"It Could Be You"

 

“It Could Be You”

 

From 1956 through 1961 NBC aired an early daily version of today’s reality shows called “It Could Be You”. Hosted by Bill Leyden, the program (with the apt subtitle “America’s Show of Surprises”) had previously found interesting and/or humorous tidbits from the lives of people in the audience. One feature was a reunion of one of those present in the studio with a relative or friend they hadn’t seen in several years. (Karen and I saw a YouTube of an episode in which a World War II pilot was reunited with his flight crew.) This often brought tears after the laughter surrounding incidents showing the lighter side of life.

I hadn’t thought about this TV series in many years until I heard about a discussion a couple had while stopped at a traffic light. The husband saw a panhandler working his way along the line of waiting vehicles and said, “He needs to get a job!” to which his wife replied, “That could be you!” (You may remember a previous posting in which I told of a church leader years ago who observed, “Our wives tell us things we don’t want to hear and the maddening thing is they’re usually right!”) He sheepishly admitted his judgmental spirit and gave the man a little money.

That homeless man could be any one of us. I sometimes forget that “…nothing good lies in me, that is, in my sinful nature.” (Romans 7:18) as well as “…apart from (Jesus I) can do nothing.” (John 15:5) and “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) and need to remember that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5) and “…By the grace of God I am what I am….” (1 Corinthians 15:10, emphasis added).

As I write this in mid-November the weather is getting cooler (even here in Florida) and Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming. So there are many opportunities to show God’s love to those much less blessed than I am in health and this world’s goods. So when we (I) see a needy person we (I) ought to see them through God’s eyes, realize it could be you (me) and ask Him what to do in His name.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

 

"Is There Hope?"

 

“Is There Hope?”

 

While I was in seminary during the 1960’s we had daily chapel services. One day the President, Dr. Vernon Grounds (see the early posting, “Finishing Well”, to learn more about this godly gentleman who greatly influenced my life and ministry), held up a newspaper with the headline “World in Turmoil”. The stories accompanying this statement included the Vietnam War, civil unrest, the Cold War and the threat of nuclear destruction, among others. This was an era of uncertainty and, to many, hopelessness but God’s love, mercy and grace has preserved our nation and the world over the past half century.

It’s mid-October as I write these thoughts but any present-day news outlet could use the same words to describe the times in which we’re living. Today we’re beset with a global pandemic, upcoming elections, political divisiveness, a Supreme Court nominee’s confirmation, unrest throughout our nation (and the entire world), international sabre rattling and a host of other issues. The same question arises now as did in the 1960’s: Will our nation and world survive?

This morning I stopped at our local post office. After pulling out of the parking area I passed a church building with a message on its signboard: “God Has This”. I’d seen it numerous times previously but it had never struck home as it did today. I pumped my fist into the air and shouted, “YEAH!!” Then I thanked God that He’s faithful and in control.

To some this may seem naïve and like a pipe dream but listen to what Scripture says (emphasis added in both cases):

*”The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it….” (Psalm 24:1).

*”…You alone are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18).

*See also Deuteronomy 4:39; Daniel 4:35; Psalm 47:2.

Kittie Louise Suffield expressed it this way in an old gospel song: “God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own, Tho trials may press us and burdens distress us He never will leave us alone…His promise is true, He will not forget you, God is still on the throne.”

Is there hope? YES!! But we must look for it in the right Place (“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”--Psalm 39:7, emphasis added).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Nicknames"

 

“Nicknames”

 

A nickname is a description of a person, place or object which is used instead of the real or legal name. Usually it reflects something of the appearance, character or contrast of the one to whom or which it’s applied. Often these alternative handles become so familiar that few know the given name. (Does anyone out there know Yogi Berra’s real name? For the record it’s Lawrence Peter Berra.) Here are a few examples which come to mind:

*In high school a student who was about 5’3” was dubbed “Stretch” and another at 6’4” “Shorty”.

*In college a friend who was short and stocky was called “Stubby” (he didn’t object).

*Three Hall of Fame pitchers were known as “Lefty”: Grove, Gomez and Carlton. (Interestingly I remember no one referred to as “Righty”.)

*Some get their titles from their hair color (even if none remained): Red Auerbach, Red Skelton, Red Schoendienst, Whitey Ford, Whitey Herzog. (I was told that my maternal grandfather, whom I hardly knew, was called “Whitey” because of his very blond hair.)

*The Cleveland Browns’ great placekicker, Lou Groza, earned the title “The Toe” for obvious reasons.

*”Junior” sometimes gets attached to boys named after their fathers (most don’t like it—I was told my dad was one of them).

*And there are some who adopt a generic one simply because they don’t like their real names.

Are there any nicknames in Scripture? Two examples come to mind. In Acts 4:36 we read of “…Joseph…whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement….”). He was so described by the early church leaders because he was known as one who reached out to others including his cousin Mark (Colossians 4:10) who was used of God to write the Gospel that bears his name. The other is Saul of Tarsus who is better known as Paul (Acts 13:9). How this change came about isn’t stated but I think one possibility is that it came from the Apostle himself. Paul means “little” and he describes himself as “…the least of the apostles….” (1 Corinthians 15:9). Despite his name he certainly was a giant of the faith.

If God (or my family and friends) gave me a nickname what would it be? I pray it’d be one to make God look good to all I might meet or influence.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Painful Sneezing"

 

“Painful Sneezing”

 

One of the zaniest characters in baseball history was Jay Hanna (Dizzy) Dean, who pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs during the 1930’s. Despite winning only 150 games he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953 because his playing time was shortened by a broken toe in 1937 which ruined his arm. How could this happen because the two body parts are five feet away from each other? His foot problem caused him to change his stride which increased pressure on his arm and shoulder. Consequently he never was able to regain his former effectiveness so in reality it was a career-ending injury.

Two years ago I fell on my left side and probably cracked a rib or two. (How I did this will remain in the confidential file since it wasn’t the smartest action of my life!) The pain was manageable for the most part with one notable exception: sneezing, even though my nose and mouth are a couple of feet from my injury spot.

Both these stories illustrate that our bodies are interconnected so what happens to one part can impact another (or maybe several). Paul used an analogy reflecting this principle when he wrote, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it….” (1 Corinthians 12:26). As the people of God we’re joined together through our faith in Christ so that, even though we’re individuals with our warts, strengths and weaknesses, “…in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5). So none of us can say we don’t need anyone else—God has created us for interaction with one another (“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”—Galatians 6:2).

So when the pollen count is high and your body feels the impact of an explosive involuntary expulsion of air from your nose and mouth (aka a sneeze) think of how you may be affecting those around you. May it motivate you (and me) to “Be kind and compassionate to one another….” (Ephesians 4:32).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan