Surrounded by Grace

The old saying goes something like, “When life hands you lemons, make some lemonade.” We all face things that upset the flow of our lives or bring on uncertainty – an illness, loss of job, unexpected car repair bills, relationship struggles, and the list goes on and on. Life can hand us plenty of “lemons.” It is how we respond to life’s lemons that build our character.

Sometimes the local church body experiences some would be lemons – offerings go down, attendance is struggling, longtime members leave, building plans don’t get off the ground, etc. Recently the church I pastor has experienced some pressure from another church, which is in route to becoming a mega church, to acquire our property for their future expansion. Over the last several years they have managed to gobble up 40+ acres that surround our little two acre parcel. It just so happens that our property is located on the corner to two major roads – hence, their interest in our property.

For the past year our church leadership has been evaluating our options. After much research and prayer, the decision was made to continue at our current location. Needless to say there are those who were concerned that we will be overshadowed and eaten up by the mega church. Our response has been simple. Since the church that is building around us has the word “Grace” in their name, we have a new slogan: “We are surrounded by Grace.” What a comforting thought. It takes the sourness of the lemon and makes it palatable.

Proactive Faith

When I played football in high school I was better on offense than I was on defense. I liked knowing the plays and what I was supposed to do. But to be a good defensive player you had to react to what the offense was doing. I wasn’t very good at reacting – I couldn’t even tell where the ball was!!

My faith is somewhat similar. I like being on the offense - not being offensive, although sometimes the Truth is offensive to some. Jesus did say, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to Father except through me” (John 14:6). I like knowing what God expects of me and then doing my best to be obedient to His will.

I’m not as effective on the defense side of the Christian faith. I am not a debater. I don’t get into meaningless arguments. I don’t like reacting what is going on around me. I’m more effective for Jesus Christ when I am proactive rather than reactive.

Much of what the public hears of the Christian faith is in reaction to something going on – most people know what we are against more than what we stand for. Perhaps we ought to devote more energy in being proactive. God has created us with the ability to choose and therefore, we can choose our attitudes and actions. So I choose to love someone regardless of how they may treat me. I choose to forgive someone, even though they don’t ask for forgiveness. I choose to share my faith with someone, even though they may reject Christ. If I live my faith out always waiting for some else to make the first step I will be practicing a reactive faith instead of a proactive faith.

Just a thought!

What Happened to the Easter Bunny?

Press Release, April 3, 2003

Easter Bunny Found Dead

After many years of making the rounds, children this year will be missing those special deliveries on Easter morning from the Easter bunny. The Easter bunny was found dead this morning under the home of Loren and Denise Doty (hence, the smell we’ve had for few weeks).

The Easter bunny seems to have entered through a loose screen on a foundation vent and he couldn’t get back out. The exact cause of death is not certain, given the state of his badly decomposed and torn apart body, (hence, the rat problem we have) but he most likely died of starvation. An autopsy will not be performed.

The corpse of the bunny was discovered by a nice man who was cleaning the Doty’s air duct system. Mr. Doty convinced the man, with the flash of a $20 bill, to remove the corpse. “I had just eaten breakfast and I was grossed out by the thought. I would have paid him $50, but he said $20 was enough” (he hadn’t eaten breakfast yet).

Mrs. Doty, who was at work when the gruesome discovery was made, is looking for somewhere else to spend the night. She will probably need trauma counseling.

The discovery could have been made sooner, if the Doty’s would have closely monitored the behavior of their cocker spaniel, Max, who, when entering the house, sniffed and explored everywhere. Even then, investigators believe it would have been too late to save the Easter bunny.

Burial services will take place as soon at United Disposal comes today. Memorial gifts may be sent to Loren and Denise Doty for their relocation fund.