For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or for forfeits himself? (Luke 9:25).
We seldom take into account what it costs to possess a thing, whether it is a house, a car, a boat, a camper or a set of golf clubs. What do you mean? Once I have paid for a thing I can't keep it for free? I subscribe to a financial journal and in it was an article by Mark Ford called, The Cost of Possession: A New Concept in Financial Planning. It was a good article about the best use of our money. One of the reasons I thought it was good was that his thoughts echoed some of my personal thoughts about the best use of my money as a small farmer. We do not use our money to make ourselves look good, we use it in the way that makes the best sense. What does it really cost to own a house, a car, a new tractor? Is that the best way to use your money?
One thought Mr. Ford did not include in his article is that our many possessions can possess us. For example, when people buy campers then they will have to use them for camping. Of course, the best time for camping is the week end. Many times people will miss worship on Sunday because their camper possesses them, and the same is true for motorcycles and golf clubs, etc. I am not saying these things are wrong to own, but has the cost of possession been considered in the total price?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
ON THE SAME TEAM
Pray at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18).
This morning at 7:00 I was on the operating table receiving the anesthesia for my hernia surgery. A few minutes prior to that my surgeon was in my room explaining the procedure to me--the nurses had already explained it to me a couple of times, then he asked if it was okay for him to pray for me and how he would do the surgery. I welcomed his prayer! He is a Christian, but of a different denomination than me so I'm sure there are some doctrinal differences between him and me. Still, it is quite clear that he is a believer in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and is committed to following him in his daily life. We are on the same team.
I am sore and achy right now, which is normal, but all went well. It is good to know that there is another man on the same team!
Our Father's blessings,
Tom
This morning at 7:00 I was on the operating table receiving the anesthesia for my hernia surgery. A few minutes prior to that my surgeon was in my room explaining the procedure to me--the nurses had already explained it to me a couple of times, then he asked if it was okay for him to pray for me and how he would do the surgery. I welcomed his prayer! He is a Christian, but of a different denomination than me so I'm sure there are some doctrinal differences between him and me. Still, it is quite clear that he is a believer in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and is committed to following him in his daily life. We are on the same team.
I am sore and achy right now, which is normal, but all went well. It is good to know that there is another man on the same team!
Our Father's blessings,
Tom
Friday, February 22, 2013
DO NOT ALLOW THE DEVIL A PLACE
. . . do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27).
These are a few of the thoughts that came to my mind as I read this Scripture this morning during my daily Bible reading. I am one of those people who has difficulty controlling his emotions.
One of the marks of emotional maturity is the ability of a person to control his or her emotions. When emotions are in control of a person, it allows the devil a place to do his work. When we nurture angry thoughts over a long enough period of time then satan steps in and does his destruction of relationships.
Anger is not necessarily a bad thing, in fact, in some cases it is good. It motivates us to stand up and make a difference. Sometimes it is wrong not to be angry. However, when anger is not resolved and is nurtured and it crosses the boundaries God intends for it then satan uses it for his destructive schemes.
So, to prevent satan from having a place to work is to be a self-disciplined person, not allowing emotions to control you, but rather, you controlling your emotions.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
These are a few of the thoughts that came to my mind as I read this Scripture this morning during my daily Bible reading. I am one of those people who has difficulty controlling his emotions.
One of the marks of emotional maturity is the ability of a person to control his or her emotions. When emotions are in control of a person, it allows the devil a place to do his work. When we nurture angry thoughts over a long enough period of time then satan steps in and does his destruction of relationships.
Anger is not necessarily a bad thing, in fact, in some cases it is good. It motivates us to stand up and make a difference. Sometimes it is wrong not to be angry. However, when anger is not resolved and is nurtured and it crosses the boundaries God intends for it then satan uses it for his destructive schemes.
So, to prevent satan from having a place to work is to be a self-disciplined person, not allowing emotions to control you, but rather, you controlling your emotions.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
LOOK LIKE YOU CARE
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27).
In a recent family discussion about what pastoral attire should look like, my son said, "They should at least look like they care." I whole-heartedly agree, but it still begs the question, What does looking like you care look like?
There isn't a pastoral uniform described in the New Testament. The 21st century evangelical American pastoral uniform is blue jeans and a shirt with the tails hanging out. Does that communicate that the pastor cares more than if he had on a suit and tie? Almost all basketball coaches and television news people wear suits, ties and nice dresses. Does that make them look like they care?
Like it or not, there is a degree of competence and leadership, or lack of it, that is communicated by our dress, it reflects what we feel about our message and our mission. No one stays home from a basketball game because the coach is wearing a suit and no one will stay home from church because the pastor is wearing one either.
Having said that, how we dress does not communicate that we care if we are not willing to get our clothes dirty. Several years ago, I went with our youth and family minister to a home where the clothes dryer was not working. The people who lived there were in poverty and were dirty. In that situation, our youth pastor was willing to get down on his knees in the middle of a dirty mess and work on that dryer. He did it because he cared. I was moved by his willingness to do that.
When it comes down to where the rubber meets the road, looking like we care means that we look like Jesus. We are clothed with him--he is our uniform. What is it that people see when they look at us? Do they see Jesus or just our attire?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
In a recent family discussion about what pastoral attire should look like, my son said, "They should at least look like they care." I whole-heartedly agree, but it still begs the question, What does looking like you care look like?
There isn't a pastoral uniform described in the New Testament. The 21st century evangelical American pastoral uniform is blue jeans and a shirt with the tails hanging out. Does that communicate that the pastor cares more than if he had on a suit and tie? Almost all basketball coaches and television news people wear suits, ties and nice dresses. Does that make them look like they care?
Like it or not, there is a degree of competence and leadership, or lack of it, that is communicated by our dress, it reflects what we feel about our message and our mission. No one stays home from a basketball game because the coach is wearing a suit and no one will stay home from church because the pastor is wearing one either.
Having said that, how we dress does not communicate that we care if we are not willing to get our clothes dirty. Several years ago, I went with our youth and family minister to a home where the clothes dryer was not working. The people who lived there were in poverty and were dirty. In that situation, our youth pastor was willing to get down on his knees in the middle of a dirty mess and work on that dryer. He did it because he cared. I was moved by his willingness to do that.
When it comes down to where the rubber meets the road, looking like we care means that we look like Jesus. We are clothed with him--he is our uniform. What is it that people see when they look at us? Do they see Jesus or just our attire?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Thursday, February 14, 2013
LOOKING AHEAD BY LOOKING BACK
Do this in remembrance of me . . . For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (I Corinthians 11:24,26).
The first full week of January each year, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, is the time for the Dakota Farm Show. Each day thousands of people flock to the Dakota Dome on the campus of the University of South Dakota, where the event is held. It is my custom to take a day off and go to the show each year. It is both enjoyable and educational to take the show in and see what new is coming to agriculture.
Two blocks from the Dakota Dome is the W.H. Over Museum. I always take time from the Show to spend a little time at the museum. The museum has excellent exhibits from prehistoric to modern times, the ones most fascinating to me are the those of the plains Indians. Important lessons can be learned from history if one is teachable, but it is true that one of the lessons we learn from history is that humanity does not learn from history--very well.
The museum was nearly empty while I was there. As I visited the gift shop I asked the man behind the counter if anyone from the farm show had been over to visit. He said, "no." Everyone at the farm show was interested in looking ahead, but if we fail to look back we do so at our peril. It is hard to chart an accurate course ahead if we do not stop and consider where we have been.
Redemption history is no different. One cannot look ahead without looking back. If one doesn't look back to Jesus, there is no hope, there is no "after life," there is no salvation, no wholeness, no justice and no ever-lasting love. To chart the road ahead one has to look back to Jesus Christ.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
The first full week of January each year, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, is the time for the Dakota Farm Show. Each day thousands of people flock to the Dakota Dome on the campus of the University of South Dakota, where the event is held. It is my custom to take a day off and go to the show each year. It is both enjoyable and educational to take the show in and see what new is coming to agriculture.
Two blocks from the Dakota Dome is the W.H. Over Museum. I always take time from the Show to spend a little time at the museum. The museum has excellent exhibits from prehistoric to modern times, the ones most fascinating to me are the those of the plains Indians. Important lessons can be learned from history if one is teachable, but it is true that one of the lessons we learn from history is that humanity does not learn from history--very well.
The museum was nearly empty while I was there. As I visited the gift shop I asked the man behind the counter if anyone from the farm show had been over to visit. He said, "no." Everyone at the farm show was interested in looking ahead, but if we fail to look back we do so at our peril. It is hard to chart an accurate course ahead if we do not stop and consider where we have been.
Redemption history is no different. One cannot look ahead without looking back. If one doesn't look back to Jesus, there is no hope, there is no "after life," there is no salvation, no wholeness, no justice and no ever-lasting love. To chart the road ahead one has to look back to Jesus Christ.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH LIFE?
How long, O Lord? Wilt thou forget me for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my soul in my heart all the day? (Psalms 13:1-2).
In an email that was forwarded to me by a friend, there was a simple statement that I thought was profound and worth quoting to you: "Life is not the way it is supposed to be. It is the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."
To me, the author of that quote is unknown, but the statement is so true! The psalmist who started the 13th Psalm on such a sorrowful note ends it this way: But I have trusted in thy steadfast love; my heart will rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me (Psalms 13:5-6).
The way you cope with life makes the difference. You can chose to look at life through the dark glasses of negativism or you can choose to see in every circumstance God working for your good. I know that in some circumstances it is almost impossible, but, by faith, it is true.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
In an email that was forwarded to me by a friend, there was a simple statement that I thought was profound and worth quoting to you: "Life is not the way it is supposed to be. It is the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."
To me, the author of that quote is unknown, but the statement is so true! The psalmist who started the 13th Psalm on such a sorrowful note ends it this way: But I have trusted in thy steadfast love; my heart will rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me (Psalms 13:5-6).
The way you cope with life makes the difference. You can chose to look at life through the dark glasses of negativism or you can choose to see in every circumstance God working for your good. I know that in some circumstances it is almost impossible, but, by faith, it is true.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Thursday, February 07, 2013
RESTORING AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS (Part 5)
Greet one another with a holy kiss (II Corinthians 13:12).
What I want to emphasize in this post is the importance of touching to human relationships. In the culture of Paul's world, kissing was an appropriate greeting. We westerners have difficulty with the manner of greeting, but we must note what is important in the text, a warm greeting by touching. Whether it is a hand on the shoulder, hug, handshake, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that there is a touch. Touching is affirming, it is a declaration of a person's significance and worth. In a world where wealth, talent, beauty and power are worshipped, it is essential that the significance of every person be recognized. In a small way, every time we touch another appropriately, that significance is communicated.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
What I want to emphasize in this post is the importance of touching to human relationships. In the culture of Paul's world, kissing was an appropriate greeting. We westerners have difficulty with the manner of greeting, but we must note what is important in the text, a warm greeting by touching. Whether it is a hand on the shoulder, hug, handshake, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that there is a touch. Touching is affirming, it is a declaration of a person's significance and worth. In a world where wealth, talent, beauty and power are worshipped, it is essential that the significance of every person be recognized. In a small way, every time we touch another appropriately, that significance is communicated.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
RESTORING AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS (Part 4)
. . . do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:3-4).
What does giving have to do with relationships? A lot! If one isn't willing to invest in a relationship, is it worth anything? How valuable is a relationship if one isn't willing to invest in it even if he or she does not get any recognition? As strange as it may sound, when "invisible" support is given to another, both are blessed. One's commitment to the relationship is strengthened by offering help in secret. The other's mood is lifted by receiving hidden acts of kindness. So, find secret ways of blessing another--in the end it blesses both.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*A note of caution about building and strengthening relationships: One has to assess the relationship and think about whether or not the relationship is worth saving. Some are not. Marriage is a sacred covenant relationship so one has to examine that relationship in the light of Scripture. In any case, relationships can be so poisonous and destructive that one cannot survive. God does not expect those relationships to be held on to.
What does giving have to do with relationships? A lot! If one isn't willing to invest in a relationship, is it worth anything? How valuable is a relationship if one isn't willing to invest in it even if he or she does not get any recognition? As strange as it may sound, when "invisible" support is given to another, both are blessed. One's commitment to the relationship is strengthened by offering help in secret. The other's mood is lifted by receiving hidden acts of kindness. So, find secret ways of blessing another--in the end it blesses both.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*A note of caution about building and strengthening relationships: One has to assess the relationship and think about whether or not the relationship is worth saving. Some are not. Marriage is a sacred covenant relationship so one has to examine that relationship in the light of Scripture. In any case, relationships can be so poisonous and destructive that one cannot survive. God does not expect those relationships to be held on to.
Monday, February 04, 2013
RESTORING AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS (Part 3)
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all" (Proverbs 31:28,29).
The Scripture text is an example of giving a compliment, this one is for a wife, but both husbands and wives need to hear a good word from each other. It is a human need to know that there is something about one's self that pleases another. Relationships grow stale quickly if there is not mutual positive affirmation of the other in that relationship. Celebrating the successes of the other in a relationship is a predictor of relationship success.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
The Scripture text is an example of giving a compliment, this one is for a wife, but both husbands and wives need to hear a good word from each other. It is a human need to know that there is something about one's self that pleases another. Relationships grow stale quickly if there is not mutual positive affirmation of the other in that relationship. Celebrating the successes of the other in a relationship is a predictor of relationship success.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Saturday, February 02, 2013
RESTORING AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS: Part 2
A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).
"Don't worry. Be happy." There is much wisdom in that little phrase. Because God is our Father, everything is going to work out for good. So it is our responsibility to have a positive sense of humor, to re frame life events so that the light of God's provision is seen in them, to learn to not take ourselves so seriously. What I'm saying is, no one likes to be around a contentious, negative, critical person. Unless you are hanging around a lot of other contentious, negative and critical people, your spouse and your friends will love you for it! Don't be thin-skinned. Learn to take a joke.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
"Don't worry. Be happy." There is much wisdom in that little phrase. Because God is our Father, everything is going to work out for good. So it is our responsibility to have a positive sense of humor, to re frame life events so that the light of God's provision is seen in them, to learn to not take ourselves so seriously. What I'm saying is, no one likes to be around a contentious, negative, critical person. Unless you are hanging around a lot of other contentious, negative and critical people, your spouse and your friends will love you for it! Don't be thin-skinned. Learn to take a joke.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
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