DateLine (5/31/06 – Five Forks, SC)
Guest Contributor for Reference Point – Vickie Maxwell – The Songbird
On Wednesday night last week I stopped by my sister’s house for a moment while she was watching the final moments of season five of American Idol. I heard the overwhelming tally of votes taken for the finale – some sixty-four million voters from devoted listeners for this season’s finale, “….more voters than had ever voted for a President of the United States in an election,” one reporter stated.
I reflected immediately on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How He would love to have sixty-four million devoted, don’t-miss-a-week fans! To not want to miss one single session with Him, and to spend a dedicated hour at that! I was very humbled by the thought and sorry for my sometimes lack of attention to time with Him. You know, maybe it’s not American Idol for me (or you), but possibly there are other “idols” with which I have replaced Jesus with. In Exodus the Lord relayed the message to Moses for the people of Israel: “Thou shall have no other gods before me.” Oh goodness, and I wonder sometimes why my days and life seem so out of order. Could it be that the order of my priorities have gone awry? Have I reconciled myself to some self-serving, preconceived idea of what “no other gods” means? It couldn’t possibly refer to anything that I may have replaced God with in my schedule of activities, right?
Let’s think about our daily schedules. Have we made allowance for that so-important time for Him? God forgive us! Do you know what always amazes me about God? That even when I’m having difficulty managing my life so that I can diligently seek His face – that disciplined effort that is so difficult – He is willing to help me with that as well. Isn’t He great? Are we having difficulty in that area of our lives? Let’s ask Him for help.
I read an anecdote recently from an email that referred to a conversation that God was having with a young woman who could not understand why her prayers were not being answered. The ending of their discussion came with the voice from God saying “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it was you; I didn’t recognize your voice.” John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” Does He know mine?
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
The High Cost of Friendship
DateLine (5/24/06 – Ponce, Puerto Rico)
I don’t have a lot of major regrets as I survey the landscape of my life, but one thing I do regret is that some friendships have slipped into the cold distance of time. Friends are hard to come by, and their loss is not to be celebrated. I’m had countless friends in the past that were closer than brothers at the time, but if I were to encounter them today they would be virtual strangers. So what happened?
Friendships are formed around shared experiences, communication, kindred spirits and proximity. Distance, lost communication and time apart can dull even the closest friendships. It’s a sad day when the realization dawns that a friendship is ebbing away. To be honest when that it occurs, one can adjust to rescue the relationship - but there is a cost; a relationship requires maintenance. We can choose to make the time, create the experiences, or pick up the phone. Unfortunately sometimes I’ve considered the facts, counted the cost, and decided that the cost was too high. The truth is we are faced with the reality of changing priorities, compressed schedules, insurmountable separations and evolving interests. Often it’s not a conscious decision at all; it’s simply neglect. Other times, it’s not our choice, the friend walked away.
I met him when I was very young, as a matter of fact I don’t ever remember a time when he wasn’t there. My parents introduced us. He lived in our home. Honestly, there was a time when I resented his presence; he crimped my style when I was attempting to find my place. On the way back from a summer camp as a teenager some mutual friends helped me to realize how special he was. He became my best friend when I was 16 years old. Of course I’m talking about Jesus.
Jesus acknowledges our friendship; it doesn’t detract from his divinity. Jesus said, “I have called you friends.” When you talk about the friendship of Jesus, the normal rules don’t apply. He’s the most unique friend that I’ve ever had. There is maintenance involved in the relationship but it’s interesting when I reengage it’s as it he never left. As a matter of fact, he promised that he would never leave. I’ve never gotten the impression he’s not listening, he doesn’t say much sometimes, but he always listens. Sometimes he’s blunt, but that’s OK because he’s always right and never ill intended and I’ve learned to trust his judgment. He’s been by my side during some of my most memorable moments, as a matter of fact, he’s been by my side during some of my darkest times.
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from my friend Jesus, it’s the true value of friendship. The high cost of a friendship is the cross, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. Lord teach me to be a friend like you.
I don’t have a lot of major regrets as I survey the landscape of my life, but one thing I do regret is that some friendships have slipped into the cold distance of time. Friends are hard to come by, and their loss is not to be celebrated. I’m had countless friends in the past that were closer than brothers at the time, but if I were to encounter them today they would be virtual strangers. So what happened?
Friendships are formed around shared experiences, communication, kindred spirits and proximity. Distance, lost communication and time apart can dull even the closest friendships. It’s a sad day when the realization dawns that a friendship is ebbing away. To be honest when that it occurs, one can adjust to rescue the relationship - but there is a cost; a relationship requires maintenance. We can choose to make the time, create the experiences, or pick up the phone. Unfortunately sometimes I’ve considered the facts, counted the cost, and decided that the cost was too high. The truth is we are faced with the reality of changing priorities, compressed schedules, insurmountable separations and evolving interests. Often it’s not a conscious decision at all; it’s simply neglect. Other times, it’s not our choice, the friend walked away.
