Author: terry.a.lindsey@charter.net

The outcome of our faith is the salvation of our soul. (1 Peter 1:9) Outcome is the results. The finish line. It is a consequence of our actions. Connect this definition to value which is one’s judgement of what is important in life. We are in a time where what we used to think as important, does not mean a whole lot to us now. We have shifted from incidental activities in our life to most important in our life. The consequence of our actions just a few months ago now weigh heavy on our souls for some of us. Perhaps, you have been directly impacted by this invisible storm we call COVID-19 and may say, what happened? Others, who have not been affected, as of now, may say, what is the big deal? The economy is ruin and I cannot even watch my favorite sport on TV or even play the game. All I want to do is get back to normal. Guess what! We have a new normal, at least for now, so adjust your way of thinking. What is the value of a human life? I believe that question is in the eyes of the beholder. Yes, in our free world, life is considered precious, but not all are free, so human life is not valued the same. Without getting too political, I will leave you to believe what you want. No need to point fingers at this point, as we need to focus on taking actions to improve our consequence.

I believe the scripture that tells us salvation is the finish line and our faith is the action needed to reach the favorable outcome. We reach our finish line victorious if we exercise our faith. I believe in the human race and the value of human life. Unlike, those that may only consider victory at all cost, I believe true victory is achieved when we cross the finish line, with others. We should exercise ourselves to become fit for the race and then encourage others to do the same. Can we overcome the current obstacle that is affecting us all Globally? Yes, when one falls, do we have the courage to lend a hand and a heart to pick them up? That my friend is exercising your faith. Jesus found one more to cross the finish line with him. We can too. Find strength to reach your ultimate goal arm in arm singing “When we all get to Heaven”.

My audio message below was recorded on April 26, 2014. Still relevant today. Keep on keeping on. T

Dilemma is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives. Can you think of some dilemmas? Since I wrote this at the beginning of Passover, it reminds me of two dilemmas. First, do you believe the blood of a lamb will be your sign that the Almighty’s wrath will Passover your home? (Exodus 12:1-14) Second, do you believe Jesus’ last supper signified his becoming that sacrificial lamb for all who believe? Does the Jewish community participate in the Passover each year? Does the Christian community remember the passion of Christ each year? Answer to both are yes, if you believe or no if you choose an alternative choice. Belief is essential in your decisions. Another example of a dilemma is shared in the following poem.

“And people stayed home and read books and listened and rested and exercised
and made art and played and learned new ways of being and stopped and listened deeper. Someone meditated, someone prayed, someone danced, someone met their shadow and people began to think differently and people healed and in the absence of people who lived in ignorant ways, dangerous, meaningless and heartless, even the earth began to heal and when the danger ended and people found each other grieved for the dead people and they made new choices and dreamed of new visions
and created new ways of life and healed the earth completely just as they were healed themselves.” Quiz: Was this poem written in 1869 by Kathleen O’Mara and reprinted for the 1919 pandemic? Was this poem written in March 2020 by Kitty O’Meara, a former teacher and chaplain from Wisconsin? Short answer is Kitty wrote it and there was no 1919 pandemic as it was in 1918. Does that make the poem useless? No. It does prove a point in several aspects. First, do not believe what is posted on social media without fact checking. Second, the message of the poem is valid to stay at home so we can all get back to some normality. Third, it reveals the dilemma of two alternatives. Stay at home and use this time to enrich your family lives or go out as if all is okay and continue the spread the virus. It seems obvious to me but not all things are obvious. Christianity is real to me, but not to others who choose, not to believe.

In Christianity, many of us take this week remembering Jesus’ journey to the Cross and his death called “Stations of the Cross”. There are 14 stations starting with his condemnation (Luke 22:39-44) and ending with his body placed in the tomb (John 19:38-42). He carried his cross knowing he is the good shepherd willing to lay down his life on his own accord. (John 10:17-18) His dilemma was to either walk away or pay the ultimate price. He chose to pay the price not for his sake but to save us. His dilemma and final decision makes our choices much easier to make. You think?

Happy Easter, T

The condition of being uncertain whether it is that job you want, or more prevalent in today’s world, will we catch that dreaded virus? How do we protect ourselves? Even if we can self-quarantine, how do we get to that place where we can hide out until the uncertainty has past? We have hope because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5) How did we get that hope? The answer is accepting that we all have challenges and troubles in life, because life is full of uncertainties. To obtain hope, we must endure our troubles that builds character. Character leads us back to hope. We are all sinners, but do we deserve to be subjected to uncertainty. Well, yes because we are sinners. The good news is that while we were sinners, we were given hope through the gift of salvation. (Romans 5:8) So to break it down further our stress from uncertainty reveals our lack of water. What water?

