No Skeletons Please

Have you noticed the common thread behind skeletons? At this time of year they are in every "haunted house", hanging on windows, erected on lawns and even marching to our doorsteps. Often we refer to them in our conversation. When someone has been ill or lost a lot of weight we might say they are nothing but skin and bones. When a company has cut back on a project they are said to have only a skeleton crew.

The concept of skeletons seems to be always connected with death. They are associated with undesirable situations because we see death as our worst enemy. Skeletons evoke fear from within us. The "skin and bones" look is seen as a step toward serious illness or death. The skeleton crew is a sign of the death of the project or even the company. No one is attracted by death or the appearance of deadness.

The same principle is true in communicating our faith to others. People are not attracted to dead Christians. We are to exhibit the life of a "new creation in Christ" for all to see. Jesus said that He came "that we might have life and have it more abundantly." True Christianity is not keeping a bunch of rules or following a prescribed set of procedures. It is a living relationship with a living God. Let's avoid a lifestyle that smells of death and instead celebrate the life God has given us in such a way that others are attracted to the Life-giver.

Artist At Work

Recently my artist daughter was asked to paint a mural for a church baptistery. Some in the church were a little hesitant about hiring her because they weren't sure about what the finished product would look like. As the days of painting went by one elderly man came by to inspect each day. Finally, he made a comment. He said, "Well, it's looking much better than I thought it would." When the mural was finally completed everyone in the church was pleased with the results.

Our lives are much like that mural. God is the artist. At the beginning of His work we might feel uncertain as to what He can do with us. Along the way we might even wonder if the picture will turn out very well. But if we just allow him to work day by day in our lives the end result will be a testimony to the Artists skill and careful plan. The acronym PBPGINFWMY (Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet) is true for ourselves as well as others.

All along the painting of our lives people are watching. Many of them will be like the elderly man who watched my daughter's work. Some will be skeptical. We must let the Artist demonstrate his ability and express our own conviction that He is qualified to paint the details of our lives. Our confidence in Him will bring peace to ourselves and those watching regarding the completion of the painting.

Turn On The Furnace

Jack Frost touched his fingers to the windows of my car for the first time this morning. Now I face the daily task of scraping away the frost. For the next five months the life will be zapped out of everything. The trees will shed their leaves, the grass, plants and flowers will no longer put forth their joyful colors. Except for the brave lovers of winter sports we will hover in the house where the furnace has been turned on to avoid the nip of winter's cold.

As I thought about the frost and its affect on the living world I was reminded about the wintry affect that frosty words can have on relationships. Words are not so easily scrapped off as frost from a window. They can rob the life of a relationship just as quickly as winter kills off the grass and plants but without the promise of spring a few months later.

We can, however, force that winter away by choosing words of care and kindness. A Japanese proverb says, "One kind word can warm three winter months." Our properly chosen words can be like the furnace that protects from the bitter temperatures and winds of winter. Proverbs 15:23 says, "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" Let us turn on the furnace of good words that will warm our relationships with those around us.

Let Your Pumpkin Glow

For the last two weeks my Bible class has been memorizing the similitudes. They are the verses following the beatitudes that compare us to salt and light. As salt our nature is to be preservative, seasoning and healing. As light we are to drive away the darkness and provide illumination for people to see. As a result people will glorify our Father.

I received another similitude in my inbox the other day. It compares believers to pumpkins as follows. "God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off you may have gotten from the other pumpkins. Then he cuts the top off and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

I hope that you have been "picked from the patch" already. However, we may be at any stage in the process after that. But only after we have been washed, cleaned and molded by his grace will we become the light for all the world to see. Are you shining today?

Trick or Treat

Just a week from now little voices will be calling out that familiar phrase "trick or treat" expecting to receive some candy. Our grandson came over last night to show off his costume and practice his technique. We knew he was coming and prepared by getting him two of his favorite treats, peeps (the little marshmallow treat) and sugarless gum. He was elated.

While not everyone participates in Halloween activities we all give out tricks and treats on nearly a daily basis. People around us come expecting to find a source of help or understanding. Some come with the need for friendship or just a listening ear. Knowing this we must choose to be prepared with answers that will bring peace and joy to their lives. The Bible instructs us to be prepared with an answer for the hope that we have and to share it with those around us.

Unfortunately, some trick or treating turns out to be disastrous because of the bad treats given out. That is why folks tend to take their kids to only friends and relatives. Likewise, people should be able to tell by our daily testimony that we are a safe source of the "treat" they need. We may choose not to participate in the seasonal trick or treating activities, but we do not have the option as believers to withhold our "treats" from those in spiritual need around us.

