Redeeming the Time

Have you ever noticed that older people have a tendency to mock inexperience and youth? I chalk it down to rank jealousy of my.. I mean... OUR dashing good looks, and our sharp young minds that are as yet not dulled by the ravages of time. That, and we are better at the meaningful things of life, such as X-Box.

In their obviously biased character sketches of young people, they often say things like, "Those whippersnappers think they are indestructible!" Much as I hate to validate the old fogie types, they might actually have a point. Yes, I said it. Don't worry, they'll probably forget their point before they have time to rub it in!

But in all seriousness, I don't think that it is that we actually believe that we will never die, but we have an inflated case of "Finals Syndrome". Less discplined people than myself will recognize this symptom: you are given a huge assignment at the beginning of the school year. Your first reaction to the explanation of the requirements is a feeling of a crushing weight about to drop on your head, as you contemplate how LONG it will take to finish it. This feeling is immediately relieved, as the teacher then tells you that you have the ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR to finish it! The fog of impending doom is lifted, as your mind pushes the urgency of the task to a recess of your brain so neglected that even the cobwebs have cobwebs on them. Life then resumes its previous state of bliss, with the most pressing concern being, "I wonder if Hungry Howies still has that $5 large pizza deal?"

As the year presses on, the dread tries to push its way back to the forefront, only to be suppressed. After all, you still have plenty of time! Eventually, you reach the time when you realize that if you start now with a normal amount of work and study, the assignement will be done exactly on time. A very brief period of haphazard and easily distracted work ensues, until the next phase is reached: beads of cold sweat appear on your brow as you think something along these lines: "Holy shnikeys. I am toast." You now know that only a frenzied effort that would put a Viking berserker to shame will result in the assignment being sufficient for a passing grade.

And yes, I know what you are thinking. "If he is one of the disciplined types, how is he so familiar with this syndrome?" Well, maybe I am particularly observant and insightful, ever think of that?

I think we all know this syndrome pretty well, and it is bad enough when it applies only to academia, but at some point in this the rubber does meet the road. That point for me was this past week at work. I work for a Senior Management company, and I transport elderly patients. One lady at the assisted living facility, Beverly, made a habit of chatting with me every time I was there. Some days she was lucid, some less so, but she always recognized me for some reason. I put it down to another syndrome: "Stare at the big ugly guy" syndrome.

One evening I was in her room installing a new bed for her, and I happened to glance at her bookshelf, and saw that it was full of books on Catholicism. Many of them were about Mary, the rosary, etc. I thought, "Maybe I should try to talk to her about the Lord...", but I figured, hey, I've got plenty of time.

The next day, I was sent to the hospital to drop off her things, because she had had a major stroke. When I saw her, it broke my heart. This sweet little lady could no longer speak, walk, or even eat by herself. The doctor said that her mind was probably gone for good. As I took her back to the facility, I looked at the shattered shell that still held her soul, and realized that her choice was irrevocably made. Even though she was still alive, she was living dead. She would never again have the chance to accept Christ and be reconciled to God. My choice was also made. I chose not to tell her. I chose not to try. I decided that it wasn't important enough at the time, and hey, I HAD TOMORROW!!!


We are not promised tomorrow. We are not even promised the rest of today. God give us young and old alike a sense of urgency about what we are left on this earth to do! I know that most of this little story is light and funny, but this is not. Beverly's eternity is not.
Col 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: Col 4:4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Paranoia

"You'd be paranoid too, if everyone was watching you!"

Do you ever feel like you are being watched? Believe it or not, that's really not a bad thing. You are being watched, and by more people than you could imagine. Everyone is scrutinized, but scrutiny is multiplied to the nth degree when by word or deed you proclaim yourself a Christian. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid....

Yesterday, my wife and I got into the car to go to work like every other morning, but the car would not start! It had already been a rough morning: the coffee spilled all over my freshly ironed pants, the cat scratched my shin, my hair curler stopped working (ok, that was a joke), and worse than all that, we were late. I HATE being late. In fact, my wife was late, not me. But even that made me mad. I started Baptist swearing, hitting random inanimate objects (my wife suddenly became animate at that point), and generally acting like a fool. Right then, my Indian neighbor (who I had never talked to or invited to church, but that is a different post) came out and offered to jump my battery. After that failed, he gave me a ride to work. While we were in the car, he said "I see you guys every Sunday get up early and go to church all dressed up. That is really great, young people usually don't care about things like that." That was about the time the Holy Spirit hit me with the sledge-hammer in the ribs. PEOPLE ARE WATCHING YOU!

