Just sayin’ – “Scoop”

The word “scoop’ has different meanings. It might be something connected to your favorite cold creamy dessert or in the current media world – the reporting of a story in advance of it’s rivals. I am thinking of that later.

On Oct 27, 2013, Lara Logan, of NBC’s 60 minutes news show, aired a scoop story complete with an eye-witness account of the Sep 2012 Benghazi attack. On Nov 8, 2013, Logan and the story’s producer were asked to take a leave of absence from 60 minutes because their story was found out to be false. Dylon Davies had been exposed as a fraud. Post the damage control from NBC and 60 Minutes, critics again questioned motives of news organizations that seek the scoop of a story more than the truth of it.

As a preacher, I am many times bordering the scoop desire when presenting the truth. I enjoy academia, and am constantly searching for a new angle or story – but today, I am reminded that the truth of the matter must always be before the story of it. Scripture tells us:

“You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me (Jesus Christ)! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want. John 5:39-40 MSG 

May all of our personal journey stories this new year be blessed with truth and because of truth, Jesus Christ.

I’m just sayin’…

Just Sayin’ – Cardiac care

A friend once told me that common sense is not common. And so I’m thankful to science that  helps us to find some commonality. The European Society of Cardiology, Oct 2012,  published an article online entitled, “calling an ambulance improves heart attack survival“(1)

The study reported that that although ambulance service in Turkey is free  – only 29% of chest pain went to a hospital by ambulance. Instead, “among patients who did not use an ambulance, 37% were given a lift, 14% drove their own car, 26% took a taxi, 12% used public transport and 11% walked to the hospital.” The study found that not taking an ambulance delayed crucial treatment and was slower than taking an ambulance.

Even the Bible is careful to address cardiac care, although the biblical heart “denotes a person’s center for both physical and emotional-intellectual-moral activities; sometimes it is used figuratively for any inaccessible thing.” (2)

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

Merry Christmas to you and yours this year as we care of our heart in the end of this year and into the next.

I’m just sayin’…

(1) “Acute Cardiac Care 2012.” ESC. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Dec. 2013. <http://www.escardio.org/CONGRESSES/ACUTE-CARDIAC-CARE-2012/Pages/welcome.aspx>.
(2) “Heart.” BibleStudyTools.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Dec. 2013. <http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/heart/>.

Just sayin’ – Watch with each other (guy stuff)

Hi all – today, may I speak to the guys…

Guy greetings can range from one/few words such as, “Dude”, “What’s up,” and even the one-motion Man-nod (an unspoken greeting between Man “A” and Man “B” by a small nod of the head when they see each other – could be friend or stranger).

And while I appreciate brevity in greetings I believe that men need more from each other than short words. Whether we know it or not – we have, as Christian men, an anointing upon our lives to be a blessing to other men.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Pro 27:17

Even Jesus himself sought the company of close men and asked for their support in his most trying time:

(Jesus) took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matt 26:37 – 38

In this season – May our families and we be blessed as we keep watch with each other.

I’m just sayin’…

Just sayin’ – Message interpreter

History will remember Nelson Madela well. His life, service and memorial will be remembered. Well maybe not all of his memorial service will be remembered well — for a strange story came out of it.(1)

When I first read/saw the story – I was in disbelief. News sources were reporting that the sign interpreter for the deaf at Mandela’s memorial service was faking the signs. During the rest of the day, reports came out that the signer was maybe sick or a brazen fake or… whatever. Who really knows what really happened?

The point is – is that there were many who didn’t understand the message. For the benefit of the people with no hearing (or closed captioning) they missed it – the rememberances and even the lyrics of hopeful songs. They missed out because the message was not communicated properly.

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psa 86:5

As we come into this season of holidays, winter, family get-togethers and gift giving. Let’s not forget to properly interpret the reason for the season – Jesus. For the benefit of us that have yet to hear, experience or are struggling to enjoy the more abundant life that Jesus can give.

I’m just sayin’…

Just sayin’ – 50% discount on food…

Just outside of Jerusalem, diners are dining for less – much less. Jawdat Ibrahim, the owner of the Abu Ghosh restaurant is offering a whopping 50% discount on the bill if you turn off your smartphones.

Associate press writer Ian Deitch quotes Ibrahim, “I’m changing something. It might be something small, but maybe in some small way I’ll be changing the culture of eating.” Mr. Ibrahim is trying to save us from technology so we can experience the food and the company you are with.

