Swimsuit Ready RE-ISSUED

THE FOLLOWING WAS POSTED JULY 2012 AND RE-POSTED AT THE REQUEST OF A FRIEND

Swimsuit season is in full swing. It is the time when we brave the elements (and the stares) and go swimming. But something is wrong; simply put you are not ready to show yourself at the beach. What happened?

You spent all last winter putting on extra pounds (to keep warm during the cold winter). Not feeling confident enough to pull on a swimsuit; your plan was to get to the gym and work out so that when swimsuit season was here, you would be fit and ripped and toned; or at least fit into a swimsuit that didn’t look like it was formerly used as a circus tent!

You knew that a bit of exercise would help you tone and lose excess weight, and also feel better about yourself.  So you rose (with the best of intentions)and set your goal; “Gotta work off that holiday weight!!!!”

And suddenly, June was here and you knew that swimsuit season was very close; I guess that the “All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet” was much closer!

And now you find yourself facing the hot summer months of July and August wishing that you had heeded the warning last spring and that you had taken the time to prepare when you had the opportunity. Now you look for ways to keep yourself hidden simply because you are not “swimsuit ready”.

It may be a bad transition, but in a similar way in God’s Word (the Bible) we are exhorted to take time to get ourselves ready so that when we are needed we will be ready. Did you catch what I said? Let me put it another way (using the Apostle Paul’s word. He said; “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV)

He also challenged us to "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible) 

The writer of Psalm 119 put it this way; “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11 NKJV)

Take time today to “exercise” your will by spending time reading the Bible to get yourself ready for where life will take you next. Don’t be caught off guard; the next season will soon be upon each of us. Will you be ready?

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11 NKJV)

Summer of Love Remix

2018 was dubbed my “Summer of Love”. I attended eleven weddings; nine of which I officiated. On Memorial Day weekend, I attended two wedding (one of which I officiated).

Added to the mix was all of the preparation time, including wedding planning and premarital counseling.

Needless to say, Cathy and I didn’t get up to the family cabin other than the week of July fourth so we did a better job scheduling my weddings for 2019. And, for the most part, we were very successful in not over booking. This included two weddings back to back (Friday and Saturday nights).

This year, 2020, was scripted to also be another summer of love with nine couples asking me to be the pastor for their wedding.

Cathy and I had set up a system that somehow, I had (unintendedly) bypassed. I had two one month (last two weeks) and two the next (first two weeks). I hadn’t noticed my mistake until I was putting them on our joint calendar.

This was helpful as I eventually declined several other couples who asked me to officiate their weddings. I told them that I didn’t want to fill all of my weekends.

We reminded each other of the Lord’s faithfulness in the past, and moved forward as we launched into my Summer of Love 2020.

That is until the corona-covid-19-pandemic-epidemic brought my plans to a screeching HALT! Somebody sneezed and the whole world freaked out.

Suddenly, almost all of my couples went into a tail spin as they were told that they could not have their weddings as planned.

Yes, couples were allowed to get married, as long as the gathering was ten or fewer people instead of the planned 200-300 guests.

Event centers and venues were told that they needed to close up shop in order to slow down this major virus from spreading.

Calls were made. Flight plans canceled. Cakes were put on hold as my spring weddings got moved to either October-November or else to 2021.

Over and over again I listened to couples who were hurt, confused, and frustrated when their plans, many which had been in the works for two years, were no longer an option.

Many felt betrayed when they were told that contractually they were not able to get their money back.

As a pastor (and dad) my heart hurts for them.

Over and over again I listened to vendors and venue owners who were hurt, confused, and frustrated when their plans, many which had been in the works for two years, were no longer an option.

Many felt betrayed when they were pressured by clients who asked for their money back; even though the vendors hadn’t broken the contract and worked hard to come up with other dates for rescheduling the weddings.

The problem was that even when they came up with something new, the government told them that “no” they couldn’t open up their venues or perform a service.

Some things made sense; others were beyond comprehension; all because somebody sneezed and the whole world freaked out.

As a pastor (and vendor) my heart hurts for them.

And, as of this writing, things are still up in the air as to when things can “get back to normal”.

But the truth is, life is unpredictable and the best laid plans of mice and men are just that; PLANS.

I tell every couple at every wedding I officiate that the security of their marriage will rest in the true purposes of their hearts, in their character, in the steadfastness of their devotion to each other, and more importantly the love of God and asking His help.

In other words, the success of their marriages will really be based on how well they choose to face life as they apply what they said at their weddings.

Simply put, how much do they look to the vows that they make and how much do they look to God who created marriage in the first place.

The same is true for each one of us as we go through this corona-covid-19-pandemic-epidemic. Do we really believe that there is Someone who is in control and look to Him, or do we look to our plans as though they are set in concrete?

