Monday, September 29, 2008

Grumpy Old Men

There were two grumpy men in a nursing home who had argued for years. One became ill and thought he was on his deathbed, so he called for the other man and said, “John, I’ve been thinking about our relationship. I’m willing to forgive you for what you have said and done against me over the years, and I’d love if you’d do the same for me.” With tears in his eyes, John agreed that he too would like to forgive and be forgiven. Then his friend in bed said, “But if I get better, this doesn’t count!” Oh, how we love to be in control over life’s circumstances. We plan the agenda and freely call the shots. And sadly, at times, we even treat God with the same kind of conditions and in the same way this elderly man treated his friend. Today, is your relationship with God one-sided? Do you serve Him on your terms and conditions? May we all see the uselessness of such a stance and may we instead, rely fully on his Spirit to work in and through us.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Your Spiritual Gift

The story is told of the wealthy Texan who was in the habit of giving his father unique gifts every father’s day. One year it was hang-gliding lessons. The year before it was the entire record collection of Slim Whitman’s Hits, autographed by the singer himself. But this past year he had outdone himself. He purchased a rare kind of South American bird, called the translator. This bird could speak five languages and sing the “Yellow Rose of Texas” in any key while standing on one foot. The talented bird cost ten thousand dollars, but he felt it was worth every penny. This would be the father’s day gift his dad would never forget. A week after Father’s Day he called his father. “Dad, how did you like the bird?” His father responded, “It was delicious.” Scripture states how “…each of us has been given a spiritual gift.” (I Cor. 12:4) Today, have you opened your gift and are you using it as the Giver intended it to be used?

Monday, September 15, 2008

Below the Water Line

Gordon MacDonald tells the story of how the Brooklyn Bridge remains a major transportation artery in New York City today, because over 100 years ago, the chief engineer and his construction team did their most patient and daring work where no one could see it…on the foundations of the towers below the water line. It is one more illustration of an ageless principle in life: the work done below the water line will determine whether what we do will stand the test of time. Spiritually, this work is called worship, devotion and a variety of spiritual disciplines. It's done in quiet, where no one but God sees. Think about it. We may be blessed with great natural skills and charisma but remain vulnerable to a collapse in our character, our key relationships and our ministries if we’ve never learned that we can’t build above the water line until there is a substantial foundation below it. A re-read of the life of Moses is a great example of this. This man spent 80 years preparing for his more visible work. MacDonald goes on to say that the test of a person is less what we accomplish before 45 years of age and more what happens after. He calls it sustainability. The key is to last and grow stronger, wiser and more focused with the years. In Ephesians 2:19-20, Paul writes, “You are God’s people and members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Is your trust in your “foundation” strong enough to sustain you? Is what you’re building today, being built to last? Is Jesus Christ solidified as the immovable, primary cornerstone in your life?

Monday, September 8, 2008

Spiritual Spectators

A few years ago one of our boys ran on the youth cross-country team. Our family often went to the meets and noticed that the same thing happened at the end of every race. When the runners were finished, they’d gulp down water. Think for a minute of the funny looks I would have gotten if, as a spectator, I was standing there chugging the water. The runners were the ones who had been generating a thirst and naturally were thirstier than any spectator would’ve been. They had worked hard and deserved the refreshment. In life, when we’re only spectators, we quickly get out of shape and become lazy and complacent. In doing so, we don’t generate an intense appetite for food or a strong thirst for water within our bodies. It’s only when we have a true passion, a yearning, and a goal in mind that we will stretch ourselves, go the extra mile and become hungry and thirsty. We must simply choose to put on our running shoes and get out on the course. In a similar way, scripture exhorts us to crave the things of God. Peter writes, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). These words aren’t for spiritual spectators, they’re for participants. We are to desire and long for the things of God as intensely as a baby desires milk. To those of us with children, this is a vivid picture. I remember how unsettled and unsatisfied my boys were before they drank the milk and how peaceful and content they were afterward. Are we like this with the things of God? Are we even hungry for him, let alone crave him? A certain peace and contentment will always follow when we drink from his living water.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Three Hours of Fishing

A laid back, southern fisherman worked diligently from 5:00 to 8:00 every morning. After keeping some of his catch for his family, he then sold the remaining fish at the local market until 10:00am and had the rest of the day free to do whatever he pleased. A slick entrepreneur from the city went to the coast on vacation, spotted the fisherman and struck up a conversation. He encouraged him to hire two or three more guys so that more fish could be caught and more money could be made. The fisherman could then put them in charge and hire five to six more men to catch even more fish. Meanwhile, he could travel around and look for other markets to sell the bigger amount of fish they were catching. The city slicker said, “Each year you could double your manpower and within 5 years, you’d only have to work a couple of hours a day.” The country fisherman said with a sly smile and a slow drawl, “Sir, thanks for your concern, but I’m doing that already.” We often hear it said that “more is better” but let’s be careful with wanting more and more money. This temptation can quickly become an obsession. I’ve seen the love of money take over person’s lives and believe me, it can get ugly. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” Contentment is the key. Remember too that more money also means more taxes, more fair-weather “friends” and many more decision-making responsibilities. Money is necessary, but when our “love of money” takes precedence over our “love of God,” it is sin. Today, are you content with what your three hours of fishing nets you?