Memories

This is Going to Hurt!

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. Hebrews 12:7 ESV

Maybe the phrase, “This is going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you!” is imprinted indelibly in my memory, because it always preceded several well aimed smacks on my behind. It was not that I questioned the truth my step-father’s intentions, it was simply the fact that I never listened to any of the words that came after, and “This is going to hurt!” So when I first came to this passage in Hebrews my mind slipped back in time to those moments of discipline and I inwardly cringed as I waited for God’s punishment to fall.

But, as true as the fact that we need to be disciplined by our heavenly Father, is the reality that it really did hurt God far more than it hurts us. After all, God is correcting us for things we have done wrong but Jesus went as an innocent lamb to the cross to pay for our adoption into His family. Like Thomas we worry that we have been left out of blessings that we think we deserve. But the good news is that Jesus came even for a doubtful Thomas and as showed him the marks of the nails in his hands and the scar from the spear in His side. It’s as if He looked lovingly into Thomas’ fearful eyes and said, “Stop your doubting and just believe. This really did hurt me more than it hurt you, but it was worth it because I want you to be my son!”

For Our Good and Mr Turtle

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

A few folks might have wondered why I haven’t been posting and suffice it to say that the last 4-5 days have been filled with everything I own is breaking. The dryer only works if you shake it, the older of our two cars has an incurable disease that Suzuki doesn’t make the parts for anymore and my new lap top is on its way back to Dell. When God says that all things work together for my good I always wish I got to pick which things. But since that is obviously not the plan of my loving invisible Father I have decided that must mean I need to stop complaining and wishing for what I think of as better times and start doing what I can with what He does give.

One great thing God allowed was that on Saturday we were given permission for the first time to meet indoors with the Seniors from Sunshine Christian Village. Even in Florida, Winter can mean some chilly days for folks coming in on Jazzy scooters and wheel chairs. With the indoor venue it was heart warming to see a larger group come. We were all with masks and spaced about 10′ apart so it was as safe and far more blessed than a trip to Walmart. Unfortunately I can’t show the video yet so I’m posting a classic from a few years back that I pray will be a blessing to you.

Mr. Turtle and Life From the Dead

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31 ESV

Long ago I brought home a little turtle I had found crawling across the road. As I walked in the door that afternoon our two young sons rushed over to see what I was holding. They were so excited to see this curious new pet and they quickly made up a box for him complete with water and grass. But Mr. Turtle wanted nothing to do with his cardboard home. He wouldn’t eat or drink anything. In fact each day he grew weaker until finally he barely moved. We sadly explained to our boys that Mr. Turtle was sick and needed to be set free.  Our car was filled with an atmosphere of mourning as we drove out of town, to find a spot to release him. Finding a quiet wooded area we pulled over then took him gently out of his box and put him on the ground. At first Mr. Turtle remained motionless, but after a minute he slowly eased one foot out of his shell and then the other. Finally he poked out his head, stood up and raced away as fast as his stubby legs could carry him!  Mr. Turtle’s surprising ending reminded me of another story. It made me remember the day that they buried Jesus and walked sadly away. But just three days later He placed first one foot, then the other on the ground; sat up, ran out of the grave and into the light!

Joy Unspeakable

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Years ago we lived in a small upstairs apartment and the only telephone was on the wall in the kitchen. It may be hard for young people to imagine but then the ringing of the phone meant an important message and everyone in the family ran to answer it. Around midnight when we were all sound asleep, the phone began ringing. Concerned that it must be terribly important my wife shook me by the shoulder, ” Honey! Wake up! You have to get the phone!” she called.

Obediently I stumbled to the kitchen still half asleep without bothering to even flick on the light. By the time I picked up the receiver my mind couldn’t focus any longer and so I just mumbled something incoherent and hung it back on the hook. Then shuffling back across the dark apartment I plopped back in bed.

“So who was it?” Nancy asked.

Who was what?” I answered and fell fast asleep! This last year of the Covid-19 crisis reminds me of that phone call. Everything is dark and is seems like everyone is calling us to action but we are exhausted. Even when we do pick up the phone we no longer have the energy to hear what is being said. But God has great news for all of us fighting this invisible enemy that has sapped our strength. He has an unspeakable joy to give us that is full of glory. In fact the Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength!