Swimming With The Sharks

Imagine an 18 foot shark lurking near the shore of the beach, in the very waters where you are swimming.  It’s enough to stir up powerful feelings of fear and dread, huh?  Well, I should know because that’s what happened to us, yesterday.  Really.  It’s true.

Well…okay…it’s true EXCEPT that the shark was more like one foot long rather than 18 feet.  But let’s not get hung up on minor details, alright?

We were at the beach in St. Petersburg, yesterday with our good friends, the Brunettes, enjoying the sun and the sand and the waves.  Well, actually we were only moderately enjoying the sand.  (The sand has an annoying tendency to get into everything.  In fact, I just titled my head a moment ago and some sand fell out of my ear….but that may have nothing to do with the beach.)  We saw a fisherman standing on the shore, pulling in a catch.  As the fish was reeled in from the water and became visible to us, I said, “Hey, that looks like a small shark!”

Quickly, a small group of people began to gather round the fisherman.  Convinced that it must be a shark that he had landed, I ran over to him, followed closely by Rachel.

Sure enough, it WAS a small Great White shark.

(I have no idea what kind of shark it really was, but I know people will ask, “What kind of shark?”  So, I’m calling it a “Great White” because it makes the story so much better.)

The fisherman was letting some people touch the shark and feel its skin because it has an interesting texture—sort of, like sandpaper.  So, Rachel and I both reached out and petted him.  I thought, “This is cool, I’m standing at the beach petting a shark that was swimming around in the same waters where I was just swimming!” 

(The whole episode would have been less cool if I would have encountered this little guy’s mommy in those waters.  But I’ve discovered that I’m extremely courageous about sharks when I’m standing on dry ground.  In fact, while I’m standing on dry ground, I’m inclined to say, “Come on, sharks!  Yeah, I’m talking to you.  [Shaking my fist.]  You don’t scare me you wusses!”)

The shark was opening and closing its mouth and I put my finger by its mouth to see if I could feel its teeth.  The fisherman said, “That’s probably not a good idea.”  *And as we both laughed, I noticed that he was missing several fingers.  Don’t you just hate the nerve of an experienced fisherman warning you not put your fingers in a live shark’s mouth?  Boy, talk about being a know-it-all killjoy, huh?

As the fisherman released the little guy back into the waters, I waded out, following him for a few moments **and that’s when I encountered his mommy.  We wrestled for a while and then I punched her in the snout and she swam away crying and whimpering.  “That’s right, you baby.” I yelled, bravely, kicking a spray of water in her direction. “Come back and I’ll give you more of the same!  I’m sick and tired of you bullies scaring everyone.”

By the way, I’m standing on dry ground as I write these words.

* NOTE:  He wasn’t really missing several fingers, but it just seemed like a funny thought, so I threw it in.

** ANOTHER NOTE:  Somewhere in this vicinity, a true story starts to become a fiction story.  My imagination (or is it “wishful thinking”) tends to get the best of me.  By the way, have I told you about the time I was running with the bulls in Pamplona…..?

The fisherman using needlenose pliers to remove

the hook.  I offered to take it out with my fingers,

the consensus?  "That's not a good idea."

Being A Fallible Human Being Who Makes Errors Is Not The Same As Being A Hypocrite

If a person truly does not believe in God but he acts like he does, for whatever reason, that’s hypocrisy.  Think of it as “faking it”.  However, if someone who really and truly believes in God falls short and sins, that’s not “hypocrisy”, that’s called being a weak, fallible, human being, who stands in need of a gracious God.  The difference has to do with the heart.  And only God knows someone’s heart.

E-Flash From Dan, June 29, 2010

Dear E-Flash Friends;

After tomorrow, we’ll be halfway through the year 2010.  You know what that means, right?  Well, for one, it means it’s definitely time to throw out that leftover spinach dip we’ve had in the fridge since the New Year’s Eve party.  (I’m pretty sure it growled at me, not too long ago.)

But it also means that those of us who have been faithfully following the Bible Reading Program that we made available at the beginning of the year have now read one-half of the New Testament.  Congratulations!  Can you believe it?  One half of the New Testament!?!  Good job.

I know that some of you weren’t using the Bible Reading Program that the church provided because you already had your own Bible reading plan.  That’s great, too!  If you have been spending time with God on a daily basis, all year, congratulations to you!

We know from God’s word, from common sense, and from research that has been done on the matter, that our growth in the Christian faith requires us to regularly engage in spiritual disciplines on an individual basis.  In other words, we need to be responsible to cultivate our relationship with God one-on-one.

There are things we can do, and need to do, with other believers.  There are aspects of our faith that are developed and cultivated in community.  That is a vital and important part of spiritual growth.  But people who reach significant levels of spiritual maturity are always people who take individual responsibility to develop their relationship with God on their own, in addition to what they get at church.

Are you engaging in your own private time of prayer and reading the Bible?  I encourage you to do so.

If you don’t currently have a Bible reading plan that you are following, I invite you to join us for the second half of the year in the Bible reading plan that many of us are using.  There are copies of the plan on the literature table in the lobby of the church.  It is printed on blue paper and it says “Bible Reading Plan” on the cover.  It looks like this….(I’m holding up a copy of the plan right now).

(Have I mentioned that sometimes I get easily confused?  Just nod your head if the answer is “yes”.)

You say, “Isn’t it too late to start the plan halfway through the year?”

No, absolutely not!  There’s nothing wrong with starting now, if you don’t have a Bible reading plan that you’re using.  Join us for the second half of the year.

One of the goals of the Christian life is to grow to become more and more like Christ.  It is my sincere hope and prayer that that transformation is happening in your life.

God bless,

Dan

P.S.  Don’t forget that this Sunday, and this Sunday ONLY, July 4^th, we will have one big, massive, exciting, celebrative, inspirational service at 10 o’clock am. 

*NOTE:  If you would like to have the E-Flash From Dan sent directly to your e-mail address just send an e-mail message to:  cog111st@aol.com       ...and write:  "Please send me the e-flash" in the "subject" field.

Sometimes It Feels Impossible To Do the Right Thing

It may be that unique and difficult circumstances push us into a corner and it feels impossible to DO THE RIGHT THING.  Have you been there?  This is an important time of testing and challenge.  And it is a time when we must draw encouragement and strength from authentic brothers and sisters in Christ; from the example of Christ, himself; and from the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

We Have Much To Be Thankful For

If we were to understand every good thing in our life as a GIFT from God—every good thing, whether it was large or small—that would tend to produce thankfulness in us.  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” James 1:17.  Most of us have MUCH to be thankful for. Let’s acknowledge that truth and open our hearts to gratitude.

Slowing Down And Spending Time With God

It can take effort and practice to learn how to slow down and spend time with God. It’s odd that silence and stillness are difficult, isn’t it? (What does our desire for constant aural and visual stimulation say about us?)  Being quiet with God is a spiritual discipline and so, it does not come automatically.  I’d like to report that I’m an expert at it. I’m not.  But I have discovered this much: it is worth the effort.

Wedding On The Beach

We attended a wedding on the beach, last night.  It was a beautiful summer evening as the waves rolled gently and the sun sparkled on the water.  The bride, Sharon, was stunning.  Joe, the groom, looked dashingly handsome.

As the ceremony began, the pastor called the guests to gather around closely.  This created a neat sense of intimacy as everyone present was standing within a few feet of the bridal party.  I liked the feeling.  It seemed like just the right touch for a wedding by the sea.

But, of course, the fact that everyone was standing closely meant that Rachel, with camera in hand, was standing right next to the bride, groom and pastor.  I mean that she was literally standing right next to the bride, groom and pastor.  Most of the time, she was closer to the bride and groom than the best man or the maid of honor—both of whom Rachel had instructed to move back a bit so that she could have her spot.

Because of the casual, informal nature of the ceremony, this was alright…until…well, until…she started making some remarks (Or was this a form of heckling?  Not really sure.) in response to the pastor’s comments.

That’s when Nadia looked at me and said, “Dan.”

This calling of my name means that it is now time for me to do something to correct this situation.  But removing Rachel from a comfortable spot like that always has the potential of being more disruptive to the proceedings than leaving her there.

Well, I moved into action and used a “diversionary” tactic that I learned years ago in ninja school and got Rachel away from the bride and groom’s personal space.  And the wedding, which was fairly brief, concluded a few moments later.  Everything worked out just fine with no major disturbances.

I should note that as I’ve been writing this story, something has occurred to me.  It has occurred to me that this concept of a wedding on the beach is an outstanding idea!  It’s fantastic.  It’s wonderful.  We might even go as far as saying that it’s pure genius!  In fact, I’m sensing a pretty strong leading from God, right now.  Yes, I don’t think it’s the caffeine from the iced tea I’m drinking, I think it’s a leading from God.

So, I, hereby, proclaim that all couples who are contemplating marriage, at our church, need to have your ceremony on the beach in southeast Florida.  Yep, that seems like it must be a leading from God, doesn’t it?  This, of course, means that you would fly your pastor down with you to perform the ceremony.  (That part goes without saying, right?)  And, I don’t mean to seem bossy—but remember, this isn’t my idea (cough, cough) this is a leading from God (more coughing)—so let me just add that an excellent time of the year for these weddings would be January, February or March.

Well, I think we’ve covered some important ground here and made some excellent decisions, don’t you?

Using Words To Build Others Up

Words can be used to encourage, and help others and build them up or they can be used to tear down.  Sometimes people say, “Aw, it’s just words, come on, don’t get so worked up about what people say.” But, actually, words can be quite powerful.  So, let’s opt for words that “build up”.  “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.” Proverbs 12:18

The Seductive Power of Temptation

Temptation is seductive because the lure of temptation is often connected to some of the most powerful impulses and desires that humans experience: power, sex, prestige, wealth, self-exaltation. So, victory over temptation requires ruthless self-honesty; accountability to others—in an environment of grace; and, especially, the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Jesus Prayed For You And Me

In John 17:20, Jesus prayed for you and me.  He did.  He prayed for: “all those who will believe in me through their message.” This was a reference to all who would ultimately believe in him through the message of his early followers—that includes us. So, if you like knowing that important people have prayed for you—and I sure do—how cool is it to know that Jesus prayed for you?

Teach The Truths Of The Faith

The early church leaders did not assume that we will automatically know how to live faithfully in God’s kingdom. They realized that a process of teaching and learning would be involved. So, we are instructed to intentionally teach the truths of the faith. This teaching is done through talking but, also, through example. “Prescribe and teach these things.” 1Tim.4:11

Accomplishing MORE By Doing LESS

Many people seem to be convinced that accomplishment comes from doing more things. But in a driven, fast-paced, stressed-out culture like ours, it is very possible that greater accomplishment can actually be achieved by doing FEWER things, but doing those things with greater focus, energy and excellence.