I took Lori's car to Firestone because she had a flat tire. I changed the tire and put on the spare. Then I dropped it off to have it fixed. My friend Ray told me that they would fix it for free. Silly me. I actually believed him.
An hour later I got the call. The tire was not good enough to fix and two of the other tires were pretty badly worn. They suggested four new tires and a front end alignment for a cost of $589. I couldn't believe a simple flat tire could end up costing me so much.
The truth is that you never know what tomorrow will bring. I can't tell you how many times I have tried to be frugal and make the right decisions only to have one problem lead to another with a big bill follow.
That's the way life works. It is unpredictable. The best thing you can do is make a plan and try to stick to it. This has been true on our mission trips. The first thing we tell all of our short term missionaries is that they need to be flexible.
Robert Burns captured this sentiment in his poem, "To A Mouse" when he wrote, "The best laid schemes of mice and men go often askew, And leave us nothing but grief and pain, For promised joy!" In other words you can plan all you want but there will always be something that comes along to mess things up.
Flexibility is a virtue that we all need to have. The truth is that if we trust in God the little things that go askew will not bother us as much. Why? Because we know that God is in control and he has the big picture in mind. $600 is a lot of money but it could have been worse. We needed to get new tires anyway and this just forced us to speed up the timetable.
The truth is that it may have saved somebody's life down the road. God may have used the flat tire to push me into getting the tires a little ahead of schedule so that the car would be safe for Lori to take to New York or to run Rachel around town.
I like to think that God knows what is best for us and he takes advantage of the unpredictable nature of life to step in sometimes and prompt us to do what we know we need to do. I know it doesn't work that way every time but it happens enough that I have started looking for it. You know what? It has blessed me. Now I see these events as gifts from God even if they end up being a little pricey now and then.
So what is God doing in your life? Not sure? Then think about the last time something unpredictable happened to you.
Be blessed. Cal
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
God cares for you
On Sunday my three daughters sang a very special song. It is one that their mother used to sing when she was their age. It was beautifully done.
For 25 years they have come to know this church as a place where family and friends came to discover the love of God. That's a special thing. That's what the song acknowledges. God is always watching over us. That's been the message of our ministry at First Baptist for the last quarter of a century. Times have certainly changed. The world around us has become less personal and more secular. The truth is that my girls have lived their lives going against the tide of society. Over the last twenty five years a generation has grown up without the benefit of a church relationship and the knowledge of God's love.
Yet we still preach Christ and are finding ways to introduce him to the people we know. It is no longer the job of the church to do this. Not the church as in the place where we go on Sundays. The call goes out for every one of us as the body of Christ, as individuals, to be ambassadors for Jesus. Yes, that call has been going out for centuries but today it is more important than ever. Each of us has a sphere of influence that God has given us. We can share love of Christ by following his example and living to his glory.
The truth is that we may be the only contact some people have with God. The way we live our lives, the grace, love, hospitality and truth that is exhibited by our lives will be the message that they hear.
On Sunday the reporter from the Norwich Bulletin asked me what my message was today and how it had changed in 25 years. I told her it was simple and it hadn't changed. God loves you and me. That's the message that the world needs to hear. God still cares and he wants to do something about it.
That's why I love this song. (Never mind the fact that this version was sung by three of the most special people in my life.) So take what it says to heart and then share the good news with someone you know.
Cal
For 25 years they have come to know this church as a place where family and friends came to discover the love of God. That's a special thing. That's what the song acknowledges. God is always watching over us. That's been the message of our ministry at First Baptist for the last quarter of a century. Times have certainly changed. The world around us has become less personal and more secular. The truth is that my girls have lived their lives going against the tide of society. Over the last twenty five years a generation has grown up without the benefit of a church relationship and the knowledge of God's love.
Yet we still preach Christ and are finding ways to introduce him to the people we know. It is no longer the job of the church to do this. Not the church as in the place where we go on Sundays. The call goes out for every one of us as the body of Christ, as individuals, to be ambassadors for Jesus. Yes, that call has been going out for centuries but today it is more important than ever. Each of us has a sphere of influence that God has given us. We can share love of Christ by following his example and living to his glory.