Be A Winner

The World Series of baseball begins tonight. My team didn't make it. They wanted to be in the series and they worked hard to get to that point, but they fell short. Something was missing that kept them from their goal. The same is true of all the other teams that didn't make it. Regarding team sports Bobby Night said, "The key is not the "will to win" - everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important. Somewhere along the line all the teams but two didn't do what was required to prepare to win.

The game of life is much like baseball in that respect. Every one of us want to win but we don't always have the will to do what is required to be a winner. The difference between baseball and life is that we can all be winners. Simply by making the choice to be prepared we are guaranteed a spot in the winner's circle. We are told in the Bible, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:1,2). All we need to do to be a winner is accept the gift of grace God has made available.

Having exercised our will to be a winner we can then enjoy the rest of the game and be an inspiration for others to consider joining us in the winner's circle. To willfully reject the opportunity to be a winner is to spend the rest of the game in misery, knowing that we cannot possibly win. Without the prospect of the World Series the excitement of baseball would be greatly diminished. Without the prospect of eternity with the Savior the purpose of life is gone. Accept God's grace and purpose for your life today and then share it with all those around you. We can all be winners.

When It Rains It Pours

When days go by that are hot and dry everyone wishes for rain. Now it has been raining frequently with a forecast for the same for several days and everyone is wishing it would stop. That is usually the way we respond to the weather. We are never satisfied with what we get.

Our attitude toward the storms of life may be similar. It seems that at times the storms rage with no sign of an end. It is at those times we can demonstrate our dependence on God and our patience with others. We might feel like Mother Teresa who said, "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." Another writer has suggested, "We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way.

So when it seems to be pouring in our lives let us recount the days of sunshine that God has given and promised to give. At the same time let us be reassured that He knows our strengths and weaknesses and will not allow us to be tested above what we are able to bear. Remember, along with the pouring rain comes the grace God gives to live through it and the growth that results.

Written In Stone

Have you ever listened to someone share future plans and then say, "It's not written in stone"? We have all had plans like that. We never know what will take place to change our plans. We might discover a more attractive alternative. We may find a less expensive option. We may just lose interest. Then what was so exciting is suddenly forgotten.

While that scenario is acceptable for personal plans and activities, it is destructive to personal relationships. A story tells of two friends who got into an argument. When one slapped the other, the person who was slapped wrote in the sand, "My friend slapped me today." Later that same person fell into some quicksand and was rescued by his friend. The rescued person wrote in stone this time, "My friend saved my life today." When asked why he wrote in sand one time and then in stone the other, he said, "When someone hurts us we should write it in sand, but when they help us we should write it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

That is good advice for maintaining a relationship. The storms that put pressure on friends, spouses, families, church members and other relationships should serve to bring us closer together rather than driving us apart. They will if the right things are written in stone.

Try On A Different Pair of Shoes

When I go shopping I like to go in the store, pick up the item I want and get out quickly. I guess that's a man thing. There are some times when that technique just doesn't work. When buying shoes or clothes there is a time-consuming process of trying things on to make sure they fit. Failing to go through the process results in the extra bother of having to return and exchange items.

Sometimes we want relationships to work the same way. We think that unless a person instantly matches our expectations something is wrong with them. Often the problem is that we simply haven't been in their shoes. We haven't experienced their circumstances. A story is told of a King of a country who wanted to identify with his people. So he dressed up in old clothes and spent time down in the coal mines where many of them worked. As a pastor I sometimes could not understand why people would not come to some of the church services. Then I worked in the secular world and discovered what they were experiencing and was better able to understand them.

God has done the same thing for each of us. The Bible tells us that Jesus is one who can identify with our infirmities. He is God who came to experience the human circumstances that we have daily. We need to be thankful for his willingness to "put on our shoes" and do the same to meet the needs of others around us. Today, when you can't seem to understand people try on their pair of shoes.

Never Give Up

Sometimes it takes real determination and stamina to keep on task. School children across the country are getting out for the summer after a year of work. They are sensing the excitement of completing another level in their educstional goal. Our perseverance is often related to the value of the task.

A man joined a monastery with the understanding that he could only speak two words once every five years. They expected him to put forth some effort to make his task a success. At the end of the first five years he met with the head of the monastery and said his two words, "Hard beds." Five years later his words were, "Bad food." and after fifteen years his two words were, "I quit." Now that was some valiant effort that was defeated only due to inconvenience.