If I had been living every moment in the realization that there is a huge neon flashing sign over my head that says "CHRISTIAN! THIS IS WHAT CHRIST IS LIKE!!!", I doubt I would have behaved that way. That is only one of many examples in my life, and I am sure you can relate as well. You cannot be hid. Don't even try, just accept it and let Christ make your life a billboard for His mercy and grace and glory!

Paranoia isn't so bad, really.....

Faith is.....

I was listening to a well-known preacher on the radio yesterday, and he said something that really caught my attention. He said,

"Faith is not believing that God can, but rather knowing that He will."

Now, I know that as good IFB's, we tend to automatically think "name it and claim it" philosophy, but there is a good element of truth to what he said. I was reading in James yesterday, and it says that in petitioning God, we must ask in faith, nothing wavering, or we cannot expect to receive anything from Him. That is a great definition of faith! Faith does not waver, faith knows!

Hebrews 4:16 says that we can come boldly before the throne of grace to find help. I think that too many times we are bold in being in the throne room, knowing that we are allowed to be there, but we lack boldness in asking for those things that we need or desire. We can be bold because we know that He hears us, and we know that He will answer prayer.

Personally, I know that many times I will ask my Father for something, but with a sinking feeling that it's really not going to happen. I know He can, but I don't know that He will. That is not faith! If faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain, surely a prayer in accordance with what we know that God wants can:

- Bring the convicting power of the Spirit to the heart of an unbeliever

- Stir the hearts of Christians to become laborers in the harvest

- Make our church a beacon of hope for the world, and an example of how the lost can be won all over the world to other churches

- Meet financial needs, personal, church, and missions

- Bring victory over temptation and selfishness

We pray for these things because we know we should, but imagine what God would do in our lives if we believed that He really wants to answer them!!!

We all want to please God, but without true faith it is impossible to please Him. Let's have faith!

Festa Lusofana

Well it's official! October 21st will be the first ever "Festa Lusofana", or "Portuguese-Speaking Banquet" at Vision Baptist Church. Conservative estimates place Brazilian population in the metro-Atlanta area at 50,000, and Portuguese population at 5000. A sizeable portion of the Brazilians are evangelical, but mostly charismatic, and in need of a solid biblical church. As in Portugal, the vast majority of the Portuguese in the US remain blindly loyal to the Roman Catholic Church. This banquet is above all evangelistic in nature. It is a tool to bring lost people to a place where they can hear a clear-cut unapologetic delivery of the saving Gospel of Christ! Please be praying for this event, and for the people who will be attending.

Last night my wife and I met 4 new Brazilian men while visiting in the Roswell area, and all were very friendly and open when they heard their language being spoken. They are Guilhermo, Paulo, Marciano, and Pedro. Also, a Portuguese couple named Lino and Dadita are interested in coming to the banquet, and have invited us to come to their social gatherings to meet more Portuguese people. Praise God!

Unto the Least

A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminaryclass, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smithwas knownfor his elaborate object lessons.One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were infor a fun day.On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr.Smithtold the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked orsomeone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts atthe person's picture.Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Anotherfriend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, evendrawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect shehad achieved.The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threwtheir darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn,and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced. Dr. Smith said only these words.... "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Matthew 25:40.


I thought this was a great object lesson, and it reminded me of Galatians 5:14-15:
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."

The only commandment given in Scripture greater than that to love one another is to love God. Christ went as far as to say that love for the brethren is the mark of a true disciple! I suppose that means I will have to moderate the ranting against my fellow man on my blog. Hmmm.....

Let the games begin...

I know what you are thinking: "Good night, it's about time!" I am border-line internet illiterate, but I've come to realize how great a tool a blog can be. It is great for sharing the jewels from the Word that God gives, focusing your thoughts to apply the Word to life, and most importantly, ranting incoherently against any and all who dare to disagree with me or rouse my ire.

I have entitled my blog "The Fig Tree", from Jesus' encounter with Nathanael recorded in John 1:48,

" Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. "

Christ referred to Nathanael's time under the fig tree apparently because it was Nathanael's habit to spend time alone searching the Scriptures and seeking Jehovah's face daily under a fig tree. The main purpose of this blog (all ranting aside) is to share the blessings gleaned from my own time with God. Besides, with a name like "Newton", how can you go wrong with figs?