Never Underestimate the Value of a Good Name

Recently I took our grandson Mac to a summer camp program at his school. As I was registering him, a teacher handling the sign-in sheet asked if I was Mac’s grandfather. Then he asked if I was his mom’s or dad’s father.  

When I replied that I was the father of Mac’s mom, Sarah, the teacher said something that warmed my heart. “Oh, then you’re also Becca’s dad (another of my daughters). I’ve had both of her daughters in my classes, and they’re really good kids.” (Cue proud smile!)

 

Although I appreciated the compliment, I can’t take the credit. My daughters and their husbands do all the hard work, raising and trying to properly guide their children – our grandchildren, of whom I’m admittedly very fond. Nonetheless, it was nice to hear someone speaking well of our family.

 

Once upon a time, families took great care to ensure the protection of their “good name.” Family members understood their words and actions reflected not only on themselves, but also on the reputation of their parents and siblings.

 

There’s a huge difference between an enthusiastic “Hey, look, here come the McDougals!” and, “Uh-oh, here come the McDougals!” Our reputations precede us.

 

But is a good name all that important? Does it really matter what people think of us and our families? The Bible says it matters a lot. For instance, Proverbs 22:1 declares, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” 

 

King Solomon, who wrote much of Proverbs and is widely regarded as the author the book of Ecclesiastes, also asserted, “A good name is better than fine perfume…” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). Perhaps this is because you can always buy silver, gold or fine perfume; you can’t purchase a good name.

 

So, how do we earn – and maintain – a good name? It’s not a one-time thing. We have to be consistent, steadfast in our resolve to speak words and do things that reflect positively on who we are. Proverbs 25:9-10 offers this caution: “If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man’s confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.” 

 

Since one’s reputation and good name are so closely linked, the same can be said of both: It takes a lifetime to build a solid reputation (and good name), but they can be destroyed in a single moment of foolish or reckless behavior. 

 

We need to have a clear understanding of those values we hold dear and the principles that dictate how and why we do and say what we do. Acting like one type of person in one setting but behaving like someone entirely different in a different environment is no way to build a good name – or solid reputation. Social chameleons aren’t known for their good names.

 

We’re advised in Proverbs 3:4, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:4). 

 

The psalmist presents us with this wise observation: “How can a young man make his way pure? By living according to [God’s] word…. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9-11). Interestingly, King David of Israel, who wrote many of the psalms, apparently didn’t always keep this admonition in the forefront of his mind, given his tragic moral lapses.

 

So, it seems a good name is something we should always be striving to establish and protect, but there’s no time to let down our guard. The junkyard of reputations has been filled by folks who seemed to be living upright lives – until the time they didn’t.

 

Putting the interests of others is one powerful means for avoiding calamitous stumbles. As the apostle Paul wrote, “‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24). If we can succeed at doing this consistently, our good name mostly likely will remain secure.

Sooner or Later, Everyone Needs an Advocate

Do you ever watch crime shows? I’ve followed a few fairly consistently, and in each episode there’s the moment when the suspect is being questioned by detectives. Just when the interrogating authorities seem to have the alleged perpetrator dead to rights, he or she announces, “I want my lawyer.” What they are really saying is, “I need an advocate to come to my defense.” 

A friend was recalling a time when a few moments of youthful impulsiveness got himself into hot water with law enforcement officials. His actions did not cause anyone’s harm, but still resulted in a citation and an appointment to appear in court before a judge.

 

Initially, my friend thought, “No problem. I’ll just go before the judge, plead my case, and it will all be over.” However, an attorney he knew convinced him otherwise. There’s a protocol that’s followed in the courtroom, the lawyer explained, and determining to serve as one’s own advocate is a recipe for even greater legal problems.

 

On the appointed day, my friend and his attorney dutifully arrived at the courtroom and were summoned before the judge. As instructed, my friend stood silently as the lawyer spoke on his behalf, serving as his advocate. “The judge never looked at me,” my friend recalled. “The judge directed each of his questions to my attorney. In the end, I was sentenced to probation and community service.”

