Apple Inc. suffered its first quarterly loss in 13 years. That's the news this morning, and the analysts are speculating as to why this may have occurred. The theme is that nothing is really new, so there hasn't been that "next big thing."
The "last big thing" according to analysts was the iPhone 6 which, they claim, was a great innovation to the iPhone. The watch? Ho-hum. iPad? Yesterday's news. So, what will that "next big thing" be is the question? A car, perhaps. Google is working on a driverless car, so logically Apple has pressure from competitors in that potential market as well as their stronghold.
Really, though, isn't all this invention and innovation really more about convenience? My albums were perfectly good, but the CD was a logical next step. Both, however, gave me music. Apple came along and said, "How about this?" and put out its iPod. (Now albums are becoming popular again if you talk to music folks.) The technology world has given us a way to speed up the delivery of information, but that information basically existed in a different form before these inventions and innovations. From carbon copy to NCR paper to fax machine to scanning. From encyclopedias and libraries to Google. Sure, we've learned more each year, thanks in part to technology, but the more things change, the more they remain the same.
We can almost hear a modern day Solomon say, "Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after." (Ecclesiastes 1:10-11)
Yet we know the source of all things new. In Revelation, we hear the voice of God proclaim, "Behold, I am making all things new!....It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end." (Revelation 21:5-6) Our creator and redeemer creates all things new, not just innovations of convenience, but new creations redeemed through Christ.
We thank God for giving us all things new, including creating new creations in us through his Son Jesus Christ.
Hope Men's Ministry
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Devotion 4.28.16
Ever walk into your backyard when a baby blue jay or mockingbird has descended from the nest into the yard? If you have, then I don't have to go any further do I? You've experienced the parent, male or female, not just dive toward you with a sound that is like live electricity, but more like bombard you. You might escape with just harassment, but a cap might be the only thing between your head and the beak of an angry parent letting you know that while it may be your house, the yard is theirs at that moment.
The dove, however, is puzzling. Twice this week my dog and I have crossed the path of a small dove laying in the grass attempting to fly. Hank, my dog, is certainly curious and spends time considering his options. I'll walk up to see what the lump of feathers is at first, and when I get close, I realize it is a dove just learning to spread its wings. I then look up, and there is at least one of the parents sitting and watching me. No diving. No live electricity. Just sitting watching. I even quipped, "What kind of parent are you?" when I noticed the dove just staring at me as I inched closer to the young dove.
"Innocent as doves." That's a phrase Christ uses in Matthew, and it is a warning for his followers. In this case, he is sending out the apostles and gives them specific instructions as to who to engage, how to engage, and how to greet the homes of those who are receptive as well as how to leave those that aren't. Then he warns the apostles, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16) Note the use of three different creatures: Wolves - the world is a dangerous place; Serpents - Be wise of the ways of this world; Doves - Be innocent and without anger.
Pray that we act in Christ's name in a manner fitting to Christ's desires. Pray we engage people allowing His Spirit to speak through us (Matthew 10:20).
Hope Men's Ministry
The dove, however, is puzzling. Twice this week my dog and I have crossed the path of a small dove laying in the grass attempting to fly. Hank, my dog, is certainly curious and spends time considering his options. I'll walk up to see what the lump of feathers is at first, and when I get close, I realize it is a dove just learning to spread its wings. I then look up, and there is at least one of the parents sitting and watching me. No diving. No live electricity. Just sitting watching. I even quipped, "What kind of parent are you?" when I noticed the dove just staring at me as I inched closer to the young dove.
"Innocent as doves." That's a phrase Christ uses in Matthew, and it is a warning for his followers. In this case, he is sending out the apostles and gives them specific instructions as to who to engage, how to engage, and how to greet the homes of those who are receptive as well as how to leave those that aren't. Then he warns the apostles, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16) Note the use of three different creatures: Wolves - the world is a dangerous place; Serpents - Be wise of the ways of this world; Doves - Be innocent and without anger.
Pray that we act in Christ's name in a manner fitting to Christ's desires. Pray we engage people allowing His Spirit to speak through us (Matthew 10:20).
Hope Men's Ministry
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Devotion 4.27.16
Currency is in the news these days. Whose likeness should be on the currency? In a positive way, it teaches us who these people are. I remember watching an educator put together a history exam once and he had a question about Alexander Hamilton. He was putting a picture (early days of computers) of Hamilton in the question. That's not Hamilton, I said. That's Jefferson. You sure? he asked. I pulled out a $10 bill and placed it in front of him. Oh.... He then went back into the cut-and-paste function. So in this current debate about Andrew Jackson, Harriet Tubman, and the $20 bill, we can ask whose likeness we may need for a reference point somewhere down the road?
