Every Part is Important

When I saw the headline, “Jockey Cuts Off Fingers”, my first thought was, “Wow! Some of those guys will do anything to keep their weight down!”

Then I read that he didn’t do it on purpose. Jean-Luc Samyn cut off two fingers in a snowblower accident at his home in New York. He will be sidelined for about a month. Samyn hopes to return to riding in late March. The 54-year-old native of France has won 2,611 races in his 36-year career.

Any jockey would rather have all ten fingers functioning properly as he or she tries to guide a horse in a competitive race. In the same way, any church would love to have all of its members functioning properly as it tries to minister in its community.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Cor.12:27).

This verse tells us that every functioning Christian is an important member of the church. Every single one.

Posted in Christian Living, Church | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How Do You Define Success?

Mother Teresa

It is reported that Mother Teresa once attended a gathering with kings and presidents and statesmen from all over the world. They were there with their fancy clothing and expensive jewelry. Mother Teresa looked out of place, with her clothing held together by a safety pin.

During the course of the evening, one gentleman talked with her about her work with the poor people in Calcutta. He asked her if she didn’t become discouraged because she saw so few successes in her ministry. Mother Teresa answered, “No, I do not become discouraged. You see, God has not called me to a ministry of success. He has called me to a ministry of mercy.”

God does not define success in the same way that the world does. Let us never forget that.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”—Matthew 5:7.

Posted in Christian Living | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unless You Repent

Charlie Sheen

In the television sitcom Two and a Half Men, Charlie Sheen plays the part of Charlie Harper, a boozing womanizer whose moral code is non-existent. He only thinks of himself, and rarely considers the consequences that might come as a result of his poor behavior.

Ironically, Sheen’s actions in real life are starting to make Charlie Harper look like a pretty good guy! The actor’s many missteps have been well-documented in the media lately. His behavior and subsequent comments have dominated the news.

Perhaps the saddest part of this disheartening story is the fact that Sheen seems to show no remorse whatsoever. In fact, he seems to revel in the negative attention that he is receiving and insists that he is still a winner in life. At least many of the Hollywood stars who have had similar problems admit that they were wrong and that they need to make some major lifestyle changes.

Christians aren’t perfect. Some Christian people find themselves involved in gossip, lying, greedy schemes, immoral relationships, bad language habits, divisive behavior and arrogant attitudes. There is room for repentance in the life of every Christian.

However, many Christians seem to have the same mindset as Charlie Sheen. They don’t see that they are doing anything wrong, nor do they have any intention to change. They glory in the negative attention that they receive and they see themselves as being on the winning side. They feel that they are in good standing with God.

Jesus says twice in Luke 13:1-5, “…But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Repentance is needed in the life of a Christian. One must repent at the time he or she is baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38). There is also an on-going need for repentance; it is required whenever we find sin in our life. Acceptance of sin is not an option.

Hopefully, Charlie Sheen will come to his senses and get his life in order. Let’s hope the same for any Christians who have a similar resistance to repentance.

Posted in Christian Living, Culture, Current Events | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Time Well-Spent

Jay Leno recently commented: “Facebook is looking into buying Twitter for around $10 billion. If all goes as planned, the company hopes to combine these two companies to create the biggest waste of time the world has ever seen.”

Modern technology can be a blessing by giving us instant access to news and other information, and by allowing us to communicate with others effectively. However, it is possible to waste time on these activities instead of developing relationships that will allow us to influence people for Christ. It is up to each of us to make good decisions about how we spend our precious time.

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12.

Posted in Christian Living, Culture, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quit Your Griping!

In one of his recent Speed Bump cartoons, Dave Coverly has a grumpy looking elderly couple sitting in a booth at a restaurant, looking at the menu. The waitress asks them, “Would you like to start by complaining about an appetizer? Or are you ready to go ahead and complain about a meal?”

Not every senior citizen fits the stereotype of an old grouch who complains all the time. Some of them are the sweetest, most easy-going people you will ever meet. However, there are many who seem to thrive on finding things to grumble about. And some of them, sad to say, are Christians.

