Broken Heart

Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized

It is amazing what God can do with a broken heart, if we will give Him all the pieces.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Read more | Comments (1) | February 29th, 2008

‘I and I’

Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized

 
by John Fischer 


Have you ever been so sick of yourself you just wish you were not around? Have you ever wanted to tell yourself to take a long vacation and maybe not come back right away? This kind of thing happens to me when, for one reason or another I get a good glimpse of myself stripped of my normal rationalizations and self-talk with which I numb the horrible reality of my true sinful nature. I don’t think I’m alone. Don’t we all have ways around our worst? Bob Dylan put something along these lines in one of his lyrics when he wrote: “I and I, one says to the other, ‘No man sees my face and lives.’” But while we’re trying to look past our worst, everyone else has to look at it.

Well I’m glad to announce there’s a solution for this problem. It’s actually been around for a long time in the Bible, it’s just that we have ways of keeping ourselves from really seeing what these scriptural admonitions really mean. It’s called being a “living sacrifice,” and Paul talked about it in the book of Romans in the New Testament. “I urge you… offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

What does this mean, if it doesn’t mean to kill myself and then ask God for directions? Turning myself into a living sacrifice is truthfully the only way to solve this problem, because it successfully removes the source of the problem — me. That’s the whole point of a “living sacrifice” — I can die and go on living, and because I am dead (along with all my selfish, stupid issues) I can actually be worth something to God and other people, and finally, maybe even myself.

But how does this really work without being some kind of mind game? Well first, we’re not alone in this; we have the Holy Spirit who helps us through the process. And secondly, this whole process actually has already happened outside of time and space. We were, in some real way, spiritually in Christ when He died and rose again, so that by considering ourselves dead to self and alive to Christ, we are agreeing with things as they really are “on earth as it is in heaven,” even though we still have to live through the process.

I apologize for working your brain so hard this morning, but this is actually not as difficult as it seems. Somewhere else Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) I think the two “I”s here are the same two Dylan was talking about. So that being a living sacrifice is to render one of them dead and be the other.

So next time your selfish self rears its ugly head, just tell it, “Sorry, you’re dead,” and get on with living for God and those around you. Believe me, everyone else will be grateful you did!

