I Heard That

“...everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak...” - James 1:19

In the past thirteen months, I have received more opinions and advice than I can process.  I have been through some hard times in the past few years, some of it my own doing and some of it out of my control, and I have met so many people with so many ideas of how I should handle things and a willingness to say it.  Most of them had never walked in my shoes or experienced what I was experiencing yet they had answers they felt I needed to hear.  I know they meant well but very few of them helped me and several of them just made me more angry, more fearful, and more lost.

I was blessed with some special friends, people that I know God put in my life to be listeners.  They were quick to listen and slow to speak.  They let me say the things I needed to say without judgment and without telling me what to do.  They gave me time to breathe, time to mourn, time to vent and time to think.  And, when I asked for their advice, they prayed with me and talked with me and usually in that order.  

In James letter, he goes on to explain this idea of quick to listen and slow to speak with regards to our anger but I feel confident I can pull it out of context and his words are just as valuable and just as inspired.  Even more, I think they are exactly the words God wants me to hear in my relationship with him.  You see, I’ve longed viewed God as a Father I can talk to, someone I can open to and tell him what I feel like I need to tell him...and, I know he listens.  He listens.  Yet I think he wants me to know hear him say, “Jeff, be quick to listen to me and slow to speak to me.  You see, Jeff, I want to share wisdom with you if you would just be quiet for a minute and quit giving me advice on how to make your life what you think you want it to be.”  

Oh, how I told God the plans I thought were best.  I told God the when’s, where’s and how’s of making my troubled world so much better when I should have been like the people I wanted around me, willing to listen, willing to understand me, willing to know what I had to say.  I think God often shakes his head while listening to me ramble, thinking, “Be quiet, son, and I will tell you things that will bring you joy and light and peace.”  

I want to be much quicker to listen and much slower to speak so that my anger doesn’t open the door to me saying something stupid.  Even more, I want to be always quick to listen and slow to speak when I’m in the presence of God because through his son I can know more about the way, the truth and the life for my life.  I can’t know God better talking, just listening.  

Oh, how I want to know God.  That’s all.  I’ll be quiet now.

Grace and peace to you.

Jeff Jones

Decatur, Texas

Soul Security

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:29

A few months ago while opening the mail I received a jolt to my stomach and a wound to my pride.  This jolt came in the way of my yearly Social Security statement.  As I peered down the column of earnings I noticed that I began working the first year I was able, at the ripe age of 15 in 1993.  Impressed that the Social Security Office took such care to “know” my earnings and thus withholdings that long ago gave me a sense of belonging.  I next noticed that the earnings (and thus withholdings) took a significant leap with each passing year.  I went from earning 4 digits at summer time life guarding to earning 5 as a manager at a Christian university.  I was also proud of the fact that not a year passed since ’93 that didn’t have a corresponding evidence of monetary accomplishment.  I was feeling pretty self-important when my eyes fell to this last year.  Next to this year there was the lowest number of all.  Due to quitting my job and moving cross country for my husband’s job in ministry, I knew the earnings wouldn’t be much.  But nothing would have prepared me for the reality of such a low number.  I closed the document in disgust. 

I left my husband and children sitting at the lunch table and retreated to my bedroom.  As tears of shame filled my eyes, I knew that I was being silly.  However, I still felt lacking.  I felt that instead of helping us with debt, I was contributing to it.  I guiltily thought of the list of grocery and personal needs that I had on the kitchen counter.  At first I was angry for having to be concerned about the cost of facial lotion and shampoo.  Then I was overcome with a wave of sorrow as I remembered the children I have seen in Ghana with their black skin turned white by dust and dryness.  They have never heard of exfoliating creams and heavy moisturizers, much less a meal with all five food groups represented.  Who am I to think I am mistreated for not being able to buy the latest beauty products?  Still the shame of not contributing to our bottom line filled my mind. 

About this time my husband came in announcing that he had to go back to work and that I should look at my statement again.  He was so proud of himself, he couldn’t help but smile.  He said, “See this isn’t a Social Security Statement, but a Soul Security Statement!”  He had taken a pen, written over, added and marked out the words until it read something like this:

What Soul Security Means To You:

This Soul Security Statement will help you understand what Soul Security means to you and your family.  Soul Security is for people of all ages…It can help you whether you’re young or old, male, Jew, Greek or female.  It’s there for you when you more than retire and go to heaven. Your Soul Security also can provide benefits and help your family when you die.  Remember, that Soul Security was never intended to be your only source of salvation.  Soul Security can’t do it all, but God can.

Then in the “Soul” Earnings column for this last year he had added hundreds of thousands of dollars to my small earnings, with a note:

“Please see W2s on:

            -Our sons and family’s projected effects on the world.

-Subcontract work done through your husband, Jeff Jaworski, who despite being a rock head is working to bring the gospel to the world with your help.

           

Meanwhile one of our sons had found his way into the bathroom and was doing his best impression of a porta-potty by playing in the commode.

As I peeled his soggy clothing off and put him into the bathtub, my tears turned to smiles and then laughter.   I realized each day is filled with great earnings, as I care for my family.  These earnings may not be quantifiable in dollars, but they are treasures laid up in heaven…and that is where my heart is!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the role of motherhood and the blessing of staying at home with my children.  You truly are a good God that knows best.  Help me to not fall sway to the lies of Satan that tell me my value or worth as a woman is based on how much money I earn.  Thank you for your joy and peace…help me to take hold of it as I live each day rearing my children and supporting my husband. 

Dana Jaworski

Anchor Point, AK

Red Sea Moment

It’s mid-July and it is hot.  Here in north central Texas, we are experiencing a drought and heat wave that will definitely be one for the record books.  We have suffered through over thirty consecutive days of extreme temperatures at or above 100 °F.  In an area that normally receives around 30 inches of rainfall annually, less than 5 inches has fallen year-to-date.  Parts of many southern states have been listed as “Exceptional” (the worst category on the scale) on the U.S. Drought Monitor.  Over 3/4 of Texas bears the same designation. 

A survey of the surrounding landscape enables one to see the effects of these extremely harsh weather conditions.  Pastures have turned brown in color and are brimming with grasshoppers that are consuming the remaining vegetation.  The grass has become so dry and brittle that it crumbles under foot leaving a well-defined print.  Leaves are curling up and falling prematurely from their branches before they have time to change color.  Cracks in the soil are forming and growing daily.  Ponds and streams are drying up, leaving livestock with few options for water.  Crops are dying.  Nocturnal wildlife can be seen midday, browsing for water and vegetation.  The air is hot and difficult to breathe.  But the worst effect of all is that there seems to be no end in sight as the experts forecast more of the same. 

I tend to see the cup half full, as is my nature, but in these extreme instances I struggle to even see the cup because conventional wisdom tells me to listen to the experts and their bleak outlook containing little, if any, hope of relief.  Then it happens.  Out of nowhere and defying all odds, a rain cloud pops ups, distorts the satellite signal causing the television to make a high pitched squeal which rouses me from my midday snooze.  The rain shower is brief, but it leaves 0.20 inches of rain while simultaneously dropping the thermometer to cool 91 °F (true story; happened last Saturday).  Oh, what joy!  More importantly, this was an awesome reminder that the seemingly insurmountable can be overcome.

This reminded me a story in the book of Exodus.  God promised to deliver his people out the bondage of slavery from Pharaoh and the Egyptians.  At one point in their journey, it seemed as though the Israelites would perish because Pharaoh’s army was at their backs and the Red Sea was in front of them.  No apparent escape route could be seen.  Fear, doubt, and hopelessness clouded their thinking into believing that death was imminent.  Then it happened.  Out of nowhere, God parted the Red Sea and led his people safely to the other side.

Why should I think that he doesn’t have the ability end a drought?  Why should I think that in dark times he has left me and is no longer at my side?  Why should I think that he is not in control?

I think we all have “Red Sea” moments; however, as disciples our challenge and calling is to look past the Sea and remember that, one way or the other, God will deliver.  He keeps his promises.  We are part of His plan. 

Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, to, am working.” John 5:17

Father, thank you for the “Red Sea” moments that challenge and stretch me.  Forgive me when I am near-sighted.  I praise your name for including me in your awesome plan.  My faith and hope are in you.  Through Christ, Amen.

Todd Adams – Dublin, Tx

Accountability

Recently celebrities have been getting a bad “rap”. Singer Chris Brown allegedly beat his girlfriend Rihanna and put her in the hospital.  Charlie Sheen is also accused of domestic violence, drug abuse and extremely bad behavior. Casey Anthony was acquitted of the possible murder of her young daughter, Caylee. Reporters are lining up to write books about her life.

Casey has obtained celebrity status from the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death. Tiger Woods, golfer; Governor/Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger; Senator John Edwards; Representative Anthony Weiner, this is just an excerpt from a long list of celebrities involved in sex scandals. Why are celebrities not held accountable by their adoring fans? Recently Chris Brown appeared on Good Morning America and his fans camped out overnight to try to see him at the studio. Charlie Sheen is still attracting huge crowds to hear him rant vulgarities about his unfair life. People still cheer Tiger Woods and the Governator at public events.  John Edwards and Anthony Weiner are staying out of the limelight for a while, but I am sure we will hear them say “I’ll Be Back” like the others.

Accountability is a concept in ethics and governance synonymous with responsibility and answerability. In government, accountability is equated with expectations and leadership performance. Ethics is a moral philosophy addressing good and evil, right and wrong, virtue.

Where is the accountability in today’s society? Why do celebrities abuse their good fortune, their families, their fans? Politicians are not acting responsibly in their positions of power.

The devil is walking among us as Jesus stated. Satan creates havoc and casualties where he finds weakness. We should continue to be on guard to protect our own souls and those of our loved ones. We should tell others the good news of God’s love. God sent Jesus to be accountable on our behalf. He wants everyone to hear this news.

Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

Dear God, Help me to be as responsibly accountable for my own actions as is possible. When I fail, thank you for the gift Jesus provided to balance my deficiencies.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX

The universe, disturbed in our favor.
John 3:16-18

In the words of that Prufrockian anthem,
"Do I dare disturb the universe?"
Or am I allowing the universe to disturb me?
The sneaky lacerations of a world
so persistent in its hatred
decorate my back as I bend willingly.

My brethren, my people do willingly
sing--with me--a world-tainted anthem,
its chorus declaring hatred.
If we don't, if we, instead, disturb the universe,
we anger the world.
We turn the blame on me.

We turn the blame on "I," and "we," and "me"
when we live willingly
in the world, not of the world,
choosing to sing Prufrock's holy anthem
while the universe
listens with jealous hatred.

The air is permeated by the scent of hatred.
The smell fills me
with fear of my powerlessness in this universe.
Faced with such power, I do not willingly
sing our song, Death's anthem.
I am not ready to go at the hands of this world.

And our timid singing is drowned out by the world
and its hatred,
screaming its anthem
to the beat of its whip cracking over me,
destroying life so willingly,
holding its claim to the universe.

Do we dare disturb the universe?
"For God so loved the world
that He gave His only Son," willingly.
That Son did not give into hatred.
Sometimes I do, but He has not condemned me.
He disturbed it first, and that is our anthem.

Father, thank you for writing our anthem, saving us, saving me, by composing a tune that broke sin and resisted hatred.
Thank you for disturbing the universe for us, loving this world by making the ultimate sacrifice so willingly.

Amen.

To read the poem by T.S. Eliot, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," go to http://www.bartleby.com/198/1.html or listen to Eliot himself recite it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhiCMAG658M.
--
Erin Daugherty
Assistant Director, Nelson Hall
Passport/Welcome Week Student Director, FYP

Following Jesus

John tells us, in chapter 6, of Jesus feeding a crowd of over 5000. This miracle showed he had the power to create. Since only God can create, it was a significant and revealing event. Jesus used this miracle to teach some heavy doctrine. He taught who He was and how we can live forever if we have fellowship with Him.

Since big truth demands we pay close attention, He also expected total comittment from His audience. What he got was rejection from most of His hearers. They said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” verse 60. They were offended, they complained and they left.  Jesus, in verse 67, asked the twelve if they were going to leave. Peter answered Him in verse 68 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”          

There are many small ideas in the world that take very little effort to think about. There is even a lot of stuff you can fill your life with and never think. But if you want to know the truth, if you want to live forever, if you want to know the way to heaven, well, you are going to have to know the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. To get close to Jesus is not easy; even the narrow way is hard but it is possible and the reward is great.         

Actually, Jesus paid us a great compliment. He demands that we think; that we commit; that we obey. This call to discipleship is a great honor. It is also a call to life.      

Dear God, I praise You for saving me. I know You held nothing back; not even Your Son. This abundance of grace is so overwhelming. That is why my reluctance to give back to You is so awful. Please forgive my sloth. Often, I am too lazy to tackle a hard thought. My attraction to slogans and cliches is embarrassing. I beg You to forgive my tendency to hold back when I should be pressing on. I know Your way is sometimes hard. I also know I avoid difficulties. For this I am sorry. I am grateful that Jesus took up His cross. Help me to take up mine. Help me to remember who You are and what You want for me and from me.   

In the name of Jesus, I pray.   Amen

Paul Shero

San Angelo, Texas