My wife and I used to go out to eat with some senior citizens after church on Sunday evening. It became embarrassing to listen to their complaining every single time we shared a meal together. It was a poor witness to the waitresses, who usually knew that we had just come from church.

As we grow older, let’s try to grow more thankful for what we have and more gracious toward others.

Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing.”

That’s what the Bible says. If you want to complain about it, don’t talk to me. Talk to the One who wrote it.

Posted in Christian Living, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Forgiveness Tour

After several years of laboring to produce a meager harvest from hard soil, it was time to move on to another ministry. I found myself experiencing some hard feelings toward a few people who had vehemently opposed me. I wondered if I had truly forgiven them. This was quite a concern, since Jesus teaches that the forgiveness we receive from God is based on our willingness to forgive others (Matt.6:14-15).

Jesus also says, “…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt.5:44). So a few days before we moved away from that town, I got in my car and took a drive. I drove past the home of every person who had caused me grief because of my ministry. Slowing down as I passed each home, I prayed a sincere prayer for the well-being of each of my enemies. I call it “The Forgiveness Tour”.

Maybe you need to take a mental tour and forgive some people who have wronged you. Or perhaps you need to do like I did and actually get in the car and do some “drive-by” praying. Take it from me; it will do your soul some good.

Posted in Christian Living, Communion Meditations, Prayer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Right to Decide

Coach Wooden and Bill Walton

Star basketball player Bill Walton once told his legendary coach, John Wooden, that he didn’t have the right to tell him that he needed to get a haircut. Wooden responded, “But I have the right to decide who plays and who doesn’t.”

God has appointed elders to oversee the church (Acts 20:28). While they are not to be micro-managers, it is their duty to make the most important decisions in the church. The elders collectively decide what the game plan is for their congregation.

Every church member has the duty to submit to the leadership of the elders. Heb.13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Bill Walton got a haircut, and he and Coach Wooden helped form a UCLA team that was nearly unbeatable.

Once the leaders and followers in a church understand and accept their role, they can work together effectively. And when they do, there’s no telling how many victories can be won for Christ!

Posted in Christian Living, Church, Leadership, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Still in the Saddle

Roy Brooks

When his horse fell on top of him last May 15, many thought that Roy Brooks’ career as a competitive jockey was over. After all, he was 69 years old! But even though he had a broken pelvis and a torn urethra, Brooks had other ideas. He planned to return to competitive racing. He said, “I don’t feel like I’m 69. I don’t think of being that old. If you get to thinking you’re too old, you’ve got to stop doing this.”

Roy’s goal was to ride on November 15 in the $350,000 Black Gold Futurity at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore. Not only did he ride in that race, Brooks guided 8-1 shot Freighttrain B to victory.

Brooks plans to ride in races when he turns 70 in August. After that, he said, “We’ll see what happens.”

Sadly, many Christians retire too early from serving the Lord. They feel like they’ve put their time in, or that they no longer have anything to offer. We need more Christians with the perseverance of Roy Brooks. Wouldn’t it be great if senior Christians had the same attitude as Caleb when he said, “…So here I am today, 85 years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.” (Joshua 14:10-11).

Stay in the saddle, my friend. We have more races to win.

Posted in Christian Living, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Preview of Heaven

One of the most memorable worship services I have ever participated in took place in a remote village in northern Thailand. There were about 15 in our group that had travelled there for a short-term mission trip. We tried to participate in the worship service as much as we could, but the language barrier was a factor—most of the service was conducted in Thai.

However, when it came time for communion, there was no difficulty understanding what we were doing. The congregation–which on that day consisted of people from different sides of the world—was united in remembering that Jesus died to save us all.

The apostle John wrote, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb…” (Rev.7:9).

In that remote Thai village on the other side of the world, I got a marvelous preview of heaven.

Posted in Christian Living, Church, Communion Meditations | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Answered Prayer

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,

I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things,

I was given illness, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.

Almost in spite of myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all people, most richly blessed.

                        –Author Unknown

Posted in Christian Living, Prayer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment