Is 49% enough?

DID
YOU KNOW...Any cheese which is labeled as "processed cheese" is
really only 49% cheese (even thought it is labeled as “Real Cheese”. The other
51% is coloring, binders, preservatives, and stabilizers. So… does that make
processed cheese “real” cheese or only a “cheese like” product. How close to
“the real thing,” does something need to be before it is considered… well…
real?

DID YOU KNOW... that there are no regulations
regarding the labeling of Honey? A product can have as little as 1% honey (the
rest corn syrup), and still be labeled as 100% honey. How much honey does it
need to be real honey.

DID YOU KNOW… that many who claim to be
Christians, don’t read their bible regularly, don’t attend the worship periods
of the church, don’t share their faith with others, don’t fellowship with other
Christians, often don’t live their lives as if Christ lived within them, yet
are still labeled as “Christians”. How much much of God’s directions or
commands do you need to keep to still be considered a “real” Christian?

John wrote in 1 John 2:3-4, “We know
that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know
him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that
person.” So… how much
does it take to be a real Christian according to God’s Word? It seems to me
that God is saying that it takes (at least trying to give), 100% of our lives to him.

Is 49% of the real thing enough? Well, that’s
one of the reasons we don’t buy “processed cheese,” I want the “real” thing. Do
you think that God will be satisfied with 49% of your life?

The Silver Lining

For the past two years we have hung
a Boston Fern on our back patio, both years we have had birds silver, furry,
lining. She showed me the nest and I told her, “I know why it has a silver lining…. You cut my hair on the back patio the other day
and they must have pick up the hair left on the ground to line their nest.”

Yes, my hair is a kind of silver white, that’s not unusual in our day and age is it. They
tell us that we as a nation are living longer and longer. The current average
life expectancy is 78.7 years which is an improvement over the 68.7 years of
1960. In other words, there are more “gray heads” around than there used to be.
Some have referred to this as “the graying of America”.

I’ve been increasingly bothered by
the shift in our nation over the past 20 or 30 years. There seems to be a lack
of respect for the “older generation”. You can see it almost everywhere you go
and throughout all aspects of our society. Yet, this is exactly the opposite of
how God’s word tells us it should be.

Proverbs 16:31 tells us, “Gray
hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” In
Leviticus 19:32 we
read: “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the
elderly and revere your God.’

It seems significant to me that God
links showing respect for the elderly with revering our God? Now I’m not
writing this to beg for sympathy for me as I age, like many of my age group on
the inside I feel a lot younger than I look on the outside. For me personally I
don’t necessarily want or need special treatment, but God’s word says we who
have gray hair deserve it. When is the last time you saw a young person give
their seat to someone who was older than them. When was the last time you saw
the “gray heads” being allowed to go first through a line or even through a
door simply because it was the respectful thing to do? Our county and our
schools will not teach this lesson, but then it is not their job to teach it,
it is the job of us who are parents or leaders in our churches.

The gray in our hair is more than
just something put there by nature. It is part of the silver
lining God is lining our personal nests with…. It may not often appear that it
is near us or that we have access to it, but if we stop and think about it is
always there if we are near our God. In Isaiah 46:4, God says: “Even
to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear
you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will
deliver you.

Our God “Has done it” and
will continue. Even when we don’t feel very appreciated or respected the one
who truly counts in our life appreciates, loves and respects us.

Do You Want To Live?

 

There is an old movie from the 1980's, Conan the Barbarian.
At one point in the movie Conan and his group of warriors are fighting and as
they face battle with overwhelming odds one asks the other, "What's the matter, do you want to live
forever". The thought expressed, being that there in no better way to
die than in battle or that life is not worth living without facing a challenge.
A great inspiring thought, but how close to reality?

While I was in the hospital for tests a while back and I was
asked a question I had never been asked

before. The doctor came in and talked
about the procedure I was going to have and asked, "Do you have a living
will?" I told him, "Yes, I do." He said, well I have to ask
this, "If something happens and your heart stops during this procedure, do
you want us to try and bring you back?" Now that will make you sit up and
take notice! I had to stop and think and ask a couple of questions to make sure
I understood. I then told him, "Yes, bring me back."

What
is it you want, what is really important to you? I'm reminded of a incident in
the life of Jesus as he left the city of Jericho
recorded in Mark 10:46 and
following. Notice what happened: "And so they
reached Jericho.
Later, as Jesus and his disciples left town, a great crowd was following. A
blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road as
Jesus was going by. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout out,
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" "Be quiet!" some
of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, "Son of David,
have mercy on me!" When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, "Tell
him to come here." So they called the blind man. "Cheer up,"
they said. "Come on, he’s calling you!" Bartimaeus threw aside his
coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked.
"Teacher," the blind man said, "I want to see!"

The
man, Bartimaeus, didn't have to ask questions for clarification, he didn't have
to stop and think about it, he knew exactly what he wanted and Jesus granted
his request.

What
is it YOU want more than anything? Most folks, when given time to think about
it would like to avoid death, they would say, "I want to live and if possible,
to live forever". Paul wrote in Romans
6:23. "For the wages of sin is
death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

I
want to live and I know I have eternal life because of God's promises! John
wrote fabulous words of encouragement in 1 John 5:13. Notice what he says: "I write these things to you who
believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have
eternal life."

There's an old gospel song that says, "I know, I know,
there's no doubt about it, he's real in my heart and I'm going to shout
it". That's the feeling you have when you understand that you have life
with Christ! Do you want to live? Yes! Then go to the book and see what he
tells you that you must do! In fact read the whole chapter of Romans 6 for a
starter.

May our God bless you with success in your attempt to live
forever!

GRACIE'S HAIR

My wife helps teach in our church’s preschool in the class for 4 year
old children. She loves it and is

always being surprised by the observations
the children make. Little Gracie is in the class, and Gracie is always easy to
spot because she has a beautiful head of red hair.

This last week the children were sitting in a row watching an activity
going on. My wife was sitting behind the children and over heard when a little
4 year old boy leaned over to Gracie and ask, “Do you dye your hair?” Gracie
turned to him and said, “No, it’s all my own.”

 

The question is; what prompted the little guy to ask the question?
Obviously, Gracie’s hair is different from most of the other kids. It would
seem likely though that he knows someone who dyes their hair.

Often in our world today it’s hard to know what is real and what is
not real. People do a great job of disguising things as well as themselves.
Most of the time only the outside is changed, which only disguises what lies
underneath. Obviously many people do this, that’s why “plastic” surgeons make a
good living. That’s why cosmetic companies thrive and clothing companies work
hard to design the latest trendy clothing. We want to look good and feel good
about ourselves.

Sometimes we wonder what is real and what is not in the religious
world, don’t we? There are hundreds and hundreds of different kinds of
churches, (religious belief’s) in our world. How can we know what is real and
what is not. Most everybody in our county knows about Jim Jones and his
“church”. They know the meaning of the phrase, “drinking the cool aid” also.
Jim Jones was the church leader who convinced 918 of his followers to drink
cool aid with cyanide in it and kill themselves. We think about that and
wonder, “How could they not realize this was not God’s message for His church
today?” “How could they not know this was not real?”

If you look at the person next to you, can you tell if they dye their
hair? It’s a silly question I know, but unless it is a really bad dye job, you
may not be able to tell. However if you worked with hair on a daily basis you
most probably could tell immediately what is real or what was not.

There is a way to discover the truth though isn’t there… by study, by
exposure, but being instructed. In John 8:32 Jesus said, “and you
will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In John 17:17
we read, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth,” (NIV)
“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth”.
(NLT) You see, if you spend enough time with God’s Word, you will be able to
recognize what is real and what is not.

As you look at your life, is it real or is it fake? Do you dye your
spiritual life (change it on the outside) to make it look good to others, or is
it really you? Are you drinking the cool aid, just because someone gives it too
you, or are you able to tell what is real?

The Gift

I’ve written a couple of times
about our new rescued dog, Cassie, but something I don’t think I have mentioned
is that she was a gift to my wife. Our little dog Chewy
died this past summer and my wife has been grieving every since. Actually,
until we got our new furry kid I didn’t realize how much I missed her too.
Anyway, the search for a new dog began as a search for a special dog for my
wife for Valentines day. We got her a few days late, but the name which was
chosen for her is “Cassie Valentine”.

 

You probably have heard the saying
which goes, “it’s the gift that keeps on giving,” well
that’s Cassie. She has bonded with both of us, but especially my wife as she is
with her so much more. My wife can’t leave the room without a little black
shadow following her. She gets so excited when we give her canned dog food that
she prances around, rolls on her back and wags all over, (the dog, not my
wife). She returns the blessing of love, maybe because she understands the gift she has been given and remembers what it was like not to
have those who loved her and cared for her.

Our grandaughter has also received
a gift through this little fur ball. She has “suggested”
for the past six months that “you guys REALLY need a new dog”. What she was
really saying is that she wanted us to get a dog that she could play with.
However, blessings sometimes bless us in unexpected ways. Our 9 year old
grandaughter has begun hand sewing cloths for the dog. She has made her a coat
and Shaw and a neckerchief. They really look cute and she is proud of her
ability to make these little gifts for the dog. Gifts can be blessings which fill our needs, gives us something
we can’t give ourselves, or even that which causes us to share with others.

From another aspect though which we
understand is that this gift comes with responsibility.
Dog’s take care; they take time, and there is some expense with having a dog.
That’s not unlike the gift of being a Christian is it?
Someone reminded me again, that Dog spelled backwards is GOD, maybe that’s not
an accident that it’s that way.

