Have an anger problem?

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:21

A friend of mine had been wronged by another person.  When I asked my friend how he was going to handle the situation he replied, "I don't get mad; I get even."

That is often the first response when someone has slandered us or taken advantage of us or has hurt us in some way.  We'd like to pay them back and make them feel the pain we've suffered.  We'd like for them to know a sleepless night, an upset stomach or a throbbing headache.  We even begin to think that we won't really be happy until we've gotten some kind of revenge.

The Apostle Paul knew what it was like to have his service to the Lord be criticized and condemned.  He knew what it was like to suffer punishment for no good reason.  He knew what it was like to be on the run from enemies and their evil plans.  If anyone had reason to want to "get even" it was Paul.

That's what makes chapter 12 of Romans so amazing.  Paul encourages his readers (including you and me) to "bless those who persecute you," and "do not repay evil for evil."  These words make sense but how do we make them work in our lives?

Only through the power of the Lord who enables us to sit aside worldly practices and "be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  Ask the Holy Spirit to continue His transforming power in your life so that you might become a "living sacrifice" who continually seeks God's will for daily living.

Embarking on our Lenten Journey

The turning point of St. Luke's gospel is 9:51 - As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set our for Jerusalem.

Jerusalem...the holy city...location of the Temple...gathering place for sacred feasts and festivals...home for the Chief Priest, the Scribes and the Pharisees...Jesus' final destination for bringing about our redemption.

What was it like for the disciples as they traveled with their Master? How did they feel as they walked along those dusty paths? Although Jesus had shared with them what would ultimately happen to Him, they just didn't get it.  The Lord will suffer and die and rise again on the third day.  They didn't catch the significance of the journey upon which they had set out.

We have the benefit of knowing what lay in store for Jesus when He arrived on His journey to Jerusalem.  Betrayal...a kangaroo court...a spineless governor...a bloodthirsty crowd.  This is what Jesus encountered on His journey to the cross.

Yesterday - Ash Wednesday - we began that journey once again.  We began by remembering how Jesus sent two of His disciples to go and prepare the Passover.  When they arrived at the place, they found it just as Jesus said it would be. 

That was the first sign of something very important for us to remember.  God is in control.  All that happened to Jesus in Jerusalem was not by the design of the religious leaders or Roman governor.  God used them all so that His plan might be carried out just as He said - that Jesus would suffer and die and rise again on the third day.

In the Passion of the Christ nothing happens by accident.  It all happens with you in mind - your forgiveness, your salvation, your place in heaven.  You know the story.  Don't shrug it off.  This Lenten season remember it all - money changers driven out, disciples' feet washed, a new meal and covenant being established.  There is a betrayal and a beating, a conviction and a crucifixion.  And then the third day...

All of that happens during our Lenten journey.  And it happens all for you!

Savior, when in dust to Thee

Savior, when in dust to Thee

 Low we bow the adoring knee

When, repentant, to the skies

 Scarce we lift our weeping eyes

O, by all Thy pains and woe

 Suffered once for us below

Bending from Thy throne on high

 Hear our penitential cry!

"Savior, When in Dust to Thee," verse one, public domain

A Sure Fire Guide on Becoming a Sports Talk Show Host

I've had the opportunity to listen to the big sports talk station in town this week and I've discovered a few simple steps for hosting a sports talk program.  It's really pretty simple so if you've ever listened to such programs and thought to yourself, "Hey! I could do this!" I urge you to put these three steps into practice and soon you'll be rubbing elbows with Dan Patrick and Bob Costas and, well, probably not.

First, learn to repeat every sentence you say at least three times.

Say something like, "The Suns did not show up to play tonight." Then say it again.  Say it one more time.  Apparently, those who listen to sports talk program aren't very swift so you've got to repeat your points over and over again until the listener gets what you're saying.

(Or maybe the host is not very swift and simply repeats stuff over and over again because they've got no real insight or anaylsis to offer.  Nah - that's couldn't be true, right?) 

Ah, but repetition in and of itself is not enough!

Second, as you repeat every sentence three times, crank up the volume!!

Let me try and demonstrate (you can't hear me so use your imagination, OK?)

"The Suns did not show up to play tonight.  The Suns Did Not Show Up To Play Tonight!  THE SUNS DID NOT SHOW UP TO PLAY TONIGHT!!!!!"

Cranking up the volume proves that you are a passionate sports talk show host and we sports fans are nothing if not passionate about our teams and their performance.

Third, remind your audience over and over again that you were at the game.

I guess this lets your listeners know that you weren't watching the game from the comfort of your living room where with all the good camera angles and instant replay, you can see the game much better than at a seat in the stadium.  You were there at the game! That must lend more creditability to what you say.

So, say something like, "You're right, I was at that game and the Suns did not show up to play.  No way did they play hard.  I was there and the Suns didn't show up.  I was there at that game and the Suns did not show up, no way! I WAS THERE AT THE GAME AND THE SUNS DID NOT SHOW UP!" (a good use of rules 2 and 3).

Now I know that there are only a few sports talk show hosting opportunities out there so maybe you can use these rules where you work.  If you're a pastor, use them in the pulpit: (The devil fooled Adam and Eve.  The Devil Fooled Adam And Eve! THE DEVIL FOOLED ADAM AND EVE!!!)

Or maybe you can apply the rules with your fellow employees: (I was there at the meeting and our benefits have been frozen.  They're frozen! I was there.  I heard it with my own two ears.  I WAS THERE AT THE MEETING!!!)

Of course, should you apply these three rules to your place of work, you might run the risk of having happen to you what I did to the sports talk station.

Tune it out.

The Basic Bible Atlas

In April, 2017, l led a group of over 30 on a trip to the Holy Land.  We traveled all the places you would want to visit - the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, Capernaum, Bethlehem and Jerusalem to name just a few.  I just wish I had had "The Basic Bible Atlas" with me.

John Beck is an expert on the Holy Land.  His latest tool, "The Basic Bible Atlas" would have helped me put into context the places we were visiting with the larger part of Israel.  To read about the Mount of Olives and then consult the Atlas to see where it was in relation to the Garden of Gethsemane lets you use your imagination to picture what the journey from the Upper Room to the Garden might have been like.

Wonder where Canaan is? Where did David and Goliath's battle take place? Where was Jesus seen during those 40 days before His resurrection.  The answer to those questions and more are easily answered when you refer to "The Basic Bible Atlas!"

Book provided for review from Baker Books.

Sage Advice for a Friday!

Got this sage advice from Prof. Reed Lessing:

1) There is a God.

2) You are not it!

OK, folks, go out and make it a great day!

Focus on the "how" and not the "what"

A life of significance is measured by the quality of how we live in the present.  "How well have I served my spouse today? How well have I focused on caring for my neighbor? How well have I used my God-given talents at work today?" When we focus on the what, we turn inward, making it more difficult to hear God's voice.  When we focus on the how, we look outward, diminishing our own selves so that the lives of others may be enhanced.

Kurt Senske, "The Calling - Living a Life of Significance," page 21