Junk Mail

Jesus said, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” (Luke 6:31)


A version of the Golden Rule is found in the scriptures of at least seven major world religions and in the ethical teachings of scores of great philosophers throughout history. The one major difference is Jesus puts this statement in to a positive context, rather than negative.

In-other-words, Jesus says treat others how you want them to treat you, whereas other religions place it in the negative, treat others how they have already treated you. Even so, it is considered the simplest statement of ethics ever conceived. Its widespread acceptance speaks of a universal truth—people just want to be treated like people.

The human dimension is fast disappearing from much of humanity. Our existence is now defined as a series of numbers - Social Security, bank account, license plate, driver's license, credit card, church tithing envelope number. We get telemarketing calls from computers. We belong to social networks in order to keep current with friends...a very depersonalized way of staying in touch. We email, facebook, myspace, text, twitter, tweat...ok, maybe I made that last one up. And, perhaps the greatest insult is that our genetic makeup is being mapped. Can you imagine me being cloned?! Woo boy. That’s all we need is a bunch of me’s running around. All though...a couple of extra you’s would help with the BIP this Sunday! Nonetheless, all that makes us truly human - spirit, soul, and the image of God - is being replaced by bits and bytes of digital information.

The illustrations may be new, but the tendency to treat people like objects isn't. Even Jesus' disciples were more concerned about using a blind man as a theological case study than they were about his need to be healed (see John 9:2). How do you see people? When you relate to them, is it to meet your needs or theirs? Have you put the Golden Rule into practice this week? Cassatt, Camden, Columbia, and for that matter our country, could use a little more “golden ruling!”

I hate junk mail. (Can preachers say hate?) Most of it ends up in the round file pretty quick. Last week I had a letter from Bestbuy. Typical junk coupons, I thought. “50% off. On package of chewing gum with a $500 purchase.” But I opened it anyway. It was a ten dollar gift card. Not a coupon. As good as cash. I had to think, do I treat people like I treat junk mail? Do you? Do we cast them away before we know what is on the inside? As you look through your mail box and sort out the unsolicited junk mail, be wary. If all that electronic wizardry makes you feel depersonalized, be careful; you may be treating others the same way.

Food for thought,

Steve

The Perfect 10

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When I lived in Georgia, I worked for a company called Perfection-Schwank. Perfection was started in the late 1890’s as a manufacturer of oil burning space heaters. Through the years it added gas heating appliances to its repertoire, and I worked there as a gas engineer. I never really liked the name though. There was just something egotistical about calling ones self “Perfection,” and as an engineer with the company, let me tell you we were not even close.

There is another application with this word “perfection.” I still feel as though there is something egotistical about calling ones self perfect; however, the Bible says that we should call someone perfect. Me!
Oh...OK, and you, too.

Listen to the writer of Hebrews: “With one sacrifice he made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (10:14 NCV) Notice the word is “perfect.” It is not better. Not improving. Not enhancing, or trying. God doesn't improve, better, or try; He perfects. He doesn't enhance; he completes!

Remember back in the seventies when people were ranked on a scale of 1-10. She’s an 8½. He’s a 9. What-ever that meant. Everybody think of Dudley Moore and Bo Derek! (And if you get that reference with-out Googling it, you're showing your age!)  Me? I was always a ten! As in, “Steve can eat ten Krystal burgers.” “He’s on his tenth piece of pizza.” "The boy just ate ten chicken legs!" “Quick! Go get ten Rolaids!” Well, we are all ten’s in God’s eyes. Listen to James, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”(1:4) And David in Psalm 18, “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.”

Yes, yes, I know. We are BEING made perfect. Nevertheless, God speaks in terms of what has already been accomplished through Jesus Christ. That means God sees the completed work now, even though the actual completion is miles down the road. One day I will be perfect, sinless, and holy. But the important thing is that God sees me in that light of perfection right now. In other words- When He sees each of us, He sees one who has been made perfect through the One who is perfect–Jesus Christ. My wonder of His love for each of us never ceases.


You know...I think I quite like being a perfect 10!


Thank you, Jesus.

Pondering Places

I've added a few new sites to my pondering places. (Websites I read often or occasionally) Just letting you know in case you're interested. You should especially check out Al Mohler's blog. The man is a genius. No, literally, he is a genius. Is IQ is like a gajillion or something.

Blessings,

Steve

New Name Part Two

So a new name. Again. A Fish Called Grace. When Jonah was swallowed by the fish he thought it was a prison, but it was really a rescue vessel, it was a fish called Grace. In Jonah 3:1 God gives Jonah a second chance. He was rescued by Grace, and given a second chance by Grace. I love my Jesus, and His grace is amazing. Grace, grace, marvelous grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin.

Blessings

Steve

The High Cost of Discipleship, con’t

So Sunday I’ll be preaching on the “When” of Spiritual Victory. The When is Today. Living for the King Today is what discipleship is all about. I will use Luke 9 as my text, particularly vs 23. “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”’ (New King James Version) Daily we are to take up the mantle of Christ and carry the cross. This means the dying of self, daily. Later, in vs 57-62, three would-be disciples come and then go in disappointment. The cost were to high. Like the rich young ruler, they went away discouraged because they had much to loose. The real problem is that they had so very much more to gain.

But they, like many of us, cannot see past the limited sight of our future. Very intuitive people can see the probability of events taking place. They generally make good business people. Most of us see a very short distance into the future. Maybe a few hours. Even then we are often surprised. The car accident, phone call from the school, or other surprise upsets our apple cart. (One is quickly pulled back to 9/11) So these would-be disciples looked into the limited future and saw obstacles to following Jesus. Their problem was a lack of faith in who He was.

There is a theology floating about these days called Open Theism. Basically, it means that God cannot see into the future, nor can He control events in a drastic way. Oh, He may be able to see something coming, like a master chess player observing where His advisory is headed with a move. But He does not know for sure. What blasphemy! In-other-words, God was just as shocked about the presidential election as I was. He really couldn’t believe the outcome, even though He could sense the outcome. Let me tell you something people, God has never had to go sit on a stump and think things over. (I go walking around the cemetery when I need “thinking time”) Let me say it this way. Has it ever occurred to you, that nothing has ever occurred to God? Think about that.

The would-be’s didn’t trust that Jesus knew what was best for them. Let me go and bury my father. (He was staking his financial claim. Let me sew up my inheritance, then I’ll follow you.) Let me say good bye to my friends, says another. (Let me make sure I have a place to come back to if Your plan fails, Jesus.) The other leaves with out offering an excuse. He “hears” that Jesus doesn’t have a plan. Foxes and birds have no plan. "If Jesus has no plan, I’m outta here."

But Jesus calls us to faith as disciples. We trust in Him. We put our entire being into His care. It is what faith is all about. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. True discipleship is about trust. I place my trust in Him.

Blessings

Steve

Parliamentary Procedure Seminar, Part Deux

So the seminar was actually informative and fun. I think the average bear would have committed suicide about 3 hours in, but I rather enjoyed it. Maybe I’ll investigate becoming a Certified Registered Parliamentarian. I think I might have found something people would even consider more boring than a Certified Quality Engineer. If you can’t get them with the statistical anomaly and standard deviation, try a good dose of the finer nuances between “Laying a Motion on the table,” and “Indefinitely suspending a Motion.” Oh! Oh! Or how about the pronunciation of "precedence?" It is pree/seed/ance. Not press/id/ence. See, cause one motion must "precede" the next one. get it!? haha. Whew boy. My head hurts.

Fun times!

Blessings

Steve

Parliamentary Procedure Seminar

Tomorrow I am going to a seminar for learning Parliamentary Procedures. I wonder if Paul and Peter went to such a lecture? There was probably not a Roberts Rules of Orders to rely on, so the business meeting at First Baptist Church of Jerusalem was probably a doosie.

hmmmmmm.....James, the brother of our Lord, was no doubt the moderator. Simon the Zealot brought a motion to paint the Baptistery with a picture of the Jordan River. Phillip was concerned how they would pay for it, and Mary Magdalene made an amendment to the motion that the paint be purchased from Bethesda Depot, Lazarus’ new business venture. Matthew, the church treasurer, indicated he thought he could secure a tax exempt purchase agreement from his former protégé.

Peter and Paul, who have been to the Parliamentary Procedure class mind you, said that the motion must be sent to the property committee for further discussion. Which Thaddeus promptly said was against the By Laws.

Well, maybe not. Of all of the things I love about my beloved Southern Baptist Convention, business meeting is my least favorite. I believe it is the one place where other denominations have us beat. Presbyterians, for example, have a Session. This is a group of Elders, elected by the church, who make all of the decisions for the church. It works well.

Well, at least I’ll have fun at the class.

Blessings,

Steve