PastorTim

MAKING A GOOD IMPRESSION

In the dentist’s profession, I would be what they would commonly refer to as a gagger. And all the dental assistants at Dr. Burleson’s office said, AMEN! I mean its so bad, large lollipops make me tremble. Oh I can handle a filling like a pro. Pull a tooth, I can handle that. Root canal, painful, but I can “get er done”. But let something touch the roof of my mouth and boy oh boy do I make a scene for a grown man. Embarrassing you bet, but I just can’t help it. A few months ago I had some teeth pulled to male room for a spacious new partial to be installed in the upper portion of the mouth neighborhood of my head. The problem, as I had feared was the need for an impression to be made of the my upper and lower parts of said head! Man did I worry about that! Well, the day finally arrived and all I wanted to do was to make a good impression, “I’ve been waiting all week to write that line!” Dr. Burleson was a blessing as always and with a smile on his face and bulldog grip on my jaw put er in and held on for dear life as I did my gagging thing. Finally breathing through my nose I settled down, not that I didn’t make some noise in the process mind you! All kidding aside, this needed to be done right if the partial was to come back right and work correctly. Making a good impression is not always easy, but it is very important.

It’s like that in life as well don’t you agree? I know the age-old line, you only have one chance to make a good first impression and that’s true. But what I’ve been thinking about since my visit to Dr. Burleson is that impressions are something we all make with our lives. We make them with our families, friends and coworkers. Our neighbors, those we see at the grocery store and gas stations have an impression of us. So I guess the question is, what kind of impression are we making? A good impression is the obvious answer, but what kind? Good in the sense of being a good person or are we drawn to a more detailed description? A Christ like impression might be the more desired intent. Is that possible you ask? You bet I say. As I have traveled recently through the book of Acts I find a pattern developing in the lives of the early church that I so desire in my life. Everywhere they went and to all those they met there was the evident habit of reminding people of Jesus. I love the Acts chapter four account where Peter and John are standing before the council accused of the healing of a lame man who begged by the temple, “What a thing to be accused of eh?” So there they stood, giving an answer to those that asked and in the process, old Ciaphas the high priest and others were not only amazed by their boldness and convinced by the evidence, “that would be the healed guy standing wit them”, but they took notice, it says, that they had been with Jesus! You talk about an impression! That’s the kind of impression I want to leave.

Someone once wrote, “I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine.” Oh that the impressions we leave with those we meet has the power to convince them that Jesus is alive and well!  J. Oswald Sanders in Spiritual Leadership writes, “Dr. John Geddie went to Aneityum in 1848 and worked there for God for 24 years. On the tablet erected to his memory these words are inscribed: When he landed, in 1848, there were no Christians. When he left, in 1872, there were no heathen.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, “A man's life is always more forcible than his speech. When men take stock of him they reckon his deeds as dollars and his words as pennies. If his life and doctrine disagree the mass of onlookers accept his practice and reject his preaching.” My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done; 
Leave countless marks for good or ill, ere sets the evening sun. This is the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray: Lord, may my life help other lives it touches by the way.

         One thing I knew for sure sitting in that dentist’s chair with the mold drying in my mouth was that I wanted to get this thing right the fist time. We seldom have the opportunity to make a good second impression! During the Nazi occupation of his country in WWII, King Christian X of Denmark noticed a Nazi flag flying over a Danish public building. He immediately called the German commandant, demanding that the flag be taken down at once. The commandant refused. "Then a soldier will go and take it down,” said the king. "He will be shot," threatened the commandant. "I think not," Replied the king, "for I shall be the soldier." Within minutes the flag was taken down. I want to be that soldier myself. I want to set the example, leave an impression of Jesus wherever I go and in all that I do. Mark Twain said it best, “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” Let’s think this through here, for the sake of our children, families and friends. For the sake of those we meet and work with daily, and all those whose paths will cross ours in a lifetime. May we be found guilty of making a good impression? It will make a difference, especially when you smile!

