Monthly Archives: September 2015

MY GRANDFATHER’S STRAIGHT RAZOR…1 Chronicles 28:8-9

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My Grandfather,  Adam Fischer, died in 1941.  He was an old man, age 67!  Moved off the scene younger than I am now!  He was a painter who managed a large crew of men who painted commercial  buildings in New York City.  He had a home in Jersey City, New Jersey, along with a rental home next door, both of which are still private residences today.  Also, he had a summer cottage out in the country on a lake.  His family would leave the city  the day after school let out and not return until the day before school started in early September.  My father used to say that he didn’t know there was a depression going on!

But what is left of Adam Fischer after all these years?  What of his legacy?  I may have in my possession the only item left that he owned, a straight-edge razor.  It’s in a small, leather case.  The razor is still blood-letting sharp.  Adam Fischer, like the rest of us,  has become a name with a few dates on a line of a genealogical chart along with but a couple photos.

One, two, three generations hence and we’re mainly forgotten. Who was your great, great grandmother?  You might know, but most of us don’t.  At most, a name.  In 1 Chronicles 28: 8- 9, it mentions a legacy we can leave our children and grandchildren.  A legacy of the Lord.  What would we want to pass along anyway?

King David says ‘now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever'(1 Chronicles 28:8).

You may not have children.  Others, who are close to you, will be directly affected by your godly life.  Friend’s children, nieces and nephews, your Sunday School class.  Sometimes we have more influence on those who are not direct blood family!   Decide to follow Jesus.  Get serious about your relationship with Him.  Verse 9 tells of how serious David wants his son Solomon to be for the Lord–‘And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind…If you seek Him, He will be found by you…’

You know, as well as I do, that you can’t take anything to heaven.  Nothing of this earth, except fellow believers in Jesus Christ.  We can take others if we’d but share the treasure we’ve found in Him.  Get serious…and start sharing.  A legacy of the Lord…better than a straight-edge razor for its based on promises from the Bible, God’s double-edged sword!   That’s a legacy worth leaving!

Prayer:  Lord, help us to take all the opportunities you bring our way for sharing you with others.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

‘THE GUIDING LIGHT’… John 8:12

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My mother loved her ‘soap operas’!   ‘The Guiding Light’, ‘Search for Tomorrow’, ‘The Secret Storm’, ‘As the World Turns’, and ‘Love of Life’, among others.  In my first church, The Presbyterian Church at Tenafly, New Jersey, I was the assistant pastor in a congregation of over 1500 members.  High-powered people, well-educated and wealthy were most.  I was scared much of the time.  In my mid-20’s, fresh out of seminary, it felt like a novice pastor who had no classes in how to deal with the upper-class!

One of the stars of ‘As the World Turns’ sang in our church choir.  Hank Forsythe was a charming and humble man.  Thirty two years as Dr. David Stewart on this my mother’s favorite soap opera.  On Saturday mornings, Dr. Stewart, I mean Hank(!) and I would meet in the church sanctuary where he would coach me on how to read effectively.  Talk about being scared!

Then a couple from ‘The Guiding Light’ wanted me to marry them in the church’s chapel.  They were super concerned that everything had to be perfect from the words ‘Dearly Beloved’ on!   I was shaking-in-my-boots!  For all the cast and crew would be in attendance watching them, and them alone I hoped!   As it turns out, something good happened–the wedding was lovely, the couple and all the guests most gracious;  and I got to take my mother to the set of ‘The Guiding Light’ in New York City!

Jesus says in John chapter 8 that He is the light of the world.  He’s the Son of God, the sun who lights the world; which, without Him, would reside in utter darkness.  He is our Guiding Light when we submit to Him.  No acting or reading of parts in His troupe.  Genuinely making Him Lord of our lives.  As we spend more time with Him, in His Word the Bible, He’ll give us more of His light.  His Guiding Light.  The fears will recede,  trust will grow.  The world may turn, secret storms hit our shores, as we search for tomorrow!  He’ll give us a love of life!

After all, Jesus Himself said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'(John 8:12).  The old ‘soap opera’ show was cancelled years ago.  His Guiding Light never has… and never will!

Prayer:  Lord, shine your light of conviction in every nook and cranny of our lives.  Be our light in a dark world, now and forever.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.