WE ARE NEVER READY

            I lost another friend Saturday a week ago.  Mac was in Gulf Shores playing golf with a group of other men.  He fell over on the golf course with a heart attack and could not be revived.  He was only 64 years old and seemingly in good health with no heart problems whatsoever.

            Mac and his wife, Trudy, are members of the Sunday School Class I taught before I became the pastor at Central Park Baptist Church.  Liz now teaches that class.  Mac would always contribute in class.  He was a business leader and a leader in the church.  Thinking back, I would say that I never saw Mac without a smile.  That was the kind of person he was.  Life for Mac was good.  It is a shame it was cut short by a heart attack.

            All who knew him and his family were shocked.  We are never ready for death, someone else’s or our own.  We all hope to live a long, long time.  But that will not be the case for everyone.  Even for those blessed with a long life, it is too short. And death comes unexpectedly.  In his letter James warns us, “you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”  (James 4:14)

            It behooves us, therefore, to be ready for our own death and hope those we know are ready.  Mac was a believer.  I have no doubt of that.  Therefore I know that all is well with him.  And because I believe that Christ died for my sins and was resurrected to give me everlasting life, I know that all will be well with me when my time comes.

            How about you?

Grace and peace.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

            A $650 million plus mega ball lottery has been in the news recently.  There were three winners with tickets worth more than 200 million each.  But what impressed me was that there were over 100 million losers.  And that was just that one week.  I have no idea how many other losers there were in the weeks while the jackpot grew.

            Annalists tell us that the losers are primarily from the lowest economic level of our society.  Some of the poorest among us spend the most on lottery tickets.  The allure of a chance to “strike it rich” is very strong.  Television interviews explored the dreams of those buying the tickets, what they would do with the prize money.

            I can sympathize with them.  It would be nice to have all the money you could ever need.  But how much do we really need?  Paul in his first letter to Timothy gives us a warning, "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptations and a snare..." (1 Timothy 6:8)
            The problem is that our lifestyles have been so abundant, if not outright lavish, few of us would be content with just food and clothing.  Our society ramps up desire for more and more stuff.  And all this stuff takes money.  Thus the desire for money becomes more and more intense.
            Paul also warns us in that passage that the love of money is the root of kinds of evil (what people will do for it) and condemns us to lives of discontent.
            Thank God each day for what you have, asking Him to help you be a good steward of what He has given you and experience the contentment of which Paul speaks.             

Grace and peace.

A MOVING STORY

            It has been a good while since I last posted a blog.  In the meantime, we have made quite a transition.  We sold our home of 14 years, a home we loved and enjoyed but which had too many stairs and too much yard work and upkeep.  We bought a garden home in a retirement settlement.  Thus we have been in the process of moving and resettling, and it has been very easy to let the blog go.  But I hope to be back now with some regularity.

            Since we married and moved into our first apartment, Liz and I have moved eleven different times.  It seems each move has become increasingly difficult.  The easiest move we ever made was from Gulf Shores to LaFayette, Alabama.  Liz was eight months pregnant with our second daughter, Kit.  First Baptist Lafayette arranged the move.  On moving day we arose, ate breakfast, and left the dirty breakfast dishes in the sink. And with Julie and our little dog Sam, we left town.  The movers packed everything, including the dirty dishes.  At our new home the church members and the movers unpacked and arranged everything under our direction.  I, literally, did not lift a finger.      

            At Wednesday Prayer Service we have been studying the book of Genesis.  When Joseph wanted to bring his father Jacob (Israel) and his extended family down to Egypt from Canaan, Jacob was 130 years old.  I can only imagine the trepidation this old man experience concerning the prospect of such a move.

            Joseph and Pharaoh sent wagons to transport the family.  Jacob could not walk that distance, as could not the women and small children.  Pharaoh, in essence, told him “do not pack,” i.e. do not worry about all your stuff, your belongings.  The Egyptians would provide everything they needed in Egypt. 

            In this most recent move I felt like I was 130 years old.  Gratefully we had our children and a moving company to help us with the transition.  But more important, we had the promise of God, which promise he made to Jacob in his move to Egypt.  “Do not fear to go…I will go with you…” (Genesis 46:3-4)  I can testify that in every move we have made, God has been with us and blessed us.

Grace and peace.

