Actress Sophia Loren has stated that when you are a mother, you are never really alone
in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her
child.

Brian’s mom seems not to have received that message.

That word seems to describe most of us adults in America today. It seems that no matter what
task we pronounce ‘done,’ there always appears to be something or someone else stepping
forward yelling, ‘I’m next,’ and dutifully we answer the call. Most of these demands are worthy
and joyful endeavors but some have a much more laborious disposition, yet they all share one
thing in common; time.

Books and advice have been given to me over the years to help me make ‘better’ use of my
time. Some of it has even been helpful, but better management has not eradicated being busy. I
just do it more efficiently now!!

For me, I am wired to be busy and do not see it as an enemy to be conquered or an addiction
to be beaten. Rather, I see it as part of my life that needs to be purposefully directed. I have
made a commitment to make sure that included in my busy life are things I have deemed to be
of essential value. These I will not neglect or only give cursory attention. You too must take a
stand on what you consider to be of essential value; if not, others and life will do it for you.

I am presently watching and enjoying my 10 month old grand-daughter navigate how to walk.
This time will not pass this way again. It is part and parcel of my busy life that I joyfully embrace.
I will always be busy until I am unable to be so, but until then, it will be a ‘busy’ in which I will
have a strong influence.

I attended a wedding this last week-end. I immediately noticed the attention to detail of the
chosen location; the preferred colors; the selected wedding music and the favored symbols
used throughout the service to emphasize the groom and bride’s love for one another. I watched
and heard them exchange words of commitment and desire. I silently prayed with the pastor
that the Lord would give them many fruitful and wonderful years together.

Yet there was something else that I noticed at that wedding ceremony. I noticed how many
people stepped up giving their time and energy to make that service possible. I realize that
some were financially compensated, but quite a few gave of themselves ‘freely.’ I am pretty
sure that much of their service went unnoticed by the wedding guests, but without them, the
ceremony would have been severely hampered and limited in scale.

The point of this post is that there are opportunities for needed service all around us. Instead of
thinking and saying, ‘not me,’ let us ask God to open our minds and eyes so that our viewpoint
becomes, ‘why not me?’ Why not now?

No one raised their hand that day when they asked for volunteers
He got picked out by default, he was the only daddy there
They said we know what you’re thinking choose some else instead
But this league was built on coaches who stood right there and said

Not me, not me; no way with this job of mine I could never find the time
Not me, not me; the world becomes a better place
When someone stands and leads the way, steps forward when they’d rather say not me

The judge says you’re the oldest, makes you the legal guardian
I’m sorry how you lost your folks but there’s no next of kin
Two brothers and a sister, she knew how hard that it would be
But she softly said ?I’ll raise them while the voice inside her screamed

Not me, not me; I can’t believe what’s happened, this isn’t how it’s supposed to be
Not me, not me; but this world becomes a better place
When someone stands and leads the way
Steps forward when they’d rather say not me

A young captain at attention a star pinned on his chest
He recalls the battle while the final roll call’s read
They were the finest soldiers it was my privilege to lead
They deserve the medals, he men who died; not me

Not me, not me; I just did what I was called to do
You’d do the same if it was you
Not me, not me; but this world becomes a better place
When some ne stands and leads the way
Steps forward when they’d rather say not me

As we prepare to celebrate Easter, I would like to direct your thoughts to two guarantees that
Jesus’ resurrection secures.

First, it guarantees that the penalty for our sins has been paid in full and accepted by the Father.
[Jesus] was delivered up for our transgressions and raised for our justification (Romans
4:25). If Jesus had remained in the tomb it would show that the Father had not accepted Jesus’
death as the propitiation for our sins. …if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and
you are still in your sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).

Second, it guarantees our future resurrection and victory over death. But in fact Christ has
been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a
man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam
all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

Long years have passed, and still we fear the face of death;
It steals our loved ones, leaving us undone.
It mocks our dreams and calls to us with icy breath,
The final terror when life’s course is run.
But this I know: my Lord traveled this way before,
His body clothed in immortality.
The sepulcher’s sting is drawn, the power of sin destroyed.
Death has been swallowed up in his mighty victory.
(stanza from D.A. Carson’s song, They Came Alone.

Jeremiah Small served for 6 years among the Kurds in Northern Iraq teaching at Classical
School of the Medes. As he bent his head to pray at the start of his class on March 1st of this
year, he was shot and killed by one of his students who then shot and killed himself. World
Magazine has an article detailing his story in their March 24th, 2012 edition. What struck me in
the article was Jeremiah’s funeral that took place in Iraq. His family chose to bury him in Iraq
and in attendance were members of the killer’s family. World reports:

But most remarkable was the reconciliation evident between Small’s family, who are
Christians, and Sarwar’s, who are Muslims. The shooter’s father, Rashid Sarwar,
apologized to the Smalls for the killing. The teacher’s father, Dan Small, said, “We do
not have any hatred for the family of the student who killed our son.” At one point both men embraced.

