“Nancy, could we talk about spiritual matters?” I said. “I’m confused; maybe you could help me understand?”
Nancy is a lovely person, displaying the attributes of a wonderful human being. I have heard her praying. She plays blood-of-Jesus hymns; even singing along with her soft melodic voice.
But then I see her tarot cards, she tells me of her affinity to Buddhism, to the Islamic faith and she seems excited that an old friend, a former pastor, converted to Judaism.
I asked Nancy how she reconciles embracing all these faiths. She said: “For me, I believe there are many paths to the same destination.” Meaning heaven.
While all the faiths she mentioned have starkly different, conflicting beliefs; the Christian to Jewish flip-flop seemed especially bizarre. I mentioned scriptural truth from the Book of John: “So Pilate then handed Jesus over to them (Jewish religious leader) to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away. And He bearing His cross . . . they crucified Jesus.”
Then I said, “Nancy how could Jesus be God and Savior to Christians; and a criminal worthy of death on a cross to Jews? How could they both be on the path to the same heaven?”
The Bible talks about people who get drawn into deception: “Because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved.” I am convinced that Nancy loves truth. Her own words revealed this: “Would you be interested in being involved in a Bible study?”
During our conversation, Nancy often said, “For me,” then added her opinion.
For me-- I study the Bible for my truth. Warning! Deception is lurking. It will block you from getting on or attempt to knock you off the true path.
For me, for you—love truth. Love the Bible.
10/15/06
10/7/06
IS THIS PERSON GOD'S MIRACLE?
When the door opened to her compact, abundantly stocked store, Annie warmly welcomed her customer, thinking: “Is this person God’s miracle?” Annie needed a miracle. The store was nearly moneyless with the rent due in a couple days.
Her store, more correctly, as she says, “This is God’s store,” is unique because anyone can walk in, no questions asked, and shop free for clothes, books, toys, small household items, etc.
Annie’s only fund raising effort is the red looks-like-a-child’s-tackle-box attached to the countertop. A note taped near a slot cut into the top says, in English and Spanish: “Donations are used for the rent and utilities.”
No asking, pleading, mailings during the store are seven years. She doesn’t even ask for the hundreds of thousands of items which have been donated to give away. Well actually Annie does fund raising: “I pray to God.”
This month, for the first time, the situation was pressing. Some days the little box contained a few pennies. Other days-- zero.
Annie prayed and with joyful anticipation her faith held firm. And with all her heart, she believed the words of Jesus: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”
Thursday night Annie put the closed sign up. One more day for the store and then the rent would be due. It had been a lean day for donations. Then Annie heard a rap on the door. It was Pastor Jerry from a church two blocks away. He had never been to the store.
Apologizing for his late arrival he handed Annie an envelope and left quickly. Alone again, Annie opened the envelope.
Near tears, Annie held a check for $1000.
She had sought the Kingdom first. God provided—a miracle.
Her store, more correctly, as she says, “This is God’s store,” is unique because anyone can walk in, no questions asked, and shop free for clothes, books, toys, small household items, etc.
Annie’s only fund raising effort is the red looks-like-a-child’s-tackle-box attached to the countertop. A note taped near a slot cut into the top says, in English and Spanish: “Donations are used for the rent and utilities.”
No asking, pleading, mailings during the store are seven years. She doesn’t even ask for the hundreds of thousands of items which have been donated to give away. Well actually Annie does fund raising: “I pray to God.”
This month, for the first time, the situation was pressing. Some days the little box contained a few pennies. Other days-- zero.
Annie prayed and with joyful anticipation her faith held firm. And with all her heart, she believed the words of Jesus: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”
Thursday night Annie put the closed sign up. One more day for the store and then the rent would be due. It had been a lean day for donations. Then Annie heard a rap on the door. It was Pastor Jerry from a church two blocks away. He had never been to the store.
Apologizing for his late arrival he handed Annie an envelope and left quickly. Alone again, Annie opened the envelope.
Near tears, Annie held a check for $1000.
She had sought the Kingdom first. God provided—a miracle.
9/30/06
YOU CALLED GOD AWESOME
Ethan jeered as if I had committed a theological snafu: “You called God awesome.” This was part of my evening meal blessing. With the “amen” barely past my lips, my fourteen-year old nephew gave his editorial.
It was a week long summer gathering at my father-in-law’s lake house. At every evening meal he would stoically nod at me, “You going to pray?” How do you pray when most of the people gathered are not Christians? Especially since others besides Ethan have felt entitled to comment immediately following the prayers’ conclusions.
Now Ethan toned his remark as a question. He never goes to church, so “awesome” relates to his world. He might think about his dad’s new laptop computer, his brother’s two-thousand dollar digital camera, or movie special effects.
So praying: “God, You are awesome,” introduced Ethan to an unfamiliar way of thinking about God.
And he’s probably never read the many biblical references to God like this one out of Deuteronomy. "For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God . . .”
Who can even exactly say what the word “awesome” implies?
How about this from Webster’s Dictionary? “To express a profoundly humble and reverential attitude in the presence of deity; abashed fear inspired by authoritative power.”
Can we even approach the thought of our own littleness set before God—the creator of the universe? Some adjustments need to be made.
It’s simple to call God awesome. Yet someone like Ethan will not connect to our meaning. But what if I, what if you, lived a life reflecting the awesomeness of God?
God, today—help me to cast a glint of who You truly are into my world.
It was a week long summer gathering at my father-in-law’s lake house. At every evening meal he would stoically nod at me, “You going to pray?” How do you pray when most of the people gathered are not Christians? Especially since others besides Ethan have felt entitled to comment immediately following the prayers’ conclusions.
Now Ethan toned his remark as a question. He never goes to church, so “awesome” relates to his world. He might think about his dad’s new laptop computer, his brother’s two-thousand dollar digital camera, or movie special effects.
So praying: “God, You are awesome,” introduced Ethan to an unfamiliar way of thinking about God.
And he’s probably never read the many biblical references to God like this one out of Deuteronomy. "For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God . . .”
Who can even exactly say what the word “awesome” implies?
How about this from Webster’s Dictionary? “To express a profoundly humble and reverential attitude in the presence of deity; abashed fear inspired by authoritative power.”
Can we even approach the thought of our own littleness set before God—the creator of the universe? Some adjustments need to be made.
It’s simple to call God awesome. Yet someone like Ethan will not connect to our meaning. But what if I, what if you, lived a life reflecting the awesomeness of God?
God, today—help me to cast a glint of who You truly are into my world.
9/23/06
HOW DOES MY HAIR LOOK?
“How does my hair look?” Jerry said. I pondered. Louder with added force, he repeated, “How does my hair look?”
I quickly responded, “It looks fine.”
I lied. It looked awful.
I thought: “Why is Jerry concerned about how his hair looks?” His clothes were filthy. He smelled. Facial disfigurement and leg sores covered his bloated body. And he sometimes twitched, coming down from his latest drug binge. Now he was checking in at the gospel mission—again.
The Bible says, “God does not see as man sees. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." It would be difficult to consider that Jerry’s heart was possibly more attractive than his hair.
Jerry has traversed more spiritual mountains and valleys in his thirty years than most people in a lifetime. When he is hot for God; he blazes. When he’s cold; he crashes hard. Through all he knows more scriptures than almost anyone I know—when his mind is clear. And I’ve often thought that we would be ministry partners someday.
But today he was not a pleasant companion. I wondered what would happen if he had one more binge, one more street fight. “Jerry, look at me,” I said. “This may be the last time I see you alive.”
This angered him; practically yelling: “I’m not going to do drugs anymore!”
Was this the real Jerry? What did his heart look like at that instant? I do not know. I need to ask God to forgive me; my eyes were focusing on his outward appearance.
I need to go visit Jerry, changing my attire. As the Bible says—“clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience; bearing with one another . . . forgiving as Christ forgave you . . . beyond all this-- wear love.
I quickly responded, “It looks fine.”
I lied. It looked awful.
I thought: “Why is Jerry concerned about how his hair looks?” His clothes were filthy. He smelled. Facial disfigurement and leg sores covered his bloated body. And he sometimes twitched, coming down from his latest drug binge. Now he was checking in at the gospel mission—again.
