Planing for the Future

Everyone you talk with has plans, or most do anyway. I talked to an out of state friend today and we ended up talking about our plans. We are going to do things, go places, keep appointments, talk with others, visit, phone, text, email, attend or something of the sort at all times.

Being a minister, perhaps I am more to inclined to ask than others, "how important are those plans," and "do you clearly understand what your plans mean to your life?"

I love the humorous story of a new young minister. He felt he needed to challenge his congregation to plan on doing one big thing for the coming year. As he thought about it, he walked into the auditorium and noticed, as he had often before that it was dark and dreary. The idea came to him that perhaps he could unite the church behind the idea of buying a chandelier to hang in the middle of the meeting hall.

He spent the next several days preparing his sermon. On Sunday morning he spent twenty minutes telling the congregation how great it would be to have a chandelier,  He chandeliered this and he chandeliered that and finished his sermon with a big pitch for funds with which to buy a glorious chandelier.

He really felt he had done well, and people were very complementary of his lesson. But after several weeks he still had heard of no action being taken by the leadership. So, he dropped in on one of the elders for a visit and finally broached the subject of the chandelier and whether they were making plans to raise funds for one.

He was rather surprised by the elder's response: "Oh, we talked about that and decided against it. You see nobody around here knows how to spell that word and even if we got one of them things there's not a soul within a hundred miles who knows how to play one. Besides that we decided what we needed more, are more lights in the meeting hall!"

Well, that's the way it is with some of our plans isn't it. We think that we have thought out all areas of the matter, but when we begin to make plans we find out there were some areas of the problem which we didn't clearly understand. If there is one point I want to make it is that plans for our churches are important, good and necessary! However, plans for our lives are more important!

What is the chandelier in your life? What is it you really want to do or accomplish? Do you really have a clear understanding of it and is it what you really need to bring light to your life? James gives us an important lesson in life in the matter of making plans when he says, "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that, the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining." (James 4:13-15)

If you want more light in your life, you need more of Jesus, not a chandelier! Do any other plans you make really matter?

SANDY HOOK - Jesus Calms the Storm

SANDY HOOK - WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO?

This past week with the national tragedy at Sandy Hook as well as the many personal tragedies which many of you suffer are difficult to deal with. I know that to each of you the shootings were terrible, but I also know that many of you are dealing with heart aches and heart breaks of which few others will know.

We are often torn by feelings of guilt as we see something as terrible as the killing of innocent children and adults. We do mourn for their loss, but feel guilty for mourning for our personal losses. Many in our world have had terrible losses in their lives this past week also, do we forget them or act like they are unimportant because another tragedy seems worse that our own? Of course not, we can't do that, it isn't in our human nature to refuse to grieve just because someone else is grieving.

Sadly our cultures and our media have tried to make one terrible thing seem worse than another, when in reality terrible things that happen are terrible to all who are in involved. I heard a statement a while back that went like this. Someone said about something bad that had happened because of their actions, "It was nothing personal."  The response was, "It was nothing personal to you, it didn't hurt you, but it was plenty personal to me! I was the one who was hurt."

You may be grieving right now and few, if any even know about it. Don't hide your grief just because you think someone may think you are insensitive to what has been termed "a greater tragedy". Don't feel guilty if your personal difficulty or tragedy affects you more than the stories coming of Sandy Hook.

We can have the greatest sympathy for the families of those who lost loved ones, but often our personal pain tops that and because of that we feel guilty. Don't! Don't feel guilty, mourn as you need and give comfort as you are able, that's all God expects of you.

What do you do when there is nothing you can do? You share your pain and your hurt with others to let them help bear that burden. Paul urges Christians in Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." And in Galatians 6:2, "Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."

So, I urge you to pray for those who have suffered this great loss and turn your own cares over to God. Peter urges us in 1 Peter 5:6-7, "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

THOUGHTS ON THE MAYAN CALENDAR

I saw a headline today that said, "The world is going to end, guess we can all stop flossing."  The article started in this way, "The world will come to an end in just four days, and that's a huge relief because it means we can all finally stop flossing. I doubt your dental health is going to dramatically change before 12/21/12. You can also stop taking out the trash and paying all your bills."

Of course this is based upon an interpretation of the Mayan Calendar that says the world will end this Friday (if you are reading this later you know this was wrong). This interpretation is not like the Y2K days where much of the world was afraid of some catastrophe on January 1, 2000.  Those who anticipated that happening, prepared for the worst, while those who believe in the Mayan Calendar just want to stop doing anything.

Why pay bills, why send Christmas cards, why be nice to co-workers when (and if) the world ends on Friday? People stop living for the future because they don't think they have one!

This is not a new problem, we see something quite similar in the city of Thessalonica, (located in modern day Greece) somewhere around 60 AC. The Apostle Paul had been there and introduced them to Christ. He made a tremendous impression upon the people and many became Christians. They took to heart the message of the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior as well as the message that he is coming again to gather the faithful to him. In the first letter to the Thessalonians (4:13f) Paul specifically teaching about what will happen when Christ returns. He encouraged them to keep looking for Christ's return as if it could happen at anytime in Chapter 5.

Those who read this believed it and began to prepare for it… somewhat. It appears though that some believed the teaching of Christ's imminent return so strongly, that they just quit living their daily lives or even going to work. They just wanted to set around and pray or read the scriptures because Christ was coming back at anytime and nothing else mattered. That is one of the reasons I believe that Paul penned 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 where he writes: "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some among you who walk disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such, we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that they work with quietness and eat their own bread."

Here is the problem for us today. We need to live our lives as if Christ is going to return today, but live everyday as servants of God, doing our work the best we can do it (as  unto the Lord). Yes, God is coming back some time to claim his own. When? No one knows when, except for God himself, (Matthew 24:36-37).

So, Keep on flossing, keep on going to work, keep on paying your bills, keep on being nice to folks and in general living your life like you will live forever! Because, if you are right with God, you will! Philippians 3:20 tells us, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ

The True Meaning of Christmas

What a great time of the year! Most folks are just a little happier. They decorate their homes; they have more friends and family in to share meals and fellowship. Most give gifts of some kind with someone.  In general, it is a happy if not joyous time of the year.

I realize of course that is not true for everyone, some folks are overwhelmed by the season. The business, the gift buying, the traffic and the expectations are somewhat nerve wracking.

What is the TRUE meaning of Christmas, or does it really have any meaning other than a great big party to our world. I like what Charles Tucker has to say about it. Notice below:

"This time of year we talk about “the True Meaning of Christmas.” OK, I know that Christmas isn’t mentioned in the Bible; Jesus nowhere tells us to observe His birthday. But the fact that Jesus was born into this world to live among us as one of us is indeed at the very center of the gospel. It was “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). We must believe that Jesus was born as a real flesh and blood baby in order to accept that He gave His body and shed His blood on the cross (1 John 1:1-2). Jesus became flesh and blood like us in order to redeem us (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus was Immanuel, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23). Because we connect this time of the year to the story of the birth of Jesus, therein is really the 'True Meaning of Christmas.'"

I agree with Charles. If this season puts Jesus more in the forefront of people's hearts and minds, then it does give a meaning to Christmas, which is truer than any of our other World Holiday's.

No, Christmas isn't in the bible, but Paul tells us in Romans 14:4-6,"Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord’s help, they will do what is right and will receive his approval. In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him."(NLT)

So, Paul tells us that if we want to set aside special days to honor God, then do it, but do it wisely. A day to honor God is not about giving gifts or feasting with friends, it's about remembering our God and what he has given us.

Russ Lawson – Messages From The Heart

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Thanksgiving Thorns

 

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her sandals when she pulled open the florist shop door, against a November gust of wind.

Her life had been as sweet as a spring breeze and then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a "minor" automobile accident stole her joy. This was Thanksgiving week and the time she should have delivered their infant son. She grieved over their loss. Troubles had multiplied. Her husband's company "threatened" to transfer his job to a new location. Her sister had called to say that she could not come for her long awaited holiday visit. THEN! Sandra's friend suggested that Sandra's grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer.

"She has no idea what I'm feeling," thought Sandra with a shudder. "Thanksgiving? Thankful for what?" she wondered. "For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life, but took her child's?"

"Good afternoon, can I help you?" Sandra was startled by the approach of the shop clerk.

"I....I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra. "For Thanksgiving? Do you want the beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the 'Thanksgiving Special'? I'm convinced that flowers tell stories," she continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys 'gratitude' this Thanksgiving?" "Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong." Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the clerk said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you."

Then the bell on the door rang, and the clerk greeted the new customer, "Hi, Barbara...let me get your order."