In a cartoon a frog is being eaten by a pelican. The frog is completely inside of the pelican's mouth except for two legs which are desperately grasping the pelican's neck. The caption said, "Never give up." Now that frog was fighting for something he really valued - his life.

In the spiritual realm our view must be on more than just relief from an unpleasant task or convenience. Our battle is for spiritual victory. The results have eternal complications for us and those who observe us and follow in our footsteps. We must never give up.

What Will I Give?

The number of occasions on which we are supposed to give a gift seems to increase every year. We are constantly having to decide what would be appropriate. One popular gift is a restaurant gift certificate. Another possibility is a bouquet of flowers. However, both of these are gone in a short time and forgotten. While they are nice they need to be accompanied or replaced with something that will last.

I received this quote in an email recently: “Appreciation is a free gift that you can give to anyone you encounter – it is completely your choice. And each time you choose to thank someone for a job well done, you are making the world a better place.” (The Simple Truths of Appreciation, Barbara Glanz).

I can affirm that appreciation is a much better choice than the flowers or free meal. While I enjoy both of those gifts, it is appreciation that motivates and satisfies. Sometimes my boss takes me out to lunch, but when he expresses his appreciation for a job well done that means much, much more. We can all give this gift and enrich the lives of others. How about telling someone today that you appreciate them or their work. You don't need a special occasion for this gift.

Let Go of The Hatchet

In life there are always disagreements and conflicts. In haste we say or do things that we wish we could undo later. Sometimes when we resolve the conflict or at least agree to set it aside we say, "Let's bury the hatchet. Let's just forget about this confrontation." However, many times we don't really mean what we say and we leave the hatchet handle sticking out so that we can easily retrieve it later.

Thankfully, God doesn't work that way. When God says that he forgets our sins we can rest assured that He will never bring them up again and He will not hold them against us. Our enemy may bring them to mind in order to hold us in a prison of guilt, but as far as God is concerned the hatchet, handle and all, has been buried.

We would do well to pattern our forgiveness of others after God's forgiveness of us. We can't erase something totally from our memory, but we can choose to set it aside. I can remember several situations and the people involved in them that offended me, but I have chosen to fully bury the hatchet as far as my relationship with those people is concerned. It is God's grace flowing from me to the other person that enables me to let go of the hatchet. Ask God to help you in this area. You will find that God's peace will be the result.

The Bear Facts

The Bible says "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise..." But the ant isn't the only animal that can teach us something important. One day I was watching a nature program on the Travel Channel. At first I thought the examination of a bear's jaw to determine its cause of death was rather irrelevant to anything important, but soon discovered a significant lesson.

The narrator explained that a loose tooth in the jaw gave insight into the cause of death. He went on to give the probable scenario. The problem likely began with a cavity and eventual tooth decay resulting in infection. Then there was a loss of appetite which led to weakness and vulnerability. Finally the bear was attacked by an enemy and faced death.

Immediately, the parallel to our spiritual condition became evident. Sin captures us in much the same way. It begins small and leads to spreading infection. If not stopped we become careless in our spiritual diet and weak in our faith. At that point we are vulnerable to the attack of our enemy and the object of his destruction. We must be alert to the entrance of sin in our lives, confess it, and help others to see and do the same.

An Insider Tip

From time to time a news story breaks about someone who had information ahead of time that enabled them to profit when others without that information did not. In the financial world that is called insider information. It is illegal and some have served time in prison for using it to their advantage. We all like to have an advantage and make a profit, but we must be ethical about our actions.

I have an insider tip that will profit you and others at the same time. It is not illegal and will not send you to prison. Actually, it will free you from a prison of sorts. The tip: give something away. No longer needing our water bed, I took it apart and stored it on our back porch. I advertised it in a free place for $60. After a period of time with no responses, I decided the bed was just cluttering up my back porch so I advertised it as free to be picked up. Yesterday, a young lady called and agreed to pick up the bed. When she came she was elated at the opportunity to get this bed. She had one in the past and wanted one again but could not afford it. She thanked us over and over.

By this simple offer we were able to help someone experience kindness and grace. We were able to bring a smile and sense of happiness to another. At the same time we had the joy and blessing of seeing someone else be blessed. While we could have used the money, giving the bed away helped to separate us from the "prison" of always looking at our own need without looking at the needs of others. Take the tip. You will profit. Just look for a way to enrich some one's life today.

