Saturday, June 11, 2005
In reality, rejoicing for others not so easy..(Reprinted with permission from my favourite sportswriter)
By Terry PlutoBeacon Journal columnist
Can you celebrate when others have success?
Take your time before you answer, because the goal is to be as honest as possible. I know I can lie to myself quickly, especially knowing what I'm supposed to say and feel. I also know that I have a jealous streak that can ambush me at the slightest beat of my envious heart.
I hear that someone won an award, and I think, ``That guy doesn't even know all the letters of the alphabet. I think the guy writes in crayon. How can they say he's better than me?''
Or maybe you hear of someone's promotion, and we think, ``That's what you get when you kiss the boss's butt.''
Or maybe your brother or sister buys a new house or car, and you may think, ``Showoff!'' This is especially true in families, where some siblings often ventured long into adulthood still trying to get the approval of their parents by outperforming someone else in the family.
What does all this have to do with faith?
Romans 12:15 says: ``Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn.''
I've read that a few times and said, ``I can do that.''
Then I heard sermon tape from Willow Creek. It's a Chicago area church, where a pastor named Mike Breaux asked, ``Is it easier to weep with those who weep, or rejoice with those who are rejoicing?''
It was a brief mention in a message about something else, but the question stayed with me.
My heart is more likely to feel someone else's pain. I'm reasonably comfortable in hospitals, prisons and other places where many are in misery.
I can think, ``Thank God that's not me.''
I can think, ``I feel so bad for you.''
I can think, ``I really do want to help.''
But I never feel envious.
Compare that to when someone has sudden success. A part of me knows I should rejoice. I can fake it, put on the plastic smile, shake hands and say the right things.
But I fight the urge to play the comparison game, to keep score -- and then rig it so I win.
The question hangs in my heart: ``Why him? Why not me?''
Rabbi David Lipper from Temple Israel said there is a Jewish morning prayer that comes from the Talmud's Ethics of the Father that reads: ``Rejoice with bride and groom, console the bereaved.''
But as I read that prayer, I thought of a single woman at a wedding wondering how that person somehow found a husband, and she's still single.
``It comes down to selfishness,'' said the Rev. Bob Combs of Norton Grace Brethren Church. ``It's a battle not to relate everything to us. I know that when I look at myself realistically, I'm surprised how selfish I am sometimes.''
Combs talked about how we can get excited when a kid gets a hit at Little League, but it's more difficult when someone in your business just hit a financial home run.
``I'm training myself to just go up to people and tell them when I see them doing a good job,'' he said. ``I want to lift them up, rather than fall into little pity parties.''
Because we live in a very competitive society, it's hard not to view everything as a zero-sum gain. If another person gets a raise, that means there will be less money for me. There are countless books and motivational speeches given with the basic theme of ``How to win at life.''
The premise is that if we win, that means someone else loses.
Or if someone else has won, we've lost.
That's often not true, but we can fall into that ugly trap.
``Our faith tells us to be content with our lot in life,'' said Lipper. ``We are called to be happy for others.''
Most of us should be content because we have so much.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 5 says: ``Whoever loves money never has money enough... When God enables (anyone) to accept his lot and be happy in his work, this is a gift from God.''
One that most of us can really use.
Messages for Terry Pluto can be left at 330-996-3816 or terrypluto2003@yahoo.com. Sign up for Terry's free, weekly e-mail newsletter ``Direct from Pluto'' at www.ohio.com
Can you celebrate when others have success?
Take your time before you answer, because the goal is to be as honest as possible. I know I can lie to myself quickly, especially knowing what I'm supposed to say and feel. I also know that I have a jealous streak that can ambush me at the slightest beat of my envious heart.
I hear that someone won an award, and I think, ``That guy doesn't even know all the letters of the alphabet. I think the guy writes in crayon. How can they say he's better than me?''
Or maybe you hear of someone's promotion, and we think, ``That's what you get when you kiss the boss's butt.''
Or maybe your brother or sister buys a new house or car, and you may think, ``Showoff!'' This is especially true in families, where some siblings often ventured long into adulthood still trying to get the approval of their parents by outperforming someone else in the family.
What does all this have to do with faith?
Romans 12:15 says: ``Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn.''
I've read that a few times and said, ``I can do that.''
Then I heard sermon tape from Willow Creek. It's a Chicago area church, where a pastor named Mike Breaux asked, ``Is it easier to weep with those who weep, or rejoice with those who are rejoicing?''
It was a brief mention in a message about something else, but the question stayed with me.
My heart is more likely to feel someone else's pain. I'm reasonably comfortable in hospitals, prisons and other places where many are in misery.
I can think, ``Thank God that's not me.''
I can think, ``I feel so bad for you.''
I can think, ``I really do want to help.''
But I never feel envious.
