Late
Stories
Contents
"Late" by David O. Bales
"Three Lifetimes Later In Philippi" by David O. Bales
"Being Honest With God" by Keith Wagner
"God is Always With Us" by Keith Wagner
Late
by David O. Bales
Matthew 22:1-14
“Hi. I’ve been trying to phone for two hours,” Chris spoke into his cell phone, trying to shield his conversation from the boarding line he was standing in. “I’m not on Flight 4848.”
Justin responded in his cell phone. “I heard a ring driving but I couldn’t answer in the car. As soon as I got here… I can’t hear you. Wait a minute… Jack hammer or something. The whole airport’s under construction.”
“I’m still at the gate. Ready to board. I’ll be on the next flight, landing 12:05. Flight 4545. Can you meet me then?” Chris asked.
“Hey man,” Justin shouted over the construction noise into his cell, “I already arranged with Gerald the shipping Nazi to let me come in late. I’ve got to get to work. Sorry, Bro. You’re going to have to rent the car now. Airline mess up again?”
“I’ll tell tonight. Got to board now. Thanks anyway. Wish me luck.”
“Yeah, luck. You’ll need it.”
When Wing LLC had phoned Chris, Darla laughed like a teenager. She broke out in her high school cheerleading, “Go, go, go,” leaping and shaking the floor in their rickety apartment. This was going to be their ticket up and out. Chris’s problem was that he remembered the flight number incorrectly and didn’t look at the ticket until he was at check in.
Now Chris shuffled through the boarding process wildly calculating his chances of switching the rental car reservation and making it downtown in one hour and nine minutes. His mistake had shaved off his three extra hours. If all went perfectly he’d arrive to the job interview with minutes to spare, then he could look forward to dinner with Justin and Gloria.
In his seat he again read the prospectus for Wing LLC, the largest chain of Chinese delivery restaurants in the mid west. Their reputation invited all the bright and hard working: Clear management lines and aggressive market expansion along with good wages and benefits. Chris, he was told, had the right experience and recommendations. After two telephone conversations, he became one of two candidates for the position.
His stomach revolted more than usual during the flight. The instant the intercom released passengers he leaped into the aisle. So did everyone else. He tried to balance pushing and apologizing; yet, because of the airport construction, he didn’t arrive at the car rental until 48 minutes before his interview. He felt the minutes ticking from his stomach to his chest.
He’d been to the city before but he attacked the traffic down the wrong street and had to backtrack. He’d promised to phone Darla, but no time—another twist to his stomach.
With 12 minutes to spare he drove into the parking garage under the Wing building. Wing had emailed him a parking permit and it was in his briefcase somewhere. He stood beside the car tossing everything from his case onto the seat until he found the stupid thing and slapped it on the dashboard. He lurched away from the car, slamming the door violently and catching the corner of his coat. It ripped. He wanted to cry, standing in the dimly lit parking garage with a ripped coat. Two seconds later he took it off and flipped it over his arm. Only thing to do is go casual.
He estimated that the degree of difficulty of walking slightly less than a run while appearing casual was about a nine point five. He glided along twice as fast as anyone else. Looked at his watch. Six minutes more. That’s when he encountered the tour group. Lots of cameras in hand and a guide holding a flag at the elevator in front of 25 people. He retreated and searched another. That elevator packed in and expelled people for fourteen floors. By the time he arrived at the G suite of offices he was 13 minutes late for the interview for the perfect job.
He checked in with the receptionist, a 20 something who appeared capable of looking kindly, but she didn’t. She glanced at her watch and her computer screen and perused the young man with the crooked tie and rivulets of sweat down his neck. “Please wait over there,” she pointed to a lone chair across the room. Behind it on the wall was a large sign:
Wing Delivers
On Time
Every Time
He’d just put his brief case down when a short man with a clenched jaw walked to him from a side door. Chris stood, hoping the casual look would impress a potential boss.
“You are Chris Skult?”
“Yes,” he held out his hand but the man didn’t reciprocate.
“We are sorry, but the position has been filled. Talk with our receptionist, she will issue papers to reimburse you for your trouble.”
He pointed to the young lady at the desk and turned away without a word.
Chris watched him go and spoke with a gasp to the receptionist. “That’s it? I’m here for a summary dismissal? This is how Wing does business?”
