One Morning In A Garden

The spring sun was just peeking over the Jerusalem hills as a small group of women silently trudged through the streets, intent on their lovingly necessary errand. However, besides the fragrant spices they carried, they also bore within their hearts a desperate sense of gloom and loving grief for their beloved Teacher.

Just hours before they had watched as the Man was marched out of the city by the hated Roman troops, made to carry the rough-hewn crossbeam of his own execution devise, then was nailed to the crossbeam and lifted up. Come down!” the lingering taunters had railed at him. “You’re supposed to be the Son of God! If that’s so then come down! You have the power!”

But the Teacher did not try to descend and the women could only watch his suffering as they huddled nearby. Also, they must have wondered about the whereabouts of his disciples, the twelve men who’d been closest to him Yet except for the devoted John they were no where in sight.

So the Teacher had died on that cross and a secret follower had provided the tomb for the hurried burial, made necessary because the Sabbath was fast approaching. Because of this, they had to hurry to wrap the Teacher in the traditional burial cloths then hurry home. However, now that the Sabbath was over, the women could finish the burial process by inserting the traditional spices within the burial wrappings as a final loving tribute.

Yet as they approached the tomb they were concerned about something else. To minister to the body they would need to get into the tomb and that meant moving aside the heavy stone disc that served as the door. It fitted into a groove and rolled to either side to reveal the opening but even so the women would not have the strength to roll it aside. However, as they came into the garden area where the tomb was located what they feared was not to be. To their surprise, the tomb entrance was wide open and the stone had been moved aside! Confused and puzzled, the women moved closer, then bent to step into the cave entrance.

There on the ledge where the body had been placed was the body-shaped cocoon formed from the burial wrappings, but as they came nearer they realized there was nothing inside! And off to one side was the cloth they had personally draped over the marred visage of their Teacher.

Then as they gazed, they suddenly became conscious of the presence of two other beings. There was something undeniably ethereal about the newcomers, and the women fell back in amazement as they heard them speak: “He isn’t here! He told you he would rise and he has! Go tell Peter and the others!”

The women didn’t wait to see or hear anymore, but hurried away to follow instructions. Once told, Peter and the other disciples returned to the now empty tomb where they also saw the empty wrappings and like the women turned away puzzled, confused and even overwhelmed.

However, despite her perplexity at these unexpected events, Mary Magdalene could not stay away from where she had last seen the Teacher. When she returned to the garden the scene was unchanged with the stone rolled aside. Then as she paused in front Mary’s eyes began to mist. What had happened? She’d seen the Teacher die and now all his promises and hope he offered was dead with him. Or where they? She had a vague memory of how he’d spoken of his death and a return to life. Could that mean…?

“Mary, why are you crying?”

She started and blinked back her tears.

Then, as she whirled to see the figure, in the mist of her tears she could only see a vague form. Who was this? In her confusion she reached a decision. This had to be the caretaker and maybe he’d taken the body!

“Mary!”

Then she knew. There was no mistaking that voice!

“Teacher!” Her voice was a breathless whisper, as she fell at the feet, the solid, nail-pierced feet ­ of the Teacher. Then she lifted her eyes to his and there was the small slight smile on his face and in his eyes. “Teacher!” Yet as she knelt there another realization swept over. It was indeed her Teacher, but as she gazed at the living that had been dead she knew he was also her Savior.

Indeed, he is not dead, but risen!

Three Days

It was Friday, the day was dark.
Clouds streaked the heavens overhead.
Three crosses were bleak against the sky,
For the Son of God was dead.

It was Saturday, the Sabbath Day.
Golgotha was very still.
The crowds of Friday had gone away.
There were no crosses on the hill.

It was Sunday and all was joy!
The Man was no longer dead!
The women had spread the angels’ words:
“He has risen, as he said!”

True Denial

The philosophy class fell into a hush as Professor Smith entered and put his books and papers on the desk at the front of the room. He knew that the students’ silence wasn’t out of respect for him but came from a sense of muted apprehension at the prospect of the upcoming final examination. They were also probably worried about what kind of test it would be, for Professor Smith had a reputation for eccentricity and surprise.

There was the rustle of blue books and the clearing of throats as the students waited and wondered. This was an introductory course and they had covered a broad array of topics that semester so there was no way of telling what Professor Smith would ask or how he would do it.

Then the professor laid his books and papers on the side of the desk and instead of sitting down, he gripped the chair, then hefted it up onto desk. He stepped back up to the blackboard where in broad scrawling script he wrote: “Using everything we have learned this semester, prove that this chair does not exist.”

With that he sat down in another chair at a table near the window and began to work on some papers. As the students considered what to do, some scanned the room in vague thought while others licked the tip of their pens before they set to work. Then within a few more minutes all their heads were bent over the desks as worked. Professor Smith looked up now and then to see some students pausing before they resumed writing while others scribbled industriously.

However, one young man in the back row was different. He stared at the blackboard for a long moment then wrote for a moment and was soon finished. He stacked his books and papers into his backpack, passed up to the front to place his test booklet on the desk then he left. Professor Smith was puzzled but he knew he had to wait till the others finished before he could look at any of them. With a glance now and then at the lone blue book on the desk, Professor Smith remained in his chair.

At the moments passed, the students finished their exams, dropped the books off on the desk on top of the first student’s and left. Some had written for some thirty minutes and some longer, all apparently attempting to refute the existence of the chair. When all were gone Professor Smith retrieved the first exam and as he read it, he had to chuckle.

