It pays to be nice

This morning I called Stanley Steemer to check if my contract had run out with them. I get a cleaning contract with them each year to save money. Well... I had spaced it out and it expired on September 2d. When the operator offered to schedule a cleaning at full price I declined and honestly I was a little short with her on the phone. I was immediately convicted and called right back to apologize. After speaking with another operator and apologizing, he put me on hold. He came back on and said that they would honor the previous contract and clean our carpet for nothing. He then offered me a new contract which included another 4 cleanings for $400. I ended up getting a contract for 5 cleanings for $400. That's a REALLY good deal. I am so thankful for God's Spirit that resides in me and keeps me in check when I want to act like a jerk.
Romans 12:18 (KJV) 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Having a good day

It turned out that I got the day off today. I've been having a Bible day. I just finished the book of Hebrews a few minutes ago. What an awesome book. It's all about how we used to be under the law and how Jesus provided a better way. Under the old law the high priest had to go into the Holy of Holies and offer a blood offering for our sins once a year. But praise God Jesus became the author of a better covenant. Hebrews 9:24-26 (NRSV)24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville The priest in Old Testament times had to keep coming back year after year to offer the sacrifice for atonement (payment) for our sins. The Bible says that after Jesus had offered himself on the cross, He went into the Holy of Holies in heaven and offered his own blood on the alter as payment for all sin (this is why the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died), did you get that? ALL SIN There is not a sin that we can commit that was not in the future at the time that Jesus did this. You see, God is not caught up in time like we are. That is why when Moses asked God, "who shall I say sent me?" God replied "tell them I AM sent you". God sees everything that ever did or ever will happen as one big NOW. That blows my mind. Anyway, enough of running that rabbit. I love what the writer of Hebrews said in Hebrews 10:19-25 (NRSV) 19 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville Praise God we don't have to rely on someone else to reconcile us to God. We can boldly go to Jesus to confess our need for a saviour and for forgivness when we blow it. 1 John 1:9 (NRSV)9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville God help me to ever be mindful of what you did for me through the sacrifice of your son Jesus.

Catholic TV

I took a couple of days off work this week and I've been sitting here this morning watching the Catholic TV Network (Eternal Word Television Network). I watch it quite often as a matter of fact. One program was a video of praying the Rosary from the Holy Land. I was so moved as I listened and watched the images from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Then the Pope came on and had his daily mass in St Peter's Square in Rome. As I watched the faces of the people there, it came to me that these people are sincere in their devotion to God. They are on a holy pilgrimage seeking a spiritual renewal. I have absolutely no right to be critical or self righteous about my personal relationship with God. I watch my father-in-law and my mother-in-law and they are absolutely devoted to God. I have to believe that if anyone, including Catholics, is truly seeking a relationship with Jesus, they will find it. God said in His Word that if we seek God, we will find Him. I remember when I was in Nazareth on a Holy Land Tour that there was a Catholic Church across the street. I got up and went to the 0600 mass. As I sat there listening to the mass (in Latin), God's presence was so strong that I could barely sit up. I did not understand one word that was spoken, but God blessed me that morning in a way that I will never forget. In the same way, I do not agree with all the pomp and ceremonialism of a Catholic Mass but I know that God is so excited when we just want to know him. I love what the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Philippian church. He had just given a list of all the reasons why he could consider himself superior or more qualified to preach. Philippians 3:7-14 (KJV)
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995. Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA

My first Senior Citizen Discount

Yesterday morning after eating breakfast in a truck stop in Marion, IL, the girl at the check out asked "are you senior?" I had to ask her again and she said the same thing. I told her I am 54 and she replied "you're senior". She was being nice to me, but it was like getting a bucket of cold water thrown into my face. That's when it hit me. Man.... I'll be 55 in three weeks. I have refused to grow up for my whole life but, now I guess it's time to grow old with grace. God told me about 30 years ago that I would not pastor until I was grey headed. I went and preached two "trial" sermons at a church that was looking for a pastor. The pulpit committee told me that I was too young. And you know what, they were right. I had only been a believer for a few months. I felt that I had it all figured out and I should be "Senior Pastor" of a large congregation. That was the height of arrogance. I would have failed miserably. Thank God I did not get that pastorate. It's funny because now as I get older, the thought of being senior pastor of a church scares me half to death. I was talking with a man at a delivery in Cleveland the other day. I told him that my heart's desire is to pastor in Tennessee. He mentioned that his father-in-law's church needs a pastor. I was immediately gripped with fear just at the thought of going to that church to pastor. It is an awesome responsibility. The bottom line is that without God..... I am an absolute zero. God help me to always remain totally dependent on Your guidance.