THE TENURE TRAP

THE TENURE TRAP

It isn’t always about how LONG we have done something; it’s about how WELL we have done it.

For example, two teachers applied for an administrative position in their high school.  One had been teaching for 8 years, and the other for 20.  Everyone expected the teacher with the greater experience to land the job, but when a decision was handed down the person with only 8 years teaching was chosen.  

The more tenured teacher felt cheated out of the opportunity and reacted bitterly: “I’ve got 20 years teaching to her 8,” he complained, “so I’m much more qualified.”

The School Board’s response was simple: “Yes sir, you do have 20 years to her 8.  But where she has 8 years of diverse teaching experience, you have 1 year of experience repeated 20 times.”

Bottom-line: The mere passage of time does not guarantee that we have grown, learned or accomplished as we should.  We must be careful to pay attention and perform at our God-ordained ‘best’ and not live out our lives on ‘cruise control.’  Let’s examine ourselves – systematically, prayerfully and honestly.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

IT'S O.K. TO START SMALL

IT’S O.K. TO START SMALL

For the people who live in more industrialized nations, navigating daily tasks could seem quite difficult without the use of motor vehicles.  Over the passage of time, they have proven to be much more than a convenience.  Although the use of fossil fuels is a contemporary challenge to maintaining a healthy global environment, automobiles have benefited us in ways that are incalculable.

But this wasn’t always the case.  History records that the very first “horseless carriage” was built way back in 1769 by a Frenchman named Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot.  It was a gigantic three-wheeled, steam-powered carriage, which traveled along at the ‘lightning fast speed’ of 1 kilometer per hour.

At that time, most people could not perceive any benefit in Cugnot’s horseless carriage.  It was extremely expensive, terribly noisy, and so slow that it couldn’t even match the pace of the most worn out nag. Nevertheless, that first horseless carriage was the seed invention of a transportation revolution.

The Word of God challenges us with a relevant question that is entirely apropos: “Who has despised THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS?” (Zechariah 4:10, NKJV)

Sometimes we simply need to remind ourselves that it’s alright to start out small.  And though our ideas or visions might seem worthless or absurd to onlookers, just wait!  Our GOD, the dispenser of “witty inventions,” simply awaits our decision to speak the Word of faith over our dreams, our visions and our future. (Proverbs 8:12 – Romans 10:17 – Hebrews 11:3)

My friend, get up, get moving and join in PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP with the KING OF KINGS!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

KEEP ON

KEEP ON

One thing that I love about life is the fascinating mystery of human potential.  Some possibilities seem so apparent.  Ohers remain just out of reach or somewhat hidden, but they are just as real because The Creator has made them so.  For verification of this truth, consider the following story.

Wishing to encourage her young son’s progress at the piano, a mother bought tickets for a performance by Ignace Paderewski, a world-famous concert pianist.  When the night arrived, they arrived early and located their seats near the front of the concert hall, excitedly eyeing the majestic Steinway set on the stage.

As the mother conversed with a nearby friend, her son quietly slipped away.  When eight o’clock arrived, the curtain opened and the audience quieted.  Only then did the mother realize that her young son was up on stage seated on the piano stool, innocently picking out “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

The mother gasped, but before she could retrieve her son, the music master appeared on stage and quickly walked over to the piano.

“Don’t quit – keep on playing,” Paderewski whispered into the ear of the little lad.  And leaning down, he reached over with his left hand to fill in the bass part.  Soon his right arm reached around to the other side, encircling the child and adding a beautiful obligato.  Together, the old master and the young novice amazed and mesmerized the crowd.

Unpolished though our lives may be, it is THE MASTER who, time and again, surrounds us and whispers ever so gently, “Don’t quit – keep on playing.”  And in the powerful presence of His loving grace and supreme power, all of our insufficiencies and inabilities are somehow swept away.   His sure promise of a brighter tomorrow encourages us to continue – until He can shape and develop us into His image and likeness.

Keep on.  No matter what, JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH is there.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE ULTIMATE MARATHON

THE ULTIMATE MARATHON

I am proud to report that my niece, Melissa Wade, is a marathon distance runner. This is a spectacular accomplishment of strength and endurance; and her parents, Rev. Charles Walker Wade and Mrs. Doris Bass Wade (my sister) are thrilled with her participation and progress. Admittedly, the mere thought of running such a long distance (26.2 miles or 42.2 kilometers) makes me feel utterly exhausted!

The marathon has its origins in the year 490 B.C.  Legend has it that Pheidippides, a Greek messenger, ran from Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated by the Greeks in the Battle of Marathon.  He ran the entire distance without stopping, then burst excitedly into the assembly and announced, “We have won!” before collapsing and dying.

Running the marathon is no small feat.  Melissa did not arrive at this competitive juncture without hundreds and hundreds of miles of rigorous running, endless endurance training and persistent body conditioning. Unfortunately, some runners foolishly attempt the grueling marathon without strenuous preparation.  This can result in serious injuries, health crises, or even death.

In high school, my brothers and I were sprinters.  The sprint can be mastered by those who are able to emerge quickly out of the blocks with an ability to stride forward with maximum power, precision and fluidity.  Because, before you know it, the ‘100’ is over.

However, it occurs to me that the Christian race is not a sprint.  In fact, it is very much like a marathon.  Rigorous preparation is required.  Continuous prayer coupled with fasting, Word study, Word meditation, Word memorization and Word application are fundamental requirements for competing and winning in this race.  Some believers assume that these spiritual disciplines are somehow unnecessary.  Unhappily, they achieve the results that are commensurate with passive attitudes and paltry preparation.

Here are some practical success tips for THE ULTIMATE MARATHON:

1) RUN WITH YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE.  “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” (I Corinthians 9:24)

2) RUN EMPOWERED BY A TEMPERATE [SPIRIT-CONTROLLED] LIFESTYLE.  “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” (I Corinthians 9:25)

3) RUN WITH CONFIDENCE AND CONVICTION.  “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty.” (I Corinthians 9:26)

4) RUN WITH INTEGRITY TO AVOID DISQUALIFICATION AND TO INSPIRE OTHERS.  “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (I Corinthians 9:27)

5) RUN AS IF THE HOSTS OF HEAVEN ARE OBSERVING.  INDEED, THEY ARE!  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” (Hebrews 12:1)

6) RUN WITH SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY AND ENDURANCE.  “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:2)

7) RUN UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ULTIMATE COACH.  “Looking unto JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith.” (I Corinthians (:28)

Winner-believer, never ever give up!  Remember: Victory is not the exclusive property of the swift or the strong, but to every person who endures and finishes this Christian race.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

THE BELIEVER'S STANDING IN CHRIST

THE BELIEVER’S STANDING IN CHRIST

If every believer maintained a clear vision of the spiritual authority and power that have been so generously bestowed upon us by the grace and mercy of God, we would never succumb to anxiety, worry, frustration, or fear.  Here are a few scriptural reasons why believers should have absolute confidence in Jesus Christ.

BELIEVERS ARE RECIPIENTS OF GRACE AND PEACE.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:2)

BELIEVERS ARE SPIRITUALLY BLESSED.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)

BELIEVERS ARE DIVINELY EMPOWERED.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” (II Peter 1:2-3)

BELIEVERS ARE CHOSEN, HOLY AND BLAMELESS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.

“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4)

BELIEVERS ARE ACCEPTED AND ADOPTED INTO HEAVEN’S ROYAL FAMILY.

“Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:5-6)

BELIEVERS ARE FULLY REDEEMED AND FULLY FORGIVEN.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

BELIEVERS ARE ABUNDANTLY WISE AND PRUDENT.

“Which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.” (Ephesians 1:8-9)

BELIEVERS ARE DESTINED FOR A GODLY INHERITANCE.

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” (Ephesians 1:11)

BELIEVERS ARE FAITHFULLY SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)

BELIEVERS POSSESS WISDOM, REVELATION AND KNOWLEDGE.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:17-18)

We believers, who once were so distant from grace and truth, are “brought near by the blood of Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:13)  Indeed, we have been “raised up together” and divinely seated “in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”  As such, we are eternal recipients of the abundant and manifold grace of God. (Ephesians 2:4-8)  May Almighty God forever be praised for His inexhaustible mercy and kindness toward us!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

LIFE PERSPECTIVE

LIFE PERSPECTIVE

Things are seldom as bad as they seem, and never as bad as they could be.  Consider this interesting letter, written by a college student to her parents.

