We have been given a field. “What a person plants, he will harvest.” If we plant selfishness, ignore the needs of others, ignore God? We will harvest weeds. If we plant in response to God and allow God’s Spirit to work within us. We will harvest a beautiful crop: eternal life.
After the class, I took a walk to clear my head. It was cold but I was too preoccupied to notice. I looked up toward the top of the mountain and saw a bright light in the shape of a cross. It took a few minutes of climbing and walking to get there but finally I stood below a brightly lit cross that could be seen for miles. Despite the temperature, I somehow felt warm and secure beneath this shining beacon of light. It was as if Jesus himself was offering me comfort and reassurance.
Why am I sharing this story? I had a talent but that talent, that gift, that treasure, remained buried until a teacher offered encouragement. Teachers play a significant role in our education, but they also influence many other aspects of our lives such as ethics, attitude and even our career choice.
We all face scary circumstances occasionally. Some, as with my chickens are laughable. Others are very real, whether it’s losing a job, a trusted friend, facing sickness or even coping with death. There is fear of the unknown, fear of calamity, fear of people, fear of being misunderstood or rejected or criticized or forgotten or being mistreated. The question is not whether we are afraid? The question is “how will we cope with our fears?”
When people are in trouble, when problems become overwhelming, there is one Scripture that always provides comfort. “That part about the sheep,” Psalm 23 is probably the best known, most loved Scripture in the Bible. People in almost any circumstance find needed hope.
I saw a bumper sticker: Christians are not perfect… just forgiven. That phrase assures me that my primary purpose is to do my best and trust God. God honors effort, not perfection, attitude, not just results.
But if the truth be known, I am a hypocrite too. I can be arrogant and selfish. I have been known to stretch, conceal or slightly massage the truth. I am sometimes inconsiderate and insecure. My ego occasionally rages out of control and I battle foolish pride. I can be lazy and foolhardy with my time. I get angry, petty and ill tempered. I am sarcastic and cynical. I too, am a Christian but sometimes, you wouldn’t know it, based on my actions. Sigh… Hypocrite.
Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star-Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your flag, the flag of the United States of America. Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you.
Spring of 1969 and Spring of 2020 have a lot in common. Our nation and our world face a raging storm of difficulties and tragedies where the only option available to us is to hang on and survive as best we can.
Mother’s Day is one of the most important days of the year. Father’s Day? Not so much unless you happen to own a hardware store. Dads in the media are often the target of satire where you will see four stereotypes: Workaholics, Deadbeats, Abusers, or Macho Men.