I met him when I was very young, as a matter of fact I don’t ever remember a time when he wasn’t there. My parents introduced us. He lived in our home. Honestly, there was a time when I resented his presence; he crimped my style when I was attempting to find my place. On the way back from a summer camp as a teenager some mutual friends helped me to realize how special he was. He became my best friend when I was 16 years old. Of course I’m talking about Jesus.
Jesus acknowledges our friendship; it doesn’t detract from his divinity. Jesus said, “I have called you friends.” When you talk about the friendship of Jesus, the normal rules don’t apply. He’s the most unique friend that I’ve ever had. There is maintenance involved in the relationship but it’s interesting when I reengage it’s as it he never left. As a matter of fact, he promised that he would never leave. I’ve never gotten the impression he’s not listening, he doesn’t say much sometimes, but he always listens. Sometimes he’s blunt, but that’s OK because he’s always right and never ill intended and I’ve learned to trust his judgment. He’s been by my side during some of my most memorable moments, as a matter of fact, he’s been by my side during some of my darkest times.
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from my friend Jesus, it’s the true value of friendship. The high cost of a friendship is the cross, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. Lord teach me to be a friend like you.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Rag Basket
DateLine (5/18/06 – Ponce, Puerto Rico)
We have a place in our home where worn out dish rags, underwear, towels, and washcloths retire to. It’s not a pretty sight. We hide it in the laundry room. We’d never show it off to a guest, it stays hidden. It’s not even well organized, just a jumble of rags all stuffed in a basket. Most of them have holes or frayed edges or thin spots. They normally just sit there occupying space until. We call it the rag basket.
Fast forward to the kitchen – jar fell and it’s content splattered all over the floor. Job too big for paper towels. Quick grab me a couple of rags. Nasty job out in the garage – gotta grease up the lawn mower. How ‘bout a couple of rags? Pet’s sick – get me a box and a handful of rags to make a cozy “gurney” for the ride to the vet’s office. For these jobs we would only consider a “worthless” rag. We would never use something of value, it would be ruined. As soon as they serve their purpose, I toss them, without even a second thought. That’s what they are, rags.
The scripture records the thoughts of a person who understands how we rightfully appear to God in Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Are we all tossed into God’s rag basket? Do we just sit and wait for God to have a need for a disposable worthless piece of fabric to be used as tossed as soon as we have served His purpose? Is He ashamed of us and keeps us hidden in a dark closet so nobody will ever know that we belong to Him?
The reality is that is exactly what we deserve. We are worthy of God’s rag basket no matter how hard we may try or wish otherwise. God has every right to use us for the dirty jobs and then toss us in the garbage. As unbelievable as it may seem, He actually gives us a choice. We can live with Him as His children, knowing that we are valuable members of His family. And when He’s done with us here He ushers us into His presence in a specially prepared place in His house for eternity. Or we can choose to reject His purpose for our life, defaulting into the arms of His enemy, only to be tossed into the “rag basket” of Hell separated from Him forever.
Tossed into the rag basket, or ushered into His presence? I don’t know about you, but that’s a “no brainer.”
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
We have a place in our home where worn out dish rags, underwear, towels, and washcloths retire to. It’s not a pretty sight. We hide it in the laundry room. We’d never show it off to a guest, it stays hidden. It’s not even well organized, just a jumble of rags all stuffed in a basket. Most of them have holes or frayed edges or thin spots. They normally just sit there occupying space until. We call it the rag basket.
Fast forward to the kitchen – jar fell and it’s content splattered all over the floor. Job too big for paper towels. Quick grab me a couple of rags. Nasty job out in the garage – gotta grease up the lawn mower. How ‘bout a couple of rags? Pet’s sick – get me a box and a handful of rags to make a cozy “gurney” for the ride to the vet’s office. For these jobs we would only consider a “worthless” rag. We would never use something of value, it would be ruined. As soon as they serve their purpose, I toss them, without even a second thought. That’s what they are, rags.
The scripture records the thoughts of a person who understands how we rightfully appear to God in Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Are we all tossed into God’s rag basket? Do we just sit and wait for God to have a need for a disposable worthless piece of fabric to be used as tossed as soon as we have served His purpose? Is He ashamed of us and keeps us hidden in a dark closet so nobody will ever know that we belong to Him?
