Just a little humor for the weekend … Enjoy, Pastor Jim
Why Go To Church?
One Sunday morning, a mother went in to wake her son and tell him it was time to get ready for church, to which he replied, "I'm not going."
"Why not?" she asked.
I'll give you two good reasons," he said. "(1), they don't like me, and (2), I don't like them."
His mother replied, "I'll give you two good reasons why you SHOULD go to church:
(1) You're 59 years old, and (2) you're the pastor!"
The Picnic
A Jewish Rabbi and a Catholic Priest met at the town's annual 4th of July picnic. Old friends, they began their usual banter.
"This baked ham is really delicious," the priest teased the rabbi. "You really ought to try it. I know it's against your religion, but I can't understand why such a wonderful food should be forbidden! You don't know what you're missing. You just haven't lived until you've tried Mrs. Hall's prized Virginia-Baked Ham. Tell me, Rabbi, when are you going to break down and try it?"
The rabbi looked at the priest with a big grin, and said, "At your wedding."
The Usher
An elderly woman walked into the local country church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps. "Where would you like to sit?" he asked politely.
"The front row, please," she answered.
"You really don't want to do that," the usher said. "The pastor is really boring."
"Do you happen to know who I am?" the woman inquired.
"No," he said.
"I'm the pastor's mother," she replied indignantly.
"Do you know who I am?" he asked.
"No," she said.
"Good," he answered.
Show And Tell
A kindergarten teacher gave her class a "show and tell" assignment. Each student was instructed to bring in an object that represented their religion to share with the class.
The first student got up in front of the class and said, "My name is Benjamin and I am Jewish and this is a Star of David."
The second student got up in front of the class and said, "My name is Mary. I'm a Catholic and this is a Rosary."
The third student got in up front of the class and said, "My name is Tommy.. I am Methodist, and this is a casserole."
The Best Way To Pray
A priest, a minister and a guru sat discussing the best positions for prayer, while a telephone repairman worked nearby
"Kneeling is definitely the best way to pray," the priest said.
"No," said the minister. "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven."
"You're both wrong," the guru said. "The most effective prayer position is lying down on the floor."
The repairman could contain himself no longer. "Hey, fellas," he interrupted.. "The best prayin' I ever did was when I was hangin' upside down from a telephone pole."
The Twenty And The One
A well-worn one-dollar bill and a similarly distressed twenty-dollar bill arrived at a Federal Reserve Bank to be retired..
As they moved along the conveyor belt to be burned, they struck up a conversation.
The twenty-dollar bill reminisced about its travels all over the country.
"I've had a pretty good life," the twenty proclaimed. "Why I've been to Las Vegas and Atlantic City , the finest restaurants in New York , performances on Broadway, and even a cruise to the Caribbean ."
"Wow!" said the one-dollar bill. "You've really had an exciting life!"
"So, tell me," says the twenty, "where have you been throughout your lifetime?"
The one dollar bill replies, "Oh, I've been to the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, the Lutheran Church .."
The twenty-dollar bill interrupts, "What's a church?"
Goat For Dinner
The young couple invited their elderly pastor for Sunday dinner. While they were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the minister asked their son what they were having.
"Goat," the little boy replied.
"Goat?" replied the startled man of the cloth, "Are you sure about that?"
"Yep," said the youngster. "I heard Dad say to Mom, 'Today is just as good as any to have the old goat for dinner.'"
And one last story for all those who have or are teaching school:
According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington was recently faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick, they would press their lips on the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man would remove them, and the next day the girls would put them back. Finally the principal decided that something had to be done.
She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every
night (you can just imagine all the yawns from the little princesses).
To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.
Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.
There are teachers.... and then there are educators.
Lord, keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
When did liberal and compromise become vulgar words?
Watching the political disfunctioning of our elected leaders presently taking place in Washington, D.C. I thought back to a blog that I wrote on May 1, 2010 and have been prompted to re-post it today. There are a lot of words and accusations being leveled at the various members of congress with little effect other than to turn our government into somewhat of the laughing stock of the world. Our elected political leaders do not understand that they were elected to lead … not to work for the next election, not to “protect” their political territory, not to advance their cause, not to do the Democratic or Republican thing, but to do the right thing, and definitely not to shut-down our government with their refusal to compromise … which has become the next bad, vulgar word along with liberal.
