Articles by Russ Lawson at Heartlight

Getting It Wrong

rlawson@mfth.net (Russ Lawson) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0600

Have you ever done something and realized (sometimes immediately) that you made the wrong decision? Most probably you have... I think it is part of being human.

Sometimes the bad decisions are obvious -- glaring things that stand out for all to see. Sometimes, they are things of which only you are aware.

I started thinking about this when I read an article that told that bubble pack was originally marked as wall paper. I honestly can't see how they ever thought that would work, but then I'm looking at it from a background that says, "bubble pack is used to pack stuff."

As I do a quick review of my life, I can quickly find many things that I made the wrong decisions about. Now, I could dwell on those things and worry about them and let them control my life and make me miserable, but I'm not going to do that. I choose to focus on the good stuff.

I've known some folks in my life, who have done nothing but remember their wrong decisions. They worry about them to the point that they come to believe that they have no worth; no value even to God. How could God possibly forgive them if they can't forgive themselves?

If you are a fan of the Anne of Green Gables books and movies, you may remember one scene where Anne comments that "Everyday is brand new, free of mistakes." What a wonderful concept and one that is so true.

The old apostle John taught struggling followers of Jesus this important truth:

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness (1 John 1:8-9 NLT).

Honestly, this is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible. We find hope for those times when we make the wrong decisions. We find promise that we can start over fresh with each new day. What does it take? Admitting we messed up and believing that God will do what he says: that the Father will both "forgive" and "cleanse" us.

It seems sometimes that I work overtime at getting it wrong in my life -- I think the wrong things, say the wrong things, and do the wrong things. Yet our God "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins."

You see, it's God's love that brings us forgiveness and cleansing when we get it wrong in life. Our responsibility is to admit our sins and accept that forgiveness, getting on with living for him.

Russ Lawson is a former missionary to Africa and minister in Ohio. He now works with World Christian Literature Outreach and writes a weekly email devotional, Messages from the Heart. For more information about Russ, click here.

Website: Messages from the Heart

'In Jesus' Name, All Girls!'

rlawson@mfth.net (Russ Lawson) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0600

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world (1 John 2:1-2 NLT)

Kids are wonderful for their insights into God, faith, and spiritual life. These insights can lead us as adults to take another look at what we say or believe. I have observed that their insights can often stem from misunderstanding something -- such as singing the song: "Up from the grave He arose," substituting the words "gravy a rose" for the phrase "grave He arose."

I enjoyed the insight from the following story from one father.

When my daughter said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past). For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, "And all girls." This soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this closing.

My curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, "Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?"

Her response, "Because everybody always finishes their prayers by saying 'All Men'!"

To a child, I can understand where the misunderstanding might arise. Perhaps "Amen" might sound like "all men" to her, as if only a certain segment of our society can be saved.

Paul, in writing to Timothy, recommends prayer for their leaders so that peace would be sustained. The reason he gives is because God would "have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4 KJV). Just in case you are wondering, the Greek word Paul uses is "anthropos -- meaning "human beings" or "mankind" -- and not "anaer" -- meaning "male" or gender specifically, "man."*

Sometimes we have the tendency to focus on people "just like us"! These folks "just like us" become our sharing the Gospel focus. In a way that is understandable, it is human nature to gravitate to people with whom you have a common bond or share similar backgrounds. However, God doesn't give us the luxury of picking and choosing folks "we like" for salvation.

Paul deals with this very problem when he writes:

Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. So, we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! (2 Corinthians 5:14-16 NLT)

Ending a prayer with "In Jesus' name, all men!" or "In Jesus' name, all girls!" may not be strictly according to the pattern we have learned, but I say, "Amen anyway!" -- which basically means, "let it be so, anyway!"

* That's why the NLT uses the term "everyone" and the NIV "all people" instead of the gender specific "all men."

Website: Messages from the Heart

The Ember

rlawson@mfth.net (Russ Lawson) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

This past Sunday morning we had to cancel our morning services because of the bad weather. It was an uncomfortable time for some of us. We missed being with others in worshiping our God. I know that it's sometimes difficult for us to remain focused upon the right things in life. But, who is to say what is the right thing: what should be the focus for us, for me, for you, for your spouse, your parents, your boss, your friends, or even your church leaders?