The truth is that we may be the only contact some people have with God. The way we live our lives, the grace, love, hospitality and truth that is exhibited by our lives will be the message that they hear.
On Sunday the reporter from the Norwich Bulletin asked me what my message was today and how it had changed in 25 years. I told her it was simple and it hadn't changed. God loves you and me. That's the message that the world needs to hear. God still cares and he wants to do something about it.
That's why I love this song. (Never mind the fact that this version was sung by three of the most special people in my life.) So take what it says to heart and then share the good news with someone you know.
Cal
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Only by grace
bIt was one of the worst calls in baseball history. Last night umpire Jim Joyce robbed Detroit Tiger's pitcher Armando Galarraga of a place in baseball history when he blew a call with two out in the top of the ninth inning. The batter hit a ball to the right of first baseman Miguel Cabrera and he went over and picked it up and threw it to Galarraga. With a step and a half to spare he made the play. As the runner crossed the base the umpire signaled that he was safe to the utter amazement of the players, the crowd and even the hitter. Despite an argument from the manager and several players, the umpire refused to change his call.
After the game umpire Jim Joyce checked the video replay and saw that the runner was clearly out. In a gracious gesture, he went to Armando and apologized and said he blew the call and cost him the perfect game.
In the hours since the blown call, both Galarraga and Joyce have showed themselves to be classy gentlemen. As a matter of fact, so did the whole Tiger organization. Manager Jim Leyland and several players openly forgave Joyce and said they felt for him. Today Leyland sent Galarrag out with the lin-eup card to meet the umpires and Joyce hugged him. Then the Tiger's owner Mike Illitch presented Armando with a brand new Corvette convertible to congratulate him on his tremendous pitching feat.
The whole thing could be dissected and used for for numerous sermon illustrations. The truth is that many of us have had similar experiences. We have done everything right but someone's mistake has cost us an opportunity. It is so unfair but it is life. We live in a fallen world. We are subject to the sins and errors of others. By the same token, by grace we sometimes experience blessings we don't deserve.
The best thing we can do is give life our best. Armando Galarraga picked up the ball and went right back to the mound. He threw ball and got the next man out. He won the game and that is what really mattered. The apostle Paul says that running the race... doing our best to the finish line is what matters most. I hope when I find myself in a similar position, I will remember stories like this and look to God and ask him for the grace to continue on to my own reward.
God bless.
Cal
After the game umpire Jim Joyce checked the video replay and saw that the runner was clearly out. In a gracious gesture, he went to Armando and apologized and said he blew the call and cost him the perfect game.
In the hours since the blown call, both Galarraga and Joyce have showed themselves to be classy gentlemen. As a matter of fact, so did the whole Tiger organization. Manager Jim Leyland and several players openly forgave Joyce and said they felt for him. Today Leyland sent Galarrag out with the lin-eup card to meet the umpires and Joyce hugged him. Then the Tiger's owner Mike Illitch presented Armando with a brand new Corvette convertible to congratulate him on his tremendous pitching feat.
The whole thing could be dissected and used for for numerous sermon illustrations. The truth is that many of us have had similar experiences. We have done everything right but someone's mistake has cost us an opportunity. It is so unfair but it is life. We live in a fallen world. We are subject to the sins and errors of others. By the same token, by grace we sometimes experience blessings we don't deserve.
The best thing we can do is give life our best. Armando Galarraga picked up the ball and went right back to the mound. He threw ball and got the next man out. He won the game and that is what really mattered. The apostle Paul says that running the race... doing our best to the finish line is what matters most. I hope when I find myself in a similar position, I will remember stories like this and look to God and ask him for the grace to continue on to my own reward.
God bless.
Cal
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
A time to serve
Mahatma Gandhi said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Gandhi studied religion and was well aware of Jesus. I have no doubt that this is a learning that jumps off the pages of scripture. Twice in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus mentions that a person who wants to find his life, has to be willing to lose it for his sake. In recent years Rick Warren has been talking about the purpose driven life and telling us that if we want to find our life, we need to look to God. God is giving and loving.
I am moved by stories that tell how others have come together and sacrificed for the well being of those in need. Modern day heroes include Mother Theresa, Bono, Franklin Graham and a host of people who have made it a point to advocate and live for others. You can have a ton of money and be unhappy. You can have beautiful people in your life and still not find satisfaction. You can have glamor and fame and come away empty. Just look at Tiger Woods, Jesse James, Lindsey Lohan and Brittany Spears and you will see brokenness and a search fo something more.
That's why I love the idea of serving others. I belong to the Norwich Rotary Club and our motto is "Service above self." The idea is that if we serve others, the whole community will benefit. God was pretty smart when he put this idea in our hearts. Later on the Apostle Paul picked up on it when he called the Christian community the body of Christ. He noted that we all have a role to play in making something great happen. It is so true. When we each come together to share our gifts, great things can be accomplished and God will be glorified.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start serving.
Cal
I am moved by stories that tell how others have come together and sacrificed for the well being of those in need. Modern day heroes include Mother Theresa, Bono, Franklin Graham and a host of people who have made it a point to advocate and live for others. You can have a ton of money and be unhappy. You can have beautiful people in your life and still not find satisfaction. You can have glamor and fame and come away empty. Just look at Tiger Woods, Jesse James, Lindsey Lohan and Brittany Spears and you will see brokenness and a search fo something more.
That's why I love the idea of serving others. I belong to the Norwich Rotary Club and our motto is "Service above self." The idea is that if we serve others, the whole community will benefit. God was pretty smart when he put this idea in our hearts. Later on the Apostle Paul picked up on it when he called the Christian community the body of Christ. He noted that we all have a role to play in making something great happen. It is so true. When we each come together to share our gifts, great things can be accomplished and God will be glorified.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start serving.
Cal
Monday, May 31, 2010
How do you handle the pain?
Hurt. Anguish. Betrayal. Disappointment. Can you imagine having people who you shared your life with and had so many special moments with suddenly turn their backs on you? The sorrow would be enough to break your heart and make you want to give up. Many of us have been there at some point in our lives. Whether it was a girlfriend who stole your boyfriend in high school or a colleague who got your promotion at work, most of us have experienced something akin to that if we have lived for any length of time.
Over the last six months I have walked that dark valley. I was blindsided by some people I cared about very much. One day they just turned on me and began giving me the angry, silent treatment. They began talking to other people and before long I lost a few more friends who I considered very close. When I tried to reach out to them to find out what precipitated their actions, I was rebuffed. They wouldn't talk to me. They stopped coming to church.
As a Christian it is hard to know what to do. How do you handle the pain and feeling of betrayal? I have to be honest with you. At times I felt like retaliating and getting mean. I wanted to shout to the whole world and tell everyone what was happening. I wanted to do something that would make them hurt as much as I did. But that isn't me. The truth is that to this day, I still care for them a great deal.
So I looked to Jesus and asked him what to do. Believe me, I prayed an awful lot. When I felt overwhelmed, I gave it to Jesus. I asked him to take the hurt and the pain. You know what he told me. HE said "come to me and I will give you rest." The truth is that nobody knows the pain of betrayal better than Jesus. When you read through the Gospels you see how the very men he loved, turned their backs on him. Peter denied him three times. The inner circle of his friends, Peter, James and John, fell asleep when he asked them to sit with him on the night of his agony. Judas betrayed him to the authorities. The crowd who had hailed him as the king on Palm Sunday were shouting "Crucify him" on Friday. As he looked down from the cross, Jesus revealed how we should handle the hurt when people turn on us. He said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
When I read those words I think about the number of times my actions have offended Jesus. I can't tell you how many times I have done things out of my own selfishness and neglected to consider Jesus' thoughts. I get on my high horse about certain things and act as if I'm the one who needs to be pacified. I live my life without thinking about God and his feelings. Yet, he continually reaches out to me and calls me back. HE forgives my arrogance and knows how weak and foolish I can be.
That's the man I want to be. I want to be more like Jesus, more forgiving, more filled with grace. The truth is that this is what it means to be a Christian. It isn't about being a judge or jury in God's courtroom. It isn't about making sure we keep every iota and tittle of the law. It isn't about us at all. It is about God and being His agents of reconciliation in this lost and broken world. We are called to follow Jesus' lead. He forgave the sinner on the cross. He forgave Peter for his denial. He forgave Thomas' doubt. He restored each and every one of those who let him down and he declared his love for them was stronger and deeper than life and death. That is how we should strive to live our lives: giving grace and reflecting God's love.
The truth is that even if we strive to be more forgiving like Jesus, we will still have our moments. For example on one particularly emotional day, I left church and heard a song on the radio. It was about a man who had been wronged by his girlfriend. He happened to go to church one day and heard the minister say, "Pray for those who hurt you." So he began to follow that advice and began praying all kinds of nasty things happen to his ex-girlfriend. I laughed when I heard the song. He had captured my sentiments at that particular moment.
None-the-less, I am praying for my friends in the proper way. I pray for their peace. I pray they find what they are looking for. I pray that someday we can be friends again. If not, I pray that God will fill the hole they left in my heart and help me find peace.
So enough for confessions. Now it is time to praise God for He is good.
Cal
Over the last six months I have walked that dark valley. I was blindsided by some people I cared about very much. One day they just turned on me and began giving me the angry, silent treatment. They began talking to other people and before long I lost a few more friends who I considered very close. When I tried to reach out to them to find out what precipitated their actions, I was rebuffed. They wouldn't talk to me. They stopped coming to church.
As a Christian it is hard to know what to do. How do you handle the pain and feeling of betrayal? I have to be honest with you. At times I felt like retaliating and getting mean. I wanted to shout to the whole world and tell everyone what was happening. I wanted to do something that would make them hurt as much as I did. But that isn't me. The truth is that to this day, I still care for them a great deal.
So I looked to Jesus and asked him what to do. Believe me, I prayed an awful lot. When I felt overwhelmed, I gave it to Jesus. I asked him to take the hurt and the pain. You know what he told me. HE said "come to me and I will give you rest." The truth is that nobody knows the pain of betrayal better than Jesus. When you read through the Gospels you see how the very men he loved, turned their backs on him. Peter denied him three times. The inner circle of his friends, Peter, James and John, fell asleep when he asked them to sit with him on the night of his agony. Judas betrayed him to the authorities. The crowd who had hailed him as the king on Palm Sunday were shouting "Crucify him" on Friday. As he looked down from the cross, Jesus revealed how we should handle the hurt when people turn on us. He said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
When I read those words I think about the number of times my actions have offended Jesus. I can't tell you how many times I have done things out of my own selfishness and neglected to consider Jesus' thoughts. I get on my high horse about certain things and act as if I'm the one who needs to be pacified. I live my life without thinking about God and his feelings. Yet, he continually reaches out to me and calls me back. HE forgives my arrogance and knows how weak and foolish I can be.
That's the man I want to be. I want to be more like Jesus, more forgiving, more filled with grace. The truth is that this is what it means to be a Christian. It isn't about being a judge or jury in God's courtroom. It isn't about making sure we keep every iota and tittle of the law. It isn't about us at all. It is about God and being His agents of reconciliation in this lost and broken world. We are called to follow Jesus' lead. He forgave the sinner on the cross. He forgave Peter for his denial. He forgave Thomas' doubt. He restored each and every one of those who let him down and he declared his love for them was stronger and deeper than life and death. That is how we should strive to live our lives: giving grace and reflecting God's love.
The truth is that even if we strive to be more forgiving like Jesus, we will still have our moments. For example on one particularly emotional day, I left church and heard a song on the radio. It was about a man who had been wronged by his girlfriend. He happened to go to church one day and heard the minister say, "Pray for those who hurt you." So he began to follow that advice and began praying all kinds of nasty things happen to his ex-girlfriend. I laughed when I heard the song. He had captured my sentiments at that particular moment.
None-the-less, I am praying for my friends in the proper way. I pray for their peace. I pray they find what they are looking for. I pray that someday we can be friends again. If not, I pray that God will fill the hole they left in my heart and help me find peace.
So enough for confessions. Now it is time to praise God for He is good.
Cal
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