Goodness Gracious

Have you ever responded to an incident or some one's statement with the words of the title? Usually this response expresses either a pleasant surprise or a shocking unpleasant revelation. In the first case we recognize something good that has happened. This good thing may have been an unexpected act of kindness, the receipt of some good news, or possibly an unexpected material blessing. In the second case we are expressing our dismay. Perhaps we have heard of a new atrocity in the news, an unexpected turn of personal events or the personal downfall of a friend or acquaintance.

Obviously, we prefer to hear those words in a positive framework. So do others. When we hear someone say "goodness gracious" in response to something we have said or done, is it because we have been good and gracious or because we have failed in that area? We are encouraged in the Bible to let our light shine in such a way that people will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. In order to do that we must communicate goodness and grace to others.

Today strive to do and say those things that will cause the positive "goodness gracious" to come from those around us. We will know that they have been blessed and as a result we will be blessed as well.

How To Become Rich And Famous

At one time or another we all dream about what it would be like to have a lot of money or be a popular star. I received an email today that asked the following questions among others. Name the last five Miss America winners. Name five people who taught you something worthwhile. Which were you able to answer?

There is a similar comparison regarding biblical characters. Name one of the ten spies who brought back a bad report when Israel was at the boundary of the Promised Land about to go in and claim the land. Name one of the spies that brought back a good report. If you don't know your Bible both of those may have been difficult to answer, but most people know that Joshua and Caleb returned the good report. I have never met anyone who could name one of the ten who brought the bad report.

The whole point of both comparisons is that people who make a difference are the people who are remembered. They are the ones who should be labeled famous. So you can be famous also. Just be someone who makes a difference in the lives of others. You will be remembered. But what about the rich part? By making a difference in the lives of others you will be enriched beyond what money can do. Your will not be able to deposit your riches in the bank, but your life will be blessed and a blessing.

How Do I Get There From Here?

Sometimes it seems impossible to get from one point to another. Perhaps the streets don't run continuously through and suddenly you must detour to get to another section of the same street. Often a river or railroad track separate parts of the city so that you must go way out of your way to get to your destination. In desperation you might declare that you can't get there from here.

In life we may feel the same way. We have a desire to please God and bring grace to others but it seems as if there are numerous "road blocks" in our path. We want to know God's will but it seems to be hidden from us. In Romans 12:1,2 God gives us a guideline for knowing his will that also may be applied to bring direction for many situations in life. Basically, the instruction is to give yourself to God, refuse to be distracted by the world, and to think God's way. The promise is that we will then be able to prove (discover) the will of God.

If there is a situation in life that you cannot seem to resolve or a goal you can't seem to reach, try those three steps. Turn the matter over to God, don't let the world's normal way of thinking limit your insight, and then shed God's thoughts (the Bible) on the problem. He will give your the direction you need.

Mixed Emotions

Often mother-in-laws are the object of complaints. One joke aimed at them provides the definition of mixed emotions. It states that mixed emotions are what you have when you see your mother-in-law drive over a cliff in your new car. Now that might apply to some mother-in-laws but not mine. She has been a blessing ever since I married her daughter.

However, I have noted a real illustration of mixed emotions. It compares the bad with the worse. I was one time thinking over the past which had been filled with medical problems for me and my wife. Just as I was beginning to feel sorry for myself the TV program "Home Makeover" came on. A new home was being built for the family of an 8 year old girl who had fought cancer into remission and then discovered that it had returned. Immediately, I sensed the feeling that prompted the comment, "I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet."

I realized how much God has blessed me in spite of the past experiences. The greatest blessing has been sensing His presence and seeing Him work out all the associated problems. He has certainly demonstrated his promise that He will never leave nor forsake his followers. When you are tempted to feel sorry for yourself just look about and notice that there are many who are going through worse situations. Then look up and realize that God will guide you through your difficulty.

The Uncrowded Road

About the only place I like to see a crowd is in church. I guess that's because as a pastor I always was blessed when more people came to worship. Otherwise, I avoid crowds. For some reason in a crowd I feel hemmed in. Crowds of cars in traffic also bother me. I would rather take an alternate route than deal with crowded traffic.

When visiting South Padre Island in Texas, I gasped at the crowded beach. I sure didn't want to go swimming in that packed spot. So we drove on up the road another mile and found nearly empty beaches. We enjoyed a wonderful day at the beach without the press of masses of human bodies.

