Dad's Ramblings -- Change of Focus

"You therefore receive him...whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel."
 
                                                                          Philemon 12-13
 
Even though Onesimus was a new creature in Christ, he was still a servant with a servant's heart. He once served Philemon; now he is serving Jesus while serving Paul. When he gave his life to Christ, his servanthood became ministry for the gospel.  (Remember that the Greek word diaconeo means both to serve and to minister.) When we accept Christ, he does not necessarily change our talents and giftings – who we are fundamentally. He uses our God-given nature and abilities for His purposes. He gives a new focus and motivation so our life-purpose is to serve Him by serving others.
 
Today's Thought: God uses our natural talents and abilities to serve Him by serving others.
 
Have a serving day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Receiving the Repentant

"You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart....If you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me."
 
                                                                      Philemon 12b, 17
 
I can imagine the scene: Onesimus is kneeling at Philemon's feet asking for forgiveness from his master. Philemon's initial response is anger at the betrayal by his servant. Then he reads the letter from Paul pleading from his heart on behalf of Onesimus, and he relents and in grace accepts Onesimus back as a part of the household. It is difficult for us humans to forgive and receive back someone who has violated our trust and broken our confidence, whether in business, in marriage, or in the church. How can it be possible? By remembering another scene: a sinner on his knees in fear and repentance before an angry God. The sinner deserves judgment, but Jesus is pleading for the repentant one. On account of what Jesus did in His sacrifice, God extends grace and receives the sinner as though he had never sinned. That is the heart of God. Oh, what wonderful grace! God calls us to that same attitude when people who have offended us come in repentance. "Forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32; also Colossians 3:13, and II Corinthians 2:7-11).
 
Today's Thought: We can forgive because we are forgiven.
 
Have a forgiving day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Going Back

"I am sending him back."
 

                                                                   Philemon 12a
 
Onesimus had wronged his master, and now he needed to make it right. So Paul sent him back to face the music. Being forgiven by God does not eliminate the need to make amends for past wrongs. It may involve making restitution, facing a the judge for civil crimes, or just asking forgiveness.  It is difficult to go back, but it is necessary in order to have a clear conscience.  Whatever the cost, being at peace with the past is a requisite for living in freedom today.
 
Today's Thought: Living at peace today requires making peace with the past.
 
Have a "clear" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Transformed Life

"I appeal to you for my son Onesimus...who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me."
 
                                                                             Philemon 10-11
 
The story of a changed life is one of the amazing works of God. Not only does He save us from hell, but he gives our lives purpose here and now. From drunk to sober. From thievery to giving. From cursing to blessing. Paul made a play on the name "Onesimus," which mens "useful." Apparently Onesimus, as a slave, had done something wrong to Philemon (vs. 18) and then ran away. The "useful" had become "unuseful." But through the grace of God, Onesimus had once again become useful or profitable. That's what God does. He takes a broken sinner, cleans him up, and makes him useful in Christ's kingdom.
 
Today's Thought: God is in the restoration business.
 
Have a "useful" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Appeal vs. Command

"Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you – being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ – I appeal to you for my son, Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains..."
 
                                                                Philemon 8-10
 
Paul is in his senior years. In his younger days, he might have exerted his authority as an apostle and commanded Philemon to obey (see II Thessalonians 3:4, 6, 10, 12, 14). Now his request is couched as an appeal, based in a relationship of love. An authority figure might give orders, and people might obey from threat of punishment, or duty and obligation, but still have a rebellious heart. If the obedience is from a heart of love, everyone is happier. There are times when commands are appropriate (as in the military or with Mildred's dog, Skeeter, where there is no love lost). Even God had to give commandments because of the hardness of peoples' hearts. But I hear Jesus' appeal, "Come unto me, all you who are weary," and I respond out of heart of love.
 
Today's Thought: In a love relationship, appeal is better than command.
 
Have an "appealing" day. (Get the pun?) Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Refreshing Words

"For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother."
 
                                                                                Philemon 7
 
What a wonderful ministry – refreshing the saints. When I was a kid, after a long day of picking beans in the field, we would head to the swimming hole. It was so refreshing to dive into the cool water. Like cold water on a hot day, the spirit is refreshed by an encouraging word. To someone struggling through a spiritual desert, an uplifting word perks up the soul. Lord, help me to give a refreshing word to someone today. "A word spoken in due season, how good it it!" (Proverbs 15:23b)
 
Today's Thought: An encouraging word refreshes the soul in the desert.
 
Have a refreshing day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Effective Witnessing

"I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers....that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."
 
