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I’m reading this book, The Pursuit of Holiness written by Jerry Bridges. This book was written in 1978. Wow. I’ve been reading it for a couple of months and I’m just burning through it. I’m all the way to page 25. I’m reading like the tortoise, but it sends my mind racing like the hare. It gives so much to think about on the subject of holiness that I have to take it in snip-its:

Everyone, then, who professes to be a Christian should ask himself, “Is there evidence of practical holiness in my life? Do I desire and strive after holiness? Do I grieve over my lack of it and earnestly seek the help of God to be holy?”

See what I mean? As I read those questions, one after another, all I could think about was that clown bag when we were kids. You know what I’m talking about? Those plastic punching bags that were about three feet tall, filled with air, sand in the bottom. As you punched (this is probably not allowed today – too violent) the clown face (or another character) the thing fell over and because of the weight in the bottom and the air in the top, it popped back up. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, all depending on the amount of air and the power the punch packed.

“Is there evidence of practical holiness in my life?” Ugh! Down I go. Up I come.

“Do I desire and strive after holiness?” Ugh! Down I go. Up I come.

“Do I grieve over my lack of it and earnestly seek the help of God to be holy?” Down again. Up again.

See what I mean? Whack. Whack. Whack. First of all, I don’t even know if I completely comprehend what holiness is. Do you? It’s kind of like I think I know what it is, but I’m not sure I can explain what it is. Well, let’s pray God’s wisdom and dig in. Since the Lord said to be holy as He is holy, it’s kinda important. Holy is translated from the Greek word hágios which means different, unlike, special, distinguished, distinct. Holy for a follower of Christ means in the likeness with our Lord, different from the world, set apart by or for God, dedicated or devoted to the service of God. So far so good.

For I, the LORD, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy.
Leviticus 11:45

God told the Israelites, they must be holy because He is holy. We are to be like Him. He called them out of Egypt to be a holy nation, to be unique, set apart. (Sound familiar?) They were headed to Canaan, a pagan and worldly nation. He told them, you can either conform to the world, or conform to Me. Be like Me or be like the world. You are either obedient to the world, or obedient to Me. You must throw away your idols and worship only Me. You must turn from sin. You must be holy. (Sound familiar?) The message to the Israelites has been the same message down through time, hasn’t it?

So, if holy means we’re to be different, distinct and dedicated to God, what does that look like in my everyday life? First, just like the Israelites, in order to be holy, we must be spiritually different. That spiritual difference should bleed into every aspect of our life, it should be who we are, not just a part of who we are. Our holiness should be evident in our decisions, our actions, our speech, and our thoughts. But, we can’t be holy on our own. Christ’s death and resurrection make our holiness possible, nothing else.

But now, by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence.
Colossians 1:22

Friends stay close together. Being holy is not simply about separating ourselves from this world we live in. It is about staying close to God. We cannot be holy as He is holy if we are not close enough to Him to know what holy is. It’s not only about separating ourselves from something but separating ourselves to something, to someone, to Him. Not from but to. If we spend all our time and energy on the from, we won’t have time and energy on the to.

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Since we have wedding going on at our house, when I read this verse I understood the veil. In days gone by, brides wore a veil on their wedding day with a blusher. The blusher was a piece of the veil made of thin netting that covered the bride’s face. When the two were pronounced one, the blusher was pulled back, that part of the veil was taken away, removed, and the bride and groom could freely see each other.

Before we knew the Lord, the veil separated us. It covered our minds and our understanding of Him. Now that the veil is removed we are no longer separated from seeing His holiness and His glory. The veil is stripped away. Now that we see Him clearly, we can clearly reflect His holiness. Now that our minds have been unveiled we are to be like Him.

So, let’s look at those questions again:

Is there evidence in my life that I am daily more like Christ and less like the world?

Do I want to be more like Christ and what am I doing to become more like Christ?

Does it bother me when I’m not wholly devoted to God and do I ask Him to help me be different?

Sunday, Sunday (ba da da-da-da-da), so good to me;
Sunday, Sunday, it was all I hoped it would be.

It’s really Monday, Monday, but Sunday, Sunday works fine too on a Friday, Friday. Sometimes the classics need a tweaking so, Sunday, Sunday it is. As you know, I’ve been looking at the calendar lately. Remember, Redeemer Day? In checking out the calendar, Sundays have stuck in my mind.

What is Sunday? The dreaded day before Monday? The day we have to race around and get everything accomplished we should have gotten accomplished on Saturday? Grocery store day? Laundry day? Mowing day? Game day? Homework day? Clean out the brief case from Friday for Monday day? Pack lunches, plan dinners, get ready for the week day? Oh yea, Church?

The more I think about it, I might have gotten Redeemer Day out of whack. I mean, of course everyday should be Redeemer Day, but we already have a Redeemer Day I(we?) don’t observe. A day planned by God for rest, worship and communion. A day when…

Earthborn cares yield to the joys of heavenly communion.

What would our Sundays look like if we thought of them in that way? You know, we do earthly stuff all week, I mean we live here. Would it be possible for us to yield, to forget about our earthborn cares for one day? We’re supposed to, you know.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Exodus 20:8-11

So, what do our Shabaths, our Sabbaths, look like? Are Sundays really any different than any other day of the week? No, I(we) have distorted that day too. The Lord said Sundays are to be set aside as the Sabbath. A day of rest. This is not necessarily about what we don’t do on Sundays, but what we do do. A day set aside for the Lord. A day of renewal in Him.

If we look at our Sundays, can we say we cease, we desist from exertion? That’s what rest is. Is our Sabbath set apart as holy or is it just another day on the calendar of our weekends? One of two days off work we have to get stuff done? Stuff that does need to get done, you know…or does it?

Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Peace be with you.”
They came up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Matthew 28:9

The joys of heavenly communion — worship. Wow. Do we ever think about it like that? Heavenly communion. Look what the disciples did – they communed with Heaven — they grabbed His feet. They didn’t give a hug or a handshake or a yo man, a high-five. They took hold of His feet. There’s only one way to grab hold of His feet – by bowing down! If we’re on our feet, we cannot grab His feet. We’re just not that flexible.

Finding our rest, our peace, by bowing low. Bowing to anyone but ourselves is counter-cultural, isn’t it? That’s not the earthborn world we live in. But look what happens when we do. Look at that sweet commune with our Redeemer.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
Let the Lord’s people show him reverence,
For those who honor him will have all they need.
Psalm 34:8-9

What would it look like if we put Sunday in its proper place? Afterall, we’re schedulers, calendar people and it’s already on the calendar. What would we need to change about our Sundays in order to truly make them God’s Day or Redeemer Day? What would we have to change about our Sundays to make them holy, to commune with Him, to bow down and grab His feet? Those same feet pierced for us.

I’m looking at my calendar for the month of September. It’s one of those desk ones that have a big square for each day of the month. On each day, there’s a number with a slash and then another number. The number of days gone by and days to come. Today’s 266/100. This calendar also indicates special days. Now it doesn’t have Donut Day or Chili Dog Day on it, some might. But, for the month of September it has Labor Day, U.N. International Day of Peace, Autumn Begins, and Rosh Hashanah. I’m not sure who picks what events make it to the calendar, but clearly donut and chili dog lovers had no say in this calendar!

Today Autumn Begins, or so the calendar tells us. When I look at this calendar, I’m reminded about how driven we are by numbers, by dates, and I’m reminded about how some of those dates have special meaning. I started thinking about the holidays and other days that are observed throughout the year.

There’s New Year’s Day, a day on which we celebrate, well…the new year. Generally, it’s quite a bash. The ball drops, shotguns blast, bands march. Our Jewish friends will be celebrating their new year next week, Rosh Hashanah. I’m not a party pooper or anything, but I wonder why we celebrate New Year’s Day anyway?

We’ve got President’s Day, to honor all the deceased presidents, and Martin Luther King, Jr. day to honor a civil rights pioneer. I’m down with that. Presidents and Pioneers are important to our nation. These days are set aside to remember the folks who came before and made a significant impact on our country.

