Christmas, A time to remember

'"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2)

We realize that Christmas is a holiday established by men; however it is based on the remembrance of the birth of the Christ Child. Christmas has always been a family celebration, which is why it has such appeal to us.

As we look at this scripture which we all know so well, we remember that in the earliest of beginnings, Joseph heard the angel as he appeared to him in a dream (Matthew 1:20), with a message from God. When he realized it was a message from God he knew that he could trust Mary. They were committed to one another as husband and wife, a family, while much of the world would have rejected the situation.

They were also committed to the care for the baby, which God had given them. So in reality, the Christmas is a celebration not just about God sending a Savior, but it's about human love as well.

Did you know that the most popular American song ever written is Irving Berlin's "White Christmas?" The tune is simple, but the message touches the heart. Berlin wrote these words that I'm pretty sure that most of you know by heart: "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, Just like the ones I used to know. Where the tree tops glisten and children listen to hear the sleigh bells in the snow." It brings memories of home and family.

Christmas is about remembering the sacrifice of God who "thought it not a thing to be held onto" to stay in heaven, "but humbled himself and took on the form of a man." Christmas is a time to celebrate family. A time to renew love, celebrate with friends and family that we may not have seen since the last Christmas.

In the celebration of Christmas we see a God who humbles Himself and a young couple who have the most amazing experience at the birth of their son, the king of the universe.

Let me wish each one of you a joyous Christmas and you celebrate the gift of God and the love of family.

Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart

Books by Russ Lawson @ http://www.lulu.com/russlawson

Living Gratefully is sometimes hard

This is the season for "Thanks" here in America, isn't it? Next week we will be celebrating our national holiday of Thanksgiving. People will be gathering all over the country reminding each other of all the things for which they are thankful in their lives.

The problem with that is; that not everyone is in a thankful mood. There are many, many people who have had to deal with tragedy and loss. They are dealing with the loss of family members, the loss of friends, the loss of jobs, the loss of homes, cars, and things that cannot be replaced. Some of us despair over the condition of our county and the loss of moral values in our government and our society in general.

Sometimes it is difficult to "Be Grateful," in general; much less live gratefully all of the time. How do we cope? How do we not read the words of Paul in Philippians 4:4, where he says: "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice," and not, at times, feel resentment?

Are we wrong to feel discouraged? Are we wrong not to go around smiling and laughing all the time? Honestly; I don't think we are wrong for having emotions and feelings which are not always in line with rejoicing. We often see Jesus as he is weighed down with the unbelief of the Jewish nation sorrowing and weeping. If you are human, then sometimes you are going to hurt.

I believe that, even though he wrote the words above, the apostle Paul sometimes had trouble rejoicing "Always". How many times did he chastise those who hurt the cause of Christ? How often did he warn that judgment is coming to those who fail to hold onto their faith and serve Satan? Really, do you think he rejoiced in doing that? I don't!

I believe that the point Paul was making is that we must never lose sight of the promise of our hope in the future. Yes, sometimes it's difficult to rejoice or to be thankful, but that is only until we remind ourselves that this world is only temporary and that all loses on earth don't really matter eternally. Our live is more than just the daily grind, pain and loss we suffer here; it is the hope for the future in which we rejoice! When I remember that, I honestly can rejoice always (or in all ways), because I remember the eternal promise of God.

TOLERANCE AND GOD

We are living in a very difficult time in our world. We live in a world where tolerance is often demanded by those in our society and our government. One definition of tolerance which I read said, that: "Tolerance is being forced to put up with something with which you disagree" .

Recently in California a law was passed saying that if a boy feels that he was really a girl or a girl feels that she is really a boy; that they must be allowed to use whatever dressing room or shower room they desire in the public schools. In other words a boy may join you daughter in the school showers and you daughter may join the boys in their school shower. Also, a law was passed that said that if your son or daughter had these inclinations that you are forbidden (by law) as a parent to seek counseling for them. This is some folk's idea of what tolerance should be like.

As I consider this I think their idea of tolerance is just plain crazy! It's not unlike the Calvin and Hobbes cartoon which was run not long ago.

Calvin and Hobbes are shown walking through the snow. Hobbes asks: "How are you doing on your New Year's resolutions?"

