Angels Abound

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality as angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:1-2

We have all had those moments when we meet someone who is despairing. They’re trapped by their circumstances and have nowhere to turn. Their hope has been beaten down. For that individual, it seems they’ve reached a dead-end in life.

Making a difference

But there are wonderful stories of people who happen to be there when these moments arrive. They see the despair and act, knowing they can make a difference. They put aside their appointed rounds at these times and help. In these moments they become angels.

I read recently about a man from California whose car was sputtering on the highway.  Fortunately, he was able to coast into a nearby gas station and avoided blocking traffic. He called a tow truck company and waited.

As he was waiting, he saw a woman collapse to the ground. Without thinking, he went to her aid. Nothing seemed physically wrong with her, but she was sobbing and obviously distressed. She was driving an old Suburban, filled with clothes and three young children. Then everything came into focus for him—she wasn’t hurt; she was overcome.

He helped her up and began to ask her questions.

Over a few moments, he pieced together what had brought her to this point of despair. Her boyfriend had left her and the three children two months earlier. He had left her no money and no way to be contacted. She had no job and the rent was due.

For five years, she had not spoken to her parents. She had taken up with this man despite their disapproval and separated herself from her family. Now, five years and three children later, she had no place to turn.

She had called her parents and told them what happened. They told her to come home. She had left and began to drive back to her parents’ home, many miles away. But she had miscalculated the cost and was left at this gas station with no money, only a few hundred miles from her destination.

She had walked into the gas station office and asked if they would provide her with gas for the final miles she had to drive. They said no. She was so close to safety but had no way to get there. In that moment the events of her life had overwhelmed her, and she collapsed.

This was the man’s decision point: was he being conned, or was her story sincere? He chose to believe her. The old car, the pile of belongings, and the three young children were clues that she was being truthful.

The Decision

The man reached into his wallet and filled her tank. At a nearby McDonald’s he bought a couple bags of food for her and the children. Overcome with gratitude she asked, “Are you an angel or something?” Not knowing how to answer, he replied, “I’m not sure, maybe the regular angels are busy today and needed a stand-in.”

He had a lot to process in those few moments before deciding to act. Was she trying to scam him? What about his own problems? These were his thoughts. Deciding whether he was an angel never entered his mind.

But perhaps he was an angel in this moment.

Perhaps this was his day to be a tool for God. In my own life, I have had similar moments. Some I responded to and some I didn’t. There was the time in Disney World when I saw a man collapse and hit his head. Without any real thought, I found myself sitting next to him and comforting him as he emerged from a sleepy state of unconsciousness. When real medical help arrived, I made my way through the gathered crowd and silently went away.

But there have been other times when I did not act, only to feel sheepish as the hours passed. I found myself feeling sad that I hadn’t helped. Those moments built up my resolve to help the next time.

We all have these moments

We all have these moments; they are part of our individual journeys in life. They are personal and very intimate. These are moments of becoming an angel—moments when we are immediately thrust into God’s plans for us to help others.

Fortunately, I have had many people in my life whose good character has shown me how it’s done. People like EMTs. Or my friends Geoff, Lou, or Paul. They act quickly and care. These individuals are able to step away from their intended paths and move compassionately to aid others. They are angels offering a helping hand.

I never did find out the name of the man who wrote this story. He simply signed it “Anonymous.” But I can answer the woman’s question: He was a regular angel, not a stand in. I believe this is how God works. He uses us to help those in desperate need of help.

At some point, each of us will have to decide if we will help someone in need and momentarily become one of God’s angels.

How will we choose?

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Dr. Bruce L. Hartman is the author of Jesus & Co. and Your Faith Has Made You Well.

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Seven Christian Values Every Business Could Use

On our many travels this summer, my wife and I stayed in a number of hotels in small-town America. On a recent stay in Great Barrington, a hamlet in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, I was greeted early in the morning and offered coffee by the manager of the Fairfield Inn. In itself, this may not appear to be all that unusual, but when connected with the consistent friendliness of the staff it made me say to myself, “now I understand why everyone at this hotel is so friendly.”

I also noticed that the hotel was full, while another hotel next door was only half full. Over the course of the summer, I have had mostly good experiences at hotels. But along with a few of the other businesses that I frequent as a writer, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend of profit-seeking being put ahead of genuine customer service.

In one case, a vendor wanted me to sign up for a subscription service that provided little value. In another case, I was given a report that was really just a dump of information pulled from an internet search, leaving me to decipher its purpose and message. In both cases, I was charged well above their service was worth.

As for the hotel in Great Barrington, I was always met with smiles and simple accommodating efforts. Like the manager, there was a genuine interest in serving and not in taking.

In my book Jesus & Co., I point out the connectedness of good business values with the ways of the Gospel. Essentially, there are seven sure-fire ways to improve business results while staying true to Christian ideals. All involve valuing your customers as your neighbor.

Sell What Your Customer Needs

The best small businesses rely on referrals to generate traffic. Today in America, 80 percent of all visits to a business are made based on past customer reviews. Above four stars and you get new customers; below four, ugh! Could you imagine Jesus selling a product that wasn’t what the customer needed? But sometimes in the pursuit of sales, business leaders will contrive products and services that will generate extra profits but are not of value to their customers. In other words, sell the customer what they need. Customer reviews will improve greatly with this attitude, and so will your profits.

Follow the Golden Rule

In the Sermon on the Mount—Jesus’s primer on how to live—he says, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also for them.” (Matthew [7:12]) Over the years, it has been simplified to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This seems simple and a very a fair way to conduct business. But two things always stand in the way: selfishness on the part of the business, to get all that they can; or vengeful actions to get back at someone for a perceived offense. Neither of these options are good long-term business strategies, and they will only serve to corrode an enterprise’s reputation, both internally and externally.

Be a Good Example with High Moral Character

Employees, customers, and fellow associates all watch what we do as opposed to what we say. During a recent conversation with Jack Pattie, the long-serving radio host on WVLK AM in Lexington, Kentucky, he told me about a company in the northeast that he was always impressed with. He always felt they were a Christian-based business even though they didn’t advertise as such. However, over time he discovered they were, indeed, Christian-based. It was through the simple and consistent actions of doing the right thing that Jack observed their Christian values. The company didn’t demand that all their hires be Christians, but they did insist that they follow Christian ideals in their work. They are successful not based on what they say but on what they do.

Be a Faithful Employee

Jesus famously said, “The Son is not able to do anything himself; he is able to do only what he sees the Father doing; whatever the Father does the Son does it in the same way.” (John [5:19]) It is a remarkable statement considering the great leadership ability of Jesus and a humble lesson for all of us. Jesus was completely committed to the mission and to the ways of God, not to himself. In my career, I saw many good employees stray from a path of alignment with the corporate mission or their boss. This is both unhelpful to a successful business and to the individual’s career. Sure, there may be times when the mission is wrong or the boss is misguided, but in those times, open protest won’t work. Informed and humble private conversations will.

Lead with Conviction and Compassion

Great leaders have a strong sense of conviction and know where they want to go. Without compassion for others, not many will follow them. There are times employees or customers need a break or a little extra kindness. Great leaders know when those times occur. The ability to balance the mission with the needs of employees and customers is a paramount leadership quality. Being committed only to the mission will create an apathetic following. Conversely, only being compassionate will lead to weak results. It is the ability to balance both that is critical to the success of a leader.

Great Businesses and Leaders are Great Servants

Any business or leader that doesn’t serve is bound to fail. Neither will survive if it is all about them. For a moment or two, they may find success, but ultimately they will be dragged down through their own self-interest. People and customers follow those who serve others as well as lead. Businesses and leaders who are willing to serve and respect the needs of their employees and customers engender loyalty.

Be a Great Communicator

Jesus was a preeminent communicator. His favorite vehicle was through the use of parables—stories with value but that also inspired imaginative thought. Businesses and leaders that communicate through vivid and clear messages inspire their followers to be great. One of the single most important leadership characteristics is letting everyone know where you are going. Not simply by telling but by inspiring. Telling stories that spark imaginative thought strengthens the listener’s memory and builds greater emotional attachment.

There are many great businesses and leaders, each with their own unique gifts. Those who embody Christian values strengthen their chances of success. Many will say that Christianity and business don’t mix. This is a myth. They are easily combined when one leads with  Christian actions and when their words are justified by their good deeds. In other words, “Be the Gospel; don’t just say the Gospel.”

Dr. Bruce L Hartman, Christian Author, and Story Teller. A former Fortune 500 CFO who left the corporate world to engage in a ministry of “Connecting The Lessons of the Gospels to Modern Life.”  His life mission is “Helping People Walk into a Brighter Future.”

