Slogans

Every organization that wants to be noticed has a slogan. I’m sure each of us can think of the catchy one-liners various businesses have used. Some use the play-on-words angle. Others refer to memorable situations. Invariably, they all try to attach themselves to something in our lives so that when we are at that location or in that position, our minds will be triggered to associate it with a product or service. This is obviously a successful technique for advertising; otherwise we wouldn’t see it still being used.

Have you ever thought about God and advertising slogans? How about this:

“You’re in good hands…” What better insurance is there than the Lord’s promises? What safer place to be than in His hands?

“When it rains, it pours.” He promises to fill our baskets to overflowing. He’s promised the former and latter rains, intending to equip us to be the salt of the earth.

“You’re a name, not a number.” The Lord knows our names before we’re born. He can’t and won’t forget a single one of His children. They’re each unique and special to Him. If He knows the number of hairs on your head, He knows your name.

“Grab all the gusto you can.” I don’t normally like beer commercials. To my mind they tend toward hedonistic behavior. At the same time, where can you get greater pleasure or fulfillment than from what the Lord offers? He has an unlimited supply of “gusto”, and He wants us to take as much as we can hold. He doesn’t even mind if we stuff a little extra in our pockets.

“Sears has everything.” Well, not quite. But God does.

“Breakfast of Champions.” If we feed on the Lord every morning, how can we be anything but champions? He’s the bread of life.

“I’m lovin’ it.” If you think having a Big Mac is where it’s at, you may want to lift your sights a little bit. God is love, so when we’re in relationship with Him, we’re really “lovin’ it.”

“Expect more for less.” Think about how much is offered to us in exchange for the little we can offer.

"Can you hear me now?" He's always calling. Am I listening?

“When you care to send the very best…” God sent His Son, the VERY best! He really cares.

“Fly the friendly skies.” One of these days. One of these days!

See how it works? The truth is, however, that God doesn’t use slogans. He doesn’t need catchy one-liners. His best advertisement is a satisfied customer. Word of mouth really works. Have you told anyone lately?

Have a great day.

Dr. G

The Mockingbird Sang His Song

I’ve always liked Mockingbirds. Even though they are fairly common in residential areas, they are not typically found in denser woods or forests. They prefer wide open spaces with scattered shrubs and trees. They like exposed perches from which to pour out their sometimes non-stop singing, chirping, buzzing and twittering (in the older sense, that is). They are one the few songbirds that can be heard singing at any hour of the night. I love it!

A number of years ago we lived in a rural setting in Massachusetts . Behind our lot were wide-open pastures of a farm. And we had our mockingbird. There was an antenna standing outside and above our bedroom window which served as a favorite singing stage. I remember one night when I heard our bird mimic 23 other bird species. When we moved from there to eastern Washington State , we missed him. There were no Mockingbirds to be found in Walla Walla County .

Then we moved down to the south, and once again we could hear them singing all over the place. That is, everywhere except where we’d built our house. Up until about 12 years ago, our lot was on a forested, undeveloped ridge. Then a small road went up the ridge, and nine lots were developed, opening up some space, but leaving much of the forest intact. To our sorrow, no Mockingbirds came for eight years. Then, last year, a single bird could occasionally be seen moving up and down our short cul-de-sac street.

This year, much to our pleasure, it is back with its mate, and has chosen several of our trees as singing posts. They appear to be nesting in a crepe myrtle in our front yard. Hopefully, they’ve found a secure and inviting spot to dwell. This brought to mind the passage in Psalm 84 where the psalmist speaks of the sparrow and swallow finding shelter and safety in the tabernacle, God’s house (Ps 84:3)

The next verse is what gives me comfort: “Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You.”

If the Mockingbird can sing joyfully about the security of its nest in my crepe myrtle, should not I also praise mightily the one in whose house I dwell? What more can we ask for than the safety of His house?

Have a great day of praising Him, and continued blessings from Him all summer!