Compare that to when someone has sudden success. A part of me knows I should rejoice. I can fake it, put on the plastic smile, shake hands and say the right things.
But I fight the urge to play the comparison game, to keep score -- and then rig it so I win.
The question hangs in my heart: ``Why him? Why not me?''
Rabbi David Lipper from Temple Israel said there is a Jewish morning prayer that comes from the Talmud's Ethics of the Father that reads: ``Rejoice with bride and groom, console the bereaved.''
But as I read that prayer, I thought of a single woman at a wedding wondering how that person somehow found a husband, and she's still single.
``It comes down to selfishness,'' said the Rev. Bob Combs of Norton Grace Brethren Church. ``It's a battle not to relate everything to us. I know that when I look at myself realistically, I'm surprised how selfish I am sometimes.''
Combs talked about how we can get excited when a kid gets a hit at Little League, but it's more difficult when someone in your business just hit a financial home run.
``I'm training myself to just go up to people and tell them when I see them doing a good job,'' he said. ``I want to lift them up, rather than fall into little pity parties.''
Because we live in a very competitive society, it's hard not to view everything as a zero-sum gain. If another person gets a raise, that means there will be less money for me. There are countless books and motivational speeches given with the basic theme of ``How to win at life.''
The premise is that if we win, that means someone else loses.
Or if someone else has won, we've lost.
That's often not true, but we can fall into that ugly trap.
``Our faith tells us to be content with our lot in life,'' said Lipper. ``We are called to be happy for others.''
Most of us should be content because we have so much.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 5 says: ``Whoever loves money never has money enough... When God enables (anyone) to accept his lot and be happy in his work, this is a gift from God.''
One that most of us can really use.
Messages for Terry Pluto can be left at 330-996-3816 or terrypluto2003@yahoo.com. Sign up for Terry's free, weekly e-mail newsletter ``Direct from Pluto'' at www.ohio.com
Friday, June 10, 2005
Be Still
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields [b] with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields [b] with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Thursday, June 09, 2005
3:18, 5.86 and 30... or 25 or 6 to 4
We lets start with a verse we heard last night. Ezekiel 3:18..
When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for [a] his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.
Accountability! Whose path will we Cross today? What will we do with this opportunity? Will we remember to pray for those on our post it?
586.... 5.86.. close enough! In perusing Ezekiel I stumbled across an interesting date. Was it not in 586 that Jerusalem was destroyed and burned? Where have I seen that 5.86 number recently? Why is all this numbo jumbo? Is that 41? 40 Days? Is this Day 41? What about verse 86?
Psalm 119: 86 All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause.
Finally 30.. Ezekiel was in his 30th year when the vision of the Glory came to him. Jesus began his public ministry in his 30th year. Hmmm Slammy is fast approaching his 30th year. Why does it seem like just yesterday the cry of my generation was "don't trust anybody over 30!" and now my kids are approaching 30!! We we are here for such a short time. Our time here is just a bat of an eye or a whisp in the wind. So cherish this day this gift from our Lord and whether you are approaching 30, 40, 50, or even 60 (I just put that in for Roger and Bobby) there is much to do and only a short time to get there. God's oldest are his choicest. Isaiah 46:4. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for [a] his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.
Accountability! Whose path will we Cross today? What will we do with this opportunity? Will we remember to pray for those on our post it?
586.... 5.86.. close enough! In perusing Ezekiel I stumbled across an interesting date. Was it not in 586 that Jerusalem was destroyed and burned? Where have I seen that 5.86 number recently? Why is all this numbo jumbo? Is that 41? 40 Days? Is this Day 41? What about verse 86?
Psalm 119: 86 All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause.
Finally 30.. Ezekiel was in his 30th year when the vision of the Glory came to him. Jesus began his public ministry in his 30th year. Hmmm Slammy is fast approaching his 30th year. Why does it seem like just yesterday the cry of my generation was "don't trust anybody over 30!" and now my kids are approaching 30!! We we are here for such a short time. Our time here is just a bat of an eye or a whisp in the wind. So cherish this day this gift from our Lord and whether you are approaching 30, 40, 50, or even 60 (I just put that in for Roger and Bobby) there is much to do and only a short time to get there. God's oldest are his choicest. Isaiah 46:4. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Classic Originality Revisited
Who is and what is meant by the term “un-churched”.
Well, let’s try some original writing for a change. Although you can tell what a person is about by what they read, watch or spend their money on, you might be able to tell more about them by what they write.
There has been lots of conversation recently regarding “the un-churched”. Most of this discussion is held by those who consider themselves “churched”. I would think most of the members of the Tecumseh Community Church would consider me as recently “churched” but for the most part as an “un-churched” heathen or pagan.
