A Christmas Thought

 Twenty years ago, I was in the final days of my tenure as the CEO at the Logan County Hospital in Oakley, Kansas.  The hospital board decided to not renew my contract for another year, and we would soon be on our way to Topeka, where we had found work.

 During our time in Oakley, I was invited by John Montgomery, editor of the Hays Daily News, which at that time was circulating throughout northwest Kansas, to write a twice-monthly opinion column for the News on life in that part of the state.  The specific topics were mine to choose, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity.

 One of my last columns came during the Christmas holidays.  In it, I bent into the realm of faith and the Christmas season.  The column is as pertinent today as it was twenty years ago.  The rest of this thought is that column which was published in The News.

 “Tis the season to be jolly!  Fa la la la la la la la la”.  I suppose these words are very familiar to you, as they’re from the Christmas tune, Deck the Halls.  But if your take on the season is the same as that of Lucy Van Pelt in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, you’ll relate very well to her as she says, “I know how you feel about all this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. It happens to me every year. I never get what I really want. I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that.”

 The unfortunate thing is that many in our society feel the same way.  Instead of a time for joy, it’s a time for depression.  Instead of a time of contentment, it’s a time of greed.  Instead of a time fulfillment, it’s a time of unfulfilled (and unfulfillable) expectations.  We go through the motions, succumb to the commercial temptations, break our necks to have the perfect holiday celebration, and put on the best show we know how, only to find that something is terribly wrong.  We have not found what we’re looking for.  We’re not even close.  And instead of sitting back and taking stock, we pedal even faster, so to speak, in the futile hope that somehow things will be different this time.

 In the TV program “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown, exasperated, tired, and harried because of the antics of the others at a Christmas play practice, shouts out to anyone who will listen,  “Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?”

And Linus Van Pelt, Lucy’s little brother, takes center stage and says,  “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you.  Lights, please. (A spotlight shines on Linus.)”  Linus goes on…

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

 It is interesting to note that Linus, forever dependent on his security blanket, lets go of it when he quotes  “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.”  There’s great meaning in that action that Charles Schultz wrote into the script of the show.  Because Immanuel was born on that night so long ago, we no longer need to fear, and we no longer need our security blankets, whatever they may be for us.  And you well know what they are…getting lots of presents, having the approval of others, shopping and spending money (yes, that’s a huge security blanket for many), having the latest and greatest gadgets, and putting on the Ritz in front of others, pretending we’re all together when we’re really falling apart.  We no longer need our security blankets if we truly understand what St. Luke (and Linus) was trying to tell us.

 You know, maybe it’s time for a little less “Deck the Halls” and a little less “tis the season to be jolly”, and a little more quiet reflection and understanding on just what this time of year really means to us.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re Christian or not.  Even atheists, agnostics, Muslims, Jews and others believe that Jesus of Nazareth is a historical figure; that he did roam the earth 2,000 years ago; that he was the greatest of teachers, and that he did die by crucifixion at the hands of the Romans.

 The question is, what are you going to do with Jesus?  And what are you going to do with the time the world has set aside to honor him?  You can choose to ignore Jesus, do nothing and go merrily on your way.  You can choose to honor Jesus as a good man and great teacher.  Or you can choose to worship Jesus as God Incarnate.  But you have to do something.  You have to choose something.

 If Christmas isn’t what you want it to be, maybe you need to choose something different than what you’ve chosen in the past.  Maybe you need to take another look at this man Jesus.  Maybe you need to get a new perspective on him and what he has to offer to you.  Maybe you need to truly understand, as did Charles Schultz and Linus, what Christmas is all about.

Open Your Eyes...

 Sometimes, when one is rocking along in life with things seeming to be pretty well coming together, God decides to give a wake-up call.  For me, that call was this week.  No, it wasn’t anything tragic or disastrous.  It was just a round of gastritis that put me down for a couple of days.

If you’ve ever had the “24 hour bug,” as many call it, you know what I’m talking about.  For a time you’re pretty much out of circulation, except for trips to the bathroom.  You sleep a lot and at times wonder if you’d be better off just going ahead and croaking right then and there.  It doesn’t last long, and recovery is usually rather quick.  But during the time of disability, it’s a whole ‘nuther thing.

As I was in both the disability and recovery from “the bug,” I noticed some of the things that Pat did for me as I was down.  She did everything from turning down the bed for me to replacing the toilet paper roll.  She kept the house going and checked in on me from time to time.  She fixed chicken and noodles for me when I was able to eat again, and bought some 7-up, which I like to have on hand for times like this.  In short, I was well cared for.

I had to wonder what it would have been like had no one been around to help with those things and the many other things she did to keep things going.  It’s been a long time since I had been ill with no one else in the house to look after me.  Oh, I would surely have survived with no one else there.  But it was so much better having someone who cared…someone who knew what to do…someone who was willing, able, and ready to help in whatever way she could.

And it was even better that the someone who was there was someone I had known for decades…someone who knew me inside and out…someone who I truly enjoy being with in times of health as well as times of illness.  I’m truly appreciative of this good woman who looks after me…and not only me, but many others in both of our families as well as our church family.

