Twins

Back in college, two of my best friends were Christie and Jennifer Summers. They were a class behind me, they were from New Orleans, and they were very close to each other. I was one of the few people who could tell which was which; they were identical twins!
While there were a few tell-tale signs to distinguish them (Christie had a slimmer face and her head usually tilted to the left, Jennifer had a broader smile and her head usually tilted to the right), overall, they were almost identical.
I've known other families where the children were very similar (often almost identical) despite two or three years in age difference. It is always remarkable to me that people can look so much alike.
Yet that is just what God expects from us! That we look alike. We should all bear a strong resemblance to our Big Brother, Jesus. When people look at you, it should be hard for them to distinguish you from Him. We should look so much like Him, act so much like Him, BE so much like Him that He is all people see.
Who do you look like? Is it Him?

Who's your Daddy?!?

It's a phrase that has come to symbolizes dominance. It's a phrase used to mock the defeated and establish a power relationship. And yet, it is a simple question of family structure.
Traditionally, the father was the head of the household. He was the one who made the big decisions, who enforced the rules, and who rewarded excellence. He was the one who controlled the money and he was the one who had the first of everything (servings at dinner, priority on the paper and the television, etc.) Your father was the one to whom you said, "Yes, sir!"
But there is One Who even father looked up to with respect and awe. God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son. All who put their faith in Jesus, all who return God's love, are accepted into His family: adopted into His family! He is our Father. He is the One to Whom we should show our love and devotion!
So, when someone asks you, "Who's your Daddy?", just tell them this: "My Father is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. He is God. And He'll be your Father, too, if you let Him."

Let the children lead us

Isaiah 11:6 speaks of the effect of Messiah on the world. It says, "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them."
Jesus makes the world topsy-turvy. Nothing in His kingdom is what we've come to expect from the ways of this world. In fact, our world deems God's ways childish.
Jesus embraced this thought. "And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3-4)" It's all about a child-like view of the reality. A simple trust; an uncomplicated faith.
Jesus told us to trust Him. Children just believe. They reason, "The adult has no reason to lie to me, so it must be true." Jesus said we should be like them. We should reason, "Jesus has no reason to lie to me, so it must be true."
Don't let cynicism derail you. Don't let fallible humans erode your trust in God. Be like our children here today. Have faith in God. Trust Him. He has never lied.

Iron sharpens iron

One of the best lessons we can learn is how to communicate. Communication is key to sharing the Gospel message. Communication is key to strengthening the Body of Christ. Communication is key to spiritual growth.
When someone is not understanding a key point of Scripture, it is our duty as their sibling in Christ to reach out to them, to help them to understand, and to teach them application. Sometimes many of us do not understand something, we can all be blind to a point. But God has gifted some people to understand and explain His Word. But if those people choose not to communicate, are they doing God's work?
When someone is not living a life that glorifies Christ, it is our duty as their sibling in Christ to reach out to them, to help them to see their errant practice, and to teach them the correct way. People don't always do everything that they ought to do in their life. But God has gifted us to know how to live for Him. If we do not correct them, are we doing God's work?
We must communicate with each other. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." So let your words be practical today. Speak to those who need to hear. Sometimes, you are the voice of God. Be prepared to speak!

The Truth in Love

So many people are so bent on telling the "Truth" to each other now-a-days that they don't care how the message is sent. I hear good, God-loving men and women each day trying to help their neighbor but in a way that repulses and does not renew.
When your neighbor is in the grips of sin you must correct them. You must show them where they have gone astray and let them know why they must repent. As a sister or brother in Christ, we are required to admonish each other to do that which pleases God and to refrain from transgression. Iron does sharpen iron.
But, and this is a big "but", you must do so in love. The truth, when delivered authoritatively and reproachfully, often is a clanging gong or noisy cymbal. When you correct your neighbor's walk you must guide, not command; you must lead, not direct.
Too often we let right mean might, and then we swing the hammer of justice to crush those with iniquity. Right does mean might, but it is the power to lift up, not to smack down, that we are commanded to use.
The next time you must approach your neighbor gone astray, do so with a gentle voice and the power of Christ to uplift. Do it with love.

Dirty deeds done dirt cheap

Its a great song. Its a good title. Its a fact of life. Our world has been twisted by sin. It has become rife with hatred and revenge. It is a place where evil, dirty deeds are done more easily and cheaply.
Jesus said that we shouldn't repay evil for evil. He said you can't properly love God if you have hatred in your heart for someone else. He even said, "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." Now, even if you are at peace with them, you still have an obligation to make sure they're at peace with you.
It's not natural, and it can only come from a relationship with God. "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior."
There is only one way to get clean hands and a pure heart. You must give yourself to God and receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Then good deeds will be dirt cheap, and dirty deeds will be unknown.

We're off to see the Wizard...

This last week I've spent a lot of time working with the High School on "The Wizard of Oz". One cannot help but notice the youthful enthusiasm and hope that Dorothy exudes (well written in the script and well portrayed by our own Paige Akin). She doesn't take set backs lying down, because she trusts that the Wizard will help her. In fact, the only times she truly loses hope is when the Wizard rebuffs her.
What a great example for a Christian. We have a wonderful, loving Father Who we can trust. We have great and boundless reason for hope -- Jesus Christ lived, died and lives again!
Whenever the wicked witches of life, the tornadoes of time and the flying monkeys of fate come against you, put your hope in the One at the end of the narrow road. The way is long and difficult, and not everyone who starts out on the path will reach the marvelous mansions, but He who lives there loves you. He sent His Son to guide you, to guard you and to shepherd you.
There is no poison poppy field in this life we cannot cross with the love of Jesus. Put your hope in Him, and let Him take you Home. After all, "there's no place like home."