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.

Homecoming

            

             A couple of weekends ago Liz and I took our grandsons to Homecoming at Samford University.  We had a good time eating Bar-B-Q, and watching Samford football.  Liz and I are now considered “Golden Bulldogs,” i.e. alumni who graduated fifty or more years ago. 

            Homecomings, whether at school, or at church or any other venue, are good times of reunions.  Seeing people we haven’t seen in many years, catching up on others and remembering the good times of the past.  Homecomings also have an element of melancholy.  We saw very few of the other “Golden Bulldogs” from our classes.  The reality is, we receive word every couple of months or so of a classmate who has departed this life.  This is not surprising for a group who can count fifty or more years since college graduation.  The truth is, we are old and getting older.

            This reality is a reminder of the great and final Homecoming we will experience.  I don’t know your concept of Heaven, but we are taught in the Bible that we have a home in Heaven; Jesus is preparing a place for us.  I personally believe that we shall know others and be known by others.  This means family, friends and long lost classmates. I hope a bonus will be that we can remember all of their names.

             In John’s vision of Heaven he reports “I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, tongues…”  (Revelation 7:9)

            Now that will be some kind of a great homecoming.  Be sure you can make it.

Grace and peace.

Time is Time

            Like most of you, for about a month, I’ve been rising while it is still dark outside.  I don’t like that and never have, even as a boy when I rose at 4:00 A.M. to deliver newspapers. Saturday the fifth of November, I’ll set my clocks back an hour ("fall back in in fall") so that I may rise Sunday morning after dawn.  The flip side is that it will be dark Sunday shortly after 5:00 P.M.  The light I gain in the morning will be taken from me the evening. 

            The arrangement is called Daylight Savings Time, a system devised to give us more light in the evening during the Summer.  The truth, of course, is that we don’t “gain” any daylight.  We will have the same amount of daylight no matter where we set our clocks.  We can’t gain any daylight and we can’t gain any additional time.  We will still have twenty four hours each day. 

            We will adjust our lives to the daylight we have, and we will adjust our hectic lives to the twenty four hours we are given. (Wouldn’t it be great if we could manufacture another hour each day!)  We just have to do the best we can with the time we are given.  

            This is also true of the days of life we are given.  We only have a certain number, even though we don’t know that number.  It behooves us to use each one wisely and to the fullest.  That is why Paul instructs the Ephesians and us, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Grace and peace.

Happy All Saints Day

            Halloween, of course, is the Eve of All Saints Day.  In 609 A.D, Pope Boniface IV began All Saints Day in May.  The Roman church had canonized so many saints and established “days” for each one, the calendar was filled with celebrations for various Saints.  So the church established “All Saints Day” to consolidate the celebrations and to recognize all saints “known and unknown.”  In 735 Pope Gregory III moved the date to November the First.

            I don’t know how many saints had been canonized by then, but the Roman church did not canonize them all.  That is because, scripturally, everyone who is in Jesus Christ is a “saint.”  Throughout Acts and the Letters, all Christians are referred to as "saints.”  While certain individuals were sainted by the Roman church for exceptional ministry or exceptional sacrifice, only God knows how many, unheralded and unknown, rendered even greater service or endured greater sacrifice. 

            I don’t know any Baptists who celebrate All Saints Day.  But many of them really party on Halloween, from the children who go “trick or treating,” to adults who dress up in costumes, and many families that decorate their homes and yards as much as they do for the Christmas season.

            Maybe we need to begin to celebrate the following day. The old saying is every dog has its day or every person has his fifteen minutes of fame.  I assume in heaven we will know the merit of all the saints of God.  You, as a saint of God, may not have a special day in your honor, but you will be honored, by the other saints and the by the angels, for all that God is able to do in and through you.

            And All Saints Day is your day and my day.  Happy All Saints Day!

Grace and peace.