Just today she’s going to Hays to pick up grand Rachel from school.  She’s doing this to save Rachel’s mom from taking an afternoon to do that, and also to have some Grandma/Grandkid time with her.  She’s purchased Christmas for who knows who in the family, decorated our live tree, and always seems to quietly be able to do the right thing in varied situations.  Maybe it’s the nurse in her that gives her that ability…I don’t know.

I don’t know what your situation in life is right now.  But I do know this.  People need other people.  All you have to do is look around for a minute or two and you’ll find someone…family member…friend…next door neighbor…church member…who may well need something you have.  And I’m not talking about money.  I’m speaking of your time, your energy, your compassion, and your love.  All you may have to do is take a few minutes and listen.  Or you may need to help out in some tangible way with some difficulty that person is facing.  You may be asked for advice.  Or you might just need to be there, quietly, being present.

This Christmas season, open your eyes to the possibility…no, the probability…that your services are needed by someone within your view.  Helping someone else without expectation of something in return is one of the most gratifying things you will ever do.  And it will be a great demonstration of the first and greatest commandment, which is actually two put together.  Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

 Blessings,

Our Future

 Good afternoon, and welcome.

 Today, the wife and I attended the final chapel of the semester at Friends University here in Wichita.  We normally don’t attend those chapel services, which are held weekly.  We aren’t alumni, nor do we have any other connection to the university.  However, the final chapel service of the fall semester is an advent devotional, with the music provided by the Singing Quakers.  In the event you aren’t familiar with the Singing Quakers, they are a first class choir with a rich history.  They are truly a “class act,” if you’ll excuse that expression.

 Today was no exception.  With a mix of Bible reading, songs by the choir, and traditional carols sung by the audience, the thirty five or so minutes we were there was uplifting and fulfilling for me.  As I said, we have no other connections to the university, but truly enjoy this last chapel of the fall semester, as the choir and others put a lot of thought and work into this service.  We are grateful they open it to the public.

 But, there’s another reason why I like to go to events such as this.  As these young adults are singing and conducting the chapel service, I like to look at their faces and imagine something about their daily lives.  I think back to when I was about that age…what I was thinking and doing about then.

 I also think about the fact that some of these people may live to see the turn of the next century, or at the last live to see the final decades of this century.  These are also the people who will…and already are…helping shape society, government, education, and in fact the state of the world today.  These are the people who will be the decision-makers and movers of society.  These are the people who will bring humanity into the next decades.

 I don’t know any of these young adults.  However, as I look out on them, I am comforted to know that there are people of faith, of good will, and of good moral character in the world.  These are people of intelligence, drive and ambition, but also people who know what it means to love one’s neighbor.

 Now, I don’t pretend to believe that every last young adult I see in these chapel services are like who I just described.  Some will fail.  Some will be law breakers.  Some suffer from an intractable mental illness.  Others will somehow go off the deep end…so to speak…in later years.  I know that.  But I also know that there are plenty of these people who are just like I described…intelligent, driven, humane, humble, and loving.  And it brings me comfort as an older adult to know that the world may well NOT go to hell in a handbasket because of many of these ordinary individuals who come together in common cause and yes, in love for one-another…to do the right thing in the right way at the right time for the right reason.

 These people are our future.  And from the looks of it, what a bright future it appears to be.

Holiday Celebrations

 Good morning and thanks for listening to this Thursday Thought, which is being sent out on Wednesday, as tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.

 These holidays always are a tug of emotions for me.  As an adult, I never really went overboard in celebrating any holiday, and still don’t.  However, these days always bring back an ocean of memories of holidays past as a child and teen, along with a certain melancholy feeling that refuses to go away.  Maybe that’s the reason I don’t go “all in,” so to speak in celebrating these days.

 Those past memories are always pleasant.  We never had family quarrels or other such issues during the holidays; many times it was quite the opposite.  As a child, I was able to reconnect with both sides of the family…aunts, uncles, cousins, and so on.  There was plenty of conversation, plenty of food, games and just general togetherness.  I enjoyed listening to the adults in their conversations catching up on what was happening in their lives, and I enjoyed hanging out with cousins.

 As for that melancholy feeling, well, I suppose it has to do with those pleasant memories and the truth that those times with those people will never come around again.  Oh, I know we continue to gather together as family during these holiday times, and it is truly a joy to be with siblings, nieces, nephews, and grands.  But there was something about those times long ago…those times when families would pile into a 1960 Chevy and drive a thousand miles over two-lane roads to be with their loved ones for a few days.  Or maybe they would catch the train from Oregon and someone in the Kansas family would pick them up at the station.  We’d find accommodations for them in one of our homes and the next several days would be days of re-connection, good food, good conversation, and pleasant dreams.

 As a young single adult, I worked at a job which required me to pull shifts on most holidays.  Those days quickly became just another day at work, and I lost much of the, shall we say “magic” of the holidays.  I think that experience has carried over many decades later in my not being especially excited about any of the holidays.  Yes, I participate.  Yes, I am happy to be with loved ones.  Yes, I think about the meaning of the holidays.  But in all seriousness, most holidays could come and go and just let me go on with my day.

I’m reminded of what Paul the apostle said about holidays.  In Romans 14, Paul is talking about passing judgment on others for what they may or may not do.  One of those things is the celebration of certain “days,” or holidays.  These days were many times connected to a religious practice or faith.  He said this to those who were reading this letter:  “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike.  Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

Not all of us are in a giddy frame of mind, excited for the coming of the holiday season.  Some of us celebrate the days, but do so in more of a contemplative way.  Some of us have to work those days and can’t celebrate in any meaningful way.  Others of us really enjoy the days, and go “all in” to celebrate.  We make special plans to be with family and friends.

However it is that you think of and celebrate the holidays, know that it’s OK.  You are unique.  You have a unique personality, a unique world view; a unique outlook on life and living.  How you choose to celebrate the holidays…or not…is a choice that should be yours to make.  I would urge you, however, to take part in the upcoming holiday season in some way that is meaningful to you and provides you with pleasant thoughts and activities.  The world is in such a state that humans of good will need times to consider the good, the right, and the lovely.

As my best childhood friend Karl Detweiler said during this holiday season several years ago as he battled stage four cancer,  “Don’t forget the One to whom we all are to be thankful.  If we have a warm place to sleep, live in a part of the world without war, and have clean drinking water, we are among the very top of the richest people in the world.  May we all live with gratitude for what we have been given.”

 Blessings,

Down & Dirty

 Good morning, and welcome!

Some time ago, my friend, writer Kendra Broekhuis, started a monthly email publication called “Present Tense.”  In it she speaks of various aspects of life and living as a sort of tension…the tension between right and wrong.  Saying something and not saying something.  Doing this or doing that.  Going here or going there.  You get the idea.

In one of those emails some months ago, Kendra, who lives with her husband and family across the street from the school where Collin, her husband, teaches, told about an encounter with a neighbor.  Kendra and her family live in a part of the city where many would prefer to NOT be living.  They purposely are living there, not only because of the proximity to Collin’s work, but in order to live out lives of faith in a community desperately longing for hope and promise.

I will be quoting her as she tells the story.

A man was staying in the vacant home next door to us that his father owns, trying to detox from the hard drugs he’s addicted to.

One thing I learned during his stay was that while many ministries in the city offer rehab support for people trying to get sober, many also require you to be completely detoxed from all substances—even ones meant to keep you off other drugs—before they can get support.  I read more about detoxing and was humbled to discover just how brutal it is.  

Whatever pleasurable effect a drug has on the body, quitting that drug has the reverse effect.  For example, heroin offers a high mood, decreased anxiety, and insensitivity to pain.  While someone is detoxing from heroin, their withdraw symptoms will give them a low mood, extreme pain and anxiety.

To put it lightly, this was horrific for our neighbor.  It seemed like he was either out of his mind from the drugs or out of his mind from the pain of being off the drugs, and the sound effects went on next door for weeks and weeks, at all hours.

In the middle of one night, he was outside making a lot of disruptive noise and other erratic behaviors.  We tried to coax him back inside, asking him to let us take him to a detox facility where he could get more help through the process.  He wasn’t hearing us on multiple levels, but before he wandered away, he looked at my husband and said:

“Tell me you love me, Collin.”

I looked at my husband with wide eyes, shocked by our neighbor’s request. Did this man know what he was asking for?  More importantly, who he was asking it from?  My husband—who’s forever loyal to his commitments—still shrinks away from I love yous and hugs that aren’t from his wife and kids.

Collin tried dodging the request twice; the reasons could be many. But then he looked back at our neighbor and said, “I love you.”

The next day, our neighbor’s dad took him to a detox center.

This is Jay again.  I told you Kendra’s story to ask you what you would have done in that situation?  First, would you have placed yourself and your family in a neighborhood such as that?  Second, would you have tried to help your neighbor in the situation he was in, outside in the middle of the night disrupting the neighborhood?

And finally, if you would have answered “Yes,” to the above questions, how would you have responded to your neighbor wanting you to say that you loved him?

You know, it’s relatively easy to say, “I love you,” to our spouses, children, and even relatives and close friends.  And it’s relatively easy to provide some kind of help if called upon.   It’s quite another to truly love, provide help that makes one get into the dirt and mud along with the other person, and say as well as demonstrate that you love someone in the throes of incredible difficulty, sinful living, poor decision-making, and a checkered history. 

Life is messy.  Sometimes, in order to truly help…in order to truly be the salt and light that Jesus asked his followers to be, you have to step into that mess with someone.  You have to get dirty, into the gritty part of that person’s life, in order to help with the clean-up. 

May you not be hesitant to get into someone else's "mess" in order to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ as you continue to discover what it means to "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Blessings

 

 

 

Your Response to the Election

 Good morning, and welcome!

Today is bright and sunny outside, a Good morning change from the past several days of clouds and rain.  Welcome clouds and rain, I might say.  We’ve been dry for quite some time in this neck of the woods, and the days of rain, thunder, drizzle, and clouds was very welcome.  And, as I understand it, we can look forward to more of the same in the coming days.

The election is over.  Races have been won and lost.  People are ecstatic and people are depressed.  Some are welcoming in a new golden age.  Others are prophesying the end of the world as we know it.  But many are neither ecstatic or depressed.  For many of us, it’s just another event in history…a temporary blip on the screen.

You may wonder why, if you’re one of the ecstatic or depressed people, anyone could look at the results of the election, whether on the national or local level, and consider it to be just a blip on the screen.  Is it because we don’t care?  Is it because we’re ignorant of the issues of the day?  Is it because we are hermits, out of touch with society?

