Monthly Archives: January 2020

FOUNDATIONS AND FOOTINGS 1 Corinthians 3

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At this moment two homes are being constructed across the street from us.  We’ve lived in this new development for over 4 years.  Our home being one of the first ones built.  Construction noises part of our DNA.  Do we mind it?  Sometimes, but no pain, no gain!  And we love it here.

After the land is cleared by a rather noisy piece of earth-moving equipment which we call the ‘evil machine’, we shout a word of thanks!  Then the foundation men arrive.  Measuring tape in hand.  Blueprints to follow.  Wooden foundation frames put in place.  Concrete footings constructed, along with poured cement filling those frames.  Cement usually hardens in a day or two, meaning that the foundation guys return removing the wooden framing.  Voila!

Foundations complete.  Now begins the structural framing to finish the home in about 4 months.  Takes awhile.  Requires exact planning and measuring.  Hard labor.  Precision work.

Windows…insulation…mudding…painting inside and out…gutters…doors…composite roof…cabinets…electrics and plumbing…and so on.   All at a rather high price!

Reading 1 Corinthians 3, I note similarities with our Christian life– ‘For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ’ (1 Cor. 3:11).  Hence, the question–upon what am I building my life?  To make money?  It’s necessary but not as our all-in-all.  To get recognition?  It’s nice to be appreciated.  To make my mark for Jesus?  Not as often as I’d like.

Here’s a warning sign–‘But each one should be careful how he builds’ (1 Cor. 3:10).  ‘…careful how he builds.’  Good point.  For me I have to work at keeping Jesus front-and-center daily.  He too easily gets booted to the sidelines almost out of sight.  Often I’m asking Him to bless decisions I’ve already made long before even thinking about consulting Him.  I’m in charge until I remember who really is.  A tad late but better than never.

So, as early as possible, ask for His guidance.  His will, which is not always easy to discern.  But hang in there.  Don’t jump before you look.  Take your time.  Use the measuring tape of the Bible.  Jesus your foundation.  Frame Him Lord of your life.  You’ll find your footing.

Doesn’t happen overnight.  He has lots to do.  Takes time.  Will be costly.  Notice that the house is going up.  We’ll soon move in.  Get ready.

By the way, He has another one for us over the hilltop.  A mansion (John 14:1-6).  That He’s built.  Won’t that be just out of this world!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for home sweet home with you.  Amen.

QUICKLY! MOVE ON… 1 Samuel 12: 20-25 and 16: 1

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I feel bad recalling what I did years ago.  No, not rob a bank or murder someone!  When I was about 12 years old, some of us would shout out scary sounds at night when an 8 year-old neighbor crosses the street, spooking him into running back home, crying his eyes out.  Why does this bother me?  I know that he’s utterly frightened of ghosts and the dark, suffering fears galore, and yet can’t wait to hear his shrieks and screams.  Pathetic me.

Years later I have the chance to ask his forgiveness and he does just that.  He is a kind and gracious man, indeed.  Over and done with.  But is it?  Not really as I easily replay it in my mind.  That’s one episode.  I could give you an encyclopedia of much more.  Just me?

But God tells me to move on… as He has.  Be forgiven and enjoy its freedom to be better… from now on.  Don’t let Satan drag you back into his muck and mire.  His misery loves company.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Samuel witnesses God’s people repenting of their sins.  He tells them– ‘Do not be afraid…you have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart…consider what great things He has done for you’ (1 Samuel 12:20-24).

Get right with God.  Move forward with Him.  Stop staring in sin’s rearview mirror.  Looking over your shoulder.  Stuck in the past.  Jesus forgives… and forgets.

Even Samuel gets bogged down–“The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel?  Fill your horn with oil and be on your way;  I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem.  I have chosen one of his sons to be king'” (1 Samuel 16:1).  Come on, Samuel, giddy up and go!

Hold onto God’s promises.  I’m trying to.  After all, He has many blessings ahead.  Don’t miss any by a too long looking back.  But if you do, grab His hand.  He’ll help you get up, standing on your feet, while you turn your eyes upon Jesus.  That’s more like it.  Let’s go!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for taking my sins away.  Help me to live forgiven.  Amen.

NOT JOHN DOE John 10: 1-30

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A new movie about a children’s TV show is making quite a splash.  The gentle spirit of its host stands in marked contrast to our day and age.  Such was Fred Rogers, a fellow Presbyterian minister, whose calling was communications and children.

Presbyterian clergy are required to take two weeks of pre-approved study leave each year.  Hopefully, it keeps us on our pastoral toes, so to speak.  I sign up for a two-day conference in New York City at the Riverside Church, an edifice more like a Protestant cathedral.  Hundreds of pastors are in attendance.  The theme?  Haven’t a clue over forty years later.  Went with a friend whom I can’t recall as well.  How could I ever forget what’s-his-name?

Sitting down about half way from the front of the church, I look around to see if I recognize anyone.  Not a soul.  Until I see Fred Rogers!  Yes, THE Fred Rogers sitting right in my neighborhood!  The session hasn’t started yet, so I scoot out of the pew, down a side aisle, bend over a few nice folk to greet the man himself.  I tell him how much my boys love his show.  He wants to know my name and theirs as well.  That’s it.  Half a minute.  Over and out.

But not the end of the story.  Next day I’m hanging out in the foyer of Riverside Church, waiting for my unremembered friend to arrive, when Mr. Rogers comes through the front door and right over to me, shaking my hand, saying, ‘Good morning, John.  How are you today?’  What?  He remembers my name?  I can barely recall it myself at that moment, which becomes something I’ll never forget.

As amazing as Mr. Rogers’ greeting is to me, there’s something far greater.  You know what I mean.  Jesus knows us… by name.  Yours and mine.  And knows us through and through.  And loves us like no one else could or would.

John 10: 27–‘My sheep know my voice; I know them and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.’  John 10: 14–‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…’  We’re not John Does to Jesus.  Quite the contrary.

Here’s an idea–this week why not go out of your way to mention someone’s name.  Work at it.  Promise to do so.  See their reaction.  Welcome them to your neighborhood!

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for knowing us by name.  Amen.

WHO’S THAT IN MY MIRROR? Psalm 52

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Walking through the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemene, my wife and I marvel at olive trees hundreds of years old.  Probably none from Jesus’ day, but this is how His garden looked.  A stone’s throw from the Kidron Valley.  Close to the holy city of Jerusalem.  Not far from the Temple Mount.

Old, bent, twisted olive trees with new shoots appearing from the side of their wizened stumps unveil new life.  These stubby trunks look dead but aren’t so.  Life becomes visible in surprising ways and places.  What’s gone belly up hasn’t.  Far from its last curtain call.

I look in the mirror these days and wonder who’s giving me the once-over.  That can’t be me.  No.  It’s some moth-eaten old goat who’s invaded my body.  I feel like I’m in my 40’s.  So, who is this over-the-hill, rusty, creaky, old fuddy-duddy?  Me?  Tis true.  Like an old-as-the-hills olive tree.

Enough of my moaning and groaning.  Let’s hear from God’s Word.  Psalm 52: 8-9–‘But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.  I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good.  I will praise you in the presence of your saints.’

I may be a bit long in the tooth, but I can still praise Jesus!  Flourish in closer relationship with Him as I read, meditate upon and dig deeper into the Bible.  I have hope because God is forever good and trustworthy.  I’m not.  He is.

So, let’s share with others how much He can mean to them as well.  Not being selfish, keeping all the goodies for ourselves.  No.  Better to share than to hoard.  More blessed to give than grasp.  Someone said that a long time ago.  Who?!

No matter your age, flourish…grow…trust Jesus…bask in His love which never ends or fails…hope in His goodness…remember all He’s done for you…share His Word with others…enjoy your family of faith.

And don’t stop there.  Keep on keeping on…  Like an old olive tree.

 

Thank you, Jesus, for new life forever.  Amen.

WHO’S THAT IN MY MIRROR? Psalm 52

Posted on by

Walking through the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemene, my wife and I marvel at olive trees hundreds of years old.  Probably none from Jesus’ day, but this is how His garden looked.  A stone’s throw from the Kidron Valley.  Close to the holy city of Jerusalem.  Not far from the Temple mount.

Old, bent and twisted olive trees, with new shoots appearing from the side of their wizened stumps, unveil new life.  These stubby trunks look dead but are not so.  Life becomes visible in surprising ways and places.  What’s gone belly up hasn’t.  Far from its last curtain call.

I look in the mirror these days and wonder who’s giving me the once-over.  Can’t be me.  No.  It’s some moth-eaten old goat who’s invaded my body.  I feel like I’m in my 40’s.  So who is this over-the-hill, rusty, creaky old fuddy-duddy?  Me?  Tis true.  Like an old as the hills olive tree.

Enough of my moaning and groaning.  Let’s hear from God’s Word.  Psalm 52: 8-9–‘But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.  I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good.  I will praise you in the presence of your saints.’

I may be a bit long in the tooth, but I can still praise Jesus!  Flourish in closer relationship with Him as I read, meditate upon and dig deeper into the Bible.  I have hope because God is forever good and trustworthy.  I’m not…but He is.

So, let’s share with others how much He can mean to them as well.  Not selfish, keeping all the goodies to ourselves.  No.  Better to share than to hoard.  More blessed to give than to grasp.  Someone said that a long time ago.  Who?!

No matter what your age, flourish…grow…trust Jesus…bask in His love which never ends or fails…hope in His goodness…remember all He’s done for you…share His Word with others…enjoy your family of faith.

And don’t stop there.  Keep on keeping on… Like an old olive tree.

 

 

Thank you, Jesus, for new life forever.  Amen.