The Bible says, “God does not see as man sees. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." It would be difficult to consider that Jerry’s heart was possibly more attractive than his hair.
Jerry has traversed more spiritual mountains and valleys in his thirty years than most people in a lifetime. When he is hot for God; he blazes. When he’s cold; he crashes hard. Through all he knows more scriptures than almost anyone I know—when his mind is clear. And I’ve often thought that we would be ministry partners someday.
But today he was not a pleasant companion. I wondered what would happen if he had one more binge, one more street fight. “Jerry, look at me,” I said. “This may be the last time I see you alive.”
This angered him; practically yelling: “I’m not going to do drugs anymore!”
Was this the real Jerry? What did his heart look like at that instant? I do not know. I need to ask God to forgive me; my eyes were focusing on his outward appearance.
I need to go visit Jerry, changing my attire. As the Bible says—“clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience; bearing with one another . . . forgiving as Christ forgave you . . . beyond all this-- wear love.
9/16/06
MAD FACE
“Show me your mad face,” Armani said.
My wife, Nancy, had just picked him up along with his sister and brother for an evening at our home. This was their first visit. So was eight year old Armani preparing himself for an eventual mad-face encounter?
Nancy caught Armani’s drift and answered him: “My face would look about the same.”
Have you ever wondered: “Does God have a mad face?”
Yes, God has a mad face; He gets angry. Listen to these words from His mouth out of the Book Of Isaiah: “Because of the iniquity, the sin of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him; I hid My face and was angry. And he went on turning away and backsliding in the way of his heart.”
I don’t know what God’s face looked like, but it wasn’t a smiley-face-bumper-sticker moment. Here’s the deal-- don’t fear the face; fear the consequences.
Nancy established grace-filled boundaries; then warned Armani regarding repeated trespasses. “If you don’t do what we tell you to do, my husband will take you back home.” Consquences.
Armani and seven other children were under our care for a cookout and swimming. We did not want anyone getting hurt and we require cordial, peaceful interaction between everyone at our home. All of this is for their benefit. This is the parallel with God. He reacts for our good.
We see this as God continues speaking: “I have seen his ways and will heal him. I will also lead him and restore comforts to him.” Now this is always God’s focus—heal, restore, comfort; draw us back to Himself.
Think you might have seen a mad-faced God? Is it time for a turn around? You are one redemptive prayer away: “Dear God, I’m sorry . . .”
My wife, Nancy, had just picked him up along with his sister and brother for an evening at our home. This was their first visit. So was eight year old Armani preparing himself for an eventual mad-face encounter?
Nancy caught Armani’s drift and answered him: “My face would look about the same.”
Have you ever wondered: “Does God have a mad face?”
Yes, God has a mad face; He gets angry. Listen to these words from His mouth out of the Book Of Isaiah: “Because of the iniquity, the sin of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him; I hid My face and was angry. And he went on turning away and backsliding in the way of his heart.”
I don’t know what God’s face looked like, but it wasn’t a smiley-face-bumper-sticker moment. Here’s the deal-- don’t fear the face; fear the consequences.
Nancy established grace-filled boundaries; then warned Armani regarding repeated trespasses. “If you don’t do what we tell you to do, my husband will take you back home.” Consquences.
Armani and seven other children were under our care for a cookout and swimming. We did not want anyone getting hurt and we require cordial, peaceful interaction between everyone at our home. All of this is for their benefit. This is the parallel with God. He reacts for our good.
We see this as God continues speaking: “I have seen his ways and will heal him. I will also lead him and restore comforts to him.” Now this is always God’s focus—heal, restore, comfort; draw us back to Himself.
Think you might have seen a mad-faced God? Is it time for a turn around? You are one redemptive prayer away: “Dear God, I’m sorry . . .”
9/9/06
GIFTED
“He’s gifted.” It was as if these barely audible words were generated out of own my mind. It was the lady sitting behind me verbalized my exact thoughts.
The setting was a funeral for a twenty-three year old acquaintance. During the open-mike invitation for remarks concerning the deceased, a young man sauntered to the front. He spoke for less than six minutes. I was captivated by the near-poetic cadence of his delivery. He conveyed a message of hope with his compact, engaging use of words. Then he delicately tied a bow on the package, beautifully wrapping up his emotion grabbing tribute.
I’m thinking, “I need to talk to him after the funeral.”
Afterwards I shook the stranger’s hand-- Brock, and spoke of the gifting I saw in him.
As we talked, my brain was connecting to what the Bible says. “Every good and perfect gift comes from above . . .” That’s from God. And this verse is so relevant regarding God’s bestowing of talents upon people.
I was curious: “So Brock what do you do for a living?” He looked at his hands, made joking allusions to his seemingly insignificant factory job. This world needs capable people in these noble positions.
Still, I don’t believe God gifted Brock in communication for this to be his destiny. And he was not using his job as a bridge to his next level. Yes-- it was a pointing-finger challenge: “Brock you need to connect with God.”
Connect with God?
Yes. This “yes” is for everyone.
Look at your hands. Contemplate their astonishing only-God-could-create functions. Likewise He created you. Listen-- “You’re gifted.” Now look to God; connect with God. He’s the gift giver. And may you allow Him to reveal, enhance and activate the special purpose He created you for.
The setting was a funeral for a twenty-three year old acquaintance. During the open-mike invitation for remarks concerning the deceased, a young man sauntered to the front. He spoke for less than six minutes. I was captivated by the near-poetic cadence of his delivery. He conveyed a message of hope with his compact, engaging use of words. Then he delicately tied a bow on the package, beautifully wrapping up his emotion grabbing tribute.
I’m thinking, “I need to talk to him after the funeral.”
Afterwards I shook the stranger’s hand-- Brock, and spoke of the gifting I saw in him.
As we talked, my brain was connecting to what the Bible says. “Every good and perfect gift comes from above . . .” That’s from God. And this verse is so relevant regarding God’s bestowing of talents upon people.
I was curious: “So Brock what do you do for a living?” He looked at his hands, made joking allusions to his seemingly insignificant factory job. This world needs capable people in these noble positions.
Still, I don’t believe God gifted Brock in communication for this to be his destiny. And he was not using his job as a bridge to his next level. Yes-- it was a pointing-finger challenge: “Brock you need to connect with God.”
Connect with God?
Yes. This “yes” is for everyone.
Look at your hands. Contemplate their astonishing only-God-could-create functions. Likewise He created you. Listen-- “You’re gifted.” Now look to God; connect with God. He’s the gift giver. And may you allow Him to reveal, enhance and activate the special purpose He created you for.
9/2/06
SPEED, GOD LOVES YOU.
Is going only five miles over the speed limit really speeding? Well, maybe I was going six over. But Allen and I needed a boost to get to church on time.
Now my friend Allen’s theology is like a road atlas with pages missing. We both know it; we laugh. Once again his words launched a missing-page adventure: “If we make the next light it means God likes us.”
If that was true we needed God to like us for four lights in a row.
Well, God liked us on the first light, according to the Book of Allen 1:1. But I wasn’t converted yet. So I asked: “What about the people going the other way?”
Allen had the answer: “We’ll see who God likes best.”
Second light-- we made it. It’s nice thinking God likes me better. So if Allen’s theory is correct, would that person driving the immaculate Escalade be favored over someone driving a dented van with 186,000 miles? That someone is me. And I just made light number three.
Allen, let’s see if I can correct your theology. Kind of the why-do-red-lights-happen to good people quandary.
There are a lot of slices to this; here’s one. The Bible says: “Don’t despise discipline from the Lord and don’t lose heart when He rebukes you. The person He loves He disciplines.” The Bible parallels this to a caring father disciplining a son he loves.
The Bible goes on to say: “God disciplines us for our good so we may share in His holiness.”
Encountering red lights in your life? Could it be you are experiencing God’s love? Could it be God desiring for you to experience more of His holiness? The Bible says, “God changes us from glory to glory.” Want to experience Godly life change?
Expect red lights. Godspeed.