The answer to all of those questions is, “No.”  We do care.  We are certainly aware of world and local events of the day.  And, we have no desire to isolate ourselves from the greater society.  We are, however, aware of something much greater than the election results or the world situation.  We know who is in charge of things.  We know who it is who orchestrates human events.  We know what the ultimate end of things will be.

As Christians, we are keenly aware of several things said in the holy writings about governments and who is indeed in charge of things.  Listen to what Paul the great apostle said about government and the authorities.  And remember, Paul was living under the Roman occupation when he wrote this.  This comes from the letter called Romans, chapter 13.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.  They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Another apostle, Peter, says this in I Peter chapter 2.  Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.  For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.  Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

And finally, let’s look at some Old Testament passages…some of which occurred during the time Israel was being held captive by Babylon.

In this passage in Proverbs, God calls himself Wisdom and says this:  I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;  I possess knowledge and discretion.  Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.  By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.

Daniel, when he was interpreting the King’s dream, said this about God:  Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.

When Jesus was before Pilate before his crucifixion, a conversation ensued between him and Pilate.  Here is part of that conversation:

Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

One difficulty in fully believing these verses regarding God’s role in establishing governments and authority is that we don’t understand why God would place this particular person in authority or why God would institute this particular government.  And because we don’t understand why, we have a difficult time believing that God would do such a thing.

Why would God allow Joseph Stalin to seize power in Russia in the 1900’s?  Why would God allow Adolph Hitler to come to power?  Why would God establish the North Korean government that presently exists?  Why would God place Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump or Mr. Obama or Mr. Bush into the presidency?  And we can go on and on with our questions which for us have no answer.  We don’t get it.  We don’t understand it.  We can’t bring ourselves around to admit that what the Bible says about God establishing governments is real and truth.

Well, I have no answers either.  But I do have this:  From Isaiah chapter 55…this is God speaking here:  My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

So, believing this and having an understanding that we will not know the why…and resting on the truth that God really knows what he’s doing, what is our job?  What is our responsibility as Christians?  In sum, I think it is this:

Paul says in the Ephesian letter, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

At least one of our responsibilities as Christians is to settle down and do those good works God has prepared for us.  It is NOT to obsess over the election results.  It is NOT to broadcast the end of the world as we know it.  It is to quietly and without fanfare live our daily lives, expanding the kingdom, relieving suffering, raising families, and worshipping the only God.   May God bless you as you seek to do His will.

Continue On

 As I write this, it’s Tuesday afternoon.  The wind has been howling since yesterday morning.  Forty, fifty, and even sixty mile an hour winds are coming through the Wichita, Kansas area.  Even for one who works and lives inside, it’s enough to make one tired.  And for those who have to work outside in the wind, or worse, live outside, these kinds of days are exhausting.  The constant fighting against the wind, the constant trouble of having to keep things from blowing away, and the constant attack of dust and pollen on one’s sinuses make for, at the very least, a very unpleasant day.

Thursday, the day this should air on YouTube, should be pleasant, they say.  We should have had some rain by then, and the wind will have died down considerably to a gentle five to ten miles an hour out of the North.  More of a traditional fall day will be in the air, hopefully, on Thursday when this airs.

These days are an inconvenience for those of us fortunate enough to have a place to live and work inside.  I see, though several of our “outdoor friends” as we like to call them at RiverWalk Church, trying to navigate the sidewalk while keeping their things gathered.  I can’t imagine having to walk against the wind for more than just a block or so, but many of these people have no choice.  They have to walk everywhere they go.

I confess I don’t know what to do, if anything, regarding the homeless situation.  Wichita and the United States aren’t the only places where the homeless live.  This is a world-wide issue that has defied solutions for decade upon decade and century upon century.  Although difficult to quantify, most estimates of homelessness worldwide hover in the 150 million range, with as many as one out of every six people living in some kind of what is generally called “inadequate shelter.”  Of course, the definition of “inadequate shelter” can vary depending on the societal and geographical settings where one is.

And, of course, in situations such as the war in Gaza, many tens of thousands of people who once had adequate shelter now have no place to live or go due to the war having decimated their housing and communities.  Refugees and displaced persons appear in many places around the world…some as a result of some kind of conflict or natural disaster that happened years ago.  There just hasn’t been the available resources to resupply adequate housing, and probably won’t be in the foreseeable future.

Of course, the prevalence of homelessness world wide shouldn’t be an excuse for us here in Wichita America to just ignore homelessness and inadequate shelter.  We can’t say, “Well, it’s been an issue for hundreds of years, and it’s endemic the world over, so we know we won’t be able to fix it on our own, so…we won’t even try.”  That would be like saying that people get cancer the world over, and have for centuries…we know we won’t be able to fix it on our own, so we won’t even try.”  Of course we continue the cancer research.  We continue the studies.  We continue to try new methods of treatment.

It's the same with the homeless issue and other societal issues.  Just because we can’t come up with a cure within a short time doesn’t mean we just throw up our hands and quit.  We continue to gather information.  We continue to develop ways of approaching the issue.  We continue to try new methods of helping.  We keep at it, not becoming weary…not giving up.

The Apostle Paul told the Galatian Christians this in his letter to them:  Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Our work as Christians is to “keep on keeping on,” as the old saying goes.  We continue to do the good works that God has prepared for us to do, regardless of whether or not a “cure” or “fix” comes along.  We continue the work.  We continue doing good to everyone.  And that includes those who have no place to call home.

