The Sketchy Blessing

May God give you heaven’s dew 

   and earth’s richness—

   an abundance of grain and new wine.

Genesis 27:28 NIV

Although the circumstances surrounding the blessing are sketchy to say the least, the blessing still stands. Sometimes God blesses us despite ourselves. Like Jacob, we plot and plan, connive and conspire, and often pay the price for it. Yet, God in his amazing grace blesses us. Remember though, his mercy and kindness should lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

Mr. Brow: A Scout is Courteous

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

I decided to call him Brow. I thought about scowl, but, that would've been too obvious. You see last week my son went to Boy Scout summer camp at Forest Lawn Scout a Reservation in the San Bernardino Mountains. I attended as an adult leader for his troop. We arrived a week ago on Sunday. After checking in, setting up in our area, and taking the swim test we started mingling around the mess hall and talking to people from other troops. 

I noticed a guy giving me the dirtiest look, scowling at me like I took his sons ice cream cone just as he was about to take the first bite. My buddy, the assistant scoutmaster, said, "What's that guys problem? He looks like he wants to bite our heads off!" I gave a little nod and a smile. He kept scowling. I stared back. He finally turn away, still scowling. 

Because a scout is clean they have daily campsite inspections. My compadre and I volunteered to help. One day I went by the campsite for Brows' troop. Apparently he had demanded that my buddy ask for permission to enter the site the day before, so I announced myself before entering. I had a pleasant conversation about what needed to be done by his troop to achieve a top score. 

On Friday, we had steak (not filet mignon or New York cuts). We had a bottle of A-1 sauce on our table. Brow came by, asked if we we using it, we said no, and he snatched the bottle up, scowling all the way. I said, "You're welcome." A few minutes later he back, set it down rather firmly and declared, "Some words don't come out of my mouth!" As he abruptly turned and marched away. A scout is courteous. 

I saw brow many other times and he scowled even at a kind, "Hello".  My point is that it doesn't matter if someone else has an issue with you or everyone in general, the Bible tells us to live at peace with everyone. Even if, like my "friend" Brow, someone isn't kind or courteous, you still try your best to show the love of Christ. Remember, Christ didn't love us because we were nice, he first loved us when we were his enemies.

Father, help us to love even when we will only receive evil in return. Praise be to you in us today!

PAY BACK WITH KINDNESS" I Thessalonians 5:15

I saw a bumper sticker once that said, "Don't get mad, get even!" I hear a lot these days about "social justice" and "leveling the playground". That's nice, but, it usually just results in someone doing something vindictive to someone whom they perceive as a bully in one way or another. It is a slippery slope when we set ourselves up as judge and jury.  Here's one thing the Bible says about getting even.

"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."  I Thessalonians 5:15

Did you get the word "nobody"? This is again the Word of God speaking plainly. Nobody does of course includes me. And you. I think that is supremely important to remember this because, if we don't understand that even our situations are included we will rationalize a way to pay someone back. When you start thinking about how you will get back at someone it is like a cancer eating away at your deepest being. It can consume you. 

In contrast to trying to think of a way to even the score, Paul tells us to find ways to be kind to each other. You see, it takes a tremendous amount of strength and self-control to be kind when you want to be vindictive. But, it actually is grace. The grace of God working in you. The experiential knowledge of the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God to you, causing you to be gracious, merciful and forgiving to each other, even those who wronged you. Actually, forgiveness is the higher ground and in this spiritual battle we daily fight it is always best to maintain the higher ground. 

Today's To Dos: Who do you need to try to be kind to? How can you show that kindness in action? You might need to start with a simple hello. 

Father, help us to be kind to all, even to those who aren't kind to us. Praise be to you in us today!