Treasure Digest

• Lightbulb Man Lessons
• The Wedding Invitation
• Turning the Hearts . . .Hanging Out and Dating
• Children's Corner - The Three Temptations of Jesus [See PDF version]
• Share Your Treasures!

Lightbulb Man Lessons

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds," James tells us (James 1:2, New International Version). So easy to say, but oh, so hard to do! After a recent fiery trial, I discovered a good lesson from the lightbulb man, who helped remind me to see the light.

I came across a most interesting story about Thomas Edison, a story that can help put an end to self-pity. I had a 36-hour bug of that recently and, lo and behold, I stumbled across this story and it, along with the book of James, reminded me that trying times are a normal part of this life. They present an opportunity to strengthen my foundation of joy.

Thomas Edison invented over 1,000 things in addition to the lightbulb and phonograph.

As amazing as his inventions are, I was particularly interested to discover that this man of genius and invention struggled with dyslexia, a learning disability I also faced. Since it was undiagnosed, it was all the more frustrating. Despite this, Edison found ways to learn from his failures.

Did you know that in 1914 one of Edison's buildings caught fire and it quickly spread to most of his other factory and laboratory buildings? Thomas Edison, his employees and fire companies from all around did their best to fight the fire and protect the remaining buildings, but little was spared.

The next morning as he looked at the smoldering rubble, Edison is reported to have said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew."

What an incredible attitude! This story caught my eye big time since I have recently been through a house fire that produced some real pain and sorrow those first couple of days afterward. (My house was saved, but there was structural damage, as well as some water and smoke damage that left me with a bad case of that 36-hour bug of self-pity.) However, upon reading about Mr. Edison's experience, I realized I needed to see it like Edison did—to be able to see beyond the disaster to the potential ahead.

His words pierced me like a knife, since as a pastor, father and husband, I was in somewhat of a state of shock as I thought about my defeated and discouraged attitude of the day. Where I had lost some noticeable money and time, this man had lost much of his life's work. Where I had chosen to see the remaining rubble of the day, this man chose to see the future that awaited him. When I longed to hide under the covers, this man took joy in the good that would come from his loss.

Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (NIV).

If you're feeling frustrated, defeated and discouraged by the trials in your life today, I want to encourage you to look beyond the rubble to what lies ahead. It can be difficult to face our trials with the kind of spirit that sees great value in disaster, but that's what God expects from us if we are to be men and women who walk on their foundation of joy.

Thomas Edison's statement sums up the truth about spiritual growth perfectly: trials are the foundation of joy for spiritual maturity. God is growing us in the image of His Son, the Captain of our salvation who was made perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10).

A major way we grow is through the trials that arrive on our doorstep. Through it all we can rely on God: "For You are my rock and my fortress; for Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me" (Psalm 31:3, New American Standard).

— Stuart Segall
Pastor of the Crescent City, Eureka and Red Bluff, California, congregations

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The Wedding Invitation

(Matthew 22:1-14, based on a sermon by Carl Dailey. See "Tribute".)

There once was a king who loved his subjects so much that he sent out an invitation to all to share in the marriage feast for his son. But his subjects refused the invitation saying they had better things to do.

Though distraught, the king sent his servants again to tell of the wonderful feast in store for them. The people listened with scorn and killed the king's servants.

The king was furious and sent his army to destroy all who had been invited. Then he told his servants, "My people were unworthy of my gift. Go and find others to fill my house."

So the servants went out into the highways and byways and invited all they came to regardless of their status. And they came with joy and delight that they should be included in so grand an occasion.

But at the wedding, when the king came in to see his guests, he saw a man in his work clothes. The king asked him why he would come to a royal wedding without cleaning himself up and putting on his best. The man was speechless. So the king called the guards and had the man thrown out into the black night, banished forever from his kingdom.

It would be a great honor to be invited to a royal wedding, and no one would expect to be allowed entrance if he or she were disheveled, ungroomed or in dirty work clothes. (Though it is not for us to determine if someone else is unworthy—only the King can do that.)

We have been invited to a marriage feast unlike any that has ever been given—the marriage of the Lamb to His Bride, the Church. We are not worthy of such an invitation nor is there anything we can do to earn it, but we cannot attend unless we are wearing the garments of a "new man" in Christ. There are new attitudes to wear, dirty sins to discard and protocols of the royal household to learn.

Although God's invitation is a gift, our acceptance means we must put on the "wedding garments" suitable for the marriage of the Son of the King or the invitation will be revoked! God's Word spells out just what those "wedding garments" are. We must find out what we must do and be there!

—Carol Taylor
Los Angeles, California, congregation

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Turning the Hearts . . .Hanging Out and Dating

When you spend time with those of the opposite sex—is that hanging out or dating? In Practical Christianity class at Ambassador Bible Center we have had this discussion. We came to the conclusion that the terminology has changed through the years. What used to be called "dating" is now considered a part of "hanging out." At the present time "dating" refers to what we used to term serious dating or "going steady."

Whatever term is used, the Proverbs reveal that "there are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I do not understand: ...the way of a man with a virgin" (Proverbs 30:18-19).

Something almost magical seems to take place when that special connection is made between a man and a woman that leads to them liking each other. They want to spend time with each other. They put on rose-colored glasses and see each other in a fantasized manner. Something actually occurs in the brain that helps them gloss over any flaws and elevates the strengths of the beloved.

To make sure you are not overwhelmed when in love, it is good to force yourself to stop and think. What is needed for a relationship to continue to develop?

Here are several things to consider when going from "hanging out" to dating. Does the person you are interested in have these characteristics:

• Adaptability—Is he or she able to accept changes in schedule and circumstances?

• Empathy—Does he or she feel for others; read your moods; relate?

• Problem-solving—Does he or she seek resolution instead of sweeping problems "under the rug"?

• Is he or she able to give and receive love?

• Emotional stability—Is he or she usually even in moods rather than having wide mood swings?

• Similarity in family background—Are your family values and family rituals similar?

• Similarity in interests—Are you able to relate in leisure time?

• Good communications—Are you able to talk to each other about any and everything?

• Spiritual soundness—Does the person maintain a deep love for God and His way?

Marriage and family counselors consider these characteristics essential for having successful relationships.

So, when moving from the "hanging out" stage to serious dating, please keep your eyes open and your mind active to note if that special person has the characteristics that will contribute to a happy, successful, lasting relationship.

May God bless you in your quest to find the loving person for you (Proverbs 18:22).

—Gary E. Antion

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Share Your Treasures!

Do you have any short items of biblical wisdom, humor or practical information that you would like to share in this section? Or if you have any suggestions, please contact United News, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 or mike_bennett@ucg.org.

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