"Get rid of the pocket Flap Velcro, and give us back our buttons." The US Army did a recent study on the effectiveness of the hook and pile tape-the official designation for the space program invention that has made it possible for youngsters all over the world to delay learning the intricacies of shoe-tying-and that was the verdict. It's not nostalgia that caused the soldiers to desire the ancient fastening technology. Pockets loaded with whatever a soldier needs when he goes into battle strain the fuzzy closures, which sometimes come open at very inopportune times. Like many more complex devices, the dust and sand of the desert tend to clog the press and stick fasteners. Tests show that three buttons per pocket work better in the grime and mud, don't give-off a tell-tale "RRRRRIP" sound when opened, and cost tax-payers about a buck per uniform less to boot.I'm apt to do a STTA, when some news item gives the right stimulus, about sentimentally holding onto something from the past too long, after modern technology offers a better way.The point is: Nothing is either right or wrong, or better or worse, just because it is older or newer. Closures on combat uniforms ought to be judged on the basis of utility. Other issues or objects have their appropriate metric-being old or new is not it. If you love the patina that only comes from decades of use, or if you enjoy the smell of new, go for it, as long as something more important-like keeping a pocket secure--isn't involved. It's STTA

Using or abusing? Taking or caretaking?

Waiheke Island has something in common with much of the rest of the world. In the 19th Century all the trees on the island big enough for saw-logs were harvested, the rest of the vegetation was burned, and the land converted to grazing land. The problem is across much of the world resources were taken to profit a few. Little if any thought was given to putting anything back, while generations to come were left to deal with the deficit. After a one-hundred-fifty years much of Waiheke is once again covered with forest. The birds once again have a place to nest and feed.In the past people have mistaken used fact that God gave people the dominion over the world as an excuse to take what they wanted without concern for putting anything back. An honest look at Genesis1:26-31 & 2:15, however, indicates that God made us caretakers more than just takers.People are the pinnacle of creation, and this world is a place prepared for our use, but that in no way justifies the earth's abuse.This world is marked by sin and the ravages it brings to all creation, Romans 8:22. We long for the time when the Lord finishes His work of redemption, not only in us, but in all the world, Romans 8:23-25. In the mean time we ought to do what we can to care for the home God has given us in which to live.
It's STTA.

It's weird.
I took my friends motor-scooter out a little while ago. I'm a regular bicycle rider and have ridden motorcycles and mopeds in the past, so being on two wheels wasn't the issue. It was riding/driving on the left.
I found myself thinking through every turn. For more than forty hears making a left-hand turn has meant going to the far side of the road I was turning onto. Not here. Today it meant turning into the nearest lane. It is the right-hand turn that requires greater vigilance. Through in round-abouts at almost every intersection and--well--let's just stay it kept me alert.
I'm glad to say no paint or blood was lost.

So what is the right side of the road to drive on.? In much of the world it is the left side
How should we read, left to right or tfel ot thgir?
We could accumulate hundreds of similar cultural and regional questions.
If today I had chosen to be an arrogant American and ridden my friend's scooter on the right . . . well you finish the thought.
Are all rules of right and wrong just arbitrary matters. I heard yesterday that Samoa recently changed its law. It used to be a drive-on-the-right country. Now they are keep-left. I assume they have their reasons; neither in the ultimate sense is right or wrong.
Are there matters that are always right or always wrong? Who gets to say concerning these matters there are no options? Are there principles and laws that are beyond region or nation, concepts that if we choose to violate them there is a price to be paid?

It's STTA.

A Bride for Isaac and a Pony for Eliana:

I was privileged to listen in as a friend and associate was sharing from the Bible with his little girls. They are going through the book of Genesis. In addition to Genesis 24 being adult, or at least teenaged material, the story of Abraham's servant finding a bride for Isaac is long. My friend, rising to the challenge, pointed out the faith involved in the trusted servant's journey. He was flying blind. His dependence on God's guidance is evident. "I being in the way, the Lord led me." (24:27) In the same way that Abraham wanted to find a suitable wife for his son, and the family servant wanted to fulfill of role entrusted to him, Eliana had wanted a toy pony--one of those with a long mane that she could comb. My friend related the little girls prayer of faith about a desired toy to the old patriarch's trust in God for the provision of a daughter-in-law. God cares about both. My need is some where in between those two poles. God answered the old man and the little girl in His way, according to His plan. I'm glad I got to listen in. It encouraged me to make my requests known to God, with thanksgiving. (Philippians 4:6) It's STTA.

