Stop and Smell God's Creation

 “I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.”  George Washington Carver

 

  An atheist was walking through the woods, admiring all the “accidents” that evolution had created. “What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!” he said to himself. As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. Turning to look, he saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charging toward him. He ran away as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw the grizzly was closing in. Somehow he ran even faster, so scared that tears came to his eyes. He looked again, and the big bear was even closer. His heart was pounding, and he tried to run faster. He tripped and fell to the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up, but the bear was right over him, reaching for him with its left paw and raising its right paw to strike him.
  At that instant, the atheist cried, “Oh God help!” Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. Even the river stopped moving.
  As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, “You’ve denied My existence for all these years, taught others that I don't exist, and even credited creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect Me to help you out of this predicament now? Am I to count you as a believer?”
  The atheist looked directly into the light and said, “I would feel like a hypocrite to become a Christian after all these years, but perhaps you could make the bear a Christian?”
  “Very well,” said the Voice.
  The light went out. The river ran. The sounds of the forest resumed. Then the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed its head, and spoke: “Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful.”
  Though I’m a Creationist, I have to confess that that atheist is a better person than I am. He was thankful for the glories of nature though he gave credit to the wrong “creator.” Too often I can fly through life and be oblivious to the blessings of God’s wonderful creation all around me.
  I love this time of year with the blooming flowers and their overwhelming fragrance. Our backyard is awash with the blooms of our apple trees. All of the trees have filled out again with their canopies of green. The birds have returned and we wake up to hear them serenading us. At night you have to be cautious about deer, raccoons, and possums. Spring is glorious!
  With the warm weather, Jane and I look forward to walks around the neighborhood and enjoying the beauty of our neighbors’ flowers and gardens. I have a bench in front of our home where I’ll sit and read. It’s an opportunity to connect with neighbors. I love watching folk go by with their families or walking their dogs or children streaking by on their bikes.  
  Wisconsin has some of the most beautiful sunsets that I’ve ever seen and what can compete after a thunderstorm with our rainbows. The glories of God’s creation bring us out to look in awe at what He has done!
  At night I love listening to crickets and frogs. Every now and then, you’ll hear an owl hooting. As a child, I remember listening to the Whippoorwills. There’s something breathtaking about a large moon or a star-filled sky.
  This summer Jane and I are looking forward to long walks on the beach. We’ll look for unusual shells, crabs skittering away, or fish leaping out of the water. Jane loves to find those unique nature trails to some waterfall or rock formation that you can only see when you hike back to it. We’ll watch some glorious sunsets on the ocean.
  To enjoy God’s creation takes time. With our accomplishment-focused culture, we cram too much into what should be downtime. It’s easy to forget that even in a family or couples getaway, the emphasis is on the individuals, not the destination or activities. It’s the ones we’re traveling with not where we’re traveling or what we will do that’s important.  
  That child or grandchild will never be the same age and have the same interests and focus in 2024 as they have in 2023. Your spouse, even though we adults seem static, won’t be the same in 2024 as they are in 2023.
  There’s one requirement if you’re going to “stop and smell the roses.” You must stop! You must slow down. It means taking time.
  Our time-oriented world values speed not substance. It deceives us into believing accomplishments or destinations are more important than relationships. Most of the world is in a hurry, always rushing; yet very few even know where they’re going or why they’re going there. They rush to yet another event that often has no real meaning for them, or perhaps that they really don’t even want to attend. It’s just another obligation.
  Or we let technology steal from us the wonder of God’s creation or depth in our relationships. Our TVs, computers, and smartphones steal from us what truly matters. We’re often focused miles away yet oblivious to those in the same room. There’s no conversation or dialogue. There’s only watching often what is little more than inane dribble on a screen.
  We must commit to slowing down, living in a slower rhythm, God’s rhythm, not this world’s pace. The Lord Jesus was never in a hurry when He walked this earth and God is absolutely not in a hurry now. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” We must learn to let each thing in our lives have its season and realize we can enjoy that season without barging into the next one.
  Our frenetic pace robs us of quality lives and relationships. We’re moving so fast that we miss the grand masterpieces of God’s creation! So please take the time to enjoy life. Strengthen relationships with those you love. Trust God to give you the grace, energy, and time to do everything you actually need to do at a pace that allows you to enjoy the journey.

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

I'm Offended!!

 

“People who wish to be offended 

will always find some occasion for taking offense.”  John Wesley

 It seems every day someone or some group is reported to be offended. Inadvertently someone says something or violates a new cultural faux pas and finds themselves engulfed by an inferno of micro-aggressions. 

