Even though we are having what I call a slow spring, we really are getting away from winter. It’s just not as quick as we all want it to happen. Saturday was a bit confusing in that we had enough snow fall to cause snow banks in the ditches of a country road I drove down. That was after days in the 70’s and sun and the golf course opening up here in town. Then the blizzard of Saturday morning showed up.
Even though it is slow in coming, there are signs of spring. In my front yard the new grass is growing. Last summer was a season of mud and dust as they rebuilt our street. The project included new water and sewer lines. New gas lines and storm drains were thrown in. Then it was new curb and gutter, with the final task new blacktop. And, I can’t forget the new sidewalk they put down in my front yard. That caused them to have to plant new grass. They didn’t get to planting grass till it was about to snow, so it never grew last fall. Now, some of it is trying to show itself.
Spring is a time of new life. The robins are back, flowers are popping up. Life is a gift from God and we are reminded of that every spring. As dead and desolate as things may look in winter, spring gives new life. There is something special about the many shades of green we see in the spring.
Spring is a reminder of the new life Jesus gives. I just had an e mail from the pastor who organized the trip to Israel I took in 2000. He said he’s going back in a few weeks. I have to admit a twinge of jealousy, as I would love to go back there. It was there we sat in a garden and looked at an empty tomb. It was empty because Jesus came back to life. For a few days His followers thought it was “winter”, but then they had the proof of Jesus and His resurrection. Then they celebrated the new life - He’s Alive!!!!!!!!!
This winter was a long one - but Spring comes every year.
Your life and struggles may seem long - but Jesus gives life to all who receive Him.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Say What?
I often find humor in signs and attempts to communicate. For example, at the entrance to a local fast food restaurant, there is a sign saying they have braille and picture menus available. I have to ask the question -- if a person is blind or illiterate, how can they read the sign telling them that they can ask for a special menu? And, if they are with a seeing friend, won’t the friend help them with the order?
I just received a form letter from the post office. The last line says “If you do not speak English or you do not understand this letter, please take it with you to your local post office for assistance.” I’m wondering about the non-English speakers who receive this. Do they understand that sentence? Who is the multi-lingual person at our local post office who can help them? Just wondering.
One of my favorite instruction lines is the one that was on the bottom of a fax. It came from a government office, and, in our day when everything is a secret, directed the person receiving the fax - it is illegal to keep or file this information. When you are finished using it, please fax it back to the sender. The last time I sent a fax, the master didn’t get sent down the phone line, only a digital copy.
These illustrations talk about communication. In an attempt to be all inclusive, we see a sign in print aimed for a blind person. That’s as effective as the time we were in Germany trying to eat at a Chinese restaurant. The people there only spoke German and Chinese. Everything was printed in German. I wonder if they had a sign in German that said “we do not speak English”. If they did, we couldn’t read it. Communication requires that both (or all) people speak the same language. It requires that the words are understood and defined the same way.
Communication requires listening. Listen to what is really being said, not what you want to hear.
God didn’t create confusing signs for people. He shows His amazing power and creativity through all His complex creation. He shows His overwhelming love through the death and resurrection of Jesus. He shows His mercy and grace through the free gift of forgiveness of sins.
I’ve been reading a book about Buchenwald Prison in Germany, run by Hitler’s gang. It communicates their hatred, bitterness, destruction and death. I’ve also read a book about God’s love (it’s a best seller). It communicates God’s compassion, caring, uplifting and life. God communicates His love, listens to our cries, and gives us the message of life.
I just received a form letter from the post office. The last line says “If you do not speak English or you do not understand this letter, please take it with you to your local post office for assistance.” I’m wondering about the non-English speakers who receive this. Do they understand that sentence? Who is the multi-lingual person at our local post office who can help them? Just wondering.
One of my favorite instruction lines is the one that was on the bottom of a fax. It came from a government office, and, in our day when everything is a secret, directed the person receiving the fax - it is illegal to keep or file this information. When you are finished using it, please fax it back to the sender. The last time I sent a fax, the master didn’t get sent down the phone line, only a digital copy.
These illustrations talk about communication. In an attempt to be all inclusive, we see a sign in print aimed for a blind person. That’s as effective as the time we were in Germany trying to eat at a Chinese restaurant. The people there only spoke German and Chinese. Everything was printed in German. I wonder if they had a sign in German that said “we do not speak English”. If they did, we couldn’t read it. Communication requires that both (or all) people speak the same language. It requires that the words are understood and defined the same way.
Communication requires listening. Listen to what is really being said, not what you want to hear.
God didn’t create confusing signs for people. He shows His amazing power and creativity through all His complex creation. He shows His overwhelming love through the death and resurrection of Jesus. He shows His mercy and grace through the free gift of forgiveness of sins.
I’ve been reading a book about Buchenwald Prison in Germany, run by Hitler’s gang. It communicates their hatred, bitterness, destruction and death. I’ve also read a book about God’s love (it’s a best seller). It communicates God’s compassion, caring, uplifting and life. God communicates His love, listens to our cries, and gives us the message of life.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
This Would Be Great
Unless you live in a cave and never are touched by the world of media, you know that lots of things are very expensive today. The news media is working hard to let us know we should be scared, depressed, discouraged and angry at the politicians in Washington. And, then there are the people running for president who are quick to tell us it is all the fault of the current president, and, if we will elect them, they will fix all the problems. Well, I’ve heard that song before.
I was reading an article by Mary Hunt. She writes about economic issues. She pointed out that the media loves to focus on the problems and the negative, promoting fear. I appreciated that perspective, for it seems like our culture loves to be afraid. She talked about things people can do to help themselves economically.
One of the big price issues is anything connected with crude oil. Fill your gas tank or heat your house and look at the cost. Food is now much more expensive because millions of bushels of corn are being diverted to ethanol. It’s interesting to me that the farmers are burning tons of diesel fuel to grow and harvest corn so they can make “clean” fuel. Can someone explain that one to me?
I have just read an article that says a company in Texas is making bio fuels from hay. And, they are making it at $42.00 per barrel. This would be great. I hope it is true. Think of that, making fuel out of hay for less than half of what crude is going for. What an amazing impact that would have. I would guess that then the negative folks would talk about the impact on the world hay market.
The authors writing about this says the company is in business and it works. Again, I hope this is true.
So, where is your hope? If you have lots of oil stock, you are doing well in the current market. If you sell lots of hay, this new technology sounds promising. Again, where is your hope? The most consistent hope in history is found in trusting and obeying God. He is the Creator and Provider. He can take care of us in amazing ways. As I’m thinking of this, my mind wandered to a passage at the end of the Old Testament. Let me leave you with a few verses of Scripture for you to chew on. What do you think?
Malachi 3:10-12 NIV
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
I was reading an article by Mary Hunt. She writes about economic issues. She pointed out that the media loves to focus on the problems and the negative, promoting fear. I appreciated that perspective, for it seems like our culture loves to be afraid. She talked about things people can do to help themselves economically.
One of the big price issues is anything connected with crude oil. Fill your gas tank or heat your house and look at the cost. Food is now much more expensive because millions of bushels of corn are being diverted to ethanol. It’s interesting to me that the farmers are burning tons of diesel fuel to grow and harvest corn so they can make “clean” fuel. Can someone explain that one to me?
I have just read an article that says a company in Texas is making bio fuels from hay. And, they are making it at $42.00 per barrel. This would be great. I hope it is true. Think of that, making fuel out of hay for less than half of what crude is going for. What an amazing impact that would have. I would guess that then the negative folks would talk about the impact on the world hay market.
The authors writing about this says the company is in business and it works. Again, I hope this is true.
So, where is your hope? If you have lots of oil stock, you are doing well in the current market. If you sell lots of hay, this new technology sounds promising. Again, where is your hope? The most consistent hope in history is found in trusting and obeying God. He is the Creator and Provider. He can take care of us in amazing ways. As I’m thinking of this, my mind wandered to a passage at the end of the Old Testament. Let me leave you with a few verses of Scripture for you to chew on. What do you think?