Now my friend Allen’s theology is like a road atlas with pages missing. We both know it; we laugh. Once again his words launched a missing-page adventure: “If we make the next light it means God likes us.”
If that was true we needed God to like us for four lights in a row.
Well, God liked us on the first light, according to the Book of Allen 1:1. But I wasn’t converted yet. So I asked: “What about the people going the other way?”
Allen had the answer: “We’ll see who God likes best.”
Second light-- we made it. It’s nice thinking God likes me better. So if Allen’s theory is correct, would that person driving the immaculate Escalade be favored over someone driving a dented van with 186,000 miles? That someone is me. And I just made light number three.
Allen, let’s see if I can correct your theology. Kind of the why-do-red-lights-happen to good people quandary.
There are a lot of slices to this; here’s one. The Bible says: “Don’t despise discipline from the Lord and don’t lose heart when He rebukes you. The person He loves He disciplines.” The Bible parallels this to a caring father disciplining a son he loves.
The Bible goes on to say: “God disciplines us for our good so we may share in His holiness.”
Encountering red lights in your life? Could it be you are experiencing God’s love? Could it be God desiring for you to experience more of His holiness? The Bible says, “God changes us from glory to glory.” Want to experience Godly life change?
Expect red lights. Godspeed.
8/26/06
THE MILLIONAIRE'S DAUGHTER
The millionaire’s four-year old daughter-- I had never seen her before. Now, there she was just yards up the beach.
Brisk wind held seagulls in near mid-air suspension over blue sky touching blue water. But now my attention was focused on the millionaire’s daughter. And her father.
I had my camera. I wanted a picture. But . . . a camera could not adequately preserve the scene. A few degrees cooler than playing-on-the-beach weather--they frolicked exuberantly on an abandoned expanse of sand. So engaged with each other, I doubt they noticed me. They zoomed a yellow toy front-end loader around a freshly created sandcastle. If their laughs and hugs were the loader’s fuel, it would run forever.
I stood there suspended in my thought world. My mind grabbed images of several under nurtured kids I care about.
With emotions continuing to ping pong, I walked towards the man. A stranger. I extended my hand: “You must be a millionaire.”
He replied, “I’m not a millionaire.”
He didn’t know my brain was contexting our conversation through the words of Jesus. "For what does it profit a man, what does he benefit, if he gains the whole world, and yet forfeits his soul—forfeit the vital force of his life?” And along that gain-the-whole-world path, what else will be traded in for the allurement? Maybe a four year-old daughter?
“You’re doing what’s important,” I said. “In my eyes you’re a millionaire.”
Our concluding twenty-five second conversation gave me zero clues to the “millionaire’s” financial status. Then feeling compelled, I placed my hand on his shoulder: “Bless you.”
That same hand extends to all who properly nurture the children in their lives: “God bless you.”
If you do not? Change. Today can be your day to become a millionaire.
Brisk wind held seagulls in near mid-air suspension over blue sky touching blue water. But now my attention was focused on the millionaire’s daughter. And her father.
I had my camera. I wanted a picture. But . . . a camera could not adequately preserve the scene. A few degrees cooler than playing-on-the-beach weather--they frolicked exuberantly on an abandoned expanse of sand. So engaged with each other, I doubt they noticed me. They zoomed a yellow toy front-end loader around a freshly created sandcastle. If their laughs and hugs were the loader’s fuel, it would run forever.
I stood there suspended in my thought world. My mind grabbed images of several under nurtured kids I care about.
With emotions continuing to ping pong, I walked towards the man. A stranger. I extended my hand: “You must be a millionaire.”
He replied, “I’m not a millionaire.”
He didn’t know my brain was contexting our conversation through the words of Jesus. "For what does it profit a man, what does he benefit, if he gains the whole world, and yet forfeits his soul—forfeit the vital force of his life?” And along that gain-the-whole-world path, what else will be traded in for the allurement? Maybe a four year-old daughter?
“You’re doing what’s important,” I said. “In my eyes you’re a millionaire.”
Our concluding twenty-five second conversation gave me zero clues to the “millionaire’s” financial status. Then feeling compelled, I placed my hand on his shoulder: “Bless you.”
