The following thoughts I originally posted on my blog in March of 2006. This "blog flashback" is well worth a second read (and a first read if you have never read it before!).
You Really Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
The book arrived via UPS. It had an attractive cover. The title was intriguing. It looked like a book that would provide what I call a “good read.” And if the read was good enough, I would bump it up to a “must read.” However, when I opened the book, I encountered a problem. There was no title page. No page with all the publisher info and date of publication. No table of contents. No preface or introduction. The very first page was page 25. Starting from there the book contained up to page 48 and then started all over again with page 25 (and from there was OK). When I realized I had a defective book in my hands, the book slipped from the “good read” category to the “no read” category. I notified the book seller and they have promised to replace the book.
We can be a lot like this book. Others look at us and they see us with attractive “covers” and intriguing “titles.” But on the inside – in the depths of our hearts and the secret corners of our minds – we harbor sin. Sin such as envy, jealousy, greed, lust, anger, discontentment, ingratitude, prejudice and hatred. Friends, we can hide our sins from others. We can apply the paint and trim and wear attractive “covers” but God sees our hearts. He knows our thoughts. Let’s come clean with Him. On a regular basis let’s grab hold of the promise of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Let’s strive to be holy!
We can be a lot like this book. Others look at us and they see us with attractive “covers” and intriguing “titles.” But on the inside – in the depths of our hearts and the secret corners of our minds – we harbor sin. Sin such as envy, jealousy, greed, lust, anger, discontentment, ingratitude, prejudice and hatred. Friends, we can hide our sins from others. We can apply the paint and trim and wear attractive “covers” but God sees our hearts. He knows our thoughts. Let’s come clean with Him. On a regular basis let’s grab hold of the promise of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Let’s strive to be holy!
Thanks for listening,
pj
As a student at Melrose Elementary School in Harrisburg, I was always one of the fastest (if not the fastest) kids in my class (I do not mean to brag here. The kids in my classes were always "slow of foot". Even a turtle would appear speedy if racing a snail!). By the time I reached high school and went out for the track team, my 100 yard (yes, we ran yards, not meters in my day!) time was only middle of the pack at best. So not being content with that, I decided to try my hand ("my feet?") at the longer distances. That proved to be a winner for me as I went on to star (OK, a bit of an exaggeration here - but I can dream, can't I?) at the half mile run. Now the half mile is quite a bit different from the 100 yard dash. In the 100, you go all out for the entire 100 yards. In mere seconds, the race is over. But if you are going to run the half mile, you have pace yourself. If you try to run the half like you run the 100 - you will burn out before the race is barely started.
On June 17th we celebrated Father's Day. This is the day in which dads of all sizes and shapes are supposed to be shown by their children just how much they are loved. One way to express love in our culture is by giving gifts. My kids did not disappoint me. My oldest daughter gave me a couple of shirts, my son a couple of books, and my youngest daughter went in with my wife to buy me a nifty lawn chair that allows me to get almost entirely horizontal! I was pleased. I have worn the shirts, read the books, and spent several afternoons in my back yard lounging and napping on my new chair. And guess what? My kids are pleased! As they see me use their gifts it brings them pleasure!
