Versions of the Truth?
In watching snippets of the democratic national convention, I heard people talk about a "version" of truth.  These comments arose when Michael Moore's film Fahrenheit 9/11, and his political views were discussed.  If people are holding to a belief that there are different levels and versions of truth, we are residing in treacherous territory.  Yet, this is exactly where our modern culture has landed.  The thing that concerns me most, is that we (the church) often buy into this.  I was reading someone's blog the other day - a young man I respect - and was shocked to find that this person swallowed hook, line, and sinker, Michael Moore's take on truth while watching his movie.  The scary thing about all this is that we are a culture that has a difficult time separating truth and reality from general thoughts, comments, and ideas.  If seems that if we see it, read it, or hear it - chances are, we believe it.   When we live day-to-day in this place of understanding, it can only lead to "versions of the truth."  When we become too lazy to become informed, we fall into the trap of truthlessness.

Seeking truth,
Deurty Old Man

 

I have a 12 ounce can of Diet 7 up sitting on the shelf of my office bookcase.  The can is there to serve as a constant reminder.  You might ask, what can a can of 7 up remind a person of? Could it be thirst?  Or maybe it's the 10 cent deposit.  Or could it be a cheap shelf decoration?

Well, it's none of the above.  The can that sits on my bookcase shelf is different.  This particular can has never been opened.  It's sealed and the pull tab is intact.  The problem is, the can is empty. There is absolutely nothing in the can but air!  Nada.  Zip.  Zilch.  The outside of the can clearly advertises what's in the can:  "Crisp, Clear Refreshing Taste;  No Caffeine, No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, Very Low Sodium, yadayada, menyada.   My daughter, Lisa, gave me the can some time ago.  I'm not really sure how she ended up with it, but she probably thought that since it was empty, her Pops would provide a good home for it!

Most people thirstily digging into a 12 pack of soda and pulling out an empty can that never was opened, would be furious.   Not this fruit of the Spirit man!  I saw an opportunity to use the can as a very practical reminder of being consistent - inside and out.  Early in my life, I was all about appearance, just like the 7 up can.  I looked like a Christian - whatever they look like!  I talked like a Christian - at least around other Christians.  I prayed like a Christian - at least my understanding of a Christian.  However, I was playing a game.  I was trying to look like something I wasn't.  Better yet, I was doing it because I thought people expected it of me, and more importantly, that God expected this of me.  It had nothing to do with me, yet had everything to do with me.  Now that's deep. 

The empty can reminds me every day that this game is over.  As Popeye would say:  "I am what I am."  My actions must match my words.  What I do when no one is watching, must match what I do when everyone is watching.  In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus' words are recorded:  "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.  In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."   Pointed words from the Master. 

My intact but empty can of 7 up cannot offer me, or anyone for that matter, any refreshment.  It just isn't what it's advertised to be.  It has no value other than the deposit value or recycle value.   The same is true of my life.  If I'm "advertising" or showing something in my life or about my life that isn't really there on the inside...who am I able to refresh?  What value do I then have in the Kingdom of God?  Am I a whitewashed tomb but full of bones?  What's my redeeming value?  How about you? 

Why not allow God to repackage you, so that your outside matches the inside?  Do it today!

Unpacking,
Deurty Old Man

 

The weekend is coming to a close and it was a good one.  Today, we experienced a great worship service with Don Cousins speaking about God's grace, and delivering a pointed challenge  at the end of the message.  We spent a relaxing afternoon and had a small group picnic at "the Tunnel" this evening.  Good way to cap off a relaxing weekend.

Last night we cruised Lake Macatawa with our good friends, Jack and Vonnie and others.   Jack and Vonnie are moving to the Ft. Lauderdale area so this is probably the last time we cruise Lake Mac with them while eating Kentucky Fried Chicken and brownies for dessert!  We're going to miss these great friends! 

Ready,
Deurty Old Man

 

 

The Battle of the Bob's!

Yesterday I found myself thinking for some odd reason, about two Bob's.  Bob the Builder and Sponge Bob Square Pants.  Even though they share the same first names they are different in many ways.  Bob the Builder is all about doing.  He's on the go all the time building structures and busy, busy, busy.  He's a worker.  If you need something done, you know he's the guy to call.

Sponge Bob on the other hand is a soaker.  He loves to just sit there and soak it all in.  In fact sometimes he soaks in so much he gets a bit soggy and weighed down in the process.  That makes him even more of a sitter.  No wonder his pants are square!  They are only conforming to the shape of furniture.  If you need someone to hold down some furniture on a windy day, call the sponge man.

Churches are full of these two types of people. 

"Bob the Builders" are all about getting involved, moving forward, advancing the Kingdom, leading small groups, inviting people to meet Christ, and even building their marriages and their faith on the Rock.  They are the heart and soul of the church.  They are the 20% doing the 80%.  They read the manual and blueprints (Bible) and then live it out.

On the other side of the pew, you will notice the Sponge Man with the Square Pants.  He's a soaker - a classic spectator.  He's characterized by this statement: "I just want to sit and enjoy myself while I critique what's going on around me and then let others know what they are doing wrong. "  These sponge people have taken so much in, they are waterlogged or better yet, sermon-logged, but they never give out and they just keep soaking it all in.   When you ask them if they want to serve and get involved in building the Kingdom, they generally say that they just are not ready yet - they don't know enough.  Or, they say that they used to serve all the time and now they're taking a break and letting the "younger ones" do the work.

Which of the two Bob's do you like to be around?  Which of the two Bob's would you rather serve with?

Two Bob's....which one do you relate to?

 

Reshaping,
Deurty Old Man

 

Here's an aerial view of the new home of Eric and Lisa.  Hopefully, they'll find a home with a large parent's suite.   :)

It's always a difficult when your kids decide to move away from the area.  This is one of those times.   We'll start watching for cheap airfares to Phoenix and Tucson...and hopefully they hit all-time lows sometime during January and February!

Sadly,

DiBs

 

Well, for me, it's back in the office and armpit deep in projects for Fall startup.  We're starting an exciting new Ministry at Central called SKILL (Showing Kindness In Labors of Love).  That's a mouthful.  This ministry has had God's handprint all over it from the get-go.  It'll be interesting to see how He works thru this ministry - in those who serve, and those who are being served.
The whole idea of SKILL is to begin to meet practical household repair needs for those who are unable to meet the needs themselves due to a physical or economic issue.
 
Our kids, Lisa and Eric are moving to Arizona.  Eric has said "yes" to an opportunity to teach business in a high school near Tucson.  Since he was unable to find a teaching job here in Michigan...this is good news.  Eric's mom, stepdad, and brother live in Phoenix.  So they'll be close to family.   Eric will find it difficult to become a Suns, Diamondbacks, and Cardinals fan.
 
The measure of a man,
DiBs
 
 

It's been a great weekend.  We went to the beach today and it was packed!  Due to the wind from the north, the water is still a bit cold, but it was refreshing.  Tonight we have a group of young couples coming over for a cookout.   There should be around 14 couples.  Stoke up the grills!
 
This past week was an outstanding one in every way.  First of all, to spend a week with one of my kids - one on one - makes any week an outstanding week.   We were able to spend the week in a cabin on a river and in a beautiful setting.  It was a productive week and I knocked off  almost everything I wanted to get accomplished.    The amazing thing about the week is that it was as refreshing and restful as it was productive! 
 
Sidenote:  We also saw two movies:  Spiderman 2 and Anchorman.  Thumbs up to Spidey!
 
Torching the coals,
DiBs
 
 
 
 

Today was a big day. After 5 1/2 years of listening to lectures, reading assigned books, writing papers, and taking tests, I was ordained as a minister. Who woulda thunk? It was such a blessing to have my son pray for me and the G-woman at this meaningful service. I am blessed...we are blessed. Thanks Steve!

I am really looking forward to spending some time with Dibs jr. on a study break. It will be good to have some blocks of time to think and work and some blocks of time to play. It's going to be a great week!

I remain,
deurty old man

I am so thankful for the freedom we enjoy in the USA, but so often take for granted. Many men and women have made, and continue to make, the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy this incredible freedom! That's what's so special about America. Over the years, men and women have been willing to lay down their lives to give others the same freedoms we enjoy.

We find ourselves living in difficult times, seemingly fighting on multiple fronts - Afganistan, Iraq, and even right here in the USA. I believe the most difficult war to fight is the one that is taking place right here in the USA.

I am praying for peace on all fronts, please join me.
Thankful but concerned,
DiBs

What a great day! Hanging out with the family is the best. We had an opportunity to "do church" at Watermark. It was a special day. My son, Steve, has done such a great job leading the birth of the new, exciting church plant. His passion is contagious and he is one of those rare leaders - a servant leader. Servant leadership is not a leadership style that we see as often as we should! I am really proud of the Junior Dibs!

Later in the day...discussing the political situation and war - I am continually amazed to hear my thoughts expressed verbally by my son. Kinda cool!
Gotta jet!
DiBs

Moore or Less? Less please!

We live in some pretty strange times. Campaigning for the presidency begins more than a year before the actual election. The uninformed can make a huge difference during primaries and the main election, as they respond to all kinds of political ads that don't always tell the whole story. This year the mud slinging started very early in the game and we have a few more months to endure this free-for-all.

Campaign finance reform was to be the answer to alot of this bigtime campaign spending, but instead it created another monster. The monster is Hollywood. Many of the uninformed cannot separate depictions of reality like Survivor, Bachelor, and For Love Or Money, from reality itself. Michael Moore's so-call documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11, has hit the nadir of deception. Facts don't speak for themselves. Facts only speak when they are arranged into an interpretation, even a deceptive one like Moore's film. What troubles me is that people leave the theatres believing that what they saw portrayed in the film is irrefutable fact.

People often say that "seeing is believing". Michael Moore has demonstrated that "believing is seeing." At least Oliver Stone had the integrity to call his film, JFK, exactly what it was: Drama (Fiction Department).

Concerned,
DiBs