The Package Deal

The Package Deal

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves (Genesis 3:7).

This account reveals three things that mark the beginning of death, and the proof that this story really occurred is found therein, because these three things are true for every person. When we yield to temptation we experience the pleasures of sin. But what this account forces us to face is that with the pleasure comes an undesirable accompaniment, a fall-out of sin, which we cannot escape. It is all a package deal. Here is spelled out for us the three things that mark the beginning of death.

The first one is this: "they realized they were naked." They were naked all along, but they did not know they were naked until the fall. Why? Because they had never looked at themselves. Their awareness of their nakedness is a symbolic way of expressing the idea that they experienced the birth of what we call self-consciousness. They saw themselves, and the immediate effect was their feelings of shame and embarrassment.

So, like Adam and Eve, we find ourselves making clothes to cover our self-consciousness. This is true at the psychological level as well. This is what lies behind the universal practice of projecting an image of ourselves. That is a form of psychological clothing. It is a way of trying to get people to think of us differently from how we really are. This is why we all find ourselves struggling with the matter of being honest, of being open. We do not want people to see us or think of us as we are. We do not want to spend much time with any one person because we are afraid he or she will see us as we are.

The second thing this account shows us is found in verse 8. Hiding is an instinctive reaction to guilt. Here is the first description of a conscience beginning to function; that inner torment we are all familiar with that cannot be turned off, no matter how hard we try. In fact, often the harder we try to ignore it, the deeper it pierces and the more obdurate it becomes. Psychologists agree that guilt is a universal reaction to life, from which, without apparent reason or explanation, all of us suffer. This sense of guilt haunts us, follows us, makes us afraid. We are afraid of the unknown, of the future, of the unseen.

But there is still a third aspect of this death revealed here: The Lord said, "What is this that you have done?" Adam said, "Well, the woman that you gave to me, she gave me the fruit, and I ate. It's her fault." The woman said, "Well, it's not my fault; it's the serpent's fault. The serpent beguiled me, and I ate." This is the first human attempt to deal with the problem of guilt. This is where blame always comes. Ultimately it points the finger at God and says He is at fault. People are simply helpless victims of circumstance. This is what lies behind our urge to blame each other and pin the blame for our actions or attitudes upon some outward circumstance.

Lord, I confess I have seen the marks of death in my own life: self-consciousness, guilt, and blame. Thank You for Your grace, which seeks me out even as try to hide.

Ray Stedman

A Conversation without Words

A Conversation without Words

We attended the wedding of a very sweet couple over the weekend. At one point in the ceremony the minister turned to the bride and groom to ask them a series of questions about their promises to one another. Though I may not remember the exact wording, he turned to the bride and asked, "Will you promise that you'll be okay when we get older and we sit together and have a conversation without words?" What a line? (I later learned that the bride and groom had written these questions themselves.)

My wife and I have these wordless conversations often when we're in the car. It's quiet. Music is playing. Then, she'll say something and I'll say, "That's exactly what I was thinking." Or, I'll break the silence and she'll say, "I was thinking the same thing." Those conversations happen, as you get older. But it takes more than just growing older. They happen when you grow closer and have spent years together.

I've had those conversations from long distance as I watch a ballgame and I know my son is watching the same game in another city in another time zone. I'll know what he's thinking and he'll know what I'm thinking even though no words are ever spoken. Sometimes we share our thoughts. Sometimes we just know.

My daughter and I have had conversations without words when we've sat in a restaurant, or ridden bikes, or walked, or watched a late night television show. Of course, it's not always silent. There is plenty of conversation, but it's really okay if there are no words.

My friends and I have conversations without words all the time. They occur when we're sitting across the table during a meal. No words spoken. But we know. We just know. We can hear the conversation in our minds. We feel it in our hearts. We see it in each other's face. I know their thoughts and they know mine.

A conversation without words may occur in the counseling office when the person tries to express their deepest feelings, but there are no words. Tears. Frustration. Anger. Heartbreak. Disappointment. Pain. Fear. Silence. No words. It is a conversation with no words.

A conversation without words may occur at the end of a sermon when someone walks down the aisle with tears streaming down their face. As friends gather around them, and the friends weep with them. They cannot verbalize their feelings, but the message is clear.

A conversation without words may take place between co-workers in the middle of meeting. No one in the room knows we are having our own conversation, but we are. A look. A smile.

Many of my conversations with God have no words. I've written about those. The words just don't come. I sit. I listen. He talks. I listen. It's quiet. I listen. I ponder and reflect. He gently speaks. I go away feeling refreshed and comforted. But there were no words. Except those provided by the Spirit.

