"Harvest Time"

     Fall is fickle.  A few days will be warm and pleasant then the next few days will turn cold.  As time passes the colder days will win the battle and fall will give way to winter.  This is the time of conclusions.  The year is drawing to a close, and it seems too that mother nature is wrapping things up and in the fields farmers are bringing in the last of the crops for the year.  The wheat, corn, beans, and cotton will soon all be in their proper places.  As each farmer makes that last pass through the field or empties that last truck load of grain there is a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.  From what I have observed, this year has been a year of plenty.  Though there are a great many farmers that are pleased with the yield of their crops this year there is one thing that they were not.  That is, they were not surprised at what sprouted and grew in their fields.  You see, where they planted wheat, wheat came up.  Where they planted corn, corn came up.  Where cotton was planted, cotton grew.  There was not a single farmer that planted corn and then was surprised to find cotton growing in their field.  A simple principle that each and everyone us understand.  Yet we have a great number of people that plant and then are surprised by what comes up.  We plant the seed that marriage is old fashioned and not a holy institution design by God and then we are surprised by the number of broken homes and shattered families.  We plant the seed that there are no absolutes, there are no truths, and then we are surprised by the total disregard that mankind has for one another.  We plant the seed that I am but an evolved life form, from some primordial soup.  That life can be aborted without a second thought. That there is no soul within a man given by God and then we are surprised when someone opens fire at a concert or a church ending the lives of those there.  We cannot continue to plant the seeds of self-indulgence, the seeds of no higher power than man himself, and not reap what we have sown.  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6: 7-10).  As this year draws to a close let us plant the seeds of righteousness and well doing for they are not limited by season and as each year passes let us continually pray for a bountiful crop that all may be blessed by what you have planted.

"Storms"

     It doesn’t take but a glimpse at any news channel to become completely depressed with what is going on around us in the world.  There are those who are living a life of terrorism bring death and destruction to the innocent.  There are political factions that cannot seem to agree on anything.  I’m convinced if one political group were able to come up with a fool proof plan guaranteeing the safety, health, and welfare of all people the other side would vote against it because it wasn’t their idea.  We live among people that are offended by all things on all sides.  In a time that we should be well past accusations of racism those are still being made by people of all colors and nationalities.  This storm of unrest does not reside only within the boundaries of our country but is found throughout the world.  Did you notice a calm in the storm?  For a very short time there was calm.  It occurred with the resent hurricanes.  A true storm of nature brought great destruction to many people.  There were outpourings of all kinds for those who were in need.  Stories of those who risked their lives for the benefit of others.  Money, food, and man power that was given with no thought of receiving in return.  Unfortunately, as things return to normal we return to what seems to be normal for our society, we return to the storms that rage around us every day.  Maybe the answer, in part not the whole, lies in caring for others and thinking less of ourselves.  When I was a child I looked forward to times of gifts at Christmas and birthdays like all children do.  The excitement, the joy of receiving.  Now that I have children and grandchildren of my own, there is nothing that compares with the joy of giving, it far exceeds the joys of receiving.  Christ came to this earth and in so doing gained nothing for himself and gave all for us.  Hebrews chapter two verse nine talks of how he was made lower than the angels that he may taste of death for all men.  When we, like Christ, stop thinking of self and focus on the well-being of others there is no room for what offends me, what I want, and what I think.  We as people pull together and seem to come through in a physical crisis but totally ignore the storms that are fueled by selflessness and hatred that rage all around us.  Be the calm in the storm, when we care for others there is less time for what offends, upsets, or enrages me.

"Labor Day"

     It was a typical summer morning in the Oklahoma countryside.  It was already hot, there was the occasional call of a meadow lark and you could smell the dust from the field that stretched out before us.  My two brothers and I stood and looked at the bales of hay that went to the horizon with dollar signs in our eyes.  Hauling hay was not anything new to us, we had been doing it since we were old enough to use a hay hook and drag a bale but this was different.  This was not a job for our Dad or relatives this was for someone else, you know a paying job.  We had already spent the night before discussing what we were going to do with all the money we were going to make.  The field had well over a thousand bales of hay and we had been told we would be paid three cents a bale for every bale we put in the barn.  Not apiece, three cents a bale to be split three ways.  We were the perfect hay hauling team, my youngest brother who was now just old enough, if he set on the edge of the seat, to reach the peddles of the two-ton truck.  The middle brother would ride on the flat bed and stack as I walked along and threw the hay up to him from the ground.  Sometime later we had a man pay us a nickel a bale and we knew we would be rich.  There is nothing like that first paying job, feeling that you have arrived and now were taking your place in the world.  We felt like grown men, even though we were all less than twelve.  We each try to obtain the things we need by the work that we do each day.  Yet as we do so our greatest need cannot be earned by our labor and sweat.  Strangely enough it has been given unto us freely.  I neither earned it nor deserved it, there was nothing on my part that made me worthy of it.  The apostle Paul put it like this in Romans 5:6-8, For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Many often confuse the works that a Christian does as an effort to earn their salvation.  It is far from it, for I will never be able to repay the debt that was paid on my behalf.  A Christian works not to earn or to pay back, but it is an out pouring of love for what has been done for me.  On this Labor Day let us continue to work for the Father out of love, for I will never be worthy of the price that was paid for me.  I was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.  I work not to earn or repay but to say, “I love you also.”

