Casting Stones

One of the most beloved stories from the life of Christ involves a scandalous sinner. She was caught “in the very act” of adultery and dragged before Jesus to test him:

They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now, what do you say?’ They were using this question as a trap, to have a basis for accusing him, (John 8:3-6).

Do you remember what Jesus did next? He didn’t argue with them. He didn’t give a long sermon. He just stooped down and started writing in the dirt with his finger. 

Have you ever wondered what he was writing? Some say he started writing scripture quotations. Others say Jesus looked at each one in the crowd and started writing down their sins like a spiritual accountant. I don’t know what he wrote, but I do know what he said after “they kept on questioning him.”

Jesus stood up and said, “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” At that, the crowd melted away in shame.

The Apostle John was there that day and heard Jesus speak. Much later in his life, John wrote to Christians, “If we,” (John was speaking to us) “claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” (1 John 1:8, 9).

We’re not perfect — Just forgiven!

Making Memories

Once I officiated at a wedding for the daughter of a boating friend. The bride was beautiful (as all brides are) and the groom was a little nervous (as all grooms are). It was a large wedding and relatives had flown in from all over the country. The weather could have been better so, under the threat of rain, at the last minute we had to move the venue indoors, but it was still wonderful.

The service began well. Dad walked daughter down the aisle and properly repeated his line, “Her mother, and I do.” Everyone was seated, and I gave the lesson. At last, it was time to exchange the rings and “Repeat after me.” Unfortunately, her ring was tight and the poor groom could either put the ring on her finger or repeat after me, but he couldn’t do both at the same time. 

“… with my heart’s sincere –affection…” I said slowly and clearly.

“…with my heart’s infection…” he repeated.

I love weddings but think about it. We don’t remember when everything goes right. What we remember are the things that go wrong.

Many years ago, I was preparing to perform my first wedding ceremony. I was so nervous, I sought out the oldest minister I could find, Maurice Meredith, and I asked for his help. “Help me go over the ceremony again Maurice. I don’t want to make any mistakes.”

Maurice carefully walked me through everything as I took copious notes: groom’s family on this side; bride’s on that side; stand, sit, repeat after me. Then Maurice, with that characteristic twinkle in his eye said, “When you come to the part about exchanging the rings — if everything has gone smoothly — drop the rings.”

“What?” I looked up horrified.

“Drop the rings!” he repeated.

“Why?”

“Because otherwise, they won’t have anything to remember,” he laughed. And Maurice was right. We remember the groom who fainted, the flower girl who took her shoes off, the bridesmaid who set her dress on fire. 

So keep this lesson in mind this week when things go wrong. We’re not making mistakes — we’re making memories!

Novus Ordo Seclorum

“Charles Thomson (November 29, 1729 – August 16, 1824) was a Patriot leader in Philadelphia during the American Revolution and the secretary of the Continental Congress (1774–1789) throughout its existence.” 

— Wikipedia

Thomson had a tragic childhood. His mother died when he was just a boy, and his father took the family, five boys, and a girl, from Ireland to America to begin again. Within sight of shore, Thomson’s father died, and the sea captain embezzled all of their money. Thomson closed his father’s eyes after hearing his final prayer, “God take them up.” The children were left at the mercy of the New World. Charles rose above it all and became a true American patriot. He became the leader of the Philadelphia “Sons of Liberty” and a good friend of Benjamin Franklin.

When the Continental Congress was formed, Thomson became its secretary – a post most scholars equate with a Prime Minister. For fifteen years Thomson served until the Congress was finally adjourned. At its conclusion in July 1789, Thomson retired to work on a translation of the Bible and wrote a synopsis of the four gospels published in 1815. You see Thomson was a Greek and Latin tutor for the famous Philadelphia Academy and what he is best known for today is his work on the Great Seal of the United States. 

It’s on the back of a one-dollar bill. Do you see the Latin motto “Novus ordo seclorum”? It comes from the fourth Eclogue of Virgil:

Now comes the final era of the Sibyl’s song;

The great order of the ages is born afresh.
And now justice returns, honored rules return;
Now a new lineage is sent down from high heaven.

“Novus ordo seclorum” means “New Order for the Ages.” Medieval Christians believed Virgil’s poem was a prophecy of the coming of Christ and Thomson, a Latin tutor well acquainted with Virgil, thought the founding of the United States was also part of God’s plan. 

It is fashionable today to tout the separation of church and state, but for the founding fathers, there could be no separation of God and State. Think about that the next time you spend a dollar bill.

Holy Bug Zappers

My Grandmother used to say, “Where there’s light, there’s bugs.” By that, she reminded me that if you start a good work, there will always be someone to criticize what you’re doing. So don’t get discouraged if people are complaining.

Let me tell you a story about my grandfather, “Papa.” Papa and Meemaw lived in Oklahoma City. They had a giant backyard (long but skinny) with a couple of magnificent cherry trees to play in and lots of horned toads for grandsons to catch. We loved playing in the backyard, but one-day Papa’s neighbor brought home a dozen beehives. He thought it would be great to raise them in his backyard. The bees might have been great for the cherry trees, but they weren’t great for barbecues or little boys.

Papa went and talked nicely with his neighbor who could have cared less. He was a greasy-haired young man who always had a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He laughed and slammed his door in Papa’s face. My grandfather just shook his head sadly and checked with the city.

“You can’t keep cattle or goats, sir, but there is no regulation about bee hives. I’m sorry.” As strange as it sounds, Papa’s neighbor was entirely within his rights to keep the bees back there.

Time stretched on, and things only got worse. The gruff neighbor didn’t even share his honey! Then Papa had an idea. He went to the hardware store and bought several electric bug zappers and lined them up on the fence that divided their yards. I can still remember the little grin that use to cross Papa’s face every time we heard a “crack!” “Pop!” or “Sizzle.”

The church isn’t full of perfect people. In fact, we have a few that call for more grace than you might expect. There aren’t any “Holy Bug Zappers” so that tells me God expects us to act otherwise. Here are a few rules I’ve found helpful when I’m called on to show a little extra patience with people.

When dealing with problem people, don’t become a problem yourself. (See the Golden Rule for a further explanation.)

When you are being drawn into a conflict, draw closer to God!

Even though that person may annoyingly express himself, listen to what he has to say. He might be right!

The object is not to “squash the bug,” or run them away. The goal is always “transformation.” (See Romans 12:1, 2.)

God doesn’t call on us to only love the nice people. We are to love people – stingers and all!