ARE YOU THANKFUL?

We have all seen the movies where someone is about to die or is held captive by another. Then a third person comes along and frees the victim or keeps them from dying and we all celebrate! The person saved is so grateful that they devote the rest of their life to the one who had saved them. In comedies, which I really enjoy, this can lead to some really humorous situations.

But like I said, it is in the movies-- not in reality. Or is it? If we believe the Bible is God’s word and the events in it aren’t fiction, but reality, then the following events would be true. Luke records in chapter seven the account of a woman who wipes Jesus’ feet with her hair after wetting them with her tears and pouring perfume on them (v37-50). That tremendous act is what we remember about the story, but that is not the point of the story.

The essence of what God wants us to understand about this event isn’t the act, but the attitude. Yes, the picture of her tears dripping down on Jesus’ feet and the dirt and stench from walking the dusty roads being wiped into her hair will really paint a picture that sticks with you. It is not a pleasant picture. But the why is the important aspect here though that usually gets overlooked. The key to all of this is in v47 where it talks about sins. One who is forgiven little--loves little. One who is forgiven much--loves much.

We think we are good people. What usually makes us good, or bad, is how we stack up to the person next to us. As long as we are “better than” someone else, we feel good. If we aren’t quite as good, then we feel bad. But neither of these are important when it comes to salvation. Salvation has nothing to do with our “goodness”. It has everything to do with His Grace.

That takes us back to the woman who was going to need to go home and wash the dirt out of her hair. She realized she was a sinner. She realized who Jesus was. Her life was forever changed. On November 4th, 36 years ago at approximately ten o’clock on a Thursday night my life was changed forever. I had come to the realization that I was a sinner and I was baptized. Was I a good guy? Yea, but until that time I wasn’t a forgiven guy. It was at that point that not only was I a good guy, but more importantly a forgiven one.

No, I haven’t washed any feet with my hair and my tears are not shared in public. However, my attitude became much like the woman God inspired Luke to tell us about. I am a forgiven sinner and like those characters from the movies, my life is now forever indebted and eternally devoted to the one who had saved me.

It isn’t a one time act but a lifestyle. Do I mess up? Oh yea, but that forgiveness is still there--thus the continual thankfulness played out in the way I live. This Thanksgiving as we are thankful for the abundance we have, don’t let it stop there. Commit to being thankful daily, by serving the one who saved you in the way you live your life.

Exceedingly grateful,

Randy Schilling

Take the Call

Not sure if you are like me, but if my cell phone rings and the number is not in my address book (ie. a number rather than a name pops up) I usually don’t answer it. If it is important, they will leave a message, I will call them back, and then I will put their name in my phone. But usually it is a telephone solicitation that I don’t want to hear and then I feel my number is passed along down the line and it just opens me up for more solicitation calls. So most calls that are unidentified won’t get answered.

Paul had a call—though not from a cell phone—that he took. In Acts 16:9-10 we learn that, in a vision at night, Paul received what we sometimes refer to as the “Macedonian Call.” Paul’s conclusion was that God was calling him over to what we now call Greece to spread the word of God’s loving grace. He and his companions went and we will touch base next week on some of the great things that happened there. It was a call Paul took after a call he made couldn’t get through.

If you look at the verses just before this, Paul is traveling back through Galatia and Phrygia, areas he had visited on his first journey into this area. He wanted to then go into what we would call eastern Turkey, that they referred to as Asia. But the Holy Spirit kept him from entering (v6-8). Paul had a plan, and it wasn’t a bad plan, spreading word of God’s love and salvation is a good thing. But it wasn’t God’s plan, so God shut it down. Why would God shut down something that was good? You could say that Paul experienced a first century “dropped call.”

Until a couple of months ago we were planning to serve those who participate in the Pumpkin Fest parade as they lined up in our parking lot, as we have done for years. Then we learned the parade route has changed. And now this past week we found out dates that would work out for us to host the men from the men’s shelter aren’t available. That service opportunity is lost. Two areas that the congregation has used to reach out to our community for a number of years are taken away. Why have these doors been shut? Why can’t we enter Asia? Why was the “call dropped?”

Maybe because God needs us to go in a different direction.

Maybe the direction God is calling us to put our efforts in is deeper and longer lasting. These missed opportunities are not saying to stop serving those around us, but try looking past the physical to the eternal. Hundreds of people, maybe thousands have passed through our parking lot during the Pumpkin Fest. The problem is they have passed through. And they would continue to pass through because we don’t have that deeper relationship with them. A cup of coffee or hot chocolate is a great service, but doesn’t go much beyond that, a warm feeling for them and for you. Maybe we are getting another call—one with an unfamiliar number.

Maybe God is calling us in the direction that might be a little less comfortable. Maybe he wants us to share God’s love and message of salvation with the people we already have a relationship with—our neighbors, friends, and relatives. Handing someone cup of coffee with a smile is easy. Providing a meal to someone who is down and out makes us feel good. But maybe God is calling you to go in a direction that is different this time. Will you answer that call? Or will you let it go? The phone is ringing. You know who is on the other end. What are you going to do?

Taking the Call, Randy

TANK MAN

Almost 30 years ago a single man stood in front of a column of tanks the day after a protest in China was brought to a forceful end. This one man who has been dubbed “Tank Man” has no identity that we know of other than the back of him caught on video from quite a distance away. As a column of nearly a dozen tanks rolled down this major road in Beijing he, carrying what appears to be two sacks of groceries, steps in front of the lead tank. As it tries to maneuver past, he moves with it continually blocking its path. He then climbs on the tank, seems to say something to the driver, then as the video ends, he is again seen standing in front of this lead tank. It is pretty amazing to watch, and yes you can google it to find the video.

Unfortunately Paul Harvey, who was very popular at that time wasn’t there with “the rest of the story,” giving us, though his witty charm, the details of what became of the individual or what events it prompted. We don’t know what happened to the “Tank Man.” Did he go on to lead an underground resistance? Did he go back to life as normal? Did the government find him and end his life? We do know it seemed to have no effect on the Chinese government since they are still in power today and the rebellion that was crushed the day before has not risen since.

What can seem like a small event that has no effect can in essence be just the opposite. Matthew records Jesus talking about a mustard seed (13:31-32). It is the smallest of seeds, yet it grows to be the largest in the garden, useful to the birds that need a place to rest.

What actions do you consider to be small events? Asking someone at work or in your neighborhood how they are doing? Or maybe what can you keep in prayer for them? It may seem like it is not a big deal and they may not enthusiastically respond, but that doesn’t mean it is not significant. It may have an impact on them simply because you cared. At the very least it tells them who you are. And who knows what great things God can do with a simple discussion prompted because you cared.

You probably aren’t going to see any tanks rolling down the road this week for you to stand in front of—but there is Satan. He is rolling down the streets of our neighborhoods, where we work, at the activities we attend, and he’s crushing people daily. Sometimes we just need to step out in front of him. We won’t stop him forever, but that doesn’t mean we can’t positively impact someone’s life for that one small moment in History.

Ready to stand,

Randy Schilling