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Pastoral thoughts

Chutes and Ladders

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PRINCIPLE: “Whether up or down, keep feeding.”

Chutes and Ladders has long been a great game. It’s one of those games that hangs on from generation to generation. But playing it can be frustrating because sometimes it takes a long time for someone to make it to the end. The chutes keep getting in the way. My grand-kids grandmother (yes – that would be my wife) was recently heard to say, “There are too many chutes and not enough ladders. It needs fewer chutes and more ladders.” And there was much agreement.

As I thought about her comment later, I realized that what we feel about this simple game is what we feel about life as well. I have frequently felt that in life “There are too many downs and not enough ups. We need fewer downs and more ups.” So often we climb up high only to immediately slide down to a low. We finally get the promotion we’ve prayed for, and the company then downsizes and wipes out our job. We rejoice at a new staff person or employee, only to have another good one leave. We rejoice at the doctor’s good prognosis only to have him reverse it soon after. We celebrate a great victory only to despair at a defeat in the next game. A pastor celebrates a wedding one day and presides over a funeral of a young person the next. A church celebrates the arrival of some wonderful new members, only to discover that some other wonderful, faithful members are moving away. We get excited about a nice raise only to find out that new tax laws or regulations will raise our taxes. The list goes on and on. It certainly would be nice to have fewer downs and more ups.

I sometimes wonder if the Psalmist played Chutes and Ladders. He, too, knew the ups and downs of life; he experienced the highs and lows. Yet his faith did not waver. Why? Because he knew that “…the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Ps. 121:8) In my “revised Curry version” this translates as “the Lord will watch over your rising and falling, your climbing and sliding both now and forevermore.” And what gave the Psalmist this unwavering faith? Ps. 37:3 in the New King James Version provides the answer: “Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” The key is to feed on God’s faithfulness. “Whether up or down, keep feeding.” The prophet Jeremiah, well know for his laments and difficult ministry, grandly proclaimed, “The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end.
They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant! “My portion is the Lord,” I have said to myself, so I will put my hope in him.” “Whether up or down, keep feeding.” God is faithful. Just think for a moment about God’s faithfulness in you life…
As I’ve meditated on this  I’ve been reminded that it’s important to feed on God’s faithfulness at both the top of the ladder as well as at the bottom of the chute. If I over-rejoice in the highs, the slides down will be even more painful. More importantly, remembering God’s faithfulness during the high and good times keeps me from pride (which, the Bible says, goes before the fall!); remembering God’s faithfulness at the bottom of the slides keeps me stable. “Whether up or down, keep feeding.” So enjoy the highs on the ladder tops and stay calm at the slide bottoms because you know that God is faithful. Feed on His faithfulness “…the Lord will watch over your coming and going, your rising and falling, your climbing and sliding both now and forevermore….The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end. They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant! …so I will put my hope in him.” “Whether up or down, keep feeding.”
Pastoral thoughts

Lessons from the Waterfalls

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PRINCIPLE: “When thinking of tomorrow, focus on today.”

It would be a long walk down to the falls, but we had been told it was well worth it. So we parked the car and began the trek down towards the falls. And it was long – and it was worth it! All along the way were beautiful views of God’s majestic creation.

After spending a fair amount of time soaking in the beauty, and snapping plenty of pictures, we began the journey back to the car. After just a few steps it dawned on us – if it was all downhill to get here, it will be all uphill to get there! It’s amazing how such a thought flavors the whole climb back! Once we realized it, the trek seemed harder and longer – and the beauty didn’t seem quite so glorious. Our conversation lessened and, in fact, became a series of “Are we there yet?” queries. To make matters worse, we kept looking ahead, up hill, to see how much further we had to go – not a good idea! The end never seemed to be in sight. We finally concluded that the best strategy was simply to watch our current steps, to focus on one step at a time, and let the parking lot, in a sense, come to us. It certainly gave new meaning to ‘on step at a time.’

Jesus taught the same lesson. In the Sermon on the Mount, after assuring his hearers of His Father’s continual, adequate, loving care He said “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” If we believe in and trust our Father’s loving care, then we need not worry or fret about tomorrow and what is to come. So “When thinking of tomorrow, focus on today.”

Jesus was not saying that we should never makes plans or provisions for tomorrow; He was saying that we should never let those plans and provisions rob us of seeing and grasping the opportunities of today; we should not become so absorbed in planning and providing for tomorrow that we fail to handle the stresses and challenges of today. So “When thinking of tomorrow, focus on today.” It makes me wonder how many times, under the guise of ‘good time management’, I’ve missed opportunities to give and receive love. It makes me wonder how often, under the illusion of being a good planner, I’ve failed to see or seize an opportunity that could have been life changing, for me and others. I wonder about all the stresses and challenges that have frustrated and sometimes even defeated me – could I have been been better prepared to handle them if, instead of looking up the hill to come, I had simply been taking one step at a time?

I’ll never know. That’s all in the past. I can’t change any of it. But I can change how I live today. I just need to remember that thenext step is most important; so focus on it. I can make some plans and provisions for tomorrow, but unless I take one step at a time today, I will interrupt and undo all those plans and provisions I made yesterday for today. As someone once said, ‘Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!” Perhaps you, too, will approach today differently. “When thinking of tomorrow, focus on today.”
Pastoral thoughts

Some Thoughts on Tools

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PRINCIPLE: “To do the job right, use the right tools.”

We had a metal bar stool in our kitchen. One of its feet had lost it’s protective cap which meant it was now capable of scratching or otherwise marking up the floor. It was too nice a stool to just discard – but how to fix the uncovered foot? My wife discovered the solution – a plastic cap from a very small bottle. Its circumference was precisely that of the stool foot. All it needed was a little trimming and, since it was clear and the other caps were black, some black coloring. A black Permanent Marker worked just fine. The stool now has all its feet protected, the floor is safe, and all is well. All that was needed was the right tools. “To do the job right, use the right tools.”

It’s not a new or startling principle; in fact, it’s very common. No job can be done without the right tools.
A carpenter cannot build a house without the right tools. A seamstress cannot sew a gown without the right tools. A mechanic cannot repair a motor without the right tools. A musician cannot make music without the right tools. “To do the job right, use the right tools.”

But while it may not be a new or startling principle, I wonder if we’ve taken the time or made the effort to apply it to other areas of life. For example, when faced with a decision, how do we decide? What principles guide us? When we’re trying to decide what’s right in a given situation, how do we determine what’s right? When we’re in need of training, where do we turn? When we want to help another person whose life is seemingly falling apart, where are our resources?

The apostle Paul gave the answer (2 Tim. 3:16): “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”When we need to teach or be taught, Scripture is our tool. When we need to rebuke or be rebuked, Scripture is our tool. When we need to correct or be corrected, Scripture is our tool. When we need to train or undergo training in living godly lives, Scripture is our tool. When we need help, guidance, or strength for doing good works, Scripture is our tool.“To do the job right, use the right tools.”

No carpenter would think of building a house without the right tools. No seamstress would think of sewing a gown without the right tools. No mechanic would think of repairing a motor without the right tools. No musician would think of making music without the right tools. But I wonder – how often do we act without first using the right tool, the Word of God? What truly guides us – our emotions, our instincts, our habits, our feelings? Do we take the time to breathe in the truth and power of God’s Word? In all honesty, how often have we failed to do the job right because we failed to use the right tool?

As for me, now every time I see the bar stool in our kitchen it reminds me that whatever the decision or job is, “To do the job right, use the right tools.”
Pastoral thoughts

The Meeting of the Birds

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PRINCIPLE: “At the rising and the setting, remember the birds.”

It was a wonderful condo. Positioned on a golf course and a small river outlet, it was quiet and peaceful – except at sunrise and sunset. That’s when the birds flew in and squealed in one mass chorus. Everyday, without fail. Morning and evening; sunrise and sunset. At first I thought it was a nuisance, an unfortunate disturbing of the peace. But then I began to ponder their congregational gathering.