"Banjo Music"

     Recently I was trying to locate an address somewhere outside of the Petersburg, Tn. area.  I hang my head in shame to say I have become accustomed to our technology filled lives so I just picked up my phone and spoke the address and waited for the directions to be given to me.  No pulling out and unfolding and refolding maps that I had purchased or gotten free at my local gas station nor did I pull out the tried and true road atlas that I always kept tucked under the front seat.  Without any thought, I tapped the arrow on the screen of my phone that said start and listened to the voice as it directed my path.  Following it unerringly, I made each turn as I was directed.  After several such turns and maneuver I turned onto a road that looked very much like the wrong way.  You know the feeling, you’re not sure which way to go but you’re sure this isn’t it.  I proceeded farther into the country side, at first reassuring myself that it was beautiful scenery and I should enjoy myself.  Each turn seemed to have three things in common, that being they became less and less maintained, narrower, and from my point of view, farther from civilization.  As the road became what appeared to be a wagon trail I passed a road sign, that up to this point, I had only seen in movies.  It was just a piece of wood on a stake with a name in faded paint, just hammered in the ground.  I passed within a few feet of a deer that just stood and looked at me wondering who I was and why was I here for I know I was the first human he had ever encountered.  I expected any moment for the voice on my phone to say, “Take the next right by the boy playing the banjo.”  No offense to my banjo playing friends.  As I made my last turn it was rather erratic, I was trying to get my pocket knife out and open it, just to lay it on the seat next to me for reassurance.  As visions of search times giving up their two-week search for my missing body flashed through my mind I made one more turn and found myself on the main highway, that I had left a hundred and sixty- two new gray hairs ago.  I found the address shortly after this and returned never having to venture far from the main road.  I expected to hear a voice from my phone laughing and say, “Just kidding”.  I sure there was someone at Google that went home that day and said to his wife, “You won’t believe what I did to someone today!”  There are few things in this life that are unerring.  One of the things in life we can be sure of is the word of God.  As we try to navigate through this life there is nothing that should concern us more than our eternal destiny.  With so much at stake I cannot trust it to man not even to Google to help me with the directions I would take.  Paul says of the word, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2Tim 3:16-17).”  What a reassurance to know that God has provided me with all I need to be complete.  There will be those in your life that will try to convince you that God would have you to travel a path that is not found in his word.  The scriptures talk of those who call evil good and good evil.  Paul had strong words for such people in Galatians 1:8, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”  Paul was so adamant about no other gospel that he repeated the statement in the next verse.  Let the unerring word of God be your guide and for those traveling around Petersburg turn right by the kid playing the banjo, it leads to the main road.

"Describe To Me"

     We live in a time where we have the ability to share information like never before.  We can instantly send information in written or picture form anywhere in the world.  There are computer applications that allow us to translate from one language to another language allowing us to communicate with those we would have never been able to otherwise.  Yet there are things, try as we might, that are beyond our ability to share.  Can the lover of the outdoors truly share the felling of watching the sun come up over the horizon on a pristine valley?  Can you accurately describe the feeling of the first time you believed you were in love?  What words can describe the moment when a father and mother look into the eyes of their new born child?  After thirty-nine years of marriage I can’t completely describe to you the feeling of sliding my feet over in the middle of the night just to touch my wife’s feet and know she is there.  There are somethings, with all that we have, that are beyond our ability to completely understand.  Tell me of God.  Speaking to the Athenians about God on Mars’ hill Paul said, “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring (Acts 17:27-28).”  In him we have our very being.  The Alpha and Omega, the great I Am.  With a word all that is, was created from nothing.  From the dust of the earth man was created and God breathed life into him.  Who can understand the majesty of such an awesome God?  Recently I passed a church building and out front on the sign was this statement, “Casual worship” and then it gave a time.  I know many have made an effort to take away what they perceive as the formality of worship and look to make it something everyone feels comfortable with but the God that I read about in scripture deserves far more than casual.  He has adopted me into his family, the price being the life of his holy son, that I may be called a child of God.  In our efforts to make worship more audience friendly, let us not forget that we gather together to worship, yes worship not entertain, one that is far beyond my understanding.  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).  As we seek God let us not forget to reverence him for he is holy.  How can we approach him casually?  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever (Rom. 11:33-36).  May we always strive to give unto him the honor, glory and respect that he is due.  Worship is for him, not for my entertainment or comfort.

“What’s That Smell?”

     In my mother-in-law’s flower bed, there is a rather large dill plant.  Often as I walk past it I reach out, break off a small portion of the plant, and crush it in my fingers.  After doing so I place it to my nose and take a smell of the strong aroma.  This may seem odd to you but as I do this I find myself back in the kitchen of my childhood and my mother canning pickles from the cucumbers my grandfather grew in his garden.  As time has passed they become, in my mind, crispier and tastier than any other pickles I have ever had since.  Those who study such things believe smell is one of the strongest senses that trigger memories.  We associate smells with all kind of things.  I would be sorely disappointed if on Christmas morning I did not smell the aroma of “Favorite Stuff” coming from the kitchen, I’m not sure of its real name but our children always referred to it as Favorite Stuff and so it is.  There may also be smells that others may not find pleasant but they invoke special memories for us.  My grandfather would pull us close to his sweat soaked overalls after a hard day’s work and give us a huge and a pat on the back, that jarred your bones, an odor I’m sure offensive to others but a sweet memory to those who loved him.  The smell of some after shaves, make me turn and look for my father.  The scriptures actually talk about the smell of Christians.  By the way we conduct ourselves we are the savour of Christ to God.  Those around us are also aware of that savour.  To those that are of children of God we are the smell of life but to those who know not God, we are the smell of death.  Just by the way we conduct ourselves we bring condemnation to the life they have chosen to live.  For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life (2 Cor. 2:15-16).  There are those who would have seen my grandfather after a hard day’s work just as another unpleasant smelling old man but to those who knew him it is a memory that we hold dear.  Those of the world do not understand the relationship that we share with God and they find no pleasure in the aroma that we put forth.  It is up to us to explain to them that special relationship.  Let us offer up ourselves as a sacrifice, by the way we live, to God that will go up before him as a sweet smelling savour, for Christ has done the same for us.   And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour (Eph. 5:2).  In the kindest way let me say, “I hope you smell.”

"Missing"

     In the early ninety’s I had the privilege to take several groups into the Ukraine’s to do some mission work.  In preparing for such a trip I spoke to those who would be going about does and don’ts what to expect and things they may want to pack to make the trip more pleasant.  Things that they may consider were snacks, for long days or when the local food was not to their liking, or a water bottle they could carry with them.  One of the items that I suggested was to take a role of toilet paper with them because if you could find a public facility it seldom had toilet paper and if it did it had the texture and feel of a brown paper bag, not to the liking of any one I know.  The trip was taken and we set up our classrooms where we would hold our bible studies in what was called the Palace of Culture.  It was a beautiful building of marble and granite where the locals came for plays, concerts, and other performances.  I’m not sure how old the building was but my guess would be that it had been built at the beginning of the 1900’s or possible much earlier.  Because of what had been done in preparation for the trip I was not surprised when I saw a member of the group headed down to the lower basement area one day with a roll of toilet paper in their hand.  As they returned they had a rather puzzled look on their face and I asked if everything was ok?  Their response was, “I knew I would need toilet paper but I didn’t realize I would need a toilet also.”  Having made the trip down stairs myself I knew exactly what they were talking about.  The building had been built well before the time of modern plumbing and when you entered the bathroom all you found was a series of holes in the floor for you to stand over.  There is much we take for granted each and every day.  We live in a time in our country that it seems all that we could ever want or desire is at our finger tips.  In comparison to others around the world we live a life of abundance.  We not only have an abundance of goods we keep piling it on.  A quick Google search of Madison county found over twenty self-storage facilities and I know of several others that are being built.  We not only have an abundance, we rent extra space to hold the overflow of items that we are not using and didn’t really need to begin with.  How much stuff is enough?  I have been in homes where I was offered a piece of bread and a rock to sit on and they were joyful people.  I have known homes where no one lacked for anything and there was nothing but unrest.  The things that are available to us in this world are not necessarily bad but if it is our focus than we are putting our trust in the wrong things.  There is not a promise that a 10 x 20 storage facility full of items that you will never use will bring happiness.  How much simpler our lives would be if we could live 1 Tim 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  I am not saying that I myself have gained this contentment for it is a struggle each day when the world has a message that more is better.  As children of God no matter our state or lot in this life we have no excuse not to be content.  The writer of Hebrews 13:5-6 states, Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.  I am never alone and he who created all and is over all is my helper.  Let us strive for contentment for we are blessed.

"Do You Know Me?"

     Because of social media, the date of our birthday is sent out to all those we have contact with on the internet.  As my birthday arrived I receive birthday wishes from friends just down the block to friends, as far away as Alaska and Costa Rica.  The thing that I found interesting was I could tell the relationship I had with them by the way I was addressed.  Classmates and those that are my piers called me Tom, former students and their parents called me Mr. Brandon, then there are those who called me Coach for the time they spent playing on one of many ball teams.  As we go through this life we are many things to many people, each of them knowing something about us but none of them knowing all there is about us.  There are things that only those that are the closest to us know and even then, there are somethings that we keep only to ourselves.  I remember working on a project one day with several other men some that I did not know very well that a question was posed to me.  As I was working with a shovel, covered with the mud that I was trying to dispose of he asked, “What do you do for a living?”  I paused wiped the sweat from my forehead and said, “I’m an elementary school teacher.”  His reaction was one of laughter and replied, “I would have never guessed that.”  To this day I’m not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.  How well do you really know those around you?  The more time we spend around them the more we know, but even then, it is only what they want us to know.  Did you know that you said hello to someone recently that is dealing with severe depression, or someone that is so lonely from the loss of a loved one that they don’t know what to do?  That person that you set next to doesn’t know how they are going to pay the bills next month because of the loss of their job.  There is the parent that is smothered by the health problems that their child is going through.  From the one that you wish you could be like, to the one that you are thankful you’re not, they each have things they are dealing with in secret.  Hebrews chapter eleven is often called the chapter of the faithful.  It lists those who through faith were able to overcome the problems of this world.  We may not think of people like Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, or Moses as having difficulties with everyday problem but they were human just like you and I and with it came the struggles that we all have.  If you read the chapter I think you will find, like I do, that the difficulties that they went through far outweigh the things that often plague me.  Chapter twelve starts with great words of encouragement: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  I believe the writer of Hebrews is saying, “Hey if these guys can do it so can you.”  It is not that your struggles are less or of a trivial nature it’s just the knowledge that you can overcome.  As we greet each other every day let us realize, we each have our struggles, and we are not alone.  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1Cor. 10:13).  My prayer for you today is one of strength, you can overcome, we’re all in this together.

"Dealing with Lice"

     At the age of sixteen, George Washington, copied into his personal note book 110 rules that were referred to as the “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior”.  It is assumed that this was a school exercise for Washington. The rules had their origins with French Jesuits in 1595.  Washington seemed to have taken these rules to heart and tried to live by the principles stated in them and required those around him, that were under his oversight, to also practice them.  In reading through them many are antiquated due to the passing of time.  Rule 9: Spit not in the fire, nor stoop low before it neither put your hands into the flames to warm them, nor set your feet upon the fire especially if there be meat before it.  Rule 53: Run not in the streets, neither go too slowly nor with mouth open go not shaking your arms kick not the earth with your feet, go not upon the toes, nor in a dancing fashion. Yet in reading them, for the most part, they are as relevant today was they were in the 1500’s.  We might update the language and customs to fit our current culture.  Rule 13: Kill no vermin as fleas, lice, ticks etc. in the sight of others, if you see any filth or thick spittle put your foot dexterously upon it if it be upon the cloths of your companions, put it off privately, and if it be upon your own cloths return thanks to him who puts it off.  Today’s translation should read: If you see a problem with those around you take care to help them in a private nature and not post it on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and if someone tries to help you, don’t tell them to mind their own business, thank them.  Rule 18: Read no letters, books, or papers in company but when there is a necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave.  Today: While in the company of others leave your phone alone.  Rule 50: Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.  Translation: Just because you saw it on the internet doesn’t make it so.  I believe we would do well to reassociate ourselves with some Rules of Civility.  If you look at the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai the first five deal with man’s relationship with God and the last five deal with man’s relationship with his fellow man.  God not only wants us to have the proper relationship with him but he also wants us to deal with each other in a proper fashion.  In today’s society, it seems we feel like we can say or do whatever we please because it is our right or our entitlement to do so.  Just because we are able to do, say, or act in a certain way does not mean that it is beneficial.  It takes no strength nor intelligence to do as one pleases.  Strength and intelligence comes when one knows they can, yet constrain themselves for their betterment and the betterment of those around them.  The writer of Romans reminds us: Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (12: 11-18).  How would your life and the lives of those around you change if we practiced these rules of conduct?  Let me leave you with the last three rules of civility from Washington’s note book.

108: When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence. Honor and obey your natural parents although they be poor.

109: Let your recreations be manful not sinful.

110: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

I believe these need no update nor translation.

"Plowing"

