Mowing His Front Lawn

One day, shortly after joining the PGA tour in 1965, Lee Trevino, a professional golfer and married , was at his home in Dallas, Texas mowing his front lawn, as he always did.
A lady driving by in a big, shiny Cadillac stopped in front of his house, lowered the window and asked, “Excuse me, do you speak English”?
Lee responded, “Yes Ma’am, I do”.
The lady then asked, “What do you charge to do yard work?”.
Lee said, “Well, the lady in this house lets me sleep with her” The lady hurriedly put the car into gear and sped off.

(good joke told about many people!)

Brazilian Leader Provides a Lesson on Friendship

Americans are good at many things, but being friends and sharing life is not one of them. Our iconic figures - the cowboy, the police detective - always seem to ride alone; they can't be slowed down by a partner.
I first realised how narrowly most Americans view friendships when I was traveling with a Brazilian leader. He'd started a thriving seminary, planted a church, written books—the man makes things happen. As we were driving from one meeting to another, I said, "Hey, do you want a cup of coffee?"
He said, "Really? We have time? Wow. I'm honoured. That would be great."
I'm thinking, I don't know why he's so thrilled. I quickly pull into a drive-through coffee stand, and he says, "Ugh, you Americans. I feel so sorry for you. I thought you were asking to be my friend. I thought we were going to sit together and share life."

Michael Woodruff, from the sermon "You Were Created to Connect"

Feedback

I have yet to find the person, however exalted their station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.

- Charles Schwab -

You are Old, Father William

"Repeat 'You are old, Father William,'" said the Caterpillar. Alice folded her hands, and began: --

"You are old, father William," the young man said,

"And your hair has become very white;

And yet you incessantly stand on your head --

Do you think, at your age, it is right?"

"In my youth," father William replied to his son,

"I feared it would injure the brain;

But now that I'm perfectly sure I have none,

Why, I do it again and again."

"You are old," said the youth, "as I mentioned before,

And have grown most uncommonly fat;

Yet you turned a back-somersault in at the door --

Pray, what is the reason of that?"

"In my youth," said the sage, as he shook his grey locks,

"I kept all my limbs very supple

By the use of this ointment -- one shilling the box --

Allow me to sell you a couple."

"You are old," said the youth, "and your jaws are too weak

For anything tougher than suet;

Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak --

Pray, how did you manage to do it?"

"In my youth," said his father, "I took to the law,

And argued each case with my wife;

And the muscular strength, which it gave to my jaw,

Has lasted the rest of my life."

"You are old," said the youth; one would hardly suppose

That your eye was as steady as ever;

Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose --

What made you so awfully clever?"

"I have answered three questions, and that is enough,"

Said his father; "don't give yourself airs!

Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff?

Be off, or I'll kick you down stairs!"

"That is not said right," said the Caterpillar.

"Not quite right, I'm afraid," said Alice timidly;

"some of the words have got altered."

"It is wrong from beginning to end," said the Caterpillar ...

Indeed it is! This poem parodies Robert Southey's "The Old Man's Comforts And How He Gained Them."

by Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)

Love Loves You Too

Some people get to make the news
Some people get to say what's true
Everybody's got to find their own way through
But if you love, then love loves you too.

Some people get to fly by night
Some people get to shine a light
Everybody's got to find their way through
But if you love, then love loves you too.

Some of us hunger for the finer things
Some lust for power like ancient kings
Some have to leave behind everything they thought they knew
Some people don't know how much trouble they can brew

Some take the burden of another's pain
Some spend forever for a moment's gain
Everybody's got to find their way through
But if you love, then love loves you too.

from Bruce Cockburn, "Dart to the Heart" (1994)

True Faith Is Like Grabbing a Rope from Our Rescuer

Philosopher Nicholas Beale and scientist John Polkinghorne use the following story to illustrate the nature of biblical faith:

A philosopher, a scientist, and a simple man—none of whom could swim—were trapped in a cove with sheer cliff faces. They split up, but the tide kept coming in. Rescuers lowered a rope with a safety harness. The philosopher said, "Ah, this looks like a rope, but I might be mistaken—it could be wishful thinking or an illusion." So he didn't attach himself, and he was drowned. The scientist said, "Ah, this is an 11 mm polyester rope with a breaking strain of 2800 kg. It conforms to the MR 10-81 standard," and then proceeded to give an exhaustive, and entirely correct, analysis of the rope's physical and chemical properties. But he didn't attach himself, and he was drowned. The simple man said, "Ah, I'm not sure if it's a rope or a python tail, but it's my only chance, so I'm grabbing it and holding on with my whole life." He was saved.

Of course other things being equal, it is better to have an enlightened faith in God than an unenlightened faith. But mere intellectual understanding that does not lead to trust and action is not what God is after.

Adapted from John Polkinghorne and Nicholas Beale, Questions of Truth (Westminster John Knox Press, 2009), pp. 26-27

Christian Leader from Asia Critiques Western View of Suffering

Ajith Fernando, a Christian leader from Sri Lanka who ministers to the urban poor, writes:
The church in each culture has its own special challenges—theological blind spots that hinder Christians from growing to full maturity in Christ …. I think one of the most serious theological blind spots in the western church is a defective understanding of suffering. There seems to be a lot of reflection on how to avoid suffering and on what to do when we hurt. We have a lot of teaching about escape from suffering and therapy for suffering, but there is inadequate teaching about the theology of suffering ….
The "good life," comfort, convenience, and a painless life have become necessities that people view as basic rights. If they do not have these, they think something has gone wrong …. One of the results of this attitude is a severe restriction of spiritual growth, for God intends us to grow through trials.

Ajith Fernando, The Call to Joy and Pain (Crossway Books, 2007), pp. 51-52

Test for College Students Shows We Make Jesus in Our Own Image

In his book With, Skye Jethani tells about a test that Scot McKnight gives every year to his incoming group of college students:
The test begins with a series of questions about what the students think Jesus is like. Is he moody? Does he get nervous? Is he the life of the party or an introvert? The twenty-four questions are then followed by a second set—with slightly altered language—in which the students answer questions about their own personalities.
McKnight is not the only one who has administered this exam; it has been field tested by other professionals as well. But the results are remarkably consistent—everyone thinks Jesus is just like them. McKnight added, "The test results also suggest that, even though we like to think we are becoming more like Jesus, the reverse is probably more the case: we try to make Jesus like ourselves."
McKnight's personality questionnaire confirms what the French philosopher Voltaire said three centuries ago: "If God has made us in his image, we have returned him the favour."

Skye Jethani, With (Thomas Nelson, 2011), pp. 61-62

If You're Married, God Is Your Spiritual Father-in-Law

Gary Thomas reminds Christians that if you're married, God is your "spiritual Father-in-law." He writes:

When I realised that I was married to God's daughter, everything changed in the way I viewed marriage. It was no longer about just me and one other person; it was very much a relationship with a passionately interested third partner.

Most of us fail to grasp just how fully God loves the person to whom we are married. As the father of three children, I fervently pray that each one will marry a spouse who will love them generously, respect them, and enjoy them. I realise that each of my children has certain quirks or limitations that may test a future spouse's patience, but I pray that their spouses will be kind in these areas rather than use them to belittle my children. I hope with all my heart that each will find a partner who will encourage them with a gracious spirit…. I know my kids aren't perfect—but I want them to have spouses who will love them despite their weaknesses.

In the same way, God is fully aware of our spouse's limitations—and he is just as eager for us to be kind and generous with these faults as we are for our kids' future spouses to be kind to them. By looking at my spouse through God's eyes, I invite God into my marriage.

Gary Thomas, Holy Available (Zondervan, 2009), pp. 63-64

We Want Our Mechanic and Our Doctor to Speak the Truth

Imagine picking your car up from the shop after a routine tune-up, and the technician says, "This car is in great shape. Clearly you have an automotive genius to take great care of your car." Later that day, your brakes don't work. You find out you were out of brake fluid. You could have died.
You go back to the shop, and you say, "Why didn't you tell me?" The technician replies, "Well, I didn't want you to feel bad. Plus, to be honest, I was afraid you might get upset with me. I want this to be a safe place where you feel loved and accepted." You'd be furious! You'd say, "I didn't come here for a little fantasy-based ego boost! When it comes to my car, I want the truth."
Or imagine going to the doctor's office for a check-up. The doctor says to you, "You are a magnificent physical specimen. You have the body of an Olympian. You are to be congratulated." Later that day while climbing the stairs, your heart gives out. You find out later your arteries were so clogged that you were, like, one jelly doughnut away from the grim reaper.
You go back to the doctor and say, "Why didn't you tell me?" The doctor says, "Well, I knew your body is in worse shape than the Pillsbury doughboy, but if I tell people stuff like that, they get offended. It's bad for business. They don't come back. I want this to be a safe place where you feel loved and accepted." You'd be furious! You'd say to the doctor, "When it comes to my body, I want the truth!"
Obviously, when something matters to us, we do not want illusory comfort based on pain avoidance. We want truth.

John Ortberg, "Loving Enough to Speak the Truth," PreachingToday.com

Teens Look to Parents for Advice on Sexuality

A 2011 study revealed a surprising source for teenagers to learn about sexuality—their parents. Here are some of the results of the research:

45 percent of teenagers rely most heavily on their parents for information about sexuality.

32 percent of those surveyed relied on guidance from friends.

15 percent relied on what celebrities thought about sexuality.

The study also revealed another interesting statistic: 78 percent of parents assumed that their teenagers would turn to other sources (besides parents) for advice about sexual issues. Based on these statistics, the study's lead researcher concluded, "Parents are more important than they think. It's the role of the teen to be autonomous and turn away, but it is the role of the parent to remain a role model."

Bonnie Rochman, "Who Are Teens' Role Models? Turns Out, It's Their Parents," Time (18 July 2011)

Pastafarians Unite!

Here's a quirky story from the BBC about a self-confessed atheist who was given permission to wear a pasta strainer for his Australian driver's license photo. Apparently, Mr. Niko Alm claims that it's a requirement for his religion—pastafarianism. Mr. Alm says he belongs to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. According to their website, the only dogma they allow is the rejection of dogma—which sounds like a very dogmatic statement. Amusing and creative, yes, but it also demonstrates how selfish and self-justifying we can be.

Fighting for a Troubled Veteran

Here's a positive story about a troubled veteran who was offered compassion and a taste of redemption. After returning from Iraq in 2006, Brad Eifert, a highly-decorated staff sergeant descended into emotional and personal turmoil—divorce, rage, and alcohol abuse. "I just felt totally hopeless in every situation in my life," he said. Eifert's personal disintegration led to a standoff with police, in which Eifert held a pistol to his head and threatened to kill himself and a police officer. Surprisingly, the people involved in his case (including a wise and compassionate judge), banded together to help Eifert rather than just lock him up. Although they did charge him with a lesser felony, they also assigned him a mentor, enforced treatment, and even put a monitor on his ankle that records alcohol consumption. It's a beautiful example of how a community can help change lives through forgiveness, compassion, tough love, mentoring, and accountability.

What's Better—Great People or Great Teams?

Here's an utterly brilliant article about the power of teams and the need for community. Starting with Mark Zuckerberg's purchase of Friendfind, the article asks the question: "If you are building a company, would you prefer one standout person over one hundred pretty good people?" Many business models prefer the one great person route, but this article argues for the team approach. For example, the Boston Bruins (NHL champs), the Dallas Mavericks (NBA champs), and Barcelona (the world's best soccer team) all had one thing in common: exceptional teamwork. You can easily see the connection between the author's conclusion and the life of the church: we don't need "Free Agents" and "lone wolves"; instead, we need a "well-assembled team that may not dazzle with individual brilliance, but overwhelms with collective capability."

- source unknown