No Taxes

            “No New Taxes” is a theme being often stated in the political campaigns this year.  Or some proclaim the idea of cutting the taxes which already are on the books.  Of course we have income taxes, property taxes, vehicle taxes, gasoline taxes, sales taxes and on and on.

            Wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t have to pay taxes at all?  Or would it?  We depend on federal, state and local governments for a lot of things.  Our military defends us, our local law enforcement protects us, the government makes sure our food and drugs are safe, the government seeks to insure that the transportation we use from airlines to buses, operate as safely as possible, and on and on.  These services do not come free.  Someone must pay for them.  That “someone” is the various governments which provide them.  The only way the government can raise money to do so is through taxes.  We can argue over the priority of taxes or the equality of responsibility (i.e. my taxes verses your taxes).  But in a democracy the people must pay the bills.  So let the politicians talk all they wish, it will not change that truth. 

            When Jesus was asked about paying taxes, he responded, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  We need to do the same.  The government must have enough revenue to provide the services we need and want.

Grace and peace.

Getting Fit

             The month of January each year sees a spike in enrollments in gyms and fitness centers.  Evidently a lot of people make resolutions or decisions to get into shape or lose weight.  The reality is that many do not stick with their decisions and slip back into their old lifestyle.  It takes a highly motivated person to stick with it.  Often what they need is a complete change in lifestyle, not just a burst of resolution.  And I, for one, know how difficult that is to achieve. 

            The same is true of our spiritual lives.  Many people make new commitments to the Lord during revival meetings.  Others come through a crisis or physical trauma with a new resolution to live for the Lord.  Often the same happens with their burst of spiritual resolution.  They slip back into their former lifestyle.

            Paul reminds us that we are after an “imperishable crown.”  And he says therefore, “I run thus, not with uncertainty.  Thus I fight, not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”  (1 Corinthians 9:26-27)

            The quest for that imperishable crown is a 24/7 discipline to be and do all Christ wants us to be and do.  And, in like manner, the quest for a strong and healthy body is a 24/7 discipline.  I haven’t developed that lifestyle yet, but I’m working on it, even as I continue to develop the spiritual lifestyle I desire and which, I am sure, Christ desires for me.

            May He give more power to you and to me this year.

Grace and peace.

I'm Back

I haven't posted since early December.  You know the reason, too many things going on.  I hope to do better.  Thank you for your understanding.

           I trust your Christmas was a happy celebration.  The birthday of Jesus continues to be one of the most celebrated days of the year, even though many celebrants do not know Jesus and many, I’m sure, don’t even know who He is.  May God continue to use the celebration of His birth to reach many for Him.

            Let us also wish you a Happy New Year!  It is sobering to me, who was born in the depression year of 1935 that this is 2012.  Where did all that time go?

            I don’t make many predictions, but I can safely make this prediction.  The New Year will usher in both good and bad.  We don’t know what the future holds for any one of us.  But we have dealt with the ups and downs of previous years, and God will help us through whatever we face this year.  Because of this, because He will be with us at all times and in all circumstances, because we know we have the victory no matter what, because He holds the future, we will certainly have a Happy New Year.

            We claim the promise of God through the pen of Isaiah,  “Fear not, for I am with you;  Be not dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you,  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10)

            Do have a Happy New Year, and in Christ I know you will!

Grace and peace.

Black Friday

             I trust you survived “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving.  The original name of “Black Friday” was used by the police, bus drivers and taxi drivers in Philadelphia to describe the traffic congestion in downtown Philadelphia as shoppers flooded in on the day after Thanksgiving.  In more recent years the name has been used to mean the day on which retailers moved into the “black” in annual revenues.

            This traditional beginning of the Christmas shopping season can be a “Black Friday” for many in another sense.  Many see Christmas as a reason for spending.  We want to bless each other, our families and especially our children and grandchildren with material gifts.  Plastic allows us to buy for them things for which we don’t have the money, and puts many into a “black hole” of debt.

            I certainly do not oppose spending and gift giving at Christmas.  These are part of the celebration of Christ’s birth and enhance the season for all, especially children.  But I would remind us that Christians particularly have a responsibility to manage our finances in an exemplary way.  This is part of the overall concept of stewardship.  We all want things.  I have often been blessed on receiving or purchasing something that I really desired.  But we must be careful to keep our desires in bounds. We are reminded in 1 Timothy 6:8-9, “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

          And the truth is we can be happy with less. Contentment does not come from things, it comes from a right relationship with God and resting in His assurances.

Grace and peace.