Calvin replies: "I didn't make any. See, in order to improve oneself, one must have some idea of what's 'good.' That implies certain values. But as we all know, values are relative. Every system of belief is equally valid and we need to tolerate diversity. Virtue isn't 'better' than vice. It's just different."

Hobbes replies: "I don't know if I can tolerate that much tolerance."

Calvin response was: "I refuse to be victimized by notions of virtuous behavior."

That in a nutshell is the problem. People demand tolerance of their ideas based upon the concept that there can be no right or wrong, no good or bad. This flies in the face of all of us who were raised with strong moral and ethical values. Yes, I will readily admit that my values are based upon God's Word, the bible, but then to begin with so were most of the laws of our land.

To declare that there is no true right or wrong, no definable good or bad is ludicrous. There have to be constant's by which we can guide our society or it will crumble around us, which is what I am afraid is beginning to happen. It is like declaring a three egg omelet is good, because it only had one bad egg in it. You can say it is good, but that does not make it so.

We see developing in our country a path, a way that is taking us away from everything that made us a great nation. "The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." (Proverbs 14:11-12, NLT) Is there truly no right or wrong, no good or bad? God say that there is. Notice what he says in Revelation 21:8 "But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars, their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death, (an eternal separation from God)."

Some today are saying, "Who is this God? He's not real! He is only the remnants of an old mystical teaching. Psalms 14:1, tells us: "Only fools say in their hearts, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!" You can be tolerant of evil or you can decide that there really is a right way to live. The choice is yours!

MY CURRENT MOST HATED EXPRESSION

Have you ever heard someone say something really dumb? I mean something that indicates that they really haven't thought before they spoke. Here are a couple of examples:

l      "A fellow nurse at my hospital received a call from an anxious woman. 'I'm diabetic and I'm afraid I've had too much sugar today,' she said. 'Are you light-headed?' my colleague asked. 'No," the caller answered, "I'm a brunette.'

l      Here's another dumb statement: "Most cars on our roads have only one occupant, usually the driver." (Carol Malia, Anchorwoman).

OK, we can all read these statements and realize that they were not thought through before they came out of the peoples mouths. Granted these things are just dumb, they have no lasting consequence or importance in the grand scheme of things, but shouldn't we think before we speak?

My current most hated expression is "Oh My God." I am so sick of hearing this pop out of the mouth of almost everyone I meet. It seems that no one can express surprise anymore without misusing the name of God in what they say. You hear it a hundred times a day on television as well as on the radio. We as a people have lost our respect and reverence for the creator of our universe, our Heavenly Father, our God, when we use His name in such a frivolous way.

Have you heard someone casually use the name of our God as a curse, an exclamation of frustration or even surprise? Sure you have, maybe you've done it yourself. That is only a small example of one way we can speak out of habit rather than through thought. Let me encourage you however to start thinking before you speak. There are things that are of more consequence to us than we sometime think! Let me encourage you to say something to those who do this and remind them just who's name they are invoking.

 

Jesus speaking in Matthew 12:35-37 says, "The good man out of his good store gives good things; and the evil man out of his evil store gives evil things. And I say to you that in the day when they are judged, men will have to give an account of every foolish word they have said. For by your words will your righteousness be seen, and by your words you will be judged."

So how about it, how about stopping and thinking before you speak, especially when you are speaking about things that will effect your eternity. After all Jesus said the things that come out of our mouths, are a result of what has been stored up inside of us. Yes, you can say you are sorry for having said something, but wouldn't it have been easier not to have said it at all.

 

Dear Dad

I was in a second hand shop the other day and bought a book, yes a real book printed on paper. I have nothing against electronic books, I have a tablet which lets me read books on it also, but I guess I'm of the generation that still likes to hold a book printed on real paper too.

Anyway, a few days later I started reading the book. As I normally do, I read the front and rear covers and normally check to see what year the book was written, etc. (just a curiosity of mine). While looking the book over I found an inscription in the front of the book and the inscription has more meaning than the book it'self.

In 1993 two children, Rachal and Richard wrote this message (in part) in the cover of the book: "Dear Dad… I read something today that reminded me of you, so here it is… 'A father is strong, yet flexible; wise, yet always learning; a leader, yet serving others.' That's you dad! We love you."