                                                                                Philemon 4, 6
 
Here's a prayer I don't often pray – that someone will be an effective witness. More often than not, my prayers are for special needs or challenges other people face, or for their prosperity and health, ala III John 2. Sharing our faith becomes effective as we tell other people the good things that God has done in our lives. May God give us all boldness to tell of His grace and love.
 
Today's Thought: Effective witnessing includes telling what Jesus has done in us.
 
Have an effective day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Letter Writing

"Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved friend and fellow laborer, to the beloved Apphia, Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house."                        
 
                                                                                     Philemon 1-2
 
This personal letter from Paul to Philemon is unique among the extant writings of Paul. In it Paul shows his tender side as he pleads with Philemon and his family concerning a very specific issue. It is believed by some scholars that Apphia was Philemon's wife, and that Archippus was his son who may have been pastoring the church that met in their house (see Colossians 4:17). Personal letter-writing seems to be a vanishing relic of the past. It has been replaced by email and facebook, which are usually just snippets of our thoughts. And, oh yes, we have telephone. But there is still nothing like receiving a letter in a person's own handwriting. It seems handwritten letters emote more personality than a sterile note on a computer. I remember waiting at the mailbox for a letter from some loved one, or being surprised by a caring note from someone special.  Letter writing has gone the way of the Edsel.  But, I guess an email is better than nothing, and I'm grateful for any letter I get.
 
Today's Thought: Handwritten letters communicate our hearts in a way electronic letters cannot.
 
Have a communicating day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Blooming Where We're Planted

"Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him."
 
                                                                              Acts 28:30-31
 
The book of Acts ends with Paul living in his own rented house, having been given permission by the soldiers to live by himself under guard. We would call this "house-arrest." There, he had freedom to preach and teach, and he also wrote letters to the churches at Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, and a personal letter to Philemon. The letter to Philemon is of special interest because it concerns Onesimus, a run-away slave from Colosse who made his way to Rome and was one of those who came under Paul's ministry and was converted. If Onesimus was the only reason Paul went to Rome, it was worth it because God cares about individuals. Every Believer is placed where he is to touch individuals with the love of the Lord Jesus. So, bloom where you're planted.
 
Today's Thought: God puts Believers where he wants them in order to minister the grace and love of the Lord Jesus to individuals with whom they have contact.
 
Have an blooming day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Sure Destination

"After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship....And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. From there we circled around and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli...and so we went toward Rome.... Now when we came to Rome...."
 
                                                                   Acts 28:11-14, 16a
 
It seems this has been the story of my life – Magnolia, Garretson, Everly, Lebanon, Alsea, Jasper, Pleasant Hill, Portland, Milwaukie, Gladstone, Sun City West – kind of winding around the country. Not always has the route been straight, and sometimes it seems I have been blown by the "south wind." I don't know how many more moves are ahead between now and heaven. But I will reach my destination. I will get there!!!!
 
Today's Thought: The route we travel is not always straight, but the destination is sure.
 
Have a "moving forward" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- God's Word Is True

"But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.... But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.... And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him."
 
                                                                          Acts 28:3, 5, 8
 
Scholars disagree about whether Mark 16:9-20 should be included in the Bible because these verses are not in some of the ancient manuscripts. Because of this, some translations omit this portion of Scripture. One of the declarations of this passage in Mark is that believers will take up serpents, and lay hands on the sick for healing (Mark 16:18). When Paul was shipwrecked onto the island of Malta, he had opportunity to demonstrate that these things are true. I accept the validity of the verses in Mark because they are true, including the verse that says believers will speak with new tongues (vs. 17). When we start leaving out parts of the Scripture that we have received, it seems to me it weakens the entire Scripture, and casts doubt about its authority. If I pick and choose what I want of the Scriptures, how do I know that any of it is God's Word? I think it is dangerous to be selective in what parts of the Bible I want to believe.
 
Today's Thought: God's Word is true, whether I personally experience it or not.
 
Have a believing day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Safety In The Storm

"And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners.... But the commander, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose.... So it was that they all escaped safely to land."
 
                                                                      Acts 27:42-44
 
There are those who have evil designs for us. They are led by the one whose main plan is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). But Jesus came to save. God is greater than any of the plots men may make against us. He has people in positions of authority to defend us. Even though things may get turbulent and seem to be headed for disaster, nothing will happen outside of God's permissive will (as with Joseph and Daniel). He will bring us through the storm safely.
 
Today's Thought: God has ways to protect us from the evil designs of other people.
 
Have a safe day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Secure Faith In Turmoil

"When it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they observed a bay with a beach onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immoveable, but the stern was begin broken up by the violence of the waves."
 
                                                                         Acts 27:30-41
 
Shipwrecked!! Run aground and broken up by the waves. This is a picture of far too many peoples' Christian faith. There comes a time in every person's life when two seas meet – Christian faith and the prevailing winds of culture. This is a turbulent place and will destroy a person's faith if great care is not taken. There are contributing factors to shipwrecked faith. One is abandoning the anchor of God's Word. Another is loosing the rudder ropes – the steering mechanism that keeps one going in the right direction. Still another is allowing the mainsail to be filled with any wind that happens to come along. These things leave the ship vulnerable to any and every wind of doctrine (see Ephesians 4:14; James 1:6; Jude 12-13). When care is not taken with these things, hitting the hidden shoals and reefs is inevitable and the violence of the waves will destroy the ship. The wise person will be aware of the dangers and take measures to secure his faith. We can remain strong in faith even in the storms if we remain anchored in the truth of God's Word, we keep our rudder set toward our goal – heaven, and we fill our sails with godly thoughts.
 
Today's Thought: Christian faith can be shipwrecked if attention is not paid to the anchor, the rudder and the set of the sails.
 
Have a secure day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Lighten Up!

"So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea."
 
                                                                  Acts 27:38
 
Things got so bad that they threw the main cargo, the wheat, into the ocean. Earlier, they had tried to lighten the ship by throwing the tackle overboard (vss. 18-19). But now things were desperate. There is nothing like a good storm in life to help identify what is really important, and what we can do without. The author of Hebrews uses a different metaphor (a race) when we wrote, "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us" (Hebrews12:1). So, as the old saying goes, "Lighten up!"
 
Today's Thought: When things get tough, we see more clearly wheat is important in life.
 
Have a "lighten up" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Spirit of Thanksgiving

"And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, 'Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment....' And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and when he had broken it, he began to eat."
 
                                                                          Acts 27:33-36
 
Paul's lifestyle exhibited a spirit of thanks, even in the worst of circumstances. The letter to the Philippians is a paean of rejoicing and thanks, even though he was in chains. And in other letters he exhorts Believers to give thanks in all things (Ephesians 5:20; I Thessalonians 5:18). I think his thankfulness was a natural expression of his love for Jesus and his faith in God.
 
Today's Thought: Faith in God's care will produce a spirit of thanksgiving.
 
Have a thankful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Sinking Ship

"....Paul stood in the midst of them and said... 'I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who said with you." ' " 
 
                                                                                           Acts 27:21-24
 
The ship was sinking, no matter how hard they tried to save it by throwing things overboard. It seemed disaster was the only outcome. But there were three Believers on board – Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus – and God had a future planned for them. So he saved 276 people for the sake of three (vs. 37).  It seems that our ship (this world) is headed for disaster. No matter how hard our leaders try to save it, it is sinking. But be of good cheer; God has a plan. I truly believe that the only thing that keeps our society from being totally going under is the fact that there are still a few people who serve God. Sodom would have been saved if there had been only 10 godly people (Genesis 18:32). When Believers are raptured and there are no godly people around, society will sink into chaos.  I'm glad that even though the ship sinks, God will save us from destruction.
 
Today's Thought: Believers are the reason God does not destroy this world.
 
Have a "heartened" day because of God's care for you. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Out of Control

"When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after, a tempestuous head of wind arose, called Euroclydon. So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive."
 
                                                                      Acts 27:13-15
 
Storms come when least expected. One day the winds blow softly and the next day we are in a full-blown hurricane. Things seem out of control as we are tossed to and fro, and all we can do is "let her ride" -- letting the storm vent its fury. Sometimes we get into those situations because we ignore sound advice (see verses 9-12). But at other times it seems we are just caught up in the turmoil for reasons beyond our control. No matter where the storm comes from or how bad it gets, God is there. He doesn't always keep us from the storm, but he has promised never to forsake us even in the storm.
 
Today's Thought: God is with us in the storms of life when things seem out of control.
 
Have a God-present day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Contrary Winds

"...It was decided that we should sail to Italy....And the next day we landed at Sidon....When we left there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary....When we had sailed slowly many days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea."
 
                                                                             Acts 27:1a, 3, 7-8
 
Sometimes life is like that – difficult, contrary winds, slow going. Life can be hard. The temptation is to throw up our hands and quit rowing. What to do? Find shelter where we can, but keep rowing. We can't get through the storms of life by checking out.
Remember, the storms will pass and we will come to Fair Havens.
 
Today's Thought: When the storms come, keep rowing.
 
Have a "keeping on" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Land of Woulda

"When they (Agrippa and Festus) had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, 'This man is doing nothing of death or chains.' Then Agrippa said to Festus, 'This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.' "
 
                                                                        Acts 26:31-32
 
The land of "Might Have" is not a fun place to live. It's main cities are "Shoulda," Woulda," and Coulda." To think that life would have been better if only I had made different choices is an illusion. My life certainly would have been different, but there is no guarantee that it would have been better. So I make my choices, and then trust the Lord. That's called the land of "Faith."
 
Today's Thought: Choices are made with the best knowledge we have, and then committed to the Lord.
 
Have a faith day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Truth and Reason

"Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad.' But he said, 'I am not made, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.' "
 
                                                                         Acts 26:24-25
 
Many people think Christians are nuts – their pancakes not quite done. If not crazy, they view them as unthinking, uneducated, or low I.Q. to believe that Jesus rose from the dead (vs. 23). But in reality, Christianity is the most reasonable of all worldviews because it answers the great questions of life – "Where did I come from"; "Why am I here"; and "Where am I going." And not only the rational understanding of purpose of life, but such other questions as the issues of evil and pain and suffering. It seems to me that to not believe is an indication of poor and irrational thinking. Christianity is indeed a faith of reason and truth that matches reality.
 
Today's Thought: Faith in Christ is rational and reasonable because it is truth.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Almost Persuaded

"Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'You almost persuade me to be a Christian.' And Paul said, 'I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me might become almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.' "
 
                                                                                Acts 26:28-29
 
These are some of the saddest words in the Bible – "almost persuaded." On the fence but just not quite able to make the plunge of faith. But as the saying goes, close only counts in horseshoes. In actuality, I can't persuade any one to become a Christian, because it not a matter of the intellect but of the heart and spirit. If people are convinced to believe by a persuasive argument, they can also be unconvinced by the next idea that comes along. Faith in Christ is a result of revelation – not some great argument. If a person really meets Jesus and is convinced in the spirit that the Gospel is true, there will be a heart change that will change the life. I am a Christian, not because someone persuaded me but because I met the living Christ.
 
Today's Thought: Becoming a Christian is more than being persuaded in the mind; it is being convinced in the heart.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Truth and Reason

"Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad.' But he said, 'I am not made, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.' "
 
                                                                                Acts 26:24-25
 
Many people think Christians are nuts – their pancakes not quite done. If not crazy, they view them as unthinking, uneducated, or low I.Q. to believe that Jesus rose from the dead (vs. 23). But in reality, Christianity is the most reasonable of all worldviews because it answers the great questions of life – "Where did I come from"; "Why am I here"; and "Where am I going." And not only the rational understanding of purpose of life, but such other questions as the issues of evil and pain and suffering. It seems to me that to not believe is an indication of poor and irrational thinking. Christianity is indeed a faith of reason and truth that matches reality.
 
Today's Thought: Faith in Christ is rational and reasonable because it is truth.
 
Have a reasonable day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Works of Repentance

" 'Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.' "
 
                                                                                    Acts 26:19-20
 
Paul would have a tough time preaching in some churches today. His message regarding salvation would not be accepted. In his understanding of soteriology, there were three things involved in being saved: first, repent – that is, be sorry for sin; second, turn to God – the only One who can truly forgive sin; and third, do works that match your repentance – turning away from sin, working out your salvation in real time. Paul was echoing the message of John the Baptist who called for people not only to repent, but also to "bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8). There is more to being saved than the easy believism of raising a hand and mumbling a prayer. The works of a repentance are evidence that there has been a change of attitude and life.
 
Today's Thought: Real repentance and salvation will show in the way we live.
 
Have a transformed day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Heavenly Vision

" 'Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision....Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand.....' "
 
                                                                             Acts 26:19, 24a
 
Paul has just given his testimony before King Agrippa about his conversion – how he had been transformed from a persecutor of the saints (vss. 9-11) to faith after he had met Jesus (vss. 13-18). He could not disobey this revelation so he stood in his faith. Martin Luther had a similar experience when he stood before the leaders of the Roman church. He could not disavow the revelation God had given him. So he said, "Here I stand; I can do no other." When facing unbelievers who attack my faith, my faith rests in the abiding confidence of the "heavenly vision" of the risen Christ, and "having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).
 
Today's Thought: The Believer can stand against attacks on his faith when he has had a "heavenly vision" of the Lord Jesus.
 
Have a "standing" day. Love you.