“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11

There once was a very famous professor of chemistry. This man discovered several industrial chemical compounds, and he wrote many books on chemistry. As a result, he became financially well-off and retired. In his retirement, he became a guest lecturer at colleges and universities.

As the professor got older, he developed poor eye-sight. His poor vision made it difficult to drive. Therefore, he hired a chauffeur. Over the years, the professor and his chauffeur became best friends.

The chauffeur drove the professor to dozens of speaking engagements. He heard the professor give the same speech hundreds of times. One day, on the way to another speaking engagement, the chauffeur said, “Professor, I believe I could give your speech myself; I’ve heard it so often.” The professor said, “I’ll bet you $50 you can’t.” “You’re on,” said the driver.

The chauffeur stopped the car and the two exchanged clothes. They got to the college and they went into the lecture hall. The chauffeur was dressed in a tuxedo. He sat at the head table. The President of the College stood up and introduced him.

The chauffeur stood up and he gave the professor’s speech without missing a word. It was perfect. It was as if the professor gave it himself.

There was a standing ovation when the chauffeur finished. The President of the College got up and said, “You know, we are so fortunate to have such a fine resource with us tonight, and since we have a little extra time, let’s have some questions and answers.”

A student stood up in the back and asked, “Professor, the element, strontium when combined with radioactive isotopes does not produce a normal reaction. Why is this?” The chauffeur just stood there for a moment. He had a nervous look on his face. Finally, he said, “That’s just about the dumbest question I ever heard. In fact, it is so dumb I bet even my driver could answer that question!”

The point is: Sometimes we hear something so many times that we can lose the meaning. How many times have you heard the Christmas story? I’m sure you could stand up in public and tell the story. You have heard it hundreds of times. Even non-Christians know the story of Mary’s unexpected pregnancy, Joseph’s confusion, and the visits by angels. Everyone knows the story of Caesar’s tax, the trip to Bethlehem, and the Christ-child born in a stable. We’ve heard it thousands of times. We even hear Linus tell the story every year on A Charlie Brown Christmas. We all know the story.

Could it be we have heard the story so many times it has lost its meaning. We think we know all there is to know about the Christmas story, but maybe we don’t. Maybe we don’t understand Christmas.

Christmas is God coming to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. Christmas is Jesus being born to save us from our sins. Christmas is the Savior of mankind living with mankind. Christmas is God with us.

I am sure that you know the story, but do you know the Savior. I am sure you know about Christmas, but do you know Christ? The Christmas season brings familiar sights and sounds. Don’t let the familiarity of the season cause you to lose sight of the baby in the manger.

Get to know Him this Christmas.

James Collins serves at First Southern Baptist Church as senior pastor. He is the author of “The Nativity: How The Story Of Christmas Can Change Your Life,” available now on Amazon. He can be reached through the website thepointis.net.

People regularly ask me how I have so many crazy experiences. I tell them that God wants me to give others an appreciation for their “normal” lives. Other times, I bring it upon myself. One thing is for sure: Those who know me well are used to “unusual” things happening when I’m around. Today, our fourth day in Israel, would be no different.

My two sons, Jeff and Andy, and Andy’s wife Kristen and I were finding Tel Aviv to be mega-expensive. A lunch of sandwiches ran around $100, and breakfast was more than that. Ash trays were found on all restaurant tables, as smokers appeared to be the norm. Fortunately, almost everyone we met spoke some English, and street signs typically were marked in three languages: Hebrew, Greek and English. Our GPS was scattered, and most times the four of us received different signals as to how to navigate the roads. We would pick one and hope for the best. Sometimes, that worked in our favor. Sometimes, not.

Tour guides had suggested we visit Hafai which boasted of exquisite gardens, temples and beaches. Only an hour’s drive away, we would find Bahá’í Gardens, 19 geometric terraces around a shrine located near Mount Carmel, the site where Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal, and one we wanted to see. Without researching further, we left Tel Aviv around noon, headed towards the Old Testament site. I was excited. As one who had stood against false prophets and Jezebel, brought fire from Heaven and was taken to Heaven alive, Elijah is one of my favorite Old Testament characters.

At the garden entrance, signs warned us that this was a holy place. No gum-chewing, cell phones or loud voices were allowed out of reverence for this place. A dress code was strictly enforced, and since my daughter-in-law Kristin’s shorts did not cover her knees, we were denied entrance. Not to worry. Andy, her husband and my son, had swim trunks in the car. The fact that he is an XL and she is a size-four would not dissuade us from entering. Kristen’s flowery, poofy swim trunks, rolled several times over at the waist, seemed to satisfy the guard.

