​As I headed to the car to leave the church this afternoon, a trio of puppies, maybe three months old, came prancing towards me, all “look at us, we are out on our own.” I did not know if they had escaped their yard or had been set loose to find a new home. I am not ready for a puppy, or three, at my house. Although it does remind me of this good word:

If you can start the day without caffeine, If you can get going without pep pills, If you can resist complaining and boring people with all your troubles, If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, If you can overlook it when something goes wrong through no fault of yours and those you love take it out on you, If you can take criticism and blame without resentment, If you can ignore a friend’s limited education and never correct him, If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend, If you can face the world without lies and deceit, If you can conquer tension without medical help, If you can relax without liquor, If you can sleep without the aid of drugs, If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics, Then, my friends, you are almost as good as your dog.

It is simply amazing how attached we can become to our pets. We can simultaneously delight in their antics and clean up their messes with a frown. We love them in our laps or at our feet. We smile when they are happy and cry when they are in pain. Our grief is all too sharp when we lose one. I called my first dog Nickel because his mother’s name was Penny. Nicky listened to my troubles, chased mice and other critters and ran beside me when I rode my bike. I do not know if our pets will goto heaven when they die. I do know that the Bible indicates that heaven is filled with all manner of animals and creatures beyond our imaginations. If we can love our creatures so deeply, how much greater is God’s love towards us today? 

​Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Be as good as your dog. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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As the Body of Christ, the church has been provided, to use Paul’s analogy, the Armor of God. (See Ephesians 6:10-18) This armor serves as defensive protection against the daily onslaught of problems both human and spiritual. Describing the uniform of a Roman soldier, Paul depicts the church locally and its members individually, dressing for the day.  He shows us a spiritual exercise for facing each day. How do we get dressed?

We dress for the weather, and we dress for the occasion. If we are staying in, we may not dress much at all. We have yard work clothes, dress-up clothes, travel wear, and the stuff we wear all the time in between. I suggest clean clothes are better for being with friends and family. Consider adding the spiritual layer of protection on top of the physical every time you get dressed. 

Last Sunday I made a few suggestions for dressing as the body of Christ and as witnesses for Jesus:

Stand firm then, with the belt of Truth buckled around your waist, rather than a string of Lies trying to hold it all together.

With the breastplate of Righteousness in place, rather than an ugly t-shirt of Lawlessness.

With your feet (shoes) fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace, rather than the flip-flops of Conflict and Chaos.

Take up the shield of Faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one, rather than the ping-pong paddle of Cynicism.

Take the helmet of Salvation, rather than the hoodie of Hopelessness.

And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, rather than a bucket full of the words of Anyone or Everyone Else.  In Jesus Christ alone, we are fully secure, fully dressed for the day, and fully protected for eternity. 

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Wear the right clothes. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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One day I learned a valuable lesson from a seminary chapel service over fifty years ago. The speaker was D. Elton Trueblood. Dr. Trueblood (1900-1994) was a distinguished theologian, religion professor, author and presidential advisor. He was a Quaker and a noted philosopher. His was a call for world-wide Christianity to “wake-up” to the decline in the church due to idolatry. Sounds quaint by today’s standards, doesn’t it? He was talking about idols such as church buildings as monuments of pride and affluence, clergy hired to do ministry for the congregation, entertainment disguised as worship, and Christian service defined as “attend our Sunday meeting.” These idols are still with us. He was calling for the Church to be a “company of the committed” to Christ, seven days a week.

In one of his books, The Incendiary Fellowship, Trueblood tells the story of the fire-keeper, a young man chosen by ancient tribal elders to always keep a fire burning. In the long-ago, fire was a necessity for tribal survival. As nomadic people moved to follow their herds and their game, someone needed to keep a flame going throughout their journeys. It needed to burn through rain and storm, heavy wind and blowing snow. Elders showed the young man how to protect the flame by sharing it with others during the riskiest times. Carelessness would be a costly mistake. It was easy to carry the fire on most days, but preparation for the unexpected was mandatory. From Trueblood’s perspective, every Christian needs the commitment of the fire-keeper, for Christ is our world’s only hope.

At the end of chapel that day an announcement was made inviting anyone to join Dr. Trueblood and some of the faculty for dinner that night at a local restaurant. I called Dorothy and she indicated that she was always open to dinner out. That evening eleven of us spent a marvelous time with a profoundly insightful Christian. The valuable lesson I learned that day was: Never miss an opportunity to learn from the best, for they will share the fire.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Keep the fire burning. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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This Reflections is a re-posting from August 2020

A few years ago, I wandered around the Army Navy surplus store looking for a good deal on something. I was open to what that might be. They tried to interest me in some body armor—a bullet-proof vest. It was camouflaged with multiple pockets and places to attach my survival gear. Wearing that vest, they told me, I could face down the bad guys when all the bad stuff starts to happen. What stuff? You know, robbers, looters, zombies, that kind of stuff. Here, try it on. It’s only $140.00 and like new. I looked it over. They were right. I did not see any bullet holes anywhere on it. Of course, this particular vest must have been worn by someone much bigger and in better shape than I ever was. It was not a good look for me.

The experience quickly brought to mind David, when he volunteered to challenge the giant Goliath in a death match. Everyone stopped laughing when they realized David was deadly serious. The well-intentioned king decided that David needed to wear the best armor available, so David put on the king’s armor. It was too much, too big and too heavy. “David tried walking around, because he    was not used to them.…I cannot go in these….So he took them off.”(1 Samuel 17) David used his own armor: faith in God, a slingshot, a stone and a plan. I also remembered the story’s lesson, be true to who you are; do not wear someone else’s armor. 

Lately, I’ve been on a quest for the perfect facemask. I have discovered two that seem to work best, the blue medical one and a double-layered washable black one with a long shoelace type cord that goes over my ears and around my neck. That means it can hang at my neck when I take it off. It can also serve as a stylish bib. 

God provides the custom-fitting armor that each of us need for the spiritual battles that we face every day. “Put on the whole armor of God,” admonishes Paul in Ephesians chapter 6. Hiding behind someone else’s armor will never work. Face the day ready to meet the test with the grace and strength of God’s love and power. With all the bad stuff we face each day, armor up, do not be afraid, for our God is with us.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Wear your own armor. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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For a Sunday newspaper a few decades ago, Charles Shultz drew Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty under a shade tree, just talking. Patty turned and asked, What do you think security is, Chuck? He answered, Security? Security is sleeping in the backseat of the car…When you have been somewhere with your mom and dad, and its night, and you’re riding home in the car, you can sleep in the backseat…You don’t have to worry about anything…Your mom and dad are in the front seat, and they do all the worrying…They take care of everything. A smiling Patty says, That’s real neat. 

 But it doesn’t last, sighed Charlie Brown. Suddenly, you’re grown up, and it can never be that way again! Suddenly it’s over and you’ll never get to sleep in the backseat again. Never!  Never?  Absolutely never!   Hold my hand, Chuck!!

Sometimes we feel we need to hold someone’s hand to see us through. Peppermint Patty was growing up. One day she would be driving the car all by herself. The famous writer Anonymous once said that a friend is one “who comes in when the whole world goes out.” Each of us has our own burdens to bear. But there are those times when someone comes into our day with an overburdensome load to bear. In Galatians 6:1-5 Paul encourages us to lend the helping hand when others have stumbled over the temptations on their path or the loneliness of carrying too much for too long. 

The difficult words for me are found in verse 2: … you who are spiritual, restore such a one with a spirit of gentleness. It is far easier for me to tell someone how to “fix” themselves than to support them as they face the next shaky steps. It is far easier to hand over a band-aid than to wrap them in gentleness. It is far easier for me to confess their sins with a promise of forgiveness than to deal with my own sins along the way. “You who are spiritual” recognizes that each of us may be one of the more spiritual people that someone knows. “Restore such a one” recognizes that healing often begins painfully and slowly.  Burden-sharing can be hard work because our own loads are so heavy. Let’s lighten the load together.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Extend a hand. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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“Summertime and the livin’ is hot, humid and salt free.” At least that is what I heard the teen-aged waitress say. So I tried to cover up my confusion with the one weather joke I use when people complain it’s too hot in the summertime: Who would have thought it would be hot in the middle of July in Oklahoma? But she was trying to cover up her embarrassment. “I can’t believe I said salt free when I was trying to say sultry.” So it was not my hearing. She then went on to tell me that she could not wait to get off work because she had a million things to do tonight, and she was stressing out about it all.

I do not know which is worse: thinking one thing but saying another or saying something out loud you did not know you were thinking. Or is it saying the wrong thing when you thought you said the right thing, but it was the exact opposite of what you thought you were saying when you thought of it. Maybe we are all under too much stress, and the heat of the summer just frazzles us quicker. And whatever happened to the summertime and the livin’ is easy?

I guess I have to go back to the days of my childhood and youth, before my first summer job, to find when the livin’ was easy.  Those were the days of swimming in the neighbor’s pool or in the neighborhood lake behind my uncle’s house. Those were the days of Scout camping trips, Vacation Bible Schools and family time at church. Those were the days for reading National Geographic, comic books, and adventure stories. Those were the days of ice-cream trucks and popsicles under a tree. Those were the days we played ball in the street and came home for supper when we heard our names yelled down the block. (If you heard your middle name, it was too late.) So how stress free are the summers of our children and grandchildren these days? Are they stressed because we are stressed and hot? What does summertime living look like for today’s teens? Take one for an ice-cream cone and find out. Maybe we all need to read an adventure story, play with our friends, and go to church together more often.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Eat some ice cream. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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With the assassination attempt on Donald Trump last Saturday evening, the world witnessed a divine moment of the closest kind—the split-second, millimeter away from death itself kind of moment. As horrific as the story unfolded, our nation was spared a nightmare of endless images of the moment of a bullet’s impact killing a former president. For that we are all grateful. This is the definition of a miracle for some, but just a “lucky break” for others. 

Those of us who have experienced miracles from near fatal instances know the life-changing impact such encounters have. Divine intervention at just the right moment is breathtaking. Many will use the experience to seek out God to discover next steps in a God-glorifying life; to discern what it means to have a more fulfilling life; or to discover a new humility before the wonder of God’s love. Sadly, others may take this as a sign of prideful invincibility or permission to be arrogantly self-sufficient. 

With this kind of experience comes the Why? Questions, such as, why are some spared and others not; Why me, Why this, and Why now? In Biblical understanding, this is all under the area called The Divine Providence of God. The why would God allow evil, sin and suffering questions. Why do the wicked prosper and many good people are sick or impoverished? I bring this up because many of us have friends who are masking their spiritual struggles right now by immersing themselves in secular politics in order to change the subject away from their own soul. Anger hides a multitude of pain. 

Most of us would rather avoid confronting the issues of God’s Divine Providence. Divine Providence speaks to the very nature of our Maker and Creator. Divine Providence compels us to face our own frailties and mortality. You see, the closer we come to the Holiness of God and the face of eternity, the more we sense the consequences of our sin and pride. When you find yourself standing on holy ground, bow down before Jesus.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Ask Why, then Listen. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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We are back from another excellent adventure. It was the Covid afterwards that slowed me down. This time I kept a mental list of the things that I might advise someone else on taking a trip to anywhere in the world. Top of the list: buy the best walking shoes that fit your feet perfectly. Also take flip-flops to wear in strange showers or anywhere else you do not need your excellent walking shoes. Let your feet rest each day. Good shoes are better than any outfit you will wear. When traveling abroad, take your best knees and hips. There are no elevators at centuries-old destinations. And by the way, air-conditioning is a luxury Americans take for granted.

Plan your journey well. Pray without ceasing. Always ask for help when needed. When flying anywhere these days, leave at least 3 hours between flights and connections. TSA is still picky with their rules. Reluctantly I say, wear a mask on the plane. Do not get sick at the beginning of your adventure, or any other time. Also, don’t fall down! Pack less than you think you will need. Leave room in the suitcase and space in your daily schedule to rest and enjoy each day. If you need something you did not bring, buy it there as a souvenir of your adventure. 

​Choose your travel companions wisely. While traveling alone is often necessary, someone to share an adventure helps keep us moving forward and focused on the good things. I also recommend, for those of us of a certain age, bringing a teenager or young person. They tend to have good ears, strong backs, and are wise in the ways of smart phones and the best apps fornavigating the way. Include a walk with Jesus each day.

​Always be gracious and generous. Never travel without candy. I prefer fun-sized M&M’s, individually wrapped mints, and packs of chocolate-covered almonds. They make friends ofstrangers and little beggars. On one flight we needed to trade a seat with a man to keep our little band together. Chocolate-covered almonds sealed the deal. Memories are more important than the perfect photograph. Look at what is before you with wonder in your eyes; then take the pictures you want.

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Have an excellent adventure. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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Essayist Sheila Bender told a story about visiting a castle in Japan. During the tour, one of the areas she wanted to see was cordoned off to keep the tourists out of the big room. Rather than posting a typical “Closed” sign, the entrance to the room had a creatively translated sign that read: “Today is Under Construction.” Isn’t that an intriguing way to look at life?

My today is under construction. The minutes and the hours are the framework of my day. How I arrange the materials, spend the resources and allot the spaces of today shape the life of tomorrow. The mornings, afternoons, evenings and nights continue with an endless rhythm. Today is under construction; yesterday cannot be undone or remodeled, that work is left for today. My emotions, physical and mental health, and spiritual vitality help cement the day. Or are they just the wallpaper I want others to see instead of the real day I am building? Am I being honest with myself today? There are quiet spaces, but mostly noisy places accompanying my life today. My decisions and choices today carry my life into all my tomorrows. My relationships with others are the memory makers of the day.

I am a Christian under construction today. Knocking, asking, seeking, finding; listening, stumbling, learning, climbing. Today is under construction, so bear with me if things are not quite in their proper place. I have a Master Architect and an amazing Blueprint, but apparently, I am responsible for my construction projects today. For a vision of a better life to become a reality, I must dream of a new tomorrow, pay the costs, follow the plans and work through the obstacles. I could use a break or even a nap right now. I wonder what would happen if I asked you to help me with my today, and if I helped you with your today? I guess that might be risky—but something good could happen—let’s talk about it. 

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy (constructing) your life today. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.

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Updated for 2024

As the observance of the 80th anniversary of D-Day was approaching, Dorothy and I talked with the family war hero, Jim Niederer this past weekend. While he did not storm the beaches of Normandy, he did storm the beach at Anzio. On the day we talked with him, he had a session with his physical therapist in the morning and later went shopping with his daughter at a shoe store and Home Depot. He spends time each day in his garage/workshop, where he smokes a cigar. His most recent project has been building large outdoor ornaments wrapped in Christmas lights for his many friends. 

I told some of his story last year when a documentary about his war experiences was released. A group seeking to preserve the memories of veterans filmed Jim’s story and combined it with actual war footage and newsreels of his experiences. You can watch Jim recount his experiences on You Tube. Search for Jim Niederer: 102 Year Old World War II Veteran. The complete documentary is 50 minutes in length. 

Jim’s parents, Dorothy’s grandparents, immigrated to Waco, Texas from the German- speaking Appenzell, Switzerland in 1907. The family became part of the Central Baptist Church, a former mission of First Baptist, Waco to the German immigrant families.  Jim was born January 6, 1921. He served in World War II from 1942-1945. After intensive training, Jim’s unit sailed to north Africa to fight the Nazis in Europe. Under the command of General George Patton, he participated in the invasion of Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio in Italy. Because Jim could speak German, he was able to eavesdrop on the enemy. Jim witnessed General Patton’s death from about 50 feet away. His unit came under the command of General Dwight Eisenhower, whom he talked with on many occasions.  They freed towns across Germany and Austria, where Jim’s unit liberated the Dachau concentration camp. Jim was awarded six bronze stars and a bronze arrowhead.

A man of deep faith, Uncle Jim still lives in his own house. His son Ken comes over each night to help him get ready for bed. His daughter Kay drives in from Round Rock to spend many weekends with him. Others check on Jim daily. He greatly misses his wife, Ella Marie, who died in 2020. And he reads The Evangel faithfully each week. Before we said our goodbyes, he told us, “One good thing about being 103 is: you can’t get much older.”  Remarkable gentleman.

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