This morning I woke up feeling no different than I did when I went to sleep the night before. But something did happen. I awakened another year older. It's no big deal and except for the date on the calendar, it's just another day. As that great sage, Satchel Paige, once said, "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?"
However, these pesky annual events do have a way of creeping up on you. I heard about a woman who was more athletically inclined than her husband and frequently would engage in biking, canoeing, and other strenuous activities. When her husband hit sixty, he came inside after a hard day of yard work and collapsed into his easy chair, bemoaning the aches and pains of his advancing age.
Attempting to comfort him, his wife reminded him that when they were newlyweds, they had looked forward to growing old together.
"Yes," he replied, "but you haven't kept your end of the bargain."
Someone once said that middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
I am convinced, though, that as long as we draw breath, God has a purpose for us. We are to be about His business until we are called to stand before Him. The Roman scholar Cato started to study Greek when he was over eighty years old. Someone asked him why he tackled such a difficult task at his age. Cato replied, "It's the earliest age I have left."
On October 16, 1995, Jeanne Calment of Paris was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records by becoming the oldest human on record - over 120 years of age. She was born in 1875, a year before the telephone was invented.
Jeanne remembered the construction of the Eiffel Tower and remembered selling colored pencils to the famed Vincent Van Gogh. She survived twenty-seven French presidents during her life. When asked, "What's the secret to your long life?" she responded, "Laughter!"
It's no wonder the Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:22 that "a cheerful heart is good medicine."
Besides, part of my motivation is to live long enough to be a problem to my children!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
A Fun Faith
If you know me at all, you know I love baseball. I am a die hard Texas Ranger fan and to be honest I may have lost a year or two from my normal lifespan watching the past two World Series'. I mean, why couldn't Nelson Cruz have been playing just a couple of steps deeper?!! Sorry, I got sidetracked.
I recently came across some interesting baseball trivia that I found fascinating. For instance...
*The odds of a fan being hit by a baseball are 300,000 to one. It's almost the same odds as catching a Josh Hamilton bat!
*The average baseball only lasts about a week. Each baseball is used only one time in a major league baseball game.
*Early rules allowed the hitter to request a high or low pitch.
*Manager Alvin Dark of the San Francisco Giants once told reporters that NASA would put a man on the moon before pitcher Gaylord Perry hit a home run. When Perry finally hit a home run, it was 20 minutes after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon.
*Each baseball game has 12,386,344 possible plays.
I really find that last bit of information especially insightful. I hear critics of the game complain that it's too boring. But to understand that there are over 12 million different possible plays is incredible.
It's the same with life. There are so many different things that can happen in our lives. I can look back on some of my decisions and wonder what would have happened had I chosen another route. I certainly don't know what awaits me around the next corner, but I can't wait to see what the Lord has awaiting.
We are told in Acts 20:22,24 "I don't know what awaits me...But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."
In fact, none of us really know what lies ahead. We are instructed to have faith that, whatever is around the next bend, God has the situation fully in His hand. Life has its share of uncertainty, but know this, God sees things around that corner long before we get to it. Let's have faith to drive on.
I recently came across some interesting baseball trivia that I found fascinating. For instance...
*The odds of a fan being hit by a baseball are 300,000 to one. It's almost the same odds as catching a Josh Hamilton bat!
*The average baseball only lasts about a week. Each baseball is used only one time in a major league baseball game.
*Early rules allowed the hitter to request a high or low pitch.
*Manager Alvin Dark of the San Francisco Giants once told reporters that NASA would put a man on the moon before pitcher Gaylord Perry hit a home run. When Perry finally hit a home run, it was 20 minutes after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon.
*Each baseball game has 12,386,344 possible plays.
I really find that last bit of information especially insightful. I hear critics of the game complain that it's too boring. But to understand that there are over 12 million different possible plays is incredible.
It's the same with life. There are so many different things that can happen in our lives. I can look back on some of my decisions and wonder what would have happened had I chosen another route. I certainly don't know what awaits me around the next corner, but I can't wait to see what the Lord has awaiting.
We are told in Acts 20:22,24 "I don't know what awaits me...But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."
In fact, none of us really know what lies ahead. We are instructed to have faith that, whatever is around the next bend, God has the situation fully in His hand. Life has its share of uncertainty, but know this, God sees things around that corner long before we get to it. Let's have faith to drive on.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
A Hero
I think I may have found a new hero. I've had many heroes in my past. The first I remember was Batman when I was a child. You know, Adam West. The origianal Batman from the television show. Soon Spiderman caught my attention on Saturday morning cartoons. Soon it was on to sports stars...Bart Starr, John Havlicek, and to this day I consider Ted Williams the greatest baseball player of all time.
But a whole new genre of hero has emerged. His name is Dave Alexander who in sports terms is an ironman. In other words, he competes in triathalons. These are the guys that bicycle several miles followed by a long swim, topped off with a marathon run.
You would notice Dave. He's 5-foot-8, 260 pounds, not exactly but the body size of these super athletes. I can identify with him in at least one respect. Even though I've never come close to completing even one leg of a triathalon, he resembles me in the size department. I've often said that I have the body of a 19-year old. I'm just stretching the heck out of it.
Alexander has estimated that he's finished close to 300 triathalons, causing his doctor to scratch his head in disbelief. Dave is 65-years old, has thinning hair, failing eyesight and his stomach gets bigger by the day. Still, he is still "fit" despite his chunky size.
He attributes his endurance to persistence. At one time he was completing two triathalons a week. A hero if ever I saw one.
We all have our heroes. Young people today tend to think of entertainers, older guys may look to military figures or someone they may have known.
Whoever is your hero, I hope Dad is on the list, hopefully at the top. We need dedicated Dads, Fathers who will set a positive example for their children. We need a Dad who loves his wife, who leads the family spiritually, and is the rock of the home.
Proverbs 13:1 says a wise son heeds his father's advise. We would be wise to listen to Dad,or if he has gone on to be with the Lord, to remember what he told us. And always listen to your Heavenly Father.
But a whole new genre of hero has emerged. His name is Dave Alexander who in sports terms is an ironman. In other words, he competes in triathalons. These are the guys that bicycle several miles followed by a long swim, topped off with a marathon run.
You would notice Dave. He's 5-foot-8, 260 pounds, not exactly but the body size of these super athletes. I can identify with him in at least one respect. Even though I've never come close to completing even one leg of a triathalon, he resembles me in the size department. I've often said that I have the body of a 19-year old. I'm just stretching the heck out of it.
Alexander has estimated that he's finished close to 300 triathalons, causing his doctor to scratch his head in disbelief. Dave is 65-years old, has thinning hair, failing eyesight and his stomach gets bigger by the day. Still, he is still "fit" despite his chunky size.
He attributes his endurance to persistence. At one time he was completing two triathalons a week. A hero if ever I saw one.
We all have our heroes. Young people today tend to think of entertainers, older guys may look to military figures or someone they may have known.
Whoever is your hero, I hope Dad is on the list, hopefully at the top. We need dedicated Dads, Fathers who will set a positive example for their children. We need a Dad who loves his wife, who leads the family spiritually, and is the rock of the home.
Proverbs 13:1 says a wise son heeds his father's advise. We would be wise to listen to Dad,or if he has gone on to be with the Lord, to remember what he told us. And always listen to your Heavenly Father.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Weird Facts
I recently came across some strange things you probably didn't know. For example...
Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet?
A duck's quack doesn't echo and no one knows why.
On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year.
Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.
Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.
It's possible to lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs.
Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
It's physically impossible for you to lick your elbow.
Almost everyone who just read the previous fact will try to lick their elbow.
These are some very interesting facts but not things you really have to know. Well, you may want to rethink sticking that ink pen in your mouth!
Here's the thing that you REALLY need to know. Do you know beyond a shadow of doubt that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you know that if your time on this earth were to end in the next five minutes, in the next five seconds, that you would spend eternity in the presence of the Lord? Eternity is a long time to be wrong.
Yet, so many people are walking around with the assumption that just because they may go to church, that they live a good, moral life, that they are good to go come judgement day. Jesus tells us in John 10:9, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."
In other words, there is no back door to heaven. It is only through the shed blood of Christ. We cannot work our way into heaven, we cannot wish our way into heaven, we cannot wiggle our way into heaven by adopting values and attitudes thrown on us by what today's culture endorses or what "religions" try to preach to us as being comparable to the example given us by Christ. In verse 14 we are told, "I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep..."
Will He recognize you as one of His flock?
Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet?
A duck's quack doesn't echo and no one knows why.
On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year.
Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.
Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.
It's possible to lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs.
Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
It's physically impossible for you to lick your elbow.
Almost everyone who just read the previous fact will try to lick their elbow.
These are some very interesting facts but not things you really have to know. Well, you may want to rethink sticking that ink pen in your mouth!
Here's the thing that you REALLY need to know. Do you know beyond a shadow of doubt that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you know that if your time on this earth were to end in the next five minutes, in the next five seconds, that you would spend eternity in the presence of the Lord? Eternity is a long time to be wrong.
Yet, so many people are walking around with the assumption that just because they may go to church, that they live a good, moral life, that they are good to go come judgement day. Jesus tells us in John 10:9, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."
In other words, there is no back door to heaven. It is only through the shed blood of Christ. We cannot work our way into heaven, we cannot wish our way into heaven, we cannot wiggle our way into heaven by adopting values and attitudes thrown on us by what today's culture endorses or what "religions" try to preach to us as being comparable to the example given us by Christ. In verse 14 we are told, "I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep..."
Will He recognize you as one of His flock?
Monday, May 21, 2012
Let's Start Over
You may have noticed in the news last week that the State of Florida gave a new standardized writing test to students and the scores were less than stellar. In fact, they were awful. A reported 27 percent of fourth-graders had proficient scores on the test. That was down significantly from last year’s 81 percent.
State education officials panicked and decided that the best thing to do was to lower the passing score on the test. Did you catch that? In order to make sure that students succeeded on the exam, the passing grade was lowered.
My first reaction was, “Where was that rationale when I was a student?” I could have used a boost in several classes…History, Algebra, English, Biology, Physical Education. Okay, basically every class I took. Now, however, I’m glad to say I did get the grades I got on my own merits, without the entire state having to step in and save me.
But this got me to thinking. If a state can reconfigure such things and they are accepted as fact, I’ve got some revisions I would like to make. I am now six-foot four, a solid 210 pounds. I shoot 18 holes of golf consistently in the low 80’s. I now possess the oratorical skills of Winston Churchill and can dunk over Tim Duncan on his best day. Ladies swoon over me, boys want to grow up to be me and dogs follow me, wagging their tails. Yes, life is good…if the state will say so.
It doesn’t work that way, does it? We can’t just lower standards or elevate our accomplishments just because, well, just because. A low score on a test is still a low score no matter what some entity may decree.
God’s Word tells us in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians that each man’s work will become evident. He was speaking in terms of working for the Lord, but the connotation is still relevant in our personal lives. We are called to give our very best, and should that fall short of someone else’s ideal, then God will still bless it.
We can’t all be perfect. In fact only one person was and they crucified Him. Let’s simply give our best and do it for God’s glory. That should be enough.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
A Hot Potato
Okay, I understand going into this one that some of you may disagree with me. That's okay. But understand, I'm not changing my position and I'll still love you in Christ anyway.
Now that we've established the ground rules, I'll barge ahead with this commentary.
Let me state upfront that I am extremely disappointed that our President has come out in favor of homosexual marriage. (You can call it "gay"marriage if you like, I'll refrain.) I believe that he has entered into dangerous territory.
Many will call me homophobic which is a term that angers me. My dictionary defines homophobic as "unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals." I have neither. I love those individuals claiming that lifestyle as much as anyone. The apostle John implores us to love everyone and I try to do just that.
My opinion is simply rooted in Scripture, and there is plenty there to oppose such behavior. We can begin with the episode in Genesis 18 and 19 regarding Lot in Sodom. I won't quote it verse by verse but I encourage you to do your own Bible Study. There is also a stern rebuke in Leviticus 20:13. Also, try on Ezekial 16:49-50 for size. Some will try to spin such to-the-point language another way, but there it is in black and white.
