Remembering

“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” II Peter 1:12

I’ve been immersed lately in my photography hobby, and in doing so, I have not only looked closely at the current pictures I am processing, but I have often seen those of my past–some of recent past, some of days far distant. Once in recent hours, for quite a period, I gazed at a picture of my beautiful mother; a picture that was taken before I was even born.

Pictures are memory. Pictures are history.

In my study time this morning, I chanced on these words of the Apostle Peter as he emphasized to the early church that he would be reminding them of the truth of God’s Word. Even though you already know this, I will be reminding you.

I’m thankful to those who remind me, who help me remember, who toggle my mind a bit. Many times it is preachers who expound on Scripture, and who in doing so, remind me of the truth in which I am established. I never tire of remembering the great stories of the Bible; of Daniel and the hungry lions who sniffed at Daniel and must have found him distasteful, for they didn’t take one bite, of David and his giant and his slingshot and of his love for God that was so great that God called him a “man after mine own heart,” of baby Jesus in the manger, of Jesus “ruining” funeral processions, of Boaz who told the field hands to drop handsful on purpose when Ruth came to glean, and of those tongues of fire that fell one memorable day in Jerusalem.

So, I’m joining with Peter today in encouraging you to remember the great themes of the Bible,  the truth of God’s Word, and that the answers to your problems may be found within the Bible, and by His Spirit that is available to lead you and guide you into all truth.

“So, Diana, What is the Meaning of Life?”

What is Life?  originally uploaded by Shirley Buxton.

“So, Diana, what’s the meaning of life?”

He had edged his way forward so that now he stood first position in the check-out line where my friend Diana was in service at the register. Speechless, she stared at him.

On Tuesday mornings at 9:00, in the recreation room of DJs RV park, I teach a ladies Bible study–have been doing it for the better part of a year now. It’s a small group that ranges from 2 to 7 people. Diana, a beautiful, godly, tall specimen of a woman lives at the park, and when she is not working at Albertson’s Market, she attends our study group.

A few weeks ago I began a new series of lessons, in which I take an important world event, and from the Bible examine its significance, and from which I extrapolate practical and spiritual lessons. Last Tuesday, with the Iowa Caucus in mind and considering the election in general, I taught on The Search for Truth. For surely when we listen to speeches of the candidates, examine their records, hear their every nuance and strive to interpret innuendo, we are searching for truth–Who will make the best President of the United States?

The thrust of my lesson, of course, was that although selecting the right President is vitally important to us, it’s significance pales in comparison to that of determining spiritual truth, and considering the subsequent determination of our eternal future.

Since antiquity–from those with city street high steps, to the youth of abject ragged slouch, to that of primal jungle man, every inquiring soul has said within himself, “What is truth?”

Jesus answers: “…I am the way, the truth, and the life…” John 14:6

Diana thinks the man chose to ask her life’s deepest question because on her lapel she wore a tiny, gold cross.

“So, Diana, what is the meaning of life?”

Startled at the question–having only seconds to respond, for she was in command of the quickcheck line–before her mind could focus and drag words from her frozen throat, the man had moved away. And in the Tuesday Bible study, Diana told us of the question.

And I ask you today, “What is the meaning of life?”

Can it be more than Jesus, who is Truth? Can it be more than our lives and our voices telling the world of this revelation of supreme truth–of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I think not.

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My other blog is here.

Demonstration of Honesty from a Liar

 Picture from AP

Her words were riveting. Enthralled, I listened, for she indicated she had something important to say. In the beginning, her beautiful voice rang strong and deliberate, but merely a few sentences into her press conference outside the U S District Court, she wavered and then she was crying. I was close to tears myself, when in a breaking voice, she apologized to her children, to her husband, her family, her friends, her country, saying she had lied, she had been dishonest. I don’t follow sports, so up until a few days ago, I was not at all familiar with Marion Jones.

Throughout the day yesterday, her words were repeated by the media, and each time I heard them, I was impressed with this beautiful young woman. A three-time Olympic gold medalist, for years she has been lying–angrily, I understand–as she defended herself against charges of steroid use. Yesterday, she admitted her deception.

I may be fooled in this person, for I note that not only has she been entangled in illegal steroid use, but she also is charged–and has pled guilty–to involvement with a check-fraud scheme. So, I acknowledge, I may be wrong, but to me, Marion Jones appears truly repentant, and I want to talk a little in this devotional about honesty and repentance. I’m raising some questions to which I would like your response.

Not since God fashioned Adam and then Eve has there lived one human who has not at one time or another lied. All of us–to one degree or another–have been devious and misleading. Admit it, now. We’re all flawed, and dishonesty comes easily to us. But most of us take ourselves in hand, and certainly after we come to know the Lord, we strive for integrity and truthfulness.

Luke 16:10 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (NIV)

What should happen when someone has been dishonest? How can we recognize a change in one’s spirit? Does it matter to you if a person appears repentant? What of blame? Does it mitigate the circumstance if the person takes the blame for his/her action? Does it make a difference if a person admits to lying only when the truth is revealed–or about to be revealed–as seems to be the case with Marion? What of restitution? Does it elevate Marion in your eyes that she is retiring? Do you have difficulty trusting someone who admits to having lied? What of repeated lying and repentance? Do you see lying as a serious problem in our society? What about among church people? Why do you believe this is so–or not so?

I have more questions than I have answers, but in Marion Jones, I sense true sorrow and repentance, and I respect her for that. I may be wrong here…time will tell.

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My other blog is here.