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Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Dr. Bruce L. Hartman is the author of Jesus & Co. and Your Faith Has Made You Well.

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The Nicene Creed, a Universal Statement of Faith

Recently, on a visit to Michigan, I attended a Catholic church. During the service, the entire congregation recited the Nicene Creed. As a Methodist, I have also recited this creed many times in my life. As I recited it along with the other attendees, the words rang clearly to me. I marveled at its elegant simplicity and its clear explanation of what we, as Christians, believe. It is a summary of our Christian faith.

The Origin of the Creed

As a student of theology, I knew more and began to reflect on how the creed came to be. In 325 AD, a group of 150 bishops gathered in Nicaea, an important town in ancient Greece. They had come from all of the various places where Christianity existed—Alexandria in Africa, Rome and Athens, and the various outposts of Europe. From throughout the Roman empire they came.

Years earlier, in 313, Emperor Constantine won a great victory, which he credited to Jesus. After the battle, Constantine declared Christianity as the state religion of Rome, effectively moving Christianity from the catacombs of society to an approved state religion.

In 325, Constantine heard about a great divide in the church over the divinity of Jesus. Seeing that this divide was threatening to split the church, Constantine asked the bishops to convene and hammer out a solution.

Two Sides

On one side were the traditionalists, who viewed Jesus as divine and part of the substance of God. The other side were the backers of Arian from Alexandria, who believed Jesus was less than divine—perhaps a semi-God. For days, both sides presented their views, sometimes amiably and sometimes with rancor. The Arian’s were particularly aggressive in presenting their views.

However, the traditionalists won out, and with their victory came the creation of a creed that explained our belief structure centered on a triune God, or three persons in one. One of the key Bible verses that turned the tide was John 1:1 which says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The author of John used the word “Word” (or “Logos” in ancient Greek) to describe Jesus. If you therefore read this verse with Jesus in place of the word “Word,” you can see how this group arrived at the answer that Jesus both was God and is with God.

The New Creed

Over the next fifty years or so, there were still minor disputes, so another group of bishops met in Constantinople in 381 to build upon the original creed. This new creed—while not theologically different—filled in a lot of the blanks. Scholars call this second creed the “Nicene-Constantinople Creed.” Outside of the scholastic world it is still shortened to and called the Nicene Creed. The version completed in 381 AD is the one we still use today.

One important thing to note is that ALL Christian Churches use this creed: Western Catholics, all Protestant denominations, and Eastern Orthodox churches as well. It is one of the few documents on which every denomination agrees.

The Debates

Later, in the twelfth century, a minor debate arose as to the source of the Holy Spirit. Does it come from both Jesus and God or God alone? This controversy is called the Filoque debate. While never fully resolved, the Western church believes that the Spirit emanates from both. The Eastern church believes the Spirit emanates only from God.

From my viewpoint, the creed is an impressive construction that has clearly stood the test of time.

Many of the bishops traveled great distances to participate in these meetings; some for months. And consider the enormity of this task without the literary capabilities that exist today. These early Christians performed a marvelous, God-inspired task.

Reading was hard in the fourth century.

Only a very small portion of the population could read and write. Most documents were written without spaces between words. While most books of the Bible already existed, the New Testament did not yet exist in today’s form and would not for almost another century after the creation of the creed.

The work was hard, but it produced a document that has survived close to two millennium and is universally accepted by all Christians. Given the many denominations of Christianity, this is no small feat!

Below is the English version of the modern Nicene Creed, or the profession of faith of all Christians. It is amazing to think that these words were so skillfully crafted so many years ago.

Nicene Creed (English Version)

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Dr. Bruce L. Hartman is the author of Jesus & Co. and Your Faith Has Made You Well.

Photo by Melanie van Leeuwen on Unsplash

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Freely You Have Received; Freely Give.

“So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Genesis [1:27]-28

FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED; FREELY GIVE

Jesus is walking on the border between Galilee and Samaria and comes across an outpost that holds a leper colony. He enters this village of castoffs and hears from ten men, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke [17:13]) Ten men that have been forced to live away from their families and friends.

Because of the devastating nature of leprosy and the lack of modern medical treatment in the first century, people who contracted this disease had to leave their homes. From a precautionary standpoint during the 1^st century, any person who had any skin ailment would be considered a leper.