Dr. G

Do You Still Want the Sauce?

Going in, I didn’t expect any problems. I’d done it before, and it seemed fairly simple at the time.

Not long ago, I made a quick run to one of the local Taco Belleries to grab a few things for lunch. I asked for three items, nothing more. There were only a couple of modifications. For the beans and cheese, I asked them to add some creamy jalepeno sauce (ka-ching! $0.45). Then I wanted a 7-layer burrito, leave out the rice, but add the creamy jalepeno sauce (ka-ching! $0.45). The small drink I would get for myself. Nothing hard, and something that would allow me to get back to school in short fashion.

I should have suspected problems when the cashier asked if I wanted cheese on the pintos and cheese. “Yes,” I replied. “Regular pintos and cheese – just add the jalepeno sauce.”

“Do you still want the guacamole on the burrito?"

“Yes. Regular 7-layer without the rice – just add the jalepeno sauce.”

After confirming my order with me, the cashier took my money, and I stepped back, verifying that the number she’d given me matched the number on the receipt. I filled my drink, and picked up a spork and some napkins while I stood there.

In a short matter of time, a bag was handed to me. I could tell by the shape that it contained a burrito and a container full of beans. I went out to the car to eat while I listened to a radio program. First off, I opened the beans, only to find Fiesta Potatoes with cream cheese. Time to go back inside. Fortunately, I still had my receipt.

I approached one of the staff as he handed off another person’s order. “Excuse me. I order pintos and cheese with jalepeno sauce, and ended up with potatoes. Could I have my beans?” I asked as I showed my receipt.

After looking at my receipt, the fellow mumbled something and went to prepare the pintos and cheese. From the back he hollered, “Do you still want the jalepeno sauce on them?”

“Please,” I answered. At this, another worker looked up, and said, “I forgot to put the jalepeno sauce on your burrito. Do you still want it?”

“Sure, why not?” I responded, pulling the still wrapped burrito out of the bag and handing it to her.

Back to the car I went, where I ate the beans. I opened the burrito and took a bite. If you’ve ever had a Taco Bell burrito, you’ve probably noticed that things tend to be clumped into areas. It was only after the third bite that I came across something strange.

I opened the burrito only to find ground beef in what is supposed to be a vegetarian item. Let’s go back inside, shall we?

“Excuse me,” I asked the crew who had now become like family. “Do you normally put meat in the 7-layer burrito?”

This time the manager came over. “No, we never put meat in those.” I held out the offending item for her perusal, along with my less than crisp reciept.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “Let me remake it.”

A moment later, “Did you still want jalepeno sauce on it?”

As I said earlier, I thought my request to be simple, reasonable, not complicated. As I stood there, I began to wonder why there was such a mess up. I mean, they have a screen that provides an itemized list of each order. Had they just scanned it, not paying real attention? Had they been working out of habit, not knowing what they were doing or why? Did they think it wouldn't matter to me if I got something other than what I ordered? I even considered, briefly, asking if I could come back to the kitchen to show them how to do it.

In Micah 6:8, our spitual “screen” tells us what God requires of us: to do justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. Pretty simple. Only three items. Why then do we find it so hard to fill the order? Maybe, sometimes, we forget to look closely at the "screen" He’s provided for us. Maybe we forget to communicate with Him, verifying exactly what it is we’re to do. I’ve come to the conclusion that the only way I’ll ever get the order right is if I let Him into the kitchen of my life, and have Him do it for me.

By the way, hold the jalepeno sauce on the drink!

Dr. G

What the Deaf Man Heard

There was a movie out a number of years ago entitled “What the Deaf Man Heard.” In a nutshell, a young boy becomes stranded in a small town in the late 30’s or early ‘40s, and pretends to be deaf – sort of a self-preservation coping mechanism. He’s taken in by a couple, and grows up to be the town “fix-it” man. And because he (presumably) can’t hear, he becomes privy to much of what goes on behind the scenes in town. Ultimately a scandal breaks out, to which the “deaf” man is witness. And jokingly, the protagonists put him on the witness stand, so everyone can hear what the “deaf man" heard. It is at this point that it becomes clear that he can hear, and did hear, and he is willing to tell all. But I’d like to talk about what another deaf man heard.

The story is found in Mark 7. Jesus and His disciples are passing through the region of Decapolis , when a deaf man with a speech impediment is brought to Jesus. Of course, Jesus heals both problems (verses 32-36). But notice the important thing – the first thing the deaf man heard was the beautiful voice of the Savior. And by implication of verse 36, the first things he said were praise and thanksgiving to the Savior.

And what about the blind men mentioned in Matthew 9:27-31? They came to Jesus asking for mercy, and He gave them their sight. The first thing these men saw was the face of the Savior. And they, too, added praise and thanksgiving to the Lord wherever they went.

Can you appreciate it? The first thing you see is His face. The first thing you hear is His voice.

Let’s move on to Lazarus. When he came out of the tomb, the first voice was that of Jesus. The first vision was of Jesus. The first person in his presence was Jesus.

To a degree, that can be your experience and mine every morning, if our first thought of the day is of Him. Oh, I know it’s important to head for the kitchen to get breakfast going; and letting the dog out is important, too. So also is… But are those things really that much more important than what the deaf man heard and the blind man saw?



Jerry

I'm Awake!

It seemed like I had just gone to bed when I heard a voice.

“I’M AWAKE!” cried my Mind. Mumbling, Eye opened up and looked at the clock. 12:35 a.m.
“Go to sleep.” “Pipe down!” “Be quiet!” chorused various parts of Body, not wanting to wake up yet.

“BUT I’M AWAKE!” Mind continued to clamor.
“Make him stop,” cried Hands, afraid I would soon jump out of bed to work on the computer.

“I’m still awake,” whimpered Mind.
“Well, you’d better get a grip on yourself,” called out Stomach, "before I start twisting in bed." “Shut him up,” Leg demanded of me, “Or I’ll give us a cramp.”

Younger reader, know this: as you age, Mind and Body cease to always be on the same page. At times Mind tells Body to do things it can’t; sometimes Body does things Mind wishes it wouldn’t. Conflicts can occur. It was time to step in.

“Mind,” I said, “settle down. Think about something other than being awake.”

Then I heard another voice. “Let’s think about all the sins you’ve committed.” It was Satan. Before I could respond, Mind had whipped out his list.

“Put that away,” I said. “I’ve taken all of those to Christ. He promised to take care of them, and I trust Him. I don’t need to go over that list again.”

“Well, let’s worry about tomorrow!” suggested Satan. Right away, Mind had the To-Do list for this day out, scanning it for probable problems and searching for unforseeable crises.

“No need,” I responded. "I’ve given tomorrow to Christ, also. He’s promised to sustain me, guide me, to provide all my needs. His protection is mine, His angels are at my beck and call as long as I trust in Him. I don’t need to worry. Everything is taken care of. Get lost, Satan. Go to sleep, Mind.”

“But I’m still awake,” whispered Mind.

“Then I’ll tell you a story.” And I began to review the gospel story, relaxing Body, and calming Mind. I even switched to Spanish for the benefit of the more southern parts and recesses of Body and Mind.

I must be a pretty poor preacher. Before I knew it, the alarm was ringing and it was time to get up.

Friend, let me tell you – if you wake up at night and are bothered by a restless mind, review His story. Remember His promises. Claim them as yours. He really can be trusted. Close your eyes and settle into His rest.

Have a peaceful sleep!!

Dr. G

The Cure

Your church probably follows a similar format to mine when it comes to prayer meeting. A short song service, then a sharing time for praises and prayer requests, followed by a study of some sort. A few weeks ago, at my prayer meeting there were a number of names mentioned for special prayer. Six of them had something in common: cancer. Five of the six I knew, several fairly well. Cancer. A dreaded word to most people. It seems like it is always in the news – new treatments, new methods of detection, new suggested regulations, new causes…the list is endless.

