Flu Shots

Flu season is here once more.  We have a bunch of cases in the last week and I am sure that multitudes will descend on our clinic with high fevers, dry coughs and positive flu swabs over the next week or two.

The funny thing is that when flu cases start hitting the news, we start getting a steady trickle of folks coming in who want their flu shot.

It's probably a little late, since the CDC says that it takes a couple of weeks for the influenza vaccine to be fully effective, but I am sure they are all thinking "Better late than never."

I suppose people need something to put their trust in -- something that allows them to feel in control during flu season -- and flu shots are as good as anything, in that respect.  Yet, the influenza vaccine is only as good as the scientists who choose the strains.  Last year, it was pretty bad, only nine percent effective in people over sixty-five years of age (50 percent effective in younger folks).  Hopefully it is better this year, but we won't know until after the fact.

On the other hand, I know One, Jesus Christ, who is always faithful.  Unlike flu shots which may be ineffective, He is always on target.  So why don't we trust Him more?

Praise

My daughter, Anna, had a school program a couple of days ago.  For about fifty minutes, we listened to songs -- mostly songs of  Christmas, as youthful voices were raised in praise of the Son of God.

I, of course, watched Anna as she sang.  Her face was animated as she sang for all she was worth.  I could hear her voice clearly rising with the others in earnest (if not always totally melodic) song.

As I watched her and the other sing, I realized that praise does not have to be beautiful.  Psalm 100:1 says that we should "Make a joyful noise to the Lord..."  Truly, if our singing to God had to beautiful, it would leave out a good chunk of those of us who would love to have beautiful singing voices, but struggle with the high notes, the low notes, and even at times some of the in-between notes.

This is where children have it over us adults.  Because they don't know that they are bad singers or, good singers, they just know that they have a heart full of praise of God that has to be let out.  And that, more than anything else is what God hears when we sing to Him.

Christmas Caroling

Christmas caroling is here again.  My nurse, Donna, and I chose eight older patients of mine who are shut in , to sing for.

It was a little stressful, gathering things together, figuring out where each person lived, and what order to visit them.  I almost wondered if it was all worth it.

You see, I remember when I was growing up, Christmas caroling for my mother's patients.  I never really knew if the patients appreciated it, but it certainly was fun for me as a kid, singing the hymns of Christmas and then, eating pizza afterward till I thought I would pop.

When I had a practice of my own, I decided that I wanted to do the same for my patients.

This year, as I sat down with my nurse and prepared the list, I was a little sad.  Three of the patients from last year's list had died.

In the end, everything was gotten together and a goodly group from our church arrived to help us carol.

As we sang, I saw in my children's eyes a joy that is too often missing this time of year.  And then, I looked up, to see an elderly man standing in his doorway, with tears streaming down his face as he listened to the songs of Christmas.

It was then that I knew why we were singing and that, without a doubt, whatever effort it took on my part, was worth it.

Scales

Scales always have a range, from worst to best, 1 to 10, or maybe from 1 to 5.  At the hospital, we use pain scales a lot and I've noticed that women who have been in labor, usually put labor pain at the top and suddenly all other pain moves down the scale.

In the same way, my "scale" for judging the quality of food is tempered by the fact that I cooked for myself for several years.  I remember that someone gave me a cooking magazine once and after I looked through it, I decided that I was going to make Gazpacho Soup.

I went out to the local grocery store and bought all the ingredients I needed (that would be all of them) and assembled them.  That was when I realized that you didn't cook the soup!  Needless to say, it was terrible.

I ate it three nights in a row and then, with tears in my eyes (thinking of starving children in Africa) I had to throw the rest of it out.  It was that bad.

In comparison, on a scale of one to ten, the worst thing my wife, Elaine, has ever cooked for me is probably about a 7.9.

I guess that's a very long winded way of saying that I appreciate my wife's cooking more, because I had to endure my own.

There are many reasons why we don't enjoy the simple pleasures that God gives us.  I believe that the most common is simply that our scales need recalibration.

The Heart of a Child

We had a snow fall of seven or eight inches, followed by another couple of inches a few days later.  Now, I have a blade for my lawn mower, but I can't push very much snow with it and so, I ended up running up and down our driveway a couple of times over the course of the day to keep it clear.

As I rode the little lawn tractor in the frigid air, with snowflakes falling on my head, I felt more than a little irritated at the soft, white crystalline water that was piling up everywhere.

That afternoon, Anna and Elliot got on their snow gear and came outside.  For the next hour or hour and a half, I saw snow through different eyes.  To them, the snow was beautiful.  It changed the familiar world into a world of mystery.  Through their vision, I could see a wonder that I hadn't felt until that moment.

It was something that I needed to remember.  For, it is awfully easy, when I am dealing with the practical aspects of life, to forget the beauty of the world that God has created.

I love photography and there are times that I wish that I lived somewhere with more beauty and majesty than the drab hills and skies of southern Indiana.  Yet, Ecclesiastes 3:11 says "He has made everything beautiful in its time..."  and it is true. 

I can't say that I enjoy shoveling snow, but it is certainly less irritating to me, when I just open my eyes to see the beauty and the wonder that surround me.  And in this, I must remember to become more like my children.  It seems to me that there is no place where the wonder of God's creation is felt so much, as the heart of a child.

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is coming.  When I was a child (a long time ago), there was much discussion about the secularization and commercialization of Christmas.  Christmas even then was good for sales and stores promised especially good prices in December.  Nothing has really changed today.

Christians have had to contend with this for years, as Christmas becomes less and less attached to any spiritual significance.  For many, Christmas is now more of a secular holiday than anything else, regardless of its roots.

What is far worse in my mind is the current politization of Christmas.  Christmas decorations must be defended -- legally if necessary -- against all assaults.  As the fight about the Ten Commandments in courthouses wanes, the struggle over manger scenes is just beginning.

Even as evangelicals turn to the political and legal processes to defend their faith, Satan must smile.  For it doesn't really matter if there is a Nativity Scene at the local court house or, mall.  What matters is whether or not Jesus Christ is Lord in each life.

Christ does not want me, as a Christian, to defend His name in court or, to pass laws in His favor.  All this has been tried over the years, unsuccesfully.

In fact, there is no command in Scripture to remember Christmas, or to honor it.  Certainly, Jesus doesn't care what those who don't believe in Him do on December 25th, except for one thing.  His desire is on all days that sinners come to repentance.

Christians must stay away from the political process.  Satan will use any cause -- however good -- to draw us in, but we must avoid it.  The fight over manger scenes in the public square is like a big inflatable snowman -- big, gaudy and easily collapsed when someone lets the hot air out.

Smiley Faces

My family and I were driving to Bob Evans and the children were talking about what they would order.

"I will need to see the menu!"  Elliot, our two year old, said emphatically.

"Do you suppose you'll get smiley face potatoes?"  I asked.

"Of course, Dad," Anna said.

"I don't know,"  I said in a worried tone.  "I heard that there was a shortage of smiley faces."

"That's silly, Dad,"  Anna said and all three of the children burst into gales of laughter.

Anna was right.  There were plenty of smiley face potatoes for the children at Bob Evans.   Unfortunately, it seems to me, that there is definitely a shortage of smiley faces in the world and it is worse this time of year.  As I walk around, I see many somber and even angry faces.

I wish that I might be the one who discovers "Vitamin X" or, "The Waldron Factor," which when taken regularly, causes people to smile in a routine and relaxed fashion.  But this is one area where medical science will not improve the situation.

True smiles grow out of a heart of joy.  Proverbs tells that "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (17:22).  Into a chilly room, full of melancholy souls, an individual may walk and raise the temperature ten degrees, simply by smiling.

Ice, Ice

I don't like ice in my drinks.  In fact, I don't even like them particularly cold.  I know this seems odd in the United States, the home of the "ice-cold beverage," but I would rather drink a room temperature glass of water than a cold one, any day of the week.

I suppose this all dates back to my childhood.  For one thing, my mother has (and had) really sensitive teeth.  For another thing, any cubes of solid water we had in our freezer were made with sulfur water, meaning that they added a very intriguing (I won't say good) flavor to anything you put them in.

The reality is that you can get used to and even grow to enjoy most things.  This is a very dangerous aspect of being human.

For, while there are many things for which it does not matter either way what you do, there are many things which have eternal importance.

It is the human tendency to look for societal norms as a guide for behavior.  But societal standards seem to be set by people who have little moral principle and who certainly have no relationship with Jesus Christ.

In such a world, it is awfully easy to allow sinful behavior to become the norm.  Yet, this should never be for the followers of Christ.

For, we know that Jesus did not come to this earth and give His life, just so that a group of uneducated fisherman could become culturally relevant.  Instead, He brought a set of standards that raise moral purity from the level of action to purity in thoughts and actions.  It is to this goal that His followers strive.

Let us never become used to the impurities of society, but rather live our lives with Jesus' perfect example as our goal.

Rich Father

 

"My Father is rich in houses and lands,

  He holds the whole wealth of the world in His hands.

Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,

  His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

A child of the king, a child of the king,

  through Jesus my Savior, I'm a child of the king."

Harriet Buell (1877)



The song is called a child of the king and it makes a point that is made several places in the Bible, that God is independently wealth.  There is no end to His riches and nothing that we can give Him that he truly needs.

I remember as a younger man thinking how nice it would be if someone like Bill Gates would adopt me, just in order to leave me a huge inheritance for being as awesome as I was.  Of course, that never happened, but my Father in heaven is awfully wealthy...

It is impressive to think of God owning more things than Bill Gates and all the Saudi princes combined.  But that isn't the big thing that God is rich in.

"But God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us..." (Ephesians 2:4).  That is what I am looking for and what I need.  For, a god who has wealth beyond compare is not going to be bothered by a little no one like me.

On the other hand God, who is merciful is always ready to hear my voice, calling on Him.  And that is more important for a sinner like me, than any other riches that I could think of.

Thankful

As a little fun activity, I had my children say things for which they were thankful.  Not surprisingly, there was a lot of "stuff" on the list.  Vince and Elliot were thankful for basketball.  Anna was thankful for school and for days off from school (sounds a little contradictory to me).  Fortunately, Vince mentioned that he was thankful for "Mom" and "Dad," although Elliot was just thankful for "Mom."

In my mind, as I listened to them, I began to compose another list, a list of things for which I am grateful to my Heavenly Father.  The list was full of things like my wonderful wife, Elaine, our three children, and a nice home.

I realized that I was doing the same thing as my children.  For, the easiest things to thank God for, are the things which I can see and touch.  But are those truly the most important things which I have been given?

The answer is "no."  In fact, I love God and am thankful, not because of what He has given me -- which is much more than I deserve -- but for who He is.  In a sense, when I make a list full of stuff, it tells God that I am thankful  only to Him as He gives me more stuff.

I believe that my prayers must change.  Instead of lists of things for which I am grateful, I would bring to my God a heart full of adoration.  For He alone is worthy.

Thanksgiving

The first Thanksgiving was a meal held by the Pilgrims after a fairly grim year.  Somehow they had weathered a harsh Massachusetts winter, only losing a third of their population in the process.  They had worked hard -- very hard -- all summer with fairly meager results.  And yet they decided to have a meal dedicated in praise to God.

Of course, we all know that the reason that the Pilgrims were thankful, was that they had heard about a famine in Africa.  Hearing about starving people in sub-Saharan Africa made them much more grateful for their little harvest.

Wait.  Scratch that last paragraph.  I don't believe there is anyone who has truly been made grateful for what they have, or for their lot in life, by realizing that someone else has it worse.  Otherwise, there are millions of children who would snatch up their forks to eat their green beans at the mere mention of starving children in other countries.

It is still awfully easy to convince ourselves that we can become thankful by reading or hearing about someone worse off.  Yet, how could you really come to a grateful heart through the message of the words:  "It might be worse!"?

Those first Pilgrims came to that Thanksgiving with hearts filled to overflowing -- not because their lot was better than some others, but because God had been good to them.

My son, Vince, has had a lot of "issues" as he has grown up.  Food allergies, frequent vomiting, delayed speech and many other things have afflicted him.  As I was coming to grips with his condition, I wanted things to be different.  I often read stories about children with more severe delays than Vince and I never felt any better, or more thankful.

And then one day, I realized that I am grateful for Vince for who he is.  I can't imagine him being any different, or loving him any more.  He was and is a gift to our family, without price and without measure.  And in that knowledge, at last, I truly felt thankful.

Who Are They?

"They are not diabetics," my instructor said firmly.  "They are people -- patients -- who happen to have diabetes." 

I nodded my head.  I was a second year medical student and it made absolute sense to me that we should treat patients as people first and focus on their diseases secondarily.

Over time since then, I have come to realize that for some people, their disease becomes who they are.  No longer are they a person with lupus, they are a "Lupus Sufferer" -- and don't you forget it!