Ironically this leper outpost was on the border that separated two very different worlds. For the most part Galilee was populated by the remnants of Judah, one of twelve tribes who’d settled in Judea. And Samaria was the area that was inhabited by those who had separated from Judah after the death of King Solomon many centuries earlier, the Samaritans, also consisting of part of the original twelve tribes of Israel.

A large gulf therefore existed between these two communities. But in the leper colony both remnants of the original twelve tribes existed side by side, connected by a terrible disease.

The belief in Palestine at that time was that leprosy was caused by God, and the leper was considered unclean both physically and spiritually. The disease itself is horrifying, with boils, disfigurement, and nerve pain being the common symptoms. Most people would be separated from their families for the balance of their lives. Today, the bacteria that causes leprosy is easily treated and has become rare in the developed world. In the United States around one hundred cases occur each year.

These people in the first century, however, knew they were doomed to live a life apart from others, never to be able to hold their children or eat with their families. They knew they would suffer for long periods, as the disease was chronic. The plea of these ten men to Jesus was one of desperation.

Jesus takes pity on them and cleanses them, but he also tells them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” (Luke [17:14]) A practical command, so that they can become reunited with their own communities by receiving the priest’s acknowledgment they are now cleansed.

One of the men, from Samaria, went back to Jesus, praising God and fell at Jesus’s feet. Knowing the gift he’d been given, he was overwhelmed with being released from a life of captivity caused by a terrible disease.

Seeing this Jesus asks, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?  Was none of them found to return and give praise to God (Luke 17: 17–19)

We can wonder about the other nine, but the deeper story lies with the one who returned. A remarkable contrast to the nine. We notice that Jesus says to him, “your faith has made you well.” For the others the healing was supernatural, but for the lone person who returned, his faith in God seems to have effected a more profound cure. He was a desperate person, who certainly prayed, and through Jesus had the prayer answered, but also, his return to give thanks, his recognition of how he got healed, show us that he will remember how it happened.

Silent moments

During his time of trouble and isolation, it would have been easy to say to the leper, “Get up and dust yourself off.” Many of us have heard this encouragement. But it isn’t so easy to do. Perhaps we have had a major financial setback or are struggling with a relationship. In those silent moments by ourselves, we twist, and we turn, searching for answers. We head down various mental paths and look in each corner. Perhaps we cry out or silently yell that it’s not fair. And it probably isn’t. It is true we should just get up, dust ourselves off, and go on. But it isn’t that easy for everyone.

Others may say, “Just have faith.” But these journeys help us have faith. They allow us to cross off what doesn’t work. They allow us to let our heart catch up with our intellectual knowledge.

“Our faith will make us well. But we have to first move to that place where we can get up and be on our way.”

 

Jesus says, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” Jesus has to say that, because it is right. Pursuing a life of faith will make us well. But we must first move to that place where we can get up and go on our way. It is at this point where we must decide that our progress must be forward. It’s the faith that we can hang on to after we have investigated every facet of faith, but the investigation process itself can be revealing and strengthen our faith. When this strengthening has occurred that we can truly get up and go on our way.

 

“The journey with Jesus in the inner building of our self will reveal and teach us to have faith.”

With Jesus in our hearts, we can have confidence that our journey will be well. Regardless of our inner investigation, all paths will lead back to faith. All thoughts of ill will disappear. All thoughts of self-pity will wither away. We will return. The journey with Jesus in the inner building of our self will reveal and teach us to have faith. Jesus will be with us on this journey regardless of our despair. And when we are done, we will be able to get up and go on our way.

For the leper life had been hard; he pressed on in his search and called out to Jesus. Perhaps at the moment of his darkest night, he was healed, not just by Jesus, but also by his faith in Jesus. Now he becomes a person who was healed in a moment. In his thankfulness, we can now see a committed heart that will be generous.

Jesus provides us with grace and a newness in our lives.

A heightened sense of empathy for our neighbor and a redirection of how we look at life. Scarcity and want ebb in this new life. Peace is found through the desire for those things that aren’t of this world. The leper was not only cleansed, but his faith healed him at a deeper level, for which he showed thankfulness and the acknowledgment of where the healing came from: his faith.

This faith will also generate a generosity that is real. A giving back to help others out of our own bounty. Generosity is one of the fruits of the spirit. An indication that our faith and healing are real.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Author of Jesus & Co. and Your Faith Has Made You Well