We all dream of having the "Perfect" relationship with our children patterned after some thing we have seen, read or been taught. The problem is that many in our world rarely have that kind of relationship. We have been blessed in our family in the fact that now as adults our children seem to like us pretty well, but it wasn't always that way when they were growing up. There were lots of times when they probably didn't like us very well, maybe even wished they had other parents who were more like their idea of the "Perfect" parents.

That's part of what being a dad is about though, isn't it? A dad is a source of love and protection, but he is also a source of rules and discipline. As the inscription said, "A father is strong, yet flexible; wise, yet always learning; a leader, yet serving others." The Scripture instructs us as parents, to "Train up a child in the way they should go." (Proverbs 22:6), and from experience I can tell you, that's not always easy.

Too often today, it seems that Dad's try and be "Best Friends" to their children, but you can't "Always" be in that place, because God gave you a greater job. Sometimes you have to face up to the fact that there are times while they are growing up, that you kids won't like you very well, but that's how it is suppose to be. Because no one likes to be disciplined, the scripture tells us, "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening, it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." (Hebrews 12:11, NLT)

Now that they are adults our children can appreciate the discipline they had while growing up in our home. Occasionally, I'll even get the "Dear Dad" note or phone call. Those are special and meaningful, but I don't believe they would happen, if I had been less than a "Real Dad" while they were growing up. So, dad's, if you want to change the world, if you want to raise good kids, step up to the place and responsibility God has given you.

And Rachal and Richard, you message is still appreciated, even by a different dad than your own.

Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart

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THE HOT WHEEL'S CRASH….

Yesterday I was reading my diary from a couple of years ago and read about the following incident. I thought perhaps it would be worth sharing my insights…

Well, the grandson was here again today and as is usual, the unusual happens when he is around.

Grandma had to leave for a little while and he has asked me to take him for a walk (translation: you walk with the dog on the leash and I'll ride my hot wheels bike with you trying to keep up). Well that afternoon we did take our walk, got out the Hot Wheels and put on the riding helmet and took off. We enjoyed looking at bugs on the sidewalk and even stopped by his preschool teachers home, but she wasn't home. It wasn't a long walk, just around a large block in the city, so when we got home we stayed outside and let him ride his Hot Wheels on our paved driveway.

The drive has a pretty good slope down to the garage and he enjoys going to the top of hill and coasting back down as fast as he can go. Well, this went well for a few times then he started to get tired and said, "Grandpa, would you push me back up the hill?" Of course I did and that became the routine. He would hold out his feet and I would push him pretty fast (for a grandpa) back up the hill.

Well, one of the times we were going up the hill I saw his feet dip and get mixed up with the tire and the Hot Wheels started to turn over and I stumbled into it and started to fall on top of him and the bike. Without even thinking about it I wrapped my arms around him and the bike and threw myself over on my side and roll over with him and the bike ending up on top. Thankfully he wasn't hurt at all, but for grandpa, that's a different matter. It's not terrible, it's not life threatening, but try skidding on broom finished concrete. I got a couple of scrapes that drew enough blood to get a couple of oohs from Christopher, as well as my back, shoulder, etc. muscles hurting like I was beaten. Christopher told me a kiss from grandma and a Spiderman bandage would make it all better. I however made a quick trip to the pain reliever bottle and waited for grandmother to get back and doctor me.

The question is, "Why did I do that without a moment's hesitation"? The answer is that "I love him more than myself and have no hesitation at taking any pain to prevent his injury. Any similarity between God and me is purely accidental, but the motivation is the same isn't it. The question is "Why did God allow his Son to die on a cross"? Because he would do anything to prevent pain and separation for his people, the human race! "For God so loved the world (people) that he gave his only begotten son that who ever believes on him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

A kiss and a Spiderman Bandage won't take away your sin; it took the sacrifice of a life to do that!

Have you said "Thank You to God lately"?

(Grandpa) Russ Lawson

Memorial Day

 

"Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service." (Wikipedia)

Remembering those who were willing to give their life for you shouldn't take a special day. It shouldn't have to be declared by a government to make it something special. However it seems to be human nature to forget some of the most important events or people. We don't mean to, we have the best intentions, but somehow it just happens that we forget.

Jesus knew human nature and understood our weaknesses. That's why he instituted things in his church such as "Communion" or "The Lord's Supper". He knew that although we have the best intentions, we would eventually forget his sacrifice, unless we were constantly reminded.

In Mathew 26:26-28 we read, "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (KJV)

The apostle Paul explains it in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 in this way, "For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people, an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it."

