Recognizing the Wartime Dead and the Cause for Which They Died

Today marks a solemn observance, Memorial Day, when our thoughts turn to the men and women who have sacrificed their lives in service to our country. The first national observance, then known as Decoration Day, was held in May 1868. More than 100 years later, Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday to be observed the last Monday in May.

 

An American flag flies
proudly in Burlington, VT.

Wars are terrible. We hate them, as we should. But as history has proven time and again, sometimes wars are unavoidable. Why? I believe we find the answer – at least for the U.S.A. – in the final and least-known stanza of the poem by Francis Scott Key that became our National Anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner.

Written by attorney Key during the War of 1812, that concluding verse affirmed what most Americans believed at that time:

Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land

Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us as a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto – ‘In God Is Our Trust.’

 

As I’ve been reading through a hefty volume called The Founders’ Bible, the complete Bible plus hundreds of articles, commentaries and notes about what the America’s founding fathers truly thought about the Bible and Christianity, I’ve been amazed. George Washington, the first President of the United States, said:

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor.” 

 

Washington’s successor, John Adams, echoed those sentiments:

“The safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessings of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgement of this truth is…an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him.”

 

The Founders’ Bible presents hundreds of quotations from dozens more of the founding fathers, including those with names like Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, John Hancock, and Noah Webster. Contrary to common contemporary belief, the framers of our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution saw no cause for excluding matters of faith and piety from conduct and policies in the public square.

 

So, as we honor and memorialize the self-sacrifices of the countless thousands of men and women who have given their lives on battlefields at home and abroad, we can be assured they did not do so without purpose – or in vain. 

 

Proverbs 14:34 declares, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” We’re living in an age when virtues of righteousness are sneered at and disparaged. As a consequence, we seem to be reaping the result – sin that condemns any people.

 

As the ancient Israelites were poised to finally enter the Promised Land, which would necessitate doing battle with hostile, pagan nations, Moses gave them this charge:

“See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, ‘Surely, this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' And what other nation is so great as to have their gods near to them the way the Lord our God is near to us whenever we pray to Him?" (Deuteronomy 4:5-7).

Despite our nation’s spiritual heritage, which was necessarily bathed in bloodshed of noble soldiers, we seem to have forgotten admonitions from our founding fathers and the Scriptures themselves. As we soberly and thankfully remember those who lost their lives in defense of the United States and its underlying principles, may we pray to see a return to the beliefs and practices that make for a nation that is exalted by righteousness. 

An Option Far Superior to ‘White-Out’

Believe it or not, I learned to type on a real typewriter. The kind probably on display at the Smithsonian Institute. Not only that, but it was a manual typewriter, meaning the keys didn’t instantly depress with just a light touch as was the case with electric typewriters. You had to exert real finger power to push letters toward a piece of paper, along with inserting spaces between words, sentences and lines.

 

On top of that, we had a tool called “White-Out” that was necessary to make corrections. For younger readers, the typewriters we used couldn’t highlight words or sentences and then remove them either by hitting a delete button or by cutting and pasting. Nope, we had to make corrections and changes just as we typed – manually. The alternative was having to retype an entire page.

I mention this not to take a stroll down memory lane or offer a history lesson on the challenges of being a writer all those years before the invention of the desktop computer. It’s just that White-Out brings to mind what Jesus Christ did for each of us on the cross, although the analogy admittedly has limitations.

 

White-Out worked pretty well, but if you wanted to present a flawless paper – perhaps for a college class or to submit a manuscript – a careful observer could still see if incorrections had been covered up. On the other side of the paper, you could find impressions of errors still there. So, an error wasn’t truly removed; it was just concealed from view.

 

Contrast that with the atoning sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross when He shed His blood for us. Many believers refer to this as being “covered in the blood.” Ephesians 1:7 asserts, “in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:20 expresses it another way: “and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”

 

Instead of “White-Out,” Jesus removed our sins, which the Scriptures also term as “transgressions,” with red – His own blood. Our sins that Christ atoned for, giving us complete and eternal forgiveness, aren’t just covered over, as if they could be swept under a rug. They are removed completely. We’re assured in Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

 

If that’s not clear enough, the Lord assures us in Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remember your sins no more.”

 

Many of us wrestle with memories of sins committed in the past, thinking, ‘How could I have done that?’ or ‘How could I have said that?’ God doesn’t have a problem with memory; He chooses to both forgive and forget our sins, wiping them away without a trace, unlike the typewriter’s “White-Out which merely covered over errors. 

 

As it says in Hebrews 9:14, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death….” Similarly, Romans 5:9 announces, “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” 

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, is rightly termed “Good News” because we no longer need to be burdened by guilt for sins that can’t be undone. The last book in the Bible, opens with this reminder about “… [Jesus Christ] who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation 1:5).

 

Perhaps at times you have found yourself dwelling on the past, wishing there were some kind of spiritual White-Out to make rueful memories and the consequences of your sins go away. At such times we need to remember Jesus has done something better – much, much better. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).

 

The question is, have we truly received Christ as Savior and Lord? John 1:12 states, “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” If we have that assurance, then we can find comfort and confidence in the promise of 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”

 

God uses neither White-Out nor whitewash. In the words of the old hymn, “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins; and sinners, plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains.” Not covered up – it’s gone completely. Amen and amen!

Every Day Should Be Mother’s Day

As I write my posts a couple weeks in advance, I try to look ahead to special events and annual holiday observances. However, this year’s Mother’s Day has already come and gone – I failed to address it in advance. Not by intention. Truth be told, I think every day should be Mother’s Day.

 

In our extended family we now have 10 women who are mothers: My wife, four daughters, one daughter-in-law, three granddaughters and a granddaughter-in-law. As I observe each of these ladies in action, I can’t help but marvel in admiration, how devoted they are to those God has entrusted to their care. 

A mom’s mission begins about nine months before baby is ready to make its initial public appearance. Being a male, there’s no way I can understand or relate to the childbearing process. The excitement and anticipation are great, I know, but so are the discomfort and pain. What makes it all worthwhile is the magical moment when the doctor or nurse declares, “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” and the contractions come to an end. But then the real work begins.

 

The roles of mother and father are equally important, but they’re not the same. Moms have unique relationships with their children, as they should. After all, they did get that nine-month head start on dad. When a child falls and suffers a scratch, they typically cry, “I want my mommy!” When cameras pan the sidelines of college football games, players often turn and shout, “Hi, Mom!” Some dads might wonder, “What am I, chopped liver?”

 

In today’s society, the responsibilities of motherhood in many cases are greater than ever. In the vast majority of single-parent homes, it’s the mother who carries the load, serving as housekeeper, chef, breadwinner, money manager, chauffeur, nurse and many other duties. I frankly don’t know how single moms do it. 

 

We could talk about the tragedy of broken homes and why an intact family with both mother and father present is preferable. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up….” This is true for practically any pursuit, whether starting a business, undertaking a project – or raising a family. But that doesn’t diminish in the slightest the invaluable role of being a mother.

 

We see many positive references to motherhood in the Bible. Eve was the first mother and experienced great sorrow with her first two sons, Cain and Abel, the former becoming a murderer and the latter his victim. But she had a third son, Seth, who apparently lived a good, long life and established a long line of descendants.

 

The Old Testament book of Genesis also gives us the stories of women like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Hannah, who prayed many years for children before God fulfilled their desires. The first chapter in the New Testament tells us about Mary, the first person to receive the announcement that she would become the earthly mother of the promised Messiah. Her cousin Elizabeth, another woman who was barren until her later years, became the mother of the child who became John the Baptist, the herald of Jesus Christ.

 

In the Scriptures we see the mission of motherhood as being much more than managing the household and nurturing their offspring. Mothers also help to lay the spiritual foundation for their children. As the apostle Paul acknowledged to his protégé, Timothy, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).

 

The apostle also referred to the role of mothers as he described the process of teaching and discipling young believers: “…we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).

 

I hope every mother reading this enjoyed celebrating Mother’s Day and that fathers honored their wives appropriately. But the moms in our lives deserve such recognition every day of the year, not just a single appointed holiday. We couldn’t do without them!

Trite But True: An Attitude of Gratitude

“Son, you better change your attitude!” I heard my parents say this to me more than once while I was growing up. I wasn’t a particularly rebellious kid but was known for sometimes stomping up the stairs to my room when I didn’t get my way.

