My sister in law Jean called yesterday evening, and I happened to pick up the phone.
Ususally, if the land line rings it's for my wife, so I let her get it. Considerate, huh?
When Jean said hello, I said, "It's my favorite sister in law in the whole world!" I have taken to saying that when she calls. I added, "I think you're GREAT!"
For a long time, Jean would reply, "Oh, I'm your only sister in law!" She has trouble, I think, receiving compliments.
But now she gets me and accepts it. Last night she said, "And it's my favorite brother in law in the whole world!"
Isn't it wonderful how contageous smiles and loving words are? People love it when you make a splash over them. That's not dishonest, it's just expressive!
Jesus said, "This is my commandment: Love each other" (John 15:17).
It's that easy.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The Praise God Tattoo
I was in Hardee's recently and noticed a young man waiting at the counter with his friend.
He was very tall (why is it that almost every guy is taller than me now?) and well-built (why is it that almost every guy is better built than me?) and wearing a sleeveless shirt.
As I looked I noticed that right on his shoulder was a tattoo. Nothing unusual in itself, but this one said, "I Thessalonians 5:16-18" with a big cross beside it.
Tattooed.
On his shoulder.
I was so fascinated I immediately asked him, "What is I Thessalonians 5:16-18?" I could have looked it up, but I wanted to hear it from him.
He was a little surprised (he didn't even know if I was a Christian). Then he quoted it right away. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." He quoted it without a stumble, immediately.
I was so impressed that all I could say was, "Praise God!"
He didn't quite know what to say to that!
Now think about this. I know the Lord speaks against tattoos (Leviticus 19:20), but this guy loved Jesus so much that he had this verse tattooed right on his shoulder! No matter who loved it. No matter who hated it. In front of Christians, athiests, church haters, Buddists, smug intellectuals, Moslems, or whoever else might come along. No hiding, No blending in.
And then I think about the rest of us. We're pretty brave in church. We know the right answers to give in Sunday school. But out in the "world," we often hesitate. "If I mention Jesus, what will they think? What will they say? Will they get mad right away? What if I lose a friend? Maybe I should just be discreet. Maybe if I'm really nice they'll ask me about my faith." Doesn't happen very often.
What would it be like if we all lived like that young man? Not meaning we should all get tattoos (I hear they hurt)! But that we would boldly live for Jesus wherever we go, no matter who we're with, and bring up Jesus' name whenever we can. It seems to be a lot easier for Christians to say, "You ought to stop smoking," than to say, "Jesus Christ loves you." But the only real power is in Jesus' name.
In Isaiah 40:4-6 God said,
"Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting,
"Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!
Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.
Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all the people will see it together.
The Lord has spoken!"
This was not written just for John the Baptist; it was written for us.
Let's get to it.
He was very tall (why is it that almost every guy is taller than me now?) and well-built (why is it that almost every guy is better built than me?) and wearing a sleeveless shirt.
As I looked I noticed that right on his shoulder was a tattoo. Nothing unusual in itself, but this one said, "I Thessalonians 5:16-18" with a big cross beside it.
Tattooed.
On his shoulder.
I was so fascinated I immediately asked him, "What is I Thessalonians 5:16-18?" I could have looked it up, but I wanted to hear it from him.
He was a little surprised (he didn't even know if I was a Christian). Then he quoted it right away. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." He quoted it without a stumble, immediately.
I was so impressed that all I could say was, "Praise God!"
He didn't quite know what to say to that!
Now think about this. I know the Lord speaks against tattoos (Leviticus 19:20), but this guy loved Jesus so much that he had this verse tattooed right on his shoulder! No matter who loved it. No matter who hated it. In front of Christians, athiests, church haters, Buddists, smug intellectuals, Moslems, or whoever else might come along. No hiding, No blending in.
And then I think about the rest of us. We're pretty brave in church. We know the right answers to give in Sunday school. But out in the "world," we often hesitate. "If I mention Jesus, what will they think? What will they say? Will they get mad right away? What if I lose a friend? Maybe I should just be discreet. Maybe if I'm really nice they'll ask me about my faith." Doesn't happen very often.
What would it be like if we all lived like that young man? Not meaning we should all get tattoos (I hear they hurt)! But that we would boldly live for Jesus wherever we go, no matter who we're with, and bring up Jesus' name whenever we can. It seems to be a lot easier for Christians to say, "You ought to stop smoking," than to say, "Jesus Christ loves you." But the only real power is in Jesus' name.
In Isaiah 40:4-6 God said,
"Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting,
"Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!
Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.
Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all the people will see it together.
The Lord has spoken!"
This was not written just for John the Baptist; it was written for us.
Let's get to it.
Friday, May 25, 2012
My Faith Story
What should I write for my first post? Hmmmmmm...
I know, I'll start out with my faith story!
What churches call your "faith story" is your most effective witness for Jesus. It has three parts: what your life was like before you met Jesus; how you met Jesus; and what your life has been like after you began to follow Jesus.
So here goes...
I met Jesus when I was six years old in a Sunday school class (I don't have much memory before then, except seeing stars as a toddler and calling them "wow").
After our Sunday school teacher led me to the Lord, I ran down the aisle of our very formal church and told my embarassed parents, "I'm saved!"
My parents were so pleased and happy that next week I got saved again!
Anyway, as a little boy I listened very hard to the pastor because I wanted to please Jesus and go to heaven. What I heard instead was fear.
I learned that if I borrow something and don't bring it back that was stealing and I'd go to hell.
I learned that if I told a lie and didn't go back and confess it that was a continuing kind of sin and I'd go to hell.
I learned...well, you get the idea. I was saved by God's grace, but from now on I'd better get it right.
Here's a little hint about the Christian life--nobody gets it right, ever. That's because even though Jesus has changed us, we have this twisted little thing inside that says, "I want now!" The apostle Paul called it "the flesh" or "the sinful nature".
That's why Jesus is our Savior--present tense. Because we always need God's continuing forgiveness. Always.
For many years after my recovery from that childhood crash I kept my distance from God. I lived a pretty "good" Christian life, but I didn't really have a desire to know him. I wanted to have fun, and I didn't think God was fun. Mistake!
Fast forward to age 48. God began to call me into his Word. I was working second shift in an aluminum foundry. About three nights a week, I began to read the New Testament for about five minutes and pray. Then I'd watch TV for an hour before bed. Now, if I were God, I would have said, "You can have that five minutes too!"
But God did an amazing thing. He spoke to me through his Word and prayer, and he taught me to recognize his "still, small voice." Jesus once said, "My sheep know my voice..." How true!
Since then life has been so rich! I can't begin to describe to you how fantastic it is to actually be in touch with my Creator, and how he is continuing to make me the person I always wanted to be.
Now I'm a preacher--but not for the pay. I preach because when you love Jesus, you have to do something for him. And this is it.
Do you know Jesus? He said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father but by me" (John 14:6). If you will accept Jesus, he will not only give you eternal life in the next world, he'll give you a purpose for life on this one. Do it!
I know, I'll start out with my faith story!
What churches call your "faith story" is your most effective witness for Jesus. It has three parts: what your life was like before you met Jesus; how you met Jesus; and what your life has been like after you began to follow Jesus.
So here goes...
I met Jesus when I was six years old in a Sunday school class (I don't have much memory before then, except seeing stars as a toddler and calling them "wow").
After our Sunday school teacher led me to the Lord, I ran down the aisle of our very formal church and told my embarassed parents, "I'm saved!"
My parents were so pleased and happy that next week I got saved again!
Anyway, as a little boy I listened very hard to the pastor because I wanted to please Jesus and go to heaven. What I heard instead was fear.
I learned that if I borrow something and don't bring it back that was stealing and I'd go to hell.
I learned that if I told a lie and didn't go back and confess it that was a continuing kind of sin and I'd go to hell.
I learned...well, you get the idea. I was saved by God's grace, but from now on I'd better get it right.
Here's a little hint about the Christian life--nobody gets it right, ever. That's because even though Jesus has changed us, we have this twisted little thing inside that says, "I want now!" The apostle Paul called it "the flesh" or "the sinful nature".
That's why Jesus is our Savior--present tense. Because we always need God's continuing forgiveness. Always.
For many years after my recovery from that childhood crash I kept my distance from God. I lived a pretty "good" Christian life, but I didn't really have a desire to know him. I wanted to have fun, and I didn't think God was fun. Mistake!
Fast forward to age 48. God began to call me into his Word. I was working second shift in an aluminum foundry. About three nights a week, I began to read the New Testament for about five minutes and pray. Then I'd watch TV for an hour before bed. Now, if I were God, I would have said, "You can have that five minutes too!"
But God did an amazing thing. He spoke to me through his Word and prayer, and he taught me to recognize his "still, small voice." Jesus once said, "My sheep know my voice..." How true!
Since then life has been so rich! I can't begin to describe to you how fantastic it is to actually be in touch with my Creator, and how he is continuing to make me the person I always wanted to be.
Now I'm a preacher--but not for the pay. I preach because when you love Jesus, you have to do something for him. And this is it.
Do you know Jesus? He said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father but by me" (John 14:6). If you will accept Jesus, he will not only give you eternal life in the next world, he'll give you a purpose for life on this one. Do it!
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