Don’t get mad at God about something you have done

 

A Battle of Wills

We have a battle of wills happening at our house and, frankly, it is uncertain at this time who
shall prevail in this struggle.

In the winter months, Rachel puts a little doggie sweater on our beagle, Lucy. She is convinced that Lucy is cold and she, therefore, needs and wants to wear the sweater.

Our other dog, Finley, who is completely and totally resistive to wearing a sweater—or corduroy pants, for that matter—appears to be opposed to Lucy wearing a sweater. Finley also refuses to allow Lucy to wear patent leather shoes, but that’s another discussion for another day.

So, Finley makes it her business to take the sweater off of Lucy.

In frustration, Rachel puts the sweater back on Lucy.

Finley takes it off.

Rachel puts it on.

Finley takes it off.

Back and forth it goes. As I said earlier, it is a battle of wills.

Lucy, of course, cannot talk—although she sends an occasional text message—so, we do not know her preference. As I carefully observe the look on Lucy’s face, however, she appears to be saying, “Would everyone please just leave me alone!?!”

But I could be wrong. That look could also be saying, “If you’re wondering about that smell, you might want to check behind the couch.”

This is a factor in the battle: In situations like this, Rachel will typically not give up very easily.

But this is a factor in the battle, too: In situations like this, Finley will typically not give up very easily.

I suspect the battle of wills shall carry on for quite some time. But for now, I’m going to go check behind the couch.

Walk faithfully with Christ now, in the small matters of life

Christians are called to be obedient to God even if there is a high cost for obedience.

This is a truth which is very easy to talk about but when it moves beyond easy talk and into real life it is a big deal. We must walk faithfully and closely with Christ daily, in the small matters of life, before any significant test comes our way. Because it is usually too late to attempt to prepare for the test after it is already underway.

Are you discerning?

 

The challenge: Put your hope in God

 

Do people know what it is?

Every now and then I read or hear comments from people making references to the concept of “totalitarianism.” And sometimes it appears to me that the people making the comments might not actually know what the word means.

I saw a post several months ago in which a person indicated that totalitarianism involved eating everything on your plate so you would be allowed to have dessert.

That seemed incorrect to me.

Here is a definition of the word “totalitarian” from the Free Dictionary:

Totalitarian: Of, relating to, being, or imposing a form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the individual is subordinated to the state, and opposing political and cultural expression is suppressed: “A totalitarian regime crushes all autonomous institutions in its drive to seize the human soul” (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.).

Here is another description of “totalitarianism” from Wikipedia:

Totalitarianism is a concept for a form of government or political system that prohibits opposition parties, restricts individual opposition to the state and its claims, and exercises an extremely high degree of control over public and private life. It is regarded as the most extreme and complete form of authoritarianism.

………

I’m not looking to stir up heated political debate in the comments of this post (although if someone wants to come to my backyard and wrestle I think that might be a worthwhile use of our time). I’m just providing some very simple information because this appears to be a misunderstood concept.

Our commitment to Jesus comes before everything else

 

Rachel takes me for a Taco Bell run

 

Read it and weep

 Sometimes I read what people post online and laugh.

Sometimes I read what people post online and cry.

Sometimes I read what people post online and shake my head in disbelief.

Sometimes I read what people post online and think, “Wow, I didn’t know that.”

Sometimes I read what people post online and think, “I really agree!”

Sometimes I read what people post online and think, “I really disagree!”

 

…But sometimes I read what people post online and, quite frankly, my heart hurts.

From the Mostly Forgotten Theological Archives

Wilfred Thurber once tried to convince the noted theologian, Martin Brohme, that right and wrong do not actually exist.

Brohme replied, “I think you’re probably right about that, Wilfred.” And then struck him on the head repeatedly with his shoe.

When Thurber objected, crying out, “What’s wrong with you, Brohme? Stop it!”

Brohme calmly said, “Nothing’s wrong with me. Right and wrong do not actually exist.”

Thurber said, “Alright, you’ve once again made your point in the most foolish manner possible, you brute.”

Brohme chuckled and swiftly put his shoe back on, he always wore loafers just in case these types of discussions arose.

Then, as was their custom, Brohme and Thurber went to the zoo in sandals to watch the penguins eat fish.

 

 * S.P. Davidson’s Personal Writings, 1908

It’s not really what they want, after all

 

Go ahead and be kind

Being kind to others is not a sign of weakness. It actually requires a measure of strength to go beyond a totally self-centered orientation in life and behave in ways that consider others and benefit others.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Be strong and courageous. God will be with you.

 

My will be done…? No. Thy will be done!

 

Yep…discipleship is supposed to be a big deal

 

Here you go, kid!

God said, “Since it’s your last night by the water I will paint a nice picture for you, kid.”

I said, “You don’t have to go to all that trouble.”

He smiled and said, “It’s no trouble at all!”

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

    Psalm 19:1

Am I becoming a bird whisperer?

 

It is not always easy to do. There are distractions and the mind seems to quickly veer off on the not-so-beneficial wild goose chases of fear and worry. But with God’s help, I am attempting to be even more intentional about practicing the wisdom which is contained in this passage of scripture:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

I may have mis-read the situation

The colorful building in the photo is a hotel on Fort Myers Beach where I stayed for several days this past summer. I stopped by to say “hello” this afternoon because I realized they probably missed me, even though I neglected to make the bed when I left.