And now for my May 1, 2010 blog …
Listening to the present political discussion airing itself in the mass media I only have one question. When did the term “liberal” become a bad, vulgar word?
I can remember when someone called you a liberal they meant that you spoke up for decency, equality, human rights, fairness, high ethics or morals in the market place, liberty, justice and the pursuit of all that is right and correct in a democratic society. For me it meant everything that was found in the Good News of Jesus Christ. It meant that you worked for those who were disenfranchised by society. As you have done it unto the least of these …
As a liberal one would take up the cause of the homeless, the sick, the widowed and orphaned, the hungry, those in prison, the shut-in, the lame, injured, hurting, the refugees, the immigrants and equal pay for equal work … As you have done it unto the least of these …
As a liberal you sought to follow the teachings, instructions and example of Jesus Christ … which meant willing to go to your personal cross in order to make a lasting change in society for those who didn’t have the power to do it for themselves. As you have done it unto the least of these …
But now it a vulgar, dirty slur that is usually pulled out when someone needs to win a political argument by stating, with anger, “Oh, you are just a liberal!” It has become the standard 2010 political putdown … as if we should only look after our needs, our future, our desires, ourselves … as you have done it unto the least of these?
In a recent small group share group a gentleman, who I have come to highly respect for his out spoken faith declarations and commitment, upon hearing that someone was leaving the United Methodist Church because it was just filled with liberals, declared, “What is wrong with being a liberal? I’m a liberal and proud of it.” And I would strongly agree!!!
I am of the belief that we need to take back the term and take it off the table as the present day “four-letter” word - even if it has 6-letters it is used as someone had said the F, S, H or D word. Next time someone points their finger at me and state that I am a liberal I am simply going to say, “Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate that you seem to understand that I love my Savior and seek to follow him by looking after the least of these!” I’m not really sure what their reaction will be, but I have decided to take back a good and great political word that has a long, distinguished history in our society.
Did God call America into existence so that we could only become richer, bigger, or more powerful? Or, did God bless us so that we could become a blessing to others? Failure to understand what God had intended in our formation is a failure to comprehend what it means to be Kingdom People – servant people … as you have done it unto the least of these …
I will grant you this is a dangerous position to take after all it did take the revolutionist Jesus to a hill called Calvary and a cross of pain and death. The conservative religious leaders of his day couldn’t allow his message of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and … doing it unto the least of these … to continue. So they sought to eliminate that message, but God had the last word with the resurrection. Now, again, that message is under attack and those, in the name of the Gospel, are trying to silent those who are seeking to favorably respond to God by doing it unto the least of these …
Liberal? You betcha’ because there isn’t anything wrong with being a liberal! Right? Right!
Quote for today: “No man in this world attains to freedom from any slavery except by entrance into some higher servitude. There is no such thing as an entirely free man conceivable.” Phillips Brooks
And now for my May 1, 2010 blog …
Listening to the present political discussion airing itself in the mass media I only have one question. When did the term “liberal” become a bad, vulgar word?
I can remember when someone called you a liberal they meant that you spoke up for decency, equality, human rights, fairness, high ethics or morals in the market place, liberty, justice and the pursuit of all that is right and correct in a democratic society. For me it meant everything that was found in the Good News of Jesus Christ. It meant that you worked for those who were disenfranchised by society. As you have done it unto the least of these …
As a liberal one would take up the cause of the homeless, the sick, the widowed and orphaned, the hungry, those in prison, the shut-in, the lame, injured, hurting, the refugees, the immigrants and equal pay for equal work … As you have done it unto the least of these …
As a liberal you sought to follow the teachings, instructions and example of Jesus Christ … which meant willing to go to your personal cross in order to make a lasting change in society for those who didn’t have the power to do it for themselves. As you have done it unto the least of these …
But now it a vulgar, dirty slur that is usually pulled out when someone needs to win a political argument by stating, with anger, “Oh, you are just a liberal!” It has become the standard 2010 political putdown … as if we should only look after our needs, our future, our desires, ourselves … as you have done it unto the least of these?
In a recent small group share group a gentleman, who I have come to highly respect for his out spoken faith declarations and commitment, upon hearing that someone was leaving the United Methodist Church because it was just filled with liberals, declared, “What is wrong with being a liberal? I’m a liberal and proud of it.” And I would strongly agree!!!
I am of the belief that we need to take back the term and take it off the table as the present day “four-letter” word - even if it has 6-letters it is used as someone had said the F, S, H or D word. Next time someone points their finger at me and state that I am a liberal I am simply going to say, “Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate that you seem to understand that I love my Savior and seek to follow him by looking after the least of these!” I’m not really sure what their reaction will be, but I have decided to take back a good and great political word that has a long, distinguished history in our society.
Did God call America into existence so that we could only become richer, bigger, or more powerful? Or, did God bless us so that we could become a blessing to others? Failure to understand what God had intended in our formation is a failure to comprehend what it means to be Kingdom People – servant people … as you have done it unto the least of these …
I will grant you this is a dangerous position to take after all it did take the revolutionist Jesus to a hill called Calvary and a cross of pain and death. The conservative religious leaders of his day couldn’t allow his message of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and … doing it unto the least of these … to continue. So they sought to eliminate that message, but God had the last word with the resurrection. Now, again, that message is under attack and those, in the name of the Gospel, are trying to silent those who are seeking to favorably respond to God by doing it unto the least of these …
Liberal? You betcha’ because there isn’t anything wrong with being a liberal! Right? Right!
Quote for today: “No man in this world attains to freedom from any slavery except by entrance into some higher servitude. There is no such thing as an entirely free man conceivable.” Phillips Brooks
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Grandma's hands - a different look at being a servant
After writing yesterday's blog I received the following via the e-mail. It gives a slightly different slant on being a servant.
GRANDMA'S HANDS
Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.
When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK
Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear voice strong.
"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.
"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked.. "I mean really looked at your hands?"
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.
Grandma smiled and related this story:
"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.
They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.
"They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.
They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.
"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.
They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.
"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.
But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."
I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.
GRANDMA'S HANDS
Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.
When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK
Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear voice strong.
"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.
"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked.. "I mean really looked at your hands?"
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.
Grandma smiled and related this story:
"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.
They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.
"They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.
They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.
"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.
They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.
"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.
But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."
I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Strength is for service, not status - Romans 15:1
“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status.” Romans 15:1 (The Message)
Service is an interesting concept, especially in this day and time. Even volunteers are requesting a job description before getting involved and giving of their time.
I remember a time when an individual could go to a department store and there were individuals behind the counters ready and eager to meet your needs. When you pulled into a gas station at least one or more individuals would come to your car to service its needs – check the tire pressure, check the oil, wash your windows, pump your gas. If you got into an elevator a real live individual would take you to the floor of your choice, as well as announce what you would find on each floor. Possibly you can remember other places where service was important, but the times have changed.
But not today … oh, no … it is all about self-service, automated answering machines with their “punch 1 for this service” or “punch 2 for that kind of service.” It can take as much as 5 minutes or more before you get to speak with a real live individual and then, they probably do not have enough knowledge to give you the assistance that you really need. Or, their English is so messed up that you simply hang-up in total frustration. The times have changed and service isn’t important any longer.
Life has simply gotten too impersonal. Nobody really cares anymore … or at least it would seem that way.
This mentality is spilling over into the church. We have no problem getting individuals to write a check for this ministry or that outreach program, but getting them to actually give of their time and energy is totally another matter.
E. Stanley Jones was traveling by train in Europe. He always had to be doing something so he was reading his Bible. A Russian actress asked, “What are you doing?” “I am a Christian and I am reading the Bible,” was his response. She asked, “Why?” His response was, “You tell me.” She said, “You are a coward. You need God to hold your hand.” Dr. Jones shared, “Yes, you are probably right when I first became a Christian. But now I only ask him to strengthen my arms so that I can serve.”
We are made for service. We are designed to give ourselves away. We are shaped by the Holy Spirit to be a channel of love and mercy for the sake of others. We are designed to give ourselves away. If we seek to preserve and hold on to what we think is ours we will find in the end that there is nothing left to hold on to. While, if we give ourselves away, unselfishly and extravagantly, we will discover the secret of the Kingdom of God – a storehouse of energy and love that can never be emptied … because he strengthens our arms for service and our spirit with compassion for others.
Service is an interesting concept, especially in this day and time. Even volunteers are requesting a job description before getting involved and giving of their time.
I remember a time when an individual could go to a department store and there were individuals behind the counters ready and eager to meet your needs. When you pulled into a gas station at least one or more individuals would come to your car to service its needs – check the tire pressure, check the oil, wash your windows, pump your gas. If you got into an elevator a real live individual would take you to the floor of your choice, as well as announce what you would find on each floor. Possibly you can remember other places where service was important, but the times have changed.
But not today … oh, no … it is all about self-service, automated answering machines with their “punch 1 for this service” or “punch 2 for that kind of service.” It can take as much as 5 minutes or more before you get to speak with a real live individual and then, they probably do not have enough knowledge to give you the assistance that you really need. Or, their English is so messed up that you simply hang-up in total frustration. The times have changed and service isn’t important any longer.
Life has simply gotten too impersonal. Nobody really cares anymore … or at least it would seem that way.
This mentality is spilling over into the church. We have no problem getting individuals to write a check for this ministry or that outreach program, but getting them to actually give of their time and energy is totally another matter.
E. Stanley Jones was traveling by train in Europe. He always had to be doing something so he was reading his Bible. A Russian actress asked, “What are you doing?” “I am a Christian and I am reading the Bible,” was his response. She asked, “Why?” His response was, “You tell me.” She said, “You are a coward. You need God to hold your hand.” Dr. Jones shared, “Yes, you are probably right when I first became a Christian. But now I only ask him to strengthen my arms so that I can serve.”
We are made for service. We are designed to give ourselves away. We are shaped by the Holy Spirit to be a channel of love and mercy for the sake of others. We are designed to give ourselves away. If we seek to preserve and hold on to what we think is ours we will find in the end that there is nothing left to hold on to. While, if we give ourselves away, unselfishly and extravagantly, we will discover the secret of the Kingdom of God – a storehouse of energy and love that can never be emptied … because he strengthens our arms for service and our spirit with compassion for others.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Changing the color of the ocean one drop at a time!
Ever feel like you would just like to change the whole world … quickly … over night … in a twinkling of an eye? Just transform everyone and everything into the image of Christ?
Actually that is what we are called to do or at least allow God to work through us to bring it about.
I remember standing at 5-points in Atlanta and just being overwhelmed by the mass of humanity that intersected at that massive intersection in an extremely busy major city. I had just entered seminary. Hadn’t had my first class yet. I was leaving Cokesbury Bookstore with a bag of books for the classes I had signed up to take that first semester.
I was on fire for the Lord. I was ready to take on the world. I was eager to make it happen. And then, I was simply overwhelmed by the mess of folk being encountered.
It dawned on me that for me to transform the world would be like trying to change the color of the ocean with a small bottle of food dye and one of those little eyedroppers. All I could do is add just a few drops of color over the full span of my life. What difference would it really make? There were just too many people and too few hours, opportunities, chances …
As clear as a sounding bell it came to me – “Good, now I can do something through you!” Was it God? Was it simply my spirit trying to bring peace to a troubled soul? The sensation of God’s presences didn’t leave me, but I was at peace with the task ahead. All I had to be was available. I wasn’t the change agent – God was. I wasn’t the one who was to transform the world – God was. All I had to be was available to add my few drops of food coloring in the great ocean of life.
And if I would change a few and you would change a few and each of our neighbors changed a few before too long we could change the color of the ocean! Like the old theme song of the Methodist Student Movement said: “You bring the one next to you and I will bring the next to me and before too long we will have them all …” And the ocean will be a different color! The participants in the student movement went out believing that they really could win the world for Christ in their lifetime. Oh, to be captured by that sense of excitement and commitment … oh, to be captured by that enthusiasm … oh, to be captured by that idea … oh, to be captured by God for the sake of the Kingdom!
