Rick Anderson's Blog, page 7

Breakfast with Friends

Pancakes, Eggs and Sausage

My feet hit the floor at 5:30 a.m., despite my argument to stay in the bed.  I dragged on jeans and a sweatshirt, then made it to the car for the fifteen minute drive to the Garrison church.

Stacy was already inside when I arrived and he immediately pointed me toward the coffee pot.  I needed it!  Caffeine!  My body craved it!  The faint pangs of hunger began to rise inside my stomach as I began to mix pancake batter in a bowl with a big spoon.

Within minutes, the pancakes were bubbling on the griddle while I sloshed down another cup of java.  I was finally about to wake up completely as guys began to filter in from the cold and into the kitchen for the men's breakfast at 7:00.

I was completely aware of my physical need to sleep, to eat, to drink coffee.  I was also aware of my desire to socialize with the other men from the churches during our time of fellowship over pancakes, eggs, hash browns and sausage.

Yet, how often do I consider what my spirit needs in the morning…an intimate, personal encounter with the Living God.  It's an easy thing to overlook as we are overwhelmed by so many other demands that clamor to get the attention that they demand: hunger, thirst, friends, family, work, etc.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT) says; Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

I need to return to Christ daily, even hourly, to allow Him to work in my heart and in my life.  Only He can refresh and renew me.  Only He can create a right heart within me.  Only He can lead me in the right paths.  Only He can give me life eternal.

May we all hunger for Christ's presence in our lives like we crave a big breakfast with good friends.

 

National Signing Day

National Signing Day

National Signing Day for young men entering the world of college football is this week where they can officially sign letters of intent to play at a particular school.  Coaches from every college football team have been feverishly jetting all over the country to visit prospective recruits that hold the potential to make or break their football programs of the future.

Countless millions of dollars have been spent in pursuit of gaining the signature of high school kids to come play a game for an individual school.  Imagine how it must feel to be one of these young men who are courted by some of the biggest names in coaching and to have them come to your home with hats in hand.

It must be overwhelming to experience the likes of Nick Saban or Mack Brown waltzing into your living room in an attempt to coax you to join their team.  It's an experience that most of us will never know.

Does that make us lesser in worth than these potential football stars?  What about the rest of us?

The Bible tells us in 1Peter 1:18-19; "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver.  It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."

Although we may not be sought after by a major college football team, you can rest assured that you are precious beyond measure to the God who created the heavens and the earth.  You are so valuable that He sent His Son to pay the price for your sins on the cross of Calvary.  There is no greater love or accolade necessary, for you are worth far more than any gold or silver can ever measure.  Don't you want to play for His team?  He's waiting for you to say "Yes!"

 

The Heart of a Child

Girl on a Train

Rabita woke up early and began to have what she thought might be a contraction.  She nudged her husband awake and told him that she probably needed to get to the hospital.  They decided to take the train into Manhatten and then get a cab to Roosevelt Hospital to see her doctor.

Once on the train, the contractions came more frequently until the baby decided that it was time to make his appearance.  Rabita's husband rolled up his sleeves, and with the guidance of an elderly woman onboard, delivered his own son on the way into the city.

A young girl sitting nearby watched in amazement as the young boy was brought into the world.  She quickly realized that there was nothing to wrap the baby in to keep his young body warm, so she took off her coat and gave it to them.  The father quickly wrapped his son in the warm coat that the young girl had given to him.

Matthew 18:2-5 tells us, "Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.  Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me."

God would have us to be humble and pure in our motives as a selfless child; first in our relationship with God, then in our relationships with other people in our lives.  May we each open our hearts to God's pure love today so that He might mold us into becoming humble servants with hearts like those of a child.

 

Irony of the Wheelbarrow

The Wheelbarrow

This past summer, I was part of a mission team that went to Haiti in order to help rebuild a church that had been destroyed in the earthquake of two years ago.  I must admit that I was astounded at the devastation that exists in that island nation.

Much has been said about the condition of Haiti, both before and after the earthquake.  Talk is cheap when you look into the eyes of a hungry child and see the living conditions of those slammed by the staggering poverty that exists there.

When we got on the worksite, we quickly were struck with an ironic situation. We, the rich Americans, discovered that we would be the grunt labor, while the trained crew of Haitian workers would provide the skilled labor.  This irony served to test the mettle of the short-term mission team members as we rolled up our sleeves and began our jobs.

One of the first chores that we were asked to do was to relocate a pile of dirt using shovels and wheelbarrows.  The dirt was wet clay that clung together like play dough and stuck to everything.  We worked feverishly to accomplish the task that had been presented to us.

In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul tells us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Although the work was physically challenging and humbling to our egos, it was truly satisfying to see the dirt pile disappear.  There would be many other chores accomplished and many more left for the next team to do.  One day soon, with God's help, there will be a church building at Mellier, Haiti.  May that church give the people hope in the God who loved them enough to go to the cross for them, too.

 

Skiing on the Right Trail

Ski Bums

Matthew and I scooted on our skis up to the ski lift and pushed our way forward with the poles.  The chair came quickly up behind us and scooped us from where we stood.  The top of the mountain loomed far ahead like a sleeping giant.

A little over mid-way, I began to doubt my sanity in making the decision to attempt to ski down from the highest elevation of the ski slopes.  My stomach began to do summersaults as we steadily ascended the steep slope.

I took off my glove and dug in my jacket pocket for another view of the trail map.  I had no intention of getting on a blue or black slope, which was intended for more accomplished skiers.  I wanted to be sure that I knew where the green, beginners slope began as soon as I got off the lift.

As we neared the end of the ride, I noticed an orange fence had been placed on the left side of the slopes where the green ski slope was supposed to begin.  My heart did a flip-flop as I began to imagine that the green slopes had been closed for some reason and we would be required to ski (or scoot) down one of the steeper slopes.

The lift chair reached the end of the line and dumped us out at the top.  I quickly turned to the worker and hollered, "Where does the green slope start?"  He pointed to my right and confirmed what the map had told me.  I breathed a sigh of relief as we skied around the orange fence to the gentle slope with green signs.

As we skied along, occasionally a black diamond slope would cut perpendicular across our trail as it took advanced skiers quickly down the steep slopes.  Some better skiers would veer from the green to take a chance on the black diamond.  I tried not to look down as I was petrified at the thought of a possible fall that would send me tumbling down the wrong path.

I pretended to be a mule with blinders on (probably not that far off the mark) as we negotiated the trail, stopping every so often to make sure that we were on the right trail.

Every now and then, a snow mobile would race by with a person snugly wrapped up in a sled pulled behind.  These persons had been injured somewhere on the slopes and required medical attention.  They would have to be taken down as quickly as possible, wrapped up like a cocoon in order to prevent them from going into shock.

It was a sobering sight to behold as we fought to stay upright.  I hesitate to consider what might have happened to us if we had not had a good trail map and if the trails had not been clearly marked all the way down.  Getting on the wrong trail as a novice skier could certainly be a disaster.

The same thing could be said for us in our faith walk.  We each need the wisdom of scripture, the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the connection with God through prayer, an active worship life, and the counsel of fellow believers as we make our way through life.  It's easy to get on a path that is not intended for us to take and in so doing, bring pain and loss to ourselves and others.

David tells us in Psalm 119:33-35:  "Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end.  Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.  Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found."

 

Following the Pathway

Ski Apache Mountain Road

I began to drive up the mountain toward the ski resort outside Ruidoso, New Mexico, with my family in the car with me.  Soon the traffic slowed as the two-lane road winded up the steep slopes.  Snow covered the ground on either side and patches of melting ice poured out onto the highway.

The view from above was grandiose as beautiful vistas of snow-capped mountains filled with spruce and fir stood against the backdrop of a clear, blue sky.  At least, that's what everyone said…

Meanwhile, I had my eyes focused squarely on the road ahead, white-knuckling the steering wheel as I negotiated switchback curves with sheer drop-offs and little margin for error.

The kids would exclaim from the back seat, "Wow!  Look how far you'd fall if you ran off the road right here!"  Sweat beaded on my forehead.  "Be quiet!  Don't talk about that right now!  Can't you see I'm trying to drive?" I quipped.

That'd work for a couple of minutes, until I rounded the next hairpin turn and a whole new view burst before their eyes.  "I wonder if anyone has ever driven off the road up here?" came from the back seat.  "Stop talking!" I exclaimed.

About two-thirds of the way up the twelve mile drive, I noticed a Jeep Cherokee in my side-view mirror, passing the cars behind me.  I clenched the steering wheel even harder as the Jeep passed by me, nearly scraping my side-view mirror on the narrow road.

I marveled at his audacity and stupidity as the Jeep continued around the cars in front of me, even passing the front car in the middle of a switchback curve with no concern for oncoming traffic.  Had there been a car coming down the mountain at the same time, there would have been a horrific accident which could have involved numerous vehicles and caused a great deal of calamity for many…just so this person could get to the ski resort a couple of minutes sooner.

Proverbs 2:1-11;  My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.  Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.  Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.  Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.  Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.  For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.  He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.  Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.  Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

May we seek the wisdom of God and His ways with as much focus as if we were driving ourselves and our loved ones up a treacherous mountain road that requires all of our attention trained on following the right pathway.  May we not take foolhardy risks that could end up bringing disaster to many, but may we follow with diligence the pathway that the Lord has laid out before us, looking to Him for guidance every step of the way.

 

The Festal Procession

Sweetgum Foliage

Driving through the backwoods of East Texas this December on the way to my wife, Kim's, hometown where her parents still live, we traveled through a large area where the wildfires of summer had scorched the trees and underbrush in the Angelina River bottom.  It was a stark reminder of the drought conditions that the entire state had been under and the tragedy of fires that burned out of control for many weeks.

Yet, as we continued along our way, another reality became clear to us.  Somehow, apparently due to the drought, the fall color of the leaves on the trees was uncharacteristically vibrant and flamboyant.  Every mile that we traveled brought eye-popping beauty and a parade of vivid hues in every direction.

The sweetgum and red oak, post oak and winged elm, laurel oak and apple, water oak and pear, all seemed to be decked out in their finest attire, seemingly to herald the coming of the Christ child this Christmas.

The Lord speaks to us through the Prophet Isaiah in Chapter 55:8-13 when He says, "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.  "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.  It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.  You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!  Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the LORD's name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."

Even in a time of drought in East Texas, the whole creation appears to be in the middle of a festal parade with the joyous colors of burgundy, yellow, orange, scarlet, and amber against the backdrop of green pine trees.  It is as if the very trees themselves are bursting forth to pronounce the birth of Christ and the hope of his triumphant return.

Psalm 96:11-13 says, "Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!  Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the LORD, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.

If the trees are proclaiming with exultation about Christ, how much more should we be rejoicing over the Savior?  May your life be filled to overflowing with blessings and may the deep joy of the Savior be yours this Christmas.  Remember to be quick to share that joy with others to the glory of God.  Merry Christmas!

 

The Hands of Children

Kids Packing Food Pantry Bags

"Trust in God!  Let Him provide the way forward," I preached to the congregation, but did I really believe it myself?  I had seen God come through in times of difficulty to show a way forward where there appeared to be no possible way, but did I truly believe what I was preaching?

I encouraged the congregation to pray about the food pantry ministry as our resources seemed to be at the brink.  We were not prepared for the growth in the number of clients served and it appeared that it was continuing to increase every month.  After all, we are a small congregation with limited abilities.

Ministry leaders met and discussed possible scenarios.  One of the ladies said that she knew someone who had a kids group that needed a project to work on.  I volunteered to meet with them one afternoon if they could come to fill bags with groceries for the clients.

A few days later, I pulled into the church parking lot with my three kids to find a group of about a dozen kids and parents entering the church building.  We weren't sure just how many to expect or what they might be able to accomplish, but they definitely had enough people to accomplish something.  My spirits began to rise.

We took them to the food pantry room and I gave a brief introduction to the ministry.  An assembly line was formed by the kids and they began filling paper grocery bags with one of each item: fruit, corn, spaghetti sauce and noodles, stuffing, peanut butter and jelly, green beans, flour, sugar and other food items.

Everyone rolled up their sleeves and contributed to the effort.  Bags were filled quickly and placed on tables.  Soon the first table was full and we began to fill the next, and then the next.

Finally, I counted the bags and announced, "Okay, don't start any more bags!  We've got plenty!"  When we completed the bags that had been started, we ended up with 72 bags of groceries for the clients.  That's about the number that we've been serving every month!  I was amazed!

The leader of the 4H group, Laurie, asked if they could come again next month.  We made plans for the group to return and help pack bags again in January.

I couldn't help but remember what Jesus said in Luke 18:16-17; "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them!  For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.  I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."

Wasn't it appropriate for God to begin to answer our prayer for resources with the hands of children.  I never cease to be amazed at the way God reaches into our lives to touch us with His love and to remind us that we are all His children and that He loves us all enough to send His Son to be our Savior.

May you enjoy this Christmas season with the heart of a child, filled with expectation of God's love shown in us and through us to a world that needs that love so desperately.  Merry Christmas!

 

Thanking the Liberator

740th Tank Battalion

Georgette walked down the sidewalk toward the fellowship hall at First United Methodist Church in Timpson, Texas.  A flood of memories raced through her mind as she made her way toward the coming luncheon.  She could see people inside through the windows.  She remembered.  She could never forget.

The Nazi Army had laid siege to her city and her country so long ago.  She had only been a little girl yet she could never forget the fear that gripped her during those dark days growing up in her little hamlet of Neufchateau, Belgium.

She recalled the Allied armies that chased the Fascist Army from her beloved home and how thrilled that she had been when the 740th Tank Battalion had rolled into the city to protect her, her family and her people.

Shortly, they were forced to leave in order to counter the Nazi assault as it tried to retake the area in what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.  She and her people had prayed countless prayers for the Allies to be successful.  God heard those prayers as the Allied forces repelled the strong surge by the Nazis, even though they fought in freezing cold conditions with scant resources.

She reached for the door to the fellowship hall, turned the knob and stepped in.  She was met by friendly faces that introduced themselves to her and welcomed her.  Then she was met by the man, Joe Dillon, who had served in the 740th Tank Battalion that helped to liberate her city and her country.

A simple "thank you" seemed so little after all this time, yet it was all that she could give to this man who had risked his life to save hers and so many others.  She kissed him on the cheek and said, "Thank you."

Long ago and far away, a young man was condemned for crimes that he did not commit.  He had done nothing wrong, yet the world hated him and required him to pay for their hatred with his life.

He was whipped and beaten, yet he didn't open his mouth.  He was forced to drag a Roman cross through the streets of his beloved city, Jerusalem, in front of the people that he had come to save.  They spit on him and cursed him.  On a hill outside the city, he was nailed to the cross and lifted up before the world so that everyone might cast insults upon him.

He later died and was buried in a tomb, yet on the third morning he arose from the dead.  This man was no mortal man but God's own Son who had come to pay the ultimate price for all of the sins of the human race.  He had come to liberate us from the great tyranny of sin and death that has plagued humankind since the time of Adam.

1Co 15:55-57 says, "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"  For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.  But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ."

May we never forget the great price that has been paid to set us free from captivity to sin and death.  A simple "Thank  you" seems so little to offer for one who has done so much.  After all, He has liberated us from our arch enemies and won the great victory for us on the cross and in the empty tomb.  Let us always and everywhere give Christ the thanks and devotion that He deserves today and every day, for He is our Liberator both now and forever.

 

Five-Finger Discount

Five-Finger Discount

My brother, Gary, stepped out the back door of his mobile home camp house in Alabama in order to take his new retriever puppy out to stretch her legs.  The new day was dawning on the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Kim, the kids and I began to rouse up on the other end of the camp house to get ready for our long drive back to Texas.

Suddenly, Gary hollered for me to come outside.  I hurried through the living room and dining room to the back door that stood wide open.  Stepping out on the back steps barefooted, I saw Gary standing in the yard looking at me.

"Do you notice anything missing?" he asked.

I looked around, not fully realizing what he inferred.  "No, I don't."

"Look right there," he said as he pointed to a small cement pad about three feet square.

"Oh, no!  Your air conditioner is gone!" I exclaimed.

"Yep!  Somebody stole my air conditioner!" he retorted.

We continued to ponder the situation and discuss his possible options.  He began to make plans to get with the local sheriff's department to file a report as well as determine what he would have to do to replace the stolen property.

Of course, he couldn't help but speculate on who might have given the air conditioner the "five-finger discount", which is a slang term for stealing.

I recall my early years growing up in an old bungalow in LA (Lower Alabama), and how we made it through the sweltering heat without an air conditioner.  Although we didn't have the cool air that I have become so accustomed to today, we had other ways of enjoying life that have fallen by the wayside nowadays.

It was a common sight for families to gather on the front porch in the late afternoons to socialize.  Neighbors would visit one another and sit for hours talking in the shade of the veranda as the sipped on iced sweet tea and hoped to catch a soft breeze until darkness came to offer a respite from the scorching heat.  It wasn't uncommon for peddlers to drive by selling peas and butterbeans out of the back of their pickup trucks.  Neighbors would often help each other to shell peas as they visited in the coolness of early evening.

They didn't have air conditioning in Jesus' day either, and people were accustomed to visiting in the outdoors.  Jesus is recorded visiting with a large crowd in the outdoors one day as He provides us with divine wisdom in Luke 12:31-34; Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.  So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.  "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

It's hard for me to imagine why someone would want to steal an air conditioner that is attached to a house, but it only goes to show that any possession that we have in this world can be taken from us.  Jesus' command to store up treasure in heaven should speak to each of us, especially as we approach the season of Christmas.

Before we rush into the shopping malls or spend our savings on gifts for everyone, maybe we should consider what we will do for the less fortunate.  There are children who are hungry and elderly folks that are struggling to get by right now.  I believe that God would have us to give generously to those who are in need.  In so doing, we store up treasures for ourselves that cannot get the "five-finger discount".  May that be the place where our hearts reside this Christmas and always as we serve Christ, the true meaning of Christmas.