As I prepare for my retirement from paid employment, the question was raised: will I be retiring from church as well?

YES, I will, but it will be a different retirement. Allow me to elaborate.

Full disclosure: this is not about retirement. This is about Re. And Tires, Men and a T. Do you know how many “re-” words are mentioned in the Bible? I didn’t count them all, but trust me, there is a lot.

Four pages, each three columns wide in my concordance. I will begin with an easy one: Repent. It is an opportunity for a redo. The opportunity God gives us with repentance and forgiveness is another opportunity at life.

The Chicago Tribune, a few years ago listed four steps of repentance.

The first is responsibility: We must recognize that we have done wrong. Admit to ourselves that we have sinned.

The second is regret: We must have true remorse for doing wrong and for the pain and problems we’ve caused. Be genuine and sincere (not like the Pharisees) about being more Christ-like in how we behave toward others and toward God.

The third is resolve: We must be committed never to repeat the act regardless of the temptations or situation.

Last is restitution. Make the situation right. To repent is not simply an emotional act, such as “feeling sorry,” but requires a change of moral purpose, regret of the past, and pursuit of a new direction to restore what was.

What about being Reborn or to be recreated? There is no better word to describe what Jesus brings to us, than RE-CREATE — “to give new life to.” There are a few negative words like Rebuke and Reject. Even, if we fail to reject the evil of the world, Jesus reassures us that he has our back.

Psalms 46:1-10. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Matthew 28:20. “I am with you always” — Jesus promises to remain with us. Just a few more. Christ’s resurrection allows us to reclaim the inheritance that God planned for us all. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1. Restarting from the title, Retire can mean to pay off or cancel a debt. We ask for that in the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus retired our debt with the cross.

Enough ridiculous and redundant rewording of religious terms. However, I need to note that Jesus did frequently retire to remote and recount his relationship with the Father. Matthew 3:7-8, 11. Mark 1:14-15; Luke 15:7; Luke 24:47

Tire

Breaking away from “re” words, let’s talk tires. Where the rubber meets the road. While “tire” could describe the disciple’s reaction — as in — Tire — growing weary, fatigued, worn out. This is about pneumatic tires. The Greek word pneuma can roughly be translated as “spirit.” It can also be translated as wind or breath, referring to air in motion. What happened at Pentacost?

The Holy Spirit was prophesied in the Old Testament and promised by Jesus. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 who would be the Helper for his people. Jesus knew the disciples needed help. That we would also need help. Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Be filled with air or the spirit — Pneuma.

What else does a tire provide? It provides lift, it raises up. The disciples filled with the spirit performed many miracles including raising people from death. “And I will raise you up on eagles wings.” Ephesians 2:6-10.

Men

Acknowledgment — God wants us to acknowledge him. Jesus asks Peter three times. Do you love me? And each time is his response is to feed my sheep. Think of this in terms of our baptismal commitments. We are to raise (feed, nurture) his sheep.

Mention — One of Gordon Lightfoot’s early songs was “Did she mention my name” Does she remember me? Does she ever think of me? Jesus commands to his disciples, all these things you can do in my name. Can you hear Jesus asking, Did you mention my name? Do you think of me?

Complimentary: We have been given a free pass, it is by grace that you are forgiven. Development — Mentor: Eph 4:1-2 “. . . I beg you to live lives worthy of your high calling. Accept life with humility and patience, making allowances for each other because you love each other.” Eph 5:1: “As children copy their fathers you, as God’s children, are to copy him.”

Instrument: Acts 9:15 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

Fundamental — I can’t end this focus on “men” without the most fundamental direction Jesus provided: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:36

So be it — or Amen.

T — Fit to a T. T is a good ending for Retirement. The T square is used by architects and builders to make sure a building aligns with the cornerstone. Where are we aligned? Hopefully, the above notes help with your re-tire-men-t alignment.

The Golf Tee — What I know is pretty basic, when I look at where I think the ball should and swing, the ball goes nowhere. If I keep my eyes focused on the ball and T (God) and swing, the ball goes where is it supposed to go.

God is that golf tee. He raises us up so our efforts can take flight.