Where have I been? I didn’t know until now. I just read an article entitled,”Dictionary Redefines ‘Marriage’ to Include Same-Sex Couples”. What really shocked me is that this happened in 2003. Here’s part of the article:

Dictionary Redefines ‘Marriage’ to Include Same-Sex Couples

One major dictionary company has defined marriage in broader terms than the U.S. government. Merriam-Webster tacked on a secondary definition that counts unions between same-sex couples as “marriage.”

Thu, Mar. 19, 2009 Posted: 07:27 PM EDT

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One major dictionary company has defined marriage in broader terms than the U.S. government.

Similar to the definition of marriage under federal law, Merriam-Webster states marriage as “the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law.” Every state in the nation recognizes marriage on similar terms except for Connecticut and Massachusetts.

But the dictionary runs askew from legal recognition of marriage by the federal government and almost all the states by tacking on a secondary definition that counts unions between same-sex couples as “marriage.”

Merriam-Webster added the secondary meaning for marriage in 2003, even before gay marriage was legalized anywhere in the country. Whereas the company’s dictionary editions prior to 2003 stated no mention of same-sex marriage, the latest version now defines marriage also as “the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage.”

The change went unnoticed until WorldNetDaily recently reported on a YouTube video calling attention to the marriage “redefinition.”

Isn’t that amazing! For years people, some preachers included, have been re-naming sin, to soften the impact, but this is a new low. Now you can’t even trust the dictionary to give you a proper definition of a word. That’s why we must examine everything in the light of God’s Word. It alone is an infallible guide. This new definition might make some folks feel more comfortable in their sin, but they are still condemned in the sight of God. If that is your case, you better think about it! The solution for your sin is not defining it away, but the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which cleanses us from all sin. THINK ABOUT IT!

 

I don’t know why I read the article, but I did. It had to do with learning to ski, and that’s the last thing on my mind. Any activity that involves snow is on my “Never to do” list. But something about this article caught my attention, and it made a good point. Here it is, in part:

 

“One of the hardest lessons any novice skier has to learn is that he must lean away from the hill and not into it. His natural inclination is to stay as close to the slope as possible, because it feels safer and more secure. But only when he leans out can he begin to move and to control his own movements, rather than being controlled by the slope.”

As I read that article I couldn’t help but think of one of the first Christian songs I learned-“Leaning On The Everlasting Arms”. The writer of that grand old song tells us that leaning on Jesus will keep us “Safe and secure from all alarms”. He is exactly right!

 

As we go through this troubled world, we often find ourselves on slippery slopes that frighten us. Our tendency is to lean the wrong direction. What we need to do is to lean upon the Lord-lean upon Christ and away from the world. That’s the only way we can traverse the slippery slopes and reach our spiritual goals. That’s the only way we can avoid a fall.

 

Another song is entitled “Learning to Lean”. That makes an important point. We must learn to lean upon Jesus. Sadly, that’s not something we do by nature. Many of us had to experience many falls before we finally learned to lean upon the Lord. The truth is that we are always learning. Just about the time we think we’ve learned our lesson, we find ourselves on another slippery slope, often a steeper slope, that threatens our security, and we have to be reminded to lean in the right direction. Remember, we are under control and able to reach our goal only as we lean upon the Lord. He never lets us down! You can trust Him regardless of what frightening experience you are going through. Jesus never fails. To stay upright, lean on Jesus. Think about it!

Yesterday I commented on the sermon about digging ditches. Today I want to mention something that happened during the course of that story, which is found in 2 Kings 3:1-20. When the three kings requested help from Elisha, the prophet said, ” But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played that the hand of the Lord came upon him.”(2 Kings 3:15). That seemed a bit strange to me until I considered the context. Elisha was so perturbed by Jehoram that he needed the calming power of music to attain the right attitude. I find that interesting. A great man like Elisha in need of music before he could function in his office as a prophet? Evidently so.