One, Two, Three, strikes at the Old STTA:

An old story tells of three baseball umpires discussing balls and strikes:One of the men in black was impressed with his own accuracy. "Some is strikes and some is balls. I calls 'em the way they are.Another figured he had the power to actually make truth. "There ain't none of 'em balls and strikes 'til I calls 'em.The final ump believed in the reality behind the call, and knew his own limitations. "Some is balls, 'n' some is strikes. I calls 'em as I seez 'em"It wasn't a ball and strike call, but the discussion above is incredibly relevant to a game Armando Galarraga pitched yesterday. Making the call on the basis of hindsight and instant replay it is clear that Galarraga pitched a perfect game. An infield grounder was fielded by the first baseman, who tossed the ball to the pitcher who caught it and touched first a step before the batter. Listening to the sports-caster you can tell that's the way he saw it. The Ump, though, was calling 'em as he saw 'em, and for whatever reason, by his own admission when he saw the replay, he called it wrong. Unless the Commissioner of Baseball overturns the call-unlikely-the pitcher won't get credit for a feat so elusive that there are fewer than thirty perfect games in major league history.Stinks doesn't it? And that is STTA.But, does it change what the talented pitcher did? Does the fact that the umpire got it wrong change what the athlete accomplished. Well yes, and no. In one sense the umpire is one of the variables of the game. Other perfect games have been likely been spoiled because a gust of wind caused a fly ball to carry, or a fan in a white shirt distracted a fielder, who dropped a fly ball. Yet, no, the fact is the fact, even if it is called wrong. And that's something else to think about.There is only one Who is capable of rendering judgment that is unalterably consistent with fact. As John said of the Lord, "His judgments are true and righteous." (Revelation 19:2)And that's Something to Think About, strike three.

I'm riding the answer to your prayer:

One of my favorite scenes in a movie doesn't come from a major production. Sheffey is the story of circuit rider, Robert Sheffey. His area of ministry was around Radford and Abingdon VA, and over into the Bluefield WV region. When he was going from community to community a hundred-and-fifty years ago the area was mostly wilderness. Some of it still is. The preacher got around on horseback. Gideon, his trusted mount, was his closest companion. One day Sheffey met a family, all their possessions loaded on a wagon, and their horse dead. The man could have walked back to town and bought a horse, but they had no money. Sheffey was known as a man of prayer so he got down to tal;k to the Lord on behalf of the unfortunate folk. He never finished his prayer, though. Long before he got to the "amen" he realized he had been riding the answer to their prayer. He spent a moment saying good-bye, gave the folk some instruction about feeding and watering his old friend, slung the saddle on his own shoulder and headed on to town. I guess that scene touches me so, because I know that man--not Bob Sheffey; I'm not quite that old, but folk just like him. People who just keep on giving in service to God and others. A friend of mine, for example, is a modern circuit rider. He has a Bob Sheffey heart. He's looking to get a two-wheeled Gideon to use on his rounds. You might be part of the answer to his prayer. If you want to find out more drop me a line. It's STTA.

Ret.

I've probably seen it before--with my memory the way it is I may have received a note signed like this last week--but when I got the email today the signature caught my eye. "Pastor ____ ____ (Ret.)"I have seen that notation at the end of the names of retired military brass. And I notice that even as rancorous as the new media is today, interviewers almost always refer to ex judges, congress-persons, presidents, and governors by the title of the last, or in some cases the highest, office that they held. The (ret.) is understood.Since I'm a pastor who has gotten to an age when retirement, senility, or death are distinct possibilities, I thought about the three letters bracketed by parentheses for a moment. My friend who sent me the email just retired after a long and fruitful ministry. I thought of how glad I am to see him wear that title. He has brought credit to this calling of shepherding God's people. He kept the course and is finishing well. He continues to serve now that he is no longer in full-time ministry I thought when I turn in my notice, I'd like to continue to be known as someone who led the church. I thank my friend for leading the way with such faithfulness and distinction. He makes me glad to sign my name:Howard Merrell (not yet ret.) It's STTA.