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." (Romans 8:26-27, NIV)

These conversations are real. No words are spoken. No words are needed.

To this young couple that began their journey together this weekend let me say thank you for your wisdom and I will pray that you enjoy the conversations without words when they happen. Enjoy them knowing that you are not only growing older, but you are growing closer together because God's Spirit is living in You.

Tom Norvell

Are you a Merciful Person?

Are you a Merciful Person?

Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord" (Psalm 119:156). "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works" (145:8-9).

I want to ask you a question I've been asking myself lately: Are you a merciful person? Most of us would answer, "I think I am merciful. To the best of my ability, I sympathize with those who suffer. I feel the pain of my hurting brothers and sisters in Christ, and I try to help them. I do my best to assist my neighbors in need. And when people hurt me, I forgive them and don't hold a grudge."

I believe all true Christians have a good measure of mercy for the lost and hurting. I thank God for that. But the sad truth is, God's Word exposes in many of us deep roots of bias and very limited concepts of mercy.

Most religions that claim to fear God have a creed or doctrine that says, "God's tender, loving mercies extend to all of humankind." As followers of Jesus, we talk so much about his tender mercies to the wide world. But here is the truth:

There are many people to whom large numbers of Christians limit God's mercy. I think of prostitutes who work in godless brothels. I think of people in Africa and other continents dying by the thousands with AIDS. I think of homosexuals who endure endless heart-aches and mental anguish, the trials of their lives, and who drink themselves into oblivion to try to cover their pain.

From what I read in Scripture, I can't accept that my Savior would ever turn down the desperate cry of a prostitute, a homosexual, a drug addict or alcoholic who has hit rock bottom. His mercies are unlimited: there is no end to them. Therefore, as his church - Christ's representative body on the earth - we cannot cut off anyone who cries out for mercy and deliverance.

We may not even be aware of these inner biases until suddenly they're in our face, confronting us with the truth about our hearts. As you consider this in your own life, I ask you again: Are you a merciful person, tender and loving? I picture many readers saying, "Yes." Yet, ask those around you - your family, your co-workers, your friends and neighbors, your friends of a different color - and see how they respond.

David Wilkerson

I am a perverse and unruly patient!

I am a perverse and unruly patient!

(From the letters of John Newton)

I am bound to speak well of my Physician -- He treats me with great tenderness, and bids me in due time to expect a perfect cure. I know too much of Him (though I know but little) to doubt either His skill or His promise.

It is true, I have suffered sad relapses since I have been under His care. Yet I confess that the fault has not been His -- but my own! I am a perverse and unruly patient! I have too often neglected His prescriptions, and broken the regimen He appoints me to observe. This perverseness, joined to the exceeding obstinacy of my disorders, would have caused me to be turned out as an incurable long ago -- had I been under any other hand but His! Indeed -- there is none like Him! When I have brought myself very low -- He has still helped me. Blessed be His name -- I am yet kept alive only by means of His perfect care.

Though His medicines are all beneficial -- they are not all pleasant. Now and then He gives me a pleasant cordial; but I have many severe disorders, in which there is a needs-be for my frequently taking His bitter and unpalatable medicines!

We sometimes see published in the newspapers, acknowledgments of cures received. Methinks, if I were to publish my own case, that it would run something like this:

"I, John Newton, have long labored under a multitude of grievous disorders:
a fever of ungoverned passions,
a cancer of pride,
a frenzy of wild imaginations,
a severe lethargy, and
a deadly stroke!

In this deplorable situation, I suffered many things from many physicians, spent every penny I had -- yet only grew worse and worse!

In this condition, Jesus, the Physician of souls, found me when I sought Him not. He undertook my recovery freely, without money and without price -- these are His terms with all His patients! My fever is now abated, my senses are restored, my faculties are enlivened! In a word, I am a new man! And from His ability, His promise, and the experience of what He has already done -- I have the fullest assurance that He will infallibly and perfectly heal me -- and that I shall live forever as a monument of His power and grace!"

Grace Gems

A Patient's Prayer

A Patient's Prayer

Blessed be the LORD, for he has heard the sound of my pleadings. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. O save your people, and bless your heritage; be their shepherd, and carry them forever. Psalm 28:6-9 (NRSV)

In all thy ways acknowledge [God], and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)

A patient came to my office seeking a hip replacement. His former cardiologist believed that the man's heart was too weak for him to survive a major operation. However, a new cardiologist had stated that while the man faced risks in undergoing surgery, his condition appeared stable. Therefore, he gave his permission to proceed.