This Summer of Love may not turn out as I have planned; and that’s OK. Either way, the LORD will be glorified in my life and I will juggle my life to be there for my couples and fellow vendors as together we create stories to tell the grandchildren when this is all over.

Someone Needs A Timeout!

Someone once said;

“Christmas would sure be a lot more fun if it didn’t come at such a busy time of the year!”

The reason that Christmas may seem to be too busy is that (oftentimes) we don’t take time to focus on the real purpose for the celebration: JESUS CHRIST.

If this year has been crazy and super busy for you as you attempt to be some kind superhero parent, spouse, uncle, aunt, neighbor, or friend…

STOP and let me remind you of why we set apart this time of the year.

Darlene Zschech (singer/song writer) reminds us that we celebrate Christmas because of a “LOVE that caused heaven to stand still, a son to be born with the purpose of an early death, so that we would know the fullness of TRUE life.”

Take time, real time, to read SLOWLY the following scripture…

In order to once again center yourself on what is really important in life.

Then and only then, will you be able to complete the tasks on your plate between now and Christmas.

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His one and only Son.

And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending His Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was.

He came to help, to put the world right again.

Anyone who trusts in Him is acquitted;

Anyone who refuses to trust Him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it.

And why?

Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to Him.” (John 3:16-18 MSG)

Merry Christmas my friend! I’m pulling for you to have the best Christmas of your life!

Pastor Tommy O

The Message (MSG)

All Scripture form The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson 

Where Would I Be?

It's a hot end-of-summer September day and I have an empty schedule. I did do an early-morning airport run and made several ministry-related phone calls. I also attempted to set up several appointments with no success.

And, even if I could set them up, I am somewhat land-locked because the city is resurfacing the roads around my house.

In the past, I would have fretted because I am wired to always be completing some task. Way too often my self-worth has been validated by how hard I worked and how much I accomplished each and every day. Too much of my affirmation has come from others who would say (in an attempt to meet with me); "I know that you are busy".

But instead I have come to learn that just because I’m not doing anything, doesn't mean that I'm "not doing anything".

So I grabbed my backpack with my iPad and headed out the door...I dropped off a zip drive at the computer store in my neighborhood and made my way to a local coffee shop. Along the way I met several business owners and took time to dialog with them and to introduce myself.

As I walked, I thought about how much I love to spend time with my own children. Even though there were days when goals 'had' to be achieved, I have always enjoyed spending time with them.

Now that they are adults, I often think that things can get blurred as the grandchildren seem to be the reason that we visit our children or have them over to our house. But it really isn't. I really have no hidden agenda, but just to spend time with them.

And then I 'heard' the Father speak to my soul communicating how much He loves to spend time with me; with no agenda, no real goals other than spending time with me. And as a father, I get it as my heart once again is filled with love for each of my children.

 

I arrived at the coffee shop, placed my order, and set my backpack on a table to claim it as my own; even if for a short part of my day...

And now, as I sit here drinking coffee and observing my environment, I realize that this respite is a good thing for me to have because the rest of the week is full and includes a 3-day trip to babysit some of our grandchildren and their farm, a wedding to officiate (along with rehearsal, etc.,) a family birthday party, babysitting another grandchild, and a church picnic when I return.

And that's just this week. Next week is even fuller.

Today, instead of breaking glass ceilings and building Rome, this is a day to ponder who God is and reflect on how good He is. It is a day to receive validation and affirmation as a son from my Heavenly Father. It is a day to spend time with Him and see where He takes me along the way.

I think of Henry Blackaby who suggested that we "watch to see where God is working and join Him".

Jesus said:

"...My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."..."Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you,  the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel." (John 5:17,19-20 NJKV)

I realize that it is His great mercy that has provided this day of rest and refreshing for my soul. And I let Him know that I am grateful.

Where would I be without Your great, great mercy

Where would I be without Your deep, deep love

Where would I go without Your light to lead me

Oh my Lord, oh my Lord

My Lord and my God

What would I do without Your great, great mercy

Where would I go without Your deep, deep love

Where would I live outside Your forgiveness

Without the risen Son

Where would I be?

Control Z

The year was nineteen eighty something and my father-in-law was showing me just how easy it was to use a Commodore 64 Computer. He was convinced that soon computers would be in every home in America.

Personally, I failed to see what the appeal was since it was DOS-based and took way too long to do anything useful. I remember spending an hour or so using command strokes and codes in order to write a program that would show a rocket taking off for about five seconds. That was an hour of my life that I will never get back.

Even when Apple came out, the only usefulness I saw was for writing; even though there were only a few fonts and poor graphics and limited storage.

Printing the finished piece was something that was another lesson in patience as dot-matrix took three minutes to print a single side. Of course back then we were thoroughly impressed by the speed and because we could use a "normal" sheet of paper; including colored paper!

Today, not only are there computers in every home in America, but we can take them anywhere we want because they are small enough for us to carry in our pockets.

