Jehoiada

The believed number of people on our planet today is astounding.

I don’t know what that determined amount is to-date (don’t ask me…I barely made it out of Statistics class with a “C”), but I know it’s going to get a whole lot bigger as time continues.

With so many people on our planet having similar abilities, characteristics and qualities, it’s no wonder we are (human beings) are so competitive amongst each other in just about every area one can think of from the global and national level to the corporate and individual entity arena.

There’s a saying I’ve heard in my area of habitation (the National Capital Area of the U.S. of A.) that states, “If you throw a rock in a crowd of people in Washington, D.C., you’re likely to hit someone that has a MBA.” (…that stands for a Masters of Business Administration…I figured you knew that…)

With that analogy in mind, imagine a locale with a significant portion of its population having the same abilities and skill set (that’s not hard to do most places in this day and age).  In that scenario, it would be highly unlikely that all or even the majority of them could find employment in the professions requiring those abilities/skill sets within that locale.

Based on the current competitive nature of business in virtually every profession and walk of life, in the majority of how things usually work out, only those who “stand out” are given an opportunity, hired, picked, selected, etc.  Only those who are determined or viewed as “exceptional” get a chance to advance, be elevated, go forward, shine, etc.

What constitutes being exceptional?  Do you know?  During a recent conversation with my supervisor, he shared with me an article he’d read about two high school students who’d “aced” their SAT’s (…that stands for a Scholastic Aptitude Test…I know you knew that…)  Shortly thereafter, they applied for admission to Harvard and Yale…but their applications and requests for admission were rejected.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because they were not well rounded” he replied.  “They were just real smart.  They had no other characteristics or qualities that the schools saw as admirable or beneficial to them.”

I was shocked.  I would think that if a high school student maxed out his or her SAT that a college would see that person as exceptional and jump at the chance to have them at their school.  But no, my friend, especially in our world today, being exceptional encompasses a myriad of things.

One can be smart and popular, but not be seen as exceptional.  One can be rich and famous, but not be viewed as exceptional.  And because the definition of being exceptional can mean one thing to some and another thing to others, I think it’s important that we all should strive to be “truly exceptional” in all we say and do as a pattern for life.

How is that accomplished?  Here’s my answer to that: We deny ourselves.  We become noticeably and undeniably considerate of our fellow man, put others first and live as selflessly as we can via the example given to mankind by the greatest living person, leader and communicator the world has ever known – the Lord Jesus Christ.

Want to be “truly exceptional?” Learn how by studying under the “Teacher” sent by God (John 3:2).  His everlasting “truly exceptional person” class is now in session!

Copyright © Paul Schneidmill 2008 All Rights Reserved

I don’t profess to be immensely intelligent.  Why, I’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to having smarts, I’m not “the sharpest knife in the drawer,” “the fastest car on the track,” or “the brightest bulb in the chandelier.”

As a matter of fact, most of these days when I have to deal mentally with my teenage son, I often feel like I’m the idiot some village has been missing.

Though I may not be very smart in many areas requiring a significantly large capacity of intellectual prowess, I am grateful for the fact that I do not have a “lack of knowledge.”

Now, if what I just said which you just read sounded somewhat contradictory…if what I penned herein appears to be a conundrum or an enigma…if what I, an admittedly “not very smart” individual just confused you via my rhetorical renderings; please know and understand that I did it intentionally…I wanted to get you thinking…

In the Biblical Old Testament book of Hosea, God tells the title prophet that His chosen people (the Israelite nation) “are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6, KJV)

Throughout much of my new life as a Christian, I had heard this particular verse preached and taught from primarily from a perspective that concentrated solely on the word “knowledge.”  In light of this, these preaching and teaching sessions I experienced related that the verse meant that God’s people (today) are in “destroyed” (ruined, in peril, and just in all-around bad shape) because we aren’t smart.

But in my ongoing study of God’s Holy Word, I’ve learned that the word “knowledge” in Hosea 4:6 doesn’t have the same meaning associated with intellect, mental acuity, smarts, etc.  When God tells the prophet that His people are destroyed for “lack of knowledge,” God is actually conveying that His people are completely ruined due to a lack of a relationship with Him.

