Run Toward or Away?

What do you tell someone who has just learned they have an aggressive form of cancer?  Do you have words for someone who just lost a job?  Do you do anything when you hear of the death of a loved one? Does it take a card shower to provoke you into sending a few words of joy to those who celebrate?

When a Sunday School class needs a teacher, does volunteering to lead cross your mind? When you learn that a neighbor has a financial crisis do you reach for your wallet?  When someone needs help planting does your John Deere head that way? When a younger Christian struggles do you, as the more mature one, offer encouragement?

Few things are more fun than seeing something you did not notice before…  

The Philistines had mustered their armies against Israel. Saul countered by assembling the Israelite army. And battle lines were drawn with each army occupying a hillside with a valley in between.

Now, the Philistines had some really big dudes in their army. One of them was named Goliath.  He was over nine feet tall and weighed who knows how much. He was big enough to wear a bronze coat of mail that weighed 125 pounds, carry a spear tipped with an iron head that alone weighed 15 pounds.  

As my dad would say Goliath was “big enough to go bear hunting with a switch.”

Everyday this mountain of a man would come out and taunt Israel. (and I paraphrase) “Hey, why aren’t you coming out to fight? Tell you what, let’s skip the mess of a big battle. You just send out your biggest and baddest and he and I’ll tussle. Winner take all.”

That sounds like a decent idea – if you are a 9’ foot giant – but to the regular Joes in Israel’s army it didn’t sound good at all. So no one stepped forward. Day after day, Goliath stepped forward to embarrass Israel by reissuing his challenge.

As it happened one day a young Israelite lad named David came into the Israelite camp as the giant was bellowing away. David was on an errand for his dad who wanted news from his sons on the front lines. Well, David heard the giant’s challenge and he watched as Israel cowered, issuing nervous glances to one another as if to say, “Not me. You go!”

David was filled with emotion – not fear – but disgust that this giant would defy God’s army. In David’s role of tending his father’s sheep he had experienced challenges from larger foes – fending off lions and bears that attacked to steal lambs from the flock. So David sought permission from King Saul to fight for Israel against the giant Philistine.

Once permission was granted David got his weapons – a slingshot and five smooth stones – and stepped out of the Israelite lines to face the giant. Well, needless to say the ole giant wasn’t impressed.

(Paraphrasing again)  “Is this the best you can do?  Do you come at me with a stick because I’m just a dog!?!?   Come over here boy – and I’ll feed you to the birds!”

To that David said, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!  And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” 1 Samuel 17:45-47

And here is the part of the story I hadn’t taken notice of before…   As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. (1 Samuel 17:48)

Most people run away from a fire – few are willing to run into one. Most run away from those with difficult news or losses. Most pass on opportunities to encourage. Most don’t stick their neck out to help.

If David was one of those who run away, Goliath would probably still be standing there today – a 3100 year old, gray headed giant with a big spear and a bigger mouth. But David was not one of those who run away. David ran toward.

May we take a lesson from him and become people who run toward not away. May we be people who being empowered by Christ, inspired by the faithful, and armed with loving hearts, reach out to those who are facing a giant.

Running Toward,

Ron

If You Love It, Lose It...

“Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.” John 12:25 (NLT)   This verse jumped off the page at me and my thoughts were flooded with questions, the biggest of which were:  What does loving your life in this world look like, and how does caring nothing for it work?  

From the moment I met him, I knew instantly that Tyler was a special young man. Special enough that I once told him that I wished he were triplets because I’ve got two daughters that I’d like to introduce him to.

My first interaction with Tyler was when he approached me after church in July 2013. He had just moved to Manhattan from Ames, Iowa. He had finished an undergraduate degree at Iowa State and was in Manhattan to pursue a graduate degree from Kansas State.

Unlike most students, at the top of his priority list upon arriving in Manhattan was finding a church to attend. And again unlike most, his agenda after church was to find out how to get plugged in and become a part of a church family. I invited him to attend our small group and from there our friendship blossomed.

Caitlin moved to Wamego in August of 2013. They weren’t engaged as of yet, but that was in the works. So she wanted to be close by. Within a year Tyler proposed marriage and in a few days (June 2015) their lives as husband and wife will finally begin.

The other day I told Tyler and Caitlin that I’d be at his apartment at 9am. They were merging two households just prior to their wedding day – by the way this is becoming rare, as the merging of households is more often done without regard to a wedding these days – and they had some things they wanted to give to a single mom who might need some help.