Does our currency make some kind of statement? Does it really matter who is on the face of currency? I guess in a way it does. We are fortunate we don't live in a monarchy or dictatorship where we have the mug of a monarch or the dictator for the length of their reign. Yet I've always wondered how Jefferson, one of our greatest thinkers, got a nickel and a two dollar bill. What's up with that? I'd have Jefferson and Hamilton alternate on the $10 bill because of the utter irony of that (now you will have to look that up, I will go no further). Finally, growing up with a decidedly southern mother, I learned of the flaws of Lincoln and Grant when I saw their likenesses (Lincoln far more than Grant in my house mind you), so no matter who you choose, it will draw controversy.
The pharisees attempt to draw Christ into controversy with a question very much along these lines. "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" The question came from the pharisees trying to tap the Jewish resentment of paying a tax that demonstrated they were subjects of the Roman empire. The pharisees, knowing of this resentment, attempted to trap Christ, rising in popularity with his followers, with this question. Saying yes causes a loss within his followers, and to say no would give them charges before Pilate (Lutheran Study Bible). Christ senses this hypocrisy and the trap, so he has them get out a coin and asks them whose likeness is on it. Of course, they have to answer Caesar, to which he states, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." (Luke 20:25).
The Study Bible also notes that the fact that the pharisees had a coin bearing the likeness of Caesar "tacitly acknowledged Caesar's rule." (Explanatory note in Matthew) It was, in a word, an awkward moment. All from currency.
We thank God for all that we have and we know that we have nothing that hasn't come from him. We know Christ's clear lessons for us in the differences between our earthly civil obligations and our returning to him our first fruits as a response to the love He has poured on us through his own sacrificial act of suffering and dying on our account.
Hope Men's Ministry
Does our currency make some kind of statement? Does it really matter who is on the face of currency? I guess in a way it does. We are fortunate we don't live in a monarchy or dictatorship where we have the mug of a monarch or the dictator for the length of their reign. Yet I've always wondered how Jefferson, one of our greatest thinkers, got a nickel and a two dollar bill. What's up with that? I'd have Jefferson and Hamilton alternate on the $10 bill because of the utter irony of that (now you will have to look that up, I will go no further). Finally, growing up with a decidedly southern mother, I learned of the flaws of Lincoln and Grant when I saw their likenesses (Lincoln far more than Grant in my house mind you), so no matter who you choose, it will draw controversy.
The pharisees attempt to draw Christ into controversy with a question very much along these lines. "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" The question came from the pharisees trying to tap the Jewish resentment of paying a tax that demonstrated they were subjects of the Roman empire. The pharisees, knowing of this resentment, attempted to trap Christ, rising in popularity with his followers, with this question. Saying yes causes a loss within his followers, and to say no would give them charges before Pilate (Lutheran Study Bible). Christ senses this hypocrisy and the trap, so he has them get out a coin and asks them whose likeness is on it. Of course, they have to answer Caesar, to which he states, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." (Luke 20:25).
The Study Bible also notes that the fact that the pharisees had a coin bearing the likeness of Caesar "tacitly acknowledged Caesar's rule." (Explanatory note in Matthew) It was, in a word, an awkward moment. All from currency.
We thank God for all that we have and we know that we have nothing that hasn't come from him. We know Christ's clear lessons for us in the differences between our earthly civil obligations and our returning to him our first fruits as a response to the love He has poured on us through his own sacrificial act of suffering and dying on our account.
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, April 25, 2016
Devotion 4.26.16
Baseball is that sport that can be one's undoing. Texas Tech certainly contributed to that theory this weekend, going into the weekend in the Top Ten, slipped after two losses to Texas and now ranks depending on the poll somewhere between 13 to 16 in the poll. To make matters worse, Texas (19-21 on the season) "run-ruled" Tech (31-12) in the final game, 17 - 1.
Since this is a devotion meant to build up men, the intended audience, my thoughts that raced through my head as I watched the debacle will remain just there, in my head. There is no reason to share some of the things that ran through my mind, on a Sunday after church no less, possibly undoing all that may have been gained that morning. ("Losing my religion" I believe is what that is called.) Naturally, turning to the Houston Astros for relief just puts me further in debt because they lost to Boston in extra innings, placing them further in the cellar.
David in one of his psalms describes the intimacy we enjoy with God, and yet it is an intimacy that exposes even our deepest thoughts we may not reveal to one another, like my displeasure with the teams I follow, and in a more serious tone, even deeper and less God-pleasing thoughts than that. "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether." (Psalm 139)
God knows what is on our hearts and in our minds. Our joy, our sadness, our thoughts meant to build him up, and our thoughts that tear down. Our thoughts are not kept in secrecy in our relationship with God. He knows them.