Although not a federal holiday, it still makes it onto some calendars. Easter. Of course, we as Christians know the celebration of this day. It has nothing to do with ushering in Spring, the Easter Bunny, Easter Baskets (I do like me some buttercream eggs), Easter Egg Hunts, Easter Bonnets, or Easter Parades. We’ve fixed the name Easter to many things that aren’t about Easter, the resurrection of our Lord which results in our salvation.

Then we have Memorial Day. A day to remember those who gave their lives so we have the freedoms that we have. From those who died in the birthing of our nation to those who will die in order for us to maintain our freedom, thank you.

Next is July 4th, celebrating the birth of our nation. A nation that was founded in order to have religious freedom, to break away from the Church of England. We celebrate a nation that is slowly losing the freedom to practice that religion it came here for. We celebrate with flag flying, picnics, parades, fireworks.

On to Labor Day, the fall signal, the back to school signal (some call it the most wonderful time of the year), to honor workers for their contributions to our country. And then, one of my favorites, Columbus Day! You know Christopher Columbus – in 1492 our history books all say, Columbus sailed the ocean blue and discovered America-i-a, and discovered America! That’s from my Winchester Avenue School days. It’s kind of funny too — a day to celebrate a man that we’re now not completely sure discovered America.

We then have Veteran’s Day to honor all those who are still living that fought for our freedoms. After Veteran’s Day the year kicks into high gear, doesn’t it?

Thanksgiving. Since George Washington’s time, this holiday celebrates the harvest. Folks in 1789 were pretty grateful for the food they had. Thus, the celebration. We don’t necessarily celebrate the food anymore – it’s all about the sales and two days off work – what’s not to celebrate? Just seems a little funny that we get time off work to observe the harvest which the Pilgrim’s wouldn’t have had had they been given two days off work.

Then there’s Christmas. The day most known for Santa, Christmas Trees, Christmas gifts, and Christmas decorations. Again, we stick the word Christmas in front of everything in December. As Christians we know Christmas is about Jesus. Wait – what? Oh, that’s right, celebrating the birth of Jesus. Sometimes I forget all about the meaning. You too?

So, I started thinking. I don’t know who you have to get permission from, maybe the national calendar people – whoever they are, but if we can celebrate everything else, even some things that are no longer a cause for celebration, why can’t we come up with one?

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11

So, how about God Day, Creator Day, Jesus Day, Redeemer Day? Anybody else in? We probably shouldn’t calendar God Day or Redeemer day because in time it too would become distorted. We people tend to mess things up a bit. But, think about it. How about a picnic, a parade, a day off work? I’m not sure how the calendar people or the rest of the nation would react to that?

We may not be able get the national calendar people on board with God Day or Redeemer Day. But, that doesn’t have to stop us. The distortions through time of our other national holidays doesn’t stop us from celebrating them, right?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4

Sounds like we should be making a concerted effort to make every day Redeemer Day in our hearts? What would we need to change in our lives to make that happen? Maybe not a parade or a picnic, but couldn’t we make our celebration just as important, maybe even more so by celebrating with words of kindness and compassion, by putting our servant hands in action, by bowing down instead of chaotically running around, by living each moment in an attitude of prayer instead of in an attitude of despair?

You have given me greater joy
than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
Psalm 4:7

Celebrating our joy by living our joy. How do you think people would react to that? If we joyfully celebrated Redeemer Day, every day, with our minds and hearts. God has chosen us to spread the Good News, wouldn’t living as if every day were Redeemer Day be a great start? Can you imagine how lives would be changed and the work God would do if we daily celebrated Redeemer Day, even if it’s not on the calendar? Just imagine…

As I walking the worst-best the other morning, I noticed how absolutely clear the sky was. You could see every single star visible by man. It was that clear. Big dipper and little dipper. I’m a star gazer, not a star knower. Not sure of who or what Pleaides or Orion is and to me the Milky Way is a very good candy bar. As I was looking up in the darkness though I wondered where the North Star was. I wasn’t even sure where north was, I’m directionally challenged. Then I thought about the Star of Bethlehem. You know, the one that went ahead of the wise men and led them to Jesus?

I started thinking that as much as things change, they really do stay the same. When I looked up at those stars in the sky it dawned on me, those are the same stars that Adam looked at, that Abraham looked at, that King David looked at, that the Disciples looked at. Those were the thoughts in my mind when I returned to the house and pulled out my devotional to start my day.

…before the daystar knew its place or the planets ran their course,
the interests of the saints were made secure in Christ Jesus.
Charles Spurgeon

And that’s what it said. Wow, that’s odd! No, it’s not odd, it’s God! He ties things together for us and every once in a while our faith is strong enough to recognize it.

The One who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn and darkens day into night, who summons the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the earth– Yahweh is His name.
Amos 5:8

Isn’t that a beautiful verse? Yahweh is His name. The One who placed the stars in the sky – Yahweh. A name too sacred to speak. Yhwh. Lord. God. As much as things change, they stay the same, He has promised.

“I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
Malachi 3:6-7

Amos and Malachi were both speaking to the Israelites regarding repentance, 340 years apart. The message was the same. Repent. You see, people did not change from Adam to Malachi. People were the same. Rebellious. Disobedient. Sinful. Savior needing.

Fast forward about 4,000 years (give or take a year or two) from the creation of Adam to the birth of our Savior Jesus, things really hadn’t changed. Remember what Dr. Luke said?

Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins to God.
Luke 1:8

People were the same. Rebellious. Disobedient. Sinful. Savior needing.

Now fast forward another 2,000 years or so between the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus to today. People are the same. But, just as people are the same, God is the same. The same God that pursued the people of Israel is the same God that pursued the woman at the well, and the same God that pursues us today. He has not changed. He is the Word.

In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:1-5

His message is the same as it was in the very beginning, even before He put the daystar in place, it was all buttoned up. The Word, Jesus Christ, is the light that shines in our darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it. The Word is the same from beginning to end!

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:10

Before creation, the interests of the saints (that includes me and you), our eternal lives were made secure in Christ Jesus. His Message is relevant yesterday, today and tomorrow. Why? Because people are the same as they were yesterday, as they are today, and as they will be tomorrow. Rebellious. Disobedient. Sinful. Savior needing. The truth is that God is unchanging – Amen! His plan before time began was to rescue people who needed rescuing, from Adam to Beth, to you, and beyond.

Never say never. I don’t know about you guys, but I use the word NEVER. It’s a definitive phrase, leaving no question about the intentions of the speaker. I’m a user, sometimes a lot. I almost said always! Never is a little heavy handed, isn’t it? You can almost see the fist to the surface, can’t you? As I was doing some remembering yesterday, I had to smile at some of the nevers that have now become my realities. I can’t help but think that God is giving me a little side-eyed look with the corners of his mouth turned into the slightest smile saying to me, Beth, who’s in charge? Duh?!

There have been places I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER leave. There have been places I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER go. There have been things I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER eat (i.e. tomatoes, avacadoes, beets). There are things I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER do, say, think, believe, and the list goes on and on. We are a people who like to make our own declarations and think we’re in charge. We are a people who oft times forget Whose we are, and Who is in charge. So, we tool through life making these bold NEVER statements. Only to have God give us a wink when our NEVERS become realities.

Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
His paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that He should repay them?
For of him and through him and to him are all things.
To God be the glory forever! Amen
Romans 11:33-36

These verses, once I understood them fully, are just magnificent – well, actually, they were magnificent before I understood them, I just didn’t understand them. These would be a great prayer to commit to memory. It’s hard to believe they’re from Romans. They are so expressive and poetic, they flow like the Psalms. Brother Paul was just as truthful and plain speaking as King David.

Paul declares God’s wisdom and knowledge. It is so deep, so rich, so overflowing, so abundant, and so full! We know the ultimate plan would be salvation for all, should they choose it, but we cannot comprehend his manifest wisdom in working out His plan or that salvation, especially through us. Most times we set our own course, don’t we? We make plans, and sometimes those things we said we’d NEVER do are the exact things we do, right? Here’s the thing, me digging my heels in and saying NEVER, in absolutely any situation in my life is pompousness on my part. Like I get to make plans without consulting God? Let’s make this relatable.

