"The Good OId Days"

I came across this article while visiting some friends at a nursing home, and I thought, wow--this is a pretty cool article.

"The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farm house in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question: "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?" I replied: "But I did have a drug problem when I was a kid growing up on the farm."

I had a drug problem when I was a young: I was drug to church Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill to the teacher or the preacher. Or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four letter word. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline or chop some fire wood. And if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me out to the wood shed.

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack or heroin, and if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America might be a better place today." (Author Unknown)

I like the part about 'speaking ill to the preacher' personally :). But in all seriousness, this kind of mindset was fashioned in an environment where respect, honesty and integrity were impressed amongst people. I would add though, that if God were at the forefront of what we do through the church, America will be an even better place today.

"Why So Serious?"

Does the name Steve Johnson ring a bell? Chances are, you've never heard of the guy. well, Steve happens to be the leading receiver for the resurgent Buffalo Bills football team. I say resurgent because Sunday, November 28th, the Bills played the Steelers and had they won that game, it would have been their 3rd win in a row, which is something they have not been able to accomplish in years. Prior to Sunday's game, Johnson not only recorded 137 receiving yards, but he celebrated one of his three TD's by lifting his jersey to show a famous quote by the late Heath Ledger: "Why So Serious?" So, back to the game against the Steelers, Johnson during overtime had the coverage beaten, and all he had to do was catch a perfectly thrown pass from his quarterback, a Harvard guy! Perfect pass, perfect route by the receiver, in the NFL usually translate into points. But that wasn't the case that Sunday. Johnson infamously 'dropped' the pass in the end zone. Following the game, the same Johnson who was a proponent of not taking oneself seriously, tweeted: I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!AND THIS IS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!!YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FRO THIS???HOW???ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!!EVER!!THX THO...,"

The drop dominated headlines throughout the NFL, because even a high school player could have held on to the pass. But his post-game tweet captured my attention. I believe it was an honest remark by a disheartened person, someone who had just witnessed his world caving in from all directions. I admire his bluntness, however ill-directed. Admittedly, I wonder how many of us blame the misfortunes of life on God--while also failing to credit him for our success. Listen to the words of Paul:

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives my strength" (Philippians 4:12-13).

Paul knew what it felt like to have things, and what if felt like not having anything. He was aware that in his ministry, hardships and challenges were as much a part of like as blessings. It is hard to be joyful when things aren't going well. Johnson was pretty loose (why so serious) until he dropped what should have been the game winning TD. And we too, are pretty tolerant and understanding until challenges and difficulties materialize. But like Paul, let us strive to be 'content in any and every situation', however dire it may be. Have a Jesus Day

Vick & Williams

Talofa
Ted Williams, a name I'm confident you are aware of by now, along with Michael Vick, the disgraced NFL player involved in a brutal dog fighting ring several years back, breathed new life in a week littered with chaos. These brutal events include the shooting in Tucson, Arizona, a more recent shooting at a California school, the mindless pain inflicted on innocent lives by people bent on advancing evil. However, the hopeful story of Williams and Vick is a testament that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Ted went from being homeless to receiving countless offers from radio stations, NBA teams etc, coveting his 'golden' voice. And Michael Vick, who was recently released from prison, has become a role model for many with his play for Eagles this year--which by the way, has garnered MVP talk amongst sportswriters across the country. So what's the big deal? Well, both these guys did something that I thought was pretty awesome: they both recognized that when they were at fault, they admitted wrong instead of playing the blame game. When Ted was asked, he admitted that he had the 'golden voice' all along, but drugs and alcohol ruined a great deal of his life. Michael, recently criticized by some of his own peers for the ill-directed pass that was intercepted by a Green Bay player knocking the Eagles out of the playoffs, declared following the game that he 'got greedy' and forced the throw. The words of recorded by Luke come to mind: "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son" (Luke 10:21). The little 'fella' knew that he was at fault; in fact, he was adamant in his admission: "I have sinned"--never alluding to circumstances, or any other factors that might have contributed to his downfall. He simply carried the burden and said: I messed up, but I am willing to make it right again. And part of reviving involves admission of fault an then forging ahead. Ted did it as well as Vick. They probably could have pointed the finger and blamed some other elements, but instead they looked inward and realized that they were at fault. What a testament. In a world increasingly defined by finger pointing and selfishness, it is refreshing to know that there are still Ted's and Vick's, who are fearlessly leading in the right direction.

Love

Talofa

Love, what an amazing word. I am absolutely convinced that Jesus was on target when he made a decisive declaration for us to follow in John 14:34-35: 1) love one another 2) and based on that love, all men will know that we belong to him. There is no other testament that God lives and his truths are transforming and life changing, if our love for one another is not evident. After all, we have to stand out for God. I love C. S. Lewis' description of love, "to love is to be vulnerable" and yet, Christ calls us to do just that. So go ahead and risk it all for God, the rewards are far too great than the risks. My prayer for 2011 is simple this: to love. Have a Jesus Day!