Scientists have been working for many years to understand cancer. Some progress has been made as to knowing what cancer is. In most cases, however, the how’s and why’s are still fuzzy at best. Society is getting better at treating cancer, fortunately. There are three basic modalities of treatment: surgery, radiation, and chemo. Each totally radical from the other. Yet they all have something in common: in treating the cancer, they also affect healthy tissue.

In surgery, the surgeon always takes a little extra tissue – “just in case.” While the radiologist will focus his bean as tightly and narrowly as possible, there is inescapable damage to nearby tissue. Chemo is the least focused of the methods in that the chemicals flow throughout the body. The drugs are searching out cells that are multiplying rapidly. For that is one of the things that make cancer so dangerous – the rate of growth and how quickly tumors can begin affecting surrounding tissues. So any tissue that is rapidly dividing is at the mercy of these deadly drugs. Linings of the gut, blood producing tissues, hair follicles – these are sites that chemo affects that we wish it would leave alone. But it doesn’t.

Success rates often depend on how early the cancer is found. In some, the age and general health of the patient can play a factor. We’ve reached the place now where childhood leukemia has very high success rates. If caught early, melanoma is one of the easiest to treat, although it is one of the most deadly if not caught early. Basal cell cancer is generally easy to treat. Other forms lurk undetected until it is almost too late to have long-term survival rate. A few, like pancreatic cancer, are still almost unstoppable.

Which cancer do you fear the most? Breast cancer? Skin cancer? Prostate? Colon ? None are desirable, but if you had to pick one to have, which would it be?

There is one cancer I’ve not mentioned. It is blight on the human race. It’s insidious, infecting us all. Untreated, it is always terminal. This cancer, of course, is cancer of the soul, also known as sin. We don’t understand it well, except to know its dreadful effects. Our bodies are unable to fight it off. Outside help is needed. But treatment is available, regardless of your insurance plan. Ultimatley, this cancer will be obliterated. But anyone clinging to it will also be eradicated, just like the normal tissue adjoining physical cancer. Far better to separate now.

Like some forms of radiation, the treatment for sin involves the implanting of the cure – the entrance of the Holy Spirit into the heart. A sure cure. However, it is a cure that requires daily dosage. If you go off your meds, the disease will surely come back, often with great fervor.

I suggest taking the cure. Some of us may “fall off the wagon” temporarily. But the Great Physician is always happy to see us back in His office. Why not take a dose right now?

Have a very healthy day!

Dr. G

I'm Thankful

I’m thankful for the occasional twinges of pain in my hands from arthritis. They remind me how nice it is to have hands.

I’m thankful for such a nice place to work and great colleagues to work with. Some are not so lucky – some work with grouches, others don’t work.

I’m thankful I get to unload the buses every morning. Some folks never get to see and hear excitement in children’s voices.

I’m thankful for my opportunity several weekends each month to be able to sing with a group of other men, praising the Lord. Some men have never lifted their voices in song; some do not know the Lord.

I’m thankful for the ability to read. I can expand my horizons, and learn even more to share with my students.

I’m thankful for family, even though none live close at hand. It is good to share news with them, and to share encouragement. There are those who have no one to turn to for comfort or to share a laugh.

I’m thankful that the car started this morning, for I had a task to do. There are those who have no tasks, let alone a vehicle with which to accomplish one.

I’m thankful for a sense of humor. Without it, some days would be a real grind. I’m even thankful for the days that are a grind. They provide opportunities for growth.

I’m thankful that there is a God in heaven who can see down the road when I can hardly look beyond my shoes. I know I can trust Him to guide my steps when I can’t bear to look.

I'm thankful I live in a country where it is still OK to be thankful for things others may not appreciate. They don't know what they are missing.

Have you made your list yet? Thanksgiving is tomorrow.

Dr. G