Everything else in their life ceases to be, except in relation to this disease state that now is who they are.

This saddens me when I see it, for suddenly, all of the complexities of what make a person a human are erased.  For, we are all many people.  I am a doctor, but more than that, I am a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, a teller of jokes, a giver of hugs and a hundred other things.

It seems to me that my instructor was right.  People are people, whatever they are battling and it is crucial that their health care providers never forget that fact.  But is even more important that my patients never forget it either, or they will themselves be lost in that black hole called disease.

George Louis Alexander

George Louis Alexander.  It is a big name for a normal sized baby.  I suppose that when you are in line to inherit the British throne, your parents can't name you something like Vincent Daniel or, Elliot David (as awesome as those names might be).

It is funny how certain names sound kingly and others do not.  For some reason, I just can't imagine a king named Garth.  I suppose it has to do with what names have already been held by kings.  George, Louis, and Alexander are the names of well known kings from the past.

When Elaine and I were discussing the naming of our children, there were certain names that we liked, but would never use.  The reason was that we knew someone who had that name and that person had made a negative impact on one or the other of us.

Proverbs 22 says "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches..."  Solomon was not speaking here of our names, how long they are, what they mean, or who has held a similar name.  He was speaking of our reputation.

What is it that people who know me attach to my name?  I pray that it would be good things -- not so more mothers feel good naming their sons  Vincent or, John, but because a good name is far more valuable than mountains of gold.

Worship.

Worship.  It is an area of tension in the American church today, with services ranging from rock concerts, to relatively subdued services, completely lacking musical instruments.  Some churches even offer two services -- one traditional and the other modern -- so that everyone will be happy.

As I was reading through Romans 12, in the New Living Translation, I was struck by the first verse.  In it, Paul pleads that we give our bodies to God as a living sacrifice, for "This is truly the way to worship Him."

And there you have it.  True worship isn't about me and what makes me happy.  It is about God and about me telling Him that I am His.  Whatever He plans for me, I will do.  Whatever designs He might have for my life, I accept. 

I fear that much worship, in these latter days, is devoid of personal communication and connection with God.  If worship is not personal, if there is no sacrifice involved, then we are not truly worshiping.  Or maybe it would be better to say that we may be worshiping, but we aren't worshiping God Almighty.

I am reminded of the story of Elijah, the prophet.  He was in a cave fleeing from an evil king.  The story tells that God told him to leave the cave and stand.  While Elijah was standing there, a fierce wind broke the mountain, an earthquake shook the mountain, and finally a fire passed before the prophet, but God was not in any of those things.  And when God finally came, it was the sound of a "low whisper."

As I come before God, I must be focused on Him, not myself.  For it is in silence that I hear His voice.  In stillness that He will come and I will listen.  And that is Worship.

Practice What You Preach

I was at the Academy of Family Practice conference.  There were lots of lectures on various interesting subjects and strangely, lots of family doctors, as well.

As I watched them walk between sessions, I was disappointed.  Many of them were out of shape and significantly overweight and some of them looked like their last work out was some time during the Reagan administration.

This disappointed me, because I have always felt that it was important to practice what you preach.  If I expect my patients to eat a healthy diet and exercise, then I should do the same.

Strangely, scarcely a week later, I read a study which indicated that patients actually prefer to receive diet advice from a doctor who is overweight.  Is struck me badly at the time, until I understood why.

You see, must people are looking, not for someone who has it altogether, but for someone who understands who they are and where they are at in their life.  A doctor who has similar struggles with weight will be less judgmental and more understanding (at least that is what patients hope).

In the same way, we understand that Jesus came to this earth and experienced all of the struggles and trials that humans deal with -- and more, but always with victory.  He understands who we are and what we are experiencing and in those trials, He is always faithful to give us victory, when we ask for it.

One Track

My son, Vince, has a one track mind and for the most part, that track has "trains" running on it.  That is to say, a pretty good portion of his waking time, that he's not in school, he is playing with or, building trains.

A lot of people look down others who have one track minds, as though it is better to diversify, than to have your focus be wrapped up in one thing. 

I have known plenty of adults who were stuck on one thing -- cooking, sports, or hunting.  This was their passion and they could do little else, but focus on that passion.

As I read through the book of Acts, recently, it was clear to me that the Apostle Paul had a one track mind as well.  His life's work was to share the life and ministry of Jesus Christ with every person who he met.

It got him into a lot of trouble.  This passion got him beaten, put him in prison several times, and eventually got him beheaded.  In the end, he would say that it was all worth it.

For, while it may not be a great thing to have a one track mind, when the track is taken up with Jesus Christ, there is no room for anything else.  And that is a very good thing.

Bob Evans

My children love the restaurant Bob Evans.  I am not totally sure why that is.  Certainly not for the frequent coffee refills (they don't drink coffee) or, the new entrees on the menus (they order the same things every time).

The menus items for them are usually things like Macaroni and Cheese or, Chicken Strips with Smiley Face Potatoes.  Yet, the last time we went, Anna leaned over and asked Elaine:  "Mom, how do they cook things so that they taste so much better than at home?"

If I had to guess as to why they like Bob Evans so much, I think it would be because their father likes is a lot as well.  When I was a boy, it was the restaurant that our family ate at the most.

I don't really know what my Heavenly Father thinks about Bob Evans (I doubt He is interested in smiley face potatoes), but I certainly know many things that excite Him and please Him.  I am afraid that they don't always excite me.

But if my children can get excited by Bob Evans, because I like going there, surely I can do the same.  For, whatever goals I have in this life, to please my Father has got to be at the top of the list.

Good Bacteria

When I was a boy, I wouldn't have believed that there was such a thing as good bacteria.  I was well-versed in germ theory and knew that the reason you washed your hands was to get rid of germs.  And they were all bad.

Even when I finished medical school, I don't think I understood how important good bacteria were.  My goal, as a physician, was to eliminate bad bacteria and if there were some casualties of innocent good bacteria along the way, so be it.

But as time goes by, medical science has discovered more and more how important good bacteria are for health.  Taking probiotic pills (good bacteria pills) prevents upper respiratory infections, reduces infant colic, and tempers the gastrointestinal side effects of antibiotics.

In a sense, this relates to my mission as a dad.  It often feels like the goal of my life is to wipe out bad behavior.  I am constantly telling my children -- "Don't throw that down the stairs!" or, "Don't bite him!" or, other pithy statements, designed to reduce the bad behaviors that are not infrequent in my progeny.  Even in my relationship with my patients, I scold them for all of the bad, unhealthy behaviors they are engaged in.  But then, what remains?

It is so important, not just to eliminate bad behaviors, but to replace them with good things.  Nature abhors a vacuum and humans cannot live in one for any length of time.  If someone drinks too much, simply eliminating the drinking will simply leave a void, that needs filling.  Exercising, going to church and AA meetings will fill time that was otherwise spent with alcohol.

There is no salvation in doing good works, but the goal of life is not just to do nothing bad, it is to use my talents -- every one of them -- for God.  And as I do that, I certainly will have less time available for getting into trouble.

Bag Phone

I remember clearly my mother's first cell phone.  It was a bag phone of considerable size, but it certainly beat hunting everywhere for a pay phone and using a calling card.

That was in the late 1980s and there were an awful lot of dead spots.  The funny thing was, she continued to use the bag phone into the mid 90s, when the cell phone company refused to let her continue using a bag phone.  There were smaller options that they (not she) wanted her to use.

When I moved to Paoli thirteen years ago, I found that cell phones were not very usable.  Just about anywhere south or west of town had almost no coverage.

Over time since then, the coverage has gotten better.  There was always a dead spot though, between Roland and Shoals, where I couldn't send or receive phone calls.

Now, the cell phone company is putting up a tower there, too.  One more place where I am 'reachable.'

Still, there thousands of miles in this country that are still uncovered by cell phone towers.  They are places that are far from civilized things like telephones.

None of these places is out of sight or reach of God.  So it says in Psalms 139.  There is no place in space or, time that is hidden from God.  And not only does He see me -- better than the best NSA surveillance plan -- He listens to me as well.

Better than the best satellite phone is prayer.  It is a line that is always open, with great coverage.  And the best part is who is on the other end, waiting for me to call upon Him in time of need and in time of plenty.

Super foods

"It's a Quinoa salad," the lady told me.  "It's very good and you know, Quinoa is really 'hot' right now.  It's really a super food."

Over time, I have heard that many foods were super foods.  These included things like Blueberries, Soybeans, Green Tea,  Avocados and now, Quinoa.  I'm still not sure who decides that a particular food is nutritious enough to deserve the designation of super food.  I can only imagine that it is probably Dr. Oz who does so, in his nearly infinite wisdom.

Now, I am not against the consumption of blueberries or, soy, or even quinoa (although my quinoa salad wasn't that great), but I am afraid that the designation of super food takes away from the basic idea of healthy eating -- balance.

You would think that there would be no limit to the amount of super foods that you could eat, clearly more should be better.  The reality is quite a bit different.  A good diet includes a wide variety of foods, with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

I am afraid that when it comes to the Gospel, many people want to set up residence on the "important" commands and ignore the other things.  Things like love and mercy get prominent billing in such rankings.

Yet, Jesus did not ask His disciples to only teach the important things within the Gospel.  Rather in the His Great Commission, He instructed His followers to "teach them to observe all that I have commanded you."

There are no "super foods" found within the Gospel.  Rather each principle is important.  Our responsibility, as servants of Jesus, is to do and teach them all, through His transforming power.

Presbyopia.

Presbyopia.  It sounds like a new denomination, or perhaps a new brand of designer jeans, but in reality, it is something that eventually effects every one of us.  It is the inability to focus on things close at hand.

I remember my mother telling me a story of how she was teaching a class.  "I am afraid we are going to have to write all of the problems on the board," she told her class of teens.

"Why is that?" They asked.

"Because my arms aren't long enough to read them in the book," she answered.

I am getting to the age where I may soon need reading glasses, although, I still can read things fairly close at hand.  As I think about life, it is a lot harder to see things that are close by, than things that are distant.  It is a lot easier to see small problems or, inconsistencies in someone else's life, than it is to see large problems in my own.

Perhaps the answer is one of focus, but I don't really think so.  Humans just aren't very good at looking at themselves.  The answer to this problem is first of all, to look at myself through the lens of God's Word.  How do I measure up?

The second way is to incorporate someone else's vision into my analysis.  This fo course, come with a draw back -- I have to listen to what my brother, or friend shares, without attacking him.

It is so worth it.  For, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  The easiest things for me to trip over are things close by me -- that I don't see on my own.

Resistance versus Sensitivity

"I'm calling you about Olive Smith," the nurse on my cell phone said.  "We just got her urine culture results back and it grew out Proteus Mirabilis."

"OK," I said.  "Can you tell me what antibiotics it is sensitive to?"

"How about I tell you what things it is resistant to?"  She asked me.

"No, how about you tell me what it is sensitive to,"  I countered.

There was silence on the other end of the line.  "Is it sensitive to Cipro?"  I asked finally.

"No, it is resistant to that," she said helpfully.

"Is it sensitive to nitrofurantoin?" I asked again, hoping this time to strike gold.

"No, it's resistant to that, too."

"How about Bactrim?"  I asked, a little desperately.

"Oh, Olive's allergic to that.  I guess I should have mentioned that at the start."

There was another pause.  "Can you just tell me an antibiotic that has an 'S' beside it?"  I asked pleadingly.

"Ampicillin/Clavulinate," came back the response.

"OK, let's go with that," I said, telling the nurse the dosage.

It had been an awfully frustrating conversation.  I realized that the reason was that the nurse, for whatever reason had not wanted to tell me any of the medications that would work.  Rather she focused on the ones that didn't.

This is a little bit the tendency of Christians.  It seems easier to talk about things that are forbidden than on the work that is set before us.

But the reality is that Christianity is far from just a list of "don'ts."  Yes, there are things that I don't want to do, because I am a child of God, but it is more than that.  For me, faith is stepping out to follow the best Master I could every imagine, one who loved me so much that He died for me.

And what could be better than that?

Banana Flavor

It was six am at the Louisville Airport as Elaine and I stood in line at Starbucks, looking for a little calorie infusion before our flight to parts west. 

Along with my medium caffeinated beverage, I ordered a chocolate chunk muffin.  Then, we walked down to our gate.  When I sat down and took my first bite, I was disappointed.  The muffin tasted at least as strongly of banana as it did of chocolate.

The reason why was clear to me.  Right next to the chocolate muffins in the window, were banana muffins.  Now, there are some flavors and aromas that just "travel."  I discovered this when someone put mints in the chocolate drawer at work.

Suddenly, all of the Snickers bars tasted more like peppermints patties than like Snickers.