We pray a prayer of thanks for this intimacy. We know that the Holy Spirit "helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26)
Hope Men's Ministry
Since this is a devotion meant to build up men, the intended audience, my thoughts that raced through my head as I watched the debacle will remain just there, in my head. There is no reason to share some of the things that ran through my mind, on a Sunday after church no less, possibly undoing all that may have been gained that morning. ("Losing my religion" I believe is what that is called.) Naturally, turning to the Houston Astros for relief just puts me further in debt because they lost to Boston in extra innings, placing them further in the cellar.
David in one of his psalms describes the intimacy we enjoy with God, and yet it is an intimacy that exposes even our deepest thoughts we may not reveal to one another, like my displeasure with the teams I follow, and in a more serious tone, even deeper and less God-pleasing thoughts than that. "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether." (Psalm 139)
God knows what is on our hearts and in our minds. Our joy, our sadness, our thoughts meant to build him up, and our thoughts that tear down. Our thoughts are not kept in secrecy in our relationship with God. He knows them.
We pray a prayer of thanks for this intimacy. We know that the Holy Spirit "helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26)
Hope Men's Ministry
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Devotion 4.21.16
The news this morning (Tuesday, April 19) was full of stories about the Boston Marathon. The Boston Marathon is the mecca for serious runners who compete in marathons, so it is a news event among the faithful. However, the Boston Marathon has become newsworthy for average joes like most of us because of the heinous attack on a "soft target," runners and fans gathered at the finish line. Suddenly, the entire country focused on Boston after the attack.
Monday, then, focused on the human interest side of the 26.2 mile run which included two people who lost legs in the bombing, one a runner and one not. Yet, despite the fact they lost their legs two years ago, both committed to finishing the marathon, and miraculously, both did. Let's underscore this accomplishment: you train about four months if you are a runner in good shape to complete a marathon under a certain time (marathoners who run more than a couple a year are in constant shape). To lose a leg to terror, rehab learning to cope with the loss, rehab to learn to use the new prosthetic and then commit to training for a marathon is inspiring. To then actually complete it? Speechless. Really, a hard knot or lump in the throat moment.
This man and woman possessed the focus of a runner, determined to push themselves and their bodies past a logical point to true endurance, and yet they had to drive past a potentially handicapping condition as well to get to the point to run a race of endurance. As George Sheehan once wrote, "Sometimes the winner is deep in the pack."
Life, however, is a full-contact sport and all of us, at the end of the finish line, are afflicted by a multitude of conditions, all of which are potentially handicapping. Paul says it this way, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be qualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24 - 27) Like runners, the writer of Hebrews notes, "It is discipline you have to endure." (Hebrews 12:7)
We pray a prayer of praise for people who inspire us, like these two, who refused to be sidelined. We pray that we discipline ourselves to focus on that "imperishable wreath" given to us by God (salvation through Christ). We pray we discipline ourselves in this endurance race God has set before us, each of us running in our own metaphorical marathons, and we pray that God give us the endurance to complete this race through His Holy Spirit, who gives us our faith and strengthens and renews our faith.
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, then, focused on the human interest side of the 26.2 mile run which included two people who lost legs in the bombing, one a runner and one not. Yet, despite the fact they lost their legs two years ago, both committed to finishing the marathon, and miraculously, both did. Let's underscore this accomplishment: you train about four months if you are a runner in good shape to complete a marathon under a certain time (marathoners who run more than a couple a year are in constant shape). To lose a leg to terror, rehab learning to cope with the loss, rehab to learn to use the new prosthetic and then commit to training for a marathon is inspiring. To then actually complete it? Speechless. Really, a hard knot or lump in the throat moment.
This man and woman possessed the focus of a runner, determined to push themselves and their bodies past a logical point to true endurance, and yet they had to drive past a potentially handicapping condition as well to get to the point to run a race of endurance. As George Sheehan once wrote, "Sometimes the winner is deep in the pack."
Life, however, is a full-contact sport and all of us, at the end of the finish line, are afflicted by a multitude of conditions, all of which are potentially handicapping. Paul says it this way, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be qualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24 - 27) Like runners, the writer of Hebrews notes, "It is discipline you have to endure." (Hebrews 12:7)
We pray a prayer of praise for people who inspire us, like these two, who refused to be sidelined. We pray that we discipline ourselves to focus on that "imperishable wreath" given to us by God (salvation through Christ). We pray we discipline ourselves in this endurance race God has set before us, each of us running in our own metaphorical marathons, and we pray that God give us the endurance to complete this race through His Holy Spirit, who gives us our faith and strengthens and renews our faith.
