Politics: It isn't the answer, but it might point the way.

Politics isn't the answer, but. . . :

Last night Donald Trump accepted the Nomination of the Republican Party for President of the United States.  Unless something totally unforeseen happens, next week Hillary Clinton will receive the Democrat nomination.  Both of these candidates achieved their position at the top of the ballot by winning millions of votes in primaries and caucuses.  I’ll wait until after Mrs. Clinton officially gets the nod before commenting on her candidacy, but clearly Mr. Trump tapped into some widely held views among American voters.  Jim Denison offers ten reasons why Mr. Trump won his party’s nomination.  I’ll not repeat them here.  Basically, the summary is that Donald Trump fits the mood of our nation—or at least a significant portion of it—right now.  What I will quote from Denison is this:   Many Americans are angry, afraid, skeptical, and frustrated.  That's bad news for our culture, but good news for the gospel. Ultimately the solution to our problems is not political, because ultimately the problems are not political.  Campaign truthfully, and vigorously.  Inform yourself on the issues that face our nation—or for you non-Americans, your nation.  However, know that what we really need doesn’t flow from the halls of government, rather it comes from the abundance of God’s grace.   My hope is in the Lord, Who gave Himself for me.  It’s STTA.   You can read more about the life-changing Good News here.

Thoughts from 2,000 years ago that speak to us in the aftermath of the Dallas tragedy:

John the Baptist, & Jesus Christ comment on our current situation:

I was already aware of the shootings that took place in Minnesota and Louisiana.  My son spoke eloquently about the mood of our nation.   Jesus we need you We need grace. We need wisdom. We need the gospel. All solutions fall short of the gospel." I hurt for the state of 2016 America. I hurt for the pressure to pick a side over complex social issues. I hurt for Alton Sterling and his family. I hurt for the officers and their families. I hurt that in 2016 we will judge all parties from both sides on a passerby's 40sec cellphone video. I say, "Amen!" to Chad's words.  After awaking to the news from Dallas I find them even more relevant. This is not the first time that some who are responsible to keep the law have failed to do so, or have enforced the law without respect for the people they should have been protecting.  I don't think I have to convince you that the Roman legionnaires assigned to serve in far off conquered lands sometimes did so with harshness and disregard for basic human dignity.  Perhaps some soldiers had been assigned to make sure that the crowds who thronged to hear John the Baptist didn't get out of hand, or maybe they, like so many others, were simply curious about this camel-hair clad prophet.  At any rate they approached the preacher of repentance.  "Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?”  (Luke 3:14). John's reply retains its relevance.  “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with yourwages.”  (Luke 3:14)  If any readers are police chaplains, John's three exhortations provide great material for men and women in Blue to consider.  For we civilians, especially those of us who live in lands where we have input in our government, this gives a fair description of what we should expect from those who keep the peace. In His best known sermon Jesus spoke to the conquered.  If a reporter had circulated through the crowd, assembled on a hill in Galilee, she/he would have had no problem identifying stories of abuse of power.  A photographer would have been able to snap grizzly pictures of backs that had been beaten, and of wounds needlessly inflicted by over-zealous Roman soldiers--those who paid no heed to John the Baptist's counsel.    Unlike preachers like me, Jesus knew precisely the situation of the people before Him; He knew, and cared, about the contents of their hearts.  When Jesus told the people, “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two."(Matthew 5:41)  He was referring to the right that Roman soldiers had to conscript civilians to carry their equipment.  The law said they could require you to carry their baggage for one mile.  Jesus said to go beyond the requirement into the realm of kindness.  Carry it the extra mile. Check back later at my blog .  I'll share some ideas about how to apply this.  In the mean time . . . It’s STTA.

Freedom of (& on) the Road:

FOURTH on the road:

As I sit here typing, the words of an old folk ballad, "I'll be gone five-hundred miles when the day is done."  Actually, if plans go as I hope, it'll be considerably more than that.  I had breakfast with some folk out enjoying our Independence Day on their motorcycles.  Their conversation was full of route numbers and "I'll catch up."  As near as I could tell they have no where they really need to go, and they're enjoying it immensely. Part of the time I live in a nation where I'd have to drive every road in the country several times to go as far as I'll go before I go to bed tonight.  Other places I've been on the road the road is so rough that if you went five-hundred miles your back would be done.  I recall traveling a couple of hundred miles in one nation, and being flagged down every forty or fifty miles.  It's just routine there for police to check papers, question the driver, and inspect the car's contents if they choose. My big-bike riding breakfast companions have it right.  The freedom of America's open roads is worth celebrating.  It is something that we ought not take for granted.  It is a resource that God has granted.  When my DAY is done, what will I have done with it.  It’s STTA.