I have no idea what these birds were saying to one another – or if they were speaking, singing, or hollering. But at the beginning and end of each day they came together as one community and shared a common voice. Not a bad idea for communities and families! At the beginning and end of each day, get together, touch base, and share a common voice. Just think what it would do for our families and communities. “At the rising and the setting, remember the birds.”

I also wonder if perhaps these birds were singing in praise of their Creator – everyday, without fail. Morning and evening; sunrise and sunset. I began to realize that these squealing birds were pointing me to the Psalmist who wrote (113:2-3 CEV). “Let the name of the Lord be praised now and forever. From dawn until sunset the name of the Lord deserves to be praised.” Nighttime is for rest – but the daytime is for praising the name of the Lord. Beginning and ending the day with a common voice of praise frames the living of our days. “At the rising and the setting, remember the birds.”

Historically monks and monastic communities understood the importance of this common voice; they gathered at the beginning and end of each day to share in praise and worship (and usually during the day at appointed times was well.) The early church in America had an inkling of this importance. The tradition of the Sunday evening worship service was based partially on this concept. Families gathered from miles around to worship on Sunday morning, then they shared a meal, and before they took off for the long trip home they would worship again. It was, in a sense, the beginning and end of their Sabbath day. It provided a pattern for all other days. “From dawn until sunset the name of the Lord deserves to be praised.” I wonder what we have lost with the elimination of our Sunday evening worship? Perhaps not just another service of worship, but a pattern for living. “At the rising and the setting, remember the birds.”

While I believe more gathering together in our congregations would be of inestimable value, I also recognize that where and when this does not or cannot happen, we, as individuals, can still follow the pattern and habit of the birds – everyday, without fail. Morning and evening; sunrise and sunset. Consider the Psalmist: “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.“ (5:3) “I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night.”(16:3 CEV) Everyday, without fail. Morning and evening; sunrise and sunset.“At the rising and the setting, remember the birds.”

If indeed,beginning and ending the day with a common voice of praise frames the living of our days, what are you doing? Or more importantly, what will you do? Whether it be in community or congregation or family, or as an individual, how will you frame your day? When you see your next sunrise, what will you do? When you see you next sunset, what will you do? “At the rising and the setting, remember the birds.”
Pastoral thoughts

The Value of Steeples

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PRINCIPLE: “When everything is looking down, look up!”
My wife and I had the privilege of attending a pastor’s retreat at a lovely place called the Normandy Inn. The buildings, not surprisingly, are all designed to look like Normandy. Therefore many of the buildings had steeples. Our host told us that the steeples were intended to draw our eyes upward to the heavens; they were an invitation to look up to God. That was a new and inspiring insight for me. No matter the weather, no matter the time of day, look up. “When everything is looking down, look up!”
I began to think of numerous passages in the Bible which give us the same invitation. Numbers 21 records the story God’s response to the grumbling Israelites. God sent venomous snakes; all who were but by them died. So they people cried out to God to save them. “The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.” (21:8-9) “When everything is looking down, look up!” “Jesus gave this even deeper meaning: In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.” (Jn. 3:14-15 MSG) “When everything is looking down, look up!”
The Psalmist, in Ps. 121:1, declares, “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” “When everything is looking down, look up!”
In the 40thchapter of Isaiah God is proclaiming his greatness to the Israelites to turn them from idols back to Him. “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing. Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.” (25-31, underlining mine).“When everything is looking down, look up!”
Jesus, in Luke 21, is teaching about the signs of the end of the age. He drives home His application when He says (28), “When these things begin to take place,stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”“When everything is looking down, look up!”
Notice how all the looking up draws us to Jesus. And looking to Jesus leads to life – eternal life. “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”(Jn. 6:40) The message of Scripture, from beginning to end, is “Look up and live.” I’ve begun to thank God for steeples. The next time you see one, I’ll just bet you look up! And in looking up you’ll be reminded of Jesus – and you’ll experience new life.
Yet the really great news is that even if there is no steeple in sight, you can still look up. “When everything is looking down, look up!” And live!
Pastoral thoughts

