The Debate

Several years ago I was attending a Bible study at the home of my Sunday School teacher at the time. We were going thru the book of Colossians, which is one of my favorite books in the Bible. After several weeks, a man who attended our Sunday School class sporadically showed up this one Thursday night. He was one of those people who have a lot of biblical knowledge, but I wonder if they’ve ever really trusted the Lord as their Savior.

On this particular evening, towards the end of the study, this man proceeds to try to bait our teacher into a debate about, of all things, predestination. As you know, no matter which side you choose, one can come up with good arguments. Also, our teacher is an attorney by trade and a litigator at that. I was amazed as Ed shut him down by saying this to him, “I would love to debate that with you on another occasion, but tonight’s not the time.” He explained, “You see, when I get to heaven, God’s not going to tell me, ‘You know, Ed, I was very impressed with your debate on predestination back in October of 2001, you came up with some very good points you almost had Me convinced.”

“No,” Ed continued, “I believe that God is going to ask me two questions. One is ‘Why should I allow you into Heaven?’ My answer will be, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son and He died on a cross for my sins. I accepted Him as my personal Savior.’ Then God will ask me, “What did you do with my Son?” That second question is the one we need to be ready to answer.

My Sunday School teacher understands his place. The Apostle Paul also understood his place. It is quite evident in this passage: When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5, NLT)

It is not our job to persuade lost people to Christ, for that is the role of the Holy Spirit. Our job is to tell others of what our lives are now that we have Christ living in us. Of all people, Paul could have probably put on a great argument to follow Christ in his day. He was well educated and trained. Just like my Sunday School Teacher, he has been trained to argue with a glass of water and win! Part of me would have loved to see that great debate and see Ed in action, but he knew in the long run, this debate would really not do anything to advance the Kingdom.

Are you spending (or wasting) time on trivial matters that really don’t advance the name of Jesus? I know I used to see that happening all the time at Criswell College. They would spend time debating stuff like predestination, pre-millennium, or post-millennium, etc. Young men trying to impress and show off to each other how knowledgeable they are. This is what the Pharisees did back then.

My prayer for you is that you will spend time lifting up the name of the Lord and not trying to impress man. Grace and peace be with you.

Sweet 'n Low

In our kitchen, we have those three canisters. We keep flour in the big one, sugar in the medium sized one, and Sweet ‘n Low packets in the smaller one. My wife will only use Sweet ‘n Low. She refuses to use Splenda or Equal. She will also only drink Diet Coke. Never, ever offer Diet Pepsi, unless you want her to make that face. You know that face, the one that looks like you just offered her to drink sour milk. Anyway, a couple months ago, we realized that our Sweet ‘n Low canister was empty. We needed to replenish. We don’t buy Sweet ‘n Low at the grocery store, but we make a special trip to Sam’s. Did you know the Sam’s pink Sweet ‘n Low box holds 1500 packets? 1500!

Well, we bought it. We now have a few years worth of Sweet ‘n Low, since we probably go thru about a dozen packets a week. When we got home, we promptly filled the canister up. And all was well in the Sanchez homestead once again, or so I thought.

A few days later, I went into our laundry room, where along with our washer and dryer, and other laundry essentials, we store other items that don’t fit into our pantry. I forget exactly what I was looking for, but I came across a pink box on the left side of the laundry room. It wasn’t the one we had purchased, because that one was still on the counter. (I hadn’t had a chance to put it up yet.) I reached into the pink box and found it to be more than ¾ full! I would guesstimate that we now have approximately 2700 Sweet ‘n Low packets in our home.

But, wait it gets better! I noticed that a couple weeks into our new box, there were several packets that were either completely empty or not the correct amount of product. I don’t know what got into me, but I decided to let the folks at Sweet ‘n Low know of this shortfall. I googled them and emailed them a very nice letter informing them first and foremost, we are very loyal Sweet ‘N low patrons. I even let them know we have tried other sugar substitutes, but have always returned to them. I then informed them of our problem and wanted them to check with their Quality Control people.

The next day I received a reply from Quality Control thanking me for the heads up. They also informed me that they were going to send me another box of 1500 count Sweet ‘n Low! A week later, I received my prize along with several coupons on my next purchase of Sweet ‘n Low. I will never, ever be able to redeem those coupons, as I now have over 4200 pink packets.

This all reminds me how God is with us. He never, ever just gives you with what you need, but gives you an abundance. I was reading in John 21, where the disciples are fishing and aren’t catching anything and Jesus appears to them. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. (John 21:6)

God loves you so much; He makes sure you are well taken care of. My prayer for you today is you will see His provision in you life.

And if you ever are in need of some Sweet ‘n Low, just ask. Grace be with you today.

The Wreck

“Your son has been in an accident.”
Those were the words I heard one evening as I sat on my couch waiting for him to return home form Wednesday night youth group. The rest of the story is that he had been
T-boned by a city bus, the car was totaled but fortunately he suffered only a bump on the head.

I knew I loved my son (both of them actually) but it manifested itself in a whole new way in the days that followed the collision. I was a wreck - “out of alignment” emotionally for the next five or six days. I’ve never felt that way before.

I knew he was all right but maybe I wasn’t. Maybe I needed that collision to jar me back to the place of balance. A place where spending time engaged with my family is more important than the other “stuff” in our lives.

There is a broader application also. It is to think how the Heavenly Father must feel about His children. Although God will never receive the call saying His child has been in an accident (you can’t surprise God), our collisions that send us reeling still trouble his heart. What a comfort – knowing that we have a Father emotionally involved and compassionate who desires health, safety and prosperity for us.

So when you receive “the call”, and you will, know there is a Father who has been troubled much deeper about His Son and a fraternity of other dads who stand with you. And, if you’re willing, they will help you pick up the pieces and find equilibrium once again.

(This posting was written by Scott Ward, father to two teenage sons. Thanks, Scott.)

Blessings!

Semper Fidelis

I admire all the branches of the military, but to me, there is a certain mystique about the Marines. I know some of you will disagree, but there’s something about the Marines. (My dad served with the U.S. Army-Go Army!) I always get a lump in my throat when I see them marching in a parade. My heart swells with pride. They also have the greatest commercials. Over two hundred years ago, the United States Marines were born. Soon after, they adopted the slogan, “Semper Fidelis” which is Latin for “Always Faithful.” (In Spanish it is, “Siempre Fiel.”) Over the years, they’ve shortened it to Semper Fi. As a matter of fact, never make the mistake that I have made in calling someone a former Marine. He will quickly and emphatically correct you and tell you, “I am not a former marine, once a Marine, always a Marine.”

I have written about my dad in past postings and you will have to bear with me as I continue to use him as an example. Dad and Mom were married on June 13, 1953. They made a covenant before God to love one another, to honor one another, to be there for better or worse, for each other thru sickness and health, to forsake all others until death part them. My parents did that until the Lord took Mom to glory. They were married 24 years, 7 months, and 27 days.

On July 23, 1980, Dad made that same covenant with my dear stepmom, Carmen. Since that day, they continue to fulfill those vows. Dad has endured many ups and many downs over the years. He has had many health issues, as well as Mom, and Carmen. Not to mention the lean financial years, which have been quite a few. Growing up, Mom could stretch a dollar like nobody’s business. But we always had a roof over our heads; we never missed a meal, and always had clean clothes to wear.

Dad also is a hopeless romantic. Dad knows how to treat a lady! I remember back in the 70’s, when it was very difficult to find sugar free candy for Mom, somehow Dad found a place in New York that sold sugarless chocolate. He would have it shipped to Mom for her birthday and Valentine’s Day. He would also send her cards thru the mail for those special occasions. He would bring home flowers to her. This is what I grew up witnessing. I saw a man who really loved his wife and took his vows seriously. I have also witnessed him do it again the second time. Because my dad has been faithful in the big things and small things, it has helped me understand the faithful of my Heavenly Father. When God’s Word says, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” I believe it!

My dad has always been “Siempre Fiel” to the women he has been given charge. He will stand before the Lord one day and be told, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” That is what I want for my life. How ‘bout you?

I don’t know what type of father you had growing up. If you didn’t have a father that showed you how to love and cherish a woman, find a man in your church that is that type of man. Ask the Father to show you thru His Word.

Our Heavenly Father is Semper Fi! Blessings on you today!