Networking, No bytes involved:

Something to Think About Networking:

One of the catchwords of our day is "networking."  Many, especially young people, but not a few gray-heads, are connected almost constantly.  They Tweet, Post, and regularly login to their social media accounts.  While the technology is something that is a product of the last few decades the concept of networking is not new.  The New Testament is full of a web of relationships.  Note how the Apostle Paul always seems to be in the center of a crowd.  Track some lesser known folk, like John Mark, Apollos, or Aquila and Priscilla, through the pages of the New Testament and you'll note a pattern of many intersections. One of the features of this networking done right is a concept that is often called fellowship.  In the Greek of the New Testament it is koinonia.  We find an example in the book of Philippians.  ". . .     you have done well to share with me in my affliction.  You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the firstpreaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.  (Php 4:14–16)  Clearly the fellowship being spoken of was not a recreational matter.  It was a vital part of getting the work of spreading the Gospel done.  The people in the little church in the town of Philippi were partners (1:5) with the Apostle in the great work. Biblical fellowship does not always involve passing money from one person to another, but it always will help those who are doing the task to do it better. It’s STTA.   I've been experiencing more of the wonder and encouragement of fellowship in my post-retirement career.  You can read more about it here.

The First Time, a second view:

Something to Think About First Times, the second time:

A bit of balance about first times. Two statements that stick in my mind: My pastor when I was growing up, who later became my Father-in-law, used to speak about folk still being "forked end down."  By that he meant they weren't dead yet. One of the hardest working people I ever knew, a business woman who was a charter member of the church I pastored, used to say, "You can't begin any sooner than right now." I put both of those together to make an "X," as in "X marks the spot."  If you are still forked end down then you still have opportunities.  You can mourn about all the chances to make a difference youmissed, or you can survey the ways you can move the needle in the right direction right now, and step up.  You'll never begin any sooner. Get busy. It’s STTA.

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.

Don't try to bargain with death.

Something to Think About DEATH:

I can't say that I'm a Bluegrass fan.  I enjoy some of it.  I have some friends who play and I particularly appreciate hearing them.  Especially in the Appalachian region where I live there is no disputing the impact of Mountain Music.  Ralph Stanley was one of the pioneers of the genre.  He died today, June 23, 2016 If you look up the word "haunting," you are apt to find a reference to Ralph Stanley's song "Oh Death."   Oh death, oh death    Won't you spare me over til another year Well what is this that I can't see With ice cold hands taking hold of me Well I am death none can excel I'll open the door to heaven or hell Whoa death someone would pray Could you wait to call me til another day The children pray the preacher preached Time and mercy is out of your reach I'll fix your feet til you can't walk I'll lock your jaw til you can't talk I'll close your eyes so you can't see This very hour come and go with me In death I come to take the soul Leave the body and leave it cold To drop the flesh off of the frame The earth and worms both have a claim    Oh death, oh death    Won't you spare me over til another year My mother came to my bed Place a cold towel upon my head My head is warm my feet are cold Death is a movin upon my soul Oh death how you're treatin me You close my eyes so I can't see Well you're hurtin my body you make me cold You run my life right out of my soul Oh death please consider my age Please don't take me at this stage My wealth is all at your command If you'll remove your icy hands Oh the young the rich or poor All alike to me you know No wealth no land no silver or gold Nothin satisfies me but your soul    Oh death, oh death    Won't you spare me over til another year    Won't you spare me over til another year    Won't you spare me over til another year Death can't be reasoned with.  It's not authorized to make bargains. We simply know that "each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27, NLT). Pleading with death makes for powerful, plaintive music, but it is useless.  If you look at Stanley's words he knew this.  Rather than plead with death, trust the Lord of life. It’s STTA.   Read here to find out how to prepare for life and death.