Blessings,

Jewels

 I recently had my 75^th birthday.  That’s kind of a milestone in life…sort of like reaching age 30 or 40.  Only 75 means that there have been many more days gone by, many more things that I’ve seen or done, and many more times I’ve messed up something or had to ask forgiveness.

It also means taking a cadre of pills each morning and evening, and sometimes one or two in between.  It means not being able, or no longer wanting to do some of what I’ve done in years past.  Things such as crawling under a house to fix a plumbing leak, or getting under a car to change the oil myself.

The joints don’t flex like they did some time ago.  In fact, the joints often rebel when I try to flex them and let me know that arthritis has taken its toll.  My fingers don’t always move the way I tell them to move.  My eyes aren’t as sharp as they were awhile back, even with cataract surgery and correction.  The brain takes a little longer to process something new, and it’s more difficult to remember names, places, and other assorted facts of life.

More than the physical, I’m becoming a little more, shall we say, detached from some of the world events.  Yes, I still care about the war in the Ukraine.  Yes, I still am concerned about North Korea.  Yes, I still keep up with the Wichita City Council and the Kansas Legislature, along with what’s happening in the world..  But the politics, hijinks, world issues, and half-baked explanations coming from politicians don’t bother me as much as they did some years ago.  And I try to be more understanding of people who truly have to make hard decisions sometimes, that they know will affect perhaps tens of thousands of others.

I’ve become more interested in what God has to say, whether that’s in the Bible, the environment, or in the lives of others.  I’m more interested in making sure that in the event of my demise, my wife and offspring won’t have a horrible time sorting out my business affairs.  I’m more interested in leaving this world a little better than I found it, or at least not any worse, which isn’t at all an easy thing to do.  And I’m more interested in enjoying the beauty of nature, the relationships I have with others, and finding time to appreciate the little things in life.

I’m still a work in progress, however, with some things.  I get frustrated with other drivers on the road, even though I know I frustrate them at times, too.  I have too little patience with my grandkids sometimes, not understanding that they may be tired or otherwise out of sorts when they act out.  I still have to wonder, when working with a benevolence case, how some people can make the decisions that they make regarding money, friends, or faith even when they know that doing the same thing over and over will NOT eventually bring about a different result.  As I said, though, I’m not the epitome of perfection either.  And I have to understand that as I continue to work to be more understanding with others and less judgmental.

So, I still have some work to do.  I need to continue to ask God to keep on refining, keep on molding, keep on making me into one fit for His kingdom.  I’m reminded of the old children’s song written by William Cushing in 1866.  Called, “When He Cometh,” the last verse goes like this:  Little children, little children who love their redeemer are the jewels, precious jewels, his loved and his own.  Like the stars of the morning, his bright crown adorning, they shall shine in their beauty, bright gems for his crown.”

This is generally thought of as a children’s song.  However, we who are Christians are called the children of God, and in the Old Testament God’s people are referred to as jewels.  I like to think of myself sometimes in the way the song describes.  Even though I may think of myself as less than precious and less than shining like a precious jewel, God sees me in a different light.  To him, I AM a jewel…bright and shining…that one day will adorn his crown, so to speak.  And that thought gives me pause and prompts feelings of gratitude and praise.

And I hope it will do the same for you as you think of yourself as a precious jewel in God’s kingdom.

 Blessings,

Not My Home

 Good morning, and welcome!

 Over the past three days, it was my privilege to host Dr. James Ikwulono, a faculty member of the Jos, Nigeria School of Biblical Studies.  Our congregation provides a small amount of support for the school, and Dr. Ikwilono is on a tour of the United States, stopping at places which support the school.

While he was here, he was able to visit with several of our members, and gave a presentation to our Wednesday evening gathering.  We also visited some of the places in the Wichita area as well as two of our local church ministry points…our food pantry and Carpenter Place.  We learned much from each other in our conversations, and have grown to appreciate the work done in Jos by the school.

But, beyond that, these past three days were a sort of meeting of two cultures.  Dr. Ikwulono is not unfamiliar with the US, having studied here for several years.  He is very familiar with things such as pizza, barbeque, some aspects of US history, and some of the geographic places in this nation.  But it is obvious that he loves his country and wants to see it grow and prosper.

When we think of Nigeria, we often think of the negative…those Nigerian scams that have become the point of many stories that we tell.  Most of us are well aware of those emails where some Nigerian so-called prince has millions of dollars he wants to give us if we only will pay a couple of thousand dollars to have the money transferred to our account.  Scams have become more sophisticated in recent years, forcing us to be ever vigilant when we’re connected to the Internet.  Scams also come from many nations, including our own…not just from Nigeria.

The nation of Nigeria is much larger and much more complicated than the scam artists who have made the nation odious to many of us.  A nation of over 218 million people, with a growth rate of over 3 percent, the population density of the nation is over 660 per square mile.  The nation is wealthy in resources, but the government and the society seem to be in constant turmoil.  Inflation is rampant at over 30 percent annually, and has been that way for several years.  The Nigerian naira, the currency of the nation, is worth less than a tenth of a cent in dollars.  There is no Social Security retirement system in the country.  And the average life expectancy is about 57 years.

I say those things to help you understand that even though we may complain about things in this nation…things such as the rate of inflation, health care, government bureaucracy, or some other ailment, when compared with other places in the world, we continue to see blessing upon blessing.  We know that at least some of what we have now is not sustainable in the long run, and we scramble to find ways to mitigate those things which are causing issues in the environment, the economy, and in our relations with other nations of the world.

Through all of this, however, at least for Christians should be a vision that goes beyond the Middle East situation, global warming, or inflation.  We are NOT citizens of this world…this kingdom.  Our true citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven as we look forward to the new heavens and the new earth and the renewal of all things.

Yes, we live in the here and now.  Yes, we confront issues and problems in this life.  Yes, we search for answers and long for relief.  And yes, sometimes this world and this life display a beauty and sense of wellness and contentment that make us want to stay in that state from now on…but of course, troubles and issues always seem to find their way into the mix and that beauty and sense of well-being are soon replaced with something more sinister in nature that needs our attention.

That old gospel song, This World Is Not My Home, may well be appropriate here.  The first line is, “This world is not my home; I’m just a passing through…and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”

As you navigate through life today, appreciate the blessings and the beauty.  Take on the challenges.  And remember that this place is not really your home…you’re just visiting.

 Blessings.

Safe Travels

 Good afternoon.

 The last couple of weeks, the wife and I have been away.  We’ve been vacationing up in the far Northeastern part of the nation.  Up in the place where the leaves of autumn turn all sorts of magical colors and the whole region becomes alive with visitors who enjoy this time of the year.

We didn’t fly and rent a car like some suggested we do.  We took our time and drove.  We went a total of over 4,400 miles, but were able to stop here and there, look at this or that, and generally took a rather leisurely pace to get there and back.  I think the longest we were in the car driving somewhere was about 7 hours.  Of course, that also included several stops for gas, the restroom, and just to stretch.

I won’t bore you with what all we saw and did.  I will say that we saw the Flight 93 Memorial, the Gettysburg Battlegrounds, the Louisville Slugger Bat factory, the Hershey Chocolate place, and other places of interest.  We took the Mount Washington cog railway.  We picked apples at an apple orchard.  We saw a maple syrup “farm,” talked with the owners and came home with one pint less than a gallon of maple syrup.  We found that there is a town called Jay, New York that boasts one of the longest covered bridges in the region.  We brought along some knick-knack type things that we picked up in gift shops.  We also bought some books for the wife to read.

And we saw some rather amazing sights in terms of foliage and scenery.  But , if you want to read more about all of that, you can do so when I’ve finished my memoirs of the trip.  Ask me for the link.

But I will tell you that each of the two Sundays we were gone, we attended church services at a Church of Christ in the community where we had spent Saturday night.  The first Sunday was in Endwell, New York, a smaller community just west of Binghamton.  The second Sunday was in Poland, Ohio, a suburb of Youngstown.  Each of those churches were unique; yet each filled our spirits and refreshed us as we traveled.

The New York church had an attendance of about 15 people.  It clearly was struggling to stay afloat.  The minister there was concerned that he may have to find other work.  Yet, the people there were friendly, welcoming, and seemed to enjoy each other’s company as well as ours.  We shared communion with them, prayed with them, and took in the lessons that were taught.  It was somewhat difficult for me to leave there as I knew that in a short time, that church may no longer be active.  I felt for those who would have to make that decision.

The second Sunday in Poland was a little different in that the congregation there numbered about 70 on that day.  Again, the people were outgoing, friendly, and welcoming.  They were much more active, having had a get-together just the evening before, feasting on wings and sides, playing outdoor games, and enjoying one-another’s company.  We didn’t have to make much of an effort to introduce ourselves as they were outgoing in nature and made us feel comfortable from the beginning.

I tell you about these two churches to also tell you that if you believe corporate worship is important, then it should continue to be important even if you are away from your home congregation.  You should be able to find some place while on the road where you can meet with others and share in the worship of our Lord.  Even if you’re somewhat introverted as we both are, most people in most places will make an effort to make you feel welcome.

All in all, it was a somewhat tiring, but enjoyable time seeing places that we had never seen before, and probably would never visit again.  We’re at that stage in life when some of the things we see and do are the last times we’ll see and do.  And that’s OK.  We’ve lived a long and blessed life together, the missus and me.  We’ve seen a lot, done a lot, and enjoyed the life that God has given each of us.

We’re not ready to kick the bucket just yet, though.  We have, if God wills, some time yet to continue to see and do some things we’ve always wanted to see and do, but until now haven’t had the time or the resources.  One of these days, we’ll pass this life on to someone else, but for now, we are thankful and grateful.

 Blessings,

Uncomfortable Grace

 Good morning:

 Last Sunday, I spoke to our congregation in worship services on the topic of Uncomfortable Grace.  Now, that may seem somewhat confusing, especially to someone who thinks of grace consisting of only the good things of life that come our way at the hand of God.  You know, those things like a comfortable home, transportation, adequate good food, a vocation and a job, family, and so on.  And you are correct that those things are a gift of grace from a loving God.  But there is another kind of grace that God sometimes bestows on his people…uncomfortable grace…the kind of grace that, when we see it we often don’t recognize it as grace at all, but rather we see it as something bad…something we don’t like and don’t want to be part of.