There was a Samaritan woman who had plenty of water for her family, community and livestock. Even when a stranger came along, she was willing to share the water, if the stranger could provide his own bucket. Little did she know that the water this stranger would provide her did not come from a deep well full of natural life giving water. The water he provided was everlasting living water. She had her own uncertainties about this water so demanded to have some. We put demands on our requests as well thinking it is our right. Says who? We can buy as much toilet paper as we can find, but will not make our uncertainty go away. What then will make our uncertainties go away? Well, like the Samaritan women, who had her eyes opened after her own iniquities were revealed, we must believe. She believed and then she acted to tell her community of the living water and they learned for themselves who also believed. (John 4:5-42)

I believe that we are in an extraordinary time of uncertainty. I also believe that this is an opportunity for us all to question ourselves whether we know where the water is and how can we get some for ourselves then share with others. With hope, we shall overcome!

T

And the winner is? We all can answer that question with a variety of answers depending on our perspective. I could say this post is a winner because it marks my 200th blog post. Yeah! What do I get for a reward? How do we define reward? It could be a blue ribbon for being a winner in a contest. Perhaps, it is the satisfaction of getting the brain of “T”, that’s me, on a document that may last after I am gone. Is that too egotistical? I hope not. As I write this message, I am preparing for next Saturday’s Louisiana Book Festival where I will be an exhibitor at table 5 on Exhibitor’s Row leading up to the State Capital building. My first book, “Sticks and Stones” will be on display. Does that make me a winner? No! What does it take to be a winner?

If we are running a race to cross a finished line, the winner is the person who crosses the line first. What if we are limited in our abilities to run fast? Maybe, we are out of shape or maybe we are too young or too old. A two year old or ninety-two year old most likely cannot keep up with a twelve year old. In golf, I like the handicap system which is designed to keep golfers at an even playing field. A scratch golfer has zero handicap whereas a duffer like me starts with a 30 point lead. A 30 point start sometimes does not make me a winner. (LOL) The answer to what it takes to be a winner in life is much more complicated than a single contest. Let’s take the writings of Paul for example. He wrote fourteen letters (epistles) during his life time after he witnessed the death of Stephen in 37 AD. He was called Saul at the time and was an exemplary citizen of Rome. He searched for those people following a crucified criminal of the state. These people were fanatics that needed to be found and destroyed! Would you call Saul a winner? At the time, he was probably a hero to many for his relentless endeavor to stomp out this revolution. Would we call him a winner today? No, not as Saul, but yes as Paul. Why, what changed?

Paul was blinded on the road to Damascus and his sight was restored by his new found faith. He spent three years at Damascus then proceeded to journey all throughout the Mediterranean Sea. His first journey lasted from 45-47 AD. Did he stop at his first attempt to share the good news? No, as his second journey went from 51-53 AD. During this time, he wrote 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. On his third trip between 54-58 AD, he wrote Galatians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians and Romans. He also met John the Baptist. He was arrested and imprisoned in Caesarea, Judea from 58-60 AD. Did that stop his writing? No! He was sent to Rome while a prisoner, nearly died of a snake bite, in Malta (Melita), before he reached Rome. He wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon while in Rome’s prison in 62 AD. He was released from prison in Rome. Did he stop his race to share the good news? No! While free, he wrote Hebrews, Titus and 1st Timothy during 64-65 AD. Timothy was a young man also in prison but had been set free. Did Timothy run for home never to be heard again like so many of Paul’s friends? No! He returned to get further instructions from Paul while in prison again in Rome. This would be Paul’s last time to write before his certain execution. He wrote 2nd Timothy during 66-67 AD just before his death. Did Paul die a failure or a winner? What does it take to be a winner? In Paul’s own words, he said, “I’m already being poured out like a sacrifice to God, and the time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. At last the champion’s wreath that is awarded for righteousness is waiting for me.”

We can either base our journeys in life on failure or success. What does it take? It takes faith to keep on going no matter what obstacles prevent us from crossing the finish line victorious. (Re: Chronology of Paul: www.matthewmcgee.org)

T

As I write this brief message, I am experiencing a High-Low time in my life journey. In 2 Timothy, Paul said to young Timothy, “God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.” Paul is anticipating his final days as his execution at the hands of the Romans is imminent. Paul was caught up in the anti-Christian persecutions begun by Nero in A.D. 64. Paul is preparing Timothy to continue on with the good works started. He reminds Timothy of authentic faith handed down from his grandmother and mother then encourages him to look for inner strength. Can you imagine Paul’s High-Low moment towards the end of his life?

My high-low is no where near Paul’s moment, but I believe we all have moments somewhat similar. This week I experienced an honor to be interviewed by a local TV outlet in Shreveport along with my sisters. It was all about our Mom and Dad’s life and their involvement with the Space Race. That was a high for us all! The low was to see a brother in Christ defeated by depression. I read an interesting article about ten causes of depression at ( https://facty.com/conditions/depression/10-causes-of-depression/?q=depression%20hotline ). Now, I will not imagine which one if any is relevant but I will encourage anyone reading this message to seek help if you find yourself in a state of depression.

I ended my high-low experience week on a high with a charity golf tournament. In Luke 17:5-10, we are encouraged to have a spirit of servitude and faith that all will be well. “We have only done our duty.”
T