Expressionless she pointed to the big “On Time” sign and said, “No one here would hire a guy who can’t make it to an interview on time.” She glanced at Chris’s coat over his arm and concluded, “and who can’t even dress for it.”
PREACHING POINT: Being invited to God’s Kingdom is one thing, responding appropriately is another.
* * *
Three Lifetimes Later In Philippi
by David O. Bales
Philippians 4:1-9
I
To begin with, no one knew if Epaphroditus was certain. When he told of it he was old and dottery. Mother was a child then, but she doubted his story more than Father. The way Epaphroditus told it the problem was communion bread. Quite distant from current problems; but that aged man related that Dia and Tiki, as mother and her siblings called Euodia and Syntyche, disagreed over communion bread. One woman held that they should copy precisely how Jesus offered his final meal. The other argued that people a generation later than Jesus—and an entire sea away—should have their own bread so they’d understand that it’s truly bread and not some magic token. Small thing to us, but nearly three whole generations ago people worried that directing everything meticulously as Jesus might have done it could be a magical performance, an incantation that chained the spiritual Jesus to the bread and wine. Hard for us to imagine now, but the dispute grew with people taking sides. The problem was solved so completely after Paul’s letter that no one today remembers which Dia was for or which Tiki advocated; yet, before Paul wrote the dispute had spread like a fire in dry weeds. It became a matter of family and clan and the church that met in Dia’s house against family and clan and the church that met in Tiki’s house. And remember, three generations ago they were all converts. They’d lived in a world surrounded by magical potions and practices, plus they were used to struggling for their own opinions and their own honor. Humility as Paul taught about Jesus was a new virtue. Difficult habits to shatter.
II
On the other hand, Mother was awfully young when she heard about it, but she definitely preferred Clement’s account. Father acknowledged it might be true, though he hadn’t actually heard it from Clement. Mother said that Clement, also in his old age, hinted that Dia and Tiki were butting heads over how to collect and transfer the offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Relief for Jerusalem’s poor later became central in Paul’s ministry; but, for now, who could be trusted to carry it hundreds of miles and deliver it without pilfering some on the way? This could’ve been a problem, knowing that Dia and Tiki were the rich benefactors of their churches and that most of those other early Christians were of the poorest. Mother was old and we were young when she told us, but Clement’s rendition had the better sound, because money seems always to cause problems. Clement’s story did agree with Epaphroditus that Dia and Tiki were leaders in the congregation and that their argument struck the church like an earthquake tumbling a temple into a pile of rocks.
III
Three generations later the legends from Epaphroditus and Clement still rattle around in our congregations. The names Epaphroditus and Clement are associated with different versions of what prompted the Apostle Paul to write, encouraging the two women to get along. Whose account to accept, that of Epaphroditus or Clement? It happened years before we were born. Our parents were elderly when they told us, and they heard it when they were children. Now we in our old age have the apostle’s letter which we’ve copied and which most of us display in our homes—even those who can’t read. We rejoice that Paul’s letter to our congregations in Philippi has been included in a codex of the apostle’s letters. Imagine that: Philippi is represented in this collection of the apostle’s work.
Our congregations here in Macedonia have had time to ponder the Apostle Paul’s letter to us and its meaning has widened and deepened, even as the interpretation from Epaphroditus and Clement differed. Over the last three generations our congregations haven’t always been faithful to Christ or even attentive to what the apostle wrote to us. Most of us, however, find deep comfort that two of our own, two women, were Paul’s fellow ministers, when in pagan society women are so demeaned. They’d struggled as Paul’s partners, sharing in spreading the good news of Christ. That Paul had to name them was sad news, a rebuke to them and shame on our congregations. That he chose to name them was also glad news. He didn’t abandon us. He cared about Christians here, even while he was suffering imprisonment. His concern spoke to us as loudly as did his instruction. He suffered for us as Jesus before had suffered for us. His love confirmed his teaching. That’s what he said God did in Christ.
Christians here have read Paul’s letter over and over. Many have memorized it. They celebrate that in our midst God repeated the mystery of Christ. We glory that God continued Jesus’ loving, lowly service among us in Paul the Apostle who knew our names, even our women’s names, written in the book of life.
PREACHING POINT: Paul’s ministry to the Philippians further demonstrated God’s incarnated love in Jesus Christ.
