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A VERY LARGE TATTOO
05-15-2012
We were on vacation. It was a very beautiful day with soft breezes wafting by, great cloud formations, sun playing hide and seek and tropical temperatures. It was a special day at Hanalei Pier.
Soon a young man came by playing with his little 3 year old daughter. I noticed on his back was a very large tattoo of a cross. It was displayed almost the entire length of his back and had Jesus on the cross.
I was intrigued and wanted to ask "Why?" But he was gone down the beach under the bridge where we were sitting. Maybe he will come back this way. "I hope I see him again so I can ask my question."
About 15 minutes later we saw him again coming this way. I waited for him to approach and went up him and engaged in a conversation. I learned he was from San Diego and had a three year old daughter. They were looking to move to the islands and were checking out homes in the area.
Then I got to the point. "I admire your body art. Why did you choose a cross for your back?"
His answer was direct and surprizing to me. It was very simple and meaningful. What do you think he said?
I will give you his unforgetable quote. "Because I want Jesus to watch my back" So we talked about Jesus and his blessings to us and how everyone needs Him.
His answer reminded me of Psalm 139. King David said that God is always around us, in front of us, behind us, surrounding us and never leaves us. David continues in verses 5-6 "where can I go from your spirit and where can I flee from your presence?"
That young man not only had Jesus on his back but everywhere around him. This is so true of us.
So wherever you go today be aware and enjoy and fellowship with the one who is always there.
~ Pastor Ron
THE YELLOW SHOPPING CART
04-17-2012
It was owned by a local grocery store. I tried putting it in the back of my Honda. It was so heavy and huge. It weighed more than anyone could have guessed. I tried many different ways to fit it into the rear of the car.
It was just too wide, too long, too tall.
After all my efforts and sweat and tears and total frustration, it finally squeezed in the car at an awkward angle and by pushing as hard as I could I moved it forward far enough to close the swinging rear door.
A police officer probably would have arrested me.
A clerk no doubt would have reported this abhorrent incident to his manager.
If you would have noticed me driving down the street with this yellow heavy duty behemoth in the back of my Honda, you also would have questions about the thief or wierd man taking inappropriate action.
No doubt some other drivers saw my car with this suspicious cargo. "Who is that thief?" "Why is that man transporting a shopping cart? It doesn't belong to him." "What right does he have, abusing someone elses property?" "Homeless people steal carts, but he is not homeless." "Something wierd is going on here."
Before knowing the truth it would be easy to decide, gossip, pass judgment, and write me off as another common thief.
Now the message is obvious.
Be careful about making statements or assuming answers without knowing the real facts.
I myself have been guilty of pronouncing totally wrong judgments on perfectly innocent people. Perhaps you would also own up to the same.
God reminds us "Judge not lest you also be judged." It is wrong and certainly not helpful to anyone. Many times good reputations get smeared by unthinking people.
So truth be known about the yellow cart. I was being a good Samaritan and returning a lost cart which I found on my Diablo Drive cul de sac.
It was an eyesore and I was tired of whining about it and wishing somebody else would take it back.
What did you think I was doing with the cart?
~ Pastor Ron
EXCRUCIATING
04-04-2012
Sometimes we say, "I bumped my head and it was excruciating"-------NO not really!
Or we will comment, "Yesterday I tripped and sprained my ankle and it was excruciating" --------NO not really!
You may hear, "I hit my thumb recently with a hammer and it was excruciating" ---------again, NO not really!
EXCRUCIATING by definition truly means. "PAIN THAT COMES OUT OF THE CROSS". It is a Latin word and literally says "Out of the Cross".
Now we all know where that word originated and to whom it referred. People in ignorance are admitting that the worst of all pain comes from the death on the cross.
Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend". What a painful sacrifice He made for us. It was the most "excruciating" of all deaths possible.
The passion week is a week of great love ,sacrifice and resurrection all for us who do not deserve that kind of grace.
Many years ago when I was 19 I received that great love from God into my life. It was transformative and it changed me forever. I could not resist God's love that forgave my stupid sins and restored my peace and sanity.
