A Parable: Saving Lives
by Charles R. Swindoll
Colossians 4:2-6; Matthew 5:13-16; Ephesians 5:1-33
On a dangerous seacoast notorious for shipwrecks, there was a crude little lifesaving station. Actually, the station was merely a hut with only one boat . . . but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the turbulent sea. With little thought for themselves, they would go out day and night tirelessly searching for those in danger as well as the lost. Many, many lives were saved by this brave band of men who faithfully worked as a team in and out of the lifesaving station. By and by, it became a famous place.
Some of those who had been saved as well as others along the seacoast wanted to become associated with this little station. They were willing to give their time and energy and money in support of its objectives. New boats were purchased. New crews were trained. The station that was once obscure and crude and virtually insignificant began to grow. Some of its members were unhappy that the hut was so unattractive and poorly equipped. They felt a more comfortable place should be provided. Emergency cots were replaced with lovely furniture. Rough, hand-made equipment was discarded and sophisticated, classy systems were installed. The hut, of course, had to be torn down to make room for all the additional equipment, furniture, systems, and appointments. By its completion, the life-saving station had become a popular gathering place, and its objectives had begun to shift. It was now used as sort of a clubhouse, an attractive building for public gatherings. Saving lives, feeding the hungry, strengthening the fearful, and calming the disturbed rarely occurred by now.
Fewer members were now interested in braving the sea on lifesaving missions, so they hired professional lifeboat crews to do this work. The original goal of the station wasn't altogether forgotten, however. The lifesaving motifs still prevailed in the club's decorations. In fact, there was a liturgical lifeboat preserved in the Room of Sweet Memories with soft, indirect lighting, which helped hide the layer of dust upon the once-used vessel.
About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast and the boat crews brought in loads of cold, wet, half-drowned people. They were dirty, some terribly sick and lonely. Others were black and "different" from the majority of the club members. The beautiful new club suddenly became messy and cluttered. A special committee saw to it that a shower house was immediately built outside and away from the club so victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside.
At the next meeting there were strong words and angry feelings, which resulted in a division among the members. Most of the people wanted to stop the club's lifesaving activities and all involvements with shipwreck victims . . . ("it's too unpleasant, it's a hindrance to our social life, it's opening the door to folks who are not our kind"). As you'd expect, some still insisted upon saving lives, that this was their primary objective---that their only reason for existence was ministering to anyone needing help regardless of their club's beauty or size or decorations. They were voted down and told if they wanted to save the lives of various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own lifesaving station down the coast! They did.
As years passed, the new station experienced the same old changes. It evolved into another club . . . and yet another lifesaving station was begun. History continued to repeat itself . . . and if you visit that coast today you'll find a large number of exclusive, impressive clubs along the shoreline owned and operated by slick professionals who have lost all involvement with the saving of lives.
Shipwrecks still occur in those waters, but now most of the victims are not saved. Every day they drown at sea, and so few seem to care . . . so very few.
Do you?
Excerpted from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, Copyright © 1983 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by arrangement with Zondervan Publishing House.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Broken Free of The Golden Handcuffs
I have blogged before about the "Golden Handcuffs" see previous post dated 8/2/08, and I spoke about how we are trapped by the income we are earning because we are scared to loose that security blanket. But it is not a security blanket it is an UNSECURE BLANKET, it can be ended at anytime by someone who has power over that paycheck. I say power over that paycheck because they do not have power over you.
I lived under that fear for almost 2 years and now after a gift from God I'm being laid off from work. My first feeling was fear of the unknown how would I provide for my family. But as I thought about this and prayed the good Lord put it in my heart that everything is from Him, so it was God who was providing for my family in the first place and He will continue to provide and show me the way.
1 Corinthians 2:5 NIV
so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power
1 Corinthians 7:21 NIV
...although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
So, it seems as so God has broken me loose from my Golden Handcuffs and he has given me my freedom. So, do I jump right into the same situation another job for someone else as before because it pays the bills and it is safe or do I search for what my heart wants and pursue that happiness?
Life on this earth is like a blink of an eye and when it is over, it is over. A life fully lived is one of the greatest gifts from God and we waste it out of fear.
1 Timothy 6:9-11 NIV
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Emphases added
I dreaded going to work it took all of my energy, it drained me, and left nothing but a hollow shell of a person at the end of each day. I was not excited to wake up each day and experience all that life has to offer. I also found myself tired and lifeless at the end of each work day. I deserved more from each day than getting up and going to work, coming home and seating in my chair exhausted, and then going to sleep. My family deserve a better father than someone physically and emotional drained from a tedious day of a mind numbing thankless job. It was not the type of work that I was doing that was slowly taking away my hope, it was where I was working and who I was working for.
I'm blessed with my family and good health and a love of the good Lord so the future is unknown and exciting. I now look forward to everyday instead of trying just to survive each day. I will end with a few quotes;
“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” -- Helen Keller
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them." – George Bernard Shaw
"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher." -- Thomas H. Huxley
“There is the risk you cannot afford to take, and there is the risk you cannot afford not to take.” -- Peter Drucker
"The great tragedy of life is not death, but what dies inside of us while we live." -- Norman Cousins
"It is better to have beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear"
“The secret of Happiness is Freedom, and the secret of Freedom, Courage.”
Thucydides quotes (Ancient Greek historians and author, 460-404bc)
I lived under that fear for almost 2 years and now after a gift from God I'm being laid off from work. My first feeling was fear of the unknown how would I provide for my family. But as I thought about this and prayed the good Lord put it in my heart that everything is from Him, so it was God who was providing for my family in the first place and He will continue to provide and show me the way.
1 Corinthians 2:5 NIV
so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power
1 Corinthians 7:21 NIV
...although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
So, it seems as so God has broken me loose from my Golden Handcuffs and he has given me my freedom. So, do I jump right into the same situation another job for someone else as before because it pays the bills and it is safe or do I search for what my heart wants and pursue that happiness?
Life on this earth is like a blink of an eye and when it is over, it is over. A life fully lived is one of the greatest gifts from God and we waste it out of fear.
1 Timothy 6:9-11 NIV
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Emphases added
I dreaded going to work it took all of my energy, it drained me, and left nothing but a hollow shell of a person at the end of each day. I was not excited to wake up each day and experience all that life has to offer. I also found myself tired and lifeless at the end of each work day. I deserved more from each day than getting up and going to work, coming home and seating in my chair exhausted, and then going to sleep. My family deserve a better father than someone physically and emotional drained from a tedious day of a mind numbing thankless job. It was not the type of work that I was doing that was slowly taking away my hope, it was where I was working and who I was working for.
I'm blessed with my family and good health and a love of the good Lord so the future is unknown and exciting. I now look forward to everyday instead of trying just to survive each day. I will end with a few quotes;
“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” -- Helen Keller
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them." – George Bernard Shaw
"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher." -- Thomas H. Huxley
“There is the risk you cannot afford to take, and there is the risk you cannot afford not to take.” -- Peter Drucker
"The great tragedy of life is not death, but what dies inside of us while we live." -- Norman Cousins
"It is better to have beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear"
“The secret of Happiness is Freedom, and the secret of Freedom, Courage.”
Thucydides quotes (Ancient Greek historians and author, 460-404bc)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A Secure Life
(I’ve never been able to identify an author for this story, and have taken the liberty to modify it over the years.)
Once upon a time in the long, long ago the Eagle and the Turkey were very good friends. Everywhere they went these friends went together. It was not uncommon for people to look up and see the Eagle and the Turkey flying side by side through the air.
One day while flying, the Turkey said to the Eagle: “Let’s drop down and get a bite to eat. My stomach is growling.” “Sounds like a good idea to me,” replied the Eagle. So the two birds glided down to earth, saw several animals eating, and decided to join them. They landed next to the Cow. The Cow was busy eating corn, but noticed that the Eagle and the Turkey were soon sitting on the ground next to her. “Welcome,” said the Cow. “Help yourself to the corn.”
This took the two birds by surprise. They were not accustomed to having other animals share their food quite so readily. “Why are you willing to share your corn with us?” asked the Eagle. “Oh, we have plenty to eat here. Mr. Farmer gives us all we want,” replied the Cow. With that invitation, the Eagle and The Turkey jumped in and ate their fill. When they finished, the Turkey asked more about Mr. Farmer. “Well,” said the Cow, “he grows all our food. We don’t have to work for the food at all.”
“You mean,” said the Turkey, “that Mr. Farmer simply gives you all you want to eat?” “That’s right,” said the Cow. “Not only that, but he gives us a place to live.” The Turkey and the Eagle were shocked! They had never heard of such a thing. They had always had to search for food and work for shelter.
When it came time to leave, the Turkey and the Eagle began to discuss the situation. “Maybe we should just stay here,” said the Turkey. “We can have all the food we want without working. And that barn over there sure beats those nests we have been building. Besides, I’m getting tired of always having to work for a living.”
“I don’t know about all this,” said the Eagle. “It sounds too good to be true. I find it hard to believe that one can get something for nothing. Besides, I kinda like flying high and free through the air. And providing for food and shelter isn’t so bad. In fact, I find it quite challenging.”
Well, the Turkey thought it over and decided to stay where there was free food and shelter. But the Eagle decided that he loved his freedom too much to give it up, and enjoyed the consistent challenge of making his own living. So, after saying good-bye to his old friend the Turkey, the Eagle set sail for the unknown adventure.
Everything went fine for the Turkey. He ate all he wanted. He never worked. He grew fat and lazy. But then one day he heard the farmer’s wife mention that Thanksgiving was coming in the next few days and it would be nice to have roast turkey for dinner. Hearing that, the Turkey decided it was time to check out and rejoin his good friend Mr. Eagle. But when he attempted to fly he found that he had grown too fat and lazy. Instead of being able to fly, he could only flutter. So on Thanksgiving Day the farmer’s family sat down to roast Turkey.
*********************************************
When you give up the challenges of life in pursuit of “security,” you may give up your freedom.
There’s always free cheese in a mousetrap. -- Old Proverb
Once upon a time in the long, long ago the Eagle and the Turkey were very good friends. Everywhere they went these friends went together. It was not uncommon for people to look up and see the Eagle and the Turkey flying side by side through the air.
One day while flying, the Turkey said to the Eagle: “Let’s drop down and get a bite to eat. My stomach is growling.” “Sounds like a good idea to me,” replied the Eagle. So the two birds glided down to earth, saw several animals eating, and decided to join them. They landed next to the Cow. The Cow was busy eating corn, but noticed that the Eagle and the Turkey were soon sitting on the ground next to her. “Welcome,” said the Cow. “Help yourself to the corn.”
This took the two birds by surprise. They were not accustomed to having other animals share their food quite so readily. “Why are you willing to share your corn with us?” asked the Eagle. “Oh, we have plenty to eat here. Mr. Farmer gives us all we want,” replied the Cow. With that invitation, the Eagle and The Turkey jumped in and ate their fill. When they finished, the Turkey asked more about Mr. Farmer. “Well,” said the Cow, “he grows all our food. We don’t have to work for the food at all.”
“You mean,” said the Turkey, “that Mr. Farmer simply gives you all you want to eat?” “That’s right,” said the Cow. “Not only that, but he gives us a place to live.” The Turkey and the Eagle were shocked! They had never heard of such a thing. They had always had to search for food and work for shelter.
When it came time to leave, the Turkey and the Eagle began to discuss the situation. “Maybe we should just stay here,” said the Turkey. “We can have all the food we want without working. And that barn over there sure beats those nests we have been building. Besides, I’m getting tired of always having to work for a living.”
“I don’t know about all this,” said the Eagle. “It sounds too good to be true. I find it hard to believe that one can get something for nothing. Besides, I kinda like flying high and free through the air. And providing for food and shelter isn’t so bad. In fact, I find it quite challenging.”
Well, the Turkey thought it over and decided to stay where there was free food and shelter. But the Eagle decided that he loved his freedom too much to give it up, and enjoyed the consistent challenge of making his own living. So, after saying good-bye to his old friend the Turkey, the Eagle set sail for the unknown adventure.
Everything went fine for the Turkey. He ate all he wanted. He never worked. He grew fat and lazy. But then one day he heard the farmer’s wife mention that Thanksgiving was coming in the next few days and it would be nice to have roast turkey for dinner. Hearing that, the Turkey decided it was time to check out and rejoin his good friend Mr. Eagle. But when he attempted to fly he found that he had grown too fat and lazy. Instead of being able to fly, he could only flutter. So on Thanksgiving Day the farmer’s family sat down to roast Turkey.
*********************************************
When you give up the challenges of life in pursuit of “security,” you may give up your freedom.
There’s always free cheese in a mousetrap. -- Old Proverb
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
Luke 19 NIV
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "
8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
9Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Is this true because Zacchaeus no longer followed money but began to follow God?
I believe it is true and I believe this is a model for modern Christians to follow.
Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "
8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
9Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Is this true because Zacchaeus no longer followed money but began to follow God?
I believe it is true and I believe this is a model for modern Christians to follow.
Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Luke 12:16-21 NIV
"The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
So, we work all of our lives to earn money for stuff that rust and moths will destroy and then our lives are taken from us.
We work our lives away getting to retirement and then realize we wasted our lives. Or we die suddenly and never get to enjoy the life God intended for us to live.
How do we get past our fears and really live?
18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
So, we work all of our lives to earn money for stuff that rust and moths will destroy and then our lives are taken from us.
We work our lives away getting to retirement and then realize we wasted our lives. Or we die suddenly and never get to enjoy the life God intended for us to live.
How do we get past our fears and really live?
Christian Lifestyle?
I have been thinking a lot about the christian lifestyle or way. I have been really disgusted with the commercialism of Christians. I don't understand how we can go after the American dream and still be Christians? How we can have more than we need and still be Christians? How we can consume more than we need and still be Christians? Why do we have to have so much stuff; large home, multiple cars, more clothes than we can wear in a year, multiple rooms in a house to put our stuff, so much extra stuff we need storage areas to store our stuff.
Jesus says that we can not serve two masters;
Matthew 6:24 NIV
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
How then can we live as we are living and serve God as our master. It seems to me that we serve money as our master.
We get accustomed to living with excess and then when the thought of living with less enters our minds we begin to make excuses of why we must live the way we live:
1) We don't live in excess we need every room in our house
2) We couldn't down size it would be detrimental to our children
3) We can't remember life before stuff and become scared of the thought of change
Whatever it is we serve money and not Jesus.
Image a home, street, city, county, state, country, continent, and world in which we served God instead of money!
Jesus says that we can not serve two masters;
Matthew 6:24 NIV
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
How then can we live as we are living and serve God as our master. It seems to me that we serve money as our master.
We get accustomed to living with excess and then when the thought of living with less enters our minds we begin to make excuses of why we must live the way we live:
1) We don't live in excess we need every room in our house
2) We couldn't down size it would be detrimental to our children
3) We can't remember life before stuff and become scared of the thought of change
Whatever it is we serve money and not Jesus.
Image a home, street, city, county, state, country, continent, and world in which we served God instead of money!
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