TERMS & CONDITIONS

In the last few years the Internet has become an integral part of our everyday lives. We use it to communicate with loved ones, share pictures and daily activities on social networks, learn what is happening in every country of the world, purchase new toys and sell the old ones. If you have ever entered a contest, down loaded software, or enrolled in an online group, you will notice that before the transaction is completed a small box must be checked. It is the “Terms & Conditions” box. By checking the box you are promising that you accept and abide by whatever rules the creator has set up in connection with this event. I have checked many little boxes but I have to admit, other than a cursory scan, I have never read a detailed Terms & Conditions page. THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE!!! After reading the following article, I have decided to throw my checkmarks around with a little less nonchalance.

Fox News reported that 7,500 online shoppers unknowingly sold their souls when they purchased a computer game from a British company. The “Terms & Conditions” included this clause, “By placing an order via this Web site on the first day of the fourth month of the year 2010 Anno Domini, you agree to grant Us a non transferable option to claim, for now and forever more, your immortal soul. Should We wish to exercise this option, you agree to surrender your immortal soul, and any claim you may have on it, within 5 (five) working days of receiving written notification from gamesation.co.uk or one of its duly authorized minions." A joke? Probably! Enforceable? Probably not!! The lesson to be learned, however, is make sure you know the Terms & Conditions before completing the transaction.

God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation. The Terms & Conditions to receive the promise were that Abraham had to leave his country and loved ones, follow God to an unknown land, face unforeseen obstacles and finally in his old age, experience the birth of the one son who was the start of the “great nation.” Joseph dreamed of his destiny but not the Terms & Conditions. How could he know that before his brothers would bow down to him, he would be sold into slavery, falsely accused, put in prison, forgotten about for a few years and finally brought before Pharaoh? Did the disciples understand the Terms & Conditions when Jesus asked them to put down their nets and other tools of the trade to follow Him? What about you, have you read the Terms & Conditions to inherit eternal life?

John 14 1-3 says, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” What an exciting promise; Jesus left to prepare a place for me and when it is ready; He will return and take me there. But what about the Terms & Conditions? Am I willing to check the box and hit enter?

When the crowd asked, Peter in Acts 2, “What must we do to be saved,” Peter declared the Terms & Conditions as they were given to him. Acts 2:38, Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Is that it? Just do what Peter says and I can get my place in a mansion for eternity? No, that’s just one of the Terms & Conditions. We find another in Matthew 24:13, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” For the complete list of Terms and Conditions read a book called The Bible. If you can agree to all it contains then you are ready to check the little box and hit enter. You have now sold not only your soul but your life to a loving Savior who purchased you with His own blood. Everything He has is yours including eternal life.

HURRY!!! THERE'S A DEADLINE!

This morning as the fog was slowly replaced by conscious thought, I remembered something I had been meaning to get to all week. It suddenly hit me, I am a PROCRASTINATOR. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, a procrastinator is someone who intentionally puts off doing something that should be done. According to my daughter-in-law, Jenesa, “It’s not procrastination, it is good planning.” While, I prefer Jenesa’s definition, I’m afraid my lack of diligence fits more perfectly into that of Merriam-Webster. After examining my thought process in relationship to task process, I realize I work best when constrained by DEADLINES.

It is amusing to watch an individual’s body language when the word deadline is mentioned. It is as if a curtain drops, a mental block is put into place draining all of their energy and enthusiasm for the project. Could it be because behind its benign modern definition lurks its literal original meaning? We use the term "deadline" to refer to a specific time when a project is to be completed, but it literally means a line beyond which you die. According to one source, the word deadline first appeared as a word that referred to the line around a military prison beyond which soldiers were authorized to shoot escaping prisoners. Perhaps the word strikes such fear because deep down we feel that if we miss the set date we may die. I can promise you that most of the deadlines you face in life will not result in death if missed but maybe we should not discount the seriousness of some of the approaching deadlines.

I worked for several years as a Controller of a company. For all of you who have ever worked in an Accounting Department, you understand the word Deadlines. The entire monthly accounting cycle is determined by deadlines; report deadlines, tax deposit deadlines, information submission deadlines, budget deadlines, etc. Although missing a deadline would not cost me my life, it could cost the company stiff fines, non-compliance penalties and ultimately my job. The deadlines were important and took planning and prioritizing every day. There is a deadline approaching in each of our lives that can be met through a time of planning and prioritizing first thing each morning and executing the plan for that day. This is a deadline you don’t want to miss; the penalties are irrevocable and eternal.

Matthew 25 tells us of ten virgins. Five had planned and prioritized their life so that they were ready for the bridegroom’s appearance. The other five, however, were procrastinators. They were all aware of the approaching deadline, they were aware of the preparations necessary to wait for the bridegroom and that once the bridegroom appeared they must be ready to go with him. The Bible doesn’t fill us in on the many distractions that came between them and the long awaited day, but as the countdown began, five realized they had missed an important item on their list of priorities. They had forgotten to fill their lamps with oil. While they were at the market, the bridegroom came and they missed the deadline. Although they knocked and begged to be allowed in there was no grace-period extended.

April 15, tax day, is fast approaching. If you are one of the tax-procrastinators, missing this deadline will merely cost you a fine. Walking into work past the deadline too many times, may cost you your job, but hopefully you will learn a lesson and be on time at your next position. There will be many deadlines over the course of your life that you will meet and others you will miss with less than dire consequence but have you thought of the “end of life” deadline that we are racing toward every day. Young people think they are invincible and old people become obsessed about dying, yet we all come to the same conclusion; this life ends and eternity begins. The deadline is approaching faster than you can even imagine, just ask an elderly friend. The bridegroom may return in your lifetime or we may pass through death but the deadline cannot be avoided; eternity waits. Do you have your priorities in order? Is your lamp full of the oil of the Holy Spirit? Are you ready and waiting? Hurry!!! There’s a deadline!!!!

I CAN'T SEEM TO SEE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING

It had been one of those mornings I never want to repeat. The headache had been building since the day began, but I knew I couldn’t give in to the pain because two little boys were depending on me. Finally, Nathan was napping and Mickey Mouse had captured Caleb’s attention. I settled down in a comfortable chair with a cup of coffee, closing my eyes for just a moment, I rubbed my aching head. Suddenly, I felt a cool little hand on my brow and a tiny voice say Grandma and other intelligible words except for the last two, “name and amen.” A song of praise began to rise up in me and my headache disappeared as I realized 2-year old Caleb had prayed for me in Jesus Name, Amen!

 How did he know that was exactly what I needed? Was it because he had witnessed his dad and mom praying over him in the wee hours of the morning? Had he been paying attention when Grandpa anointed someone with oil and prayed for them in church? Maybe it was the time he fell off the slide and Grandma ran to hold him close, praying in the Name of Jesus as his tears were wiped away. Caleb was imitating the behavior he had witnessed; when you are having a tough time, PRAY!

It is so wonderful to see our children imitate our good behavior. I love watching Madison rock and cuddle her dolls because that’s how mommies behave. Mackenzie explained to me exactly which side of the plate the knife should be placed because someone portrayed this etiquette to her. It is natural for Caleb and Nathan to raise their hands in praise to God as we sing because that has been modeled to them. But, what about the times when our children or grandchildren’s behavior is not so exemplary? Have you ever been totally embarrassed by your child’s antics only to suddenly realize you have been “slapped in the face” by the echo of your own words and actions? Children are “champion imitators” but not “gold-medal discerners.” They will mirror every behavior they observe.

Ephesians 5:1 tells us, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children,” yet many times the behavior we are imitating is far from the reflection of God. We may say all the right words, quote scripture, and preach sermons, but what are we portraying by our actions? When our words and actions don’t match, our witness is as confusing as watching a movie in which the movement and words are out of sync. Our friends and neighbors just can’t seem to see what we are saying.

I read today where actor, Neal McDonough, was fired from the television series, Scoundrels, for refusing to perform in steamy love scenes. He has also refused to do the same on Desperate Housewives and Boomtown, due to his devout faith and principles. While his words of refusal are admirable, his actions of accepting roles in multiple series which would require this type of performance are confusing.

Last year, Miss California, Carrie Prejean lost her crown after her statement regarding gay marriage. She was lauded by religious leaders and invited to be a presenter at a gospel music awards program. A few days later nude and compromising pictures of her were published. She felt she was being persecuted for her faith and her moral stance. Wait just a minute!!!!!!!! Her actions were turning her words into objects of ridicule by unbelievers. Once again, their philosophy of Hypocrisy and Christianity has been reinforced because they just can’t seem to see what we are saying.

Matthew 15:8, “These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” 

We have fed the cynicism of unbelievers through our hypocrisy of speaking words of life with our mouth as our bodies follow the way leading to death. The world is longing for a person or a group of people who really believe what they speak and portray it through their actions. When we reach the point that we believe and embrace the words we are saying, our actions will preach the gospel and our world will see and follow what we have been saying.