Is He The One?

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts..."

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

When you read about Jesus' life from the very beginning the question was always, Really, he's the one? or How could he be the one? Look where he came from. Look at his family. "Can anything good come from that?" Over and over and over again, from his conception to today, the question has always been there. For those of us who believe, it is possible.  But I am reminded of the father who said to Jesus, "I believe.  Help my unbelief."

Long before Jesus was born, the prophets were telling of the one that would come to save God's chosen people. For hundreds of years the stories were told of he that would come and rescue them from their oppression, from their own foolishness, from everything bad that surrounded and was within them. Everyone knew he would come riding in on a stallion with his armies of men to beat and kill and take what they believed to have been stolen from them, their rights, their humanity, their comfort, their luxuries. One day God would send that person, that guy, to save them and they would never have to worry again. God would provide.

 And so they waited.  Through all of the prophets.  Through all of the kings.  Through all of the rabbis and priests and Pharisees and Sadducees.  And they asked over and over again, “Is HE the one?”  Each one a new hope, new dreams, new plans, but each one dashed into disappointment and yet another lost moment. 

Until this person named Jesus.  He wasn’t the first to be named that, nor was he the last.  He wasn’t even the first one from Nazareth.  The rumors began from the very moment of his conception.  Elizabeth saw it and felt it, remember?  Her unborn baby leapt in her womb. You know she had to tell Zechariah.  Did she tell others?  Wouldn’t you?  If you had seen the miraculous things they had seen and been a part of, wouldn’t you share what you knew to be true?

The religious leaders he spoke with when he was twelve, the ones he sat with, the ones he stayed with when his parents couldn’t find him on their journey home after the Passover celebration.  Surely someone or several someones told others about the amazing things this child shared.  He told them, "Where else would I be but in my father's house?"

Or those at the wedding celebration where Mary asked and Jesus turned the water into wine.  Those that witnessed that miracle shared with others; you know they did.  That’s what we humans do.  That’s what this particular medium, this online storytelling, is all about.  “I know something that you don’t know so I will share it with all of you.”  It’s our very nature.

The followers who were with him every day thought they knew it.  “He’s the one!  Come with us and see!”  And the numbers grew and grew wherever he was.  “He’s the one! The time will come when he will shed this mask of servitude and poverty and show us all that he’s the one.  Just wait!”

Jesus said the time was near so preparations were being made.  It’s easy now to look back and see that they all missed his message, “It won’t be like you think.  God doesn’t see things the way that you all see things.  That’s what I’ve been trying to teach you.  Listen!  It won’t be what you think.”

But no one understood.  When he washed their feet and dined with the sinners.  When he healed those whom others wanted to stone they whispered among themselves.  When he ‘misinterpreted’ what was clearly written in the Book of Moses.  Wait, was he the one?  He clearly wasn’t acting the way they had believed for all time the savior would act. 

And then the week arrived.  This would be it!  Now he would finally show himself to be who they believed him to be!  After all, he said the "The time is at hand."  Hallelujah!  And still he told them, “It won’t be as you think.”

So when he was arrested, they couldn’t believe in him as the savior.  God’s savior, God’s appointed king, wouldn’t allow himself to be arrested, beaten, and hung on a cross!  He must be an imposter!  He doesn’t fit what we think a savior should be so he’s not the one.  Forget that we followed him for years, that we saw with our own eyes the miracles he performed.  It was all magic!  We knew it all the time!  He’s a fake!  I told you so!

Even his closest friends and followers gave up.  It wasn’t true.  He wasn’t the one.  He didn’t do what we thought he would do so he’s not the one.  He was a great friend, a wonderful teacher, but he just wasn’t the one.

And I would suggest more than two thousand years later, we are still waiting for that guy, the one.  You know, the one who will ride in on his stallion, leading his great army to save us.  We watch the news.  We listen to our politicians.  We believe that the great leader, the Savior, will come riding in one day soon and finally rescue us from this great mess we have created, never really understanding that he was here and we ignored all of his pleas, all of his teachings, all of his love. 

He was here.  He was the one. And we missed it.

