Toothache, God, and Me

As I lay in bed typing this blog, I have taken both pain pills and an antibiotic to begin to deal with an abscessed tooth.  I left early from work because of the pain to get the needed medicine while I await the dentist on Monday.  I like our dentist because he is a Christian brother and we both go to the Vineyard Church in Wheeling, but I hope he knows when he sees me on Monday I will be a walking bowl of Jell-O.  Even though I hear of the advances in pain control in dentistry, the next forty-eight hours of waiting to see Keith may be as painful as the tooth.  I am a self-confessed dental coward so please pray for me. 

Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray.  Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.  Psalm 19:13-14  (The Message)

At work we have a team of nurses, a social worker, aides, and me to extend care to our patients.  I am not permitted to do anything medical or discuss medical conditions or treatments our patients face because in the field of medicine, I am not equipped.  I am also not equipped to be GOD, even though I might try.  When I gave my life to Christ, it was more than to save my soul from the wages of sin.  I ceded over to him the control and accept with humility his right to change my agenda any time he desires.  Once I have reminded myself of his sovereignty, I am like the sheets my mom washed and hung outside to dry; linen which is clean with a fragrance which only comes from hanging in the fresh air.  These thoughts of his ultimate control of me and the desire to be clean before him are the basis for my prayers. 

As the pain pills are having their effect, I am relaxing almost to the point of sleep.  With GOD I do not need medicine to relax.  Unlike Monday’s dental appointment, I have nothing to fear!

Growing Like A Weed? No. Like a tree.

Today a cool morning reminded me of the soon coming fall.  In New England where I went to college, the fall comes so quickly the leaves change seemingly overnight into the canopies of red, yellow, and orange.  The leaves fall and the tree moves into winter repeating their patterns for years on end.  The trees stand strong in the winter winds and shoulder in their branches the heavy snow and ice.  Sometimes weaker branches break under the weight but the healthy trees will soon send out shoots for next year's leaves. 

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. Psalm 92:12-13 (NIV)

One type of palm tree for the land of Israel is the Judean date palm which is known for its food, shade and shelter.  In fact, recently a preserved seed of the date palm from two thousand years ago from the digs of King Herod's palace on Mount Masada, was recovered, planted and now is growing. (SFGate.com)  The tree would grow in the desert and unlike the grasses which dried up; in drought the palm would continue to grow.  In the times of the Bible, owners of fine homes would plant trees in the courtyard.  In the gospel of John, Nathaniel is told by Jesus he saw him sitting under the fig tree, a common place for prayer.  The cedars of Lebanon were known for the fine, straight, wood with a wonderful scent were used for the wood needed in palaces and temples. 

In Psalm 1, those who do not sit, stand, or walk with sinners and meditate upon the Word of God are like trees which are planted by streams of water.  In both cases, the word planted is used.  These trees do not grow wild or get there by wind-carried seeds.  They are planted as a course of action so the owner will receive the fruit from the trees in their season.  If you have ever planted a garden of flowers you try to have them blooming throughout the season so as to have something to enjoy.  God knows when and what fruit we will produce and he is patient.  The picture of a tree for the righteous is compared to the grasses of the wicked.  They will dry up and blow away, but the trees will endure even in harsh times of drought.  A mushroom can sprout almost overnight but has no roots.  Trees like the cedars can withstand the winds on the mountain tops of Lebanon because the wood is straight and strong and deep rooted. 

Keep growing everyone, slow and steady and strong. 

Where Have All The Heroes Gone?

The highest award of our country for gallantry is the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Since the first medal awarded to Private Jacob Parrott during the Civil War, there has been 3,457 given to heroes of extraordinary courage.  The most recent soldier to be awarded this country’s highest honor was Sergeant First Class Leroy A. Petry, who saved the lives of his comrades when a grenade landed among them.  Without thought to his own safety he picked up the grenade and tossed it, losing his hand in the process. 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.  Hebrews 11:1and 2 (NIV)

In Hebrews 11, the author declares twenty-three times the phrase, “by faith” to describe the actions of these heroes of the Old Testament.  However, the word, commend, comes from the Greek word for witness: martyr.  Like those who gave the “last full measure” and died showing heroism, these witnesses of the faith are said to have been “living by faith when they died.”(v. 13) What is a hero and are there still Bible heroes today? Heroes are not people who do extraordinary things but those who act during extraordinary events because of a set of beliefs or values.  A Medal of Honor winner lays down his life for his/her belief in their country or for the love of his friends and is commended for his actions.  He has given testimony by his sacrifice of what he valued.

Yes, there are still Bible heroes today and many never are recognized for their acts of biblical heroism.  They are living each day “by faith” trusting in God’s provisions and not afraid of the wolf at the door.  They are the unsung hero who is not afraid to tell others of Jesus and “by faith” does not fear rejection or humiliation by those who resist the Word.  They are the Christian custodian who goes to work each day and “by faith” does his/her job as if they were doing it for Jesus.  They are the pastors of small churches who must work at a full time vocation to care for his family while working full time and a half for his avocation—the body of Christ.

There are no medals for biblical heroes but there is a commendation for their sacrifice:

“Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Honesty Is More Than Truthful Speech

If you have ever stopped by a fast food restaurant you might find a yellow or red box with a glass front displaying today's newspaper.  The fact is the newspaper company trusts you and me for picking up just one paper.  Also implied in this transaction is the faith we will not allow someone to take a paper without paying.  This act of trust may seem old-fashioned, but there are other opportunities of proving honesty all around us.  There is a golf driving range where I live run by an elderly gentleman.  He has the balls in the wire baskets on the porch and a basket with a rock in the office.  He has on the wall the prices of large and small baskets expecting you to put in your money before going to the range.   

Honesty is a way of life which seems to have disappeared over the years of my life.  When I was a child I heard the story of George Washington saying, "I cannot tell I lie, father.  I chopped down the cherry tree." 

Whether this is true or not the aim was to teach children the importance of honesty.  If you got in trouble by your parents it was more problematic if you compounded the crime with a lie.  Years ago schools had honor codes and you signed a pledge that you did not cheat on tests or exams.  Honesty is required in relationships as well and none can continue when lies are present. 

An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. Proverbs 14:5 (NIV)

Honesty is more than speech; it is a way of life which is far different from the world.  Jesus teaches our yes should mean yes and a no means no.  People lie to spare feelings or escape punishment or shame.  But do we live a life of honesty?  Do we give our employers a full 8 hour day?  Do we fail to help someone when it is in our power to do so?  Do we give our pastors a "fib" when he asks us to serve when the real reason is we are not happy with him?  Do we give our full tithe instead of tipping God with a few dollars?

How will  you know if you are living a life of honesty?  Ask God to try your heart.  He has all the answers.