The Parable of the Old Cadillac

The Old Cadillac

 

She drove by with nothing left of her former elegance. 30 years ago the Coupe De Ville was the top of the line, now she was just a shabby old car with fainted paint, weak springs, and a smoking engine. It became a metaphor for life in that moment. If the car had been maintained carefully over the years, the old sedan would almost be a classic. She could have been renewed and kept her beauty, but it was evident her end was near, her destiny a scrapyard. She had been used to the max, worn-out. I imagined what her life cycle might have been. Her first owner was an older man, who bought her for luxury, perhaps the first Cadillac in his life at a time when he could finally afford one. He washed and polished the Caddy, storing her in his garage between drives. Then, when he died, she passed to a son who filled her up with teenagers, his kids and their friends. She could haul a team and their gear! When his son was ready to drive, she was starting to show her age, and she passed on to him as a 'first car.' Her time with him were a rough couple of years and she was finally traded off to a used car lot. It was a downhill slide from there to her present condition.

2012 is about to end. We're all about to become a year older. Older doesn't have to mean 'worn!' We can grow in value and beauty, but only if we chose to live in a way that renews and maintains, that 'redeems the time.' (Eph. 5:16) A redeemer bought another out of debtor's prison or servitude! The wise person sees how quickly life slips into control of circumstances, habits, and sin. So, with the riches of the Christ, he buys ownership of his days to that they can be used for good and God's glory!

If we simply use each day, 'killing time' with self-indulgence and laziness, drifting with the current, the years will quickly slip past and we will find ourselves used up, worn-out. If we invest our days in loving worship of our God and in loving service of our brothers, we will become saints of great beauty. That is why the Scripture urges us to " get out there and walk-better yet, run!-on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline-not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love." (Ephesians 4:1-2, The Message)

Almost 3 centuries ago, John and Charles Wesley, were students at Oxford. Their mother had instilled a deep faith in them. Even as young men they set their sights on doing great things for God. They led a small group of students who were mocked by other students as the "Holy Club." But, these young men, in their service to God, had an amazing impact in England and the American colonies. From their ministry grew Methodism which changed the character of the two nations. These young men challenged themselves with a daily checklist that is still soul-piercing. I recommend it to you. (A personal inventory)

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A PERSONAL INVENTORY CHECK LIST

* Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

* Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

* Do I confidentially pass on to others what was told to me in confidence?

* Can I be trusted?

* Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits (or technology)?

* Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

* Did the Bible live in me today?

* Do I give the Bible time to speak to me everyday?

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* Am I enjoying prayer?

* When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?

* Do I pray about the money I spend?

* Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

* Do I disobey God in anything?

* Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

* Am I defeated in any part of my life?

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* Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?

* How do I spend my spare time?

* Am I proud?

* Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?

* Is there anyone who I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?

* Do I grumble or complain constantly?

* Is Christ real to me?

From Wesley's "Holy Club"

Real Satisfaction in the new year?

Real satisfaction

A cheeseburger and fries pleases my palate, but when I eat those things, I consume far more calories to find satisfaction. When I sit down to a salad with the complex flavors of arugula, leafy lettuce, and spinach, which is followed up by carefully seasoned meat, I am much more satisfied. Perhaps the reason we’re becoming a ‘fat’ nation is because we are primarily living on ‘fast’ food that leaves us unsatisfied?

Many Christians live on a spiritual diet of ‘fast’ food; pre-digested devotional material, 2 minute prayers, and once a week worship. They are unfamiliar with complexities of spiritual disciplines such as meditation, silence, or fasting because they are hard, or just feel unfamiliar. Their relationship with the Lord is primarily based in emotion and seeks a quick lift of inspiration. And, they are unsatisfied; hungering for the living God.

We are made to know God and to be filled by His Spirit. If we do not pursue Him, we will look for something to satisfy the that soul hunger! When we are stressed by temptation, pressed to our limit by life’s trials, we start to feel the pull of temptation. That soul hunger gets confused with our sensual desires.  How does look?  
An extra-marital affair we thought we would never even consider becomes so tempting when our future is clouded with uncertainty.
Many of us pack on an extra 10 pounds of weight when we are transitioning through a major life change, simply because we try to find soul soothing in too many bowls of ice cream.

Two stiff drinks offer quick escape from the ache of disappointment.