I encourage you to celebrate Memorial Day. Celebrate the day that remembers those of our military who were willing to die that you might live free. But more than that, I encourage you to meet with your church, partake of Communion and remember the one who died that you might live free eternally.

Mother's Day - The Gift

Gifts are sometimes not thought out before they are given. A report this past week said that Mother's Day gifts are much harder to find (or purchase) than Father's Day gifts. Harder, in the fact that they take more thought to find an appropriate gift. Another survey said that most people spend between $40 and $100 on Mother's Day gifts, whereas Father's Day gifts are typically between $15 and $25.

 

Understand I'm not complaining in any way shape or form, I'm just trying to make the point that it's sometimes hard to find the perfect gift. I'm reminded of a gift box we one time received while working as Missionaries in Kenya, East Africa. Some good friends wanted to do something special for us and fixed us up a special box. They wrote us about it and kept check with us to see if we had received it, but wouldn't say what it was. It took over 6 months for the box to arrive (you never know if you will actually receive a box from America or not, but we did.)

When the box arrived, I commented that it looked like an elephant has stepped on it. With great anticipation we opened the box and found a gallon can of Tapioca pudding (one of my favorites) and a bag of Mikesell's Potato Chips (crisps) from our home state in Ohio (one of my wife's favorites) and a couple of bags of chocolate.

Can you imagine a box, six months in transit with a gallon can of Tapioca and a plastic bag of potato chips and chocolate (which had set in the hot sun in a shipping container in the docks in Africa looked like when we opened it? Actually the can made it through pretty well with only some minor rust, the potato chips were now potato dust and crumbs and the chocolate was large lumps (rolled in potato chip dust).

Do you want to guess our reaction? We were thrilled to get a box from home. We enjoyed the stale potato chip crumbs and used some of them in cooking, we ate the chocolate anyway and opened the can and ate the Tapioca pudding. We rejoiced that these dear friends had remembered us in the far away foreign land and had sent their love in the form of a battered box.

All of this is to say, with gifts, it really is the thought that counts! Love is shared, not in things, not from spending money, but in remembering to let the one you love know that you love them!

Mother's, we children and husbands sometimes stumble on that point, but know that you are loved and appreciated for all you were and are in our lives!

Some of the foundation principals in relationships is found in 1 Corinthians 13:7, where we read: "Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance". (NLT)

New Ideas!

New Ideas always are a problem, whether in our homes or in our churches. Understand I am someone who is very skeptical about change, but I embrace it when I am convinced it is (1) in keeping with the guidelines found in God's Word and (2) it will really benefit God's Church.

Not all ideas are good ideas, just because they are new, nor are they of necessity bad, just because they are new. I got a chuckle out of the following story about embracing change:

      The elderly priest, speaking to the younger priest, said, "It was a good idea to replace the first four pews with plush theater seats. It worked. The front of the church fills first."

      The young priest nodded, and the old one continued, "And you told me a little more beat to the music would bring young people back to church, so I supported you when you brought in that rock' n' roll gospel choir. We are packed to the balcony."

"Thank you, Father," answered the young priest, "I am pleased you are open to the new ideas of youth."

"However," said the elderly priest, "I'm afraid you've gone too far with the drive-through confessional."

"But, Father," protested the young priest, "my confessions have nearly doubled since I began that!"

"I know, son," replied the old man, "but that flashing neon sign, 'Toot 'n' Tell or Go to Hell,' is just not staying on the church roof."

It is a blessing for us that God did not give us directions on everything we do. Yes, he did allow us some leeway on how we do some things. I'm not saying that we change the doctrine of the church or God's plan of Salvation, or our worship as outlined in God's Word. But we shouldn't be afraid to embrace new ways of doing the old things.

I know that some of us don't like change, yet there are some who like new things and change. There is nothing wrong with that. God made us different. If you don't like change I'm sorry, but the world in which we live is constantly changing.

We continue to try and improve our facilities; we are trying to complement our worship and bible study periods with a new sound system and coming soon a new projector system. A new way of presenting the message, but we are not changing the message. I can remember preachers hanging white sheets behind the pulpit with a bible message printed on it, we don't do that anymore. We found a better way. In years past we often knocked doors and passed out flyers about our church. Now we mail bible study material and information about our church into 2,000 homes around our building. We have a website with sermons you can listen to in your own home. We have email contacts, etc. in other words, we have changed, but the message hasn't and I like that! I kind of even like the idea of the flashing neon sign on top of the building…. Well, maybe even I'm not quite ready for that much change.

