Monday, August 25, 2008

51-0

Our perspective on the things that life throws us typically brings about one of two results…it’s either life-giving or life-draining. The way we choose look at life often determines whether we have joy or despair. It’s something like what Coach John McKay of USC said to his team after they had been humiliated 51-0 by Notre Dame. McKay came into the locker room and saw a group of beaten, worn-out and thoroughly depressed young football players who were not accustomed to losing. He stood up on a bench and said, "Men, let’s keep this in perspective. There are 800 million people in China who don’t even know this game was played." That’s what you call perspective! Coach McKay provided another way to look at a tough loss. In effect, he turned a potential pity party into a thought-provoking win-win scenario. Paul did a similar thing in Philippians 1:21 where he says, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He was able to boldly say this because he didn't fear feath. Instead, he fully understood that his physical death was not an ending, but rather the beginning point of where true living begins! Today, what in your life is frustrating you? Where might you need to ask Him to help you change your perspective?

Monday, August 18, 2008

Jogger Shot in City Park

A while back I had some time off from my church responsibilities so I went with my wife to a conference she was attending. As she spent time during the day at her seminars and workshops, I explored every bookstore I could find and enjoyed the miles of walking trails that this city offered. When I told my wife what I had planned to do, she responded by reminding me to “…please be careful.” I smiled and playfully made a sarcastic remark. She smiled back and sincerely stated, “honey, I just want you to be safe.” One day then, after walking several miles, I stopped for lunch a nearby café. As I picked up the local paper, I got chills as I read the headline, ‘Jogger shot in city park.’ I instantly felt uneasy and vulnerable. Very quickly, my wife’s prophetic words echoed in my mind. I realized that she hadn’t been lecturing me, she simply wanted me to be safe in an unfamiliar place. I got the point! Ezekiel 34:23-31 speaks of things that will happen to ‘sheep’ who remain in the right pasture. They will have protection, provision, be blessed, be rescued, live in peace, and will be kept safe. None of these, however, are promised to those sheep who are enticed and wander away to reside in other pastures. In the unfamiliar places in our lives, let’s remember to do all we can to remain safe, alert and under the care of the right voices and the right shepherd.

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Unopened Door

A bride and groom spent their wedding night in the bridal suite of an elegant hotel. As usual, everything ran late and by the time they arrived, they were exhausted. Upon entering their luxurious suite, they were surprised to find only a sofa, some chairs and a table, but no bed. Fortunately, the sofa was a hide-a-bed, but like most it had saggy springs and a lumpy mattress. At that late hour, they were too tired to complain and thus spent a terrible night on a terrible excuse for a bed. Early the next morning, they marched down to the front desk and demanded an explanation for their dilemma. Listening calmly, the manager asked, "Did you open every door in the room?" After calming down themselves, they returned to their room and discovered that the door they assumed was a closet was, in fact, the way into a beautifully furnished bedroom, complete with a heart-shaped jacuzzi and complimentary flowers and chocolates. What they had desired was there all along, they simply had to choose to open the right door. The management had everything in place as promised, the couple just became too impatient and too demanding too quick. Let's be careful not to do the same with our Proprietor.

Monday, August 4, 2008

The Burning Hut

The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed and prayed for God to rescue him, but to no avail. He eventually built a little hut to sleep in and to protect him from the elements. One day after he was out looking for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened! He was angry and in disbelief. Later that day, however, he saw a ship approaching the island, coming to rescue him. With excitement he splashed out into the water to meet his rescuers and shouted out "How’d you know I was here?" They replied, "We saw your smoke signal."

It’s easy to get discouraged when tragedy strikes. But never lose heart or hope. Remember this... The next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be the very thing that will rescue you! Scripture says, “Now, for a little while, you have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Christ is revealed.” (I Peter 1:6-7)