* * *
Being Honest With God
by Keith Wagner
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
About Twenty years ago, Commander Scott Waddle, captain of the USS Greenville, surprised the U.S. Navy during a hearing process. Against the advice of his attorney he publicly stated that he was solely responsible for the sinking of the Japanese training vessel, Ehime Maru, and the death of nine people. Rather than seek immunity he confessed that while under his command his crew did not act responsibly. His statement also included a sincere apology to the nation of Japan and the families who lost loved ones.
That took tremendous courage on his part and consequently he could have been court martialed, but that never occurred. Commander Waddle was forced into retirement after the Pacific Fleet's top admiral found him guilty of dereliction and negligence. He was discharged honorably and received his full pension after serving in the U.S. Navy for twenty years.
Admiral Thomas Fargo said to the courtroom, “You have to look at our traditions and our service. Commander Waddle was stripped of his command, and his career effectively terminated. For a Naval officer that served for 20 years to his country, I would tell you that this was absolutely devastating. He has paid dearly.”
I believe that Waddle’s open confession and act of humility helped him through the ordeal and enabled him to maintain a sense of integrity. In Psalm 106, the psalmist confesses; “We have sinned, even as our ancestors did. We have done wrong and acted wickedly.” And at the same time he says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” In other words, the first step in receiving forgiveness is to confess our sins to God. This however does not have to be a public announcement. Instead it can be a private matter between us and God. The key is to be completely honest with God.
“They forgot the God who saved them,” the psalmist continues but thankfully Moses stepped in and saved them.
In his book, Will Daylight Come, Richard Hoefler tells the story of a little boy who had made a serious mistake, but fortunately his sister came to his aid. One time the little boy was visiting his grandparents. The boy was given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma’s back yard, he spied her pet duck. On an impulse he took aim and let it fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead. The boy panicked.
Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day, Grandma said, "Sally let’s wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you, Johnny?" And she whispered to him, "Remember the duck!" So Johnny did the dishes.
Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing. Grandma said, "I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally smiled and said, "That’s all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it." Again she whispered, "Remember the duck." So Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, finally he couldn’t stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he’d killed the duck. "I know, Johnny," she said, giving him a hug. "I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I just wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."
Although Sally took advantage of her brother he still needed help from his sister to “pay for his sins.” Confession is never easy. Fortunately his grandmother still loved him in spite of his sin, just as God in Psalm 106 continued to love His people although they “did wrong and acted wickedly.”
Dr. James Pennebaker is a psychologist who does research at the University of Texas at Austin. In the November 1, 1997 issue of Psychology Today he made the claim that confession, what he and other scientists call “self-disclosure,” can greatly reduce feelings of shame or guilt. Studies of criminals, for instance, show they act far more relaxed after confessing their crimes, despite the resulting punishment that awaits them.
Pennebaker, also says there are apparent physical benefits of confession. He claims he has found that confession may actually boost immune systems. It may do things like spur production of white blood cells that attack invading microorganisms.
Our lives too can experience renewal and change when we are willing to break the silence and confess our sins. By self-disclosing our inner most feelings we can receive the support and love from those who listen. There is no limit to God's mercy, especially when we are open to it. God is a forgiving God who wants us to be free.
* * *
God is Always With Us
by Keith Wagner
Psalm 23
“Are you boys finished with your chores yet?” Linda called out from the kitchen.
Paul put two full bags of plastic containers next to the garage door. “I finished everything and Joey is almost done.”
Years ago I was helping a seminary friend move to North Carolina. He had been appointed to his first church. I rented a trailer and I pulled it with my 1972 Ford Torino. Somewhere in the mountains my car broke down and we were stranded. My friend was ahead of me and when he discovered that I was no longer behind him he came back to see what had happened. This was in a day when we had no cell phones or GPS.
As we pondered over what we should do a man came by in an old pick-up truck and volunteered to help us. He was rather unsightly but told us he knew of a good mechanic. He hooked up my car to his truck with a chain and drove us to the next exit. We turned off the highway onto some back road that followed a creek through a narrow valley. Along the way we passed shacks and trailers and at that point we got a little scared.
We finally ended up at the man’s house. There were old cars parked in the yard and junk was everywhere. It was getting dark and we had no idea where we were. The man called his friend then arranged to put us up in a motel in a nearby town. He said he would take the car to the mechanic the next morning since it was Sunday and nothing was open. The next day we met with the mechanic and arranged for the car to be repaired. He said it would take three days so we rented a car with a hitch and continued to our destination in Eastern North Carolina. I returned three days later, turned in my rental car and called the mechanic. Much to my surprise my car was ready to go and the bill was quite a bit lower than what I had expected.
