Watching You
What a productive day, Father! Thank You for the ability to get my head together and to make some good progress both this morning and then this evening of Sunday’s sermon. You are the originator of it all! Praise Your Holy Name!
Luke 11:1 (<<click to read the passage)
Alright, this one’s a little more out there than normal. I will say that I enjoy all kinds of music and, though I don’t necessarily listen to it regularly, I enjoy country music, too. But first…
I read the first verse of Luke 11 and the first thing that popped into my head was how Jesus praying caught the attention of one of his disciples, prompting him to ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. Jesus’ example had an impact.
Whether we want to deal with the ramifications or not, people watch us. If it is known that we wear the name “Christian”, much of what we say and do is put under the microscope by those around us. Many want to see what being a believer looks like in us. And they can be impacted for Jesus…or against the faith we claim to hold.
I worked at Kohl’s for 18 years. I am so grateful that I am no longer there. But – and this is a huge “but” – I may not miss the job, but I so miss my friends, and truly I would count many of them as family. I have seen a few of them in the year and a half since I left but I’ve not seen enough of them. And those I have seen; our time together has not been nearly as long as I would have liked.
Right up front, people knew who I was. I didn’t crack anybody over the head with my Bible, but they knew Who I belonged to. I was by no means perfect, but I strove every day to be true to my faith by reflecting my Lord in everything I said and did. I got angry on occasion. I griped about leadership and working conditions far too often, but I hope, and most importantly I pray, that the life I lived before them, shown clear and bright with the light of Christ’s love.
Going back to country music…when I read that first verse and associated Jesus praying with the impact it had on his watching disciple, I knew I had heard at least one song about kids watching their dads and wanting to be just like them.
The song I found in my searching is one by Rodney Adkins, I have no idea where he stands in his relationship with God but I would dare say with a song like the one I’m going to share, he has to have a relationship of some sort. It’s fun but straightforward in communicating the good, and the bad, that we pass on to our children – because like it or not, they are watching.
Here is the official video for the song “Watching You” and for your convenience, I’ve included the lyrics at the end, as well.
Driving through town, just my boy and me
With a happy meal in his booster seat
Knowing that he couldn’t have the toy
‘Til his nuggets were gone
A green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit my brakes and mumbled under my breath
As fries went a flying and his orange drink covered his lap
Well, then my four year old said a four letter word
That started with “S” and I was concerned
So I said, “Son, now where’d you learn to talk like that?”
He said, “I’ve been watching you, dad, ain’t that cool?
I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food, and grow as tall as you are
We got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah, we’re just alike, hey, ain’t we dad?
I wanna do everything you do
So I’ve been watching you”
We got back home, and I went to the barn
I bowed my head, and I prayed real hard
Said, “Lord, please help me help my stupid self”
Then this side of bedtime later that night
Turning on my son’s Scooby Doo night light
He crawled out of bed, and he got down on his knees
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
And spoke to God like he was talking to a friend
And I said, “Son, now where’d you learn to pray like that?”
He said, “I’ve been watching you, dad, ain’t that cool?
I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food, and grow as tall as you are
We like fixing things and holding mama’s hand
Yeah, we’re just alike, hey, ain’t we, dad?
I wanna do everything you do
So I’ve been watching you.”
With tears in my eyes, I wrapped him in a hug
Said, “My little bear is growing up”
He said, “But when I’m big, I’ll still know what to do”
“‘Cause I’ve been watching you, dad, ain’t that cool?
I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food, and grow as tall as you are
Then I’ll be as strong as Superman
We’ll be just alike, hey, won’t we, dad?
When I can do everything you do
‘Cause I’ve been watching you”
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Brian White / Rodney Adkins / Steve Dean
Watching You lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group
June 4th, 2020, Thurs, 8:00 pm
Priorities
Father, as I sit with You this evening, may I set aside everything that would distract me from You. Let me see only You. Let me hear only You. May I feel only You about me. Amen.
Luke 10:38-42 (<<click to read the passage)
Priorities. To some, setting priorities comes pretty easily, while others may struggle.
I was by no means a great student in my younger years. I would say that I was a good student but I was definitely not a great student. I probably could have been an “A” student, but I was content with a few “Bs” and, though I wasn’t happy with them, I recall a few “Cs” as well. I got by in high school and, really, without being an overachiever, I did OK. Not setting those kinds of priorities didn’t hurt me too much.
When I went to college, my lack of setting priorities, had a far greater impact on me. Again, I was an OK student, but I had a bad habit of putting things off instead of getting a head start on them, and then I had to pull all-nighters to get everything done. …and too often things still didn’t get done – at least not the way they should have.
I have improved with age (in my Adult Studies work for ordination and then the courses I took to pastor in the United Methodist Church I earned mostly As!), but sometimes I still struggle. Not establishing a good mindset concerning prioritizing workload at a young age, continues to nip at my heals in adulthood.
Mary and Martha (who, by the way, were siblings of Lazarus, the man Jesus raised from the dead) were friends and followers of Jesus. On this occasion, Jesus was on way to Jerusalem and Martha welcomed Him into her home.
As you may be aware, Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities while Mary spent her time seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching.
Husbands are guilty of this quite often, our wives are busy getting ready for company and we tend to be off in la-la land and don’t provide as much help as we probably should.
Interestingly enough, Mary chides Jesus to a degree when she asks Him, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.”
Doesn’t that sound like a mom? “Jesus, meaning no disrespect, of course, you’re keeping Mary from helping me get things around for You.” And she literally tells Him, “Tell her to help me and do her part.”
No offense is taken by Jesus, but He kindly reminds Martha of her need to prioritize. He says,
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.”
Do we get so busy doing things for Jesus, that we get to the point where we aren’t spending enough time with Jesus?
Priorities are important throughout life. And if there is anything I have learned, spending time with Jesus needs to be at the top of our list.
June 3rd, 2020, Wed, 9:01 pm
Life Within a Burning Bush
(October 22, 2019)
A busy day outside, Father. Thank You for keeping me steady on the ladder cleaning gutters and for the energy and strength to complete the many tasks we needed to get done!
********
On the east side of our home, we have a burning bush. I don’t remember when we planted it, but it was some years back. It has thrived on the sheltered side of the house. It may be buffeted some by winds and weather, but it grows in a place where the house itself takes the brunt of most nature has to throw at it.
Another thing we are blessed with is a very healthy cardinal population around our home. They are beautiful birds with a distinct song that I can readily identify when they are around.
Well, this year a mating pair of cardinals have taken residence in the upper portion of our burning bush. I saw them flitting about and wondered and before leaves started filling in I could see the beginnings of a nest. At this point, if I look to the left from our living room window, I can just see the mother sitting on her nest. And even with all the branches and foliage, most often I can just see the orange of her beak. In the burning bush, unbeknownst to most who pass by, there is life! And soon there will be more life – three or four more lives – than there has been!
Early in the biblical account, there was a burning bush of another sort and it was full of life as well! The third chapter of Exodus tells us of Moses’ excursion onto Mount Horeb (Sinai) with the flock of sheep he was tending. Beginning at the end of verse 2, it reads,
Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”
That act would change his life forever for the beginning of verse 2 tells us that, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush.
The next thing he knew God was calling, “Moses! Moses!” and he replied, “Here I am!” He was commanded to take off his sandals for he was standing on holy ground. God identified himself and when Moses heard Him, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.
God calls each one of us, as well. Though today, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s presence does not fill a flaming bush but fills our hearts…and they, too, can be set ablaze with the power and might of the Holy Spirit. And as Moses’ life was changed, ours is, as well.
Moses had all kinds of excuses and rationalizations as to why it was a bad idea to choose him for the tasks ahead. But God had made him and knew what he was capable of, and though he wasn’t perfect, he filled the job God had called him to, perfectly.
We may be hesitant about God’s ability to use us, but He can…and He will. Yield today to God’s calling on your life, for you, too, will perfectly fill the job God has called you to.
June 2nd, 2020, Tues, 7:19 am
My Neighbor
Strength for full days is found in You, Father. The day is waning and so am I. Be close by my side as I humbly come before You. Amen.
Luke 10:29-37 (<<click to read the passage)
Well, Lord, I guess you just dropped this one in my lap… I learned long ago that there are no coincidences with You.
Today we, specifically as a nation, find ourselves in very difficult circumstances. And really difficult is very inadequate in expressing where it is we find ourselves.
Fear and anxiety are rampant from sea to shining sea. We are overwhelmed by it. It is as a flood that day by day has risen to cover our heads and we feel like we are going down for the last time. The pandemic and all it has come to mean in reality, and in the recesses of our minds, is controlling us. And we seem unable to escape. We are entangled. And with no humor implied whatsoever, we have fallen, and we can’t get up.
Then in the midst of our despair, the vilest of actions has taken place. A man’s life was snuffed out, his infraction in no way equaling the punished he incurred. And as a pastor friend of mine wrote, like gasoline on a fire, this horrific incident has engulfed our nation in hatred, anger, and violence.
