Progress?

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.  We have bigger houses, but smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.  We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.  We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.  We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life; we’ve added years to life, but not life to years.  We’ve been to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.  We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space; we’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.  We have higher incomes, but lower morals; we’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.  These are the times of tall men and short character; steep profits and shallow relationships.  These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.  These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.  It is a time when there is much in the showroom and nothing in the stockroom.”*

This is a sobering review of the state of the culture in which we live.  Although it is a bit dated, I don’t think much has improved since it was written 19 years ago.  How in the world did we get here?  Numerous factors are involved, but at a basic level, perhaps we’ve lost a sense of what is truly important.  “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul (Matthew 16:26)?

God loves you!

Mike

*written by a Columbine student on the second anniversary of their tragedy (2 Nov 1999)

Cardiomegaly

            Perhaps you or someone you know has experienced a medical condition known as an “enlarged heart.” “An enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) isn't a disease, but rather a sign of another condition. The term "cardiomegaly" refers to an enlarged heart seen on any imaging test, including a chest X-ray. Other tests are then needed to diagnose the condition causing your enlarged heart. You may develop an enlarged heart temporarily because of a stress on your body, such as pregnancy, or because of a medical condition, such as the weakening of the heart muscle, coronary artery disease, heart valve problems or abnormal heart rhythms. Certain conditions may cause the heart muscle to thicken or one of the chambers of the heart to dilate, making the heart larger. Depending on the condition, an enlarged heart may be temporary or permanent. An enlarged heart may be treatable by correcting the cause. Treatment for an enlarged heart can include medications, medical procedures or surgery. The risk of complications from an enlarged heart depends on the part of the heart that is enlarged and the cause. Complications of an enlarged heart can include: heart failure, blood clots, heart murmur, cardiac arrest, and death.”*

            While working on a lesson a few days ago, I learned that an enlarged heart can also be a spiritual condition.  Psalm 25 is one of many psalms of David in which he shares his experiences with the struggles of life.  Listen to the emotion in verses 16-17: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.  The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.”  According to David, the stresses of life can lead to spiritual cardiomegaly.  Thankfully, there is a treatment plan that works.  Like David, we need to seek the Lord when the trials of life overwhelm us. “Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You” (Psalm 25:20-21).

God loves you!

Mike

*https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/enlarged-heart/symptoms-causes/syc-20355436

Venting

A recent (October 8) news story spoke of an unusual event: “A typically quiet geyser in Yellowstone National Park erupted last month, spewing water up to 30 feet in the air. Afterward, park employees found a slew of garbage surrounding its vent, including a Hamm's beer can, a vintage pacifier, a shoe heel and dozens of coins.  Curators considered placing the items in the park's archives as a reminder: Please, don't use the springs as a trash can. The park posted a photograph of the "strange" items after last month's eruption of the geyser called Ear Spring.  "Foreign objects can damage hot springs and geysers," said the park. "The next time Ear Spring erupts we hope it's nothing but natural rocks and water."  The pacifier dates back to the 1930s, according to Live Science, which noted a cinderblock, a busted bottle, old signs, cigarette butts and an eight-inch drinking straw among the items.  "Some are clearly historic," the park said in its post. So was the Sept. 15 eruption.  Old Ear had not experienced a known eruption of that size of since 1957, the United States Geological Survey said, though smaller bursts took place as recently as 2004.”*

This reminds me of some of the “venting” done in human relationships, such as marriages and families, at our workplace, or even among fellow disciples of Jesus.  We allow pressures within ourselves to grow to an unhealthy level and then we erupt.  And, sometimes, a lot of garbage is included in those ventings.  Garbage like name-calling, finger-pointing, or even, like the Yellowstone geyser, bringing up items from the past.

The caution offered by park officials is also good spiritual advice: “Please, don’t use the springs as a trash can.”  It was Jesus Himself who warned that “...the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Matthew 12:34).  If we allow ourselves to be filled with garbage, sooner or later, in a moment of stress or pressure, the garbage will be spewed out upon those around us.  What a mess!

God loves you!

Mike

*https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/08/yellowstone-geyser-erupts-leaving-junk-decades-old/1570013002/

Revealing Our Foolishness

“In one of Aesop’s Fables, a donkey walking through the woods finds the skin of a lion. Hunters had killed the lion and left the skin to dry in the sun. The donkey put on the lion’s skin and was delighted to discover that all the other animals were terrified of him and ran away when he appeared. Rejoicing in his newfound respect, the donkey brayed his happiness—only to give himself away by his voice. The moral of the fable was clear: fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool.”*

The spread of social media has magnified the spread of foolishness in our world.  Everyone has an opinion, and regardless of how foolish, inappropriate, or ugly it may be, there are numerous ways to effectually share it (just watch the news tonight or check your phone if you don’t believe me).  Now, there have always been influential people who have had far-reaching platforms to air their views.  But for the vast majority of the rest of  us, our foolishness had a limited footprint.  Only those in our immediate circle of influence was subjected to our foolishness.  But that has all changed.  Now, with just a few clicks of the keyboard or screen (and, sadly, often with little forethought), our foolishness can literally be sent around the world.

The Bible, although written long before the social media frenzy, has some some guidance for us.  “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).  “He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent” (Proverbs 17:27-28).

While social media can be a tool for good, it can also facilitate the spread of much foolishness.  Remember, not every opinion or thought we have needs to be spoken or shared with the world.  Think before you share.

God loves you!

Mike

*http://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/the-wisdom-of-silence-0

What Is Your "Gethsemane?"

“The Garden of Gethsemane is not really a garden but an orchard. Olive trees still grow there today. During Jesus’ day it was a place of business, an olive press producing the local areas supply of oil. This is where the word Gethsemane comes in. A “gat” (Hebrew) is a press, a large five-foot high square stone pillar, and a “semane,” or “seman,” is oil. So on the evening before his crucifixion he went to the orchard of the Olive Press with Peter, James, and John, to pray.

“If you lived in the first century and worked with a gethsemane your day would be spent gathering olives, placing them in a woven fishnet like bag, and putting them on top of a stone table. This specially designed table is round with beveled edges that curve down to a trough. The trough is angled and funnels into a pot which holds the oil. The top is designed to receive the gethsemane. The tall square stone is lifted up and set on top of the basket and for several hours its tremendous weight is left there to crush the liquid from the olive.

“It is no mistake that Jesus spent his last evening in the Garden of Gethsemane. From there he would leave to go to the cross and receive the weight of the world, the gethsemane of our sins, blood crushed from his body running down the cross to the world below. Luke describes the pressure Jesus suffered that evening: “Being in anguish his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” It is an image of the gethsemane crushing the oil from the olive fruit.”*

Perhaps you are in midst of your own gethsemane right now.  The pressure is becoming unbearable.  Whatever the problem -- when it seems you have reached the end of your rope -- the One who knows all about crushing weight invites you to cast your burdens upon Him (Matthew 11:28-30).  He longs to share the load that threatens to crush you.  Will you let Him?

God loves you!

Mike

*https://sermons.com/sermon_openers.asp