Choices

Choices

When I get to heaven, the first question I am going to ask God is: “What did you have in mind when you created me with the ability to choose?” I know that there is a long list of questions to ask him but this one really bugs me. I am aware of the philosophical and theological answers but I want to hear it from him!

I have made my share of bad choices that led to painful consequences. Long before I was conscious of the connection between choice and consequence, I thought that it didn’t matter what I chose as long as it felt good and didn’t get me in trouble. It was confusing to me that people made choices that didn’t seem to make sense. How come people make such dumb choices?

Now that I am the parent of adult children, I have the luxury of looking back on the choices I made in raising my kids. Although there are some things I would change if I could, I do remember repeating this mantra, “In order to learn how to make good choices, you are going to have to make some bad ones and walk out the consequences.” I can still see my kids looking at me like I had two heads.

We live in a culture that majors in personal freedom and largely ignores consequences. Personal responsibility seems to be a thing of the past. When I read the newspaper or listen to the new on TV, I am continually bombarded with the blame game for the consequences of bad choices. Social pressure and correctness are leading us down the path to self-destruction. Who is going to stand up and say that when you make bad choices you are going to reap bad consequences?

The Bible is full of people who, in spite of knowing better, chose to walk away from God and live their dream. Adam and Eve were the first ones and it has been down hill since then. You would think that the sheer pain of consequences would wake us up to the reality that better choices make for a better life. The Lord says, “I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live.”

Now that’s a good choice.

Golden Men

Golden Men

As an ordination gift, my family gave me a beautiful pewter and gold chalice. It is a Catholic tradition to give a communion chalice to the newly ordained priest. Mine was professionally had crafted by an artist on a design that my parents brought back from a trip to Germany. The names of my family are engraved at the bottom of the cup.

Many years have passed and that chalice is stored away in a felt lined case. I no longer have need for such an ornate chalice. Every once in a while I open up that case and take out the cup. Memories of the past flood my mind but most importantly the love and affection my family gave me; that is more precious than gold.

St. Boniface, a 8^th century English monk, who became a martyr and apostle to Germany, had this to say about expensive church ware: “Once golden priests used wooden chalices; now on the contrary, wooden priest use golden chalices.” Boniface was challenging the clerical mindset that insisted that character didn’t matter and that robes, reverends and rituals did. As a bishop of the church, he used his influence to focus on the character of Jesus and not on the ecclesial system.

Although we live in a different century, we face the same character issues that Boniface did. In my years of church ministry, I have been privy to more than my fair share of leaders whose public persona was golden but their private life was wooden. The church has suffered much at the hands of religiousness. Is it any wonder that an increasing number of churches are leading people away from the Truth?

The Bible says: “There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money hungry, self-promoting, stuck up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, course, dog eat dog, unbending slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.”

Good advice for golden people.

Plastic Jesus

Plastic Jesus

Back in the day when cars were made of metal not plastic, the dashboard was a place where you could attach things with a magnet. You could put a metallic ashtray, clipboard or a bobble head up there and it would stay put. No more. Now we have Velcro, sticky notes and suction cup appendages. Technology does not always make life easier.

Years ago, I was traveling from Ashton, Idaho to Bozeman, Montana. My friend and I had just left a Sunday morning church service. It was mid January and a blizzard had blown in while we were praising the Lord. Driving across Henry Flats on the way home in winter is always a risky proposition. My four cylinder Vega hatchback was having a tough time plowing through snowdrifts to say nothing about the poor visibility. In a moment of desperation I jokingly yelled to my friend, “Reach into the glove box and grab my plastic Jesus. I think we are going to need him.”

I remember Paul Newman singing “Plastic Jesus” in the movie Cool Hand Luke. Here is the refrain: “Well, I don’t care if it rains or freezes, long as I have my plastic Jesus riding on the dashboard of my car. Through all trials and tribulations, we will travel every nation, with my plastic Jesus I’ll go far.”

I don’t have a plastic Jesus in my truck. It’s interesting that people put their trust in a statue, a religious medal or a good luck charm that has no power to help or save them. Idols have no power but Jesus does. He is the real deal.

Here is what the Bible says about Jesus: “Now that we know what we have, Jesus, the great High Priest with ready access to God. Let’s not let this slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all but sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take mercy, expect help.”

Now that’s the Jesus I can put my trust in.

One Eyed Man

One Eyed Man

For all the Latin scholars: “In regione caecorum rex est luscus.” Erasmus, a 16^th century scholar penned these words: “in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.” This proverb has been often quoted to describe a person with limited talent or ability but by temperament or personality stands out in the crowd.

Earlier this spring, at a college graduation, former President George W. Bush encouraged his audience by stating that even a C average student can be president. I was impressed that this man regardless of political ideology was candid enough to admit his own limitations in a crowd of academics. A sign of maturity is the ability accurately evaluate oneself and then laugh.