People are lashing out…and it is not just over this one occurrence of disproportionate punishment. It is a result of literally generations of infractions poured upon a people solely because of the color of their skin. In this battle of racial injustice, regardless of how they respond, they have been on the losing end.
I really do not feel qualified to address these issues but with them screaming in my face and pounding in my head – and now with this Scripture before me – I must respond.
My son and I have often spoken of the inadequacy of legislating morality – it just does not work! I am sure that I have friends who would do a far better job than I ever could in addressing the insurmountable cultural issues encompassing the entirety of the black community in our nation. It makes no difference who they are, what they have accomplished, their insurmountable love, and care for those in society at large…it makes no difference if they are devoted fathers or faithful leaders in their church. All some see is the hue of their skin. And to them, nothing else matters.
In the middle of everything I have done over the last few days, I have struggled with the question, “So, what can I do?” I am a man of little significance, but I cannot just sit back and ignore the whole thing because it doesn’t impact me…at least not directly. It would be easy to think that…but thinking that is a lie.
In the proceeding verses, Jesus acknowledges the most important passages in the Old Testament Law. “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” v27
A fellow pastor friend of mine, Scott Sharps, wrote today what is on my heart and he says what must be said.
To be against one thing means we’re for something else. To love God means we put away selfish ambition. I’m against racial injustice, but I’m for loving my neighbor. Who is my neighbor? Those who are hurting and broken. Those who’ve experienced injustice, who are marginalized and unsupported.
Actions speak louder than words. How shall we respond?
How will you love your neighbor today? May we stand with those who are hurting, so that we can demonstrate to them the love of Jesus Christ. It was not popular when Jesus ate with the less fortunate, associated with tax collectors, and freed the enslaved. But he did it because he loves them. In fact, he died to show us how much he loves us. Romans 5:6 “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” May we not lose our influence in such a time as this but demonstrate to the world how much Jesus Christ loves them.
June 1st, 2020, Mon, 7:47 pm
Empty Handed
Father, is today worse for You than other days? My heart is so heavy, and I know that Yours must be breaking. All that is happening in our world today… Truly, in the midst of it all, You are our only hope.
********
Lord Jesus, music can touch me like many other things do not. As I sat down this evening, readying myself for our time together, I turned on my music and the very first song caught my attention.
I am a man of hymns and I know quite a few, though I realize that there are thousands upon thousands of them that have been written over the years. I have discovered that this one is well known by many – but it is “new” for me!
It is beautiful but in a somber, thoughtful way.
Here is the story behind it as written by Watchman Nee, a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher who lived in China during the 20th century. It was published in his book, Practical Issues of This Life. His writings are enough for me today…
Once there was a young man who fell into sin and was dying of tuberculosis. An elderly servant of God preached the gospel to him, telling him how the Lord Jesus had borne all his sins, and urging him to repent, confess his sins and receive the Lord Jesus to be his Savior. At first this youth felt quite reluctant, being obsessed with the thought of how ever could the Lord forgive such a sinner as he. Yet finally he did accept the Lord and was saved. He felt so happy and peaceful. After a few days the elderly servant of God revisited him, finding his face full of grief and pain. So he asked the young believer: “Why are you so sad? Do not let Satan deceive you!” He answered: “I know my sins have been forgiven.” “Then why are you so sad?” Forlornly he answered: “My days on earth are quite finished. What can I bring to the Lord when I shall stand before Him? My hands are empty. Must I go and see the Lord empty-handed?” Such was the reason for his grief. In answer, the elderly man comforted him by saying: “Brother, do not be discouraged. I will use your word to write a song. And whoever is constrained by this song to go abroad to preach the gospel and win souls, you shall have the reward.” Now this was the song that Charles C. Luther wrote which has since become famous: “Must I go and empty-handed? Must I meet my Savior so?” Many have been aroused by this song and have fervently served the Lord. Although this young man had lost many of his days, he still retained a little heart desire for the Lord at his dying, and the Lord fulfilled it.
May we all remember our days! May our lost days be restored: May each day be equal to a thousand days. And may we step by step walk in the light of God’s will!
Here are the lyrics to Must I Go, and Empty Handed? May they touch your heart and spur you on.
“Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him:
Must I empty-handed go?
Not at death I shrink nor falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.
O the years in sinning wasted;
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow.
O ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.
– Charles Luther
May 31st, 2020, Sun, 9:20 pm