It is said that if you lie down with dogs, you get up with flees.  When you are a chocolate muffin and you lie down next to a banana muffin, you are changed when you get up -- and not for the better, in my opinion.

It is particularly hard for youth to understand this.  The concept that your friends change who you are, even without your ever realizing it, is a hard one to grasp.

The changes can be good or bad.  On one hand, it could lead to a loosening of moral standards and a crudeness of speech.  On the other hand, it can be something that lifts our hearts and lives closer to Christ.

We can choose who we associate with, but once we do, the end is fixed.  For, those who spend too much time with Banana Muffins will smell and taste like one, whether they want to, or not.

Sunflowers

The last three or four weeks were really dry here in southern Indiana at the end of August. Everything turned from a bright green color to a tannish color as we headed towards the fall.

The only bright side was that I didn't have to mow the lawn as often -- well, and that Elaine didn't have to figure out what to do with four new zucchini squash a week.

At the beginning of the summer, I planted a lot of different things, but one that seems to reward me, even on the driest days are the sunflowers. I really didn't do anything to them. I didn't water them, really didn't even take care of them. Yet, despite the arid weather, when I walked out of the garden, I could always see their bright faces smiling at me.

Why are sunflowers so happy, even in dry times? Well, I suppose, because it is their nature to be that way. They couldn't be any other way, even if they tried.

As I look at their yellow heads, pointed at the sun, I know that this too, is a secret. For I have found the dry times of my life are more likely to draw scowls from my face than smiles. However when I keep my face towards my sun -- Jesus -- I am more likely to keep my sense of joy. Even more, I would allow Christ to transform my inner self into one filled with joy. Hard times do reveal who I am on the inside. And in the summer's heat, I would have only joy bubble forth.

Saying Goodbye

It is the end of September and I am saying "goodbye."  I am saying goodbye to a lot of different things, but one of the ones I notice the most are the hummingbirds at my feeders.

No longer do they settle on the feeders, fighting their tiny air battles in the sweltering heat over the sweet water that I put out for them.  Nor are these local birds.  Instead they seem to hum with a Canadian accent, fleeing from the already frosty weather up north.

They take quick drinks and then, they are away again.  Only in the mornings and evenings do my tiny friends linger a little while over the feeders.

And I know that in just a little while, I will put my  feeders away, because there are no more hummingbirds to come.  Only slate gray skies will follow, as winter moves into our county.

I say good bye to these tiny birds, who please so much with their darting, rapid flights.  And I know that life is about good byes and most of them are a lot harder to experience than simply missing a departing humming bird.

At the same time, partings are only temporary.  The hummingbirds will return in the spring and even loved ones who die in the Lord, will be seen in a fairer land some day.

So, I prefer to say "Hasta luego," rather than "adios."  Whether to hummingbirds, who I hope to see again next spring or, to friends and family.

I would that I would see each one of them again at Jesus' side, if not before.  And once we are there, there will be no more good byes.

How to spell Newspaper

"How do you spell 'newspaper?'  Vince asked no one in particular.  Then, in answer to his own question, he began to spell --  "N-E-W-S-P-A-P-E-R."

Vince is a pretty good speller.  I am not certain exactly how he chooses the words he learns.  He can spell words like "engine," and "Thomas" and "fire truck." 

It is pretty handy to be a good speller, but I know plenty of people who aren't.  I suppose with the prevalence of spell checking on computers, it isn't that big a deal any more.

In Jesus' day, it was different.  They didn't have computers, or software.  They did have tablets, but no batteries to put in them.  And most people did not learn to read or, write -- much less spell hard words like "fire truck" and "newspaper."

It tells us of the early disciples that while they were uneducated men, they still spoke with power.  It was the fact that they had been with Jesus that made all of the difference for them.

I am grateful for my education and that I have had the opportunity to learn much.  I can spell words that are much longer than "newspaper."  In fact, I can spell words like olfactory and erudition, without consulting a dictionary.

But, I do not want people to know me for my spelling.  I want people to know of me, that I am Jesus's disciple.

No Light

As I entered the church sanctuary, I looked up.  Everything looked the way it always did, except that one of the light fixtures that hung down from the ceiling was not lit.

Clearly electricity was flowing, for all of the other globes were giving plenty of light.  I suppose that the bulb inside was burned out.  Yet, from the outside, it could not be distinguished from the other fixtures.

There are many people who look a lot like Christians.  They even claim to be servants of Christ and attend to church regularly, but they have no light emanating from their lives.

This is the point of Christ's kingdom parable about the wheat and the weeds (or tares in some versions).  Jesus told a story about a man who sowed wheat in his field and then, while he was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weed seeds among the wheat.  His servants were chagrined and offered to pull up the weeds.  The man refused to let them, for fear that they would damage the wheat plants in the process.

It is clear that my goal is not to identify which people are weeds and which are wheat inside my church.  My goal must be to make certain that I am Christ's.

My tendency would be to do this by cleaning up my exterior, or trying to do more good deeds.  But, however good these things are, they are ineffective.  It is like polishing the light fixture when the bulb is burned out inside.

Instead, I must open myself to Jesus' light.  As this permeates my life, suddenly it sill begin to come forth.  Only then can I move from being a dark fixture within the church to one who reflect the Light of the World.

Cheetahs

"Zeus can run as fast as a cheetah!"  My daughter said emphatically.  I watched Zeus darting after rabbits.  If Zeus was really as fast as a cheetah, I had a feeling that there would be fewer bunnies in the briar patch.  Brer Rabbit certainly never had Brer Cheetah to contend with.

"No, Anna," I said.  "Zeus is quite a bit slower than a cheetah."

Zeus tries as hard as any cheetah does to run down a rabbit.  You can see it in his eyes as he darts forward, straining towards the escaping rabbit.  There is only one problem.  Zeus is a dog, not a cheetah.

There is no way for Zeus in his dog body to out race a cheetah in it's agile, cat body.

It strikes me that this is the problem that many people have when it comes to serving Christ.  They try and try to act like a Christian and all the while struggle mightily.

For, Christ did not come to make us better people.  He came to transform us.  He came to change us from the inside out.  As it were, to turn the dog into a cheetah.

Only then can we be Christ-like.  For at that moment, we are a new creation, made in His image and likeness.

Word of Mouth

Martin Lindstrom was an advertising executive.  He spent quite a bit of his life trying to get people to buy products.  Then, one day, he decided to try an experiment.

Martin decided to pay a family, the Morgensons, to advertise for them.  In their typical days, as they spent time with friends and neighbors, they would specifically drop references to a variety of products that they were "using."

Martin filmed them doing this and tracked the results.  At the end of the three months, 15,000 people had been exposed to the products in southern California, through this campaign.

Many people know that "word of mouth" is the best advertising.  Few people come to see me in my office because of the large billboards I rent on the edge of town (there aren't any), but because someone they know was satisfied with the care that I provided at Comprehensive Health Care.

It is awfully easy to underestimate the power of a spoken word for Christ.  I do not consider myself an evangelist.  It is awfully easy to believe that my words wouldn't really make a difference anyway.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The testimony I am to share is far from an advertisement.  "Try Jesus, He'll work for you," or even "Jesus fixed my marriage, He'll fix yours too!"  No, the message I need to share is as old as the New Testament.  "Jesus Christ died for sinners, of whom I am chief."

This is a message that will resonate and spread, not because it is a catchy slogan, but because of the Spirit which accompanies it.  There are so many people in need and I can help them, touch their lives, one spoken word at a time.

Okra

Loving someone will drive you to do crazy things.  Some people will buy dozens of roses, some are so in love that they will jump over couches.  I am so in love with Elaine that this spring I planted okra in our garden.

It is not that I mind okra that much.  It just happens to be one of the few foods that I like less than turnip greens.  On the other hand, Elaine has fond memories of eating fried okra, as a girl, and so I planted a row of okra in our garden.

Of course, this meant that I would help take care of it and last week, I ate it with the rest of the family, when our plants produced a bumper crop.

This is the way love is.  The verse says:  "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  But when you love someone, it is best to do unto them what they would have you do unto them.

For, love is paying attention to who my wife is and then, loving that person.  Even if it mean planting okra in our garden.

96 Hours

One of the benefits of being married to a super couponer, is that you get to be on the cutting edge of technology.  At least the cutting edge with regard to toothpaste, and deodorant.  Recently, Elaine bought me some deodorant that is guaranteed to last for 96 hours (at least if it doesn't get wet).

I am not sure what I imagined the future to be like when I was a boy.  Talking computers, robots, and flying cars come to mind, but this is amazing!

I am not sure exactly what the benefits of this extra long-lasting deodorant are, anyway.  I guess it allows one to bathe as often as Europeans, but smell better.

Maybe I am old fashioned, but whatever it says on the deodorant label, I'm still planning to bathe semi-regularly (daily) and refresh my deodorant semi-regularly as well.

I just don't really believe that you can bathe once a week and have the same aroma as if you bathe every day.  Even if you have an hour long shower and it is a really intense experience.

There are people who believe that quality is more important than quantity.  One super-aggressive hour work out a week is enough.  One quality evening a week with your children is enough.  But it isn't.  Daily time spent is what is needed.

This is even more true when it comes to spending time with God.  Having a once a week prayer and Bible study "jam session" is just not enough.  In fact, it is a recipe for distance from Him and spiritual weakness.

Instead, I must take time and effort to speak to Him and listen to Him every day.  There is no new technology that takes the place of daily time with God.  And when I do not take the time for Him, I am the one who suffers.

Dependable

Dependable.  It's exactly what our computerized health records were supposed to be and it is exactly what they weren't for a several week span.  Whose fault it was, I have no idea.  The software people blamed the server people and the server people blamed the software folks.

It is better now, but ever since our records weren't accessible, in the back of my mind is a nagging doubt -- wondering when, not if, the computers will fail me again.

God is dependable.  The Bible uses the word "faithful" to describe Him  "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22,23)

To say God is dependable is completely different from saying that my electronic medical records are dependable.  My computer being dependable means that it does exactly what I want it to -- that it makes me happy, in so far as a piece of silicone and plastic and metal can.

When I say that God is dependable, I do not mean that He always does the thing that makes me happy.  What I mean is that He can be counted on to do right and to act in love.

And that is what I want.  I don't want a god like the genie from Aladdin, whose whole aim is to please me.  I want God to give me what I need to help me act like Jesus.

I know that He is Trustworthy.  Steadfast.  Dependable.  It never crosses my mind that He could be otherwise.  For, He has always been faithful to me.

Zucchini Crisp

Elaine made zucchini crisp the other day.  I think it was supposed to taste a lot like apple crisp which it did.  If this was Facebook, I would immediately post the recipe and request everyone to share it, but it isn't.

As I was eating it, I wondered a little about it.  Why make zucchini crisp that tastes 90 percent like apple crisp, when you could just peel some apples and have apple crisp instead?

The answer is pretty clear.  We have a couple of apple trees planted, but they aren't big enough to bear fruit yet.  But our zucchinis have been multiplying like rabbits.  In fact, most rabbits have nothing on our zucchini plants!

Just a couple of days before, Elaine told me that she had used up all of the zucchinis in the house by making relish.  Then I went up to the garden and found five more big ones.

I am convinced that God created zucchinis just so that even bad gardeners do not give up all hope.  Other than squash bugs, there just isn't much that can spoil a zucchini harvest.  But is awfully easy to get tired, even frustrated when there is "too much" of a blessing.

When life gives you lemons, I have heard that you are supposed to make lemonade.  On the other hand, when God blesses your garden with zucchinis, what are you to do?  The answer is to use them -- to make zucchini lasagna, zucchini brownies, or zucchini crisp (all of which I have eaten in the last couple of weeks).

For zucchinis are a blessing.  Maybe not as big a blessing as having an orchard of apple trees or, peach trees.  But honestly, I would rather enjoy the blessings we have, than wish for what we don't.

What do you put on your corn?

"I want butter on my corn," Anna said.

"How do you ask?"  Elaine said.

"Please."

Elliot looked over at me.  "I... I... I... want... Peanut Butter on my corn," he said.

It is sweet corn season now and people eat their corn different ways.  I eat mine without anything on it, just the way God made it (except cooked, of course).  Elaine and Anna eat their with butter and salt.  And Elliot... Elliot thinks he would like it best with peanut butter.

Cruel as we are as parents, we just gave it to him with butter and not peanut butter.  You see, I don't believe he really would eat sweet corn with peanut butter on it.

There have been many times that I prayed to God for something and He did not give it to me and I was glad in the end.  I don't know the future and it is entirely possible that the thing I "desperately" need today, I won't even care about tomorrow.

I am glad.  Glad that God hears me and that He gives me the things that I really want, even when I ask for something completely different.

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings to deep for words."  Romans 8:26,27

About Money

I came around the corner and found my two-year old, Elliot, standing in front of my daughter Anna's play cash register.  "What are you doing, Elliot?"  I asked.

"Nothing," he replied.  Then he grabbed a handful of plastic coins and began stuffing them into his pants pockets.  Then he said:  "Got money!  Lotta money!"

Now, I am not sure where Elliot got the idea that money -- of any kind -- was important.  I certainly am not in the habit of pulling out handfuls of change to show my children how rich I am.

However, money is pretty important in this world.  You have only to try to buy gasoline, or groceries without it to realize the fact that this world revolves around cash and credit.

While I am not in love with money, I am a pretty big fan of some of the things it can buy.  At the same time, I can say that I have received much more satisfaction by giving to someone in need than I have ever received through a new purchase.

In the end, money has the value that I decide to place on it -- nothing more or less.  I am not quite at the place that the Apostle Paul was when he said "But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." (I Timothy 6:8), but that is my goal.

I would teach my children the difference between plastic and real money.   I would teach them the value of money.  But I would teach them to value relationships, love, and godliness more.  For, in these things there is great gain.

How Old is Zeus?

"Don't go in those weeds, Elliot!"  Anna shouted from where she was digging in her garden.  Sometimes Anna thinks she is her brother's mother, but I digress.

She went running over to where Elliot was walking in the tall grass.  The whole time they were walking back, she was scolding him.  "Now, Elliot," she said. "You shouldn't go in there.  There's ticks and things like that in there.  I know Zeus goes in there (Zeus is our dog), but Zeus is a lot older than you are."

The biggest difference between Zeus and Elliot is not that Zeus is four years older than Elliot (that would make him 6 years old, or 30 in dog years), but that Zeus is a dog and Elliot is a boy.  But, when you are a child, you equate everything to age.  My mother wouldn't let me chew gum till I was nine years old.  I couldn't drink coffee till I was fifteen.  I couldn't drive till I was sixteen.

Age isn't "just a number," as some people say.  It is something very real.  But it doesn't tell the whole story either.  At the end of Luke chapter two, it says that "Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."  It doesn't mention the fact that He got older, because of course, everyone gets older.

There comes a time in most people's lives when they would be OK with stopping having more birthdays and just maintaining a particular age.  It doesn't work that way.

The question for me, isn't whether or not I'm old enough to do something.  I hit that age awhile ago (although I have a little while to go before I can order from the senior menu at Bob Evans).  The question is whether I am still growing -- in wisdom, in love, and in my daily walk with God.

Public Restrooms

My son Vince likes public bathrooms.  While he is in them, he repeats a little mantra:  "Wash your hands, dry your hands!"

Perhaps it is the automatic sinks or, the weird paper towel dispensers, but he really like the filthy places.

Recently, we went to the Louisville Zoo and I took him into the bathroom.  As we were walking to the sink, a man stepped away from a urinal and headed straight for the door.  Vince perked up immediately.  In a loud voice he said:  "You forgot to wash your hands and dry your hands!"  The man shot him a dirty look and then continued out of the bathroom.

Somebody is watching.  Oh, I have known since I was a boy that Jesus is watching me.  And certainly that is plenty of reason to not say or do anything that would displease Him.  But there are lots of others who are watching too.

My children -- even somebody else's children -- hear the things that I say and absorb the things that I do.  I suppose maybe I should be worried that they think less of me if they see me doing the wrong things, but that really isn't my concern.

My worry is that my children will follow in my footsteps and find that they lead to destruction.  For, I pray that they would discover that their father has clean hands and a pure heart before God.  Even in moments when I think that no one else is watching.

Fall Garden

I am thinking about a fall garden.  I say thinking, because while we've had a good garden this summer, with plenty of production and plenty of rain, there comes a time in the year when I start to get tired.

I am always excited in the spring, pouring over garden catalogs and thinking about how much corn seed and bean seed to buy and if I want to try anything different from usual to grow.  Then, I have lots of energy and desire to get out and turn over the soil.  Lots of wondering, as well, about what kind of year the spring and summer will bring.

I suppose it is the way that humans are.  As it is described in Ecclesiastes 12, the aging process is kind to none of the faculties "...and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home and the mourners go about the streets -- before the silver cord is snapped..."  I have been built in such a way that I will eventually wear out.

I guess I am thinking about that more this week, because my wife, Elaine's grandmother has just passed on to her eternal rest.  And I know that grandmother was not sorry to say good bye as her time to graduate came, even though we will miss her.

It is a blessing to know that after work in the summer's heat, there will come rest.

I decided to go ahead with a fall garden -- planting some spinach, lettuce, and peas.  But there will still come a time when I will rest from planting and weeding and harvesting.  Even more, there is coming a time when my Lord will call me home to rest from all my labors.  And I will gladly go.  For my desire to see Him, to be with Him, is greater than any other thing I could wish for.

What's Going on With the Amish?

 

"What's been going on with the Amish these days?"  Lou asked me.

I was completely taken aback.  First of all, I am not an expert on Amish, by any means.  Second, I had no idea what he was talking about -- maybe something to do with the Amish mafia.  "What do you mean?"

"Well," he said.  "I bought some Amish chairs and a couple of them came apart after a couple of months of use."

I told him that I really didn't know.  As far as I knew, the word 'Amish' had just been used as a way of advertising the chairs.

Some terms are used so generally that they have lost a lot of their original meaning.  The word "Christian" has been used as an adjective in association with all sorts of things:  Christian values, Christian homes, a Christian church, and even Christian politicians.

For many of these things, to be Christian means very little.  In Nigeria, roughly half of the population considers themselves to be Christian, while half consider themselves Muslim.  Yet, for many of the Nigerian Christians, the only thing that makes them so is that their parents, or grandparents were Christians.  Or, even just that they were given a Christian birth name.  I am afraid that it isn't that much different to be a Christian in the United States.

It is with such people that the word Christian becomes devoid of meaning.  What once meant to be a disciple, or a follower of Jesus, now becomes a word that indicates a loose association with people or, organizations that use the term Christian to identify themselves.

Mahatma Gandhi was asked why, though he quoted many of the words of Christ, he refused to become His follower.  He replied:  "Oh, I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ."

I pray that I might be different.  A true follower of Christ, who serves in word, in deed and in Spirit.

Called

A few weekends ago, a big thunderstorm was predicted.  An 80 percent, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration website predicted.  I went to bed early, knowing that the weather radio in my alarm clock would keep me awake most of the night.

I was pleasantly surprised  when it didn't make any noise until it was time for me to wake up.  It did make me wonder a little bit about what you have to do as a weather forecaster to get fired.