Again unlike many, Tyler understood the plight of a mom who has to raise children on her own. He grew up in a single parent home after his dad had made choices that removed him from the picture. So, Tyler wanted take the duplicates from merging households and give them to a single mom who had a need.

So we spent a couple of hours together loading and unloading. And, later, as I considered the “stuff” in my garage, it hit me…  God had arranged for some of my questions from earlier in the day to be answered.

I had just experienced an example of living without caring for life in this world. Some of the things given away could have been sold. But instead and more important, they were being used to glorify God and bless another.

I have witnessed a life of integrity that shines a spotlight on God’s greatness. And I saw a young man who cared for others by being observant, generous and loving. A young man in his early twenties, and his sweet fiancé brought me a lesson the other day…

“Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.” John 12:25 (NLT)  

Ron

The roof will cover it...

“Don’t worry the roof will cover it…”

On Monday I helped shingle a gazebo that had been given to the city. The shingles on it were well worn and needed to be replaced.  I haven’t shingled often, so I only know enough to be dangerous. With every bit of tar paper, flashing or shingles that I put on I find myself hoping that the roof doesn’t leak. And, every time I crawl onto a roof I hear, “Don’t worry the roof will cover it…”

My dad was a school teacher while I was growing up, consequently summers were “free” for him. He used to say that he got into teaching for three reasons: June, July and August. So, dad would spend that “free” time working another job. One of those summer jobs was working for local carpenter named Delbert Spain. 

Delbert didn’t often turn dad loose on many projects without supervision – after all dad was a teacher not a carpenter. But once in a while dad was directed to tackle something on his own. Later Delbert would come and inspect the work. Well one day dad made a bit of a mess with a project. And all Delbert said was, “Don’t worry the roof will cover it.”  (Delbert had a good reputation, so I suspect he fixed it later, but I don’t recall that part of the story.)

Last week I discovered a plumbing problem at our house. The line to the lagoon was blocked. So we had the line dug up at the point of the blockage and found the reason.

Apparently when the trench was backfilled a rock fell down on the pipe and knocked a couple of holes in it and partially crushed it. “Don’t worry the dirt will cover it.”  I’ve since learned that there are ways of filling in a trench that ensure things like this don’t happen. None of those steps were taken in this case.

In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church he delivered some sobering news to those who attempt to put a roof or dirt over their shortcuts, errors or failures.

Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.  But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.  If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.  But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.   1 Cor. 3:10-15 (NLT)

After five years of use the broken pipe was finally found out, and just like it some of our Kingdom efforts may be revealed for what they are.  But some errors, shortcuts, and failures may remain covered up forever – not!  Eventually God will reveal the truth. Which, by the way, is something that He has known all along.

I’m guessing that most of us wouldn’t knowingly bury an error we created and then sell it to others. We wouldn’t build a building full of mistakes and then hope that the roof will cover it. So let’s take Paul’s encouragement to heart and give nothing short of our best to God. Kingdom work has eternal consequences, it has to be “built” to last.

Ron

In His Way

For the last few years I’ve tried to make it a practice to read from scripture every day. A couple of years ago I began journaling along with my reading. I try to write out a scripture that “jumps out” at me and then write an observation about it, an application for it, and a brief prayer.

Here is my journal entry for March 8…

Scripture: But Moses responded to the Lord, “There are 600,000 foot soldiers here with me, and yet you say, ‘I will give them meat for a whole month!’   Even if we butchered all our flocks and herds, would that satisfy them? Even if we caught all the fish in the sea, would that be enough?”   Then the Lord said to Moses, “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!”  Numbers 11:21-23 NLT

Observation: Months in the desert had the people grumbling about food. We want meat! God heard their complaints about Him and His provision and decided to do something about it. He promised meat – so much meat that it would make them sick of it!

But Moses didn’t see how this could happen. He was thinking that it was something that he’d have to do. Something he’d have to supply. How can we get enough meat to satisfy this hoard?  Moses was limiting God by assuming God’s place.

Application: I am not God, so why do I insist on getting in His way and limiting His power? God is all able, all knowing, all present, all the time. Get out of His way! Quit trying to be in control of everything. Allow Him to do His will. Allow Him to do what only He can do.

Prayer: Father – wow!  I am constantly limiting You. Trying to take control. Trying to do things on my own. Please forgive me for being out of line and in Your way. Please do Your work on, in and through me. I love You Lord!