Tragedy

By Now you have heard or read thousands of word and seen countless replays and commentaries on the bombings in Boston this week. Yet with all of those words, the one word we have read and heard most often is the word "Tragedy". I'm sure that each of us as Americans has the greatest sympathy and pain in our hearts for those involved in this tragic event, I know our house has sorrowed for them and prayed for them.

The word "tragedy" simply means "a disastrous event"; how disastrous depends upon which side of the tragedy you are on!

These bombings were a tragedy in several ways. First, to those who were killed and injured. Almost nothing can affect our lives more than the death of one we love or our own injury or the injury of one we love. It has the ability to take away dreams for the future if we allow it. It sometimes hardens our hearts and fills them with a sense of hate or despair. For those of us who did not have someone we knew personally killed or injured in the bombings it can instill anger and outrage against the ones who did these terrible things.

Secondly, it is a tragedy that someone thought so little of the lives of innocent people to plan and carry out such a horrific attack. It is the sign of a mind that is sick and twisted with sin. Satan has been extremely successful it causing hate in the heart of the ones who planted those bombs and I'm afraid he is successful in getting hate to rise in the hearts of many of God's people. I readily admit that I have no sympathy for the ones who brought about this terrible attack. I desire justice to be rendered upon them to the full extent of our laws!

That of course is the human side of me speaking. I demand justice for others, those who steal, rob, car jack, sell drugs, murder, injure others or any number of other things which break our laws or the laws of God. At the same time I tend to avoid thinking of all of the times that I break God's Law. I depend upon His Grace rather than justice.

The other side of me, the side that tries to be more like God, remembers a murderer by the name of Paul that God chose to use. This man turned his life around and became one of the greatest teachers and evangelist in Christian history. He wrote of God's purpose and his life in 1 Timothy 1:15 where he said: "This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and I am the worst of them all".

At times I really don't know which side of me is the strongest. Maybe it's like the old parable that says, "the side that wins is the side you feed". How about you, which side are  you feeding?

Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart

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Doubt

Do you ever have doubts about your life or perhaps about your faith? I think we all do at one point or another in our lives. Not that we doubt God or his ability, but many times we doubt ourselves and whether or not we are really pleasing to God.

In David Heller's book, Dear God: Children's Letters to God. He has recorded many insights from children, such as:

"Dear God, What do you do with families that don't have much faith? There's a family on the next block like that. I don't want to get them in trouble, so I can't say who. See you in church. Alexis (age 10)

Dear God, I have doubts about you sometimes. Sometimes I really believe. Like when I was four and I hurt my arm and you healed it up fast. But my question is, if you could do this why don't you stop all the bad in the world? Like war. Like diseases. Like famine; Like drugs; and there are problems in other people's neighborhoods, too. I'll try to believe more. Ian (age 10)"

Doesn't that sound like us? Sometimes we really believe, but we have our doubts sometimes, don't we?

One of the problems is that we look at those around us and think, "I wish I could be like them". "I wish I could have their faith". But what we don't realize if that they are thinking the same thing about us. We don't have the ability to see into their hearts and minds and know how often others (just like us) doubt themselves.

In Mark 9:20-24 we see a perfect example of doubt and faith concerning a father and son possessed by and evil spirit, in need and their relationship to Jesus. We read, "So they brought the boy (to Jesus). But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. "How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father. He replied, "Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can." "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes."  The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" (NLT)

Doesn't that sound exactly like us at times? I know it sounds like me! I do believe, but at times it doesn't seem like enough. I just don't know if I can make it through this life with the amount of faith I have or if I can really be pleasing to God.

In Mark, Jesus understood the problem of the father's faith and did what was necessary to help. Do you think he is any less understanding with us? No, he is caring and compassionate and wants everyone to be saved 2 Peter 3: 9.

Dear God, I believe, but help me in the times of my weakness to overcome my unbelief.

Jesus - Our Savior

This past week one of the news stories which stood out to me was the teacher who had students write the name of Jesus on a piece of paper, then told them to put it on the floor and stomp on it. Our world has lost the understanding of who Jesus is and what his purpose is. He is the Savior of all mankind.

What or who do you trust to save you? I for one have never understood the mentality of the folks who want to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel or some other way. It just makes no sense to me to put your life at risk for no good reason.

After reading about a number of those people who have gone over Niagara Falls I noticed one thing they all had in common. None of them expected to die! All of them had some idea of protecting themselves from the dangers of going over that powerful water fall.

One of these dare devils was Robert Overacted, a 39 year old man challenged the mighty Horseshoe Falls on October 1st 1995. He planed this stunt for months, he checked and rechecked all of he figures and plans. He planned on riding on a single jet ski until he reached the brink of the Falls. There he would deploy a rocket propelled parachute, which would help him land in the River below the Falls to allow for a rescue.

Overacker launched himself into the Niagara River upstream of the falls. At the brink of the falls, Overacker ignited the rocket which deployed the parachute as planned. Unfortunately, as the parachute deployed it did him no good at all, because Overacker, he had forgotten to attach the parachute to his body.

To me that was a perfect, howbeit sad, example of what will happen if we trust in men or man made things to save us rather than Jesus. One of the most powerful testimonies about Jesus is found in Matthew 1:21 where the angel says of the coming birth of the Savior, "And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Many today live dangerous lives, going through life with nothing to protect them or save them from what really counts. Until they (and we) join ourselves to Jesus, we are just as near death as Robert Overacker. You may think you have it all together and are safe, but are you really?

This week our world celebrates Easter, which traditionally is a remembrance of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus. It's not about Easter Bunnies or colored eggs, it's about remembering the one who can save us from our sins.

Russ Lawson

Leaving Sin Behind

Getting away from sin and temptation is probably one of the most difficult things we have to do as Christians. Through the years people have tried many ways. They have tried starting private communities where only believers are allowed. Some have joined monasteries, in hopes of escaping sin, but the results are always somewhat mixed, because Satan is not easily foiled. He fights for our souls and far too often makes himself look attractive to us.

We often handle sin like the children in a story reported in the news paper awhile back. It seems that a mother of eight in Darlington, Maryland had been visiting next door. When she came home and went into the living room, she saw her 5 youngest children huddled in the center of the floor, on her new carpet, very much involved with something wiggly and squirmy. As she got closer she saw, to her horror, that the children were gathered around a family of skunks. She screamed, "Run, children, run!"  Hearing their mother's frantic scream, each child grabbed a skunk and ran.

Sadly this story is often a reflection of our lives. We may have some very troubling things in our lives, yet, try as we may, we can't seem to run away from them, we just take them along with us.

I Peter 5:8-9a tells us, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith."

This passage tells us, rather than running off and carrying Satan or temptation with us we should stand firm against him! Another translation says to "resist" him. Being able to succeed in staying away from temptation is not accomplished by walling ourselves up in a monastery, but is taking the fight to Satan that keep us free. Matthew 16:18 tells us that when we fight with the knowledge of God in us, the gates of hell itself will not be able to stand against us.

So, you have a choice, grab you skunk and run or stand up and be counted as you join with your brothers and sisters in Christ in the army of God to overcome Satan.

Increasing Security

We have had a problem at our church building for the past few years, which seems to be getting worse instead of better. Folks are leaving doors to different parts of the facility unlocked. It varies by days of the week and times of the day. We speculate that folks just don't remember to lock up after themselves when they leave, but it makes you wonder if there is something more sinister going on. Could someone outside of our members have gotten a key?

There is no denying that security has become a major concern in our world today. Each of us tends to be a little more cautious with our personal security. We make sure we lock our cars and our homes; we install alarms (and try to remember to set them). We are told that in our community, crime has risen by 14% in the past few months, (mainly breaking into homes).

I understand, from those who are suppose to know, that no matter how hard you try and secure your stuff, there are always weaknesses in your preparations. Someone who is an experienced thief will find those weaknesses and exploit them to get you stuff if they really want it.

What are we to do? What can you do, when you've done everything you can to secure your stuff or even your own safety and it's not enough? Who do you trust in then?

As a Christian you know the answer already, you trust in God.

I love the story about Thomas Edison when a fire completely destroyed his research facility. His son found him watching the blaze destroy everything he had created. Rather than dwelling upon the destruction he told his son, "Go and get your mother, she'll never see another fire like this as long as she lives." 

