Reflection

Time for reflection seems to get pushed aside in our busy lives.  Reflection however is a vital part of growth.  By looking back we can see the progress we have made or ground we have lost relative to our goals and dreams.

Reflection also gives us perspective, a word I have used a number of times in previous writings.  When we gain a different perspective on things all of a sudden the light bulb goes off in our mind and we often reach greater understanding.  For those of us who are Christians we can read a passage of Scripture many times over and then, out of nowhere, we read it and find more meaning.

I was fortunate to spend the early part of this past week in Philadelphia, the birthplace of our nation.  Being in the room and on the grounds of what we call Independence Hall was incredible.  There is an energy there because we know what came from that meeting place.  Though those men held varying views on faith, often at bitter odds, they persisted and put the founding of this republic into God's hands as is evident in our founding documents.

Take a little time this week to reflect on you life, the scriptures, and the founding of our nation.  You will recognize that  God was, is, and will be present and available seeking to bless us.

Keep the faith, remember that with God we will. . .grow in understanding.

Persistence

Yesterday's college football slate included one of the best games we are likely to see this season between the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans.  Around 110,000 people were treated to a slugfest between two mighty behemoths of the college football landscape.  In the end there was a great lesson to be learned, even if you know nothing about football.

This heavyweight matchup was tight throughout with Michigan's Wolverines holding the advantage throughout the game.  With just under 2 minutes remaining the Spartans looked to be finished having given the ball back to the maize and blue and holding only one timeout to stop the clock.  As it happened they fought through to the final play which will go down in the annals of football history as one of the most unlikely endings of all time.  With 10 second left Michigan was set to punt the ball away which would have run out the clock.  Fate however stepped in as the Michigan punter muffed the snap fumbling into the hands of a Spartan defender who returned it for the game winning score as time expired.

The lesson here is persistence, seeing our efforts through to the end.  This is the way we should all work and live especially as Christians.  We will be engaged in many battles with a difficult enemy but if we will persist, in the end we can know victory.  With God we will. . . Persist.

Good Times

This morning I have to write about something we watched on TV last night. 

Some of you likely remember the 70's TV show "Good Times" and it's iconic character JJ.  The show is set in a Chicago ghetto and revolves around the daily life of the Evans family and their neighbors.  The family consists of father James, mother Florida, eldest son JJ, daughter Thelma, and youngest son Michael.

In the episode Angie and I came across last night Michael was having difficulty with a neighborhood bully.  This was causing differing concerns and responses from the parents.  Finally James had directed Michael to "take a stand" against the bully in hopes that the bullying would come to an end.

Later that day Michael was late getting home and Florida was getting quite concerned, as only a mom can.  Then Michael came in and had not a scratch upon him and the rest of the family was stunned.  They asked what had happened that he had not been touched?  He said you can ask him, the bully, because he had invited him to spend the weekend with them in their home.

As the story progressed James told them they needed to study so Michael sat down  and the bully initially sat with him.  However he grew weary of it quickly and tried to get out of it, even demeaning Michael for it.  At this point as he was becoming increasingly belligerent James took control of the situation by taking his belt off and carrying the youngster to his bedroom to administer a good old fashioned spanking.

When this was done the whole family went on to explain how this worked, that some could whip the devil out of you out of concern and caring.  This was difficult for the young man to understand as it was obviously a new concept.

For us it served as a clear reminder that we must be diligent in discipline with our children and that we also have a responsibility, God-given, to aid in pointing others in the right way.  Today James would likely have been brought up on child abuse charges, when in reality he was heroically filling a void in the life of this child.  Let's work together to bring up a better generation, with God we will.

Fit and Faithful

Science tells us that exercise is great for our bodies and also when practiced consistently will also boost our mood.  With this I concur.  I have found setting up a regular routine of exercise has been quite beneficial.  The exercise has aided me in controlling my diabetes and given me a good deal more energy.  My morning walks also tend to improve my outlook and leads me to greater productivity in the workday.

This leads to a critical question for us as Christians, do we exercise our faith?  Much like the discipline we use in our health, fitness, or exercise programs an active faith is vital to a healthy faith.

The book of James tells us, "faith without works is dead."  With these thoughts in mind I urge us to engage the disciplines of faith regularly.  Prayer, Bible study, service, and church attendance are all important to the growth and health of our spiritual lives.

When we combine healthier living with greater spiritual discipline we will reap many benefits not only now but into eternity.  Let's all take a look at where we stand in both of these areas and make a concerted effort to begin a regimen of self improvement in both areas.  With God we will. . . Make a difference for eternity.

A Faithful Response

Yesterday was another day where our nation was devastated by another campus shooting, a story that has become all too common over the past several years.  This episode was followed by a photo opportunity for the President of the United States to come before the people with a message of gun control.

I too have a sadness for these victims and their families but do not believe that gun control laws are effective or even constitutional in many cases.  The problem is of the human heart.  As the Bible tells us we are a fallen people, fallen to sin.  In this country we have devastated  our morality, diminished our faith, and dealt a death blow to the traditional family. 

When will someone have the courage to say enough is enough?  We CANNOT continue in this way.  We MUST reclaim the spiritual foundations this country was founded upon.  The Founding Fathers were absolutely not perfect men, but most, if not all, had a profound respect for God.  Until we firm up the institution that is the home, the foundation of a thriving civilization, and move away from humanism, atheism, and selfish moral relativism we will not see progress.

We as Christians have to take the lead in our homes, and band together within our churches, to start this spiritual renewal.  Let us clean up these two great and God-given bodies, recognizing our shortcomings, and setting our houses in order that we might be able to stand like Joshua saying, "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."  Unless or until we see this type of spiritual renewal, situations like we saw yesterday will continue to be prominent in the news.

"Choose you this day who you will serve."  Remember to put yourselves in His hands,  because with God we will. . . Make a difference.