 

Attitude issues don’t afflict only adolescents and teens. Just go to any store or restaurant and you’ll find lots of different attitudes on display. Some people are smiling and laughing, just getting a kick out of life in general. Some carry chips on their shoulders, daring you to knock them off. Some wear scowls, whether reflective of their tough lives or difficulties they’re presently encountering. Maybe they made the mistake of watching the news to launch their day. Talk about mood killers!

 

The thing about attitudes is that we choose them; they don’t choose us. If you find yourself in a mud puddle covered with mud, you can either stay there all muddled or get out and start cleaning up. It works the same way with attitudes. If we feel an emotional shadow moving upon us, we can stay still waiting for it to envelope us or intentionally move out of the shadow.

 

This is why, trite as it sounds, I try to maintain what some speakers have labeled “an attitude of gratitude.” Perhaps conceived by some poet who didn’t know it, it’s been repeated so much it has turned into a handy cliché. But there’s validity to it.

 

Almost every day, even before I get out of bed, I repeat the verse, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Recognizing God has given us another day of life – which many people didn’t get – and that He’s in the middle of all we’ll be doing, we can choose to rejoice and be glad, no matter what. In short, adopt an attitude of gratitude as we enter the new day with its possibilities and challenges.

 

If there ever was someone who could have justified having a bad attitude, it was the apostle Paul. After his conversion, he zealously set out to serve the Lord and proclaim to others the good news of Jesus Christ. His “reward,” it seemed, was one calamity after another.

 

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 Paul described a litany of episodes that certainly didn’t reflect a life lived in the lap of luxury: “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods…stoned…shipwrecked…in danger…I have known hunger and thirst…cold and naked.” Wow – and you thought you were having a bad day!

 

Would you expect someone who went through all these things to serve as Exhibit A for having an attitude of gratitude? And yet this was the same man who exhorted Christ followers in the ancient city of Philippi, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). 

 

Paul wasn’t singling out the folks in Philippi. He also unequivocally admonished believers in another Greek city, Thessalonica, “Be joyful always…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

 

Without question, we can find many reasons for doing just the opposite. We don’t have to look hard. Unfulfilled goals and unrealized dreams. Personal sorrows. Unmet expectations. Not to mention the current state of social unrest, troubled economy, political grandstanding, and a seemingly endless progression of downers that describe life in the 21^st century. Nevertheless, reading the Scriptures we find no exceptions, no exclusion clauses.

 

Instead, we’re to do as 2 Corinthians 4:18 commands: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

In the world around us the mantra might seem to be, “If you can’t say something bad…don’t say anything at all.” But as disciples of Christ, we’re offered the alternative: "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” (Titus 2:13). 

We’re to look up – and forward – to a glorious future in eternity rather than becoming consumed by dismal elements of the present. If we do that, we can feel and exhibit a genuine attitude of gratitude, no faking required. 

Convoluted Path for the Finished Product

Who among us wouldn’t like to experience a nice, easy, pain-free life? Only in our dreams. The reality of everyday living – as it’s been since time immemorial – is that it’s often a struggle. At times adversity seems like our closest friend.  

However, struggles we encounter can be good, especially if we embrace them, strive to learn from them, and grow as we go through them. The late author and poet Maya Angelou observed, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

 

What a perfect example, the butterfly. It starts as an egg, then hatches into a worm-like larva (which we call a caterpillar) that we see slinking along the ground or a sidewalk, desperately hoping no one steps on it or some kid doesn’t decide to use it as a little play toy. 

Then, when the time is right, it forms a chrysalis, a shield to protect it from extreme temperatures, parasites, and drying out. This serves as its home while the insect undergoes an amazing metamorphosis, body tissue breaking down to reform into wings, legs and other adult parts.

 

But the would-be butterfly’s struggle isn’t over yet. One important step remains. It must work its way out of the chrysalis, a struggle releasing chemicals that strengthen its wings. If a well-intentioned human tries to “assist” the butterfly in escaping the chrysalis, the butterfly is likely doomed. The Houdini-like struggle is critical for its development into the beautiful insect we observe flitting from place to place.

 

That’s basically how the ugly, fuzzy caterpillar changes into a glorious flying specimen. This mirrors the process God uses to transform His children from helpless, clumsy spiritual “caterpillars” to the “butterflies” He intends for us to become. It’s how we can trust 1 John 3:2 is true when it says, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

 

Can you imagine someone communicating with a caterpillar and showing it a photo of a butterfly, explaining, “This is what you’re going to look like”? If this were possible, the caterpillar likely would respond, “No way!” That’s what I think whenever I read the promise of 1 John 3:2, but it’s right there.

 

Contrary to those who would preach a theology of health, wealth and prosperity, the Bible repeatedly reminds us that struggle and hardship are part of the “job description” for all true followers of Christ. After declaring, “we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God,” the apostle Paul adds, “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us…” (Romans 5:2-5).

 

Lest we make the mistake of rationalizing, “oh, that was just Paul. He went through some very hard times and was trying to make sense of them,” we find basically the same declaration by the apostle James: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

 

“Mature and complete.” This kind of sounds like that industrious caterpillar constructing the chrysalis in which it would transform into a wondrous winged butterfly, an indispensable step in its transformational process. Similarly, when we face times of suffering, trials and testing, we can grumble and complain, muttering “Lord, why me?” Or we can accept them as being allowed by God to move forward the necessary spiritual process of transforming us into the image of His Son.

 

Sometimes difficulties we face are the result of our own doing, as God admonished the Israelites, “you will suffer for your sins” (Numbers 14:34). Sin, even when we receive forgiveness, still carries consequences. However, that’s not always the cause of our struggles. Just as Jesus Christ endured suffering on our behalf, as His followers we’re called to experience “the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death” (Philippians 3:10).

 

Are you going through a particular struggle right now – financial difficulties, health problems, family strife, challenges at work, adjusting to an unfamiliar stage of life, battling a recurring area of temptation? Remember the butterfly and its convoluted path to become a finished product, the lovely creature God made it to be. 

 

And most of all, remember the Lord Jesus, who not only suffered for us, but also is present with us in our own struggles: “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18).

 

‘Listen’ and ‘Silent’ – Two Peas in a Communication Pod

Did you ever notice that the words “listen” and “silent” consist of the same letters? Taking that into account, is it any wonder we have so much trouble communicating these days?

 

TV is littered with talk shows on which everyone is doing just that – talking – but hardly anyone seems willing to listen. Instead, we have groups of people impatiently waiting for one of their colleagues to take a breath so they can jump in with their own comments. I wonder what the response would be if someone decided to broadcast a “listen show” instead of the talk variety?

 

Years ago, I taught business communications classes for two accelerated college degree programs. During that span, communications changed radically. The telephone had already been invented by then (it wasn’t that long ago), but the first classes I taught were before the advent of email, the Internet, and cellphones. One thing that did not change during those years – even to this day – was the fine, oft-neglected art of listening.

 

In one session I would introduce what was called “the LADDER concept of active listening.” LADDER was an acronym for:

Look at the person.

Ask for clarification.

Don’t interrupt just if you think you have something to say.

Don’t change the subject.

Express how you feel.

Respond and give feedback.

 

I think you can understand how it might enhance successful communicating if we were to make and maintain eye contact with the person speaking; ask them to clarify anything that’s unclear; not interject our thoughts while the other person is still speaking; stay on topic; convey how what’s been said makes us feel; and then, when the other person has had the opportunity to finish what they were saying, we would react.

 

Many of these six steps for active listening do require our silence, at least for a time. When Simon & Garfunkel recorded their hit tune, “The Sounds of Silence,” I don’t think they had listening in mind, but the sounds of silence would make it easier for each of us not only to physically hear the other person but also to truly listen to what they’re saying.

 

I like what the eminently practical Old Testament book of Proverbs has to say about communications – and listening. You might recall my citing this verse before, but Proverbs 10:19 is profound: “Where there are many words, transgression is not avoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” It’s a lesson I’ve had to learn the hard way more than once.

 

Another proverb offers a similar sentiment: “A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue” (Proverbs 11:2). Then there’s Proverbs 13:3 which says, “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.” Do these verses make you think of someone – or any groups of people?

