Don't wait too late for a first.

Something to Think About First Times:

As I stood at the registration counter, the very nice lady asked if this was the first time I had attended the convention.  I came to know the Lord in a church that was part of this fellowship.  Many men who were part of this group of churches were key in helping me over the years.  Actually the church I pastored for most of my life is a member church.  Yet my answer as a sixty-six year old retired pastor was, "Yes." There are reasons why, I think some of them are at least kind of good reasons, nevertheless, I felt a twinge of regret as I gave the answer.  By God's grace I plan to be around for a while, but I am aware that the years I have left aren't as many as those I have spent--by a good margin.  So, since I have business to attend to, let me simply share two quick thoughts. When we put something off, we make an assumption--an assumption concerning something over which we have no control.  While I have no control over time, I do have experience in watching it fly by.  Often when I put something off until tomorrow I seriously underestimate how full tomorrow will be.  We have all had the experience of being up against a deadline and having more to do than we can get done.  Don't live in that mode.  Clearly we have a deadline, we just don't know when it is.  (Hebrews 9:27)  Choose wisely.  Once we pass an opportunity or spend a moment, it is gone.  (Ephesians 5:15-17)   Don't assume that later will be soon enough for the first time.  Maybe not. It’s STTA. Read here to find out how to prepare for life and death.

Surprised that you are surprised.

Surprised that you are surprised, 9/5

One of the signs of maturity is taking things in stride.  Little children are surprised by everything.  Getting some life under our belt ought to enable an unflappability that helps everyone in the vicinity to face difficulties--even crises--with calm and deliberateness.  When hard times come we all want that anchor person on our team. Those of us on the gray end of life need to be careful.  While our experience can foster that kind of cool, calm deliberateness, it can also go to seed in the form of cynicism and curmudgeonliness. Peter wanted his his readers to exhibit the former quality.  "Don't be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you . . . as though some strange thing were happening to you"   (1 Peter 4:12). Make no mistake.  What was going on these folk's lives was horrendous.  They had been forced to leave their homes.  They lived under the threat of, and the ongoing reality of persecution, yet Peter, who experienced his share bad treatment, said "Don't be surprised." Contrary to what we hear from many of the preachers of prosperity the Bible is clear that Christians are going to have a hard time in this world that "lies in the power of the wicked-one (1 John 5:19)."  Jesus said we should not expect to be treated better than Him (John 15:20).  Remember the cross.  The fact that most of us get along so well as Christians in the West is an anomaly. So, when I am misunderstood, or misrepresented, passed over or dumped on, I need to listen to the fisherman Apostle.  "Grow up!  Don't be Surprised.   It's Something to Think About.