Month: October 2024

Above all, clothe yourself with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14

Charles Schultz, the creator of the classic Peanuts comic strip, has a classic moment in on of his stories. Linus has just told Lucy that he plans to become a doctor. Lucy stops skipping rope to offer her usual criticism: “That’s a big laugh! You could never be a doctor. You know why?” Then, as she returns to skipping rope again, she offers her acidic analysis of Linus: “Because you don’t love mankind, that’s why!” Linus with a straight back and obviously disturbed appearnce, comes back with his defense: “I love mankind – it’s people I can’t stand.”

All of us at one time or another have probably been guilty of uttering something similar to the feelings of Linus. The world that God has created is such a marvel, but on the other hand, it also seems to be a bit of a mess at this point in time.

Right now, we are all dealing with the political climate that is consuming us on a daily basis. People feel uneasy even mentioning politics, let alone having a conversation about the candidates and each of their strengths and weaknesses. We are all Americans, but we all have differing hopes, dreams, and requirements about the person who will get our vote.

This situation is rather like the members of a family. While they are all in the same family, the make up of it can be extremely different. For example, one child might be shy, while another is a live wire. One may be gifted in music, while another pursues sports. In some cases, they look nothing like each other, or even their parents, yet, the family members share a bond with each other that is stronger than their differences.

Our Founding Fathers took a vast risk when they gathered to draft and sign the Declaration of Indepence. These Fathers enshrined the promises of freedom, limited government, and individual responsibility in the Declaration and the Constitution. Jefferson and the Founders pledged to each other to honor these documents with their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. They knew that these values would guide future generations to prosperity and happiness. Today, these promises are more in jeopardy than ever before.

The America of today has taken the principles upon which the Founding Fathers pledged and changed them around to be self serving. The expression the tie that binds is commonly used to describe a common idea or belief that links people together. Our Founding Fathers united Thirteen colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted laws, beliefs, and freedoms guaranteed to all.

Today, we are not so much interested in the tie that binds us as we are in the differences that separate us. Rather than being interested in a nation with unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we seen to be more interested in denying those rights to others who don’t agree with us.

As Christians, the tie that binds us is Jesus. He is what unites and holds us together. We share a love of Christ and of all mankind. On the cross and in His subsequent resurrection, Jesus united us all in a bond that includes love, fellowship, forgiveness, grace, and service. Just like Americans are committed to this country and its laws and privileges, we, as Christians, are committed to serving others in the name of Jesus.

As we strive as a nation, a people, a world to revisit the ties that bind, it would be beneficial to us all to remember the ties that bind in each of our lives.

In 1773, the young pastor of a poor church in Wainsgate, England was called to serve a large and influential church in London. As the pastor, John Fawcett, and his wife, Mary, were helping to load up the wagons with their few belongings, the people in his congregation came to say a tearful goodbye. As Mary looked at the faces of those people she loved, she said, “John, I cannot bear to leave.” To which John replied, “Nor can I. We shall remain here with our people.” The couple stayed and ended up serving 54 years among the people of Wainsgate. Out of that experience, Fawcett wrote the beautiful hymn Blest Be The Tie That Binds.

Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Before our Father’s throne, we pour our ardent prayers. Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.

Our prayer is for a united country, and a tie that binds us all.

The sheep hear His voice, and He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:3

One of our favorite television comedy series was “Cheers” which aired for eleven years. It was the highest rated comedy on television from 1982 until 1993. The series, which was set in a bar, had an interesting mesh of characters who stopped by the bar every day after work. The owner, Sam, was an ex-pro baseball relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, a recovering alcoholic, and the bartender. The rest of the cast included: Norm, a beer loving accountant, Carla, the sarcastic waitress, Cliff, the “know it all” letter carrier, Diane, the beautiful, intelligent, but snobby waitress, and Frasier, the psychologist.

This comedy series showed people who cared about each other, and who accepted each other in spite of their failings, frailties, and idiosyncracies. They shared an emotional bond, were committed to one another, and everybody knows each other’s name. Norm would always open the door and say “Good afternoon or evening everyone”, and the crowd would reply in unison, “Norm”! Everyone knew his name.

It’s a good feeling when people know your name. Growing up in a small town, there were very few people who didn’t know each other’s name, and it was comforting to know that no matter what, we could call on each other. After I married Randy, it became apparent that Mickler can be pronounced many different ways, and only those who know us really know our name.

The right name is essential, and it is comforting that Jesus knew all his sheep by name and He led them. Jesus was called everything from Rabbi, to the Good Samaritan, to sinner, but he was also called the Good Shepherd. Just like He knows our name, it’s essential that we know His name and can call Him by His name because He gives us life.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and he gives to us, his sheep, if we will listen and obey. The first thing I think the shepherd gives us is direction. Just like sheep without direction, we will lose our way. Edward Markham, a poet laureate, who was close to retirement discovered that the banker who had been taking care of his financial affairs had stolen his money. He was so angry and bitter that he found he couldn’t write. God says you must forgive or it will destroy you. The Good Shepherd doesn’t lead us down an easy path, but rather a path for His name sake and His glory.

The Good Shepherd gives us courage to face life’s devastating situations. The story is told of Jerry, a restaurant manager was always had a good attitude and was always doing good. One morning as he was opening up, three armed men confronted him and forced him to open the safe. While opening the safe, Jerry’s hand slipped, the men took that move as aggression, shot him, and left him for dead. Fortunately, the alarm was triggered and when the EMT’s arrived, they asked Jerry if he was allergic to anything. He replied, “Yes, bullets. Ask the surgeon to operate on me like I am alive not dead.” Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. The Good Shepherd knows my name.

Finally, the Good Shepherd gives us peace. Every year James Moore, the treasurer of the NY Philharmonic would go to Andrew Carnegie to make up the shortfall of funds. One year Mr. Carnegie said, “Why don’t you go to others and give them a chance to help and I will match whatever funds you receive?” A few days later, Mr. Moore called Mr. Carnegie to report that they had received an individual check for $30,000! “Who gave that check?” asked Mr. Carnegie. The answer came back to him, “It was Mrs. Carnegie.” The Good Shepherd knows our name.

Everything doesn’t fall on our shoulders individually. We don’t need to wear anxiety, fear, worry, or anxiousness on our shoulders. Remember, Jesus put the sheep on His shoulders and carried it. Things that take away our peace are on his shoulders. He knows our name.

It is so comforting to know that when we arrive in our heavenly home and throw open the door, just like Norm, everybody will call out our name! Not only will Jesus know our name, but also, everybody there will know our name and welcome us home.

The theme song from “Cheers” says it best. Making our way in the world today takes everything you’ve got; Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, And they’re always glad you came; You want to be where you can see, Our troubles are all the same; You want to be where everybody knows your name.

His master replied, “Well done thy 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 25:23

These days we are constantly receiving offers from different sources to collect rewards for being a part of their program. Businesses such as hotels, airlines, cable companies, restaurants, coffee houses, and many others offer enticing paybacks if we join their reward program.

The not so new, but extremely effective “gimmick” to draw more customers to a respective establishment has been around for a while now. These programs are designed to engage customers and ultimately generate loyalty among them. Some places give you a card that you present every time you purchase something, but the new method is to download the respective establishment’s app on your phone and your purchase is recorded for instant rewards. The rewards can then be exchanged or redeemed for something of our choosing,

That system has been working well for me until recently when one of my favorite places decided to upgrade and “improve” their app. I have no problem with that, but I do have an issue when all the rewards I had accumulated suddenly disappeared! None of my points transfered to this new app. Totally unbelieveable! How dare they take all my hard earned rewards away!

My reaction to losing my rewards is really absurd because in reality, I didn’t do anything to deserve them other than frequent the establishment, pay for my orders, and enjoy using the points I acquired. I have no reason at all to expect a reward!

A reward is defined as something given in recognition of one’s service, effort, or achievement. A synonyn for a reward is a prize or payment such as a bonus. If we are honest, we all look forward to rewards. It can be different for everyone, but basically we all appreciate it when it comes. Perhaps it’s a pay check for a job well done, a bonus, a kind word of appreciation, but no matter what it is, we all love the rewards.

Recently, I began chatting with a lady who comes to the pool area and sits “exactly” ten minutes in the hot tub to ease those sore muslces. During our conversation she said, completely honestly, “This is my reward for riding the bike for twenty minutes!” If we can use this kind of mindset as an incentive for something we need to accomplish, then we might consider we’ve earned it!

God also has a reward program, but His program is a little different. According to the Bible, God rewards believers for their faith and obedience through eternal rewards in heaven. These rewards are a way to encourage Christians to serve Christ and encourage them to put His will before their own. There is no need to announce your good deeds in public as the hypocrites do in order to be recognized by them, but the reward for service will come from God.

So, how do we go about earning God’s rewards? There are many ways, but I have some that stand out to me. First, God rewards our faithfulness. God is faithful to make a way even when there seems to be no way. Each step of faith we take brings us one step closer to the blessings and rewards God has in mind for us.

Next, God rewards our love for Him and our fellow man. In our world today, the word love means different things to different people. What causes us to stand out is that we, as Christians, don’t just say the words, but we show our love through our actions. God rewards those who have overcome differences and are able to truly love one another.

Finally, God rewards compassion. Compassion is one thing that Jesus exhibited, not because people deserved it, but because they needed it. He promised that we will be blessed in this life and rewarded in the life to come.

We follow God’s will not for the rewards here, but because He has given us great and precious promises of rewards in the life to come. God gives rewards to us in ways that we might never know until he reveals them.

“Lord, I am thankful that You reward us when we are faithful to fulfill the assignments You’ve given us to do.”

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. James 2:26

Many of us remember the old movies, Ghostbusters. The movies explore a group of New York parapsychologists who investigate and eliminate ghosts, paranormal manifestations, demons, and demigods. The ghostbuster franchise explores themes of the supernatural, the power of belief, and the importance of friendship and teamwork.

The theme of the movie became an instant success with the catchy music and lyrics which asked the question, “Who You Gonna Call? Ghostbusters!” We ask that question a lot these days, who Are we gonna call during the catastrophes of this world? We, as humans, want to be able to get in touch with an expert when we have a problem or emergency.

When the world is in trouble, we want to be able to send up a signal like Gotham City did to page Batman, or we want a super human who can leap buildings in a single bound like Superman! We want someone powerful and dynamic to save us from catastrophes.

I can remember the days in our small town, when the only way to get help in an emergency was to call the operator and ask her to please call the police or fire station. The other option was to find the phone directory, look up the number, and call. Who You Gonna Call? The first 911 call was made in Haleyville, Alabama on February 16, 1968; however,it wasn’t officially made the universal emergency number until 1999. We are quick to take these life saving conveniences for granted.

We think we have all the important things like power, water, cell service, and gas, but then a natural disaster hits, and we realize that there are limits to what humans can do by themselves. The fact is that God doesn’t need a super hero or a ghostbuster to get things done in this world, He just needs us regular folks to help other regular folks.

In speaking with some of the folks who have survived the remnants of Helene, the one thing they say over and over is that ordinary folks are working to help other ordinary folks. When your city is totally devoid of power, cell service, water, chain saws, generators, and all the things that are needed to survive until help comes, Who You Gonna Call? That’s the problem here. Without the luxuries we rely upon in this world of instant communication, how do we function?

The first thing we do is remember to lean on God and draw strength from His enduring love and unwavering presence. We like to think that we can run the world without Him, and He will let us try, but in reality, God is in charge. He is our refuge and strength!

Next, we need to change our perspective. When we can see things from God’s perspective the negative thoughts and feelings are replaced with positve and hopeful assurances we have experienced as we remember the goodness of God in the past.

Finally, we need to pray faithfully. Every person I have encountered who has been affected by this disaster always responds the same way when asked, “What can we do for you?” The answer is, “please pray for us.”

There is a universal prayer that many pray during disasters, and I share it now with you. Lord, please be with each and every person affected by this storm and surround them with your love, protection, and angels. Let them know there are millions of us out here praying for them and their loved ones. Please sustain those who are working to rescue or rebuild and fill them with strength. Fill us with hope for the new creation that will come from this disaster. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Who you gonna call? We are calling on God. He can use anybody and everybody. When things are at their worst, we tend to see the best in us all! God reveals the greatness of His power by demonstating that the world’s nobodies are His somebody’s. Who does God call? Anybody who will answer!