Actually that is what we are called to do or at least allow God to work through us to bring it about.
I remember standing at 5-points in Atlanta and just being overwhelmed by the mass of humanity that intersected at that massive intersection in an extremely busy major city. I had just entered seminary. Hadn’t had my first class yet. I was leaving Cokesbury Bookstore with a bag of books for the classes I had signed up to take that first semester.
I was on fire for the Lord. I was ready to take on the world. I was eager to make it happen. And then, I was simply overwhelmed by the mess of folk being encountered.
It dawned on me that for me to transform the world would be like trying to change the color of the ocean with a small bottle of food dye and one of those little eyedroppers. All I could do is add just a few drops of color over the full span of my life. What difference would it really make? There were just too many people and too few hours, opportunities, chances …
As clear as a sounding bell it came to me – “Good, now I can do something through you!” Was it God? Was it simply my spirit trying to bring peace to a troubled soul? The sensation of God’s presences didn’t leave me, but I was at peace with the task ahead. All I had to be was available. I wasn’t the change agent – God was. I wasn’t the one who was to transform the world – God was. All I had to be was available to add my few drops of food coloring in the great ocean of life.
And if I would change a few and you would change a few and each of our neighbors changed a few before too long we could change the color of the ocean! Like the old theme song of the Methodist Student Movement said: “You bring the one next to you and I will bring the next to me and before too long we will have them all …” And the ocean will be a different color! The participants in the student movement went out believing that they really could win the world for Christ in their lifetime. Oh, to be captured by that sense of excitement and commitment … oh, to be captured by that enthusiasm … oh, to be captured by that idea … oh, to be captured by God for the sake of the Kingdom!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Running the race to win
“Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLV)
The Tour de France is now history. The Yellow, Green, White and Polka Dotted jerseys have all been awarded … or should I say earned … well earned. The winners paid dearly with their effort. The pain was evident in their faces as they rode through burning legs to achieve what few in their sport ever achieve.
Three weeks of unbelievable mountain climbing, sprints to the finish and strategy. Three weeks of working together as a team. Three weeks of extremely hard work so that one member of their team could win a stage or a sprint or be the first over the top of the mountain. Three weeks of long hours on a very small seat. Three weeks of many miles. Three weeks that was a culmination of a lifetime to a sport that is deeply imbedded in their spirit. They are to be admired.
Each year I begin to think that maybe this year I will go out and purchase a bicycle (although not their version - $1,800-plus dollars is a bit much). They inspire me, but a day goes by and then a week and then a month … and at long last the “urge” has passed and I am onto other things like watching college football … yeah, team!
The thought does cross my mind – am I running the race to win? Am I honoring God with how I am running the race of life? Am I putting myself through the tiresome training in order to be fit enough for the ultimate race? Am I prepared to actually get into the race? And, is anyone watching me run the race? Do I inspire them to follow my lead?
Difficult questions for a Monday morning. Difficult questions for which I do not have a ready answer. Difficult questions that I probably will spend the days ahead giving some serious thought to. Difficult questions for a challenging time.
I do think of John Wesley’s observation that God had sent him on fire and people came from all over England to watch him burn! Am I on fire for the Lord? Is anyone watching me burn?
The Tour de France is now history. The Yellow, Green, White and Polka Dotted jerseys have all been awarded … or should I say earned … well earned. The winners paid dearly with their effort. The pain was evident in their faces as they rode through burning legs to achieve what few in their sport ever achieve.
Three weeks of unbelievable mountain climbing, sprints to the finish and strategy. Three weeks of working together as a team. Three weeks of extremely hard work so that one member of their team could win a stage or a sprint or be the first over the top of the mountain. Three weeks of long hours on a very small seat. Three weeks of many miles. Three weeks that was a culmination of a lifetime to a sport that is deeply imbedded in their spirit. They are to be admired.
Each year I begin to think that maybe this year I will go out and purchase a bicycle (although not their version - $1,800-plus dollars is a bit much). They inspire me, but a day goes by and then a week and then a month … and at long last the “urge” has passed and I am onto other things like watching college football … yeah, team!
The thought does cross my mind – am I running the race to win? Am I honoring God with how I am running the race of life? Am I putting myself through the tiresome training in order to be fit enough for the ultimate race? Am I prepared to actually get into the race? And, is anyone watching me run the race? Do I inspire them to follow my lead?
Difficult questions for a Monday morning. Difficult questions for which I do not have a ready answer. Difficult questions that I probably will spend the days ahead giving some serious thought to. Difficult questions for a challenging time.
I do think of John Wesley’s observation that God had sent him on fire and people came from all over England to watch him burn! Am I on fire for the Lord? Is anyone watching me burn?
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Have mercy on me, O God ... the state of our inner-self
Psalm 51:1 – “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”
To this day I can still hear my mother saying to me … “You’re not going to wear that are you?” It is still reinforced today by my two daughters and my spouse. But, it has gotten me to reflect on a few things …
Grammatically it is a question, but in reality it is not a question at all.
As a teenager my (your?) mother could ask in “that” tone of voice that made me understand that it was really a declarative statement precipitation a change! Even if I didn’t want to.
We’ve been through this conversation on other occasions. I knew what’s coming next. “Suppose you had a wreck or something and were carried to the doctor’s office or the hospital. That undershirt is worn out you know. Take it off and get another one!” Or, as I have heard in later years, “Why don’t you just throw those underwear away?” Again, not really a question, but a declarative statement.
I do remember a comic routine by Bill Cosby concerning clean underwear. He wondered by mother’s were always concerned about the state of your underwear. He went on to shared that after all if you are in an automobile accident, and I quote, “First you say it and then you do it … and it isn’t clean any longer.”
My mother would have been surprised to learn what I discovered some years later. In a conversation with a registered nurse who worked in the ER at the local hospital, the personnel in the emergency rooms never check the patient for worn out or dirty underwear or holes in their socks. In fact, most of the time those items are cut off our bodies before any work can begin on mending our bodies.
However … and this is the point of Psalm 51 I do believe … the old question about underwear may raise a more pertinent thought about our “inner-wear?” What is the condition of our psyche or soul? What is the state of our emotional self?
John Wesley was fond of asking a penetrating question to his class meetings – “How is it with your soul?” What is the state of your inner-self? Yes, Lord, blot out my transgressions so that I will not be embarrassed if others could see my inner-self.
To this day I can still hear my mother saying to me … “You’re not going to wear that are you?” It is still reinforced today by my two daughters and my spouse. But, it has gotten me to reflect on a few things …
Grammatically it is a question, but in reality it is not a question at all.
As a teenager my (your?) mother could ask in “that” tone of voice that made me understand that it was really a declarative statement precipitation a change! Even if I didn’t want to.
We’ve been through this conversation on other occasions. I knew what’s coming next. “Suppose you had a wreck or something and were carried to the doctor’s office or the hospital. That undershirt is worn out you know. Take it off and get another one!” Or, as I have heard in later years, “Why don’t you just throw those underwear away?” Again, not really a question, but a declarative statement.
I do remember a comic routine by Bill Cosby concerning clean underwear. He wondered by mother’s were always concerned about the state of your underwear. He went on to shared that after all if you are in an automobile accident, and I quote, “First you say it and then you do it … and it isn’t clean any longer.”
My mother would have been surprised to learn what I discovered some years later. In a conversation with a registered nurse who worked in the ER at the local hospital, the personnel in the emergency rooms never check the patient for worn out or dirty underwear or holes in their socks. In fact, most of the time those items are cut off our bodies before any work can begin on mending our bodies.
However … and this is the point of Psalm 51 I do believe … the old question about underwear may raise a more pertinent thought about our “inner-wear?” What is the condition of our psyche or soul? What is the state of our emotional self?
John Wesley was fond of asking a penetrating question to his class meetings – “How is it with your soul?” What is the state of your inner-self? Yes, Lord, blot out my transgressions so that I will not be embarrassed if others could see my inner-self.
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