I may have been inconvenienced on that journey but God provided me the help I needed to complete it. Although the man was unsightly he had a big heart and had the resources to help us. Had I rejected his hospitality we may have been stranded for days and therefore unable to complete our mission.
One thing the 23rd Psalm doesn’t do is eliminate the threat that exists for the sheep. It is in fact a wild and dangerous world in which we live. The Psalm does not minimize the fact that trouble and danger lurks where ever we go.
To say the "The Lord is my shepherd" implies a profound yet practical working relationship between God and us. Even David was not speaking as a shepherd, but as one of the flock. Consequently he lived with total assurance that God would care for him, even give his life for him.
My grandfather always kept a medal on his desk. It was for heroism. When he was a young man he made an attempt to rescue another man from drowning in Lake Ann in Barberton, Ohio. He was not successful but the city gave him the medal for his noble efforts. He told me that it reminded him that although he had failed in his attempt to save someone, God was willing to do the same, even if it meant giving his life for us.
We are given total assurance that God will be with us always. The ways of God are not always logical or clear. We have to trust in the hospitality of strangers along the way. For the same God who leads us by "green pastures and still waters" is the same God who leads us through "the valley of the shadow of death."
I believe that as human beings our greatest fear is being alone. We fear being alone more than pain or lacking the things we need. David Elkind, is a famous child psychologist. In his book, The Hurried Child, he tells a story about his role as a parent.
One time he was visiting his son’s nursery school class at the request of his teacher. She told him she wanted him to observe a problem child in her class so he could give her some advice. At one point Elkind was observing a group of boys, including his son. One child said, “My daddy is a doctor, and he makes a lot of money and we have a swimming pool.” Another child said, “My daddy is a lawyer and he flies to Washington and gets to talk with the president.” A third child said, “My daddy owns his own company and has his own airplane.” Then Elkind’s son said, “My daddy is here.”
*****************************************
StoryShare, October 15, 2017, issue.
Copyright 2017 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
"Late" by David O. Bales
"Three Lifetimes Later In Philippi" by David O. Bales
"Being Honest With God" by Keith Wagner
"God is Always With Us" by Keith Wagner
Late
by David O. Bales
Matthew 22:1-14
“Hi. I’ve been trying to phone for two hours,” Chris spoke into his cell phone, trying to shield his conversation from the boarding line he was standing in. “I’m not on Flight 4848.”
Justin responded in his cell phone. “I heard a ring driving but I couldn’t answer in the car. As soon as I got here… I can’t hear you. Wait a minute… Jack hammer or something. The whole airport’s under construction.”
“I’m still at the gate. Ready to board. I’ll be on the next flight, landing 12:05. Flight 4545. Can you meet me then?” Chris asked.
“Hey man,” Justin shouted over the construction noise into his cell, “I already arranged with Gerald the shipping Nazi to let me come in late. I’ve got to get to work. Sorry, Bro. You’re going to have to rent the car now. Airline mess up again?”
“I’ll tell tonight. Got to board now. Thanks anyway. Wish me luck.”
“Yeah, luck. You’ll need it.”
When Wing LLC had phoned Chris, Darla laughed like a teenager. She broke out in her high school cheerleading, “Go, go, go,” leaping and shaking the floor in their rickety apartment. This was going to be their ticket up and out. Chris’s problem was that he remembered the flight number incorrectly and didn’t look at the ticket until he was at check in.
Now Chris shuffled through the boarding process wildly calculating his chances of switching the rental car reservation and making it downtown in one hour and nine minutes. His mistake had shaved off his three extra hours. If all went perfectly he’d arrive to the job interview with minutes to spare, then he could look forward to dinner with Justin and Gloria.
In his seat he again read the prospectus for Wing LLC, the largest chain of Chinese delivery restaurants in the mid west. Their reputation invited all the bright and hard working: Clear management lines and aggressive market expansion along with good wages and benefits. Chris, he was told, had the right experience and recommendations. After two telephone conversations, he became one of two candidates for the position.