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

I’m guilty too, I’ve been inviting my phone along more and more to the table. But I’m thinking that Mr. Ibrahim is on to something – something good. I’m grateful for his encouragement, his instruction and his reminder of being with the folks I am with. After all, if we allow our smartphones to take us away from being where we are… then we’d probably lose a lot more than 50% of life. Today, enjoy your Thanksgiving meal and… your Thanksgiving company.

I’m just sayin’…

Just sayin’ – You’ll know

One of the blessings of serving as a pastor is the opportunity to hear and share with God’s people. I have the privilege of thinking and talking about life and God’s presence in it, as do we all. And in many of those pastoral conversations, I hear a common question – “How do I know if God is leading me?”

Well – that question could be vetted more to have a more specific answer but here is my general answer, “You’ll know when you know.” I figure this might sound like a weird answer but here’s my take on it…

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Joh 10:27

When a person has follows the Lord’s leading in the little things; then it would make sense that when the bigger things come along – this person would have a familiarity with God’s voice and would know because he/she knows the God’s voice.

Here’s an example of little things:
Q. Lord, I’d like to call in sick to work today, even though I’m not. Any thoughts?
A. Are you sick? So… what do you think I would think? (Matt 25:32)

Q. Lord, I’d like to stay upset with my spouse until he/she sees my point of view.
A. Well… if the commandment from my son is to love your neighbor as yourself and your spouse is my gift to you. Should there really be an insistence? (Mat 12:29-31)

And then to the bigger things:
Q. Lord, I’m ready to get married – should I marry the person that I’ve been seeing recently – and by the way, I’m totally in love?
A. I am totally on your side when it comes to you being happy with a spouse. Let me ask you a question – with all that we’ve shared in the past – you’ve come to know me. So… what do you think I think? And if you don’t know for sure… then let’s talk more about it.

I have… simplified the questions above for this thought’s sake but I’m hoping you get what I’m trying to say through them. You’ll know God’s leading in the big things because you have come to know His voice when He’s led in the small things – “You’ll know when you know.”

When God’s voice is not so clear to me… I start recalling and practicing the little things. Personal devotional time, prayer and loving my wife and neighbor more than I did before that moment. And guess what happens. His voice once again becomes clearer… “I begin to know, because I know.” May we all start again in hearing and learning. Lastly – if you’re not sure about hearing God’s voice in the small things… let’s you and me sit down and talk about it. Pastor Mika (contact me through this blog or post).

I’m just sayin’…

Just sayin’ – Something to not forget

-Submitted by Susanne.

The other night Steve and I were discussing (that’s what we call arguing in our home) something and in the middle of it, I looked him in the eye and said, “I have TWO things to say…” I said the first one with conviction and then…FORGOT the second. My husband was still waiting patiently to hear my thoughts which had flown away and only God knew them now. I sighed heavily, “Never mind…” I said tragically, as if I could not bear to argue anymore.

I forget lots of things but what I don’t forget is kindness – especially from strangers. Maybe it’s because I just don’t expect it. I can look back and remember those things easily.

Example: Years ago an Escalade SUV and I turned into the center lane at the same time (different directions) and came within a couple inches of hitting each other. She had been turning first – my bad. I apologetically looked up at her from my smaller car expecting to see a raised finger, or her lips forming words I was glad I couldn’t hear – a glare at the very least. Instead she was smiling triumphantly at me. She gestured to the space between our cars and gave me a thumbs up like she was saying, “We stopped just in time! We ROCK!!!” Not only was she not angry, she  partnered with me in joy.

Which brings me to this morning. I was at a Starbucks buying breakfast for my daughter and myself. As I was reaching for my wallet to pay, an arm slid in front of mine, put a payment card on the counter first and said, “I’ve got this.” She gave me a hug and said hello. It wasn’t a stranger but a dear friend from church. Still, it was completely unexpected and so…kind. We chatted and parted, leaving me feeling warm and loved.

Kindness, large or small, yields big results. Sometimes it is unseen to the eye but never to the heart. I believe God directs our kindness. If you are like me, sometimes you may ignore His promptings because it feels awkward, or you don’t want to go out of your way, or you are not feeling especially kind at that time. However, don’t forget that the benefit is ours, too. We partner with that person and with God in the joy of kindness. This is beauty among the ashes, sunlight through the clouds.

