A blessed Thursday to all,
During the current adjustments most of us have made, the question "have we learned anything?"  has crept into many a mind. Some will argue the lesson  is how easily civil liberties are set aside. Others will argue that we have been shown just how fragile our image of security really was. Many thoughts about potential lessons fall somewhere in the middle. I have heard the term "time out" to explain what God has done to humanity. Just like parents who send their child to take a "time out" to ponder the behavior that led to being sent to the corner, I have read that God sent us all on a "time out" because of the way we were behaving. If that is the case, what possible lessons have we learned?

I have seen several photographs that show the difference in the air quality before and after the world wide shut down. The comparisons are amazing.  The photographs seek to demonstrate a silver lining to what we are going through.  Like any potential theory, there are detractors that insist the effects are misleading and temporary at best. The view is that once things resume normal operations, the air quality will plunge back to its hazy mess in the regions where the photos were taken. Whatever the scientific truth may be, the fact is that the pictures do show us how God intended things to look like and what our actions as a species have done to that plan.  The photos can be thought of as a sharp reminder from God: "this is how I designed it and that is what you have stained it".  I think of  a beautiful masterpiece that has been sullied because someone was careless and spilled coffee on it.

As we move through our lives, many of us forget what God intended for us and in our carelessness, we end up staining HIs design with behavior and attitudes that mar the beauty of His design. What can also happen is that due to what is happening around us, our eyes will focus on our discomfort, inconveniences, set backs, and unwelcome adjustments. 

When it comes to unwelcome adjustments, Israel faced several. One of the hardest was the "time out" they had in Babylon. During the beginning stages, the prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to the exiles. In it he shared God's word to them. We read in Jeremiah 29:11 [For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.]

A potential lesson during this "time out" for us is to remember that God's long-term plan for us is a beautiful thing. Whatever thoughts may be generated by our present circumstances. Rather than dwell of the negatives, let us ponder the beauty of God's works, His plan for our lives, and the marvel of His promises to us. 
Have a blessed day remembering God's plan for us.
Vic

Merry Wednesday to all,
While this may not be true of everyone, most of us have things on "to do" list that we will never quite get to. It could be that one place we always planned on visiting, something we had always said we would learn, or something on our "to do" list that seems written in indelible ink.

For me, one of those things that I know I will never catch up on is my reading list. I have so many books on the "I need to read" list that I have pretty much stopped reading anything for entertainment because I feel guilty using up reading time that I could dedicate to my reading list. I examine books on topics that interest me and are related to what I do as a pastor; some books are bought as reference books to help in sermon and lesson preparations; and some books are written from a different theological or doctrinal perspective and are read with the intention of better understanding the points of view of those I do not agree with.

I was reminded of how far behind I am when someone called me and asked to borrow a book from my office library and he said "it looks like it has never been opened". I am sure I bought it with my eyes looking forward to some lesson or sermon series.  One o the books I am currently reading is titled "Jesus on Every Page" and the premise of the book is discovering Jesus in the pages of the Old Testament. 

As I thought of the premise of the book, my mind went to the words in Psalm 8:3-4 where we read: [When I look to your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?]  When we look at the pages written in creation, we see and remember God.

We look around at the marvels of creation and we recall the works of God the Father through God the Son (Colossians 1:16-17); when we ponder on selfless love we are reminded of God the Son; when our memory is stirred on a teaching in the Scriptures or we feel divine guidance we remember the works of God the Holy Spirit.  We find the Holy Trinity written on the pages of our lives.

Have blessed Wednesday remembering Him, His works, and that we are part of that work.
​blessing, Vic

Merry Tuesday to all
I pray this finds those reading this doing well and thankful for another day in Christ. During our weekends, we have been taking advantage of good weather to catch up on outdoor projects. This means that once a week when I go into the church to record Sunday's message, I will also stop and pick up what supplies we may need. Among the places I will shop is Ace hardware. A memory from a visit to Ace hardware is what is behind what I wanted to share today.

Like those who are listed as an Ace customer, I will periodically get coupons that will offer discounts on buying certain items, a small percentage off the total or a dollar amount. One month I was surprised by the wording of the coupon which stated that it was good for a cover for a Trager grill. I was sure there was a misprint and this was confirmed when I went in and asked. They apologized for the typo (it was supposed to say "free cover with purchase of Trager grill"). The apology included being able to select a free Trager rub which run for about $15.  I thanked them for the gift and asked if anyone had gotten snarky and pushed the coupon issue.  I was told that in the end, they had the discretion to not honor the wording in the coupon and so far everyone had been understanding about the typo. 

As I thought of potential customers who would push the issue, I recalled someone I know that pushed a coupon issue at a local store to the letter of the wording and although she won the argument, she violated the spirit of the coupon. The coupon was intended to reward customers for the purchase of one item, not provide them a means of generating income on eBay by using the exact wording of the coupon to get a large amount of items for a small amount of investment.   The difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law is an issue that comes up in the Scriptures. When one obeys the letter of the law but not the spirit, one is obeying the literal interpretation of the words (the "letter") of the law, but not necessarily the intent of those who wrote the law. 