Dear Mom and Dad,

It has been three months since I left for college.  I have been remiss in writing, and I am very sorry for my thoughtlessness in not having written before.  I will bring you up to date now.  But before you read on, please sit down.  You are not to read any further unless you are sitting down.  Okay?

Well then, I am getting along pretty well at this point.  The skull fracture and the concussion I got when I jumped out of the window of my dormitory when it caught fire shortly after my arrival are pretty well healed.  I only spent two weeks in the hospital, and now I can see almost normally and only get those sick headaches once or twice a day.

Fortunately, my dormitory fire and jump out the window were witnessed by an attendant at a nearby gas station.  He was the one who called the Fire Department and ambulance.  He also visited me at the hospital.  Since I had nowhere to live because of the burnt out dormitory, he was kind enough to invite me to share his apartment.  It’s really a basement room, but it’s kind of cute.  He is a very fine boy.  We have fallen deeply in love and are planning to get married.  We haven’t set the exact date yet, but it will definitely be before my pregnancy begins to show.

Yes, Mom and Dad, your only daughter is pregnant.  I know how much you were looking forward to being grandparents, and I know you will welcome the baby and give it the same love and devotion you gave to me as a child.

One more thing.  The reason for the delay in our wedding date is that Michael has some very large debts from three previous marriages that need to be worked off before we can afford to get married.

So now that I have brought you up to date, Mom and Dad, I want to tell you that 1) there was no dormitory fire, 2) I did not get a concussion or a skull fracture, 3) I was not in the hospital, 4) I am not pregnant, 5) I am not engaged, and 6) there is no man in my life.  HOWEVER, I am getting a “D” in History and an “F” in Chemistry, and I wanted you to see these poor marks in the PROPER PERSPECTIVE.

Your loving daughter,

Edna

Although this story seems over-the-top and perhaps somewhat humorous, there is an important lesson here.  My friend, stop stressing so much and believing so strongly that you are experiencing the worst of times – with no future prospects for tangible improvement and divine blessing.  Gain perspective, and don’t drink the ANXIETY KOOL-AID!  FEAR NOT!  F.E.A.R. is merely False Evidence Appearing Real.  Remember: God’s got your back.  So why not smile and enter into THE FAITH ZONE?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

WOOING AND WINNING US

WOOING AND WINNING US

The influential Danish theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, penned a simple story that aptly describes the amazing grace of God.

Once upon a time, there was a very rich but somewhat unhappy king, unfulfilled because he lived all alone in a gorgeous but empty palace.  How he longed so deeply for a wife with whom he would share his life.

One day the king spied the most striking beauty ever, walking through the streets of her city.  Royal enquiries revealed the fact that she was merely a peasant girl, but the king’s heart had been completely captivated.  He made up his mind to ride past her house every day, hoping to catch just a glimpse of his true love.

The king had a logistical problem that loomed large.  How would he ever win her love?  Of course, he could draw up a royal decree commanding her to appear at the palace and become his queen.  But then he would never be sure he had won her love, for she would be required by law to comply with his royal decree.

Perhaps he could call on her and try to win her over, appearing in all his regal glory and sweeping her off her feet.  But under these circumstances, he would never be sure whether she had married him only because of his great power and riches.

Ultimately, he came upon the perfect plan.  He would enter the life of his beloved as an ordinary peasant. That would be the only sure and practical way to positively win her love.  

So the king abandoned his palace.  He left his riches and creature comforts behind to don peasant’s clothing and to embrace the living conditions of his people.  He made the sacrificial decision to live among the peasants, to work with them, to share their sufferings, to participate in their feasts – until he would woo and win the heart of the woman who had so completely captured his own.

And so it is with our God.  Jesus Christ became one of us, lived among us, worked among us, suffered along with us and greatly honored us by way of his loving presence and purposefully muted glory.  All of this was done to win our hearts.  And now, we have become the beautiful bride of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 25:1 – Revelation 21:9)  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

WHY THINGS ARE BOUND TO GET BETTER

WHY THINGS ARE BOUND TO GET BETTER

Believers have a sure, steadfast, covenant relationship with God.  As long as WE are faithful to our part of this spiritual contract, THE LORD is legally obligated to honor and perform His Word.

Here is scriptural evidence for your coming life-improvement:

YOUR FUTURE IS GUARANTEED TO BE BRIGHTER.

“The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

GOD HONORS AND UPHOLDS HIS WORD.

“Then said the Lord unto me, You have seen well and I am ready to perform My word.” (Jeremiah 1:12)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)

GOD HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYERS.

“It shall come pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”

GOD CANNOT LIE OR FAIL.

“In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word…” (Titus 1:2-3)

 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

GOD HAS A PLAN TO RELEASE YOUR BLESSING.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

GOD HAS A TIMETABLE TO RELEASE YOUR BLESSING.

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it shall speak, and it will not lie.  Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

GOD HAS A WAY TO POSITION YOU FOR DIVINE BLESSING.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)

Bottom-line: THINGS WILL GET BETTER – SIMPLY BECAUSE GOD SAYS SO! 

My friend, whose report do you believe – that which was crafted by ‘the father of lies’ or that which is certified by THE ONE who is “the way, the truth and the life?” (John 8:44 – John 14:6)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE LORD OF HOSTS

THE LORD OF HOSTS

There are 270 biblical passages that make reference to “THE LORD OF HOSTS.”  My favorite is Psalm 46:7, which states “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”  This simply means that the hosts of Heaven, i.e. all angelic forces, are constantly present to protect and preserve the covenant promises which God has bountifully bestowed upon every believer.

There is no doubt about this.

David offers us confirmation in Psalm 103:20, “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”  Also, David attests to the presence and power of our angels in Psalm 34:7. “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”

Over the years, I have read numerous inspirational accounts of angelic hosts intervening proactively and positively in the lives of believers.  Allow me to share one of them.

Billy Graham wrote a book entitled “Angels: God’s Secret Agents.”  He recounts the amazing testimony of John Paton, who served as a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands.  One night, tribal warriors surrounded their mission headquarters, intending to burn the Paton family out and to kill them.  John Paton and his wife were terrified, praying all night that God would save them.  Daylight brought great joy as they watched the warriors leaving without an attack.

One year later, the chief of the tribe became a Christian.  During the course of their conversations, John Paton asked the chief about that terrifying night when their lives were in danger.  He wanted to know what had kept the warriors from burning down the house and killing them.

The chief asked, “Who were all those men you had with you?”  Paton replied, “There was no one here other than my wife and I.”

The chief told Paton that he and his warriors had seen hundreds of men standing guard around the mission headquarters, men with shining clothes holding drawn swords.

What a MIGHTY GOD we serve!

So never stress about attacks that are leveled against you.  GOD says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Remember this: As a KINGDOM KID, you are always under DIVINE PROTECTION.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

THE CHURCH'S TREASURE

THE CHURCH’S TREASURE

Before being canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, Lawrence was a deacon serving in Rome. When a wave of violent persecution broke out, Pope Sixtus and others were killed.  Lawrence knew it was only a matter of time before they would come for him.  As keeper of the church’s goods, he was responsible for giving alms to the poor.  At that point, he started distributing them more generously than ever.

It wasn’t very long before Lawrence was summoned by government officials who demanded that he surrender the church’s treasure.  He replied that the church was quite rich and requested three days to get everything in order.

When Roman officials arrived at his church, they expected it to be filled with silver and gold.  Instead, it was packed with the poor, the blind, the lame and the lepers.  “Here are the treasures of the church,” declared Lawrence with spiritual authority.  As you might expect, the officials were furious and Lawrence was summarily executed in the year 258 A.D.

What a courageous and wise man!  Lawrence was absolutely right about the treasures of the church.  As the Body of Christ, we have significance and value that transcends mere economics and social standing. 

It goes without saying that the greatest treasure of the church is THE HOLY SPIRIT. (II Corinthians 4:7) Nevertheless, since HE dwells within us and grants us the privilege of serving as His ‘hands and feet’ within the earth realm, we, by extension and proximity, are true treasures indeed.

My friend, who will you treasure and touch today, on behalf of your Creator?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

DECLARE THE GOSPEL EVERYWHERE!

DECLARE THE GOSPEL EVERYWHERE!

In modern society, where hype often looms larger than truth, one can easily become ‘spiritually jaded’ and buy into a worldview which suggests that your spiritual voice is far too inconsequential to be heard.

Fact is, the Creator gave you a distinctive mission and a unique message that the world (aware or not) urgently needs to experience and explore.  You matter. 

Let’s prayerfully consider an instructive allegory:

“Tell me the weight of a snowflake,” the dove required of the mouse.

“Nothing more than nothing,” was his dismissive answer.

“Since that is your belief, I must share my story,” the dove replied excitedly.

“One winter day, I was perched on the branch of an evergreen when it began to snow – not heavily, not a raging blizzard – but descending ever so gracefully without wind or sound.  Since I had nothing better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch.  The number that fell that day was 3,741,952.  But when snowflake number 3,741,953 dropped onto my branch, weighing ‘nothing more than nothing’ as you say, the branch immediately broke.”

“Perhaps,” concluded the dove, “one tiny voice can change the whole world.”

Years ago, my brother, Bishop Edwin Bass, penned a book entitled, “I Won’t Be Silent Anymore.”  I stand in wholehearted agreement with his title thesis.  Sisters and brothers, it’s our time to breathe out truth, i.e. to freely share unvarnished gospel truth with contemporary society.  Political correctness has caused so many of us to mute our voices while the world so audaciously advances an agenda of unrighteousness. 

So speak.  According to the Word, the whole earth “eagerly waits for the revealing [the manifestation] of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19, NKJV)  My friend, it’s a life or death matter.  DECLARE THE GOSPEL EVERYWHERE!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

HOW TO HANDLE PRICKLY PEARS (PAIRS)

HOW TO HANDLE PRICKLY PEARS (PAIRS)

During our time as resident missionaries in South Africa, Belinda and I encountered the PRICKLY PEAR, which allegedly was introduced by European settlers 300 years ago.  Over a period of many years, it reverted to its spiny form.  This more troublesome form of the prickly pear resulted in dense, impenetrable thickets, which negatively impacted domestic agriculture.

Nevertheless, skillful scientists made botanical changes that resulted in the spineless prickly pear, that can be utilized as fruit for humans and fodder for animals.

What is my point?  Just because some things (or people) seem initially problematic or difficult does not mean that they are totally lacking in value or usefulness.  Typically, there is a REASON why things (or people) become the way they are.

For example, one of the well-known characteristics of GOATS is irritability.  While this may not be true of all goats, it’s especially true of goats in the Rocky Mountains, USA.  These mountain goats are so ‘prickly’ that if they were to live in close proximity, the likely result would be the injury or death of a neighboring goat.

As puzzling as their behavior might seem, there is a good reason for it.  Mountain goats live in areas where there is an extremely limited food supply.  If they were to live in groups, they would die because none would have sufficient food to survive.

Believe it or not, there is a similar situation with certain challenging people we know.  Their behavior seems downright puzzling and offensive.  They can be cold, prickly, irritable and harsh.  However, if we would only take time and effort to look deeper, we might discover underlying reasons for their gruff behavior.  Perhaps they experienced overwhelming hurt or loss at an early age.  Perhaps they are now dealing with monumental problems, pain, or stress.  More often than not, there is a distinct reason for their prickliness.  While this line of reasoning does not justify bad behavior, it helps us to come to grips with it.

So the question is begged: What will YOU do with the PRICKLY PEARS (PEOPLE) in and around your life?  Will you automatically disdain and discard them?  Or will you ask God for wisdom to visualize and empathize with their problems and pains, thereby exposing them to unconditional and transformational love?  Admittedly, it will take a substantial measure of FAITH to engage difficult people and accomplish this.  But, wouldn’t you know it?  Believers have both the means and the method.  God’s Word declares that “FAITH works by LOVE.” (Galatians 5:6)

I even found confirmation in a line of lyrics taken from a song in the musical, “Camelot.”  [Editor’s Admission: “Yes, I do like the show tunes!]  This memorable lyric line comes as the answer to an intriguing and timeless (somewhat chauvinistic) question: “HOW TO HANDLE A WOMAN?”  The musical response is wisely simplistic: “The way to ‘handle’ a woman is to LOVE HER…SIMPLY LOVE HER…MERELY LOVE HER…LOVE HER…LOVE HER.”