A week later when the grades were posted, and the other students discovered how their classmate had received an A they were both frustrated and puzzled. They’d written much more than he had yet he did so well. Still, Professor Smith felt the grade was justified. After all, he had answered the question.

He had written just two words: ”What chair?”

Questioning the existence of the obvious may have worked for that student, but it doesn’t come off that way in my spiritual life when I have a problem I don’t want to face. For however much I want to deny the difficulty as long as I do so it doesn’t really accomplish anything. After all, the problem may be preventing me from beginning some new challenge God has for me and until I deal with it I can’t really serve him.

Nevertheless the good news is that if and when I decide to confront the dilemma then I’m never alone. God will give me the strength and ability to confess a sin, if necessary, forget and move on. Then when I do that then I am no longer dragged down by the past, but can step out in faith where God and his work await me.

Wherever We Are

While most of us think of Mark Twain as the author of such classic novels as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, in the late 1800s he was also known as a popular lecturer as well as an author of several travel books. He got his start in this area when he journeyed into the American west and as far as Hawaii then published informative and often humorous articles about his trips in western and then national newspapers. In 1869 he published a series of travel articles from a trip to the Holy Land as the book Innocents Abroad, then followed with other books about his travels: Roughing It (1872) about his Western experiences, A Tramp Abroad (1880). In his final years in 1897 he published Following the Equator which recounted his experiences on a worldwide lecture tour.

At a time when travel was slow, laborious and difficult, Twain utilized his jaunts to provide material that both entertained and informed his readers. However, because he was often away from home his friends did not always know where to get in touch with him.

One particular evening, a group of his friends and admirers realized Twain’s birthday was approaching, Naturally they wanted to send him a letter of congratulations, but since he was off on a trip and they didn’t know where to send the letter. Still, they decided to try. They prepared a letter wishing their friend a happy birthday, then addressed it to “Mark Twain, God Knows Where.”

After some weeks, they got a response. The author sent a note with just two words: “He did.”

In an age with such locating devices as cell phones and global positioning satellites it’s hard to realize that there was once was a time when you could be completely inaccessible to those who might want to reach you. Yet we know that in our modern busy world we would not have it that way since we feel secure when we can easily reach those we need to contact. It can also be the same way in the spiritual area as we find assurance in knowing that we have constant access to God.

Yet we know that while we must use electronic devises to locate and communicate, God is certainly not limited to such measures. He communicates and locates with us by means of the omniscient omnipotence that enables him to not only know exactly where we are but also exactly what we need when we need it. And because we know that when if, like Twain’s friends, someone sent a letter to us at “God knows where” ­ he would!

While We Wait

As a successful and powerful movie producer in the 1930s, Irving Thallberg sometimes demonstrated his authority and position by keeping visitors with appointments waiting outside his office area. Most studio employees or hopeful performers had no choice but to wait, but the zany Marx Brothers decided they would have some fun while they passed the time.

On one occasion as they sat in the waiting room they all lit cigars, then kneeled down in front of his door and blew smoke under it. Within minutes, Thallberg flung open the door to see if the outer office was on fire. Another time as they waited the brothers rearranged the furniture in the waiting room to block the entrance to his door.

Waiting is never easy, yet whether it’s in our daily routine or even in our spiritual life we find that sometimes it’s inevitable. However, waiting can be easier when we know the reasons for the delay but on our Christian walk often we never know.

In the spiritual area, waiting occurs most often when we must pause in our service for God. What often happens is that we think we’re making great progress and everything is falling into place, then all of a sudden for some reason everything grinds to a halt and we‘re stuck waiting for something to happen.

Of course we could always dump the task and forget it, but when we’re truly committed to serving God, then that’s not an option. Therefore, we remain dedicated and ready, waiting for God to let us know how to proceed.

Yet as we wait, while we may not have a choice as to when we’ll resume or the reasons of the delay, we do have a choice as to how we’ll occupy our waiting time. We can fester with frustrating resentment, try to come up with ideas that will “help” God get us started again, or totally lose our sense of vision about the task. Or, we can keep busy with other tasks, keep alert for new information, and trust God’s reasons and time. Then when we do that then when the starting signal comes we’re ready to resume and we haven’t lost any valuable time in our service for God.

The Real View

Joe checked his watch and sighed, then yawned. It had been a slow night so far, and he was having a hard staying awake.

Though he was sleepy, Joe was also a bit excited. Though he still had to get used to the night shift on his new job, he enjoyed his work in the call-in technical support section of a national computer company. It was a great opportunity to combine his knowledge of computers with helping people.

He’d also discovered that there were generally two types of callers at that hour. The first category were those who knew about their equipment and could easily understand and implement Joe’s instructions and the second group consisted of users who were completely inexperienced with computers and who needed extra patience.

He yawned again and then as he saw the phone in front of him flash. He hit the button. “Good morning, XYZ Computer Support. This is Joe. May I help you?”

From the lady caller’s voice and question, Joe realized that this was one of the inexperienced sort. “Okay, I think I can help you with that. Do you have your computer serial number?” He asked her.

“Oh, yes.” Was the bright response. “I remember the salesman at the computer store said I’d need to keep that handy in case of any problems.” She read off a number and Joe entered the number in their database.

“Are you Mrs. Jane Jones in Podunk, Mississippi?” He asked.

“Yes! That’s me! My goodness, these computers are amazing! I just got mine and I’m just getting used to it and all this modern technology! It’s like you know all about me!”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Joe responded. ”Now I see you have a Number 301 model desk unit.”

“EEEEKKK!” The woman’s shriek caused Joe to push his phone headset aside. When he put it back and called the woman’s name, there was no response.

“Mrs. Jones?” He asked, “Mrs. Jones? Are you there?” Then after a few more seconds, he was relieved to hear her voice again.

“Are you okay?” Joe asked.

“Oh, yes. I’m fine. I just had to go put on something more presentable,” Mrs. Jones said. “If I’d known you could see me I’d never have called you while I was in my bathrobe!”

Though the limited information he had available did help him solve Mrs. Jones’ computer problem he certainly couldn’t see everything about her. Yet when it comes to what God sees and knows about us the wonderful news is that God has no trouble seeing us and he doesn’t even need a computer!

Our humanity so limits us in understanding just how God can know everything he does about us - including our needs, desires and even our failures. Yet along with all God’s omniscient omnipotence he not only knows everything about us but he has the ability to also care and provide perfectly for us.

The Shift

Though Pastor Tom was puzzled but he was also glad. After all, his small church was growing so fast that they needed to expand; yet he couldn’t really ignore a gnawing, but unidentifiable concern. For while the building committee had secured the pledges, chosen a builder and started the construction, the committee members had also made it clear they did not want or need his input and would do it all on their own.

“No need for you to attend any meetings or worry about anything, Pastor.” The Building Committee Chairman had told him. “We’re doing just fine as it is and that way you can devote all your time to your pastoral duties.”

He did have a lot of work along that line, as well as coordinating the temporary services they were holding at a neighborhood school gym. They even asked that he move his office to his home saying that way he wouldn’t be bothered by the construction noise as he prepared his sermons or counseled. As it turned out his only contact with the building was when he occasionally drove by and saw the continuing construction.

Finally the work was complete and the week before the first services were to take place, the Building Committee chairman invited Pastor Tom to take a tour of the new building. “We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished,” He said as they drove up to the new building. “And we’ve solved one problem you’ve been concerned about.”. “What’s that?” Tom asked as they entered.

“You often said that you wished people wouldn’t fill up the last pews first leaving so many vacant seats in the front, so we’ve had a special feature installed and we think that’ll solve your problem.”

Just inside the front door Pastor Tom noticed that there was only one row of pews along the back wall. “We’ll never seat everyone in just one row of pews.” He told the chairman.

“We’ve taken care of that because when this back pew is filled then one of the ushers will do this.” He reached up to where there was a button on the wall. He pushed it, and with the sound of gears grinding and the machinery humming the back row moved forward, and another row of pews popped up behind it.

“We’ve got the pews on a turntable of sorts so when we fill one row then another pew row comes up, and eventually the entire church is filled – even down front.”

Tom was impressed. “It’s a bit unusual, but if it seats everyone then that’s what’s really important.” Tom then stepped up to the front platform where he admired the new altar, and the choir loft. His new pulpit particularly impressed him. It was raised several steps above the main platform, and the pulpit was of finely carved wood with scrollwork on the sides. “This is perfect!” Tom turned to the chairman. “You and your group have done a fine job! Oh – I just remembered. I saw the bell tower as we came in, but did you remember to install the bells? They’re a major part of our church, you know. It’s always been a great tradition that we ring the bells right at noon as the church service is over.”

The Building Committee Chairman nodded knowingly. “Oh, yes, we’ve installed the bells and they’ll still ring at noon.”

“I’ll prepare a wonderful new sermon for the first service this Sunday.” Tom smiled in anticipation as they left the building. “I know I have a tendency to run over time and get the people out a bit late “ He admitted then resumed.” But I’ll take extra pains to do a great job this Sunday.”

The next Sunday, as Tom filed in after the choir he was even more pleased to notice that the church was entirely filled, and that the entire building committee was in the first row. Obviously they were anxious to share in Tom’s pride and happiness now that the building had been completed and how it had turned out.

Later in the service when he stepped into the pulpit he opened up his sermon manuscript and began with a litany of thanks to God for the wonderful new edifice, and especially for the skill and competence of the building committee. He didn’t notice the building committee were looking at their watches and also occasionally nudging each other. Tom had just lapsed into his third and final point, as he was startled at the loud “Bong” from the bell tower! Was it noon already? Had he preached too long again?

No problem, he thought, he’d just finish quickly – but then he felt a jerk as he heard the same grinding of gears and hum of machinery that he’d heard from the pews! Then when he felt movement he grabbed the edges of the pulpit as he saw the congregation rising – but no, he was the one who was moving – down! And as he descended toward the basement his last glimpse was the members of the building committee on the front row – grinning broadly.

Pastor Tom got the hint in a spectacular way, but it may not happen that dramatically when God wants to nudge me a bit to get back on track when I wander from his will for me.

When that happens he might have different ways to deal with it. For example, if I’ve deviated from his plan for me then he might nudge me back on track by allowing my plans to fail and prove unworkable. When that happens idea is that when I contrast his plans with mine I easily see there’s no real comparison.

Or maybe if I’ve temporarily neglected his Word he sends someone or something into my life that shows how I need doctrine – a tact that’s meant to get me back to it.

Then perhaps if I’ve just wandered into worry and fear instead of trusting in him then his “nudge” or hint takes the form of misery until I’ve learned that I can’t continue without relying on him.

