"Muscle Talk"

“Muscle Talk”

 

I recently did some research about the muscles in our bodies and learned some interesting facts:

  -We each have about 640 muscles, mostly pairs.

  -The largest is the gluteus maximus which helps keep us upright.

  -The longest is the sartorius which goes from our upper thigh to our knee.

  -The smallest (at 2mm) is the stapedius in the middle ear which controls the movement of the   stirrup (the smallest of the body’s 206 bones).

  -The most durable is the heart which at a pulse rate of 72 beats non-stop 3+ billion times during an 80 year life span.

These and many additional muscles we have work together to keep your body and mine functioning. In the words of David, “…I am fearfully and wonderfully made….” (Psalm 139:14).

But what’s the strongest muscle we have? Opinions vary, but some maintain it’s the tongue. (Actually it’s a network of eight muscles.) These “tongue experts” (now there’s a specialty—but many of us are pretty expert at using it) assert that by volume it’s more powerful than any other. And it never seems to get tired from overuse! Makes one wonder what life would be like if it were the size of the gluteus maximus!

Scripture cautions us about this 70 gram piece of flesh we carry around in our mouths, especially Proverbs (mentioned 23 times) and James. Our Lord’s brother warns his readers (including yours truly) that “…(It) is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts…(It) is a fire, a world of evil…it corrupts the whole person…No one can tame (it). It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:5-8). Doesn’t this description show that by impact it’s the body’s most powerful muscle?

When we exercise our muscles we must take precautions. Done the right way we gain strength for our benefit; wrongly we risk lasting damage. In like fashion, when we utilize the gift of speech as God desires we build up and encourage one another (not to mention the blessing it brings us)—when we misuse it we do so at our own and others’ peril (“Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.”—Proverbs 15:4, The Message).

May I heed more words from King David: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3).

Blessings!

Jim McMillan (with helpful input from Karen)

"Something for Nothing?"

“Something for Nothing?”

 

When I was a high school junior I took physics, a course which confirmed my suspicion that I wasn’t cut out to be a scientist! Most of what transpired in that class of 50+ years ago has been long forgotten but the teacher said one thing over and over which I’ve thought about many times since then: “You can’t get something for nothing.” (To reinforce this principle it was prominently posted on the wall in the lab.) Can we? Let’s take a look at this statement to see if it fits in several areas of our lives.

Scientifically this observation is always true. Whenever a machine is used it costs something—gas must be put in a car, electrical power into a sound system, etc. Even the simplest hand tools, like a wrench or lever, must sacrifice speed and/or distance to achieve a mechanical advantage to benefit us.

In economics the saying may or may not be true. We obtain our goods and services, such as food, clothing, telephone, and water by trading money or perhaps bartering for them. However, on rare occasions, due to bonuses, gifts, or prize winnings, we might receive something at no cost to us. (Even in this, watch out for the fine print and/or hidden gimmicks!)

When we consider God’s ways these words are totally untrue. The whole basis of our salvation is that Christ did for us what we were powerless to do for ourselves—there is nothing we can do to earn forgiveness from sin. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us clearly, “…It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.” Someone has described grace as everything for nothing for sinners who don’t deserve anything. And it is available in abundance to overcome any sin in our lives (“…Where sin increased, grace increased all the more….”—Romans 5:20).

So can we really get something for nothing? Yes, in what matters most: forgiveness and restoration to God through Jesus. But as with any gift, we must take it.

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Is the Light On?"

“Is the Light On?”

 

Since 1986 Tom Bodett has entertained radio listeners with his down-home commercials for the Motel 6 chain. Each ad ends with the promise, “We’ll leave the light on for ya!” By this he assures potential guests that they’ll always be welcome whenever they arrive. Many travelers have found this true as they’ve utilized the “no frills” hospitality offered to rest their weary bodies.

In Luke 15 we read what’s probably one of Jesus’ two most familiar parables, commonly called The Prodigal Son (the other is The Good Samaritan in Luke 10). The story describes the relationship between a father and his two sons. The older one stayed with his family’s business while the younger demanded his inheritance, left home, and wasted all he had. Once he hit bottom he decided to return home, confess his sins, and ask his father for a job. But he never got a chance to request employment—his father was waiting, welcomed him with a party, and rejoiced that “…This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:24). In other words, the light was always on for his wayward boy to come home.

Through the centuries God has always left His light on for His rebellious people to return to Him (“’Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”—Malachi 3:7). By sending His Son Jesus, “…The light of the world.” (John 8:12) He made it possible for all to come to Him by believing (“…To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God….”—John 1:12). And His desire is that His Light burn brightly through His people (“…Let your light shine out for all to see….”—Matthew 5:16, NIV and NLT).

As I was writing these words a thought struck me: As a pastor I should have seen to it that the front entrance light of the church building was always left on to show God was always ready to welcome all. Regrettably it’s too late for me to do so now but maybe not for others. So I’d encourage anyone reading this to say to your community “We welcome you” by leaving your church building’s light (and our Light) on.

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Beyond the Box Score"

“Beyond the Box Score”

 

An outfielder hustles to the foul line to stop a ball going towards the corner and holds the hitter at first base. A catcher throws his body in front of a pitch headed for the backstop to keep a baserunner from advancing. A batter intentionally hits a ground ball to the right side of the infield to allow the man on second base to move to third to increase the chances of scoring a run. What do all these baseball situations have in common? You won’t see then recorded in the game’s published box score. But you can rest assured that they won’t go unnoticed by the manager.

The story of the birth and first years of Christ’s church is told in the Book of Acts. The growth in those early days was phenomenal—by Acts 4:4 the number was up to 5000. Afterwards such phrases as “…more and more men and women believed in the Lord….” (5:14), “…the number of disciples…increased rapidly….” (6:7), “…a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” (11:24), and “…the churches…grew daily in numbers.” (16:5) are used instead of hard statistics. (In passing, I remember once hearing a conference speaker comment that a lot of preachers won’t be happy in Heaven because Revelation 7:9 says, “…There…was a great multitude that no one could count….”) In any event, I believe it would be safe to say that the 5000 increased many times over.

Of the thousands of believers who made up the first century church how many are named? Comparatively few—someone has put the number at a little over 100. Does this mean that all those clothed in anonymity did nothing significant? Of course not—they prayed, served, and gave to make the church effective. In his book on the Pastoral Epistles (letters to Timothy and Titus) entitled Be Faithful, Bible Teacher Warren Wiersbe observed, “We do not measure the fulfillment of a ministry only on the basis of statistics or what people see.” In other words, everything God’s people do doesn’t show up in earth’s box score. But, as with the baseball manager, God takes note and will reward jobs done well for His glory.

Rather than worry about the box score, make sure your name is “…written in heaven….” (Hebrews 12:23) by trusting in Jesus.

Blessings!

Jim McMillan