A Persuasive Invitation To Church This Sunday

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Respecting Those Who Came Before Us

There are people who have gone ahead of us who were faithful.  They weren’t perfect, but they persevered.  They worked, they built, they prayed, they lived responsibly, they did what was right, they tried to be obedient to God.  It is not right or necessary for us to idolize these people—again they were flawed and human—but it is right for us to thank them, to acknowledge their efforts and to honor them.

His Mercies Are New Each Day -- Audio Podcast

Lamentations 3:22-24

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There Is Always A Way Forward

It can be helpful and encouraging to know that just about any problem, obstacle or setback that we encounter has been faced by others. We're not the first ones. There is a way forward that others have taken before us. And God will go with us.

The Turtle Trying To Cross Harlem Avenue

I was driving northbound on Harlem Avenue and there was some type of snarl in the traffic as I came to the intersection of Harlem and 143^rd street.

I thought, “Oh brother, what’s going on, now?”

I discovered that a large turtle was crossing Harlem Avenue.

I would love to know why that turtle thought he needed to get to other side of that busy road.  Did he have some kind of urgent business on the west side of Harlem Avenue that needed his attention?

You already know this, but I’ll mention it anyhow:  Turtles are slow.  At this section of Harlem Avenue the speed limit is (I think) 50 mph.  When there are lots of cars going 50 mph and a slow turtle sharing the same road, that does not make for a good situation… particularly for the turtle.

The traffic was halted—in part for the turtle and in part because the traffic light was red.  I thought, “I don’t think this turtle is going to make it across.”

But even as I was pondering the situation, a young man jumped from his car (I mean that he jumped out of his stopped car, but you knew that, right?) and picked the turtle up off the road.  This was not as easy as it sounds because the turtle clearly did not want to be picked up. 

Hey, a turtle can get feisty if he has to!

But the young fellow managed to pick him up anyhow and he took the turtle off to the tall grass near the forest area by the side of the road.  The turtle was probably mad but I think the young guy saved his life.

I know when I started writing this there was some kind of moral to the story I was going to explain but I can’t think of any wise lesson, now.

Oh, wait a minute, here’s a moral for any turtles who may be reading the Internet:  There’s nothing on the other side of Harlem Avenue that you need to risk your life getting.

We Are More Likely To Get Mercy When We Are Humble

Most of us have times in life in which we disappoint ourselves and others. When this happens, genuine humility and remorse provide a context in which people will be more inclined to offer us mercy and forgiveness.

Try Something New

Most people have a preference for the status quo. We tend to like that with which we are familiar. This means that we can be resistant to change. Often, though, new learning and growth are found in new experiences. So let's not be afraid to bust loose and try something new. God may be getting ready to teach us something we never knew before.

A Minute And A Half of God Stuff Podcast - No. 38

God is merciful!

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A Personal God

When God reveals Himself to us we are not learning a theological doctrine.

We are meeting a person.

Hulk Angry. Hulk No Like Tire Problems

I’ve recently had a tire on my car repaired.  In fact, I’ve had this same tire on my car “repaired” four times by two different auto tire repair services.  But every time they give the car back declaring the tire to be “fixed” we find that it is still not fixed.

The most recent time the tire was fixed was about five days ago.  This time it was repaired at a shop that was recommended to me in this way:  “These guys are good.  They know how to do it right.  They can fix it and it will really be fixed.  Don’t mess around with other shops.  Take it to these guys.  They are like the Shaolin Monks of tire repair!”

(Okay, I made up the “Shaolin Monks” line.  But the other part is what I was told.)

So, when I was driving this morning and discovered the tire is still not properly repaired I noticed that I began to tremble and an intense feeling of distress and anger began to come over me.  Before I knew it—and in a manner that was beyond my control—I grew to a tremendous size and strength, ripping the clothes from my body as my muscles bulged.  And I noticed that my eyes and my skin turned green.

Me angry!

Me no like continued tire problems!

Me want to crush puny repair shop people!

Me need to count to 10 while taking deep breaths!

Story of A Wisconsin Farm Girl And Her Influence - Happy Mother's Day 2014

A farm girl from Wisconsin moved to Chicago and met a farm boy from Mississippi.  They fell in love, got married and had three children.  (That ended up working out pretty well for me.  And hey, most people would agree that two out of three normal kids ain’t bad.)

This girl from Wisconsin had a love and devotion to Jesus that was authentic.  And the influence of her genuine faith is one of the reasons why I’m a follower of Jesus today.

She’s gone now, but she is forever in my heart.  And, of course, Alice Marler is always on my mind on Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!

Be Cautious About The Influence Of Others

When we hang around with people who are living in negative and unhealthy ways because we want to be a positive influence on their lives, that can be a very good, helpful and noble action.  However, this requires a measure of caution as well as maturity, strength and wisdom.  Because sometimes this can backfire and the people who are living in negative and unhealthy ways actually end up being the stronger influence.