Matching The Reputation

Matching the Reputation

Almost anyone who has ever played the violin is familiar with the name, Stradivarius.  It has the reputation of being “top of the line” in violins.  Because there are so few of them available today, and because the price is so high, not many violinists have ever held one in their hands.

Last year a 1721 Stradivarius was put up for auction, and brought in sixteen million dollars.

Some months ago, a professional musical group decided to compare other well-known violins with the famous Stradivarius.  Twenty-one musicians were invited to the testing, blindfolded and each was given an instrument to play; no one knew who had the Stradivarius.  From these 21, five were picked as possible Stradivarius violins, judging them solely on tone quality.  When the blindfolds were removed, the group learned that only one violin was judged to be something other than the famous instrument—the real Stradivarius!!  It had carried the reputation of being the best, but when put to the test, it was unable to produce the proof. 

Revelation 3 tells us about the church of Sardis.  It had the reputation of being alive, but when put to the test, it was said of the church, “Thou hast a name (a reputation) that thou livest, and are dead.”  In reading that passage, we have to wonder if we too have a reputation of being kind, honest, generous and thoughtful, but under scrutiny, would fail the test.

The dictionary describes reputation as “The general estimation in which a person or a thing is held by others.”  As believers, we are to be Christ-like in all of our actions, so that others can see that we are “the real thing.”  If our reputations say one thing, but our actions say something else, how can we serve the Lord effectively?  

Change By The Number

Change By the Number

Many changes take place during our lifetime.  At age 55, we are unofficially recognized as seniors.  We can find special housing, and are kindly offered “senior discounts” at many eating places.  While we may resent the title, we gratefully accept the discounts. 

As we approach 65, the contents in our mail boxes change too.  Items we once ignored, we now read: social security and medicare information, as well as supplement insurance notices.  Our appointment calendars look different with fewer activities and more medical appointments listed.  We begin to admit that we have aches and pains; some where we didn’t even know we had parts.

As we reach 70, our medical appointments come up more often, and we listen carefully as the doctor talks to us about heart disease, strokes and other serious illnesses. 

And then there’s 80!  We stay at home more than we go out; the joints give us a little more trouble and our medicine cabinets seem to be filling up with strange pills and ointments.

And what can be said of 90?  Not much except that it does not need to be depressing if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Who is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).  He cares for our every need.

When our energy dwindles, He is our Strength, when we are lonely and feel forgotten, He is our Friend; when we are discouraged and frustrated, He is our Help.  His watchful eye is always focused on His children.  If “His eye is on the sparrow,” then we can be thankfully confident that He also watches over us.

Stripped of All Honor

Stripped of All Honor

What a feeling of pride and accomplishment Fred Goodwin must have felt when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for “his service in banking, transforming the Royal Bank of Scotland into a profitable international player.”

Friends and workers began to call him “Sir Fred,” and his pension increased in accordance with his position.  But then things changed for the 53 year old knight.  He made some “risky deals” that produced one of the worst recessions since World War II.  The bank only survived after a $71 billion dollar bailout was made by United Kingdom tax payers.  Sir Fred was stripped of his knighthood, losing much of his annual pension, as well.

In the book of Judges we read of another stripping incident.  Samson had judged Israel for 20 years (Judges 16:31).  But his reckless living finally caught up with him.  He was captured by the Philistines, imprisoned, where they “put out his eyes,” stripping him of all power and popularity.  God in His goodness finally allowed Samson to conquer one last time (Judges 16:30). 

As Christians, you and I have also been given an honorable title: Child of God.  We did nothing to earn or deserve it, and for that reason we can do nothing to have it stripped away.  Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).  What God’s Son has given us, no one can take away.  “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

There’s no chance of anyone stripping that from us.  Aren’t you glad?

—Ruth Jay 

Mary's Story

Mary’s Story

(from John 16-20)

There were a number of Jesus’ friends standing near the cross when He died.  I was there with Mary, His mother.  It had to be hard for her to see wicked men put her first-born to death.  She had watched Him grow up, heal sick people and even give life to some who had died.  And now, He was dying.

I heard as He called out to John, asking him to care for His mother.  He was concerned about her to His dying hour.  Together we watched as Joseph, a quiet follower, took our Master to a nearby garden grave.  I saw where they buried Him.

It was still dark that early morning when I decided to go to the tomb.  Much to my surprise, the stone that had covered the grave entrance was gone.  I quickly went to tell Peter and John about it, and they ran to the garden grave to check it out for themselves.  After they left, I took one last look into the tomb and there I saw two angels.  I broke into a sob and one of them asked why I was crying.  As I began to explain, another person stood nearby.  He too asked, “Why are you crying?”  I quickly explained that someone had taken Jesus and I didn’t know where they had taken Him.  Quietly the Stranger spoke just one word.  “Mary,” He said with tenderness.  It was Jesus; my Master, my Lord, my Friend.  He was alive!  He was alive!

I ran as fast as I could to tell His disciples.  “I have seen Jesus,” I cried excitedly.  “He is alive.”

Yes, Jesus is alive.

Rejoice, rejoice O Christian, lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the king;

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.

YOU ASK ME HOW I KNOW HE LIVES,

HE LIVES WITHIN MY HEART!

—Ruth Jay

Words from the hymn I Serve a Risen Savior by Alfred Henry Ackley (1887-1960) http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/503