Wholes and Pieces

Remember reading Dr. Seuss books? “Oh, the THINKS you can Think!” is one of my favorite. In this children’s beginner book, Dr. Seuss offers the wildest imaginations - of Guffs, Schlopp (with a cherry on top), and Snuvs with gloves.

I have wondered, “What if this book was written by Pastor Suess?” What thinks could this minister imagine?

Well, to begin he might think of wholes and peaces. The whole Church at peace, without a single crease. If you try you can think a piece of the pie or a peace from the sky. You could think a piece leaving a hole, or, a peace making one whole.

Oh, the thinks you can think if you only try. If you try you can think of a city with angels nearby.

One editor commented in his newspaper, “I have often said that there are few communities in [the state] emulate the religious nature of our community.” Thank you, GOD! And well done local Churches! It is this ecumenism, a heritage of religious cooperation and unity, that must be built upon.

Here’s one reason why. Nearly 50 years ago communities across America were asked to organize one year of gospel outreach. Churches could choose their own evangelistic expression, such as special meetings, all church dinner, a concert, comedy night, plays, week long crusade, Bible give-away, etc.. The challenge was called Key ’73. The intent was to reach as many people as possible, through concerted effort. During one of these meetings I gave my heart to Jesus. I am a direct product of this endeavor.

At nine years old I received a divine passion for the United States. While others were called to missions overseas, I was directed to stay. I believed then, and I believe now that America can turn around. God has a deep love for this country and it’s people (as He does for all people). Working together, like in Key ’73, under the Lord’s leadership and concerted effort, He will work through the Church to rebuild America as “One Nation under God.”

We are better together “under God.”

Many years ago, within a six months time frame, I heard the same phrase several times, “This world is a changing.” My heart was alerted by Holy Spirit. One individual in particular knew this fact well, Mark, who’s grandparents were longtime friends of our family. He lived in another state, but visited his grandparents about once a year. We played together when he visited. As an adult, Mark traveled the world. He spent 50% of his time overseas. So, when I heard him speak the phrase in our conversation, I listened.

If ‘the world is a changing” what does that mean for you and me? Old ways of doing things are being remodeled and redesigned. Change means common items likely become obsolete, as did leaded gasoline, “full service,” LP records, 8 track and cassette tapes, and CD's. Some inventions or ideas will become common place, like wind turbines, the internet, wifi, blue tooth streaming, and online shopping.

I am reminded of the song lyrics by Billy Gains, “Change...one of the only things in life that still remains the same. How strange, that change is here to stay.”

While no one can predict the future, we can capitalize on our heritage of unity to create a future. Led and undergirded by God, we can think-up a great future, a God-inspired dream. Then work by faith to create that dream.

Creating is part of the Image after which we were fashioned. (Genesis 1.27) Faith is the force by which we work hand in hand with God to create a purposeful life. (Hebrews 11.1; Jeremiah 29.11)

We know the Lord is coming back. We can think, ponder, and imagine a marvelous eternity with Him based upon what we read in Scripture; And with a history of deep religious nature (think Constitution) and cooperative spirit, God is poised to make eternal impact as the church works together to make Christ known. It was our Lord who said, “If you can...everything is possible for those who believe.” (Mark 9.23)

I have compassion for people who resist change. However, as businessman, Frank Mazzeo stated, “If you refuse to change, you have already reached your maximum potential.”

You and I both know the Church has much, much more to do, and more dreaming of what can be done. Oh, the THINKS you can think if you only try.

Think, think, ponder and think, marvel on black hearts covered by red ink. And what is it about God, who often works in thirds, that His Word transforms minds, like eggs become birds?

You can think good. You can think bad. You can think good over bad. You can think high. You can think low. You can learn to think high, not low.