The more I thought about this the more I realized that attitude matters to God. I can’t help but wonder how many times we have prayed, preached, taught, etc. with the wrong attitude, and deprived ourself of the blessing we desired. Probably more than we would like to admit. Many fathers have stormed out of the house, angry with their spouse, going off to work with a bad attitude. Many mothers have left the house in a rage, gone to church and sang in the choir with a chip on her shoulder. And then they wonder why God doesn’t bless their efforts.

Here’s the point—we all need a quiet time where we can compose ourselves, think clearly, and commune with God. Reading God’s word and even listening to good music can help us do that. We would all do well to settle down, rid ourselves of any annoyances, forgive any offenses, and get our focus on God before we embark on the activities of the day. Jesus knew the value of this and He taught His followers to do the same (Mark 6:31). Even so, we need to learn the lesson. As the late Vance Havner said, “If we don’t come apart once in a while we will come apart.” That’s still good advice. THINK ABOUT IT!

Last night I preached about “Digging Ditches”, from 2 Kings 3:1-16. I emphasized the fact that God’s plan involved hard work, faith, and obedience—it still does today. As I reflected on the message this morning I was reminded of something I had read, but not included in the message. As you start this day maybe this will give you some food for thought:

Work is man’s great function. He is nothing, he can do nothing, he can achieve nothing, fulfill nothing, without working. If you are poor-work. If you are rich-continue working. If you are burdened with seemingly unfair responsibilities-work. If you are happy, keep right on working. Idleness gives room for doubt and fears. If disappointments come-work. If your health is threatened-work. When faith falters-work. When dreams are shattered and hope seems dead-work. Work as if your life were in peril. It really is. No matter what ails you-work. Work faithfully-work with faith. Work is the greatest remedy available for mental and physical afflictions. THINK ABOUT IT!

 

Yesterday Bev and I celebrated our 49th anniversary. Our plans were hampered somewhat by rain, but it was great being able to spend the day together without distractions. My mind was flooded with memories as I thought back over the years. When I got up this morning my mind was on the word “Time”.Let’s talk about it:

TIME CHANGES PEOPLE: I thought about this on several occasions yesterday. It was on my mind as I limped through the mall because of a bum knee. I even had my trusty old cane in the car in case it got worse. I thought about it as I looked at a rock-climbing wall and commented–“I used to be able to do that!” I thought about it as I tried to run through the rain to get the car–I moved at a snail’s pace! I especially thought about it when I forgot where I was parked! Yeah, I really did, and to make matters worse Bev was watching (and laughing) from the restaurant as I made repeated circles searching for the car. Well, that’s enough about that. The bottom line is “I ain’t the man I used to be”.An old song says,”Time has made a change in me.” Boy, is that ever true!Bev, on the other hand, is still as beautiful as ever. Something about that just isn’t fair.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED: Not only have I changed, the world has changed. It has changed a lot, and not for the better, since we got married. In all fairness I must admit that we were not perfect little angels as teenagers.  There’s never been such a generation.  But any equally fair-minded person would have to agree that things have gone from bad to worse.  It grieves my heart to see what has happened to the nation I love over the last half-century.  It’s not the same and it’s not better.  We raised eight kids and never gave a second thought about it, but I’ve got to be honest – thinking about bringing children into this present situation is a scary thought (and “no,” I’m not promoting birth- control).  I’m just saying, our nation is in a mess.

TIME WILL CEASE.   Reflecting on the years gone by reminds me that I have less time to live than at any point in my life.  Every day brings me closer to that time when time shall be no more. The door of opportunity is closing fast.  As I look back I can think of a lot of things I wish I had done differently, but I can’t change that.  All I can do now is to try to live in such a way so as to not produce anymore regrets.  I have no regrets about marrying my wife, but I have plenty regarding the way I treated her during those early years.  Hopefully I will do much better in the closing years.

TIME TO QUIT.  Hopefully, my rambling will serve to remind someone that life is short and time is passing fast.  Do what you can while you can to express your love for others.  Don’t wait until it is too late.  You just never know when you will celebrate your last anniversary.  Tell that special someone how much you love them today.  THINK ABOUT IT!