The reality is that is exactly what we deserve. We are worthy of God’s rag basket no matter how hard we may try or wish otherwise. God has every right to use us for the dirty jobs and then toss us in the garbage. As unbelievable as it may seem, He actually gives us a choice. We can live with Him as His children, knowing that we are valuable members of His family. And when He’s done with us here He ushers us into His presence in a specially prepared place in His house for eternity. Or we can choose to reject His purpose for our life, defaulting into the arms of His enemy, only to be tossed into the “rag basket” of Hell separated from Him forever.
Tossed into the rag basket, or ushered into His presence? I don’t know about you, but that’s a “no brainer.”
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Seeker Friendly
DateLine (5/11/06 – Crescent, South Carolina)
Guest Contributor for Reference Point – Michael Sheehan
Greetings Readers! No this is not the usual super talented and gifted writer and editor in chief! Do not adjust the picture or change the settings! I read Reference Point and I am always amazed at its depth of content and timeliness. Rodney, thank you for sharing God's talents in your life with us at CRBC. And thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts with our reader friends!
Did you know that the infinite, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent creator of the universe (and anything else there might be), is “seeker friendly”? Sorry Rick Warren, I do believe you have truly helped today's church take a good look at her from the eyes of those who are beyond our comfortable interiors. You have challenged the “let's do church the way we always have done it” and continue to expect people to come inside with us!! But “seeker friendly” has been in God's word and in God's way from the very beginning with Him! God is very “seeker friendly”. He coined the phrase.
Did you know that Google, the very famous search engine, services over 70,000,000 searches a day? How do you know this oh pastor you may ask? I asked Google, Duh! I simply did a Google Search on how many Google Searches were done per day. Bam! There was my answer! This information started me to thinking. I wondered what people all over the world are searching for? Cars, boats, pets, crafts, books, people and on and on it goes. The search is “on” for something more or something else!! The Search Engine has tapped into a very basic need of all people: the need to seek!!! Wow, what a market.
Did you know that God created in you the need to seek and discover? God created in you the need to know Him and yes to seek Him! The sad truth is many people search through the “stuff” of this world attempting to find what they need and come up empty. God wants you to seek, discover and find Him.
God is revealing himself not hiding himself! There is no Secret Code or incantation or hidden knowledge. He turns on the light every day so that you can see. He gives instruction so that you can understand. He speaks and brings counsel if we will but listen.
God's word encourages us and urges us: "But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29) Jesus put it this way: “...seek and you shall find knock and the door shall be open unto you.” ( Matthew 7:7)
You see, God made it easy for us to find Him. He found you first! You would never find God unless He wanted you to find Him, unless He found you!! Why not do a little more God Searching in your life? Find out more about what He is like, what He wants for you to do. I can promise you this: if you will seek God's face you will never exhaust your search and you will never tire of the discovery!! Sunday School, Bible studies, worship services, personal talks with the Lord are all proven sites. Log on and log in! Let's seek the Lord together! God is seeker friendly.
Guest Contributor for Reference Point – Michael Sheehan
Greetings Readers! No this is not the usual super talented and gifted writer and editor in chief! Do not adjust the picture or change the settings! I read Reference Point and I am always amazed at its depth of content and timeliness. Rodney, thank you for sharing God's talents in your life with us at CRBC. And thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts with our reader friends!
Did you know that the infinite, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent creator of the universe (and anything else there might be), is “seeker friendly”? Sorry Rick Warren, I do believe you have truly helped today's church take a good look at her from the eyes of those who are beyond our comfortable interiors. You have challenged the “let's do church the way we always have done it” and continue to expect people to come inside with us!! But “seeker friendly” has been in God's word and in God's way from the very beginning with Him! God is very “seeker friendly”. He coined the phrase.
Did you know that Google, the very famous search engine, services over 70,000,000 searches a day? How do you know this oh pastor you may ask? I asked Google, Duh! I simply did a Google Search on how many Google Searches were done per day. Bam! There was my answer! This information started me to thinking. I wondered what people all over the world are searching for? Cars, boats, pets, crafts, books, people and on and on it goes. The search is “on” for something more or something else!! The Search Engine has tapped into a very basic need of all people: the need to seek!!! Wow, what a market.
Did you know that God created in you the need to seek and discover? God created in you the need to know Him and yes to seek Him! The sad truth is many people search through the “stuff” of this world attempting to find what they need and come up empty. God wants you to seek, discover and find Him.
God is revealing himself not hiding himself! There is no Secret Code or incantation or hidden knowledge. He turns on the light every day so that you can see. He gives instruction so that you can understand. He speaks and brings counsel if we will but listen.