His stomach revolted more than usual during the flight. The instant the intercom released passengers he leaped into the aisle. So did everyone else. He tried to balance pushing and apologizing; yet, because of the airport construction, he didn’t arrive at the car rental until 48 minutes before his interview. He felt the minutes ticking from his stomach to his chest.
He’d been to the city before but he attacked the traffic down the wrong street and had to backtrack. He’d promised to phone Darla, but no time—another twist to his stomach.
With 12 minutes to spare he drove into the parking garage under the Wing building. Wing had emailed him a parking permit and it was in his briefcase somewhere. He stood beside the car tossing everything from his case onto the seat until he found the stupid thing and slapped it on the dashboard. He lurched away from the car, slamming the door violently and catching the corner of his coat. It ripped. He wanted to cry, standing in the dimly lit parking garage with a ripped coat. Two seconds later he took it off and flipped it over his arm. Only thing to do is go casual.
He estimated that the degree of difficulty of walking slightly less than a run while appearing casual was about a nine point five. He glided along twice as fast as anyone else. Looked at his watch. Six minutes more. That’s when he encountered the tour group. Lots of cameras in hand and a guide holding a flag at the elevator in front of 25 people. He retreated and searched another. That elevator packed in and expelled people for fourteen floors. By the time he arrived at the G suite of offices he was 13 minutes late for the interview for the perfect job.
He checked in with the receptionist, a 20 something who appeared capable of looking kindly, but she didn’t. She glanced at her watch and her computer screen and perused the young man with the crooked tie and rivulets of sweat down his neck. “Please wait over there,” she pointed to a lone chair across the room. Behind it on the wall was a large sign:
Wing Delivers
On Time
Every Time
He’d just put his brief case down when a short man with a clenched jaw walked to him from a side door. Chris stood, hoping the casual look would impress a potential boss.
“You are Chris Skult?”
“Yes,” he held out his hand but the man didn’t reciprocate.
“We are sorry, but the position has been filled. Talk with our receptionist, she will issue papers to reimburse you for your trouble.”
He pointed to the young lady at the desk and turned away without a word.
Chris watched him go and spoke with a gasp to the receptionist. “That’s it? I’m here for a summary dismissal? This is how Wing does business?”
Expressionless she pointed to the big “On Time” sign and said, “No one here would hire a guy who can’t make it to an interview on time.” She glanced at Chris’s coat over his arm and concluded, “and who can’t even dress for it.”
PREACHING POINT: Being invited to God’s Kingdom is one thing, responding appropriately is another.
* * *
Three Lifetimes Later In Philippi
by David O. Bales
Philippians 4:1-9
I
To begin with, no one knew if Epaphroditus was certain. When he told of it he was old and dottery. Mother was a child then, but she doubted his story more than Father. The way Epaphroditus told it the problem was communion bread. Quite distant from current problems; but that aged man related that Dia and Tiki, as mother and her siblings called Euodia and Syntyche, disagreed over communion bread. One woman held that they should copy precisely how Jesus offered his final meal. The other argued that people a generation later than Jesus—and an entire sea away—should have their own bread so they’d understand that it’s truly bread and not some magic token. Small thing to us, but nearly three whole generations ago people worried that directing everything meticulously as Jesus might have done it could be a magical performance, an incantation that chained the spiritual Jesus to the bread and wine. Hard for us to imagine now, but the dispute grew with people taking sides. The problem was solved so completely after Paul’s letter that no one today remembers which Dia was for or which Tiki advocated; yet, before Paul wrote the dispute had spread like a fire in dry weeds. It became a matter of family and clan and the church that met in Dia’s house against family and clan and the church that met in Tiki’s house. And remember, three generations ago they were all converts. They’d lived in a world surrounded by magical potions and practices, plus they were used to struggling for their own opinions and their own honor. Humility as Paul taught about Jesus was a new virtue. Difficult habits to shatter.
II
On the other hand, Mother was awfully young when she heard about it, but she definitely preferred Clement’s account. Father acknowledged it might be true, though he hadn’t actually heard it from Clement. Mother said that Clement, also in his old age, hinted that Dia and Tiki were butting heads over how to collect and transfer the offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Relief for Jerusalem’s poor later became central in Paul’s ministry; but, for now, who could be trusted to carry it hundreds of miles and deliver it without pilfering some on the way? This could’ve been a problem, knowing that Dia and Tiki were the rich benefactors of their churches and that most of those other early Christians were of the poorest. Mother was old and we were young when she told us, but Clement’s rendition had the better sound, because money seems always to cause problems. Clement’s story did agree with Epaphroditus that Dia and Tiki were leaders in the congregation and that their argument struck the church like an earthquake tumbling a temple into a pile of rocks.
