My youngest daughter is 15 years-old and enjoys practicing, watching, and playing softball. When she was twelve and in her third year of softball, they really pushed “muscle memory.” That is where one trains their body to automatically do the correct action by purposefully repeating it over and over. There were some who would do so half-heartedly; others would do so energetically, but not consistently. There was, however, one player – a pitcher – who was consistent and energetic. “She [was] serious about being her best and she [could] be seen, every time the catcher [missed] the ball, running to home plate to cover, as she [caught] the ball flicked at her, swiping the gloved ball at the imaginary runner trying to slide in.” (taken from an ADA email alert entitled, How’s your “muscle memory”?)
I saw a different kind of “muscle memory,” earlier this week while I was studying at Arby’s. As I sat there drinking my beverage, I would often hear the bell by the doorway ring (signifying that the one ringing the bell had received good service). Before the ring had a chance to clear the air, it would be greeted by several employees heartily shouting, “Thank you!” This happened EVERY TIME, regardless of whether the ring was soft or loud. The response was so quick and so consistent that, on my way out, I had to ask the woman at the counter this question: “When you hear a bell outside of work, do you find yourself automatically wanting to say “Thank you”? Her reply didn’t surprise me in the least, “Yes, and sometimes I do. It can be a little awkward.”
Dear reader, THAT’S muscle memory and I wonder if we ought not to work a little harder on our own spiritual “muscle memory.” With Paul’s command that believers are to, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thess. 5:16-18), I can’t help but think that we need to be more intentional with our praise, prayer, and thanks to God. Yes, it’s something that we need to practice until it becomes natural and, yes, it’s likely to feel awkward at times – especially in the extremes of “evermore” and “in EVERY thing.” People may look at you strangely or wonder why you’re being so vocal or so calm or simply because you’re not responding in anger. Some may even attack you verbally or physically. We aren’t responsible for other’s actions, whatever they may be; we are only responsible for our own. Have we built or are we building the “muscle memory” of praise, prayer, and thanksgiving all to the glory of God?
Our Decency Minute topics and our everyday pulls and frustrations can make it difficult to praise and give thanks (although it might drive us to prayer!). That’s why it’s so important that we learn to give praise and thanksgiving abundantly during those “good” times. Our almighty, sovereign, loving God knows what is best and is worthy of all praise, prayer, and thanksgiving, ALL the time.
Whether the “bell” is loud or soft, in the church or out, give God a definitive “Thank You!”
Might we remember, along with Paul: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39)
As much as Charlie Kirk was a force of nature for Christianity in life, his death will leave an even more permanent mark on the world.
Millions who had never heard of Charlie Kirk have now seen hours of videos of his debates online. They’ve listened to him speaking kindly, thinking clearly, defending freedom, pushing for unity. His clips are filling social media, the image of his beautiful family is everywhere, and the contrast between good and evil has never been so bold.
It is an ancient truth that, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
We see, already, that in death Charlie’s message has reached further than ever. The seed has been scattered far and wide.
Join me in praying that Charlie’s sacrifice would point our nation to the much greater sacrifice of Christ.
May his death be America’s turning point.
Having been in the fight against pornography for 40 years, I’ve seen it’s devasting impact on children, families, and our culture. In my recent podcast, I interviewed my longtime friend and cohort in the battle, Patrick Trueman. In the 1980s and early ‘90s, he served in the Department of Justice, leading the charge against obscenity and child pornography. There was a resolve to fight this evil and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Enforcement section was massively successful in prosecuting pornographers. Tragically, all that ended with a new administration.
Since then, the scourge of pornography has exploded and the exploitation of children is epidemic. It’s time for another Child Exploitation and Obscenity Enforcement section to prosecute those who victimize children and peddle obscenity.
Urge President Trump to again lead this battle. Call him at 202-456-1111.
While hosting The Charlie Kirk Show, Vice President J.D. Vance spoke powerfully. He spoke of unity and disunity, of possibilities and impossibilities and he ended with his heart’s desire that our nation be “united in condemnation of the actions and the ideas that killed my friend.” But unity cannot be had at just any price; Vance declared that we can only have unity, “with people who acknowledge that political violence is unacceptable, and when we work to dismantle the institutions that promote violence and terrorism in our own country.”
Political violence is reprehensible because all image bearers of God and life are sacred. Charlie would be quick to agree, encouraging us to live out Christ’s words: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Note: Last week we posted an article on this topic.
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