The Cross & The Crow

As I read the Resurrection story this month I am reminded of the many people who play a part in the event. Many different characters who make this story what it is; the story of Resurrection life!
One of these characters, Peter, reminds me of myself. Peter is a man of many portraits. He has his rough, robust fisherman side. He makes his living this way, and apparently is successful at it. This segment of his personality comes naturally. Then, you see the side of him that is totally different. He meets Christ and leaves everything behind. He even allows his name to be changed. He pledges his allegiance to Christ and yet he falls so short of what he has promised.
Jesus is arrested and it seems all of his dreams, and certainly his future, are over.He attempts to protect Christ from this incident, only to be told by Christ to let it go. Christ has already spoken some pretty heavy words about Peter's denial of him, not once, but three times. You know the story. Peter denies he even knows Jesus in a short conversation with some folks who challenge Peter.
At once the rooster crows and Peter is reminded of his own shortcomings and humanity. It's amazing that a rooster would be in the temple court area, but there it was. That's another story for another day.
Can you imagine how Peter must have felt. What has been said of him is true! He does what he states he will never do. That rooster crowing reminded him right away of his deficiencies. A rooster would have a way of doing that!
We all have roosters in our lives. They seem to come at the worst and most inconvenient times. You can't hide a rooster. They are brightly colored and they strut. They have sharp spurs on their legs that make it difficult to deal with them. Their crowing pierces the atmosphere where they are. There is no denying a rooster is around when he actually is!
Thogh some would have received this rooster with doom and despair, Peter tightened his belt and, somehow, by the grace of God, used it as a tipping point in his life. It was the beginning of a new dimension in who Peter was. Just a short while later, unafraid of people or consequences, Peter stands and declares another word. This time 3,000 folks get saved. The church is birthed and it is a new day in his life!
How have you handled the roosters in your life? I've not done so well at times. Reading this portion of scripture has reminded me again that God is faithful and what he says will happen...if I don't allow the rooster to interrupt it.
The Cross overshadows the rooster. Christ gave his blood so that I might be changed by it! The Cross of the Resurrection shouts louder than any rooster can ever crow! Maybe this Easter you are dealing with a rooster in your life. Don't deal with it the way Judas did. Death is the outcome there. Rather, let the Cross speak to your issue. That issue was paid for by the one who hung on it!
The next time you hear a rooster or see a rooster, remember that they show up in the most unusual places, but when compared to the Cross of Christ, it's just a little crow that really can't be heard anymore. "He whom the Son makes free is free indeed." Embrace the cross, not the crow. It's Resurrection time!

SOMETIMES YOU MUST COME APART BEFORE YOU COME APART!

A few days ago I went home from the church office with chills and fever. This great man of power and might went right for my bed and the warmth of the blankets. Before long here came Joan with the thermometer and soup. Five days! I have never been down five days. You have to understand. Jenkins men are invincible. Sickness we don't have time for.
Well, I have made an exception. Sometimes you must slow down or your body will slow you down!
As I sat those five days (I don't know how people sit and watch TV everyday) channel surfing, reading, sleeping, wishing for better times, and watching the outdoors go by, I realized something. The world goes on whether I am a part of it or not. There was a time when I thought I was a vital part of the process of keeping the globe on its axis, spinning properly. Those five days reminded me of what the psalmist said, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" I realized that though I am important to God, my family, and a few other people, the world will not miss me if I am absent for a day!
Our church had a great Sunday and Wednesday without me. They all said they missed me, but our staff and leadership team kept on going. God showed up even though I didn't!
I was reminded once more what a distinct and wonderful privilege it is to serve God and His wonderful family. Sometimes we can forget who we work for . Life and all of its issues can deter us from the real truth. We get so busy "doing the work of the ministry" that we forget what and who the ministry is all about. I think I have it back in perspective. Being back in my office this week and in my pulpit again last Sunday was quite an honor. I was excited to tell people who I work for and with and that He does all things well. I am healed physically and my mind is renewed spiritually. All the clutter and misinformation have been removed. What a great feeling!
Did God make me sick? No way. Did He allow me to sit on the sidelines for a few days and watch and listen? Most assuredly! What a trip it was. I've learned my lesson and learned it well. Whatever happens today is His problem. I will just make sure I am available if He needs me. In the meantime, I'm planning a fishing trip. If you want to go, give me a call!

How's Your Day Been?

I had the distinct pleasure of picking up my gradson, Eli, from daycare recently. As we got into the car I was asking the typical questions that an adult would ask a little one just rescued from his afternoon teacher at daycare. "How was your day", I asked. "O.K.", was his reply. Then I was asked to get him a drink (Yoohoo) from the machine inside the daycare. After securing that necessity for Eli our conversation resumed.

I was informed of the letters of the alphabet that he had pronounced and written that day. He then proceeded to count for me. What an incredible kid! And his teacher must be very good as well.

After a couple of additional exercises there was a bit of silence. I was focusing on the traffic and Eli was finishing his Yoohoo. Out of nowhere this very intelligent four year old spoke up. "And how was your day, Pop?", he asked. It had been awhile since anyone had asked that question of me, especially a four year old boy. After I stumbled through explaining the complexities of my day on a four year old level, he seemed satisfied. He just sighed and handed me his empty soda can. The complex day that I had struggled through was nothing to him. It was only worth a small sigh and then his attention focused on the ride home.

As I sat in silence my mind began to rehearse the last couple of minutes of conversation. My day had been, in my mind, "one of those days". I was still wrestling with some issues of church life and they captured my thoughts. In just a short moment Eli dealt with all of them.

I learned a lesson that day from Mr. Eli. Some things aren't really worth worrying about. As a matter of fact, they took care of themselves the next day. No wonder Jesus admonished his disciples (and us) to not worryabout tomorrow. His solution was to first seek His kingdom and right standing in Him and then everything else would find its proper place.

My grandson cannot quote Matthew 6. He is only in the Rainbows class on Wednesday nights and Lambs Gate II on Sunday mornings. But he taught me all about that portion of scripture with his short sermon on the way to grandma's house. So often we make it very hard when, really, it is so easy!

Don't let life get the best of you. Sometimes a prophetic voice comes in the form of a four year old wearing glasses and drinking a Yoohoo! Listen and learn!

SPONGE BOB & DORA

Just recently one of our grandchildren (it's great to be a grandpa!) spent the night with us. The next morning Joan had gone for a walk and I was in the bathroom drying my hair. As I shut the blow dryer off, I heard the words, "Hey, Pop, where's Bubie? As I looked around there was Eli sitting on the floor, half asleep, with his legs crossed. I don't know how long he had been sitting there. I informed him that Bubie would be back in a moment and asked if I could help. He said no. He wanted to get into our my bed so I helped him. The TV was on the morning news, but that did not make him happy. The Cartoon Network changed his mind. There was Sponge Bob and all of his friends. Now Eli is sitting up and wide awake.
I continued to get dressed for work as Eli sat glued to Sponge Bob. Not wanting to interfere with Sponge Bob I dressed silently. As I walked into the bedroom Eli turned and said to me, "We like Sponge Bob." I replied that was great. I sometimes enjoyed Sponge Bob myself!
Then, tilting his head just a bit, he looked at me inquisitively, and said, "We don't like Dora. She's not good; just Sponge Bob. I asked why and he simply stated again that Dora was not good. I am not real familiar with Dora's show, but I took his word for it. He resumed watching Sponge Bob until he heard Joan coming up the stairs. Sponge Bob fell prey to Eli's need to eat breakfast.
Eli makes life so simple and I tend to complicate it! I could rationalize that he is only four years old and what do four year olds know? The truth is, I have thought about his view of life all morning. He's right. I'm instructed by Christ to not worry about tomorrow or about what I will eat or drink. It will take care of itself. That doesn't mean that I don't plan for tomorrow; I just don't worry about it. You know what? It works! Today has been hectic and very busy, but it's been a great day. Why? I took my grandson's advice on life!
Thanks, Eli! I wonder if it will work tomorrow??????