Read more | Comments (1) | February 29th, 2008

An Air Flight

Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized

‘An Air Flight’
Right before the jet way door closed, I scrambled aboard the plane going from LA to Chicago, lugging my laptop and overstuffed briefcase. It was the first leg of an important business trip a few weeks before Christmas, and I was running late. I had a ton of work to catch up on. Half wishing, half praying I muttered, ‘Please God, do me a favor; let there be an empty seat next to mine, I don’t need any distractions.’
I was on the aisle in a two seat row. Across sat a businesswoman with her nose buried in a newspaper. No problem. But in the seat beside mine, next to the window, was a young boy wearing a big red tag around his neck: ‘Minor — Traveling Unattended.’
The kid sat perfectly still, hands in his lap, eyes straight ahead. He’d probably been told never to talk to strangers. ‘Good,’ I thought.
Then the flight attendant came by. ‘Michael, I have to sit down because we’re about to take off,’ she said to the little boy. ‘This nice man will answer any of your questions, okay?’
Did I have a choice? I offered my hand, and Michael shook it twice, straight up and down.
‘Hi, I’m Jerry,’ I said. ‘You must be about seven years old.’
‘I’ll bet you don’t have any kids,’ he responded.
‘Why do you think that? Sure I do.’ I took out my wallet to show him pictures.
‘Because I’m six.’
‘I was way off, huh?’
The captains’ voice came over the speakers, ‘Flight attendants, prepare for takeoff.’
Michael pulled his seat belt tighter and gripped the armrests as the jet engines roared.
I leaned over, ‘Right about now, I usually say a prayer. I asked God to keep the plane safe and to send angels to protect us.’
‘Amen,’ he said, then added, ‘But I’m not afraid of dying. I’m not afraid because my mama’s already in Heaven.’
‘I’m sorry.’ I said.
‘Why are you sorry?’ he asked, peering out the window as the plane lifted off.
‘I’m sorry you don’t have your mama here.’
My briefcase jostled at my feet, reminding me of all the work I needed to do.
‘Look at those boats down there!’ Michael said as the plane banked over the Pacific. ‘Where are they going?’
‘Just going sailing, having a good time. And there’s probably a fishing boat full of guys like you and me.’
‘Doing what?’ He asked.
‘Just fishing, maybe for bass or tuna. Does your dad ever take you fishing?’
‘I don’t have a dad,’ Michael sadly responded.
Only six years old and he didn’t have a dad, and his Mom had died, and here he was flying halfway across the country all by himself. The least I could do was make sure he had a good flight. With my foot I pushed my briefcase under my seat.
‘Do they have a bathroom here?’ he asked, squirming a little.
‘Sure,’ I said, ‘Let me take you there.’
I showed him how to work the ‘Occupied’ sign, and what buttons to push on the sink, then he closed the door. When he emerged, he wore a wet shirt and a huge smile.
‘That sink shoots water everywhere!’
The attendants smiled.
Michael got the VIP treatment from the crew during snack time. I took out my laptop and tried to work on a talk I had to give, but my mind kept going to Michael. I couldn’t stop looking at the crumpled grocery bag on the floor by his seat. He’d told me that everything he owned was in that bag. Poor kid.
While Michael was getting a tour of the cockpit the flight attendant told me his grandmother would pick him up in Chicago. In the seat pocket a large manila envelope held all the paperwork regarding his custody. He came back explaining, ‘I got wings! I got cards! I got more peanuts. I saw the pilot and he said I could come back anytime!’
For a while he stared at the manila envelope.
‘What are you thinking?’ I asked Michael.
He didn’t answer. He buried his face in his hands and started sobbing. It had been years since I’d heard a little one cry like that. My kids were grown — still I don’t think they’d ever cried so hard. I rubbed his back and wondered where the flight attendant was.
‘What’s the matter buddy?’ I asked.
All I got were the muffled words, ‘I don’t know my grandma. Mama didn’t want her to come visit and see her sick. What if Grandma doesn’t want me? Where will I go?’
‘Michael, do you remember the Christmas story? Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus? Remember how they came to Bethlehem just before Jesus was born? It was late and cold, and they didn’t have anywhere to stay, no family, no hotels, not even hospitals where babies could be born. Well, God was watching out for them. He found them a place to stay; a stable with animals.’
‘Wait, wait,’ Michael tugged on my sleeve.. ‘I know Jesus. I remember now.’ Then he closed his eyes, lifted his head and began to sing. His voice rang out with a strength that rocked his tiny frame. ‘Jeeesus looooves me–thiiiiiis I knowwwwwww. For the Biiiiiible tells meeeeee sooooo….’
Passengers turned or stood up to see the little boy who made the large sound. Michael didn’t notice his audience. With his eyes shut tight and voice lifted high, he was in a good place.
‘You’ve got a great voice,’ I told him when he was done.. ‘I’ve never heard anyone sing like that.’
‘Mama said God gave me good pipes just like my grandma’s,’ he said. ‘My grandma loves to sing, she sings in her church choir.’
‘Well, I’ll bet you can sing there, too. The two of you will be running that choir.’
The seat belt sign came on as we approached O’Hare. The flight attendant came by and said, ‘We just have a few minutes now.’ But she told Michael that it was important that he put his seat belt on. People started stirring in their seats, like the kids before the final school bell. By the time the seat belt sign went off, passengers were rushing down the aisle. Michael and I stayed seated.
‘Are you gonna go with me?’ he asked.
‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world, buddy!’ I assured him.
Clutching his bag and the manila envelope in one hand, he grabbed my hand with the other. The two of us followed the flight attendant down the jetway. All the noises of the airport seemed to fill the corridor.
Michael stopped, slipping his hand from mine, he dropped to his knees. His mouth quivered. His eyes brimmed with tears.
‘What’s wrong Michael? I’ll carry you if you want.’
He opened his mouth and moved his lips, but it was as if his words were stuck in his throat. When I knelt next to him, he grabbed my neck. I felt his warm, wet face as he whispered in my ear, ‘I want my mama!’
I tried to stand, but Michael squeezed my neck even harder. Then I heard a rattle of footsteps on the corridor’s metal floor.
‘Is that you, baby?’
I couldn’t see the woman behind me, but I heard the warmth in her voice.
‘Oh baby,’ she cried. ‘Come here. Grandma loves you so much. I need a hug, baby. Let go of that nice man.’ She knelt beside Michael and me.
Michael’s grandma stroked his arm. I smelled a hint of orange blossoms.
‘You’ve got folks waiting for you out there, Michael.. Do you know that you’ve got aunts, and uncles and cousins?’
She patted his skinny shoulders and started humming. Then she lifted her head and sang. I wondered if the flight attendant told her what to sing, or maybe she just knew what was right. Her strong, clear voice filled the passageway, ‘Jesus loves me — this I know…’
Michael’s gasps quieted. Still holding him, I rose, nodded ‘hello’ to his grandma and watched her pick up the grocery bag. Right before we got to the doorway to the terminal, Michael loosened his grip around my neck and reached for his grandma.
As soon as she walked across the threshold with him, cheers erupted. From the size of the crowd, I figured family, friends, pastors, elders, deacons, choir members and most of the neighbors had come to meet Michael. A tall man tugged on Michael’s ear and pulled off the red sign around his neck. It no longer applied.
As I made my way to the gate for my connecting flight, I barely noticed the weight of my overstuffed briefcase and laptop. I started to wonder who would be in the seat next to mine this time. …. And I smiled.
~By Jerry Seiden~

Read more | Comments (1) | February 25th, 2008

Criticized

Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized

If you are never criticized, you’re probably not doing much.

“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive.”  2 Peter 1:5-8

Read more | Comments (1) | February 25th, 2008

Spud

Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized

I may be only small potatoes, Lord, but this spud’s for you!

“Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.” Psalm 86:1-2

Read more | Comments (1) | February 22nd, 2008

Anger = Acid

Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized

Anger is like an acid that does more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.

“For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”  James 1:10

Read more | Comments (1) | February 21st, 2008

When the line in the sand is where your knees go down

Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized

by John Fischer 

Often we are tempted to justify ourselves – restate our case over and over in our minds, tear down the person who is responsible for hurting us, draw our line in the sand and don’t let anyone any closer. That is one way to deal with it. “I am a rock; I am an island/and a rock feels no pain; and an island never cries.”

Or you can draw your line in the sand and make that the place where your knees go down. Just start praying. Pray for the person or persons who wronged you. Pray for the boss who treated you like dirt. Pray for the spouse who walked out of your life and left you with all the responsibility. Pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

And then remember that people and institutions are not in charge of your life; God is. If you want to blame anyone, blame Him, except that He has your best interests at heart. He sees way beyond your immediate situation. Even those who mean things for evil (Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt) God means for good (Joseph became second only to the Pharaoh in power, and thus was able to save his whole family as a result). (Genesis 50:20)

There are much bigger things going on than merely the factors that play with our emotions. When you pray, you link up with the bigger purpose. You may not see it at the time, but at least you are reminded that it is there, and, most importantly, that God is there.

So when it comes to that line in the sand… I’m making that the place where my knees go down.

Read more | Comments (1) | February 21st, 2008

Sometimes….

Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized

Sometimes God will allow us to go through circumstances that are just too much for us so that we can learn that they are never too much for Him.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”  Genesis 18:14

Read more | Comments (1) | February 18th, 2008

Hard times

Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized

Whenever God allowed hard times in the Bible, the problem always “came to
pass,” not to stay.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory
that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

Read more | Comments (1) | February 13th, 2008

Hard times

Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized

Whenever God allowed hard times in the Bible, the problem always “came to
pass,” not to stay.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory
that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

Read more | Comments (1) | February 13th, 2008

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