ARE YOU NOSE-BLIND?

Is it okay to profess you’re a believer, attend a few worship services, occasionally relax and maybe read a few Christian books and call it a day?

The answer to that question is “yes” and “no”. Yes, because there will always be times when we need a break and choose to coast through a day or two. The Bible remains unopened, misplaced somewhere in the house. Our iPhone is muted. And our eyes turn sightless to the needs within our homes and the outside world. Even prayer is temporarily put on the back burner, so to speak, and you promise you’ll get to prayer as soon as your favorite TV show is over.

Speaking of television, I like the Febreze TV ads showing people “nose blind” to the smelly environment they may be living in. Apparently if we hang around smells long enough we adjust and no longer detect offensive odors hanging over our heads. The ad suggests we take action (like using Febreze!) because we get complacent with our environment. It's amazing how fast a slice of cold cuts in the refrigerator can turn and develop off-smells.

The answer to the question is also “no” because we quickly adjust to complacency and become comfortable coasting with our Christianity. There is no quick fix to believer complacency like spritzing some Febreze into the air.

In James’ epistle he reminds us that faith by itself is not enough … unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless (v2:17).

Have your coasting day … don’t get complacent … open you eyes to the needs looking into your face. But just don’t look, respond!

Here’s your question: How do you deal with believer complacency? Let me hear from you.

Robert Parlante
July 2015

Up from the Ashes

Book two in my Patch Town series is in the final stages of editing and design. The Christian fiction book title is "Up from the Ashes" and should be published late summer. Here is a preview of the back cover which gives the reader a hint of what the book is all about. Hope this piques your interest!

 "Someone is trying to harm Martin Gilmore. First a white jalopy with a missing tailgate tries to run him down. He encounters road rage involving a dark blue van. Then an oversized black truck stalks him for the final kill.

 As Martin follows clues leading to the suspected killer, he receives startling news. His young daughter Ruthie faces a diagnosis of breast cancer. Martin’s world collapses, having lost his wife three years earlier to cancer. And now will Ruthie face a similar nightmare?

 Employed by a real estate development company, Martin is drawn into a web of corporate deceit as Ruthie’s illness overwhelms him, and the killer zeroes in on him.

 Martin must confront hard choices. Be a supportive dad to Ruthie, try to live as an ethical believer, deal with his feelings for his friend Linda. In the end, Martin faces an inferno of hatred where his life hangs in balance and his trust in God is challenged."

Hope you enjoy the book. I had a blast writing it!

Robert Parlante
July 2015

Pick and Choose

James reminds us in chapter 2, verses 11 and 12: So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

James reminds us we will be judged by the full measure of the law that set us free, not pieces of the law that suit us best or puts us in the most favorable light. Sin is sin no matter the type, size or gravity.  All sin is an offense to God.

One thing is clear in the reading of these two verses. We cannot pick and choose what we decide to believe or what applies to our life. We cannot select what criteria should be used to judge us in the world and when we stand before the Lord one day. We cannot assume we will be judged by only certain parts of the Scripture and not others   Believers whose words and actions demonstrate that they are under the influence of the world, rather than Christ, delude themselves into a false sense of security.

We all stand before God in need of mercy. We can’t earn forgiveness by forgiving others. But when we withhold forgiveness of others after receiving it ourselves, we show that we did not understand or appreciate God’s mercy toward us. The law that set us free is not like standing in a cafeteria line: I’ll take a dollop of that, a slice of this, but forget the broccoli.

Societal pressure is building around us to adjust Scriptural criteria for judging any situation. We need to stand firm and do our best to live out the full measure of the law, no matter the pressure to do otherwise.

Robert Parlante

July 2015

My Favorite Things

In the movie the Sound of Music, the character Maria played by Julie Andrews sings a song titled “My Favorite Things” to the von Trapp children during a frightening thunderstorm.

It’s hard to forget the lyrics that are likely running through your head as you read this blog

… Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. The key to the song is when you have right thinking then “one won’t feel so bad.”

James in his epistle takes that right thinking to a much deeper level. “Not feeling so bad” is not his primary goal. Apparently, some believers at the time favored other believers who were rich and well-dressed. Others who were poor or not well dressed were shunned.

Chapter 2: 1 – 4: My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"—well, doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Favoritism goes against the command to love one another as oneself. We are all God’s creation and should be treated equally regardless of background or economic status.

We all have likes and dislikes. But showing favor and disfavor against believers based upon background and economic status is clearly wrong. In fact, so wrong James classifies the erroneous thinking as evil.

Robert Parlante
June 2015

The Face in the Mirror

The recent news about the state of the Christian church in America sounds troublesome. Fewer young people are attending church or even profess to be a Christian. They may claim to be spiritual but don’t see participation in a Bible believing church as part of their spirituality. Even some of the definitions people attach to their self-described spirituality can differ vastly from the Bible.

There is much debate on how we have gotten to this state.

James, in his epistle, points out several ways in which a person can redefine one’s personal spirituality … not necessarily for the good.

We deceive ourselves when we believe a redefined view of the character of God. James reminds us in chapter 1, verse 17: He (the Lord) never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

We deceive ourselves when we listen to God's Word without taking action. James reminds us in chapter 1, verse 22:  But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

We deceive ourselves when we accept our own rationalization of our belief system despite what we read in the Word of God.

James reminds us we can fool ourselves into wrong thinking in chapter 1, verses 23 to 25::

For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Why not take a long and honest look in the mirror? And be open to where the Lord is drawing you!

Robert Parlante
June 2015

Rushing Slowly

Saw someone in the gym this morning wearing a T-shirt promoting Caribbean vacations and island time. The words emblazoned across the back of the shirt read “Rushing Slowly”. If you’ve ever vacationed on one of the Caribbean islands you likely would understand the intended meaning. Island time is measured so we are encouraged to slow down our hectic lifestyles and to savor the vacation pace.

A Caribbean vacation is supposed to recharge our lives, prepare us to return to our previous businesses of life. Unfortunately for most of us, a Caribbean vacation is not permanent, nor is the positive aftereffects permanent. Vacations feel good for the moment, but once we leave that vacation spot we must return to our previous reality … dealing with the quick, fast and sometimes slow aspects of our lives … we desire another vacation to recharge.

The Epistle of James speaks of times to be quick and be slow, but for an entirely different end. Most vacations are needed to recharge our “batteries” so we can return to the very lifestyle that got us to that needy place.

James 1:19-20(paraphrased): Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

There is a time to be quick and a time to be slow. James speaks of the need to quickly accept the Word that God has planted in our hearts. As well there is an appropriate time to be slow, allowing time for the Word to settle into our spirit and take over our lives.

Robert Parlante

May 2015

A Measure of Success

I attended my granddaughter’s graduation on Saturday where Jerry Richardson, the owner and founder of the Carolina Panthers football team was granted an honorary degree. He spoke briefly and highlighted some aspects of his life. He was the first person in his family to attend and graduate from college. He was at best a C student. He claimed one of his lowest grades was a D minus minus minus! (Not sure if that grade even exists!)

Despite his educational track record, Richardson claims his success in life was based on several keys … perseverance and a family that taught him to always say please and thank you.

Success in life is different for every person. In Richardson’s case, he gave a multi-million dollar gift to the university to build a new football stadium. That was one outcome of his success. (I expect having the Panthers win a Super Bowl would be defined as success, as well.)

The Book of James speaks of a different measure of success available to all regardless of our up-bringing or our abilities or our finances. Perseverance toward a goal in life overrides many of our perceived limitations.

James 1:12 - God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Verses 17 - 18 remind us: Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Richardson’s words were inspiring. Education counts! Good manners counts! Perseverance counts! But our greatest measure of success is accepting the promises from God. So reach in the right direction and become a prized possession of God.

Robert Parlante

May 2015