The Lord offers promise to the hungry. "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." (Isaiah 55:2, NIV)  Mature disciples know in Whom they find lasting satisfaction. "I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night." (Psalm 63:4-6, NLT) Honestly, just as my palate had to be trained to appreciate the complex flavors and textures of some food, our spirit must learn to appreciate the complexities of spiritual discipleship.

Want to become a person with a soul that is healthy? Do you desire to live nobly, wholly, and with greater joy?

Spend yourself to help the needy.
Replace accusing words with encouragement.
Become a person committed to justice, full of forgiveness, intimate with the Lord.

Here’s what He promises about filling you up: "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11, NIV) 

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (Matthew 6:31-33, NLT) 

That sounds like real soul satisfaction to me.

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All my lifelong I had panted,

For a draught from some cool spring

That I hoped would quench the burning

Of the thirst I felt within.

Feeding on the husks around me

Till my strength was almost gone,

Longed my soul for something better,

Only still to hunger on.

Well of water, ever springing,

Bread of life, so rich and free,

Untold wealth that never faileth,

My Redeemer is to me.

Hallelujah! I have found Him

Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings;

Thro' His blood I now am saved.

Satisfied

Williams, Clara Teare / Hudson, Ralph E.

© Public Domain

Come, running!

Come, running!

The Christmas story includes some men regarded by others in their time as the lowest, people without social status. The shepherds lived apart from society, tending Bethlehem’s sheep. Sheep herding was a menial job. The men were rough, their work hard. Their job kept them from the synagogue and from observing Jewish rituals so the smug Pharisees sniffed that shepherds were all sinners.

But God chose to bring them into the scene. To whom does HE first announce the New moment? Shepherds! "And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." (Luke 2:9-10, NKJV) "So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger." (Luke 2:15-16, NKJV)

I’m intrigued by that phrase - “they came with haste.” After the angels left them, there was a short discussion, and then these men who normally avoided town, who were obligated to make sure their flocks were safe, took off running to find Jesus! `

Have you been pushed aside, told that you’re not worthy of God or His goodness?
Have you concluded that you are beyond the reach of grace, too _____________ (bad, good, sinful, old, young , rich, poor)?  People have lots of reasons (excuses) for not hearing God’s call.

You’re not too anything to be beyond God’s love. Jesus Christ is ’ good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’ His coming opened the way to reconciliation with the Lord, to discovery of eternal life. He invites to “Come, follow Me.” Interestingly, that particular offer was made to another group of very ordinary men, outside of the social or religious elite. He invited the fishermen of Galilee to discipleship. They, too, dropped what they were doing. "At once they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:20, NIV)

Some are reluctant disciples (an oxymoron really) and others are eager to follow. Some come pushed by fear, some drawn by love. Some are looking for escape from the troubles of life, others to find the entry to life abundant. There is a form of Christianity shaped by satisfying holy obligations in order to ‘earn’ the favor of God. Then, there are those who love the Lord, His work, and His presence.

To those who come running, there is this promise. “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David." (Isaiah 55:1-3, NIV) "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near." (Isaiah 55:6, NIV)

So, what kind of disciple are you?

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O Come All Ye Faithful

O come all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him

Born the King of angels.

Yea Lord, we greet Thee,

Born this happy morning.

Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n.

Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing.

O come let us adore Him.

O come let us adore Him.

O come let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord!

C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade

Public Domain

Shepherds and Sheep

Shepherds and sheep

I read about the shepherds who saw angels, heard a song, and went into Bethlehem to “see this thing that has happened.”  (Luke 2)  It brought to mind a memory of my own childhood. When I was a little kid, I traveled, with my Dad, who was a livestock dealer back then, to the wide open plains near Buffalo, Wyoming.  Men, living in small rolling homes in  remote areas, tended huge flocks of sheep! Yes, it's true. They were Basque immigrants, from an ancient culture in the Pyrenees Mountains on the border of Spain and France. Their people had a long tradition of being outstanding shepherds.  Helped only by their amazing dogs these shepherds made certain that the flock was safe and led to new pasture each day.  Using only the sound of his voice, and the assistance of his dog to round up stragglers, one shepherd led hundreds of sheep! It is an amazing memory still vivid in my mind a half century later!

