Death

Death

This past week brought death to two women strong in their Christian faith. One was a member of our church and the other from another church in town. Both had cancer. Having spent time with both women I was impressed that despite their physical condition they chose to trust the Lord for their healing.

As a pastor and hospital chaplain I have witnessed people pass from this world to the next. Some were ready full of faith in God and at peace with their physical deterioration. Others, in spite of all that medical science can do, faced the end in fear, anger and a lifetime of unresolved issues. Death plays no favorites.

My experience confirms my belief that as a culture we are ill prepared for the inescapable reality of death. We see it played out in TV series and the evening news but that does little to impact our personal demise. It appears that the reality of death has been scrubbed from our collective consciousness. Denial does not prepare one for the experience of death.

Lest I be accused of being morbid, I want to affirm these two ladies who faced life and death squarely. One on her deathbed trusted the Lord for an almost impossible healing. The other wrote about her fear of dying and had it published before her death. Both are now in the presence of the Lord healed!

A psalm of healing and hope: “Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need! He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most. Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way. You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow. Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.”

Modesty

Modesty

Once in a while people respond to my blog. Their words are encouragement keeping me at the weekly task of writing. Recently I received several responses that mentioned that I was not politically correct. I had to chuckle because usually that is the focus of my blog. If I write what can easily be found on social media, what’s the point?

That started me thinking. From the perspective of age and experience as a pastor, there is not much I do that is culturally correct. I preach the gospel, visit the sick, counsel, marry and bury. That kind of interaction affords me a down to earth, no pie in the sky, view of life. Life you don’t run into in correct places.

Here’s a word to think about: modesty. Not the word that addresses the lack of clothing although that is one application. The modesty I am talking about is  “having a moderate or humble estimate of one’s own importance; free of boastfulness or great pretensions.” The word comes from Latin meaning       

“ keeping due measure of oneself.”

These days there doesn’t seem to be much encouragement for people to take stock of themselves. The unrelenting mantra that my rights are what is important whether you are talking about sexual preference, reproductive issues or social-economic status. My goodness, trying to take stock of oneself is like waiting for summer to come in Montana!

A suggestion to help refocus on what is important in life. Take a sanity break and ponder these words from a man who lived an unpretentious life. “Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities by the light of the faith that God has given to you all.”

Hope this helps you stay on track.

Dads

Dads

This is not a blog about how to be a great dad. I have been a dad for a long time. Looking back, I can say that dad work is an imperfect science at best. All the “how to” books don’t scratch the surface of the actual hands on, day to day life of a dad. There is no such thing as a perfect dad. My parenting mantra is this: parents give us life not perfect! Here are a couple of things I have learned about being a dad. Each one begins with the word GOOD.

A good dad sets his standard high. He doesn’t look to our culture to prompt him about fatherhood. There isn’t much TV, social media or public figures have to offer as role models for dads. A good dad looks for down to earth, principled mentors to encourage and correct him on the parenting road.

A good dad knows how to be a good son. Every man, whether he grew up in a healthy family or not, still has the opportunity to experience a relationship with his Heavenly Father. There are no lone rangers in this fathering business. Us men need all the help we can get. That help starts at the foot of the Cross.

A good dad is not just a part of the reproductive process. His contribution goes far beyond being a biological dad. He is the one who models the love of the Father by feeding, leading and protecting his children. No easy task in a culture that demeans the role of men.

A good dad lays a firm foundation in his children by word and example. He is one who is equipped to teach and discipline his children in the ways of the Lord. A dad is the model of one who can face hardship and failure as well as success and prosperity. Dad is the one who prepares his children for the long obedience in the same direction.

Dads listen closely to these words of a man who was never a biological father but was a mentoring father to many who were fatherless: “Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.”

Fools

Fools

My favorite book of the Bible is Proverbs. I read one chapter each morning. Since there are thirty-one chapters, I read the whole book each month. I read the rest of the Bible on a regular basis, but Proverbs is the one I hang around most. Why? Because it speaks to the practical issues of everyday life.

The theme of Proverbs is the skill of down to earth living. The prayer Jesus taught his disciples included the phrase “on earth as in heaven.” Early on in my walk with the Lord I realized that I wasn’t a disembodied spirit but flesh and blood who needed lots of counsel on how to live. That’s what Proverbs does.

Proverbs distinguishes between a wise person and a fool. Simply said a wise person follows after God and a fool walks away from God. The dictionary definition of a fool is one who lacks good sense or judgement. The Bible defines a fool as one who is stupid, has no common sense or is just plain silly. Not the kind of role model that lends itself to maturity.

Here are several verses from Proverbs that describes a fool:

Start with God, the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advise.

Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.

Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.

The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard; fools look for it everywhere but right here.

AND MY FAVORITE: As a dog eats its own vomit, so fools recycle silliness.

I have been called a lot of things but never a fool. I think that has to do with a daily dose of Proverbs. Try it, you’ll like it.