Malachi 3:10-12 NIV
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
Monday, April 7, 2008
It Must All Be Relative
Over the weekend, the PGA Tour had a golf tournament in Houston. It was the Shell Houston Open. The winner was a player who had never won before, who goes by the name of Johnson Wagner. If you think Johnson is a strange first name, actually, it’s his middle name. His first name is Montford. I’m not sure what his parents were thinking of.
Anyway, he got the first win of his PGA career this week. For his efforts he won $1,008,000. That’s one million, eight thousand dollars. Not a bad paycheck for playing four rounds of golf.
His win took him from 193rd on the money list for 2008 to 19th. Up till this week, he had “only” won about $40,000 this year. He was way down the bottom of the list.
When a person is thinking of the money pro golfers make, $40,000 isn’t much money compared to the fact that number one on the list is at $3.6 million already. By the end of the year, the number one will probably be pushing $10 million.
So, how about you? Have you “only” made $40,000 this year so far? Multiply that out and it would be about $120,000 for the year. Do you think you could make it on that? There are lots of people who would say they couldn’t live on only 120 grand. How about it, would you like to try? I’m willing to give it a go to see if I could make it.
The title I gave to this entry today is: It must all be relative. With the rising cost of living, it is harder and harder for many people to live. And, yet, we still have an amazing lifestyle here in the good old USA. Some think it’s poverty to only have 40 channels on cable. Many young people think it cruel if they don’t have their own cell phone. Others can’t believe that anyone still uses dial-up internet connection. And, of course, what they wear must come from the right line of designer clothes.
I don’t know for sure, since I’ve never been there, but I have a sneaking suspicion that weight loss clinics are not a big business in India or Sudan. I don’t think the most important issue for people in North Korea or Cuba is that their car has GPS and a port to plug in their I-pod. It all must be relative.
It is easy to be envious of the material success of others. It’s easy to think that they have it all made and no problems. Tiger Woods earns about $2 Million PER WEEK from all his ventures. This last off season the Twins signed one of their stars to an $80 million contract. Maria Carey has now passed Elvis for the number of number-one hit singles. It seems like they have it all made. Yes, it’s nice to not have money worries, but . . .
Compared to some, you are in poverty. Compared to others, you are rich. It’s all relative. We really need to think about that.
One more thing to chew on, no amount of money will purchase your forgiveness of sins or an eternal home in heave. That only comes by receiving God’s free gift. When you know you have received God’s gift of eternal life and have an eternal home promised to you, you really ARE rich.
Anyway, he got the first win of his PGA career this week. For his efforts he won $1,008,000. That’s one million, eight thousand dollars. Not a bad paycheck for playing four rounds of golf.
His win took him from 193rd on the money list for 2008 to 19th. Up till this week, he had “only” won about $40,000 this year. He was way down the bottom of the list.
When a person is thinking of the money pro golfers make, $40,000 isn’t much money compared to the fact that number one on the list is at $3.6 million already. By the end of the year, the number one will probably be pushing $10 million.
So, how about you? Have you “only” made $40,000 this year so far? Multiply that out and it would be about $120,000 for the year. Do you think you could make it on that? There are lots of people who would say they couldn’t live on only 120 grand. How about it, would you like to try? I’m willing to give it a go to see if I could make it.
The title I gave to this entry today is: It must all be relative. With the rising cost of living, it is harder and harder for many people to live. And, yet, we still have an amazing lifestyle here in the good old USA. Some think it’s poverty to only have 40 channels on cable. Many young people think it cruel if they don’t have their own cell phone. Others can’t believe that anyone still uses dial-up internet connection. And, of course, what they wear must come from the right line of designer clothes.
I don’t know for sure, since I’ve never been there, but I have a sneaking suspicion that weight loss clinics are not a big business in India or Sudan. I don’t think the most important issue for people in North Korea or Cuba is that their car has GPS and a port to plug in their I-pod. It all must be relative.
It is easy to be envious of the material success of others. It’s easy to think that they have it all made and no problems. Tiger Woods earns about $2 Million PER WEEK from all his ventures. This last off season the Twins signed one of their stars to an $80 million contract. Maria Carey has now passed Elvis for the number of number-one hit singles. It seems like they have it all made. Yes, it’s nice to not have money worries, but . . .
Compared to some, you are in poverty. Compared to others, you are rich. It’s all relative. We really need to think about that.
One more thing to chew on, no amount of money will purchase your forgiveness of sins or an eternal home in heave. That only comes by receiving God’s free gift. When you know you have received God’s gift of eternal life and have an eternal home promised to you, you really ARE rich.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Here Again
One of the fun parts, or challenges, of writing a blog is the consistency of the posts. I have been doing well on it, and then, recently, got caught up with life and have not written for several days. I’m back and hope to be more consistent.
Today I’d like to chat about God’s amazing provision. I saw a powerful example of that this week.
I was in Appleton, WI, for the district council (annual business meeting) for our state. All of the churches in our district are invited. It always includes the usual reports, etc. One of the reports was for a large ministry to the central city of Milwaukee. God is using it in some powerful ways to impact and change lives. In their report they said that they expected a deficit in their budget of $141,000 for the year. That was a heavy burden to carry.
They had a young boy with them who was a part of the ministry. He gave a great testimony of living for Jesus in a tough area. He sang a song on the theme that no weapon formed against thee shall prosper. He was a very talented singer and everyone gave him a standing ovation at the end of his song. Everyone could sense the presence of God.
When he was through, one of the pastors in the meeting stood up and said that we needed to do something about the deficit. Their church would give the first $2,000. Then others started standing up and making commitments. It was everything from $50 to $10,000. There was no begging or pleading. No mental tricks to shame people in to giving. They simply responded to the need. Within several minutes, commitments totaling $141,000 were made. The entire deficit was taken care of.
We had a great time of rejoicing as everyone there knew that God had come through in an amazing way. It was a powerful example of the fact that God can take care of every need. We all were thrilled at the supernatural provision. It was the kind of meeting anyone would love to be a part of. The windows of heaven opened up and the need was met.
Let me leave you with this: God is not broke. God is not weak. God is not panicked at the challenges of this ministry. God IS able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think. Let that be an encouragement for your heart and life today.
Today I’d like to chat about God’s amazing provision. I saw a powerful example of that this week.
I was in Appleton, WI, for the district council (annual business meeting) for our state. All of the churches in our district are invited. It always includes the usual reports, etc. One of the reports was for a large ministry to the central city of Milwaukee. God is using it in some powerful ways to impact and change lives. In their report they said that they expected a deficit in their budget of $141,000 for the year. That was a heavy burden to carry.
They had a young boy with them who was a part of the ministry. He gave a great testimony of living for Jesus in a tough area. He sang a song on the theme that no weapon formed against thee shall prosper. He was a very talented singer and everyone gave him a standing ovation at the end of his song. Everyone could sense the presence of God.
When he was through, one of the pastors in the meeting stood up and said that we needed to do something about the deficit. Their church would give the first $2,000. Then others started standing up and making commitments. It was everything from $50 to $10,000. There was no begging or pleading. No mental tricks to shame people in to giving. They simply responded to the need. Within several minutes, commitments totaling $141,000 were made. The entire deficit was taken care of.
We had a great time of rejoicing as everyone there knew that God had come through in an amazing way. It was a powerful example of the fact that God can take care of every need. We all were thrilled at the supernatural provision. It was the kind of meeting anyone would love to be a part of. The windows of heaven opened up and the need was met.
Let me leave you with this: God is not broke. God is not weak. God is not panicked at the challenges of this ministry. God IS able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think. Let that be an encouragement for your heart and life today.
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