Today I will put myself aside and say yes to giving and receiving kindness.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

Warmly,

Susanne

**

Submitted by Susanne Namkung

Susanne and Steve along with their children share life and ministry with the Eastside SDA Fellowship church, Kirkland, WA.

Just sayin’ – Little people

If I use an idiom and say that my class exam was “a piece of cake” I do not mean that my exam included the consuming of a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. What I mean is that the exam was easy, as easy as enjoying a piece of cake. After all… who doesn’t like cake?

If I say that  “my daughter is the apple of my eye” it would mean that I have a great fondness for my her or that she is very special to me.

Most of us are familiar with these idioms and that’s probably why the translators the English “apple of the eye” idiom in Psalm 17 rather than the original Hebrew idiom.

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings” Psalm 17:8

The Hebrew idiom actually reads “Keep me as the Little man of the eye…”

English: “the apple of the eye
Hebrew: “the little man of the eye”

As strange as Hebrew idiom “little man of the eye” sounds, the direct translation from Hebrew to English reads even more strange. And that’s probably why the translators of the 17th Psalm substituted an English idiom for the Hebrew one.

I recommend the actual Hebrew idiom over the English one. As strange as it sounds – it’s meaning is beautiful. The Hebrew phrase can be understood like so. If you and I were to stand close enough to each other to look clearly into each other’s eyes – we would see a reflection.

The reflection that you would see would be of you in my eye(s) and vice versa. In other words, when you are close enough – and able to look into the eye of the person looking right back at you, you would see “a little reflection of you.” AKA “a little man (or woman) in the eye.”

David certainly knows he’s special to God as are we are also, but his main point is not God’s fondness of Him but of God’s closeness. David’s plea to God is for Him to “keep him as the little man of God’s eye” is a request that speaks to God’s proximity to David. A paraphrase would be something like this, “God, please keep me close to you. So close that when I look into your eyes, I would see a reflection of me in your eyes. And you would see a reflection of you in my eyes.

May the Lord of all be close to you and mel – close enough that we would be the little people in His eyes.

I’m just sayin’…

Just Sayin’ – Bold words

The very first words of the in the first book of the Bible are bold. The words are not braggadocious but confident. It’s an assumption that doesn’t invite dialogue questioning the trueness of it’s claim. It simply says what it says. The reader can either accept, deny or ponder it but he can not ignore it:

In the beginning God… Gen 1:1a

You see – the reader of scripture can apply textual criticism or doubt. But in order to understand the Bible beyond literature and experience it supernaturally – the reader is expected to accept to accept that God is who He is. (Exo 3:14)

At the risk of troubling the philosophers, scientists or mathematicians on the reading side of this blog – the “beginning” of time may be found on a timeline but “time” itself would would not be if it weren’t for God. For it was God’s creating act that sparked the genesis of our time (gen 1:1).

And if God is not constrained by time – then within the final words of the same Bible the reader finds an equally bold statement:

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Rev 22:13

I’m just sayin’…

Just sayin’ – Raising the gaze

Help can come from different places. And those places can speak to the qualification the helper.

Sometimes help is needed personally –  it could be that a motivational word could encourage the “needer” toward a personal action. When help is needed from a source outside of self – maybe a faith community and even family/friends with resources could be of service. But when need exceeds the abilities and resources of self and friends – where does one look for help?

There is a song/poem in scripture that locates that specific kind of help. The song is quoted by preachers and persons and actors alike, it is Psalm 121. It bespeaks of a faith in a helper that is greater than the abilities and resources of me and we.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psa 121:1-2 KJV

As the text is engaged, the reader is physically directed. We instinctively raise our gaze with David and see the hills – but the gaze must not stop at the hills.

Note: a) lifting eyes b) grammatical pause  c) a lingering question[1]. The pause introduces a question. The question is “from where does my help come from?” In other words, though the hills may be inspirational – they are not enough.

Psa 121:2 emphasizes the point of origin and ability of David’s help. The “help” comes from the Lord which “made” the heavens and the earth (including the hills). In other words – when the need for help exceeds our abilities and resources David says look a little higher. Look above the hills – look above nature. Raise your gaze high and see that that kind of help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth (even the hills.)

Today, I recommend we take time to raise our gaze. And in case you don’t feel the need for God’s cosmic help – do it on behalf of someone else.

Keep on prayin – I’m just sayin’…

 

1. Creach, Jerome F.D. “Between Text And Sermon: Psalm 121.“Interpretation: A Journal Of Bible & Theology 50.1 (1996): 48.Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Aug. 2013.