Hope Men's Ministry
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Devotion 4.20.16
"I can see the writing on the wall." That's a phrase used when the apparent outcome is obvious. I heard it in my days as an administrator from various people as we talked about programs, funding, and perhaps even job performance.
"The writing on the wall." We use that phrase quite a bit. Do we know where it comes from? If you said, "The book of Daniel," you would be correct. Daniel, an apocalyptic book in the Old Testament, tells the story of Israel, God's unfaithful people, and their capture by Babylon (a lesson constructed by God to teach his unfaithful people, but He wasn't a champion of Babylon during the course of captivity either.) From the moment Babylon captures Israel to fulfill God's will, God puts Babylon's king through trials via dreams and visions, which elevates Daniel as he speaks on behalf of God, interpreting these.
During a great banquet given by King Belshazzar, "Immediately, the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together." (5:5 - 6) The king literally buckles under the pressure. Calling in the astrologers and tells them that whoever can read the writing and its interpretation will be clothed in purple, gold and be declared the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel is eventually called as they fail, and he reads the writing to the king and gives its interpretation.
"And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." (5:25 - 27) Later, we are told, the king was killed and his kingdom handed over to Darius of Mede.
We have the writing on the wall in the form of God's Word. God's Word tells us of our creation, our fall, sin, God's plan for our redemption, the suffering, death and resurrection of His Son to overcome the certain death we face, and God's Spirit who strengthens us.
Pray we stay in God's Word to learn his plan for us. Pray we share this good news, this "writing on the wall," with others and that God's Spirit place that faith in them.
Hope Men's Ministry
"The writing on the wall." We use that phrase quite a bit. Do we know where it comes from? If you said, "The book of Daniel," you would be correct. Daniel, an apocalyptic book in the Old Testament, tells the story of Israel, God's unfaithful people, and their capture by Babylon (a lesson constructed by God to teach his unfaithful people, but He wasn't a champion of Babylon during the course of captivity either.) From the moment Babylon captures Israel to fulfill God's will, God puts Babylon's king through trials via dreams and visions, which elevates Daniel as he speaks on behalf of God, interpreting these.
During a great banquet given by King Belshazzar, "Immediately, the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together." (5:5 - 6) The king literally buckles under the pressure. Calling in the astrologers and tells them that whoever can read the writing and its interpretation will be clothed in purple, gold and be declared the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel is eventually called as they fail, and he reads the writing to the king and gives its interpretation.
"And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." (5:25 - 27) Later, we are told, the king was killed and his kingdom handed over to Darius of Mede.
We have the writing on the wall in the form of God's Word. God's Word tells us of our creation, our fall, sin, God's plan for our redemption, the suffering, death and resurrection of His Son to overcome the certain death we face, and God's Spirit who strengthens us.
Pray we stay in God's Word to learn his plan for us. Pray we share this good news, this "writing on the wall," with others and that God's Spirit place that faith in them.
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, April 18, 2016
Devotion 4.19.16
It is said that this is the first year in many years (1969-70 season in fact) that there are no Canadian teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Canadian fans of the game, home of where it was invented they claim, are in disbelief. The USA Today ran an article yesterday titled "Canadian fans are coping with no teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs" (Kevin Allen, USA Today, April 18, 2016) in which one fan said, "“Part of our patriotism is living and breathing everything that is hockey.”
As Texans, we can relate, because we invented football to hear it told, and there hasn't been a serious contender for the Super Bowl since the 1990s (sorry Dallas fans, we aren't counting two years ago, there is a difference between fluke and serious). Yet how we act as fans during such trying times as these says much about who we are. Of course, we all chant that same phrase, regardless of sport, "Wait until next year." (As an Astros' fan, that phrase is old and I'm tired of hearing it.)
On a more serious topic, Peter talks to the faithful in his letter and speaks of the trial we face as Christians. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." (1 Peter 4:12 - 14)
We pray that when we are tested or tempted, we turn to God and ask for his Spirit to rest upon us. As we endure tribulation, we as that Christ's love and grace radiate through us.
Hope Men's Ministry
As Texans, we can relate, because we invented football to hear it told, and there hasn't been a serious contender for the Super Bowl since the 1990s (sorry Dallas fans, we aren't counting two years ago, there is a difference between fluke and serious). Yet how we act as fans during such trying times as these says much about who we are. Of course, we all chant that same phrase, regardless of sport, "Wait until next year." (As an Astros' fan, that phrase is old and I'm tired of hearing it.)
On a more serious topic, Peter talks to the faithful in his letter and speaks of the trial we face as Christians. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." (1 Peter 4:12 - 14)
We pray that when we are tested or tempted, we turn to God and ask for his Spirit to rest upon us. As we endure tribulation, we as that Christ's love and grace radiate through us.
Hope Men's Ministry
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