Coronado Bible Church

So what calendar are you living by? By which time system do you recon life? While it’s not often expressed, one popular scheme (Existential Materialism) measures time like this … “Get what you can, while you can, because this life is all you get.” Another says, “Careful how you live, what goes around comes around.” That’s Karma. But what does God’s word say about time?

God’s Mercy: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Our Brevity: You sweep people away in the sleep of death— they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

Our Mission: As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 

Let’s get on God’s time system. If you haven’t yet, start by accepting his patient mercy … while there’s time!

Undercover Boss: Have you see the show? A CEO goes undercover in really bad makeup. He or she pretends to be a newbie employee at their own company. Invariably they meet employees from these basic molds:

The climax of the show comes when the boss reveals his or her true identity to the employees they had worked alongside. The excellent employees are usually a bit surprised at the boss’ praise and generosity. The burdened employee is relieved and encouraged. The poorest performing employees seldom own up to their bad attitudes and habits.

Can you imagine if Jesus appeared on Undercover Boss? Or maybe it would be called Undercover LORD. We call him “LORD” in our songs and prayers, but it’s easy to forget what that title implies. Here are some synonyms: Master, Ruler, Sovereign, Potentate, Monarch, King.

Is that the position He holds in your life? Are you a good representative of His Kingdom and its values? Have you ever embraced the privilege of being His servant? Jesus cares about the burdens you bear … and He notes those who serve Him faithfully. There is a moment of revelation coming. Read the preview in Matthew 25:31-46. It starts,

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne …

Hi My Name Isn’t. The adult class I led at my former church, chose to wear nametags. They saw it as a way to welcome guests and break down the barriers for people who didn’t attend as often. There were always mornings when non-conformists wouldn’t “tag up,” but that was okay. It actually helped us learn each other’s names and guests could more quickly connect with established members.

One Sunday, I noticed a visitor introducing himself to our regulars. He stuck his hand into a group of guys and confidently said, “Good morning Scott!” The person he was addressing chuckled out, “Hi … but my name is Roger.” He turned to another man in the circle and ventured, “So John …” At that moment laughter erupted from the group and the man he was addressing said, “I’m so sorry, I’m Kenny.” The four friends, guffawed and pounded each other’s shoulders. I realized what had happened, but it was too late. In friendly jest, several of the men had switched nametags. They apologized and explained to our guest, but finished out the morning wearing the wrong tags.

Their harmless prank had not been intended for the guest … and that was the biggest issue. They had no intentions concerning guests. They were not thinking of them at all. They had forgotten that the nametags were a vital part of our welcome. A good tool turned (unintentionally) into a glaring sign that said … “It’s hard to get in.” Our guest never returned.

Machetetiquette is my new word for a behavior I’ve observed on the roadways of Panama. I combined two words which are defined below with the help of Merriam-Webster:

Panamanians seem to have rules indicating the proper and polite way to carry a machete. A machete has a handle. Most of us carry things by their handles. Not so for the Panamanian and his machete. Here are some carrying positions I’ve observed:

• Held by the blade, point and sharp edge towards the carrier – handle down
• Held by the blade near the handle (sometimes wrapped with cloth) – handle facing out
• Held by the handle, but upside down and facing back

Words have a lot in common with machetes. They can be helpful tools or harmful weapons and we need to be conscious of how we carry them. The careless use of words can signal aggression when none is intended. As we continue to think about how to improve our welcome, let’s put our words into the mix. I have no negative circumstances in mind, but offer the encouragement the Apostle Paul gave the church at Colossae:

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5–6

When I was growing up, going out for track meant being tested in all events and competing in the areas of least incompetence. So, despite being “solidly” built and somewhat uncoordinated, I still had to run the hurdles. I had to run right alongside the kid whose legs started just below his armpits. It was hard to get up out of the dust and challenge another towering obstacle while others were floating across the finish line.

In a national survey on church attendance, first-time guests revealed obstacles they experienced to feeling welcome. Here are three worth examining:

• People took all the aisle seats making it hard/awkward to get to a seat
• People were gathered in cliques talking and laughing … we felt ignored
• People covered seats around them with their stuff … signaling we weren’t welcomed to sit by them

 These could be hurdles for any guest … but especially for one who already feels vulnerable or shy. How could we help?

• If you need an isles seat, please feel free to take one. But watch for the guest – stand, smile, shake a hand motion to the seats beside you.
• Please enjoy your friends … that’s part of what makes Sunday morning great. But keep an eye out for the new person … the new potential friend.
• Become more Panamanian in your personal space requirement :). Place your items on the floor beneath your seat.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4