Our patient soon passed all preliminary tests. Still, on surgery day I could sense tension in the room among the nurses, anesthesiologist, and me. Our patient could likely sense this as well. He said, "Doctor, I know this is a busy time, but I would like to ask you for one moment to pray." In my 20 years of medical practice, no patient had ever made such a request. All chatter ceased. With his heart monitor beeping in the background, our patient prayed for God to take care of him and all of us in the room who were trying to help him. He thanked God for the opportunity to get better, acknowledging the human limitations of the staff in trying to repair his fragile body.

A sense of calm filled the room. The surgery was a success. In all my professional experience, I never have felt more strongly than on that day the presence of God sent through my patient to me.

Often when God gives us a chance to help someone, we receive more than we give.

Prayer: Dear God, make us instruments of your will in all our daily tasks and relationships. Amen.

Thomas S. Woo
Indiana, USA

The Sweetener

The Sweetener

A friend of mine and his son love to take off backpacking along the beautiful river near their house. And they've learned some interesting "tricks of the trade" to make sure they have clean water to drink without the weight of having to carry water with them all the time. They take iodine pills with them on their hikes. Apparently, they can collect some water from the river, dissolve iodine in it, and the water comes out clean. But then who would want to drink it? Iodine-flavored water I don't think is exactly the taste sensation that's sweeping the nation, right? But that's where the Kool-Aid comes in! They mix in some Kool-Aid. It actually makes that bitter water sweet, they tell me!

When God's people were navigating the wilderness in the Old Testament, well, of course, Kool-Aid had not been invented yet. But they did have a bitter water situation and a miracle that changed everything. The story is in Exodus 15, beginning with verse 22. It's actually our word for today from the Word of God.

Here's what it says. "For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter... So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?' Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood He threw into the water, and the water became sweet." Amazing! God miraculously changes what was bitter into something sweet. You know, He's still doing that miracle today - with bitter people, with bitter feelings, with bitter situations.

And that might be exactly what you need to be praying for right now. Actually, "crying out to the Lord for," as it says Moses did. That's not just a casual, trite little prayer. That's a desperate cry to God for something so hard that only He can do it. Right now, you may be thinking of someone in your personal world who is bitter. There's resentment, sarcasm, cynicism, anger, and maybe un-forgiveness. The good news is that God is the world's leading Heart Surgeon; He can change a heart in ways that no human could ever dream. But you need to be faithfully, fervently, praying for God to do whatever it takes to change the heart of that bitter person. Especially if that bitter person is you.

The Bible makes it clear that you "miss the grace of God" when you let a "bitter root" grow in you. And your bitterness will, according to God, "cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:15). But maybe your bitter pond isn't a person; it's a situation you're in right now. God has the power to sweeten a bitter situation, as well as a bitter person.

But God may have a "piece of wood" that He wants you to throw into the bitter waters. Maybe it's that apology you need to give, a letter that you need to write, or an email you need to send, some forgiving you need to do, a healing step that you know you need to take. As you pray about the bitter, ask God if there's a step He wants you to take in bringing about a sweetening miracle.

Don't underestimate the power of Almighty God to sweeten what you thought would always be bitter. If you'll trust and you'll obey; trust God to change things and obey His orders to make it happen. With a God as powerful and loving as ours, no bitter pond has to stay bitter. Not when God does His miracle of making bitter things sweet.

Ron Hutchcraft

45 Lessons from Life

45 Lessons from Life

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over it became a butterfly...”

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Written by
Regina Brett
90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

Attitude of Encouragement

Attitude of Encouragement

EVERYONE needs encouragement. No matter how secure and confident someone may appear, everyone needs to be reassured, built up, and comforted. And we are all called to minister to one another, every day, with encouragement; "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Hebrews 3:13).

True encouragement requires us to be "others" oriented: "Consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). We will never effectively encourage until we begin to look outside our own needs and intentionally examine the needs of others. And our encouragement of others will always be hindered unless we are genuinely excited by the new growth and health we see in others.

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12"For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His Kingdom and glory."

I was excited when each of my children learned to roll over, and I cheered when they began to crawl. When they started to walk I clapped my hands and beamed with pride, as if my kids were the first in the world to ever move about on two feet. Each small accomplishment was encouraged... and my manhood was never threatened by their progress. I wasn't worried about losing my position within the family, and I had no desire to be the only walker in the house. Every time my children fell, I picked them up and encouraged them with full confidence of their future success.