Hopefully, you know the answer to that without being told, but just in case, it's God who can tell you what should be most important! Weighing in with my opinion on the matter, I would say that our relationship to God must be our number one priority.

We help keep that relationship alive by constant association with him and his church. It's just like anything that becomes our priority. If it is sports, then we watch and attend sporting events. If it is a club, then we attend the meets and associate with others from that club. If we don't then our enthusiasm begins to die.

There is an interesting illustration which I heard many years ago, that I thought might be worth sharing again because it makes this point well:

For some small reason, maybe an imagined offense or maybe no reason at all, a man had stopped attending the services of his church. Noting this fact, the preacher called upon him one winter evening to discuss the matter. As the two men talked, they sat in front of the wood-burning fireplace where a fire burned briskly on the hearth. During the conversation the minister casually took the tongs from their place beside the mantel, and without comment, reached into the flames, removed a brightly glowing ember, and laid it in a place by itself at the edge of the hearth. For a while both men sat in silence watching the small mass as it gradually lost its glow, darkened, became gray and then black. The man then turned to his preacher, sighed, and said, "I see what you mean, Preacher; I'll be back next Sunday."

That man picked up on the important lesson. It is simply this: Faith is maintained in fellowship. Apart from the fire, the ember cools and dies alone. So does faith when kept apart from the fellowship which nurtures and sustains it. Over the centuries -- from the very day of Jesus' resurrection until now -- the Christian Faith has been kept alive in association, person with person, people together, in genuine fellowship -- sharing life together. Historically, it has been in community that the Word has been preserved. And still today, it is in community that our faith is maintained.

The worship assembly of the people of Christ is essential to keeping the fire in our spirits alive. I know how easy it is to get distracted. People visit who aren't members of a church and therefore don't understand that they are keeping you from something you deem important. Events are sometimes planned that conflict with our periods of worship, clubs meet, games are played, families gather ... so many distractions in life. Let me encourage you to keep your focus! Sometimes, perhaps it's going to be necessary to let folks know that you have a greater responsibility in life, a higher allegiance. After all, you don't want the ember to die do you?

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near (Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT).

Website: Messages from the Heart

FUD

rlawson@mfth.net (Russ Lawson) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

I know that the title of this article is somewhat different, but then it's meant to be. For those of the older generation, no, it has nothing to do with Elmer Fud of the Bug's Bunny cartoons, though Elmer might know what this is all about.

I was reading a blog the other day and the author described "The FUD Factor" (by Captain Bart). He used it as an acronym for FEAR, UNCERTAINTY, and DOUBT. He was dealing with the topic from a non-religious point of view, but he made the point that we cannot allow these feelings to be what controls us. Rather than fearing the future, we must realize that sometimes bad things do happen and do our best to prepare for them.

Of course you can see how I saw this as a perfect application for us as Christians. We cannot allow the FUD factor to control our lives! We find recorded in the scripture 144 times the words "fear not" (KJV). God is constantly telling someone not to be taken in by the FUD factor. Rather we must learn to trust in the one who can overcome all things!

Jesus said:

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:28-31 NIV).

Fear, then Uncertainty! How can we claim to have a believing faith if we let uncertainty rule our lives?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

Fear, then uncertainty, then doubt! James writes about our prayers to God and says:

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:6 NIV).

I don't know about you, but I'm going to do my best to put my trust in our almighty God! Notice just a few words of encouragement:

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior -- from violent people you save me (2 Samuel 22:3 NIV).

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face (Job 13:15 NIV).

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:2 NIV).

Website: Messages from the Heart

When You're an Old Coot

rlawson@mfth.net (Russ Lawson) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

I've been rereading a book that about a year ago my daughter-in-law and son gave to me. Looking back on it, I figure they are making a statement about me -- and they may not be far off the mark. The title of the book is "When I'm an Old Coot: Witticisms for People Who Refuse to Grow old Gracefully." I got to thinking about that and thought I'd do a little research. Just in case you are not familiar with the word, "coot," it is defined in this way:

"a harmless simple minded person," Used in this way, "Don't mind him, he's just a crazy old coot" (Webster's Dictionary).

Humm, makes me begin to rethink the nature of the gift? No, really, I know it was just a gift that was given in fun -- at least I think it was! Actually, I know why they thought of me with a book with this title. It is because I don't usually make the expected decisions or do the things that "folks of my age" are normally expected to do. I know that more than one person has thought my decisions may at the least be questionable by accepted, safe, and comfortable standards for folks my age.