If you are looking for an uncrowded place there is one available. It is called the second mile. Someone has said that there is not much traffic in the second mile. The travelers we do find on that second mile will be folks in need. Those unwilling to reach out to others will have departed. In the second mile we will find opportunities to bring grace into the lives of others. Let's travel together on the second mile. There's plenty of room.

Give Your Fears A Hug

In the news I read about a school that had to ban hugs between classes. I'm not sure what was behind all the hugging but it sure is better than arguing and fighting. Often we cover our fears with some sort of emotional expression. Fear may produce anger or even laughter to mask its presence. One understanding of fear was expressed as, "Fear is just your feelings asking for a hug" (Danielle Sanchez-Witzel and Michael Pennie).

My greatest fear as a child was using the outhouse before we had indoor plumbing. The structure was located about 50 feet from the house and there were no lights out there. So, when a night time trip had to be made it was pitch dark. To allay my fears I would sing out loud all the way there and back. The boogie man never did get me.

Perhaps a combination of hugs and songs is a pretty good deterrent to fear. Even at funerals there is a great amount of hugging and singing to relieve the fears, sorrows and tensions that exist. When King David in the Bible was pressed in by fears he called out to God and scripture says that God put a new song in his mouth. Whether you or someone else is being troubled by fear try a little hugging and singing to drive them away.

Wanted - Good Help

From time to time we like to enjoy a good meal at our favorite restaurant. For some reason food you didn't have to cook yourself tastes better. I guess it is because neither of us is already tired out from having to put together the meal. We always prefer a sit-down restaurant over fast food because someone else takes our order and brings it to us and gives attention to our needs all through the meal.

Sometimes things don't go so well. Maybe we have to wait for a long time to have our order taken. Or, when the meal comes several things are not correct. The waitress gets so busy that she doesn't fill up the coffee or she forgets about us altogether. On such occasions we have to guard ourselves so that our impatience doesn't begin showing. Sometimes we shake our head and say, "You just can't get good help these days."

Looking at the problem from a different point of view, I wonder how often we fail to be the kind of help someone else is seeking. Many times others depend on us to provide a needed lift for them. Maybe they are tired in spirit and need encouragement. Or maybe they are facing a difficult challenge in life and need someone who will share their burden. Do we get so busy that we make them feel like they have been forgotten and their needs are being ignored?

The Bible indicates that one of the gifts that are given is the gift of helps. We are to help one another with the needs that arise in life. To do so we must be alert to those needs and willing to respond at the right time. Often God's grace is seen in a simple act of kindness or moment of time given to another. Are we the good help that someone needs today?

Wheel Of Fortune

There isn't much on TV to watch anymore, but my wife and I like to watch Wheel of Fortune. Usually we can solve the puzzles before the contestants do. Sometimes contestants get down to only one missing letter and still don't solve the puzzle correctly. Here's one for you with only one letter missing. LIFE IS SHORT P_AY HARD. What was your answer? This question appeared in a devotional I read and certainly shows our mindset.

Was your answer "Life Is Short Play Hard" or "Life Is Short Pray Hard"? Our mindset in life makes all the difference. I have been around people with both mentalities. Those who pray hard are excited about what God is doing and how God is leading in their lives. Those who play hard without a focus on prayer are usually preoccupied with things that are short-lived and don't have much if any time for God.

While we don't need to be verbally praying all the time, we do need do be in a spirit of prayer all the time. As a result our minds will be focused on what God would want or do in each situation. We will have his peace even when the storms of life come upon us and that peace will flow from us to those around us. Our fortunes are not centered in the good life but in our good God. He makes the difference for now and eternity.

A Cry For Help

One night my sleep was interrupted at 3:00 am by the whining meow of a stray cat. Usually such noises come and go as the animal in question makes its rounds from place to place. This time it continued on and on and I began to wonder if the cat was caught in something or injured. I was tempted to investigate but I knew that my prowling about would set off the neighbors dogs, so I just continued to ignore the irritation.

As I thought about the whole situation, I realized that we often view the human cry in a similar way. I know people who are motor-mouths. They go on and on with a one-way conversation that I wish would end. They are like the proverbial dripping faucet. Often I feel like I just want to escape from them. But what if they are lonely or hurting? Even if they are not in need, will my reaction discourage them from seeking me out when they do have a problem?

So often we have heard of tragedies in the news such as suicides or other irrational behaviors that were preceded by a cry for help. Let's not be deaf to those cries. Our availability may be used by God to relieve the despair of someone around us. We can bring grace to others each day by being a listener and sympathiser.