Humbled by His power and His word,

Ron

What to do when witnessing the amazing

I am not sure what Orville Redenbacher puts in his popcorn…

Our evening snack usually comes out of the microwave. But a couple of evenings ago Sharon broke out the stovetop popcorn popper and the results were amazing. Not because there were few “old maids” (thank you Orville Redenbacher).   And not because it tasted so good – after all butter can make styrofoam peanuts taste good.

So what was so amazing?

My grandson has developed a taste for popcorn. So when I sit down with a bowl of buttery goodness in hand, he comes crawling, pulls himself up, and stands there like a baby bird hoping to be fed. On this particular evening he hit the jackpot because his mom also had a bowl.  Two people to mooch off of…

After consuming quite a bit of popcorn something amazing happened.  This nearly 17 month old boy, who had shown no interest at all in walking, let go of the couch and headed across the room.  Baby’s first steps were a popcorn fueled stroll across the living room!

 

One day the house Jesus was teaching in was full – standing room only – even the doorway was occupied. You couldn’t have stuffed one more inside, but several guys were determined to get in; they were not about to be denied.

One of them was unable to walk, so his friends carried him up on the roof. Once there they removed some of the roofing and then lowered the paralyzed man down on a stretcher.  Jesus saw their faith and was moved to action. “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

Some took offense at what Jesus said, after all it is blasphemy to claim what only God can do. So Jesus challenged them and eventually told the man to “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home.”  A healing that clearly demonstrated an authority to forgive sins.

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” (Mark 2:12, NLT)

What do you do when you are amazed? 

Confession is good for the soul right?  For months we’ve been anticipating a first step and we’ve done what we could to encourage walking, but there was no real interest. So when the stroll finally happened I was truly amazed. So what did I do?  “Wow what did Orville put in that popcorn?”  Really?  The popcorn was responsible?

Did you notice what the stunned onlookers did when they were amazed?   They praised God!  

Everyday life unrolls amazing things for us to experience, enjoy and live.  These things ought to catch our attention, inform our faith, and inspire us to celebrate God. God is the author of the truly amazing. “Sing to the Lord; praise His name. Each day proclaim the good news that He saves. Publish His glorious deeds among the nations.  Tell everyone about the amazing things He does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!” Ps. 96:2-4a

Amazed and crediting God,

Ron

Do You Hear?

Have you ever been near a helicopter when it is taking off or landing?  The word that describes them best is – loud!  

This past week we spent a couple of days in Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Samuel, our #2 grandson, was there for surgery and his room was on the second floor, four floors below the landing pad on the roof.

When helicopters came in to land – well, you couldn’t miss it. The windows shook and any conversation that was going on had to wait until the maneuver was over.  During the night after his surgery, seven helicopters came in – and each time, folks that were trying to sleep were awakened.  Several others landed during the day, which got me wondering if this was a normal occurrence. (I imagine it is because Children’s Mercy takes the region’s most difficult pediatric cases.)

Did I mention that the helicopters were loud?  You can’t miss the “chop, chop, chop.”  But if you listen carefully, there is more you can hear.  It’s almost inaudible, but if you try you can make out the muffled whimpering of the child on board. A child that has been an accident of some kind, or has suffered serious burns, or is in need of some other emergency care.

In the distance, sometimes many miles away, you can make out the roar of a car as parents rush to be at their child’s side. It’s off in the distance, but it is coming closer.  Inside the car is louder still, as a mother weeps and a father tries to comfort.

Like helicopters, life can be so loud.  Do you only hear the “chop, chop, chop”, or do you hear more?

One day Jesus approached an insignificant little village called Nain. “His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession—a woman’s only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother.” (Luke 7:12-15, The Message)

A large crowd was following Jesus into the village as a large funeral procession was coming out. It would not have been a quiet scene as excitement mingled with deep grief and despair.  Yet over all the voices, Jesus heard the cries of a mother. He saw the pain of one who had lost her husband, and now had lost her only son, and with him, her hope. Her heart broke His.

Jesus noticed.

Some 2,000 years later not much has changed.  The sounds of life still collide as joy still mingles with sadness.  Like Jesus, we can notice too – if we try.

Listen closely – and hear those muffled cries. Look carefully at the crowd – and see the one who is hurting. Spot the broken hearts in the chaos of life – and then touch like Jesus.

Chop, chop,

Ron

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

---