He “nudges” me because he knows that while ideally I should remain close to him, often I don’t and the best way to give me a hint is to “jolt” me with a need or experience that I can’t handle on my own. Then I must “take the hint” and follow the “prod” back in the direction where he’s guiding me. To his perfect will.

The Gentle Decline

Some years ago I saw a cartoon that depicted an interesting use of promotion. It showed two men in an office, one behind a desk and one in front of it. The sign on the office door says “Ajax Loan Company – Service with a Smile”. The office walls bear signs that continue the same idea: “Ajax Loan Company – We Care About You and Your Account,” and “Ajax Loan Company – Service with a Smile – we mean it!”

The man behind the desk – apparently the loan officer wears a broad smile and is speaking to the man in front of him – obviously the loan applicant. The man with the smile says “No!”

It’s never easy to hear such a negative answer, and particularly when it deals with something we really want and that’s when we start asking questions. Why did he deny this? Doesn’t he see that what I want is perfect and would be great for both of us! I was doing just fine with this new plan and now I’m stalled! Why?

While that’s a natural reaction, I wonder if I could see all aspects of the situation if I’d be so disappointed? After all, there may be repercussions I cannot see – ramifications that might actually harm me if I got my way. And if I could understand all that would I really want my own way?

No, I know that God’s vision and knowledge are perfect, and since they see all that’s involved then when God smiles as he says “no” then it’s a gentle decline – for my benefit and his glory.

Blocking The Way

"We were visiting Mom the other day at the nursing home," Marjorie told us when she dropped into the office. She had just explained that her mother lived near her sister in a distant city and when Marjorie visited her sister, they would always go over to visit their mother. "We were going in to lunch, when I noticed a couple talking to the administrator near the dining room door. As we went by we couldn’t help but hear what he said to them."

"'Well, if you two want to get married,’ he told them, ‘then I think we can arrange it. I'll see if we can get a minister to come out.' However, we didn’t hear any more of the conversation since we were going into lunch but we thought it was cute. As Mother described it: ’love in the golden years.’”

Then about a week later, Marjorie called her sister to find out what happened. “She goes over regularly to see Mom and I’m sure such a big thing as a wedding would be the talk of the whole place.”

"So did they get married?’ we asked.

"'No, from what my sister said, they couldn’t do it since there was a problem,” Marjorie paused for effect. "Seems his wife wouldn't let him"

Marjorie went on to explain that the man’s wife didn’t live at the home, and since the husband and the other woman were dementia patients and seriously befuddled, the administrator was going along with their request as a kind momentary accommodation for two confused people. Still, even if their intentions had been genuine, they still couldn't get around that block -that one "no" brought all their plans to a halt!

Sometimes I experience the same kind of block when God says "no" to me when I want to do something I think would be a wonderful opportunity for me in my Christian life. Of course I can always go ahead and pursue my idea but when I do then nothing ever goes right. So if I really want to follow his will for me then I have to accept his denial. However, why would he reject something that seems so great? As it often turns out, sometimes I find out and sometimes I do not.

Occasionally God pulls back the curtain of mystery and allows me to see how and why my plans would have been wrong, but other times he does not and his reasons remains mysterious. Perhaps he’s saying “no” because he has something better planned for me and my ideas might be harmful. Or maybe he knows I couldn’t cope with what I’ve proposed and his denial saves me a struggle I couldn’t handle. On the other hand, perhaps he will approve my idea eventually but until he does he wants me to learn to trust his timing and provision. However, no matter what happens when if I later understand his reasons, then I am awed by the perfect planning and provision behind his plans for me.

Indeed at times God says no and it is when I trust him that he accomplishes his purposes, and then when he says, "yes”, it moves me forward to new opportunities.

Penny checked the chart outside the examination room then opened the door and stepped in.

“And how are you this morning?” She lapsed into her “cheery nurse” voice as she greeted the small child and her mother. “Did you just see Dr. Joe?”

The little girl did not respond, but instead turned to bury her face in her mother’s neck.

“Everything looked okay,” Penny told Mother, “ Dr. Joe says Jenny’s doing just fine and all we need to is do is give her that antibiotic.”

“The doctor told her about that,” Mother responded, then spoke to her daughter. “Jenny, it’ll be just a little stick and then it’ll be over.” Jenny still kept her face hidden, but Mother shifted her around as Penny turned back with the needle.

“No! No!” Jenny started to wiggle as she saw what was about to happen.

“Now, Jenny ­ we’ve been talking about good manners,” Mother reminded the tearful child. “You don’t say ‘no!’ like that. What do you say?”

Jenny held out a restraining hand. “No!” Then she added, “No, thank you!”

We’re all like Jenny when we want to avoid pain but whether it’s physical or even spiritual then we know it’s just not always possible. Yet, while we might smile at Jenny’s reaction, that’s exactly how God wants us to respond! Yet why should we be grateful for unwelcome experience? It’s because when we can thank God for everything that happens then we trust him to help us and we’re not hampered by wrongful attitudes. In this way we can truly experience what God has planned ­ for his glory and our benefit.

“We’re just doing some routine random checks, sir,” said Officer Joe to the driver of the car he’d just halted. “With the circus in town we’re concerned about security problems. Do you mind if we look in your car?”

Junior was compliant. “Oh, sure, I don’t mind, since I’m with the circus and I certainly don’t want any problems any more than you do. Let me pop the trunk so you can see what’s back there.”

