"...you have broken down my defences. And I don't really resent it."

Thanks readers!

This week I received an e-mail from a reader in India who noted how much he appreciated this blog; particularly the quotes that I often post.  I realize that many of you who read this blog are people that know me in real life and I appreciate your continued support of what I write here.  Thanks also to the people around the world who have just happened across this blog and continue to check back and read what is posted here.  Someday, as people of faith, we will know the world in a new way and hopefully we will know each other as if we were old friends.  

So glad this place is bringing people together.

Blessings.

"I never knew you were a Christian!"

"I never knew you were a Christian!"

I went into an unfamiliar bank while I was on my way to Memphis to an appointment this week.  I was handed over my check from the church and the teller looked it over and then looked at me.

"Do you attend this church?" she asked.

"Yes, in fact, I am the minister there," I responded.

"That is wonderful!  I am a member of the church too.  I attend the Jefferson Street congregation here in town," she gushed.

I immediately became conscious of what I was wearing, whether or not I had smiled at the teller, and if I had been friendly.  Have you ever been in a social situation and discovered a coworker, an acquaintance, or a teacher/student was a Christian?  Did this information shock you when you compared the standards of Christianity with this person's behavior, language, or dress?

We probably have all been surprised to learn certain people were Christians, but why not think about that scenario in reverse?  Has anyone ever found out you were a Christian and a look of shock passed across his or her face?

People that know us beyond a passing conversation should be able to recognize that Jesus has played a part in who we are.  We ought to become very comfortable with people knowing where we worship and with them knowing that worship is a priority in our lives.  We ought to have the type actions, speech, and dress that strengthens rather than discredits our claim of being a Christian.  We never know when our conduct in school, business, or recreation will influence someone about Christ.  Let's be sure that the message we send about Jesus is a positive one and that when we tell people that we are Christians they will say,

"That was obvious from the moment we met."

"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."

-Benjamin Franklin

Why dost thou call Me good?

In the often rehearsed story of the rich young ruler, we mainly concentrate on the fact that at the end of the account the man goes away sad because he can't part with his money.  We emphasis the importance of giving up whatever stands in the way of serving Jesus.  An excellent point to make.  I am in total agreement.

Something we seldom mention is the opening exchange where the young man calls Jesus, "Good Teacher."  Jesus gives him a fairly sharp rebuke saying there is none good but God alone.  Since Jesus is God, why doesn't He just graciously accept the compliment?  Maybe Jesus sees that the young ruler is just trying to butter Him up.  Also, maybe Jesus is trying to deflect praise to His Father who sent Him.  From my perspective, Jesus is trying to tell the young man that anything good He does comes from God.  This is the exact way we as Christians should receive compliments today.  I admit compliments make me uncomfortable.  When someone says, "Great lesson" or "Good job"  I often think in my head, "It could have been so much better if I had...".  Perhaps a better track for me (and others) to take would be to deflect the praise to the Source of our work: a good and gracious God.

I am going to try to work on this in my life this next week...peace to you.