Only a well-shepherded flock thrives. Sheep left untended on the open range will die. Predators will kill them off, one by one. Or, they will over-grazing the land until they have exhausted their food supply. Don’t get insulted by what I write next, all right? We are like those sheep. We need to be led! Without care, we die.  Think I am wrong?  Even Jesus observed this about the people he lived with, "they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36, NIV)
Our world is full of people who would ‘shepherd’ us. They call to us, inviting us to follow them.  Jesus said that some who claim to be shepherding are just careerists, interested in enriching themselves at the expense of the flock. At the first sign of crisis, they abandon their sheep. "The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it." (John 10:12, NIV)

He will never do that!  He invites us to "Come, follow me. ... I am the Good Shepherd."  Jesus says, "I am the Gate for the sheep. ... Anyone who goes through me will be cared for-will freely go in and out, and find pasture. ... I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary." (John 10:7-11, The Message)
"Come, follow me." Will you take Jesus up on His invitation? It's an invitation to adventure, to life that is purposeful and meaningful, and - best of all - to a relationship! He promises that if we follow Him, He will never leave us. He does not promise that we will never be attacked by wolves, go through violent storms, or experience difficult days! But, He promises we won't face those challenges alone. "I'll be there," He says, "caring for you."  Follow the Good Shepherd. Serve Him. Worship Him. Listen to Him. And, you will 'have real and eternal life, more and better life than you ever dreamed.' That's the truth.

This was the promise of the Lord, fulfilled at the coming of Jesus.
"He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace." (Micah 5:3-5, NIV)

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Savior, like a Shepherd lead us;
Much we need Thy tender care.
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us;
For our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us; Thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine; do Thou befriend us;
Be the Guardian of our way.
Keep Thy flock; from sin defend us;
Seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear thy children when they pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear Thy children when they pray.

Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
Thrupp, Dorothy A. / Bradbury, William B.
© Public Domain

There I go, again!

There I go, again!

As my irritation shifted into anger, I felt the heat creeping into my face, the surge of adrenalin racing through my body.  I was ready to go to battle! After I walked away and calm returned, I thought to myself, “there I go, again!”   The struggle with my temper is a life-long one.  Do I like it? Not at all. Am I controlled by it? No.  Is it sinful?  Yes, and for that reason, I submit it to Christ for His mastery.

Given differences in our personalities, training, experience, and circumstances each of us wrestles with different temptation.  Most of us deal with one or more of the so-called ‘seven deadly sins.’ They are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.  In recent years we have tended to describe our struggles with sin in psychological rather than spiritual language.  Recovery is more sought after than repentance.  I am grateful for the science that studies human behavior and attempts to help us to  understand why we end up saying to ourselves, ‘there I go, again!’  But, I also recognize that to simply understand and explain behavior that God calls sin is an insufficient remedy.  Recovery can never make me right with God. Only repentance followed by receiving His grace restores and produces freedom – from guilt and from sin’s power over me.

Christians must never ‘make peace,’ with those things that God hates.  For example, if I excuse my anger as a ‘family trait,’ or part of my personality, I remain a slave to it. But, I must not deny the reality of it, either. That is why I take it to the Cross of Christ and find forgiveness, and pray for the Spirit to master it.  At same time, I work to understand why I choose to act in certain ways so I can recognize when the temptation is more likely to approach.

What’s your ‘besetting sin?’  Take a look at the Church’s list of the deadly sins again- wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.  That’s not the prettiest side of humanity, is it?  God says we all sin; falling far short of the destiny for which He created us. Can you identify with this passage?  “When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;  but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am!”  (Romans 7:21, NIV)  Don’t make the tragic mistake of stopping there. Too many Christians do. We are not whole in the Spirit if we think that the only responses to our sins are either to make peace with them or to live with miserable guilt, day in and day out.

Paul goes on to declare emphatically that while we will find ourselves saying, “there I go, again,” there is freedom in Christ and  growth into a mature holiness which comes from the life of the Spirit developing in us. “With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn’t deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, (religious rules about sin) weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that. The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn’t deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us. Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God!" (Romans 8:1-5, The Message)

I hope you will not overly sentimentalize the Christmas story.  The Babe in the Manger is not just a nice story about God coming to earth.  It was His opening shot in the war on sin!  God came into the world, not to excuse our failures, but to defeat the evil and free us to live holy and whole lives by offering us the Gift of grace and forgiveness.  Let’s go beyond just knowing why we fail, to overcoming sin through our Savior.  "Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." (John 1:4-5, NLT)  "To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God. So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father." (John 1:12-14, NLT)

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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come Thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free.

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art.

Dear desire of every nation

Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King!

Born to reign in us forever,

Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring!

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone.

By Thine all sufficient merit

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley | Christian Friedrich Witt

Public Domain