Beth, who do you think you are? Do you know what God’s thinking? Who are we to give Him advice? Do you know God’s plan?

Can anyone tell the LORD what to do? Who can teach him or give him advice?
Isaiah 40:13

Beth, what have you ever given to God that God should repay you? Well, when you put it that way…nothing. Nothing at all. He has bestowed such grace and mercy on such a worm as I. He doesn’t give us what we deserve. He doesn’t give us what He should repay us, and it’s a very good thing.

“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
Luke 17:7-10

Beth, of Him, through Him and to Him are all things. There is nothing we can give to God because it is all already His.

“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.
Acts 17:24-25

To Him be the glory. To Him be all praise. To Him be the glory forever. He deserves our praise and adoration. Not because of who we are, but because of who He is. We have no right to say NEVER if he tells us different. We don’t have to understand His ways. He is God. We simply obey His lead.

One thing I really like about holidays is that I get to do my thing a little longer since I don’t have to dash off to work. After barn chores are done, I can return to my desk with the window cracked, listening to the world wake up and the sky to get bright. That’s what I did on Labor Day.  The picture above is the view from my desk. I look out onto the barn and keep tabs on my four-legged and two-legged friends. And then it happened…da da da daaaa!!!!!!!

I hear a squawk. I didn’t pay too much attention, chickens do that you know. But as I glanced up from my screen right in front of that red gate, a hawk had landed on Georgi Girl. Chicken down! Chicken down! She was a squawking, gobs of feathers were a flying, and I’m screaming to Tony downstairs – Hawk! Hawk! Hawk! I run down the stairs, Tony runs out the door, and the hawk flies off. Georgi Girl is nowhere to be found. I cried. I didn’t want to see that. Some things you just can’t unsee, like plumbers’ pants and a hawk on a chicken. We searched and searched the fields for the hawk and for Georgi Girl, not because I thought she’d be alive, but because I was determined that that hawk was not going to enjoy his spoils. We found neither.

We trek out of the fields and back to the barn to count my chick-chicks. I’ve got two black, two white, one red (may Susan rest in peace) and Ethel. I counted four. I went into the barn and back in the corner behind the wheelbarrow I could hear a peep-peep. One more found. Now I have all five. And just at that moment, I see another movement behind the wheelbarrow. It’s Georgi Girl!!!!! I cried. With a little food, I coaxed her out. Miraculously, she was not injured. She had only a huge bald spot on her back. When he swooped in to get her, he got all feathers!

The whole thing happened so fast. Chickens are smart, they know how to protect themselves and she was only out in the open for a second. But that’s all it took. One second of letting her guard down and the predator had swooped in. Georgi Girl and Black Girl hid out in the barn all day. The other four hid out under a tree in the backyard all day. They all sought shelter, a safe place to reside until the drama and likely trauma subsided.

The whole time we’re searching for Georgi Girl, all I could think about is that it happened so fast. She let her guard down for just one second! But, doesn’t the Bible warn us of the same thing? Don’t be caught unawares? I don’t know about you, but with the speed of life, sometimes my confused priorities (more oft than not), and the more likely, my abject complacency, I could easily be caught unawares. I can be just like Georgi Girl who had gotten a little comfortable, maybe a little careless, out in the open and let her guard down. But Jesus tells us to be ready.

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36

Here, He’s warning us straight up. Watch out! Be on guard! Don’t get mired in this life! Don’t get caught in the trap! Be alert – the world needs more lerts! Make yourself strong! Be prepared! For what? For His return!!

There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:25-27

Jesus told His disciples, be on guard, look out, don’t be dulled by drink, don’t be foolish, look for the signs, I’m coming back! Do we do that? I mean spiritually. Are we eating meat or still drinking milk? Are we growing and maturing in the Spirit? Are we preparing for His return, for His restoration, or are we too dulled by this life on earth? Are we faithfully working to tell others of His return, redemption and restoration? Are we ourselves ready for His return, His redemption and His restoration? His return is a scary thought for some folks. We prefer not to think about it. Maybe because we doubt His word and that scares us? Maybe because we don’t doubt His word and that scares us? We must come face-to-face with the Father now, before his return, in order to be redeemed and restored when He returns. We mustn’t be caught unawares. But, look at the promise He gives!

“So when these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!”
Luke 21:28

Don’t be afraid of His return, be prepared! Stand straight and look up – be on the lookout for Him, don’t be complacent, don’t be caught unawares. Jesus spoke these words 2,000 years ago and we have been awaiting His return ever since. We know not when. My lifetime, your lifetime, who knows? God. But, as we wait for His return, we must live like redeemed, restored and rescued people, because we are.

I want to be ready when Jesus comes
I want to be ready when Jesus comes
One day the Lord’s gonna crack the sky
And the dead in Christ shall rise;
I want to be ready when Jesus comes

No man knows the day or the hour
When the Lord will surely come
That’s why you need to get your house in order
Don’t let Him catch you with your work undone;
You’ve got to get ready, oh yes, when Jesus comes
Dottie Peoples

Do you ever look at the world today and wonder what has happened? Have you ever viewed a particular situation or event and thought people have completely lost their minds. How could they? What are they thinking? What’s wrong with them? What are they doing? I know people have looked at me (you) in the same way. Is she crazy? How could she? What’s she doing? What’s she thinking? Has she lost her mind? Quite possibly!

What does losing one’s mind look like? How does one who can’t find their mind act? How does one who is gone from their senses behave? One (because I don’t want to point fingers at you or me) may act irrational (world’s opinion) – never! One (again, no pointing) may have extreme thoughts (changing things that you never thought you would) – never! One (again, the pointing thing) may become very outspoken and say extraordinary things (speak truth) – never! One (again) may have responses that are not considered appropriate or acceptable responses to a particular situation (take a stand) – never! Anyway, coming round the bend of Robin Hood’s barn, losing one’s mind calls one’s actions into question. So, I ask myself, is losing touch with my senses such a bad thing? Some may think so, but maybe not.

One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.
But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”
Mark 3:20-21

Folks thought Jesus had lost his mind too. Why did they think that? Because, to them, that’s what it looked like. Of course, Jesus did lose His mind on them and went on to chastise and warn them in the strongest way – read the rest of the chapter.

But, they actually thought He had lost His mind because of the way He acted. His fervent displays of healing and supernatural power, were out of the ordinary. Jesus was so bent on addressing the people that pressed in on Him with their cares, their brokenness, their need for healing, that He pulled long hours and didn’t take time out for a meal or a rest. The kind of perseverance that He displayed caused his friends and family to become concerned about Him. Existemi, that’s the Greek word used here for losing one’s mind. It actually means to be displaced, to be outside of, to be astonished, amazed, out of mind, mad. His family and friends tried to rescue Him because they thought he had become some type of fanatic, that He’d lost His mind. So, they showed up. I remember as a kid my parents fetching me from someplace I wasn’t supposed to be. That’s really kind of embarrassing, not for Jesus. His mission was not to be deterred. Check out His response.

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”
Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Mark 3:31-35

Jesus’ family came to fetch Him because they thought He was crazy, because they didn’t understand. Do people look at us the same way? They should you know. Why? Because we are to be like Christ. Our lives must be so radically different that people want to understand.

If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:11-17

As in Jesus’ day, today anyone who displays a zealousness for Christ is considered fanatical and someone who has lost their mind, someone who needs to come to their senses. But the truth is that anyone who displays a zealousness for Christ actually brings glory to God. In a nutshell, if we are out of our minds it is for God and if we are in our minds it is for others. It’s circular. Being crazy is being in the right mind. Being in the right mind is crazy. Humbly delivering the truth (being in the right mind) to others brings glory to God (crazy).

Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
2 Timothy 2:22-26

When folks look at you and ask “Have you lost your mind?” The answer should be a resounding “Yes!” In today’s world losing one’s mind looks normal to us, doesn’t it? So, if our words, our responses, our actions do not look different, if we appear to be like everyone else, if we do not stand out as different, if we look normal by today’s standards, we need to come to our senses. We need to humbly persevere, despite the cost, just as Jesus did.

Four day work weeks always mess with my mind. I can’t remember what day it is. My routine is messed up as I forget the day and do things on the wrong day. Don’t get me wrong, three-day weekends are great. I’ll take it! But a day off changes things, doesn’t it? With Labor Day week still fresh in my mind, I started thinking about how much labor I put into laboring for me, and then how much labor I put into laboring for Him. Ouch!

Do I commit as much, work as hard, spend as much time and energy (mental and physical) in working for the Kingdom as I do working for my employer? That’s an eye-opener for me. I’m not sure I do even one of those things – commit, work hard, spend time and energy – for the Kingdom on as consistent a basis as I do for my employer. If weighing my work as a disciple to my work as an employee, those scales are definitely tipping to the one who pays in cash and retirement benefits. That’s just out of balance.

Jesus tells us definitively in whose favor the scales should tip. Only with Him it’s not just a tipping, it should be a complete outweighing. We often tend to separate our earthly lives from our Kingdom lives, our employer work from our eternal work. So, what should our priority be?

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples,
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest;
ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Matthew 9:35-38

I love that word, harvest – I feel another canning story coming on…harvest, reaping, gathering. The crops are ready to be brought in. They are ripe for the picking. Jesus’ travels brought Him into contact with all kinds of people – lost, hurting — mental and physical people That’s the harvest Jesus was talking about. Those were the folks who sought Him, they followed Him around and pressed in on Him. Why? Because they needed something He had – healing – physical and most importantly spiritual. Just like we needed something He had – healing.

Jesus’ heart filled with compassion when He saw them, they were lost and needed help. So let me ask this…Do we come into contact with folks like that? Sure we do. On a daily basis. But, do we look at the folks we come in contact with as ripe for the picking? Ready to be harvested for the Kingdom? Do we gather them in? We should, you know. Jesus instructed the Disciples to pray to the Lord to send more workers into his fields. Guess what? We are those workers.

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we talk to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and your continued anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Those Thessalonians knew what hard labor really was. They were true laborers, spiritual laborers. Something we’re all called to be. Faithful work, loving deeds and continued anticipation of the return of Jesus each require us to labor. Just like the Thessalonians, we all have fields to work on harvesting. Not just one field, multiple. Remember the scale? If the Kingdom work far outweighs the earthly work, the scales will be balanced. If the Kingdom is our priority, if we live that out, all the earthly work will fall into place. But, if we put our earthly work before our Kingdom work, all work will be like pushing a rope uphill.

And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.
2 Chronicles 31:21

If gathering the crop is our top priority, everything else will fall into place. If we go out to the fields of our homes, our work, our Churches, our schools looking for those to gather in as our top priority, the harvest will be bountiful. Like the Thessalonians, we are to work faithfully to spread the Good News. That means we speak Good News, we live Good News, we teach Good News.

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do,
whether we are slaves or free.
Ephesians 6:7

Labor Day means so many things to people. Vacations are over. Back to school. Fall’s coming. No more white pants or open toed shoes. But what does Labor Day really mean?

The U.S. Department of Labor website defines it as follows:

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

This strikes me as curious. Oh sure, I knew Labor Day was a day off work, but just to be completely honest, I didn’t know what for, other than just for being a laborer. I’ll take it!

The Department of Labor says that Labor Day is a day to honor workers, folks like you and me, for all we have done for our country, socially and economically, in the past year. I wasn’t completely wrong. Does that sound a little odd to you? It does to me. Honestly, when I go to work, the last thing on my mind is the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. I’m going to labor because I like to spend money. Me being honored for spending money really sounds a little lame to me. I’ll take it!

But, if I really think about it, I don’t think I’m the one, or sorry to say, you’re the one to be recognized for the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. We simply do not have that kind of power and to think we do is called idolatry. We could labor a lifetime and not be able to strengthen, cause prosperity or well-being, without the help of the Lord. If we are strong, prosperous and benefiting, it is not because of us. It is because of Him. I (we) need to remember that, and be thankful.

Let all that I am praise the LORD.
O LORD my God, how great you are!
You are robed with honor and majesty.
You are dressed in a robe of light.
You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;
you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.
You make the clouds your chariot;
you ride upon the wings of the wind.
The winds are your messengers;
flames of fire are your servants.

You placed the world on its foundation
so it would never be moved.
You clothed the earth with floods of water,
water that covered even the mountains.
At your command, the water fled;
at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.
Mountains rose and valleys sank
to the levels you decreed.
Then you set a firm boundary for the seas,
so they would never again cover the earth.

You make springs pour water into the ravines,
so streams gush down from the mountains.
They provide water for all the animals,
and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
The birds nest beside the streams
and sing among the branches of the trees.
You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home,
and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor.
You cause grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for people to use.
You allow them to produce food from the earth—
wine to make them glad,
olive oil to soothe their skin,
and bread to give them strength.

The trees of the LORD are well cared for—
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
There the birds make their nests,
and the storks make their homes in the cypresses.
High in the mountains live the wild goats,
and the rocks form a refuge for the hyraxes.
You made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun knows when to set.
You send the darkness, and it becomes night,
when all the forest animals prowl about.
Then the young lions roar for their prey,
stalking the food provided by God.
At dawn they slink back
into their dens to rest.
Then people go off to their work,
where they labor until evening.

O LORD, what a variety of things you have made!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures.
Here is the ocean, vast and wide,
teeming with life of every kind,
both large and small.
See the ships sailing along,
and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea.
They all depend on you
to give them food as they need it.
When you supply it, they gather it.
You open your hand to feed them,
and they are richly satisfied.

But if you turn away from them, they panic.
When you take away their breath,
they die and turn again to dust.
When you give them your breath, life is created,
and you renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the LORD continue forever!
The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!
The earth trembles at his glance;
the mountains smoke at his touch.
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live.
I will praise my God to my last breath!
May all my thoughts be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
Let all sinners vanish from the face of the earth;
let the wicked disappear forever.
Let all that I am praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 104

That’s just a quick rundown on who Created this world and everything in it, who the real laborer is. He’s the One we should honor today. He’ll take it!

This picture is the canning closet in our basement built by the former owner.  You can see the shelves labeled with the goods that were put up.  I’ve not yet stored my goods there, but I want to.   I’ve been on this wanna-be canner kick. You know, from field to can. Preserving vegetables and fruits for winter time. Like in the olden days. I want to rock out the gatherer part of the hunter-gatherer. So, I’ve been reading this book, The How to Can it Book of Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs, by Jacqueline Heriteau. It was written in the 70’s when wheat, avocado green and harvest gold were the happening kitchen colors, so you can just imagine what a show stopper this book is. Anyway, I like it and I’m learning a lot. One day I’m going to can. Until then, I’ll read about it.

Our distant view fogs the edges of yesterday’s sharp experiences.

That’s from a canning book! For some reason that sentence popped out at me. What in the world does that mean? I had to read it about 10 times and then go back and re-read the whole paragraph several times before I could figure out what it was saying. I think it says that things were not always as we remember them to be. That looking back on a situation, an event, a happening, a process, sometimes is very different than when we’re actually living through and experiencing that situation, event, happening or process. The author was talking about what hard work it is to grow your own food and preserve it. Food today is plentiful and readily available for most. In North America we are not completely dependent on what’s outside our kitchen windows to sustain us, thank goodness. In by gone days, not so. Those were very hard days for some.

I’m sure we can all look back on hard times, sharp experiences in our lives and remember generally that they were really difficult times, but, as time goes by, the details become a little clouded, a little blurred. Experiences from our yesterdays we just couldn’t look at in our minds eye, now we lend a darting eye. That’s called healing. King Solomon said there was a time for everything, including a time to heal.

He strengthens those who are weak and tired.
Isaiah 40:29

I love this verse. So simple. So to the point. How many life experiences make us weak and tired. Here Isaiah reminds us of God’s promise. He will strengthen us in those experiences that make us weak and tired.

For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

So, He will heal, He will strengthen, He will smooth down the sharp edges of those difficult experiences here on earth and He promises even more for eternity.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4