I grew up in a small house that faced a dirt road. There were a dozen houses around us, all on one-acre lots, and they were all on the same side of the road that ran along the top of a hill. In the summer we would walk to where the houses ended and the road went down a steep hill to the bottom where a creek crossed the road.
It was always a treat to get to walk to the creek. We would walk down the road past all the houses and if anyone was outside we might stop and talk with them for a minute on the way. The hill seemed long and steep but walking down it was fun. When we got to the creek the first thing we did was kick off our shoes and wade out in the cool clear water. That water seemed to take all the cares of the journey with it as it washed the dust off our feet.
We stayed a while to catch crawdads and chase minnows. Then we began the trip back up the hill, stopping now and then to catch our breath. When we finally got home we were glad to sit in the shade and rest for a while. Mom brought out a pan for us to wash the dirt off our feet before we could go back in the house. Walking back up that hill almost made me wonder why we went down it in the first place! But, the creek was so refreshing that the next day I was already thinking about going back.
Some journeys are like that. Even when you know the trip will be hard the destination is worth it all. You always know you will get your feet dirty if you walk on a dusty road but the trip is worth having to wash off a little dirt.
Jesus was with his disciples when they sat down for supper. They had three years of travel over dusty roads behind them. He had taught them everything He could along the way. He also knew what the road was going to be like ahead of them, that it led to a cross and a tomb. As they sat down to eat Jesus got up and took a pan of water and washed everyone’s feet. He did not do just it to wash the dirt off but to teach them one more lesson. He told them to do for each other what He had done for them. The road is dirty and we can only get to the end if we serve each other.
I heard a man say once that people who share the gospel have pretty feet. Isaiah said, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.” (52:7). We wash each other’s feet when we encourage each other to live for Jesus and share His life. He knew the road ahead led to a cross and a tomb but he also knew it lead to a throne.
Bro. Robin
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Pencil Sharpener
I was going through a box of old craft supplies and I found a good pencil sharpener among a bunch of stuff that I no longer needed. I use a pencil out in the shop and the sharpener I use out there has had most of the plastic broken off and barely works as it is. The one I found is in excellent condition so I considered myself fortunate to have found such a treasure.
Perhaps I need to pause here and explain what a pencil is and how a pencil sharpener works. A pencil is a wooden stick with lead core, (that was actually made of graphite). If sharpened it leaves a mark when pressed against paper or other objects, such as wood. (People used to write with them before iPads). Using pencils taught me many things.
A teacher once told me, “The shortest pencil is better than the longest memory.” What he meant is that if you write things down you will always have them to remember. I like clever sayings like that because they help you remember important truths. People have been writing things down as long as there has been language.
Like us, the pencil worked best if it was sharp and had a point. The writing end had to be kept sharp with a sharpener to expose the lead. The pencil sharpener had a cone shaped hole and a razor sharp blade and when you put the pencil in and twisted it the wood would be shaved off to a perfect point for all your writing needs.
The other end had a rubber eraser so you could correct your mistakes. The eraser made pencils essential for some tasks such as math, drawing, and for many people, spelling. You had a choice. You could confidently pick up a pen and assume you would make no mistakes. Or, you could use a pencil and correct your mistakes as you go. This always made me wish life was more like the pencil. If only we could erase our mistakes and start over!
Since I use my pencil in the shop another saying I live by is, “measure twice and cut once.” This means we need to think about our decisions before we act on them. Life is not completely like the pencil. Our sins are recorded in a book and when we accept Jesus as our savior they are forgiven, blotted out, and forgotten. Jesus heals us and helps us but we still have to live with the consequences of sin. We do not get to go back and do it over. We have to move forward from here and try again.
Jeremiah 31:33 promises, “…I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people.” (ESV) I am glad God does not do that with a pencil.
Robin
Perhaps I need to pause here and explain what a pencil is and how a pencil sharpener works. A pencil is a wooden stick with lead core, (that was actually made of graphite). If sharpened it leaves a mark when pressed against paper or other objects, such as wood. (People used to write with them before iPads). Using pencils taught me many things.
A teacher once told me, “The shortest pencil is better than the longest memory.” What he meant is that if you write things down you will always have them to remember. I like clever sayings like that because they help you remember important truths. People have been writing things down as long as there has been language.
Like us, the pencil worked best if it was sharp and had a point. The writing end had to be kept sharp with a sharpener to expose the lead. The pencil sharpener had a cone shaped hole and a razor sharp blade and when you put the pencil in and twisted it the wood would be shaved off to a perfect point for all your writing needs.
The other end had a rubber eraser so you could correct your mistakes. The eraser made pencils essential for some tasks such as math, drawing, and for many people, spelling. You had a choice. You could confidently pick up a pen and assume you would make no mistakes. Or, you could use a pencil and correct your mistakes as you go. This always made me wish life was more like the pencil. If only we could erase our mistakes and start over!
Since I use my pencil in the shop another saying I live by is, “measure twice and cut once.” This means we need to think about our decisions before we act on them. Life is not completely like the pencil. Our sins are recorded in a book and when we accept Jesus as our savior they are forgiven, blotted out, and forgotten. Jesus heals us and helps us but we still have to live with the consequences of sin. We do not get to go back and do it over. We have to move forward from here and try again.
Jeremiah 31:33 promises, “…I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people.” (ESV) I am glad God does not do that with a pencil.
Robin
Monday, February 13, 2012
Games
I grew up in a home that enjoyed playing games. We played board games and card games in the winter and in the summer there was Wiffle Ball and Horseshoes. When we were not playing games we were “discussing” politics or religion. The games were always a welcome relief from the discussions.
As our children grew we played a lot of games. Usually around holidays when we all get together we break out a game just for fun. Games give us an opportunity to laugh and visit with a little friendly competition thrown in. If there is ever a disagreement over a game we all laugh together and the disagreement goes away with no lasting results. Rules are followed, or changed, or made up according to desires of the group. Everyone knows it is all about the fun and the way that fun brings us closer together.
Recently Joyce and I joined a few other families for a game night. We sat at a table with a few others to play a game we all played at home. However, we all played with slightly different rules. As we shared the rules with each other we came to a consensus about which rules we would follow. Everyone in the group contributed a different rule and we played the game like none of us ever played before. In short, we had fun. As we left we discussed how we liked some of the new rules we had just learned. Sharing the rules added to the fun.
Fellowship builds up the fellowship. We need to take time to be together and grow closer to each other. When we play games together we do not just learn about each other’s rules, we learn about each other.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (ESV)
That is why we call our church a family. Come to church and be a part of the family of God.
Bro. Robin
As our children grew we played a lot of games. Usually around holidays when we all get together we break out a game just for fun. Games give us an opportunity to laugh and visit with a little friendly competition thrown in. If there is ever a disagreement over a game we all laugh together and the disagreement goes away with no lasting results. Rules are followed, or changed, or made up according to desires of the group. Everyone knows it is all about the fun and the way that fun brings us closer together.
Recently Joyce and I joined a few other families for a game night. We sat at a table with a few others to play a game we all played at home. However, we all played with slightly different rules. As we shared the rules with each other we came to a consensus about which rules we would follow. Everyone in the group contributed a different rule and we played the game like none of us ever played before. In short, we had fun. As we left we discussed how we liked some of the new rules we had just learned. Sharing the rules added to the fun.
Fellowship builds up the fellowship. We need to take time to be together and grow closer to each other. When we play games together we do not just learn about each other’s rules, we learn about each other.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (ESV)
That is why we call our church a family. Come to church and be a part of the family of God.
Bro. Robin
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