Once he could look in the trunk, Officer Joe found two suitcases, one of which held costumes, but the other held four heavy machetes! Junior joined Joe at the rear of the car to explain.

“Those are part of my act.” Junior explained. “I’m a juggler.”

“Show me how you do it.” Joe ordered.

“Stand back and I’ll show you.” Junior hefted the machetes out of the case, and then began to toss them up and around, catching each and hurtling it up again. After a few more seconds the amazed Officer Joe was about to tell Junior he’d seen enough when there came the sound of screeching and squealing brakes! Junior dropped the machetes as they both turned to see a passing car hurtle past them and then swerve to a stop just down the road.

Joe dashed down toward the new arrival, as the driver’s door was shoved open and a man emerged. He staggered a bit and then leaned back against his car, obviously trembling.

”Are you okay?” Joe asked the driver.

“I think so.” He stammered. “I was driving along and saw what that guy was doing. If that’s the current sobriety test then I’m glad I stopped drinking!”

We all encounter tests in our lives and while some may be more difficult than others, often it’s the spiritual tests that prove the most challenging. God may use such tests for any number of reasons. Perhaps he sends or allows some sort of difficulty in our lives so we’ll seek his help and thus learn to depend on him. Or perhaps he uses such situations to introduce us to a new person or situation that will help us grow spiritually. Or the tests may serve to redirect us into a new area of service and away from some path that would prove detrimental.

Of course without tests like this we can remain apathetic and spiritually flabby and stagnant and we certainly can’t serve God when that’s the case. For it’s when we confront and pass God’s spiritual tests then we learn more to know God and serve him better.

Despite the outward appearance of prim conformity, Henry had a trace of the imp in his nature. He’d been touring England for a few weeks, standard procedure for young Americans in the early 20th century, and as he traveled he grew more intrigued with the traditional sense of British propriety. His tolerant British friends had endured his gentle ribbing about what he saw was their tendency to being stuffy and rigid but occasionally he found it hard to fight off the urge to tease strangers he encountered. However, one time he could not control his urge to have a bit of fun.

It happened as he was riding in a first class railway compartment on his way back to London. However, he wasn’t alone, for sitting across from him was a pair of thin elderly ladies who had arrived separately just minutes before the train started off. Normally he’d have been alone in his reserved compartment but since there were large crowds traveling at that particular time he had graciously offered to share. The women, obviously strangers to each other as well as him, occupied different corners of the opposite seat because courtesy demanded that as a gentleman he ride backwards. Their flitting glances at each other showed their suspicion of the situation, each other and especially the strange young foreigner. Both women were of a type- tastefully but quietly dressed, and each with a spare face and a tightly clutching a handbag. Henry had smiled and nodded to them at their entry, but their only response was to nod curtly and settle into their seats.

Henry opened his newspaper and began to read, glancing up now and then to see the two of them still sitting primly upright across from him. As he read he began to think. Since he had taken this train before he knew that there was a tunnel coming up right before the next station and that realization gave him an idea.

A glance out of the window at the passing scenery told him they were about to reach the tunnel and with a last glance at the still prim and rigid figures across from him, he got ready. As the train thundered into the darkness of the tunnel, Henry lifted the back of his hand to his lips and kissed it – with a loud great smacking noise, then lowered his hand as the train emerged from the tunnel. He rose as the train began to slow as it pulled into the station.

He raised his hat and bowed to his fellow passengers. “May I thank whichever one of you two ladies I am indebted to for the charming incident in the tunnel.” He said, then stepped out into the corridor and beat a hasty retreat, leaving the two ladies glaring at each other.

It’s not always easy to cope with the unexpected but often in our spiritual lives that’s exactly how God introduces some new task or challenge. Perhaps he does it that way so we must deal with it immediately and we don’t have time to wonder how we’ll handle it, but no matter his reasons it can be demanding when we’re coping with the event itself as well as its sudden arrival. Yet whether a new challenge is unexpected or not, in any case all he asks is trust him to show us how to handle the situation and what he wants us to do.

Fastidious Heritages

“There’s one more letter, Mr. Reginald,” Miss Jones slipped the sheet out of her portfolio and rose from her secretarial chair to put it in front of the investment broker. She resumed her seat and waited as with deliberation Reginald plucked the sheet from the shiny mahogany desk top with two precisely manicured fingertips.

As he scanned it, she explained. “As you can see it’s from a Chicago bank and they’re asking for your recommendation for Jonathan Smythe. He’s that young man who worked here in the office last summer.”

“I do remember him. Miss Jones, but why would someone with Smythe’s background want to leave Boston for the wilds of the frontier?” Reginald retorted. .

“I heard he’d left Boston and gone to Chicago so he could make his own way without relying entirely on his family influence.”

“Preposterous! Why should he leave civilization for that dismal place when he could stay here! And to cast aside such a distinguished family history! Ancestors on the “Mayflower”! Revolutionary War heroes! Senators, governors and ambassadors!. His mother’s family helped found his city and his father’s is descended from British royalty!” Reginald’s voice was now intense and elevated.

“So do you want to recommend him?”

“By all means!” Reginald straightened up. “With his background they’re getting someone better than they deserve!” And he proceeded to dictate a letter of recommendation listing Smythe’s prestigious heritage with just a bit of condensation.

Mr. Reginald’s letter was dispatched without delay and while he fully expected to hear no more about it Miss Jones wasn’t so sure. She had been in the business world long enough to know that his recommendation probably didn’t really provide the information the Chicago bank wanted.

