The Right Spirit

“Judge not lest you be judged." ~ Matthew 7:1

Fausto sat patiently through two painstaking days as a juror on a jury for a drunk driving case.  The defendant had a blood alcohol level of 0.23 – more than twice the legal limit.  The judge carefully instructed the jury that their job was to determine if the woman had, in fact, broken the law.  Fausto naively thought that the case was a slam-dunk.  They wouldn’t have to deliberate longer than a few minutes before returning to work.

When they began their deliberations, one man piped up, “I can drink that much and drive without any problem!”  Someone else chimed in with similar comments.  A lady commented about how nice the young woman seemed to be. 

Fausto was shocked!

They totally ignored the judge’s instructions!  After three hours of wrangling, Fausto and another juror finally persuaded everyone of the woman’s guilt, except for one woman.  She said, “I could never vote to convict her, because the Bible says, ‘Judge not, lest you be judged.’”

That’s when an older gentleman, who’d remained silent yet attentive throughout the discussion, spoke up. 

“As a Minister,” he began, “there’s hardly a verse of the Bible that’s more misinterpreted than Jesus’ words in Mark 7:11.  When Jesus says, “Judge not,” he’s not really prohibiting us from judging others; he’s issuing a serious warning to take care how we judge them.  It’s meant to cautioning us to faithfully examine ourselves before speaking.”

“Our courts,” he continued, “demand a rigorous process of evaluating evidence in an effort to ensure that deceptive appearances and biases don’t distort the truth.  This process requires diligence, patience, and restraint. 

And while reasonable doubt regarding a person’s guilt persists, we must take great care to believe the best about each other until sufficient evidence confirms that a law has been broken.  When in doubt, “not guilty.”

But when evidence does confirm that misbehavior has occurred, we must take great care that our judgment, like Christ’s, is always charitable.  God will judge us … in the manner we judge others.  So, we must judge with right spirit – compassionately, transformatively, lovingly.”

The room remained silent as heads nodded in agreement.  The final vote was unanimous.  And each left the courthouse on that day confident that Jesus wasn’t telling us not to think or evaluate; He was teaching us how to judge.

As Christians, our role is not to conform, but to reform.  It’s not our job to change others – that’s God’s job.  Think of our churches not as country clubs - but as hospitals.  Think of ourselves as First Responders always ready to preach the Gospel by our actions.  It’s even wrong to judge others in your heart, even if you keep your thoughts to yourself.  Hypercritical words will eventually flow from a judgmental heart.

Almighty Father, help us remember that it’s not our place to judge others.  Help us to see people the way you see them and to trust in Your almighty plan and the power of your love to capture hearts and transform people.  Amen

The Righteous Path

 “Evil is knowing the right thing to do and not doing it." ~ James 4:17

A little over a year ago Haley lost her beloved dog Mazie.  She was the oldest of her 3 rescue dogs; each with their own unique personalities but all with gentle, loving dispositions.  Mazie’s passing from a sudden illness came swiftly.  She vividly recalled cuddling her devoted pup, imagining her sweet spirit guided home by angels.

Tonight, a second doorbell ring demanded that she leave her quiet dinner to answer it.  A middle-aged man stood on the other side of the peephole holding a small bundle.

His sagging shoulders and glistening eyes painted a picture of devastation.  As he blinked, tears slipped from his eyelids and onto his cheeks.  Words slowly made their way through quivering lips: “I’m so sorry,” he motioned just before his body erupted in tremors.

Haley opened the door.  When she invited him in, she quickly understood the apology.

Carefully wrapped in a soft blanket, the man cradled her youngest dog Alfie. “I’m so sorry,” he mouthed again, sounds refusing to escape his mouth this time.

Haley stood frozen while the magnitude of the loss engulfed her: two fur babies in less than a year.  She felt lost again in the vortex of the moment. 

She took Alfie and motioned for the man to sit down.   The silence of her own cry was unexpected.

The man sat there, dominated by a profound sadness, fatigue worn on his face.  Gathering his composure, he explained that the dog chased a deer into the road.  Trying to avoid the deer with his car, he swerved and hit the dog instead.  Sobs punched through again.

Haley too was devastated.  She loved Alfie, but her current sadness came from watching this man endure the tragedy.  He could have very easily continued on his way, but he didn’t. 

The driver pulled over, held the dying dog in a blanket to preserve his dignity, and carried him to Haley’s front door.  His kind gestures consoled her the best a stranger could, even leaving his information and offering whatever financial remuneration she wanted.

Yes, he’s the man who hit and killed her Alfie - accidentally.  Yet what he really did was spare Haley from stumbling upon a horrific scene while searching for the dog.  He had many options; options that were far easier than what he chose.  In so doing, he confirmed her faith in humanity.

The wisest, most loving, and well-rounded people on earth are likely those who’ve been shattered by heartbreak.  Truly, it’s the painstaking journey of falling apart and coming back together that fills their hearts and minds with a level of compassion, understanding, and deep-loving wisdom that can’t possibly be acquired any other way.

Father God, You too know the grief of losing a son.  We ask for Your comfort to surround those who weep.  We pray for the peace of Your presence reminding us, that we are kept safe in Your heart forever, whether in life or in death.  Amen

Judgement Withheld

 “Don’t judge others or you too will be judged." ~ Matthew 7:11

Summer’s leisure in Nebraska had turned into the prospects of harvest – a season for thanksgiving, camaraderie, and plenty of elbow grease.  During its recent early morning hours, fourth-generation farmer Jonathon Rempel readied his two children for school when the phone rang.

The voice sounded like the words were formed of smoke, his lungs charred.  “Your harvest equipment is on fire,” Rempel recalled.  “All of it.”  Then the line went dead.

Jonathon flew from their farmhouse, down several miles of dusty roads to where he’d rested his equipment late last night.

The scene was like something out of a horror movie; scorched metal and melted rubber, nothing to salvage.  The air smelled pungent - no wonder the Fire Chief could barely speak. 

The news couldn’t have been worse.  The fire destroyed a tractor, a combine and grain head, two trucks and trailers full of grain, and a grain cart.  All told - several hundred thousand dollars’ worth.

Photographs from the fire quickly went viral on social media, suggesting the fire was politically driven and arson.  “Joe Biden Mob Sets Fire to Farm in Nebraska,” and “Leftist Terrorists Burn Farm Equipment Over Trump” for example.

Rempel confirmed that two flags in support of President Trump were on his combine.  Flags and signs supporting the president weren’t uncommon in Nebraska.  Many farmers have used their harvest equipment as rolling billboards this election year.

But Rempel staunchly avoided making any political connection, sharing instead his thanks in the Facebook Post below:  

“Today was a hard day.

Apparently, sometime early this morning, [all of our harvesting equipment] caught fire at about the same time while parked at a safe distance from each other.

We are devastated by the enormous loss we face from this fire, but at the same time we're incredibly blessed to be from rural America, where the people are the BEST.  

Both of our phones have blown up with a huge out-pouring of support from friends, family, business partners, and strangers offering their physical help, their operational help, and offers of meals in this time of tragedy.

These people are already stretched, stressed and tired, but are taking time to reach out, and offer help and aid in a time of need.  We are so incredibly blessed by everyone!!!  Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us today.  Love, The Rempels

The importance of withholding judgment seems almost impossible in today’s highly charged election.  Maybe we should all try a little harder to follow the Rempel’s example.  And if we find that we really do have enough valid reason to justify our opinions, then we should simply follow the golden rule and keep them to ourselves.

Merciful God, help me overcome the tendency to jump to speedy, and sometimes wrong conclusions that could hurt someone else.  Keep my mind open and my heart ready to be changed so that You can use me to build others up with loving grace, Amen.

Childlike Faith

 “Unless you receive the Kingdom of God like a child, you’ll never enter it.” ~ Luke 18:17

Having helped lead her church’s Youth Group, Morgan had heard this story of Jesus used many times to inspire Christians into living a life grounded in ‘childlike faith’.  She always thought it was a sweet story, but never really grasped the concept … until a child of her own entered their lives.

Now as she watched Emma cuddle their Maltese-mix, Morgan suddenly realized that faith is actually very simple; adults are the ones who make it complicated.  Not God!

Her 1-year old is into everything.  She explores her world with youthful enthusiasm, pulling toys off the shelf and crawling down the hall; giggling in a way that could make fires burn warmer.

She’s so curious about how things work, pushing all the buttons on electronic toys.  New things don’t frighten her.

Even though she wasn’t walking yet, that doesn’t stop her from getting where she wants to go.  If she falls, she gets right back up and tries again. Put things up high and Emma will try to find a way to reach the object of her fascination.

Her eyes shine like pebbles washed by ocean waves; her smile radiates joy in all with whom she interacts.  She doesn't care what the time it is unless she's hungry.  Then in her highchair, she bounces as if dancing to music for her ears only.

Everything tickles her as funny.  Observing that happy child, the Bible verse made perfect sense.

Preoccupied with life’s enormity, we adults create arbitrary boundaries that limit our success and avoid investing ourselves fully in our faith.  Kids ask a bazillion questions: about the weather, about puppies, and where the sun goes at night.  Such youthful zeal is the key to a true connection to Jesus.

“So,” Morgan wondered, “if God wants us to have faith like Emma, it must be OK to ask questions.  It’s OK to doubt Him sometimes; our prayers should reflect the questions on our hearts.  Just like a child, we can ask God when His kingdom will come on earth, when the cancer will heal, or when will she ever stop feeling so lonely.  We should use our imagination to wonder about God.

Which brought to mind another thought.  Kids aren’t afraid to love what they love, and they do so with such gusto and veracity.  If we treated each other with even half as much love as infants do, then the world would be a significantly better place.  

They model the childlike faith that Jesus invites us into, and inspires with an unwavering trust in the world’s goodness.  Childlike faith is as simple as stretching out our gooey, clumsy, human fingers and grabbing the outstretched hand of Jesus.  Its always there.

Dear Lord.  Help us to let down our guard and let You more fully into our lives.  Help us to overcome the obstacles we place in our own path and seek You with our whole heart. Amen.

Chasing the Sun Down

 “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." ~ Psalm 118:29

October’s evening was just a few minutes old when, without warning, the sky suddenly caught fire.  Bennet's spirit soared at the sight as he was transported into a timeless existence, ready for the protective blanket of darkness and fresh dreams.

Like a wildfire swept forward by wind, hues of yellow, orange, and red bounced off ragged clouds like dancing flames.  As if God's holy-fire was dancing to the rhythm of up-tempo Latin beats.

In moments that seemed perpetual, light painted and repainted the clouds in ever-shifting colors, contrasted against the deepening blue sky - as if the lake too had ignited.  Birds flew peacefully across the sky; the entire world seemed to be quietly rejoicing in the love and care God exhumed from this day.

The sky summoned a universe of color and emotion in its fleeting moments as it rushed headlong into a crescendo.  While some lose interest, Bennet always enjoyed taking in the slow, quiet onset of dusk, spreading out like a ground fog before rising to overtake the sky.  The surge from sunset through nightfall was the best silent film ever made.

He looked to the heavens with a smile on his face and breathed in the cooling fall air.  His heart beat with joy; his mind filled with peace; his soul danced with delight.

People around the world are drawn to sunsets, but in places like Maui, Hawaii, locals embrace the sunset as a daily ritual to give thanks.  Crowds gather to cheer and applaud it, reinforcing the idea that we should celebrate and be grateful for every day.

Bennet thanked God for the simple gift of beauty, love, and happiness that decorated tonight’s horizon. Someone once said that many people see only one sunset in a thousand.  It saddened him to think that these God-given gifts were being ignored by so many.

It made him wonder about all the other Heavenly gifts that he unwittingly missed or ignored.  Did he use his arms to hug enough?  Did he use his voice to laugh, his mouth to smile or his feet to dance enough?  Should he look harder in the barren, humble places where others see nothing?

Important questions to consider. 

In order to make awareness of beauty a permanent fixture in your life, we need to practice being mindful and aware.  Most of the time we only catch a glimpse of how amazing things really are before we get sucked back into the monotony of our routines.

Research suggests that creating a state of constant awareness of how amazing life is can boost your well-being.  Practicing gratitude boosts happiness, sleep and even patience.  Mostly, it brings you closer to the One who gave them. 

Lord, change my outlook and attitude into one of joyful contentment and teach me to offer You a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all circumstances.  Help me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to set a Christ-like example for others.  Amen

Walking Away

 “Be filled with the Holy Spirit, quoting psalms and singing sacred hymns." ~ Ephesians 5:18-19

As seats filled, the lights began to dim.  A raucous crowd cheered as a young man walked on stage, guitar in hand, his band trailing behind.  The music began to a crescendo of worship and glory lifted high by thousands of adoring fans, fulfilling the command outlined in Ephesians above.

It’d been a great year for the 34-year-old contemporary Christian artist.  His hit single “Reckless Love” ranked as Billboard’s hottest Christian song in 2018; the 4^th best in its category of the decade.  Additionally, he’d garnered three Dove awards – honors bestowed on performers within the Christian/Gospel music industry.  But his devotees wanted more.

