The "Haircut"

My inbox is bombarded with email stories and jokes every day! Some are hilarious anecdotes; some hoaxes; some tear-jerkers; some....well some just never should have been sent. I got one this morning that falls into the "anecdote with a purpose" file. A friend was sending out a reminder of how important it is for Americans to vote as INFORMED citizens. It also has great implications for the church ... check it out...
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The Haircut
One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut he asks about his bill and the barber replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The florist is pleased and leaves the shop.

When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The cop is happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door (a little stereotypical slant).

Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The professor is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen different books, such as 'How to Improve Your Business' and 'Becoming More Successful.'

Then, a Congressman comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Congressman is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the members of our Congress. Your vote counts!
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Great story!!! Sure reminds us of the importance of informed voting. It also reminds me of Jesus' example as He modeled servant leadership for His church -- even in these uncertain times. Let us not kid ourselves, people will be watching and scrutinizing Christians more than ever. Jesus put serving ahead of everything and modeled it consistently, even when closest friends and family complained, some of the “religious” community criticized and boycotted His ministry efforts, and people lined up to abuse His generosity. Jesus just kept on serving!

If the evangelical church in America would have been following that model all along, the congressional lineup for the “haircut” would be irrelevant. Sadly, it’s not.

Keep on keepin’ on (serving) in HIM!

Thriving in the Storms

We’ve all been captured recently by storms -- Hannah, Ike, the storms on Wall Street, at the gas pumps, and in the mud that is slung in political campaigns. These storms often leave us scratching our heads and asking, “Why?” They can also leave us shocked at the fear and character abrasions we detect in ourselves in these times.

God’s been telling us it would happen ever since man first started making choices against Him!
Only stands to reason that if something isn't cared for in the way it was designed by the Creator...well....! Yes, God loves His creation. But because the absolute holiness of God cannot coexist with the sin of this world, and because, by and large, the majority of this world have chosen to ignore His plea for us to walk with Him, the effects of these choices will be devastating. He loves us so much that He gives us free reign over our mental faculties and decisions. Unless love is chosen, it's not love at all. Every day we see the results of ignoring the Creator's way.

-Matt. 5:45 -- He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 7:24-29 -- "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

So rather than "putting it into practice" -- practicing the presence of Jesus we tend to just build SAND CASTLES....
-Sand is easier to work with ..... quicker satisfaction
-Instant results
-I can easily manipulate sand to look like anything I want it to -- on the surface; just like building sand castles
-Arrogantly, I can take it into my own hands; relying on my talents and abilities to carry me through.
-Culturally, we can make it all about "me"; our laws and even our leaders have shown us that the it’s “ok” to ignore God, be promiscuous and go with the "feels good" moment! But soon the house falls flat!
-We can even appear spiritual -- go to church and enjoy the “program” yet fail to join the blessing and empowerment of authentic "followership" or accountability in our lives.....and then the house falls flat!

The foundation is all important!
When the storms come (and they will) and I'm built on the foundation of THE ROCK....
-It's not as easy to work with and manipulate as sand. I'm not the one in total control on the rock. And I must go to where The Rock is already firmly planted. I can't just choose to build "any ole place" like I can with sand. But neither does it crumble and wash away in the storms of life!

Just a thought...with more storm clouds looming...