Risky Business?

A story is told of a man who over a span of several months was mentored by a pastor friend and became a Christian. He was married to a loving wife, had several children and became active in the leadership of the church. After several years the pastor was called to another church. A year later he returned to his old church and discovered this same man had left the church, divorced his wife and was living with another woman. When questioned about his behavior, he said he knew he was doing wrong but that God would accept him back whenever he decided to repent. In effect, he was saying to God, “I’m coming to the banquet, just not right now…but please save me a seat.” Read Luke 14:15-24. Would you be willing to take this risk?

Complaining 101

Author Jon Gordon shares these facts about complaining:
*Gallup poll – Negativity and complaining costs the U.S. economy between $250-$300 billion every year in lost productivity.
*Center for Disease Control and Prevention – 90% of doctor visits are stress-related.
*Truejobs.com – #1 cause of office stress is co-workers and their complaining.
*In general, a complaining lifestyle leads to: a decreased life span; increased risk of a heart attack; less energy; more pain and fewer friends.

Scripture has a lot to say about what our attitudes, behavior and speech should be like. And whether we’re at work, school, church or at home, Ephesians 4:29 is a good place to start. Usually we tear others down, so we can be lifted up. However, this verse says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Today, does your speech build others up, according to their needs? Does it benefit those who listen to you?

Guarding Against Greed

A while back I observed the results of a poll of Americans and was startled by its findings to say the least. The question was: What would you do for $10,000,000?

-25% would abandon their entire family
-25% would leave their church
-23% would become a prostitute for a week
-16% would leave their spouse
-10% would withhold testimony and let a murderer go free
-7% would kill a stranger
-3% would put their children up for adoption
-(I wonder, what would I do? – What would you do?)

Greed is a very destructive sin and has been defined as, “The result of the belief that there is no life after death.” In other words, it means we grab what we can, while we can, however we can and hold onto it as hard and as long as we can. This pertains to material things, as well as our selfish attitudes and agendas. Little wonder Jesus says, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

Potluck Casseroles

Charles Spurgeon was a well-known preacher in England and around the world. He also smoked a pipe. One day he passed a tobacco store and read the advertisement, “Smoke the brand that Spurgeon smokes.” When he saw this he was convicted and became aware that his behavior might prove to be an unhealthy hindrance to others and thus reportedly, never smoked again. So, what’s the point? Is it wrong to smoke tobacco? On the other hand, is it right to live on a diet of double cheeseburgers, ice cream and church potluck casseroles? Which is worse for our bodies? Someone once said that smoking won’t keep you out of hell, but it may get you to heaven quicker! Is smoking spiritually wrong or simply physically unhealthy? Think of all the powerful sermons Spurgeon wrote while smoking his pipe in his study.

I think Spurgeon changed his behavior because he understood what Paul meant in Romans 14:19 when he said, “Let us make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” In other words, he realized that his behavior may cause someone else to stumble, so he changed it. (Verses 20-21 are pertinent here as well.) The point is that I am to be so considerate of you that there are times when I must limit my own freedom so that I won't potentially hinder you.

The Running of Roy Regals

On New Years Day, 1929, Georgia Tech was playing California. Late in the second quarter, Roy Regals recovered a fumble for California. In his excitement, he became confused and began running in the wrong direction. After racing 65 yards he was finally tackled by his own player at the California 2 yard line. California attempted to punt from deep in their own end zone, but the kick was blocked and Georgia Tech scored a safety. In the locker room at half time, Roy Regals sat in the corner with his face buried in his hands, crying. The room was silent. The Coach didn’t make his usual halftime speech, but shortly before the team was to take the field for the second half, he said, “The starting team is going back onto the field to begin the second half.” The entire team left the locker room except for Regals, who remained in the corner with his face in his hands. “I can’t do it Coach,” he said. “I can’t play. I ruined the team.” The Coach said, “Get up Regals. The game is only half over. You belong on the field.”

Our spiritual opponent doesn’t want us to know this, but, our game isn’t over yet either. Philippians 3:13-14 reminds us that regardless of the mistakes made in the past, we still have the rest of the game to play. God is willing to forgive the mistakes of the first half…and He expects us to do the same with ourselves and with others.

Water Well Witness

We must be willing to share the peace we have with Christ with others in loving and creative ways. I listened to an Indonesian pastor tell of the time when his church was unjustly shut down by the local Muslim officials. This would now cause a huge problem as the only water well in that small community was located on the church property. What would their response be? If they would withhold water from the other villagers, chaos would erupt. It would be tough but they decided that even though they were unjustly shut down, they would continue to let the local Muslims freely use their water supply. After eight months, the Muslim officials peacefully let them reopen their church. I’m coming to realize more and more that peacemaking is not merely a concept or a doctrine, it’s an activity. It’s not passive, it’s active. It’s not so much something we are, it’s something we do…in our homes, in our work, in all of life. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9)

Third Grade Kickball

I still remember today what recess felt like when I was in the third grade. That year the game was kickball. More pointedly, I remember the awesome red ball we used. It was the kind of ball which was somewhat solid, yet spongy enough that when it hit that sweet spot on your foot, it seemed to soar in the air for a mile. I also vividly remember the classmate who never thought he was out. The play didn’t even have to be close, but regardless, he would dispute the call if he was out. After weeks of this behavior, another classmate and I decided that it was time for us to become the teachers, so we made up our own lesson plan. Thus, 'table-top' technique was applied. This was done very quickly, succinctly and successfully. I engaged the whiner in a conversation while my buddy slowly walked behind him and proceeded to get down on all fours. Once he was in place, I gave a quick shove and watched as he tumbled backwards over my accomplice’s back and onto the ground. We had a good laugh…until he started writhing around on the ground in pain. His cries and groans caught the attention of the teacher on duty and our laughs quickly turned to concern and to that dreaded 'oh, no' feeling. As we weren’t able to go out to recess for a while after this, we realized very quickly that our reactive, aggressive behavior certainly didn’t solve the problem. A peaceful solution wasn’t tried and things only got worse. Remember, "If it's possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18)