Tinkering or Totally New

The birds are back. The ones that chirp incessantly early in the AM before the sunrise. A harbinger of the warm weather to come. So, instead of wanting to don my elmer fudd hat and rifle, I just embrace the noise as good news - time to work on my stroke. My golf game has been in hibernation, until last year, and someone gave me a golf book for my birthday so I have been reading - tinkering or using a new grip. Often, we try to keep our core practices and add on bells or whistles or small improvements. That is easy. Hard is tearing up your old strategy or habits, like a golf grip that works for you, and spending a little more time with a new grip. More work and time to get to a better game. As is with the Gospel...the Gospel does not improve you or help you make small adjustments. It is changing everything about how you looked at life and how you carry yourself. And it is not easy and will not be short. But one day, you will stand on the green and sink in that putt and feel pretty good about the hole that you played.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

Weather Report: Hidden Treasure

If you have not gone out yet, the streets are full of slush, snow, and slick so be careful. The snowflakes are still tickling your nose. Take heart! For in 3 weeks, it will be officially spring.

Yesterday at service, my pastor preached on Matthew 13:44-46 (see below). To me, the message spoke of how we should be so overwhelmed by the wonderful news of the kingdom of Heaven that we would sell all of our possessions just to lay claim to this new hidden treasure. How utterly useless and unworthy the "things" we have in comparison to that which is the eternity with God. These things are not just possessions, but traits, habits, and other "things" we bring with us before we know and live Christ in our hearts. The other part of the message is the cost of following Christ. We are to follow him to Calvary. To death. No loud glorious trumpets per se, no Hollywood ending, no parades down Broadway, certainly not for people like Bonhoeffer in Germany or Elliot in Ecuador. The impact, the courage, and the joy they had in "selling all their worldly possessions" just to secure that field.

Matthew:13:44-46 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.