Straight & Narrow

When we moved to Greenville, you could have said that I had totally given up on the game of golf. I owned a set of golf clubs, but they were at Joshua’s house in North Carolina. Joshua was playing as regularly as possible and because it was a way to spend some quality time with him I picked up my clubs again. Now after several months I guess you could say I was “hooked” or for you golfers out there you could say I was “sliced.” It is amazing to watch the pros. They do it so effortlessly. They swing, they hit the ball straight. Me, I swing and the ball has a mind of its own. A few weeks ago I played with a man who had bought a new driver. He let me hit it and I actually hit the ball straight. It was called an R7 Draw. It was suppose to help a “slicer” like me to hit the ball straight. Well my wonderful wife went out and bought me the club. I have played with it several times and guess what. I still cannot hit it straight consistently. I have said if anyone can slice a draw club it would be me.
Now all this “hook,” “slice,” and “straight” talk has got me to just thinking. Jesus was very straight in his talk about the Christian Life and Eternal Living. He reminded us that we need to find the straight and narrow path that leads to a good life. He said to the multitudes, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Sometimes my life is like my golf ball. It seems to have a mind of its own. I try to hit it straight and I go off either left or right. I need to concentrate, get in the right position, take proper aim and take the proper swing so that I can live each day down the center of God’s fairway. He has given me the proper instruction through His word and I need to study it and spend time with my instructor, The Holy Spirit, so that I can accomplish life like God intended. I hope you will work on your game because the game of life is much more important that golf. Let's keep Just Thinking!
David

It's Clear to Me!!

I hope you have had a chance to watch some of the Olympics. We have watched some during prime time. I have really enjoyed the swimming events and I love to watch the track and field events. I have even gotten into the volleyball matches. What I do not enjoy is the gymnastics. It is not that I don’t appreciate the athleticism of the competitors. They are definitely some of the most athletic and strongest participants in the Olympics. What I don’t care for is the way their sport is judged. It is to ambiguous. There is not enough black and white there is only grey matter. In swimming and track and field either you or first or your not. There is not an arbitrator who is looking to see if you have perfect form in the backstroke or if your knees are coming up high enough when you run. They start the race and everyone waits to see who reaches the finish line first. Sometimes there is a close finish, but they have cameras to look frame by frame if need to so they can make the right call. It is the same if volleyball. A referee is watching to see that the game is played correctly and there is one to see if the ball is in or out, but there is not a judge to see if when diving to dig a ball you landed on the wrong knee before you hit it. In gymnastics they have rules, but they are not cut and dried. One judge sees it one way another sees it differently. It is so up in the air. Even the commentators don’t agree with the judging. In gymnastics they now even have video replay, but they still discuss and disagree with the correct score. As many of you may have seen their is so much frustration over who wins and who loses. Some say it is sour grapes when their favorite competitor doesn’t make the medal stand, some say it is fixed. I don’t know. I just wish the decisions were clear.
I do know that the subjective way in which the sport is judged got me to Just Thinking! I am glad that there is only one criteria for eternal life. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me.” Now I don’t know about you, but that is pretty clear. That is not up for debate. There is no way that can be seen in any other light. Yet the world tries to make us believe that there are many ways obtain eternal life. They try to convince us that if we are good to our fellow man that we have an upper hand in receiving God’s reward. I will admit that servant hood is a by product of knowing God, but it is not the way to heaven. They also try to persuade us that there are other great people who have lived that can lead us to eternal life. The key for me is that they are talking about people who once lived and I am talking about someone who still lives. As we compete in our world everyday let’s not make the mistake of believing what we hear so often, “There are many ways to eternal life.” Let us not forget there is only one and His name is JESUS! I'm just thinking and wondering what you are thinking!!!
David

Beating the Heat

Last week Peggy and I went riding the Harley up the beautiful mountain roads of South Carolina. The weather finally took a break from the heat and we decided to just joy ride. We basically had no plan, just ride. We found ourselves going up towards Jones Gap State Park. We saw picturesque scenes and loved the surrounding country side as we slowly navigated the slopes and turns of our journey. Once we were looking up and remarked how beautiful the side of a mountain was. A few minutes later we were up on top of that very mountain. Riding gives me such as sense of peace and contentment. Its as if the cares of the world go away and there is nothing to think about but God's beautiful painting. Sometimes we ride in silence and at other times we are speaking of our day and sharing new found scenes along the way. We will embark on a road that we have no idea how the journey will end. Sometimes we have to turn around and retrace our tracks. At other times we find ourselves at a spot that we are familiar with and then recalculate our journey. I cannot express how much joy we receive from just riding.
Now I will admit to you that as many times as I have just ridden, this last ride got me to Just Thinking! It is amazing to me how often the temperature changes as you are riding along a road. I never recognized this is a car or truck. The temperature inside of our vehicles is most often constant. I will agree with the premise that the outside temperature does effect how we keep the climate inside our vehicles, but the outside temperature doesn't readily change the temperature inside. When you are riding a motorcycle the temperature changes accordingly whether you are riding in a very sunny area or a shady area. It changes whether you are down in a valley or up on a level plain. It can become very chilly if you are riding next or or near a body of water. I don't want you to think that this happens in several miles. This happens in tenths of a mile. One second you are warm and the next you are cold. I have learned to make sure we carry Peggy a light jacket. Friday night when we were riding after a day when the high temperature hit 90, Peggy rode home in the evening with her jacket on. I would guess on the ride home that we hit pockets where the temp was in the 60's.
This changing temperature got me to thinking about life. There are days when the stress factor in my life is very high. There are decisions to make, people to see, family matters to tend to, bills to pay, and fires to put out. There are days when the stress factor is not so high. No decisions, pleasant conversation, family happy, bills paid, and no fires. There are some days when the temperature goes from very low to very high or very high to very low in a matter of seconds. Tragedy strikes or tensions can be eased in a moment. The temp often depends on me the recipient. Many times I have heard people say that they wish the temperature on the outside would stay constant. They wished they lived somewhere that the temperature was pleasant all the time. I have decided that in life that depends on my relationship with God. The scripture is very plain and simple. It says, "This is the day the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it." I find that when I am rejoicing and being glad that no matter if tragedy strikes or there are no fires I can remain constant, because Jesus is in charge of the thermostat. My internal thermometer doesn't have to go up and down like a yo-yo if I put Jesus in charge. I am Just Thinking and wondering what you are thinking!
David

The Greatest Generation

Several years ago my son, Joshua, was taking a history class in high school. He brought home a book titled, "The Greatest Generation," written by Tom Brokaw. The book was written in 1998 after the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. It cronicles many individuals whose lives were shaped by World War II and then returned to America to help shape our nation. Joshua read it and remarked how much he liked it. I started reading it and read several pages and then as I do sometimes I put it down and let it slip through my memory. About two weeks ago I picked it back up. As I read the stories of the lives of these men and women, I again was impressed with how they lived their lives as young fighting men and women and then returned to families and careers and rebuilding America. I have always been impressed how they didn't use their military careers to hinder their progress back in the states, but used it to promote healthy lifestyles. I have had the privilege of meeting and talking with several WWII veterans. I can remember walking the grounds of "The Mighty Eighth Army Museum" in Savannah, GA. with Harry Whitlock. I watched with awe as this man then in his seventies walked around and pointed out several places he had seen from the sky of his B-29 bomber. As we walked into the room where they had the replica of the bomber he walked me up to the bottom gun turret and told me a riviting story of having a german pilot in his sights and then the gun jamming. As soon as the pilot moved away the gun began to fire. He looked at me and said. "I'm kinda glad the gun didn't shoot, that man may be enjoying his grandchildren like I do." I watched as he and Olin Powell another Eighth Army veteran walked around the museum and we found their names on the tablets of honor displayed in the museum. They were both mesmerised at the fact because from both of their lips came the acknowledgement that they were both just doing their job. They both came home to successful careers and rasied great families. I also have been the reciepent of the friendship of Robert A. (Bob) Carter. Bob lives in the Dallas, TX. area. I got to know Bob through his father-in-law that I helped take care of for several years. Bob is a very distinguished gentlemen in his eighties. He is still a dear friend and we talk several times a year. As I got to know Bob I would have never guess what he went through in WWII. Bob was a young Navy man stationed in Hawaii and his ship was docked next to the Arizona when the attack of Pearl Harbor took place. I had know Bob for several years before I found out about this information. One Christmas when he and his father-in-law were eating Christmas dinner with us he gave me and my family the details. He would not talk about it easily. He spoke of daylight turning to dark and going about his duties for hours on end almost as if a robot. It was not until late in the evening that he discovered that he had been wounded with shell fragments all up and down his legs. I did not get much more information until one day we were together driving and he spoke of being in the water after a ship he was on was sunk. He returned home and made the Navy a career. He was married and had four children and was a very successful person in making America great. Since moving to Greenville I have had the privilege of meeting several men who served our country in WWII. I am amazed at the courage and status of these men and the lives they have lived fighting for our country and making our country great. It has been my privilege to talk to Howard Addis and J. B. Burns and here of some of their exploits on foreign soil.
As I have talked to these men and read about the experiences in the book I am forever grateful for my freedom as an American. It got me to Just Thinking! The very fact that many men and women didn't return from the war but gave the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom is sometimes overwhelming. It makes me Think a great deal. I cannot help but to be compare their sacrifices with the sacrifice of my spiritual freedom. As many fought and died for my countries freedom, one died and lived for my spiritual freedom. His exploits can be found by reading the Bible. I recommend both of these books very highly. Also, I am interested in hearing from veterans of WWII who would share their story. Also from family members of veterans who have a story to share. As the last of this Greatest Generation live we must never allow their memories to fade away. We must always remember their contributions to a life well lived.
David

Love & Obedience

I don't like making up a bed. I just don't see the necessity in it. I get out of the bed in the morning and plan on getting back in it in the evening. I see it kinda as a waste of time. Now my wife sees it completely difference. It makes her happy to know that when she comes home the bed has been made up. She says it just looks cleaner and makes her feel better. Now I love my wife with all my heart. She is the most important person on earth to me. I want to make her happy. She has asked me to please make up the bed because I am usually the last one out of it. Now I would not call this a command, but it is a strong request. Now I could get up every morning and with disgust on my face and frustration in my attitude, I could make up the bed. I would do it solely because it was required, kinda. Or I could get up every morning with a smile on my face and make up the bed because I love my wife. It is not drudgery it is a privilege. It is a welcome activity because I know when my wife sees that I have made up the bed she sees that I love her. She doesn't see me as just granting a request she sees me doing something for her because I love her. I want to do it. I don't have to do it.
Now this brings me to my topic in this blog: Love and Obedience. I was Just Thinking about why we keep Jesus' commands. Why do we obey Him? I believe that most people follow God's commands and obey Jesus because they are afraid. It is a requirement. We love our neighbor because we are afraid of the consequences if we don't. We preach the commands of Jesus with a hint of "He'll get you if you don't obey." I wish we could learn to love Jesus with our obedience. I want my following of His commandments to be something I am yearning to participate in because I love Him. Not because I am afraid He will send me to Hell! It excites me to see my wife pleased when I make up the bed. Does it excite us to know that our love of God motivates us to do as He has asked us to do. I want to share with you a few of Jesus' words, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15 Seems to me that the motivating factor for Jesus was "love." Love is what spurs me on to doing what Jesus wants me do. I believe that if we love God we will do what He wants us to do without feeling obligated. We will do it out of a desire to please Him because we love Him. I believe this is essential to understanding what Jesus said when He talked about freedom: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 Loving God brings about obedience which then sets me free to be who God has created me to be. I want to be obedient because of my love of God not because of my fear of Him. It happens because of my relationship with Him. What do you think???
David

Me and My Music

Last week I was fortunate to attend a Mission Fuge camp sponsored by Lifeway. Over 300 students and adults participated in a 5 day camp that went into the community and did intentional missions is various venues. Each morning before we departed we were in Bible Studies about the Kingdom of God. Before we left each morning we had an assembly to inspire us and send us off with hope and anticipation. Each evening we worshiped together. Now I know I am getting older. I know I have to work harder to enjoy and understand all about "today's" music. I was disappointed in the music at our camp. I did not feel that it was worship oriented. I believe it was performance oriented. It was so loud in the small auditorium that I actually purchased ear plugs after the first night. It helped but I could still hear everything that was said. I know that youth enjoyed the music. I will admit that some of the new songs that I learned were inspiring, but when the music takes over the opportunity to hear from God I believe it has gone to far. Now maybe some of you will tell me that the louder the music the better you hear from God. I will not dispute you, but will wonder how that is possible. I was approached by one of the youth during an invitation time and had to strain with every ounce of my being to hear what he was asking me to pray about. When I kneeled to pray for him I was yelling to the top of my lungs so that he could hear my prayer on his behalf. Now I know God doesn't need me to yell and I was praying to Him, but I felt that the young man would want to hear what I said on his behalf.
I love all types of music. I am a child of the 60's and 70's and I listened to music very loud. I know that my parents complained about the intrusive sound of my home. I had to learn to tone it down a bit. If you were to look on my ipod you would find several different genre's of music. I guess I just had problems responding to God when I was made to focus on musical sounds and words. We were blessed to have a very inspirational speaker. I just felt that we were all unable to focus on the more important thing.
Now I am not trying to be a prude. I know that our youth were touched by the band. I am just asking how much is too much. Is worship music to help us connect with God? Is it performance based or participation based? Is there a difference? Is there a place where they can both be effective? If it is performance based do we need words to sing along or are we suppose to be seeking to focus on God while we listen? Can music claim the focus away from God when we have just invited people to respond to His, "still small voice?"
Any way I am Just Thinking and wonder what you Think?
David

The Shack

About a month ago I was introduced to a book entitled, "The Shack." On the cover Eugene Peterson says it is today's generations version of "Pilgrims Progress." A new friend of mine bought me the book and I began to read. I do not want to spoil the plot or the emphasis of the author, but I was intrigued with the way he pictured spiritual life. I was so taken by his imagery that I immediately passed the book on to my wife. I also told my oldest son about it and he purchased the book. When my wife finished the book my youngest son picked it up and read it. We have all had several questions about the authors description of spiritual living and life in general. We have all seen God in new and different ways. Although we recognize this book as fiction we have had many discussions on whether we felt the author handled certain aspects of spiritual life correctly. I found myself agreeing with him more than disagreeing. I would like to recommend "The Shack" by William P. Young. I do not think is is good reading for the new christian or immature christian who is basically stuck in their way of thinking. I do believe it is an excellent read for someone who is open to seeing God in a new light and to help them to experience a new journey of Christian maturity. If you have read "The Shack," I would love to know what you think. If you have questions about some of the ideas and imagery I would love to discuss them. My soul purpose in exploring this book is to help us all grow closer to God and find ourselves living in a greater relationship with Him. God Bless and Keep on Thinking!!!
David