15 March 2009

Dear Bethel Family and Friends: (E-Mail Version)

I never had the capacity to fully appreciate all of Maya Angelou’s poetry. One statement attributed to her, however, is awesome. She said, “A woman’s heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.”

One way or another, that was the standard, stated or implied, my generation of church-related young men were taught. Of course, if the young lady also happened to be attractive, so much the better. After all, young men are young men…guaranteed.

Ms. Angelou’s statement is profound. Men tend to reflect the attitude and manner of the one they love. We thrive on their approval. Even so, we men can be sorry critters, make terrible mistakes, calling for maximum understanding from our women. God bless’em!

…

Love…Larry Buhler

8 March 2009

Dear Bethel Family and Friends: (E-Mail Version)

During WW2, when asked by an officer to become part of a small invasion team, I declined. I was quickly and firmly informed my “contract with the Navy” did not allow me to choose my own war. They needed a medic and I was it. No questions, just “Yes, Sir!”

Similarly, Christians are not allowed to choose which government edicts to support. Short of having to deny the faith, we are to obey those in authority over us. Much will be unfair. Some will be abusive. A lot will be hard to swallow. That’s not the issue.

Ideally, a Christian should be the best citizen any nation could have. Antagonism against God is so deep, however, Christians are often the first target of those needing a scapegoat. It began when Nero burned Rome and undoubtedly will ever be thus.

…

Teaching from the O.T. book of Micah, Jake focused on another familiar passage. In chapter 6, verse 8, Micah sums up what God requires of us…to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly before God. Micah was particularly concerned about the oppressed. He saw a society in which the wealthy took advantage of the poor. Farmers, peasants, and small landowners were being harassed. He railed against corrupt law courts, government officials, and religious leaders.~~

Micah saw the city of Jerusalem as symbolic of all that was wrong. Today, Washington might be seen as a modern Jerusalem. Greed for power and wealth drives much that happens there. Just as Micah prayed for his people, we should do the same for our time. God’s standards do not, have not changed. The penalties remain the same.

Love…Larry Buhler

Running with M & N.

Really, it's March already?  The end of the month came in a swift fashion as I was in another time zone this weekend.  My wife was gone at a woman's retreat and I was left to solo daddy duty from Thursday through Sunday.  When I finally made it to bed each night my mind was running a thousand miles an hour.  I am one who rarely stresses or feels anxiety about anything, but when my head hit the pillow each night it wasn't the usual KO in 3 seconds.  I laid there with a weird feeling about the responsibility and I'm pretty sure that feeling was anxiety.  the days of complete responsibility gave me a whole new appreciation and perspective for stay at home moms.

With two months gone in 2009, I can't say that I'm surprised that the billions of TARP dollars and additional support from the government into the financial system hasn't made much of an impact.  The uncertainty of Wall Street is incredible.  We're definitely going to be in this one for the long haul!

Here are Grandpa Buhler's weekly words of wisdom:

1 March 2009

Dear Bethel Family and Friends: (E-Mail Version)

Saw uncle Festus again…said he’d “heard we’re aheadin’ into a depression.” He figured people didn’t rightly know what that was. Most thought it was just a bad recession. “It ain’t. That’s where all the sugar gets squeezed out of the turnip…takes years.”

“People,” he said, “are gonna find their high-falutin’ college degrees in Curtain Design or Flamingo Countin’ ain’t gonna help much when they apply for a job at the Feed & Seed. They’re gonna learn what work is ‘n they ain’t gonna like it much. Some’ll go to stealin’.”

Festus figured he’d make out. “I kin make a powerful potato soup ‘n my biscuits ain’t bad. I’ll share with them as wants to. Them people that’s used to havin’ things give to’em, they’ll be hurtin’. But God’s still the boss. Might be good for us to learn a few lessons.”

…

Joshua, Israel’s leader, continues to be the subject of pastor Dan’s messages. Having entered the Promised Land, destroyed Jericho, they were ready for the next city. Quite small, Ai appeared not to be much of a challenge but their men met the Israeli army, whipped them and sent them running. God was teaching his people a lesson. Joshua learned that one man (Achan) had broken a vow, kept some plunder taken from Jericho, and the entire nation suffered because of this. Application: One person’s disobedience can affect the entire group.

Let’s pray for each person in our fellowship. Love…Larry Buhler