She was right. A return letter read: “Although we appreciate your glowing account of Mr. Smythe’s family heritage it does not provide the information that we need. We are not contemplating using him for breeding purposes, but for work.”

Though we can be proud of having famous and successful ancestors or family members if we put too much emphasis on that connection then there can be problems. First, we might think that without that heritage we have no value or potential of our own, and second, we might feel that we could never equal their accomplishments. However, if we doubt our worth and value without our ancestry then God never does, and actually he doesn’t care about where we came from but where we’re going – for him. For he sees each of us as personally valuable to him and loves and cares for us as individuals, without regard to any connections we might think important – family or otherwise.

Release

Jimmy aimed his new slingshot at the nearby tree and released the elastic. The stone hurtled straight out but shied off to disappear into the brush. Missed again!

It was so frustrating. He’d been practicing with the slingshot all day but he couldn’t seem to hit anything. He had been careful to follow Grandma’s strict instructions to stay out in the woods and just shoot at trees, but so far it hadn’t been much fun, Then he remembered that there was an old painted target on the barn door – something that Grandpa had put there some years before.. That would be perfect! And since Grandma and Grandpa didn’t have any cows or horses anymore there wouldn’t be any danger of hitting an animal. With renewed enthusiasm Jimmy headed back down the path toward the barn.

There it was! On the barn door a visible though faded painted target and Jimmy immediately took his stance took aim and…

“Squawk!”

Jimmy glanced around the corner to see the chicken pen beside the barn where Grandma kept the hens and for a quick moment he considered aiming at them. No, that wouldn’t be right but as he thought he rounded the corner of the barn. He casually pulled the slingshot back and let the rock fly at a fencepost.

“Thump!”

In horror Jimmy watched the stone thunk into the head of Waddles, Grandma’s pet duck. The bird crumpled!

Jimmy was struck with fear. He’d been aiming at the fencepost – not Waddles! But he came to his senses when he realized he had to hide the evidence before anyone saw him. He dragged the duck into the barn and stuffed it under a pile of hay then stood up to see a very familiar figure. His older sister Katie was watching him from the barn door.

“Jimmy! Katie!” Came Grandma’s voice from the house. “Lunch!”

Katie smiled a bit before she turned and dashed out of the barn leaving Jimmy to follow slowly.

As they ate, Grandma didn’t seem to notice Jimmy’s subdued demeanor and how Katie was extra talkative then after they finished she began to clear the table.

“Katie, would you help me wash the dishes?” Grandma asked.

“Oh, before lunch Jimmy told me he wanted to do it,” Katie piped up and as Jimmy looked up she whispered so only he could hear. “Remember the duck!”

So Jimmy did the dishes.

Later that evening Grandpa had an enthusiastic suggestion. “Who wants to go fishing tomorrow?”

“I’d asked Katie to help me with the canning tomorrow,” Grandma said.

“That’s okay,” Katie spoke up. “Jimmy said he wanted to help you.” Then to Jimmy she whispered, “Remember the duck.” So Katie went fishing and Jimmy stayed home.

For the next two days Jimmy did Katie’s chores as well as his own until he finally couldn’t bear it anymore. With tears flowing and with difficulty he confessed to Grandma about Waddles. To his surprise, she smiled. “I know what happened because I saw it from the house. I know it was an accident and I forgive you because I love you. But I wondered how long you’d let Katie make a slave of you.”

Just as Katie reminded Jimmy of the fault that Grandma had already forgiven, so sometimes do we get internal reminders of our failures in our service for God. And like Jimmy we succumb to these nagging thoughts and wallow in worry, fear, regret and especially guilt. However, the good news is that we are suffering needlessly because once we’ve confessed the faults to God, he not only forgives them but also forgets – and it’s not only unnecessary but also stupid to fret so uselessly. For we only truly serve God when we leave behind our failures, and stride forward into his plans for us.

True Gratitude

Surrounded by the “oooos” and “ahhs” of her admiring family Mother carefully placed the platter in front of Dad at the head of the table. Seated next to Dad, Scottie wiggled in anticipation as he glanced hungrily at the other nearby containers of potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce and all the traditional dishes that made up “the trimmings”

“Scottie!”

He looked up in surprise as Mother had a request. “Would you please say the blessing?”

Scottie’s anticipation suddenly turned to confusion since his only prayer experience was at bedtime.

“You can do it darling,” Mother encouraged him. “Just thank God for everything that’s important to us.”

With a glance at the family around the table and the assorted dishes he got an idea.

“Thank you, God, for Mommy, Daddy, and sister and brother and Grandma and Grandpa…” He went down a long list of relatives ­ present and not present ­ then began to name his friends and teachers. Then as he began to wind down, and the family began to reach for their napkins he started up again.

“Thank you for the turkey, the potatoes, the cranberries…” The menu recitation continued with a few more items until abruptly there came a pause. Finally Mother prompted her son who had resumed his squirming. “Go on, Scottie, or is there a problem?”

Finally Scottie blurted the difficulty: “Mom ­ if I think God for the broccoli will he know I’m lying?”

We can certainly sympathize with Scottie (depending on whether or not we like broccoli) since we often share his frustration at trying to be grateful for something we find unwelcome. Paul presented the challenge when he wrote “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thess. 5:18) yet it’s certainly not easy nor is it even natural to actually be grateful for problems and difficulties. However, why would God ask us to do it?

