My "It's Not Complicated" Mother

 

Question: What these four people, Bill/Melinda Gates and Justin/Carole Smith have in common?

Answer: They are all using the “it’s complicated” argument. The billionaires who are divorcing after long years of marriage because “it’s complicated”. And the churchgoer couple from the Chicago suburb who didn’t visit their mother (who lives less than an hour driving from their home) in three years now. Because they live a busy life and, of course, “it’s complicated”.   

Life can be busy, I agree. But the 5^th commandment is not complicated at all. There is a touching moment in Romans 16 that chokes me up nearly every time I think about it. Paul is sending his personal greeting to his friends in Rome.  He says, effectively, “Say hi to Rufus…and to his mother who was a mother to me.”  (v. 13)

We know who Rufus was - the son of Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross of Christ on the last leg of the Calvary ordeal. This means that Simon (probably) went home from that experience a changed man. And he shared the power of that moment with his wife who then, likely, shared it with her sons, Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21).

Are you not moved knowing that she and her sons heard from her husband about his close encounter with Jesus? And then, in a remarkable intersection of faith and providence, she shared it with Paul.

 Paul may have learned about the final moments of Jesus’ earthly life from the wife of the man who carried the Lord’s cross, Simon of Cyrene. She was like a mother to him. And he’s honoring her in his remarkable document-letter that is know part of God’s Holy Word.

 Her care and Christlike love toward Saul, the murderer-turned-missionary, should inspire us all. Without knowing who he would become, she was a mother to the most significant convert in the history of the church. Glory to God for mothers like her. For my mother, Olga and mother-in-law Vivian, for your mothers, soft or severe, living or dead, who’s influence is going to last forever.

 I’m sure, it was complicated for my mother to raise me. 

Very complicated. 

But she did it. 

Thank you, Lord, for my mother!      

 

Go and Psychoanalyze No More

 

Psychoanalyzing the Sermon on the Mount or the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids? Jesus’ words may look difficult to put into practice, but they are not usually difficult to understand. 

If I am seeking out various theological interpretations of His instruction to love my enemy, it may not be because I am looking for a deeper knowledge of God. It is more likely because I don’t want to love the person who belittled my career, insulted my religion, stole my possessions or worse. Often, our theological discussions can become a way of sidestepping the things God is asking us to do.

There is another false motive that is perhaps even more devious. For some of us, the desire to obtain biblical knowledge is driven simply by a desire for knowing stuff, mere knowledge.

Allow me to explain: Some of us do not study the Scriptures for the purpose of knowing God. We study them for the purpose of knowing more. 

- We harbor a degree of superiority and pride in the fact that we are more knowledgeable than most.

- We seek to correct the interpretations of others, not to help them see God, but to establish our own authority. 

And if this is our motive, we are not likely to ever find God. “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life” (John 5:39-40).

It seems instead that God reveals Himself to the humble. “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (Mat. 11:25).

The study of Scripture is a journey, a narrow way every so often littered with some fine lines and gray areas that invites the community of believers, the Church, to know a transcendent yet immanent God. So, go... and psychoanalyze no more.

 

Seven Reasons Why I Send My Child to An Adventist School

1. THE TEACHERS WILL LOVE MY CHILD. Christian teachers don’t go into education to make money. They enter the profession because they have a passion for children and youth. They want to bond with them and help them become all they can be. They cherish their roles as surrogate parents and revel in every opportunity to lovingly guide their students’ character development. But more than this, Christian teachers send out the unmistakable message, “I try to love you the same way God does.”

So I am comforted by the thought that my child will be under the moment-by-moment influence of dedicated servants of the Lord who see each child as a candidate for immortal honors. Children catch that signal quickly and respond positively to it. This brand of nurturing and accepting love will liberate my child to learn and grow. Is the very essence of a Christian school, I want my child to be in the center of such arena.

2. THE BIBLE IS TAUGHT. Every year students take religion classes taught by teachers who are committed to biblical principles, using a well-conceived-religion curriculum that embraces the totality of human history and the plan of salvation. The Word of God is a superb educational resource because the Holy Spirit works through every page of it.

Only through God’s Word can they rightly comprehend the long-standing cosmic conflict between good and evil—and intelligently decide which side they are on. At all costs, my child must acquire this biblical grounding.

