What Happened To The Samaritan?

Everyone knows what a "Good Samaritan" is. They may not know the parable but they know what a "Samaritan" is. Isn't it amazing how Jesus redeemed a group of outcasts in their own society and connected their name to a random act of kindness for perpetuity? What an awesome God we have.

The Samaritan, what if we had no need for the Samaritan to show up. Let me share with you a modern version of the parable as I saw it played out this past Sunday. (Please note as we begin, that I'm not bragging, just observing.)

Sunday was meeting day. Council on Ministries and Administrative Board, plus the youth were having their District Youth Leadership Team join them. I arrived at church about 15 minutes before the meeting to make copies of the minutes from another meeting which that chairperson had asked me to share because they couldn't be there. As I drove up I noticed three people sitting in the Pre-School playground next to the church offices. At first I didn't recognize them but as I got closer I realized that one of the people was one of our youth who has already declared for ministry. At first I didn't recognize the young man with her but it turned out be the son of one of the clergy in our District, he too is answering God's call in his life. And he is part of the Student Leadership Team.

As I got out of my truck these two young people made their way over to see me. The were accompanied by a man I'd never seen before but they introduced him to me, told me his story and then asked if we could help. It turns out he was there when they drove up and these two young people got to know him, shared scripture and prayed with him until I got there. At that moment, for just a second, I almost became the Priest and the Levite in the parable as I thought about being late to the meeting. Thank God it only lasted a second. I invited or guest into the office where we talked.

Then I drove him to a motel, purchased a room for the night and checked him in. We then went to one of the local establishments and got him supper. I found out quite a bit about this man in those 40 - 45 minutes. I don't really know what put him on the road to begin with, he was making his way to another city by way of the thumb. But he was very appreciative of the help and the kindness with which he was treated.

When I finally made it back for the meeting, the young woman came rushing up to greet me and apologize for interrupting my going to the meeting. Of course I told her she didn't really. And I thanked her for her ministry with this man. It was extremely exciting to see two young people "living" the gospel. They reminded an old geezer of a preacher how to live that parable.

I finally made it to the meeting. They caught me up real quick and those who didn't know where I was asked. I simply told them, "I was getting Jesus a room for the night and a meal."

THE PARABLE RETOLD
So, the modern interpretation would be this. A certain man was traveling from one small town to another when he fell on hard times. "No food, no lodging, no hope," so he decided to stop and rest in front of a local church. As he rested, two students of the ministry, on their way to a meeting, saw the stranger and asked if he needed help. The man explained his situation, "no food, no lodging, no hope." Neither of the young people had the means to help but they waited with him, praying and reading Scripture together while getting to know their "guest."

A certain pastor was running late and in a hurry while on his way to a meeting, when he was greeted by the two students of the ministry and their "guest." The pastor heard the predicament of this man "no food, no lodging, no hope" and made arrangements for lodging and food. And on the way to the lodging discovered that those simple acts of kindness had given the man hope.

What happened to the Samaritan? We don't know if a Samaritan came by or not, because the two students of the ministry and the pastor were so engaged in ministry with thier "guest" that they didn't have time to notice who else showed up.

THOUGHTS
We never know when Jesus is going to show up or what condition he will be in. However, we do know that if we treat everyone who comes to our door with diginity and respect, as if he or she were Jesus himself, we won't ever be caught off guard. Thank you Jesus for riding your thumb through our community and letting us share in your life, if only for a short time.

Change

This morning's Ziggy comic strip reminded me of a book I saw back in June right before we made the move to Glen Rose. The book was titled When Everything Changes, Change Everything: In a Time of Turmoil, a Pathway to Peace by Neale Donald Walsch. I'm not a big fan of these self help, psuedo spritual, psuedo psychological books but I found the title intriguing. Most of them that I have looked at don't need to be purchased, if you can read the chapter headings or titles you pretty much have the whole gist of the book.

In doing a little searching (without actually buying the book) I discovered what Walsch’s Nine Changes That Can Change Everything are:

1.) Change your decision to “go it alone”

2.) Change your choice of emotions

3.) Change your choice of thoughts

4.) Change your idea of truths

5.) Change your idea about Change itself

6.) Change your idea about why Change occurs

7.) Change your idea about future Change

8.) Change your idea about life

9.) Change your identity

As I looked at those I realized that the most important ones are 5, 6 & 7. Most of us don't like change but just like the sign in the Ziggy cartoon, the one constant in life is change. Everything DOES change. And when we admit that we realize that it's not our fault or anyone else's. There is no one to blame. It's just part of life. And if we understand that one point, that change happens, it will change our idea about future Change. It will actually strengthen us for future change. And that will change our lives and our identity.

I found the title intriguing because I was moving and everything was changing; address, people, styles of Worship, committees etc, etc. It reminded me to be flexible. It reminded me of John 16:33 from The Message "I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

It reminded me that with Jesus in the lead, change isn't bad; and that the only way I can become less so Jesus can become more in my life is to "change." It reminded me to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Mostly it reminded me to look at the move as on opportunity to "change" some habits.

While I've felt I've had a good prayer and study life, I wanted more. So, I have changed some of those prayer and study habits and have been more than amazed at the difference. I've also changed some eating habits and exercise habits. I've lost 12 pounds. Everything has changed but it has been good and refreshing and exciting because besides "change" there is one other constant in the universe. God.

The Man on the Moon

Forty years ago today I remember sitting glued to the television as the Apollo 11 crew drew closer and closer to the moon and then made that historic landing. When the lunar module "Eagle" seperated from the spaceship Columbia, I thought my heart would stop. And when it landed on the moon, I think it did. But when Neil Armstrong uttered those now famous words, "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed," I knew the world as we knew it would never be the same.

Then, approximately five hours later, it changed even more drastically as we watched Neil Armstrong descend those nine rungs on the ladder. I know, I counted every one of them, and every step he made. And again, words that have been etched into my heart and soul, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." (Some people claim he said "a man" but all I remember was "man.")

That was one of the most incredible moments of my life. That Sunday eveing everything changed for me. I hadn't really discovered reading until I was in the 6th grade and the book that changed my reading habits was "Secret of the Martian Moons." I was hooked on Science Fiction from that moment on. And that Sunday evening, Science Fiction became reality. It proved to me that there are very few limits to what we can do. If we can think it, we can one day do it. It opened up all sorts of vistas of speculative fiction for me.

But it WAS 1969. I had just graduated from High School. The war in Viet Nam was in full swing. My Military Draft lottery number was 42, so I was off to college. JFK, who had initiated the space program had been assasinated in November of 1963, 6 years earlier. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 (I'll never foget that. It was on my birthday) Then JFK's brother Robert was assassinated in June of 1968.

While I sat glued in wonder of that glorious moment; when I realized that the moon and all the stars were in our grasp, I also wondered why we couldn't do the same glorious sort of thing in the world by bringing peace instead war. Hope and freedom instead of fear and seperation. If there was ever a moment that I would define as the moment I grew up, I would have to say that it was the night I saw the first moon walk and realized how big our dreams can be and how small minded we can still be.

I wasn't a Christian then. I knew of God but didn't know God, so I didn't have reference point or the foundation of hope and faith to hang onto. Despite all of the negative I had seen, I was still an optimist. There was something inside which told me there was something or someone greater than us that could lead us in the right direction. Several years later I found out WHO that was. Jesus. I truly believe Jesus is still the answer.

What He taught. How He taught. How He lived and died CAN change lives and transform the world. I still believe that. I still stand in awe and wonder of the power Jesus has to change lives through healing the brokeness, alienation, and fear in our lives. All we have to do is surrender our lives completely to Him. By becoming less and less we become more and more. The more Jesus shows through us, the more we become like Him, the more we realize our true selves. The self God created us to be. And when we realize the self God created us to be, there is no telling what "giant steps" God will lead us to take.

Flitch Day

Some of you know my curiosity with wierd holidays, like Yellow Pig Day, well, July 19th is Flitch Day. Flitch Day could actually be the origin of the phrase "bringing home the bacon." It began as an old custom brought to America by the early settlers. Once a year, a slab (flitch = side = slab) of bacon was given to any married couple who could prove they had lived in harmony and fidelity for the past twelve months.

To find out about the Dunmow Flitch Trials in England check out this link.
http://www.dunmowflitchtrials.co.uk/

I'm sure it is all in jest now, but I think it brings up an interesting point "prizes and a trial" for fidelity. Maybe that's a way to bring down the divorce rate. Prizes and a yearly trial. We could televise them and have a brand new reality show. Before I digress too far off the original thought.

The Apostle Paul talked a lot about keeping our eye on the prize. Philippians 3:14 "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus." and 1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it."

Both these passages talk about "the prize" being Christ and our relationship with Christ. In my opinion, fidelity in marriage and fidelity to Christ IS the prize. Yet, fidelity isn't talked about much anymore. Most of the time we only hear it as the name of a bank or investment company. Do we really know what the word means any more? Fidelity implies the unfailing fulfillment and commitment to ones vows, covenants and promises.

Another word for fidelity, one which we use in the church quite often, is faithfulness. I don't know why but the word "faithfulness" doesn't seem to have the same sound of strength or power or depth as the word "fidelity." It sounds softer. Maybe it's just me.

I know that the word "fidelity" often evokes the idea of Duty or Obligation in some and many people don't like those ideas, they seem legalistic. Believe it or not, one of the derivatives of "fidelity" is the word "abide." In the Gospel of John, chapter 15, Jesus uses the word "abide" again and again as he talks about "being the vine and we being the branches."

In this discourse Jesus makes it clear that it is not about duty but relationship. Seperated from the vine, we can't bear fruit. The same is true in marriage and in our relationship with Christ through service in the Church. We have to attend to those things which build the relationship. Lives that are so busy that they can't attend to the most significant relationships availble are out of whack. It is vitally important to spend quality time with your spouse and your Savior.

I treasure the prize of fidelity I share with my spouse and with my Savior. I love spending time with them. I look forward to spending time with them. I covet that time with them. How about you?

Well, that's how wierd and off the wall my mind works some times. Thanks for stopping by. Is that bacon I smell cooking?

The Origins of Yellow Pig Day

Sorry, it's been running through my brain all day. What in the world is Yellow Pig(s) Day?

According to Holiday Insights http://www.holidayinsights.com/

"Yellow Pig Day is a mathematician's holiday celebrating yellow pigs (is there such a thing!?!), and the number 17. It is celebrated annually since the early 1960's, primarily on college campuses, and primarily by mathematicians. On campus, Yellow Pig Cake and Yellow Pig Carols are tradition!

If you are a mathematician, spend part of the day thinking and working in multiples of 17. And, while you do so, give a little thought to yellow pigs.

The Yellow Pig was the brainstorm of mathematicians Michael Spivak and David C. Kelly in the early 1960's. They were students at Princeton University, studying mathematics. History was made as they were listing interesting properties of the number 17 (can you imagine the interesting properties!?). During this thought wave, the yellow pig was born. Most likely, it had 17 toes, 17 teeth, 17 eyelashes, etc. The yellow pig and the number 17 have been linked ever since."

And this bit from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/

"Yellow Pigs Day, held annually on July 17, is a humorous celebration created and observed by mathematicians at Hampshire College and HCSSiM. The day is marked by exchanging gifts relating to yellow pigs or mathematics, singing yellow pig songs, and playing Ultimate.
Yellow Pigs Day was started by Michael Spivak and David C. Kelly. Spivak's published books include easter egg references to yellow pigs, and Kelly maintains an extensive collection of yellow pigs. In 2006, Hampshire College held a Yellow Pig Math Days conference, as part of the Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics program."

Obiously this is not a Kosher Holiday. As far as I know, except for Chapter and Verse numbers, the number 17 only appears in the Scripture 9 times.

Genesis 37:2 (NRSV)[2] This is the story of the family of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.

Genesis 47:28 (NRSV)[28] Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were one hundred forty-seven years.

1 Kings 14:21 (NRSV)[21] Now Rehoboam son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite.

2 Kings 13:1 (NRSV)[1] In the twenty-third year of King Joash son of Ahaziah of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned seventeen years.

1 Chronicles 7:11 (NRSV)[11] All these were the sons of Jediael according to the heads of their ancestral houses, mighty warriors, seventeen thousand two hundred, ready for service in war.
2 Chronicles 12:13 (NRSV)[13] So King Rehoboam established himself in Jerusalem and reigned. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite.

Jeremiah 32:9 (NRSV)[9] And I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and weighed out the money to him, seventeen shekels of silver.

These refer to the lists of returned exiles.
Ezra 2:39 (NRSV)[39] Of Harim, one thousand seventeen.

Nehemiah 7:42 (NRSV)[42] Of Harim, one thousand seventeen.

I told you it would be random.

Preview of Coming Attractions

I have no idea what I will be doing with this Blog but it will be all things Billy: Movie reviews, illustrations, stories, observations, useless trivia, Bible Study or commentary and who knows what else. This is just a beginning. We'll see how it goes. Just know that it will be random.

According to internet sources today is:
Peach Ice Cream Day, Yellow Pig Day and Wrong Way Corrigan Day.

Does that mean we need to take time to get lost on the way to eating peach ice cream with a yellow pig? What is a yellow pig anyway? I didn't know there was such a thing. I'm just wondering.