Monday, May 24, 2010

Getting Older

This week I got a little older. My family gathered to remind me of that fact and I received some nice cards and phone calls from well-wishers.

How old am I? Well I think I’ve entered the final stage of life.

Some say life is made up of four stages: Infancy, Youth, Middle Age and finally--“You look Good!” At least that’s what old people tell each other when they meet.

Last week a waitress at a local restaurant guessed my age was 10 years younger than I really am. In addition to giving her a good tip, I said, “You have 20 minutes to cut that out!”

In the midst of a culture that worships youthfulness we rarely celebrate the wisdom, maturity and satisfaction that being older can bring. Sometimes I wonder why.

“Now hold on just a minute! Are you feeling sorry for yourself?”

Not in the least. I enjoy being my age. My wife and I survived the child rearing years, the college years and the weddings. Now we’re enjoying the delights of grandparenting.

While many cultures celebrate their elders, unfortunately ours does not. Sadly many older Americans feel “put out to pasture” just as they enter the years of greater wisdom. Some young adults never benefit from the wealth of wisdom their elders offer them because they never ask.

In Bible times one’s elders were honored. The Bible reminds us, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” It also says that maturity brings many blessings for those who serve the God of the Bible.

God says, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

The Psalmist, David, wrote, “I was young and now am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” That was certainly true in my family.

Dad used to tell me, “God is faithful and he’s not going to lose his reputation on you or me!”

Growing old also brings wisdom. Job asks, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not life bring understanding? To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.”

One of the great things about getting older is the perspective on life it brings. The aging king Solomon reflected on life and in his wisdom wrote, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” Why? Because it will save you years of regret.

Do you listen and learn from those with experience? If so, the Bible will steer you right. I have followed its wisdom since my youth and God has blessed me and met my needs every step of the way. And he can do the same for you, if you will trust in him.

The Bible also reminds us of our duty: “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”

That’s one reason I’m a pastor and why I write this column. Because there aren’t many places left in America where it’s safe to tell others about God and what he’s done for us. Just mentioning Jesus has gotten state police chaplains in trouble—unbelievable!

When I was a student we learned in school about the faith our founders had in God. But today teachers get in trouble for displaying references to God in their classrooms from sources like the national motto, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Declaration of Independence!

So if you’re getting older, like me, point the younger set to God. One day they may thank you for it. And if not, you’ll still be glad you did the right thing.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Messie No More

Are you a ‘Messie’? A Messie is someone that suffers from chronic disorganization.

If you are a Messie, you could join “Messies Anonymous,” an online group to help those with a “messie mindset.” Or you could pick up “The Messies Manual” to learn how to bring order and beauty to your home.

Right now several readers are saying, “Sign me up and buy me the book!”

For some, being a Messie is a personality trait. For others, it’s a by-product of modern life.

If you could see my office you might think I’m a Messie. But I refuse to believe it.

Neatness and organization have always been important to me. But lately I’ve had so much going on in my life that I just can’t keep up with all the mail, papers and magazines. Do you know what I mean?

Plus, there are some things I keep because I might need them some day. The result? A mess.

Hold on just a minute while I move a few papers and get rid of some trash.

There. That’s better. Two stacks of mail were three years old! How does that happen?

Often I plan to clean up but then get distracted by a task, a phone call or an idea that I have to write down before I forget it. I tell myself, “I’ll clean up when I finish this.”

Before I know it, stacks of stuff are all over my office. When I need something in one of the stacks, I have to dig for it. Where did all this stuff come from? Help--I’m buried in it!

Sin is a lot like that, too. It creeps up on you. Gradually it takes over your life.

Of course our lives weren’t always such a mess. As children our lives were fairly simple. But as we grew we perfected the art of deception. (Adults call it “finesse.”) To begin we deceive ourselves and then others. We stack deceit upon deceit. Soon it’s more than we can control.

First we buy the lie that life is all about us. From there it’s easy to justify almost anything!

More than our actions, sin is really an attitude that says, “I don’t need God. I decide what’s right and wrong, good and bad.” And that’s the original sin. We’re just like Adam and Eve!

Of course we don’t advertise our self-centeredness. We whitewash it with the excuse that what we’re doing is “best for all involved.” But it’s really best for us.

So, just like closing the door when my office is messy, we conceal our cluttered hearts.

What’s the solution? To admit we’re Messies and need help. We must come to our senses, swallow our pride and admit our problem. We’ve embraced clutter over clean. And in our hearts something else is more important to us than loving, pleasing and obeying God.

Once you realize what has happened, you must act quickly and decisively. If you don’t you could end up being a Messie your entire life. Admitting you’re the problem is the first step.

For the committed Messie it means asking someone to clean up for you. Why? Because we become so attached to our stuff that we won’t let it go—even though it’s ruining our lives!

When we finally admit the mess we’ve made of our lives, the only effective solution is to accept God’s plan for a clean heart. The Bible says that faith in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross removes the mess of sin from our lives and gives us a clean conscience.

So instead of just rearranging our messy lives, God takes out our trash when we trust in him. He gives us a new heart, not just a fresh start. Love for God expels the love of self.

Today I encourage you to choose clean instead of clutter. Not just in your house but also in your heart. When you do you’ll know the joy of being a Messie no more.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Truth or Consequences

Does truth matter any more?