Going for Gold

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PRINCIPLE: “When you’re awake, go for the gold!”
Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the Olympic Gold Medal for Ice Dancing. It was, as is always the case with Olympians, the result of persistent hard work over many years. Shortly after their victory NBC ran a short congratulatory piece in which they mentioned that Meryl and Charlie won the gold because they had been working together 17 years, practiced over 29,000 hours, entered 75 competitions, and skated 41/2 minutes of perfection. It’s truly a picture of dedication, commitment, and perseverance. I couldn’t help but think that they spent every waking hour thinking about or participating in their skating. Perhaps their motto was “When you’re awake, go for the gold!”
I also thought about someone else who spent every waking hour thinking about or participating in his passion. His name was Paul. He wrote, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Cor. 9:24-25) Near the end of his life he reflected, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:7-8) He spent every waking hour living for Jesus. “When you’re awake, go for the gold!”
Paul’s entire life was spent in preparation for the race. While I have no idea how many hours Paul spent ‘practicing’ and training, I do know he said, “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Cor. 9:26-27) “When you’re awake, go for the gold!” I don’t know how many times Paul entered into competition, but I do know he felt the pains of opposition: “Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? “(2 Cor. 11:23-29) “When you’re awake, go for the gold!”I also know that Paul didn’t need to rely on perfection; rather he rested in grace. “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”(1 Cor. 15:9-10) “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”(2 Cor. 12:9) “When you’re awake, go for the gold!”
I know the gold – the crown – is in store for me, because I have been saved by grace through faith. But it makes me wonder: how have I been running – how strict is my training – how purposeful, or aimless, has my running been? At the end of my race I want to be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”So from now on, I will strive to spend every waking hour living for Jesus. From hereon my motto is “When you’re awake, go for the gold!”Will you join me?
Pastoral thoughts

Irritation

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PRINCIPLE: “When the irritants irritate, drive!”
There are many things in life which irritate me. I’m irritated, for example, by the driver ahead of me on a two lane road, who keeps speeding up and slowing down – all because he’s paying more attention to his cell phone conversation than his driving. He’s a danger to others. I’m irritated when someone calls for tolerance but refuses to listen to my viewpoint. She’s a divider, not a unifier. It’s irritating when someone says “If I were you…”, because they’re not me. I imagine you have things which irritate you as well.
But there’s another kind of irritant that has grabbed my attention. It’s not something someone else has done or is doing that irritates me – it’s what I’m doing or not doing that causes the irritation. The nation of Israel was troubled by these irritants. In Numbers 33:55 God tells them “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live.” God knew their hearts – He knew that if they allowed temptations and evil to be among them, they would cave under the pressure and turn their backs on Him. So as they moved into enemy occupied territories God told them to drive out the inhabitants, to get rid of all evil that could potentially turn them in the wrong direction. If they did not, God warned, they would become barbs, splinters, pricks in their eyes and thorns in their sides. These tempting evils would irritate them to the point where they give in and give up.
What temptations, what habits, what tendencies towards sin are irritating you?  What are the ‘pulls’ on your life that that fill you with guilt or cause you anxiety? You’re tempted to click on that porn site, to take that one extra drink, to have that one ‘romantic’ fling, to lie on that application, to seek revenge on that person who hurt you…Whatever it is, drive it out. “When the irritants irritate, drive!” When someone or something other than Christ is controlling your desires and passions, when someone or something other than Christ is controlling your time and energy, when someone or something other than Christ is your focus drive it out. “When the irritants irritate, drive!” Or the irritants will become barbs and thorns that trouble you everyday. As the NLT puts it, “…they will harass you.”
But what does ‘driving’ look like? The primary action that will help you begin to drive is to put and keep God’s Word in your heart. Ps. 119:9-16 is clear and powerful: “How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it]. With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; Oh, let me not wander or step aside [either in ignorance or willfully] from Your commandments. Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Amplified Bible) Eugene Peterson, in The Message, paints this picture for the same verses: “How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living. I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it. I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it. Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions. My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!— insatiable for your nourishing commands.”  “When the irritants irritate, drive!”
There is more to do to drive away the irritants, but this is where it begins. Remember Jesus used the Word of God to drive away Satan in the wilderness. “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Mt. 4:11) It can be so for you. “When the irritants irritate, drive!”
Pastoral thoughts

Lessons from Fainting

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PRINCIPLE: “When you think it’s only you, think again.”
I am blessed not only because my wife is an outstanding nurse, but she also loves and cares for me in outstanding ways. For many years I was susceptible to fainting spells – I would faint with no warning or no chance to react. As a result, Barb would often make extra check ups on me. If, for example, I was showering and  dropped the soap, upon hearing the thud she would be there in a flash to be sure it wasn’t me making the thud. So I always felt extra safe when she was around; I knew I wasn’t alone. Her loving nature, evidenced in her seeking me out and checking up on me, gave me a stronger sense of security.
I’ve thought about this security often. In fact, I’ve come to recognize that the same extra security is ours because of God’s love and nature. Whenever we begin to think we’re all alone somewhere, or doing something all alone, or that we’ve stepped out of God’s presence because of our sinful nature, or that we are helpless to make some major decision, we need to remember “When you think it’s only you, think again.” God’s loving nature is such that He is always seeking us, coming to us, running to us. He came to Adam & Eve after they had sinned, to offer grace and protection. He came to Noah to offer safety and life. He came to Abraham to offer a future. He came to Joseph to offer a kingdom and an opportunity to save His people. He came to an infant Moses to spare his life and to an adult Moses to call and empower him to free God’s people. He came to Daniel and saved him for greater things by shutting the lion’s mouths. He came to all the prophets to enlist them to be His word to the world. He came to Mary to make her the mother of His Son. He came to Jesus to affirm that He was His beloved Son in whom he was well pleased. On God’s behalf, Jesus came to seek and save the lost – in doing so He came to person after person with healing, forgiveness, and new life. God came to Jesus in the tomb and raised Him up to be the first-fruit of those who die. He came to thousands on Pentecost to fill them with His Spirit and to live within them. And Jesus says He is coming again soon. Such is the loving nature of God.
Whenever we think we’re all alone, or something is only about us, it’s not. Whenever we think we’re on our own, we’re not. Whenever we think we’ve stepped outside God’s presence, we haven’t. Whenever we think we have to make a decision all alone, we don’t. Whenever we think there will be no one to help us, there is. “When you think it’s only you, think again.” Through Ezekiel the prophet God said (34:11-16), “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them…I will search for the lost and bring back the strays, I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak…”  In Luke 15 Jesus points to Himself as the One sent by God to seek, sweep, search for, and run to us to bind us up, heal us, bring us back home and strengthen us. And He’ll come with no warning, before we have a chance to react! It’s His nature and His love.
So we are never forsaken, never alone. “When you think it’s only you, think again.”  Claim the words of Isaiah 43:1-5 (Good News Translation) – “Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you…Do not be afraid – I am with you!” “When you think it’s only you, think again.”
Pastoral thoughts

Oil, Oil, Everywhere

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PRINCIPLE: “Before the motor’s running, check the cap.”
I was all set for another round of mowing. Though we have ¾ of an acre I actually enjoy it – riding the tractor mower is a break from the normal routine and gives me an hour of relaxation and ‘think time.’ And it gets me outdoors into God’s masterpiece we call creation.
But I have come to realize that even this ‘out of the normal routine’ activity has its routines. Check the gas, check the oil, put in ear plugs, put on a hat… Therefore the preparation for mowing becomes an almost mindless effort. That can be good  since it doesn’t drain much energy; but it can also be bad since it’s easy to slip up and not pay attention. So it was that I learned a lesson.
I had been mowing for 10-15 minutes when I looked down at my foot resting comfortably on the footrest. My white sock was wet and turning a brownish color. I suddenly realized that oil was spewing out and spraying over not just my sock but everything. Things were getting sticky and messy in a hurry. I turned the ignition off, opened the hood and immediately discovered that after I had checked the oil, I had not secured the dip stick – therefore, as the motor ran oil was shooting up and out the spout. Lesson learned: “Before the motor’s running, check the cap.”
James said the same thing: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20)  “Before the motor’s running, check the cap.” If we don’t, words and venom will spew out and spray over everyone. And, as I discovered, once oil is on the sock, there is not only a sticky mess but also the stain is set, causing an irreparable mess. The sock will never be pure white again. Similarly words and spurts of anger cause sticky, often irreparable messes that discolor and injure others.“Before the motor’s running, check the cap.”
It’s  no wonder Scripture is filled with warnings and admonitions about anger. “A hot tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”(Pr. 15:8) “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” (Pr. 16:32) “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” (Eccl. 7:9) “Before the motor’s running, check the cap.”
Paul tells us what it means to check the cap. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph. 4:31-32)  Before engaging the mouth, think of how Jesus would respond to you. Take time to listen, to think, to plan how we will react and what we will say. Instead of responding in anger, consider what responding with compassion would sound like, what offering forgiveness would look like, what Jesus responding would look like. “Before the motor’s running, check the cap.”
It’s amazing how careful I now am each time I prepare to mow – the oil cap never goes unchecked! In fact, sometimes I wear the oil-stained sock to remind me to check the cap. And every time I see the sock in my pile of socks, I am reminded “Before the motor’s running, check the cap.” James was spot on. As Eugene Peterson put it in The Message (James 1:19-21): “Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.” May your garden be bountiful!
Pastoral thoughts

Reading DIrections

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Principle: “When you need full directions, read the full directions.”

We were anxious to get to the ‘Scenic View of the falls.’ Since it was up in the mountains we knew it would be a glorious sight. The tourist information said that we would only be able to drive so far, that we’d have to walk some distance to get the view. That was okay – we were up for it.
We were all set to hop in the van and start the climb when Barb, looking at the tourist map, discovered the words ‘Open May – October.’ It was February. Cancel the plan! We were disappointed. But in the midst of our disappointment we were also grateful – grateful that we had read the directions in full before driving and walking further up the mountain. Another of life’s lessons was re-enforced: “When you need full directions, read the full directions.”
Reading the directions after setting out, or reading only part of the directions, not only wastes time but also leads to unnecessary frustration and, sometimes, even to lostness or disaster. It’s simply better to read the directions ahead of time. “When you need full directions, read the full directions.”
The Psalmist had learned the same principle. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (119:105) When we’re headed into new and unfamiliar territory, following a reliable map is wise. When we’re moving towards darkness and uncertainty, having a reliable light is wise. When we don’t know the way, reading the directions is wise. “When you need full directions, read the full directions.”
Eugene Peterson, in his Message, wisely translated the verse, “By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.” The Psalmist’s experience in life had taught him that the only way to travel through the unknown paths of life ahead of him was to listen to the only One who knows what’s ahead. In fact, the Psalmist said (119:97) that he loved God’s law, that he meditated on it (read the full directions) all day long. Why? “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies…I have more insight than all my teachers…I have more understanding than the elders…I gain understanding from your precepts…” “When you need full directions, read the full directions.”
It makes sense, doesn’t it? As the only One who knows what’s ahead God is the only One who knows the way. And He has given us more than His law and His words – He has given us Jesus who is ‘the way’ (Jn. 14:6) and the light of the world. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12)
Do you know what lies ahead? Or is your future cloudy or dark? Do you know where you’re headed – and how to get there? Have you been that way before? Or do you need some direction, some clarity, some guidance, some assurance? “When you need full directions, read the full directions.” God has given you His Word. God has given you Jesus, His living Word. It is possible to know the way. It is possible to arrive at the top of the mountain. Just read the directions ahead of time. “When you need full directions, read the full directions.”