I also got to thinking about the word "gracefully." It is defined this way:

"pleasing or attractive in line, proportion, movements or actions" (Webster's Dictionary).

Humm, again not me! I don't fit into any of those categories.

So, let me see if I understand this: I'm an old crazy person who is not always pleasing or attractive in my actions. Probably a few of you can identify with me in these things. The truth is, I don't mind being different. This is especially so if we are talking about being different from the world. I don't mind being seen as crazy, not fitting in, and not pleasing or acceptable in my attitudes or actions if we are talking about the worldly views on things. In fact, being different in this way is even biblical:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2 NIV).

A great example of this is what Peter wrote to Christians caught in difficult times because of how the world viewed them:

You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy, their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. Of course, your former friends will think you are crazy when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they'll call you a crazy old coot or simple minded. But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead. That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead, so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit (1 Peter 4:3-6 paraphrase by author).

Forgive my taking a few liberties with the scripture, but I believe it contains the thoughts of the original message. As I said I don't mind being different from those around me when it comes to pleasing God. What about you?

Website: Messages from the Heart

Beyond Fixing Bicycles

rlawson@mfth.net (Russ Lawson) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

I recently read a little story about a little girl that touched my heart. It seems that this little girl was late coming home for supper one evening. When she got home her parents were understandably upset. He questioned her about why she had been so late, after all they had worried about her!

The little girl said, "I stopped to help Marcie, she had a wreck on her bicycle and it was broken." Her father said, "But you don't know anything about fixing bicycles!" To which the little girls replied, "I know, but I stopped to help her cry."

Now you may or may not know anything about fixing bicycles, or cars, or washing machines, or refrigerators or much of anything else. But when friends have broken things in their lives and are in despair, we can help them with that! The truth is that you are rarely in the position of being able to fix the brokenness of someone's life, but you can help them cry about it. You can encourage them and help them through the hard times in life!

The apostle Paul wrote:

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15 KJV).

I kind of like a modern verion of that verse:

Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy: share tears when they're down (Romans 12:15 MSG).

We are entering into that time of the year when you are more apt to notice the sorrow or rejoicing of those around you. You may take more notice of people (or groups) trying to relieve the difficulties of those who are struggling to make it in our world. People take up collections of money or of food and clothing to help those who might be less fortunate than we. They try to help folks who are struggling just to make ends meet. So count your blessings and do what you can, but if you have nothing to help them with physically, then share their sorrow or suffering: cry with them! And if they are happy: laugh with them!

Website: Messages from the Heart

An Amazing Find

rlawson@mfth.net (Russ Lawson) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

[Jesus said,] "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field" (Matthew 13:44 NLT).

There is an old story handed down from the country of Serendip -- or present day Sri Lanka. In this story, three princes traveled the country, and quite by accident discover amazing and unexpected things. So in 1754 after discovering these stories, Horace Walpole coined the word "serendipity." The word basically means the delightful "finding what you're not looking for."*

As I thought about this understanding of the word, I thought of how much of our Christian life is a serendipity. How many things do we find unexpectedly which turn out to amaze us. I think that is why we sing songs like, "Amazing Grace," or "I stand amazed in the presence" or "Oh what wondrous love."

Our journey through life with Christ, the creator and sustainer of the universe is amazing, especially when you consider his sacrifice for and his fellowship with us. I can hardly read any section of the scripture that I don't find some new understanding, run across some tidbit that I've somehow over looked in the past or suddenly awaken to a new insight. Christianity is never boring, it is always amazing, always a serendipity.

This has always been the effect that Jesus has had upon people. People were amazed at his teachings and the authority he exhibited (Matthew 7:28). Even Jesus' disciples who were around him all the time were amazed at his teaching and actions (Mark 10:24). Jesus revealed hidden treasures unexpectedly then just as he does now.

The question for us is this: what are we going to do with the treasure and how will we deal with the serendipities of life we have in Christ? Well the scripture doesn't leave us hanging on that on that point, but gives us some instructions concerning how to deal with these unexpected treasures.

Jesus put it this way:

"Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be" (Matthew 6:19-21 NLT).

May your life in Christ be a continual collection of amazing serendipities!

* From the book Horse-Feathers, by Charles Funk).

Website: Messages from the Heart