Heart Healthy Words

I have a hobby that my older brother says is one step from alzheimers.  I watch birds.  I have 5 bird feeders in the backyard and I've discovered great joy in watching those creatures who "neither sow nor reap nor store away in barns, and yet, (our) heavenly Father feeds them."  At least twice, Jesus used birds to teach the principles of trust and God's provision.   (Matthew 6:26ff  &  Matthew 10:29)

My fascination with birds, spiritual issues, and practical faith and led me to a conclusion.  Sitting on my back porch, I've watched hummingbirds dart from feeder to flowers and back, extracting the sweet nectar that energizes them.  Driving the roads of Colleton County, I've observed plenty of buzzards picking away at some road kill carcass.  They mount themselves on a tree limb or power pole, just waiting for some poor creature to meet an untimely end.  Then they pick over the remains. 

Think about it!  One seeks out the sweet and beautiful while the other waits with anticipation, seeking deterioration and death. 

Ok, Zane!  What are you talking about here?  I'm talking about attitude.  Most of us find what we're looking for in life.  If we're looking for good, we find good.  If we're looking for repulsive, we'll find it.  It's a principle that's true in family life, church life, work life, and social life.  More often than not, we find just what we're looking for.  If we approach a job expecting to find boredom, emptiness, and pressure, they will be there.  If we expect it to be a means of honoring God, that's what it will become.  If we expect the demands of marriage and family to be confining, demeaning, and disenchanting, they will be there.  But if we see those relationships as liberating, encouraging, and fulfilling, that's what they'll become.  If we go to church expecting it to be dull, ordinary, and meaningless, it will be.  But if we go expecting to meet the holy God, experience the joy of salvation, and be strengthened for the stresses of life, that's what we'll find. 

Now, this isn't just about the "power of positive thinking."  It's about making a conscious decision to be a "good-finder."  It's about becoming a hummingbird instead of buzzard.  Paul encouraged the Colossian Christians in everything they did " . . . whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."    (Colossians 3:17)  He reminded the Corinthian Christians in    I Corinthians 10:31 that " . . . whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Negativity, pessimism, grumbling, and maliciousness dishonor God and dishearten people.  Optimism, faith, contentment, and kindness attract, strengthen and encourage others.  Think about it.  Which one would you want to hang around?  In your church life, on your job, in your family life . . . are you looking for the right things?

Posted by zanebrown at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In light of the recent revelations from Governor Mark Sanford, I considered offering a litany of philandering politicians over the last two decades.  The list would have taken most of the blog space.  So I settled on three.  In 1987, presidential candidate Gary Hart challenged the media to follow him.  They did and photos followed of a young beauty named Donna Rice sitting the lap of Senator Hart.  Days later, Hart withdrew from the presidential race. 

In 1998, we heard the infamous line, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman . . . Miss Lewinsky!"  Well, the truth is that president Clinton DID have a sexual relationship with her, much to the chagrin of his family and faithful defenders.  In 2009, Governor Sanford tells his staff that he'll be hiking the Appalachian Trail for a few days to "clear his head."  What we found out days later was that He had been out of the country visiting a paramour and had lied to his staff. 

 What did all three of these high-profile individuals have in common?  The same thing that changed Moses' life in the second chaper of Exodus.  He went out one day to see the burdensome work that the Hebrew slaves endured.  After all, he was a Hebrew, even though he had been raised as the grandson of the Egyptian king.  At some point during his walk, he came upon an Egytian who was severely beating a Hebrew man.  The Bible tells us that Moses "looked this way and that way and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand."  (Exodus 2:12)   

The next day, Moses tried to stop two Hebrew men who were fighting.  One of them asked, "What are you going to do?  Kill us like you killed the Egyptian?"   Moses' secret had been uncovered and he had to flee from Egypt and spend 40 years in exile. 

Most of us are not high-profile individuals like Moses or polticians or sports figures.  But we all have similar weaknesses.  Temptations come to us all.  Temptations are NOT tests from God.  James 1:13-14 says "When tempted, no one should say 'God is tempting me.'  For God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone;  but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed."    In other words,when Satan tempts us at points where we are weak, we make a choice.   What was it that Hart, Clinton, Sanford and Moses had in common?  They looked this way and that way and seeing no one, they chose to sin. 

We're all susceptible to temptation.  We all must battle the evil desires and baser nature that lie to us and tell us that sin is OK.  We must recognize that temptation does NOT come from the God Who loves us, but from the Evil One who wants to destroy us.  We must realize that though sin might offer some temporal pleasure, there is always a price to pay.    A career, credibility, or family are just some of the things we stand to lose. 

The lesson to learn from Moses and the philandering politicians is simple.   If you're considering doing something and you have to look this and that way to make sure no one is looking, don't do it!  In I Corinthians 10:13, Paul wrote, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to all men.  And God is faithfulo; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up to it."   Temptations WILL come.  Don't look for a way to yield.  Look for the way out.

One final word of grace:  I John 2:1-2    My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense --- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning Sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Posted by zanebrown at 08:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

An essay by Samuel Adams in the Boston Gazette dated 1771 states:  "The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution are worth defending at all  hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks.  We have received them as fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors.  They purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood and have transmitted them to us with care and diligence.  It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us . . . without a struggle or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men." 

389 years ago, a small band of courageous men and women stepped ashore at Plymouth Rock.  Months of hardship and much loss of life were the sacrifices that had to be made in order to achieve religious freedom in a new, uncharted land.  For 150 years, this "new frontier" flourished, colonized by the British empire and strengthened by the blood, sweat, and tears of noble individuals who believed that freedom was worth risk, hard work, and even sacrifice.  BUT, control by the British crown increased during that first century and began to choke off some the freedoms that these people had risked their lives to attain.  It has always been true that as the size of government increases, the true freedom of the governed decreases.  So small groups of colonial citizens began to rebel with such tactics as the famed 'Boston Tea Party."  Thus was born the American spirit . . . a prevailing attitude that was instrumental in winning our freedom.  This spirit, perhaps the most formidable weapon employed by this rag-tag colonial army, became known as the "Spirit of 76." 

In the spring of 1776, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia.  Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Hancock, and Henry.  They were all there.  The course of action taken that spring literally changed the course of the world.  It was there that Patrick Henry said, "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?  Forbid it, almighty God!  I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."   Thomas Jefferson penned these words:  "The God Who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy but cannot disjoin them." 

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was presented and proclaimed its foundation in this way:  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certian unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."   Note that phrase ". . .endowed by their Creator . . ."   With all their faults, with all the shadows that loom over their private lives, with all the allegations concerning their personal characters, these men recognized that the true Source of life and liberty was God.  It was the birth of the greatest nation in human history. 

In the last full paragraph of the Declaration, the framers stated, "We, therefore . . . appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions . . ."   Are you familiar with that word 'rectitude?"   Its definitions are "quality or state of being straight; moral integrity; the quality or state of being correct in judgment."  Throughout the process, these flawed men sought the wisdom of God.   Then, by their signatures, they each pledged their "lives, fortunes, and sacrd honor" to birth a new nation.   50,000 patriot casualties was the cost of freedom. 

Freedom never has been free.  it requires sacrifice and perseverance.  It is tempered with responsibility and respect.  It flows from the hearts of people, not from the seats of governments.  And it is NOT to be taken lightly.  We are privileged to live in a great nation and we still have a responsibility to be the 'salt of the earth" and the "light(s) of the world."  God is waiting for His people to stand in the breach and intercede for a nation that He desires to bless.  (2 Chronicles 7:14) 

So, this Independence Day, amidst the Barbeques and ball games, between the late morning brunch and the late night fireworks, consider renewing these commitments:                                                                      

• PRAY  --  Become a prayer warrior for our nation.  Yes, we have problems, but become the one who stands in the gap interceding for our leaders, our warriors, and our children and grandchildren.    I Timothy 2:1-4
• STRIVE TO BE LIKE CHRIST  --  "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.      Philippians 1:27
• BE INVOLVED  --  Salt is little value if it stays in the shaker.  If we are to be the salt of the earth, we must get out into the world in order to positively affect our environment.          Matthew 5:13-16

iF YOU'D LIKE TO READ THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, GO TO WWW.USHISTORY.ORG/DECLARATION

Have a great 4th! 

Posted by zanebrown at 09:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)