He of course picked up the pieces of his life and laboratories and went on to invent even more wonderful things.

In Matthew 6:19-21 we read: "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (NLT)

Maybe we need to stop and ask ourselves, "Just what is it in this world in which I really trust?" In Matthew 28:20, after giving directions as to what he expects his followers to do, he makes this promise: "And be sure of this: I am with you always". (NLT) I will continue to trust in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth (Ephesians 3:15).

GETTING IT WRONG

Have you ever done something and realized (sometimes immediately) that you made the wrong decision? Most probably you have, I think it is part of being human.

Sometimes the bad decisions are obvious, glaring things that stand out for all to see, sometimes, they are things of which only you are aware.

I started thinking about this when I read an article that told that bubble pack was originally marked at wall paper. I honestly can't see how they ever thought that would work, but then I'm looking at it from a background that says, "bubble pack is used to pack stuff."

As I do a quick review of my life, I can quickly find many things that I made the wrong decisions about. Now, I could dwell on those things and worry about them and let them control my life and make me miserable, but I'm not going to do that. I choose to focus on the good stuff.

I've known some folks in my life, who have done nothing but remember their wrong decisions. They worry about them to the point that they come to believe that they have no worth; no value even to God. How could God possibly forgive them if they can't forgive themselves?

If you are a fan of the Anne of Green Gables books and movies, you may remember one scene where Anne comments that "Everyday is brand new, free of mistakes." What a wonderful concept and one that is so true.

In 1 John 1: 8-9 we read, "If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." (NLT)

Honestly, this is my favorite (at least one of them) scripture in the Bible. In this scripture we find hope when we make the wrong decisions. We find promise that we can start over fresh with each new day. What does it take? Admitting we messed up and believing what God says, when he says he will "cleanse" us.

It seems sometimes that I work overtime at getting it wrong in my life; I think the wrong things, say the wrong things and do the wrong things. But our God "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins."

You see, it's God's love that brings us forgiveness when we get it wrong in life; it's our responsibility to accept that forgiveness and get on with living for him.

Often Communicate We Don't Well!

When we lived in Africa we tried, (emphasis on tried) to learn the languages of the local people. We were successful to a limited extent, but we understood that often we spoke as a small child might as we tried to communicate.

 

You probably noted that the title of this article is somewhat mixed up, but what is the best way to say what I am trying to say? (1) Often communicate we don't well, (2) We don't communicated well, often, (3) or, Far too often we fail to communicate clearly?

Our world is in a huge transition in communication at the present. Things are in flux, or undergoing changes, which it always has since time began. Admittedly, those of us of "the mature generation," may have more difficulty than those who are younger in adapting to the transition. Personally, I still have refused to embrace "text messages,"
"chat rooms" and such (I'm still stuck on emails and blogs). I understand that makes me quite "Old Fashioned" and out of touch in some folks minds. I know that I will eventually be dragged into the modern world if text messages, but honestly, I don't want to spend that much time learning a new language (text shorthand). I can envision being involved in something like the following incident.

It seems that on a cold winter day a husband received this text message from his wife: "Windows frozen." Having had to deal with the problem of the windows in his car being frozen shut in the past he replied with a text message that said: "pour some lukewarm water over it." A short while later his wife sent him another text message that read, "Now the computer is really messed up."

How we communicate with one another is important, whether we do it face to face, by text, email or over the telephone. Through the years I have made my fair share of mistakes in trying to communicate, but failed in the trying. Thankfully, those with whom I "miss communicate," have been very forgiving.

Where am I going with this? The goal of these thoughts is to cause you to consider how we communicate with God. We can't email or text message God, it takes a real heart to heart conversation to communicate with him. There are no short cuts, no abbreviations, no way to get around talking with him and expressing our love, our thanks and the needs of our heart.

I understand that for some folks, all they know is some prayer they have been taught to repeat. They really don't know how to think freely and communicate from the heart with God. It's really not that hard if we stop and think about what God tells us he wants from us in His Word. You say, "I don't know how to pray." God speaking though his servant Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."  (NLT)

It's a simple process, pray for and about everything. Share like you are sharing with your best friend. Tell God what we need and thank him for all he has done, tell him what is going on in you life, about your struggles and your successes. Communication doesn't get any easier than that.

Books by Russ Lawson @ http://www.lulu.com/russlawson