What Are You Talking About?

H

e hadn’t meant to say those words.  They had just slipped out in a moment of anger, a brief instant when he had lost his cool and said something he didn’t mean to someone he cared very deeply for.  If he could only take back those sharp, stinging barbs his tongue had launched just seconds before; but it was too late.  They had found their mark, bull’s eye, dead center, right in the heart.  The look on Greg’s face said it all. It was a mixture of disbelief coupled with unbearable agony and betrayal. 

Although he had apologized and Greg had forgiven him, Chuck could still see Greg’s painful expression.  Despite all his efforts he couldn’t get it out of his mind and on more than one occasion in the past 10 years he had replayed that conversation over and over in his mind.  True, he and Greg had been able to get their relationship back on track, but it never seemed to be quite the same from Chuck’s perspective.  Now he was making his way back home to visit Greg; to express his sympathy for the loss of Greg’s father.

“How am I going to face him?” was the only thing Chuck could say to himself.  The entire journey was dominated by this one thought.  The radio was no solace and at night sleep escaped him.  He knew it would be difficult but before he could really express heartfelt sympathy, Chuck had to have Greg’s forgiveness.  There was simply no way around it.

So, when he arrived at Greg’s house, they exchanged pleasantries.  Although Greg had lost his father, he seemed to be his old self, welcoming his friend into his home and was so thankful for his presence during this time.  When Chuck mustered enough courage, he asked to speak with Greg alone for just a few moments.  Greg gladly accommodated him and the two took a stroll in the backyard.  Chuck cut straight to the chase and told Greg how sorry he was about that day so long ago when he blurted out something he shouldn’t have.  Once again, Greg’s face displayed deep emotion.  But instead of pain, this was a look of bewilderment.

Chuck just stared at his friend.  He was totally unprepared for Greg’s response, “What are you talking about?”  Chuck thought this was some kind of cruel joke on Greg’s part.  Surely he remembered that day.  Surely he still felt the pain and the sting Chuck’s words had delivered.  But honestly, Greg didn’t remember.  For the past 10 years Chuck had carried a burden he didn’t need to shoulder and that burden had placed a great distance between him and his best friend.  So, there in the backyard, Greg and Chuck started all over again, renewing their friendship and this time it was better than it had ever been.

Have you ever been in Chuck’s shoes?  Sure, we all have.  In fact, this is the way most of us approach our relationship to God.  We carry around our former sins, mistakes, blunders, and failures.  Although God has forgiven us, we keep dragging them up, reminding him of all the wrongs we have committed.  We can’t get beyond our dirty laundry and we feel obligated to air it every time we come to God in prayer.

But God isn’t interested in our past.  In fact, he has forgotten all about it.  Psalm 103:12 gives us this assurance, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  No wonder God has forgotten.  Do you see how far he has removed our sins?  East and west will never meet—not now, not ever.  When we bring up our past God simply says to us, “What are you talking about?”  His forgiveness erases our sins and puts us back in right standing with him.  We can start our relationship with him on sure footing, knowing that he holds nothing against us but opens his arms wide to embrace us.  God wants to move on, to further our relationship with him and to grow closer to us. Let’s not keep him at arm’s length by concentrating on something he has taken off our shoulders.  Honestly, as far as our sins are concerned, God hasn’t a clue as to what we’re talking about!  If he doesn’t care about it, why should we?

What Are You Talking About?

            

H

e hadn’t meant to say those words.  They had just slipped out in a moment of anger, a brief instant when he had lost his cool and said something he didn’t mean to someone he cared very deeply for.  If he could only take back those sharp, stinging barbs his tongue had launched just seconds before; but it was too late.  They had found their mark, bull’s eye, dead center, right in the heart.  The look on Greg’s face said it all. It was a mixture of disbelief coupled with unbearable agony and betrayal. 

Although he had apologized and Greg had forgiven him, Chuck could still see Greg’s painful expression.  Despite all his efforts he couldn’t get it out of his mind and on more than one occasion in the past 10 years he had replayed that conversation over and over in his mind.  True, he and Greg had been able to get their relationship back on track, but it never seemed to be quite the same from Chuck’s perspective.  Now he was making his way back home to visit Greg; to express his sympathy for the loss of Greg’s father.

