Got Bigger Fish to Fry?

I've said it. You've probably said it. " I got bigger fish to fry.

" It's a country boy philosophy and approach to prioritizing everything from work to attitude. Do the most important thing first. Tackle the largest problem first. Don't sweat the small stuff. You got bigger fish to fry. There's nothing wrong with getting your priorities straight. Jesus even tells us to prioritize spiritual matters. 

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus talks about getting the plank out of our eye.

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:5 ESV)

What He ain't saying is "I got bigger fish to fry." Any country boy can tell you bigger fish aren't necessarily the best fish. Bigger is a relative term. Relative to God, nothing's bigger, proving small things matter to God. It's little things that get in our way of serving God. Just like small holes can sink ships, small things can rob us of our time communing with God. Jesus tells us to be faithful with small things. He tells what we can do with the faith of a mustard seed. 

Most people read the speck and plank story only gleaming one thing from it: clean out your own closet. But wait, there's more !!! If you've ever had a tiny foreign object in your eye, you know how big it can seem. A small item can be just as damaging and painful in the eye as a large item. Nearly impossible to remove by yourself, usually, a small item requires steady gentle hand of a friend to retrieve it. You have to trust a friend enough to allow them work in your eye. You have to love someone enough to work in theirs. We should always remember it's not enough to clean out our own closets. To love like Jesus, in addition to removing our plank we are still required by Christ to remove our brother's speck.  Love never has bigger fish to fry.

Who Would You Fly With? A Different Diagnosis

What do you do when two doctors look at the same MRI and come up with two completely different diagnosis? The doctor at Duke gave us less certainty about what we are dealing with. The good news is the tumor might not be in the brain. It could be just close enough to the pituitary to appear so. It may be in the bone. So who do we believe ? Does it even matter? The bottom line is no matter whatever or wherever this is, it must come out. 

When weighing opinions, nothing trumps experience. When landing a plane in a storm, do you want the new hot shot pilot or the guy who has landed the plan for years? When the experienced pilot says he's not sure where he's gonna land the plane, it just boils down to trusting in his ability to land it. The doctor at Duke could be wrong about what this is. He even said so. But he's my doctor and I trust him. He'll take care of whatever comes along with my body. I have faith in my pilot and his ability to navigate  through storms. Only this doctor's not my pilot.

 I'm not a frequent flier to the doctor's office but I have flown in planes a number of times. Even had to make a an emergency landing once. Figuratively, my pilot has made such landings with me as well as countless others.

 My pilot never tells me what course we are on. He only says we'll eventually land safely at home. Along the way we will be landing and refueling at preselected areas. In the meantime, I'm to set back and enjoy the flight. He's assured me, he will either calm the storms or keep me calm in them. Since I'm not in the cockpit, I'm not sure if there are dark clouds or clear skies ahead. But that's ok, because I can't fly the plane anyway. Honestly, sometimes I like for him to fly through the storms. I love to see him show off those moves. Just so I can brag about how good he is. Oh look, Jesus just turned on the fasten your seatbelt sign.  

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (Nahum 1:7 ESV)

A Tell of Two Doctors

I don't usually like going to the doctor.

Now, I don't have White Coat Syndrome but I avoid the doctor like the plague. We often treat going to the doctor as if we are on death row and they are executioners. More than once, I've heard my wife say jokingly,"if people stay away from doctor, they won't get sick." What a humorous yet tragic misconception. Sure, it's laughable until you actually need a physician. 

Faced with a potentially life threatening condition, suddenly I want a doctor. Or in this case five or more.

His diagnosis: treatable not curable. The benign mass has attached itself to the carotid artery which prevents 50% to 40% from being removed. Bottom line: a dangerous surgery, (twice as dangerous as bypass surgery. so pray neither of us sneezes) a tumor that will grow back, and a lifetime commitment to manage the problem. Over all, our first encounter went well. I suspect we will become great friends and in that, my trust in him will grow. Still, I'm already comparing him to another physician.

 Jesus calls Himself a doctor. It's no wonder. His patients treat Him as we treat our earthly doctors. Some have no idea they are infected. Others hope by not showing up at the doctor 's office they won't be diagnosed or contract the disease. Some question treatment others flat out refuse it.  It's tragic, since the cure has been paid for in full.

His diagnosis: Sin addiction. Terminal if left untreated. Curable but with lifelong symptoms that must be continually managed by patient and doctor.  Surgery must be done on your heart and mind. To  treat the symptoms apply God's word daily.  It's a universal medicine. You can become addicted but you can't overdose. Additionally, the patient should make regular daily appointments with the doctor through prayer. As well as, frequent visits to the local hospital called the church, the patient will be encouraged to attend a support group of recovering addicts.

Everything will be left up to the doctor except the patient's confidence.

 As I further examine the similarity of these two doctors, I only have faith in one of them. He ultimately has the last say in all things. As far as the other guy goes, what kinda of idiot would I have to be to go through brain surgery and not follow the doctor's orders? I know, the ridiculously stupid kind with a death wish.  And He ain't even God. Ever notice it's those not following doctors who complain about their progress?  Take the doggone medicine.

Pecan Trees and Brain Tumors

It was fourteen feet in just 5 years. Pretty good for a amateur arborist. The day I planted my pecan tree my youngest daughter asked my wife ,"why is daddy planting a stick ?" I did everything right. It was regulaly pruned. The proper fertilizer was used. I watered it regularly and treated it for pest. It was beautiful right up until it died. I was perplexed and kinda ticked off. I put a good bit of time and money into that tree.  Except it wasn't dead. It isn't fourteen feet anymore but from the root a new tree is growing. I now envision a stronger more beautiful tree than before.

What in the world does that have to do with a brain tumor? Absolutely nothing. Unless, you have an epidermoid growing inside your head and the tree just happens to be planted where you see it everyday. I have known for a week today what my friends have known for years. My problems are all in my head. Since this is a congenital defect, they've been right all along. They've always said, "boy you ain't never been right in the head!" Who knew I had such prophetic friends! The tumor is large but benign and removable. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. So here's what the pecan tree reminds a man who's about to have a literal hole in his head.

I didn't expect the tree to die. I did not expect the tree to come back either.  Despite our efforts when it comes to Pecans (and everything else), crop production is not our our job. Our job is to plant, water, and harvest. I've seen those farthest from God come to know Him best. I've seen those I considered saints throw in the towel on the good fight. I've seen tragedy and miracles. So to strengthen our faith and in causing our focus of total dependency upon Him, God continually reminds us to expect the unexpected.  

The Tree's connection to life was its roots.  Likewise our foundation, our roots, must be connected to the giver of life. I don't even want to imagine facing this without a relationship with Christ. I have had a fleeting moment just long enough to convey this message to the enemy. God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV)

It's not my pecan tree. It's not my skin, body or even my tumor. Everything is God's. And He can and will do what He wants. My buddy Kevin Child's said it like this.  "God does what He wants. When he wants to.  To and through what and who He wants to. And He's always right." The bible teaches us all things were created for His pleasure. And it will be Good. Revelation 4:11 Romans 8:28

Jesus Has Enough Fans

Tomorrow, just in time for football season, we start a new series called GameTime. America loves football. So do a lot of God's people. There's lots of great things that surround the game. No doubt, it will be delivered excitingly since Matt Brown never lets our team down. While I have high hopes for potential new believers and seasoned Christians to easily connect through GameTime, for me it will be more difficult. 

I know as much about football as I do rocket science. Even that's more than I usually care to know. Football, metaphorically speaking, isn't always symbolic of Christ's charity. The competitive nature of the sport often ignites pride and vanity. Negative social and economic impacts as well as character flaws are overlooked for the glory of the game. Once, the events might have resembled worship but now they surpass worship in enthusiasm and participation.

Though many look fondly upon the American pastime, football is a source of a lot of unpleasant childhood memories for me. From 8 years old through high school, I was the guy no one wanted on their team. When my childhood best friend became interested in football, I ended up on the sidelines. Regardless of all the positive effects of football on our society, and no matter its ability to bring people together, I remember the alienation it brought to me. I know there are others that feel much like I do about the sport. So, I tried to draw some positive parallels for us nerds. 

What if Jesus had a football team? 

Anyone who wanted to could make the team even losers like me.

His star players would lead in fumbles.( just read His play book )

 Constant turnovers would happen because they'd drop the ball. He'd pick those with the least impressive stats to be his first string. Still they would achieve the loftiest of goals. He'd recruit His rivals.His personal trainers would treat the injuries of the challengers. Likewise, his waterboy a would refresh the opposition. Angels would be His cheerleaders. His managers wouldn't be allowed to keep negative data. He'd never review the game tape to point out what went wrong. He'd take all the blame. His team would have the best defense. He'd intercept every pass and He'd always be victorious. He'd turn to those in the stands and say to those waving His flag, " I want you on my team."

I think that was my problem all along. I was never content just watching a game. I should have been playing. Jesus has enough fans.