VIGILANCE: Asleep at the wheel!

"It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. Therefore, be on the alert--for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning - in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'"

Mark 13:34-37

Police discovered an eighteen year-old Santa Fe man at 2 a.m. sleeping on the passenger seat of Andrew Brewer's Chevy Camaro, next to broken glass and a large rock, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

Deputy Police Chief Beverly Lennen said the youth had apparently broken into the car to steal it. Unfortunately the car resisted starting and, for reasons known only to the car thief, he fell asleep at the wheel.

The authorities awakened and arrested him.

“He was just laying there,” the car’s owner said. “It was pretty odd … . Someone stole my car but didn't [leave] because he fell asleep.”

Jesus warned us to “be alert” that our Master not come suddenly and find us asleep at the wheel.

Christianity, Illustrations,
Religion, Vigilance

CIRCUMSTANCES #I: The sum of its parts!

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

TEENAGE GRANDSON: “Grandma nothing is working in my life!”
GRANDMA: “How do you mean?”
GRANDSON: “You know! At school, at home, my friends, my girlfriend … you know!”.
GRANDMA: “Would you like some of the cake I’m making?”
GRANDSON: “Sure!”
GRANDMA: “Here, have a ¼ cup of cooking oil.”
GRANDSON: “Yuck! I can’t drink that!”
GRANDMA: “How about a couple raw eggs?”
GRANDSON: “Gross, Grandma!”
GRANDMA: “Would you like a cube of margarine! Or some flour? Or maybe baking soda?”
GRANDSON: “Come on Grams, those are sick! I want some cake!”
GRANDMA: “That’s right, they seem bad by themselves. But when you put them together in the right way and slowly bake them in an oven, they make a great cake!”

This is how God works in our lives. We often wonder why he lets us experience hard times; taken by themselves they seem difficult. But God knows what He is doing. When all the ingredients are together and allowed to bake in His time, they always work for our good!

Someone said,

“God is crazy about you. If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and [yet] He chose your heart. [Consider] the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at Calvary. Face it, He's crazy about you.”

Christianity, Circumstances,
Illustrations, Religion

MARRIAGE: Separation is not the answer!

"The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."

Genesis 2:22-24

John Wesley Powell is a name not well recognized today … he was the one-armed, Civil War hero-explorer of an American national treasure, The Grand Canyon and it's great Colorado River.

Something not well known by many people is a place Powell named “Separation Rapid.” This is where three men separated from the main party and attempted to walk out of the canyon by themselves.

What precipitated this separation? A major dilemma! The Powell party had earlier lost one of its four boats and over half their food to the river. The rapids they now faced were more menacing than anything they had previously encountered.

Normally they “portaged” (i.e., carried) their huge wooden boats around such difficulty, but here it was impossible. Two choices were available to the explorers: 1.) abandon the exploration and walk out, into uncharted and hostile territory; 2.) face their fears and plunge headlong into the rapids, trusting themselves to make it.

Three chose the former, while the seven remaining men chose the latter. To everyone’s surprise the rapids only had the appearance of omnipotence; within minutes they cleared “Separation Rapid,” unscathed and with all their provisions. The three separators were never heard from again.

Many times marriage presents seemingly impenetrable obstacles which in fact have only “the appearance of omnipotence.”

In many cases it is true that the couple cannot “portage” their marriage around the obstacle. However, facing their fears and forging ahead, trusting in the grace of God [Matthew 19:26; 2 Corinthians 12:9], may bring a Grand Canyon-like surprise. Taking the “separation” route in marriage is fraught with danger, many have taken it to their great detriment.

When couples come seeking my counsel I remind them a marriage is similar to a front lawn, right out there in the public’s eye: if it’s nurtured and maintained it will serve them all the days of their lives, even though some must periodically be cut nearly to the roots; if ignored, abused, or trampled on it will die.

Christianity, Illustrations,
Marriage, Religion

PERSEVERANCE: Washing Your Car to Success

"But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance."

Luke 8:15

It was a strange place to have a motivational poster … the Men’s Room at a car wash; then again who’s surprised at anything these days. The message read: “PERSEVERANCE … never give up for that is the place the tide will turn.”

The message is clear: “Keep on trying, you can make it, don’t quit. Persevere in reaching for the things the world offers, they are available to any who will try hard enough.” And you can do this while you’re having your car washed.

On the other hand, God also calls us to persevere; we’re to do this after we have received His free washing. But Jesus has said the tide will not turn unless you are born-again; unless you come to Him as a little child.

Christianity, Illustrations,
Perseverance, Religion

PRIORITIES: Carpe Diem!

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ."

Philippians 3:7 [6-17]

Several years ago the movie Dead Poets Society revived an obscure Latin term: carpe diem. It means seize the day. It's an exhortation to live life to the fullest!

If you asked a hundred people, they would all say that’s what they want; no one wants a mediocre life, we want full lives.

Advertisers know this; consider the following advertising slogans: “Who Says You Can't Have It All,” “Just Do It,” “Satisfy Your Thirst,” “Go for the Gusto,” “Life Is A Journey - Enjoy the Ride,” etc.

Unfortunately, we get caught up in our daily living and have convinced ourselves that we lack the time to seize the day! We have deadlines, commitments, emergencies, distractions … we want more fulfillment from life, but it’s not near enough to grasp.

Paul understood - carpe diem! In Philippians 3 he describes it; if you follow his reasoning, you too can seize the day, living life to the fullest, no matter the chaos around you.

carpe diem, Christianity,
Illustrations, Religion

PERSEVERENCE: Shake it off!

"Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience."

James 1:2-3 [ASV]

A parable is told of a farmer who owned a mule who accidentally fell into an old uncovered well. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer decided neither the mule nor the well was worth saving; so, he called his neighbors to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well.

At first, the mule was hysterical. But then it occurred to him that every time a shovel of dirt hit his back he could shake it off and step up. So, he did – shovel full after shovel full.

“Shake it off; step up,” he repeated to himself. “Shake it off; step up.” It wasn't long before the old mule stepped triumphantly over the top to safety. The dirt he thought would bury him turned out to be a blessing.

Whenever life throws dirt on you, do what the old mule did ... “Shake it off and step up.”

[Laughlines by Skai Rusis; 11/13/99; edited for publication)]

Christianity, Illustrations,
Perseverance, Religion

LIFE: It's How We Finish That Makes A Difference!

"… his wife … looked back; and she became a pillar of salt"

Genesis 19:26

"We have finished our years like a sigh."

Psalm 90:9

"Remember … your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, 'I have no delight in them.'”

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Philippians 1:21

Auto racing is well known all over. In fact it is one of the most successful sporting endeavors in the world, with attendance statistics that are the envy of many sports entrepreneurs.

Professional racing teams spend a lot of time perfecting their skills: terrifying turns, speeds that would paralyze an ordinary driver, and terrible crashes are every day occurrences at the track.

The last ten miles, I am told, are the best – especially in a long race – just lasting to cover those final ten miles is something unique. Drivers say the strain of all that preceded those last ten miles is worth the rush of adrenaline and the excitement.

[Provided by subscriber Merilyn Derkson, Chaplain of Broadway Pentecostal Lodge, Vancouver, BC; edited for publication]

Life should be like an auto race; we should get pleasure out of the race, but the last few miles should be our greatest joy.

A friend says she wants to take a Caribbean cruise … NOW! She doesn’t want to wait until she has to be pushed up the ramp in a wheelchair! What a pessimistic attitude. Those seasoned years should be looked forward to.

The wagon trains which came West, to settle this continent, had joyful people looking forward toward new hills, new experiences, and the thrill of opening up a new land; they also had mournful people looking backward at what was left behind.

Are we like the latter, sadly looking out the rear window of life – saying, “If only … ! If only …!”? Or are we on the bench seat, holding the reins, looking in awe at what life has yet to bring our way?

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

PERSEVERANCE: Toward the Goal!

"I press on toward the goal …"

Philippians 3:14

"… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Hebrews 12:1-2

When we were kids, on rainy days at school, when we were forced to stay inside during recess, we played a game.

One student would be blindfolded, then told to find something in the room [e.g., a chair, a table, the teacher].

Before being blindfolded he was given an opportunity to memorize the way the room looked. The teacher would then spin him round and round; whereupon everyone, including the teacher, would get in his way, or move desks and furniture.

Eventually, someone would feel sorry for him and endeavor to help him, casually bumping him to turn him toward his goal.

We've allowed Satan to become our wicked teacher; he's spun us around and around till we don’t know up from down, right from wrong. He moves things around, things we thought we knew very well. His is an evil game of trickery and treachery.

But God heard our cries and sent His Son to turn us toward our goal.

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

FRIENDS: A Thing That Makes Life Worth Living!

JESUS – THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE: [John 15:12-17; other topics - Friendship, Marriage]

Someone once said, “What are friends for if you can’t use them?”

Friendship, like many other things, is a paradox … “it is both the strongest thing in the world and the most fragile. Wild horses cannot separate (true) friends, but whining words can. A man will lay down his life for his friend [John 15:13], but will not sacrifice his eardrums.” [“Points To Ponder,” Field Newspaper Syndicate (Readers Digest, 1985) p.183.]

Usually it’s the smallest thing which separate friends; it should be big things which break up friendships. Friends are worth fighting for even in difficult times, because true friends are very rare and hard to find.

Jesus, of course, offers the ultimate example of friendship, dying in His friends’ place while they were wholly unworthy of friendship.

CONFLICT: Defined As "To Strike Together"; Pro or Con

IT'S IN THERE SOMEWHERE: [Ephesians 4:1-3]

During the football season, we are witnesses to a wonderful illustration of conflict resolution. The ball carrier (ball firmly tucked under his bent elbow, fingers firmly over the end of the pigskin) is hit violently; the ball spurts from his grasp and bounds randomly first here and then there.

Three seconds elapse and the ball will have traveled no more than thirty yards, but not necessarily in your preferred direction.

Three more seconds slip away and the ball is smothered under a dozen testosterone factories, housed in two to three tons of male flesh, but not necessarily in the possession of your man.

One by one the component parts of the pile are pealed off, top to bottom. Finally, the pile is whittled down to a few hot, struggling bodies until the player with legal possession of the ball is identified. By this time another six seconds has gone by and in professional sports, time is valuable.

A similar thing happens in conflict resolution. By the time referees get to the scene of a conflict the combatants are struggling fiercely and its cause is buried beneath a heap of time, circumstances, contributing factors, participants, situational milieus, and temperaments. Before the cause can be identified, each component of the pile must be pealed off from top to bottom, one by one. By now, a lot of time has passed and in the game of life, time is precious.

Communicating the need for patience to the combatants by a referee is essential to the process and its success.

DOCTRINE: For "Workmen" who don't want to be ashamed!

LOWERING THE BAR! [Ephesians 4:11-16]

Someone told me of a small high desert community which organized a marching band. They got high marks for spirit and good intentions, but not for music.

You see, in a town where the high school’s senior class is usually less than a couple of dozen, it’s difficult to find anyone to play an instrument, let alone play one well. They didn’t audition and interview potential members; they bribed, cajoled and promised, accepting any who came forward. The fact is they lowered their standards till every instrument had a player. But their performances? Horrible!

Most of us understand when standards are lowered in a situation like the above but what if a professional orchestra were to do this? An orchestra is organized to combine unique independent musical elements into a harmonious and melodious whole, there’s no room for degradation of standards.

A church is a lot like a symphonic orchestra, though far more consequential. A church is also like a small town, there seems always to be a dearth of people for their labor pool. Most small churches would get “high marks for spirit and good intentions,” but not for impressiveness.

Small churches can’t afford to cajole and manipulate just to increases in membership; taking any and all who come. Small churches must resist the temptation to degrade quality for quantity. Churches are intended to be organized to combine independent “natural” giftedness into a “supernatural” harmonious union: there really isn't room for degradation of standards.

