christian living

Are We Walking Worthy?

/ Bill Jones / 2 Comments
 

When we see politicians on television news shows, their name is shown at the bottom of the screen so we will know who they are and where they’re from (“Representative so and so of this state” or “Senator whoever of that state”).  There is usually a (D) or an (R) beside their name – meaning Democrat or Republican – to note their political party.  Sometimes, we don’t need to see the D or R to know which party they’re in because they’ll be stating opinions and taking positions that are identified with a particular one.  At times, they’ll be saying or doing things that will make the other people in their party wish that the D or R was not there so they wouldn’t be identified with them.

What if television stations started using a (C) after a person’s name to show they are a Christian?  If the people in our life – our family, friends, co-workers, and the strangers we deal with along the way, were to see us on the television news giving a sound-bite, would there need to be a (C) after our name for them to know that we are a Christian?  Or thinking the other way, if our actions and words were put on theTV screen and beside our name we did have a (C), would they be surprised to discover we are a Christian?  Would other Christians wish we didn’t have the (C) there?

Whether we realize it or not, and whether we like it or not, our words and actions are clear signs to those around us.  They show where our heart is, and what we base our life upon.  As Christians, our words and actions should make it evident to others that we are basing our life on Jesus Christ.  If we were to be seen on the news with a (C) beside our name, it shouldn’t be a surprise or regret to anyone.  It would be even better if our faith is so clear that the (C) isn’t even necessary.           

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” Ephesians 4:1 ESV

Bill Jones (C) - By the Grace of God - and thankful for it!

Three Reasons to Pump Gas with God

/ Bill Jones / 4 Comments
Pay-at-the-pump gasoline pump in Indiana, Unit...

Image via Wikipedia

            I pushed the button and the gas pump display read, “See cashier for debit card purchase”. I thought about it for half a second, screwed on the gas cap, got back in the truck and drove off in search of a less impudent pump.

            Back in the day, before pay-at-the-pump, there was no choice. You went inside the store to pay for your gas. Many people still follow that process and often take the opportunity to get a snack and a cold drink. But, I’ve developed the habit of just gassing up and going my way and avoiding a trip into the store.

            It’s usually not that far from the gas pump to the store’s checkout, so I don’t believe it’s laziness on my part. And, if you’re not filling up (and having to make the dreaded double trip), the process of going inside usually doesn’t take much more time. So it’s not from my being in a rush.

            No, I think the avoidance comes from the fact that once you go inside the store, you’re at the mercy of…people. Is the clerk more concerned with griping to a co-worker about the boss than they are about helping you? Or, is your timing perfect and you get to wait for a shift change at the cash register? Or, did you manage to hit convenience store rush hour and there is a line of customers ahead of you?

            That afternoon, not long after I headed out in search of the next gas station, I remembered a trip several weeks before. I was traveling through the farms, fields and forests of rural Georgia. It was a cold, clear, beautiful morning. When it was necessary to stop for gas, I only had one choice in the small town I was passing through. That store didn’t have an impudent pump display – it didn’t have a display or pay at the pump at all.

            So, I stopped at the pump and went inside, wondering what strange happenings would occur to delay my getting back on the road. The clerk said “good morning” and I responded and asked how he was doing. He replied something to the effect of “Great! The Lord has blessed us with a wonderful day”.

            All aggravation and impatience melted away. I began describing the beautiful sights I had seen and the thankfulness to God I had felt thus far on my morning’s journey. As I paid for the gas, we had an enjoyable conversation about the changing season and its contrast to the heat of the summer that was finally ending. I was soon on my way, feeling refreshed from the encounter.

            With the memory of that earlier trip in mind, I relaxed in my search for the next station, and thought about lessons learned:

  • We can bypass some aggravation by avoiding interaction with people. But, doing that causes us to miss many of the blessings of life. It also prevents us being “the light(s) of the world” as Jesus calls us to be. Taking that further, it’s when we are acting as Jesus says, that we truly receive the blessings. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
  • When we are given a lesson, we need to remember it.  “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” Proverbs 3:1-2
  • And for me, personally – take a chance the next time the gas pump display tells me to do something I don’t want to.