When the Bible states that “Adam knew his wife…” (Genesis 4:1, KJV) and conveys that Joseph “knew her (Mary) not till she had brought forth her firstborn son (Jesus)…” (Matthew 1:25, KJV), informational awareness and research was not what was being referenced there.  On the contrary, what was being referenced in these passages of Scripture were relationships of intimacy, not mental “knowledge.”  I can identify because when I finally got to “know” my wife, we had kids shortly afterward…

God wants His creation of all mankind to have a relationship with Him.  In the fullness of disclosure, God wants all of mankind to have an intimate relationship with Him.  He wants all to “know” Him in a way that supersedes mere head knowledge.

I’m not implying that He doesn’t want people to know Him with our understanding and intellect by studying His Word, but when we know Him intimately and up close and personal-like, mind-smarts about Him is gravy on the potatoes.

So, God and I invite you to begin and develop a relationship with your Creator.  Get to know Him intimately.

There’s no guarantee you’ll be a whole lot smarter, but you most assuredly will not “be destroyed” because of a “lack of knowledge.”

Copyright © Paul Schneidmill 2008 All Rights Reserved

After reading through a plethora of biological and scientific definitions of the word “fat” in my two home dictionaries (both published in 1979), I got to the descriptive words I could better understand – 2. Plumpness; obesity.

I recall many people of note who though talented, prominent and largely likeable, were also known (more often than not) for their signature girth…their “plumpness” and “obesity.”

Travel briefly with me down memory lane and up the road a piece as I recall several of them: President William Taft; “Fats” Waller; Babe Ruth; Oliver Hardy; Lou Costello; “Fats” Domino; Winston Churchill; Sidney Greenstreet; Jackie Gleason; Elvis Pressley; William Conrad; Mama Cass Elliot; Nell Carter; Roseanne Barr; John Goodman; John Candy; The Fat Boys; Heavy D; Chris Farley; General H. Norman Schwarzkopf; Aretha Franklin; Kirstie Alley; Monique, Santa Claus and others (make your own list).

People designated or seen as “fat” are often belittled, mistreated and ridiculed.  In many cases of our (American) society, “fat” people are marginalized, made the brunt of humor and seen as disgusting, greedy, lazy and worthless.

Pastor R. Richard Edgar (pastor of the Reality Gospel Church in Alexandria, Virginia) often boldly and publicly states that God loves “FAT” people. I agree with him.  I believe God loves “fat” people too.  That’s because I know without any doubt whatsoever that God loves all of mankind regardless of shape, size or skin tone.

But let me explain what Pastor Edgar is really saying when he proclaims God loves “FAT” people.  Possibly sharing somewhat of an affinity for acronyms as I do, he’s not singling out people of “plumpness” and “obesity” when he says this – oh no, O Appreciated Reader, he’s speaking “acronyministically.” (Yes…you’re right…there’s no such word…I made it up…)

The “F” is for “Faithful.” The “A” represents “Available,” and the “T” stands for “Teachable.”

With that profound understanding, anyone, “fat” or otherwise could be in the “F.A.T.” people category that God loves.

We should strive to be “Faithful” to God – be dependable, reliable, responsible and trustworthy…God is Faithful Himself and He likes seeing us imitate Him.  We should be “Available” to God – one great way we can make ourselves available to Him is by serving others.  Didn’t you know we serve God when we serve our fellow man?  And finally (yeah, right), we should be “Teachable” to the One who formed and fashioned us in His image and likeness.  When we study His Holy Word (the Bible), seek and communicate with Him (pray) and follow His instructions (obey Him); we demonstrate a desire and willingness to learn of Him by being “Teachable.”

Though I’m currently working out regularly in the gym these days to keep my 185lb. frame from growing any wider, I’m simultaneously trying to be a “FAT” person for God.  I know He loves me now just as I am, but I also want to get that “FAT People love” Pastor Edgar identifies.

BTW, another “fat” definition my dictionary has is: 3. The best or most desirable of something…when you’re “F.A.T.” in God’s sight via Pastor Edgar’s wise definition, that “best or most desirable of something” are the Godly qualities inside of you.

Copyright © Paul Schneidmill 2008 All Rights Reserved