Far too many churches have been willing to lower standards regarding membership, even those concerning office holders. If we can imagine the ruin degraded standards would bring upon a professional orchestra, why do we have so much trouble seeing the dangers of degrading biblical standards for The Body of Christ?

One reading of the New Testament is enough to impress the reader of the importance of overcoming and perseverance … I suggest we revisit those passages and stop becoming entangled with the world just to increase Body fat! (added 2/25/06)

GOD-KNOWLEDGE OF: Knowing the Unknowable by Faith!

JUST THE TIP! [1 Corinthians 13:12]

We are told, by those who know, that the visible tip of an iceberg is less than one-third of its total mass.

Our relationship with God is like that: what we see is very little compared to what is available.

We ought to be grateful for the privilege of being able to stand on what we can see, after all God was under no obligation to reveal Himself at all. O' the joy of knowing that our God, in all His glory, is far more than we can imagine or grasp.

Commitment

AN ARMY OF ONE! [Ephesians 4:4-6; other topics - Perseverance, Sanctification, Spiritual warfare]

The U.S. Army unveiled a new recruitment slogan recently. The “Be All You Can Be” line, a cultural icon since the 1980s, was retired and replaced with “An Army of One.”According to reports, the Army hopes the slogan will appeal to a generation less attracted to military service than its predecessors.

Paul says the church has had that slogan for 2,000 years …“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”Thus we know and proclaim, “I am an army of One in Christ Jesus … undefeated and unbeatable; overcoming and victorious!”

EVANGELISM - As the Father sent Him, so He sends you!

ALMOST PERSUADED! [Various; other topics - Outreach, Persistence, Soul-winning]

Every trip we make to one of our national parks someone in our family tries to feed a squirrel or chipmunk. In every instance the animal doesn’t trust us or any one else. Even though we leave a peanut for the animal again and again, it won’t trust us … again and again! The ingrate is never quite persuaded.

Inside, people are like these animals: wild, small, nervous, paranoid, filled with fears. But the writer of the song, “Almost Persuaded,” didn’t write it because he believed people were hopelessly lost. Rather, he wrote it because he knew it might be the next spiritual peanut which would persuade another sinner to receive what Jesus has offered … freedom from all their fears and life everlasting.

BEING SOMEBODY! [Proverbs 11:30; other topics - Soul-winning]

Lily Tomlin is supposed to have said, “I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.”

We all need goals, and the more specific the goal the easier it is to accomplish; and the easier it is to know when you’ve achieved it. To many people set vague goals and end up being what they do not want to be.

Christians are supposed to be Christ-like … to demonstrate the characteristics of our Lord. More specifically, we are to desire his communicable attributes (loving, goodness, kindness; gentleness, patience, truthfulness, justice, wisdom, etc.) … those characteristics which make Him who He is.

Unfortunately, soul-winning is like Bible reading: Barna reports 75% of Americans believe it’s important to read the Bible daily, yet only 13% actually read it daily.

FROM SAVING EYES TO SAVING SOULS! [Matthew 28:19, 20; other topics - Fruit Bearing, Sowing and Reaping, Witness]

Bob Reccord, president & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board, relates a story of an ophthalmologist Howard Hendricks thought was the greatest witness for Jesus Christ in Dallas, Texas.

It seems the good Dr. came under conviction when some students asked if he had ever led anyone to the Lord. Even though he had been active in his evangelical church for twelve years, he had not led anyone to the throne of grace personally. At the students encouragement he joined a training program and learned to share his faith; he became a fervent witness for the Good News.

Years later, when Hendricks visited a remote part of India, he used the story of this ophthalmologist turned evangelist to illustrate a point. He did not however use the Dr.’s name.

Later, an Indian doctor approached Hendricks and said, “You were talking about _______ ” (giving the doctor’s name). “How did you know?” Hendricks asked. “I went to medical school in Dallas, I went to see him about my eyes. He led me to Christ and discipled me.” The native doctor replied.

Today this Indian doctor is the only licensed neurosurgeon in his part of India. He has tremendous influence for Jesus as a result of an American eye doctor who overcame his indifference concerning witnessing.

