Living Our Beliefs
Stories
Object:
Contents
"Living Our Beliefs" by Keith Wagner
"Just Look to the Stars" by Keith Wagner
Living Our Beliefs
by Keith Wagner
Philippians 3:17--4:1
Here in Philippians Paul was reminding the church to “follow his example.” I believe he meant for us to live up to our beliefs. Our transformation to eternal life depends on the kind of life we live.
Believers don’t always respond immediately to situations. They are sometimes a little slow out of the gate. We all procrastinate at times but God wants us to act. Sometimes we don’t know how to respond. We lack confidence in ourselves or the motivation to get involved. Sometimes we are afraid, thus Paul was encouraging his followers to “stand firm in the Lord.”
Adrian Thomas held a bonfire out behind his drugstore in Meyersdale, PA, which his family owned and operated for three generations. During the winter in 1992, he came to a fateful decision. He had seen too many deaths of his friends caused by lung cancer and heart disease. For ninety-six years, his family business sold tobacco products. On that day, Thomas, his family members, and his employees boxed up all the cigars, snuff, and pipe-tobacco products and piled them in the middle of the parking lot. Thomas then struck a match and used his state tobacco license to start the fire.
A crowed gathered and Thomas told the local media he could no longer put profits ahead of the health of his patrons. Perhaps that single event didn’t change the smoking habits in his community and other stores probably absorbed profits, but this was not a decision based on economics. Thomas was responding from his own sense of integrity. In other words, he lived what he believed. It took Thomas years to change his family business. Thankfully, he made a commitment to his beliefs.
In the book, Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work, Susan Jeffers tells the story about a woman named Peggy, who hated her job in public relations. She was just biding her time until she found something new. Each day was pure drudgery as she watched the clock slowly move through the day. One time she attended a workshop called, "Dare to Connect." The participants were asked to act "as if" their actions really made a difference to the people around them. The key question was this: "If I were really important here, what would I be doing?"
Peggy resisted the assignment at first. But with great skepticism she finally agreed to try it for one week, to commit 100 percent to her job, "as if" she really counted. In one week Peggy was totally transformed. Her first step was to brighten up her dismal office with plants and posters. Then she started to pay close attention to the people around her. If someone seemed unhappy she asked if there was anything wrong and if there was something she could do. When she went out for coffee she asked others if they wanted some. She invited people out for lunch. At every opportunity she encouraged her co-workers.
Then Peggy asked herself how she could improve things for her company. She stopped complaining and started implementing new ideas. Every day she made a list of things she wanted to accomplish then worked toward completing those goals. She said, "I was surprised by how much I could do in a day when I focused on what I was doing." She also noticed how fast the day went when she gave it her all. Peggy changed her mind about her attitude toward her work. Consequently, it made her feel connected to everyone around her.
God wants us to make the connection too, being persons who willingly get involved. We live out our beliefs by living as best we can to the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
* * *
Just Look to the Stars
by Keith Wagner
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Whenever we make a leap of faith we are relying on a God who does not always make sense. Just as Abram changed the course of his life based on divine leadership, God wants us to be willing to do the same. God said to Abram, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be great. Look toward Heaven and count the stars.”
What we learn from this story is that sometimes we have to reach for new heights, perhaps re-inventing ourselves, in order to move forward.
Mitch Albom, a writer from the Detroit Free Press, once told the story of Tom Smallwood. He was an auto worker who lived in Michigan. Like his father before him, Tom worked for General Motors. In 2008, two days before Christmas, Tom was laid off. He had never lost a job before. He applied for many jobs but could not find one. He was 31 years old, married and had a one-year old. He wondered, “What could he possibly do?”
When Tom was younger he dreamed of being a professional bowler. Bowling would hardly be considered an alternative occupation, not even in normal times. Tom decided to take his bowling bowl, go to the lanes and practice every day. He decided that if he could not find a job he would try to qualify as a pro bowler. He entered the Pro Bowlers Association and bowled nine games a day for five days. It was exhausting, but in the end he qualified. That meant he had a guaranteed spot and a minimum paycheck at each PBA event for one year. His family cheered and he almost cried.
In December of 2009, one year later, Tom Smallwood found himself on national TV. In the very last frame he needed 7 pins to win and he managed to throw a strike. Smallwood, who had lost his job a year before had just won the PBA Championship and a check for $50,000. He said, “Getting laid off was one of the worst things that happened to me, but it led to the best result.”
Tom Smallwood is an inspiring example of a man who took a leap of faith. By the way, General Motors offered him his old job back and he said, “No Thanks.”
In Genesis we have another story of a man who took a leap of faith. Abram moved forward in faith, leaving his country. It was not common sense that led him into a foreign place. It was his faith in God. Abram, "believed the Lord." This is a story about trusting in God who does not work in logical ways.