The prayer given to us by Jesus, forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors,
is most certainly being lived out by the Small family. The heart of the matter is forgiveness
- God’s undeserved forgiveness mediated to us through and because of Christ, and our
forgiveness given out to others because of our union in Him. That is the heart of the matter.

I got the call today that I didn’t wanna hear but I knew that it would come.
An old, true friend of ours was talking on the phone she said you’ve found someone.
And I thought of all the bad luck and the struggles we went through.
And how I lost me and you lost you.
What are these voices outside love’s open door?
Make us throw off our contentment and beg for something more.

I’m learning to live without you now but I miss you sometimes.
The more I know the less I understand.
All the things I thought I knew I’m learning again.
I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter.
But my will gets weak and my thoughts seem to scatter.
But I think it’s about forgiveness, forgiveness.
Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore.

All these times are so uncertain. There’s a yearning undefined and people filled with rage.
We all need a little tenderness. How can love survive in such a graceless age?
The trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness, they’re the very things we kill I guess.
Pride and competition cannot fill these empty arms.
And the work I put between us, you know it doesn’t keep me warm.

I’m learning to live without you now but I miss you, baby.
And the more I know the less I understand.
All the things I thought I’d figured out I have to learn again.
I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter.
But everything changes and my friends seem to scatter.
But I think it’s about forgiveness, forgiveness.
Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore.

There are people in your life who’ve come and gone.
They let you down you know they hurt your pride.
You better put it all behind you baby; cause life goes on.
You keep carrying that anger it’ll eat you up inside, baby!

I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter.
But my will gets weak and my thoughts seem to scatter.
But I think it’s about forgiveness, forgiveness.
Even if, even if you don’t love me.
I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter.
Because the flesh will get weak and the ashes will scatter.
So I’m thinking about forgiveness, forgiveness.
Even if, even if you don’t love me.

Last week I found myself painting one of the bedrooms in our house. I know, Rich Jones-painter
is an oxymoron, but nevertheless, it happened. To help my mind pass the time I listened to
the radio and heard a song by Tim McGraw called, Better Than I Used to Be. (My painting
prowess allowed me to hear the song three times!)

The lyrics caused me to reflect on my life. It has been almost 34 years since Christ came into
my life. With the Spirit’s convicting and leading there have been major changes in the way I
think, what I pursue and how I live. Yet, as the Apostle Paul so graphically demonstrates in
Romans 7, I still do what I don’t want to do and do not do all the things I want to do.

The battle to live out in practice what I am in standing before God is not easy. I have so far to
go, yet I can say with Tim McGraw’s song, I am better than I used to be. There are still many
more battles to fight. McGraw sings: I ain’t no angel, I still got a still few more dances with
the devil, I’m cleaning up my act, little by little, I’m getting there. Yes, I believe that I am.
(Although I believe that painting does seem to be a devil dance!)

How about you as you reflect on your life? I hope that you also find that you are better than you
used to be.

I believe that Larry Norman captures the joy of sharing the gospel message in his song, Sweet,
Sweet Song of Salvation. It is a song that must spring from the mouths of those who know it
well.

Let’s Be Singing the gospel loud and clear this year. Na, na, na anyone?

Scanning some of the ‘reality shows’ on television I was reminded of 1 John 2:15-17.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love
of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires
of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the
world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Even though some of the examples in the following song from 1992 (Great Big Stupid World)
are dated, I believe that Randy Stonehill captures well the folly of the world’s values.

Well we worship at the shroud of Elvis, and we’re waiting for that money from Ed McMahon
And we’re drinking from the Perrier fountain of youth
While we follow what the daily horoscopes saying
Taking lethal doses of MTV, delving into pet psychiatry
Trying to treat cancer with a fruit juice cure and waiting for the Beatles reunion tour

‘Cuz it’s a great big stupid world, and we’re feeling kinda queasy as it turns around
Great big stupid world and we’re never really sure if we’re up or down
We’re on a dirt clod out in space where it stops nobody knows
If Jesus came back today they’d try to book him on the Oprah Winfrey show ‘Cuz it’s a
great big stupid, great big stupid, great big stupid world

