rude people

the other day, I had to return something, and as I walked up to the counter—a lady at another counter, said in a rather unhelpful voice—“are you returning that”


Sensing that she wasn’t having a great day, I said “sort of”, to which she replied: “what do you mean”

I explained the situation to her, and she “told” me that I needed to wait for a new one, as I tired to press the matter somewhat further; I wasn’t getting anywhere, so I signed the receipt and began walking out the door.

As I was walking out the door, I noticed the exact item that I wanted, so I picked it up and took it back to show her, and asked if I could get this item, to which she informed me that If I ordered it on line, I needed to wait it because it would mess with their “stock”.

I immediately set out to find my wife and proceeded to tell her my story, and she told me how it was the same girl—we think—who “waited” on her a few days before, and received the same poor service. I was, somewhat comforted, but still annoyed at the service I had received.

Pondering on that incident, it made me think about my life. Specifically, it made me ask myself the question: “how do I treat people”?  Am I nice to them, or are they just a means to an end?

A fellow in our last church used to have a saying that went like this: “it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” I think this statement is true in so many ways.

While we all want to be important, it’s more important for us to be nice.

Isn’t this what Jesus said? In Luke 6:31 we read this word: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (NIV)

Jesus reminds us that we are to treat people--- all people—in the same way that we ourselves would want to be treated.

He goes on to tell us in verses 32 & on: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them.

33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that.

34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full.

35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back….” (NIV)

Not too many people like to be treated like a door mat, most people like too be treated with respect, so why don’t we, seek to treat people with the same TLC that we would want to receive?

And what are we to do on the odd occasion that we bump into someone who is a little less than friendly? Jesus offers these words of advice in verses 27-28: “… do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you…” (NLT2)

The Chrisitan Atheist

I started a new book a few weeks back; it’s one of the two that I picked up at Beulah Camp. The title of the book is “The Christian Atheist”, and it’s by Pastor Craig Groeschel.
I have read two of his books before this one, and expect this one to be equally as good as the previous two.

The name of the author enticed me into purchasing the book, but the subtitle really convinced me that the book would be good. The subtitle of the book: “the Christian atheist” is “believing in God but living as if he doesn’t exist”.

In the introduction, the author tells us of 2 people he met while on an airplane: Travis and Michelle.


“Travis”, he writes, “is an atheist. He doesn’t believe in God, doesn’t pray, doesn’t read the bible, and doesn’t attend church….

“…Michelle on the other hand is “an entirely different atheist—a Christian atheist.”


“Christian atheism”, the author goes on to explain is: “where people believe in God, but live as if he doesn’t exist”

That statement made me think about my life. I believe in God, (you believe in God) but do I live as if He doesn’t exist? (Do you live as if He doesn’t exist?)

The Bible reminds me of this important truth found in 1 John 2:6: “…Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (NIV)


The NLT2 translates the verse in this way: “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”

There is very little wiggle room left in this verse. If we say that we are followers of the God Most High, our lives should be modeled after the Lord Jesus Christ.

So think about your life Do you believe in God--- but are you living as if He doesn’t exist?


Oswald Chambers once said: “Beware of worshipping Jesus as the Son of God, and professing your faith in Him as the savior of the world, while you blaspheme Him by the complete evidence in your daily life that He is powerless to do anything in and through you.”

If you profess to be a Christ follower, you had better follow Christ.

In an instant.....

I had to purchase a new comptuer this week.... not something I wanted to do, but it was something that I needed to do. you see the old one was 7 years old and simply had no room left on it......

I went into Staples and asked the fellow for a computer and we talked for a while, and when I found one that I wanted, I also asked him if they could transfer my files from the old machine to the new machine... He told me that it would take about 2 days.

"TWO DAYS... I need it for work this afternoon" I said.

He said the best he could do is have it ready in one day......

So I am waiting for my new one to be done at the end of the week.....

I've said all of this to say, that I don't like to wait. If I want something, I generally want it now. It's only "normal" for we live in an instant society-- High Speed internt, Drive- Thus, fast cars...... but One thing-- er-- Person is not usually Instant. God. ( because it's "normal" doesnt mean it's right... but that's for another posting)

Normally when we ask for something from God, It's not usually Instant. Sometimes, we will have to wait. I think God does this for many reasons, the primany one is to teach us how to wait--> patience.
I think about Elijah wanting to see God in 1 Kings 19. God did not show up in the noise of the rain, or the storm, but He showed up in the quiet. God wanted Elijah to wait, and when God doesn't answer my prayers in an instant, He wants me to wait.... not to look to something/someone else, but to wait on Him. The Bible says:" those who wait on the Lord will find new strength...." (Is. 40:31, NIV)

It could be that when God asks me to wait, He has something better for me.... it might not be a new computer... it might be something much better!!!!!!!!!

Prep Work....

I'm preparring today for a test tomorrow.

More Specifucally, I am preparing today for a test at the hospital tomorrow. You see, 8 years ago, I was officially diagnosed with Chron's disease--> this affects the bowel, it's something I've come accustomed to, and quite frankly means I don't have to eat Brussel sprouts... yuk!

tomorrow I will have the same test I had 8 years ago when I was a patient at the hospital in Fredericton. My GI doctor wants to see how this "disease" is "working" (for lack of a better term") in my body, so tomorrow I take the test.

A lot has changed in my life since I was diagnosed with this disease. I've altered my eating habits. I know what I am supposed to eat and what I am supposed to stay away from, and because of doing what I am supposed to be doing, I have managed this disease well. I have followed my GI Doctor's advice, and have been good!

Spiritually, I'm not the same person I was 8 years ago. I would like to think that I am "better" spiritually today than I was back then. Why is this? Because I've followed The Doctor's advice. I have sought to listen to Jesus and do what He wanted me to do.

All of the spiritual preparation that I've done, will come in handy when tomorrow comes... Be encouraged, God is and can work in your life as well.. take it one day at a time and then look back and see where He has taken you.......