 

If you’ve ever had to appear in court, perhaps this scenario sounds familiar. But even if you’ve never been summoned to a courtroom, there will come a day – as it will for each one of us – when we will stand before a judge: God Almighty, THE Judge of all eternity. As we’re told in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

 

The Scriptures make it clear we will definitely need an advocate then. If we try to justify ourselves based on the lives we have led, even if they seemed fairly good by human standards, we’ll be in serious trouble. As Romans 3:10 declares, “There is no one righteous, not even one…,” and Romans 3:23 asserts, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

 

God, who is perfect, holy and righteous, would rightly judge each one of us guilty and deserving of eternal punishment because of our many sins – disobeying His laws and commands. Except we have an advocate if we have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In 1 John 2:1-2, we read this assurance: “But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

 

When we stand before God and acknowledge our lengthy list of sins, we won’t have to speak on our own behalf. We would have nothing to offer in our defense. However, Jesus, who went to the cross to pay in full the penalty for our sins, will speak up on our behalf. Perhaps He’ll say something like, “It’s okay. He (or she) is with Me. I’ve already taken care of it.”

 

This idea of having an advocate to stand up for the helpless isn’t a New Testament innovation. In the Old Testament’s book of Esther, we read about a man named Mordecai, Esther’s cousin. He was instrumental in foiling a plot to kill the Jews in Persia and Media. At the end of the book it says of Mordecai, “He worked enthusiastically for the good of his people and was an advocate for the welfare of all his descendants” (Esther 10:3).

 

In the book of Job, which tells about a series of terrible losses the God-fearing title character had endured, he encounters unwarranted accusations from a succession of “friends” who feel certain his suffering is punishment for his sins. Job replies, “Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God” (Job 16:19-20).

 

We could cite other examples, but none can compare with what Jesus has done and offers to do on behalf of each one of us. Romans 5:10 states, “For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” And Romans 8:34 proclaims, “Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God – and He is interceding for us.”

 

When the time comes, who will be there to represent you and testify on your behalf? Are you confident the Advocate will come to your defense? If not, today would be a good day to settle that.

Letting Unnecessary Burdens Weigh You Down

Have you ever seen an Olympic runner, whether a sprinter or long-distance competitor, wearing a backpack filled with books and snacks? Or carrying a suitcase? No, unless you happened to see them entering a hotel or getting off a bus at the competition venue. Certainly not while competing on the track. 

 

The reason is obvious. The additional baggage wouldn’t just be clumsy to handle; it also would weigh down the competitors and have a decidedly negative impact on both their speed and endurance.

We find this true for athletes competing in other sports as well. Male swimmers, for example, might remove hair from their chests, arms and legs, seeking to make themselves as sleek as possible, unencumbered by unnecessary weight or resistance as they churn through the water.

 

Why is it that athletes are so keenly aware of encumbrances that could weigh them down, while many of us stumble through life with burdens we were never intended to carry?

 

The Bible refers to them as entanglements, factors of many kinds that can hinder us from experiencing life as God intended for it to be. In Hebrews 12:1, believers are exhorted, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

 

If anyone ever told you that what we commonly refer to as “the Christian life” is easy, here’s the truth: They lied. We live in a tough, sin-ravaged world with many influences seeking to lure us away God’s commands and standards for living. Even in the best circumstances, we’re going to face challenges and various forms of adversity, just like anyone else on this big ball called Earth. Why would we want to wrestle with additional baggage?

 

As the apostle Paul admonished his protégé, Timothy, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4).

 

What are these entanglements the Scriptures are talking about? They can be sins of many kinds, ranging from the mundane to the hardcore. Anything that directs us away from God rather than toward Him. The book of Galatians cites a number of them: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like” (Galatians 5:19-21).

 

Reading this list, each of us can probably point to specific sins – hopefully most of them – and say, “Well, I’m not guilty of that!” But chances are very good that at least a couple of the behaviors mentioned strike a chord. Have you ever observed or experienced hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, self-ambition, or envy, even within the church?

 

Suppose we’ve succeeded somehow in avoiding every one of those sins, although it’s unlikely. That doesn’t mean we’re totally unencumbered. Entanglements also can be good things that hinder us from pursuing things that are best for us. As Oswald Chambers points out in his devotional writings, “Good is the enemy of the best.” 

 

Maybe you’re someone who has a problem saying “No” when asked to do something. Trying not to hurt someone’s feelings, or inclined to be a “pleaser,” you find yourself overcommitted and overwhelmed by obligations that leave you frazzled, frustrated, and anything but free to pursue those things God has uniquely equipped you to do.

 

Or it might be one or more of the many distractions that compete for attention in our 21^st century world – TV, social media, video games, phone apps. They’re not necessarily wrong; but even if they’re entertaining, are they merely good things keeping us away from concentrating on the best?

 

Thinking again of Paul’s soldier metaphor, warriors on the front lines are not the guys running the mess hall or keeping track of the supplies. They’re not staying in close contact with their stockbrokers, looking up last night’s ball scores, or checking the TV listings. They don’t let themselves get entangled with matters not directly related to the battle in front of them. 

 

One time Jesus Christ was confronted by the Pharisees, prominent religious leaders who were seeking to entrap Him for making what they consider “blasphemous” claims. Refusing to beat around the bush, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). 

 

Jesus was speaking of how He came to offer eternal life and a life-transforming relationship with God. However, it’s not a stretch to understand He was also referring to an abundant life lived free of entanglements that impede us from experiencing all the Lord can offer us in this life, as well as the next. 

Next time we find ourselves wrestling with a sin that takes our focus away from God, or making unwise commitments, or wasting time with high-tech distractions, maybe we should imagine an Olympic marathon runner plodding toward the finish line weighed down by a backpack filled with extra running shoes, water bottles and other gear. A marathon – whether it’s a race or a lifetime – is difficult enough without unnecessary entanglements.   

Doing Right in an Age of Demanding Rights

These days, perhaps more than ever before, we hear talk about “my rights.” During my lifetime there have been important movements to secure rights of many kinds. And today, protests and debates continue, sometimes civil and sometimes not. But amid all these demands for rights, the simple act of “doing right” isn’t greeted with the same degree of enthusiasm. And that’s unfortunate.

 

Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr.: "The time is always 
right to do what is
right."
(Wikipedia photo)

It was the great civil rights leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” To state it in a slightly different way, there’s no wrong time to do the right thing.

Years ago, there was much discussion about “situation ethics,” especially in the business world. What’s that? One dictionary defines it as, “the doctrine of flexibility in the application of moral laws according to circumstances.” Another definition is “taking into account only the particular context of an act when evaluating it ethically, rather than judging it only according to absolute moral standards.” Does this have a familiar ring?

 

Even though we might not use the term as much, situation ethics seems to reign in the minds of many people. Doing what Dr. King advised is problematic, because who’s to say what’s right – especially when taking “context” or circumstances into account?

 

This is hardly a new phenomenon. At the end of the Old Testament book of Judges we find this sad assessment: “In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

 

I wonder what would happen if the vast majority of people shifted their focus from, “I want my rights!” to “Am I doing what’s right?”

 

At his Presidential inauguration in 1953, Dwight Eisenhower preceded his inaugural remarks by uttering a very personal but public prayer. It included these words: “Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby….” Of course, this was in the days before notions of “separation of church and state” were enforced. Are we allowed today to petition God for “the power to discern clearly right from wrong”?

 

For some, that seems a very old-fashioned concept, but I think Dr. King was absolutely correct: The time is always right to do what is right.

 

In business, the circumstances may indicate that shading or even twisting the truth might be expedient or advantageous. But is it the right thing to do?

 

While walking through a convenience store, it might seem easy to snatch a pack of gum or a candy bar and leave without paying for it. But even if you’re not caught, is it the right thing to do?

 

If while driving, you receive an alert that a text you’ve been waiting for has arrived, should you read and respond to it – as long as you’re trying to be careful as you steer the car? Or should you ignore your phone until you find an appropriate place to stop? What’s the right thing to do?

 

We could consider hundreds of similar situations, many of them even more serious than those cited above. In another Old Testament book, Deuteronomy, Moses was addressing the Israelites, knowing his time on earth was coming to an end as they were anticipating finally entering the Promised Land. He said:

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse – the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today…” (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).

 

A bit later Moses said, “You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit” (Deuteronomy 12:8). Apparently, the Israelites had become deeply immersed in their own brand of situation ethics, leading them away from the God who had delivered them out of bondage in Egypt.

 

We find one of the best examples of doing the right thing, even when it meant denying one’s personal rights, in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. In the story, a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by robbers and left “half dead.” Two men – a Jewish priest and a Levite – were going down the road later that day and had the opportunity to go to the man’s aid. Instead, each man moved to the other side of the road and acted as if he hadn’t seen him.

 

Finally, a Samaritan – whose people were despised by the Jews – happened by and “took pity on him.” The Samaritan could have reasoned, “Why should I help a Jew? They hate me. Besides, I’ve got places to go and things to do!” However, he chose to do the right thing – bandaging the injured man’s wounds, pouring oil and wine on them to ease his pain, and then taking him to a nearby inn where he could recover. Not only that, but the Samaritan also promised to cover the man’s expenses in full.

 

As He concluded this parable, Jesus asked “the expert in the law” who had prompted the story, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” In other words, which of the men passing by chose to do what was right?

Yes, we all have rights. The U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights defines many of them. But in our troubled, increasingly self-centered world, might it not be a good thing to redirect our concerns toward doing things that are right? 

Turning Discordant Notes into Blessed Harmony

Did you know that not everyone can sing? If you possess a good singing voice, this might come as quite a shock. But believe me – some of us can’t sing, even in the shower. It’s like the old joke, “Can Baptists dance?” Answer: “Well, some can. Some can’t.”

 

I do recall singing in the children’s choir when I was a boy, but once my voice started to change, all hope of generating melodious notes from my vocal cords was lost. I’m so glad that Psalm 100:1 says we’re to “Make a joyful noise to the Lord,” because even on my best days, that’s all I can do.

 

Lack of singing aptitude doesn’t excuse us from singing praises to God, even if we couldn’t even qualify for the laugh track on “American Idol.” The Psalms – literally, “The Songs” – instruct us to do so. Psalm 98:1, for example, states very clearly, “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.” 

 

Three verses later it adds, “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music,” and Psalm 98:7 says, “Let the sea resound and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This is helpful since while my singing skills may be about .5 on a scale of 1 to 10, I have been known to shout as well as resound from time to time.

 

I’ve known – or more accurately, heard – people who couldn’t sing any better than I could, only they didn’t know it. Or else they chose to sing anyway. What can we say about such folks? Proverbs 21:2 states, “A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Thankfully from God’s point of view, it’s not the quality of singing that matters most, but our motives. A heart in tune with the Lord, even though the voice may be out of tune, is far more pleasing to Him than a marelous voice motivated by pride or applause.

 

In today’s contemporary worship, the pipe organ has been replaced by guitars, keyboards and drums. In those settings, choirs and choral arrangements are rarely if ever heard. And often the electronic music is so loud it’s difficult to hear oneself sing, let alone the person standing next to you.

 

Some congregations, however, have maintained traditional forms of music, including organs and choirs. For those worship settings, congregational singing is also an important element. I think back to the days when that was my standard worship experience – a collection of singers and non-singers, harmonious and not so, joining together. And amazingly enough, they were able to produce vocal music that somehow sounded beautiful. Discordant notes blending together to create divine harmony.

 

Please don’t understand me to be dissing modern praise music. There’s much of it to be commended – along with some that’s not so deserving. But the human body is made up of disparate parts, performing very different functions; when working properly, it results in something we call “good health.” Similarly, I think the widespread deemphasis on congregational singing is depriving many of us of the opportunity to participate in making “a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

 

I like the words of Colossians 3:15-16, in which the apostle Paul admonished believers in ancient Colossae about teaching and singing with one another: 

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

 

Who knows, perhaps Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7) was that he couldn’t sing. Probably not, but wouldn’t it be funny if it were? Anyway, he too was exhorting all to sing, and didn’t suggest any exceptions or exclusions. In essence he was saying, “Sing out! Sing loud!” Maybe that was one way of letting the peace of Christ rule in their hearts.

 

On many occasions I’ve had the joy of being in assemblies where believers from many different countries joined to sing familiar hymns and songs in their own languages. To the human ear it may have sounded like a high school orchestra tuning up. God receives our vocal offerings very differently, I believe. We’re told, “For we are to God the aroma of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 2:15). 

As Paul wrote, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). My singing to me might sound like the moaning of a dying frog, but to God it’s “a joyful noise.” 

Meeting Strangers Who Really Aren’t Strangers

Have you ever met someone and felt an almost immediate bond with them? It might have been their engaging smile, quick wit, or magnetic personality. But sometimes this bond occurs when you discover you’ve got something significant in common – perhaps you were both from the same part of the country; attended the same college; were members of the same profession; knew some of the same people; had vacationed in the same places; or shared common interests.

Whatever the link might be, it results in turning this “stranger” into an instant friend. No longer a stranger. Your lives may be different in many ways, but whatever your point of commonality is, it bridges those differences, allowing you to easily relate to one another on that basis alone.

 

This has happened to me many times t. I’ve met folks who share my fervor for the Ohio State Buckeyes; people who also grew up in my home state; fellow photographers; even those that enjoy the same restaurants. But this instant connection has occurred most often when I’ve discovered that he or she is a brother or sister in Jesus Christ.

 

I experienced this just two weeks ago, when I was invited to a meeting where I met a Christian business leader from Taiwan. I had known nothing about “Ben” before we met, but as we talked together, it was a source of joy to discover we shared a common devotion to the Lord.

 

This instant bond of faith has become most evident while traveling in other parts of the world, discovering that someone in Hungary, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Venezuela, the Netherlands, El Salvador or Mexico worships and serves the same God that I do, even if they do so in a different language and worshipping in a different style, in keeping with their culture.

 

We see a wonderful example of this in the apostle Paul’s letter to followers of Christ in ancient Rome. He had never been there but knew about the bond of faith they had in common. In his introduction, Paul writes these words of encouragement:

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart…is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you” (Romans 1:8-10)

 

Clearly, even though they had not met in person – I bet Paul would have loved to have access to something like Skype or Zoom – their spiritual kinship was unmistakable. And he realized it would be even stronger when they could interact face to face. As he said, “I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:11-12).

 

Later in this epistle Paul explained more specifically his intentions for traveling at last to Rome. He said with enthusiasm, “I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ” (Romans 15:29).

 

I think I understand what he meant by “the blessing of Christ,” at least in part. Whenever I’ve been able to spend time with fellow believers, I’ve not only been able to share some of what God has been teaching me, but also learned from them and gained a fuller appreciation of how God is working in geographic areas and cultures unlike my own. My sense of His majesty and power has been greatly expanded.

 

When Jesus commanded His followers to “Go into all the world and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19), I believe this was not just to evangelize people and help them come to saving faith. It was also to help those who have received the Lord’s saving grace to grow and “be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith,” as Paul stated.

We’re not called to live for God in isolation; He wants us to engage in ministry together, in whatever ways He sees fit.  Because, after all, “We are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). What greater, more profound bond could we have than this? 

Executing Properly a Handful of Fundamental Movements

When some people approach a task or an activity, whether carrying out a work assignment or planting a flower garden, they find themselves wanting to do everything just right, seeking to dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t’ perfectly. Their high standards and lofty intentions must be exhausting. On the other hand, there are those who prefer to do their work with half-hearted, just-enough-to-get-by efforts. They’re never going to win awards for their work ethic.

 

What about a “middle ground” – pursuing excellence, but not expecting to always squeeze perfection out of an imperfect human being? Recently in one of his radio messages, Alistair Begg mentioned a very insightful quote from legendary golfer Ben Hogan in his book, Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf.

Hogan played professional golf from the 1930s through the mid-1950s, winning nine major tournament championships, 64 PGA victories in all, and gaining renown for his ball-striking ability. But this hall of famer didn’t achieve all that with natural ability alone.

 

As the golf icon wrote in his book, “In 1946, my attitude suddenly changed. I would guess what lay behind my new confidence was this: I had stopped trying to do a great many things perfectly because it had become clear in my mind that this ambitious over-thoroughness was neither possible [or] advisable, [nor] even necessary. All that is really required to play good golf is to execute properly a relatively small number of true fundamental movements.” 

 

If golf is your passion, this might give you extra motivation. But even if it isn’t your thing – and it’s not mine either – the point Hogan made can apply to practically any area of life. 

 

As he wisely observed, the perpetual quest for perfection isn’t possible; it’s also inadvisable and unnecessary. There’s only one Person who was perfect in everything He did on earth, and we’re not Him. That makes Hogan’s main point all the more meaningful.

 

What do you spend a lot of time doing that you could improve upon, and even master, if you were to “execute properly a relatively small number of true fundamental movements”? Many of us tend to overcomplicate things, when proper execution of basic fundamentals is really all we need.

 

Let me offer a personal example. As I’ve mentioned before, after a lapse of many years, I decided to resume taking drum lessons. However, watching videos of accomplished drummers, I’ve been tempted to throw my sticks in the trash and forsake this hobby forever. I don’t anticipate having another 30-40 years to refine my skills. But the fact is, I can still enjoy playing drums as long as I learn how to properly execute a relatively small number of true fundamental movements – basic “grooves” and “fills” that can make even average drummers look good.

 

Before you stop reading, saying, “I care not one whit about drumming!”, let’s shift the focus to a much more important endeavor – the pursuit of spiritual growth.

 

If you’re a sincere follower of Jesus Christ, the thought might cross your mind occasionally, “I wish I were a spiritual giant, someone with a broad understanding and knowledge of the Bible who’s able to teach others how to grow. But I can’t compare with people I admire.” We’ve probably all been there at one time or another. 

 

But like golf and other worthwhile pursuits, spiritual growth also has a relatively small number of true fundamental movements. We just need to learn how to execute them properly. Let me offer some relatively simple suggestions:

 

Time in the Scriptures. Psalm 119:9-11 asks and answers an important question: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word…. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Learning and embracing biblical truth doesn’t come through osmosis. It requires intentional time reading the Bible, not just for information but for revelation, expecting God to speak to us through it.

 

Diligence in prayer. One of the shortest, yet most profound, verses in the Bible is 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing” – or if that’s too long for you, how about the NIV translation, “Pray continually.” Prayer, along with reading God’s Word, is how we communicate with the Lord – and how He communicates with us. We don’t need to be in a special place or pray only at a particular time. We can – and should – do it all the time, wherever we are.

 

Meeting with other believers. Hebrews 10:24-25 is a powerful reminder that being a faithful, fruitful follower of Jesus Christ doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s best accomplished as we interact with and receive encouragement from other believers. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” And what is that “Day”? The day of Christ’s return, which could be any moment.

 

Investing God’s blessings in others. When we think of giving, money is usually the first thing that comes to mind. The work of God needs financial support, and He uses His people as conduits for providing it. But we can also give of our time, as well as our talents and abilities. And we should do so joyfully. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

 

You can probably think of some other “true fundamental movements” for growing in our walk with Jesus, but I think these would get anyone off to a good start.

