ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

In 1963, I was an eighth grade student at Whitehall Junior High School, a part of the Baldwin - Whitehall School District in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. I don’t know if this is true in today’s schools, but back then the curriculum included some instruction in what I refer to as “hands on” subjects. These subjects were Home Economics, Wood Shop, and Metal Shop. I guess the thinking at the time was that a well-rounded education included some basic skills regarding cooking, sewing, and making stuff out of wood or metal.

Eighth grade was the year for Metal Shop, and that meant coming face to face with the dreaded “Reagan” – the Metal Shop teacher. Mr. Reagan was probably “forty-something” years old. He had a flat-top hair cut and carried himself with the demeanor of an ex-marine. Mr. Reagan was a “my way or the highway” type of guy, and his highway led straight to his office, where he was well known for swatting misbehaving students on the backside with a wooden paddle. (Yes, there was a time “back in the day” when teachers and administrators actually disciplined students with a paddle.)

Mr. Reagan’s shop was always clean and well organized, and every student entering his domain was introduced to a strict set of rules. As you would expect, there were no desks and chairs – only eight wooden work benches. Each bench was about waist high, and large enough to accommodate four students working on small projects involving metal.

At the start of each class, all students were seated on the work benches while Mr. Reagan explained the day’s activities, with a heavy emphasis on safety issues. Some of his rules actually addressed how we were to sit on the work benches. We were required to sit with our backs straight – no slouching allowed. Heads had to be up with all eyes on the teacher. And, since Mr. Reagan would walk among the benches as he talked, we were not permitted to swing our legs as we sat there. (The benches were high enough that when we sat on them, our feet did not reach the floor.)

This highly structured environment was just not a “good fit” for me back in 1963. I was a sullen, hot-tempered, rebellious 13 year old, and I did not like Mr. Reagan or his rules, and I didn’t make much of an attempt at hiding my feelings.

One day at the start of class, I sat on the work bench, head down, in a slouching position with my legs swinging ever so slightly. Reagan’s gruff voice barked at me “Sit up, Ryce!” I ignored him.

I could almost feel the tension rise in the room as I sat there on my work bench – still slouched, head still down, legs still swinging.

In fairness to Mr. Reagan, not only were his rules were clearly communicated, but so were the consequences of violating the rules. Everyone knew that the consequence included a trip to his office for a few painful swats of the paddle. I was - how should I say this – stupid – and I chose to ignore his command.

“Ryce! Did you hear me?” he growled. I continued to ignore Mr. Reagan, who I found could move surprisingly fast. Suddenly, I was snatched off the work bench and dragged into his office, where the door slammed with a mighty bang. Mr. Reagan threw me into his desk chair, and before I came to rest, I spotted the paddle. The dreaded instrument of discipline was hung on the wall in the same manner in which some people display their firearms. Looking back, I realize that it was about the size of a cricket bat, but at the time it seemed more like a boat oar. Expecting that I was about to have a close encounter with the paddle, I was no longer ignoring Mr. Reagan.

Our “conversation” started with a simple question- “What’s your problem, Ryce?”

With downcast eyes and quivering voice, I answered “I don’t like all these rules.”

To my surprise, Mr. Reagan’s demeanor softened as he asked “Why do you suppose I have all these rules?” I simply shrugged in reply. He then proceeded to explain to me the necessity of “running a tight ship” in a shop area where the “tools of the trade” – (hammers, anvils, blow torches, soldering irons, saws…) could otherwise be very dangerous – especially with a bunch of goofy 13 year old boys. I really couldn’t dispute his logic.

“But why do we have to sit up straight? Why is that so important?” I asked.

“It’s a ‘small discipline’. If you can’t be disciplined in the small stuff, you’re not very likely to be disciplined in the big stuff.” That didn’t make much sense to me at the time, but years later I realized the wisdom of his words.

“Listen, Ryce. Just follow the rules and things will go well for you. You might even find that you can use your talent in here – actually enjoy this class.” (Somehow he knew that I had some artistic talent for drawing and painting.)

I had nothing to say. I glanced at the paddle, hanging ominously on the wall. Seeing this, Mr. Reagan said “Not this time”, and sent me back out to join the rest of my classmates.

Although I didn’t think in these terms at the time, I realize now that Mr. Reagan was merciful to me. His rules were clear. The consequences of violating his rules were clear. Anyone violating the rules deserved the consequences. But he didn’t give me what I deserved. He was merciful.

Metal Shop was different for me after my visit to Mr. Reagan’s office. I suppose I realized that he could have made me pay the penalty for my insolence. I knew that it would have been very painful. Somehow, the fact that he didn’t give me what I deserved changed my attitude about Metal Shop and Mr. Reagan. I now wanted to do well in his class, and I think it was because I had some sense of the extent of his mercy.

Don’t ask me why a memory from over 45 years ago came back to mind. I have no idea – other than the obvious (to me) similarity to my Christian walk. When I remember the extent of God’s mercy, it changes my attitude, and I want to do well – living a life worthy of the calling I have received.
Daniel 9:9
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;

May we always remember His mercies.

In Christ –
John
Soli Deo Gloria

AMERICA'S SPIRITUAL HERITAGE

I mentioned in class a resolution in the House of Representatives to designate the first week in May as `America's Spiritual Heritage Week' for the appreciation of and education on America's history of religious faith.

The bill reads like “ Everything You Never Learned About Our Nation’s History in Public Schools”. Here are a few excerpts:

Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed this self-evident fact in a unanimous ruling declaring `This is a religious people ... From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation';

Whereas political scientists have documented that the most frequently cited source in the political period known as The Founding Era was the Bible;

Whereas in 1776, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence with its 4 direct religious acknowledgments referring to God as the Creator (`All people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'), the Lawgiver (`the laws of nature and nature's God'), the Judge (`appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world'), and the Protector (`with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence');

Whereas in 1782, Congress adopted (and has reaffirmed on numerous subsequent occasions) the National Seal with its Latin motto `Annuit Coeptis,' meaning `God has favored our undertakings,' along with the eye of Providence in a triangle over a pyramid, the eye and the motto `allude to the many signal interpositions of Providence in favor of the American cause';

Whereas in 1789, Congress, in the midst of framing the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment, passed the first Federal law touching education, declaring that `Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged';

Whereas in 1853, the United States Senate declared that the Founding Fathers `had no fear or jealousy of religion itself, nor did they wish to see us an irreligious people . . . they did not intend to spread over all the public authorities and the whole public action of the nation the dead and revolting spectacle of atheistical apathy';

Whereas, beginning in 1904 and continuing for the next half-century, the Federal Government printed and distributed The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth for the use of Members of Congress because of the important teachings it contained;

Whereas in 1956, Congress by law made `In God We Trust' the National Motto, and added the phrase to American currency;

Whereas President John Adams, one of only 2 signers of the Bill of Rights and First Amendment, declared `As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him';

Whereas President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared that `Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic, expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God's help, it will continue to be' in a declaration later repeated with approval by President Gerald Ford;

Whereas the United States Supreme Court has declared throughout the course of our Nation's history that the United States is `a Christian country', `a Christian nation', `a Christian people', `a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being', and that `we cannot read into the Bill of Rights a philosophy of hostility to religion';

Whereas Justice John Jay, an author of the Federalist Papers and original Justice of the United States Supreme Court, urged `The most effectual means of securing the continuance of our civil and religious liberties is always to remember with reverence and gratitude the Source from which they flow';

To read the entire bill, go HERE

The Truth Process Session IV, Lesson 18

Belief

Not long ago, I had the second “installment” of a conversation with one of my clients. I will refer to him as Bruce, although that is not his real name. The first installment took place over a year ago, when Bruce was in my office taking care of a business transaction.

Here is some background…

Bruce was in the midst of divorce proceedings, and living with another of my clients. We’ll call her Sally. Sally was also divorced. Bruce and Sally had known each other in high school, and had reconnected after their marriages crashed.

When I talked with Bruce over a year ago, I asked him if he and Sally intended to get married. He replied “Probably not. It’s just a piece of paper, anyway.” When we talked again recently, I heard the story of the divorce, and the events that triggered it.

Bruce and Barb (not her real name) had been married for about 25 years, with two children ages 19 and 23. Bruce described himself as an attentive, devoted husband. He worked his blue collar job each day and came straight home to his family. There were no stops at the local “watering hole” for him. He loved his wife and his kids, and wanted to be with them. He didn’t spend much money on himself, but made certain that his wife and kids were provided for. As I listened to him talk, I realized that this was his version of things, but he seemed very genuine, and there wasn’t a hint of bitterness in his voice.

About four years ago, Barb decided to lose some weight. She began exercising, watched her diet, and lost 40 pounds. Not long after that, one of her co-workers, who was also married, began to pay attention to her, and his attention led to an affair. Bruce found out when someone placed a note on the windshield of his truck, advising him that Barb was involved with another man.

As I talked with Bruce that evening, I spoke to him in terms of the culture, and the “false truth claims” with which we are constantly bombarded. Although I have no way of knowing what was going on in Barb’s heart and mind, it is possible that she was operating on the basis of some, if not all of the following lies of the culture:

“I deserve to be happy. It’s all about me.”
“My happiness is so important, that it justifies any pain I might cause others.”
“Lots of people have ‘affairs’. It happens all the time.”
“There is nothing sacred about marriage vows.”
“The ability to attract men builds my self-esteem.”

If asked, I doubt that Barb could have identified and articulated the belief system by which she was operating. Nonetheless, that belief system determined her actions. This is true of all people, non-believers and believers alike. For believers who want to be used by God to transform the culture, it is absolutely critical that we be able to answer a huge question: What do I believe?

This question is so broad as to be intimidating. Permit me to offer a few clarifying questions as you contemplate your beliefs:

· Do I believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired word of God?
· Who is man? His essence, his state, his need?
· Who is God?
· What is truth? How do I find it?
· What is my relationship to God?
· What makes me “right” with God?
· What does creation tell me about God?
· What is God’s design for the family?
· What is God’s design for the church?
· What is God’s design for the state?
· What is God’s design for labor?
· What is God’s design for community?

It’s important to remember that even if we haven’t clearly identified what out beliefs are in each area listed above, we believe something, and that “something” will determine out thoughts and actions.

The evidence of what we really believe is really real is found in the conduct of our lives. When we really believe something, we “trust” it, and are willing to act on the basis of that trust.

In my office, there is a black leather chair behind my desk. If someone were to ask me “Do you believe that chair can support your body weight?”, my answer would be “Yes”. I wouldn’t even have to think about it. Let’s suppose this person then inquired as to whether I was willing to act on that belief. I would immediately sit in the chair, demonstrating by my action that I really believed that the chair could support my weight.

Now I can assure you that I have seated myself in an office chair thousands of time over the years, and I never once went through the mental process of asking myself if I believed that the chair could support my weight – I just sat down! Here is the point: Even though I do not think about what I believe about the chair, I still act according to the belief. I am convinced that this is happening in other areas of my life, and this is probably true of you as well.

There is real danger in operating on the basis of unidentified or unexamined beliefs. The danger lies in the reality that we, just like Barb, may be operating according to “wrong beliefs” which the world rains down upon us. This is one of the reasons “quiet time” is so important. Our time alone with God gives us the opportunity to allow the Spirit to search our hearts and minds. It is there, in those moments of Spirit guided introspection that we truly prepare for our role in the Cosmic Battle.

As we bring Session IV of our Truth Process journey to a close, I leave you with an excerpt from Oswald Chambers’ “My Utmost For His Highest”:

WHERE THE BATTLE IS WON OR LOST
“Our battles are first won or lost in the secret places of our will in God’s presence, never in full view of the world. The Spirit of God seizes me and I am compelled to get alone with God and fight the battle before Him. Until I do this, I will lose every time. The battle may take one minute or one year, but that will depend on me, not God. However long it takes, I must wrestle with it alone before God, and I must resolve to go through the hell of renunciation or rejection before Him. Nothing has any power over someone who has fought the battle before God and won there.
I should never say, "I will wait until I get into difficult circumstances and then I’ll put God to the test." Trying to do that will not work. I must first get the issue settled between God and myself in the secret places of my soul, where no one else can interfere. Then I can go ahead, knowing with certainty that the battle is won. Lose it there, and calamity, disaster, and defeat before the world are as sure as the laws of God. The reason the battle is lost is that I fight it first in the external world. Get alone with God, do battle before Him, and settle the matter once and for all.
In dealing with other people, our stance should always be to drive them toward making a decision of their will. That is how surrendering to God begins. Not often, but every once in a while, God brings us to a major turning point— a great crossroads in our life. From that point we either go toward a more and more slow, lazy, and useless Christian life, or we become more and more on fire, giving our utmost for His highest— our best for His glory.”

Has God brought you to a major turning point— a great crossroads in your life?

Think about it..

In Christ –

John

Soli Deo Gloria

The Truth Process Session IV, Lesson 16

Cycle of Nations

Our discussion in class this past Sunday was primarily in reference to the “Cycle of Nations”, a Biblical outline of attitudes and resulting events that a nation commonly experiences during its existence. God blesses a nation, that nation becomes satisfied and develops pride, the nation begins to forget God, and God brings judgment upon the nation in order that they might remember, repent and return to God. If they do not remember God, He will bring destruction.

We find a description of this process in Deuteronomy 8:
10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. 20 Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.

Some basic observations:
1. When we are blessed by God (“When you have eaten and are satisfied”) our response should be that we praise Him.
2. Knowing the nature of sinful man, the Lord cautions us (“be careful”) that we not “forget” Him – evidenced by the failure to observe His commands, laws, and decrees.
3. He tells us what will happen in our hearts when we forget that He is the source of our blessing – “your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God”.
4. He reminds us of what we so easily forget – “He led you…” “He brought you…” “He gave you…”
5. He captures the prideful arrogance of our hearts - "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." This is the “natural” progression when we “forget” God – “It wasn’t God. It was me!”
6. He reminds us of the TRUTH – “it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”
7. He assures us that, as always, there are consequences to our choices.

It is only when a nation remembers, repents, and returns to the Lord that blessing is restored.

“Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelation 2:5)

How can it be that a nation or an individual could “forget” God? This certainly doesn’t mean that we completely forget that He exists. What it does mean is this: “to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention”.

Oblivious means to be unconscious or unaware. At this point you may ask “How can one be unconscious or unaware of God’s blessing – even His presence?” The answer is found in these words – “from want of memory or attention”.

WANT OF MEMORY…

Scripture tells us that we are to remember, and it tells us frequently! (See Psalm 63:6; Psalm 77:11; Psalm 105:5; Deuteronomy 24:32) Why do you suppose we are reminded so often to “remember”? Because we have a tendency to forget not only what God has done, but His very character and nature!

When I examine my own life, I can see that the Lord had His hand on my life long before I was saved, and has continued to do so ever since. He brought me through the years of anger and bitterness after my father died. He brought an amazing woman into my life who has been my helpmate for almost 38 years. He saw my family through times of illness – some acute and severe, some chronic and long lasting. He brought blessing to me in business, and blessed us with two wonderful children who have grown to become adults whom I respect and admire. His blessing just goes on and on…

It pains me to admit how seldom I think of these things. All too often I suffer from “want of memory” and I “forget” Him, becoming unaware and oblivious.

WANT OF ATTENTION…

This one seems pretty clear. It does not seem possible that one could at the same time pay attention to something and also be unaware of it. If I am paying attention to God on a regular and frequent basis, I cannot “forget” God. So, how do I pay attention to God?

Every time I turn to His word, I am turning my attention to Him. Every time I pray I am turning my attention to Him. Every time I listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, I am turning my attention to Him. Every time I seek His wisdom and guidance, I am turning my attention to Him.

Among the many things God has taught me in 30 plus years as a believer is this: These things don’t happen without a high level of intentionality. I don’t know about you, but I find that the busyness of life will crowd out my prayer and bible time unless I intentionally take time specifically for this purpose. One of the great challenges we face living in this culture is the “busy, busy, busy”, “pedal to the metal” way of life that is so prevalent today. It’s surprisingly easy for God to get pushed from the center of life (where He rightfully belongs) out to the periphery of life. I don’t pay much attention to Him when He is relegated to the periphery.

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Hendley used the term “Practical Atheism”, meaning living as though God does not exist. I realize that this happens in my life when I suffer from a want of memory and attention. When I “forget” Him, I become prideful and arrogant – sometimes in subtle ways, but nonetheless full of pride and arrogance. Perhaps you can relate.

The reality is that we as individuals experience something very similar to the “Cycle of Nations”. Try this – read the following, inserting your name in the blanks:

God blesses ______, ______ becomes satisfied and develops pride, _____ begins to forget God, and God brings judgment upon _______ in order that ________ might remember, repent and return to God.

Have you ever “been there”?

The more important question: Where are you (and I) NOW? If we are remembering all that God has already done in our lives, and giving Him the attention He deserves, we will not be “practical atheists.” We will be His “change agents” in the culture.

May it be so.

In Christ,

John

Soli Deo Gloria