“Now hold on just a minute! Of course truth matters. Why wouldn’t it?”

To a large number of people that forward “Urban Legend” emails without checking their authenticity, truth doesn’t seem to matter at all. The only standard seems to be that the sender believes the message, no matter how far-fetched or crazy it sounds.

To tell you the truth, it’s about to drive me crazy! Relatives and friends continue to forward such emails daily with no thought to the damage being done.

“Urban Legends” are a form of modern folklore consisting of dubious stories believed by their tellers to be true. A recent example is the email circulated in 2009 and again in 2010 proclaiming President Obama had cancelled the National Day of Prayer while participating in a Muslim prayer session in a mosque at the White House. Thousands believed and forwarded it.

In fact, Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation for a Day of Prayer both years. He did cancel the ecumenical service at the White House, choosing instead to observe the day in private.

The email however got all the facts wrong and even showed a picture of the President entering a mosque (taken in Turkey) as proof of the claims. What’s astounding is that Americans were duped into thinking there’s a mosque at the White House or on the Capitol grounds!

Here we are, the most techno-savvy generation in history. It takes less than 30 seconds to do an Internet search to check the truthfulness of such claims. Yet no one seems to care that much about the truth. Sad, indeed.

Such people remind me of contestants on the old TV show, “Truth or Consequences.” On the show, people had about two seconds to answer an off-the-wall trivia question correctly before a buzzer sounded.

If the contestant couldn’t complete the "Truth" portion (which happened in most cases), there would be "Consequences," usually a zany and embarrassing stunt. Then Bob Barker ended the show with his signature signoff saying, "Hoping all your consequences are happy ones."

The similarity is that, by not getting to the truth, we embarrass ourselves and look like fools. Plus, by spreading what are essentially lies, we are participating in gossip, slander or worse.

Truth should matter to us because it matters to God.

Jesus Christ claimed to be “the way, the truth and the life.” He said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” He said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” He added, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

That’s a part of what Christians call the Gospel or the Good News about Jesus Christ. But if we’re known for spreading mean-spirited lies, who will believe us when we share the Gospel?

This is critical because the consequences of having faith in the wrong religion are eternal. So if you call yourself a Christian, always be known for telling the truth!

So before you click the “Send” button on that Urban Legend, check the truthfulness of the claims in the story. Just put a few key words in an Internet search box and check it out. If it’s true, send it on. If it’s not, hit delete because your reputation and integrity are on the line.

And before you live another day, check out the claims of Jesus Christ. Because if it’s true that he is the Son of God and died for your sin, then he is the only way to eternal rest, reward and a reunion with loved ones who have gone on before us.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Safe Again

Will we ever feel safe again?

Last weekend a car rigged with explosives nearly exploded in New York City’s Times Square. Police also reported a possible explosive device at the Pittsburgh Marathon finish line.

Is nowhere safe? What’s going on? Why can’t we live our lives in peace? With reports of violence, terrorism and natural disasters multiplying, is this the “New Normal?” If so, how can that be? What happened to the “Old Normal” and how can we ever feel safe again?

One thing most Americans agree on is that the world changed forever on September 11, 2001. Our old sense of security seems to be gone forever.

Maybe it’s because we are living in what the Bible calls the “End Times.”

“Whoa! --Hold on just a minute! What do violence and terrorism have to do with THAT?”

A few years ago Dr. Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins and Joel Rosenberg appeared together on a TV opinion show. The host asked, “Is this it? Are we in the “End Times?” These men, all authors of best selling books about the End Times, agreed, “This could be the End Times.”

The Bible refers to the End Times as “The Day of the Lord.” Speaking about that time, God’s Word warns us that this time will come unexpectedly. It adds, “While people are saying ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly…and they will not escape.”

Two main concerns of the day we live in seem to be “Peace” and “Safety.” So perhaps those times are upon us. There are those who want peace at any price, including surrender, appeasement or defeat. And many go to great expense to ensure their family’s safety.

But even with all of that effort, peace and safety still escape us.

Once again the Bible has good news that we need. It tells us that the child of God can have peace in the midst of chaos. In fact, many survivors of tragedies and disasters say that their faith in God is what got them through it.

“OK, so how does faith bring us to a place where we feel safe again?”

First we must make peace with God. We secure that peace through a personal faith in Jesus Christ and his death for our sin on the cross. Then the Bible says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.”

In spite of all the peace treaties made and signed, we still do not have world peace. Do you have the peace that Jesus gives? He can bring peace to your soul. That’s the place to start.

Once you know you’re a child of God, the Bible tells us God has said, “‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’”

The child of God has peace because he or she knows that God is in charge and can be trusted completely. They feel safe because the safest place in the world is in the center of God’s will. They feel secure because they know what they will find on the other side of death.

How do they know? Because God tells us in the Bible. God’s Word is the source of peace.

To find the safety and the peace that is not of this world, you must come to Jesus. When you trust him to forgive you and give you new life, you will have peace again in the midst of chaos.

Just when you thought it wasn’t safe any more, it is! We can be safe again in God’s care.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!

Lake Side Church of the Brethren

http://www.lakesidecob.org/

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