By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames     (1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV)

"You know Dan", I said, "it is our responsibility to live our lives in harmony with God's intended perfection." Such was my argument to a dear friend and supervisor of mine at the University of Washington (UW) Chemistry Library. I worked at the UW Chemistry Library part time while a student majoring in Chemistry. Dan and I enjoyed private bible study each morning before normal business hours. What started out as my attempt to enlighten Dan, resulted in my discovery of one of the most important personal biblical truths; the foundation of salvation by faith in Jesus.

Dan was a patient man. That much I understood. But what I did not know was that Dan had studied theology at Princeton Theological Seminary and later graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity. His mission, once graduating from college, was ministering to the students and faculty who passed through his library; the Chemistry Library. A humble librarian I thought he might be, but he was so much more. Dan ministered to me and opened my mind to understand God's grace. I was bound and determined to "help" Dan find the truth in the SDA way of thinking. But he helped me find biblical truth that supersedes denominational truth. This truth was there all the time, but I just didn't understand it. I can still remember that lesson and how I felt when the light bulb went off. It was a relief.

Paul's message to Timothy is the answer to my questions of what is to follow. If I am saved by faith in Christ, and it does not matter what I do after that, why do we still need to what is right? All who are called can believe in the foundational message of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, but what we do there after is also important. If we build on this foundation with gold, silver and precious stone then our efforts will not be in vain. The precious stones for me are relationships with my wife and children, the silver is in serving motorcyclists through CMA, and the Gold is like my Church Family. These are incredibly valuable and lasting. However, if I were to break my bound with my wife Valerie, give up on my children, take to drinking and drugs, what kind of life would I have. It would be like building with wood, hay and stubble, what would I have in the end? It is by looking to Christ that we find the precious building materials and overlook the less important.

Dear Lord in heaven: Thank you for sending your son to die for my sins. This is my life's foundation. Please help me to make the most of this life you have given to me. Help me to discern the precious stones from the crumbling dirt clods to the glory of your holy name. I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Contributed by Richard
Sunday April 22, 2007
Liturgical Year C Week 21