Quotes

"The world always makes the assumption that the exposure of an error is identical with the discovery of truth - that the error and truth are simply opposite. They are nothing of the sort. What the world turns to, is usually simply another error, and maybe one worst than the first." - Henry Mencken

Time Change or Time to Change?

When we think of time perhaps one of the common images that comes to mind is, Big Ben, one of the most famous clocks in the world. Originally the name was given to the 131/2 ton bell that is attached to the 5 ton clock located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, England. Today that nickname has been extended to include the clock or clock tower as well. Located there is what is recognized as the largest four-faced chiming clock and the third tallest free standing clock in the world.

The clock first ticked on May 31, 1859 and it celebrated it's 150Th anniversary in May 2009. Big Ben is known most of all for its reliability and accuracy. Over the years there have been many repairs and changes that have been made to Big Ben, but perhaps one of the most interesting was the discovery that during a 20 year period that the clock had lost 1 second according to "God's Celestial Time". God's Celestial Time has actually become today's standard for telling accurate time. It has been discovered that the sun, moon, stars and planets move so precisely in their orbits that scientists gage our time keeping clocks by celestial movements.

So what do you do when a clock like Big Ben gets out of time? How can something like this be fixed? How do you adjust a 5 ton clock? They decided to try and attach a small coin about the size of a penny to the pendulum and sure enough it worked! Today they say Big Ben is back in perfect time.

As I was reading about Big Ben and having to adjust our clocks recently, it got me thinking. We may have just had to change the time on our clocks, but I really wonder how long God has been trying to get us to realize it's "Time to Change"? If we are not careful we will miss what God wants us to do, much like the manager of a local restaurant my wife and I recently stopped by.

As we entered we were informed that they were really already closed but that they would go ahead and take our order since the grill was still hot. So we proceeded to place our order. Afterwards I asked why they were closing early? The manager replied, "We close at 9 PM!" My response was, "But it's only 8 PM!" To which the manager said, "Oh man, I forgot to set my clock back! Thanks, the owner would have fired me if I closed an hour early!" He had missed the time change completely and didn't even realize it.

I wonder how many of us miss the fact that according to God it's time to change and we are out of sink we God's standard and we don't even realize that we are desperately in need of some adjustments. We have something that is an even greater standard than "God's Celestial Time" when it comes to our lives, it is "God's Word", which is our standard for living.

Romans 13:11-14 says, "And that, knowing the time, that now is the high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering (sexual immorality) and wantonness (lustful living), not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

The clear message we have been given is: Knowing the Time!
* Could it be Time to Wake Up? (vs. 11)
* Could it be Time to Change our Walk? (vs. 12-13)
* Could it be Time to Change what we are Wearing? (vs. 12 & 14)

The questions I find I must often ask myself are, "Could it be possible I have fallen asleep spiritually? Could it be possible I have started walking in the wrong direction? Could it be possible I need to change what I am wearing each day?

We all remember watching Clark Kent while growing up. His true identity was always kept secret until he was needed. It is in those moments we saw him slip into a private room, rip off his shirt and underneath his suit was an "S", which stood for superman. He was superman all along but no one knew until they saw the "S".

Perhaps God is waiting on all of us to, WAKE UP, start WALKING his direction and get rid of what is covering the "JC" (Jesus Christ) in us. We are needed! Maybe he is just telling us one more TIME it's TIME TO CHANGE! Are there any adjustments you need to make today?

I have an extra penny if you would like to borrow it!

Nothing Important To Say!

They say old habits are hard to break. Perhaps that is why I find myself with this feeling of being stuck where I am. Consumed with the feeling that I have nothing important to say. The first time I remember feeling this way was in speech class in college. The assignment was to prepare a speech on the day's topic worth presenting to the class.

As I stood there in front of my peers I was expected to give them something of value, something memorable. I seriously doubt that that is what happened. You see, even today I can't remember the topic we were assigned, and I doubt anyone else can either. However, that experience would somehow prove to be memorable. Maybe not for my professor or other classmates, but for me.

As I was called to the front of the class a lump formed in my throat, a sick feeling in my stomach and a look of panic and fear rushed across my face. I really wasn't sure what would happen next. Would there be fainting? (That would have made it a lot easier, come on please faint, but NO!) Would I vomit? (I wanted to but nothing would come out.) No, it looked as if I would have to go through this. I would stand in front of my class with nothing important to say.

Now, every week I go to great lengths to prepare to stand in front of a class or a congregation and I can't help but remember that awkward feeling from 38 years ago. I sort of feel like Moses must have felt in Exodus 4 when he said; "Lord, they will not believe me, or listen to my voice." Then I'm reminded what the Lord told Moses and his words echo in my mind; "Jerry, who made your mouth?" "Go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what to say."

If it were left up to me I would always feel that way, as if, I have nothing important to say. But somehow that is not how God feels. The value of my words will never be found in me, but in the One I allow to form my words. I agree with Paul in I Thessalonians 2:4 when he said; "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts."

Lord, today let me speak because YOU have something important to say!