Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Drawing The Line"

And (Satan) said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down, for it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning You,' and 'On their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Matthew 4:6-7

About a month ago, I received a request from a Lutheran group in Florida.

They wanted me to send them an empty bowl - - an empty bowl they would auction off to raise money for a good cause. Not having an extra empty bowl, I sent them a bowl with a handle, otherwise known as a beer stein from Munich. It was something I was glad to do.

In Nebraska we auctioned off a sermon. I was glad to do that, too.

In one of my churches, I got hit with three whipped cream pies. (That raised a few thousand dollars, and the people who won the auction let my wife throw one of the pies.) It wasn't very dignified, but I was glad to do that. Well, sort of.

But there comes a point where a person needs to draw a line.

For example, last week the Archbishop of York made a parachute jump for charity. That's right; he jumped at 12,500 feet and opened his chute at 5,000 feet. Evaluating the experience he said, "I was praying like anybody's business up there."

Of course, nobody should believe jumping out of a plane is a sin. It's not. Even so, I'm not going to jump. Not even to raise $100,000 like the Archbishop was trying to do.

We all have to draw the line somewhere. Even Jesus drew a line. Jesus drew a line when the devil tempted Him to make a free fall from the pinnacle of the temple. Satan assured the Savior it was for a good cause, and He could count on His angels to protect Him.

In reply, Jesus indicated that it's not right to test the Lord. Jesus always drew a line and said no to the devil's enticements. He knew one slip into sin, and we would all be lost.

Truly, all of God's people need to draw a line when it comes to temptation. We need to forget seeing how close we can get to Satan's scandalous suggestions without sinning. Such flirtation with temptation isn't very smart or healthy from a spiritual point of view.

Far better for God's people would be to say right at the beginning of Satan's temptations, "I'm drawing a line here. I'm not going to listen to you; I'm not going to do what you suggest; I'm not going to take that leap to test God."

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Freely Given And Undeserved"

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - - not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

Many of us are of the frame of mind we get something only by earning it.

When I was in school, I worked hard to achieve good grades on my assignments and exams. I felt I could reach my goals through diligent study and making the most of my lessons. It made me feel good when I accomplished the results I strove hard to attain. The success I had in school made me proud. I earned it.

Receiving something for free, on the other hand, can be a difficult concept to grasp. Some of us have a hard time accepting a compliment - - let alone something more than that. Give us something for free and we feel awkward, suddenly calculating how we should repay the favor. It's no wonder the thought of somebody laying down his life for us seems hard to grasp, if not absurd.

Who would possibly do that for us? Who would possibly want to do that for us?

We don't have to work hard or over achieve to have a relationship with God. He's already made it possible by coming to us. Jesus took on human flesh the apostle John tells us, "and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14b).

God's grace is the free gift of life everlasting. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). We cannot do anything to earn our salvation, but we can accept it and pursue a deep and meaningful relationship with God. The result of a relationship with God is a changed life - - freely given and underserved.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Pull Over"

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

The lady was driving along quite peacefully when a police car turned on his lights and siren and pulled her over.

The surprise of being pulled over was increased when a cameraman pulled up and took a picture of the officer giving her a flower. The officer said, "Congratulations, you are the first woman to get an orchid for Safe Driving Week. We've been following you for some time and want to commend you for observing the law."

Her picture, which appeared in the paper the next day, showed a nervous-looking lady. I'm not surprised. She hadn't been to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and she was driving with an expired license.

Most of us are like that lady. As we look at the things we've done wrong, we fully expect God to pull us over and give us a very strong reprimand. How surprised we are when God stops us and, rather than writing us up for our wrongdoings, offers us a gift, the gift of salvation which comes through His Son's sacrifice and third-day resurrection.

Now if God has, somewhere in your life stopped you and shown you His grace, I am glad. Even so, there are many who have had no such contact with the Christ. Indeed, there may be somebody in your life, someone special who needs to be pulled over by the Lord and be shown his Savior.

Today, we pray for that special someone. Let's ask the Lord to pull him over, and let's pray this special someone doesn't put the pedal to the metal trying to get away from the Lord and His Gift.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Rest"

June 29, 2008

Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

Summertime, with its hectic outdoor schedule, can leave us all exhausted.

It reminds me of an old story about an Indian chief who was fleeing a prairie fire. With his tribe, he crossed a broad river, planted his tent pole into the ground, and cried, "Alabama!"

For those of you who may find your Indian translation skills a little rusty, his word translates, "Here we may rest!" Unfortunately, the chief didn't have the gift of prophecy. Hostile tribes soon conquered them, and their lives ended in the spot they thought they would call home.

There are quite a few of us right now who would like to say, "Alabama, here we may rest."

Unfortunately, as soon as we plant our tent stake and think we've got everything organized, something unexpected sweeps over us. Rest is elusive.

God thinks that life is supposed to be more than running away and trying to find peace.

The Lord has promised that those who are brought to faith in His Son can truly and really say, "In Jesus we may rest."

Now, I don't know how your life is going right now, but I do hope that if you feel you're continuously running, you will take a look at the rest God has promised, and, believing Him, trust He will bring about what he has promised.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Fleeing"

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11

The results of the flooding in the Midwest are in: 12 people have died.

Nine men and three women were killed. A three-to-one ratio, according to statisticians, is perfectly normal when it comes to storms. As a man, I don't think that's so normal. What's the problem? Why do more men die?

Apparently, the reason is twofold: first, a higher percentage of men have jobs which keep them out in the weather when a storm hits. That's understandable. The second reason is not as easy to grasp. It seems that men have a tendency to be just a bit stubborn when it comes to the weather.

If they see some water flowing across a road, they are more inclined to say, "No little shower is going to keep me from getting where I want to go," or "I've driven this a hundred times before. I can make it." These are also the guys eager to grab a video camera and say, "Here comes the tornado. If I can get this on film, I can sell it to a major television network."

That kind of male bravado which says, "I'm going to bull my way through a storm," or "I'm going to get as close as I can to this twister," is the kind of attitude that can get a fellow killed.

The truth is this: six inches of water can reach the bottom of a car and stall it. A foot of water can float most cars, and two feet of moving water will take a vehicle downstream. Experts say even ankle-deep water can knock somebody over.

As the old commercial used to say, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature."

Maybe that's why the Lord told His people to stay as far away from trouble and sin as they possibly can. That's what St. Paul was telling Timothy when he wrote, "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness."

Stay away from the bad stuff, and get close to what's good.

That's wonderful advice, the kind of advice we should gladly follow.

Avoiding temptation to sin is what Jesus did throughout His life. When Satan enticed Him to eat some bread the Savior didn't say, "I think I'll try just a crumb or two. What could it hurt?" No, Jesus stayed away from sin. Now, because He did, because He led a perfect life, died, and rose, all who believe in Him are saved.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Much Better"

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:8-9

Duct tape is a reliable product.

I don't know if it is the material that holds the civilized world together, but I've seen the stuff used to make wallets, prom dresses, and everything in between. It is most versatile.

On the other hand, I don't know if I would trust the stuff to keep me safe from some of the world's more infectious diseases like Ebola, smallpox, and Q Fever.

Q fever? Yes, I know it sounds like something from a James Bond film. It's not. Q fever causes fatal heart problems. Q fever is such a nasty disease that it has been studied as a potential bioterror agent.

That's about all I know about Q Fever - - that and I don't want to catch it.

If you're paying attention, you might be asking, "What do duct tape and infectious diseases, like Q fever, have in common?" Good question. Here's the answer. At the government's $214 million infectious disease laboratory in Atlanta, scientists are experimenting with dangerous bacteria like Q fever in a room where the door is sealed with duct tape.

The duct tape was put there more than a year ago when the ventilation system broke down.

Now I don't know if any of you are seeing something wrong with the idea of keeping the public safe by using duct tape, but I do.

This leads me to think there is a great deal of certainty in the words of Scripture which serve as the theme for today's devotion: "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes."

The truth is people can let us down; organizations, governments, and businesses will do the same. But the Lord won't.

From the day of creation, through humankind's fall into sin, past our regular rejection of God's laws, beyond the Savior's death and resurrection, God has proven Himself to be faithful and trustworthy.

He promised to send a Savior and He did. He says the blood of the Savior will cleanse us from sin and it does. Now He promises to be with us wherever we are, wherever we go, whatever happens.

Indeed, if the lab's duct tape failed and an infectious disease swept over the world, the Lord would be with us, strengthening, helping, supporting, and eternally saving His people.

Because God is always reliable, is why I trust Him rather than man. It's why I trust Him even more than I trust duct tape.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "What's Best"

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5

There are devotions difficult to write. This is one of them.

It is hard because I cannot begin to understand the feelings going through the hearts and minds of the people whose story I will tell.

Nuraini is a mother in Indonesia. She is a mother who, last month, dropped her 11-year-old son, Ahri, off at an orphanage in Jakarta. Understand, Ahri is not an orphan. Both his parents are alive. He has been given to strangers because his parents can't afford to feed and teach him. With both parents working, the household income is only two to three dollars a day.

That is a tragic story.

Even more tragic is that 80 percent of the children in these Indonesian orphanages have been dropped off by their still-living mothers and fathers.

Ahri's mother's heart ached as she tried to convince herself she was doing the right thing. "I am not throwing my child away," she said. Ahri's father tried to be manly when he added: "If my son can adapt, then I am happy... it's calm and peaceful here." As for Ahri's grandmother, she hugged the boy closely, and whispered in his ear: "Be tough. I am sorry you have to go."

There are many things about Ahri's story that are painful. Although many people we know have financial difficulties, most of us aren't acquainted with anyone who is so desperate they feel compelled to give up one of their children. May God spare us such a moment.

Hardest of all is hearing of parents who believe adopting one of their children is the right, the best thing to do.

When I wrote that line about a parent giving up a child, the words of this devotion's text jumped into my mind. "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Ahri's family has given him up because they believe it is for his good. Our heavenly Father gave up His only Son because He knew it was for our good. Ahri's family thought their actions would give him a better life. Our heavenly Father knew He was sending His Son to His death. If we are overwhelmed by the love and sacrifice of Ahri's parents - - how much more should we be awed by the love of a Father who would allow His Son to live, suffer, and die for someone else?

My friends, Ahri's story reminds me we are beneficiaries of a grace beyond our comprehension.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "THE Way"

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4: 12

Today's devotion begins with a simple question in mathematics. Here's the question: 2 + 2 = what?

If you said, "2 + 2 = 4," I congratulate you; you're absolutely right. "Four" is the correct answer to the question. If you said a number other than four, you are wrong.

Now, let me ask you a theological question. Are you ready? "What is the only way an individual can get to heaven?" I hope you said, "only by having faith in Jesus as your Savior."

If "Jesus" was your answer, you are correct. If you said, "Jesus," you did better than most Christians. That's right. According to a major survey released last week, a majority of Christians, 57% of evangelical Christians to be exact, said other religions could get you into heaven. They believe Jesus is a way to eternal life, but He isn't the only way into heaven.

I wonder where they got that idea? It certainly didn't come from the Bible, and it didn't come from the teachings of the apostles.

The Scripture for our Daily Devotion, taken from the fourth chapter of Acts, lays things out pretty clearly when it says, "There is salvation in no one else."

To me that seems pretty simple and completely straightforward. I don't see any wiggle-room in those words; I don't see any spot where another name might be added. When it comes to salvation, the Bible says 2 + 2 = Jesus. Always.

And just so everybody could be absolutely clear on the point, the passage continues, "There is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

No matter what scholars may teach, no matter what a majority of Christians might believe, Jesus is the only One who has successfully managed to defeat death, sin, and devil. Only by Christ's blood can our sins be washed away; only with Spirit-given faith in the Savior can we be adopted into the family of faith; only through Jesus are we given eternal life.

Period. End of reading.

I mean, think about it for a moment. If there were other ways to heaven, why did Jesus come to earth? Why did He live for us, suffer for us, and die for us? If there were other ways to heaven, He really didn't have to bother. If there were other ways to heaven, Jesus went through a great deal of pain for no reason.

But there are no other routes. As Jesus said, "I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No man comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Hope For The Downcast "

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. Psalm 42:5

Life can be tough sometimes.

Usoro was in the middle of the most trying time of his life. He was terminated from his job. The bank where he had all his savings was going out of business. Desperately needing cash, he tried taxi driving to make ends meet. But one week into this new venture, he was involved in a near-fatal accident that destroyed his car. He came out alive, but he lost all he had left. Frustrated and hopeless, Usoro descended into an abyss of depression. Abandoned by both family and friends, he was at his wits end.

It was in this state the outreach team of Lutheran Hour Ministries - Nigeria found Usoro holed up in his apartment and in anguish. They shared the Gospel with him. By God's intervening power, Usoro was led to understand all was not lost and that there was always a second chance beckoning for those who believe in Jesus. Usoro was counseled and learned to appreciate the dictum, "If the devil wants to see your tears, show him your cheers."

Usoro joined the LHM volunteer corps and engaged in evangelism and community services to distressed people. Soon, Usoro realized it was more fulfilling serving God as he served humanity. Usoro came to know that God's saving grace through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, lifted him from the pit of despair.

The word of God still sounds hope for all people who are depressed, sad, hurting, broken, downcast, mourning, afflicted by disease, or trapped in hopeless situations. Jesus calls out to all such troubled souls, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Sacrifice And Commitment"

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

Yesterday was Independence Day for the United States.

For that reason it's not inappropriate to consider two signers of the Declaration. Samuel Chase and Elbridge Gerry were among the original signers of that Country-starting document.

Gerry asked Chase, a huge man of 250 pounds, why he was willing to risk his significant fortune in signing the Declaration. Chase turned to the lightweight Gerry and laughingly replied, "It's you who will have the far more difficult time. With your slight build, you're likely to keep dangling on the gallows while I will only but suffer for a moment."

Both men realized there was a personal danger in putting their names on such a radical document. Nevertheless, they were willing to run the risk of losing all they had so this country could be born. I wonder when Americans saw the fireworks and listened to the bands, whether they would be willing to do the same.

Sacrifice and commitment are easy words to say, hard words to live. Still there are those who have been willing to embrace both for freedom.

No one, of course, has done more to win freedom for others than the Savior. While Chase and Gerry ran the risk of death, Jesus knew His mission on earth was guaranteed to lead Him to the cross. Yet, so we could be freed of sin, death, and devil, Jesus sacrificed Himself.

Now, by God's grace, may we make use of our liberty to worship Him who has given us forgiveness, faith, and freedom for all eternity.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Back To The Problems"

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Well, soon the long weekend will be over, and it's back to the real world.

During this weekend, there could easily have been a dozen national emergencies, a hundred world crises as well as numerous catastrophes in your personal life. Even if those troublesome events didn't materialize, honesty compels us to confess most folks aren't going to be all that happy going back to work.

Perhaps, on this Fourth of July weekend, we ought to remember: the only people who don't have problems are those in cemeteries. Let's give thanks to the Lord for the fact that if we have problems, it means we are alive.

We are alive! This life we have is such a wonderful gift. Even when conditions aren't ideal, or exactly what we hope for, or what we expect. We are alive.

Today, the Lord is giving us the gift of time to be used or abused, invested or squandered. Now it's possible you may spend this entire 24-hour period thinking back on the Fourth of July weekend or looking on the calendar to find the next three-day weekend. If so, you've wasted the gift.

Far better to give thanks to the Father in heaven for your gift of life; to the risen Savior for His sacrifice on the cross which saves us. Let us rejoice that we are alive... and because of the Savior, we shall live for all eternity.

When that happens, we shall truly rejoice in the Lord today and always.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Submitting"

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5: 20-21

When I was a boy in Chicago, some of the neighbors used to set off fireworks in the empty lot behind our home.

Now the empty lot is gone and so are the block-party fireworks. I miss them.

From what MSNBC said last week, there are many places in the U.S. that didn't have fireworks this Fourth of July.

There are two main reasons for the change: First, there was a giant explosion at some fireworks factories in China. It appears, along with a shortage of oil, there is also a global shortfall of fireworks. A shortage meant many places couldn't afford, or get the rockets red glare and the bombs bursting in air.

The second reason some communities were fireworks free is because it was too dangerous to have them. Dry conditions in California, Texas, Oregon, Idaho, and North Carolina forced many communities to ban everything from sparklers to more elaborate pyrotechnics.

Governor Schwarzenegger summed it up: "Don't buy the fireworks; don't go out and play with fireworks, because it's just too dry and too dangerous to do those things." It was a reasonable request.

Homes and property are more important than bangs and booms. Even so, I'm going to miss those window-rattling explosions. You probably will, too.

In spite of our personal preferences, we Christians know we have a duty - - a duty to submit to each other out of reverence for the Savior. That is the way we live as family members; it is the way we act as citizens in our communities and countries.

In doing so, we are only reflecting in a very small way the way the Savior lived. As God's Son, He could have demanded respect, authority, worship. Instead, Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient - - obedient in His life, His suffering, and death. Because He submitted to His Father's plan of salvation, we who believe are washed of our sins and promised life eternal.

As Paul indicated in our Daily Devotion text, God's gracious gifts are something we can always give thanks for - - even when there aren't fireworks on the Fourth of July.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "What's For Dinner?"

Jesus said, ". . .do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink . . ." Matthew 6: 25a

Cookbooks.

Cookbooks were the subject of conversation as I rode the shuttle to pick up a car rental at the Denver airport. Traveling to Holyoke for a fantastic centennial weekend with the Pastor and people of Zion Lutheran, I struck up a conversation with a lady who traveled the country selling - - of all things - - cookbooks.

When I asked her how business was, she said, "Fantastic." Then I asked her, "Why?" She said, "People can't afford to eat out all the time anymore, so they're eating at home." My last question was this: "And what's your hottest selling cookbook?" To that she smiled and said, "Any cookbook which helps people stretch their food dollar is selling like hotcakes."

That's probably good news for congregations like Zion who celebrated their anniversary by publishing a cookbook with time-tested recipes supplied by their members.

According to an article carried last week by MSNBC, food prices have risen more than 5 percent since last year. People aren't just worried about how they're going to fuel their cars; they're concerned about how they will fuel themselves and their families.

That's why the article gave 35 different ways on how to trim your food expenses. They included things like planning ahead, eating before you shop, buying generic, using coupons, cooking in batches, canning, and going without meat for a few days. (I can hear the men who are reading this devotion say, "No way!")

All in all, it was a good article, and one of which Jesus would probably approve. While the Lord instructed His people not to be "anxious" about what they were going to eat or drink, He never told them not to use common sense about matters earthly.

The reality is this. Even as people have often had to adapt during difficult times in the past, our generation may find itself having to do some changing in the future. While that kind of change won't kill us, it might make us a bit uncomfortable.

This is why, no matter what tomorrow holds - - no matter where prices might go, we need to remember the living Lord Jesus is with us. He who sacrificed Himself so all who believe on Him as Savior would have eternal life, is not just concerned about matters spiritual or things eternal.

He who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us, He who has encouraged us to cast our cares upon Him, is there to help, to listen, to encourage and to get us through - - even when the price of eggs goes up 30 percent in one year.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "So We Might See"

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

You have to respect a man like Captain Ivan Castro.

Captain Castro joined the Army 18 years ago. After some time in service, Castro qualified to be a Ranger. After becoming a Ranger, he completed a yearlong training program to join the Special Forces. Castro entered that elite unit as a weapons sergeant; he eventually earned an officer's commission.

For his past alone you have to respect a man like Ivan Castro. For what he's doing today, he also should be respected. In September of 2006, Ivan Castro was struck by a mortar that landed five feet from him. The round sent shrapnel through his body, broke his arm, and shredded his face.

It also blinded him.

You have to respect a man like Ivan Castro. After more than a year of therapy, he returned to duty. This was not sympathy duty, nor was it recruiting duty. It was active duty.

Along with continuing his military career, this year Castro ran the Boston Marathon. He hopes to compete in Hawaii's Ironman Triathlon.

As I read last week's Associated Press article about this courageous and committed hero, I wondered, once this guy sets his mind to do something, is there anything he can't accomplish?

The answer is yes. There are things Ivan Castro can't do. For example, he needs someone to drive him to the gym and not long ago he needed someone to escort him to the front of a company formation where he promoted a supply clerk.

Oh, there's one other thing Ivan Castro can't do. Ivan can't save himself from sin, Satan, or death.

If Ivan is going to be saved - - if any of us are to be rescued from the darkness of sin that surrounds us - - it will happen only because of the redemption given us through the sacrifice, death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ivan's good, but he's not good enough to conquer sin. He's strong, but he's not strong enough to defeat the devil. Ivan's committed, but he - - like all the rest of us - - must depend on Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone if he is to be forgiven, if he is to be saved, if he is to be brought from darkness into the Lord's marvelous light.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Entertaining Strangers, Or Angels"

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:1-2

Younger readers of the Daily Devotions are going to have to take my word on this: there was once a time when gas stations used more than a price on the pump to woo you in.

They used a thing called service. In those ancient days, they promised they would check your oil, your tires, and anything else that needed checking. They even had jingles. Your parents or grandparents can probably finish this little ditty: "You can trust your car to the man who wears the star, the big, bright. . . ."

If you have flown on most airlines, if you have a cell phone, you know that, in some places, the concept of service is suffering. Some will say service has already succumbed, breathed its last, and gone to "please-and-thank-you heaven."

Well, we as Christians don't have the ability to change every aspect of an ungracious society.

We don't have the capability to teach everyone to be courteous or caring. But that doesn't mean we have to throw in the towel. We can show hospitality and generosity.

When Pam and I go to churches, most people recognize me and greet me warmly. Pam's face is not as well known. Sadly, there have been times when she has entered a church, wandered around, seated herself, worshiped, and walked out without a smile or a welcome from anyone.

The writer to the Hebrews had a problem with that. That's why he, by the Holy Spirit's inspiration, encouraged, "Let brotherly love continue. Don't neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Now I'm not saying Pam is always an angel, and I wouldn't try to convince you that every person who walks through your church doors is a messenger who has just come past the pearly gates.

On the other hand, these are people who are dearly loved by Jesus. The person who joins you in worship is not a stranger to Him. That face unknown to you is not unknown to the Savior.

Jesus saw that person's face when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane. Not only did He see that face and that person's sin, He loved that person enough to be arrested, beaten, spit upon, whipped, slapped, crowned with thorns, and crucified.

For that stranger - - for each of us - - Jesus died and rose, which means that we and the stranger have a lot in common. It means that while we may have a tough time being hospitable to strangers, it's not so hard to be nice to a brother or sister. That's a service Christians can do.