I was his “tool hander.” Now, in 1950 cars weren’t as complicated as they are today, yet they still had a maze of wires, lights, gauges, and hoses under the dash!   I handed tools as Dave spent a couple of hours removing trim and gauges but time ran out on us – just too many things were in the way.

On Friday, Dave and I traveled to check on “James” without a replacement speedometer. And there on the workbench was “James’” speedometer – the replacement suddenly became more important. So on Monday, I headed under the dash – alone this time – Dave was busy.  After 20 minutes of struggle I had a speedometer in my hands. Fifteen minutes later the trim and gauges were re-installed.  

So how could a novice like me pull off what a veteran hadn’t done?    Simple.

I had the benefit of an example. With an identical speedometer already on the workbench, I was able to get a close look. Screws that had been impossible to see before, were now easy to locate. I also had the added benefit of watching as Dave removed the trim and gauges – making their re-installation easier (and possible!).

This experience highlighted the value of example.

On the night before Jesus died, He shocked His disciples by getting up from the table and washing their feet. It was a task reserved for the lowest, yet Jesus, obviously the greatest around the table, did the washing.

^{John 13:12-15 (NLT)} After washing their feet, He put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing?  You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am.  And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.  I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

This lesson was so well learned that it became a lesson taught and lived.  

O Morrowville Christian Church family, imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2, modified for emphasis)

We have the benefit of example. We aren’t pioneering. He has shown us how to love and serve. He has charged us with following His lead. And, He has surrounded us with people to care for and about.  So, let’s do it!!!

Following His Lead,

Ron

Producing for Him

For the last few years I’ve attempted to raise a garden. I say “attempted” because it has proven to be quite a challenge for a guy with Brown thumbs.

In an effort to have success this year I decided to change things a bit. In the past my garden was bigger than I could handle, so I cut down the size of the plot. I also set it up so that watering could be done more efficiently. Efforts that would surely produce more vegetables.

I worked the ground early and had a beautiful seedbed ready to receive my seeds and plants. Plenty of early rain brought the seedlings up and helped them grow. This year was going to be different!

But eventually the rain stopped coming and summer temps began rising.

A busy life kept me away from the garden for a while, but a couple of days ago I finally went out to dig some potatoes and pick some beans. But I was greeted with an unhappy sight. My beautiful garden and the early rains were yielding a bumper biomass… but it was an inedible one.  Weeds! 

Worse yet, I had planted six rows of potatoes and seven rows of beans and my yield was a 5-gallon bucket full of potatoes and enough beans for two meals. Nuts!   I got little of what I wanted and way more of what I didn’t want!

So instead of harvesting - my time was spent weeding. And as I weeded I was thinking, “This is not what I had in mind.”

Then it occurred to me that God probably pondered the same thought too.  After all, when He created the world all was good – for a while. But perfection ended all too soon – “weeds” of sin began to grow – and they choked out the anticipated fruit. Was this what He had in mind?

My thoughts went to what God might be thinking of me and the results to-date in my life. When He goes out to the “garden” does He find an inedible biomass or much anticipated fruit?  I couldn’t bear the thought that He might say of the produce of my life, “This is not what I had in mind!”

We have all been called, as John the Baptist said to the Pharisees, “To bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” When we plant a garden we expect it to produce fruit. God created us. And, if we allow and accept it, He plants His mercy, grace and forgiveness in us. He then expects good fruit from us.

There is great news for those who have accepted God’s gifts.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.”  John 15:5, 16a 

We’ve just celebrated 125 years as a church. Our theme for this celebration was “May all who come behind us find us faithful.”  Simple edits would make that theme, “May God, and all who come behind us, find us fruitful!”

I don’t want to be a weed patch!  So, I’m thankful that if I stay close – attached – to the Vine, I can produce the fruit He had in mind when He “planted” me. And I look forward to someday hearing Him say, “Well done! This is what I had in mind!”  I hope you want the same. Together, let’s grow to go and produce His fruit!

Committed to producing for Him - Brown thumbs and all,

Ron