by David Scott Robertson
One Christmas, when I was a little boy,
I got a beautiful book as a gift from my Aunt.
As was our custom,
As many as could
Would gather at Grandma and Grandpa’s home in rural Illinois.
On Christmas Eve,
We’d gather around the three and exchange gifts.
Usually, after we had opened a gift, we would hug and kiss our relative
And then pass the gift around for others to look at.
Grandpa was paging through the book I got from my Aunt.
He was eating chocolate fudge cake all the time.
It was all over his fingers and naturally some of it smudged on the pages
As he flipped through the book.
I remember being upset about my crisp new book being soiled by chocolate on the pages!
Time has passed and so has Grandpa.
I kept that beautiful book and some time ago paged through it with my 6-year-old daughter.
And there it was.
Chocolate on the page.
I knew exactly how it got there.
Instantly my mind recreated the entire setting…
In a flash, thoughts, memories and love welled up for a man whom I loved and who loved me all my life.
I guess my point is that no everything that smudges your life is bad.
In the long run,
We may be most grateful
For scars, dents and stains,
Because in their own unlikely way,
They may provide a link to an event
Or a person who has touched our lives in a beautiful way.
DSR, August 6, 1998
Thursday, August 6, 1998
Tuesday, August 4, 1998
The Govenor
by David Scott Robertson
“…a mechanical device for automatically controlling the speed of an engine by regulating the intake of fuel, steam, etc.” – Webster’s New World Dictionary
I want to share a few thoughts about “the governor”.
No, not the kind of governor that is the political head of a state:
The kind that slows things down.
Perhaps you’ve been to an amusement park that rented go-carts.
Even though you mash the medal all the way down,
The go-cart goes up to a certain MPH and no faster.
Why? The governor.
We could list other devices that have governors limiting the speed at which something happens.
Governors are intended to provide safety, prevent engine burnout and extend engine life.
I experienced a different sort of governor today.
My alarm clock is set for 3:56am every morning.
That’s the time when I want to get up in order to get into my day.
The early bird gets the worm, you know.
After all, he who gets up late must jog all day to catch up.
You see, I want it all.
I want meaningful Bible study.
I want quality prayer time.
I want an exhilarating exercise workout.
I want a healthful breakfast.
I want to listen to a personal development cassette or read a chapter from an Inspirational book.
I want to kiss my wife, hug my daughter, pet my dog,
And burst off to work, clean, exercised and spiritually filled,
Ready to do exploits for God.
And I want all that done before 9am.
Well, today, my eyes opened and the large LED display of my digital clock read 7:00.
Why? The governor.
My internal governor said,
“David, you need more rest.
“You’re plumb tuckered out, man.
“Boy, you’ve got to slow down today.
“You’re worn out, dude.”
I hate it when that happens, don’t you?
My mind, my expectations, my plans, my goals and intentions
Are more or less scheduled on getting up around 4am (with little flexibility)
And hitting the ground running.
What ‘s that you say? Bondage? Legalism? Stupidity?
I think not.
At least, I think I think not.
Well, it doesn’t matter what I think today:
My body had other plans this morning and I couldn’t drag my weary carcass out of bed.
My physiological governor said,
“Nope, I intend to provide your body with safety, prevent burnout and extend engine life.”
As much as I hate to admit it, I can relate to the apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane: -
(Mat 26:40 NIV) “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter.
(Mat 26:41 NIV) ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. the spirit is willing but the body is weak.’”
I can’t wait for that glorified body that has no governor.
A governor-ectomy will have been performed to remove all limitations!
I can’t wait for Heaven where there is no sun and no night and no sleep!
Praise God, there is coming a day when we shall be like Him,
For shal see Him as He is.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Until then, Lord, please help to complete the work you have called me to do
In spite of my body’s governor.
DSR, August 4, 1998
“…a mechanical device for automatically controlling the speed of an engine by regulating the intake of fuel, steam, etc.” – Webster’s New World Dictionary
I want to share a few thoughts about “the governor”.
No, not the kind of governor that is the political head of a state:
The kind that slows things down.
Perhaps you’ve been to an amusement park that rented go-carts.
Even though you mash the medal all the way down,
The go-cart goes up to a certain MPH and no faster.
Why? The governor.
We could list other devices that have governors limiting the speed at which something happens.
Governors are intended to provide safety, prevent engine burnout and extend engine life.
I experienced a different sort of governor today.
My alarm clock is set for 3:56am every morning.
That’s the time when I want to get up in order to get into my day.
The early bird gets the worm, you know.
After all, he who gets up late must jog all day to catch up.
You see, I want it all.
I want meaningful Bible study.
I want quality prayer time.
I want an exhilarating exercise workout.
I want a healthful breakfast.
I want to listen to a personal development cassette or read a chapter from an Inspirational book.
I want to kiss my wife, hug my daughter, pet my dog,
And burst off to work, clean, exercised and spiritually filled,
Ready to do exploits for God.
And I want all that done before 9am.
Well, today, my eyes opened and the large LED display of my digital clock read 7:00.
Why? The governor.
My internal governor said,
“David, you need more rest.
“You’re plumb tuckered out, man.
“Boy, you’ve got to slow down today.
“You’re worn out, dude.”
I hate it when that happens, don’t you?
My mind, my expectations, my plans, my goals and intentions
Are more or less scheduled on getting up around 4am (with little flexibility)
And hitting the ground running.
What ‘s that you say? Bondage? Legalism? Stupidity?
I think not.
At least, I think I think not.
Well, it doesn’t matter what I think today:
My body had other plans this morning and I couldn’t drag my weary carcass out of bed.