That same hand extends to all who properly nurture the children in their lives: “God bless you.”
If you do not? Change. Today can be your day to become a millionaire.
8/20/06
8/19/06
RESTORATION PROJECT
Chet was always talking about his 1933 Chevy restoration project. Then he e-mailed pictures: “Thought you might want to see the finished product –Chet.”
Wow, nice car!
With all his car talk, it’s difficult to wedge my world in. I need to e-mail him.
Chet, I do restoration also. Surprised? I found this 2000 model in a trailer park east of here. Looks sound on the outside, but I noticed a lot of inside damage. Her name is Samantha.
Monday I drove into to the trailer park. In a flurry, the regular kids claimed their seats in my van. And a new child was buckling up. “Samantha’s going with us,” Tyler said. “Samantha,” I said. “Do you know where we’re going?” She formed the word best she could: “Chuch.” Yes, off to Monday night children’s church.
Smiling at Samantha’s eagerness, I could have driven away with this precious package. I thought, “This is wrong.” I was a stranger and had never met her parents.
A child can sustain significant damage when they lack nurturing, love, and discipline. Six-year old attention-starved Samantha’s problems quickly surfaced.
Chet, the Old Testament closes with: "God will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers . . ."
“God will restore.”
Great. Let God do all the dent-banging restoration . . . well, we know that’s not God’s way. God asks us to partner with Him.
Hey Chet, let’s take the “33” Chevy to the trailer park-- give some kids a ride. Maybe, you could talk to Samantha’s dad. He might listen to you. You’ve struggled. God restored you with His Jesus plan. Actually, He’s continually fine tuning you. Me too.
Still, God allows us on His restoration team. And He’s looking for more help.
Are you available?
Wow, nice car!
With all his car talk, it’s difficult to wedge my world in. I need to e-mail him.
Chet, I do restoration also. Surprised? I found this 2000 model in a trailer park east of here. Looks sound on the outside, but I noticed a lot of inside damage. Her name is Samantha.
Monday I drove into to the trailer park. In a flurry, the regular kids claimed their seats in my van. And a new child was buckling up. “Samantha’s going with us,” Tyler said. “Samantha,” I said. “Do you know where we’re going?” She formed the word best she could: “Chuch.” Yes, off to Monday night children’s church.
Smiling at Samantha’s eagerness, I could have driven away with this precious package. I thought, “This is wrong.” I was a stranger and had never met her parents.
A child can sustain significant damage when they lack nurturing, love, and discipline. Six-year old attention-starved Samantha’s problems quickly surfaced.
Chet, the Old Testament closes with: "God will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers . . ."
“God will restore.”
Great. Let God do all the dent-banging restoration . . . well, we know that’s not God’s way. God asks us to partner with Him.
Hey Chet, let’s take the “33” Chevy to the trailer park-- give some kids a ride. Maybe, you could talk to Samantha’s dad. He might listen to you. You’ve struggled. God restored you with His Jesus plan. Actually, He’s continually fine tuning you. Me too.
Still, God allows us on His restoration team. And He’s looking for more help.
Are you available?
8/12/06
SALTY WORDS
I really hadn’t taken a close look at her, as she spent a long time browsing the used children’s books. But when she looked up at me, I knew the stupidity of my question. The words just slipped out as I realized she looked about fourteen: “How many children do you have?”
“I’m pregnant,” she said. “How old are you?” She told me she was sixteen. “That’s pretty young,” I replied, probably with that disapproving wrinkle above my eyes communicating even more.
My mind swirled around with things to say. The Bible says, “Let your words always be full of grace.” And knowing that the Bible continually emphasizes heart attitude, facial expressions should be grace-toned also.
I thank God, He arrested my thoughts. I heard a voice in my head, “She’s already heard, many times, everything she’s done wrong.”
So I started helping Kimberly find children’s books. And just listened. It was like a grandpa listening to his granddaughter hip hop from one subject to the next. Kind of strange, since I had never met her before.
