Good Samaritan

The priest and the Levite were the goats of the Good Samaritan story. A Samaritan was the hero. To the hearers of the story no Samaritan was good. It would be like someone today telling a story to a Jewish audience and casting an Iraqi as the hero. Yet Jesus included these three in his story to make a point. It was a life and death issue so he pulled no punches. At the end of the story he said, "Go and do likewise."

A lawyer had asked Jesus what it takes to receive eternal life.
WHAT MADE THE SAMARITAN GOOD?
The Samaritan was called "good" because he helped a stranger in need. The other two observed him, but walked on by. Perhaps they judged him unworthy of their help. Maybe their schedule was inflexible. The Samaritan was good because he saw a person in need and did not hesitate to personally take care of it.
He too must have had an agenda, but the man's need was more important. The Samaritan gave his time, and his money. He let the person ride on his donkey while he walked. Once at the inn he stayed all night to take care of the person. The next morning he left a deposit with the inn keeper to cover any additional expenses. The Samaritan performed in a way that is natural for a person whose life is centered on obeying the Great Commandment. He loved the man as Christ loves the world -- wholeheartedly.

This is the most famous story of the greatest story teller of all time. Today everyone knows this parable. People of other religions, and those who have no religion use the phrase "good Samaritan" to describe a good deed. But it was more than just a good deed story.

When Jesus selected his inner group of disciples he chose ordinary men--people who were teachable, who would obey. Here in this story again, his hero is a surprising choice.

Ceremony Verses True Religion.
Rebuking religious leaders, or casting them in the role of the "bad guy," was not unusual for Jesus. Once, at a meal, a leader chided Jesus for not ceremoniously washing the dish from which he was eating. Jesus said, "Give what is inside the dish to the poor and you will be clean."
WOW! Right to the heart of the matter. The man was focused on religious rites. "Doing religious things," he thought, made one holy, or clean. Jesus' blunt reaction must have stunned everyone at the table. He spoke of a more important issue -- taking care of the poor.

In our day too, religious people can be hampered by their ceremonial concerns, and the day to day affairs of "running a church." Even those specially commissioned as servants of God may forget to obey the GREAT COMMANDMENT -- "Love others as I have loved you."

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27.

For the Christian, the Samaritan story is a reminder. When we see or hear about a needy person, if our hearts are open to God he will move us to compassion. God wants more from his people than random acts of kindness, or the loose change from a purse or wallet. Sacrificial giving may be called for. We may need to help a stranger, one of another religious faith, or one who claims allegiance to no religion.

In every community, behind closed doors, there are elderly and disabled lonely people who quietly despair. Some need a friend who will pay a bill, buy a prescription, replace a water heater, take them out for a burger, or the like.

When we see ourselves as a servant to others, we understand the New Testament scriptures better. We see that God beckons us to action. We don't have to be specially trained, or ordained to be a hero of Christ.

SORRY STARBUCKS

STRIBLINGS

Sorry Starbucks
I am a reformed fresh ground coffee bean extremist.
At home I used to take pride in my coffee. I ground fresh coffee beans for each pot just before serving; then kept the brew fresh and hot in a thermos. I was meticulous about keeping the brewing pot and the thermos immaculately clean.
One time I brought home (with the manager’s permission) a “We serve Starbucks Coffee” table tent from Marie Callender’s in Norman. I would place it on the table for company.
But now I’ve switched to Tasters Choice original blend instant coffee. It is delicious and very versatile.
My usual drink is with one heaping teaspoon of coffee, but there are infinite varieties possible.
For example, I use two teaspoons in the morning for a stronger cup. Or some mornings, I make Mocha adding only a small amount of hot water to 2 spoons of coffee, then filling up my cup with milk. After heating in the microwave, I add three dippers of the chocolate Carnations Instant Breakfast. Delicious with a healthy aspect as well.
I may have coffee three or four times through the day. I can measure the coffee according to how much I want and how strong. Often it’s a weaker brew, especially in the evening.
A Chefs Choice stainless cordless kettle in our kitchen boils water (we use distilled) faster than a stove or microwave. Flip the switch to ON, and in a couple of minutes its hot. It has an auto shutoff so we never have to wonder, “Did we turn off the pot.”
Margaret prefers her coffee weak, half a spoon of coffee in a full cup. So in the morning we each have a cup freshly ‘brewed’ just as we like it.

Explaining the product hyperlinks - No I’m not on anyone’s payroll. When I went to the Tasters Choice web site, while write this piece, I was pleased to learn that they also offer a darker blend.

Hard to stop what I'm doing right now

STRIBLINGS
When I took piano, getting started was sometimes hard. But once I got into it, I often would play longer than I had intended - even if I had homework to do . There's something that holds us where we are or keeps us moving in a straight line until we determine to shift gears or change tracks. Its called inertia.
My wife Margaret is able to move to the moment's appropriate task better than anyone I know.
She is also good at making lists for later but she doesn't have as many lists as I do.
I tend to add tasks to a list for later which could be done right now.

Joycelynn At Sam's Club

STRIBLINGS
When her husband died ten years ago relatives moved in to keep her from being lonely. Later Joycelyn's doctor said get away from your relatives and start mingling again. For five years now she has worked an 8 hour day at Sam's Club handing out samples of food. At age 77 she comes alive each day as she mingles with hundreds of shoppers at Sam's.
She gave me a lift as we chatted during a lull. She used to own three businesses when her husband was alive. This job, though meanial, is nevertheless a life saver. Joycelynn has something to look forward to each morning and her happy countenance adds a little joy to many others.

Statuesqe Woman Waiting

STRIBLINGS
The StatuesqueWoman At Wal-mart
By Dee Stribling
Meeting strangers
Trying NOT to mind my own business

I am often amazed how strangers open up with just a little nudge. Yesterday at Wal-Mart on NW Expressway in Oklahoma City, inside the store while Margaret took the cart to get some lawn care stuff, I wheeled about in my motorized wheelchair.

In the candy shelves I was glad to see some low carb goodies. I selected a plastic jar of Russell Stover individually wrapped low carb chocolate candies. Then I parked in my motorized chair near an end shelf in the center isle to break the seal and enjoy a sweet (Splenda) snack.

As I opened the jar to get one of the candies, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a woman standing nearby. She was in her late sixties and also appeared to be waiting for someone. Her hands rested on the cart. She was looking straight ahead, almost like a statue, making an effort not to look my way. In fact her eyes never moved as a stream of shoppers passed in front of her. I would say she was not at all approachable, but I wheeled over anyway and offered her a candy.

She glanced at me, then down at the candy in my extended hand.

"Oh, I like chocolate, and these are individually wrapped (not contaminated by my fingers???)."

I explained that I was waiting for my wife.

She replied, "I am waiting for my husband. He is just over there." She motioned down the isle. I glanced but couldn't tell who he might be.

I figured any further conversation would make her nervous so I begin to move away.

As I was picking up speed I glanced over my shoulder and told her if he hadn't come back after awhile I might come back and give her another Russell Stover. She released a faint tentative smile.

She was appreciative in a subdued way, seemed a bit oppressed, almost reclusive.

Later after I had driven through the jewelry section for three or four minutes from a distance I spotted her with her husband in the check out lane.

She stood straight as a board, motionless, facing the front. He was a rotund man who anxiously shifted weight from one foot to the other. Unlike her he looked all around, not that he was looking for anyone, but in a protective way. It occurred to me that he might be abusive to her, or at the very least a controller.

I doubted she had revealed to him that a stranger had giver her a treat.
I met my wife at the check out line to put the candy with her other items.

I hope our brief encounter might have shed a little light into her life. In my mind I can still see my first view of her erect posture, dutifully waiting for her husband.

MY PRAYER – “Lord, I lift her up to your attention!”

Christians Ineffective

STRIBLINGS

A recent study by the Barna Research Group revealed a stunning statistic — only 9% of professing Christians have a biblical worldview.
Because of this, today's believers live very similarly to non-believers. A personal sense of significance is rarely experienced, we spend our money and time on things that fail to satisfy and we begin to wonder what life's ultimate purpose really is. Behavior of Christians is not much different than the general public. For instance the divorce rate is identical among Christians as it is in the general population. We are, in short, losing our bearings as a people and a nation.

EXPECT ANSWERED PRAYERS

Pray - Listen - Act

Some of our most important prayers require that we can perceive God’s answer and to know what action to take.
If I ask, “What do I do now, Lord,” and I ask it earnestly, I can be sure that he does hear. And he will answer in some way. I don’t want to have his answer sail right over my head. So I strain to keep my mind as open as possible.
Be prepared. His answer may just be to re-position you . . . or turn your head.
Once after a move, our garage was a jumble of boxes, sacks, and extra chairs. It was difficult to know where everything was.
So when I needed a yardstick to measure a window for a blind, I wasn’t sure where to start looking. I thought it was in the garage, someplace, but where?
My wife said, “Let’s ask God.”
We did. Immediately my head turned, I blinked and was surprised to find myself looking directly at the yardstick.
In this instance, God made it easy. Sometimes, however, if you haven’t received an answer you may have to ask, “Lord, did you answer and I didn’t hear you?”
That’s a wonderful thing about prayer, you can pray for anything even to ask God to ‘clarify’,
Examples:
Lord, make me a good listener. Or, Open my mind and heart to know and understand your answers to my prayers. If you are feeling bold, say, Father I think I should go this way, or do this thing, please stop me or re-direct me if you need to.
One of our clients after we prayed for her told us later that her whole demeanor changed, things opened up, people began helping and she got some new ideas of what she could do. So the next time we contacted her a large unpaid gas bill had been paid and she had service once more.
“It was that prayer,” she said. “I need to find me a prayer partner; I see how valuable it is to pray together, or to have someone pray for you.”
I suggested that she should start praying for someone like that. Surely such a request is one that God would answer. Jesus said, when two or three come together in his name, “I am there.”
Prayer is more than a means to get what you want. It also can open your eyes to God’s will and his purposes.
A good indication that you are indeed one of his is that you desire to know his will, to please him and to serve Him.
D.E. Stribling