 

Dozens of other verses address the uses and abuses of the spoken word, but Proverbs also presents wisdom about the how-to’s and how-not-to’s of listening. For instance, Proverbs 18:13 gives this convicting admonition: “He who answers before listening – that is to his folly and shame.”

 

It may seem like stating the obvious, but Proverbs 20:12 reminds us, “Ears that hear and eyes that see – the Lord has made them both.” Reminds me of the sage who observed, “God made one mouth and two ears. We should use them in that proportion.”

 

Why do so many people seem to be making statements and offering comments that don’t advance the cause for successful communication? It might be because they haven’t exerted the necessary effort to listen. When Proverbs 15:23 declares, “A man finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word,” one way for ensuring the appropriateness and timeliness of a reply is if the speaker has first taken the time to listen.

 

Not one of us is perfect – sorry to break the news to you if you’d been thinking otherwise – which means from time to time we can benefit from caring correction. But to receive it, we must engage in that difficult communication practice: Listen. As Proverbs 25:12 observes, “Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.”

We might be tempted to respond, “They’re not listening to me! Why should I listen to them?” I suppose it’s because someone needs to set the example. Why shouldn’t it be us? 

Willing To Take on the Challenge?

The Christian life, if we’re honest about it, isn’t easy. We’re called to live by faith, which Hebrews 11:1 defines as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Living in a visible, tangible world, trusting in the invisible and intangible can be difficult. 

But God hasn’t left us bereft of things of substance on which to cling. He’s provided the world with its sights and sounds and smells, tastes and feels, to reveal Himself to us. Romans 1:19-20 declares, “since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

 

Perhaps most tangible of all God has provided for us is His Word, the Bible that we can hold in our hands, read with our eyes, even sniff if you’re a fan of the smell of paper and ink. In a sense, it’s like a letter from a spouse or other loved one. Even though they’re not physically present, their words on a page make it seem as if they’re with us.

And yet the Bible is often described as the best-selling, least-read book in the world. In many homes, it seems, the Bible’s sole purpose is to collect dust. That’s unfortunate, because the Scriptures are a spiritual treasure trove God has given to teach us what need to know about Him. Even if you were to read from it every day of your life, you’d barely scratched its surface.

 

One of the most daunting challenges a follower of Christ can undertake is to read the entire Bible. It’s literally a book of books, consisting of 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books. Depending on which version of the Bible you have – and whether it contains footnotes and other teaching tools – its length can range from 1,500 to more than 2,000 pages.

 

However, it’s a challenge I’ve accepted on many occasions. The first time I read through the Bible was in 1965-66, during my senior year of high school. Being an avid reader, I didn’t do it because of spiritual zeal. It was simply a goal, and admittedly what I gained from it then was minimal. I read it front to back, Genesis to Revelation, five chapters a night. Upon finishing the last page, I put it on my bookshelf and thought, ‘Well, I’ve read the Bible. Now what should I read?’

 

Thankfully, it’s been a different story since then. Over the past four decades I’ve read through the Bible more than 20 times. This isn’t to brag. I’ve just learned the Scriptures are inexhaustible, like peeling an onion and discovering that whenever you remove one layer, there’s another layer under it. It’s become my guidebook, “a lamp for my feet, a light for my path,” as Psalm 119:105 terms it, with new understanding and insights unfolding every time I read it.

 

John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States, was a strong advocate of reading the Scriptures. Writing to his son, Adams said, “I have myself for many years made it a practice to read the Bible once every year…with the intention and desire that it may contribute to my advance is wisdom and virtue.”

 

Later the father explained to the younger Adams his strong belief “that when duly read and meditated on it is of all books in the world that which contributes most to make men good, wise, and happy….” Apparently, Adams saw no necessity for separating faith and government.

 

Have you ever read the Bible in its entirety? If not, you have lots of company. As I said, it’s a daunting undertaking. For most of us, it’s easier to attend a church service and have our pastors impart to us what they’ve digested from diligent study. That’s not bad, but it’s no substitute for spending time alone with God in His Word and letting the Holy Spirit be our teacher.