    We all seem to go through an awkward or uneasy time in our lives when we are not sure where we belong.  We like to think that we have reached an age where we are no longer a child but we are not sure if those we know as adults think of us in this same way.  We are eager to prove ourselves by taking on more responsibilities and want to prove we can do it without the supervision of others.  In so doing we establish our footing in the adult world.  One of the task that I performed for my grandfather from time to time was the plowing of a field or garden.  Each time I preformed the task my grandfather would carefully explain to me how it was to be done.  After a number of years of instruction on these tasks and trying to prove my growth as a young man I complained to my father, “Dad, why does he always have to tell me how to do this?  I know how to do this he doesn’t need to tell me every time.”  My father wisely told me, “Son, that’s what fathers and grandfathers do, you will always be their son or grandson no matter how old you get.  Besides there will come a time when you will wish your grandfather could explain it to you just one more time.”  These words ring truer with the passing of each day.  One of the instructions that he gave me each year was, “To have straight rows or furrows keep your eyes focus on a spot much further ahead and move toward it.”  You see if you just pay attention to the ground that you are covering at the time, when you do look up you will have moved off the path that you had intended to take.  Sometimes in this life we spend so much time viewing our present circumstance we forget to look to what is up ahead.  If you don’t have a spot picked out that you are focusing on then your life tends to meander in all directions. Many a person has wondered why they did not seem to arrive where they had planned to in life and the problem was they spent too much time with their head down not looking forward.  If there was someone who had a few hiccups in life, if there was a sarcasm font I would have used it here, it was the apostle Paul.  In second Corinthians chapter eleven he takes the time to discuss some of the problems that he encountered in life.  You cannot read the list of things without wondering what was it that kept him going.  How many times do you have to be left for dead or be on the brink of death before you give up?  The key was he knew where he was headed and remained focused on that.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) If we often wonder how we ended up where we are, then maybe it’s because we took our eyes off the mark.  I used to focus on a fence post far on the other end of the field.  I never worried that the fence post would move before I arrived at that end of the field.  The God head is unchanging, the writer of Hebrews in chapter thirteen describes it as the same yesterday, today and forever.  From the beginning God wanted you to be his child.  Let us focus on him so that our paths may be straight and we may arrive at the destination that he has prepared for us.

"How To Change A Diaper"

     My wife and I had finished eating at a local restaurant and as I often do I asked if there was anything she needed to do in town or any place she wanted to go before we started home.  “Not really,” she said and then added, “Why don’t we go by the book store and look around.”  Well it doesn’t take much convincing to get me into a book store so I pulled into the parking lot.  We made our rounds commenting about various books.  My wife picked up a book titled “The History of Death” which was appropriately next to “The History of Disease”.  The assortment of books continued, books about things, books about people, books about food and the ever-popular books where the cover features a shirtless hero and a distressed damsel whose hair and dress indicates she is being swept away by the wind.  I suggested that maybe I should have posed for such a cover on my book. I can’t accurately describe the look I received following this statement, let’s just say I took it as, disapproval.  Who knows she could be right.  We continued to browse through the various titles until one caught my attention in part it was because of the length of the title, it took up most of the cover. The title was “Life Skills, How To Chop Wood, Avoid A Lightning Strike, and Everything Else Your Parents Should Have Taught You!”.  I picked it up and started thumbing through it.  True to its title it was full of information from how to check the oil and change a flat on your car, to basic cooking and how to change a diaper.  As I looked through it I made a mental list of the things that I had been taught to do by my parents.  I’m happy to say they were excellent teachers for I could find nothing that they had not covered some time or another in my life. My mother thought it was important that her boys, not just her daughter, knew how to cook, sew and do the other jobs found around the house.  I have many fond memories of cooking in the kitchen with her, my favorite thing to cook was cake from scratch with homemade chocolate icing.  Growing up on a farm, my father instructed me on the variety of task that it took to keep a farm productive.  I was instructed in welding, plumbing, carpentry, mechanic work, and the husbandry of both plants and animals.  There are hundreds of things that I take for granted each day that I learned from my parents.  But as I looked through the book there were some very important chapters that I felt were missing.  There was nothing there on how to get along with a neighbor, one’s responsibility to family, or how to live in such a way as to be pleasing unto God.  Speaking to Timothy, Paul mentioned Timothy’s mother and grandmother when he said, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also (2 Tim. 1:5).  I was blessed to have parents and grandparents that lived and instructed us in these three chapters.  I remember how they helped willingly those in need whether it was physical or spiritual.  I remember asking my father how much we would get payed for helping my grandfather bring in his hay crop or did he think we could start getting an allowance.  I do not remember his exact response but his example said, “You don’t always work for pay, it is the character of a man to do the right thing, because it’s the right thing.  My father and mother in word and deed have strived to put God first in their lives and in so doing instructed their children in that same path.  If you were to tell my parents they had to choose between their children being successful socially and monetarily or being righteous and pleasing to God there is no doubt in my mind what they would choose.  There is nothing that says we cannot strive for both, but one often stands in the way of the other.  As we instruct our children, grandchildren, and fellow man in word and deed, let us not forget the chapters in our book, of God, Family, and our Neighbor.  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8: 36)

"Second Time Around"

     I believe grandchildren are God’s way of letting us have a second chance to recognize and enjoy all those things that we missed the first time around because we were just too busy.  To know the strength of a toddler, as they take your finger and lead you to where they wish to go or to see the look of determination as they tackle life’s latest challenge.  The gentleness of a quiet, “I love you” as they lay their head on your shoulder.  Hurried voices full of excitement retelling a new discovery or the contentment of just sitting in your lap.  If we were to have nothing of this world’s goods and yet had the blessing of children and grandchildren then we are rich beyond compare.  Thank you Lord for the second time around.