  For example, recently I read that the color of park ranger uniforms is considered racist, at least by one group. This will probably be offensive to someone yet I find myself rolling my eyes at such absurdity. Yet, it’s not only the cultural elite who can be thin-skinned. Too often it’s us – Christians, who are needlessly offended. Recently, I found myself rolling my eyes at a well-meaning Christian who got their nose out of joint.

  The World and Everything in It podcast carried a story about poet, Ann Porter, who wasn’t published until very late in life when she was in her eighties. It was a great story of someone in their twilight years that persevered and used their talent and was published. BUT one listener was offended that the story focused on her age and not that Porter was also a wife and mother. They felt motherhood was dissed because the story failed to mention it. This listener e-mailed:

  “I am a stay-at-home mom homeschooling or doing distance ed with my children, I feel even more discouraged when I hear a philosophical statement that implies that this lady poet didn’t find or fulfill her calling until she got her poems published in her 80s. What does that say about what I’m investing my life in?”

  Executive producer, Paul Butler, graciously responded: “We did not intend in any way to suggest that Ann Porter had missed her calling until she was 80 years old. Or that being a poet was somehow more important than being a parent. What we intended to communicate was that even at 80 years old, when our society tends to push our seniors to the margins and silence them, God still had work for her to do.” Butler answered well. I’d have been tempted to not be so gracious. The bottom line is that those who want to be easily offended probably will be.

  My good friend and fellow pastor, Vic Koshir, like most leaders would find himself periodically caught in the crosshairs of offending someone. Vic cynically concluded: “If there is no possible way that anyone could possibly be offended, be assured that someone will be.” And while there are things that are offensive, too many of us in the Church are oversensitive and too easily offended. As believers who have been forgiven so much and shown so much grace, we should be those who are not easily offended.

  The core reason a believer is easily offended is that they don’t truly understand grace. Scripture is so lucid – those who know how much that they have been forgiven, forgive much. It’s difficult to say that you know Jesus as your Savior when you do not forgive and act graciously as He did.  

  The soft spot for most of us, like that offended Mom, is our pride. Most of us have a list of heinous sins. Pride should yet rarely makes our list.

  As we move into the holiday season, bygone family wounds have a way of resurfacing. Many of us will be in close proximity to those who know our often not-so-wonderful history. Tales of adolescent buffoonery often are reshared for the enjoyment of all, except the “victim.” Things will be said that if a coworker or friend said the same, would be overlooked. Yet, because it’s a family member and because there are often other unresolved issues, it becomes a conflict even the United Nations couldn’t fix.

  So how can work to not be easily offended?

  Start with not being offensive. If something doesn’t need to be said or pointed out, it shouldn’t be. The world won’t grind to a halt if the gravy is lumpy or the pumpkin pie is cracked. If things don’t start on time or someone is tardy, it’s not a crisis. And please don’t parent someone else’s child, even if it’s your grandchild. Unless something is going to be broken or someone will be injured, silence is golden. Politics are appetite-killer subjects, even if everyone agrees.

  Allow most of life to be indifferent to you. Someone’s bad mood isn’t about you. Someone’s off-color humor is better ignored. If you’re overlooked or neglected, it isn’t even about you. It’s about them. This way, less in life will offend you and your joy will be much less fleeting too. After all, others are entitled to their opinion. So let them have it cheerfully yet choose to not let them have your opinion.

  Be the grateful, affirming one. Be thankful you were invited. Even if it’s your parent's home, once you’re an adult they don’t owe you anything. Remember that someone took the time and money to make the preparations, so thank them. Notice the seemingly little things like decorations or how the table is set. Someone had to go out and purchase the turkey and make the menu items. It may have been very intimidating for them. They may not feel that they are a proficient cook.

  Determine to be a person of praise and encouragement. Ours is a negative culture that’s quick to point out fault, yet slow to affirm. As believers, we’re to be different. Be the one that everyone is glad is there!

  Be Jesus. A verse that I pray often that God will make true in my life is Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ…” Yet I must confess that too often, “For to me to live is Scott” is the outcome. Yet, when Jesus rescued me from my sin, He made me His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20). I want to represent Him well. I’m dependent on His power and grace to accomplish that. Thankfully it’s readily available to every believer.

  So this season (really all of the year) be Jesus! Be a person of generous grace! Overlook most of what’s not worth being noticed and certainly not worth being offended over. You and I have been forgiven so much and shown so much undeserved grace. Let’s share that grace we’ve been given!

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address

Skipping Thanksgiving?

 

“When I'm worried and I can’t sleep,
I count my blessings instead of sheep,
and I fall asleep, Counting my blessings” 

So, what’s your favorite Christmas movie? There are a few movies that, well, it’s just not quite Christmas if I don’t watch them at least once during the season. One for me is White Christmas. There’s also a big message for Thanksgiving in that movie. Remember when Bing Crosby sang “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)” to Rosemary Clooney? “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep…” But do you know what? I’m not so good at counting my blessings. I’m much better at counting my burdens or the things that I’m ticked off about. I’m a natural grumbler. More times than I want to admit, I’m an ungrateful brat and need to repent.

This year, I don’t feel very thankful. Because of Covid-19, I’m missing a lot of things. We were supposed to be in Taiwan with Aaron and Jiayu in April but that didn’t work out. We delayed it to the first part of this month, but those plans had to be jettisoned as well. Maybe sometime in 2021. The truth is that I miss my son. I miss my daughter-in-law. I don’t want to just do Facetime. I want to give them a big hug. I want to see them face to face.

And I hate masks (there I said it…but, yes, I wear one). I miss seeing smiles. I miss seeing people laugh. I hate seeing the fear and anger in people’s eyes when I’m out shopping. If one more celebrity or politician scolds me and tells me to wear my mask, stay home, socially distance…well, it’s enough to make me want to mug a girl scout.

I miss seeing people at church. I’m not sure when I’ll see some of them again, though I understand, especially those with compromised immunity.

It breaks my heart that I can’t go to the hospital and pray with someone before they have surgery, and we’ve had a lot of them at church. Because they must quarantine prior to surgery, I can’t even go to their home and pray with them. The best I can do is a phone call prayer. It’s all so sterile and artificial. I’m a pastor, not “Dial-A-Prayer.”

And please don’t get me going about politics. I’m an adult child of an addict. I hate being lied to. When a politician speaks, that little ditty plays in the back of my mind, “Liar, Liar, pants on fire!” I wish that it’d happen just once…instead of Facebook or Twitter censoring and doing the “fact checking” because who’s fact-checking the fact checkers?

I can’t remember a time of so much rage and anger. Add to that the burning cities, all of those who have died, the lost jobs, and the closed businesses and restaurants. If the Grinch and Scrooge are the dark side of Christmas, what’s the dark side of Thanksgiving? Turkey-zilla?

So, if it’s okay with you, I think I’ll skip Thanksgiving this year. Maybe I’ll write a book, Skipping Thanksgiving? I wonder if Tim Allen would star in the movie version?

But I can’t just blow off Thanksgiving because Thanksgiving isn’t just a national holiday, it’s the DNA of the child of God. The government may be able to cancel family gatherings BUT they can’t cancel Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is to be who we are 365 days a year, 24/7. Lately the words of the Habakkuk 3:17-18 have been rolling around in my head:  

“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation”

The continual message of Scripture is that I have a Heavenly Father who is there with me and will get me through even the worst times. That’s Habakkuk’s God. That’s the God he trusted. Often we talk about the faith of Job because of his perseverance in the midst of horrible suffering. But while Job demonstrates a college-level faith; Habakkuk is grad school – and he’s where we all want and need to be. Job trusted God after terrible suffering but he didn’t know it was coming. Habakkuk, even though he knows terrible, calamitous suffering is coming – still trusts God.  Joy isn’t found in our circumstances. It’s found in the very person of God.

It’s really not just about “counting blessings instead of sheep.” Biblical thankfulness is about God—His sovereignty, His  goodness, His love—even when it doesn’t feel like it. It’s an act of faith that changes everything.  

Christian gratitude isn’t despite the circumstances, but because of them. Because our Heavenly Father is in control that means that everything has a purpose, even when I’m not privy to His purpose and plan. It means that even when all hell is breaking loose, God is still good all of the time, kind all of the time, gracious all of the time, and merciful all of the time. His purpose is ultimately good and benevolent. And no matter what we do, that purpose will work for our good and the good of the world. It certainly puts Thanksgiving in a different light, even 2020 Thanksgiving.

Please don’t get me wrong. It’s hard to be thankful if the dark is really dark. I’m not a Pollyanna and neither were the people of God found on the pages of Scripture or believers who trusted Him throughout Church History. They were happy and thankful for the good stuff and weren’t altogether happy about the bad. Yet, they knew a secret about a good and sovereign Father who does everything right. Thankfulness was still hard in the dark, but it had meaning and moved from a cliché to a profound truth.

Because no matter what happens God is still good and He’s good all of the time. By God’s grace, I’m choosing to have a great Thanksgiving and be thankful, and not just on Thanksgiving. Even if I get COVID-19, even if the world falls apart, thankfulness is still at the heart of our faith. This world is not my Home! Now that’s something to be truly thankful about!

How about you? Want to join me as I walk forward growing in gratitude?

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.