3. STUDENTS ARE INDUCTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD. I want my children to know that love and fellowship, they have experience in the Christian school extends outward to include their local Church family - a host of adults who win always “be there” for them. Young people need that back up. Indeed, I want them to want to join that important family when they reach the age of decision, so we can all rejoice together in their baptism and welcome them into their extended spiritual family.

Many psychologists are concerned that children and youth are living in three incongruent worlds—home, school, and congregation—each with its own values, lifestyle, and demands. This often causes confusion, depression, and loss of personal focus. So, to simplify their lives, young people jettison the home and the church, and the media-saturated peer group reigns. 

We can’t exactly call that apostasy insurance, but as a parent, I’m greatly impressed with the odds, and am willing to sacrifice to see that my children stay close to the Bible principles.

4. INSPIRATION IS THE DRIVING FORCE THERE. “Something better” is the watchword of true Christian education, and it is achieved through the combination of inspiration and information. Some call it “the hidden curriculum.” Every aspect of the Christian school’s program is calculated to make life’s highest ideals irresistible, to build Christian character. The classes, the assemblies, and the co-curricular activities—all will likely inspire children to aim high. Here’s where a Christian teacher is an incalculable treasure, for in this critical hero-worshiping developmental stage, children look for someone to help them form their value system and goals.

5. MY CHILD WILL GET A GOOD, SOUND EDUCATION THERE. The church’s professionals to ensure that it meets or exceeds secular guidelines have carefully engineered the Adventist K-l 2 curriculum. Today, many secular educators consider the Adventist curriculum a model of wholism and enrichment, and I feel privileged to have my children immersed in it. Adventist K-l2 teachers participate regularly in professional upgrading through workshops and in-service education. It’s comforting to know that my children’s teacher is not preparing them for tomorrow with yesterday’s tools. 

6. MY CHILD WILL BE REDEMPTIVELY DISCIPLINED. It is extremely important to me as a parent to know that when my child slips up (as will happen occasionally), a loving Christian teacher will treat him or her redemptively, not punitively. The teacher will endeavor to get my son or daughter to ponder the questions, “Why did I choose wrongly here? How should I deal with such a situation the next time around? What does this tell me about myself? What principles from God’s book will help me profit from this mistake?” That’s redemptive discipline. Its God’s way, built on agape love.

The Christian teacher returns a discipline mishap into a growth experience, a stepping-stone to better self-understanding and self-management. Christianity of a school than the way it treats students who run afoul of its rules. For this is a modeling of the character of God - a blending of justice and mercy. Discipline really means “making disciples,” and I want my child to attend a school that is doing just that.

7. THE ADVENTIST CULTURE IS WHOLESOME. Let’s talk about the popular culture. The influence of media, sex, violent video games, drinking, and partying are swamping schools—from junior high through university level. Conservative Christian parents are desperately looking for a safe, non-toxic place for their children—where innocence and wholesomeness are prized and order prevails.

And let’s talk about peer pressure. Most concerned parents instinctively understand that students probably learn more from one another about values and lifestyle than from their teachers, and that student leaders have an enormous influence. Granted, not every student in a Christian school is a modem Daniel or an Esther, but the preponderance of young people assembled there is treading the upward path.

When it’s all said and done, Adventist schools are all about wisdom (God’s wisdom), as opposed to the acquisition of mere human knowledge. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). 

That’s the bottom line for Adventist education. It’s worth fighting to keep, and worth sacrificing for. It’s a gift from heaven that each of our children deserves.

The Gift of of a Handicap

 

We wonder why God keeps letting us go through challenges, trials, and obstacles. Sometimes it even seems like He's got something out for us. But occasionally, I wonder if he allows us to struggle because He knows other people are watching.

 My/ our challenges aren't always about me/ you - sometimes they're about a viewing audience. That audience might be friends, family, co-workers, boss, your kids… could be anyone.

 Especially if you're a leader, you can be absolutely sure people are watching. The bottom line is that the way you handle every difficulty, obstacle, or frustration you experience is being watched by someone else.

 Like it or not, they may be learning from your example. Your response to problems can be incredibly helpful or hurtful to the people around you. Remember that next time.

 We joke that pregnant women are "eating for two." The truth is, your challenges in life are the same way. It's not just about you. It's about others as well. Ap. Paul explains this as no other:

 … I was given the gift of a handicap (a thorn in the flesh - NKJV) to keep me in constant touch with my limitations… At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,” My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.”

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness.

 Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Cor 12:7-10 MSG)

Bitter-Sweetness

 

The preacher catches wind that someone in his congregation is living in egregious sin. And this Sabbath his text just so happens to be about that particular sin. That’s a bit unsettling, but he actually preaches verse-by-verse. Nobody can accuse him of cherry picking a verse just to deal with sin behind a pulpit instead of face to face.

So he ascends to the pulpit and preaches his heart. He preaches truth. He calls sin what it is, speaks of the odiousness of this particular sin, and calls for repentance. It hits the target. The man living in that sin feels guilty, ashamed, and even a bit angry. He leaves. Never comes back.

Some might hear a story like this and assume that the preacher should have coddled a bit more and not been quite so bold in naming sin. That’s not a conclusion, though, that most in my people will come to. They believe, I think rightly, that we must be truthful. Sin is sin. It kills. We cannot pretend it doesn’t. It is loving to address sin.

What we’ll do in these moments is reassure ourselves that we did our job by stating the truth, and doing it so compellingly that the sinner was cut deeply - but sadly sometimes they are choosing their sin over Christ. It happened before – remember the Rich Young Ruler or Demas in love with the present world, or others walking away from the kingdom because sin seems to be sweet.

Sadly, some people do hear the message of the kingdom and choose the fleeting pleasure of sin over the treasure of Christ. But is it possible that the reason this person is “choosing their sin” is because they aren’t seeing the beauty of Jesus?

I do agree with Thomas Watson that until sin be bitter Christ will not be sweet. But I kind of wonder if he has that flipped a bit. What if we said, “Until Christ is sweet, sin will not be bitter”.

Question to myself - Am I preaching Christ as compellingly as I’m preaching sin? Am I being as clear about the Good News as I am naming sin? Let us be truthful about sin. 

But let us preach Christ so wonderfully and beautifully that the bitterness of sin becomes obvious held next to the radiance of His splendor.

The Devil's Beatitudes

 
If the Devil were to write his own beatitudes, they would probably go something like this:

1.  Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians - they are my best workers!

2.  Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked - I can use them.

3.  Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church - they are my missionaries. 

4.  Blessed are the troublemakers - they shall be called my children.

 5. Blessed are the complainers - I'm all ears to them.

6. Blessed are those who are bored with the minister's mannerism and mistakes - for they get nothing out of his sermons.

7.  Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church - for he is a part of the problem instead of the solution.

8.  Blessed are those who gossip - for they shall cause strife and divisions that please me.

9.  Blessed are those who are easily offended - for they will soon get angry and quit. 

10. Blessed are those who do not give an offering to carry on God's work - for they are my helpers.

11.  Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister - for he shall be with me forever!

12.  Blessed are you who, when you read this think it is about other people and not yourself - I've got you too! 

[Source unknown... but I have my suspicions ]

On the 9th Trip Around

A very overweight man decided that it was time to shed a few pounds. He visited a nutritionist, went on a new diet, and took it seriously. He even changed his usual driving route to the office in order to avoid his favorite bakery.

 One morning, however, he arrived at the office carrying a large, sugar-coated cake. His office mates roundly chided him, but he only smiled, shrugged his shoulders and said,

 "What could I do? This is a very special cake. This morning, out of my forced habit, I accidentally drove by my favorite bakery. There in the window were trays of the most delicious goodies. I felt that it was no accident that I happened to pass by, so I prayed, 'God, if you really want me to have one of these delicious cakes, let me find a parking place in front of the bakery.' Sure enough, on the 9^th trip around the block, there it was!”

CONSIDER this troubling poster I saw recently.  It read, "Lead me not to temptation, but just show me where it is." Why do I consider it troubling? Because this is the essence of bigotry crossing over hypocrisy – the outcome of casual Christians who think they can manage the power of temptation by themselves. 

Still going around on your personal 9^th trip? Just stop and instead of looking around you better look up.