So, I turned 40 this past weekend!
When I moved to Estevan 19 years ago, I remember looking at the guys who had a career, two or three kids and a minivan and thinking, “Wow, those guys are old!” Thinking about it now, they must have been in their early thirties at the time! They were just young pups really.
Generally speaking, Sara and I do not make a big deal about birthdays. It seems a little odd to celebrate the fact that you were born on a certain day, doesn’t it? I mean, it is not like you had a choice in the matter. Nor is it really very special or unique (Everyone on the planet was born, so what is to celebrate?). We have parties for our kids, but she and I generally just get cards and a few small gifts. I figure that birthdays are not a big deal after the age of twenty or so.
However, I did think a little more about this one and the big thought that went through my mind was, “If I live to be eighty, then I am already half dead!” I know that is not the happiest thought in the whole world, but it is true.
Over the years, I have seen people (whether they are 40, 54 or 74) begin to “act old” and as if life had already passed them by. In the end, they were old, not because of their age, but because of their mindset.
As I was thinking all this through, Psalm 118:24 came to mind. It says, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” That is the key to enjoying life no matter whether you are 24, 44 or a 104, right?
We do not have to live as if we are “half dead”. At any age and at any time, we can choose to look for and concentrate on the good things that are happening right now, so that is what I am going to do.
I am also going to go for a nap (not because I am old, just because it sounds good).
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
No Perfect People Allowed
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world…” (Ephesians 2:1-2a).
Wow! That is strong language and it is a tough lesson to teach these days. In fact, it is almost impossible to talk about “right” and “wrong” in a world that hardly even believes those things exist anymore. We have been raised in a time that says, “You can do anything you want, as long as it does not hurt someone else”.
“Sin” is even harder to talk about. As one writer states, “The only place most people see the word sin anymore is on a desert menu” (think “Sinful chocolate cake”). It is difficult to convince us that we are “sinners” in need of anything from God.
Yet, what if that is true? What if our actions have separated us from God to the point that we are “Spiritually dead” (both now and in eternity)? What if we wanted to change that situation? How would we do that?
Here, from this same passage, is the answer: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (verses 4-5 and 8-9).
Over the years, we have made a huge mistake when we have made the church seem like the place for “perfect people” or those who do not have any struggles in life. In fact, one of Jesus’ most stinging stories is introduced with these words: “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable…” (Luke 18:9). Apparently, a smug attitude about our own “goodness” is not something that Christ would recommend.
If you have ever felt like you had to “clean your life up” before you would be welcome at church, I am sorry! That message is completely wrong! The very reason we come to church, the reason we worship God, is because we know that we are not perfect and that we need help.
Our congregation is not perfect. We have struggles and problems just like everyone else. However, we also believe that we have help to overcome some of those things. We have a hope that God is making us into “His workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10).
Could use a change, some hope and some good people with whom to share those things? You would be welcome to join us at any time.
Wow! That is strong language and it is a tough lesson to teach these days. In fact, it is almost impossible to talk about “right” and “wrong” in a world that hardly even believes those things exist anymore. We have been raised in a time that says, “You can do anything you want, as long as it does not hurt someone else”.
“Sin” is even harder to talk about. As one writer states, “The only place most people see the word sin anymore is on a desert menu” (think “Sinful chocolate cake”). It is difficult to convince us that we are “sinners” in need of anything from God.
Yet, what if that is true? What if our actions have separated us from God to the point that we are “Spiritually dead” (both now and in eternity)? What if we wanted to change that situation? How would we do that?
Here, from this same passage, is the answer: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (verses 4-5 and 8-9).
Over the years, we have made a huge mistake when we have made the church seem like the place for “perfect people” or those who do not have any struggles in life. In fact, one of Jesus’ most stinging stories is introduced with these words: “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable…” (Luke 18:9). Apparently, a smug attitude about our own “goodness” is not something that Christ would recommend.
If you have ever felt like you had to “clean your life up” before you would be welcome at church, I am sorry! That message is completely wrong! The very reason we come to church, the reason we worship God, is because we know that we are not perfect and that we need help.
Our congregation is not perfect. We have struggles and problems just like everyone else. However, we also believe that we have help to overcome some of those things. We have a hope that God is making us into “His workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10).
Could use a change, some hope and some good people with whom to share those things? You would be welcome to join us at any time.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Blessings and Problems
“Alberta gambling revenue expected to outstrip oilsands royalties”. That was the headline on a CBC news story last week. The Minster in charge of Gambling explained that, “Alberta has a relatively young population and we have the highest wages in the country so there is more disposable income”. Think about that for a moment. They have the highest wages in the country and yet record numbers of people are gambling in an effort to try to get more.
It is no secret that blessings can become problems when we misuse them or pay an inordinate amount of attention to them. Drugs, for example, can be medicinal and have helped to prolong our lifespan, but they can also be abused. Similarly, sex was created by God to be a beautiful thing between a husband and wife, yet our culture’s obsession with all things sexual has turned it into a problem for some and something that is considered “dirty” in general. In the same way, money can be used well or it can be badly misused.
No one would argue that there is anything noble in being lazy or careless when it comes to looking after ourselves. In fact, Paul taught the Thessalonians, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). It is good to take responsibility for your livelihood and to provide for your family.
However, a constant obsession with money or a need to compete and have more than anyone else, can cripple lives and harm families. A focus on my needs alone makes it difficult to be generous and to see the needs of others. Thankfulness and contentment are hard to find when money is at the centre of everything.
Author Philip Yancey points out that the Bible asks three basic questions about money…
1. How did you get your money (legally or illegally? Justly or unjustly)
2. What are you doing with it? (Helping others or just yourself)
3. What is your money doing to you?
Those three questions, particularly the last one, deserve some thought.
As Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
With great blessing comes great responsibility.
It is no secret that blessings can become problems when we misuse them or pay an inordinate amount of attention to them. Drugs, for example, can be medicinal and have helped to prolong our lifespan, but they can also be abused. Similarly, sex was created by God to be a beautiful thing between a husband and wife, yet our culture’s obsession with all things sexual has turned it into a problem for some and something that is considered “dirty” in general. In the same way, money can be used well or it can be badly misused.
No one would argue that there is anything noble in being lazy or careless when it comes to looking after ourselves. In fact, Paul taught the Thessalonians, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). It is good to take responsibility for your livelihood and to provide for your family.
However, a constant obsession with money or a need to compete and have more than anyone else, can cripple lives and harm families. A focus on my needs alone makes it difficult to be generous and to see the needs of others. Thankfulness and contentment are hard to find when money is at the centre of everything.
Author Philip Yancey points out that the Bible asks three basic questions about money…
1. How did you get your money (legally or illegally? Justly or unjustly)
2. What are you doing with it? (Helping others or just yourself)
3. What is your money doing to you?
Those three questions, particularly the last one, deserve some thought.
As Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
With great blessing comes great responsibility.
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