We hustled towards the temple, expecting to see signs informing us about Elijah’s experience. Once there, we were told the sacred temple was closed. No reason given. We could come back another time when it would reopen.

On our way out of the gate, I asked the attendant to explain what we had just seen. That’s when she shared that we were on holy ground in reverence to the Bahá’í faith. (And that had to do with Elijah…how?) Well, it didn’t. It had to do with a “oneness” religion in which we are all created alike in love. How we had managed to make a day out of this was anyone’s guess! All I knew was that we certainly were not involved in anything that had to do with Christianity or God’s prophet.

So much for listening to the guide who convinced this was a “must see.”

Tomorrow, however, we told each other, we would visit sites related to Jesus and no one else. We just did not anticipate the dangers ahead in making that happen.

 “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”                  

         1 Chronicles 16:34

            

    Years ago, my wife, Amanda, talked me into going shopping with her. Shopping with Amanda is dangerous and stressful enough, but, we went shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We went shopping on Black Friday.

The name “Black Friday” sounds awful. It brings to mind being blackmailed, the black plague, and the black death. It sounds bad.

Black Friday has always puzzled me. Why is it that on Black Friday Americans are willing to kill over materialistic items just one day after celebrating what they are already thankful for?

I have heard that the term “Black Friday” refers to the pattern of pedestrian and vehicle traffic that hits large cities. However, that is not true. Retailers actually coined the term to describe the day of the year when their shops go from being in the red to going into profit or into the black.

Black Friday has become the largest day of shopping both on the internet and in retail stores. Last year on Black Friday, Americans spent an average of $938.58 per shopper, and Americans spent $655.8 billion overall.

Anyway, years ago, before our children were born, Amanda talked me into going shopping with her on Black Friday. And I went shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving for the first and last time in my life.

At first, I thought it would be fun. I thought it might become a family tradition. I thought we might do a little shopping. Then we would hang out and have breakfast. I thought it would be a nice way to spend time with my wife, but I was wrong.

The day started out okay. We got up early before dawn. We had coffee. Then we went to Walmart at 5 in the morning. I have never seen anything like what I saw that morning. Three-hundred people lined up waiting for Walmart to open. I can’t get three hundred people to get up that early and come see a new believer get baptized. Man! I can’t even get thirty people to get up that early and come see a new believer get baptized. To tell the truth, I can’t even get three people to get up that early and come see a new believer get baptized.

When they opened the doors, I was almost trampled by a wild pack of shoppers. Inside the store wasn’t any better. I made the mistake of standing in front of a door-buster sign. People pushed me out of the way to get to a video game that was on sale.

They wheeled out a blue flashing light. Grown men and women ran from all over the store to the blue light to get a Tickle Me Elmo Toy.

Two women almost got in a fistfight. They were both going after the last coat on a 50% off rack. All over the store people were running, pushing, shoving, fighting, and cussing. I’m telling you, those people were crazy.

The point is: We have lost our way. On that Black Friday, I realized America has become a nation which has slipped away from worshipping God to a nation that worships material things. One day after giving thanks to God for all their blessings, Americans fight over TVs and toasters. On the day that kicks off the Christmas season, Americans act anything but Christ-like.

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday this week, let us pause and give thanks to almighty God for all His blessings. Let us reflect on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as we decorate for Christmas. Let us spend quality time with family and friends. It is okay to go shopping, but don’t let shopping come between you and your relationship with God.

Besides, I have discovered that Black Friday equals Broke Saturday.

James Collins is the pastor of Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. His latest book, “The Nativity” is available on Amazon or by calling (620) 223-2986. 

Here we were in Israel, my two sons Jeff and Andy, Andy’s wife Kristen, and I, hoping for a trip of a lifetime, but wondering if we should just turn around and come home. We had been removed from our tour bus when the air raid sirens sounded, but once they stopped, we re-boarded to head to Jerusalem where we would walk the path of Jesus.

Anticipating a weepy, serene experience, I had taken a purse-load of Kleenex. I didn’t need them. Thousands of other tourists crammed into the walkway, and guides held flags on sticks above their heads so their group could find them. Most times, we were to hurry into a church or scenic area before another group beat us there. We were told we were on the Via Dolorosa, and there certainly were Stations of the Cross hanging on stone walls, but because of jostling with the crowds, the spiritual feeling evaded us. At the end of the day, we were sad that the seven-hour experience had become so commercial (and yes, we were part of the problem).

During the day, we were inundated with news that the Gaza Strip soldiers were shooting missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel’s drone strike, killing a Jihad leader and his wife. We learned that Israel protects itself with an Iron Dome which detracts incoming missiles, but occasionally the missiles sneak through cracks in the Dome. Before the Dome, we were told, residents used to run to storm shelters when the air sirens sounded, but post-Dome, they now run outside to watch the incoming missiles blow up. Not my kind of photo-op.

I reminded the kids that we were in the country of God’s chosen people, so there probably wasn’t a better place to be. Nevertheless, we remained on alert.

That night, our landlady came by to reassure us that every newer apartment in Israel was required to have one room that served as a safe room in case of missile strikes. My bedroom was that for us. Comforting. I wouldn’t have to go far. It didn’t take long to test its usefulness. I had been asleep about an hour when sirens jolted me awake. I sprang from bed to alert the others, and when they ran to the balcony to listen for themselves, they told me it was an ambulance, not an air raid siren. Perhaps I was a little too edgy.

Day three. Today we bussed to the Dead Sea and the Masada. The guide began the morning bringing us up-to-date on how the Dome had, overnight, done its job—good news: more missiles had been downed. Still, much of our conversation centered around avoiding potential targets…as if we had any idea what those would be! An hour after leaving Tel Aviv, we were at the Dead Sea where we swam in the salty water, so salty it is impossible to sink. Even those like me who genetically cannot float, now could. It was one of the first times we actually relaxed and were able to ignore (somewhat) the threat surrounding us. (Would missiles float if they hit the Dead Sea?)

Two hours later, we boarded our bus for the Masada, Herod the Great’s fortress built atop a nearby mountain. To get there, sixty-two (maximum capacity) of us were crammed into a cable car which hoisted us to the top. There, we learned that although Herod visited the site only one time, those overseeing it were expected to keep it a running city, just in case he decided to pop in for a visit. With its vast storehouse for food, an exercise room, sauna and massive living quarters, what impressed me the most was the watering system made of cisterns which held more than one- million gallons of water. Oh yes, and the view of the Judean Desert—Amazing! Today, Masada is in ruins. Jewish zealots, revolting against Rome, conquered the area but in 72 A.D. were besieged when the Romans constructed an enormous ramp from which they battered the exterior wall. The zealots committed suicide rather than succumb to their deaths at the hands of the Romans. Israel certainly had a history of violence. We prayed that we would not become part of that history. Stay tuned for more adventures even we could not have anticipated.

Have you ever been visiting with someone and you could tell he/she wasn’t listening to a word you were saying? By the look in the individual’s eyes, you can tell he/she was a million miles away in thought. That’s when you’re tempted to ask, “What are you thinking about?“ So, are you tuned in or are you somewhere else?

As we near the celebration of Thanksgiving with our loved ones, we begin to think about our numerous blessings. Thinking is good, but God wants to hear our thanks come out of our mouths. Maybe you’ve had a rough time lately and you’re not feeling especially thankful. Let’s take a few moments to focus our thoughts on God’s truth from the Bible:

God loves you as much as He loves Jesus! That’s a “wow” truth, and a lot of people don’t even know it. When Jesus prayed for His disciples and all believers, right before He was betrayed and arrested, He said: ”I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me” (John 17:23 NLT). It’s awesome to know and believe that your heavenly Father loves you as much as His only-begotten Son! When you accept this truth, your life will never be the same. Think about it…and be thankful!

Are you fully persuaded that what God has promised He is able to perform? If your answer is yes, then you should give thanks. “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways (Psalm 128:1 NKJV). If that’s you, then believe you’re blessed and be thankful. Can you give glory to God and praise Him? “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!” (Psalm 104:33 NLT). Be determined to praise God and be thankful all the days of your life.

During the autumn season, farmers harvest the crops they have planted. In the natural, we all understand that you reap what you sow. There are natural laws and spiritual laws that cannot be revoked. If you sow corn, you’ll harvest corn. If you sow kindness, you’ll reap kindness. If you sow hostility, you’ll reap hostility. If you want love, then sow it. If you give, it will be given to you. “God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians 9:7,8 NLT). Think about that…and be thankful!

“Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing” (Psalm 107:21,22 KJV).

The Bottom Line: The goodness and love of God is something to think about, talk about, and receive with thanksgiving every day.

Pastor Jimmy Tucker
(620) 223-1483
Diamond Community Church
2591 Jayhawk Road
10:45 a.m. Worship

 

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” James 4:8a

A man was hired by a government subcontractor to paint the white lines down the center of the highway. His foreman ordered him to paint the lines by hand and the man went to work.

After three days, the foreman said, “I’m afraid that I’m going to have to let you go.”

“Why?” the man asked.

“Your performance has dropped. On your first day, you did great. You painted the line for three miles. Your second day wasn’t bad either. You painted two miles. But today you only painted one mile. So, I’m going to have to fire you. I’m sorry.”

On his way out of the office, the fired employee looked back and said, “It’s not my fault. Every day I got further away from the paint can.”

Like the fired employee, our country is moving further and further away from God every day. Contrary to what the revisionist historians say, our Founding Fathers founded this nation on the Christian religion. The Pilgrims left a land where they were persecuted to find a land where they could worship freely. When they landed at Plymouth Rock, they knelt on the shore, and they thanked God for His blessings.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, let me remind you that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621 to give thanks to God for their freedoms in the New World. Later, in 1789, President George Washington issued a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation to commemorate the first Pilgrim celebration.

In 1826, Sarah Hale, the author of the poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb” began a campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. She wrote letters and pleaded her case with political leaders. Finally, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln listened to her plea that a nation divided by the Civil War should put aside their differences and observe a day of Thanksgiving to God for His blessings. President Lincoln proclaimed the fourth Thursday of November to be the official “National Thanksgiving Day.”

However, the American people have moved further and further away from God, the source of all our blessings. If this nation continues to forget her spiritual roots, what will become of her? Of the 22 civilizations that have appeared in history, 19 of them fell when they reached the moral condition that the United States is in now. This country is still the greatest nation on the planet, but we are going down a road that is taking us away from the Christian values that made America.

But we can turn back.

America can return to God one person at a time, starting with you. Are you struggling under heavy burdens that seem unbearable? Do you fell like there is a great distance between you and the Lord? If so, this Thanksgiving bow your head and thank God for all He has done for you. Thank Him for the good things in your life and for life itself.

The point is: If you are not experiencing God’s presence in your life, if you find yourself moving further and further away from God, ask yourself this question, “Who moved?”

God is where He has always been. He is waiting for you. Turn around and draw near to Him. Then you will experience the blessing of Thanksgiving.

James Collins will be signing copies of his latest book, “The Nativity,” today from 7 am to 2 pm at the First Southern Baptist Church Family Bazaar and Bake Sale. For more information, call (620) 223-2986.

Four of us boarded our Tel Aviv tour bus, heading for Jerusalem. We were grateful to be here, considering the airport interrogation my sons Jeff and Andy, Andy’s wife Kristen, and I received when we left Miami, Florida, heading to Israel. We had anticipated a memorable—probably tearful– Christian experience as we would navigate the country where Jesus had spent much of his life.

To say it was memorable is an understatement.

The Miami El Al Airline agent began the questioning before we even checked our bags. “How do you know each other?” “Where did you sleep last night?” “While you were asleep, did anyone have access to your luggage?” “Has anyone been near your computer in the past few days?” “Why do you all live in different states?” “When was the last time you slept in your parents’ house?” “How many bedrooms were in that house?”

And that was just the beginning. Since Andy is coaching for the K.C. Royals and moves frequently, his answer to how many flights he had taken over the past few months raised eyebrows. Two senior agents were called in to further interrogate Andy and Kristen about their lifestyle, especially since they live in different states part of the time.

Obviously, not just anyone is allowed into Israel.

After convincing the panel of interrogators we were not a threat, we were allowed on board. Even Kristin, apprehensive (to put it mildly) about a trip to another country, later shared that the 12-hour flight had been an unexpected pleasure.

Jeff had arranged to rent a car, and at the AVIS booth in Tel Aviv, he was told that the actual price was five times the original quote because four of us would not fit into the size car he had rented. I chose not to take that personally. That, plus the hidden costs, caused the price increase. As we lugged our suitcases, backpacks, etc. to the pick-up zone, we were excited to see the sleek cars available. Unfortunately, those were not ours. Ours was in a different area. Ours was the size of a golf cart–a mini golf cart. Our laughter was uncontrollable as we crammed our possessions into whatever cavity we could find—including the dashboard, under our feet, behind our necks and in our laps.

Arriving at our rented condominium, we were pleasantly surprised at our spectacular view. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, we could see hundreds of bikers, runners and walkers filling the trails along the beach. Israel was alive and inviting. Tomorrow we would bus it to Jerusalem and walk the Via Dolorosa. Let the tears begin!

Which is where this story starts. We awoke early to board our tour bus, but as we did, a siren sounded, an alarm similar to the ones I heard in drills as a child when we were given instructions on what to do if an atomic bomb headed our way. Everyone was removed from the tour busses parked by ours, and we were ushered to a stone wall nearby. Explosions were heard at a distance. Our tour guide explained that those sirens had not sounded for four years, and it probably had “something to do” with the fact that Israel had killed a Palestinian Jihad militant and his wife in Gaza the night before.

Or it has something to do with the fact that I am in Israel, I told myself.

When the sirens stopped, we boarded our bus, our nerves a little edgy. (Being bombed has a way of doing that, you know). Shortly after leaving Tel Aviv, our guide explained that apparently Gaza had retaliated with air strikes, but because Israel is protected with an “Iron Dome,” the Gaza missiles had been shot down. Supposedly the Dome is 90% effective. Still, there’s that little 10% element that would keep us on our toes.

What can I say? We wanted a memorable experience, and we were getting one.

Not surprisingly, it would not be our last.

 

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17

I am a member of a group of pastors in Southeast Kansas that meet once a month for conversation, prayer, and accountability. Recently, someone in our group suggested that we start reading several Christian books together. Then we could discuss the books at our meeting. Of course, I immediately and wholeheartedly agreed to this idea. I thought that I could build up trust among the group members and then slip my latest book into the lineup. Just think about it. I would absolutely dominate the discussion. “No, no, no. I’ll tell you exactly what the author meant!”

Sadly, my plan probably won’t materialize. Prophets (and authors) have no honor in their hometowns.

Or in their homes.

The other day, I caught my wife, Amanda, reading a book by David Jeremiah.

I said, “I see you are reading the new book by Dr. Jeremiah. What do you think of it?”

“It’s incredible!” she answered.

“Why?”

“He’s brilliant.”

“You don’t think he’s smarter than me, do you?”

“Well…you’re different…”

Like the theologian and philosopher Rodney Dangerfield once said, “I get no respect.”

All joking aside, I don’t write books, columns, or sermons to impress anyone but the Lord Jesus Christ. A few years after Jesus saved me, He called me to ministry. He gave me a purpose. My purpose in life is to be an effective communicator of God’s Word. My life is complete because it is focused on Jesus.

The great composer Johann Sebastian Bach would write on the bottom of his musical manuscripts the letters INDNJC – which stood for the Latin word, “In Nomine Domini Nostri Jesu Christi.” Translated into English that means, “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Every piece of music Bach composed, he composed in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You and I are not great musical composers. We are just ordinary people. However, everything we do should be done “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

If you are a teacher, you can prepare lessons and grade papers in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are a construction worker, you can cut wood and drive nails in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are a homemaker, you can prepare meals and do laundry in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you work in the retail business, you can stock shelves and run a cash register in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even if you are a hack writer like me, you can pound a keyboard in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The point is: Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord. Even a small act of kindness such as giving a cup of cold water has eternal value when done in Jesus’ name. Little is much when done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you long for purpose and significance? The first step is to trust Jesus as your personal Savior. Then, do everything for Him.

James Collins is a pastor at First Southern Baptist Church. His latest book, “The Nativity” is available through the website www.thepointis.net or by calling (620) 223-2986.

Over 40 years ago, Jack, a friend of Dave and mine, decided to get his doctorate in divinity and enrolled in a renowned D-1 university. Part of his interview process was to read and critique a book explaining the book of Mark that was written by one of the divinity professors. Jack would be given 30 minutes in which to present his oral criticisms to the renowned scholar.

The book was no easy read. Each chapter had at least 140 footnotes, and the end explanation was that nothing happened after the two women encountered an angel at the tomb where Jesus had been buried. The interviewer based that on Mark 16:8:  Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

For a little background, most of today’s Bibles include another 11 verses in Mark which add that Jesus then talked with several people before he was raised into Heaven, but footnotes explain that these verses were not in the original manuscripts and were added later. The professor’s book stopped at 16:8.