This kind of grace might be something like the loss of a job, or perhaps an extended illness.  It might be some kind of medical issue or perhaps a family problem.  These things are events which disrupt our normal routine in life.  They force us to re-focus on our priorities.  They make us re-think how we do things and how we think about things.  And when we have to do those things, it’s always uncomfortable for us because those things get us out of our life ruts and force us to look beyond the here and now.

But in the end, these things which disrupt us often also refine us…remold us…remake us into better people, more dependent on the God of the universe and much less dependent upon our own strength and ability.  I am, over time, posting many of the writings of my childhood and lifetime friend Karl Detweiler on my Facebook page.  Karl had a great job with Duncan Aviation in the Omaha area, was a family man and was enjoying life…up until his doctor told him he had terminal cancer.  He died a little over a year later, but wrote extensively on his Facebook page about his journey with cancer.

For Karl, life took a most unexpected and unwanted turn.  He has always embraced the Christian life.  But in the process of coming to terms with his newfound lot in life, it is easy to see through Karl’s writing the process of him being refined, remolded, and remade.  His example in those last months has made a lasting impression on many…his family, his friends, his co-workers, and all of those who are reading those posts I’m putting on my Facebook page.  Even in death, Karl still speaks…still teaches…still encourages…and continues to embrace his God and Lord.

For many of us, the unexpected turn in life may not be as critical as was what hit Karl.  For many of us, those unexpected turns may be as benign as being caught in traffic or stopped by a train while going to an appointment…and then being late for the appointment.  It might be a phone call saying that the repairman can’t be at your house today as scheduled, and could he reschedule.

Or it could be that your car died at the stop light and won’t start.  Or maybe you’ve gotten the 24 hour stomach virus and the plans you had for that day will have to be postponed or canceled.

You get the idea.  Whether it’s cancer or your car battery conking out at a light, these kinds of unexpected turns work, if we’ll let them, to mold and shape us into better people…better human beings.  How we respond to these things is the key.

Do we do the “woe is me,” trip and become angry that we can’t do what we wanted to do?  Or do we look over the situation and deal with what comes our way in a mature and measured way?

One way to gauge our response is to think about what happens inside our heads when someone in traffic appears to cut us off, or maybe doesn’t use their turn signal, or pulls into our lane right in front of us.  Do we become upset or even angry with them?  Or do we slow down, wonder if they’re maybe having a bad day, and give them and ourselves room and just continue on our way?  How we handle these kinds of minor annoyances is a good way to determine how we will handle the more serious side of things.

I believe that God many times gives us these unexpected twists and turns in life for a reason…not to punish us or for some kind of sadistic pleasure…but rather to refine us and mature us…to help us understand that life isn’t always unicorns and rainbows…and to encourage us to look beyond the here and now to the not yet…the promise of a life to come that is free from the trials and pains of this life…free from the consequence of sin that has resulted in a fallen creation.

May you be encouraged as you also look beyond what this life has to offer, and see what is being prepared for those who have decided to follow Jesus…our Lord and Savior.

 Blessings.

Finding God

 Good morning !!

 I recently ran across a post on social media from someone who is not my friend, but rather is a friend of one of my friends on that platform.  I’ll call the friend of a friend “Laura” and my social media friend “Jennifer.”  Laura posted what I am about to read first.  Jennifer then responded to Laura with something that I think you need to hear.  These short posts give a very different perspective on “finding God” than what most of us who are Christ-followers have.  The background of both Laura and Jennifer is, I believe, one of battling with the demon of addiction.  I’ll read these two posts, then will respond.

 Laura writes:  I didn’t find God at church, I found him on my bathroom floor hysterically crying begging for him to stop the pain & heal my heart.

Jennifer responds:  It IS God there with us on the bathroom floor! But boy have we used His community to apply the bandages afterward and warm the bath water to start again. I’ve found both too! Much needed!

 There are a couple of messages in this short conversation that we who are Christians need to understand.

First, many people don’t necessarily “find God” in a church setting, or in any place even close to a church setting.  Laura just came out and said she didn’t find God at church.  That doesn’t surprise me.  Some people are intimidated by church.  Some don’t handle crowds very well.  Others may feel like an outsider, not a part of the cliques that inevitably form in such gatherings.  Still others may feel uncomfortable in the clothes they are wearing, their hygiene, or their lack of self-respect.

No matter how hard we try to be friendly, welcoming, and accepting of others, there are some who have such barriers and walls about them that even our warmest greetings cannot penetrate.  That’s just the way it is sometimes.

Laura did say that she found God on the bathroom floor with her as she was in the midst of the pain that inevitably comes as a result of addiction.  God isn’t averse to being with us when we are in the middle of our greatest depression and need.  He is there when we hurt.  He is there when we are ill.  He is there in our time of greatest need.  He hears our cries, our sobs, our screams.  He lays on the bathroom floor with us as we work through our pain and suffering.  He heals.

 Second, the faith community, when working as it should, can be an incredible resource for helping those who are hurting.  Notice what Jennifer said.  She evidently has been on that bathroom floor herself.  She knows God is there on the floor with her.  And she also knows that her church community will be there to help her heal…pick up the pieces and glue them back together…to “apply the bandages and warm the bathwater,” as she puts it, so she can start again.