Our country is entering another electoral season. It seems that we barely finished the last round of debates and primaries. Could it be said that political campaigning is now our national pastime? Polling has become the new barometer of our national health. The parade of women and men aspiring for public office flood us with words and ideas that are near impossible to decipher let alone believe. By the time the last ballot is cast, our whole nation is near exhaustion.

There may be little we can do to change our constitutional system. Yet, there are ways to discern the character and words of those who desire public office. Our history often reminds us that men and women of limited education and talent but of strong character and conviction do change the course of our country. Let us not be distracted by the bells and whistles of political correctness when our future is at stake. When the smoke and mirrors of the elite blind our common sense, let people who can discern with only one eye rule the land.

The Bible reminds us, “When a country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it. But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out.”

On The Road Again

On The Road Again

Montana summers are short and sweet. The snow showers end by the middle of June followed by rain. It’s not until the first of July that it’s safe to say summer is here. When the sun comes out to stay, Montanans are on the move. Camping, hiking, mountain biking, even ridge running are in full swing. By the time mid August rolls around, you can smell fall in the air. Cooler nights and shorter days send the warning that winter is heading our way.

After six months of winter and a short spring, people want to be out and about. Jeans, flannel shirts and boots make way for shorts, tank tops and flip-flops. It’s time to hit the road and take in the beautiful diversity of the Montana landscape. Some even suggest that we take a month’s Sunday church sabbatical in July so as not to disrupt the flow of easy living without guilt.

For the last eight years, during the last week of July, Judy and I pack up the fifth wheel trailer and head to Glacier National Park. Spending six days at the West Glacier KOA with friends is as near to heaven that I can get in Montana. Hiking the Avalanche Trail, floating the Flathead River, eating s’mores around a campfire, gazing at Lake McDonald and driving Going To The Sun Road make big deposits in my happy memory bank.

When winter comes again and our world turns white and cold, I recall those lazy summer days at Glacier. The friends, the fun and campfires melt the snow and warm my heart as I count the days until I can get on the road to Glacier again.

Willie Nelson says it best: “On the road again; just can’t wait to get on the road again. The life I love making music with my friends….Goin places that I’ve never been. Seen things that I may never see again. Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway. We’re the best of friends insisting that the world keep turning our way…”

Summer is nearly over and only a few more months until we get to do it again.

Courage

Courage

Now here’s a word I don’t often hear today. Rarely are people described as courageous. Maybe it’s because we live in a world of 24-7 news shouting out the misdeeds of humankind. It could be that we are living in a dumbed down world, where we are perpetually warned not to take risks but to play it safe. Where have all the courageous people gone?

I looked up the word “courage” in the Webster’s Dictionary. Courage is the ability to do something that you know is difficult and dangerous. Courage is the strength to persevere, withstand danger, fear or difficulty! These are strong words for a culture that preaches correctness as the primary virtue. Interesting enough, the opposite of courage is cowardice: the fear that makes you unable to do what is right or expected.

Where does courage come from? Courage happens when, on a daily basis, I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and experience the successes and failures of life. Playing it safe only reinforces my fears and never allows me to step up and let the adrenaline flow. Living life to the full means risk taking not knowing if I will end in success or failure.

Hanging in our guest bathroom is a plaque someone gave us years ago. It is a quote from John Wayne: “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” I’m not sure of the context but I like what he says. Many time when in a difficult situation, I remembered those words and climb up in the saddle anyway!

The Bible is full of risk takers. Those men and women did a lot of seeming impossible things. They did it trusting not in their own ability but in their Father’s desire to see them succeed. They were willing to step out on the water knowing full well that unless God showed up they would drown.

“Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

So says the Father.

King of the Cowboys

King of the Cowboys

I opened a Birthday card from a friend and there on the cover was a photo of Roy Rogers! Just like in the movies, he had on his cowboy hat, western shirt and leather riding gloves. He was smiling and wishing me “Happy Trails until we meet again.”

If you grew up in the 50’s and 60’s you remember Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in the movies, on black and white TV, and appearing in person at special events. With his horse Trigger, Roy was always the good guy and he always caught the bad guys. Back then it was easy to tell who was who because Roy wore a white cowboy hat and the bad guys wore black ones.

Even though I never did, I remember you could join the Roy Rogers Riders Club. All you had to do was send in your name to Roy and he would send you a special RoyGram confirming your membership. This entitled you to special privileges so long as you adhered to the Roy Rogers Riders Rules; a strict code of cowboy conduct:

·      Be neat and clean

·      Be courteous and polite

·      Always obey your parents

·      Protect the weak and help them

·      Be brave but never take chances

·      Study hard and learn all you can

·      Be kind to animals and take care of them

·      Eat all your food and never waste any

·      Love God and go to Sunday School regularly

·      Always respect our flag and our country

Many years have come and gone. Our culture has changed. Yet there is something foundational in what Roy taught us. The Bible says, “Point your kids in the right direction; when they’re old they won’t be lost.”