Let me tell you a little about my background. I was born a small child in North Ridgeville, Ohio.(actually at Elyria Memorial Hospital). My mom was a lifetime member of the St. Peters Catholic Church. Her family was part of the founding families of the parish. My dad was born in Poland and baptized a catholic there in 1904 and somewhere I have his baptismal certificate. I have two first cousins and a sister that were in the convent (Sisters of Notre Dame). My mom cooked for the nuns at the convent at St. Peters and was in the Altar and Rosary Society and my dad was a member of the Knights of Columbus. My Uncle Mel worked for the church and maintained the cemetery and dug graves as needed. I attended St. Peters Parochial School where I attended mass daily and twice on Sunday for most of my years in grade school. I was in both the Boy’s choir and the adult choir (after my voice changed). I played the organ for the weekday masses and for the 12:15 mass on Sunday. I think the only person at more masses than me during that time period was the parish priest! I attended Elyria Catholic High School and was instrumental in leading worship services there, participated in retreats, the choir and all that other Catholic stuff. I met my first wife there and we had three kids (all baptized, penanced, communioned and confirmed, two married in the church (say this 5 of the 7 sacraments) and two baptized granddaughters. Does any of this sound familiar to any of you that attended a Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist or other mainline type of church??
Despite having been to I would guess thousands of church services, when I arrived at the Tecumseh Church of Christ about 3 years ago, I had no idea what in the world was going on there on Sunday morning. Who is that guy, what is he saying? Oh I guess he is praying. They just kept on singing until well it looks like they are going to have communion? Wow, I am overdressed. At least I don’t have a tie one, then I would be out of place. I am going to wear my jeans next week. Maybe I will wear my OSU pullover, way too much yellow and blue in here. Who is that up there and why is he up there? Who is he? Well there is a bulletin maybe that will tell me something about what is going on. Hmmm, let me see collection last Sunday was $2,048.44. Well that tells me they are no here for the money! They must run this place on a shoestring. When do we get out of here? Is anybody going to give a sermon or preach? Well there is little guy with a beard looks like he may have something to say. Boy does he, just like the energizer bunny, he keeps going and going and going. Are we ever going to get out of here? Now what are they doing? Who are those people standing up there looking around? Who are those guys? Well, I guess its over now. Lets get out of here before I have to talk to someone or make eye contact. Oh no, I have been caught!
And then one Sunday, maybe our 3rd/4th week attending, those guys are standing up in the front of the church and my wife for some reason pushes me out of the pew, maybe the 4th row from the back on the left hand side as you are facing the stage?sanctuary?pulpit? whatever and next thing I know she is going up front and talks to one of those guys standing up there. Then they announce she wants to rededicate her life to Jesus. Can somebody tell me what is going on around here? True story. We left that day without fanfare, me not knowing what had just happened.
Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that despite having been to literally thousands of church services, I had know way of know what was going on that building for weeks or even months. The order of service made no sense to me, I could not for weeks figure out what was happening or what was next. Even after I was baptized that Christmas Eve and was asked to help out with the projector (yes I remember the overhead before we had the projector) but I declined because I did not think I could tell when to do what! This was after months of regular attendance!!
So keep in mind your target, the un-churched. Here are a couple of links that further define the so called un-churched, as opposed to un-saved for that matter. http://www.rcfministries.net/RCFTarget.htm
http://www.rohanandkate.net/blog/2005/04/the-un-churched-and-awareness
If you think you might find worship service unfamiliar for someone who has been to thousands of worship services, just try and imagine someone who has never been to a “church”!
Where’s Jim? 5/28/05
Well, let’s try some original writing for a change. Although you can tell what a person is about by what they read, watch or spend their money on, you might be able to tell more about them by what they write.
There has been lots of conversation recently regarding “the un-churched”. Most of this discussion is held by those who consider themselves “churched”. I would think most of the members of the Tecumseh Community Church would consider me as recently “churched” but for the most part as an “un-churched” heathen or pagan.
Let me tell you a little about my background. I was born a small child in North Ridgeville, Ohio.(actually at Elyria Memorial Hospital). My mom was a lifetime member of the St. Peters Catholic Church. Her family was part of the founding families of the parish. My dad was born in Poland and baptized a catholic there in 1904 and somewhere I have his baptismal certificate. I have two first cousins and a sister that were in the convent (Sisters of Notre Dame). My mom cooked for the nuns at the convent at St. Peters and was in the Altar and Rosary Society and my dad was a member of the Knights of Columbus. My Uncle Mel worked for the church and maintained the cemetery and dug graves as needed. I attended St. Peters Parochial School where I attended mass daily and twice on Sunday for most of my years in grade school. I was in both the Boy’s choir and the adult choir (after my voice changed). I played the organ for the weekday masses and for the 12:15 mass on Sunday. I think the only person at more masses than me during that time period was the parish priest! I attended Elyria Catholic High School and was instrumental in leading worship services there, participated in retreats, the choir and all that other Catholic stuff. I met my first wife there and we had three kids (all baptized, penanced, communioned and confirmed, two married in the church (say this 5 of the 7 sacraments) and two baptized granddaughters. Does any of this sound familiar to any of you that attended a Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist or other mainline type of church??
Despite having been to I would guess thousands of church services, when I arrived at the Tecumseh Church of Christ about 3 years ago, I had no idea what in the world was going on there on Sunday morning. Who is that guy, what is he saying? Oh I guess he is praying. They just kept on singing until well it looks like they are going to have communion? Wow, I am overdressed. At least I don’t have a tie one, then I would be out of place. I am going to wear my jeans next week. Maybe I will wear my OSU pullover, way too much yellow and blue in here. Who is that up there and why is he up there? Who is he? Well there is a bulletin maybe that will tell me something about what is going on. Hmmm, let me see collection last Sunday was $2,048.44. Well that tells me they are no here for the money! They must run this place on a shoestring. When do we get out of here? Is anybody going to give a sermon or preach? Well there is little guy with a beard looks like he may have something to say. Boy does he, just like the energizer bunny, he keeps going and going and going. Are we ever going to get out of here? Now what are they doing? Who are those people standing up there looking around? Who are those guys? Well, I guess its over now. Lets get out of here before I have to talk to someone or make eye contact. Oh no, I have been caught!
And then one Sunday, maybe our 3rd/4th week attending, those guys are standing up in the front of the church and my wife for some reason pushes me out of the pew, maybe the 4th row from the back on the left hand side as you are facing the stage?sanctuary?pulpit? whatever and next thing I know she is going up front and talks to one of those guys standing up there. Then they announce she wants to rededicate her life to Jesus. Can somebody tell me what is going on around here? True story. We left that day without fanfare, me not knowing what had just happened.
Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that despite having been to literally thousands of church services, I had know way of know what was going on that building for weeks or even months. The order of service made no sense to me, I could not for weeks figure out what was happening or what was next. Even after I was baptized that Christmas Eve and was asked to help out with the projector (yes I remember the overhead before we had the projector) but I declined because I did not think I could tell when to do what! This was after months of regular attendance!!
So keep in mind your target, the un-churched. Here are a couple of links that further define the so called un-churched, as opposed to un-saved for that matter. http://www.rcfministries.net/RCFTarget.htm
http://www.rohanandkate.net/blog/2005/04/the-un-churched-and-awareness
If you think you might find worship service unfamiliar for someone who has been to thousands of worship services, just try and imagine someone who has never been to a “church”!
Where’s Jim? 5/28/05
Post Classics
Due to popular demand, I thought I would recreate some of my most interesting posts...
Here is one that goes way back, I trust you will enjoy it..
Psalm 109
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. 1 O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent,
2 for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
3 With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause.
4 In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
5 They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.
6 Appoint [a] an evil man [b] to oppose him; let an accuser [c] stand at his right hand.
7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him.
8 May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.
9 May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.
10 May his children be wandering beggars; may they be driven [d] from their ruined homes.
11 May a creditor seize all he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.
12 May no one extend kindness to him or take pity on his fatherless children.
13 May his descendants be cut off, their names blotted out from the next generation.
14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD; may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.
15 May their sins always remain before the LORD, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
16 For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.
17 He loved to pronounce a curse— may it [e] come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing— may it be [f] far from him.
18 He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.
19 May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.
20 May this be the LORD's payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me.
21 But you, O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.
22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
23 I fade away like an evening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt.
25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.
26 Help me, O LORD my God; save me in accordance with your love.
27 Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it.
28 They may curse, but you will bless; when they attack they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice.
29 My accusers will be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.
30 With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng I will praise him.
31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him.
Here is one that goes way back, I trust you will enjoy it..
Psalm 109
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. 1 O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent,
2 for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
3 With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause.
4 In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
5 They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.
6 Appoint [a] an evil man [b] to oppose him; let an accuser [c] stand at his right hand.
7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him.
8 May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.
9 May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.
10 May his children be wandering beggars; may they be driven [d] from their ruined homes.
11 May a creditor seize all he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.
12 May no one extend kindness to him or take pity on his fatherless children.
13 May his descendants be cut off, their names blotted out from the next generation.
14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD; may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.
15 May their sins always remain before the LORD, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
16 For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.
17 He loved to pronounce a curse— may it [e] come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing— may it be [f] far from him.
18 He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.
19 May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.
20 May this be the LORD's payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me.
21 But you, O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.
22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
23 I fade away like an evening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt.
25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.
26 Help me, O LORD my God; save me in accordance with your love.
27 Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it.
28 They may curse, but you will bless; when they attack they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice.
29 My accusers will be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.
30 With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng I will praise him.
31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him.