Church done right is much more than meeting once a week on Sunday.  Church is God at work in the lives of those who are, as Laura said, “hysterically crying” for His help and healing.  Church is loving one’s neighbor.  Church is generosity.  Church is being there.  Church is reaching out…helping, holding, healing.

Jennifer has found God on the bathroom floor, and has experienced the healing of God in the church family that surrounds her and loves her.  This…this is the church at work in the world.  This is the church, gritty and real.  This is the church, in the mess and chaos.  This is what the church should look like the other one hundred and sixty six hours of the week when we’re not gathering together in worship and fellowship.

So, what about your church family?  Does it “apply the bandages and warm the bath water” from time to time as needed to help in the healing process of someone who is truly loved as a neighbor?  Is your church family one that God works in and through for someone on the bathroom floor, whether literally or figuratively, hysterically crying for healing and help?

More to the point; what about you?  How do you figure in this mix?  What part do you play as a member of your church family?  How can you truly use God’s power to redeem the creation, even if that redemption is just one person?

I’ll leave you with these questions…you’ll have to supply your own answers.  And I’ll invoke God’s richest blessings upon you as you both find your place in His plan for you and with His blessing carry out the work He has prepared for you to do.

 Blessings,

The Dichotomy of Days

 Good afternoon.

 It’s been sort of a roller-coaster couple of days for me this week.  Yesterday, the wife and I went to the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson and took in the sights…both traditional and some new.  It was also band day there and several high school and middle school bands were there.  They marched into the fairgrounds; then went to the free entertainment arena and played a couple of numbers before they dismissed the kids to enjoy the fair.  Two of our grand kids were in their high school band, so we got to see them there as well.

The fairgrounds weren’t very crowded, and the weather was perhaps just a bit warm in the afternoon, but very tolerable.  Everyone, it seemed, was at least civil…many held doors open, stepped out of the way for others, and so on.  I think the lack of a huge crowd makes everybody’s day a little better.

We stopped at several booths and visited a bit.  The Goodland vocational school just recently became affiliated with Fort Hays State University, and we visited with the woman there about that, as we had lived in Goodland for some years…and also, my wife went through that same thing with WSU Tech when it became affiliated with WSU a few years back.  We stopped at a booth where there was a company whose owner we knew from the time our older son was in elementary school.  He wasn’t there, but we had a good visit with those who were there.

We stopped at the Hesston College booth and found out that the traditionally two-year college is now offering bachelors degrees as a four-year institution.  We visited about that as well.  And we stopped at the Harper Industries booth and visited with the guys there about Dew Eze products.  Look that up on line if you’re unfamiliar with that.  It’s a great success story of an entrepreneur who made good.  And we knew the entrepreneur and his family.

Yes, we saw the butter sculpture.  Yes, we saw the largest pumpkin and the largest watermelon.  Yes, we rode the train.  Yes, we rode the sky ride.  Yes, we stopped at the channel 12 booth.  And yes, we got ice cream under the grandstand…and while we were there got cold water from the Temperance Union water fountain…which has been at that same location under the grandstand for many decades and has that same little animated man turning the pages of a booklet extolling the virtues of temperance.

We didn’t get to the midway, the giant slide, or the Old Mill.  But we did get to the food court where the wife got her chicken & noodles and I got my catfish.  We heard a ventriloquist give  his schtick and wandered through various buildings.  We got a funnel cake, fried cheese curds, and lots of water.

Then today, work has been a bit different.  The day began with meeting a young Spanish couple who had two small children whose electric had been shut off the day before.  They didn’t speak English.  A good friend of mine who works for the health department to find services people could access to meet their needs came with them and interpreted.  He works as a day laborer, finding daily work wherever he can.  She is a stay-at-home mom.  Mainly because of the small kids, we gave enough to the electric company that they got their power turned back on today.

I don’t know how the future will go for them, but at least for now the kids have electric service and the parents have one less thing to worry about.

A short time after that, I got a call from a woman staying at a motel with her two teen children, one girl and one boy.  She was divorced from her abusive husband some months ago, is 6 months pregnant, and had been staying in the motel with her kids off and on for the past several months.  She applied for a housing voucher months ago and just now was informed that she could pick it up tomorrow, and she also has a house she can move into once she actually receives the voucher.

She has no transportation.  Her kids attend West High School.  She works at McDonalds just up the street from the motel.  She generally makes enough each week from her job to pay for a week of motel with a little left over.

She called because she hadn’t been able to work recently, and her motel room ran out.  She only needed one more day until she could get the housing voucher.  If she had to move out, because she had no transportation, she couldn’t have stayed in her car…they would have been on the street somewhere.

We normally don’t do motels, but something told me that she was genuine and really needed the help.  I went to the motel, paid for the room for a day, and gave her a little cash to get by with groceries until her food stamps came in on Monday.  I also gave her information on our food pantry and a couple more places where she might be able to access services.

So, this day has been very different from the day before.  Instead of seeing the largess and excess in society…the ice cream, the fried Oreos, the Pronto Pups, and all the rest, I’ve seen the other side…the need.  And it really makes one stop and think…and pray both a prayer of thanksgiving as well as a prayer for blessing for those in need.

May you be well, physically, emotionally, and spiritually this day.  May you be generous.  May you demonstrate a genuine love for your neighbor.  And may you be washed in the grace of God this day.

 

Blessings.