I like this modern translation of Ephesians
2:8 that tells us, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And
you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
Often in the New Testament we read of the reaction of those who come into
contact with Jesus. They rejoiced, gave thanks and went and told others what
Jesus has done for them, because the gift he has given
them.

How are you doing with that? In Matthew 28:119-20 we read of Jesus saying, “Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age.” You see, this is our response to the gift!
It is the gift that keeps on giving and one for which we
must keep on rejoicing.

SECOND HAND DOGS

You may or may not have read the article I wrote about our
family rescuing an older dog from the local animal shelter. Some might call her
a “Second Hand Dog,” but that’s OK, we love things that have seen a little wear
and tear, maybe has some of the ‘new’ rubbed off. We did adopt her and she is
fitting in just fine with just minor adjustments as she figures out this new
home and strange people in her life.

We had to take her to the Veterinarian this week as she had
developed a cough. They warned us at the shelter this might happen; I guess
kennel cough is a common problem where there are large groups of dogs. She is
on antibiotics and has almost stopped coughing completely now.

The Vet said something that made an impression on me during
the exam. As many of us do when we go to the doctor we experience what they
call “White coat” anxiety. Our heart rate goes up; our blood pressure goes up,
etc. After examining her, the vet said, “I can see that she has chosen you for
her family?” I was confused by that statement, but the Vet continued: “When I
began the exam her, heart rate was high, she was afraid. You came over and
began to pet her and talk to her and as I listened her heart rate dropped. I
knew she had chosen to trust you and accept you.”

I don’t know about you, but I think that is such a cool
thing to be trusted and accepted as someone’s protector (even if it is a dog). It’s
great to be chosen as a protector, but what about the ones who choose to
protect and love us. We have come to love that little furry one, protect her
and provide for her. She gives us back something which is without price, her
love.

Isn’t that just like our God and our relationship? He chooses
us doesn’t he? Paul writes in Colossians
3:12, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe
yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and
patience.” How do we respond to our God who has chosen us? The apostle
Peter adds in 1 Peter 1:5, “But
now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.”

I pray that you may be granted the peace, comfort and trust
that our little dog finds in us in your relationship with our God.

OLD AND UNWANTED

I’m getting to the age where many of the “young” people refer to me as
“old”. That’s OK with me, I really don’t care, I figure that the gray hair is a
mark of the many adventures we have had in this life. The problem with getting
older is that your body can no longer keep up with what your mind thinks it can
do!

I’m much luckier than many people in this world, because even though I
am “more mature” in age, I am also loved by those important to me. Now the
reason I am thinking about this is because our family status just changed. You
see, about 8 months ago our little “furry kid”, (our dog), who had been with us
for almost 16 years died. After struggling with the decision we went to the
local Animal Shelter and found a little dog and rescued her.

Now what makes her special is that she was picked up as a stray and no
one came to claim her. She was scruffy or scraggly looking with matted hair and
quite a bit undernourished (you can easily feel her bones through her skin).
The Shelter staff estimate her age to be about 12 year old, which makes it
harder to find folks who are willing to adopt her. She was in the “OAU”
category (old and unwanted). You see everyone wants a cute little puppy, but an
older dog with just a few years left is another story. The bottom line was that
if the Shelter didn’t find someone to adopt her they would euthanize (or kill)
her.

From the first time I saw her picture (scruffiness and all) I wanted
her. I saw a scared little dog who didn’t understand what was happening and was
completely at the mercy of people. Being older ourselves and having had two
small dogs in the past who lived to be near 16 we understand somewhat the
limitations of age. We wanted to love her and give her the best (last) years
that we can. We called everyday until they put her up for adoption because we
surely didn’t what the alternative to happen. That morning my wife was there
when the doors opened, and now she is ours.

It seems that our society has also lost some very important values and
one of them is honoring older folks. Our younger generation for the most part
worships youth and rejects the concept that those who are older just might have
something important to contribute, something as important as love and
acceptance. Our “old dog,” is already finding her way into our hearts. She was
so over joyed to come home with us that she runs around like a puppy and climbs
in our laps and cuddles up and exudes love. My wife said it seemed a little
strange that she should adapt so quickly. I replied, “Maybe she knows the fate
that awaited her before we came along,” probably not, but we knew and we acted
because of that.

Now looking at the spiritual application a bunch of scripture comes to
mind as it relates to this. The scriptures tell us, “While we were still
sinners Christ died for us” and that “he was not willing that any
of us should perish but all come to salvation”. You see, we may be
older, we may be a bit scruffy looking too, but not to God. God understood the
fate that awaits those, who like that little dog, lost and alone in a big world
will suffer. He determined that he would go to any extreme to rescue us and he
did. He died for us that we can live eternally in the arms of a loving master.
Are you there yet?