At this point in Jack’s story, I interrupted to counter with the obvious: No matter where Mark ended his writing, Matthew, Luke and John all addressed Jesus’ resurrection and appearance to others. We need to look at the entirety of scripture and not just selected sections. Jack assured me he had used that same critique (which was dismissed because each book, according to the professor, should stand on its own). Jack presented several other arguments to which the professor stated that Jack could have gotten those positions from one of several journals and that none of them were original. He wanted something unique.

Our friend came up with a brilliant defense. The women obviously did talk and share their story or else no one would know that “they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” How could Mark have come up with that if the women hadn’t told someone that’s what happened? (Like I said, brilliant.)

Refusing to be outdone, the professor responded, “Yes, but how do we know they were real people?”

WHAT??????

That’s right. The accomplished, theological master-mind in the Divinity department was an atheist. To him, the Bible was a myth. Jack about fell out of his chair.

It wasn’t until later that Jack came across a quote from atheist-turned-Christian C.S. Lewis’ that might have stymied the professor: “Supposing there was no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case, nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. It is merely that when the atoms inside my skull happen, for physical or chemical reasons, to arrange themselves in a certain way, this gives me, as a by-product, the sensation I call thought. But, if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? It’s like upsetting a milk jug and hoping that the way it splashes itself will give you a map of London. But if I can’t trust my own thinking, of course I can’t trust the arguments leading to Atheism, and therefore have no reason to be an Atheist, or anything else. Unless I believe in God, I cannot believe in thought: so I can never use thought to disbelieve in God.”

What would the prof have said against that? (Probably that C.S. Lewis wasn’t a real person.)

In case you are wondering, Jack was accepted into the School of Divinity but chose to pastor a church instead. Another brilliant move, if you ask me.

There were five tennis courts, all occupied, and usage was limited to one hour if other players were waiting. As we signed the board for an open court, Ted approached. “See those four ladies over there on Court #1?” he asked. “The rules don’t apply to them.” He shared that a few weeks ago he gave up his court to that foursome. When he returned two hours later and they still were playing, he told them their time was up. They not-so-kindly said they had been on the court only 10 minutes. Ted reminded them that it was he who had given them his court two hours before and he did not appreciate being lied to.

I like Ted.

Fast forward a month. My son, Andy, his wife Kristen and I unluckily ended up on the court next to the four dishonest women who thought they were prepping for Wimbledon. We, on the other hand, were there to have fun and laugh. When the inevitable happened and Kristen’s ball landed on the enemy’s court, my family stood frozen as, with great flair, the women played out their point and then dramatically retrieved our ball.

Fifteen minutes later, when it happened again, we were grateful they had racquets and not guns. This time, they all yelled “Let” loudly enough for everyone on all five courts to know they had been inconvenienced. That’s all it took. I knew what I needed to do. As more people arrived looking for a court, I periodically announced—rather loudly– how much time we had left. “We have twenty minutes before our hour is up.” “We have only five minutes left.” You get the point. The ladies had no choice but to exit their court since those waiting knew they had been there longer than we had. V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

There are two treadmills in our community center gym. This is the sign hanging above every piece of equipment:

Simple, right? After 30 minutes, I am to GET OFF and let someone else use my machine. Apparently, two individuals don’t get it. The other day, I used the elliptical while they spent an hour on their treadmills. When one finally stopped, I pointed to the sign and asked her if, since I had used the elliptical for 30 minutes, I now was allowed to get on a different machine. (Yes, a little manipulative.) She became defensive. “I was only on my machine for 30 minutes.”

I repeated my question. She looked at me like I didn’t have the I.Q. to even push the start button. What she failed to realize was that she had accidently left her “Summary” on her machine–how many calories burned, maximum heart rate, etc., including her 63!!! minute time.

Where was Ted when I needed him?

Why is it some people think the rules don’t apply to them? Police arrest people who violate the law, but what do you do on a tennis court or exercise room? And yes, I know that as a Christian, whatever I do needs to be done in love. Is it possible to hit people with my tennis racquet in love or drag exercise freaks off their treadmills in love? Would Jesus appreciate that response? Uh, probably not. Even if they lie? Uh, probably not.

What Jesus wouldn’t do is ignore the offense, especially if that selfishness caused other people to be inconvenienced. When James and John requested a special place in Heaven, Jesus put them in their rightful place: “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” The message was clear. At the cross, Jesus would drink from the bitter cup of wrath in order that ALL his followers would make it to Heaven. Trying to elevate themselves above the other disciples was not Jesus’ way.

He, like Ted, just managed to do it without manipulating.

Next time, I’m going to try that.