Old Dog, New Tricks

Last Saturday was a monumental moment in world history - I enjoyed my first ever seniors breakfast. Yep, turned 55 just a few weeks ago, which makes me a senior citizen in some places. If that saves me a few bucks on breakfast, I'm all for it.

I'm pleased to announce that at 55 years young I'm having the time of my life. I'm having a blast. A big reason is that I changed careers a month ago and my new job is having me do things I've never done - and I love it. After being a pastor for 30 years, I stepped out of pastoral ministry and joined an awesome ministry called Iron Men's Ministry. The newness of my new job is both challenging and fulfilling. I suspect it's fulfilling because it is challenging. And it's challenging because it's new.

The old saying goes, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."  Wow, how insulting to old dogs. I'm now officially an old dog and I'm discovering it's never too late to learn new tricks. Not only is it possible to learn new tricks, it's a necessity. Doing something new in life stretches us. New things challenge us. New things add zip to a life that just might be getting a little stale and predictable.

Here's an unsolicited tip from an old dog - try something new in your life. You don't have to change careers. That's just crazy. But shake things up a little. Change your routine. Take up a new hobby. Go back to school. Jump out of an airplane - just don't forget your chute. Try something new.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Apostle Paul says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here"

It doesn't matter if you're an old dog or new dog. If you want to experience Jesus, if you want to experience life in the fullest, learn a few new tricks.

If you have an old dog, new trick story from your life, please share it with me.

Dancing with Ants, Wrestling with Gators

Which are worse - big sins or little sins?  The answer to this theological conundrum came to me while dancing with some fire ants the other day. Allow me to explain.

I love to fish and I love to fish in Florida. It's bass heaven. However, there are two problems, one big and one little, both are significant - gators and fire ants. The gators are pesky, constantly making runs for my lure. The fire ants are pesky, swarming my unsuspecting size 16 feet, causing me to do an impressive version of  "River Dance." It's amazing how fast one can learn Irish dancing with the right motivation.

Common sense says gators are more dangerous. They're big, nasty, and have really sharp teeth. Surprisingly, the fire ants pose more of threat. Each year more people die from allergic reactions from the bites of fire ants than die from gator attacks. In my 15 years of fishing in Florida, I've never been bitten by a gator. I can't count the number of times I've been bitten by fire ants.

Back to the sin question. Like gators, big sins seem more dangerous. They're dramatic. They inspire fear. And yes, should they get hold of us, they can do some serious damage. And yet, the small sins bring greater destruction. Like fire ants, small sins are seldom noticed. They seem insignificant. But man, do they ever hurt. It's not one or two bites that do the damage, but the repeated bites from ant after ant, from sin after sin. The damage is accumulative, and sometimes is deadly.

Here's a suggestion - avoid the gators and avoid the fire ants. Avoid the big sins and avoid the little sins. They all are bad news.

"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."    ~Romans 6:11-14

Leave a comment. Big sins or little sins - which are worse? What's your opinion?

Gentle Giant - A Message for Dads

A few years ago my Dad's screen name was "Gentle Giant," a fitting descriptor for the 6'4" greatest influencer of my life. I've always seen my Dad as a big, strong man, capable of anything. Yet, he's always been soft-spoken, humble, and joy-filled. He's gentle - a gentle giant.

I'm not a small guy either. In fact, I'm an inch taller than my Dad, a fact I love to remind him of. And, like my Dad, I too am a gentle giant.

In the third chapter of Colossians, the Apostle Paul gives some helpful advice for healthy families. It's interesting that in the two verses of advice for men (verse 19 and 21), Paul warns husbands to "not be harsh with your wife," and to "not embitter your children." Both of these negative warnings speak of the need for men to learn to control their strength, to effectively harness our God-given power and channel it to good, not harm.

Jesus is a remarkable example of a gentle giant. He had the power and strength to calm storms, cast out demons, confront sin and hypocrisy, to overturn the tables of the money-changers. He had the power to overcome the grave. And yet, he loved people, played with children, embraced the sick and weak, and wept at the grave of his friend.

Dads, be strong for the sake of your families. Lead, protect, provide. Be a giant. But please, be gentle. God has entrusted you with great responsibility and great power - use it with humility, grace, and gentleness. Your family needs a giant. Be a gentle one.

Any gentle giants in your life? Take a moment and share your story.