If you want to argue that the Old Testament is out of date, then let's move ahead to the New Testament. Check out Romans 1:21; 26-27, I Corinthians 6:9-10 and Jude 7.
Folks, we have to choose to believe all of God's Word or none of it. We can't pick and choose only what we like.
Now, I believe homosexuality is a sin. But so is greed, lust, envy and the rest of the things laid out for us the Lord detests. And I'm guilty of many of them. They are all sin in His sight. We are told He cannot look upon sin. So while I am not any better than anyone else, at least I am willing to acknowledge and own up to my sin and not try to hide behind popular opinion.
Remember, just because popular opinion might say it's alright, it doesn't make it right in God's eyes.
Now that we've established the ground rules, I'll barge ahead with this commentary.
Let me state upfront that I am extremely disappointed that our President has come out in favor of homosexual marriage. (You can call it "gay"marriage if you like, I'll refrain.) I believe that he has entered into dangerous territory.
Many will call me homophobic which is a term that angers me. My dictionary defines homophobic as "unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals." I have neither. I love those individuals claiming that lifestyle as much as anyone. The apostle John implores us to love everyone and I try to do just that.
My opinion is simply rooted in Scripture, and there is plenty there to oppose such behavior. We can begin with the episode in Genesis 18 and 19 regarding Lot in Sodom. I won't quote it verse by verse but I encourage you to do your own Bible Study. There is also a stern rebuke in Leviticus 20:13. Also, try on Ezekial 16:49-50 for size. Some will try to spin such to-the-point language another way, but there it is in black and white.
If you want to argue that the Old Testament is out of date, then let's move ahead to the New Testament. Check out Romans 1:21; 26-27, I Corinthians 6:9-10 and Jude 7.
Folks, we have to choose to believe all of God's Word or none of it. We can't pick and choose only what we like.
Now, I believe homosexuality is a sin. But so is greed, lust, envy and the rest of the things laid out for us the Lord detests. And I'm guilty of many of them. They are all sin in His sight. We are told He cannot look upon sin. So while I am not any better than anyone else, at least I am willing to acknowledge and own up to my sin and not try to hide behind popular opinion.
Remember, just because popular opinion might say it's alright, it doesn't make it right in God's eyes.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Satan's Beattitudes
Christ's Sermon on Mount contains some of the best preaching one can find anywhere. Contained in that epic piece of theology is The Beattitudes found in the fifth chapter of Matthew's gospel. But did you ever consider that maybe Satan, too, has his own beattitudes. I found this a while back and thought it was very appropriate for this day and age.
*Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in church, they are my best workers.
*Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked, I can use them.
*Blessed are the touchy, with a bit of luck they may stop going to church, they are my missionaries.
*Blessed are those who are very religious but get on everyone's nerves, they are mine forever.
*Blessed are the troublemakers, they shall be called my children.
*Blessed are those who have no time to pray, they are easy prey for me.
*Blessed are the gossipers, for they are my secret agents.
*Blessed are those critical of church leadership, for they shall inherit a place with me in my fate.
*Blessed are the complainers, I'm all ears for them.
*Blessed are you when you read this and think it is about other people and not yourself, I've got you!
Folks, we are the Army of God. We can't fight against the enemy when there is infighting amongst ourselves. There is a war to be won. Onward, Christian Soldiers!
*Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in church, they are my best workers.
*Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked, I can use them.
*Blessed are the touchy, with a bit of luck they may stop going to church, they are my missionaries.
*Blessed are those who are very religious but get on everyone's nerves, they are mine forever.
*Blessed are the troublemakers, they shall be called my children.
*Blessed are those who have no time to pray, they are easy prey for me.
*Blessed are the gossipers, for they are my secret agents.
*Blessed are those critical of church leadership, for they shall inherit a place with me in my fate.
*Blessed are the complainers, I'm all ears for them.
*Blessed are you when you read this and think it is about other people and not yourself, I've got you!
Folks, we are the Army of God. We can't fight against the enemy when there is infighting amongst ourselves. There is a war to be won. Onward, Christian Soldiers!
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