Who's That Girl In My Bed?

That's the question I asked my mom when I came home for the Xmas and New Year holidays from college.  "Oh," she said, "I forgot to tell you. We have taken in a foster child.  Her name is Charlene.  She's eight years old.  You'll have to sleep in your brother's room."

My parents wanted Charlene to have a great Christmas as she apparently had a rough time in life.  On Christmas morning my  younger brother and I watched Charlene open her presents as quickly as we gave them to her.  What seemed like a very long time and what seemed like 20 presents, when she finally opened the last one, she said, "Is that all there is?"  My brother and I looked at each other and we all knew we've got a problem!"

Charlene believed we all owed her something.  Today, we would say she felt entitled and would fit in very well with todays culture. When you feel entitled, you cannot feel thankful because if you believe people owe you something there's nothing to be thankful for. 

Thursday is Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving reminds us to be, how do you put it? oh yes, "thankful."  But are we really thankful?  According to social psychology research, the secret to being content is "to be thankful for what we have."

The Bible teaches us that to be thankful is basically to be grateful and gratitude is one of the highest virtues of the true believer and the foundation from which blessings flow.  The opposite of thankful would be ingratitude which closes the door to blessings.

The story of Tony Snow illustrates beautifully what thanksgiving really means.  Tony Snow was the White House press secretary during the administration of President George W. Bush.  He died of colon cancer in 2008.  Seven months before his death Tony was speaking to a group of journalists and said these words, "In many ways, having cancer was the very best thing that ever happened to me, other than marrying my wife."  He went on to say that cancer is not a blessing but God often uses it to teach us something we never knew and deepens our faith.  We find out what matters most in life.  

After his first cancer operation, Tony said that he had to stay in bed.  During that time he read the Bible in bed and prayed like he had never done before.  He asked God to draw nearer to him and God did.  He felt a joy inside him that he never had before, knowing that God was with him every step of the way and that no matter what happened, God would never leave him.  Tony Snow learned what being thankful truly meant.  

On behalf of the Allen and Reva Minor family, and our German Shepherd, Max, we wish you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.  

Where Did The Wow Go?

What gives meaning to your life?  What is it that motivates you each morning and gets you through the day?  What do you have to look forward to?  In short, what makes you happy?

Does your happiness involve getting or giving?  Most of us enjoy receiving a present.  Christmas is coming up and will be here before we know it.  I remember as a child receiving my first present.  On Christmas eve, I could hardly get to sleep.  When I woke up it was still dark.  I went into the living room.  The lights on the Christmas tree were shining and there it was under the Christmas tree.  I couldn't have been happier.  It was a Texaco Gas Station complete with cars and little play action figures.  Wow!  It doesn't get better than this as a little kid.  That's as good at gets.  Wow!

When is the last time you had a "Wow!" experience?  When one of my family members was about the same age as I was when I got that great present, I decided to get him a present to recapture the "Wow!"  Not just any present but one designed to get a "Wow!"  After careful research I decided to get him a remote control car.  It was shiny red with racing decals on it and it could "lay rubber."  I had trouble getting to sleep again that Christmas Eve, but not because I was going to get something, but because I was going to give something.  When he opened up that present you could see his eyes flash and he was so happy.  We both had a "Wow!" experience.

I believe that what gives meaning to our lives is when we get outside of ourselves and give to others.  When is the last time you truly helped someone?  Whether the other person was in a financial, physical, or psychological crisis.  When, because of you, you were able to change another person's life.  You, with the help of God, were able to make the world a better place to live.  This is where you will feel the "Wow!"  

Crossing The Rubicon

Crossing the Rubicon is one of the world's oldest phrases dating back to Julius Caesar.  After one of Julius Caesar's successful military campaigns, Roman Emperor Pompey became fearful that he might one day take his throne.  So, under pretext of honoring Caesar, Pompey ordered him to leave his army and report to Rome immediately.  Caesar knew that if he did this he would probably be  assassinated.  Instead, Caesar led his troops across the rive Rubicon in a surprise attack on Rome and seized power.  Once across the Rubicon, there was no turning back.  

Jesus was crossing the Rubicon when He passed over the Brook Kidron on His way to the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of His crucifixion.  There was no turning back.  He realized full well that it meant His betrayal, trial, and His crucifixion and death.  He crossed over in obedience.

How many Christians have been baptized but have never really crossed the Rubicon where they give themselves freely and totally to God?  Every human being will and must one day approach their own Rubicon and must decide to either cross it or let it slip through their fingers.  

James Russell Lowell in his famous poem wrote:  "Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide.  In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side.  Some great cause, some new decision, offering each the bloom or blight, and the choice goes by forever.  Twixt that darkness and that light."

If you are married, ask yourself this question:  "Have I crossed the Rubicon for my marriage?"  What that means is this.  Have you come to the point where all of your suit cases are unpacked?  Where you have made the decision that whatever happens, happens.  For example, if you are a man and your wife has breast cancer, will that be a game changer for you?  Or are you all the way in.  No matter what happens, for better or worse, you will love her and never leave her.  Regardless of the circumstances, you have crossed the Rubicon and no matter what happens, you will always remain faithful.  

This is what Jesus asks of us.  John 6:66 says, "From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more."  Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"  Jesus wasn't putting up with it anymore.  No more sitting on the fence.  He's asking them if they want to go with Him or not.  Either you are going to cross the Rubicon now or you're never going to.  But if you do, there's no turning back.  You have to be all in.  

Following the Lord means a serious walk with Him.  If God is speaking to you now.  If you feel He's touched your heart, then you need to do something about it.  Can you hear Jesus asking you, "Do you also want to go away?"  Are you going to cross the Rubicon with Jesus?  Are you going to say the words of the Apostles, "We have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."