Cornerstone Connection

30 July 2010

Try not to stand to the left of anyone wearing this tee-shirt. It might be hazardous to your reputation.

On the other hand, each of us should be entitled to a few stupid actions or statements in life. The fact is that all of us are stupid from time to time. It’s part of what it means to be human. But that does not mean we have to stay that way.

The Bible is full of people who did stupid things. We’re going to look Sunday at a few of them – focusing particularly on one who had his head on straight most of the time, and otherwise was pretty smart. But then he lost his head and blew it, big time.

So, when we check him out, maybe we’ll learn some things about how to keep away as much as possible from stupid.

Everyone is stupid now and then. The real question is: can it be fixed?

Before you join us, read 1 Kings 12:1-15, John 13: 31-38 and Isaiah 39:1-8. It should help to make you and me a little smarter.

See you Sunday.

Bill

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Cornerstone Connection

30 July 2010

Cornerstone Connection

Try not to stand to the left of anyone wearing this tee-shirt. It might be hazardous to your reputation.

On the other hand, each of us should be entitled to a few stupid actions or statements in life. The fact is that all of us are stupid from time to time. It’s part of what it means to be human. But that does not mean we have to stay that way.

The Bible is full of people who did stupid things. We’re going to look Sunday at a few of them – focusing particularly on one who had his head on straight most of the time, and otherwise was pretty smart. But then he lost his head and blew it, big time.

So, when we check him out, maybe we’ll learn some things about how to keep away as much as possible from stupid.

Everyone is stupid now and then. The real question is: can it be fixed?

Before you join us, read 1 Kings 12:1-15, John 13: 31-38 and Isaiah 39:1-8. It should help to make you and me a little smarter.

See you Sunday.

Bill

Comment

As Good As It Gets

19 July 2010

One of the great themes in Genesis is the idea that obedience brings blessings. It does, but then again, does it always? I struggle with this as I reflect on my life, on Life in general. It seems to me that there are situations in life that really just don’t get any better, that are really tough and unfair and heartbreaking and will always be that way. Sometimes things are just plain lousy, and that’s as good as it’s gonna get, period. This “good as it gets” concept has been an important one for me to wrap my mind around. A problem I have with the book of Job is that to some, it may seem as though it’s saying that if you just hang in there and don’t turn your back on God, it’ll all turn out in the end and you’ll get your reward. Or that it will at least get better. Or that in some way, some amazing good thing will eventually come because of all the hardship in your life, some strengthening of character that justifies the suffering. And that you’ll realize it, in this lifetime. As my spiritual walk has deepened, I’ve come to the acceptance that this is false thinking. Things may/may not get better, blessings may/may not come in this lifetime. The trick is to praise God even when they never get better, and even get worse. The trick for me (and all mature believers I think) is to glorify God no matter what, regardless of the outcome in this lifetime. There are times in my life when I have prayed for God to “take this cup” from me, but he hasn’t, and so I’m having to come to peace with His will, not mine, and be OK with it. Not an easy struggle. It’s the “okayness” that isn’t easy. I can intellectually accept the “unsearchability” of God’s will, but I really struggle to be consistently joyful about it. My mind wants to keep going back to “surely it will get better, things will improve, etc.” but then I catch myself and say “Yeah, but what if it never gets better? Can you deal with that, Susan, and joyfully praise God and love life anyway?” It’s a work in progress and really does take me deeper spiritually than I would like to go sometimes.

Susan Killam

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ACTION

15 July 2010

Recently I have been moved and convicted by reading a powerful book entitled The Whole in Our Gospel, by Rich Stearns. This book has caused me to think and even re-think my commitment to Christ and whether it is truly commitment or simply lip service. As we all know it sure is a lot easier to “talk the talk” rather than “walk the walk.” In his book Stearns quotes a friend of his with a jarring statement, “It’s not what you believe that counts; it’s what you believe enough to do.” Since reading that statement I have found myself going back to it numerous times and reflecting on its implications in my life.

What am I so committed to that I am given to doing whatever it takes to get it done. What drives me to go beyond myself and my own creature comforts regardless of the cost based solely on my beliefs. As a follower of Christ we are often defined by what we don’t do rather than what we are doing. Obviously we are saved by grace through faith and not of works as Paul expresses in Ephesians, yet there is a commitment level that Christ not only expects but demands of His children. Later on the same page of his book Stearns comments by saying, “Jesus asks much more of us that just believing the right things.”

It is much more than a quaint saying but should you and I be asking ourselves the age-old question of, “what on earth are you doing for heaven’s sake?” How are you and I spending our time, our money and talents for the cause of Christ? What sacrifices are we making or are we just looking to be comfortable rather than committed?

I am convinced that Jesus expects more of me! I believe He is expecting more of you too!

“It’s not what you believe that counts; it’s what you believe enough to do.”

Bruce

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A "Perfect" Mistake

3 June 2010

The lead story today on June 3 whether it is a news site or a sports program is what happened last night in Detroit. A pitcher for the Tigers was one out a way from throwing a perfect game (27 straight outs without anyone reaching base). However, the last batter was called safe by the umpire on a close play which broke up the perfect game. On further review from numerous angles the call made by the umpire was incorrect and the runner was out and the perfect game should have counted. All kinds of arguments and debates have ensued with even media and fans alike not only calling for more use of instant replay in the sport but also many are demanding the Commissioner of baseball to overturn the umpires ruling and award the perfect game. Should the Commissioner choose to do this which is certainly in his power, it would be the first time in the history of the sport that it has ever been done which could possibly mar the human element for the game now and for years to come.

One of the underlying storylines here is the umpire (Jim Joyce) who made the incorrect call. He is a veteran umpire having been voted twice by the players as one of the very best umpires in all of baseball and has umpired All-Star and World Series games. After the game and watching replays the umpire admitted he made the wrong call and blew the perfect game. “It was the biggest call of my career, and I kicked the [stuff] out of it,” Joyce said, looking and sounding distraught as he paced in the umpires’ locker room. “I just cost that kid a perfect game.” That in and of itself is admirable for him to do, but he went so far to search out the pitcher and apologize to him for his mistake. That shows a lot of class to admit your failure face to face to the one you have offended. We all know that each of us make mistakes but the willingness to not only admit it but to go to someone who was impacted by our mistake is often overlooked or hardly ever done. As frustrated and upset that I would have been if I were a Tigers fan, I hope I would be able to see past the situation to Joyce who publicly admitted he failed and respect him for his integrity and character.

It is one thing to acknowledge that people including ourselves make mistakes, however it is another matter all together to not only being willing to forgive but to ask for forgiveness and admit our mistake to the one we have offended. I believe it is only in the forgiveness we experience in Christ that we can ultimately forgive ourselves much less go and admit we are wrong to another. May each of us have the integrity and character of this umpire to admit when we have made a mistake and not blame someone or something else and as well go to whoever we offended and admit to them our error and ask for their forgiveness. It might not ever be the easiest thing to do but we know in our hearts it is the right call to make.

Bruce

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