 

You might be thinking, “That sounds good, but I wouldn’t know how to get started.” Or “I tried it once and did okay for a while, but then I got to Leviticus and Numbers and felt like I was in the wilderness with the Israelites!” Yep, I know the feeling.

 

Articles, booklets and even books have been written about how to read the Bible, but let me offer a couple of suggestions:

 

First, I’d advise not trying to read the Bible cover to cover, front to back as we do most books. The Old Testament, with all its richness, can seem overwhelming. More than once while reading it I’ve wondered, “What’s this got to do with me?” I’ve found it helpful to read from both the Old and New Testaments concurrently. Frankly, when a section of the Old Testament seems a bit deep, switching to a New Testament passage can feel like coming up for air.

 

Second, I’d recommend using a guide for reading the Bible. “One-year Bibles” conveniently present portions from both the Old and New Testament for daily reading, and often include brief passages from the Psalms and Proverbs. I’ve used several of these editions.

 

Years ago, I came across a “Through the Bible in a Year” day-by-day reading schedule in a study Bible. It’s served as my biblical “road map” numerous times. It’s not mandatory to follow such a schedule “religiously.” If you miss a day or two, you can catch up later. And it’s not make-or-break; if you don’t finish the Bible in one calendar year you can progress at your own pace, even if it takes 14 or 15 months, or longer.

 

What a blessing it is to read all of God’s Word at least once. You’ll discover stories – lots of them – as well as history, poetry, prophecy, doctrine, rules for living, and countless reasons for hope and encouragement in a discouraging world. As 2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

 

Most of all, you’ll find Jesus Christ in every one of the Bible’s 66 books. He doesn’t wait to appear until the first chapter of the gospel of Matthew. John 1:1-2 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning” – which means Jesus was actively involved even in Genesis’ creation story.

Revisiting the Spiritual Sponge Principle

As I’ve admitted before, I’m not a handyman in any sense of the word. Mechanical genes my grandfather passed on to my father and uncle skipped over me. I still have a considerable assortment of tools inherited from my dad, but his skills didn’t come attached to them. 

 

Even though I’m the equivalent of a craftsman with two left feet, I appreciate what tools can do. I can hammer a nail (sometimes) and turn a screwdriver when necessary, but I’m wise enough to entrust any task of greater complexity to someone who knows what they’re doing.

 

One versatile tool I’ve found very handy might not be the first that comes to mind. It’s useful for washing a car, wiping up spills, cleaning windows, removing children’s artwork from walls, and a host of other everyday tasks. You might have guessed I’m referring to the humble sponge.

Sponges come in many shapes and sizes; they’re extremely useful. That is, until they’re not. Sponges can soak up lots of liquid, but when saturated they become basically useless. Try as you will, a sponge won’t soak up another drop. But we don’t throw the sponge away, do we? No, we just squeeze the sponge’s contents into a bucket or onto the ground and voila! We’re good to go again.

 

My purpose isn’t to sing the praises of sponges. But long ago I discovered something I call “God’s spiritual sponge principle.” It’s the idea that the Lord will entrust to each of us only as much spiritual riches as we’re willing to use. If we don’t put into practice what we’ve learned, He won’t give us more. Apparently, He detests spiritual hoarders.

 

How do I know this? I believe it’s clearly taught in the Scriptures. The New Testament book of Philemon isn’t one we often hear taught on Sundays. One reason is it consists of a single chapter and only 25 verses. Despite its brevity, one of its verses encapsulates in a handful of words this spiritual sponge concept.

 

The apostle Paul writes to someone named Philemon, described as “our dear friend and fellow worker,” and several other people. In verse 6 Paul says, “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” This seems to indicate that as we exercise our faith – whether evangelistically with non-believers or in sharing what we’ve learned with fellow believers – we grow in our understanding of God’s truth.

 

This phrasing is from an early edition of the New International Version; other Bible versions translate this statement somewhat differently. But it seems consistent with what the Bible teaches elsewhere. 

 

For instance, writing to the Church in Philippi, Paul admonishes, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to do according to His good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13). He’s telling them to work out what the Lord has already worked into them.

 

Then there’s Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, in which a wealthy man leaving on a journey entrusts property into his servants’ care. He gives them differing amounts to oversee, one five talents, another two talents, and the third one talent. Upon returning the man asks each for an accounting of how they used what he gave them to manage.

 

Servants 1 and 2 put their money to work and gained more for their master. Commending them, the rich man tells both, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things….”

 

The third, however, had simply hidden his talent, explaining, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground” (Matthew 25:24-25). His master wasn't buying the excuse, however. He took the single talent from the servant and gave it to the one who had gained the most.

 

“For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him,” the master declared. Then he gave the chilling command, “throw the worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

 

Much could be unpacked from that passage, with different theological conclusions. But one thing seems clear: God gives each of us some measure of spiritual riches – gifts, talents, opportunities. He expects us to put them to use for His glory, not to hoard or hide them. 

We’re His “spiritual sponges,” and the Lord wants us to apply the biblical teachings He gives us, utilizing those principles and truths to further His kingdom and serve people He brings into our lives. We’re not called, as one preacher termed it, to “sit, soak and sour.” 

What Does a Life Worth Living Require?

When people embark on a professional career, they typically have one primary goal in sight: Success. They want to prove their skills at their chosen vocation and then be rewarded accordingly, not only financially but also with promotions, and influence. They want to make their mark and be recognized for it.

 

There comes a time in most people’s working careers, however, when a major shift occurs. The pursuit of success becomes a different quest – for significance. They want to leave a meaningful legacy after they retire or pass from this life. They’d like to feel significant, to have achieved a life worth living.

 

But what constitutes significance? Does it mean leaving a vast inheritance? Giving enough money to an institution to deserve having one’s name displayed on a building? Having an obituary that takes up two entire columns in the local newspaper?

 

I thought about this recently while attending the memorial service for a longtime friend. I met Gene when I joined the staff of CBMC (Christian Business Men’s Connection) more than 40 years ago, and he was truly one of a kind – a master of puns in the silliest sense of the word, but also a person devoted to Jesus Christ and with a passion for offering aid to the poor and disenfranchised in whatever ways possible.

 

The church where Gene’s life was celebrated wasn’t large, but it was jammed. Standing room only. Those attending represented a wide range of demographics: white, African-American, mixed race, wealthy, not wealthy at all, old and young. The one common denominator was their love for this man who is now with the Lord and their appreciation for his often-selfless service and ministry of mercy in their lives.

 

Although a musician, writer, and a noted collector of “neat stuff,” Gene never achieved what one might consider celebrity status. Few of the city’s “movers and shakers” were present for the service. And yet, hearing the moving testimonies, listening to laughter as some of his endearing quirks – including his unique sense of humor – were remembered, and seeing visible evidence of the many people whose lives he had touched in the name of Jesus Christ, I couldn’t help thinking that his was a life of true significance.

 

We become enthralled with the famous – even those who achieve fame simply for being famous. But significance doesn’t require being listed in Who’s Who, or having a lengthy bio on Wikipedia, or having a street named after you. Rather, it’s making a genuine, even life-changing difference in the lives of people with whom we have the opportunity to interact. 

 

In Gene’s case, this included being a one-man “clearing house” for impoverished individuals who came to his church seeking help. Experience had taught him the best assistance isn’t always a handout but sometimes offering a hand-up instead. And in the process, introducing many of them to the Savior who not only could save their souls but also guide them to productive, rewarding lives.

 

Proverbs 3:28 teaches, “Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you’ – when you already have it with you.” My friend was an expert in heeding this admonition, doing his best to serve as a soldier in the war on poverty. As he often said, “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. And maybe one day, he’ll own the pond.”

 

Many of us on occasion find ourselves wondering what it will be like to take our final breath on Earth and suddenly find ourselves in the presence of the Lord. We do know what Jesus said about those who fulfill the calling God gave to them: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21). I’m certain this is what Gene heard upon arrival.

 

Despite biblical assurances, it's not uncommon even for folks with implicit faith in Jesus Christ to ponder their eventual death with some trepidation. As the ole “theologian” Woody Allen once quipped, “I’m not afraid of dying. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” But if we believe what the Scriptures teach, death in this life is simply what I like to term “stepping to the other side of eternity.” 

It’s when God our Father extends His arms to welcome us home. This explains the curious biblical assertion that, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).