One reason is that when we are thankful for whatever happens ­ good or bad ­ then we are less likely to develop the bitterness and resentment that can prevent us from being open to the lessons and purposes God has for us in the situation. For indeed, a grateful heart is an open heart - to God and to all he has for us.

Scratched Out

Frustrated at the interruption, Joe glanced up. The boy should know what he was doing ­ since Saturday afternoon was when he prepared his sermon for the next day. As usual, Joe had started with his subject and outline, and then he had created the narrative in the computer, then printed it out and began to edit and revise it.

“I’m writing my sermon.“ Joe hoped his short answer would serve to dismiss the interruption.

The boy stood on tiptoe so he could see where Joe scratched out another line and wrote in some new words. “How do you know what to say?”

“God tells me what to write and then to speak. “

The boy stood back and cocked his head. “If God tells you what to say then why do you keep crossing it out?”

Joe was probably not actually changing God’s instructions but there are times when I certainly do. It happens most often when I start a God-directed task and wait for his guidance. But if I don’t think he’s responding as quickly as I think he should then I jump ahead with my own ideas. Of course his delay may have because he wanted me to trust him, but whatever the cause my impatience certainly doesn’t solve anything and actually can get in the way of the lesson and everything else I should have learned. So as usual to truly serve him I must wait ­ and then follow his instructions.

End of Problem

“Splash!”

The lemonade hit Bill right in the face, sending him back a few steps, gasping and sputtering.

“I’m so sorry!” The man put down the now empty cup and whipped out a handkerchief to offer it to Bill. “I’m so sorry!” He repeated. “But I have this uncontrollable compulsion to do it and though I fight it but I still do it. I always feel so guilty afterwards but I just don’t know what to do about it.”

Bill spurned the handkerchief and instead reached for a paper towel, swabbed his face and then glowered at him. “Well, all I can tell you is that you’d better do something about it before you come back.” The man bowed his head as Bill continued. “I don’t mean to be unkind but I just can’t serve you again till you solve your problem.”

The man turned away and disappeared in an oncoming crowd of beach strollers.

Bill’s business continued to be good and over the next few weeks and while he had never totally forgotten the strange man he hadn’t seen him for a while. Till one day when Bill looked up to see his next customer and saw him again.

“Oh, no!” Bill told him. “I told you not to come back!”

“But I’m cured!” The man explained earnestly. “I’ve been to a psychiatrist and I solved my problem.”

Slightly reassured, Bill decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and served him lemonade.

“Splash!”

This time Bill swabbed his face with his sleeve as he glared at the man now lowering the cup. “I thought you said you were cured.”

“I am.” The other replied. “I still throw the lemonade, but I don’t feel guilty about it.”

That fellow figured he’d solved his problem by changing his attitude and that’s sometimes how God helps me when I seek his assistance when I have a problem. He might not change the situation but instead alters my attitude toward it. Perhaps he gives me the strength to handle it so it’s no longer a real problem. Or maybe he helps me see it as an opportunity to grow and serve him that I see it as a challenge instead of a struggle. Yet no matter how he does it, he solves my problem by leaving the situation as it is but changing me ­ so I can continue to serve him for my benefit and his glory.

There For The Asking

In his book Upstairs at the White House, J.B. West described how Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower was scheduled to give a tour of the Executive Mansion to incoming First Lady Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy in late 1960. As Chief Usher, or executive manager of the White House, Mr. West was concerned about Mrs. Kennedy’s ability to complete the tour since she had just had a baby by Caesarian section and was still recovering. However, since Mrs. Eisenhower was to conduct the tour alone she couldn’t very well push the incoming First Lady so it was finally decided to have a wheelchair available for the asking.

Several months later Mrs. Kennedy related how she’d found the tour so tiring she’d had to return to bed to recover.

“But we had a wheelchair ready for you.” Mr. West responded. “It was waiting for you to ask for it.”

Mrs. Kennedy laughingly admitted. “I was too scared of Mrs. Eisenhower to ask.”

There may be any number of reasons why we wouldn’t ask for help but when it comes to God then we should never hesitate to do so, since we know he’s always ready and willing to assist us. Indeed, for whether it’s a solution for a problem, guidance, forgiveness or more faith or courage, when we ask God we know his solutions are as perfect as he is.

The Real Meaning

“We’re going to do something special today!” The Sunday school teacher put extra enthusiasm into her voice as she proposed the new project to her small students. “We all know it’s almost Christmas time and we’ve been talking about how Baby Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem. But have you ever thought of what it might have been like at the time? Of course we know that there was Joseph, Mary and the Baby, but who else might have been there? And what did they look like?” She smiled encouragingly. “This morning we’re going to draw a pictures showing how you think the scene looked at when Jesus was born.”

The youngsters set to work and as they worked the teacher browsed among them, commenting here and praising there. Finally she stopped by Johnny, examined his drawing and noticed something puzzling.

“This is very nice, Johnny. I see you have Mary, Joseph and the baby but who’s that?” In the corner of the picture was a dark haired, clean shaven very fat man in a suit “Is that Santa Claus?”

“Oh, no ­ that’s the guy in the song. You know - Round John Virgin.”

Indeed, children can be confused about the various aspects of Christmas, but sometimes we grownups have the same problem and especially about the real meaning of the holiday.

What about Christmas means the most to you? Is it the loving times we spend with family and friends? Or maybe it’s the festive lights, glowing trees, inspiring music and of course the presents. Yet while Christmas can be all of these things it’s important to remember that most of all Christmas is a Person. It’s when Jesus Christ came into the world to offer to a sinful world not just salvation but also a new life and eternal life. And when we remember that then everything else falls into place!

The Child Meant Peace

When Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their expedition traveled up the Missouri River from St. Louis in 1804 on their “Voyage of Discovery.” they knew they would need help from the local indigenous peoples so they were anxious to employ a guide/interpreter who could help them communicate. They found one during their winter layover and since they both kept complete records of their journey they described not just the man they employed, but also his Shoshone wife, Sacajawea. Both husband and wife proved valuable members of the company but it was Sacajawea’s presence and that of her baby that contributed in a way they did not expect.

Born sometime before 1790 to the Lehmi band of the Shoshone tribe in what is now central Idaho, Sacajawea had been abducted at age 12 by another tribe and within a few years became the wife of Toussaint Charbonneau, a French-Canadian trapper After her baby son was born in February, 1805, and carrying him on her back in a cradleboard, Sacajawea, Charbonneau and the other 32 members of the expedition set out on April 7, 1805. Clark described the party in his journal, and listed: “Sharbonah and his Indian squaw to act as interpreter and interpretess for the Snake Indians…and Sharbonah’s infant.”

Yet aside from her services as an “interpretess”, Sacajawea soon put her knowledge of the country to use as she gathered, stored, and prepared many local plants to vary their diet of the game animals they shot. Another time she rescued some valuable equipment when one of their boats was upset in a sudden squall. Then when they encountered a group of Shoshone men, Sacajawea recognized their chief as her brother and because of this connection she helped arrange the provision of needed supplies and guides to resume their journey.

However, eventually it was Sacajawea’s actual presence that helped secure the security of the group. Clark described it in an entry for Oct. 13, 1805: “The wife of Shabono our interpreter we find reconciles all the Indians as to our friendly intentions a woman with a party of men is a token of peace.” Lewis and Clark were probably well aware that the Indians would be secretly watching them and wandering if they were a potential threat. Yet when they saw Sacajawea and her baby traveling with a group of men it was a silent indication that this was no war party. For Lewis and Clark, as well as their observers, knew that a war party would hope to move silently and quickly to avoid detection, and a woman and certainly a baby would hamper that intention. The woman and especially the baby showed that the newcomers came in peace.

In a similar way many years ago God used the same principle when he sent his Son into a sinful world. He could have logically and correctly sent a judge or a vindictive angelic army but instead he sent his Son born as a baby as a Savior. Just as Sacajawea’s son showed that they came in peace so does the baby of Bethlehem ­ peace from a loving God to a waiting world.

Crownless King

The story goes that some years ago an elderly British society matron was invited to a formal reception honoring a retiring symphony conductor. She wanted to look her best and since she had just started wearing glasses and she thought they detracted from her appearance she decided she would try to get along without them.

Once she arrived at the reception the woman realized she knew most of the other guests and even with her limited vision she could identify them by a voice, or a gesture. For some time she successfully moved among the other guests, identifying them and then chatting until after a while realized there was one person in her group whom she couldn’t quite identify. The strange guest seemed to know her, yet the woman couldn’t quite place her. She was not very tall, with dark hair and had a broad smile that was easily visible, as were her beautiful diamond necklace and earrings. This lovely jewelry proved to be the identifying feature. This was the Queen!

The woman bobbed a curtsey. “Oh, Ma’am!” The woman stuttered. “I didn’t recognize you without your crown!”

The Infant born in Bethlehem was to all appearances just like any other baby born at the time yet there was one difference, for we know that he was actually a king, an eternal and divine God who had assumed human form to enter a sinful world as its Savior. There are those then and even now who insist on only seeing him as human, but we who know who he really is. And all we need do is to look beyond the human form and see that despite his lack of a crown, he can still be king in our lives.

The Real Need

“You must be awfully proud of your son.” Mildred told her friend Ruth as they chatted in the social hall of their retirement community. “I understand he’s just graduated with top honors and now I hear he’s become director of the computer department at a big company.”

“Yes, I guess I’m proud of him,” Ruth returned. “He’s really smart about computers ­ and he’s given me one.”

“I don’t know if I could use a computer,” Mildred observed. “They do wonderful things I know but they seem so complicated. How do you like it?”

“Well, I can’t get it to work.” Ruth sighed. “I’d never used one and didn’t really see why I needed one but my son persuaded me to try it. He had it shipped and then had it connected but aside from turning it on I can’t do anything else. I call and write him about the problems and he gives me advice but he lives so far away he can’t come to help me.”

“Maybe he should have sent better instructions.” Mildred suggested.

“No, “Ruth returned. “I don’t need better instructions. I just needed my son to come along with the gift!”

When God had offered the gift of salvation to a sinful world he didn’t send a set of instructions of how it was supposed to work. Instead, he sent his Son to demonstrate it.

At Christmas

Some folks say the Christmas message
Is two thousand years too late,
For nations fight, there is no peace,
And the world is filled with hate.

Some folks say the message
Was sung to men in vain.
For people struggle to survive,
And the world is filled with pain.

Some folks say...oh, I could go on
To complain of the way things are!
But I prefer thinking of the love
Ablaze in his natal star.

SO ponder the world’s hate and pain
As the Christmas Eve bells start.
But remember too, that Christ is King
And his kingdom starts in your heart.