God also promised Abram that he would “go to his ancestors in peace.” For me this suggests that there is indeed an afterlife. Although the ancestors are not named, I believe God was referring to the faithful of the past. Noah, would have been one of them. He too took a leap of faith and built an ark. Instead of exploring outer space, he risked ridicule and had the faith to follow God’s instructions. Society thought he was crazy, but he remained faithful.
Noah set out to sea. What did he see at night? He saw millions of stars. They reminded Noah of God’s presence and infinite creative power. The stars would have assured Noah of the same night sky he saw on land. The starlit sky gave him hope and light which enhanced his faith.
Our faith can have both a cosmic and lasting affect on future generations. The stars that Abram gazed at meant more than just future descendants however. They symbolized the endless ways in which God would work on behalf of the faithful.
Smallwood looked to his past and rediscovered a lost talent. He didn’t lose it. He simply had to reach back and reclaim it. Likewise God told Abram to reclaim his exodus from his homeland for that would give him the courage to settle in a new place. To have faith is to reach back and reclaim who we are.
Sometimes we refrain from taking leaps of faith because we cannot see the big picture. We are narrowly focused, consumed with our agenda therefore unable to see the endless possibilities that exist and unwilling to try anything that changes the status quo. It’s like being focused on the moon and missing billions of stars. God wanted Abram to reach back and remember. He wants us to remember the illogical, irrational ways that God fulfilled promises and maintained a presence in our lives.
In high school I had job at the local bowling alley. I was a custodian and the mechanic wanted me to help him with the pin spotters. He trained me and taught me how to use a variety of tools. He taught me about life too. When I left home for college I never thought of working in a bowling alley. In my junior year I needed a part time job to make ends meet. A friend gave me a tip that the local bowling alley was looking for a mechanic. I got the job because I had the experience and it helped me pay for my college expenses. It was only a temporary job but it got me through college. Fortunately, I was able to reach back and reclaim a former skill.
No, I never became a professional bowler. However the bowling environment had an impact on my future. It enabled me to reach my dream of graduating from college.
Rev. Dr. Keith Wagner is the pastor of St. John's UCC in Troy, Ohio. He has served churches in Southwest Ohio for over three decades. He is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and has an M.Div. from Methodist Theological School, Delaware, Ohio, and a D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has also been an adjunct professor at Edison Community College, Piqua, Ohio. He and his wife, Lin, live in Springfield, Ohio.
*****************************************
StoryShare, February 21, 2016, issue.
Copyright 2015 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
"Living Our Beliefs" by Keith Wagner
"Just Look to the Stars" by Keith Wagner
Living Our Beliefs
by Keith Wagner
Philippians 3:17--4:1
Here in Philippians Paul was reminding the church to “follow his example.” I believe he meant for us to live up to our beliefs. Our transformation to eternal life depends on the kind of life we live.
Believers don’t always respond immediately to situations. They are sometimes a little slow out of the gate. We all procrastinate at times but God wants us to act. Sometimes we don’t know how to respond. We lack confidence in ourselves or the motivation to get involved. Sometimes we are afraid, thus Paul was encouraging his followers to “stand firm in the Lord.”
Adrian Thomas held a bonfire out behind his drugstore in Meyersdale, PA, which his family owned and operated for three generations. During the winter in 1992, he came to a fateful decision. He had seen too many deaths of his friends caused by lung cancer and heart disease. For ninety-six years, his family business sold tobacco products. On that day, Thomas, his family members, and his employees boxed up all the cigars, snuff, and pipe-tobacco products and piled them in the middle of the parking lot. Thomas then struck a match and used his state tobacco license to start the fire.
A crowed gathered and Thomas told the local media he could no longer put profits ahead of the health of his patrons. Perhaps that single event didn’t change the smoking habits in his community and other stores probably absorbed profits, but this was not a decision based on economics. Thomas was responding from his own sense of integrity. In other words, he lived what he believed. It took Thomas years to change his family business. Thankfully, he made a commitment to his beliefs.
In the book, Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work, Susan Jeffers tells the story about a woman named Peggy, who hated her job in public relations. She was just biding her time until she found something new. Each day was pure drudgery as she watched the clock slowly move through the day. One time she attended a workshop called, "Dare to Connect." The participants were asked to act "as if" their actions really made a difference to the people around them. The key question was this: "If I were really important here, what would I be doing?"
Peggy resisted the assignment at first. But with great skepticism she finally agreed to try it for one week, to commit 100 percent to her job, "as if" she really counted. In one week Peggy was totally transformed. Her first step was to brighten up her dismal office with plants and posters. Then she started to pay close attention to the people around her. If someone seemed unhappy she asked if there was anything wrong and if there was something she could do. When she went out for coffee she asked others if they wanted some. She invited people out for lunch. At every opportunity she encouraged her co-workers.
Then Peggy asked herself how she could improve things for her company. She stopped complaining and started implementing new ideas. Every day she made a list of things she wanted to accomplish then worked toward completing those goals. She said, "I was surprised by how much I could do in a day when I focused on what I was doing." She also noticed how fast the day went when she gave it her all. Peggy changed her mind about her attitude toward her work. Consequently, it made her feel connected to everyone around her.
God wants us to make the connection too, being persons who willingly get involved. We live out our beliefs by living as best we can to the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
* * *
Just Look to the Stars
by Keith Wagner
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Whenever we make a leap of faith we are relying on a God who does not always make sense. Just as Abram changed the course of his life based on divine leadership, God wants us to be willing to do the same. God said to Abram, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be great. Look toward Heaven and count the stars.”
What we learn from this story is that sometimes we have to reach for new heights, perhaps re-inventing ourselves, in order to move forward.
Mitch Albom, a writer from the Detroit Free Press, once told the story of Tom Smallwood. He was an auto worker who lived in Michigan. Like his father before him, Tom worked for General Motors. In 2008, two days before Christmas, Tom was laid off. He had never lost a job before. He applied for many jobs but could not find one. He was 31 years old, married and had a one-year old. He wondered, “What could he possibly do?”
When Tom was younger he dreamed of being a professional bowler. Bowling would hardly be considered an alternative occupation, not even in normal times. Tom decided to take his bowling bowl, go to the lanes and practice every day. He decided that if he could not find a job he would try to qualify as a pro bowler. He entered the Pro Bowlers Association and bowled nine games a day for five days. It was exhausting, but in the end he qualified. That meant he had a guaranteed spot and a minimum paycheck at each PBA event for one year. His family cheered and he almost cried.
In December of 2009, one year later, Tom Smallwood found himself on national TV. In the very last frame he needed 7 pins to win and he managed to throw a strike. Smallwood, who had lost his job a year before had just won the PBA Championship and a check for $50,000. He said, “Getting laid off was one of the worst things that happened to me, but it led to the best result.”
Tom Smallwood is an inspiring example of a man who took a leap of faith. By the way, General Motors offered him his old job back and he said, “No Thanks.”
In Genesis we have another story of a man who took a leap of faith. Abram moved forward in faith, leaving his country. It was not common sense that led him into a foreign place. It was his faith in God. Abram, "believed the Lord." This is a story about trusting in God who does not work in logical ways.
God also promised Abram that he would “go to his ancestors in peace.” For me this suggests that there is indeed an afterlife. Although the ancestors are not named, I believe God was referring to the faithful of the past. Noah, would have been one of them. He too took a leap of faith and built an ark. Instead of exploring outer space, he risked ridicule and had the faith to follow God’s instructions. Society thought he was crazy, but he remained faithful.
Noah set out to sea. What did he see at night? He saw millions of stars. They reminded Noah of God’s presence and infinite creative power. The stars would have assured Noah of the same night sky he saw on land. The starlit sky gave him hope and light which enhanced his faith.
Our faith can have both a cosmic and lasting affect on future generations. The stars that Abram gazed at meant more than just future descendants however. They symbolized the endless ways in which God would work on behalf of the faithful.
Smallwood looked to his past and rediscovered a lost talent. He didn’t lose it. He simply had to reach back and reclaim it. Likewise God told Abram to reclaim his exodus from his homeland for that would give him the courage to settle in a new place. To have faith is to reach back and reclaim who we are.
Sometimes we refrain from taking leaps of faith because we cannot see the big picture. We are narrowly focused, consumed with our agenda therefore unable to see the endless possibilities that exist and unwilling to try anything that changes the status quo. It’s like being focused on the moon and missing billions of stars. God wanted Abram to reach back and remember. He wants us to remember the illogical, irrational ways that God fulfilled promises and maintained a presence in our lives.
In high school I had job at the local bowling alley. I was a custodian and the mechanic wanted me to help him with the pin spotters. He trained me and taught me how to use a variety of tools. He taught me about life too. When I left home for college I never thought of working in a bowling alley. In my junior year I needed a part time job to make ends meet. A friend gave me a tip that the local bowling alley was looking for a mechanic. I got the job because I had the experience and it helped me pay for my college expenses. It was only a temporary job but it got me through college. Fortunately, I was able to reach back and reclaim a former skill.
No, I never became a professional bowler. However the bowling environment had an impact on my future. It enabled me to reach my dream of graduating from college.
Rev. Dr. Keith Wagner is the pastor of St. John's UCC in Troy, Ohio. He has served churches in Southwest Ohio for over three decades. He is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and has an M.Div. from Methodist Theological School, Delaware, Ohio, and a D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has also been an adjunct professor at Edison Community College, Piqua, Ohio. He and his wife, Lin, live in Springfield, Ohio.
*****************************************
StoryShare, February 21, 2016, issue.
Copyright 2015 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