We look to entertainers.  We look to politicians.  We look to presidents.  We look to anyone who will tell us what we want to hear and make us believe we can count on them to show us the way.  He was here.  But he didn’t say and do the things we thought he would. 

And we still ask, “Is he the one?”  I would suggest that there will still be some of us who won't recognize him when he does (the Bible tells us so).  I would suggest that as much as some folks claim they read their Bible, and I don't doubt it, that like those folks who walked and talked with him, there will be some who won't recognize him because he still won't look and act like they think he should look and act. 

And the question will be, "Is He the one?"

“I don’t think the way you think.

    The way you work isn’t the way I work.”

        God’s Decree.

“For as the sky soars high above earth,

    so the way I work surpasses the way you work,

    and the way I think is beyond the way you think..."

Isaiah 55:8-9 MSG

I Just Gotta Ask ... WHY?

I have a question. Not surprising, I know, coming from me.  My son says that the new license tag on my car ending in Y4S is absolutely appropriate for me (I didn’t choose it, it just happened).  You see, I have to know why.  If you can explain to me the ‘why’ of something, then I can wrap my head around it and assimilate it into my being.  If not, then I am lost.  I’m sorry, I just am.

Just like algebra.  My younger brother used to help me with it and I remember asking him why?  “Why do you do it?  How do you know you’re supposed to do it?”  When his answer was simply, “You just do,” I was lost.  I never ever really understood it. There is no ‘why.’

 

I have spent the better part of my life looking for the ‘why.’   'Why' does that child behave like that?  'Why' does that agency or organization do it that way?  I always liked the quote from Bobby Kennedy, “Some men see things as they are, and ask why.  I dream of things that never were, and ask why not.”  But I think it comes back to understanding ‘why’ they are as they are.  Then you can make changes.  Because I am always ready for the ‘why not?’

Now, this idea of examining the ‘why’ tends to freak some folks out.  Like my brother with my math.  He would get so frustrated with me, “It just is,” he would tell me.  Don’t look!  Don’t ask!  Just accept!  It is what it is!  That’s why he’s the accountant and I’m the teacher, I guess.  Numbers are finite.  I like the infinite.

So, here’s my question.  In this day of sides and tribalism and, honestly, hatefulness towards those who think differently from us, ‘why’ is it that we’re fixated on other people to give us the answers?

Jesus spent thirty-three years walking this earth, three in ministry and teaching, and I don’t remember one time that he said anything other than, "Look at me. I am the way."  Today, everyone is so intent on their side being right and the other being wrong, but what if we’re ALL wrong?

 

Don’t we have our eyes in the wrong place?  ‘Why’ do we think a stacked Supreme Court (either way) is going to make our world better?  ‘Why’ do we think Congress being one-sided will fix everything? 'Why' do we need a president from our party, not theirs?  ‘Why’ are you just plain wrong, and I am right?

Tell me where Jesus said this was how we were to handle life.

I don’t remember anywhere that Jesus said believers should go to those people in charge to find solutions.  In fact, what I do remember is him saying, when asked, to "give to Caesar what was Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s."  It seems to me there is separation there.

I don’t find in scripture anywhere that Jesus said, “ Here's the plan:  Let’s get more Jews involved in the government and then we’ll have the power.”  Or “If we can only get a majority of those who think like us, then…”

Didn’t he say we are to be in the world, but not of the world?  Didn’t he say his ways were beyond our ways?  And yet, aren’t we trying to make his ways fit our ways?  Isn’t this the very same lesson the Jewish people kept getting wrong throughout the Bible?

Didn’t he say it was really simple…"Love each other and, more than that, love God?"  How does that fit what we’re doing?

How many times did the church kids ask me as we studied the bible stories, “And they just did it again!  Why didn’t they learn?  They mess up.  God punishes them.  God forgives them.  Start over.  'Why' didn’t they learn?”

You know, that’s a very good question.  We have a really good history book that lays it out for us, over and over again, how division and hatred and animosity and vengefulness tore apart the chosen ones time and time again.

'Why' didn't they learn?  That's a very good question.

Being American Isn't Easy

 

"America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You've gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say, "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours." You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country cannot just be a flag. The symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Now show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms.

 
Then you can stand up and sing about the land of the free..."

 

"We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious people to solve them. And whatever your particular problem is, I promise you Bob Rumson is not the least bit interested in solving it. He is interested in two things, and two things only: making you afraid of it, and telling you who's to blame for it. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win elections. You gather a group of middle age, middle class, middle income voters who remember with longing an easier time, and you talk to them about family, and American values and character, and you wave an old photo of the President's girlfriend and you scream about patriotism. You tell them she's to blame for their lot in life..." (The American President, 1995).

I love this speech from the movie, The American President, because the words are so real, especially today in this United States.  You can replace the name, 'Bob Rumson,' with whichever political candidate you might choose, but the message is still the same.  Our president doesn't have a girlfriend, but his skin color is black.  Insert that and you have the same message...


Or insert the message that those from a religion we don't know about or understand...


Or that ... well, you fill in the blank with anything you don't like or agree with.


There will always be someone 'different' from us on which to place the blame.


But here's what I know to be true, placing blame and scaring people doesn't solve the problems.  It might win you an election, but the problems remain and, worse still, these actions create new and bigger problems.


For the first time in my adult life I am really afraid for my country, even more so than on September 11, 2001, because this time the threat is us.  We are at a cross-roads where we must choose new leadership for our country.  I have to agree that, given my choices, I would rather choose D - none of the above (not the first time this has happened), but as a citizen of the United States I owe it to my country to vote for the one I believe to be the best choice. 


And here is how I will choose...

Which one will lead most closely to my Christian belief system?
 



That system is not based in anger, finger-pointing, division, and hatred.  That system, my system, is based in love and grace.  These are the things Christ came to earth to teach us.


We have just celebrated the anniversary of the birth of our great country. I've just re-watched all the videos and movies about how this country came to be and I LOVE them!  This creation, as all creations, was HARD!  There was disagreement after disagreement after disagreement, but there were enough clear heads that kept them focused on the end game, the prize, that, against all odds, it worked.


Our first president, George Washington, intended to retire from office after his first term, but was encouraged to continue because he saw the young country leaning towards political parties and division.  He hoped that four more years of his leadership would calm the waters and establish the idea of one for all and all for one.  Alas, after four more years, the tides were cast and political parties were already in place.


The purpose of those political parties?  To further my beliefs over your beliefs, what I think is right over what you think is right.  In other words...POWER and CONTROL.


Here's what Mr. Washington said, "...There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume..." (published in David C. Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796, under the title "The Address of General Washington To The People of The United States on his declining of the Presidency of the United States") 

Mr. President, you were right.  We are being consumed!  We can point fingers and say that 'they' don't belong to the right party or the right religion or the right country or the right skin color, but as long as we keep pointing our fingers at 'them' our problems cannot be solved.  Where are those leaders of so long ago who set aside personal wants and needs to fight for and create these United States of America?  Where is the spirit of compromise and providing for the common good?

We know of only two times that Christ ever showed anger towards anyone.  In both cases his anger was caused by ungodly attitudes and actions by those around him.  These were the religious leaders, the men who knew 'the rules' better than most of the others and yet, Christ corrected them on several occasions telling them that God wasn't about the man-made rules.  God was LOVE.

Look at who Christ spent his time with.  He ate with those no one else would eat with.  He spent his days and nights with the sinners and the sick and the hated.  He was scorned and killed because his love and peace frightened and angered the general population.  They liked the divisions, them and us.  'We are right and they are wrong!'

How, after all these years, can we miss the message of both of these men and so many more?  God continues to send us these men and women of light and we all agree that their message is sound. 

And then we continue to follow the loudest voices shouting just the opposite message.

I fear that one day all too soon God in heaven will be fed up with we human beings and decide that it is time to finish it.  And all these 'Christian' folks who have shouted the loudest and condemned so many others will find that they have missed the opportunity presented to them. 

We live in a great nation, founded in liberty and freedom and tremendous responsibility.  God put us all here in this time, in this place, to do great things.  We will live up to the challenges He has placed before us? 

Will we rise to the challenge and become what He always intended us to be?

The choice is ours to make.  I pray it will be 'the right one!'

 

I Think I'm Confused...

