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YUSSIF, THE TERRIBLE TURK

1/31/2011

Charles R. "Chuck" Swindoll is a well known pastor and teacher who founded “Insight for Living”, which today airs on over 2000 radio stations. He was later President and then Chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary. Currently, he is the founding Pastor of Stonebriar Community church in Frisco, Texas. He has been recognized by Christianity Today as one of the top 25 most influential preachers of the last 50 years.

Along the way, he has written over 70 books, most of which were developed from his sermons. In his book, Living on the Ragged Edge: Finding Joy in a World Gone Mad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1990), he shares the story of Yussif, the Terrible Turk (pp. 127-128). This is the origin of the story I shared this past Sunday. As several people requested a copy, I am posting it here.

It might help to remember Yussif, the Terrible Turk! Yussif was the three-hundred-and-fifty-pound wrestling champion in Europe a little over two generations ago. After he won the European championship, he sailed to the United States to beat our champ, whose name was Strangles Lewis - a little guy, by comparison, who weighed just a shade over two hundred pounds.

Although he wasn’t huge, Strangler had a simple plan for defeating his opponents. It had never failed to work. He’d put that massive arm of his around the neck of his opponent. He’d pump up that bicep and cut the oxygen off, right up there near the adam’s apple. Many an opponent had passed out in the ring with Strangler Lewis.

The problem he had when it came to fighting the Turk was that the European giant didn’t have a neck! His body just went from his head to those massive shoulders. Lewis could never get the hold, so it wasn’t long before Yussif flipped Lewis down on the mat and pinned him.

After winning the championship, the Turk demanded all five thousand dollars in gold. After he wrapped the championship belt around his vast middle, he stuffed the gold into the belt and boarded the next ship back to Europe. He was now the possessor of America’s glory and gold. He had won it all... all except immortality.

He set sail on the SS Bourgogne. Halfway across the Atlantic, a storm struck and the ship began to sink. Yussif went over the side with his gold still strapped around his body. The added weight was too much for the Turk, and he sank like an iron anvil before they could get to him with the lifeboats. He was never seen again.

Oh, the power of greed! Over and over again, it has proven its power to weigh people down and drag them under! Hence the warning of Jesus in Luke 12:15: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

ANOTHER SAD PASSING

1/29/2011

I realize that several of my recent posts were somewhat sad, having to do with the death of individuals who were part of my family. Today, I share one last bit of sadness. It seems that someone not only dear to me, but also to you has now passed away.

The following obituary, circulated on the internet, was purportedly even printed in the London Times. Most people will find it interesting; and some will find it quite sad, albeit true.

AN OBITUARY…

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for a long time. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

Known affectionately to close friends as Horse Sense and Sound Thinking, he selflessly devoted himself to a life of service in homes, schools, hospitals, and offices, helping folks get jobs done without a lot of fanfare, whooping, or hollering.

A most reliable sage, he will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing When To Come In Out Of The Rain, Why The Early Bird Gets The Worm, Life Isn't Always Fair, and Maybe It Was My Fault After All.

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, Two World Wars, the Cold War, and the Technological Revolution, he survived sundry cultural and educational trends, including disco, the women's (and later on the men’s) movement, body piercing, whole language, and even new math.

Along the way, Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (such as “Don't spend more than you can earn!”) and reliable cultural strategies (such as “Adults, not children, are in charge!”).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place in the latter half of the twentieth century, especially in the late 1960s when he became infected with the infamous If-It-Feels-Good, Do-It virus. In the following decades, his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal and state rules and regulations and an oppressive tax code.

He was sapped of strength and the will to live as political correctness began to take over society, the Ten Commandments became contraband, rights in general became more important than responsibilities, and judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional baseball and golf.

Through the years, reports of such things as a six-year-old boy being charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher being fired for reprimanding a disorderly student all worked only to worsen his condition.

Common Sense lost significant ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. He declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer things like sun lotion or aspirin to students; yet they could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense apparently lost the will to live as churches became businesses and catered their watered down message only to the felt needs of their audiences. When prisons became hotels where criminals received better treatment than their victims did, he lost his will to resist. In addition, he took a severe beating when individuals could not defend themselves from a burglar in their own home; and yet the burglar could sue them for assault if they did.

Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was literally hot, spilled a little in her lap, decided to sue the restaurant where she purchased it, and was promptly awarded a huge cash settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by two half-brothers: Mr. Half Wit and Mr. Dim Wit, as well as four step-sisters: Ms. I Know My Rights, Ms. I Want It Now, Ms. I Am Not At Fault (Also known as Ms. Someone Else Is To Blame), and Ms. I Am A Victim.

Perhaps saddest of all, not many attended the funeral of Common Sense because so few even realized he was gone.

NOTE: It seems that this piece originated with Lori Borgman in the March 15, 1998 edition of the Indianapolis Star. Over the years, it has apparently gone through several iterations on the internet. Her original article can be found here.

GOD AT WORK

1/25/2011

The Lord has intentionally sent three men into my life in the last couple of days. Along the way, what none of them really knew was that, as they sought me out and shared me with me in my capacity as their pastor, they were the ones actually doing the ministering. You see, there are times when even ministers need ministry. In such times, God always seems to know exactly how to respond and who to send.

The first man, a young father in his twenties, talked about the struggles he was facing in fitting everything into his increasingly demanding schedule as he attempts to make his mark in the world. His chief concern, though, was in finding a way to meet all of his obligations, and yet still get home to see his small son before bedtime each night. Quite commendably, he was determined not to let his busy schedule crowd out his wife and child.

The second man, a bit older, talked about the slightly different transition of life he was facing. He was now trying to balance out the demands of raising his own sons with those of caring for his aging parents. Admirably, his concern was to be an effective father while also remaining a devoted and responsible son.

The last man, more my own age, was very excited about having recently had the opportunity to share the gospel with his son, who then accepted Christ as his personal Savior. Needless to say, he was overjoyed.

What none of these men knew as we talked was that it was eleven years ago this week when I lost my own father. He died on January 23, 2000; and was buried two days later on January 25 (exactly eleven years ago today). Obviously, as is the case most every year around this time, all of this has been on my mind. Unbeknown to any of these men, though, my discussions with them and their respective matters of concern have all been helpful to me.

You see, at a time in my life when I might normally be a little sad, God sent these men to help change my perspective. My discussions with them have all reminded me that, while (in this life) I will always miss my father, I nonetheless have a lot for which I can be thankful.

To begin with, my father always made time for me. From my earliest memory, he was there for me. There was hardly a day of my childhood and formative years that he was not involved in my life. He was intentional about this; and I will always be appreciative that he was.

Along the way, he demonstrated for me how a father is to love his son. Yet he also modeled for me how a son is to love his parents. I remember with fondness the respect and honor he showed to my grandparents. As was the case with most lessons, these things were more caught than taught. I learned by his example.

More important than all this, when the time came in my life to explore what it means to have personal faith in Jesus Christ, it was my father who was there for me. It was he who talked with me first; then my pastor.

And because that was his greatest priority, my sadness this day is temporary. It is tempered by the fact that I know where he now is. And I know that I will one day see him again; because where he now is, I will one day be. And I know this because the same Jesus who saved him has also saved me. And the same Jesus who has him over there also has me back here. And He (Jesus) will one day have us both together again for all eternity.

I will always be thankful to the Lord for the three men He sent my way this week. Their ministry to their pastor, even if unintentional, was nonetheless quite timely and effective.

UNSUBSCRIBE

1/20/2011

It is a very small word at the bottom of many web pages; yet it is a very powerful little link. It is the word “unsubscribe”. I have found it at the bottom of a great number of e-mails sent to me by various organizations. When you click on it, you are immediately removed from someone’s internet mailing list.

For my part, I have now decided to make use of it. You see, I have found myself the recipient of as many as two to three hundred e-mails a day – a significant portion of which have come, not from individuals, but from organizations.

After fifteen years of surfing the web, I have just gotten to the point that I am suffering from information and communication overload. The cumulative effect of clicking here and clicking there has begun to exact its toll. Any and every organization has been flooding my inbox with daily e-mails.

Furthermore, what has been happening in my inbox is only symptomatic of my life as a whole. I have just had entirely too much going on and entirely too may entities vying for my time and attention. The result of all of this has been that both my energy and my effectiveness in any one area have been diminished by the demands of so many concerns in so many areas.

Thus, as one of my new year’s resolutions, I have decided to do something about all of this. I have decided to simplify and streamline my life. As a result, I have begun “unsubscribing” to a great many things - not just e-mails, but also organizations and commitments as well.

It is reported that D. L. Moody once said, “I would rather say ‘This one thing I do’ than say, ‘These forty things I dabble with.’” Such is where I now am. I have become increasingly convicted by the fact that, up until now, I have spent a fair portion of my life, both professional and personal, dabbling as opposed to doing. In the time I have left in this world, I would like to change all that. I would like to do more and to dabble less.

I want to become more focused; so that, as a result, I can do less, and yet accomplish more. Because of this, I have now stepped down from leadership positions, or else backed away from my general involvement in, several organizations. Now, to be sure, each of these entities, ranging from a crisis pregnancy center to the literacy council, are very worthwhile.

However, by becoming involved in too many such endeavors, I have limited my effectiveness in any single one of them. I have therefore concluded that I cannot continue to spread myself so thin; for in so doing, I have become increasingly unproductive.

I now hope to redeem the time I would have otherwise spent in these endeavors by more vigorously pursuing a select few commitments. Among these will be the continued development of my web page. I sincerely appreciate those of you who visit frequently. In the future, I hope to have more time to develop this site as it was originally envisioned. I have been reasonably faithful to update my blog; but other sections woefully need attention.

In the near future, I hope to make these needed changes and upgrades. I will appreciate your prayers as I move in this bold new direction. May God be glorified by this endeavor.

2011 HANDBOOK

1/14/2011

Like so many of you, I have several friends who faithfully send me forwarded e-mail material. They ask me from time to time if they are being a nuisance; and when they do, my general response is to say, “I don’t mind it at all. I need the ammunition!”

What I mean by this is that I have learned that people like me who communicate for a living are almost always in need of material. As a result, we who communicate are usually appreciative of quality material that comes their way. One might say that communicators are forever “on the prowl” for meaningful material. And they usually “pounce” on any worthwhile opportunity when it presents itself.

Thus, ever so often, something I receive will strike me as appropriate for my post. Such is the origin of the following piece, titled simply “2011 Handbook”. I hope you enjoy it.

2011 HANDBOOK

HEALTH:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2.  Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a    beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with “The Three Es” -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6.  Play more games
7.  Read more books than you did in 2010.
8.  Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9.  Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And, while you walk, smile.

PERSONALITY:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts over things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your spouse about the mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Don't hate others. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class; but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

SOCIETY:

25. Call your family often.
26. Each day, give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. So stay in touch.

LIFE:

32. Always do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. God heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your innermost is always happy. So, be happy.

This is probably not all that bad advice for most of us; especially as we stand on the threshold of a new year.

THE MIGHTY HAS FALLEN

1/13/2011

Tom Brokaw, in his book, The Greatest Generation (New York: Random House, 1998), made the following astute observation about what is known today as the World War Two generation:

At a time in their lives when their days and nights should have been filled with innocent adventure, love, and the lessons of the workaday world, they were fighting in the most primitive conditions possible across the bloodied landscape of France, Belgium, Italy, Austria, and the coral islands of the Pacific.

They answered the call to save the world from the two most powerful and ruthless military machines ever assembled, instruments of conquest in the hands of fascist maniacs. They faced great odds and a late start, but they did not protest. They succeeded on every front. They won the war; they saved the world.

They came home to joyous and short-lived celebrations and immediately began the task of rebuilding their lives and the world they wanted… As they now reach the twilight of their adventurous and productive lives, they remain, for the most part, exceptionally modest. They have so many stories to tell, stories that in many cases they have never told before, because in a deep sense they didn't think that what they were doing was that special, because everyone else was doing it too.

I know of perhaps no single individual to whom this better applies than Richard “Dick” Winters, who passed away peacefully at age 92 on January 2, 2011. He came from very humble beginnings in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. But this otherwise meek and unassuming Christian man was destined for greatness. He was to become a United States Army officer and then a decorated World War Two veteran.

He commanded Company "E" (the famed “Easy Company”), 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, during the invasion of Normandy, and led them through battle after battle across half a continent in the liberation of Europe from brutal Nazi tyranny. (His official AP obituary can be found here.)

His service record, from D-Day to the end of the war, and the resultant heroism he displayed, are both recounted in the 2001 HBO mini-series: Band of Brothers. This itself was based upon the book by noted historian Stephen Ambrose titled Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992). Larry Alexander also documented Winters’ service record in Biggest Brother : The Life of Major Dick Winters, The Man Who Led the Band of Brothers (New York: New American Library, 2005).

Lastly, as if he himself knew time were short, Winters finally chose to tell Easy Company’s story in his own book: Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters (New York: Berkley Publishers, 2006). All three works can be accessed here. Both Winters’ own memoirs and Ambrose’s narrative of Easy Company are also available in audiobook format through iTunes.

Winters, like so many of his generation, exhibited phenomenal heroism in the face of the unspeakable horror of war. He received the following decorations for valor:

Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster, American Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 service stars and arrow device, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Croix de guerre with palm, French Liberation Medal, Oorlogskruis with palm, Belgian WWII Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Parachutist Badge with 2 combat stars.

A concerted effort is now underway to bestow upon him the (long overdue) Congressional Medal of Honor. Typical of his generation, he chose to come home and live out his life in relative anonymity. He eschewed fame and fortune to the very last. In deed, when he died, he had left instructions that his death not be announced until after he had been interred.

A remarkable incident recounted during the interview segment of the Band of Brothers mini-series illustrates well this humility. Winters quoted a passage from a letter he received from Sergeant Mike Ranney: “I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said, 'No… but I served in a company of heroes…'”

The aggrandizement Winters (and his men) refused to undertake, I will now give to him and his generation. Over 2000 years ago, an ancient sage, Ben Sira, wrote these immortal words (Wisdom of Sirach, 44). They aptly apply this day to the exploits of Major Richard Winters and all those who served with him.

"Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us… The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his great power from the beginning. Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding… Leaders of the people by their counsels… men furnished with ability, living peaceably in their habitations… All these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times.

There be of them, that have left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported. And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been; and are become as though they had never been born; and their children after them. But these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten. Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore. The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will shew forth their praise."

Amen. So may it be.

SNOW JOB

1/10/2011

As I write this post, outside my window is a porch covered by at least five inches of snow (picture here). We have had several snows in my time in Tennessee; but this may be the most beautiful of all. Perhaps that is because it is a dry snow, almost powdery, and also that there is so much of it. Everything outside is gorgeously white. Everywhere one looks, the splendor of God’s creation is on display.

When I was growing up back in Georgia, we got precious few snows. More often, we got ice storms instead. As I recall, the most severe was in 1973, when I was a little boy. I can still vividly recall the loud cracks all throughout the day and night as limb after limb of pine trees snapped like riflefire under the weight of the accumulated ice.

One year, however, we did get a particularly severe snow. In January of 1982, all of Atlanta was paralyzed by a very rare snowstorm. Perhaps blizzard would be the better word. As I recall, snow piled up six to eight inches deep in places. That weekend, I was one of a handful of people who made it to church (mostly because we lived a very short distance from the church’s location). To this day, I still remember the major points of the devotion that my pastor, Dr. Ike Reighard, delivered that Sunday morning (albeit to a rather slim crowd) at New Hope Baptist Church in rural Fayette County, Georgia.

He began by referencing the fact that, perhaps surprisingly, snow is mentioned twenty-five times in the Bible. His chosen text was Job 38:22. Then, he shared the following four points.

1. Snow covers everything. Outside, even the ugliest of messes has (at least temporarily) been covered over by snow and made beautiful. In Isaiah 1:18, God says He will take our sins, as dark as scarlet, and make them white as snow. The Bible has many examples of people who were gloriously saved from sin.

2. Snow, though frozen, is actually just recycled water (Ecclesiastes 1:7). God, of course, can recycle any person and give them new life. Then, He can use them over and over again for His purposes. One such example is the Apostle Paul. God changed him from one who persecuted Christians into arguably the greatest missionary who ever lived.

3. Each and every snowflake is unique. Even if there are trillions of snowflakes lying outside, scientists tell us that no two are ever exactly the same. The same is true for people. God, in His glorious creativity, has made each of us unique. Jeremiah speaks of having been uniquely made by God while in his mother’s womb. God then uses our uniqueness for His glory as we each find our respective roll to play and/or ministry to fulfill.

4. One snowflake alone cannot accomplish much. However, let snowflakes come together and begin to amass their numbers and they can have tremendous effect. The quote he used was this: “As the snow multiplies, so does its might.” The same is true for Christians. There is always strength in numbers. When we work together, when we pool our respective talents and resources for the Lord, we can accomplish so much more for Him than we can acting alone.

Almost thirty years after Dr. Reighard shared this simple little devotion, I still remember the impact his thoughts had on me as a young man in training for the pastoral ministry. I share them with you here in the hopes that they will have a similar impact on you this cold winter day.

A SAD DAY

1/6/2011

My post today is a bit uncanny in light of what I posted three days ago about my visits to the cemetary. Yesterday morning at 6am, I received a call from my younger sister, Jill, in Alabama telling me of the sudden and unexpected death of her husband’s father. My heart goes out to her and her husband, Brian.

My heart goes out to Brian because it was eleven years ago this month I when I came in from preaching on a Sunday night to a phone call from my older sister, Barbara, telling me that our father had passed away suddenly. Because of this, I have some sense of appreciation for what Brian is now going through. I have walked that path and it is not easy.

My heart goes out to Jill because she has now lost both her own father and her father-in-law. I hurt for her; and I pray for her during this critical time in her life, when both she (and Brian) are having to assume responsibilities in life that are new to them, and which none of us are ever fully prepared to handle.

I would appreciate a little prayer as well. Needless to say, this event has ripped off the proverbial scab for me. My own father’s passing in January of 2000 is always heavy on my heart at this time of year.

Ironically, I had recently created a playlist on my ipod for songs that remind me of my father; and I had just added one particular song to that playlist titled “Seein’ My Father in Me.” That song, which reached number two on the charts back in 1990, was written and recorded by Paul Overstreet. It was released on his Sowin’ Love album in 1989 by RCA Records.

The words, posted all over the internet, are as follows:

Last night we brought the children by to visit their grandpa;
And it's plain to see they're truly part of him.
While we were there, their grandma took out some old photographs.
Man he sure looked a lot like me back then.

I'm seein' my father in me; I guess that's how it's meant to be,
And I find I'm more and more like him each day.
I notice I walk the way he walks; I notice I talk the way he talks.
I'm startin' to see my father in me.

And today I took my wife for a walk down that old dirt road
Where my daddy took my mom so many times.
And we found the time to mention things we never had before,
And we shared some thoughts about the family life.

Yeah, I'm seein' my father in me; I guess that's how it's meant to be.
And I find I'm more and more like him each day.
I notice I walk the way he walks; I notice I talk the way he talks.
I'm startin' to see my father in me.

And now looking bac,k I can recall the times we disagreed,
When I could not take hold of his old fashioned ways.
And the more I tried to prove him wrong, the more I proved him right.
Now I know why he still stood by me when I went through that stage.

I'm seein' my father in me; I guess that's how it's meant to be.
And I find I'm more and more like him each day.
I notice I walk the way he walks; I notice I talk the way he talks.
I'm startin' to see my father in me.

And I'm happy to see my father in me...

As I approach my fiftieth birthday, I realize more than ever the truth of this simple song. I also realize more and more what a blessing my own father was to me. And I pray I will be just such a blessing to my own children, and perhaps to my grandchildren as well one day.

In the meantime, please pray for my sister, and especially for my brother-in-law. The emotions swirling inside of me have at least been tempered by the passing of time. This is not yet the case for him. There, the storm of grief is raging this day. Your prayers, I know, will be appreciated.

THE DASH BETWEEN THE DATES

1/3/2011

Whenever I go back home to Georgia, as I did over the recent Christmas holidays, I make it a point to go by my home church and visit the cemetery. Lest you think me morbid, let me explain my motive. Buried in that cemetery are a large number of my ancestors, including my father, two grandfathers, a grandmother, a great-grandfather, a great-grandmother, and more uncles and aunts than I can count. Visiting this place helps to keep me in touch with my roots. It reminds me of where I came from; and also of who all helped to make me into the person I am today.

Each of the graves which I stop and visit is marked by a respective headstone. Each of these headstones is unique, in that each has its own individual name, and a set of dates, for the person whose remains are buried there. None of these markings are the same. However, each headstone does have one thing in common: a simple little dash carved in between the dates.

Over twenty five years ago, I heard a gifted pastor (Dr. Truett Gannon of Smokerise Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia) preach a funeral in which he spoke of one such simple little dash and what all it stood for. What that little dash represents, for each and every person upon whose headstone it has been or will be inscribed, he said, is the life that person lived while he or she was in this world.*

How insightful! Every one of my relatives whose remains lie buried in the New Hope Baptist Church cemetery in Fayetteville, Georgia once had a whole lifespan which is now represented by only a single dash. During that lifespan, they lived out the life God gave to them. While here, they lived, they loved, they worked, they played, they worshipped. They made the most of what they were given, in the time and setting where God placed them. In short, they lived out the life they were allotted, and then they went to their reward.

What was true for them is also true for me. I, too, am destined to live out my dash. Now I have been blessed by God with a life to live. By His providential choosing, the setting for that life is here and now, in this place and at this time. That much I do not control. But I do control what I do with the life I have been given.

To put it another way: the dash is God’s gift to me; what I do with the dash is my gift back to God. I can take my God-given talent and put it to work for Him or I can bury it in the back yard. The choice is clearly mine. However, in making that single choice, I set myself up for whatever results and/or consequences may follow.

In the words of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 25:20-30…

...20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21 "His master replied, 'Well done, 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!'

22 "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23 "His master replied, 'Well done, 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!'

24 "Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26 "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 "'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

I am glad my forebears were all reasonably faithful to make the most of the lives they were given by God. I am challenged by this fact. As a result, I hope to do the same with the life He has given to me. What about you? Are you making the most of your God-given life? Are you living out “the dash” with which God has blessed you to its fullest potential?

If not, the beginning of a new year is an ideal time to reflect on whatever changes you might need to make. The productivity of your life during the remainder of the time you have left in your dash is entirely dependent on what you now decide. Make the most of that time.

(*NOTE: This entire concept has been further developed into a world-renowned poem titled “The Dash” [and later, a movie by the same name] by Linda Ellis. Her work is copyrighted; so I cannot post it here. However, it can be accessed on her website at: www.lindaellis.net. Also, a copy of her poem has been posted online with her permission at: http://genealogy.about.com/od/humor/a/the_dash.htm, and may be read there.)

A TIME FOR CHANGES

1/2/2011

Several years back, Doug Murren and Barb Shurin wrote a book titled Is It Real When It Doesn't Work? (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1990). In it, they told the story of Swedish Chemist Alfred Nobel.

In 1867, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel invented a new high explosive, which he named "dynamite." He was convinced that his invention would make war too horrible ever to happen again. However, he quickly discovered there was no shortage of buyers for his new explosive. He made a huge fortune from its sales, yet was horrified with the suffering and misery it caused in wars and conflicts. But what was he to do?

Towards the end of the 19th, century he awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the local paper: "Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before. He died a very rich man."

Actually, it was Alfred's older brother who had died. A newspaper reporter had confused the epitaph. But the account had a profound effect on Alfred. He decided he wanted to be known for something other than developing a means to kill people efficiently, and for amassing a fortune in the process.

As a result, he initiated the Nobel Prize - an award for scientists and writers who foster peace. Nobel said, "Every man ought to have the chance to correct his epitaph in midstream and write a new one."

As the new year dawns, you may be sensing the need to correct your unfolding epitaph in midstream. The wonderful news, you can do just that. You can write an entirely new and different ending summary for your life. That is what the new year represents - for you, for me, for everyone.

The great truth is not only that we can do this; but also that we should do this. As Peter admonishes us (2 Peter 3:11-12): “Since everything will be destroyed… what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”

And, as I shared this past Sunday, Paul further cautions us (Ephesians 5:15-17) to... “Be very careful, then, how you live -not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”

Why not take a few minutes at this time of the year and think about ways you can change your life for the better? Ways that will make a positive difference not only in your life, but also in the lives of others, both for this world and for the world to come?