III
Three generations later the legends from Epaphroditus and Clement still rattle around in our congregations. The names Epaphroditus and Clement are associated with different versions of what prompted the Apostle Paul to write, encouraging the two women to get along. Whose account to accept, that of Epaphroditus or Clement? It happened years before we were born. Our parents were elderly when they told us, and they heard it when they were children. Now we in our old age have the apostle’s letter which we’ve copied and which most of us display in our homes—even those who can’t read. We rejoice that Paul’s letter to our congregations in Philippi has been included in a codex of the apostle’s letters. Imagine that: Philippi is represented in this collection of the apostle’s work.
Our congregations here in Macedonia have had time to ponder the Apostle Paul’s letter to us and its meaning has widened and deepened, even as the interpretation from Epaphroditus and Clement differed. Over the last three generations our congregations haven’t always been faithful to Christ or even attentive to what the apostle wrote to us. Most of us, however, find deep comfort that two of our own, two women, were Paul’s fellow ministers, when in pagan society women are so demeaned. They’d struggled as Paul’s partners, sharing in spreading the good news of Christ. That Paul had to name them was sad news, a rebuke to them and shame on our congregations. That he chose to name them was also glad news. He didn’t abandon us. He cared about Christians here, even while he was suffering imprisonment. His concern spoke to us as loudly as did his instruction. He suffered for us as Jesus before had suffered for us. His love confirmed his teaching. That’s what he said God did in Christ.
Christians here have read Paul’s letter over and over. Many have memorized it. They celebrate that in our midst God repeated the mystery of Christ. We glory that God continued Jesus’ loving, lowly service among us in Paul the Apostle who knew our names, even our women’s names, written in the book of life.
PREACHING POINT: Paul’s ministry to the Philippians further demonstrated God’s incarnated love in Jesus Christ.
* * *
Being Honest With God
by Keith Wagner
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
About Twenty years ago, Commander Scott Waddle, captain of the USS Greenville, surprised the U.S. Navy during a hearing process. Against the advice of his attorney he publicly stated that he was solely responsible for the sinking of the Japanese training vessel, Ehime Maru, and the death of nine people. Rather than seek immunity he confessed that while under his command his crew did not act responsibly. His statement also included a sincere apology to the nation of Japan and the families who lost loved ones.
That took tremendous courage on his part and consequently he could have been court martialed, but that never occurred. Commander Waddle was forced into retirement after the Pacific Fleet's top admiral found him guilty of dereliction and negligence. He was discharged honorably and received his full pension after serving in the U.S. Navy for twenty years.
Admiral Thomas Fargo said to the courtroom, “You have to look at our traditions and our service. Commander Waddle was stripped of his command, and his career effectively terminated. For a Naval officer that served for 20 years to his country, I would tell you that this was absolutely devastating. He has paid dearly.”
I believe that Waddle’s open confession and act of humility helped him through the ordeal and enabled him to maintain a sense of integrity. In Psalm 106, the psalmist confesses; “We have sinned, even as our ancestors did. We have done wrong and acted wickedly.” And at the same time he says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” In other words, the first step in receiving forgiveness is to confess our sins to God. This however does not have to be a public announcement. Instead it can be a private matter between us and God. The key is to be completely honest with God.
“They forgot the God who saved them,” the psalmist continues but thankfully Moses stepped in and saved them.
In his book, Will Daylight Come, Richard Hoefler tells the story of a little boy who had made a serious mistake, but fortunately his sister came to his aid. One time the little boy was visiting his grandparents. The boy was given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma’s back yard, he spied her pet duck. On an impulse he took aim and let it fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead. The boy panicked.
Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day, Grandma said, "Sally let’s wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you, Johnny?" And she whispered to him, "Remember the duck!" So Johnny did the dishes.
Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing. Grandma said, "I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally smiled and said, "That’s all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it." Again she whispered, "Remember the duck." So Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, finally he couldn’t stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he’d killed the duck. "I know, Johnny," she said, giving him a hug. "I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I just wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."
Although Sally took advantage of her brother he still needed help from his sister to “pay for his sins.” Confession is never easy. Fortunately his grandmother still loved him in spite of his sin, just as God in Psalm 106 continued to love His people although they “did wrong and acted wickedly.”
Dr. James Pennebaker is a psychologist who does research at the University of Texas at Austin. In the November 1, 1997 issue of Psychology Today he made the claim that confession, what he and other scientists call “self-disclosure,” can greatly reduce feelings of shame or guilt. Studies of criminals, for instance, show they act far more relaxed after confessing their crimes, despite the resulting punishment that awaits them.
Pennebaker, also says there are apparent physical benefits of confession. He claims he has found that confession may actually boost immune systems. It may do things like spur production of white blood cells that attack invading microorganisms.
Our lives too can experience renewal and change when we are willing to break the silence and confess our sins. By self-disclosing our inner most feelings we can receive the support and love from those who listen. There is no limit to God's mercy, especially when we are open to it. God is a forgiving God who wants us to be free.
* * *
God is Always With Us
by Keith Wagner
Psalm 23
“Are you boys finished with your chores yet?” Linda called out from the kitchen.
Paul put two full bags of plastic containers next to the garage door. “I finished everything and Joey is almost done.”
Years ago I was helping a seminary friend move to North Carolina. He had been appointed to his first church. I rented a trailer and I pulled it with my 1972 Ford Torino. Somewhere in the mountains my car broke down and we were stranded. My friend was ahead of me and when he discovered that I was no longer behind him he came back to see what had happened. This was in a day when we had no cell phones or GPS.
As we pondered over what we should do a man came by in an old pick-up truck and volunteered to help us. He was rather unsightly but told us he knew of a good mechanic. He hooked up my car to his truck with a chain and drove us to the next exit. We turned off the highway onto some back road that followed a creek through a narrow valley. Along the way we passed shacks and trailers and at that point we got a little scared.
We finally ended up at the man’s house. There were old cars parked in the yard and junk was everywhere. It was getting dark and we had no idea where we were. The man called his friend then arranged to put us up in a motel in a nearby town. He said he would take the car to the mechanic the next morning since it was Sunday and nothing was open. The next day we met with the mechanic and arranged for the car to be repaired. He said it would take three days so we rented a car with a hitch and continued to our destination in Eastern North Carolina. I returned three days later, turned in my rental car and called the mechanic. Much to my surprise my car was ready to go and the bill was quite a bit lower than what I had expected.
I may have been inconvenienced on that journey but God provided me the help I needed to complete it. Although the man was unsightly he had a big heart and had the resources to help us. Had I rejected his hospitality we may have been stranded for days and therefore unable to complete our mission.
One thing the 23rd Psalm doesn’t do is eliminate the threat that exists for the sheep. It is in fact a wild and dangerous world in which we live. The Psalm does not minimize the fact that trouble and danger lurks where ever we go.
To say the "The Lord is my shepherd" implies a profound yet practical working relationship between God and us. Even David was not speaking as a shepherd, but as one of the flock. Consequently he lived with total assurance that God would care for him, even give his life for him.
My grandfather always kept a medal on his desk. It was for heroism. When he was a young man he made an attempt to rescue another man from drowning in Lake Ann in Barberton, Ohio. He was not successful but the city gave him the medal for his noble efforts. He told me that it reminded him that although he had failed in his attempt to save someone, God was willing to do the same, even if it meant giving his life for us.
We are given total assurance that God will be with us always. The ways of God are not always logical or clear. We have to trust in the hospitality of strangers along the way. For the same God who leads us by "green pastures and still waters" is the same God who leads us through "the valley of the shadow of death."
I believe that as human beings our greatest fear is being alone. We fear being alone more than pain or lacking the things we need. David Elkind, is a famous child psychologist. In his book, The Hurried Child, he tells a story about his role as a parent.
One time he was visiting his son’s nursery school class at the request of his teacher. She told him she wanted him to observe a problem child in her class so he could give her some advice. At one point Elkind was observing a group of boys, including his son. One child said, “My daddy is a doctor, and he makes a lot of money and we have a swimming pool.” Another child said, “My daddy is a lawyer and he flies to Washington and gets to talk with the president.” A third child said, “My daddy owns his own company and has his own airplane.” Then Elkind’s son said, “My daddy is here.”
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StoryShare, October 15, 2017, issue.
Copyright 2017 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