 

I know that in the aftermath of Friday's attacks in Paris, all of us - everyone - is scared and when we are scared we say and do things we might not ordinarily do.  This I know and understand. 

 

And when you think about the rest of the story (Paris was not the only terrorist activity last week), it is extremely frightening!

 

But when I see hateful things posted by someone I know who claims to be a follower of Christ, I am concerned.  I don't recall anywhere in the Bible where Jesus tells us this is the solution to anything.  I've been reading from the prophets in my morning devotionals and I find it kind of alarming that so much of what the Israelites got wrong all those years ago, we seem to still get wrong.  It's as if we have missed the message of Christ altogether.

 

Christ tried to make it really simple for us, given that we have failed so very many times.  He said, "Do two things...just two.  And if you do these two things, everything else will fall into place.  Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all of your mind.  AND love your neighbor as you love yourself.  And your neighbor is anyone."

 

You know, Ekeziel tried to warn the people of God of some of the same things we're facing today, but mostly it came down to this...do you have faith and trust in God, the father of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Jesus, to take care of us?  Can you say, unequivocally, that your faith in God is strong enough to deal with what needs to be taken care of, OR do you think you are stronger and wiser than God and YOU have the answers, or your political party has the answers to 'fix' all these issues.

 

This war is not a new war.  It's the war that has been waged since the Garden of Eden.  It is evil versus good (God).  Time and again you can read about it in the Bible and time and again you can learn about those who trusted and those who didn't and the repercussions of each. 

 

The geographic nature of our country has made it possible to remain isolated from some of this evil until relatively recently.  Our world has become smaller.  Not in geographic size, but technology has made it smaller in our ability to talk, to reach across oceans and land masses to join together, for good and for bad. 

 

We can become like those that we presume to be better than and threaten and shoot and bomb and terrorize and, believe me, I'm not opposed to eradicating these people from the face of the earth, but we must understand that, unless we allow Christ, our Lord and Savior, to lead the way as Commander in Chief, we are destined to the same fate as all who have gone before us.  We cannot use the name of the Lord and then go about our business without him.

 

I heard our president say this morning, as he addressed the press during the G20 Summit, that there is a strategy, one that our partners around the world have agreed to, for the most part, and have allowed the United States to carry mostly as our own load.  As of last night, France has agreed to shoulder more of that load and, hopefully, in the coming days and weeks, other countries will extend their help further as well. 

 

But make no mistake, we can drop all of the bombs and shoot as many of these terrorists as we want, we can spend hours and hours on social media complaining about our leadership and posting all kinds of hate-filled messages, but until we make Christ the leader of this campaign against evil - and I mean each one of us in our homes, in our prayers, in our churches, and in our communities - we cannot win this battle.  Instead of trying to divide ourselves into them (anyone we don't like or understand) and us (all who think like I do), we need to be embracing each other and joining together in the name of God.  Instead of running down our President and his efforts, we should be lifting him up in prayer so that God moves him in the direction that God would have him go.  Instead of dividing into your political party and mine, we should be finding ways to join together in prayer and praise of the one true God who has all the answers.

 

I don't have the answer for these issues...but I don't have to have the answers.  My part is really quite simple... Put my faith in God... and, if enough of us do just that, then He will handle the rest.  Will you be part of the Light?  Or will you be part of the dark? 

 

After all, if you've read the whole book, The Bible, you know how it ends.  If you haven't, I'll not spoil it for you. 

Joseph's Letter Home - A Christmas Story

Dear Mom,

We're still in Bethlehem--Mary and I and little Jesus.

There were lots of things I couldn't talk to you about last summer. You wouldn't have believed me then, but maybe I can tell you now. I hope you can understand.

You know, Mom, I've always loved Mary. You and dad used to tease me about her when she was still a girl. She and her brothers used to play on our street. Our families got together for supper. But the hardest day of my life came scarcely a year ago when I was twenty and she only fifteen. You remember that day, don't you?

The trouble started after we were betrothed and signed the marriage agreement at our engagement. That same spring Mary had left abruptly to visit her old cousin Elizabeth in Judea. She was gone three whole months. After she got back, people started wondering out loud if she were pregnant.
It was cloudy the day when I finally confronted her with the gossip. "Mary," I asked at last, "are you going to have a baby?"

Her clear brown eyes met mine. She nodded.

I didn't know what to say. "Who?" I finally stammered.
 
Mom, Mary and I had never acted improperly--even after we were betrothed.

Mary looked down. "Joseph," she said. "There's no way I can explain. You couldn't understand. But I want you to know I've never cared for anyone but you." She got up, gently took my hands in hers, kissed each of them as if it were the last time she would ever do that again, and then turned towards home. She must have been dying inside. I know I was.

The rest of the day I stumbled through my chores. It's a wonder I didn't hurt myself in the woodshop. At first I was angry and pounded out my frustrations on the doorframe I was making. My thoughts whirled so fast I could hardly keep my mind on my work. At last I decided just to end the marriage contract with a quiet divorce. I loved her too much to make a public scene.

I couldn't talk to you. Or anyone, for that matter. I went to bed early and tried to sleep. Her words came to me over and over. "I've never cared for anyone but you.... I've never cared for anyone but you...." How I wished I could believe her!

I don't know when I finally fell asleep. Mom, I had a dream from God. An angel of the Lord came to me. His words pulsated through my mind so intensely I can remember them as if it were yesterday.
"Joseph, son of David," he thundered, "do not fear to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

I couldn't believe my ears, Mom. This was the answer! The angel continued, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
The angel gripped my shoulders with his huge hands. For a long moment his gaze pierced deep within me. Just as he turned to go, I think I saw a smile on his shining face.

I sat bolt upright in bed. No sleep after that! I tossed about for a while, going over the words in my mind. Then I got up and dressed quietly so I wouldn't wake you.

I must have walked for miles beneath the moonless sky. Stars pricked the blackness like a thousand tiny pinpoints. A warm breeze blew on my face.

I sang to the Lord, Mom. Yes, me, singing, if you can imagine that. I couldn't contain my joy. I told Him that I would take Mary and care for her. I told Him I would watch over her--and the child--no matter what anyone said.

I got back just as the sun kissed the hilltops. I don't know if you still recall morning, Mom. I can see it in my mind's eye as if it were yesterday. You were feeding the chickens, surprised to see me out. Remember?

"Sit down," I said to you. "I've got to tell you something." I took your arm and helped you find a seat on the big rock out back. "Mom," I said, "I'm going to bring Mary home as my wife. Can you help make a place for her things?"
 
You were silent a long time. "You do know what they're saying, don't you, son?" you said at last, your eyes glistening.

"Yes, Mom, I know."
 
Your voice started to rise. "If your father were still alive, he'd have some words, I'll tell you. Going about like that before you are married. Disgracing the family and all. You... you and Mary ought to be ashamed of yourselves!"

You'd never have believed me if I'd tried to explain, so I didn't. Unless the angel had spoken to you, you'd have laughed me to scorn.
 
"Mom, this is the right thing to do," I said.

And then I started talking to you as if I were the head of the house. "When she comes I don't want one word to her about it," I sputtered. "She's your daughter-in-law, you'll respect her. She'll need your help if she's to bear the neighbors' wagging tongues!"
 
I'm sorry, Mom. You didn't deserve that. You started to get up in a huff.

"Mom," I murmured, "I need you." You took my hand and got to your feet, but the fire was gone from your eyes.

"You can count on me, Joseph," you told me with a long hug. And you meant it. I never heard another word. No bride could hope for a better mother-in-law than you those next few months.

Mom, after I left you I went up the road to Mary's house and knocked. Her mother glared at me as she opened the door. Loudly, harshly she called into the house, "It's Joseph!" almost spitting out my name as she said it.

My little Mary came out cringing, as if she expected me give her the back of my hand, I suppose. Her eyes were red and puffy. I can just imagine what her parents had said.

We walked a few steps from the house. She looked so young and afraid. "Pack your things, Mary," I told her gently. "I'm taking you home to be my wife."

"Joseph!" She hugged me as tight as she could. Mom, I didn't realize she was so strong.
I told her what I'd been planning. "We'll go to Rabbi Ben- Ezer's house this week and have him perform the ceremony."

I know it was awfully sudden, Mom, but I figured the sooner we got married the better it would be for her, and me, and the baby.

"Mary, even if our friends don't come, at least you and I can pledge our love before God." I paused. "I think my Mom will be there. And maybe your friend Rebecca would come if her dad will let her. How about your parents?"

I could feel Mary's tiny frame shuddering as she sobbed quietly.

"Mary," I said. I could feel myself speaking more boldly. "No matter what anyone says about you, I'm proud you're going to be my wife. I'm going to take good care of you. I've promised God that."
She looked up.

I lowered my voice. "I had a dream last night, Mary. I saw an angel. I know."

The anguish which had gripped her face vanished. She was radiant as we turned away from the house and began to walk up the hill together.

Just then her mother ran out into the yard. "Wait," she called. She must have been listening from behind the door. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"I'll get your father," she called, almost giddy with emotion. "We," she cried as she gathered up her skirts. "We," she shouted as she began to run to find her husband. "We ... are going to have a wedding!"

That's how it was, Mom. Thanks for being there for us. I'll write again soon.
 
Love, Joseph

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, Home Life, December 1989

¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. ²⁰ But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:18-21

 

Your Angel, Your Blessing

 

 

A thousand little angels

Dancing on a pin—

One slips away to your house;

Won’t you let him in?

He has a message for you;

He will ring it in your ear.

If you’re ready there’ll be blessings

For all that you hold dear.

If you don’t receive your angel,

He will go back to his dance;

And you many never ever know

That on you he took a chance.

That blessing of success

Or special bud of love

May never come back to you

From the angels’ treasure-trove.

So smile on every visitor;

Examine every thought.

Some may come from angels;

Some of them may not;

But by the grace of God

A thoughtful man can see

If a thought came as a blessing

Given absolutely free.

 

Edwina Williams

 

 He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.

Deuteronomy 7:13

 

Isn't It Funny?

 

Funny how a $20.00 bill looks so big when you take it to church,

but so small when you take it to the mall.

 

Funny how big an hour serving God looks and how small 60 minutes are when spent
watching television, playing sports, sleeping or taking a lunch break.

 

Funny how long a couple of hours spent at church are

but how short they are when watching a good movie.

 

Funny how we get thrilled when a football game goes into overtime, but we complain
when a sermon is longer than the regular time.

 

Funny how laborious it is to read a chapter in the Bible

and how easy it is to read 200-300 pages of a best selling novel.

 

Funny how we believe what newspapers say,
but question what the Bible says.

 

Funny how people scramble to get a front seat at a concert,

 but scramble to get a back seat at the church service.

 

Funny how we cannot fit a gospel meeting into our schedule with our yearly planner but
we can schedule for other events at a moment’s notice.

 

Funny how we look forward to that big date on Friday night,

but complain about getting up for church on Sunday morning.

 

Funny how we are rarely late to work, but
always late to church.

 

Funny how we call God our Father and Jesus our brother,

but find it hard to introduce them to our family.

 

Funny how small our sins seem, but how big
their sins are.

 

Funny how we demand justice for others, but
expect mercy from God.

 

Funny how much difficulty some have learning the gospel well enough to tell others, but
how simple it is to understand and explain the latest gossip about someone else.

 

Funny how we can’t think of anything to say when we pray,

 but don’t have any difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.

 

Funny how we are so quick to take directions from a total stranger when we are lost, but
are hesitant to take God’s direction for our lives.

 

Funny how so many church goers sing “Standing on the
promises” but all they do is sit on the premises.

 

Funny how people want God to answer their prayers, but refuse to listen to His counsel.

Funny how we sing about heaven, but live only for today.

 

Funny how people think they are going to
Heaven but don’t think there is a Hell.

 

Funny how it is okay to blame God for evil and suffering in the world, but it is not
necessary to thank Him for what is good and pleasant.

 

Funny how when something goes wrong, we cry, “Lord, why me?”

 but when something goes right, we think, “Hey, it must be me!”

 

Or wait…maybe all this isn’t so “funny” after all.

 

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken
spirit drieth the bones."
Proverbs 17:22