Well we’re hot on the trail of Big Foot and we’re wearing the crystals to feel the power
We’re hoping that the creatures from outer space come to set us free in that final hour
Trying to tell the future from the lumps on our heads getting melanoma from our tanning beds
Channeling Houdini with Shirley MacLaine and trying to figure out what the dolphins are saying

‘Cuz it’s a great big stupid world, and we’re feeling kinda queasy as it turns around
Great big stupid world and we’re never really sure if we’re up or down
We’re on a dirt clod out in space where it stops nobody knows
If Jesus came back today they’d try to book him on the Oprah Winfrey show’Cuz it’s a
great big stupid, great big stupid, a very large stupid world

Well it’s a Great-Big-Stupid world dumb dumb da dumb dumb baby it’s a stupid world
It’s a great big stupid, great big stupid great big stupid world

Well we’re studying the National Enquirer, is it true Sonny Bono is the Anti-Christ
We debate if TV wrestling is really a sport while we’re testing rock ‘n’ roll and its effect on mice
Bonding with our little computer screens getting anorexic on our Lean Cuisines
Turning plastic surgeons into millionaires so everybody finally gets to look like Cher

It’s a great big stupid world and we’re feeling kind of queasy as it turns around
Great big stupid world and we’re never really sure if we’re up or down
It’s a great… big… stupid world, dumb dumb da dumb dumb baby it’s a stupid world

Recently a friend shared with me that his spouse had an aggressive form of cancer. The news
came to me at time when I have been preparing to celebrate Sue’s birthday, Valentine’s Day
and our 32th anniversary this month. He shared that they just had a wonderful week-end
together reminiscing about the life the Lord has allowed them to have together. They expressed
their confidence and comfort in knowing that they would face this challenge together.

They are resting on God’s faithfulness and love when He asserts that “I know the plans I have
for you… plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah
29:11). They are finding comfort in knowing “that for those who love God all things work
for the good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Yes and
amen to that perspective.

After praying for them, I could not help but to pause and think of the good life that God has
given to Sue and me. Sickness and possible impending death has a way of making us take
stock of what is truly important. To be blessed with the love of another in this life is one of God’s
supreme gifts. Take time today to hug your spouse and share with them how blessed you are
that God has brought them to live this life journey together.

We are born one fine day children of God on our way
Mama smiles daddy cries miracle before their eyes
They protect us til’ we’re of age; through it all love remains

Boy moves on takes a bride she stands faithful by his side
Tears and sweat they build a home raise a family of their own
They share joy they share pain; through it all love remains

Kingdoms come and go they don’t last before you know the future is the past
In spite of what’s been lost or what’s been gained
We are living proof, love remains

I don’t know baby what I’d do on this earth without you
We all live we all die but the end is not goodbye
The sun comes up, and seasons change
But through it all, love remains.

An eternal burning flame,
Hope lives on, and love remains.

As Sue and I lay in bed the other night saying our prayers we became aware of how quiet our house has
become since our children have grown and left and started families of their own. I still miss going by
their rooms and praying for them as they were sleeping. I can still recall the silly game of saying ‘good
night’ out loud and having both children reply individually back so to ensure that our son was in his
bedroom and not waiting to scare his sister while hiding in her closet or under her bed! (I must admit, he
was pretty good at it)

It is strange how things can change. Sue and I used to look forward to a quiet evening when our children
spent the night at their friends’ home, now we find ourselves praising God for His grace in allowing us to
experience the ‘nosiness’ of a full house by having our grandchildren stay with us on the week-ends.

Ephesians 5:15-16 exhorts us to look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making
the best use of the time, because the days are evil. The Apostle Paul further explains this making the best
use of the time by commanding therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord
is.(vs.17) We make the best use of time by understanding and putting into practice the will of the Lord.

I think that in the following song Wayne Watson has captured our parental responsibility and given us
a reminder that our window of opportunity with our children is not open-ended. Let us make the best
use of the time God gives us for raising our children and for the additional time He might grace to us as
grandparents.

(song starts at 2:45)

There are watercolor ponies on my refrigerator door
And the shape of something I don’t really recognize
Drawn by careful little fingers and put proudly on display
A reminder to us all of how time flies

Seems an endless mound of laundry and a stairway laced with toys
Gives a blow by blow reminder of the war
That we fight for their well-being for their greater understanding
To impart a holy reverence for the Lord

But, baby, what will we do when it comes back to me an you?
They look a little less like little boys every day
Oh, the pleasure of watching the children growing
Is mixed with a bitter cup of knowing the watercolor ponies
Will one day ride away

And the vision can get so narrow as you view through your tiny world
And little victories can go by with no applause
But in the greater evaluation as they fly from your nest of love
May they mount up with wings as eagles for His cause