"39 Words"

     In 1851 Herman Melville penned these words when he wrote the well-known book Moby-Dick, “Call me Ishmael. Some years ago – never mind how long precisely – having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world.” It is considered by many to be one of the great opening lines in literature. Much can be said about how an opening line sets the tone or weight of what is to come. My favorite opening reads like this, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” I cannot express how I feel each time I read that statement. How can one not be humbled by these 39 words? They answer the questions that many over time have continually asked and the answer has always been with us. From the beginning God would not have us ignorant of him but would have us to know him and understand the “When and the How”.  Years ago I was presented with a mathematical puzzle to be solved. Being a math teacher I saw this as a challenge. I tried to apply all the mathematical formulas and theorems that I could recall all with no success. Frustrated I set the problem aside for a short time and then looked at it again. Looking at it again, I noticed a part of the object that was already labeled. It was exactly the same as the part I was looking for. The answer was in front of me the entire time in its simplest form. For man’s much learning we have sought the answers within our own wisdom and understanding when the answers have been in front of us all along. Why must we complicate that which needs not to be complicated? Make your life a little less complicated, know that he is and seek after him.  “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb.11:6)”

"He Knows"

           Sliding through a barbed wire fence was not a challenge or even given a second thought to boys who, at this point in time, had spent many hours working and exploring every square foot of the farm that was our home.  There was something else on our minds as we made our way through the knee-high pasture grass disturbing the big yellow grasshoppers of summer.  Leaving the tall grasses behind we now kicked and threw dirt clods as we crossed a furrowed field, where crops were often planted by our father.  As we walked we discussed all the important things in life that brothers of the wise ages of nine, eight, and seven could talk about, but as we did we kept our eyes looking toward our intended destination.  Across this field, where a small creek intersected the dirt road that ran beside our farm, was a place of treasure.  We visited it often bringing home treasures others had discarded.  Why people drove down this back road and dumped these treasures into our creek we were not sure but we were richer for it.  Upon arrival, we started kicking and excavating looking for those items others had carelessly tossed, surely without knowing their true value.  It didn’t take long for an item of immense value offering hours of untold pleasure was spotted.  There before us was a red flyer wagon.  Why would anyone part with a treasure like this?  Sure, the paint was less than pristine and the handle and front axle assembly had rusted off but didn’t every young boy know that you could hold the front up with your hands behind your back and pull it like a horse pulls a wagon or you could be a tractor pulling a load across the farm.  Even with all these great possibilities, there was something that made this a treasure of even greater magnitude.  This would be our third wagon.  You see we already had two such wagons, of the same condition, at home and now there would be one for each brother.  As we made our way back across the fields with our prize we stopped and there was a moment of realization that life could not get any better than this.  So, we each made a promise that we would never grow up so that those good times would always continue.  Needless to say, those promises went unkept, time and growth continued until now those boys are men with children and grandchildren of their own far remove from those grassy, treasure filled, fields in Oklahoma.  Quite often in life things do not turn out as we plan.  The unplanned things that cross our path in life range from the irritating minor things to things that are devastating and bring us to our knees.  It is not if we will be knocked to our knees in this life, it is a matter of when and how often.  We read about a young boy in Genesis 37 that seemed to have everything going his way.  Out of all his brothers, it was not a secret, he was his wealthy father’s favorite.  Even his clothing spoke of this favor.  I’m not sure what Joseph was thinking as he did his father’s biding and made his way across the country side to check on his brothers but I’m sure he wasn’t thinking that in a very short time he would be in the bottom of a pit listening to his brothers discuss whether he would live or die.  For many years to come Joseph’s life consisted of a series of pits.  I do not know if Joseph always understood way these pits were in his life but I do know that in his age he could see their purpose.  Many years remove he expressed it to his brothers like this, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Gen. 50: 20) My private prayers have often contained the words, “Lord I do not understand” and often with the passing of time I see his purpose.  I am not saying that we will understand the reason for all things in this life no more than I understood all things when I was a child but this I know, my father in heaven knows what I have need of and ask that I focus on him and not the pit that I may be in. Matt. 6:25-34, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  You may not be able to see the way out of the pit but God in heaven watches over his children.  He knows how deep your pit is and he also knows the way out. 

My youngest brother and my sister with one of our found treasures tied behind a bike.

"Life’s Ladder"

     For several years I had the privilege to help with medical and mission work in Lima, Peru. One particular year, after arrival and settling in, I was placed in a position to work with several older Peruvian gentlemen who were assisting us in the local work. Having the formal introductions made they looked at me, stroked their faces in an indication of my large moustache and said, “Don Vito”. Well the only reference that my mind went to was Marlon Brando’s role as Don Vito Corleone in the Godfather. So, with this in mind, I did my best Godfather imitation, gesturing with my hands as if receiving their humble allegiance to my position of authority and power. Each day as I met this group of men they would say in unison, “Don Vito, Don Vito” and each day I would go through the act of accepting their greeting as if I were a person of position. They and I would laugh together after each day’s greeting. After about four such morning a translator was standing close by after the exchange of the morning greeting and I took the opportunity to ask, “Why do they greet me each morning as Don Vito?” I knew already that it surely was a sign of respect of some form to Peruvians that I myself was not clear on, so I was hoping the local interpreter could enlighten me on its meaning. “Well,” he started, “in your county it would the equivalent of Chef Boyardee. Don Vito sells a lot of Italian food in Peru.” Sometimes humility is served with marinara sauce. Each of us likes to think of ourselves as a person of worth and even position but often we let the level become somewhat inflated. Humility does not always come easy. I want to think of myself as a person of worth but I also don’t want to convey a sense of superiority. I read a statement that helped me put it into the proper perspective. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. It often seems we live in a world where we are always concerned about our position on the world’s social ladder. What step on the ladder is the most important? Is it the first, last, or those in-between? If it had but one step and we were all on it, it wouldn’t be much of a ladder, would it? Those whom the world sees as less are just as important as the steps at the top. It is a blessing to know that Paul, in 1 Tim. 2:4 says of God, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” The salvation that God offers is not reserved for the rich, the wealthy, those that occupy the upper steps of the ladder. It is offered to all, no matter what step you feel you occupy. The humility that we need to express is often the one most are not willing to give. To humbly know that salvation is not within my power, that it is only found in Christ Jesus. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time (1 Peter 5:6): In this life, we are often confused about our self-worth yet God knew your worth, with all your triumphs and your many short comings, and was willing to sacrifice his son for you. I know of no more humbling thought than this.

"Stroke Avoided"

      The car in front of me and I hurried into the right-hand lane to make the turn. I knew it was going to be close because the light had already turned yellow. I prepared to slip through just in the nick of time and what does the guy in front of me do, he stops on yellow, who does that? Irritation level went up just a tad because I was trying to get across town and I didn’t have time to spare. It was not long and the cross traffic had cleared but the light was still red. Now that the traffic was clear I knew the driver in front of me was going to follow the rule, right on red after stop, because we had stopped and I mean completely stopped, in fact it seemed like an unreasonably long stop. The thought flashed through my mind that the office of traffic control needed to come recalibrate this light. You could have cooked a pot roast in that amount of time. But the driver in front of me continued to sit there. Irritation level went up a little more. At this point I was glad that my location was close to the hospital in case of a mild stroke. It was apparent to me that the driver in front of me had fallen asleep or possibly suffered stroke himself, like the one I felt coming on, and I had no other option but to use a little sound encouragement to bring him back to reality. As my hand moved to the horn I surveyed the intersection and traffic flow one last time before deploying a subtle blast of the horn. As my eyes made a left to right sweep, there in front of me was a well lettered, ample sized, traffic sign that said, “No right on red”. Oh, my bad, stroke avoided. Matt. 7: 3-5 and Luke 6: 41-42 had this type of situation and more in mind when those listening were told to remove the beam from their eye before trying to remove the mote from another’s eye. It’s not that I cannot recognize or help remove the mote from my brother’s eye. It’s just that I need to do it with clear vision. Clear vision comes from a knowledge of God’s word.  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8: 31-32). It’s the word of God that helps us to be free of the motes and beams that cloud our sight. John writes in Revelation of the Church in Laodicea, they believed they were rich and had need of nothing. The Holy Spirit revealed that they were lacking in many things and one of their shortcomings, that he mentions in verse 17 of chapter 3, was that they were blind. Christ asked a man in Mark 10: 51 “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” and he responded, “Lord, that I might receive my sight.” Many in this world are spiritually blind but it is a self-imposed blindness that they need not suffer from. May we always seek clear vision.

"Thistles"

     Thistles are like dandelions, in that they need help to disperse their seeds such as the wind or another object striking their stems to send the seeds flying in all directions.  Without wind or the shaking of the thistle, the seeds would simple fall to the ground near the parent plant and would not spread. I remember that my Grandfather would give my brothers and me each a hoe and have us chop thistles out of the fields for they served no purpose other than to irritate those that came in contact with their spine covered stems and leaves.  Hatred, strife, envy, these are the thistles of mankind.  I never heard my Grandfather proclaim that he didn’t have enough thistles in his field.  We live in a time where people, social media, and the press go about kicking thistles letting the seeds that they profess to dislike scatter to other regions of the field where they will land and will bring forth more thistles.  There are other seeds worthy of sowing.  Have you ever heard someone say that we have too much love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control in the fields of the world?  Can you have to much of these things?  Scripture simple states, “Against such there is no law.”  Before we speak, act, or post let us examine the seeds that we are spreading.  We have got to quit kicking the thistles the thorns do harm to us and seeds take root elsewhere doing harm to all they come in contact with.  

"Persistence of Time"

    There is a Greek Orthodox cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine that is thought to be one of the oldest cathedrals in all of Europe.  As I entered through the massive oak doors I could not help be moved by the enormity of the structure.  Stones that had been laid in place well over a thousand years ago.  There were paintings of knights receiving a blessing before going into battle and one of the baptism of Christ, oddly enough he was standing in a barrel not the Jordan, and many more that adorned the walls and ascended to a height that made them impossible to see from the ground floor.  On the main floor, there were coffins of the priest that had served there over the centuries.  But the one thing that caught my attention that I remember more clearly then the paintings, coffins, or gold covered icons was the floor.  The granite floor, there from the door that I had entered to a small door in the front was a path.  A well-worn path.  It was easily noticeable.  How many steps must be taken on a granite floor to wear a path into the stone?  Century upon century each step taking away an immeasurable amount of the stone itself.  Each person not knowing how the accumulated wear would be seen in ages to come.  You, this day have an opportunity to make a difference.  We often think that the immeasurable amount that we do will accomplish little, yet it is the persistence that smooths the stone not the power that it is delivered with.  Recently my granddaughter, that is less than one year old, laid her head on my shoulder and patted me on the back.  Those of you that have received such a pat know the feeling that I had.  She did so because she has a mother and father that patted her on the back.  They come from parents that patted them on the back and their parents patted them.  Generations ago someone did not pat a little baby on the back for my benefit but I receive the reward of it.  I do not know what you will do this day that will extend through time but something will.  Say a kind word, give a pat on the back, greet someone with a smile.  The effect may be felt in ages to come.

"Listen"

     While visiting the home of some friends my six-year-old granddaughter saw a nicely manicured small setting area in the backyard.  After getting my attention I looked in the direction that she indicated.  “Pops,” she said, “I would love to have a garden like this.  In the mornings, I would come out here in my house robe, drink my coffee, and just listen to the birds sing.”  I couldn’t but be amused at the thought of her wanting to get away from the hectic pace of life that a six-year-old must go through.  It seems that all of us, even a six-year-old, often seek to find a moment of quiet in our busy and noisy lives.  There is the quiet you experience in the house just before anyone else wakes up.  The quiet of a walk with just your thoughts.  I always loved the quiet of the classroom, when the last student has gone, the door closes and the teaching day was done.  What is there about that moment of quiet? Could it be that it is in the quiet that we are able to think and hear more clearly?  The prophet Elijah had such a moment, And he (God) said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice (1Kings 19:11, 12).  Our days and nights are full of strong winds, earthquakes, and fires.  They come in many forms, a list of things that I must get done today, work that is piled up on the desk, meetings that must be attended, meals to cook, clothes to wash, children to bath, and a hundred-other urgent task.  Don’t forget as you deal with the trials of the day to listen for that still small voice. It is found all around you if you take the time to listen.  It’s in the beauty of a sunrise as it paints the sky with vivid colors, that moment just before you open the car door to another work day, the quiet as your baby falls to sleep in your arms, or just as you lay down your head for a well-deserved nights rest. For one six year old it would be setting in the garden, in her house robe, drinking coffee, and listening to the birds sing.  In those moments of quiet, take the time to read and meditate upon Gods word.  Listen to what he has to say.

"Common Courtesy'

Hello, Hola, Bonjour, Hallo, こんにちは, Здравствуйте,

     In the travels that I have had the opportunity to make, I have always felt it important to at least know a few words in the language of the country that I am going to. The words that I feel that are the most important are, hello, good-bye, please, and thank you. These words indicate what some would call common courtesy. Yet, I feel we are now living in a time where we could remove the word “common” from that phrase. It seems that courtesy is becoming more and more uncommon. As a young man my mother was good friends with an elderly woman who for many years had taught in what we would refer to today as a charm school for young ladies. The type of school where young girls of the day were taught the proper etiquette of being a lady. The proper dances, table manners, how to conduct one’s self in public, you know how to be a courteous and proper. I remember her telling me once, “A proper young lady should never be seen chewing gum outside of her boudoir.” Being polite I did not argue but just shook my head in agreement.  Mostly because I had no idea what a boudoir was and I knew I had never seen a girl’s boudoir. Times have changed and those wild women chew gum just about anywhere now days. Though where a young lady chews her gum does not bother me, the exception being when she chews like a cow chewing cud, what does bother me is that courtesy seems to be going the way of the kerosene lamp. Those that are familiar with it use it very little and then only in the case of an emergency, while others seem to have no idea what you are talking about. A thank you, and a please, go a long way down the road to making life more pleasant to all involved. The holding of a door for someone and a thank you when it is held for you, not a look of you were entitled, is an act of kindness that is seen less and less.  When they are practiced, they will make you feel better about yourself and those that notice will feel better about you too. I recently meet two young men minutes apart. One looked at me smiled and said, “Good morning.” The other passed without a word unloaded his shopping cart into his car trunk and drove off leaving the cart setting in the middle of the lot in the way of everyone else. Without ever knowing either young man I believe I know something about each. Let’s put “common” back in courtesy. It will cost you nothing, but you and others will be richer for it.

  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: Prov. 15:4

Thank you, gracias, Je vous remercie, Danke, Asante, ありがとうございました, Дякую