An Observation About the Pageant

I did not view the Miss America Pageant but I have read different articles and posts about it. If the reports are true, I am disheartened by the lack of logic, common sense, and morality. To illustrate why, here is a hypothetical case with hypothetical numbers (just to make a point).

Let's say a family has an annual household income of $100,000 with a take home of $80,000. Their annual cost of living, including all expenses, leaves them with just $1,000. They want to take a certain type of vacation each year that costs $10,000.

Now, let's say you give them $9,000 but with the strict stipulation that they are to use it on cost of living expenses and are not allowed to use any of the $9,000 on vacation. Oh my, how frustrating. How can they possibly observe the stipulation but still take the specific vacation?

Low and behold!… After they use the $9,000 to pay on their annual cost of living, it turns out they have and extra $10,000 (the $1,000 originally left over plus the $9,000 they didn't need to use on cost of living due to your generosity).

How does that taste? Does the logic sit well with you?

If it does, then you could have been a contestant in the Miss America Pageant because that was the kind of "math" used for justifying the government continuing to give massive amounts of money to Planned Parenthood.

By the way, if I have offended you, I'm not against taking help from gullible people. Send me $10,000 each year so Cathy and I won't spend all of our income on necessary expenses. We really need to take a cruise or two each year.

The Lowest Common Denominator

When adding and subtracting fractions, you first convert the fractions to the “lowest common denominator.” Next, convert the numerators so the values of the original fractions are maintained. Then simply add or subtract the numerators, placing the sum or difference above the common denominator and reduce the fraction to its simplest form. If you are confused, ask a fourth or fifth grader to show you.

Communicating effectively with different people works the same way: Find a basic expression all can understand and to which they can relate. Once that is established, use it to communicate and move forward together, not backward. That is how progress is made. Problems occur when individuals fail to value others, fail to value communicating with others, or assume their perspective is held in common or accepted by the others.

Effective evangelism or, simply put, telling others about Jesus, works on that principle. It is more than not using “church language” such as salvation and sanctification. It is understanding that the one sharing the good news is responsible for relating to the life of the person who is still headed for an eternity apart from God. Since all who belong to Christ were once in the other person’s position, it is much easier than expecting that person to identify with a position in God’s kingdom they have never experienced. That is one reason new Christians are so effective at telling others about Jesus: Their former life is so recent and they can easily identify with those with whom they are sharing.

Those who have been saints for a longer time may find it harder to communicate using a common denominator. Time in the church can desensitize a person away from the perspective of someone whose life is still fully governed by the values of the world apart God. It is much like clay that is cured. It know longer contains moisture so it no longer responds to external influences in the same way it did when water permeated it. But Christians can once again become sensitive to others without allowing the world’s value system to regain control.

There is a price to pay but it is not as scary as it sounds. The main price is love. Until you love those you want to reach, you will not effectively reach them. To love them, you must put them ahead of yourself. Jesus said something about that. Actually, He affirmed what the Old Testament said: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

This kind of love is not about having warm feelings towards others. It is about doing. As DC Talk once sang, “Love is a verb!” Since it is about doing, there must be specific things that can be done. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Go to them. Do not expect them to come to you. You are the one with the Great Commission, not them.

2. Spend time with them. This is not a new concept. The old adage is true. You spell love “T - I - M - E”.

3. Listen to them. Hear their story. As the saying goes, they will not care how much you know until they know how much you care.

4. Carry their burden. Jesus usually earned the attention of His listeners by meeting their physical needs first.

5. Be patient. Be very patient. God knows who will not receive Him. You do not. Some hurts take a very long time to heal. Some people need a long time before they will begin to have hope that they can trust anyone again.

6. Stay humble. Remember you were once ruled by sin, too.

7. Show relevance. People without Jesus need to see how surrendering to Him will make their life better. It is very important to be honest. God does not promise to make us wealthy or popular. He promises to forgive us, make His home in us, and give us eternal life.

Thanks For The Label But, No Thanks

I think Linus had reached the end of his his blanket with the non-sense dished out by others. I am sympathetic.

Cathy and I have raised three children. Though they are not quite perfect, I am more proud of them than I ever was of myself at their ages, and I would still give my life for any or all of them even if I totally disapproved of what they say or do. That includes my wonderful daughter-in-law. (I hope, someday, to have a son-in-law and another daughter-in-law added to that group.) By the way, whenever we disapprove of each other's actions, we never are afraid of each other. The love is always stronger than the faults. (Secret: We know God is real and that the Holy Spirit works to convict us of sin and convince us to change. We believe if people resist God's leading/urging but not our's, then something is probably wrong with us.)

My deep appreciation to all of you who do not question the love we have for our children nor criticize the values we maintain. It is probably safe to say that you know we have the same regard for all people.

Given that reality, it grieves me when any friends or acquaintances act on the apparent assumption that we are ignorant, fearful, and hateful because we do not agree with them or their stance on an issue. I think it says less about us than it does about them.

Without getting into a litany of individual sins, I believe sin is wrong and always separates us from God who can not look upon sin. That everyone sins does not negate the fact that we should not sin. The action that pleases God, when we sin, is confession and repentance. This is in stark contrast to tolerance. Tolerance is not agape love. Tolerance is loathing because it carries no hope for holiness.

Jesus said much about agape love. Two of those things were, "If you love me, keep my commandments," and the affirmation of "Love your neighbor as yourself." By placing God first—which does precede "love your neighbor as yourself"—I can properly love others.

Listen and Shut Up

I know that's getting it backwards since it is more commonly expressed as "Shut up and listen!" However, the greater need is to listen. If I will do that, the need for keeping quiet more will take care of itself.

Why should I listen more? Simple: People want to know they have value and they express that need by expressing themselves. When others listen, their value is confirmed.

Evidence? How about the seemingly limitless blogs (such as this one), verbal posts on social media (such as Facebook), audio and video posts (such as on youtube and vimeo), and constant text messaging or emails? I have rarely (I can remember it happening only once in my lifetime) witnessed a person responding to another person's pontification with anything like, "Wow! I've never thought of it that way before. My total outlook and opinion have just been reversed. I am so glad you shared your superior point of view so my life could be changed."

In truth, we wish that would happen every time we express ourselves but we know it doesn't. But that doesn't stop the flow. Why? After all, the political and social climate remains the same despite our clear, logical, and divine revelations that contain enough wisdom to straighten up most problems. Again, we want to be valued and it is enough affirmation just to have someone listen to or read what we say even if it is someone who already agrees with us or someone who reacts strongly against what we express.

Therefore, I need to resolve to let people know they have value by listening to them more and expressing myself less.

Wow! I am so glad I shared this. My life has been changed!

Repost on your blog or page within twenty minutes if you agree and angels will bring you an unexpected blessing. Scientific research shows that 97.4502% of the people who read this will ignore it without recognizing the earth-shaking truth in it. My true friends will repost it and you know who you are. I've proven that I love God by posting this. Who will show their love for Him by copying it and posting it with my name at the bottom and by sending $25 to me to show you care more about truth than material possessions? All who do so will be entered in a drawing. The winner will have all his/her debts paid for life. Due to local laws, this offer is not available where you live or on the planet Earth.

The Ultimate In Communication

Email, tweeting, texting, blogging, letters, notes, signing, singing, videos, mp3, m4p, m4a, flv, mov, wmv, wav, semaphore, loudspeaker, megaphone, facetime, Skype, ipa, cell phone, land line, walkie talkie, telegraph, television, radio, telex, fax, paging, newspaper, magazine, yellow pages, smoke signals, banner… These are some of the ways people communicate — deliver a message.

Most, if not all, of these methods have been used to tell people about Jesus. Some have been used more effectively than others and a key is making sure the method used will reach the intended audience and be received by them. (It doesn't do much good to send a text message to someone's land line. I know. I've tried.)

Determining the method in most situations does not need to be difficult. Most people we want to reach are people within reach. John showed us the way: "Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete" (2 John 12). Jesus did not say, "Send a text." He said, "Go" (Matthew 28:19).

Some folks spend way too much time talking about ways to reach people when all they need to do is go to them and talk "face to face."