Month: February 2020

Bet I’ve caught a few of you off guard with this title!

Lots of people dress in layers such as football players and skiers.  I’ve often wondered of ladies in movies or in real life that wear the huge saucer-like hats or bonnets.  Some, to church, others, simply to go out.  After seeing someone with a huge hat for a long time, it’s probably hard to recognize them without one.  Those ladies with bonnets tilted right over their eyes and to the side of their heads, I wonder what they’re like without them.  Same thing with shoulder-padded guys.  Remove the pads and, where did he go? I remember back in high school we had a ‘Mr. Popular.’ He was followed everywhere with two-to-three girls tagging along on each side.  They were all always laughing and practically drooling over him.  It happens that one day I rode my bike near a public pool when I noticed a wet-noodle of a guy! No shoulder pad jackets, no gallon of hair gel, and no girls by his side!  It was, hard to believe, but it was ‘Mr. Popular’ himself! Gone were the high-heeled shoes popular of the 70’s.  Gone, were the fancy attires and all the girls.  He would not be picked out in a line-up!

  And so, I’ve thought of how we can hide behind items such as helmets, dark glasses, dark shades, even attires that ‘make’ us who we are.  People always see the image they expect to see or the ones we want them to see.  Both male & female strippers can strip outer garments to reveal flesh; mush like paint strippers tear at layers to reveal beautiful wood.  God’s Word strips inner layers to reveal the fallen man; the one that, regardless of his good deeds, can never attain God’s favor by his own works or deeds (Isaiah 64:6).  The Holy Spirit gets deep into the fibers of our spirt-man; the man no one wants others to see.  God is the ultimate stripping agent.  He cuts to the chase.  He’s not in the least impressed with any of us in terms of how we present ourselves whether we wear gold, silver, plastic, or expensive jewelry.  Those outer garments and accessories are personal touches which oftentimes might be to impress others, but not God.  He’s interested in how our spirit fairs.  His concern is to strip us down to the bare essentials, spiritually.  He can fashion us for His purposes; for His glory.  We must come to terms with our depravity.

Ready to be stripped?  Trust me, you won’t be smiling and/or trying to impress anyone.  It’ll be you and God alone.  And it can take a very long time depending on the number of layers you wear: pride, arrogance, thievery, good works, deception, lies, vengeance, goody-two-shoes, self-righteousness, vindictiveness, etc. etc.  As he strips away layers, a beautiful sheen begins to emerge in you until, like cared-after exotic wood, true grain appears revealing beauty that lies beyond the surface.  Beauty that shines forth after being stripped by The Stripper; and displayed by The Carpenter.

Blood Donor

Being a giver is important in our family.  As a young father of three, I began donating to various ministries and nonprofit organizations while our kids were still small.   As parents, we taught our three to be givers, too.  One of our kids ‘baptized’ a sibling with the name, Munchkin.  So now we had a munchkin in our home.  Our family learned to give away clothing items they no longer needed or used.  We’d line our hallway with 3-4 large bags and then head out to the local shelter.  Almost without exception, a few days later, a neighbor would come to our door with 2-4 large bags of goodies (clothing) for our kids.  They would be elated.

As our kids grew, they also continued their giving practices.  One year we learned that our Munchkin had a church sponsor from another state.  She would receive toys, Christmas cards, school supplies, etc.  But the biggest surprise to us all, was when Munchkin received a beautiful porcelain doll.  We were all in amazement that someone who didn’t even know us would give such a precious gift.  The sponsor was in her early 70s and was surely making a 10-11 yr. old mighty happy.  But happiness in itself isn’t much unless it’s shared.  This Munchkin grew to also become a sponsor.  And even when times have been very difficult for her as in not making enough to ‘make ends meet,’ not having a job, etc., she has found ways to continue her giving. 

 There are so many ways to give, we simply can’t run out of ways on how to.  The first step is simply a desire to do so.  Then, there needs to be a love for it.  Finally, we need to carry it out.  I’ve got to say that as a giver who’s taught his kids to give, I’ve sometimes found myself saying, ‘But you didn’t have to give that, or that amount…”  And what I’ve grown to learn is that my kids have learned to out-give me.  They’ve made me proud.  They’ve learned to go over and beyond just to help others.  They’ve learned that what they own isn’t everything there is in life.  They’ve learned that life consists of more than accumulating things.  They’ve learned that others are so important that they can’t be brushed aside “just because…”

If we’re committed to doing something for others, then those people depend upon us without knowing it.  I’m not talking about spoiling people.  I’m sharing on the importance of being a consistent giver; someone dependable.  That if we don’t do our part for Christ, then things will not get done.

Givers can change lives.  I’ve read of blood donors who have given blood hundreds upon hundreds of times.  Others have given a few dozen times.  And yet others, maybe only once or twice. These givers have saved countless lives.  They have brought joy and gratitude to friends and family members alike.  They’ve given hope where none existed or when it was almost shattered.  I know of a man who gave only once and yet changed the lives of millions, even billions; in fact, He changed the course of history.  He didn’t donate His blood as regular donors do; He didn’t spill His blood either, but he shed it for all humanity.  Spilling, refers to it being accidental; shedding refers to intentional.  Christ gave His all for you and me.  He put aside all His riches; His Kingship, His royalty, and His powers to become poor for our sakes.  He gave His blood as well as His life for us.  He not only paid for us, but He was willing to take our blame and go die for us.  Reader, He died for you in your place.  Gave you the best gift ever: Forgiveness of sins, Eternal Life, and Fellowship (Friendship) with God.

Whether you’re a Munchkin or a giant, or even a regular Joe/Jane, become a giver.  Become a life saver.  Accept the Life -saving work of Christ and join the Family.

Ask Jesus into your heart right now.  Say, “Dear God, please forgive all my sins.  Thank you for dying in my place and shedding Your blood for me.  Come into my heart and change my life.  Make me a child of Yours.”  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.