Talk to the real judge

There is a lot of talk about Derek Jeter of the Yankees tonight. He was elected as an all star and yet he opted out of playing in the game. He said he was emotionally and physically exhausted from his pursuit of 3,000.

Everyone has an opinion on the subject. Some people think he owed it to the fans to show up. Others say the game is a joke and he did the right thing. As I listened to the banter on talk radio it struck me that even if there is a right or wrong, the only one who really has a right to comment on it is Derek Jeter.

No one has a right to to tell someone else what they should be doing. The same is true when it comes to our faith life. There is a right thing and a wrong thing to do. But the choice is between us and God. Others can encourage us and even invite us to do one thing or another but ultimately we have to stand before God with our decisions. It doesn't matter what i think or you think. He is the judge.

So I wish Derek went to the game but he has the right to do as he pleases. That decision may come back to haunt him but he will have to deal with that down the road, not you or me. so it is with us too. Nobody else will pay the price for our decisions.

So when you are ready to make a decision, take some time to talk with God and then make your choice. That is the way it is done.

Be blessed. Cal

A role to die for

I was flipping through the channels this afternoon when I came upon the movie "Murder by Numbers." It starred Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling. As I went to the Internet to see who was in the movie and what it was I came across the name of Krista Carpenter who was listed as playing - Olivia - the victim. Just about that time the movie came to the scene where Sandra bullock and her partner were examining the crime scene.

There she was larger than life. Krista was lying under the leaves playing dead. Actually in the movie she was dead. I had to chuckle at the fact that this role was listed in her credits. She didn't have any lines to learn. She didn't have to worry about blocking. All she had to do was lie there and let people roll her over and talk about her.

It was just a bit part yet it was one of the most important parts of the whole movie. It is a role that none of us would probably sign up for but it was crucial to the plot.

I was reminded of the fact that the same thing may be true of our lives. We may not feel that we have much to offer but God can take the little bit we give him and use it to accomplish great things. Just think of the boy who brought the fishes and loaves to Jesus. He turned around and used the offering to feel over five thousand people.

So don't be disappointed if you are not called on to do big things. With God there is no such thing as small parts. We all are part of the big picture.

Be blessed.

Cal

No waster even in waste

I was on my way home from church today when I saw the sign. It said "manure for sale." I laughed out loud at the thought. Who would buy manure? Then I remembered that my father used to use manure to fertilize the fields before he planted his garden each year. I don't understand how it works, but he told me that there was something organic in the manure that helped the vegetables grow.

We have an amazing God. That sign confirmed the words of the hymn we sang in church this morning titled, "In His Time." God created an order of things where everything is useful in its own time and in its own way. Nothing goes to waste.

That is the biggest reason for our hope. God doesn't give up on us. He wants to have us with him for eternity. So call on him and you will find your salvation in him.

Cal