Love for All, Hate for None

So read the bumper sticker of the car that I followed to work last Thursday.  There right in front of me, in just a few words was a profound statement.   It was of course a reflection of the vehicle owner’s worldview.  I wondered about how possessing that worldview affected the driver’s life.  I was so curious I sped up a little just to have a quick glance into the car to see who was driving expecting I would uncover more insight but it was to no avail.  There were no other messages just a young, professionally dressed man apparently on his way in to the downtown core.

This started me to think about what kind of bumper sticker I should have on my mini-van.  If the Apostle Paul was alive, maybe he would have had something like “Chief Sinner” (1 Tim. 1:16), “To live is Christ, to die is gain” (Phil 1:21), or “I know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).  Unfortunately, I couldn’t come up with anything so pithy during my commute but I’ve started to work on it.   Maybe if it’s good enough I can get it printed on a t-shirt to stimulate conversation with strangers.

Okay, kidding aside I think we can all agree that it probably is a good idea to ask the question “What am I all about?”  Especially when sooner or later we'll be asked.

What would you say?

Pastor Gary

The Science of Happiness.

This is interesting! A Harvard University psychology professor studied the science of happiness. I guess the idea was to find out what makes us happy so we can predictably repeat it. Among the findings is that we greatly overestimate the things we think will make us happy.

For instance, we think a new car will make us intensely happy and that it will last a long time only to find out it didn’t make us as happy as we thought, nor did it last as long as we thought. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt!

As it turns out, pursuing the things we think will make us happy may not add much to our lives. I guess this is part of what motivated Jesus to say, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33, NIV). Seeking God’s best, instead of our perceived happiness, allows us to follow a higher standard which doesn’t change even when our feelings about what makes us happy do!

And once again, science validates the Bible! Very interesting.

Haircuts and Missed Opporunities

I don't like getting my hair cut.  There are a number of reasons why, but the main one is that when I leave I am rarely satisfied.  If you're reading this, then there is a good chance you have seen me before and might be saying that there is nothing special about my hair.  You're right.  It's pretty basic.  Yet, when I leave the barber shop I feel like I should have had a little more taken off the top, trimmed the sides shorter, etc.  This happens because I don't speak up when they ask me how I'd like it to be cut.  When asked how I'd like my hair to be cut I usually jokingly respond 'shorter'.  They think I'm kidding but the truth is I do want it shorter but don't know how to be specific or detailed.  That is why I am rarely satisfied when I see my reflection in the rear view mirror as I drive out of the parking lot.  It's too late.  I've missed my chance.  I'll have to wait for my next cut.

Now, I know it's just a haircut and that I will be going back for another cut in a months time.  It's not really a big deal and I will have a chance to try and explain better next time around.

But what about the times when we miss opportunities to share about our faith because we don't know what to say?

A few weeks ago I was driving home from hockey with a non-Christian friend.  We began talking about the Discovery Channel and a T.V. special he had watched about the ocean.  He was telling me about how incredible wildlife creatures are and how mysterious the ocean floor is and then went on to say that it's hard to believe that everything came to be "by some big explosion in space that happened a billion years ago".  "Yeah.  It is pretty crazy," was my response.

The results of not knowing what to say to my barber is far less important than my pathetic response to my friend's observation.  He provided me with an opportunity to bring the scriptural account of creation into the conversation and I didn't.  The Leafs scored (we were listening to the game on the radio), the conversation change to their losing streak and the opportunity was gone. I missed it.

I might get another chance to share my beliefs on the God who created our incredible planet.  I'll have to wait and see.  I should have been prepared in that moment.  I should have known what to say.  It is more serious than a bad haircut.

Are you prepared to make the best of an opportunity like the one I missed?

I'm praying for ya.  Please pray for me, too.

Dave