“How am I going to face him?”  Was the only thing Chuck could say to himself.  The entire journey was dominated by this one thought.  The radio was no solace and at night sleep escaped him.  He knew it would be difficult but before he could really express heartfelt sympathy, Chuck had to have Greg’s forgiveness.  There was simply no way around it.

So, when he arrived at Greg’s house, they exchanged pleasantries.  Although Greg had lost his father, he seemed to be his old self, welcoming his friend into his home and was so thankful for his presence during this time. 

When Chuck mustered enough courage, he asked to speak with Greg alone for just a few moments.  Greg gladly accommodated him and the two took a stroll in the backyard.  Chuck cut straight to the chase and told Greg how sorry he was about that day so long ago when he blurted out something he shouldn’t have.  Once again, Greg’s face displayed deep emotion.  But instead of pain, this was a look of bewilderment.

Chuck just stared at his friend.  He was totally unprepared for Greg’s response, “What are you talking about?”  Chuck thought this was some kind of cruel joke on Greg’s part.  Surely he remembered that day.  Surely he still felt the pain and the sting Chuck’s words had delivered.  But honestly, Greg didn’t remember.  For the past 10 years Chuck had carried a burden he didn’t need to shoulder and that burden had placed a great distance between him and his best friend.  So, there in the backyard, Greg and Chuck started all over again, renewing their friendship and this time it was better than it had ever been.

Have you ever been in Chuck’s shoes?  Sure, we all have.  In fact, this is the way most of us approach our relationship to God.  We carry around our former sins, mistakes, blunders, and failures.  Although God has forgiven us, we keep dragging them up, reminding him of all the wrongs we have committed.  We can’t get beyond our dirty laundry and we feel obligated to air it every time we come to God in prayer.

But God isn’t interested in our past.  In fact, he has forgotten all about it.  Psalm103:12 gives us this assurance, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  No wonder God has forgotten.  Do you see how far he has removed our sins?  East and west will never meet—not now, not ever.  When we bring up our past God simply says to us, “What are you talking about?”  His forgiveness erases our sins and puts us back in right standing with him.  We can start our relationship with him on sure footing, knowing that he holds nothing against us but opens his arms wide to embrace us. 

G

od wants to move on, to further our relationship with him and to grow closer to us. Let’s not keep him at arm’s length by concentrating on something he has taken off our shoulders.  Honestly, as far as our sins are concerned, God hasn’t a clue as to what we’re talking about!  If he doesn’t care about it, why should we?

Hide and Seek

             

O

ne of my favorite games was hide-and-seek.  Usually, all the kids from the neighborhood would gather in our backyard and we would painstakingly decide who would be "it" first.  This was no small undertaking.  There were specific rules governing this selection and if they weren't followed, a very heated dispute would break out and the game thwarted before it even began.

Our backyard was built for hiding.  We had large trees, a row of hedges between us and the neighbors' yard, a great side yard, and a wonderful woodpile.  The woodpile was my favorite place to hide!  A small ditch separated our yard was separated from the neighbors behind us.      

On the other side of that ditch was a tall row of hedges, perfect for hiding.  However, the rules specifically stated that no one was to cross the ditch and hide there.  I don't know why we had this rule, we just did.  In any event, one night we were playing and guess where I hid?  You guessed it, I crossed the ditch and hid in those hedges. I knew it was against the rules but I did it any way.  It was fun!!

As the others began the search for those still hiding, I watched with great delight.  I knew they would have a hard time finding me.  The longer I watched, however, the more I began to worry that no one would come looking for me.  As I watched through those thick bushes, a terrifying thought filled my mind.  Suppose no one came looking for me!  Suppose they left me all alone!  I heard my friends calling my name, asking me where I was.  They knew I wasn't obeying the rules because they couldn't find me in the backyard. 

Suddenly, I heard someone behind me.  It was a friend from the next block.  He found me and alerted the others of my whereabouts.  The all taunted me because I broke the rules and it was decided I could not play in the next game.

Sadly, the game we played as children is a game that started with the dawn of humanity.  The book of Genesis records the actions of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  After eating from

the tree which God told them to avoid, they hid themselves.  Thus, the first game of hide-and-seek was inaugurated, only, this was no game. 

Genesis 3:9 is the first recorded question God asks, "The Lord God called to Adam, “Where are you?”  God came searching for Adam, looking for him, wanting to visit, to relate with him. However, Adam could not answer because he was hiding.  He was afraid to face God because he had broken the rules.

God's question was not one of geography.  He knew exactly where Adam was and he knew where to find him, just like my friend who knew to find me in those hedges.  Instead, this was the question of a broken relationship and a broken heart. 

The day before, God walked in the garden and visited with him.  There was nothing to separate them from each other.  I firmly believe Adam was able to look God in the face because there was nothing to keep him from an open relationship with his maker.  However, after eating the fruit, Adam hid himself.   He could no longer stand in the warm glow of God's love.  Instead, he stood in the cold, lonely shadow of his own sin.  What a tragedy!

Today, we continue to play hide-and-seek with God.  We break the rules and believe he won't know the difference.  Yet, he knows what we do, he knows why we do it, and he knows where we are.  We cannot hide from him.  Although Adam broke the rules, God came looking for him.  He still wanted that close, intimate relationship he intended for Adam to have all along.  Adam, however, was unable to continue the relationship and had to leave the garden.  Breaking the rules has its consequences in life as it does in games.

W

herever you are today, it is my prayer that you will take the time to hear God's voice.  Examine your life.  Is there something keeping you from God's presence?  Is there a barrier between you and him?  Listen!  Do you hear him?  He is walking the garden of your life, calling, "Where are you?"  Won't you answer him today?

It's Time To Wash Your Hair!

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Thursday, March 19, 2015

Today's Title: It’s Time To Wash Your Hair!

Today's Scripture: Psalm 51:7

I remember the touch of my mother’s hand when I was a little boy.  Most of the time, mom’s touch was gentle and affectionate. There were times, however, when her touch was a little stronger, like when I insisted on having my way over hers--bad move on my part!!  I remember that mom’s hands were always busy, preparing meals, washing clothes, cleaning house, or sewing.  But her hands were never too occupied or too tired to attend to scraped knees, running noses, or hurt feelings. Many times as I lay in a hospital bed, the mere touch of her hand did more than all the nurses and medications combined.

One of the things I remember most about mom’s touch happened on Saturday evenings.  We had the same ritual.  I would get my bath, and then mom would put me up on the kitchen counter, have me lie on my back, and she would wash my hair in the kitchen sink.  I remember her hands supporting my head as it hung in mid-air over the sink.  She always talked to me while she washed and we would joke, tease, and laugh during the whole process. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, this wasn't always a bunch of roses.  In the summer time, when I had been outside playing, I would get sand and grit all in my hair.  When it came time to wash it out, it wasn't fun.  Mom’s hands, though soft and reassuring, were also relentless in their determination to find every grain of sand in my head.  With my head dangling over the sink, she used both her hands to lather, search, scrub, and scratch, until every grain of sand was gone.  When I got up from the counter, I knew my head was completely clean, not only because I could feel it, but because mom had washed my hair and I knew nothing had escaped her attention.

In Psalm 51, David records the same experience, except David isn't having his hair washed and his mom isn't doing the honors.  Instead, David prays to God to cleanse his soul, to find anything and everything that makes his life spotty and unclean.  This entire Psalm was written after David’s adultery with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11). Knowing he has done wrong and knowing he cannot cleanse his own heart, David comes before God’s throne and ask his Heavenly Father to make him clean. 

David knows the process will not be pleasant but he also knows that when God is finished he will be completely clean.  David’s specific request is found in Psalm 51:7 “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Read the last three words again very slowly and think about them.  What can be whiter than snow?  Yet David says that is exactly how clean he will be when God finishes with him.  David asked God to look into every nook and cranny of his life, to find all the grains of sin that were making it spotty, and to remove them. 

If you have ever asked God to cleanse you, then you know just how probing His hands can be.  They relentlessly search for the smallest speck of sin and they scrub and scrub, until it is completely gone. Although this is not the most enjoyable aspect of our relationship with God, it is one of the most productive.  God will not stand for any sin to stain our lives!  He has zero tolerance for sin because He knows that, left alone, it will continue to soil our lives and affect our relationship with Him.

When mom was washing my hair, she wouldn't stop until she was satisfied all the sand was gone.  It didn't matter if I was ready for her to be finished; the ordeal wasn't over until she had removed all the sand from my hair.  She knew that if the dirt remained, it would be more difficult and more challenging to remove at a later time.  When it was time to wash my hair that is exactly what she did, right down to the last follicle.

If my mom would take such great pains to make sure my hair was clean, how much more important do you think our souls are to God?  With a loving touch, He searches us all over, making sure that our lives are free from sin.  Our part is to lie still and let Him work. He knows what He is doing, He knows what to look for, and He knows how to remove it from us.  But there is one proviso—we must ask Him to do it.  We must allow God to search us and cleanse us.  God is a gentleman and will not force Himself on us.  He waits until He is invited in and then He begins His work!

When was the last time you asked God to wash you?  When was the last time you let Him really inspect every part of your life to see if sin was lurking in a hidden corner?  When was the last time you willingly let God cleanse you and make you whiter than snow?  Don’t you think it’s time to wash your hair today?

A Clean Slate

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Monday, February 2, 2015

Today's Title:  A Clean Slate

Today's Scripture: Isaiah 43:25

One of the hazards of teaching class is chalk dust.  It gets everywhere and it coats and infiltrates everything.  Many a day, I have arrived home to find my pockets filled with bits of chalk and the ever-present chalk dust.  On more than one occasion, I have had it pointed out to me that my shirt and my pants were completely covered in chalk dust from leaning against the blackboard as I teach.  There’s just no two ways about it, if you’re going to teach, you must become acquainted and comfortable with chalk dust; it’s just that simple.

I must confess, however, that I am not stingy with my chalk dust.  I believe in sharing it with my students and on several occasions I have them approach the blackboard to do exercises.  Invariably, several students will complain about the chalk dust and point out how it sticks to their hands, their books, and their clothes.  I simply tell them, “Welcome to my world!”

One morning, we had a particularly productive chalkboard session.  My students filled the board with sentences they had done for homework.  When the class started, I took several pieces of chalk, handed them to different students, and sent them to the board.  They wrote their answers, mistakes and all, and then returned to their seats.  When we finished reviewing and correcting the sentences the chalkboard looked more like an offensive attack plan from a World War II battlefield than answers to homework.  There were arrows, marks, and corrections all over the board when we finished.  What had started out as a clean, pristine chalkboard was now totally covered with errors and corrections.

By the next class period, I discovered that a small miracle had occurred.  As I entered the room, I was taken aback by the chalkboards covering two of the room’s four walls.  They were clean, perfectly black, showing no sign they had been the recipients of several errors only forty-eight hours before.  Where once there was chalk dust, and plenty of it, now there was only clean slate with no marks, no arrows, and no mistakes of any kind.  Were it not for the fact that I had witnessed all those errors a few days before, I would have never known any mistakes had ever been made.

What a wonderful picture of salvation this is.  Isaiah 43:25 reminds us, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”  Here, God explicitly tells us that He not only erases our sins, He completely removes them and no longer remembers them.  We fill the boards of our lives with marks, mistakes, downright errors, and halfhearted attempts.  When we've finished making our marks, we step back and look at what we have produced.  What a mess!  It is impossible to tell where we started and where we ended and nothing on the board is ever right.  All our answers, all our theories, all the things we believe we know are riddled with errors, resulting in a board, or a life, chock full of chaos.

However, when we accept God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, He comes and wipes the slate clean.  He applies not only the eraser to take away the mistakes; God also applies a heavy-duty cleaner to completely remove any residue left over from our mistakes and markings.  The result is a clean slate, a clean life, a clean heart which is ready to receive whatever God chooses to write on it.  When we allow Him to write on our hearts and have control over our lives, we find that the board is never dirty and it is never riddled with errors.  All the mistakes we made are in the past and God, just like the janitor who cleans our boards, totally removes the markings in our lives.  They are removed and they are forgotten and we receive a fresh start.

In the classroom of your life today, what does the chalkboard look like?  Is it covered with chalk dust, riddled with errors, marked all over with your attempts to live a life pleasing to God?  Do the memories of all you've ever done in your life stare back at you from that board?  Then let God take the cloth of His love and the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood and apply them to your life.  Your sins and your past will disappear and as you become His child, you will start over with a clean slate!  Are you ready for some board work today?