So, I was surprised and a little disappointed when I walked in to the main office laughing, high-fiving folks and kissing several babies, only to discover that no one knew who I was.

…Frankly, this non-recognition factor comes in handy when it’s time to make a getaway.

 My visit was brief.

 

I believe in free speech

 When I was a young man I remember a couple of stories (I think they were basically in the Christian media of that time) about angry Christian leaders organizing rallies in which they engaged in the burning of certain books and rock and roll record albums which they found to be offensive. Some of these Christian leaders believed the materials contained messages which were evil and destructive.

I also recall reading an editorial, at the time, in which a Christian writer (I no longer remember who the author was, this was more than 35 years ago) opined on the matter and explained that attempting to censor the books/albums was not only ineffective but it was, also, a flawed idea. The editorial writer basically explained that it was more honorable to talk about and debate the thoughts and ideas that were found to be offensive. He wrote words to this effect: Honestly engaging with the issues and carefully explaining why they are wrong is the better, wiser approach, rather than attempting to censor them through burning and banning.

I appreciated the thoughts of this Christian editorial writer and agreed with him. Even though I am a Christian, I disagreed with the censorship which was being attempted by certain Christian leaders.

I believe free speech is an important value which is worthy of protection.

That is why I also disagree with the censorship which is being attempted now by certain people and groups, including big tech social media platforms.

If people disagree with what is being expressed let them defeat what they understand to be weak, incorrect, offensive ideas/positions with logic, reason and truth.

Censorship does not defeat bad or false ideas, it pretends they do not exist. That works beautifully…until it doesn’t.

The people who were, on principle, against censorship those many years ago, should still, on principle, be against censorship today. Right? Or were they only principles until they were no longer necessary? If those principles have changed then they were not genuinely held principles, back then. They were tactics that were convenient for a particular moment in time.

Once censorship is accepted by large numbers of people, we are a short distance away from far more disturbing treatment of people who do not embrace what are considered the correct ideas and positions of those in power. I am hoping there are truths we stand for whether we are on the left or the right of the political spectrum.

A hike and a laugh at Ponce De Leon Park

 

Rachel's performance

That’s Rachel up on the platform. Her performance this afternoon was extraordinary…except for the 23 minute harmonica solo. Most people felt it went on a little too long. But when she returned to the stage for her encore, the crowd was electrified by her rendition of “Freebird.”

 

Stingy with the grace and mercy

 

The events of 1/6/21...Our hope is in Jesus

Here are a couple of thoughts specifically for my friends who are followers of Jesus (and live in the U.S.).

I love our country. I pray for our country. I want what’s best for our country. I pray for healing and unity in our country. I trust you do, too.

But as I have thought and prayed about the events in Washington D.C. today, I keep thinking about Jesus saying, “My kingdom is not of this world…” John 18:36

I want to stress it is my sincere desire that our country would thrive and be a place of fairness, goodness, liberty, peace, justice and opportunity, however, for followers of Jesus remember that we are citizens of another kingdom. Our ultimate hope is not in the United States.

Again, I love the United States. Please know, I am eager for it to flourish in a way that is beneficial for all. This is not a call to give up on our country. But our ultimate hope is not the United States. And it is certainly not in a political party.

Our ultimate hope is in Christ Jesus.

“…[T]he glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27

If you consider yourself to be a Christian and you look to the United States as your ultimate source of hope, then—respectfully and lovingly—you do not correctly understand what it means to be a Christian.

My dear brothers and sisters, let us be the ones who contribute to what is right, not what is wrong. Light is needed these days, let’s be agents of light.

Everything worked together beautifully

Nadia likes fishing.

I like wandering around annoying people by taking photos.

See how nicely the two have come together?

 

A summer day in Vermont?

 

Message: God is sufficient. Not: You are sufficient.

 

Encounter with an octopus?

 

Notice the floor upon which Nadia is standing? It is glass and allows restaurant patrons to see to the depths of the ocean below.

…Actually the water is not particularly deep at this point but it’s still a fun idea for the floor of a seaside restaurant. Right?

Interestingly about 4 seconds after I snapped this photo, the floor—which is very old and brittle—broke and Nadia crashed through to the water below.

On instinct and without even thinking, I dove in only to notice she had already been caught in the tentacles of a large octopus. These are not only very powerful and dangerous creatures but they are also incredibly vain, believing that having more arms greatly increases beauty.

Wrestling Nadia free with a series of punches, kicks and ju-jitsu moves was difficult because number one, the water slows down movement; number two, I was holding my breath; and number three we had already eaten a fairly starchy appetizer and I had not waited a full hour to get in the water. Don’t kid yourself, cramps are a tremendous challenge when fighting an octopus.

To be honest, for a few unsettling moments I wondered whether we might not prevail and the frightening beast would bring about our demise. But I was finally able to apply a particularly painful and effective arm bar on one of the tentacles and the great monster of the sea hurried away in humiliation, defeat and, what appeared to be, a slight degree of melancholy.

Nadia and I emerged from the waters to the joyful cheers of the restaurant staff and customers… although a few folks complained that this distraction had significantly slowed down their food orders. Most were genuinely happy for us, though.

I realize this story may seem incredible, outlandish and completely impossible. But my question is: Do you really believe I could make up something like this?

Helping others by giving assurance of God’s grace and mercy