When you truly comprehend the love of the One who gave His life while you were yet a sinner, you are compelled to tell someone about Him. Lovers introduce their loved ones to others.

[Adapted from: “Beware of rabbit-hole Christianity,” On Mission; Vol. 2, No. 3, July-August 1999, 7]


HARVESTING CHURCHES! [Mat. 28:19-20; other topics - Soul-winning]

Jesus said, “Follow after Me, and I’ll cause you to be fishers of men.” [Mark 1:17; my translation] Jesus intends for us to be fishers of men; He intends for us to be actively fishing; He intends us to bring in the catch!

In an article in NEXT magazine, Geo. Hunter III catalogues what he found as common denominators in harvesting churches: [Current Thoughts & Trends; January 97, p.17; #11753]

1.) Harvesting churches are rooted in God’s Word - through sound preaching, teaching, and small group studies!
2.) They target the lost and unchurched; and care about them!
3.) They are pro-active and expectant in prayer!
4.) They are committed to the Great Commission!
5.) They share a rich vision of what individuals can become in Christ (i.e., fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ)!
6.) They learn the language and culture of the unchurched!
7.) They minister to the “life concerns” of the lost and the unchurched (e.g., health, parenting, relationships, etc.)!
8.) Their message is relevant across generational lines!
9.) They emphasize lay ministry according to giftedness!
10.) They recognize “shepherds do not make new sheep; sheep make new sheep”!
11.) They’re not content with their ranks swelling with nominal Christians!

Harvesting churches recognize it’s “always” harvest time for those who follow Jesus; they are willing to get in the field and pick the fruit. Key for these churches is the realization, by their people, that understanding of one’s faith grows as one regularly explains it to others!


HELP ME, I'VE FALLEN! [Matthew 25:40; other topics - Witnessing]

You’re walking down the street at night following a late business meeting; in fact it’s after midnight. You’re on your way to a public parking lot and pass several rather dingy bars. Near a dimly lit intersection, just a few feet out in the street, between two parked cars, you see the figure of a man crumpled up on the pavement. It’s a bum, a drunk; a man too blighted to know he’s fallen, too sloshed to get up even if he did.

There’s no traffic on the street but you hear the sound of vehicles on those nearby. It’ll only be a matter of time before a delivery truck or a cab speeds down the road. They won’t see the guy until they hit him. The man isn’t asking you to get involved; there’s no, “Help! I’ve fallen and can’t get up.” In fact, at the moment the boozer could care less. But, if the poor soul knew what was about to happen to him, don’t you think he would plead for help? What should you do?

Most, if not all, true-believers would go to his aid; they would take the time to lend assistance.

Mankind is lost and dead in his trespasses; he’s too sin-filled to know what has happened to him, too carnal to care. There he is, lying in the path of destruction, in need of assistance.

Lost people aren’t going to ask you to get involved; in truth, based on experience, I’d say most of them want you to leave them alone. But, if those poor souls were to know what was about to happen to them, don’t you think they would cry out to be pulled out of the way of God’s coming judgment? At least to be shown how they could be saved from it?

Witnessing is not like breathing, it’s like eating. The former is done absent-mindedly, out of necessity; the later is a deliberate act, requiring a certain amount of preparation and a conscious desire to act.


MULTIPLICATION GARDENS! [Luke 8:8; other topics - Church Growth, Fruit Bearing]

In a friend’s garden is what my friend calls “multiplying” onions. I love onions more than my wife wishes, but these I especially love.

Where most onions have just the bulb in the ground, these have them on the stem ends as well; each onion has three or four onion bulbs on each mature stem. It is a very peculiar plant.

Then again, so are the children of God; each is to be planted in the good soil; each is to bear fruit … a hundred times. We are to be multiplying Christians.

NO "PLAN B"! [Psalm 68:20; other topics – Lost, Salvation, Sovereignty or Will (of God)]

Mall managers all over the world are concerned about teens using their centers as hangouts. In some malls, hundreds of teens are present at the same time for no other reason than that "There’s nothing to do." How do you keep them from congregating in annoying packs?