And, they come fully loaded to do a variety of daily tasks that include writing, calculating, reading, spelling, translating, researching, budgeting, banking, writing, taking photos, and sending emails. If we lose them they even have a program built in to help us find the lost item.

 

We use them for entertainment to watch movies, television, play games and read books. Do people even read books anymore?

We use them for seeking out the latest recipe to make a last minute dish or meal. They store, record, post, print, and generally make life as we know it much easier. Not less busy; just easier.

One of the carryovers from DOS programming that I still use is the "command" key. One simply pushes the command button along with "C" and it will copy; use it along with "V" and it will paste whatever it was that you copied. To print, one simply hits Command-P and instantly, a printer will print whatever it is on that is on your screen; even from your phone.

 

My favorite button is Command -Z. This is useful when we mess up; all we have to do is tell our computers: Command Z, and it will undo whatever mess we just created. Instantly, our troubles are over and we go back to where we were before the mistake.

One of the places this doesn't work is when you are using Microsoft Project; then you are in trouble. For some reason the programmers wrote the program so that if you delete something, it’s gone forever. Perhaps this is the real revenge of the nerds.

Another place this doesn't work is when you are living life off the computer.

Many times I wished that I had a Command-Z button to push when I was hand writing a letter or writing a note on a birthday card.

Many times I wished that I had a Command-Z button to push when I have filled out a form wrong, or written the wrong name, or spelled something wrong.

Many times I wished that I had a Command-Z button to push when I said or did something that I shouldn’t have done or said.

Many times I wished that I had a Command-Z button to push to go back to before I had messed up my life.

There is a Command-Z button, so to speak, that will wipe out the wrongs that you have done…and His Name is Jesus.

How do you “push the button” so that your wrongs (sins) will be wiped away?

The Bible tells us that we need to repent (which means to think differently or to reconsider):

“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.” (Acts 3:19 NLT)

The Bible tells us:

“When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14 Message Version)

NOTE: There will be forgiveness, the slate wiped clean, but there may still be consequences to what you did…

Even In The Darkness

The world we live in continues to become darker and darker each day. Ever since June 22nd, the nights become shorter as we continue to lose daylight until next spring.

And we, as a society, seem to be OK with it as long as it doesn't infringe upon our activities and we are able to turn on some lights in order that we can see what we are doing.

I sit in my favorite coffee shop trying to write this as conversation at the table next to me wafts over into my ears. Sitting at the table are five people who are each in their late sixties or early seventies.

As best as I can hear, the conversation stems from two main characters who talk of seminary and church policy and discuss as those who are in authority have squashed them by saying "no" to their very liberal theology. I get the distinct impression that one of them has had their credentials removed for their theology.

 

The conversation is loud and aggressive and filled with passion from hurt by individuals who have areas of hypocrisy in their own lives.

Quickly others around the table quip that times have changed and the church needs to speed up with the times as they try to console the two people with (in my opinion) some very bad arguments that are mostly based upon subjective feelings; not actually study and research.

Unfortunately these people have been hurt by those above them who have tried to shove theology down their throats as they ignore their very real hurts. They all appear to want to follow the Lord as they try to justify their interpretation of what is truth. They all appear to be sweet people made in the image and likeness of the One who made them.

But, I must add, even though we live in a country in which we vote as we attempt to legislate morality, that has no bearing on what the Lord says is truth.

The world we live in continues to become darker and darker each day. Just when we hear about some crime that seems inconceivable, another even more heinous crime is reported. Just when we think that we will eventually not allow activities, we continue to legislate as we move (once again) the boundaries of what we deem as acceptable in our society.

We, as a society, seem to be OK with it as long as others don't infringe upon "our rights" or preferences or activities and others can't see what we are doing. Or as long as we can create some sort of artificial light to create the illusion that the darkness is actually light.

Darkness seems to continue to crowd out the light as we have become a society in which those who call darkness wrong are seen as the odd and intolerant ones. Society has become a place where the only intolerance that isn't accepted is when someone is intolerant regarding your beliefs.

Society calls evil good, and good evil; puts darkness for light, and light for darkness; puts bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)

And yet, the good news is that even in the darkness, the Lord reigns!

"Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You." (Psalm 139:12)

Even in the darkness His mercy and grace are calling out for all of us to turn back to what He calls good and right and true; away from our own distorted truth and interpretation of His rules.

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined." (Isaiah 9:2)

"I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them." (Isaiah 42:16)

"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16)

Even in the darkness His Holy Spirit is calling out to each of us to come out to be what He has created us to be:

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Even in the darkness He is calling out to us, reminding us that we are to live differently in this world:

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:8-14)

Even in the darkness He is calling us to be salt and light:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)

 

Even in the darkness He calls out for His followers to make a difference as the darkness tries to hide His truth. He is calling for each of us:

"Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." (Isaiah 60:1-3)

Even in the darkness He is still in control

New King James Version (NKJV)

All Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.