She excused herself and walked back to a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and what appeared to be long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers. "Do you want these in a box?" asked the clerk. Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers? She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed. "Yes, please," Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again." She said, as she gently tapped her chest. Sandra stammered, "Ahh, that lady just left with, uh....she left with no flowers!" "That's right, said the clerk. "I cut off the flowers. That's the 'Special'. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet." "Oh, come on! You can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that!" exclaimed Sandra. "Barbara came into the shop three years ago, feeling much as you do, today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had just lost her father to cancer; the family business was failing; her son had gotten into drugs; and she was facing major surgery." "That same year I had lost my husband," continued the clerk. "For the first time in my life, I had to spend the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too much debt to allow any travel." "So what did you do?" asked Sandra.

"I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly. "I've always thanked God for the good things in my life and I NEVER questioned Him why those GOOD things happened to me, but when the bad stuff hit, I cried out, "WHY? WHY Me?!" It took time for me to learn that the dark times are important to our faith! I have always enjoyed the 'flowers' of my life but it took the thorns to show me the beauty of God's comfort! You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we're afflicted and from His consolation we learn to comfort others."

Sandra sucked in her breath, as she thought about the thought that her friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is, I don't want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God." Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" the clerk greeted the balding, rotund man. "My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving arrangement...twelve thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.

"Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind telling me why she wants a bouquet that looks like that?" "No...I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago, my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord's grace and guidance, we trudged through problem after problem. The Lord rescued our marriage. Jenny, here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she had learned from "thorny" times. That was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks for what that problem taught us.

As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!" "I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra said to the clerk. "It's all too...fresh."

"Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that the thorns make the roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the thorns." Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on her resentment. "I'll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out. "I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a minute."

"Thank you. What do I owe you?" "Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first."

The card read: My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant."

Praise Him for the roses, thank Him for the thorns.

- Author unknown- via mail1.islandnet.com 

COUNT DOWN TO THANKSGIVING

Our world is always in a rush and tumble state. People are always hurrying to some place of importance. The Thanksgiving Holiday makes it even worse. Air travel and road travel are increased by numbers at which we can only estimate at being "all time highs". Why is that?

Thanksgiving is a traditional American holiday that embodies what our nation is about. It is a time to remember those who first immigrated to the "New World" and planted the first crops, established the first towns and remembering the many that died trying to make this brave new world a reality. Those first Pilgrims came here seeking freedom. Freedom from an oppressive government, freedom to worship as they felt was right without government interference.

Is that really what most of us remember at this time of the year? No, probably not. What is it that drives people to go to extremes to be "home" for Thanksgiving? What is it that caused them to drive days on end for thousands of miles? What is it that causes them to stand in lines at airports, to endure layovers and cramped quarters in a cylinder hurtling through the air? What is it that causes them to chance being stranded by bad weather in some strange place while traveling, still far from home?

It seems that for most of us it is a time of reminiscing about times gone by. It is a time of remembering family gatherings of the past and looking forward to sharing more of the same. It is about smiling, laughing and sharing. It is about renewing and sharing our love with others, and yes it is a time of food. But the food itself is a reminder, a remembrance of times shared together in the past. It is about love! Love for family and friends.

Yes, I know that sometimes family (and friends) can be trying. The relationships sometime require sacrifices that are difficult, but then it is the "love" part that motivates us to make that sacrifice.

Perhaps Paul's words from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 tell us what it is all about: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (NIV)

So, am I saying that our Thanksgiving Holiday is ultimately about love? Yes, of course it is, if it weren’t there would be no thanksgiving!

To all of my readers let me say, I am thankful for you! Many of you are separated from physical family (as are we) this holiday, but then we are family are we not. Joined in Christ, brothers and sisters and I rejoice that God has brought us together.

I MOURN YET LIVE IN HOPE

My heart is so heavy with the thought of an ungodly man in the place of leadership of our country once again. I mourn for the disaster that is coming on our country and for the loss and suffering which our children and grandchildren will face because of this election, for the murder of unborn millions and perhaps the forced deaths of many of us as we age.

Perhaps God is using him to chastise and humble our nation and through the coming four years to cause people's hearts to be open once again to Him. I don't know what God's plan is for us, but I believe he is still in charge of our world. Still I mourn for the loss of the things and freedoms we had when growing up, which our children and grandchildren may never now experience. I mourn for those who will go hungry and be cold and continue to loose their homes and jobs. I mourn for those who are now and will be forced to live by the grace of government programs, because they cannot support themselves or care for their families.

I know that it is hard not to loose heart at times like this, but having our hope centered on something greater and more lasting is what gives us the ability to continue on in this world.

Paul's words in Romans 8:35-39 reminds us of the hope we have in Christ.

"35  Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

36  (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)

37  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

39  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NLT)

Russ Lawson