Here's a flashback Friday, this one from May 9, 2008: "Fandering on a Friday!"

According to the urban slang dictionary, fandering means to pander to fans by putting into a medium of presentation something that is unnecessary or unrelated. I don’t think I’ve done that in this blog but at any rate, it’s Friday, thank God it is, and thank God every day for every day. I took this brief online personality quiz to determine what kind of cereal I am. It asked five questions and then gave the following report: “You are a Fruity Pebbles. You are mean like Barney who is always stealing Fred’s Fruity Pebbles.” I have no clue as to how this quiz works but that is what it said. I also completed one that involved selecting colors in order of those that make you feel good. After going through two sets of panels and having selected the colors in the order of preference, this is what the overall summary said: Sensitive and understanding but under some strain; need to unwind with someone who is close to you. There were other more detailed tidbits but since I didn’t like them that much, I decided to quit sharing while I am ahead.

Most of us are interested in what makes us tick. We all desire to accomplish something with the investment of our time and efforts. In my case, it may be respect for my commitment and integrity. In yours, it may be a need to see projects finished on time. Others may experience fulfillment through the technical details involved in a project or activity. That’s what makes life so wonderful. We are so different but all loved equally by our heavenly Father as demonstrated in His sending of His Son to die for us. Even here in my work environment there are folks from many different backgrounds and cultures. Some are recognized craftsmen in their area of specialty, while others are in training or helpers. Yet, we all join together in pursuing a common set of goals and objectives and that’s what helps us succeed!

It took me a number of years to realize that while I may have some admirable traits, my model is not the only one in town. In fact, there’s every combination under the sun, nonetheless, there is one common trait within every person and that is the fatal disease of sin that only God can cure. We can debate the technical details regarding how salvation works including the choosing and wooing until we are blue in the face, but in the end we hear these words from the Apostle Paul: “God desires that all men (mankind, humanity) be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1st Timothy, Chapter 2) This means within the process of offering salvation, it is not an empty exercise, the offer reflects the heart of God desiring to save each lost person.

That common thread of this unique eternal need is truly what binds us together as human beings. We all are precious in God’s sight and we all need His salvation. The song I’ve mentioned before has it exactly right, “the ground is level at the foot of the Cross and no one stands higher than you or I.” Unfortunately, far too many of us who are believers have become conceited in our position in Christ and we seem to be unable to identify ourselves with those who are lost. On our best day ever we would be just as lost as anyone else had God not reached down and saved us. Paul made this clear when he wrote to the Church in Ephesus that any who are saved are saved by grace alone and that salvation is not of human origin or instrumentality, but it is the gift of God lest anyone would have something to boast about. (Ephesians 2:8-9) A boastful believer who feels better than others will never become the bridge who will help others find their way to God. Have a great Saturday and Sunday and always give God the glory in everything. Why? He deserves it whether we do it or not! Think about that! Amen. ….More later.