My physiological governor said,
“Nope, I intend to provide your body with safety, prevent burnout and extend engine life.”
As much as I hate to admit it, I can relate to the apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane: -
(Mat 26:40 NIV) “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter.
(Mat 26:41 NIV) ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. the spirit is willing but the body is weak.’”
I can’t wait for that glorified body that has no governor.
A governor-ectomy will have been performed to remove all limitations!
I can’t wait for Heaven where there is no sun and no night and no sleep!
Praise God, there is coming a day when we shall be like Him,
For shal see Him as He is.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Until then, Lord, please help to complete the work you have called me to do
In spite of my body’s governor.
DSR, August 4, 1998
Monday, August 3, 1998
Subtle Affluence
by David Scott Robertson
Have you ever been rinsing off some grapes under the water faucet
And several grapes have fallen into the sink or on to the floor
And instead of picking them up and washing them off,
You simply throw them away?
Have you ever pulled some breath-mints out of your pocket that have a little fuzz on them
And instead of cleaning them up, you toss them?
Have you ever walked past a nickel on the sidewalk
And thought it’s not worth the effort to pick it up?
Have you ever left food on your plate at a restaurant
And not bothered to get a doggie bag to take the leftovers home to eat later?
Have you ever thrown a T-shirt in the laundry just because you wore it once,
Not necessarily because it was dirty?
Have you ever bought something at the store
When you already had one somewhere in the garage
But just couldn’t remember where it was?
Have you ever thrown an apple away
Just because it had a bruise on one side and you didn’t want to eat around it?
You know what I think all the above represent?
I call it “subtle affluence.”
Subtle affluence is where you are rich and you don’t know it.
Your wealth is staggering yet you are oblivious to the fact.
Many people today live a lifestyle of subtle excess.
This is especially true of us who live in America.
We have been weaned on the American dream that if you want it, you can have it.
Usually pretty quickly, too.
After all, where there’s a will, there’s a way, right?
You deserve a break today.
Have it your way.
If you don’t look out for #1, who will, right?
I wonder how that mentality flies on the streets of Calcutta?
I wonder what Ethiopians feel about people who throw away food?
I wonder what Bosnians feel about people who are upset because the lawn
Surrounding their lovely home has too many weeds?
It’s all relative, isn’t it?
A man with a good milk-cow and some seed corn has a hope and future in some parts of the world.
On the subject of subtle influence,
Much care must be taken and the words
“Balance” and “responsibility” must enter into the discussion.
I think it is imperative to understand
That God doesn’t so much have a problem with Christians having stuff:
It’s always been that He doesn’t ant stuff to have them.
As the Word points out,
“For the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV)
Having traveled to Latin America
And seen first-hand the naked children at the side of the road,
So many potholes in the “paved” road that you almost need a helmet to ride in the bus,
And thinking when old cars die they must come to this place,
I know that it all truly depends on your perspective.
The scriptural truth that seems to rise to the top, on the subject of
“Subtle affluence,” is:
“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48b NIV).
Increase your prosperity; spend less money.
Increase your wealth; give it away.
Increase your quality of life; focus on simple pleasures.
Increase your treasures in Heaven by committing to the following principle:
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17 NIV).
DSR, August 3, 1998
Have you ever been rinsing off some grapes under the water faucet
And several grapes have fallen into the sink or on to the floor
And instead of picking them up and washing them off,
You simply throw them away?
Have you ever pulled some breath-mints out of your pocket that have a little fuzz on them
And instead of cleaning them up, you toss them?
Have you ever walked past a nickel on the sidewalk
And thought it’s not worth the effort to pick it up?
Have you ever left food on your plate at a restaurant
And not bothered to get a doggie bag to take the leftovers home to eat later?
Have you ever thrown a T-shirt in the laundry just because you wore it once,
Not necessarily because it was dirty?
Have you ever bought something at the store
When you already had one somewhere in the garage
But just couldn’t remember where it was?
Have you ever thrown an apple away
Just because it had a bruise on one side and you didn’t want to eat around it?
You know what I think all the above represent?
I call it “subtle affluence.”
Subtle affluence is where you are rich and you don’t know it.
Your wealth is staggering yet you are oblivious to the fact.
Many people today live a lifestyle of subtle excess.
This is especially true of us who live in America.
We have been weaned on the American dream that if you want it, you can have it.
Usually pretty quickly, too.
After all, where there’s a will, there’s a way, right?
You deserve a break today.
Have it your way.
If you don’t look out for #1, who will, right?
I wonder how that mentality flies on the streets of Calcutta?
I wonder what Ethiopians feel about people who throw away food?
I wonder what Bosnians feel about people who are upset because the lawn
Surrounding their lovely home has too many weeds?
It’s all relative, isn’t it?
A man with a good milk-cow and some seed corn has a hope and future in some parts of the world.
On the subject of subtle influence,
Much care must be taken and the words
“Balance” and “responsibility” must enter into the discussion.
I think it is imperative to understand
That God doesn’t so much have a problem with Christians having stuff:
It’s always been that He doesn’t ant stuff to have them.
As the Word points out,
“For the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV)
Having traveled to Latin America
And seen first-hand the naked children at the side of the road,
So many potholes in the “paved” road that you almost need a helmet to ride in the bus,
And thinking when old cars die they must come to this place,
I know that it all truly depends on your perspective.
The scriptural truth that seems to rise to the top, on the subject of
“Subtle affluence,” is:
“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48b NIV).
Increase your prosperity; spend less money.
Increase your wealth; give it away.
Increase your quality of life; focus on simple pleasures.
Increase your treasures in Heaven by committing to the following principle:
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17 NIV).
DSR, August 3, 1998
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