The Warrawong Westfield mall in Wollongong (yes, there is really a place by this name south of Sydney, Australia ) arrived at this original solution: they play Bing Crosby music, loudly, over the mall’s public address system. And it works (or at least we’re told it works).

Being good business people they have a Plan B in the event Plan A doesn’t work: lighting that amplifies facial blemishes will be installed.

Fortunately, God doesn’t need or want a Plan B. His Plan A has always been certain of success; it has always been to seek and to save that which was lost [Luke 19:10]. When all has been said and done, there will be no one in Hell who can wag his finger at Heaven and proclaim, "There’s been a mistake; I don’t belong here!"


NOTHING CAN RESTRAIN! [Matthew 28:18-20; Soul-winning; Witnessing]

A Haitian mute preaches the gospel in his small village. "There is something quite amazing about this young man," a church planter in the village told Christian Aid Mission. "Even though he cannot hear or speak, he is sharing the gospel with the people around him."

The young man uses pantomime in acting out the story of Jesus Christ. By refusing to let his handicap stand in the way, he is provoking others to be more evangelistic.

What can we say? We know what God will say to this young man, right after his tongue is restored, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

TELL THE WATCHMEN – IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER! [Ezekiel 3:16-21; other topics - Overcoming, Perseverance, Watchmen]

It’s a strange feeling, being a Christian: when is our work finished? A painter knows a house is finished when all the areas needing painting are painted. An author knows his book is done when it goes to publication. A coach knows the game is finished when the final whistle blows. A driver knows the race is over when the checkered flag is waved. A general knows the battle is over when the enemy surrenders. An audience knows the concerto has reached its end when the orchestra stops playing and the conductor turns to take a bow. A heart surgeon knows his treatment is over when his patient sends him a photo of himself surfing the Pipeline in Hawaii.

Until then they keep painting, writing, exhorting, driving, fighting, enjoying, and treating.

Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Well, when is it over? Not until the Lord says it’s over. Until then, we just keep on watching and warning.

Those of us who serve as watchmen often feel no one hears our warning cry. We see the sheep in the pew but know most of them are not hearing the warnings. They come to hear a “good talk” or be entertained or be inspired or be seen … but there is nothing in what we say that is “talk,” and we certainly don’t entertain … and only the Lord inspires and we are seen, just as we are! [Hebrews 4:12, 13]

Until it’s over we must keep on keeping on … there are enemies in the camp, there are enemies outside the camp, still we must keep on warning.


TO SEEK AND SAVE! [2 Corinthians 3:3; Other topics - Good News, Salvation, Witness]

An Internet company named Napster has been in the news a lot this year. They offer a program which allows its clients to obtain free music on the Internet. Like many webbed-based businesses their success has been phenomenal. Most record companies and rock bands don’t share their enthusiasm, however. Many organizations are taking to the courts for legal and financial protection.

Why is that? It’s because Napster enables you to locate your favorite songs on other computers, download, catalog, and share them with friends. The format (MP3) allows users to store near-CD-quality re-cordings, copyrighted or not.

The issue of copyright is confusing is not clear on the Internet. Artists should have control over their work; after all, it's the way they make their living. The related issues are far from resolved.

In the same sense, salvation is also available for download, at any time – the connection is always open – without copyright restrictions. God offers eternal life through Jesus Christ free to anyone who believes. You can't buy sal-vation anyway; God’s only Son paid the price.

Jesus is seeking lost human "hard drives" for saving. God has opted to use Christians to share the Good News, sort of like browsers (the interface software between a computer and the Internet).

If you have a personal relationship with God through Christ, chances are someone downloaded the Good News to you for free. Why not do the same for someone else today? You won't get into any legal trouble, His message was designed to be shared!

Source/Attribution: Love for Jesus Org., Hesperia, CA, 24 February 2001

PERSEVERANCE - I know I can! I know I can!

A Conscious Choice [Joshua 24:14, 15; Attitude, choice, faith, overcoming]

Wally Amos, founder of both Famous Amos’ Chocolate-chip Cookies and the Nonamé Cookie Company, tells the story of a business associate named Bill Berger.