 

WHAT STEPHANIE SAID TO ME…

Last year I was honored to be invited to speak at an Annual event in Southern Ohio to the choicest of people, the Prime Timers. These are the Senior Citizens from Churches all across the Southeastern part of Ohio. This past week while preparing my remarks I was reminded of what my little girl said to me a few years ago. It was June 30th as I recall, and a Saturday to be exact. Planning for the event was eclipsed easily by the events of the day before and that day itself. The decorating, the rehearsal, the worrying about what might go wrong, the reality of what was about to happen finally sinking in to a daddy that was about to walk his little girl down the aisle....sniff sniff..... sorry, I’ll be fine. Then, the moment of truth. The moment she had been waiting for all her life. The moment I had dreaded since she was but a child, then it happened. Something she said, one little line, but I will never forget it. Right before the doors swung open to the sound of the Wedding March she looked at me and said, “Daddy, I want my marriage to be just like yours and Mommies”. Just then the doors swung open wide and the rest is still a blur, “You Dad’s will know exactly what I mean!” just like your and mommies? Twenty-eight years now I have been blessed to be married to the sweetest little girl that ever grew up on Mount Hope road in western Scioto County. We’ve have our ups and downs like everybody, but we always loved the Lord together and each other, and you know what? Stephanie was watching. Terri and I didn’t always agree, in fact, many a time it was hard for Terri to see things my way, just kiddin! But Stephanie was watching. We faced heartache and loss, we laughed and cried, we did our best to honor God and each other, that was our vow before God, and she was watching. All that swirling around in my mind got me to thinking. What will each of us be remembered by? There is a favorite chorus of mine that goes like this, “In His time, In His time He makes all things beautiful in His time, Lord please show me every day, as your teaching me your way, That you do just what you say, In your time.” In the last few chapters of Acts Paul is concluding his third missionary journey. He is headed back to Jerusalem with an offering he has received from the churches he visited. On his way back he stopped in Ephesus, Tyre, and Ceserea and in spite of warnings, he traveled to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, as predicted, he was arrested. He had gone to the temple to worship, a riot began. He was taken before the Sanhedrin where he gave a beautiful testimony. The following night God gave him a promise, “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” Perhaps at that point Paul thought, well I’ll be out of here soon and back on the road. However following the word of God spoken to Paul… There was a plot to kill him, He was transferred to Caesarea, He was placed before Felix, the governor, later Festus. He remained in Prison for two years where he appeared before King Agrippa. Finally he headed to Rome for trial. On the way he experienced Shipwreck and a hurricane and just before the ship wrecked, the Lord spoke again to him and he comforted those on board he ship, “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” What trust and faith in God! What steadfastness even when all seemed to be lost! What courage and hope even when things didn’t go just the way he planned! He remembered what God had told him would come to pass, and lived his life in full obedience to the one who had called him! I want to be remembered like that! Fact is, we all will be remembered in one way or another. Lets look quickly at what Paul faced and how he handled it so that we may be challenged to look at the legacy we are leaving behind. First we learn from Paul, WHEN GOD SPEAKS, DELAYS MAY OCCUR. What God said would happen back in chapter 23 didn’t come to pass for some time, yet he never forgot the promise and never gave up. Also we see, WHEN GOD SPEAKS, SUFFERING AND HARDSHIP MAY RESULT. A great lesson to learn as a Christ Follower is that just because you are doing what God says to do, you may face problems in life. The fallacy of red carpet and roses all the way to heavens gate is not reality. Real people face real life, and the problems that go with it. The difference is Christ now lives in us and we face them with His help and not on our own strength. Lastly we learn from Paul, WHEN GOD SPEAKS, BELIEVE HIM REGARDLESS OF THE COST. Remember the song I shared earlier? “In His time, In His time He makes all things beautiful in His time, Lord please show me every day, as your teaching me your way, That you do just what you say, In your time.” As I said earlier, I will never forget Steph’s words to me that day. I was challenged not only to realize she was watching my life, but others as well. Wow, what others see in us perhaps could shape the way they desire to live their lives. Pretty intense thought eh? May we be found honoring our creator in all that we do. And by the way, that same Creator, God, He is also watching!

THE LUMP IN MY THROAT…..

 

Whether it is this time of year when I see the cemetery’s lined with the American flags, the flag folding ceremony at the graveside service of a Veteran of our Armed Forces or simply when we sing the national anthem with hand over our hearts I seem to get a lump in my throat. I am so very thankful for this great country we live in. Traveling abroad and talking often to friends around the world I can tell you that with all the problems we face in the United States, we are still blessed to live in the greatest nation on the face of the earth. May we never forget that truth.

Speaking of the flag folding ceremony, did you know that each fold has a meaning? The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, May she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong." The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."  After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today. So the next time you are privileged to witness the flag being folded remember the significance of each fold and the Christian heritage it represents.

While aboard an English ship trying to secure the release of a friend, Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry. When the bombardment was over, the American flag was still flying. He wrote a poem The Defense of Fort McHenry, which was first printed anonymously on a broadside in 1814. On September 20 it was published in The Baltimore Patriot. Key's brother-in-law suggested he set the words to the tune To Anacreon in Heaven. When the sheet music was published in 1815, the name was changed to The Star Spangled Banner. The song was first adopted by the army and navy as the national anthem. It was officially recognized as the American National Anthem in 1931 by an act of Congress. The last verse has always touched my heart, “O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,

Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation; Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust", And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!” Don’t you get the feeling that Sir Francis Scott Key and others involved in the Revolution had a profound reverence for the God they served and a wholehearted dependence on Him to lead them? Perhaps they realized, as we should as well, it is more than just a country at stake.

         The lives we remember during the celebration of Memorial Day instill in us a thankfulness for the freedoms we enjoy everyday. They also call us to the God whose principles this great nation was founded. That’s a line by the way that always generates a response or two of disagreement to my inbox, but nevertheless it’s still true! And being drawn to the God who created us we are ushered face to face with His love and sacrifice for us in these timeless words, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” your physical freedom was made possible by those who we remember today, your spiritual freedom was purchased a few thousand years ago by one man, Jesus Christ on a small hill outside Jerusalem. What a battlefield that was! Good triumphed over evil so that we could be eternally free.

Talk about a putting a lump in your throat….

BRAND NAME LOYALTY

Brand name loyalty is loyalty to a brand name product. For example, if you buy Jif peanut butter, even though other peanut butters are cheaper, some even tastier, but if you're loyal to Jif you buy Jif. Usually, along with the loyalty, you truly think that the product is greater or better or tastier, nevertheless you are loyalty to that brand name. When it comes to peanut butter I’m a Jif man myself. When it comes to trucks, me, I’m a Ford, Chevy, er uh, Dodge man! I have owned a truck or two over the years and I’ll never forget my first one. A 1965 Ford ¾ ton metallic blue it was, and quite a looker. The year was 1984 and it was still in great shape for being 19 years old. Then it was a little ford Ranger that was a lot better on gas, but a lot smaller especially when a wife and two little ones rode along. Ford man, that’s me. Next came a full size Chevy, another ¾ ton if I recall. It had belonged to a paving company and was undercoated with asphalt. Just an old work truck but I really liked it. You just couldn’t overload the thing it seemed. Then came the good-looking Chevy extended cab, no more old work trucks for me. This was a Cadillac of a truck with every option and plenty of room. You hated to get the thing dirty if you know what I mean. Chevy man, that’s me. Then life, as it sometimes does took a drastic change, loss of a job, selling the farm, and then the day I will not soon forget. Out of necessity I had to trade my manly Chevy in. I have to tell you I have experienced much in my life and I kind of feel like the apostle Paul when he talked about knowing how to live well and knowing how to live without. I’ll never forget the day when I drove that full size decked out Chevrolet truck onto Glockner’s car lot and drove off in a used Geo Metro! I had forgotten what hubcaps looked like as you are driving! Years have gone by and I cannot count the time that I have said to Terri, “Honey I really need a truck!” Well folks, I’m a Dodge man now! Yes sirrre my friend, I’m the proud owner of a 1982 Dodge pickup and as I speak I can gaze out my office window here at the house and see that forest green man toy sitting across the road parked in my Dad’s field. Forest green with John Deer yellow wheels I might add. It does turn a few heads I gotta tell ya, it’s a looker to say the least! In fact the dear lady from the DMV who inspected it burst out laughing when she saw it parked in front of her office, so did the crowd in line at the time if I remember right. No matter I’ve got me a truck! As Tim Taylor would say, “OOH OOH OOH”, and I quote. Brand name loyalty in cars can be expensive.

When it comes to eternity, brand name loyalty can be of the utmost importance. We are overwhelmed with a plethora of denominations as well as abominations in our world today when it comes to religion. As Jesus began His earthly ministry he was quick to warn against certain things. For example He warned against divided loyalty  “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” No room for divided loyalty when serving the Lord! Jesus also warns of counterfeits…. Listen to John 10: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” True abundant life only comes from the real thing, a right relationship with Jesus Christ.

Haddon Robinson in Biblical Preaching writes, “ A Chinese boy who wanted to learn about jade went to study with a talented old teacher. This gentle man put a piece of the precious stone into his hand and told him to hold it tight. Then he began to talk of philosophy, men, women, the sun and almost everything under it. After an hour he took back the stone and sent the boy home. The procedure was repeated for several weeks. The boy became frustrated. When would he be told about the jade? He was too polite, however, to question the wisdom of his venerable teacher. Then one day, when the old man put a stone into his hands, the boy cried out instinctively, 'That's not jade!'" Let me suggest to you that you and only you know what you hold in your hands today. The real thing or a less expensive substitute. The thing is, when you stand before God one day, you will want the real thing!