My friend, never discard PRICKLY PEARS (OR PAIRS).  Hang in there and love them to life!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

TO BE OR NOT TO BE?

TO BE OR NOT TO BE?

There was a time in life when I considered the opinions and assessments of others to be intrinsically important to personal value and identity.  Such thinking is a potential portal to superficiality and hypocrisy.  Because whenever we perceive and process the views of others as central to our own status in life, we are prone to embracing decisions and choices that are self-serving and opportunistic.

Over the years, I have radically altered my perspective.  Admittedly, it is quite pleasant to be positively thought of by others, but the acceptance of others is not mission critical to substantive success.

What is most important in life is HEAVEN’S EVALUATION of our conduct and character.

REPUTATION is who PEOPLE ‘think’ you are.  CHARACTER is who GOD ‘knows’ you are.

Reuben Gonzales was a leading racquetball player.  In his first professional tournament, Gonzales reached the finals.  He held match point in the fifth and final game when he made a terrific ‘kill shot’ into the corner to win the tournament.  When the ball was pronounced “good” by the officials, his family and friends got ready to congratulate their new champion.  However, Gonzales turned around and declared that his shot had hit the floor just before it reached the wall.

This admission caused him to lose his serve, and his opponent went on to win both the match and tournament.

The next issue of “National Racquetball Magazine” featured Gonzales on its cover.  Everyone wanted to know why Gonzales had done it.  Why would a professional sportsman disqualify himself after being declared the winner of the match?

Gonzales’ reply was simple: “It was the only thing I could do to maintain my integrity.”

INTEGRITY is tantamount to WHOLENESS.  In other words, integrity is who we are in the dark.  It’s the decisions we make, the convictions we carry, the activities we engage when we are out of the spotlight and away from the sight of others.

These days, my primary goal is loving, learning and living from God’s point of view.  As such, I simply want to make God smile.  And He delights in simple submission to the terms of our covenant relationship.  Integrity.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

OUR LOVE MANDATE

OUR LOVE MANDATE

As a lifelong learner and teacher of history, I love to come across inspirational non-fiction stories that represent the best qualities of humanity.  Here is a tale of consummate conviction and courage:

Telemachus displayed extreme bravery in the face of evil.  As a Christian monk, he went on a pilgrimage to Rome in 391 A.D.

[Editor’s Note: The Christian term, A.D., Anno Domini or ‘in the year of our Lord,’ has now been replaced in academic/secular circles with C.E., or Common Era].  

In Rome, Telemachus observed huge crowds flocking to the Colosseum to witness gladiators engaged in mortal combat.  It was an experience that was totally repugnant to his Christian faith.

Emperor Honorius celebrated his triumph over the Goths by compelling gladiators to reenact the battle. Afterwards this gory spectacle, dead bodies were dragged from the arena and its bloodied surface covered with fresh layers of sand.

A new group of gladiators arrived on the scene.  Some were armed with swords and spears, others with nets. The crowd watched with excitement as they sought to destroy one another.  Whenever a gladiator was wounded, his opponent would loom over him, waiting for the crowd’s opinion and the emperor’s verdict to either slay or spare him.  So great was the bloodlust that wealthier spectators would occasionally climb down to get a better view of the executions.

Telemachus watched with horror as so many men died – as the battles raged and the crowds cheered. Prompted into action, this bald-headed man of God found his way onto the arena floor.  He ran toward two gladiators locked in battle, grabbing one of them and pulling him away.  He exhorted the gladiators to abandon their murderous sport.  Then he appealed to the crowd to honor God’s commandment against murder.

The response was anything but favorable.  Angry voices drowned out Telemachus and demanded that the blood-sport continue.  But as the gladiators prepared to resume their battle, Telemachus stood between them, holding them apart and urging them to reconsider.  Driven by the crowd’s angry rage at Telemachus’ interference, several gladiators cut Telemachus to the ground as the crowd threw their garbage missiles.  Telemachus was brutally killed.

However, his death was not in vain.  In 405 A.D., Emperor Honorius issued a declaration to end all gladiatorial battles in the Colosseum.  The loving and courageous protest of Telemachus partially inspired him to do so.

My friend, how is your love life?  Is it simply secular or sacred?  And did you know that true love is mandated by heavenly decree?  In the words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)  And what is the ultimate evidence?  “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!