The Talking Snake

The Talking Snake

Recently, at a men’s group, I was asked this question: “Did God create evil?” Because of the intensity of this person’s voice, this question had been vexing his mind for some time.  In fact, it is a question that has been debated down through the centuries. Realizing that there is no easy answer, I shared my conviction on the source of evil.

The Bible reveals that God made human beings with the ability to choose. It is called free will. Angels also have this ability. The prophet Isaiah tells us that one of those angels, Lucifer, decided he wanted to be like God. Because of his choice, he along with one third of the angels were barred from God’s presence.

In the opening chapter of Genesis, we see God creating man and woman and giving them a wonderful creation to enjoy and govern. Only one rule, “Don’t eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.” There were all kinds of other trees in the garden from which to eat but not that one. The penalty for eating from this tree was death.

One day, Lucifer, disguised as a talking snake, made a very convincing argument for the woman and the man to eat the forbidden fruit. He convinced them that God was holding out on them and if they but eat from that tree, they too shall be like God. They made a choice to believe the talking snake.

The consequence of their disobedience was same as it was for Lucifer, banishment from God’s presence. In the Bible, the void of God’s presence is a death of relationship that creates a vacuum in which we are left to fend for ourselves. Our choices are based on desire, need, lies, selfishness and ignorance of God’s ways. In this vacuum, the talking snake continues to encourage us to choose what is best for me which in turn sets up a domino effect of evil. The whole of creation is set askew.

Jesus says that the talking snake is there to “steal and kill and destroy. I came so that you can have real and eternal life, more and better life than you every dreamed of.”

A Wall Of Shame

A Wall of Shame

Later this summer, Judy and I will celebrate our 40^th wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe that forty years have passed since we said; “I do” in a small chapel in Duluth, Minnesota. Neither of us really knew what lay ahead as we stepped into our future together. Looking back I see that we both had a lot of growing up to do. An old friend once said, “The first fifty years of marriage are the hardest.”

It wasn’t long into our marriage that we discovered that our relationship was going to be a lot of work: we came from very different backgrounds; we were the oldest children from large families; our religious and economic backgrounds were quite different, even our outlook on life was diverse. This was a recipe for conflict.

Some years later, after birthing four children, moving back and forth from Minnesota to Montana several times, we were ready for marriage counseling. In fact, our relationship was so fractured we were considering divorce. By God’s grace, cooler heads prevailed and we sought help. This decision became a turning point in our marriage.

Our counselor gave us a word picture of our marriage: a brick wall. The wall represented the countless disagreements, fights, offenses and hurts that we had inflicted upon each other. Brick by brick we had built a wall that separated us. It was a wall of shame that would destroy our marriage if we continued this destructive behavior.

The counsel given was to stop adding bricks of hurt to the wall. We were asked to turn our attention down the length of the wall where the Cross stood. As we walked toward the Cross, each on our side of the wall, we would meet at the Cross where there was healing and forgiveness. I confess it was not an easy walk but that counsel saved our marriage.

The Bible tells us that marriage is mystery. Like any relationship, marriage is not easy, often messy and in need of grace and mercy. These are gifts from God who is the giver of all good gifts.

My Prayer Wheel

My Prayer Wheel

Before you get all upset about my using a Tibetan prayer tool, I have a story to share. Years ago when I was pastoring the Ark Church in Havre, Montana, I worked in a retail store part time. It was an opportunity to make extra income to support my family. It also gave me the chance to meet people in the community.

Cavaliers Men and Boys store employed me for the nine years. The owners, Tom and Doug, hired me even though I had limited experience in retail sales. You need to know that Tom and Doug were expert salesmen. They taught me how to sell. Their mantra was “ sell the customer what we have not what he wants.” Let me tell you, they could sell. Once I witnessed then selling a widow a burial suit with two pairs of pants for her deceased husband.

Besides learning to be a salesman, my other jobs included cleaning the toilets twice a week and vacuuming the carpet every morning. Growing up in a large family I knew how to do chores. The vacuum was an antique Kirby; heavy and awkward. It was a workout just pushing the thing around the store.

One day as I was vacuuming, this thought came into my mind: why don’t you take this “no brainer time” and pray. That started a daily routine of praying while I vacuumed. I prayed for family, friends, those in need, our church, our city and Cavaliers. I got so good at this, praying and vacuuming, that I enjoyed my morning chore. That old Kirby became my prayer wheel. The last time I was in Havre, I stopped by Cavaliers to see if the prayer wheel was still there. It was!

I confess that I miss those days working with Tom and Doug. They challenged me to step out of my religious comfort zone. They were gracious to let me study during slow times at the store. Most of all we became good friends.

The Bible says, “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.”

Riding For The Brand

Riding For The Brand

Being a flatlander, I had much to learn when I moved to Montana. Big city ways do not sit well in the small towns of the West. Probably the hardest was learning to slow down. The pace and lifestyle outside the metro is slower and more casual than I was used to. Now I only wear a suit and tie at wedding and funerals.

What I found most interesting is that there is a Code of the West. Although never officially written down, it came into being with the civilizing influence of cowboy life. The code, a way of living, was handed down by word and deed, and became the law of social behavior. It included the following: respect yourself and your neighbor, accept responsibility for your life, be a person of your word, be fair in all your dealings, and be a good friend and neighbor.  It was common sense at its best.

Another expression of the West I find interesting is “Riding for the Brand.” Louis L’Amour made this phrase famous in his western novels. One writer says, “…riding for the brand meant you signed on to the mission, that you had committed, that you were a dedicated team player.” The brand was the symbol burned onto the hide of cattle that identified their owner. When you rode for the brand, your loyalty was to the rancher who paid your salary. No lone rangers here.

I see a similarity. When I came to the place where I could not longer fend for myself and was in need of a savior, Jesus was there to take the reins of my life. What he did for humankind on the Cross empowered me to say yes to him. I continue to have a lot to learn about living this new life as a Christian. The Bible says that we are not our own; we have been bought at a price, the price of the Cross.

When I hear the words “riding for the brand,” I know that the brand is the Cross. It is a reminder that I signed on to the mission, that I have made a commitment and that I am a team player. By his grace I hold on for dear life because it is quite a ride.