Berger recently had a stroke, his brain filling with life threatening blood, leaving him paralyzed on his right side. Part of his self-imposed therapy was to go back to work, even though his right arm hung limp, even though he was forced to drag his right foot.

On one business trip Amos noticed Berger start the car with his right hand, rather than reaching across with the other. He vowed by summer he would use his right arm only. He told Amos he had made “a conscious choice” to recover. Amos said everywhere they went Berger knew people by name and they were all glad to see him.

Amos related: “I spoke with Bill today, and he told me that since the last time we were together he had successfully completed an 8-mile race. That in itself is a great feat, but he went on to say that he had forgotten where he parked his car and had to walk another two and a half miles to find it.” [“Attitude is a most powerful force;” The Costco Connection, July 1999, 115]

So you think you have problems overcoming? You can choose not to!

It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over! [Philippians 3:14; endurance]

This past weekend Super Bowl (number whatever) was won by fourteen-point underdogs, the New England Patriots.

Nine years ago, January 3, 1993, another team, the Buffalo Bills, won by a field goal in overtime against the Houston Oilers. At half-time the score was – Oilers 28, Bills – 3; nine minutes into the third quarter the Oilers intercepted a Bills pass and went out 35 – 3. But at the end of the game, 21 minutes later, in overtime, the Bills kicked a field goal to win 38 – 35.

On the Monday following this week’s Super Bowl, a high school coach reminded Rush Limbaugh of a truth most coaches have known for ages: it makes no difference who is ahead at the end of the first quarter, who is ahead at half-time, who is ahead at the end of the third quarter, or even who is ahead at the two-minute warning in the fourth and final quarter ... it only matters who is ahead when the game ends.

At the end of the first, second or third quarters no one knows who is going to win. Not even at the two minute warning is anyone "certain" of who will win. Athletes ought to be brainwashed with that truth ... those that are win more games and play much better whether ahead or behind.

This truth reminds athletes of what Paul told the Corinthians long ago, it ain’t over till it’s over: "run in such a way that you may win." [1 Corinthians 9:24b]

In our world today, it may appear the enemy is ahead in points. Perhaps this is the fourth quarter or even beyond the two-minute warning … but it doesn’t matter, because we all know who will be the winner when the game of life ends – the Lord Jesus Christ!

NO GATE CAN KEEP HER AWAY! [Romans 8:38-39; Persistence]

Our oldest daughter was about two and we lived in a parsonage next door to our first church. Well, Jennifer loved to come over to the pastor’s office and visit with daddy. Only daddy couldn’t visit with her as often as she was able to visit with him.

On several occasions, we warned her of the need for permission to visit with her daddy but the warnings had no affect. Forced into a trade off between love for my daughter and my responsibility to the church, we did the only thing we could do, we locked the gate. My work was uninterrupted for two days. I remember feeling guilty about that.

On the third day, Jennifer’s little round face peaked around the corner of the door. When she realized I’d seen her, her face lit up with a heart-melting grin. “Hi, daddy!” She whispered.

After the obligatory hug and boost to my lap, I buzzed my wife to chastise her for leaving the gate unlocked. Surprised, she said, “John, I am looking out the window at the front gate and it is as locked now as it was earlier. How did that little stinker get out of the yard?”

Later we discovered our little girl had no fear of heights or climbing when it came to getting where she wanted to go. She had climbed the fence!

The redeemed should be like Jennifer; they should be so in love with their Father in heaven that not even the gates of hell can keep them from His presence.

One Wish [Proverbs 3:5-6; Encouragement, Humor, Man vs. God, Overcoming]

A man walking on the beach finds a lamp; he picks it up, rubs it, and out pops a genie. The genie says, "For releasing me I shall grant you one wish!”

The man thinks earnestly for a minute and then says, "Pretty soon I’ll be going to Hawaii on my honeymoon, but I’m afraid of flying … so, give me a bridge to Maui.”

The genie gives the man a stern look, “Do you realize how much it’ll take to do that? It’ll cost millions to hire workers, not to mention the material needed. Then there’ll be countless rest stops and gas stations. A bridge like that would interfere with shipping lanes and never pass an environmental impact study. You’ll just have to make another wish!”

The man concentrates again, and then said, “Okay, since I’m going to be married, tell me how to understand women.”

The genie paused for a moment then says, “So … this bridge … you want two lanes, or four? Single, or double deck?”

Some challenges seem impossible on their face yet, when placed alongside others, they pale by comparison. Winning the world for Jesus makes witnessing to neighbors seem like child’s play; starting a Bible study seems daunting, until compared with starting a new church. Dare to dream big. A vision for God which expects little and seems all too possible is nothing more than a day dream.

DELIVERANCE: Hello, God?

"Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, 'I called out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice. ... Salvation is from the LORD.' Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land."

Jonah 2:1-2, 9b, 10

The great quake of August 18, 1999, in Turkey brought us an interesting story ... a relationship between tragedy and technology.

A CBS report related how a man in an apartment building found himself suddenly cast into the deep. At the moment of the quake he was visiting friends in the basement of the multi-storied structure … building came down on top of them. The edifice encompassed them to the point of death. Trapped, the five used the man’s cell phone to call out to rescuers.

From the stomach of the fish Jonah called out to his Rescuer. He “cried out” from the deep, even though the water encompassed him to the point of death.

We must remember: no matter what encompasses us, we’ve a Rescuer; and we can call out to Him from the deepest of depths.

Christianity, Illustration,
Jonah, Religion, Salvation

Compassion

Run to Win [Philippians 2:3, 4; other topics - others, perseverance]

Rashad Williams, 15, was so moved by the plight of Lance Kirklin, 16, that he ran in San Francisco’s annual 7.5 mile 1999 ‘Bay to Breakers’ race to raise money for him. Kirklin, who almost bled to death, had to learn to walk again after two fellow Columbine students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went on a rampage killing 13 people and wounding 23 others before killing themselves.

Williams, an athlete at San Francisco's Archbishop Riordan High School expected to raise a few hundred dollars but a SF Examiner columnist wrote about the teen and he raised $14,000. People kept giving and the fund grew to $18,000. When asked, Williams said, "I was tired. I just kept thinking about Lance" describing what kept him going.

You never know what you’re made of until you commit your life to others.

Shepherding

Whichever Way the Wind Blows! [Matthew 28:19, 20; other topics - Evangelism]

Blowing the church parking lot on work day is not one of my pastoral duties, I consider myself a member just like everyone else. I do it as a part of my service to the church body. Besides, it’s good exercise and keeps me in shape … well sort of!

When I begin in the early morning there is seldom a breeze, but by mid-morning the breezes ripple in and out, com-ing and going from all four corners of the property. Years of weekly practice have taught me to make the wind work for me.

If I fight the wind it’s a mess but as long as I use it to help me everything works out fine and at the end of the day the leaves are in the dumpster and I’m victorious. Let me give a couple of examples of how my philosophy of parking lot blowing helps in other areas as well.

The first example is jujitsu … students of this martial art learn early that they can’t win if they try to fight their opponent … mano y mano. They learn to use their opponent’s movements and weight to their advantage; with hard work and application they’ll win quite often.

The second is sailing … if a sailor tries to fight the winds he will get nowhere and end up a loser, the wind always wins those battles. But if the sailor learns to harness the wind’s power and use it, he’ll master it.

Now pasturing is a lot like blowing leaves, jujitsu, and sailing … if you fight the sheep they’re just contrary enough to defeat you. But if you learn to work with them and harness their energy and use it to accomplish your objectives every one comes out a winner.

However, just like a few leaves on the parking lot, there are always a few who won’t cooperate, no matter how skilled you are at facilitating their movements.

Just like stubborn leaves which are more trouble than they’re worth, errant sheep need to be ignored, don’t waste God’s precious time trying to get them to graze like you want them to. Given enough time, errant sheep will end up in some storm drain; given enough rope, they’ll hang themselves. Either way they’re not worth the effort.

After you’ve led your sheep to where they can do themselves and no one else any harm, “Go,” my child, and find the lost sheep of the Kingdom ... the ones who want answers and deliverance.