Of course, when you use "computer models" and put numbers on things, everything seems so scientific.  But obviously they are far from perfect.

In Biblical time, there were many prophets.  They were men who made their living by foretelling the future and often getting into trouble by saying bad things about the future of the country and the king.  The thing was that if their prophecies did not come true, the people were commanded to stone them (to death).

Perhaps it seems odd that anyone would go into a profession with such terrible consequences for failure.  But people didn't go into the occupation for a paycheck.  Rather they went into it because they were called.

In the case of the prophets, this meant an audible voice from God, maybe even a vision of God's glory.  Once that call came, fear of anything else went away.

While I have not read of anyone in the medical profession being stoned recently (that is, killed by people throwing stones at them), the work does require effort.  I am afraid that many people enter it because it's "a hot field," or just simply because "there's money to be made there."  So much better for to be a calling.

I am sure there are plenty of weather forecasters and people in other professions, who are just in it for the money.  But I will make a prediction that you will find no greater satisfaction than in the field to which God calls you.

Sidewalk Chalk

My children love to play with sidewalk chalk.  Recently, they have been all about drawing roads.  It's sort of funny to draw a road on top of our driveway, but there are often several there, along with Vince and Anna's names printed in large, block letters.

I'm not totally sure why they like to draw with chalk so much.  Maybe it is because they get to draw much bigger than you can on a standard sheet of  8.5 by 11 inch paper.  I think a lot is due to the fact that it feels more permanent than drawing on paper.

When you are five or six years old, a good portion of the things you draw end up in the trash or, recycling bin.  But when you draw on the sidewalk or driveway, it is there -- fixed like the pyramids -- at least until it rains again.

There is inside of humans a desire to leave something behind that is visible and worthwhile.  In ancient times, these were often tombs and Pharaohs worked on the pyramids that entombed them for years prior to their deaths.

The book of Ecclesiastes speaks of a man who attempted to leave a mark behind for posterity.  He invested of himself in pleasure, in wisdom, and in building.  In the end, he describes all of it as empty, vanity, a blowing of the wind.

So it is that of the seven wonders of the ancient world, only one (the pyramids) can still be seen today.  In the end, all the works of humankind are but chalk drawings on sidewalk of time.

This is only to say that there are other things -- not valued by the powerful of this world -- that will last.

It is about giving and not building, it is about mercy and not strength, it is about love for those who deserve it least.  Jesus showed us by His example and though He built no tower and wrote no books, what He did has changed the world forever.

Climbing the Stairs

My son, Elliot, was just learning to climb the stairs.  I watched as his red head slowly moved up the steps.  His concentration was intense as he moved towards his goal.

Finally, fifteen stairs later, he arrived at the top.  He looked around to find himself alone and in the dark, without a clue as to how to get back down.  A second later, his voice was raised in a wordless shriek that demanded rescue.

Life is full of mountains, beckoning to be climbed.  They have a variety of titles:  Mt. Wealth, Mt. Power, Mt. Success and others.  Unfortunately, there is nothing at the bottom of them, telling the climber whether or not they are worth climbing.  All we can see is those toiling their way up them and it certainly looks as though they think their mountain is worthwhile.

The Bible tells a different story.  In Matthew 16:26 Jesus asks the questions "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?  Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"

So often, men and women spend their whole lives climbing the mountains around them.  At the end of their lives, they find themselves "successful" yet alone and unfulfilled.

This is Satan's goal.  He wishes us to use up our lives and energy in worthless pursuits, all the time whispering to us that enjoyment lies just a little higher on the mountain.

Jesus offers a different way.  His is not an easy path, but in the end it offers a true reward.  For, who wants to look down the stairs at the end of his life to find himself terribly successful, but horribly lost?

Lego Faces

A recent study looked at the expressions on the faces of Lego people.  Twenty years ago, they all smiled.  But now, a full sixty percent of their faces have expressions other than happiness.

It really impressed me when I went to a Lego store in Columbus, Ohio.  Among other things there, there was a bin with the parts necessary to build your own Lego figurines.  As I looked through the faces, they were mostly angry, sullen, and unhappy with a few pleasant ones in their midst.

Now, I have no idea why Lego people have gotten depressed and bitter over the last twenty years, but probably the biggest reason is that Lego people aren't Christians.  I know that life has a way of beating people down.  It teaches them distrust and anger.

In Romans 5, Paul talks about the sufferings of this life and tells the believers to rejoice in their sufferings, because of what those sufferings will produce in their lives.  He sounds a little bit like my mother in the beginning, telling the Christians that they will receive endurance and character from the trials that they experience.  I almost expect the next thing from him to be the statement.  "And furthermore, they will put hair on your chest," but he doesn't say that.

Instead he shares with the Roman Christians that the things they suffer will bring hope.  This is very different from what these things bring in the lives of those who have no hope in Jesus.

For them, life is an uncertain thing, filled with anguish, loss, and in the end despair.  For them, suffering brings no joy and is to be avoided at all costs.

I will do my best to rejoice in suffering and to let my joy show on my face.  For, God's love is demonstrated for me, not just on the good days, but on the days when suffering drives me to His side.

Descented

 I cannot smell very well, right now. This, of course, is different from saying that I don’t smell good. What I am saying, is that I have a cold and I have temporarily lost my ability to detect different aromas.

In some ways, this could be a good thing. When I can’t smell, suddenly I have no need for cologne or, deodorant. In fact, once a week baths seem too frequent.

Of course, I am being facetious. There is a need for cleanliness, whether or not I personally can detect the benefit. Just because I can’t smell at a certain point does not mean that everyone else has lost their ability to appreciate odors.

There is a tendency in a marriage to believe that just because I do not appreciate certain things, that my spouse does not either. I, for example, do not appreciate being sent flowers, but this does not mean that Elaine feels the same way.

The Bible tells us in the famous “Golden Rule” to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This is a good rule of thumb in many situations, but in a marriage, unfortunately, it tends to fall flat.

If you get your wife a belt-sander just because you would have enjoyed receiving one, you are bound to catch a little flack as a result. In the same way, if wives choose to get their husbands a brand-new "man-bag," they would probably have similar responses.

A better rule is to “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.” Make the effort to think about what your wife or husband enjoys. If you don’t know, ask them. Suddenly, your ability to please them will improve a hundred-fold.

Life flies by and the little pleasures will stay with me long down the road.  I may not always have time to stop and “smell the roses,” but my wife still appreciates as many as I care to send her way.