Without proper words, it is difficult to arrive at an understanding of a person’s situation. The Bible verse continues; adding an ingredient to grace-filled words. “. . . seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
That’s exactly what I was hoping for-- an opportunity to respond with a dash of hope, a dash of life direction, a dash of God into our conversation.
Kimberly looked through more stacks of children’s books. Casually mentioning, “I like to read.” When the conversation took a convenient curve, I responded: “Do you ever read the Bible?”
Words, like salt can be used to sting a wound or enhance palatability. One repels; one attracts. How’s your sprinkling going? Need improvement? Me too.
“I’m pregnant,” she said. “How old are you?” She told me she was sixteen. “That’s pretty young,” I replied, probably with that disapproving wrinkle above my eyes communicating even more.
My mind swirled around with things to say. The Bible says, “Let your words always be full of grace.” And knowing that the Bible continually emphasizes heart attitude, facial expressions should be grace-toned also.
I thank God, He arrested my thoughts. I heard a voice in my head, “She’s already heard, many times, everything she’s done wrong.”
So I started helping Kimberly find children’s books. And just listened. It was like a grandpa listening to his granddaughter hip hop from one subject to the next. Kind of strange, since I had never met her before.
Without proper words, it is difficult to arrive at an understanding of a person’s situation. The Bible verse continues; adding an ingredient to grace-filled words. “. . . seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
That’s exactly what I was hoping for-- an opportunity to respond with a dash of hope, a dash of life direction, a dash of God into our conversation.
Kimberly looked through more stacks of children’s books. Casually mentioning, “I like to read.” When the conversation took a convenient curve, I responded: “Do you ever read the Bible?”
Words, like salt can be used to sting a wound or enhance palatability. One repels; one attracts. How’s your sprinkling going? Need improvement? Me too.
8/5/06
A KERNAL OF WHEAT FALLS
As I walked up to the casket, bagpipe music softly wailed “Amazing Grace.” I knew Patty was in heaven, still I felt like crying. Is it acceptable to ask, “Why would one of the kindest people I know die at age forty-nine?
Some eulogies are spread so thick with the frosting of compliments that you wonder if they’re really talking about the person who died.
Admit it; you’ve experienced this.
With Patty, no frosting was needed to sweeten or to smear over flaws in her life.
Days leading to her death, I had been pondering Jesus’ words; letting them infiltrate my brain. “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
Our lives are initially a single kernel of wheat. Completely focused on our own wants, needs and desires; at the end of life a single life has been bettered—your own.
Then there is the dying seed scenario.
Here’s how it works. Patty never drove. She usually walked or rode her three-wheel bike to her numerous volunteer activities. She helped at a nursing home with her church, at school she mentored children, and if there was a charity walkathon, she was probably involved. Patty was prolific in sending out cards—condolences, get-wells, on and on. She was even taking piano lessons to fill a need in the small church she attended. Her pastor said in the eulogy: “Patty probably shared Jesus with more people than I ever will.”
By serving the needs of others, Patty produced many seeds. She improved the lives of countless people.
Most why-death questions are never answered. There is a much more important question.
How? How did you live the time God gave you?
Some eulogies are spread so thick with the frosting of compliments that you wonder if they’re really talking about the person who died.
Admit it; you’ve experienced this.
With Patty, no frosting was needed to sweeten or to smear over flaws in her life.
Days leading to her death, I had been pondering Jesus’ words; letting them infiltrate my brain. “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
Our lives are initially a single kernel of wheat. Completely focused on our own wants, needs and desires; at the end of life a single life has been bettered—your own.
Then there is the dying seed scenario.
Here’s how it works. Patty never drove. She usually walked or rode her three-wheel bike to her numerous volunteer activities. She helped at a nursing home with her church, at school she mentored children, and if there was a charity walkathon, she was probably involved. Patty was prolific in sending out cards—condolences, get-wells, on and on. She was even taking piano lessons to fill a need in the small church she attended. Her pastor said in the eulogy: “Patty probably shared Jesus with more people than I ever will.”
By serving the needs of others, Patty produced many seeds. She improved the lives of countless people.
Most why-death questions are never answered. There is a much more important question.
How? How did you live the time God gave you?
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