Maybe It’s Time to Return to Our Roots

The American flag flying with other national flags in Capri, Italy.

Since I was born on July 4^th, I guess I couldn’t help but grow up feeling very patriotic, thrilling to every sight of the “red, white and blue.” I’ve always loved spotting an American flag unfurled wherever I went, even on my international travels, including Italy and Jamaica. I recall several years ago being on the picturesque island of Capri, Italy, where “Old Glory” was waving proudly along with the Italian flag and several others, overlooking splendid yachts anchored below near the Tyrrhenian Sea.

These days being a patriot has gone out of fashion in the eyes of some. However, even though people certainly have the right to express criticism of the United States, justified or not, they should remember that’s only possible because of the freedoms we enjoy in this imperfect nation.

 

Like this flag photographed at 
Mackinac Island, Mich., Old
Glory today is tattered but proud.

What role God has played – if any – in the founding and establishing of this nation has been fodder for much debate through the years. However, it has been enlightening to read The Founder’s Bible, which presents the Scriptures in their entirety, along with hundreds of articles and commentaries about our Founding Fathers. Based on their statements and writings, the evidence is overwhelming that they had no intention of segregating matters of faith from matters of governing our country, at least in the manner the so-called “separation of church and state” is typically interpreted.

Here’s a very small sampling, taken from The Founder’s Bible, of specific things the writers and signers of the United States of America’s original documents had to say regarding the Bible and its application for public laws and institutions:

      ”It has been the error of schools to teach astronomy and all the other sciences and subjects of natural philosophy as accomplishments only, whereas they should be taught theologically, or with reference to the Being who is the Author of them, for all the principles of science are of Divine origin.” – Thomas Paine

 

      “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If ‘Thou shalt not covet’ and ‘Thou shalt not steal’ were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society before it can be civilized or made free.” – John Adams

 

      “God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.” – John Witherspoon

 

      “To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoy…. Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government – and all the blessings which flow from them – must fall with them.” – Jedidiah Morse

 

Speaking at the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin recognized how divine intervention had undeniably contributed to the United States’ march toward freedom: “…All of us engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor…. And now we have forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men.”

 

Founding Father Benjamin Rush, known as “The Father of Public Schools Under the Constitution,” wrote “A Defense for the Use of the Bible as a School Book.” Among the numerous reasons he cited for including the Bible in the public school curriculum included: 

      “That Christianity is the only true and perfect religion; and that in proportion as mankind adopt its principles and obey its precepts, they are wise and happy…. That the Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present state than any other book in the world.”

 

Such ideas were embraced for nearly the first two centuries of our nation. In the early 1960s, the move for separating church and state as it’s presently understood gained great momentum. However, in 1950, the Florida Supreme Court said this:

      “A people unschooled about the sovereignty of God, the Ten Commandments, and the ethics of Jesus could never have evolved the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. There is not one solitary fundamental principle of our democratic policy that did not stem directly from the basic moral concepts as embodied in the Decalogue and the ethics of Jesus.”

 

It’s obvious that in many ways our nation has drifted from the views cited above, as well as thousands like them. The U.S.A. might not be the “new Israel,” but its system of laws and form of government were rooted in Judeo-Christian principles. And for a long time, our nation stood at the forefront of the mission to take the Gospel to all nations. The fact that biblical values are now being abandoned, even ridiculed, could that be at the heart of many of our society’s ills?

 

In the Old Testament, the people of Israel enjoyed God’s blessings only to later reject Him and go their own way. The price they paid each time, individually and collectively, was severe. Consider one example of the Lord’s judgment:

“What more was there to do for My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones?... I will remove its hedge and it will be consumed; I will break down its wall and it will become trampled ground…” (Isaiah 5:4-5).

The United States, a nation founded on principles integrally intertwined with God’s revealed truth, for many years flourished and enjoyed a unique – even favored – position in the world. Can we still say that today? Could it be time for us to cease rebelling against the God of creation and return to our roots?