Our journey with the Lord actually begins long before our day of Salvation as He calls us and draws us to the cross - we would never even seek if He didn't first call and soften our heart. This part of the journey (the part that leads us to His secure arms of Salvation) may last MANY years and require encouragement from many different people. But as we place our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and continue our journey (with all the many hills and valleys), our walk is definitely much easier and enjoyable if we join with others and walk together.

Let's encourage one another with each wonderful step toward Heavenly glory. Let's be proud and excited for the accomplishments of others no matter how great or small. And let's refuse to become threatened when we witness others mature and grow - we are absolutely secure in the love of God (and we really don't want to be the only walker in His Family!). Let's turn our hearts outward and begin to minister with a compassionate, loving, and secure attitude of encouragement.

Steve Troxel

A Fish Story

A Fish Story

It might sound like a contradiction in terms, but I want to share a true fish story with you. I know, I know fisherman have been known to tell the odd whopper or exaggerate, but I'll do my level best to stick with just the truth.

Way back in the Stone Age when I was about thirteen or fourteen years old, we lived in a community in Northern Alberta, called Fort McMurray. It's pretty much a small city today, but in those days it was a town of less than 5,000 people at the end of 125 miles of gravel road (with no services along the way). There was no television or radio and the paper came in a day late by Greyhound bus.

For Mac is located at the junction of several rivers, so there was always lots of good fishing. I suspect it has changed over the years, but back then you could walk to any of the rivers and catch a variety of fish with relative ease.

One summer day, I grabbed my pole and tackle box and walked the mile and a half or so to the Athabasca River. I went by myself, so it seemed a grand adventure. I rigged my line with my favourite red/white spoon (for the benefit of those who don't fish, a spoon is simply a type of lure, it's not something you eat with) and cast it out to a spot by a bridge piling.

First cast. Nothing.

Second cast. Nothing.

Third cast. Bang! As soon as the spoon hit the water something hit it hard and a long fight was on. In the end I landed the largest walleye I had ever seen. I was so excited that I packed up my tackle, grabbed my fish and headed home. Carrying the fish by the gills, the tail dragged along on the ground.

I was thrilled during the walk home as people drove by, honked their horns and yelled "nice fish". The fish was so big, I just had to go home and show it off. In my excitement, I forgot that walleye (or pickerel as we called them then, or walleyed pike as some know them) travel in schools of similar sized fish. The one I was so proud to drag home was most likely one of a number of fish that were equally likely to be caught.

A similar thing happens to many Christians. They come to realize that they need to know Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. They're so excited when they make the decision that they don't stop to find out there is so much more. It leads to many Christians living powerless lives or empty lives of just coming and sitting in the pew on Sunday mornings missing out on much of what Jesus had planned for them.

Accepting Jesus buys the gate pass to heaven and the forgiveness of sins, but it is only the first step in a wonderful journey through this life and into eternity. We're called to grow in that relationship, deepen our knowledge of who Jesus is and live lives of service.

We're called to ministry and gifted by God to fulfill that call.

Ephesians 4:1-16 NIV
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit -- just as you were called to one hope when you were called -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Have you become content to just have your salvation? If so, you are missing out on so much more. We are ALL called to a deeper, more fulfilling life with Jesus and service in His name.

Until next time, praise Him for the gift of His salvation and ask Him to show you what else He has in mind for you.

Kevin Corbin

Fruit of Suffering

Fruit of Suffering

Romans 8:18-19
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.”

Do we really understand what it means to suffer for our faith? Someone smirks at us when we bow our heads to thank God for our food and we feel we are being persecuted. We may even brag at our Bible study group about our courage in the face of these “vicious” attacks. (Oh, give me a break!)

I am in the process of reading a book on the lives of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. Perhaps you are already aware that all of the disciples of Jesus, except John, died as martyrs. John was tortured by being dipped in hot oil but survived. What kind of persecution have you endured lately?

Archaeologists have unearthed death chambers under St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The most hideous was the place where Peter was reported to have been held chained to a post for nine months.

The Roman emperor, Nero had expected him to die in this place of total dark and disease. Virtually everyone who had been placed in this chamber died from disease or starvation. Peter was taken out of the pit and crucified upside down.

So what happened during those nine months of dark and suffering? God’s glorious light shone through in the most magnificent way. History tells us the amazing fact that in spite of all the torture, Peter led his jailers, keepers and forty-seven others to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

I hang my head in shame for the times I have complained. May God forgive me.

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson