Author: David Fortune

Every morning two men, both psychiatrists, rode the same elevator in their office building at the same time. One of them would get off on the 5th floor and the other on the 9th. Everyone morning as the first psychiatrist was about to get off the elevator, he would turn and spit at the second psychiatrist. This man would then pull out a handkerchief and wipe off his face. This was in the days when there was an elevator operator still running the lift device. The young operator watched this episode every day until he could stand it no longer. Finally, one day he asked the second man, “Why does he do that? Why does he spit at you every morning?” “I don’t know,” said the second man, “that’s his problem, not mine!” A key part of growing in maturity is recognizing that what happens to us is not as important as how we react. We have the opportunity to decide how we want to react to the things around us that we can not control. It really has to do with our attitude. The single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. As we continue to live with the presence of Covid and various restrictions it is easy to grow tired, fearful and frustrated with all of it. It seems like there is very little we can do, and we do not like having any control. Yet, we are still responsible for our actions and reactions towards others. Paul reminds us that it is a daily effort in our Christian walk. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24) This is not easy to put into practice. The choice is ours each morning when we get up.

When I was a kid, growing up in church, there were a bunch of silly riddles we told each other. At the time, we thought they were hilarious but really, they are just bad puns. How many do you know? (Answers below) Which biblical character grew up without parents? How does Moses make his coffee every morning? Before Boaz became married, what kind of guy was he? Where in the Bible is the first mention of a tennis match? Who was the shortest man in the Bible? You won’t grow much spiritually with those kinds of questions. Bible trivia can be fun to play but doesn’t bring much life change. There are, however, good questions found in scripture that do cause us to pause and reflect. The answer isn’t always straight forward or clear because it must come from us.   What is this you have done? (Genesis 3:13) Where have you come from and where are you going? (Genesis 16:6-10) What is that in your hand? (Exodus 8:1-5) What are you doing here? (1 Kings 19:1-10) Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? (Job 38:1-4) Throughout Scripture, God often questions his people, including us. If we are willing to answer honestly, God can work in our situation. Through his questions, God invites us into a conversation with him. Sometimes it takes courage to admit the truth. We are often forced to see ourselves in a new light. The good news is that God continues to love us and is willing to help us move forward. If you want to grow a little more, take some time to read the passages above. See if God is asking any of these questions directly of you. The answers might surprise you. Answers: Joshua, son of none (Nun) Joshua 1:1 Hebrews it Ruth-less When Joseph served in Pharaoh’s court Bildad, the Shoe-Height (Shuhite) Job 2:11

Sometimes, we make it sound too easy to become a follower of Christ. In one sense, it is easy. We just come to him as we are because Christ will never turn anyone away who comes to him in repentance and humility.

We can’t handle all the information that comes our way each and every day. What we can and should do, is deal with what we have today. But we shouldn’t get too far ahead of ourselves, there is no peace found in that.

I read a story last week about a man who tried to save money by fixing his refrigerator himself. After Googling the problem, reading a bit online

Good quality takes time. Our human nature seems to want to rush matters. Instead of waiting for 10 or 15 minutes for a pizza, we want it in three. The cost means it just won’t be as good.

Despite a year delay and the continued threat of covid, the Olympics are underway in Tokyo. Everything certainly looks different this time around. There is a noticeable lack of spectators, but organizers have highlighted that there are several new sports this year. Karate, surfing, sport climbing, and skateboarding are among the recent entries. A hundred years ago there were several events that are no longer held. Tug-of-war was once an Olympic event and Great Britain won the last gold medal in 1920. There was also tandem cycling, polo, and croquet. In the obstacle race swimming event contestants had to swim 200 meters while climbing over a pole, a set of rowboats and then swim under a set of rowboats. While the Olympic Games have their roots in ancient times the actual sports and games have always been changing or evolving. Times change and with them the activities and interests of people. Skateboarding competition is far more interesting to most people today than watching a tug-of-war. Yet underneath all the competition is the spirit of excellence, friendship, and respect, part of the Olympic values. Churches have also changed a great deal in the last hundred years, even in the last twenty. I know that my grandfather would probably not appreciate the kind of music or more casual atmosphere found in many churches have today. Yet, in every age, in every culture, God’s people have sought first to bring Him honor and glory.  While worship practices might change or look different over time, our reasons for gathering remain the same.  ‘What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.’ (Deuteronomy 10:12) Rituals and routines can be valuable but we should always remember that worship of God involves the right attitude of the heart.

If you want to find out exactly how much stuff you own, then you should plan an international move. The first thing you discover is that you own far more than you thought and most of it is unnecessary.  After you relocate, you’ll discover that it is very easy to continue adding to your possessions. Somehow, we manage to keep accumulating stuff without paying much attention to it happening. Richard Foster first introduced me to the phrase, The Discipline of Simplicity. Simplicity has to do with an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle. Foster writes that we must first focus on our inner life before we see changes in our outward behavior. Three attitudes of inner simplicity will change our relationship to material things. When we practice simplicity, we work to – receive what we have as a gift from God know that God is the owner, and not us (this is stewardship not carelessness) have our goods available to others The world around us makes us feel shame if our clothes aren’t the latest style or our car isn’t the newest model. We are judged by the brand of smartphone we have. The Bible talks about an inner spirit of slavery that an idolatrous attachment to wealth brings. “If riches increase, set not your heart on them.” (Psalm 62:10) In a world that is based on consumerism, we find this hard to do. Practicing the discipline of simplicity is about more than just being wise with money. It is a way of living detached from the material things of this world. It is about learning to use our money and possessions for the Kingdom rather than being used by them and enslaved into endless upgrades. It is a discipline because this is something we will have to work on for the rest of our lives.