My name is...

Daisy was a student of mine when she was in Kindergarten. She is now in second grade, and I work with her in both ESOL and EIP (supplemental math intervention). So I see her for forty five minutes twice a day. I also see her every morning as I unload the buses. Unfortunately, I’m just as likely today to call her Diana as I was during the first week of school two years ago. I don’t know why. Maybe she looks more like a Diana than a Daisy in some back recess of my mind. But when it happens, she laughs and says, “It’s Daisy!”

Then there is Carlos. I’ve also known him for two years. I may call him Daniel or Luis. It just pops out as he gets off the bus. A couple of times, in my confusion, I try to correct myself as he goes by, and it ends up, “Hi, Luis Daniel Carlos!” He grins.

I try to get their names right, and most of the time I do. But with some, it is a real struggle. I know it’s important to the kids that we know their names. As I call off names of passing students as they flow from the buses, I will, from time to time, have a student I’ve never worked with come up and say, “My name is ---- (Juan, Susana, whatever).” It is clear they want their name spoken as they pass by me, too. They want to be known.

I’m glad the Lord knows my name (and yours, and that of every child on the earth). Can you picture it: All the redeemed are streaming in through the gates of glory (but we won’t be getting off of buses) and the Lord is standing there greeting everyone by name. He doesn’t get a single one wrong. Just think of it – not one will come up and say “My name is –“. He is intimately acquainted with each one. Like a parent knows each of his or her children. But it only makes sense, since we are His children. Of course He knows us. What a great feeling! He’s calling you and me by name today. Can’t you hear Him?

Have a wonderful day, regardless what your name is.

Jerry

How much is enough?

The other day my wife and I were running some errands here in town when I pulled up to a stop light over by the Hobby Lobby. The car immediately in front of me (which would have qualified for the “Cash for Clunkers” program) had a quite new bumper sticker that read, “If 10% is good enough for God, it is good enough for the IRS”. Sort of humorous, but it got me to thinking along several lines.

First of all, if, during the 50 or so years that I’ve sort of been watching political behavior in this country, the government had been a little more God-like in its actions, maybe people might be willing to contribute more than only 10%. That having been thought, I moved on to the next line of thought.

Is 10% good enough for God? Yes, the scriptures indicate in numerous places that 10% of what we gain “belongs” to God. But what if I really love Him? Will I not want to give Him what He deserves? What has He done for me that might make me want to give Him a little bit special? Let me see…
I woke up this morning
My feet still worked properly
My eyes functioned
The sun came up
The light switch worked
The car started…

And what about..
He still loves me
Christ’s sacrifice still works for me
The Spirit is still working on my heart to make me a better person
He’s promised me a fantastic new life
He loves my friends
He keeps the earth, moon and sun in their places…

Yep. I guess He deserves a little more than 10%.

Some thoughts from Lamentations 3:22 and following:
- His mercies are new every morning
- Great is His faithfulness
- Except through His mercies we would be consumed.

How about this? I can’t give Him enough, so maybe I should give Him my all.

Have a great day!

Jerry

Another "Clunkers" Program

During the past few months, one of the things most heard of in the news headlines was the government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program. Perhaps you even investigated the idea. Maybe you actually participated. If you happened to be in the market for a new car, it didn’t sound like a bad program, as long as your clunker qualified. For there were some restrictions. Among other things, it had to be currently registered and have been insured in the past year. I couldn’t have resurrected my pickup that hasn’t run in two years. There was no cash for it.

I have no political response to the program. I’ll let others pick it apart or build it up as their needs demand. But I would like to tell you about another “Clunkers” program – except it really doesn’t go by that name.

There are a number of places where the problem is described. The Apostle Paul does about as good a job in exposing the situation as anyone. Basically, he says, “What I want to do, I don’t. What I don’t want to do, I do. My life is a clunker! Who will take this problem off my hands?”

Wouldn’t you know it? There is a New Life dealer right down the street who is willing to take your mess, my mess as a trade in for a new life. No strings attached, other than He retains the title. It is registered in our name. And the mileage this new life gets is out of this world.

With the government’s program, you got a $2000 rebate on the new car, but ultimately it will all cost us more in tax dollars. With the program I’m talking about, He has paid the full price. This isn’t a “cash for clunkers” program. It is a “Cross for Clunkers” program. It can’t be beat.

Have a great day.

Jerry