“As long as you learn, you live.” says Dr. Howard Hendricks, professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. “The average American stops learning at age 32. The trouble is we have to wait until 70-something to bury you.” (near-quote)
I still remember where I was sitting when I heard those words. The Torrey-Gray auditorium on the campus of Moody Bible Institute was flled to capacity with men wanting to learn more about how to live effectively and enhance our ministry skills.
I latched on to that little axiom and made it a permanent part of my outlook on life.
So when I learned my work would have me working several days in Mississippi, a place I’ve not seen yet, I decided to ask questions while I’m here. Learn all I can. Gain insight. Eat new foods – well new to me, anyway. Take it all in while about my duties.
What they say about southern hospitality is absolutely true. Ya can’t beat it.
My work partner this week is from down here (I’m writing this from my hotel room so I can say “down here” for a couple more days) and he’s a student of history. So I’ve learned tons already. Among the new information and new perspectives is the way this part of the country views the war between the states. It’s seldom called the civil war in these parts – and that’s OK by me, there wasn’t much “civil” about it. Not really. I’ve enjoyed homemade sweet tea. Red beans & rice. Butter beans. Homemade cornbread made the way they make it here. I’ve ridden along the Natchez-Trace Parkway where the speed limit is 50 mph, and the rangers will ticket you for 51. I’ve learned that it’s true; you can say just about anything about just about anybody if you tack on the words “bless his heart”. In these parts, “bless his heart” frequently preceeds and insult; just part of the way things go around here. So get ready to be blessed.
I’m asking some of the best questions I’ve asked since being in Russia several years ago. It’s nice to be working alongside people who will share what they know and who they are without wondering about you. Best of all is the fact that in Christ all these differences fade.
I’m humming the words to a hymn this morning:
In Christ there is no East or West,
in him no South or North,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
In him shall true hearts everywhere
their high communion find,
his service is the golden cord
close-binding all mankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate’er your race may be!
Who serves my Father as a son
is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both East and West,
in him meet South and North,
all Christly souls are one in him,
throughout the whole wide earth.
Words: John Oxenham, 1908
Music: , McKee, Stockton, Bourne, St. Bernard, Manchester
One of my favorite memories abot growing up was that my family enjoyed telling jokes and funny stories. It was almost a family art-form, we enjoyed it so much. “Have you heard this one?” was frequently met with “yes, but tell it anyway”.
My Grand-mother Jones didn’t tell as many as others, but hers always carried a subtle lesson or maybe a little barb to get us thinking. Today I was thinking about our country, and praying as I walked back and forth across the yard following the lawn mower. Ours is a half-acre, so it’s a good 2 hour walk, sometimes longer.
It started to rain on me today and I smiled as I tried to decide if I should quit or not, a story Grandma Jones told came to mind. It must be 15 – 20 years ago I heard her tell it so this isn’t verbatim, but its close.
Two politicians were coming down to election day and every day was important. Papers said they were pretty much tied and it could be anyone’s race. So this one day they were in front of the court house (can’t campaign inside, but you can on the front lawn) shaking hands with everybody they could. After a while it started to sprinkle. Neither of them flinched. Then little more. They put their flyers under a couple umbrellas to keep ‘em dry, but kept shaking hands with people – or trying to. Most hurried past them to get inside. Then one ol’ gal breezed past them, covering her hair-do with a newspaper. She said (wish it wouldda been me) “No… I’m not voting for ANYone who doesn’t know enough to come in out of the rain.”
Now why did I remember that today after all these years? – Who knows….
Hope it brought a smile just the same.
It’s a perennial question, I think, evident at all stages of life to some extent:
How do I keep the main thing the main thing?
Dad used to say:
You can tell a lot about a priority by noting what it takes to bump one.
Vibrance readers would appreciate hearing what helps you keep important things at the front of the line.
Think personally, as a family, and in ministry and share what works for you.
Your observation or technique may help someone facing the challenge of keeping priorities straight.
If you’re up against it right now, and things are going crazy on you, take what you read in the comments that follow and put them to good use – it’s on us!
One of the songs we sang when I was growing up in Sunday School went like this:
Jesus and others and you
That’s the way to spell “joy”…
While the chorus taught truth, I don’t remember that it influenced me much as a kid who just wanted to shoot baskets and ride my bike – especially on Saturday when there was no school or homework to deal with. Saturdays were for me!
But I’m older now,(there’s an understatement if there ever was one) something in Galatians 6 this morning reminded me of those childhood lyrics.
Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody. 4 Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. (Galatians 6:1-5)
There it is.
Putting Him first is a prerequisite to my helping anyone else in the faith. “Godly” means “like Him”. I can’t just go to the shop, lift “godliness” off the tool rack and use it to help a brother; no, godliness has to be part of who I am. God first. Jesus first.
I’m I’m like Him I’ll be in a position to help a brother or sister in Christ they way others have helped me through the years. Older influencers in my life have taught me that favors aren’t to be repaid – they’re to be passed along. So to help another in small ways or large is something I can do and enjoy as part of the body of Christ.
I’m noticing how I’m to “take care of me” this morning too. It’s in verses 4 & 5.
Do what I should
Enjoy the personal satisfaction of work well done
No need to compare myself to others
I’m responsible for me.
Dr. Stowell talked about choices this weekend when he addressed the 2008 graduating class at Cornerstone University. I’ve had a quote from Dr. Stowell in the right hand margin for a while now (look for the roundabout sign). Choices determine direction. They’re definitive.
If I’m considering Christ first – consider those around me, and do my best / do what I should … life promises to be rewarding. Quite! Not just here, not just in Heaven – in BOTH places!
Jesus, and others and you… that IS the way to spell “joy”.
We all have places in life that mark the end of one phase and the beginning of the next.
First steps and first words
Can ride my bike (!)
Kindergarten
Eighth grade graduation (if you’re from a country school as I was, or a middle school
Driver’s License ( !! )
High School Graduation
College Graduation
Stepping out on your own
This weekend we celebrate a couple of the above for our youngest – the last two – and one more for us.
Empty nest.
I’m writing this this morning in what was, until yesterday, our son’s bedroom. His things are all in the trailer and by nightfall we’ll be in Grand Rapids, Michigan for tomorrow’s graduation from Cornerstone University and moving him into his apartment. Jared’s working there this summer, preparing for another milestone in August – his wedding.
This is what life is supposed to look like.
We loved the new arrival and newborn oohs and ahhs.
I loved making my kids laugh and giggle. Playing. Being goofy. Reading bedtime stories. Helping with homework. Encouraging and guiding as they made increasingly mature decisions. Teaching them how to drive. “Ummm Jared? Do you plan on stopping for that light?”
This weekend I’ll enjoy watching him walk the aisle, that silly mortarboard atop his head. (Mortarboards mean WORK, did you know that?) My heart will swell as I watch and hear him lead the crowd that has gathered, in “Benediction” – the conclusion of Commencement Exercises and his undergraduate studies.
I’ll enjoy and later reflect on the fact that his maternal grandparents, his mom and I, his sister and her husband will be there to help him move in and get settled hours after graduation.
Monday morning when I look in on his now-empty room, part of me will wish for the times he used to sit on his futon and play the same three dang guitar chords over and over and over. Part of me will tear up a little (like now) that it really will be “just to visit” from now on. But the bigger part of me will feel the pride and honor that is ours to know both of our kids have grown up to love and honor God. Both bring excellence to the table in whatever they do. Both have faced adversity of various sizes and colors – and called on God for His solution and strength. There’s more life to come. But they’re off to a good start. Both of them.
Babies grow up and become adults. So have mine. I’m a thankful man this morning.
Thank you, Lord, for entrusting these two to their mother and me. We intend to rejoice in what you do through them as future milestones approach and then whiz past. Thank you for the health and safety you’ve granted so we can all enjoy this weekend, we look forward to Your continued faithfulness -and ours in response- in the days and years to come.
When was the last time something happened to you that first surprised and disheartened you -
- but quickly turned to resolve and determination?
Yesterday? This morning? Last week?
It happens all the time on the basketball court: An opponent steals the ball or swipes a rebound and in an instant everything changes. Turnover.
It happens at work too. At church. At home. With City Hall (seems to be especially acute when a church is planning to build or expand, for some reason).
Something happens that surprises you.
A turnover.
Your heart falls.
Then almost miraculously, you catch sight of the Savior and remember that none of this is taking HIM by surprise. You remind yourself to look at all this through HIS eyes. Right-this-instant defers to His greater purposes, and before you know it, the surprise mixed with fear and anger you were feeling turns to determination; God-fearing, Christ-centered determination.
I saw it happen again this week. Maybe helped it happen; I hope so.
And I tell you it’s sweet when that happens. Doesn’t make life any easier, necessarily, but there’s sure a lot more hope when Christ is playing point guard and calling the plays
Posted by Phil 
Posted by Phil 
Posted by Phil 
Phil
Jonell
