July 13, 2022 — Words of Wisdom, Bill Dana (American Humorist)

“I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in two days.” – Bill Dana

“Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priestand asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank.” Acts 9:1-9

Changing Our Mind

How long does it take for our minds to be changed? Some people require weeks, some months, and others will never change their mind no matter what information they receive. My cats fall into the last category – it is impossible to change their minds.

Saul (Paul) had his mind made up that his calling in life was to persecute early Christians, people who were followers of “The Way” (The Way of Christ). But then one day Jesus told him he had time to think about his ways – three days in fact. For three days he sat in Damascus, not able to see and not so sure what he had seen and experienced when Jesus appeared to him. But those three days were long enough for Jesus to change Saul’s mind about his life and calling.

Jesus was in the tomb three days before he changed the world through his resurrection. But he did not just sit in the tomb for three days – he went into the prisons of former times to preach to those who had died long before. (1 Peter 3:18-19) You see Jesus was always seeking to be in relationship with the others – especially those whom others believed were not worthy to be in relationship. Having our minds made up about something can be a strength and a weakness. But just when we think we have everything figured out, G-d can come along to convince you to change your mind. And believe me, our G-d can be a persistent G-d.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, you never gave up on someone, and the truth of scripture is you will never give up. Give me the strength to always remain open to change. Amen.

Pastor Dave

July 12, 2022 — Words of Wisdom, Mason Cooley (American Aphorist)

“A happy arrangement: many people prefer cats to other people, and many cats prefer people to other cats.” – Mason Cooley

“So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab. God’s anger was kindled because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the road as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.The donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand, so the donkey turned off the road and went into the field, and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn it back onto the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it scraped against the wall and scraped Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he struck it again. Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!”But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” Numbers 22:21-30

How We Treat One Another

I am not sure if Balaam would prefer his donkey to other people, but he certainly has a donkey who is a straight shooter. I just love the donkey’s comment: “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” We have all said something we just did not mean, like “I am so mad I could just _____ you.” Whether that blank had a word like “hit” or “kill” it was said within the emotion of anger.

As we encounter in the story of Balaam’s donkey, the core of any healthy human or animal encounter is the relationship between them. The closer the relationship between two creatures the more honest and open that relationship should be. Now, this is not always the case because of sin. But if we are in relationship with one another then we should be establishing open and honest communication, love and respect for one another.

Is this easy? Of course not. But Jesus does not “suggest” that we love one another, he commands us to love and he commands us to forgive. When we strive to live in relationship with one another, then we will be less likely to strike out with angry words or actions.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, how we treat one another can be a reflection of the closeness of our relationship with you. Teach me to be more loving and forgiving and remind me daily to treat others as I want them to treat me. Amen.

Pastor Dave