God's word encourages us and urges us: "But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29) Jesus put it this way: “...seek and you shall find knock and the door shall be open unto you.” ( Matthew 7:7)
You see, God made it easy for us to find Him. He found you first! You would never find God unless He wanted you to find Him, unless He found you!! Why not do a little more God Searching in your life? Find out more about what He is like, what He wants for you to do. I can promise you this: if you will seek God's face you will never exhaust your search and you will never tire of the discovery!! Sunday School, Bible studies, worship services, personal talks with the Lord are all proven sites. Log on and log in! Let's seek the Lord together! God is seeker friendly.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
The Appointment
DateLine (5/4/06 – San Juan, Puerto Rico)
We all have one. Many of us dread the day. Some of us get advance notice, others only a split second. We spend our whole life preparing for it, in fact our life may be an audition for it. It is unavoidable, but we really don’t like to discuss it. The old joke goes there are only two things that are unavoidable; death and taxes. I’m not sure the joke hits the mark, the only sure thing is that we all have an appointment with death.
A few weeks ago I had a routine test performed that had been ordered as a follow-on to my annual physical. I was shocked a few days later when my doctor personally called to discuss the results. It’s never good when the doctor calls. There was something unusual looking that had been spotted on my liver. He didn’t “think” it was serious but a CAT scan was ordered to get a better look. Only thing is it was a couple of weeks before I could make arrangements to get in for the CAT scan and then another weekend before the results was known. I can tell you that during this time I had to consider that my “appointment” was closer than I would like to think.
While I’ll admit that I’m ready to go, I didn’t necessarily want to get on the next bus. As much as I like technology and have benefited from it including my livelihood, I did not have much confidence that technology had a sure fire solution up it’s sleeve. As a matter of fact I learned quickly that when faced with this type of situation we develop a razor focus on those things that we really deem trustworthy. As I spoke with God about my future three things loomed on the horizon; hope, trust, and purpose. I have hope for the future through God; if not in this life then in heaven. I have trust in the providential care of the Father, He’s demonstrated in the past He will give me what I need when I need it. God created me with a purpose in mind; when I have fulfilled that purpose He’ll take me home; not a minute sooner.
The most important question that any of us face is what will become of us after the appointment. It trumps marriage partner, career, relocation, friends, investments, or any other important life decision. Citizens of modern society behave as if we have been granted an exception to the appointment. It is not true, do not be deceived. Ancient man could not escape it’s inevitability, neither will moderns. As it turned out, what the doctors spotted was a relatively common benign congenital defect; good news.
It was a slightly stressful time, but in reality it was a gift from God. Ever so often God punches through the buzz around us and speaks truth. When God speaks, it’s like the fog lifts for a few minutes. With the fog gone we can see our life as it really is. When this happens the realty that we do have the choice to mess it up is unavoidable. God, I ain’t much but whatever it is that you will, have your way.
“ . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27
We all have one. Many of us dread the day. Some of us get advance notice, others only a split second. We spend our whole life preparing for it, in fact our life may be an audition for it. It is unavoidable, but we really don’t like to discuss it. The old joke goes there are only two things that are unavoidable; death and taxes. I’m not sure the joke hits the mark, the only sure thing is that we all have an appointment with death.
A few weeks ago I had a routine test performed that had been ordered as a follow-on to my annual physical. I was shocked a few days later when my doctor personally called to discuss the results. It’s never good when the doctor calls. There was something unusual looking that had been spotted on my liver. He didn’t “think” it was serious but a CAT scan was ordered to get a better look. Only thing is it was a couple of weeks before I could make arrangements to get in for the CAT scan and then another weekend before the results was known. I can tell you that during this time I had to consider that my “appointment” was closer than I would like to think.
While I’ll admit that I’m ready to go, I didn’t necessarily want to get on the next bus. As much as I like technology and have benefited from it including my livelihood, I did not have much confidence that technology had a sure fire solution up it’s sleeve. As a matter of fact I learned quickly that when faced with this type of situation we develop a razor focus on those things that we really deem trustworthy. As I spoke with God about my future three things loomed on the horizon; hope, trust, and purpose. I have hope for the future through God; if not in this life then in heaven. I have trust in the providential care of the Father, He’s demonstrated in the past He will give me what I need when I need it. God created me with a purpose in mind; when I have fulfilled that purpose He’ll take me home; not a minute sooner.
The most important question that any of us face is what will become of us after the appointment. It trumps marriage partner, career, relocation, friends, investments, or any other important life decision. Citizens of modern society behave as if we have been granted an exception to the appointment. It is not true, do not be deceived. Ancient man could not escape it’s inevitability, neither will moderns. As it turned out, what the doctors spotted was a relatively common benign congenital defect; good news.
It was a slightly stressful time, but in reality it was a gift from God. Ever so often God punches through the buzz around us and speaks truth. When God speaks, it’s like the fog lifts for a few minutes. With the fog gone we can see our life as it really is. When this happens the realty that we do have the choice to mess it up is unavoidable. God, I ain’t much but whatever it is that you will, have your way.
“ . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27
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