I hope you are hearing me and saying I want that kind of love in my life and I need that kind of peace that passes all comprehension. I am tired of my guilt and wrong choices that defeat me. I am ready for a new life changing experience with the Savior who endured the "excruciating" suffering on the cross for me.
Then if this is so for you,----- Today is your day of resurrection to a brand new way. Let Jesus love take over in your life. He will give you a gift you have never experienced before.
Finally, here are the words of Jesus. "I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me even though he dies will live".
OK "BELIEVE AND YOU WILL LIVE".
~ Pastor Ron
WHAT TO DO IN A CRISIS
03-14-2012
Everybody faces this on ocassion. It isn't fun and we don't like it. In fact we all hate it!
In the O.T. Elijah had a crisis and he got so depressed that he fled to a cave and just wanted to die.
I think many of us feel that way when we feel overwhelmed.
When the officer called me on the phone and said the name of my oldest son. I couldn't believe my ears. He said that he rolled his VW down a very steep embankment. I thought it was a movie, someone elses life and son. This happened many years ago but it is still very real in my ears.
What do you do in a crisis?
In the O.T. Jonah had a crisis and you know that he ran as far away as possible until the giant fish decided to use him for a meal. Then his crisis really got worse.
In the N.T. Jesus had a crisis in the Garden of Gethsemane and was arrested. Then the disciples had a crisis. They could argue vehemently or fight aggressively to save Jesus. They did neither. They ran and deserted the Lord. What do you do in a crisis?
There are so many examples of people in a crisis in the Bible. Some lie, some hide, some runaway, some pray, some act in faith, some run to the Lord.
Our recent guest speaker who spoke to our church family was a great example of what to do in a crisis. He had one crisis after another as he grew up in a very difficult environment.
As a CHP officer he not long ago had his right leg amputated. It was a result of a crash in the police car in pursuit of an offender. He almost died as a result but God spared his life. Now he has a great story to tell about what to do in a crisis.
In summary his words are "You can turn towards God or you can turn away from God" It is that simple.
Any problem, difficulty, struggle can be faced in this manner. TURN TO GOD OR AWAY FROM HIM.
Nothing is too hard for God. He always wants us to bring our crisis to Him. Invites us to come to Him. He calls out for us to trust Him.
How do you handle a crisis?
P.S. My son in the VW accident was not injured at all. He walked away without a scratch. Jesus was in the car with him that day.
~ Pastor Ron
CAN'T CHANGE MY WORLD
03-02-2012
I was amazed. Recently I was doing my morning jog (a routine I've followed for 30+ years). I found a surprizing bit of "chalk artistry" along the way.
It was a beautifully drawn image of a bride. The art was exceptionally good considering all she had to work with,..... a stick of sidewalk chalk.
The bride had a long flowing gown with a long train. Her face was detailed and wonderfully beautiful.
Along side the image was a saying "emerald cut or oval cut..... diamonds are a girl's best friend".
I instantly knew someone had some very big dreams, perhaps just a few years away.
Next I read another saying. It was in extra BOLD lettering. This is what I read;"NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE MY WORLD"
Then I could imagine this young girl's special dreams....... "he'll give me a diamond....we'll get married and live in a beautiful house....we'll be very happy...we''ll have a family".... and so on and so on!!!!
"NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE MY WORLD" right? Unfortunately dreams come crashing to the ground. People get heart broken. Life falls apart and promises are devastated.
Young people don't yet know about cliffs and valleys and explosions and firestorms of life.
Oh God I can't control my world, I can't avoid disappointments or even death in the family.
Please Lord get me through the valley of the shadow of loss, hurt, war, evil, hate and all the other losses of life.
Lord I'm putting you in charge of my world because it is out of my control.
I wonder who the chalk artist really is and if she has anyone to help her learn this lesson and guide her through the heartaches to come.
Oh by the way, the next day when I ran past the sayings on the sidewalk they were gone. The evening rain had washed them all away. Her dreams were gone.
~ Pastor Ron