According to USA Today and a team of researchers at MIT the most difficult tongue twister is:
"Pad kid poured curd pulled cod." And you thought that Peter Piper and Sally Seashell were difficult! But tongue twisters is not what James had in mind when he wrote: "For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:7-8 Is James suggesting that it is easier to tame an elephant than it is to tame your tongue? Yep. He is saying that it is easier to tame a raptor (or train a dragon) than it is to tame your tongue. Need proof? Have you seen one of those Birds of Prey exhibitions and watched as hawks and owls fly on command, snag chunks of meat from mid-air, and obediently return to the hand of their trainer. And while he's at it, James even says that it is easier to tame a whale than your tongue. If you've been to Sea World you've seen dolphins, porpoises, seals, and whales flipping and splashing on command for a free meal, so you know it is true. If you’ve lived a few years you’ve been pierced and poisoned by the fiery arrows of “deathness” that shoot like darts from the untamed tongues of homo sapiens? ("Deathness" is a word I learned from the lips of a six-year old that lives close by:) "The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness." James 3:6 I read an article a few weeks ago that discussed the mental health of professional athletes. It suggested that the comments made about athletes on social media is having a devastating effect on them. Some of these athletes, who are top 1% of the top 1%, are struggling with serious mental health issues, like depression, because of the barrage of hurtful words aimed at them…their play, the way they look, their personal lives. We mistakenly think that money and fame makes them immune to the words of fans. But just because a basketball player is making millions of dollars per year, appearing in movies, and has the adoration of some fans, the poison of social media is taking a toll on them and attacking them at their core…at the identity level. If words, spoken and digitized, are crushing the spirits of grown men and women who hear taunts and boos every day, what are the hurtful words doing to our middle school, high school, and college-aged students? How are the developing minds, hearts, emotions, and souls being pierced? And what about you? How are you handling it? I mean, not only how are you handling the onslaught of untamed tongues aimed at you, but how are you taming your tongue? "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless." James 1:26
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Who, in all of Scripture, can model for us how to face and endure unexpected calamity, terror, and disaster in a way that increases our faith and diminishes our fear? Job. He was a God-fearing man who inspired his family toward increasing devotion to God. From the outset of he and his wife’s life together, he had made clear that he would obey God in all things…and God blessed him. He was a man of integrity and character. No one could find fault in him there. As an entrepreneur his agricultural businesses thrived. He steadily amassed property and livestock and was able to employee fifty other men so that they too could provide for their family. He was a kind boss who not only paid well but also considered his employees a part of his family. He respected them, and they loved him, so they worked diligently to make his enterprise one of, if not the most successful in the country. He and his wife had seven sons who grew up healthy, intelligent, gifted, and God-fearing. They had earned leadership roles in the family business as they started their own families. His three daughters married winsome men that mirrored the character of their father. These ten siblings and their wives enjoyed each other’s company and spent the weekends and holidays celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and religious festivals in a rotation of their homes. It was a father’s and mother’s dream come true! Afterward, the couple would often sit in the calm of the evening talk of how perfect their life seemed. Their love for each other was genuine and deep; they had seven sons (the perfect number) and three (another perfect number) daughters. They all enjoyed being together. Their finances were in order. Their health was…healthy. Their relationships were fulfilling. They were respected and well-liked in the community, and secretly gave of their wealth to serve others. Sure, there were little disputes and arguments but never anything major. And now, they had young grandchildren bringing even more life to their family get-togethers and a promise that the family legacy would continue. Life was good. God was good. As they were putting the finishing touches on their planning for a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary get-away, there was a knock at the door. “We’ve. Been. Attacked! The entire oxen and donkey division and all of the workers are lost. The Sabeans took the herds and slaughtered the men. I’m the only one to escape.” As he was still speaking, another messenger—bleeding, exhausted, and crying came running to the house. “It was surreal. One minute everything was normal and then out of nowhere fire fell from heaven and the fields were engulfed in flames. There was no place to run. The heat was intense. All is lost. Every sheep and every servant is dead. I am the only one left. Job and his wife were in shock. A lifetime of wise investments, hard work, and training, lost in an instant. All that they had worked for and planned for—dreamed about, shattered. And the men—their families—how would they be provided for now? How could he even begin to tell them the horrific news? This was the worst day of Job’s life. He couldn’t speak—he could only stand and stare as the man relayed the terrifying story. And, as he stared, his eyes caught a glimpse of another figure on the horizon, running toward them—“I know him,” thought Job. “He is one of my eldest son’s servants. Why is he here?” The man fell at the feet of Job and his wife weeping. “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at your oldest son’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped.” This was more than anyone could bear. The agonizing wails of a mother who loses one child is haunting enough, but the depth of despair and cries of a mother who loses all ten of her children in a single moment is beyond words. Two eerily timed and pinpoint natural disasters synchronized with an unexpected raid by evil men shattered Job’s life. He was broke and broken. His soul lay bare and exposed by the cascading calamities. And in the midst of the disaster he spoke these words: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; May the name of the Lord be praised. In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” But it didn’t get easier for Job, it got worse. Behind the eternal scenes Satan spewed evil slander: “The only reason that Job hasn’t turned his heart against you is because you didn’t allow me to touch him. Strike his flesh and bones and he will curse you.” And on that day, Job was afflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Mental turmoil; emotional anguish; spiritual darkness; physical agony. The compounding disasters were more than his wife could bear—“Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Now he was losing his wife! What is happening?! And yet even in all of this, Job did not sin in what he said. Disaster may very well strike you and those you love; and it will hurt. As believers in God we are neither immune to nor exempt from the prospect of disaster. Our faith is not built upon the promise of smooth sailing untouched by the world, but our faith is founded upon the Person and Presence of Jesus in and through the storm and a Better Hope as a citizen in heaven. Which is larger: the moon or the sun?