Creating a work/life balance is a constant struggle for all touring celebrities.  Lurking behind the glaring spotlights, swanky limos and star-studded parties is a seedier side of stardom filled with jealousy, competition, and greed.  The demands of recording, touring, and media appearances can often devastate family life.

The young man stepped to the mic after his final encore.  “God loves you,” he began.  He created you for a purpose. He likes you right where you are - Your imperfections don’t scare him.  Your sin doesn’t intimidate Him.  He paid for you with His very own blood.  Goodnight and goodbye for now!” 

Without hesitation, he left the stage, perhaps at the peak of his brief career.

Twitter was abuzz until he later clarified his intention.  “I’m stepping away for one year – no music or social media.”

“It’s awesome when a blessing happens, but I’ve been traveling a ton,” Cory Asbury explained.  “So, my wife, Anna, and I prayed; asking God for a path to make all this sustainable for our family?”

Anna reminded him of a conversation she’d had with their seven-year-old son, Gabriel.  She asked him if he would like to go on tour with dad to all the big cities and eat all the best food.  Gabriel responded immediately: ”Mommy, I’d rather get pizza and stay home together.”

Asbury couldn’t help feel convicted by the Lord, who asked him a poignant question: “You wrote a song about being reckless and extravagant and throwing it all away for love - could you do that with your family?  Could you throw away career, money accolades, and success?  Because if you don’t, you might not have a family.”

Asbury, who’d wanted to be a professional musician since he was a child, further explained.  “I felt like Abraham (who’d prayed for a son).  When his son was born God asked Abraham to sacrifice him,” he explained. “I can’t imagine him walking up that mountain.” 

And while they’re waiting for God to reveal a significant next step, he and Anna are establishing new boundaries and open dialogue about his career.

“Prison doors fling wide, the dead come to life.  Love is on the move when the Father’s in the room.  Miracles take place, the cynical find faith.  And love is breaking through when the Father’s in the house.  (Cory Asbury – “The Father’s House

What Goes Around

 “It’s simple: act fairly, love kindly and walk humbly." ~ Micah 6:8

Janice first noticed something wasn’t quite right with her son Jake when, at 5 years old, he began experiencing extreme hunger and severe headaches.  The course of their lives would change forever when the boy was diagnosed with a rare form of diabetes.  

‘Brittle’ diabetes is unusually aggressive.  Unlike most diabetics, Jake was unable to feel changes in his blood sugar, causing him to crash frequently.  Janice checked his blood sugar every 2 hours, even while he slept.  Violent seizures meant he couldn’t be left alone.  For more than a decade, he and his family dealt with increasingly dire prospects surrounding his disease.

At 18, the doctor recommended that Jake consider a pancreas transplant, a relatively new procedure that, if successful, could cure Jake of the symptoms of his disease.  After careful consideration, Jake was put on the national transplant list and life became a waiting game.

The call came two weeks before Christmas.

Less than 3 hours away, another family was grieving.  Their son Kalem had suffered fatal injuries in an ATV crash.  An outgoing, charismatic young man who loved snow sports and fishing, Kalem had dreamed of becoming a firefighter.

His parents, Bill and Tish, made the arduous decision to donate his organs.  Tish asked that at least one of Kalem's organs go to a young person.  The donor match was nearly perfect.

Jake’s surgery went well.  He returned home a week later, just in time for Christmas and his mother’s birthday.

Months later, Janice put pen to paper and wrote to the donor’s family anonymously through the transplant network.  To her surprise, she received a letter back from Tish, marking the first exchange in what would become a decades-long friendship; a connection born of one mother's profound loss and another's fervent hope for her son's life.

That bond continued to grow when the families gathered every December for a Christmas tree lighting in honor of Kalem.  The event would also raise money to buy hundreds of bicycles for local children.  But the trips became too difficult for Bill, whose own diabetes left him in dire need of a kidney transplant.

Janice wrote to Tish, asking to be Bill’s donor, never questioning the viability of the transplant.  Intuitively, she knew she’d be a match (the probability of compatibility is less than 50%).  But, after weeks of testing, Janice’s instincts proved correct.

Both surgeries proved successful.  Janice gave back what Bill’s son had given her own child a decade earlier.  While both families shun publicity for their actions, they hope their story will inspire others to become donors. 

They reunited recently for Jake’s wedding celebration held on the one-year anniversary of Bill’s transplant.

Much of life is really about using your platform to spread good will and serve others.  Do good and good will follow. 

Almighty Father, we welcome You to mold and secure our hearts in genuine humility.  Help us count ourselves as equals with one another; that we love all hearts for the uniqueness You made them to be.  Amen