We see this problem with the sacrificial system where folks were following the letter of the law in regards to the sacrifices but ignored the intent behind those sacrifices which was basically to remember who God was, who they were, and the dynamics of their relationship. This is why the prophets Isaiah, Hosea, Amos, and Micah tugged on their ear about what was important. Jesus also pointed to the difference between the letter and the spirit during the Sermon on the Mount. 

It is easy for us to do the same thing. While we may understand the exhortation to read God's word; our daily reading of scripture may become only reading it to check it off a "to do" list rather than meditating on what we actually read. Another thing that can happen is that our prayers become a repetition of words without a spiritual connection.  Sometimes we go to church and go through the motions without preparing our hearts for worship before we enter or truly engage our hearts while we worship. The Psalmist writes in Psalm [I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.] As we engage in our daily reading and in our daily prayers, let us do so not with a mind to get it out of the way but engage our hearts and minds as we ponder what God's word says to us and remember all that He had done.
Have a blessed day reading, meditating, and remembering.
Vic

Happy Monday to all,
There are two thoughts home owners share. Well maybe three. My son and I usually joke when we are in the middle of a home improvement or repair project by saying "Buy a house they said; it will be fun they said." The two thoughts that I referred to are"
(1) "The projects around here will never end". More than one husband has experienced enjoying the moment when a project is complete or about to be complete only to have the moment shattered by the words "honey, I've been thinking....." and a new project is on the docket. 
(2) The other thought many homeowners share occurs when a repair begins and we encounter what the previous owners or the original builders of the house did. That thought is the question: "what in the world were they thinking?" in reference to how something was built or repaired. 

The first thought is a regular part of my life. The second thought came to mind yesterday as I had to replace a couple of boards on the original back porch. As I sat there staring and asking myself,  "what in the world were they thinking?"  the thought that God probably looks at what we do sometimes, and says to Himself or to His angels, "What was he (or she) thinking?" as He shakes His head at some dough-headed decision we implemented in our lives. We often make such decisions pleased with ourselves.  My reflection  was followed by the question, "how can we minimize the times when God is forced ot ask that question?"

What came to mind right away were words from the Lord's prayer. Specifically "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven".  In other words, we do things HIs way. Another text that came to mind were the words of the prophet Micah. [He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.] (Micah 6:8)  To do justice is not meant in a legal sense but in doing what is right (according to God, not us). Loving kindness is treating others in the same kind, loving, and merciful way God has treated us. To walk humbly with Him is to take each step in our lives mindful of who He is, who we are in Him, and what that means about how we are to behave.  I am convinced that the better we get at this, the less we will cause Him to look at us and wonder what in the world we were thinking in regards to some dough-headed decision. 
Have a blessed Monday
Vic

Good day to all,
Unless we completely cut off all communication with the world, it is impossible not to be bombarded by an avalanche of daily news and updates on how the present public health situation is impacting our lives. Some of the news is a bit scary while some is heartwarming. Some reports leave us flustered, while others provide hope. Some reports focus on the darkness in humanity while others focus on stories of caring for each other. 

One subject that is heard more and more each day is the argument that some current policies are in violation of our constitutional rights. The argument has taken on a bit of a: "if you don't agree with me, you are not a true patriot" flavor. By this I mean that for some, the only "right American stand" is to go against our current governor's directives because "if you truly believe in the constitution, that is what you will do".  One side argues, "To stay safe, and for the good of the majority, we must surrender some rights for a time". The other counters with "not at the cost of my individual rights under the constitution as I understand it".  

Because of my academic training, I can formulate an argument for both sides. I think that it behooves us to try to understand views that are in opposition to our beliefs. Not necessarily to change our mind but seek to understand the perspective of another. In understanding each other, we have a better chance of finding common ground.

That is my academic training; my training as a missionary calls on me to look at what is going on around me through eyes focused on the cultural dynamics that may be at play in what I see. Cultural observation brings to the forefront the passion for the individual rights of citizens of our great nation. Part of the treasured heritage of our history as a nation is the sacrifices made to ensure those rights. One of the greatest cultural statements in our country is: "I may not agree with what they say, but I will defend their right to say it". 

The problem with that cultural value is that sometimes we bring it into our relationship with Christ.  We view Christianity through lenses that are focused on our individual needs, wants, and points of view.  When speaking on our baptism, Paul writes in Romans 6:6 [We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.]  Crucified with Him means our old self was nailed on the cross and died.  

While we may continue to disagree as citizens on a number of things, as is our right as part of this nation; let us not confuse the reality of our citizenship in this earthly nation with our citizenship in our heavenly home.  Being citizens of HIs kingdom calls for a perspective that is not focused on ourselves but on Him and each other.
Have a blessed day
Vic