The sun course! In fact, it is 400 times bigger! (I looked it up) So how in the world did the moon eclipse the sun in August? How did an object that is 400 times smaller obscure the sun? Answer: By being uniquely positioned 400 times closer to our eyes. Which is larger: God or our fears? God of course! God is infinitely bigger than my fears or my problems! (I didn't even have to look it up!) So how in the world do my fears eclipse my faith in God? Answer: I need to follow Paul's advice in his letter to the Colossians. "Set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things. For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4 When I fail to intentionally set my eyes on Jesus, I allow my fears overwhelm me and paralyze me. What I need to do is to recite the words of the psalmist in Psalm 56: "When I am afraid I put my trust in you." What about you? Photo: My friend Matt Harbison who resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee is an accomplished astro-photographer. His photograph of the Ring of Fire is amazing! Here's an article in the Chattanooga Free Press written a few years ago that you may find interesting. This photo is used with his permission. Here's a story...
Rebekah was pregnant. In fact, she was very pregnant. She was the biggest woman her husband Isaac had ever seen. He didn’t mean to be rude, but he just couldn’t stop staring at the size of her belly getting larger and larger. Every day he thought, “This has got to be the day!” If she doesn’t have that baby today I think she may explode!” The birth day finally came. Actually it was night—3 a.m. to be exact. The moon was full and Rebekah had gotten up from her restless sleep to get a glass of water and a pickle when the contractions hit her. She yelled for Isaac, and Isaac yelled for help! The doctor/midwife came running and not a minute too soon. A few minutes later Rebekah was holding a hairy, red headed baby boy, and said to the nurse: “that wasn’t so bad, at least its over.” The nurse just shook her head and said, “”I don’t think so. As your son was coming out I saw another hand holding on to his heel.” Rebekah almost passed out, but simultaneously she felt the other baby beginning to make his move. Now Isaac and Rebekah faced their next dilemma—what should we name our new twin sons. The family tradition was to name them according to some characteristic of the child. Rebekah wanted to name the first son Harry, because he was—hairy-- but Isaac said, “No. His name will be Red. They named the second son Jacob-which literally means “your pulling my leg”, because that is what he had been doing when he was born, and that was what Rebekah had thought when the midwife had broken the twin news…”you’ve got to be pulling my leg!” The brothers it seemed were born at odds, and as the years progressed so did their fighting, made all the worse by the lopsided favoritism shown by their parents. The mom loved Jacob more than “Red” and dad loved Red more than Jacob. As you can imagine this caused a great deal of tension in the home. Red like to hunt and fish in the great outdoors. Jacob liked to say at home, reading and cooking. The brothers were polar opposites and were disdainful to each other. One month Red went out on an extended hunting expedition, but had not had a lot of luck. In fact he had gone the last two weeks without eating anything more than a few berries and roots that he had found in the woods. He finally made his way home. As he was about a ¼ mile from his family’s tent he saw the steam rising from the black pot out front. Since the wind was blowing his way he could smell that it was his favorite—Red Lentil Soup. His mouth began to water as his taste buds began to wake up with anticipation of a hot meal. Approaching the cauldron of hot soup he reached his hand down to pick up a ladle full when his brother came running out of the tent. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked incredulously. “Please,” asked, Red, “let me have some soup, for I am famished. I haven’t eaten in many days.” “So?” sneered Jacob. “This is my soup that I fixed. What’s wrong? Has the skilled hunter had a run of bad luck?” “Just give me a bowl of soup you mama’s boy!” spat Red. “Sure. Sure. But here’s the deal. I’ll let you have a bowl of soup but it’s going to cost you. Give me your birthright” Jacob sneered. “What good is my birthright if I’m about to die. Just give me some of your stupid soup,” resigned Red. “Swear to me first”, demanded Jacob. So Red said scornfully, “The birthright that is rightly mine, I give to you.” He then scarffed down four big bowls of the soup and a loaf of freshly baked bread without saying another word to his brother. Then he got up and left. Jacob just smiled, realizing that Red had paid him tens of thousands of dollars for all the red soup he could eat. “What an idiot he thought to himself.” We look at this story and can’t really understand how anybody could be so stupid as to trade a double portion of the inheritance for a simple bowl of soup and a loaf of bread. Our rational mind thinks that surely he had could have waited five more minutes and fixed himself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to hold him over until he could have fixed something more substantial. Why did he do that? You’re probably aware that this account is found in the book of Genesis—toward the beginning of Biblical history. But what you may not remember is that the writer of Hebrews several thousand years later is inspired to reference this same story as he exhorts his readers to avoid sexual immorality. Hebrews 12:16-17 [See to it]… that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. Say what? How is Esau like one who is sexually immoral? Here's how: 1. Esau's appetite for soup consumed him! 2. The price for the soup was costly! 3. He couldn't un-eat the soup! He was caught! Do you know what Esau needed? A Soup Nazi! (remember Seinfeld?) He needed someone to violently scream, "No soup for you!" Do you know what happened when a Sluggard, a Drunkard and a Glutton plan a fishing trip? The Sluggard overslept and missed the trip. (He didn’t have his gear ready anyway.) The Drunkard partied the night before and forgot that he had even made plans. (He was going to drink like a fish anyway.) The Glutton made the trip; fished alone and ate everything he caught. (And he doesn’t even like fish!) As you read through the book of Proverbs you can see that each of these three clearly fall into the category of Fool. They have heard the calls of Wisdom but ignored her warnings. This r ignore-ance has led to their ignorance, and now they each complain that they find themselves in the muck and mire of Folly's consequences. Had the Sluggard listened to Wisdom he would have heard the her calling: Proverbs 24:30-34 I passed by the field of a sluggard, By the vineyard of a man lacking sense, And behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; The ground was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest, And poverty will come upon you like a robber, And want like an armed man. And the Drunkard and Glutton would have heard her declare: Proverbs 23:20-21 Be not among drunkards Or among gluttonous eaters of meat, For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And slumber will clothe them with rags. The way of the Sluggard, the Drunkard, and the Glutton leads to an empty, enslaved, and bitter life. But the way of the Diligent leads to a full, free and sweet life! Hear once again Wisdom's words: Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, While the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. Be Diligent. What are you chasing?
Most every morning when I release our dog, Zeke, he has one thing on his mind…Bella! "How can I get to that cat before she scampers to the safety of the porch?" She taunts him from a distance, experience having taught her just how far she has to go and just how fast he is. “Meow!” He sits at the gate and waits until the latch is lifted and then he bolts! It’s on! Bodies leaning, hair raising, legs powering. It’s over in a flash. The cat sits calmly on the rail, licking her paw in triumph. The dog stands on full alert, wild-eyed, slobber dripping from his tongue hoping for a misstep. The morning chase is over. Bella wins again. He’s likely sat there in his pen thinking for the last hour staring at her wandering around the yard without a care in the world: "Cat," (I'm sure he doesn't know or care about her name) when I get out, which I will…Bam! I will get you!" His lone focus has been chasing her and tasting her. I hear his thoughts through his morning bark routine: Ruff! Ruff, ruff! Ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff! Ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff! Ruff! Do you know what that means in dog talk? Cat! Cat, Cat! Cat, cat, cat, cat! Cat, cat, cat, cat! Squirrel! What are you chasing? Does it seem as elusive as a wily cat? Do you find that you get easily distracted by the “squirrel”? We chase after a number of things… Significance Recognition Money Security Relationships Growth/ Success Don’t get me wrong…these things add color, texture and fulfillment to our life, but nowhere in Scripture are we encouraged to chase these things. What does the Word exhort us to chase? Wisdom! My friend and photographer, Laura Humbles, captured this incredible photo of a Cooper's Hawk. I happened to be introducing my message on sharing Jesus with the fact that we talk about the things we love, and I love to watch birds do their thing. When she sent me this picture, I knew that I had to use it. So as I spoke about birds we put this image on the screen.
This bird is obviously an epically cool millennial Cooper's Hawk. Want to know how I know? Because like all the birds in his generation, he has to throw some sort of sign when his picture is taken. "What's he saying?" you ask. "G to the P bro!" Translation: "Grace and Peace mankind!" Want to know how to have the cool peace of a Cooper's Hawk? Read Matthew 6:26. Even the birds know. I am often convicted and sometimes confused when I read the parable that Jesus told about the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. But here's what I understand when I read it:
1. I am a steward and not the Master. 2. The Master has expectations. 3. I will give an account to the Master. So when I take time to reflect upon my life I try to ask myself some tough questions, and here are some of the ones I ask in terms of my stewardship of time, talent, temple and treasure. I call them my T4 questions. Perhaps they will help you. Time: Time is limited We all have the same amount of time each day We have various demands and expectations placed upon us We have the ability to determine how we spend or invest our lives. Questions Am I working the appropriate # of hours? Is God getting my BEST time? Am I working in my strength areas Am I managing my energy for my most demanding tasks? Am I bringing my best to the table? Talent: Questions How are you using your gifts to make an impact for the Kingdom of God? Am I exhibiting the heart of a servant? Who can I secretly serve? Temple: Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. How we care for our bodies is a reflection of our values. Your physical fitness influences your spiritual impact. Physical How do I feel physically? Am I stronger? Am I energized? Am I eating properly? Am I delaying any doctor’s appointments? Am I taking my vitamins? Are you placing harmful, dangerous, life-taking things into your body? Do you take care to rest appropriately? (Sabbath) Are you physically fit for your age? Relationally: Am I handling crisis at home? Am I handling pressure at work? Am I procrastinating a confrontation? Am I connecting with extended family? Who is giving me energy and who is draining my energy? To whom am I giving energy or draining energy? Is there someone I need to forgive or from whom I need to seek forgiveness? Intellectual Am I learning a new skill? Am I studying good theology? Am I reading good books? Am I listening to and having meaningful conversations with people smarter than I am? Treasure: For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Your heart will follow your treasure! If you want (heart and mind) to love God fully, you place your treasure there! Questions Am I living on budget? Am I maintaining my possessions? Am I giving generously? And here's one more tough question: "Do you like who you are becoming?" Photo courtesy of Laura Humbles Mother's Day is a dangerous day if you don't get it right! To make a mess of Mother's Day is as bad as flubbing an anniversary or a birthday. It's a big deal!
History tells us that Mother's Day was a dangerous day for Anna Jarvis too. In 1925 she was arrested for disturbing the peace as she protested the selling of carnations at a candy makers convention in Philadelphia. Who was Anna Jarvis and why was she so upset that carnations were being sold in Philadelphia? She was the catalyst behind the movement to establish Mother’s Day as a national holiday. In 1909 she held a memorial service for her deceased mom in West Virginia and that is recognized as the first, modern day Mother’s Day celebration. She began a campaign to have Mother's Day recognized as a holiday in the US in 1905 when her mother died. But it wasn't until 1914, after a good bit of discussion, that Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as a national holiday to honor mothers. By then, the carnation had become the flower of choice to give mother's on their day. However, to the dismay of Jarvis, by the early 1920’s Hallmark Cards and other companies began selling Mother’s Day cards and Ms. Jarvis became resentful of the commercialization of the holiday. She believed that the companies had misinterpreted and exploited the idea of Mother’s Day making it a day of profit rather than a day to honor moms. As a result she began to organize boycotts of Mother’s Day and threatened to issue lawsuits against companies involved. So in 1925 she drew a line in the sand and made her stand. I imagine her children sat around the lunch table after church on those 2nd Sundays in May, retelling the story of mama’s escapades and exploits—especially about the day she was arrested! Don't you know that that would have been a fun Mother’s Day luncheon to have attended! I wonder what she would think about the commercialization of Christmas? nI have a friend who is a gifted car artist. Like other artists, he has the unique ability to see what others cannot. In 1992 this wagon with 170 slant six engine and 3-speed manual transmission was not running, and worse, it was pink! Today, the 1963 Valiant 4-door sedan delivery wagon is one of those cars that causes heads to turns and people to ask questions. The humble artist always smiles and tells people the story.
Several years ago, the artist had the idea to create a brief pamphlet that he could hand out to people who asked about the cars he restored. The booklet would give them all of the pertinent information about the vehicle but more importantly, it would share with them the greatest story of restoration--the restoration of mankind's relationship with God through Jesus. Today, his idea became real and the booklet has been printed. On the last page, he unashamedly admits that though he "appreciates you asking about the car, the greatest work is what Christ has done in me." You do know that The Artist sees in you what no one else can see, right? God loves to take the ordinary and do the extraordinary! He loves to take the weak and make them strong. Perhaps one day you'll be driving on some back road in northwest Georgia or the highways between here and California and meet the artist who restored the sedan. You'll stop and ask him about his artwork, and he'll hand you the story of his car and of his life. That'd be pretty awesome. But I really hope that you will meet The Artist who created you and wants to restore your life. That would be even awesome-er! "Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 |
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