Bill Drees blog

Sic transit gloria mundi

2011-12-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

The recent funeral of anotheroppressive dictator called to memory a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “When Idespair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love havealways won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seeminvincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” I have seen the fall of many dictators in myday; Nikolai Chauchesku in Romania, Manuel Noriega in Panama, Saddam Hussein inIraq. Recently, in quick succession, we observedthe fall of such men such as Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi. Such exits are never pretty and oftengruesome. However, the seductivetemptation of power continues to lure people to compromise integrity, moralsand ethics often to do whatever is necessary to grasp power. We see this scenario acted out continually innational politics, local institutions as well as church and family systems aspeople desperately want power, influence, attention or approval as a way offeeling loved.

The news from around the world orlocally can often cause one to despair as we hear of people exercising power orcontrol over others in an unethical manner. However one must remember truths like the quote from Gandhi but evenmore comforting are words from the master of the universe spoken through hisprophets. Such as Isaiah 40:23, “Hebrings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.”

In his timeless best seller, ‘TheRoad Less Traveled’, Dr. M. Scott Peck writes, “There are two kinds of power: political and spiritual. “Politicalpower is the capacity to coerce others, overtly or covertly, to do one’s will.”It derives from a person’s position and not from the person. The capacity ofspiritual power is the “capacity to make decisions with maximum awareness. Mostpeople most of the time make decisions with little awareness of what they aredoing.” But, with spiritual maturity, we can. ”We can come to power.” Those whohave “succeeded in coming into alignment with the mind of God” have a joyful humility.“The experience of spiritual power is also terrifying.” Our greater awarenessmay involve us in complex decision-making situations. Those with spiritualpower can make those decisions wisely and with awareness and not shrink fromthe job. Another problem with spiritual power is aloneness (not loneliness).Politically powerful people have their cronies; spiritually powerful people“will likely have no one in his or her circle of acquaintances with whom toshare such depth of understanding.”

As Dr. Peck eloquently summarizesthe result of the seduction of power we are reminded that all of us are seducedin this area in one way or another. Peoplewill continue to seek to control, manipulate or gain popularity to makethemselves feel powerful as a way of feeling fulfilled or loved. Power, the capacity to influence others, is apotent factor that can easily be used for good or bad. Let us discern and teach the importantdifference in power. Political power isthe capacity to influence others by one’s money or dominant position. Spiritual power is the capacity to influenceothers by the loveliness of one’s being. Let us not despair but continue to seek, support, and exemplify thepower that is spiritual. Political powercomes from men and leads to pride which eventually leads to destruction. Psalm 33:10 tells us “The LORD frustrates the plans ofthe nations and thwarts all their schemes.” Spiritual power comes from God and leads tohumility which leads to exaltation. This is best illustrated in Philippians 2 as the humility of Jesus isportrayed in his complete submission to the Father’s plan, even when itresulted in his own death. “ThereforeGod exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above everyname, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earthand under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, tothe glory of God the Father.” Now there is an example and a leader tofollow.

Happiness is a Choice

2011-12-21T08:55:00.001-08:00

Earlier I was visiting a church member in the hospital. He was battling cancer bit had a positive attitude. Those times cause one to focus on the matters that are most important to life. I noticed a book beside his bed. The book was, How we Choose to be Happy. We discussed the importance of attitudes. I have always believed in the importance deliberately being in charge and having a choice with one’s attitude, philosophy and approach to life. I often tell people, “I am know I am going to have fun doing (whatever the activity may be). They will ask, how do you know you will enjoy it. I respond by telling them, “I know I will have fun because I am planning on it.” Later he gave me a copy as a gift. The writers made an extensive three year study of extremely happy people. They discovered nine choices that people who are extremely happy make. I share them as I hope it will be helpful.

The Nine Choices of Extremely Happy People (from ‘How We Choose to be Happy’)

Intention: The active desire and commitment to be happy and the decision to consciously choose attitudes and behaviors that lead to happiness over unhappiness. Regardless of what happens or the circumstances present, we make a conscious choice to be happy or unhappy.

Accountability involves making the choice to create the life you want to live—to assume responsibility for your actions, thoughts and feelings, and the emphatic refusal to blame others or view yourself as a victim. It is okay to grieve, but being a victim gives the power to others. Learning to let go moves us toward happiness.

Identification is the ongoing process of looking deeply within yourself to assess what makes you uniquely happy apart from what you are told by others should make you happy.

Centrality is the non-negotiable insistence on making central to your life that which brings you happiness. There will always be pressure to meet someone else’s expectations. This is about finding balance to care for those we love and take care of ourselves.

Recasting/Reframing involves the two steps that transform stressful problems and trauma into something meaningful, important and a source of emotional energy. We need to dive into our emotions and search for a way to melt the “emotional pot” and recast it into something that can help us move forward in a positive manner.

Options say we look at life as adventure, full of possibilities. This allows us to create multiple scenarios, open for new possibilities and adapt a flexible approach to life’s journey.

Appreciation in the moment is about making the choice to appreciate deeply your life and the people in it. This requires us to stay in the present moment and deliberately choose to turn each experience into something precious. This involves gratitude for the things we have without focusing our attention on the things we don’t have.

Giving and expecting nothing in return. We make the choice to share with friends, family, our community, and the world at large without any expectation of a return. This habit allows us to let go of the “what’s in it for me” mindset and just give in to being generous.

Truthfulness involves honesty and integrity. It means that what we say and do match. We do not allow people, society or circumstances to dictate how we respond. It means we have clarity around our internal standards and values, and we live in a manner congruent with them so we do not allow societal, workplace or family demands to violate our internal contracts.

*Adopted from How we Choose to be Happy by Rick Foster and Greg Hicks

Three Unique Gifts

2011-12-19T12:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas is the season of gift giving. Often lost in the rush to find the perfect gift (or gift card) is the original gift of Christmas. God gave His only son that we might be transformed by placing our faith in Him and not perish. In remembering the birth of Jesus we will see manger scenes, Christmas plays and hear the familiar story of Magi (men of wisdom) from the East who somehow followed a star and found the place where the child was. The scripture tells us of their action in giving the familiar trio of gifts in Matthew 2:11,“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

We have grown up hearing of that story of the miraculous birth of Jesus and the following events. As a child, I remember being a narrator in elementary school memorizing reciting this account from the book of Luke, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Yes, this was a Christmas a play in public school. Times have certainly changed but that is another story.

No matter what our faith background may be, we all have familiar memories of the timeless story. However, many have no idea of the significance of the gifts from the wise men. They brought treasures from their native land but in those gifts God was giving a public statement of the identity of this child. The first gift, gold, was a gift suitable only for a king. In many countries one was forbidden to see the King without Gold. This young child was destined to be King of all Kings (Revelation 19:16). Earthly kings and rulers will rise and fall but only He and His reign are eternal so it only makes sense to follow Him as the ultimate King or master of your life.

Frankincense was a fragrant gum resin. The perfume was used by the priest for worship. Again, God is revealing the identity of this child. Jesus is our high priest. A priest is defined as “one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God”. Jesus is the ultimate perfect ‘mediatory agent’ to connect us to God. All of us seek to connect with God but fall short of God’s glory and His intention for us (Romans 3:23). We are able to reach toward God and do some good but faith in Jesus is the only way of completely connecting with God and all the love, light and illumination that is God.

The third gift may seem to have been the most unusual gift for a baby yet it was most appropriate for this child. Myrrh was a sweet-smelling gum from a tree native to the land of the third Magi. Myrrh however was commonly used in preparing bodies for burial. How strange, giving a baby a gift associated with death. One does not like to think of death at anytime however it is especially not a common thought at a birth, the beginning of life. This birth was different. This cradle had the shadow of a cross (remember at this time the cross was only an instrument of execution). God used this gift to tell us this baby was destined to give His life to be a willing sacrificial gift as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). As well as we may try to 'do right and be good’; we have no way to pay the penalty for our shortcomings. Christmas is the story of perfect God loving us, who botch things and fail at every turn, by providing the ultimate sacrifice worthy to lead us to abundant and eternal life (Romans 6:23). These three gifts declare the identity of this special child. He is the ultimate King, supreme Priest, and ultimate sacrifice to bring us into an eternal relationship with God. Christmas truly is the gift of giving. Let us make the most of the season by receiving and giving the gift of Jesus.

Remember

2011-12-07T06:19:00.001-08:00

Today is the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. We are in the midst of an important season of remembrance. A few months, on September 11, ago we remembered the 10th anniversary of the most deadly terrorist attack on our nation. That attack changed our nation and began what was dubbed as ‘the War on Terror’. December 7, 1941 is "a date which will live in infamy" as President Roosevelt used that phrase in the first line of his speech to the nation on the day after the Japanese attack on the naval base in Pearl Harbor. As you know that enemy attack led to our involvement in World War II. Both of these dates, 9/11 and December 7, 1941 will be remembered for the savage attack from an enemy that provoked a response that changed our world. Proper remembrance of these days is vital to move forward in appreciation for the sacrifice and response that allows us to remain free today and tomorrow.
We don’t often think of December 25 in the same manner but our reaction to that day of remembrance may be the most important response to the greatest terror attack from the greatest enemy or terrorist of all time. Satan is the enemy of all that is good and all that is of God. If he cannot win a victory over God or God’s children he will continually seek to rein terror and fear on our lives to keep us from experiencing the joy of abundant life that Jesus came to give us. Jesus makes all this clear in the familiar scripture of John 10: 10 where he tells us, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Christmas is a season of giving, a season of joy, a season of celebration with friends and family but let us not forget that Christmas is a season of remembrance of our only hope against the greatest enemy and terrorist of all time. Without Christmas, the Word becoming flesh as Jesus entered history, we have no hope of overcoming the fear, punishment and terror of sin. Christmas, the coming of Jesus into this world provided hope, salvation, courage and freedom from the penalty of sin as we place our faith in Him and follow Him for forgiveness, abundant and eternal life. Without Christmas we have no human model for perfect love. His coming represented perfect love from God. His coming, life and sacrificial death illustrate perfect love for us to model and follow toward God and our fellowman. Without Christmas there is no power to change lives. The coming of Jesus, whose personal resurrection from death and giving of the Holy Spirit shows us there can be power within to make transformational changes in our lives. Without Christmas we miss the whole point of life. Proper remembrance of important days and historical events is vital to move forward in appreciation for the sacrifice and response that allows us to remain free today, tomorrow and in eternity. Let us remember the “reason for the season”.

Power

2011-10-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

The recent fall of another oppressive dictator called to memory a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” I have seen the fall of many dictators in my day; Nikolai Chauchesku in Romania, Manuel Noriega in Panama, Saddam Hussein in Iraq. And now in quick succession we see the fall of such men such as Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi. Their exit is never pretty and often gruesome. However, the seductive temptation of power continues to lure people to compromise integrity, morals and ethics often to do whatever is necessary to grasp power. We see this scenario acted out continually in national politics, local institutions as well as church and family systems as people desperately want power, influence, attention or approval as a way of feeling loved.

The news from around the world or locally can often cause one to despair as we hear of people exercising power or control over others in an unethical manner. However one must remember truths like the quote from Gandhi but even more comforting are words from the master of the universe spoken through his prophets. Such as Isaiah 40:23, “He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.”

In his timeless best seller, ‘The Road Less Traveled’, Dr. M. Scott Peck writes, “There are two kinds of power: political and spiritual. “Political power is the capacity to coerce others, overtly or covertly, to do one’s will.” It derives from a person’s position and not from the person. The capacity of spiritual power is the “capacity to make decisions with maximum awareness. Most people most of the time make decisions with little awareness of what they are doing.” But, with spiritual maturity, we can. ”We can come to power.” Those who have “succeeded in coming into alignment with the mind of God” have a joyful humility. “The experience of spiritual power is also terrifying.” Our greater awareness may involve us in complex decision-making situations. Those with spiritual power can make those decisions wisely and with awareness and not shrink from the job. Another problem with spiritual power is aloneness (not loneliness). Politically powerful people have their cronies; spiritually powerful people “will likely have no one in his or her circle of acquaintances with whom to share such depth of understanding.”

As Dr. Peck eloquently summarizes the result of the seduction of power we are reminded that all of us are seduced in this area in one way or another. People will continue to seek to control, manipulate or gain popularity to make themselves feel powerful as a way of feeling fulfilled or loved. Power, the capacity to influence others, is a potent factor that can easily be used for good or bad. Let us discern and teach the important difference in power. Political power is the capacity to influence others by one’s money or dominant position. Spiritual power is the capacity to influence others by the loveliness of one’s being. Let us not despair but continue to seek, support, and exemplify the power that is spiritual. Political power comes from men and leads to pride which eventually leads to destruction. Psalm 33:10 tells us “The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes.” Spiritual power comes from God and leads to humility which leads to exaltation. This is best illustrated in Philippians 2 as the humility of Jesus is portrayed in his complete submission to the Father’s plan, even when it resulted in his own death. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Now there is an example and a leader to follow.

Following Jesus or Religion?

2011-09-06T13:23:00.001-07:00

September 11 or 9/11 is a date that will remain in our memories. We remember the vicious attack on our country. Over 3000 people were killed as twisted zealots following teaching of radical Islamic fascism hijacked planes and became suicide murderers. This is not the first or will it be the last time that great harm or evil has come at the hands of religious fanatics. History’s pages are filled with warped people (and sometimes whole religious institutions or countries) committing horrible misguided actions in the name of religious fanaticism.

This is not to condemn religious zeal, often people start with good intentions. This is to say one must always be careful that passion does not overcome the ability to see truth. Jesus is the only way and the truth (John 14:6). We must be certain that we are always following Him and His teachings lest we become zealous and mistaken as others have in the past. We must be careful to keep our focus on Jesus rather than allegiance to religious activity or certain traditions and become misguided.

Former pastor and noted church consultant Kennon Callahan gave an analogy I thought helpful to keep things in perspective. He said the church should function more like a M.A.S.H. unit rather than a large institutional hospital. The Mobile Army Surgical Hospital goes where they are needed most, even when it is on the battle front, always on the edge of their resources but they give professional aid to those who may not make to the sterile hospital. Whereas, the hospital spends much time and money servicing and keeping the building so they can help those who will come to them. While hospitals are necessary, the mission of the church Jesus founded is more similar to the M.A.S.H. unit model while the hospital model could more easily lead to misguided institutionalism as serving the structure could become more important than accomplishing the true mission.

The last words our Lord gave us while he was on this planet are found in Matthew 28:18-20. He tells us to make disciples of ALL people as we go about our daily lives by teaching everything He commanded. He does not tell us to push our ideas, agenda or desires on others.

The church Jesus established in Matthew 16 professes Him as the Lord and goes wherever He is needed. It operates by faith and the Holy Spirit rather than constraints of a budget or the power of those in control of business meetings. Religious zealots say “be like us or else” (the “or else” can be harsh or it may simply mean we won’t fellowship with you.) Followers of Jesus want you to be like Jesus, but we continue to love you anyway!

Surf's Up, Enjoy the Ride!

2011-06-11T05:06:00.000-07:00

My uncle sent me a recent picture of himself riding the waves on a surfboard. The best part of the photo comes from knowing that the surfer is retired CDR Morris C. Drees who will be 80 on his next birthday. I love to see people from my gene pool living long and well with a sense of spunk and adventure. I remember his mother (my grandmother) showing how fast she could run a stationary bike as we gathered to celebrate her 95th birthday. I preached her funeral three years later as complications from a broken hip kept her from reaching 100.

Doctors often tell us that our genes help determine much of our life. The best secret to live a long healthy life is to be born into a family with genes that will facilitate that. So I root hard for my bicycling granny as well as my surfing 79 year old uncle as I hope to continue a long, full, adventuresome and spunky life. However, as lucky as I may be to have a good heritage, which I had no part of making, I have responsibility of my own in the matter.

One cannot help the family one is born into. I was very fortunate to grow up in a family that had fun and laughter as the emphasis for the day. Some are not as fortunate. Some are born into sad families, broken homes, abusive situations that leave scars for a lifetime. We may not have had a choice in the family in which we were born and lifestyle that was taught or experienced but, we do have a choice in how it affects.us. Both my surfing uncle and his older brother, my father, grew up in a broken home that was not always remembered for fun, joy and laughter.

However, it was left to them to carve out their lives in a fashion to provide more positive opportunities or sink to self-pity and let the circumstances of life overwhelm them. My uncle made a career of the Navy. He flew planes off the USS Saratoga, traveled the world, built a family and now, as a retired Commander, enjoys riding the waves. His older brother, my dad, married a girl who added laughter and joy wherever she went and they raised a family where there was no alcohol, anger, profanity or any destructive behavior, just a focus on love, laughter and joy. That life of joy and laughter created an environment to allow me to pass this lifestyle on to the next generation, my children.

Yes, the family we are born into makes a great impact on the adults we become. We cannot control the family we are born into but we can do something about how we let it affect us. If we are given a good foundation, we can continue to build on it. We still have to do the work to become responsible, active joyous adults. There are no guarantees our life will prosper just because we were given a good start. Also, if things were/are difficult we can rise above them. Events of the past do not have to control our future. If something was done against you, forgive then forget and move on. Don’t let injustices of the past hold you back. Paul wrote in Philippians 3 that he didn’t have it all figured out yet but, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” He knew God had a plan for him to have a full life. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that he came that we may have an “abundant life”.

If you have things in the past that hold you back, let them go. We are born into a sin-scarred world where bad things happen, even to good people. Life here is brief and you don’t make the most of each day holding bitterness, anger about things you can’t control. If something or someone was against you, forgive as quickly as possible. If you messed up, don’t let it trouble you long, ask those you offended for forgiveness and move on. Romans 8:1 tells us ‘there is now no commendation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” So, just like surfing, a new wave is always on the way. Waves can wash things away and carry us to new places. It is up to us to either let it pass and miss the chance or to jump aboard and enjoy the ride. Surf’s up!

How Great Thou Art

2011-05-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

It was one of the most moving moments of pure worship I have ever experienced. Andre was truly caught up in the Spirit like few I have witnessed. His arms lifted in an unconscious act of adoration. He was not singing, as we were closing the worship event with the familiar hymn, ‘How Great Thou Art’. His head was back, eyes closed, arms out giving himself completely to the great God we were singing about. I was reminded of another man who described such a connection with God in 2 Corinthians 12:2 as Paul said he “was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows.” Such experiences with God are difficult to describe but when experienced one knows it as it changes one’s life.

We were not in the midst of a great cathedral, engulfed by the latest music, special effects or any other enhancement we often think is necessary to connect with God. We were in the heart of the toughest maximum security prison in the state. 98% of the 1200 inmates surrounding us were there because they had taken a life. Andre came from a tough childhood seeing his first murder at age 6. The scar on his arm was a reminder of the time his grandmother removed the bullet rather than going to the hospital and make a police report. Andre was from the inner city and grew up big, strong and tough. He became an enforcer in Chicago‘s world of organized crime and gangs. He had been transferred to prison in the south for his own safety as his previous life made it dangerous to be in a prison where he was known.

Andre had recently encountered the resurrected Christ through the prison chaplaincy and visitors coming to share the love of Christ. As a new believer he was seeking to grow in his new life of peace. After we finished ‘How Great Thou Art’ and the service was concluded I walked over and looked up in his face (when you are 5’7” you always look up to guys who are over 6’) and said, “That song took you way back to another day didn’t it?” I knew many inmates had some exposure to church as a child, when perhaps a loving grandmother or relative cared for them. I saw his worship experience and thought he was remembering some pleasant memory from a past long gone. I was wrong in this case.

Andre looked down at me with those piercing eyes that had often brought fear into victims of his previous days. This was a different seriousness, no longer scary but a seriousness that comes from knowing and experiencing the lifechanging Christ. He said, “I never went to church. I have never heard that song before. Could you get me the words?” I told him I would and realized the depth of his true worshipexperience. I poked my finger in his massive chest and told him. “You have always been a strong man who had an impact on others, not always for good. God is now going to use you as a strong man who will have an impact on others good as they see Christ in you as your strength.”

I sent him the words to the hymn and on my next visit I saw a face that lit up the room with a smile reflecting the Jesus who had changed his life. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:36, “I was in prison and you came to visit me.” I visited prison and saw Jesus…through the changed life in Andre. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we have done, true transformationand worship comes when we turn our eyes and give our lives completely to God.

“O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder consider all the works Thy Hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed; When through the woods and forest glades I wander I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze; Then sings my soul, Mmy Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art! When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, "My God, how great Thou art!"

A Fitting Memorial

2011-05-19T12:11:00.001-07:00

A year ago I was making funeral arrangements for my father. Next month marks the 14th year since I did the same for my mother. They loved, sacrificed and provided examples giving me the strong positive foundation that helped my life become what it is today. As a fitting memorial I try to live each day in a fashion that would honor their name and make them proud. In a few weeks we, acknowledge, with Memorial Day, the ultimate sacrifice of those who allow us the lives we enjoy today. People have different ways to celebrate Memorial Day. As a fitting memorial to the sacrifice made for us, we should strive to be the best citizens protecting and keeping the freedom and rights that are the foundation of our country. It is always important to remember and memorialize those who paved the way, provided examples and made sacrifices that allow us the opportunities and lives we enjoy today.

2000 years ago God gave His only son as an example of the way to live a life of love. Jesus would later willingly give His life as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our shortcomings. As a fitting memorial to His sacrificial gift we can follow Ephesians 4 and “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” If you will permit me to share the WHD translation of the latter portion of that chapter (Hmm, aren’t those my initials?) I think we can learn the best way to live a life that is a proper memorial and will do Him proud and serve us all well.

We are all different and have different Spiritual abilities that are intended to work in concert with one another. We can use our Spiritual gifts to build up His church so it will grow in maturity and love, “as each part does its work.” As we work together and live honest lives, not putting on pretense, we are helped to remember we are part of the same essence. When we get upset or angry we don’t need to let that anger cause us to fail or do wrong giving evil a chance to grow or flourish. We should be honest and work hard, so we will have something to give to people in need. Our language should be pure as we try to say the right thing at the right time and help others with what we say. We should strive to live in such a way that we do not depress the Spirit of God. It is that same Spirit, if allowed to grow in us, that makes sure we will someday be free from all wrongdoing and misbehavior. It doesn’t help to be bitter and angry and mad at others. We need to refrain from yelling at one another, cursing each other or ever being rude. Instead, we are to be kind and merciful, forgiving others, just as God forgave us because of Christ. This is a fitting memorial and way to live.

Doing All You Can For Now

2011-04-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

Those who work to help people often have times when we wonder if we are really making a difference. It is often difficult to see how the time, energy and resources we spend seeking to improve the lives of others. It can be like a worker in a cramped corner of a factory putting a part on a ship and never seeing it sail. In his heart the worker knows the importance of the part he contributes to the ship but there are times he would like to see the ocean, feel the wind and know he had a hand in making the vessel seaworthy. Discouragement can come more easily as we wonder if what we do makes a difference or matters.

I find stories like that of Bohn Fawkes to be helpful. Lt. Col. Bohn E. Fawkes was an American hero. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and attended West High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Chemical Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. At the University, he was a member of the ROTC and joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. Fawkes flew 25 bombing missions as B-17 co-pilot and pilot in the 379th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force.
His missions included two of the famous raids over Schweinfurt, Germany and a ditching in the English Channel from which his entire crew survived. After the war, Fawkes served as a B-29 instructor in the Pacific. His career was spotlighted in the book “Fall of Fortresses”. Fawkes retired from military service in 1962 and returned to civilian life to carve a career as a stock broker and became involved in his community, serving with his children's school PTA, working with his church, and the Boy Scouts of America. His was the life of humble service that makes for great movies as the quiet hero whose flights helped win the world changing victory over Nazi Germany.

One of his most memorable flights may have been a mission where he flew over Kassel, Germany they were under heavy fire from Nazi anti-aircraft guns. The B-17's gas tanks were hit but yet Bohn and his crew were still able to land safely. The following morning, Bohn asked for a German shell from his gas tank to keep as a souvenir to show everyone his good luck. He was told that not just one shell had been found in the gas tank but eleven shells had been removed and yet his gas tank never exploded.

Confused technicians opened the shells to find all but one empty of any explosive charge. The one that wasn't empty contained a rolled piece of paper. A message had been written in Czech language and this message read "This is all we can do for you now". It seems that an assembly line worker in occupied Czechoslovakia took it upon himself to do what he could to oppose Nazism by secretly disarming bombs he was forced to make. The unknown worker was not able to win the war on his own. He never knew the results of his efforts. However he did what he could where he was and made a huge difference, ‘doing what he could for now’.

As you serve your fellowman be aware of the task. One may never be at a place where they think they can make a big difference. The task ahead may seem overwhelming. One may never know the results of one’s effort and effect on the lives of those one serves. However, if ‘you do all you can for now’ and trust God for the results, you can be at peace with your efforts as you press on.

Guidance

2011-03-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

I am often asked to give advice or guidance in life. I have learned over the years that many do not really seek advice or guidance as much as they want someone to validate what they wish to do or are already doing. Too often we seek guidance after we have lost our way due to poor judgment, bad habits, pursuit of selfish desires or seeking to follow and satisfy our own ego. By the way I found a great way to define ego. It means we Edge God Out. Following and satisfying ego leads to pushing God’s direction, agenda and guidance aside as self is placed first.

When one meditates on the word guidance, one can see ‘dance’ at the end of the word. I once read that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing. When we follow His lead and flow with the Holy Spirit life becomes more like a flowing dance with rhythm and meaning. As we see on the popular TV show, ‘Dancing With the Stars’, following the complete direction and lead of a professional dancer can make almost anyone look better on the dance floor. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn’t flow with the music and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person relaxes and lets the other lead, both parties begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly on one direction or another. It’s as if the two become one body, moving beautifully with rhythm and grace. The well performed dance takes surrender, willingness and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. Look back at the word guidance. When one sees a big ‘G’ as the beginning it is easy to think of God, followed by ‘u’ and ‘i’. Forming a short sentence with this observation results in the following; God, u & I dance. God, you and I dance. This short sentence summarizes what real guidance in life can mean.

Jesus tells us in Luke 9:23 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” The Message translates this statement from Jesus as follows; “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how.”

So as we seek to meander through this adventure of life let us learn to let the expert lead. God created all things, including you. He has a master plan and design for all things, including you. He has a harmonious rhythm for life when we follow Him. Hence, let us lower our head, place our hand in His and let Him lead as we enjoy the dance.

In Everything Give Thanks

2011-02-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

I have often heard; ‘Never pray for patience or God will give you plenty of opportunities to practice it.’ Life has its ways of teaching us…if we will pay attention and learn. Just yesterday I posted a blog sharing a personal testimony that is important to me. It was the story of how divine intervention in the form of a kidney stone helped doctors find three aneurysms that were about to shorten my life ten years ago.

Today I got up ready to head to the office for just another day However, if we will keep our spiritual eyes open no day is just another day. God is always showing us something, often in ways we don’t expect. My wife woke up feeling bad due to fluctuating blood pressure problems. So the first plan was for her to go to school for necessary preparation to leave class early and go to the doctor as soon as they could see her. I would check in from my office later. The plan changed as soon as she saw her car with a flat tire. Now I would also be leaving my office early to take her to the doctor and then fix a flat tire.

Feeling tired and frustrated after the events of the day, my plans, were interrupted; I was finally headed to the tire dealer with a flat tire in the bed of my truck. It was then that God reminded me of a verse I memorized years ago. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Did God just forget my circumstances? All my plans for the day were shot due to the circumstances. Why is it His will for me to give thanks?
He knows that giving thanks unlocks spiritual eyesight to see and enjoy His grace. OK! Let me start giving thanks in my circumstances. First, I am thankful that the flat tire occurred in my garage rather than out on the road perhaps leaving my wife stranded. Second, I am thankful that I know how to change a tire and have the physical ability to do so. There are lasting benefits that come from owning my first car, as a teenager, that cost only $50 and five used tires for $4 (not each but $4 for all five used tires). In those days changing tires was almost a normal part of starting the car for a drive. I used to change tires so often I could have worked in a NASCAR pit crew.

I continued to give thanks in my circumstance. I took my tire to our tire dealer, who is a good friend, and talked to his wife who is running a 10 K soon. She beat cancer and became a runner. She smiled reminding me that this circumstance was not a big problem, it could have been worse. It is hard to think about ‘difficult circumstances’ when you are talking to a cancer survivor who has a bright smile. I am thankful that Cathy’s health situation is something that only required a change in medication. I am thankful for our health. As we talked about life circumstances, I smiled and said “Hey, we could be living in Libya!” It was my way of reminding me that we are blessed with all our freedoms and also a reminder to pray for those who are oppressed. I began to realize how blessed we are in so many ways.

I drove home with a repaired tire in the back of my truck and continued to count all the circumstances in my life for which I can be thankful. God’s will for my life is to continue to give thanks in all circumstances. As I continue to do so I see His hand in so many things that are beyond my patience and understanding. When we begin looking we can find there is truly something in which we can give thanks in ALL circumstances. There is an old church hymn that reminds us to count our blessings “when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” There is no better way to transform the day than giving thanks in all circumstances and counting blessings.

Ten Years Later

2011-02-21T04:14:00.000-08:00

I am taking the day off to play golf with some friends. Ten years ago I was planning the same but I had a life changing or should I say lifesaving experience. For the past ten years I have celebrated an anniversary on February 26. I celebrate my one and only kidney stone. On February 26, 2001 I woke at 2 AM and began a journey that saved my life. My ‘alarm clock’ that morning was a mild and unusual kidney stone. I never had a kidney stone before or since. The doctors told me that men rarely have their 1st kidney stone at ‘my age’. I hate it when that phrase becomes part of the dialogue! The scan showed a calcium deposit that led to another doctor (remember this pattern). There was an aneurysm on my renal artery. Other doctors and scans later revealed other aneurysms outside both kidneys and a very rare renal artery disease called Fibro Muscular Dysplasia. This is not the way one wants to learn new vocabulary words. One also does not like to hear doctors say, “This is now more complicated than my area of expertise.”

Now we move to see special doctors in other states. Nothing gets your attention like a talk with the most prominent specialist in the field in the nation and hearing, “I don’t like the looks of this.” I will spare you details but there is not much that can top lying in a hospital room after having prayed with your family and seeing them walk out the door and then knowing you will have lengthy and dangerous surgery from where you will wake up either in the recovery room or Heaven. There is a reality check!

I wound up with two life saving surgeries. The first was in June. I could not have the second until I recovered enough strength for the following surgery in November. Major artery reconstruction was preformed and three aneurysms were removed. I was told how serious the condition was with both surgeries but that truth really set in after my 2nd surgery in November. The patient who followed me with the next surgery that day with the same condition and the same surgeon, died in the bed next to me in ICU. My doctor told us that in most situations such as this they do not find the aneurysm(s) until the autopsy, after it ruptures causing death with no warning or symptoms. He said, “Obviously, God still has some work for you to do here!"

So, ten years later, I begin each day ‘admiring’ the 25 inch scar around my 33 inch midsection and go through the day with no feeling in that area of my abdomen. It is my reminder to that I should have died ten years ago. I now seek to make the most of each moment that I have the gift of life. I do admit times of frustration I when I see people throwing away the precious fragile gift of life wasting time, fussing, fighting and arguing over petty matters. I am amazed at the ways we find to become angry and unhappy when we live in such a blessed country and are so blessed by God.
Do you know that your garbage disposal ‘eats’ better than much of the rest of the world? People in many countries who are caught worshipping Jesus are beaten or killed. We have total freedom to assemble and worship the risen Christ and a spring shower is enough to keep many away from church. Others go to church and fuss about anything and everything that displeases them rather than finding the unity in Christ that He prayed for just before going to the Cross (read John 17:20-26).

I am reminded of a slogan from of an old TV commercial for cell phones. They end the commercial saying, “We’re part of the AT&T wireless network…and we get it!” I often think we could do a similar commercial but we would have to change the words and say, “We are Christians living in America, saved by the abundant grace of Christ, living in a free nation to enjoy life at the fullest…but we don’t get it!” I Thessalonians 5:16 commands us to “Rejoice always” yet we often sit in the middle of God’s blessings and frown.

The next time you think you are having a bad time, remember the blessings you have here in America, read I Thessalonians. 5:18 and move on. You could have been born in India as an ‘untouchable’ (how would you like a life of cleaning out sewers with no hope of bettering your status in life?) or in you could have been born in Pakistan or Cambodia and not had the freedom or blessings that you have. John 10:10 says Jesus came to give abundant life. Let other stuff go and live! If I can rejoice over a 25-inch scar and celebrate the 10th anniversary of a kidney stone, you ought not to look too far to find your own reason to rejoice and make the most of each day!

Significance

2011-02-04T04:17:00.000-08:00

The excitement is building. In a few days the Super Bowl will be played to determine the champion football team in the NFL. There has been and will be massive promotion, marketing and business opportunities as people try to exploit this special time. Many have been planning well in advance to be ready for this unique opportunity. News agencies reported a fear that there could be a shortage of ‘exotic dancers’ for those who will be looking for a certain avenue of celebration. It is sad to think of some patrons having to settle for dancers of a less but all that is another subject for another day.

The previous example is simply to show that many of life’s events have different meaning for different people. The Super Bowl is an event that has long been promoted and hyped beyond exaggeration. Years ago I thought the simple comment one person put it all in proper perspective. In 1978 the Super Bowl was played in the Louisiana Superdome for the first time. At that time this new structure was the largest indoor stadium. Here was the ‘Super’ game played in a ‘Superdome’! It could not get much better. It was also still a time when Walter Cronkite was the most respected and trusted voice in the nation as the original ‘Anchorman of the Nation’. An excited reporter had the opportunity for the ultimate commentary as he asked the respected man for his thoughts on such a spectacular event. Walter Cronkite had cut his teeth reporting during battles in World War II, he had been the calming voice for a country when a president was assassinated, as well as other historical events. We had become accustomed for Mr. Cronkite to look into the camera and put everything in proper perspective. He smiled and said it was interesting to see such excitement over something that has “no historical significance whatsoever!” The reporter, who had also fallen for all the hype of false importance, did not know what to say! I have always been a sports fan but this has to be one of my favorite moments. Putting things in proper perspective is extremely important in the more important game of life.

We are often guilty of giving too much attention to the wrong things or people. I find it interesting when we see who and what has been given historical significance. People like Jessie James, Jack the Ripper and Lee Oswalt are easily remembered while the majority of hardworking people in their day, who did their job with integrity, raised moral children and remained faithful to their spouse as they quietly went about being good citizens, remain obscure as others are celebrated or noted in history. One can easily grab a headline today by bad or outrageous behavior, some of which may have ‘no historical significance whatsoever’.

The real matter in life is significance or meaning rather than notoriety. My father & mother never were not famous but the way they lived and taught me to live still have historical significance for me. They showed me what it meant to be loved, how to love others and how to behave in a responsible manner. That may not cause them or me to go down in history but that IS significant. My heavenly Father verifies this through His son as Jesus summed all proper and significant behavior in Matthew 22:37-40. The more people who love and live responsibility as they love God and their fellowman, the more this may impact the world and have historical significance. In today’s mixed up world superficial events, like football games, and irresponsible behavior may gain headlines and even be recorded in history and considered important by many. However, when we follow the words and teachings of Jesus we will gain significance that is eternal. Now, THAT is significant!

2011-01-31T06:47:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow begins a new month. In His last words on earth, Jesus told us to teach everyone to obey all He commanded. Too often ‘religion’ gets in the way of following His teaching as people tend to push or become rigid with their particular church agenda, religious tradition or religious ideas. All of His teaching He wished to pass on to us in His words is recorded in 4 books. One can read three short chapters a day and discover all His teaching through His words and deeds as recorded in these four books in a month. Give it a try and see how it makes a difference in your life.

Through The Gospels in a Month
Jesus told us to teach everyone everything He commanded us. To know what he commanded, we must become familiar with his teachings and life. The following is a plan to read the Gospels in a month. There are 89 chapters in the four Gospels. Each day one should read three chapters on the corresponding day to complete the reading each month.

Day Chapters
1. 1-3 (Matthew)
2. 4-6
3. 7-9
4. 10-12
5. 13-15
6. 16-18
7. 19-21
8. 22-24
9. 25-27
10. 28- Mark 2
11. 3-5
12. 6-8
13. 9-11
14. 12-14
15. 15- Luke 1
16. 2-4
17. 5-7
18. 8-10
19. 11-13
20. 14-16
21. 17-19
22. 20-22
23. 23-John 1
24. 2-4
25. 5-7
26. 8-10
27. 11-13
28. 14-16
29. 17-19
30. 20-21

True Grit

2011-01-06T05:59:00.000-08:00

A popular movie, True Grit, follows more faithfully to the Charles Protis’ novel than the older movie starring John Wayne. Young Mattie Ross shows courage, spunk and knowledge beyond her 14 years of life as she seeks to find Tom Chaney to avenge his cold-blooded murder of her father. She seeks a lawman who has grit to do the job. She is led to Marshall Rooster Cogburn who has several failings but she decides he has the ‘True Grit’ needed for this task.

As the viewer watches the adventure unfold one cannot help but notice familiar themes in the background music. The score contains and cleverly weaves excerpts of ‘Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand’, ‘What a Friend We have in Jesus’ and ‘Leaning on the Everlasting Arms’. Carter Burwell, upon composing appropriate music wondered about Mattie Ross who had unquestioning determination to go to the wild country in pursuit of her father’s killer. “Where would a 14 year old girl come by the audacity to browbeat outlaws and lawmen, follow them into the wilderness and even correct their spelling? Church of course!”

It was a hard time but folks in that day found strength to sustain any hardship through their faith. The strength of young Mattie’s faith shows her to be the one with True Grit that never wavered and lasted until the end. Today times have changed in may fashions however there are these constants that still exist. There are always situations in life that are difficult and often potentially devastating, such as 14 year old Mattie experienced with the murder of her beloved father. There are always unreliable, unfaithful and even evil people that will disappoint discourage and deceive. However, there are always those who remain faithful and unshaken to righteousness and justice no matter the circumstances. Even though they may seem few their faithfulness gives them True Grit. They are the ones who make a difference for good. They are the ones who go to work everyday, make their marriage work, teach children to behave and hold the moral fiber of society together. They may not be glamorous, famous or wealthy. In fact they usually are not. However, there has always been, will always be, as is necessary the minority who have True Grit required to maintain morality and civility in society.

There is a Biblical teaching called the Doctrine of the Remnant referring to God’s faithful who are always there even when the majority seems to be moving in an evil destructive path. My hat is always off to those who have the True Grit to stand faithful no matter the odds.

Elisha the prophet give a great example as the king of Aram was frustrated with Elisha’s prophecies that worked against his agenda to the point that he sent his army against this single prophet. Elisha was traveling only with his servant. One morning the servant woke to find outside was the powerful army of Aram surrounding the city. They had come for Elisha. He was scared to death as they were greatly outnumbered and outgunned by the powerful army. He asked what they would do. Elisha had the True Grit to trust God. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." God’s angels of protection were not visible to the one who had fear. However the prophet had faith, vision and 'Grit' to hang in there with God was able to see God’s hand that would always be present for his faithful.

Fear not, remember those who are with us are more than those who are with them. True Grit is shown in always following, trusting and being redeemed by ‘God’s Unchanging Hand’. Press On!

Making the Most of Time

2011-01-01T18:06:00.000-08:00

As I reflect on the passing of another year and look forward to the year ahead, I become more conscious of the passage of time. In our youth we often think we are indestructible and will always have all the time we need. As we age we seem to focus more on how quickly time zooms along. I once had a deacon tell me he seemed to have a birthday each week after turning 65. While I have yet to hit that number I must admit that the calendar does seem to be increasing in speed.

Bank accounts and society structures measure us at different levels but there is one measure that places us all on equal ground, levels the scale for everyone and gives us all equal opportunity. That equalizing measure is time. It does not matter how wealthy, strong, intelligent or powerful one may be we all have the same amount of time. Neither Bill Gates nor Oprah has any more minutes in their hour than you or me. However, the difference often lies in what someone does with this equal resource. Some make the most of each moment while others waste precious time with bad habits, poor decisions, and poor time management. I have a poster of an African proverb in my office that reminds me to make the most of each moment entitled ‘Every Morning in Africa’. It says; “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It does not matter if you are a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you better be running.”

This is one of my reminders that each day I wake with life I must set myself with purpose to make the most of each moment. There is not a moment to waste being lazy, angry, selfish, upset, or simply wasting time due to poor time management or repeating bad decisions. Each moment is not to be taken for granted. The next moment or breath is never promised. One does not know how long one has to live. So we are left with an interesting situation. While we do not know how much time we will have in our life span, we all have the same amount of time that is given in equal measure each day. Time is equal for everyone in that sense and it is a resource that is not retrievable once spent. It can only be wasted or used wisely. Therefore, since I (and you) have just as much of this precious resource as the most powerful and wealthy person on the planet each day we are alive and since it is not something we can store or retrieve once it is spent it just makes sense to spend or invest it wisely.

That is why God tells us to do that very thing. Ephesians 5:15-16 says “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit could have used either of two common Greek words for time: chronos or kairos. Chronos refers to time in general or clock time. It is the root word for chronological. Kairos refers to a predetermined, specific amount of time. It is measured, allocated and fixed. The Holy Spirit led Paul to use kairos.

That intentional word choice by God is huge. It reminds us that we have a specific amount of time given by God on earth. While He knows the measure of our days we do not. We need to make the most of each moment. I have been with people in their last moments on earth. No one has said, “I wish I had more time for my job or hobby”. Rather, people are comforted in their last moments when they have love with their family, friends and God. So, it makes sense to use every moment to love God and others as much as possible. My dad had a plaque on his desk that read, “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” It was a reminder to get over things and make the most of each moment in a positive joyful manner. The clock is ticking even now. How are you spending your seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years or life? What are you doing with your time?

The Greatest Mission Trip Ever Taken

2010-12-24T05:17:00.000-08:00

“Everyone should go on at least one mission trip in their lifetime!” I have often heard that statement made. I do not know much that has a more rapid and profound spiritual impact than leaving one’s comfort zone and going to an unfamiliar land on mission. It will change lives…primarily yours. God dealt with me on the shores of Mombasa, Kenya in 1995 in ways that changed me to this day. Since then I have been blessed to lead & participate in mission trips to five of the seven continents over the years. When God leads me to Australia and Antarctica I will have a complete set (maybe I will get a set of steak knives). I already know the language of Australia, “Mate” but I may need to go to Antarctica first. If Al Gore is right it may be underwater soon.

Mission trips involve leaving familiar surroundings, people, customs and comfort to spend time and spread the love of God to others. As we enjoy the familiar surroundings, people, customs and comfort of our usual Christmas season remembering ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’ it is fitting to remember ‘The Greatest Mission Trip Ever Taken’. Jesus left the familiar surroundings and comfort of Heaven to come here to change our lives for eternity.

I have gone through some long and uncomfortable travel. I have ‘enjoyed’ accommodations that are not quite ‘Four Star’ sleeping in different ‘beds’ (that is what they called them). I have had the ‘exhilaration’ of automobiles in traffic & driving styles that I never imagined, from racing down unpaved roads in vans with steering wheels on the wrong side to sitting on the back of scooters in the busy streets and rice patties of Cambodia. I have dined on crocodile, python, zebra, antelope and other cuisine that was unknown or cannot be listed (tasted like chicken).

Nothing compares with the mission trip taken by Jesus that began with the first Christmas. He left the comforts of Heaven to journey here ‘on mission’. I find it hard to mumble about sleeping arrangements I have experienced when the first bed of Jesus was an animal feeding trough. In spite of being out of my ‘comfort zone’ I was usually made welcome as people in those distant lands usually welcomed and treated me like family. It would be difficult enough to be rejected by strangers in a foreign land but can you imagine the sadness revealed in the first chapter of John’s Gospel as it tells us Jesus “was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”

In spite of that sorrow and hardships we cannot imagine, He remained faithful on His mission trip. Although He was the creator and ultimate King, He humbled Himself by “taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2) He knew His mission trip held our eternal salvation in the balance so He gave His all. As we pause to reflect on life this Christmas let us follow our ‘mission’ and focus “our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12).

By taking the greatest mission trip ever taken, He left the greatest home ever known, suffered the greatest shame and punishment ever experienced He demonstrated the greatest love for us ever known. His mission trip, suffering, shame and ultimate punishment for our sin gives the opportunity to be to all who “receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1). The greatest story ever told is about the greatest mission trip ever taken to present you with the greatest gift ever offered. Receive, open, let His gift change you then share His gift as you go on mission in the days ahead.

Have an Intelligent and Smart Christmas

2010-12-10T06:57:00.000-08:00

I have been driving a car for 43 years. This is the first time I had to read the manual to learn how to use my key. It’s called an ‘Intelligent key’. Actually it is not a key at but resembles a key remote (reminds me of the one I had when I lost my last set of car keys. Now, I don’t feel so dumb losing those keys and remote. They were the ones not ‘intelligent’). Anyway, once I put the remote, excuse me… once I put the ‘intelligent key’ in my pocket the car senses when we are close enough to unlock. When inside the car I still do not have to remove the ‘intelligent key from my pocket. The car senses it is in the car, I push a button and the car starts. While I am driving the car figures gas mileage, the average speed and how much further I can go on this tank of gas, tells me the outside temperature and even senses when a small child is in the front seat who would be endangered by the passenger air bag so it disables that air bag until the child gets out of that seat. I quit reading the manual after learning those things. I have had enough of being intimidated by my car’s superior intelligence that seems to threaten my own.

My car is not the only clever device in my life. My daughters call me on their ‘smart’ phones. I have yet to go that route. I don’t want a phone so arrogant that it even brags on being smart with its name. Although, I have had some 23 years of formal education (no, that does not mean I wore a tux to class.) I don’t go around crowing or calling myself ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’! (Perhaps those who spend time around me and know I still have not found my keys and remote to my old car, as well as a growing list of other things that humble me, understand why I don’t go around claiming to be ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ like some cocky phones & keys.)

We have become accustomed to ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ devices that can help us in our daily life. They answer the phone for us, watch favorite TV programs when we are not home (and even skip over the commercials we would not want to watch). Nevertheless, there is a point I want to make as I continue to marvel at all the devices that that have come into our lives that seem to be so ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’. Since we can create such ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ devices to aid our lives why can’t we be smart or intelligent enough to realize that a holiday that was set to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ should be known as Christmas?

Although Jesus was probably born closer to September on our calendar, historically December 25 has been set aside as a holiday to acknowledge and celebrate his birth. This is not unlike the way we set aside a day in February to acknowledge and celebrate the birthdays of President Washington and Lincoln, neither were born on Presidents’ Day but the purpose of the day is to remember both. It would not be ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ to ignore Lincoln or Washington on that particular day. The original purpose of the day is to recognize both men…Duh! Long before this commonly accepted practice, as well as other similar holiday celebrations, the precedent of Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus was historically set. So, how ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ can it be to assign or promote some nebulous “Holiday Greeting” to seek to avoid the real meaning and purpose of Christmas? It is stupid to do otherwise. Enough already!

Therefore, if my car keys can be ‘intelligent’ and our phones can be ‘smart’ why can’t we be bright enough to just be done with all the foolishness that seeks to avoid Jesus, especially at Christmas and have a Merry Christmas? How dumb can we be? Now, if I could just find my glasses I could address some Christmas cards to share Christ like love and greetings. Oh well, I guess I will have to do the ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ thing and honor the birth of Jesus by living a life that brings “peace on earth and good will to men”!
Merry Christmas!

Gonna be a good day!

2010-10-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

I am at the place in life where some parts wake up quicker than others every morning. Years of “hey let me try this” and attempts at sports I was not deemed to play have taken a toll. However, I still wake each morning with exercise. If I wake on my face I do a push-up. If I wake on my back I do a sit-up. It is easy to wake and find reasons to complain as the body responds slower. It is easy to find reasons to complain as the TV is turned on and the morning news is gloomy. However, it is easier to find reasons to rejoice when one reads and listens to words from the one who created me.

He tells me to “Rejoice always”. I Thessalonians 5:16 is the 2nd shortest verse in the Bible (‘Jesus wept’ is the shortest, found in John 11:35). The commandment to ‘rejoice always’ (it is not a suggestion…’give a shot to rejoicing always’) is not only short but it is effective in changing your entire outlook. It is followed by a second verse that helps me know how to rejoice, “Pray always”. When I find it hard to rejoice I am reminded that I can take all my cares and concerns to a higher authority who has power and wisdom well beyond me to take care of all things in perfect order according to His power and wisdom. Philippians 4:6-7 tell me, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In other words, don’t worry about anything but pray about everything and you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will then protect our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus.

Without a deliberate decision to rejoice or celebrate constantly one can find reason to despair in almost every direction in this sin scarred world. However when one follows God’s command one develops a new perception. I have discovered the following truth, 'When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change'. One can find a reason to delight as the third verse of the important trilogy in I Thessalonians 5, verse 18, guides us to be thankful in all things for this is God’s will in Christ Jesus.

It is truly impossible to be thankful ‘for’ everything in life however, it is possible, helpful and commanded by our loving Father to give thanks ‘in’ the midst of all things. In everything we can find a reason to look up and be thankful. I am thankful that my aching body is able to get up each morning. I am thankful for the breath of life that starts my waking hours. I am thankful for the fun and life I enjoyed (which is better than I deserved) and now can look forward to exulting (“Rejoice always”) in the day ahead because no matter what faces me I am not alone. I can share it with the creator and ruler of the universe (“Pray without ceasing”). When I commit my life and day to Him I know that whatever happens is in Hands and I can be glad (“in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”)

Gonna be a good day!

If You Have To Swallow A Frog...

2010-10-14T05:30:00.000-07:00

I have a poster in my office with a picture of a large ugly frog and the following caption, “If you have to swallow a frog, don’t look at it. If you have to swallow a bunch of frogs, take the biggest one first.” Looking an ugly frog in the face with the knowledge that you have to swallow that sucker does not make the unpleasant task easier. Hopefully none of us will have to take that phrase literally but we know what it is to have unpleasant tasks staring us in the face. Putting things off rarely helps when dealing with an unpleasant task.

It was my day off. I wanted to spend the day doing something enjoyable. I already had experienced a long week and knew a heavy work weekend was waiting. However, the leak under the sink (due to a leaking garbage disposal) needed to be remedied. I prepared to ‘swallow the frog’ of replacing the disposal by getting everything ready ahead of time. They did not teach plumbing in seminary but I knew I could handle the task…after all I am a man as well as a Doctor! :-)

I woke ready to begin the task by doing something that humbled me…reading instructions (after all I am a man. We shouldn’t have to read instructions or ask directions!). In a few minutes I was finished with no leaks, cuts or bruises. Now I had the rest of the day to enjoy myself and it was only 7:30 AM. Putting off unpleasant tasks is rarely helpful. “If you have to swallow a frog, don’t look at it. If you have to swallow a bunch of frogs, take the biggest one first.”

Psychologists call this delayed gratification. It is a system of doing the less pleasing things first to have something pleasant waiting ahead. For example, if you enjoy pie but the crust is not as enjoyable as the point of the slice where most of the flavor lies, delay your gratification and save the most flavorful bite for last. People who live following a system of delayed gratification are usually happier and see more hopeful results ahead. They get the least favorable work over first and look forward to enjoying more pleasant tasks ahead. Putting unpleasant tasks off is rarely helpful.

Putting unpleasant tasks off is also rarely helpful when the unpleasant task involves getting something corrected in a relationship. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:22-25 to settle matters quickly when there is a problem in a relationship. The unresolved problem in the relationship will usually get worse if we put off or delay resolution and reconciliation. It also negatively affects our relationship with God as we cannot connect with Him properly until things are resolved with our brother or sister. He tells us to go and be reconciled with them then come back to Him.

Are there unpleasant tasks staring you in the face? Are there unresolved relationships that need to be resolved? If you need to forgive someone, don’t put it off or wait, go ahead. You will enjoy putting it behind you and enjoy the gratification you have been delaying. If you need to ask forgiveness of another and apologize don’t put it off. “If you have to swallow a frog, don’t look at it. If you have to swallow a bunch of frogs, take the biggest one first.”

Eat More Ice Cream & Less Beans

2010-10-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

Sunday evening I shared God’s wisdom from the book of Ecclesiastes. This ancient book is as contemporary as today’s newspaper, in fact it is more current as it is scripture that is alive and applies to each of us in our daily life. The writer of Ecclesiastes shared his reflection from his experiences in his life that would seem ‘rich’ to most but actually was empty without God. Whether we realize it or not or choose to admit it, all of us are in a daily pursuit of fulfillment, purpose and joy in our lives. We, like the author or Ecclesiastes, seek this fulfillment in many ways. Sadly enough, many come to the end of life with regrets as the pursuits did not give us the life we thought they would. Others overlook and miss the daily joy of life as they have a desire for other things, as Jesus described with the seed sown among thorns in his parable of the soils.

Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote “When All You Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough” based on Ecclesiastes search for a life that matters. I loved one sage piece of advice he shared from an unlikely source when he wrote, “I remember reading an interview once with an 85 year old woman from the hill country of Kentucky, who was asked to look back over her life and reflect on what she had learned. With that touch of wistfulness that inevitably accompanies any statement beginning ‘If I had it to do over…,’ she said, ‘If I had my life to live over, I would dare to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would be sillier, I would take fewer things seriously…I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles but fewer imaginary ones. You see, I one of those persons who never went anyplace without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had it to do again, I’d travel lighter.’”

Jesus says it this way in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." The writer of Ecclesiastes searched for meaning in life and became obsessed with death. He saw the grave as the great equalizer awaiting all. He never knew anyone who came back from the grave, therefore much of life seemed to be meaningless and a great burden from his perspecitve. The 85 year old from Kentucky looked back and thought of a more enjoyable way she could have traveled along life's journey.

Jesus tells us to learn from him. He has experienced life, death and came back to share the way to find meaning in this pressure packed life that often overburdens us. When we come to him and learn from him taking his mission as our undertaking we find rest for our souls. As we look for purpose and meaning in our journey let us learn to lighten the load by trusting all completely to Jesus. So when you feel as if the pressures of life are so heavy to the point that it seems as if you are under a personal attack take a breath and look to Jesus who tells us in John 10:10 that there is one who comes to rob and deprive us of life but “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

Change is good...you go first!

2010-09-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

Recently I ran across an old devotional poem I had saved from ‘Bless This Mess and Other Prayers” by Jo Carr and Imogene Sorley. I am beginning to preach a new series dealing with the real change (transformation) of a life that is truly in Christ as stated in II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”. Strangely those who profess to follow the greatest change agent in history (Jesus) often seem to be the ones who struggle most with change. I thought this old devotional prayer was worth sharing.

But Lord,I’ve always bought brown sugar in square boxes with brown letters on the box.

I saw the plastic bags of sugar in the grocery store yesterday. I could tell by looking that this was a better way. The strong air-tight bags would keep the sugar soft and usable.

But I’ve always brought brown sugar in boxes…but I reached for the box. Now, back at home, I wonder why.

Lord, why are we…why am I…so reluctant to change old ways? Some old ways are valid, but some need changing. And I cling to square boxes with unthinking tenacity, just because I’ve always bought square boxes.

That is not reason enough. Times have changed – and are changing so fast it makes my head swim. I am obligated to face my days intentionally! The container that brown sugar comes in is no great thing. But there are other, weightier matters that require rethinking – and perhaps revising. If I am going to live significantly, I must make my big decisions purposefully, intentionally, comprehensively.

“New occasions teach new duties; time makes ancient good uncouth. They must upward still, and onward, who would keep abreast of Truth.”

Forgive my square boxes.

Amen.

Counting Blessings

2010-09-15T08:33:00.001-07:00

As I was driving to work today I realized how blessed I am. There is an old hymn I grew up singing in church called, “Count Your Blessings”. It is not only a classic hymn but good psychology. The more one counts their blessings and names them “one by one” the better one feels. I began realizing my blessings as I thought of my oldest daughter and her husband who are leaving on a special trip to Paris today. He gave it to her as a birthday present. They, like most young couples, have to watch their budget but he told me, “She is so good to me and never asks for anything.” I am blessed to have a great daughter and son-in-law. I thought of my other daughter, who recently earned her Master’s degree and is a counselor for children in Texas. She is also excited about being able to buy her first new car. I am excited that I don’t have to make the payments! Then I thought of my wife who is more of a loving companion to me today than when we started this adventure together 30 years ago. Not only am I blessed with my family, I began to realize and count the blessings I have just living in this country and being able to drive to my job. The drive to work became a joy rather than a frustrating navigation through traffic.

Last Sunday I shared a teaching from Psalms. The first Psalm speaks of the blessings for one who meditates day and night and delights his heart in following the ways of God. The Psalm says, “Whatever he does prospers.” This does not refer to a ‘Prosperity Gospel’ that is not in the Bible but often heard on from some pulpits, radio & TV as a ploy to gain ‘financial prosperity’ (usually for the one preaching that false gospel). The prosperity the Bible DOES speak of in Psalm 1 and other places is prosperity of life’s spiritual blessings, the blessings of living a life seeking to be righteous and loving as God commands, for his glory as well as our own blessings.

My prosperity is not found in material wealth (I balanced my check book last night and found reason to rejoice. Small numbers are easy for me.) or wonderful health. Although I am able to go at a good pace, for a man my age (I hate it when my doctor uses that phrase!) I have many health concerns that could cause me to become depressed if I sat down and listed them, as many choose to do (You know the people who think the greeting, “How are you?” is an open invitation to list all their problems as they seem to enjoy doing). However, I have breath and life today! That is a blessing from God. There are many who did not get out of bed today and have not lived as long as me. Also, there are several reasons I should have been in the grave years ago.

The point is this; we can all find reasons to complain. When we do we create a downward spiral as we become more negative and find even more reasons to complain. However, the best way to live is to find the reasons to rejoice daily in the good things. As we look and count our blessings we transform our mood and see even more blessings creating an upward spiral that begins to make the whole situation better. Paul, the Apostle, was falsely imprisoned when he wrote Philippians where he encourages those outside of his prison cell to, “rejoice”. He also writes that he learned the “secret of being content in any and every situation”. He knows Jesus is there with him, even in prison. As we daily walk with and come to know Jesus more and more we find, as Paul wrote, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Jesus transformed every funeral he encountered into a time of resurrection, especially his own. He has the resources to resurrect and transform any situation in life. Knowing, following and sharing the love of Christ can turn any situation around as we discover with him and in him we have the resources and can do whatever we need to do “through him who gives me strength.”

God IS Great!

2010-09-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

On September 11, 2001 Islamic extremists slammed hijacked jets into the Pentagon and World Trade Center Towers as they shouted the words, "Allahu Akbar”, (God is Great). This cry preceded the most horrible terrorist attack on our land and the mass murder of over 3000 people. The FBI released a handwritten hijackers' letter found in three separate copies—at Dulles, at the Pennsylvania crash site, and in Mohamed Atta's suitcase. It included a checklist of final reminders for the 9/11 hijackers. An excerpt reads: "When the confrontation begins, strike like champions who do not want to go back to this world. Shout, 'Allahu Akbar,' because this strikes fear in the hearts of the non-believers." This phrase is recited by Muslims in many different situations. For example, when they are very happy, to express approval, to praise a speaker, as a battle cry, and during times of extreme stress. In the Islamic world, instead of applause, often someone will shout ‘takbir’ and the crowd will respond "Allahu Akbar" in chorus. However, these Islamic extremists used the phrase as a terrorist battle cry. This set them apart from anything Godly or great. Murdering over 3000 people is not Godly or great.

As we acknowledge the memory of those who were murdered by these terrorists nine years ago I am reminded that there is still much confusion and anger in our nation. People condem one another and divide over religious differences. Confusion, violence and division over religious experiences have been with us since Eden. The first murder recorded on earth was over a difference in worship when Cain killed his brother Able. The battle between and within religions and denominations to determine who speaks for God has a long history.

“God told me...” is a phrase that is frequently heard to verify something. “I feel led...” or “I have been praying and I have a peace about...” are also popular phrases to validate a word or action. All too often these phrases mean, “This is how I want to obtain MY mandate”. I like to tease and ask “What did His voice sound like when He told you? Did He have an English accent or deep voice?” or “Is ‘felling led’ similar to the sensation you feel when you bite into a peppermint patty?” Call me a skeptic but when anyone claims a direct or exclusive word from God as if they just got off the phone with Him, I worry. I am also not always impressed when “having peace” about doing something is declared. Even a two-year old has peace when they get their own way. The truth and peace of God is affirmed by scripture, prayer, circumstances and the church, not simply the whim or feeling of a single individual or group.

God does speak and lead. However, I am cautious when ‘His leadership’ is used for a personal agenda, idea or desire. God’s leading should never be used lightly or to promote a political or personal agenda, idea or desire. Too many have been turned away from Jesus due to the poor witness of a church or a person who claimed or misused the name of Christ but did not display His love or Spirit in their daily life.

So, how does one know what God is saying or to whom God is speaking or leading? Who does speak for God? You see, God still speaks quite nicely and clearly for Himself through His Word, the Bible. Henry Blackaby said it well in his book,'Experiencing God'; “God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.” So it is our task to accurately interpret and follow God’s word, as we pray, read, study and obey what He has already said rather than claim or look for a new word or cause harm to those who have not yet found Him or disagree with us. Don’t be fooled. God is indeed great and He speaks quite well for Himself. His voice is most clearly heard through love. As we live our daily life and as we remember those murdered on September 11 let us respond and react in a way that reflects the ‘way, truth & life’.

CFIT

2010-09-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

“Hey - what's happening here?” These were the last words of Captain Robert Loft, on December 29, 1972, before crashing his Eastern Air Lines flight 401into the Florida everglades. He became so engrossed in a matter that seemed important at the time that he involved his whole crew in the distraction while no one noticed that they forgot the most important thing. No one was flying the plane! A new aviation term was created to account for such errors. Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) describes an accident in which an airworthy aircraft, under pilot control, is unintentionally flown into the ground, a mountain, water, or an obstacle. Pilots with any level of experience, even highly experienced professionals, may commit CFIT. Pilot fatigue, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation may play a role when the pilots get distracted and forget the main thing...like keeping the plane from crashing into the terrain (Duh!). CFIT may also apply to other events in life.

Recently I attended a meeting of some 500 pastors in my state to discuss the future of our convention. The subject of declining churches and denominations and ways to address this matter was to be the focus. Many reasons were shared to explain such things as 70% dropout rate when churched kids get to college age and can make their own decisions about going to church as well as the fact that real Spiritual growth is seen in only 11% of today’s churches. During the meeting I was reminded of CFIT and thought of Captain Loft’s final words, “Hey - what's happening here?” I wondered could it be possible that we have become so involved, distracted and disoriented in ‘religious activity’ rather than developing our relationship with God that we have become distracted like the pilots who forget to notice their primary task?

Jesus only mentioned the word ‘church’ twice; once when he established the church as his assembly of those who know him for who He really is, in Matthew 16, then later in Matthew 18 when he talked about our relationships with each other. We often get so caught up in religion and the bureaucracy of our organizational systems that we frequently have a ‘loss of situational awareness and disorientation’ and forget that the primary purpose of the whole thing is love, not our own expectations or following certain religious rituals. People don’t drop out when they are transformed by the greatest love story of all time. Constantly following and reflecting the love of Jesus will keep us from crashing into the terrain.

I fear that our ‘loss of situational awareness and disorientation’ can be a major factor other areas of life. This concept of CFIT applies not only to my profession. Government, whether state, local or national can forget their real purpose and ‘crash into the terrain’. Our government exists best as an entity “of the people, by the people, for the people”. When we forget and get away from our founding principles we can ‘crash’ as other nations have seen in history. Hopefully we are not already getting too close to the ground to pull up.

Marriages ‘crash into the terrain’ all too often when couples become ‘distracted, disoriented and have a loss of situational awareness’. The primary purpose for marriage is companionship (See Genesis 2:18). CFIT can happen in a marriage when couples become too caught up in other things and forget the main focus of the marriage is building their growing companionship. Couples must never lose sight of doing all they can to delight in doing things together growing closer as friends building a life-long companionship. Keeping Christ as the center and joy of each life and head of the marriage will not only keep each life soaring but will also keep the marriage from crashing.

Isaiah 40:31 speaks of keeping our focus on God and soaring to great heights with renewed strength an energy for the journey. Forgive the personal paraphrase, but I believe ‘those who focus and trust completely in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles and not crash into the terrain.’

Get Happy!

2010-08-13T06:17:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite quotes says, "I want to get the most out of this life because I am going to be dead a long time." That is not saying that I am not looking forward to the next life, Heaven, which will be better beyond description than this life that has been marred by sin. For me that quote speaks of all the things and experiences I enjoy from this life that I want to maximize by making the most of each day I am here.

I usually try to have fun each day with most every experience. I know that every event in life is not always fun. As a pastor, I am involved with crisis, sickness, tragedy and death on a regular basis. I have also had my own personal dealings with life's difficulties, both personal loss and health issues. My next surgery will be my tenth. However, there are many who are half my age who have trouble keeping up with me, physically and emotionally. It comes from a deliberate attitude to focus on the joys that God has given each of us each day. The Scriptures teach me that I fall short of God's plan (Romans 3:23) and my remuneration is death (Romans 6:23). However, that same verse tells me that God gives me the gift of eternal life in a relationship with Jesus. So each day I wake up with breath and life is a gift, and by following Jesus I have eternity when this life is over. Why not be happy? Ecclesiastes 3:4 says, there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." In my heart I am a great dancer!

Years ago, I taught a Bible study using Minirth & Mier's book, "Happiness Is A Choice". Rick Foster & Greg Hicks have written an excellent book entitled, "How We Choose To Be Happy". However, long before those good books were published a guy named Paul wrote a book we call the book of Philippians where he wrote, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." Remarkably, this sentence and the rest of this fascinating book was written from prison. Paul had not committed a crime, in fact, he was in prison on false charges and completely innocent. Yet he never complained but found reason to rejoice as he realized he was exactly where God wanted him and God was with him. He knew he could do whatever he needed to do and face whatever he needed to face as long as he knew Jesus who gave him strength.

As you go through the uncertainty of the day make a deliberate decision to make the most of each day and rejoice as often as you can. Make a deliberate decision to know Jesus on a personal basis, forgetting all the bad in the past and pressing on to all the good that is ahead, as did Paul (Philippians 3:10-14). Make a deliberate decision to rejoice always (see I Thessalonians 5:16). This is the only chance you get at this day. Why waste it not being happy?

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2010-08-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

From time to time I read disturbing statistics concerning the church. Millions leave the church each year. 75-80% of the churches are not growing. Serving as a pastor in today's church creates so much stress that half of those who are serving as pastors considered leaving the ministry in the last few months. 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years. 90% will NOT retire as a minister. Over 1,700 pastors quit each month. 90 percent feel they are inadequately trained to cope with ministry demands. As a professional minister of some 30 plus years and a believer of some 50 years I often wonder, “What is wrong here?” Not only do I have degrees in theology but I have a degree in marketing. To use marketing terminology, we have the best ‘product’ one can offer; eternal life, forgiveness of ALL sin, love of fellow-man and a personal relationship with the God of the universe. Why should we have such stress, conflict, anger and misery that drive people away?

Could it be that we are doing some things wrong? Ya think? The more I read the Bible the more I fail to recognize its influence and life changing truth in much of what we call church today. The Bible speaks of life changing peace that passes all understanding, love and grace for our brothers. There are and have long been many misunderstanding about church. Jesus only used the word twice (Matthew 16 & 18) in the New Testament. Once he spoke of the church when he founded it (16) and then he talked about the way we should relate to one another (18). The church He established is a gathering of transformed people who worship Christ and follow His mission. Transformation happens when God takes hold of a life. We are moved from darkness to light, orphan to adopted child, sinner to saint by the work of Christ. Every thought & action begins to change (II Corinthians 5:17). Values & attitudes soon follow. Our mission in life changes. This does not happen when one 'joins the church' as one does any other organization. The church Jesus established is a living body of transformed people who think, behave, relate, love, forgive & get along in a way the world cannot do nor understand.

Jesus did not establish religious institution, organization or denomination. He used the Greek word ECCLESIA in Matthew 16 when establishing His church. An Ecclesia was a political term, a call out assembly; an assembly called out for a purpose. We, followers of Jesus; His church are called out of our everyday lives to assemble for his purpose. His purpose is simple yet profound and life changing, to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and love our brother as we love ourselves. We are then called out to teach everything He commanded as we make disciples wherever we go. We are called out to be the living body of Christ on earth. As His church we are to be His loving hand, smile and word wherever we go.

We are to be more like a mission outpost being missionaries wherever we go rather than a religious institution that is likened to a permanent structure or an earthly organization. One of the best analogies I heard compared the church, a mission outpost, to a M.A.S.H. Unit rather than a sterile hospital, a permanent structure as a religious institution. The Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) goes wherever hurting people are, spending time near the front lines, operating near the end of its resources to help those who can’t get help any other way. The permanent structure uses much of their recourses keeping the building ready to help those who are able to come in the doors. The mission outpost operates by faith, as the pastor equips workers to serve and release their Spiritual gifts so each one can do their part. The religious institution operates by tradition, rules, majority, constitutions, business models, Pastors & deacons serve as executive officers & directors. Actions are a priority. They are always busy. They want others to be busy, join and be ‘like us’. In a mission outpost relationships are the priority. One becomes a part of the family by having a relationship with Jesus as we become like Him. In His church we grow in relationship with Him and others by becoming real in our walk with Him as we are open and honest with others in accountable growing relationships. This church, His Church, is not failing. It just has not really been tried or practiced as much as we think.

Fenced Dogs Yapp Most

2010-08-06T08:31:00.001-07:00

Someone asked me how should one respond to when others make negative comments and share or hold negative opinions about you. I guess they knew me well enough, as a pastor and a plain spoken person, that I must have had plenty of people who have had negative comments and negative opinions about me. First, we should not live our lives being concerned or directed by other opinions. There is only one that will judge me. As long as God is pleased with me I should be OK and not worry about what some other person says or thinks. As I love God with all my heart and I seek to share His love with my fellow man I will seek to treat all with the same love and respect. However, all will not respond in kind and will not hold the same opinion of me.

I once read that opinions are like arm pits, we all have more than one. Preachers are often like football coaches who get more praise than they deserve when the team does well and more blame than is theirs when things do not go as well as people think they should. All of us who do anything will receive comments and criticism from others. One should keep an objective ear to comments but never let the negative comments discourage you or keep you from doing your best.

I learned an important lesson from my pets several years ago. I owned Cocker Spaniels that I kept in our fenced back yard. Early one morning I heard them barking loudly and aggressively. I went to the back door to investigate. I saw a large dog walking leisurely through the unfenced area of my back yard. My dogs, imprisoned by the fence, were yapping loudly at the free dog as he enjoyed his walk. He walked their way and looked, which drove them wilder, and casually walked away never barking once.

I walked away smiling at the lesson God gave me. Those who often ‘bark’ loudest are those who are least free. I try to live my life as the one who barks least and enjoys the free walk God gives through His grace. So, next time you hear the ‘yapping’ of those negative voices, think of my dog story. Walk over, sniff at them in their fence then turn and walk away. You need not respond to all the yapping. The negative voices of those yapping in their fences will grow more faint and distant as you walk away enjoying your freedom.

Graduation Day

2010-07-28T05:47:00.001-07:00

I just returned from my 40th High School class reunion. It was my first. Life’s events kept me away for the previous 39. It was wonderful to see friends I had not seen in such a long time. We caught up on old times & swapped memories, as we could at our age. Before the reunion the planning committee sought to gather information to form a booklet to help class members catch up on one another. One section of the information sheet asked for ‘Memories’. Still being somewhat mischievous and realizing that others laugh at me so I might as well get a head start, I wrote my memories as follows; “I remember being 6’ 4”, being elected Most Handsome, Wittiest, Most Likely to Succeed, Captain of the Football & Basketball team, Valedictorian and Mr. Lee High. However, I have taken a lot of prescription medication and consumed a number of Diet Dr. Peppers with aspartame over the years so I may have forgotten a thing or two. Funny, I looked back in the yearbook and they only listed me as Sports Editor.”

Obviously those memories are a bit exaggerated but I thought it would give a chuckle to those who bothered reading the book after the reunion. Little did I know the MC began the program & and my introduction, as the class member who would pronounce a blessing or Invocation on the evening, using my ‘memories’. She then introduced the 6’4” ‘Pastor Billy Drees’ to pronounce the Invocation for the evening. I walked up to the microphone, barely taller than the MC and former head Cheerleader to an immediate call from the crowd to “Stand Up!” It is great to be humbled before all your friends. I loved it!

As I turned to the more serious Invocation I referred to Ecclesiastes 11:9 as the Scriptures tell us to be happy in the days of our youth and relish those days as we follow the ways of our heart. The night was to be a night of being happy, remembering and relishing those days. I also touched on the importance of relationships. Our relationship with Jesus determines our eternal destiny. I received several positive comments on my remarks. I was shyer in High School. Many would be surprised that I could stand and speak in front of a few, especially Mrs. Brewer, my former speech teacher. I also received much good natured ribbing about being 6’4”. On my best day, I am 5’7”. Several girls my height, or taller, had photos taken as they stooped to make me look tall. The best moment was Larry Swartz, one of the real athletes who is a legitimate 6’6”, walking over for a photo. I was a little taller than his belt. It was great!

It was a wonderful night as it was meant to be. I didn’t share the rest of the verse that evening as the evening was intended to be a totally fun evening. Ecclesiastes also tells us there is a time for everything. That evening when the band got too loud for me to visit Cathy and I danced. A friend said, “Is a Baptist preacher going to dance?” I reminded him of Ecclesiastes 3:4 (“...a time to dance.”). Now it’s time to complete the invocation & verse 9 as it tells us to enjoy our youth following the desires of our heart, “But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.”

In school there comes a day of accounting for action, graduation. If one does not do the proper work and does not make the grade one does not graduate. I almost learned those lessons the hard way. I must confess a love to have fun & joke than a love to study in those days. I finished near the bottom of the class of 70. In college those finishing with lower grades than me in 1974 graduated in 1975. God got my attention when He called me to seminary. I was a much better student gaining my Master’s and Doctorate degrees.

Here is the point. In all pursuits, there will come a day of accounting, graduation, judgment. Life is no different. As I visited my hometown and had fun with friends of my past I also visited a future site, my cemetery plot. That may sound morbid but I live each day reminding myself that I am headed toward a final graduation in this life where I will have to answer for how I have lived. Romans 8:1 tells me there is “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! A life lived by faith in Christ is proper preparation for that graduation. He is the only way to prepare for the final exam! That is a fact not a shaky memory. Trust me, I AM a doctor and that is on my diploma not just in my memory.

Always on Mission

2010-07-20T11:22:00.001-07:00

I love mission trips. I often tell people the best definition I have found defining a Christian missionary is, “Anyone who is born again who goes anywhere to tell anyone about Jesus.” Now, I must admit some prejudice for that definition since I wrote it but it simply reminds us that each born again follower of Jesus is a missionary every day & everywhere. Recently we took a team of mission volunteers to KY and soon we will take a team to Trinidad. I tell each mission team things I have shared and learned over the years as a life-long missionary.

I tell them to “Be Flexible”. One never knows what God has in store. We make our plans but Isaiah 55:8 reminds us that our thoughts and our ways are not the same as His. The trees that are more flexible survive the highest winds and most severe storms. The more flexible we are in life, the more we are able to be missionaries, servants and experience the joy that God has in store for us as this sin-scarred world blows unexpected storms our way. We must remember, as His missionaries, His plan is for us to follow His wind no matter where it may blow us as Jesus told us through his conversation with Nicodemus. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John 3:8)

I also tell them, "The mission trip starts ‘right now’ now when we arrive at the site or our destination". We need to be ready to reflect the light at all times. On the way to Kentucky we made our first stop for lunch at Wendy’s (my teams go first class). As we were traveling and trying to make time we breezed in for a quick lunch but a group of outsiders from another state always attracts attention. My wife & I were last in the line and a local man sitting at table with a friend asked where we were from. I told him Columbia, SC. He responded saying, “I know where that is. My son got shot there.” Well, that opened the door for conversation but another sentence spoke volumes. He told us his son-in-law committed suicide that very morning. After that stunning declaration he said, “He was a good man and a deacon in the church. I hate that he won’t go to heaven now.” This let Cathy and me know he misunderstood Biblical salvation. At that moment our bus driver came to get me with a problem. As the leader I had to be called away. As a missionary Cathy got to explain that one’s faith in Christ not one’s actions whether good or bad determines one’s eternal destiny. When anyone places their faith in Christ and becomes born in the Spirit their eternal destiny is determined by what Jesus did on the cross. We planned to swing into a fast food restaurant for a quick lunch and get back on the road. God had a divine appointment for a missionary that had eternal results. In our life as a missionary every day we need to be open, attentive, ready, flexible and willing to be used when God gives us the daily opportunity to be missionaries.

Today I was completing a hospital visit and headed to my car when I noticed a lady who seemed confused as she was receiving more confusing instruction from an attendant to the Sumter Street parking garage. I was parked in that garage so I interrupted (my wife corrects me for interrupting but she was not with me and I thought it would be OK this time) and said, “Follow me!” I pulled my Clergy badge from my pocket to let her know I was safe and was not hitting on her. (I stuff my badge in my pocket after my visits so no one looks at me funny when I get lost…preachers should know their way around hospitals. But, I get lost in my own thoughts and miss turns when I drive or walk…kinda like now). Anyway, as we walked to the parking garage she told me about her elderly mother whom she was visiting. She had recently moved her mother here to be her caretaker and it was becoming stressful.

II Corinthians 1:3 tells us our God is the “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles; so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” As we walked to her car I told her of our recent experience moving my dad from MS to become his caretakers and was able to comfort her in her trouble with the comfort I had received from God in my recent “troubles”. I thought I was “being flexible” to do a good deed to help a lady find her way out of the parking lot but I wound up being a missionary to a sister who was struggling to find her way through a more puzzling corridor.

As believers we are simply ‘Beggars showing other beggars where we found bread’. Be flexible. The mission trip starts as soon you leave the door each time you leave the house. You are on a mission trip. Jesus is your passport!

Lessons of a Life (not yet finished)

2010-07-03T05:03:00.000-07:00

Fifty eight years ago I began a journey on this planet that has given me more adventure, experiences, love, joy, pain, heartache and grace than I could have imagined. Life’s lessons are learned through all those emotions, feelings and experiences. I don’t know how many more years (or moments) I will have left. I am one of the few who would like to know how much time I have (one week before I go I would go on a strict diet of Oreo’s, Cobbler and Ice Cream). Regardless of that last statement, I do think I have learned some valuable lessons in my 58 years. Come to think of it because of statements like that, I have learned some things as well.

Socrates at his trial for heresy said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” While never accused of heresy of on the level of Socrates I am an obsessive thinker and I try to think and learn from everything. I hope I have picked up a thing or two in my day(s). I have seen people search far & wide for purpose & meaning in life. Many seek purpose or meaning in relationships, success, power. These pursuits usually lead to emptiness. Others become frustrated and escape in depression, drugs and other methods of avoidance. Oscar Wilde said, “In this world there are two tragedies. One is not getting everything one wants, the other is getting it.”

As a pastor I have been with people in enough difficult situations, end of life moments and preached enough funerals that I have learned that life is precious and fragile. Psalm 90:12 tells us our days are numbered. We don’t know the number so we need to live each day is if it may be the last. You never know which breath, word or deed may be the final one. The only way to make sure you leave this world and your loved ones with a good word, deed or smile is to try to have a good word, deed or smile every moment.

I have learned it’s important to keep close relationships with family and friends. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

I will always remember the 1st funeral I preached, as a young seminary student in my 20’s. The funeral home called to have a ‘minister’ because the deceased man was virtually unknown. There were only 8 people present. The man in the casket looked to be in his 50’s. I did my best. Afterward the only one of the 8 attendees in a suit, the one who paid for the funeral, came to thank me and told me, “He was a cousin we rarely saw who lived a hard life and I didn’t want him buried alone.” How sad that his closest family, at his funeral, did not really know him. What a lonely life. I once saw a forgettable movie but remembered a scene where a somewhat sensitive hit-man contemplated life. One can learn from many avenues. He said the following, “Look, in my business you’re surrounded by loneliness and finality. Now I don’t care what your take is on an afterlife, when people die its scary and they go alone. Now the people that I send off that have experienced love, they’re a little less scared. I mean they’re still scared but there’s calmness to ’em. I think that comes from a knowledge that somebody somewhere loved ‘em and cared for ’em and will miss ‘em.” It is vital to keep and maintain close relationships with friends and family. It is important to know and love people and know you are loved.

I have also learned over the years that pain is a part of life. There is a human tendency to avoid pain by any avenue (pills, drinking, denial, isolation, etc.) Avoidance is also a great way to avoid pain. God often uses painful situations to transform and teach. Read Hebrews 2:10. What is my loving Father teaching here? I used to be embarrassed easily so I avoided the pain of embarrassment by avoiding situations with that potential. I missed a lot of fun in the mix. Now I add my red cheeks to the fun. My wife saw a cute guy with red cheeks and found them attractive and was drawn to me and it became a plus. Sometimes going through the pain brings positive results.

Finally, remember that all things matter. Live each moment as if someone is watching and everything counts. Because someone is watching it does matter, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 tells us that all things matter, even the things that we think no one sees. God never misses a trick…even the ones we hope no one saw. In those cases, we confess, repent and allow the work Jesus performed on the cross to wipe the slate clean. It is all good! Make the most of each moment living it as if it could be your last, connecting to people as much as possible, living and learning life’s lessons from pain knowing that all things matter! Have a great one!

When Everything You Trusted Goes Wrong!

2010-06-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

Do you remember where you were when you first realized the world was not a just and righteous place and life is not fair, when your realized your government lied to you, your theology may be wrong, those your trusted had betrayed you and all you had once believed in may not be true? For some it was standing in a hospital when the test results literally caused our knees to weaken. Others had that moment when an action, discovery, letter or confession caused you to discover your spouse is found not to be the person you always thought they were. Perhaps your priest or pastor is found in a discretion that is unexplainable or the government leader who seemed so honest is found in the midst of a scandal. These are a few general examples of events when life tumbles in and the things you seemed to trust are now turned upside down.

Peripeteia is the word for what happens in a Greek tragedy where the hero suddenly finds that everything he thought he knew was wrong. There comes a time in most lives when we are smacked in the face with the terrible reality when the things and people in which we once placed confidence now are gone and we know the lost feeling of ‘Peripeteia’. When that time comes to our life what do we do? How do we move forward? Where do you find trust and security when you have been betrayed and everything you trusted or believed seems wrong or confused?

This may be the time when the real adventure of your life begins. When the things once trusted fade away one can finally look past illusions, superficiality, hopes, dreams and find real truth. It may be harsh but knowing real but truth will give you freedom. Once you know real truth you will never be dissapointed, dissalusioned, misled, abandoned or misguided again. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” If you think that quote sounds too good to come from me, actually it does. Jesus said it and John recorded it in his Gospel (chapter 8, verse 32).

In fact, not only is that statement truth but the author of that statement ‘IS’ truth! He is the only one in whom you will never be dissapointed, dissalusioned and he will never abandon you. People, governments, institutions (even religious institutions) will all fail because they are human & founded on human beliefs and run by humans. Try as we may, we have faults and are finite. Our best efforts fall short. When we choose role models, ideals, institutions to idolize we set ourselves up for failure and dissapointment. However, once we find that feeling of ‘Parapettio’ we are free to look beyond the superficiality of all we once trusted and find real truth, brutal as it may be at times.

Real brutal truth tells us that as much as we exersize and eat right, eventually our bodies are going to be food for maggots (how is that for a start at harsh reality?). Real brutal truth tells us the only way we can experience love is to continue to open our hearts to be broken. Real brutal truth tells us the only way we can overcome being hurt is to forgive and forget, as God has forgiven us. Real truth tells us that the best we can do is have faith in God who teaches us to love Him with a love that goes beyond understanding and love our neighbors, ALL OUR NEIGHBORS, as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:34-40). Real brutal truth comes when you realize you don't have to put on an act, pretext or seek to please anyone because it is only what God thinks of you that really matters. Real Brutal truth is being completely honest with God, knowing He is real, honest with you and you don't have to put on a front with Him. Real brutal truth is found in facing the mirror first thing in the morning and seeing what Jesus sees and realizing He honestly said, “That is a face I would die for!”

My name is Bill and I am an addict

2010-06-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

I am an addict. Since it is just us and I can trust you to keep this between us, I am making this confession. I have struggled all my life with my addiction. I confess my addiction to be hopeless. I am addicted to sin. Now before you begin to look down on me, you might as well confess your own addiction with me. All of us are addicts to some particular avenue of sin. Romans 3:23 tells us that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. You see many have too long thought of sin as “taking a smoke, drink, swear or chew and hanging with guys and girls who do”. Sin is actually anything that causes us to fall short of the glory of God.

The word most often used for sin in the Scriptures is the Greek word, HAMARTIA, which means to ‘miss the mark’. It is the picture of an arrow headed for the bull’s eye but landing short of the intended target. Of all that exists in God’s handiwork, we are the only entity that was created in the image and likeness of God. We were aimed for a high target. Aristotle also used the word Hamartia to describe tragedy, the fall of a noble man caused by some excess or mistake in behavior, not because of a willful violation of the gods' laws. Hamartia is related to hubris which means extreme haughtiness or arrogance. Hubris often indicates being out of touch with reality and overestimating one's own competence or capabilities, especially for people in positions of power. Simply speaking, it is thinking we are somehow special and above the rules that apply to others.

Anytime we fall short of God’s glory in the way we live, love, express joy we seek to satisfy our addiction or sin. Each of us has our own avenue for this addiction. I once heard that one could sum the trifecta of Pride, Sloth and Fear from which most sin evolves. We are either too arrogant to notice or admit our real problems, too lazy to do what is necessary to change or too fearful to really live a life trusting God by faith.

Often we will accept and try to tolerate our addiction by drowning it in many ways. Some will live in blind ignorance as whole religions and philosophies have done proclaiming “we don’t have a problem.” Ignoring, expressing tolerance won’t make it better. Others live with the addiction claiming “I was born this way.” All of us were born with an addiction. I was born with an addiction to heterosexuality. I always had a very strong appreciation of pretty women. My addiction often troubled me as a young single man seeking to live a righteous and celibate Christian life until I met a very pretty woman who loved me enough to be my wife. I still appreciate God’s creation of the opposite sex but I made a lifelong comment to be addicted only to the one to whom I said “I do” thirty years ago. Now it is fun to mount up to God’s glory and love her as Christ loved the church. Just the other night we had a romantic supper on the deck, held hands on the swing for hours and…well I digress.

If you do not admit (as I just did) and deal with your addiction, it will destroy the joy God intends you to have as you are created and aimed for a higher target. For instance I also have an addiction to Double Stuff Oreos. I know they are on the shelf of the cookie isle, waiting to jump into the shopping cart, so I don’t go down that isle. Sometimes avoiding places, people and activities is necessary to avoid problems with addiction. A 12-step program will not work. Trusting your life completely to Jesus, receiving his forgiving healing grace and the inward power of the Holy Spirit to change you day by day is the only answer. He will teach, change and guide you if you will be honest with yourself and let Him work to heal your addiction.

Hello, I my name is Bill and I am an addict.

60 Seconds

2010-05-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

My father had a plaque on his desk that I will always remember. It read, “For every minute you are angry you lose 60 seconds of happiness.” It described a philosophy by which he lived, as I shared recently at his funeral, as well as a philosophy he passed on to me. Not only is it a good philosophy but it is theologically sound. Philippians 3: 13-14 says, Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Now, the Bill Drees translation is this, “Guys, I may not have everything figured out yet, but here is what I am doing; forgetting the past, by making things right with all I can and living as hard as I can to be what God has called to do and created me to be until I am in Heaven.”

Too many lives and too many moments that can never be redeemed are lost by living and focusing on the past. All we have is this moment and it is a fragile vapor. James 4:14 gives the sobering reminder that we are not promised another moment other than this one we currently have. “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” I am constantly amazed at the way people choose to spend the vapor of the moment, which is all the life we know we will have, being angry, foolish, holding a grudge, fearful, worrying, having hurt feelings or being self-centered. It is much easier to get over things quickly and enjoy the moment. That is why most people see me with a quick smile, even in the midst of life’s storms. It helps the storm to pass quickly. Jesus woke from a storm, brought immediate peace then questioned the faith of those followers who were afraid during the storm. You see He was so restful and at peace with the Father that he could sleep when others were erroneously worried for their lives.

Worries, anxiety, anger, fear, failure to quickly forgive are all emotions that one never sees in the face of Jesus. As a professing follower of Jesus far too many actually live as Atheists when it comes time to practice this faith in life’s storms. Church people can be some of the worst at failing to put faith into practice. I know some former church members who are still holding a grudge against me three churches ago. Bless their hearts (those of you who know true Southern know the real translation of that phrase.) I once had a group of youth who became angry at the pastor because I expected them to be somewhat quiet and not disrupt the worship service so they vandalized my home. I guess they needed to advance a little in school and church knowledge because they didn’t realize that my home was the church parsonage and they simply damaged church property angering their parents who were church members. Anger and vengeance rarely works as we plan. It is best to forgive as quickly as possible so we can move to happiness and joy. One never knows when the vapor of live will flicker out. I have officiated at funerals for people in their 90’s and less than 9 months.

My first sermon was from John 10:10, “The thief comes to rob steal, kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” It has been nearly thirty five years since I first preached this message and I still want to get the most out of each day. The best way is to live each moment loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as your self. Life is too short to hold a grudge, be anxious, worry or be afraid. I don’t know when my vapor will flicker out but until it does I will try to make the most of each moment by getting my 60 seconds of happiness. I hope you will do the same. The best time to start is now. GO!

Life Changing Power

2010-05-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

Preachers are often asked tough questions. After going to school for many years I thought I was ready for the questions. I could not wait to go to parties or other places and have people ask the tough questions. Once after Church a man approached me and said, “Preacher, I have a question!” I thought, “Here we go…I have studied, I am ready. Put it to me!” He said, “Was the thermostat broken, I thought I was going to freeze to death during church.” Some people like to try to trick you by asking things like, “Where did Cain get his wife?” I quickly respond by telling them I would tell you if I were Able. (And you thought all those years in theology classes were a waste?) Other questions are real as people truly seek answers for life’s difficult struggles. People wonder; “Why do some join the church and drop out?, Why do church members often act so mean?, Why do bad things happen? Why am I, as a Child of God, having all this trouble?” Or as a book for teens so adequately expressed for many of us, “If I Am A Christian, Why Can’t I Get My Locker Open?”

Preachers preach about life changing power. Why are so many things the same? Why do we seem to try our best and struggle so hard with some of the same difficulties? First we must remember that Biblical Christianity is not about following rules, rituals & get blessings. Some struggles are there for our growth & perfection (Hebrews 2:10). Nothing grows in complete sunshine. To have growth there must be some rain. God is in the process of building something eternal. Too often our perspective comes from a short-term worldly and selfish perspective. Too often we give up & believe change is impossible. Human behavior experts tell us after age 30 rarely change. However, we hear about the Gospel being the power to change anything in your life.

I have long been captivated by II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” Notice he did not say ‘in church but in Christ’. Lets look at the way to receive life changing power as we break down the powerful verse word for word phrase by phrase.

“Therefore” - refers to the previous verses (14, 15) as these are additional consequences of identification with Christ in death & resurrection. Christianity not for the casual observer. It requires complete and reckless surrender. “Anyone” – It is available for anyone; no matter their race, gender, pocketbook, past history, background, etc. ANYONE means ANYONE! “In Christ” - a favorite term for Paul. He doesn’t say in church, denomination, movement, experience…in Christ! He is speaking of a personal daily involvement/relationship with risen Lord. In Christ means all things that are Christlike are in you; such as: Truth, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,...(see Galatians 5:22, 23). If the Fruit of the Spirit is not evidenced in your life, there may be evidence of the absence of Christ in your life. One can be in church and be unchanged. One cannot be in Christ and be unchanged! “New”- There are two Greek words for new: NEOS & KAINOS. NEOS means, ‘of most recent production (A Ford purchased in June vs. a Ford purchased in January is neos). KAINOS means new as to form of quality or of a different nature from the old. (My old form of transportation was a bicycle my kainos form of transportation is a Ferrari!) This means there is a completely new set of standards, vision, thoughts (I Cor. 2:15). “Creation”- Construction term (act of establishing, building). A completely new thing or being is established. A person reborn in Christ is the fulfillment of God’s original purpose in creation. We are in His Image. Our lives are a reflection of Christ (Matthew 5:14).

What happens after one become a new creation? “Old Things” (from the Greek word Archia) Archaic, outdated things belonging to past times begin to pass away. This refers to unregenerate ways, acts of sinful nature (Galatians 5:19-20) that are “Passed Away”. According to the Greek tense this is a continuous process. Leaving sin as a way of life. Sinful ways either going or gone. We don’t need them anymore. “Behold” the note of triumph as we move into the life of triumphant changing power. “ All Things Become New” is in the Greek perfect tense which means three things; first, this is action in continuous progress – Not one time event, God not finished yet! Hang in there! Second, your salvation experience is coming to a point of culmination – you will become completely like Jesus in Heaven. Third, it exists as a completed result – Jesus made you new! Continue to reflect Him as you enjoy your walk, loving others as you grow in grace.

When God Seems Silent

2010-05-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

In the climactic ending scene of one of my favorite movies, Cool Hand Luke, Paul Newman who plays Lucas Jackson goes to an abandoned church to talk to God. After several failed attempts at prayer he feels as if God is giving him the silent treatment. I love the movie for several reasons but this scene truly is one that I identify with. I can’t speak for everyone, sometimes I talk so much I wonder if I can speak for myself but I have had times when I felt as if I was getting the silent treatment from God. I know the feeling of Lucas Jackson of being on his knees in the church, folding his hands, trying his best to pray as he has been taught and hearing nothing then peeking up only to see empty rafters above his head.

There have been times when the voice of God seemed strong, unwavering and direct (admittedly not as often as I would like). There have been times when I felt overcome by waves of grace so strong that it brought tears and I am not one easily given to those emotions (OK, the older I get the sappier I become). However, there have been times when my spirit felt dry as the voice of God seemed silent. What is going on when God seems silent?

There is an old saying, “If you feel distant from God, ask, ‘Who Moved?’” The question reminds us of the omnipresence of God who promises to be with us always, never leaving or forsaking us. However, there are times when God is with us but silent. Before Jesus came to the disciples in a supernatural way, walking on the water, he watched them from a distance as he let them struggle against the wind alone. Another time Jesus was in the boat with the disciples in the midst of a terrible storm. The word used to describe the storm is SIEZEMOS from which we get out word seismograph; the device used to measures earthquakes. They feared for their lives. Jesus was right there with them but he was not doing anything. In fact, he was asleep. Although Psalm 121:4 tells us, “he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. There are times in every life when God seems distant or napping as we cry out to him. What is going on in those times? What do we do?

Often God seems distant because we did indeed move. When the distance is caused by our drifting we need to draw back to Him. The first checkpoint is our connection with Him. Where are we in listening, understanding and following His word? When help is needed in understanding, communicating, connecting and following; do what is necessary to find the help needed. Don’t let pride, bitterness, or laziness get in the way. This is why it is vital to be active in a community of believers.

There are other times when we are sincerely trying our best in prayer & Bible study to commune, connect and draw near to God but he seems silent and distant. These are the difficult days when the Scriptures seem dry as dust and prayers never seem to get past the ceiling. Where is God in these times and why is he silent? First, do not despair; you are not alone in these days. Read the Psalms and you will find prayers from David and writers who honestly cried out with the same questions.

Even when God is silent He is with us. He promised to be with us always and never leave or forsake (Matthew 28:20 & Hebrews 13:5). He often uses silence to allow us to grow in our own faith as we struggle. Jesus left the disciples, in Mark 6, to strain alone for a while but at the right time He came to them, even when it seemed humanly impossible for help to arrive, He literally walked on water to get there. When we need Him, He comes at the right time and nothing can hinder His arrival. Look at the time as Jesus was silent in the midst of the SIEZEMOS storm that they thought would be their demise. Rather than fear they should have interpreted His silence as the mood of faith. They were not in danger. As we often do today, they over exaggerated the trouble. They were not about to drown. The boat was not about to sink. They just took on a little water. In fact they forgot as long as they were with Jesus they didn’t even need the boat. If the boat sank He could walk on the water and carry them to shore. He would teach them that lesson of faith soon enough, Oh if we would just wait and have faith!

Often God’s silence precedes a great event from Him. Remember there were three days of silence before the resurrection. After the last word from an Old Testament prophet there were some 400 years of silence before Jesus entered human history as, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” So next time God seems silent. Grow in your faith as you trust him to do something great in your midst!

Contentment

2010-04-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

I used to play a lot of golf. However, I found myself spending time and money getting frustrated. I never was satisfied with my results. Once I left the course frustrated with a score of 75 because I remembered 3 putts that just missed keeping me from scoring even par or 72. I confess struggles with the demon of perfectionism since I was a kid. There is merit in always wanting to improve and get better but frustration and despair results from never being satisfied with the current situation. The Apostle Paul shares a remarkable word in his letter to the Philippian church as he says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” What a gift and goal for all to learn to be content no matter whatever the circumstances. Attaining this stage in life was even more remarkable considering these words were penned in prison. Paul had not committed a crime, other than preaching truth when people in power wanted to avoid dealing with God’s truth.

The world in which we live promotes dissatisfaction with our lives. We are constantly bombarded with newer and better things touted to make our lives more complete if only we would obtain them! When we listen to the world, we compare lifestyles and possessions of others with our own, and often become dissatisfied. If our contentment comes from possessions, activities, or other people, these can be altered or removed. If our contentment comes from our relationship with Christ, there is absolutely nothing that can take that away.

Dr. Henry Blackaby says, “Contentment frees you to enjoy every good thing God has given you. Contentment demonstrates your belief that God loves you and has your best interest in mind. Discontent stems from the sin of ingratitude and a lack of faith that God loves you enough to provide for all that you need. Strive to be grateful for all that God has given you. A grateful heart has no room for envy.”
Envy, ingratitude and desire for things and relationships that we do not have can lead to discontent. We begin to think we deserve more than we have. Scripture reminds us we actually have more than we deserve. Romans 3:23 tells us all we all fall short of what we have been created to be. Romans 6:23 tells us what we earn by falling short is death. The fact that we have breath to express discontent should remind us to be appreciative. Each breath is a gift of grace from God. When we become grateful for what we have rather than focused on what we desire we begin to enjoy the life all around us rather than lose the blessings of the day.

After I learned to enjoy the round of golf rather than be frustrated by the score I found it a nice way to spend some time. I also enjoy time in my kayak. Kayaking gives a good parallel to enjoy life and find contentment on a daily basis, as did Paul, no matter the circumstances. There are three basic rules I read posted on the Snake River. They are as follows; 1. Go with the flow & don’t get addled-lean back. 2. If worse comes, let go of everything you’ll come up. 3. Danger is part of the trip. Enjoy the ride!

When we completely trust all our lives to Christ by faith we can find contentment each day as we go with the flow. When the worst happens we can let go of things we thought we needed and survive as He brings us up. Finally, when we lose anxiety and worry seeking safety and security in things of this world we can find contentment each day. Helen Keller said it this way, “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” So don’t get addled-lean back and enjoy the ride.

Off Camera

2010-04-22T12:09:00.001-07:00

Candid pictures can reveal quite a bit about. When one knows they are going to have a picture made one usually makes a pose. We will always try to put the best face forward when we have fair warning. However, a candid shot catches you in your normal pose of life, what you look like off camera when you think no one is looking. I took my staff on a mission vision trip. Pictures were taken to make presentations when we got back to the church. I was surprised when I saw one picture with me included as I thought I was being careful to stand well out of camera range.

The picture was one of a teacher who is involved in a ministry that provides food to needy children. I have known and worked with her for years. We share several things. We are dedicated followers of Jesus, we love to help people, we have a zest for life and we both have been miraculously saved from an early death. More about that in a moment, back to the picture where I thought I was standing out of the picture until I saw the presentation at my church. It was a complete surprise. I thought I was well out of camera range. The picture would just be of her. There I was standing in the edge of the photo. looking away with a big grin on my face.

As the pastor of the church I am somewhat public, like it or not, and my picture pops up often. I do think we could do something more attractive to draw members but that is another matter. A member once remarked, “You are always smiling!” I hadn’t thought about it but, I guess they were right. I smile a lot. I don’t know what I was smiling about in this shot; my wife says it looks like I was up to something. I admit, I am often ‘up to something’. Often I’m thinking of a way I can do something to bring a smile to the other person in the room, I think joy should be shared.

As a believer there is no reason NOT to smile a lot. Life does have its troubles. Jesus tells us it rains on the just and the unjust. However, when one has faced their own mortality as Jenny and I both have done you learn not to sweat the small stuff. When you are a follower of Christ, as we both are, the WORST that can happen is you die, and go to heaven forever! How bad is that? You just gotta smile!

The teacher in the picture where I am caught smiling is a sister in Christ who shares an easy smile because she survived a severe allergic reaction that placed her in a coma where she could not breathe, use her muscles or communicate but could hear the doctors say that she would not make it. She fooled them. She had to learn to talk, walk and eat again as well as smile. I had three aneurysms and a rare renal artery disease that were undetected apart from a rare & unusual kidney stone that led to other tests. My doctor told my wife, “This is what we normally discover during the autopsy as we wonder what causes a man to die in his sleep or suddenly drop dead seeming healthy in mid-life. God has something yet for him to do!”

II Corinthians 1:4 tells us God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received from God. The Greek word for comfort literally means ‘stand beside’. God may not remove troubles in this sin-scarred world but he promises to stand beside us. Then he connects us with others who walked through similar troubles or are may be walking through similar troubles so we can stand beside them as their comfort.

When you truly realize each day is a gift and God is standing beside you it is a joy to stand beside others and have them stand with you. Every day he gives us breath is filled with purpose. When troubles come, God is standing beside us helping us learn and grow. You are going to make it. Even in the midst of darkness, someone named David called it the valley of the shadow of death, God is there. You can manage a smile knowing God is with you. He promises in Hebrews 13:5 never to leave or forsake you. When we learn and grow from those valleys he leads us to stand beside others in their troubles to help them learn and grow. You just gotta smile!

More Than a Gardener

2010-04-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

Mary Magdalene went to find the body of Jesus on that first Easter morning. She wanted to express her tremendous grief, anoint his body with burial spices and just to be near the man who freed her from numerous evil spirits that previously had dominated and controlled her life. She found an empty grave and began weeping thinking the body had been removed. She did not take much notice of the others at the grave who asked why she was weeping. She saw another whom she thought was the gardener. He spoke her name and immediately she knew it was Jesus; ALIVE! The joy was indescribable. Imagine visiting the fresh grave of most important beloved person in your life and seeing them standing beside it!

That emotion is the eternal passion of Easter as well as the abundant life knowing the risen Lord as your savior and redeemer. Often lost in that incredible feeling is the fact that she originally thought he was the gardener. Nothing is scripture is placed there without reason. There is a striking contrast in the work of a gardener and that of the risen Lord. A gardener goes about making things look better. Jesus makes all things new (Revelation 21:5). A gardener dresses up things temporarily (he has to keep trimming, pruning and cutting but his work is short-lived. His garden will keep growing and he will have to keep at it.) Romans 6:9-10 tells us the work of Jesus was one time for ALL time! When we place our faith in Him the work of salvation is complete. We just need to continue to grow in our relationship with him becoming like him by faith. This comes through the power of the Holy Spirit, His word and fellowship with the body of Christ (other believers).

Mary knew the gardener was Jesus when He called her name. John 10 tells us the Good Shepherd “calls his own sheep by name and leads them”. When Jesus calls us by name there is no mistaking His voice. We are often too distracted to hear His voice. Like Mary who was too caught up in her own grief to see and recognize angels or Spiritual beings we can get caught up in our own feelings and emotions and walk past God’s ‘angels’ or messengers everyday. The word angel comes from the Greek word "angelos" which means messenger. So and angel is literally a message or messenger from God.

Every Easter (and on other Sundays as well) many people do as the gardener. They try to ‘make things look good’. We can dress up, act a certain way but it will only be temporary without Jesus. Religion and church can make things look good for a while but only Jesus can transform hearts and make things new forever. II Corinthians 5:17 speaks of becoming new creatures by being IN Christ NOT in a building with a steeple. No matter how pretty or impressive, it is just a building without Jesus. I tell our folks, “We don’t come to church, we ARE the church!”

Mary went looking for Jesus that morning and thought she had missed Him until He called her. He is sending ‘angels’ or messengers and calling us daily. Let us not get distracted in our own feelings, agenda or thoughts to miss Jesus as He stands before us ALIVE!

The Secret

2010-03-24T06:51:00.001-07:00

The pretty young sales clerk smiled and asked, “Do you need any help?” I answered, “I need help in more ways than I can answer but for the moment I need you to assist me in purchasing a gift for my wife. I want to give her something special to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the day I proposed.” She sighed, “That is so sweet. I have been engaged for two weeks. What is the secret of a long and happy marriage?” As I made my purchase we talked about the ‘secret’. Others may have their opinion but Cathy and I are more in love now and having more fun than we did on our honeymoon so if your ‘secret’ works for you good enough but here is mine…

There is no real secret! It takes love, hard work, commitment, and a determined obedience to do what you promised to do in front of each other, whatever witnesses gathered at the wedding and God. Now, I realize that does not sell many movie tickets or romance novels but you can ask my wife and she will tell you that we have more lasting REAL romantic moments and REAL romance than any of those fiction novels or movies! Now we both will admit that we have had our adventures with learning each other over the years. (How’s that for PC language in saying that some passionate discussions are not always made with smiling faces?) However, we always wind up better and stronger in our love.

One problem with so many relationships is the misunderstanding of love. A good example comes from an old country song by Tom T. Hall entitled, ‘I Love’. It is meant to be a sweet simple song serenading a girl but listen to a verse; “I love leaves in the wind, pictures of my friends, birds in the world, and squirrels. I love coffee in a cup, little fuzzy pups, bourbon in a glass, and grass and I love you too.” Now, I don’t know about you but I think I realize why ole Tom T. had trouble stayin’ married. When one is on the same level as a glass of whiskey and squirrels one should begin to smell the coffee, which is also on the same level as the love he feels for you “TOO”!

Real love that is the ‘secret’ to marriage is best described in New Testament. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 for a good description. The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language. The Greeks had more than one word for love. Three words are prominently used in the Bible. EROS is the physical attraction that usually causes us to notice one another in the first place. It may change from time to time as our physical appearance may do so over the years so a relation built entirely on EROS will be shaky. PHILIA describes the love of a best friend. Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love gets its name from that word. Then there is AGAPE which is different. Both of the previous ‘loves’ have to do with feelings and emotions. However AGAPE is not a feeling or emotion but a willful decision of the mind to love someone, even if they are hard to love, unlovable, disappoint you or don’t wind up as you hoped or even happen to be an enemy. Agape is the unfailing love that God has for us. It is truly humanly impossible to have this love without Christ in your life. That is why so many marriages without Jesus do not last.

One can have a relationship based on attraction or looks and when attraction wanes or someone else looks good the attraction goes in that direction. That love is conditional and does usually not last. One can have a relationship based on friendship that is good but without enough passion and commitment to last when things get tough, as they will in this sin-scarred world. None of us get through this life without wounds. That love is also conditional and does not usually last on its own. However, when a relationship has the foundation of Christ who gives us His power to love, forgive & forget and hang in there beyond our human resources when the conditions fluctuate, as they will, THEN we will have the secret! A relationship that balances EROS (attraction), PHILIA, (friendship) and AGAPE (a willful commitment to love and never leave or forsake no matter what happens) has found the secret that is worth sharing.

I didn't think my life would turn out like this!

2010-03-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

“I didn’t think my life would turn out like this!” That’s what my dad told me as he assessed situation of being a widower and his necessity to move away from his home and have assistance due to continued declining health. Actually none of us really know exactly how the story of our lives will turn out or how the story will end. When asked, most people say they do not want to know how or when they will die. On the contrary I do want to know how and when I will die! I realize I am different but if I knew when it was going to happen, then a week before I am going to die I would eat nothing but Double Stuffed Oreos and Ice Cream! Why bother eating fruit when there is just a week left! On a more serious note I did hear one lady late in her long life say that if she had it all to do over again she would “eat more ice cream and less beans”. (My translation: beans are good for you and are a necessary part of your diet, but ice cream is more fun…or more simply, ”Do what is necessary in life but have as much fun as possible as you do it!”)

Famous author Stephen Covey writes that we are responsible for 90% of what happens to our lives, which is the way we react to the 10% of that which we cannot control. I have read his works and agree that our reaction is important but respectfully disagree with his math. (But I am sure, as a best selling author, he worries about my disagreement all the way to the bank). There are some who are born into a family of abuse, addiction or dysfunction that affects their lives on a larger percentage than 10%. Others cannot control the health that changes their lives. I have known many who have had their lives turn out in very surprising and shocking ways when a spouse becomes unfaithful, has a disease or dies creating a life situation out of their control but it destroys their dreams and their future.

I have learned that there are some parts of our life story that we simply cannot control. In spite of my desire know how and when my life will end (to get a head start on my Oreo binge if for no other reason) I cannot know the ending. Regardless of my desire to work things out the way I think best, I do not always know the best way. I do not have complete knowledge. Isaiah 55: 8 reminds me, God’s thoughts are not my thoughts and his ways are not my ways. I have to trust God even when I don’t understand and it doesn’t make sense to me. I know he loves me and he knows best. While one can not control how or when life will end in this world, when we place our faith in Christ we can have the assurance of what happens afterward. Jesus comes to take us to be with him (John 14:1-4).

Life here does have its uncertain qualities. However, there are some parts of my life story that I can write. I can write what I do today. Dad did not know his life would turn out like this but he did have a plaque on his desk that read, “For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness!” He taught me that we may not know how things will turn out in this world but we can make the most of each moment. I remember growing up in a home of laughter. I still am famous for asking my wife, in the middle of one of those ‘discussions’ that married couples sometimes have, “OK how long to we have to stay mad about this? Is 3 minutes OK or do we have to use up 5?” (Take it from me, under those circumstances that question does not normally subtract minutes but I am a slow learner in some things).

Ecclesiastes 11 4-6 tells us, “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” One way of understanding what this scripture is telling us is to stop waiting to figure everything out or find the perfect time or answer for things in life. Sometimes one has to make the most of the opportunity at hand because we do not know what tomorrow may bring. So…sow while you can. Trust God with the harvest!

The Blues Just Natch’ly Comes Through

2010-03-12T12:38:00.000-08:00

As a boy I wanted to play the guitar. Dad surprised me with an expensive guitar he purchased from a client. It was slightly used but a real bargain. I still remember him smiling as he shared this direct quote, “Mr. Jack I needs to get rid of this thang. We had a revival at church and I got religion. I keep trying to play church songs but the blues just natch’ly comes through so I got’s to sell her.” I was only a boy but the quote stayed with me as the years passed because I often identify with the struggle with my own shortcomings.

I would love to own a Harley. However, I haven’t driven a motorcycle in years. I probably wore out several guardian angels not having the discipline to drive slowly. I often think John Newton writing Amazing Grace added the verse; “Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far” just for me. I even walk fast today but my two legs do not have enough horsepower to get me into trouble. I really learned my lesson during one of my many mid-life crisis times (I stopped calling them mid-life because I am now 57 and don’t think I will make 114 at my pace). I bought a used Porsche. I got my first ticket four days later. My local police chief told me red sports cars were ticketed more than any other. I thanked him for the tip, after the fact! Anyway, I was on my way to an out of town conference. It was a beautiful day. I put in my driving music and hit the road. A car with a radar detector (fuzz buster as some call them) zoomed past me. I thought, “I’ll hang with you & let you run interference & we’ll enjoy the road today.” I turned up the volume, dropped the peddle and we were off. I was thoroughly enjoying weaving through traffic with my high speed ‘escort’ when I noticed buildings that seemed unusual. I had become so captivated with my enjoyable drive that I was in the wrong city (not only does time fly by when you are having fun but evidently so do exit signs), but “Man, I made great time!” God truly convicted me. So…”I got’s to sell her.” I now drive an 11 year old economy truck ("old man truck" according to my girls).

Whether it is ‘playing the blues’, which I still enjoy by the way or being undisciplined in other areas of life. Each of us has our own primary avenue that more easily leads to disaster and destruction. Usually they can be categorized in the famous triad of PRIDE (vanity), FEAR or SLOTH (we are simply too lazy to do the work to improve or better ourselves).

One does not have to look much farther than the mirror to find Robert Lewis Stevenson’s inspiration for the classic, ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ where the good Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with his evil curisoties until he is overcome by them. Paul, the Apostle, wrote of this in Romans 7, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”

All of us struggle with our weaknesses. Jesus tells us, in the Sermon on the Mount, “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” Obviously he is not advocating bodily mutilation but leaving those things that cause us trouble. This is why I don’t go down the cookie isle in the grocery store. There are Double Stuff Oreos on the shelf! I can hear them calling me!

God created us to live an abundant life (John 10:10). We cannot do so if we are slaves to the things that cause us to stumble. Jesus gives us the power to say no. Each of us knows our own primary avenue that more easily leads to disaster and destruction. To get the most joy out of your life, go ahead and give the culprit a name (confession) and realize it is time when “I gots to sell her.” (repent)and give it up. The power of the Holy Spirit can allow you to go in a different direction and really enjoy the music!

A Different Perspective

2010-03-04T18:07:00.001-08:00

So I am wondering when God will give up trying to teach me patience…I get a phone call telling me that one of my Dad’s best friends from back home has died. I don’t need to tell him this over the phone. Cathy and I go to tell him in person. On the way we stop to get his favorite snack to soften the bad news, he told me earlier in the day to bring him some Honey Buns (when you are nearly 84 you should eat all the sweets you can). I swing in the store to quickly grab a box and head to the express counter (I am always at top speed even when I don’t need to hurry...it is just my pace of life). A lady with a few more items than me almost pushes me out of the way to go ahead. OK, I am a gentleman (even though I only have one item) my mother taught me Ladies’ go first so I step back. She then seeks to pay with a food stamps card. It doesn’t work. The young high school clerk struggles to make it work. The woman becomes indignant barking instructions embarrassing the young clerk.

I am now growing impatient; my wife is waiting in the car. I told her I would only be a second. We are trying to visit Dad and share the news, stay to comfort him and then still get home without staying up too late because we both have early work days tomorrow. I am now thinking about leaving the single box of Honey Buns (I can get some later) and just leaving. However, that will call attention to me as someone who seems publicly impatient and now I spy my next door neighbor at the next register. She knows I am a pastor and I need to be aware of my public behavior. “Lord, will you try to teach me to be patient at a better time?”

Now the manager has been called in and he is not helping to expedite the situation. The line behind me is growing longer as the manager is struggling to make the food stamps card work. I am now thinking about just paying for her groceries myself so we can get on the way…wait she is trying to pay with a food stamps card. I am a tax payer. I AM ALREADY PAYING FOR HER GROCERIES! “Lord why won’t you teach me patience some other time?”

Finally the manager tells her the card simply will not work. The woman PULLS OUT CASH and PAYS FOR THE GROCERIES! “Lord why won’t you teach me patience some other time?”

I get out to the car and Cathy asks me what took so long…as I tell the story and get wound up (I am a preacher, I am a professional at getting wound up). I then begin to realize all that has happened to me is a few extra minutes in an express lane. I am not about to hear news that my best friend has died. I am not a grieving widow back in my home town who has lost her mate and best friend of most of her life. I settle down and thank God for the lesson in perspective and PATIENCE. “Thank you Lord for teaching me patience at this time!”

"Where Are You?"

2010-02-25T05:56:00.000-08:00

“Where are you?” That’s the first recorded question from God to man. God did not need a GPS to locate Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:9. He knows the numbers of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30). He knows the very secrets of our hearts and where we are even in the darkest night. There is nowhere we can go to flee his Spirit or presence (Psalm 139). So what was God asking by calling out, “Where are you?”

The question then and today is introspective. Adam & Eve were clearly seeking to avoid an encounter with their creator because they had committed the first act of disobedience. They were seeking to hide themselves in shame because of their disappointment and failure. We have many methods of ‘hiding’ today. We seek to hide in work, other relationships, drugs (prescription drugs count also), ego gratification, such as food, sex, power grabs, etc. even religious activity or any number of other ways to hide our own shame or admission of failure.

Since Eden we all have failed. The word most translated sin in the scriptures comes from a Greek word that simply means ‘to miss the mark’. We were created in the image of God for divine and unique fellowship with the Supreme Being of the universe. Anytime we fall short of his glory (which is daily) we fail.

God wanted Adam & Eve to examine themselves (and us as well) to see where they were in their relationship with Him. He was seeking to restore them and provide means for restoration. He is always seeking to do the same with us. This is only done through faith in Christ. They, like us, were and are the only entity in all creation with the ability to make ‘God-like’ choices with and in our lives. With this opportunity comes responsibility. To make responsible, better or God-like choices we must continually examine our motives, heart, mind and soul asking, “Where am I?”

Examining our own heart, beliefs and motives on a continual basis leads to a walk closer to God rather than one that wanders away. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates said that at his trial for heresy. He was on trial for encouraging his students to challenge the accepted beliefs of the time and think for themselves. I Thessalonians tells us to “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” Now, that doesn’t mean that I need to try cheating, crime, drugs, adultery, drunkenness, etc. I don’t need to re-test that which is already proven defective and destructive. Nonetheless, I do need to be open to continually ask myself “Where are you?” in my own thoughts, motives and actions; am I being honest with others, myself and God?

However, we are not often the best to search and evaluate where we are. We have proven ourselves to be biased and blind to some of our best hiding places. We can justify, rationalize and cover- with the best of them. Who then is the best to seek, find and bring us out of ‘hiding’ to enjoy the place for which we were created which is unsheltered, blissful, divine and unique fellowship with the Supreme Being of the universe?

Psalm 139 closes with the wonderful answer to the self-examining question. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Begin each day and pause several times during the day to ask the Father, “Where am I?” He will let you know if you have wandered. He will bring you back. He misses you and desperately wants you back. This is why he continually walks the garden asking, “Where are you?”

Life is Good!

2010-02-18T17:36:00.000-08:00

The last Monday of February marks my 9th anniversary. I celebrate my only kidney stone. Nine years ago I woke at 2 AM on a journey that saved my life. I was packed and ready to join some friends for a two day conference. My ‘alarm clock’ was a mild and unusual kidney stone. I never had a stone before or since. The doctors said men ‘my age’ rarely have their 1st stone. (Don’t you hate it when that phrase becomes part of the dialogue?) The scan showed a calcium deposit that led to another doctor (remember this pattern).There was an aneurysm on my renal artery. Others doctors and scans later revealed other aneurysms outside both kidneys and a very rare renal artery disease called Fibro Muscular Dysplasia. This is not the way one wants to learn new vocabulary words. One also does not like to hear doctors say, “This is now more complicated than my area of expertise.” Now we move to see special doctors in other states. Nothing gets your attention like a talk with the most prominent specialist in the field in the nation and hearing, “I don’t like the looks of this.”

I will spare you details but there is no feeling like lying in a hospital room after having prayed with your family and seeing them walk out the door and then knowing you will wake up either in the recovery room or Heaven. There is reality! I had two life saving surgeries. The first was in June. I could not have the second until I recovered enough strength for the second in November. Major artery reconstruction was preformed and three aneurysms were removed. I was told how serious the condition was but reality set in after the 2nd surgery when the patient after me with the next surgery that day with the same condition and same surgeon died in the next bed in ICU. My doctor told us most that situations such as this do not find the aneurysm until the autopsy, after it ruptures causing death with no warning or symptoms. He said, “God still has some work for you!" So, as I begin each day ‘admiring’ the 25 inch scar around my 33 inch midsection and go through the day with no feeling in that area of my abdomen, I seek to make the most of the gift of life. I do admit times of frustration I when I see people throwing away the precious fragile gift of life wasting time, fussing, fighting and arguing over petty matters.

I am amazed at the ways we find to become angry and unhappy when we live in such a blessed country and are so blessed by God. Do you know that your garbage disposal ‘eats’ better than much of the rest of the world? People in many countries who are caught worshipping Jesus are beaten or killed. We have total freedom to assemble and worship the risen Christ and a spring shower is enough to keep many away from church. Others go to church and fuss about anything and everything that displeases them rather than finding the unity in Christ that He prayed for just before going to the Cross (read John 17:20-26).

I am reminded of an old TV commercial for cell phones. They end the commercial saying, “We’re, part of the AT&T wireless network…and we get it!” I often think we could do a similar commercial but we would have to change the words and say, “We are Christians living in America, saved by the abundant grace of Christ, living in a free nation to enjoy life at the fullest…and we don’t get it!” I Thessalonians 5:16 commands us to “Rejoice always” yet we often sit in the middle of God’s blessings and frown. Next time you think you are having a bad time, remember the blessings you have here in America, read I Thessalonians. 5:18 and move on. You could have been born in India as an ‘untouchable’ (how would you like a life of cleaning out sewers with no hope of bettering your status in life?) or in you could have been born in Pakistan or Cambodia and not had the freedom or blessings that you have. John 10:10 says Jesus came to give abundant life. Let other stuff go and live! If I can rejoice over a 25-inch scar and celebrate the 9th anniversary of a kidney stone, you ought not to look too far to find your own reason to rejoice.
Happy Anniversary!

Are You Serious?

2010-02-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

I smiled at the cashier looking at her name tag and said, “The last time I met someone with that name, I married them!” The person next to me suddenly looked shocked thinking I was blatantly flirting. He seemed shocked because he is my Music Minister and knows my wife’s name is Cathy. He also knew I was not flirting because he has been with me long enough to know there is a method to my madness. The cashier was…well bless her heart, not petite (different ethnic background) and probably not used to people being nice but she flashed a lovely smile when I finished my sentence…after my dramatic pause. Yes, I did marry someone with your last name. I was the preacher who performed the ceremony. My wife is Cathy. Her smile and my acknowledgement of my relationship with Jesus opened the door to a wonderful conversation about her faith, love for music in her church and brightened both of our days.

I have been on staff at this church for nearly a year and the staff jokes that they can’t take me anywhere. I seem to cause a stir everywhere I go talking to folks and having a little fun and trying to help them enjoy the love of Christ. The key is doing it with everyone. This morning the cashier was Chris and the conversation starter was his tattoo. He wound up telling me about his daughters. When we finished our transaction we both were smiling.

The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35, “Jesus wept”. However, the second shortest verse is “Rejoice Always” (I Thessalonians 5:16 NKJV). Four more letters make a huge difference. This is also a command not an option. I take the commands from the Father seriously. So, I look for reasons to rejoice, smile, get happy and share this with others. There are plenty of people who think their contribution to the planet is to find dark clouds in every silver lining so I think my place is to be the Light of Christ and let people know there are reasons to rejoice (seems I read that somewhere). Every screw up I have ever made, and I have made plenty is completely forgiven and forgotten. The worst thing that will happen to me is that one day I will die…and then I will spend the rest of time in Heaven. How bad is that?

Life is too short not to rejoice at every opportunity. That is why I look for reasons to get happy ASAP. When my wife and I have some of those discussions that growing marriages have (don’t look at me funny you know what I mean). I will often say, “OK how long do we have to be mad about this and when can we start having fun again…is five minutes long enough or can we do it in one?” (Please pray for Cathy…she is a special woman to put up with me.)

Oh, I know we can’t laugh and smile about everything. I know there are serious times in life. As a pastor I am the guy who has held hands and prayed with a spouse or parent as their husband or child eased into eternity. I am the guy who sat in the waiting room with the family when the doctor came and said, “It is worse than we thought.” I am the guy who was on the operating table twice nine years ago facing major surgery wondering if I would wake in the recovery room or heaven (I will share more about this experience in a couple of weeks). Believe me, I do know serious!
I also know Jesus. He is in the daily business of transforming serious into joy. He transformed death into everlasting life. Top that! So, if you having a bad time turn things to Jesus. Let him turn it transform despair to joy. If you are looking for motivation or for a verse to learn & live try the 2nd shortest and give it a whirl every day with every opportunity and everyone you encounter. It is fun and contagious!

Maybe You Can Go Home

2010-01-25T02:44:00.000-08:00

Last week I had a chance to go back home for a brief visit. I reconnected with dear friends and rekindled wonderful memories to remind myself the importance of a good foundation, maintaining good friendships and the importance of home and security. I went back and visited the house I lived in as a child. Many memories of a good foundation of my life were rekindled. All of us need a strong foundation. I was blessed to grow up in a good home with a good family. Not everyone has such a blessing. One cannot control the home or family we are born into. Some, like me, are blessed to be born into a loving nurturing home and learn the gift of love, laughter and joy (don’t be misled, it could be strict I am not a perfectionist and driven for no reason). Others are born into homes with dysfunction or abuse and have to struggle for much of their lives to overcome the warped foundation that was their groundwork for life.

Having a safe secure home is critical. There is good news for all. If the home you were born in was not safe or happy you could not help that but you can change how it affected you. If the home you are currently living in is not safe or happy you can change it and how it affects you. There is a way everyone can have a safe and secure home, no matter what type of home we came from or live in today. Jesus tells us about his Father’s house, the safest and most secure home that exists. In the 14th chapter of John he lets us know that there are many rooms available. I know many beautiful gospel songs talk about mansions but the actual Greek word used is monai which means abiding place or room. So the picture Jesus is describing is a large house with many rooms, a nice big rambling house or safe comfortable home with a loving father.

This is one of the most loving pictures of our permanent dwelling place, if we follow Jesus, in the Bible. Jesus, who learned carpentry from Joseph, his earthly father, tells us that none other than he is going to go and prepare our room in the Father’s house. In other words, when I placed my faith in Christ and decided to follow him as my Savior and Lord. Jesus, the master carpenter began construction on my room in Heaven. When he has it completed and perfect for me to move in he promises he will come and escort me to my permanent safe and comfortable home. It is a room in a house where other loved ones who have gone before me are waiting and we will live safely together forever. What a great way to look at the future. He even said we could trust him and not be troubled as he shared this truth! Wow!

There is still a bonus, we don’t have to need a GPS or worry about how to get there. I know many worry about the trip (I am using easy language and I enjoy life and we have to die to get there…Duh). I do not know anyone who enjoys life as much as I but it does not last forever. Trust someone who does funerals for a living. Death is a frightful thought for most and we fear the journey but Jesus tells us we don’t have to worry. He has been there, done that and when the time comes he will come and take out hand and he will be the one to escort us along the way safely (he has already been there). He will walk us to our room he has prepared and I have a feeling there will be a welcoming party with familiar faces who have been waiting for us to join them in our permanent safe, comfortable perfect room at home. Look forward do seeing you Mom!

Living 60 Seconds at a Time

2010-01-15T03:08:00.000-08:00

I had a strict curfew when I was growing up. I had dates that could stay out later than me. It was a bone of contention, but I have to admit it did keep me from trouble. I grew up in a small town and there was often not much going on late (that was worth being involved in). But, I was always afraid that I would miss something. No matter how dull the evening, I just knew something might happen when I went home and I was afraid I would miss it. That passion to get the most out of life drives me today. I don’t want to miss anything. I guess I got some of that from my father. We believed in making the most of each moment, not lingering on problems to let them hinder progress and getting over anger to find joy as soon as possible. He had a plaque on his desk that read, “For every moment you are angry you lose 60 seconds of happiness.”

The first message I preached was about living a full life (John 10:10; Jesus said, “The thief comes to rob, kill, steal and destroy. I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly). I am amazed at the way so many toss away the ticks of life’s clock as if we will get them back. It is mind-boggling to me to spend one’s time on something that is not an investment that will outlast your life here. Life is a sacred fragile gift. It zooms by at an alarming rate, even a long live of 80+ years seems like a blink. Now I have not lived that long, at my pace I may not make 60, but I have met and talked at length about the subject with many who have, including my grandmother who missed 100 by two years.

God has given us life and riches beyond what we deserve. Romans 3:23 & 6:23 teach that in spite of being created in God’s image we have fallen short of the mark and death is what we earn. However, the gift of eternal life is available and we have received his grace in ways we take for granted each day. You may think you struggle with your check book but simply by being born in the USA you are well ahead in the game. You have a better home than 80% of the rest of the world. Many (24%) have no electricity. Think about that when you flip on the heat or A/C. If you are reading this you are better off than 67% of the rest of the world who can’t read. Many of you graduated from college. That places you ahead of the class from 99% of the rest of the world with no college education.

Many are working on New Year’s diets because 66% in the USA are overweight while half of the rest of the world are malnourished. You are reading this on the Internet. Even in today’s advanced society some 90% of the rest of the world do not have easy access to the internet as do you. So if you have a meal in fridge, dressed with shoes, bed & roof you are better off than 75% of the rest of the world. Those with a bank account and money in pocket have it better than 92% of the rest of the world. When you go church and give thanks for your blessings remember also as you enter the church without fear of arrest, harassment or death you are taking for granted a privilege 3 billion around the world do not have.

All of this is not to lay a guilt trip, but to encourage one another to make the most of each moment. The blessing of the moment is what we have. We can not help what we are born with whether they be problems or privileges in our sight. The question is; “What are you doing with your day & time on earth?” Do you realize you have as many seconds in your hour as Oprah, Bill Gates and the President of the USA or anyone else for that matter. No one has more time in their account than anyone else. Since we all have the same amount of time in each hour or day the question remains; "What will you do with your time this day, hour or moment?"

Jesus tells us, to whom much is given much shall be required in Luke 12:48. Make the most of each moment to have joy, share love and help others to find the riches to make the most of their day. This is the only chance you get for this day! Eternity waits.

Marking Time or Making the Most of Each Opportunity

2010-01-06T10:41:00.000-08:00

Over the years I have made a practice of writing thoughts, feelings & observations. It has helped me express, share and understand what God is teaching me in my journey on this planet. At the end of each calendar year I would look back and journal thoughts, feelings, events and things learned and experienced during the past 365 days as a way to grow and prepare for the coming year (or as much time as God would allow me to survive in the days ahead). I hoped this practice would be a way to help me improve and mature each year. In some cases the jury may still be out as they seek to come to a clear decision on that case.

As the years in the past account pile higher I have come to some basic conclusions (Careful they may apply to you also):

First: GOD'S HAND WAS WITH ME ALL MY LIFE (even when I did not realize it…often and especially when I did not realize it!). As I look back over my life I see God’s hand clearly guiding me, preserving, protecting me and leading me (sometimes in spite of myself). That does not mean I have not stumbled and struggled but He has kept me from destroying my life and will always redeem me for His purpose as well as use the experiences in my past to honor Him today when I follow and trust Him. Romans 12: 1& 2 tells me to offer myself completely to God not conforming to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. In other words as I give myself completely to Him, thinking & seeing different from the rest of the world I will then be more able see and understand His will for my life. I will then see more how He has been with me, kept me for this time and His purpose and will.

Second: I AM A UNIQUE CREATION. I often tell my wife I know that I am weird and I feel as if I am on the wrong planet (she never argues that statement…Hmmm). Psalm 139:14 tells me I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am not an accident of birth. I have been on 5 of the 7 continents and never seen anyone like me (thank goodness, huh?). There is a divine design behind His creation of me. That same Psalm tells me God knit me together in my mother’s womb. There is also a divine purpose and plan behind my creation. I was not created just to bump around, pay taxes and die. As with Paul, in Galatians 1:15, who was set apart at birth and Jeremiah, who was appointed before birth, (Jeremiah 1:5) God has a divine purpose and plan. That is why His hand was evident in guiding me, preserving, protecting me and leading me to be where I am today for his purpose as I submit to Him.

Finally: LIFE IS FRAGILE AND PASSES QUICKLY. James 4:14 describes life as a mist. It is truly fragile. A mist is something that is frail and can disappear in a second. Next month I will share my annual blog about my miraculous preservation from early death by rupture from any one of three thin aneurysms as God still had work for me in His plan. I KNOW life is fragile and needs to be handled with care. That is why I seek to make the most of each moment. I do not know what will happen tomorrow. I do not have tomorrow promised. I may not be able to journal the end of next year. I may not make it home from work today. However, I DO have this moment. As I learn from my journals of the past I need to make the most of this moment. This is why God has me here!

As I think I guessed correctly these conclusions do not apply only to me. I think you see these conclusions applying to you as well. Some people mark time while others choose to do as Ephesians 5:16 guides us and make the most of every opportunity. This is the only opportunity we have here; let us make the most of it!

The Times Are Changing

2009-12-29T04:55:00.000-08:00

The world has come to an end…no I did not see the latest doomsday movie and think it was real. Nor is this writing about the end of human history but the end of the world as we know it. But, the world as we know it is dying each day. It changes and moves forward as we cling to the ideas and thoughts of the past, if our memory is accurate, and struggle with an uncertain future, for many. The times are indeed constantly changing. The world we knew has come to an end. Depending on your age many things you once treasured are gone for good. I am of the age when I can remember people saying, “I will walk before I pay $1 for a gallon of gas!” Of course, not many are walking today.

As each old year passes and each New Year approaches there is a place for nostalgia as well as dreams for the future but there is a better place for realism. The forecasters and trend predictors are rarely right about the future and the good old days were not always so good. We enjoy thinking of a simpler time when we remember being more religious but there was just as sin, evil and injustice. We just did not have as much access to instant information.

The struggle of good and evil has existed since Eden. It inhabits each heart. Church is not necessarily the answer. That is why attendance has been steadily declining for the past 25 years. Still we are very active as a churched society. About 100 million Americans attend sporting events each year, however although church attendance is declining over 130 million children/adults still come in contact with church each month! Don’t get too excited. Coming in contact does not mean they are spiritually changed. In fact the inverse seems to be true. We are overchurched and ineffective. People are no longer looking to the church for spiritual guidance. There is much confusion from movies, TV, recycled philosophies and cults as people seek God but are not necessarily doing so in the right place.

We will always seek God because we are made in his image. Jesus is a part of all things (John 1:4) so he makes sense of all things. But many outside the church have a negative image of the church and many in church have negative image with much of the unchurched world. Evidence of both are shown by a t-shirt “Jesus save me from some of your followers” and quote from a famous author, Mark Twain; “After spending time with good people of the church, I understand why Jesus spent time with tax collectors & sinners”

George Barna, who studies these things more than anyone says, less than 10-15% of our churches are rated Highly Effective. The Bible is unknown (1/2 who call themselves ‘born again’ read the Bible during week). 12% think Joan of Arc was married to Noah. 80% claim to be Christian but 4 of 10 are unable to name the four Gospels. I wonder if some thing Amos next to the book of Andy. Comedian Jay Leno’s Man on the Street interviews asked two college students to; "Name one of the 10 commandments"; they said, “Freedom of Speech?” They were next asked to complete, “Let he who is without sin…” to which they replied, “Have a good time?” The third question was, “Who was swallowed by a great fish in the Bible?” Pinocchio got the third big laugh of the routine but it was really a sad commentary as we continue the same pathway to confusion and separation from each other and God. The new progressive sounding truths are only old reworded confusion from the past. A famous female celebrity who many looked to for spiritual truth said, to a stadium giving rousing applause, “find your own truth.” That profundity was reminiscent, for those who read the Bible of one of the most wicked times in Old Testament history (Judges 21:25) when “every man did what was right in his own eyes”. We think we are changing and progressing but the secret is still found in connecting with God through his word.

Yet we all struggle with adjustments to change. The clinical definition of death is, “A body that does not change”. However, we are better at this change thing than we realize. You are in constant change right now. Your skin replaces itself every month (Cheek cells replace themselves 3 times a day). You have a; new stomach lining every 5 days, new Liver every 6 weeks, new skeleton every 6 weeks and 98% of the atoms in your body are replaced each year. So as you sit there with 5 pounds of dead skin flaking and flushing off right now don’t tell me you have trouble with change. It is time to make some real eternal changes. Romans 12:1-2 tells us to be different, transformed, not like the rest of the world and renew our minds.

So, what am I taking so long to say? The best place to connect with God is still in his word, the Bible. Find a copy of the scriptures that is easy to read and understand and let him speak to you in a fresh new way. Then, if you are not already there, find a group of believers that will help you correctly understand the scriptures (there is much confusion), grow, keep you accountable as you walk in the Spirit and continue to change into the image of Christ…that is the change that is eternal. Time is fleeting and too precious to waste. Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us God is in the change business. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Happy New Year!

Image is Everything (or is it?)

2009-12-15T14:46:00.000-08:00

A highly successful marketing campaign combined the media darling of tennis, Andre Agassi, and Canon cameras a few years ago. Commercials would show the then popular handsome athlete energetic action poses stroking his long flowing hair and concluding with a close-up as Andre said, “Image is Everything!” As it turned out most everything was image. The long flowing hair was a wig and much of the energy was assisted by crystal meth. However, the public continues to buy into the ‘image’ of celebrities whether they are politicians, sports or movie stars. Some even enjoy idolizing their favorite pastor. Time after time we see these images collapse in some moral failure as one celebrity after another will disappoint us with failure. Tiger Woods is the latest example in a long line that will continue.

We seem to be a people of short memories as we soon turn our eyes to the next celebrity figure hoping this will be the one we can honor as a role model and place upon a pedestal. We forget that behind what is presented as intelligence, talent, charisma or attractive appearance (much of which is often a carefully crafted marketing image) beats a heart like ours susceptible to the same sins and temptations. More often than not, as they are awarded the privilege of celebrity status an attitude known as ‘hubris’ develops. This ancient Greek term indicates overweening pride, haughtiness, or arrogance, outrageous acts or exhibitions of pride or disregard for basic moral laws often resulting in fatal retribution. Hubris leads people to think they are above normal laws of the land, nature or morality that apply to everyone else. Eventually that pride leads to a fall as well stated in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Our fascination and desire to honor people and give them celebrity status is illustrated as a liability early in human history in I Samuel chapter 8. God desired his people to look to him and only follow leaders he appoints who have integrity and Spiritual leadership qualities given by him. The people were warned of consequences from following earthly kings but verses 19 and 20 gives their reply; "No! We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations”. The desire to follow others, even to give others celebrity status goes back to the desire for a king. We want to be like everyone else, and look up to others rather than God.

However, God created us to be different. We are to exalt God not fellowmen. We are to look to God for leadership before men. We are to look for guidance from his word before listening to words of men. There are times when God uses people to lead but we should be very careful then to only follow those people who exhibit Godly qualities, even then they should be held accountable and not be given celebrity status lest they develop pride. Scripture gives many such warnings such as I Corinthians 10:12-13, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Back to the Canon commercial, time has shown us Andre is bald, used drugs and Canon cameras have been topped by iPhone. “Image is not Everything”. Image us usually just that, image. Faith in God and integrity may not be as flashy but they are real, not image. They will last long beyond a carefully crafted celebrity image and never disappoint.

Immature Church Members

2009-12-06T19:18:00.000-08:00

There is not much that extinguishes a movement of the Holy Spirit, turns people away from church and Jesus more than immature church members. I am not speaking of new members that are in the early stages of their Christian pilgrimage into discipleship. They are usually eager to grow. I am referring to those who have been around for a while and are still like the little boy who was tucked into his bed by his father. As the father quietly reached the door leaving his son’s room he heard a thud and turned to see his son had rolled out of bed onto the floor. The boy looked up and said, “I guess I stayed too close to where I got in.” To grow in Christ one must move deeper into discipleship and become more mature as a member of the body of Christ.

Far too many church members stay too close to where they came in. It is these that Paul addresses in I Corinthians 3:1-3 saying, he “could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” Once we make a decision to follow Christ and unite with his church we have made a commitment to deny self, and take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). The command to deny self and take up our cross daily to follow Jesus is a call to put self, ego, feelings, desires and anything that is personal to death. It is a call to put self completely and sacrificially aside to follow Jesus.

When church members remain immature they make themselves the issue and are often a continual source of conflict, disruption, distraction and hurt feelings needing to be pampered or enticed to attend or serve as if they were doing the Lord a favor by their presence or offering their service. Jesus, himself gave us the ultimate lesson on service in John 13. Verse three tells us when Jesus knew the Father had given him all authority he did not worry about his desire, plans, ego and feelings. He showed his disciples, then and now, the example of mature leadership and sacrificial action by ultimate humility in lowly servanthood performing one of the lowest and most menial tasks allowed in that culture, washing the feet of his disciples. His disciples were first stunned then amazed but he said, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” We are to learn and grow from his teaching to put ourselves (ego, agenda and feelings) aside for sacrificial service.

When we uncontrollably give ourselves completely to Jesus putting self totally aside we no longer are worried about our plans, agenda, feelings or ideas there is immense freedom, release and joy that religion absolutely cannot produce. We simply seek to follow Jesus by faith in total obedience through the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever he calls us to do, the Spirit equips and enables us to do and we move forward by faith as enjoy the ride while God works through us in miraculous unity. This is the body of Christ at its best. When believers do this there is harmony. If we are all following the same Christ there is no division, disunity or disruption in the unity in the body of Christ. We all remain different and unique but blend the different blessings and gifts the Father has given as we place ego aside and work together sacrificially for his glory.

When others see this they are amazed and realize they see something that can not be explained in human terms and they are drawn into the Kingdom. This is the answer to the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane (John 17:20-26). Our mature submission and harmonious service to him answers his prayer. Our Spiritual maturity, our self-less submission and harmony is the answer to his prayer. We expect Jesus to answer our prayers but he leaves it up to us to be the answer to his. He is waiting for his prayer to be answered through us. Why not today?

Without Jesus, Nothing Makes Sense

2009-11-26T05:43:00.000-08:00

Every year we conclude November giving thanks for the wonderful blessings God has given us as a great nation then we descend into silly and sometimes divisive and angry debate over the next important holiday. For years we have misinterpreted our constitution and gone in the wrong direction with the foolish idea of political correctness in so many matters that common sense has long become uncommon. Mark Twain said. “Common sense is the simple knack of seeing something the way it really is and doing something the way it should be done.” Christmas without Jesus makes no sense!

The first six letters of the holiday are CHRIST. People can have holiday trees and seek to miss the point all they wish but the point of the HOLIDAY is JESUS! We celebrate God becoming flesh and invading history to dwell among us as our guide in life, as our saving sacrifice to pay the price for our sin and give us hope for eternity and peace among men. It is because we miss that point to such a great degree everyday that we do not have real joy and celebration in our lives, families and churches today.

He did not come to give us a holiday. He did not come to give us religion. As the holiday without Jesus makes no sense, actually religion without Jesus makes no sense either. That is why so many churches, denominations and religions are empty and failing. Far too many are simply clubs of religious acting people with their own rules and rituals that don’t have much to do with the teachings of Jesus, which majored on love and freedom from bondage of sin. The church he started was an Ecclesia, which was a common term in that day for an assembly called out for action. As his church we are called out of the world and called to him for action. We are called to be his body in this world. He is in heaven waiting for us so we are here as his body. Our assignment is to physically do as he would do bodily were he here. So look at what he did and who he hung around with and go for it.

He gives us the invitation and power to be his body. First we must be born into his Spirit (John 3). Then the Holy Spirit (God) will live in us and give us power greater than any human resource to say no to previous temptation and yes to being like Jesus (Galatians 5:23-23) with life changing power (II Corinthians 5:17). There is a difference in being born again and being religious. Many are religious and are faithful in following their church rituals and traditions. They are serious about them. The will argue and possibly fight over them.

It really comes down to truth. Which way is true? Which is the best way to live? Is Christmas a real holiday? Is Christianity true? Is Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, or other belief better or is it better to be an atheist and just enjoy the day as you see fit? I have studied the different faiths and ways to live. It seems to me that the best way would be to follow one who knew enough to conquer death. At the time I wrote this article Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, Joseph Smith, and anyone else who started a religion was still dead. I have a strong suspicion they will still be dead when you finish reading.

Jesus is Alive! History proclaims it! The Bible not a written as a history book but it is the most accurate book of ancient recorded history we have. He was publically executed by the state, buried in a guarded grave but three days later over 500 witnesses, saw him walking around alive, talked with him, some touched him and ate with him! Before he went to Heaven he addressed a large crowd! He is still alive and changing lives. I talked to Him this morning! Life Without Jesus Makes No Sense! Humans have three basic emotional needs; we need to receive love, give love and have a sense of purpose. These three are only met completely in Christ. (John 1:4). So, have a Merry Christmas with Jesus. Have a great life with Jesus. He makes the difference. Without him nothing makes sense!

Looking for God's will? Give thanks!

2009-11-15T04:12:00.000-08:00

What do you do when life doesn’t go your way? Have you had times when you seem to dig out of a pit in life only to fall into a deeper hole? Are there days when it seems that you wonder, “Do I have a sign on me that says ‘Everybody Pick on Me Today? All of us have days when everything seems to go wrong and we wonder; “What’s happening? What did I do to deserve this? I feel like I am trying my best.” Christians will tell me, as a pastor and friend; “I am seeking God’s will…trying to find & do right thing but I am struggling.” Well, I hate to tell you (actually I really enjoy telling…it is just an old saying we Southerners use and I love being a Southerner) but finding God’s will is not that difficult. Finding the right job, spouse or your lost car keys may be more of a struggle but God’s will is revealed clearly in his word. Often people are more interested in seeking affirmation to do what pleases us than we are in seeking God’s will.

To find’s God’s will and the real answer to deal with life when things don’t go your way you can turn to John 3 and follow directions Jesus gave a religious leader 2000 years ago. You must be born again (Spiritually reborn). Being religious will not do. One can be so religious that one’s eyes can shine like stained glass windows but still not have spiritual resources to help in life. Religion is following rituals (admittedly this can be helpful for some). Religion will not change a personality or make a person new. Some of the meanest and most evil people I have met or read about are devoutly religious. Anyone in church is simply in a building or part of an organization but anyone in Christ is a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17). One must follow Jesus by faith and give self totally to Christ as Luke 9:23 tells us our desires, ego, feelings and agenda are to be given the death penalty. Once that happens we are able to think differently. Romans 12:1-2 tells us we have a renewed mind and do not act the way of the rest of the world…THEN we will know God’s good and perfect will. In other words after doing these things we will see, think and act in such a different manner that God’s vision, understanding and plan will be understandable to us. We will also have resources beyond our experiences, abilities, wisdom and explanation as the power of the Holy Spirit indwells us.

After total faith and commitment to Christ we will have a different attitude and life a life of giving thanks in all that happens as I Thessalonians 5:18 states is also God’s will for us who are in Christ. Being thankful and living a life in this manner unlocks joy and happiness that most seek but few find. Too often we look to circumstances to make us happy. That won’t happen. We live in a world warped by sin. Bad things happen to good people. Evil exists. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:45 injustices come to all. However those who are born again will be rewarded forever so justice prevails. So, even in difficult days we can give thanks that God has a plan for us for all eternity. Even in the difficult days we can give thanks that God is perfecting us for eternity through the difficulties that exist in this world. Even Jesus was perfected through suffering while here as we are told in Hebrews 2:10.

No matter what is going on in life one can look to God and find his will. It is first to be born of the Spirit. Then submit all completely to him. Once that is done you will develop a different perspective. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change. You will see his will is to give thanks IN all things. No matter what is happening you can and will find reasons to give thanks. Giving thanks IN all things is far different than being thankful FOR all things. It is not possible to give thanks FOR all things but IN all things one can be thankful that God has you in his hand for all eternity. He has an eternal plan for you. He is standing right beside you (II Corinthians 1:3-7). You have the power of the Holy Spirit within you to withstand anything the world can throw your way (Romans 8:1, 2, 9, 28-39). So with all this in your favor you can’t lose…Give thanks!

“Got any I.D.?”

2009-10-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

That is a question often asked when young fresh faced people seek to purchase certain beverages, tobacco products or enter establishments that require age restrictions. When I was 18 I looked more like 14 on a good day so it was quite well that I usually stayed away from those situations for the most part. I made a commitment in a revival service in Jr. High and hung in there with it as people called me ‘straight laced’ and ‘preacher’ long before I was speaking in buildings with pointy roofs for a living. However, no matter how old we get we have an I. D. We are identified with a job, lifestyle, family, organization or especially by our behavior. Some of the ways we are identified are wrong like the false I.D.’s some once used in High School. However, the longer we hold to our behavior, character, organization, fellowships or actions the better the chance of the true I.D. being recognized.

Scripture tells us that bad company corrupts good character. One must watch their actions and company. When I was younger I realized I could have fun without drinking but I spent time being identified, on occasion, with the wrong places. Once I tried to drive a friend home, before the designated driver was fashionable we watched out for friends. However, he had seen me acting in such a manner, not much different than I do today having fun, that he said, “I’ve seen you tonight. You’re worse off than me!” I assured him I had only consumed three Dr. Peppers, which was my limit in those days, I can’t handle THAT many today! I then realized I needed to remove myself from some environments that adversely affected my witness, what people thought of me or my I.D.

How do people identify you? Have you ever wondered how others would describe you? You DO know they talk about you when you are not around! Gee, I hope I have not given you new information to upset you! You can’t completely control what others say but you can control what you do. As a minister I Timothy 3 tells me to live my life “above reproach”. The Greek really means one should not ‘get a handle on an accusation’. That means I am to conduct myself in such a public way that people may still say things about me, I can’t help that, but the character of my life is such that the accusations can not find a handle. Character and integrity as an I.D. will outlast any gossip, slander or accusation that has no basis.

Your I.D. is vital. Proverbs 22:1 tells us, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” I Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” In other words, if what & and how you eat, drink and do does not bring glory to God, you should not eat, drink or do it! Even a product of the Mississippi public school system like me can figure that one out!

The first people identified with the name ‘Christian’ were in Antioch. Originally it was pegged upon them as a name of ridicule. “Oh look at the way they act they are acting like ‘little Christ’s”. They were not ridiculed at all and took the name with pride. That was their purpose, to act completely like Jesus in all they did. When people looked at them they wanted them to think of Jesus. People are looking and I.D.ing you. So the question is not; “Got any I.D.?” You do have one. The question is; What is your I.D.?

People Can Be A Strange Bunch

2009-10-03T05:31:00.000-07:00

Someone once said, “There are two kinds of people. Those who put people into two categories and those who don’t.” (Have you ever noticed how often speakers and writers quote ‘SOMEONE’ when they don’t have a good way to kick-start their topic? Well someone did say that this time whether you believe it or not and whether they said it or not (whoever ‘THEY’ are?), we all categorize people from time to time and when we do we often get it wrong. People are far too complex to fit into most general categories.

I will use myself as an example. I have been living with myself for most of my life and am fairly well acquainted so I feel comfortable giving myself permission to be an example. I am from Mississippi. Right away some people will wonder if I am wearing shoes. Well, I am typing this in the comfort of my home so answering that may be misleading, however I still do have all my teeth, but the fact that I was born in a state that has a reputation for several negative stereotypes does not make me ignorant, bigoted, obese or have a blushing neck.

According to a sign in front of a building with a steeple I am the pastor of a church. Many people will assume several things about me as a pastor of a certain denomination. Most of those who meet me find out that many of those assumptions are wrong. I am quite serious about proclaiming the truth of the scriptures and living by them, however I have discovered though years of diligent study and experience that much has been misunderstood, misinterpreted and the life Jesus gives is much more fun than most realize when properly followed.

People can be prejudiced in so many ways. Educated people often are biased against those who lack education. Uneducated often feel inferior and have a bias against those who have more education. Rich people often are prejudiced toward the poor and the poor often envy the rich. Whether it is race, gender, economics, politics or the sports team we favor we seem to find more and more reasons to categorize and divide ourselves.

People are a funny sort of lot to study and observe. I have been living among them and observing them in their natural habitat for a lifetime and have come up with a few conclusions. While they are fearfully and wonderfully made they can lower themselves to the lowest common denominator in behavior in a short time when left to their own resources or they can rise to wonderful heights that can stir emotions beyond words. They are capable of great evil that is unspeakable as well as good that boggles the mind. They can cause great pain or give great joy. Much of that is left to our response. We can not control what people do but we can control our response. We can hold on to anger, hurt and sorrow and live miserable lives no matter what surrounds us or we can forgive, forget and live with joy no matter the circumstances.

Yes, people can be a strange lot but they can be fun to live with when they get along and share all their diversity. Jesus prayed for us to be “one” then he gave his life to pay the price for all our mistakes. Wouldn’t it be worth it to fulfill his prayer and forgive the mistakes of those who offended you, those with whom you feel separated, and those with whom you feel alienated and live the rest of your days enjoying and exploring the rich differences in all the people that surround your life? They are always saying (Here ‘THEY’ go saying stuff again), “You don’t get many second chances in life”…well, maybe you do!

You Don't Look Like A Preacher

2009-09-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

We had a guest musical group in our church. My music minister and I were greeting them as they were arriving in the sanctuary early before the service. I said “Hi, I’m Bill, we are glad you are here.” After a few moments of chatting the leader of the group asked, “Are you the Sound man?” I guess he expected the Senior Pastor to be more formal, taller, more handsome, who knows? I had fun telling the congregation how perceptive he was, most people wait until after hearing me preach to think I should be doing something else.

On a previous occasion a former Deacon who was a member of the state legislature invited me and another church member to a political event with a wide range of people from many social sections of the community. As we mingled a man walked in the room and my fellow church member said, “Now he looks like a preacher!” To which I replied, “And I guess that means I look like chopped liver?” Now that meant I had to conduct a scientific experiment to discern who was the real deal in this situation. I carefully worked my way across the crowded room until I met the well dressed man with carefully combed hair. I introduced myself and made small talk and eased the conversation to, “So what do you do for a living?” He smiled and replied, “I am an undertaker.” I went back to my church member and said, “You are right he does look like a preacher!”

When people actually find out that I do make my living as a preacher they then mistake me for a very religious person. Although I am in church enough to have a steeple growing out of my bald spot I may not be as religious in the way people expect. I am also OK with that. Jesus was not as religious in the way people expected. In fact it was the most religious sect in society that had the most trouble with him and finally arranged for his death. Religious intolerance is not new. Religion can be a practice of following certain traditions, rules and rituals that men have devised, modified and amended over the years. Some of these traditions can be very helpful. Some are simply meaningless habits others can be harmful. Problems arise when one has to follow such traditions, rules, rituals, etc. to be accepted or acceptable. Religion can then become exclusive and even dangerous.

I like following and preaching Jesus rather than religion, politics or opinion. He seeks to draw all to him and his tradition, rules and habits are grounded in love for Him and fellowman. In thirty years of being a preacher I have had several occasions of hearing, “You don’t look/act like a preacher” but I have never had anyone say you don’t look or act like Jesus. If I am not aligned with the image of the everyday preacher that is OK, I would rather be aligned with Jesus. No matter your vocation you can act like Him and let others see him in you. Many will not go to church, in fact most don’t. Many have a wrong idea about church or church members but they will watch you. What do people see when they watch you? I leave you with a favorite poem.

‘The Gospel According to Me’

Lord help me remember,
When others I see,
That they are reading the Gospel,
According to me.

Matthew, Barnabus,
Peter and Paul,
The world looks upon them as names,
That’s all.

For verses of scripture,
Men merely grope,
But my life goes under the microscope.

So make me a text Lord,
Easy to see,
When men read the Gospel,
According to me!

A Mule Can't Kick When It Is Plowing...

2009-09-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

I grew up in a small town in Mississippi. My grandfather had a farm in Alabama. I remember the joy of going to visit and ‘help’ plow with mules. Mules are bred as a work animal. When in the harness pulling a plow they were invaluable. When in the pen they could get fussy and kick(childhood memories resurfacing). The point of this article, and title, is found in the proper service of talents to avoid conflict and maximize potential or as we used to say, “A mule can’t kick when it is plowing and it can’t plow when it is kicking.”

We elect people to serve us in government and they often lose sight of uniting with other political servants to ‘plow’ together and wind up ‘kicking’ against one another serving no one well in the long run. Church members also get distracted on their purpose doing greater harm as their disservice has eternal consequences. People are often turned away from Spiritual truth and church in large numbers due to fighting and ‘kicking’ that goes on far too often when people who claim to be brothers and sisters should be ‘plowing’ together.

What causes the ‘kicking’? James 4: 1 asks the question “What causes fights and quarrels among you?” He then answers in verse 2 saying, “You want something but don't get it.” It is pretty simple. We want things our way and have our own ego to serve. We do not GO to church to have things our way. We ARE the church as we go the way of the Father uniting to follow him as he sends us. Let’s go back to the country. My grandfather had a team of mules (two). They worked best when they were matched and were placed in the harness to work together. One worked best on the right and the other on the left. Rather than letting differences cause conflict their differences made them stronger as they pulled together.

I have noticed that those who make the most conflict in churches and communities are often the ones who are doing the least to pull together, and are not doing their share of the work. Remember one can’t kick and plow at the same time. God has blessed me to take mission teams around the world assisting third world countries and victims of disaster. One gains new perspective when one gets out of their own comfort zone to assist others. It is hard to argue or think about selfish ideas when you are in a genocide museum, killing field, sitting in a mud hut sharing a meal or helping people restore a home destroyed by a hurricane.

D.T. Niles described what we do as “One beggar showing another beggar where he found bread.” Those who go across the street or across the ocean to share bread with a fellow beggar are too busy plowing and scattering seed to kick. Try to match up with fellow brothers and sisters as Ephesians 4 urges and enjoy plowing together. It is what we are really made to do.

Why Is This Happening To Me?

2009-09-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

“If I have been created in the image of God why can’t I find my car keys?” It can be frustrating to be told by preachers that we (humans) are the crowning achievement of creation when we struggle along in this thing called life. By the time you get things figured out, you often forgot where you put them. There are times we seem to try as hard as we can to move three steps forward and see ourselves slip two backward. Quite often life just doesn’t seem fair. I was once told to look for ‘fair’ in the dictionary if I wanted to find it in this world. As long as we have been able to ask questions we have questioned the futility, fairness and purpose of things and life in this world. Some just give up thinking; “What the heck, it does not matter”, “Why bother” , or “What’s the use”?

Before you throw in the towel be remember that Jesus reminded us that it rains on the just and the unjust in Matthew 5:45. He is simply letting us know that there are going to be some things that come our way that we may not understand or think fair but that does not mean he does not exist, has forgotten us or that we are necessarily being punished unjustly. There are a few things to consider when struggling with questions and frustrations in this sin-scarred world. Romans 5:12 tells us that unfairness, tragedy, senseless acts, evil all entered this world through man’s disobedience. So, when we look to the heavens and cry, “Why is God doing this to me?” We are better served to look in the mirror. Mankind is the greater culprit. James 1:17 tells us every good and perfect gift comes from God. I Timothy 2:4 explains that it is God’s will that all are saved but we know that God has also allowed our own will to be part of the process (remember we are created in his image with an ability to determine an outcome for our lives) so there are things in our lives that may not go according to his will. However, it is his will for us to let him have control and turn it around.

So, next time you are struggling with the major questions about why there is injustice or perhaps wondering why someone created in God’s image still can’t find the car keys it may be helpful to consider the source of this struggle, question or dilemma. Often the answer can be found as a result of sin in the world. It may be due to man’s inhumanity to man, (think what we could do if money spent on crime and war were used for disease prevention, medicine and caring for those in poverty). It may be due to improper care and stewardship of self or God’s resources, senseless acts or accidents. Everything does not have a purpose in a sin-scarred world where evil exists but God can give purpose to everything if we turn it to him.

The key is how we respond. I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us it is God’s will to give thanks in all things. A thankful heart turns our thinking around. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Joseph’s life of being sold into slavery by his brothers was transformed into saving a nation from starvation. He later told his brothers, “What you meant for evil God intended for Good.” Paul tells us we will understand things with complete clarity in eternity. Our vision now is clouded as if looking through a dingy mirror. The secret is turning things around to see what God is leading through the current situation. If I can’t find my car keys, God may be leading me outside to a beautiful day for a walk. I think I will stop the frustrating search and just trust him and go on that walk with him; after all I have been created in his image. The more we walk together the better I seem to understand things anyway.

The Proper Balance

2009-08-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

How close is too close? How far is too far? How much is too much? These are questions we ask as children growing up exploring boundaries in life. As adults we actually continue the same questions often seeking to work out things we still didn’t work out well as kids or we still may be seeking to explore the limits to find the balance for the best life. Balance, boundaries and limits are the key.

Such it is with much of life. Whether seeking love or something to eat one must balance risks with reward. The risk of immediate gratification may lead to disaster down the road. Remember the story most of us heard as children where Esau gave up his entire future for a bowl of soup. I am sure Esau was quite hungry from being out hunting but was it worth his future inheritance? The sad fact about this story is that just that, it is fact! This is not a fairy tale. Jacob and Esau are historic characters from the true account of human failure recorded accurately in the Bible. We still see the same true accounts of human failure recorded each day in our current history. It may be Rick Pitino, Michael Vick, Mark Sandford today or O. J. Simpson, Bill Clinton or a long list from a our recent past. The names may change, but the story essentially remains the same, people throwing away life, reputation, character and more for the ‘pleasure’ of a moment or the temptation of believing the rules do not apply to them.

A 65 foot waterfall named Dry Falls flows on the Cullasaja River through the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. Dry Falls flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk up under the falls and remain relatively dry. One can hear the tremoundous sound of the powerful waterfall and feel the mist of the cool mountain stream, if you keep your balance and stay within safe the prescribed boundaries you will remain safe and enjoy the thrill of the falls. However if you are tempted to have a greater thrill and think somehow that the barriers are for less able people and you sneak past the prescribed boundaries you can silp and crash over the side to certain injury and perhaps death. I share the Dry Falls analogy to make the point of human failure to balance the risk of temptation for adventure while staying safe within the prescribed boundaries.

I have enjoyed risk of adventure much of my life. I was once in a conference on fear where we were asked to write our fears on a sheet of paper. Not trying to be macho, I simply wrote one line, “I am afraid I am going to miss something.” I don’t want to leave this life without experiencing all God has for me. That means I have to balance the risk of enjoying adventure with the care of not screwing up a risky adventure and checking out of life too quickly. You may remember the well documented final words of a red-neck, “Hey ya’ll wach this!” It also means I need to remember that a lifetime of integrity can be destroyed in a moment’s foolish disgression. The Apostile Paul described the balance well in I Corinthians 10:23 when he said, "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we are to do it all for the glory of God.

Finding the balance in what is beneficial and constructive is the key. Life is far too precious to be wasted on the temptation of what seems to be pleasure for a moment. It is meant to be enjoyed but handled with care. Therefore, here is where I have found the key to balance in my life. In all things I think, do and say I ask; is this permissible, is this constructive and does it glorify God?

This is Not a Drill!

2009-07-28T03:48:00.000-07:00

“This is not a drill!” Those words are a wake up call to let the hearer know this is the real deal. Everything counts for real. There are no times for mistakes. This is no longer a rehearsal. Make everything count (get the point?). There are times when we get that call in life. Often it comes as a crisis event that causes us to realize how much we take this brief fragile life for granted. However, I am amazed at the number of people who still do not respond to their “This is not a drill!” call. Most continue poor health, social, emotional and spiritual habits and waste precious moments that we will never see again.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” This is an interesting choice of words. First we are told to make the most of every opportunity by being careful and wise. This is spiritual wisdom. One who is spiritually mature lives with care making wise choices to make the most of each moment for Godliness.

Don Whitney gives the following insight on the best use of time in his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life: “To use time wisely "because the days are evil" is a curious phrase embedded in the inspired language of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:15-16: "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil" (NASB). Paul may have exhorted the Christians at Ephesus to make the most of their time because he and/or the Ephesians were experiencing persecution or opposition (such as in Acts 19:23-20:1). In any event, we need to use every moment with wisdom "because the days are evil" still.Even without the kind of persecution or opposition known by the Christians of Paul's day, the world we live in is not conducive to using time wisely, especially for purposes of spirituality and Godliness. In fact, our days are days of active evil. There are great thieves of time that are minions of the world, the flesh, and the Devil. They may range in form from high-tech, socially acceptable preoccupations to simple, idle talk or ungoverned thoughts. But the natural course of our minds, our bodies, our world, and our days leads us toward evil, not toward Christlikeness.

"Thoughts must be disciplined, otherwise, like water, they tend to flow downhill or stand stagnant. That's why in Colossians 3:2 we're commanded, "Set your mind on the things above." Without this conscious, active, disciplined setting of the direction of our thoughts, they will be unproductive at best, evil at worst. Our bodies are inclined to ease, pleasure, gluttony, and sloth. Unless we practice self-control, our bodies will tend to serve evil more than God. We must carefully discipline ourselves in how we "walk" in this world, else we will conform more to its ways rather than to the ways of Christ. Finally, our days are days of active evil because every temptation and evil force are active in them. The use of time is important because time is the stuff of which days are made. If we do not discipline our use of time for the purpose of Godliness in these evil days, these evil days will keep us from becoming Godly."

Most of us spend (or waste) so much time on things that do not matter in the end or improve the quality of life. James 4:14 reminds us how frail and brief life can be with the rhetorical question and answer, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” The older I get the more I realize this. I also realize the things that matter are those that will last beyond this life; love and relationships that we will carry into eternity. I love to have fun with my time, ask anyone who knows me and tries to follow or keep up with me, but like Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13 I have learned the secret. So friends, as you go about life today and each day, as time and the days go by give thought to all you do, enjoy, make the most of the time, live abundantly (John 10:10) and whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

A Modern Day Parable

2009-07-27T03:57:00.000-07:00

Three men were wandering in the woods. A lion came out of the woods and attacked the first man. He managed to get away and made his way to a hospital for help. The hospital was reluctant to admit him because he did not fit in. His clothes, skin and language were not like everyone else at the hospital. He also did not know how to follow all their rules as stated in the admission form they had used for years. So he went away and died. However, those who did fit in and knew the rules still thought this was a good place to find help.

The second man was wandering in the woods and was attacked by the lion. He too survived and went to a different hospital. They readily accepted anyone. However, they never dealt with his wounds. As they festered they covered them up, looked away from the symptoms of his illness and tried to make him feel accepted in his present state as much as possible. The more he suffered, the more they embraced him but his unattended wounds became infected and had increasingly destructive effects on his body. He finally died in their midst. They were all saddened but felt good that they accepted him as he was and that they loved him until he died.

The third man was wandering in the woods and was attacked by the lion. He was immediately approached by two people who said, “Can we help you? We know there is a deadly lion this wood so each day we come into the woods seeking people who need help.” They immediately addressed the wound and gave proper first aid to save him from dying. Then, they took him to their mobile medical unit nearby. It was built to care for victims who could not or did not make it to the other hospitals. In their care he began to recover. During their time together they also corrected other health problems he had developed over his life to give him a better life than he had ever known before. His life became so much better from their care and love and he felt so much like family with them that he asked if he could stay with them and be a part of their team. They also trained him to go into the woods daily with them to help others. He knew the dangerous lion was still at large and was a threat to others wandering in the woods.

Everyday, people are wandering about all around us. In fact, all of us at one time or another feel like we may be wandering in the 'woods or wilderness' of life as we go through the ups and downs of life. We all have a spiritual enemy seeking anyone he can attack. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devower." We need to be aware and help each other as best we can. The real purpose of the church Jesus established is not to just to gather and feel good about what we do one day of the week but to go out daily in our everyday lives to (seek) befriend each other as we struggle, (with the attacks of the enemy), help one another (witness, lead to salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit), help one another become completely well (Spiritually whole and mature) and assist each other as fellow helpers (disciples). Which of these situations best describes your church? He, who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Religion Can Be Deadly

2009-07-12T03:27:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday many people religiously go to a place set aside for worship and go through actions that are designed to lead them to a worship experience. However, the growing evidence seems to indicate that the road to real worship or having a real experience of connecting with God, having a relational experience with God is narrow and few are finding it. As an attendee, member and leader in worship services most of my life in churches around the world I have come to the conclusion that one of the greatest hindrances to people connecting with the living God in a vibrant life-changing relationship is often organized religion. In fact, it may not just be a hindrance it could be deadly.

A look through history will show that people are serious about their religion. They will fight over it. If you think about, the first murder was committed over an act of worship. Able's gift to God was more acceptable to God than Cain's so Cain got mad and killed his brother because Able's worship experience was better. Some may already be uncomfortable with me and with my words this early in this article. Wars have long been fought over religious beliefs. Today many of the radical acts of violence by terrorists have religious foundations. Before you are ready to cast the first stone at me remember it is always the radicals that lead any movement, right or wrong. However, religious people seem to historically lead the way in close minded anger. The religious leaders led the opposition and began plotting for the death of Jesus. People were so angry about this new ‘way’ that the followers of Jesus were proclaiming that they picked up rocks and killed Stephen. Saul of Tarsus was in on that deal until he had a life-changing encounter with Jesus. Then he wound up on the receiving end of those death plots. John Wycliffe so incensed the religious community of his day as he called them to follow more closely to scripture that they burned his books and forty years after his death exhumed his body to burn the remains. Talk about holding a grudge! William Tyndale, who first printed the New Testament in English, was tied to a stake, strangled and burned because he did not go along with the church backed by the government. History is filled with stories of martyrs. Again, acts of terror are committed today regularly by fanatics in the name of their religion. Religion in itself can be dangerous.

There is a difference in religion, which Webster defines as “a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith” and a life-changing relationship with the God who created all things. One can be religious and hold fast to their system of beliefs while having an angry evil spirit. However, one can not have a relationship with a Lord who is alive and a resurrected savior who gave his life for his created loved ones without being changed from the heart. That does not mean followers of Jesus are perfect, but we are steadily moving in that direction in love, joy peace patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22 & 23).

When people see church members arguing over their tradition, buildings, order of service, color of carpet, styles of music and the like as so often happens it is not a wonder that so many are staying away from church. I can take you to a church that has argued over which type of toilet paper to purchase for the bathrooms. Personally, I prefer going to church that uses Charmin but that is just me.

God did not create mankind to start a religion. God created us for relationship. Read Genesis 1:27. He said, “Let us make man in our image”. Who is the “our” and “us” he was referring to and who was he talking to anyway when he asked that question? Remember we have a triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is in constant relationship with himself. God loves relationships. That is why he later said “it is not good for man to be alone.” We are made for relationships, with each other but primarily for a growing relationship with God. True worship connects us with God in a living vibrant life-changing relationship.

Jesus did not enter human history to live, die and start a new religion with rituals and regulations (there were many already). He came to seek and save the lost and open the door for a new relationship between God and mankind. That is why the Word (Jesus) became flesh to dwell among us in a personal manner. There is a difference in a religion and a relationship. Religion is static as it emphasizes structure, ritual, and tradition. While a relationship is fluid, growing, changing maturing and developing as parties spend time with one another. Religion is observed. Relationship is nurtured. One conforms to religion, while a relationship transforms a person. Religion can (and does) worship the dead. Relationships are only for the living.

Again for all who think I am down on religion, don’t throw your stones at me yet. I have been a professional minister for some thirty years. I have received training and have degrees from esteemed religious institutions attend church regularly and am a member of religious organizations. However, one can be religious with degrees, attend church so often a steeple grows from their bald spot and one can hold memberships in religious organizations and still be against God (check out the life of Saul of Tarsus before he had a relationship with the living Christ). However, one can be religious and have a great life if one’s religion does not get in the way of a certain relationship (Check out the life of Paul the Apostle after a life-changing encounter and growing daily relationship with Jesus). One is better off having a life-changing living relationship with the one who is the resurrected rock upon whom their religion stands than trying to resurrect a dead religion with rules and rituals once is forced to follow. When people who get that come together church is what is it was meant to be!

“It’s About Livin’”

2009-07-08T01:19:00.000-07:00

Last night I watched one of my favorite movie mini-series, Lonesome Dove again. It is the saga of two old Texas Rangers who go on one last adventure. Woodrow Call is a stubborn workaholic. Gus McRae is a fun loving character who loves to “talk philosophy” and share his pearls of wit and wisdom as he aggravates his lifelong companion Woodrow. There are several scenes where Gus shares wisdom that is worthy of remembering. One especially reminded me of a philosophy of life and an old article I had written about this time a year ago about a couple of lives and a week that caused me to reflect on that philosophy. Although the article is a year old, it is still current in meaning. Here is that article:

A few weeks ago I addressed a crowd of nearly 500 people who had gathered because a young mother, age 45, had died suddenly in a tragic automobile accident. Although the memorial was called because Debbie Boughman died we were there to celebrate the way she lived. There were tears indeed but the focus was on a lasting smile and the eternal reflection of Christ. That should be the testimony of each believer. That week-end was filled with such an emphasis for me.

The day before I preached the memorial service Randy Pausch died. He was a little known young (age 47) college professor who came to fame as pancreatic cancer was not as much a death sentence but a launching pad for his now world famous, ‘Last Lecture’. Randy said, “We don't beat the reaper by living longer, we beat the reaper by living well and living fully.” I liked that but I loved the way Jesus said it better; “The thief comes to rob, steal, kill and destroy. I come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” I guess it is no coincidence that John 10:10 was the text of my first sermon over 30 years ago.

I preached that memorial service on Saturday. The next day I preached a sermon in church that I had previously prepared long before I knew of the coming memorial, such is the way of God leading pastors with their messages. The title of the message was ‘Enjoy the Ride’. It focused on trusting God with life and enjoying the ride through all the up’s and downs of this sin-scarred world. As an illustration I shared that the vessel for life is more like a sail boat or even a kayak following the flow of the “wind of the Spirit” from John 3:8 rather than the institutional bulk of an aircraft carrier that has the of stuff to meet all needs but can’t turn and flow. I illustrated the ‘theology’ of the Snake River Kayak Rules as a guide for life:

1. Go with the flow & don’t get addled-lean back
2. If the worse comes, let go of everything you’ll come up
3. Danger is part of the trip. Enjoy the ride.

If we have trusted our lives to Christ we can and should go with the flow (Holy Spirit). Follow and trust the leadership of the Holy Spirit in life. Read Galatians 5 and memorize verses 22 & 23 as your behavior pattern for a great reaction to all that happens in life. If and when the worst comes, as it will, we can let go and trust Jesus as our life preserver. I love telling congregations that the worst thing that can happen to a believer is that we die and go to Heaven forever! How bad is that? I realize bad things happen to good people. I make hospital, nursing home visits and preach funerals and do crisis counseling on a regular basis however, I also realize that when the worst comes resurrection follows for believers. It is all good! And finally we must always remember that this is a sin-scared world. Danger does exist. There is no safe place in this world or live except in the center of the will of God. The best thing one can do is follow God's plan daily. Enjoy the ride!

As Gus McRae, the fun loving cowboy everyone enjoyed being around in my favorite movie ‘Lonesome Dove’, told Woodrow Call, the hardworking boss who made everyone uncomfortable, when they were once talking about the death of a woman they both knew; “You still don’t get the point, it ain’t dying I’m talking about, I’m talkin’ about livin!”

There are those who are marking time until they die not getting the the most of each day or life. Each day or moment is precious. We are here to live. Jesus came that we may live abundantly. Make the most of each day. Enjoy the ride in Christ!

Happy Birthday from Me!

2009-06-24T03:30:00.000-07:00

Today is my 57th birthday. At this age one does not celebrate birthdays the way one once did. Have you noticed as we age we usually don’t even talk about them with the same language. When you are younger you 'celebrate' then you ‘have’ birthdays. As you age, you ‘turn’ certain ages. Then you ‘hit’ a number. After a while you ‘arrive’ at a certain age then you ‘have survived another year’. Don’t get me wrong. I am in good spirits. I am enjoying life more than ever before. I still hold John 10:10 as my life verse where Jesus said, “The thief has come to rob, steal, kill and destroy. I have come that you may have life more abundantly.” I enjoy getting the most from each moment of each day. My wife will tell you that I am difficult to keep up. I try not to sleep because I am afraid I will miss something. I want to experience all that God has for me.

I have been blessed with a wonderful adventure that has taken me places I would have never dreamed. I have had great times, I have also experienced times of serious sorrow. As life gets serious priorities change for thinking people. Notice I said ‘thinking people’. Some never seem to get the point and live superficially all their days. Others need several events for the wake-up call. For me it was an accumulation of events. First there was the sudden death of mother with a brain aneurysm causing her death literally in mid-conversation with my dad. Then there was the slow agonizing decline of my father. I became his caretaker and not only watched but participated in his decline. Then there was my own experience with three aneurysms and literal divine intervention (just ask my doctors) that prevented my premature death.

As the wise author of Ecclesiastes concluded (look it up), it doesn’t matter about position, power, or money we all die and answer to the same God. Therefore it is wise to make the most of life. So, how does one make the most of life? Live each day as if it were your last. Life is uncertain. You don’t know how long you will live. But there is the certainty that your life will end. Oh, it’s wise to live a healthy lifestyle but still there are no guarantees. You could get hit by a bus or cancer or an aneurysm. Sorry if that does not cheer up the superficial thinkers, but that is the real world. The Bible teaches that we live in a sin-scarred world and it rains on the just as well as the unjust. Since you can’t determine how long you will live, don’t despair you can determine how you will live. I am a product of the Mississippi public school system and I need to keep it simple so I hold my advice to two points; 1. Live for Eternity 2. Live for love. First, living for eternity means preparing for a life beyond this one. Even if you don’t believe in a life after this one why take the chance. Google ‘Pascal’s Wager’ and you will see the wisdom in that gamble. Once you follow the advice Jesus gave Nicodemus, who incorrectly thought being in church would be enough, by being truly born again you will want to live a life forgetting the past, that has been completely forgiven and preparing for the future. The best way to do this is found by caring for the least of these, your more unfortunate brothers and sisters, everyday, check out Matthew 25:31-40. Now by doing this you have already started on the path of the second point, “live for love”.

If I live each day as if it were my last I am ready to leave on a good note. Before my 50th birthday, as I waited for my 1st major surgery, knowing I would wake either in heaven or the recovery room, my last few minutes with my family had a lasting impact on me. I realized it could actually be my last few minutes with my family. Things that previously seemed important were meaningless. Love was all that mattered. So it is always. Love is all that matters. We are created in the image of God. I John 4:8 tells us He is love. Should it surprise you to know that love matters?

Humans have three basic emotional needs (all only completed in Christ). First there is the need to receive love. Receiving love is vital for child to grow. Second, there is the need to give love. Giving love is vital for maturity. Finally we need to have a sense of purpose. Purpose is vital for fulfillment. Friends who have known me over the years may often question my sanity. I know this has become longer than my usual writings, but hey, it’s my birthday, so If you are still reading I will end with an illustration that may end your doubts about my sanity. However, I try to learn from everything. Once, I was once flipping channels, which is the way men watch TV. Men are not interested in what is on TV, they want to know what else is on TV, but I digress (that gets worse with age also). It was a forgettable movie but I paused long enough to catch a scene where an unusually sensitive hit man was trying to explain the importance of real love to a woman. The movie was not worth remembering but I found the following line interesting; “Look, in my business you’re surrounded by loneliness and finality. Now I don’t care what your take is on an afterlife, when people die its scary and they go alone. Now the people that I send off that have experienced love, they’re a little less scared. I mean they’re still scared but there’s calmness to ’em. I think that comes from a knowledge that somebody somewhere loved ‘em and cared for ’em and will miss ‘em.”

Love matters. Life Matters. Live for love. Make the most of each day by living a life of complete love in your relationship with God and with everyone else. Life is uncertain. Live for eternity. You don’t know when your life will end but you know it will. Make the most of the day while you have still have it!

Spiritual Markers

2009-06-19T04:15:00.000-07:00

I will always remember June 14. On that day in 2009 I had the joy of baptizing Mary, an example of God’s grace that brought her family and her from refuge camps where they had been driven from their home by political unrest in the Sudan to U.S. citizenship and now a baptized member of our church. What a story! We also had the greatest spiritual movement in worship, up until that time in our church, on that same day. What a day!

On June 14, 1988 I began my first day as a pastor in South Carolina. I grew up in Mississippi and had served churches in other states and but it seemed as if God gave me a second home and it would take too long to describe the adventure he has given me as a minister in South Carolina.

I will never forget June 14, 1997. My mother gave Dad his Father’s day card. As he was reading it she said, “I have a sharp pain in my head.” Those were her last words. She slumped and died a few hours later from a massive cerebral aneurysm. She was 68. She was really my best friend for most of my life and the joy of our family. She made life fun for everyone who met her. Although she rarely traveled far from her birthplace in rural Alabama she touched many lives with joy. We had over 400 well-wishers morn with us at her passing. Years later, when I would return home for visits I would see people who told me they missed her laugh. She gave me the gift of joy as I was raised in a home with laughter as an everyday occasion. The omnipresent smile people see on me today is a tribute to her. I will certainly remember June 14.

Life is filled with dates and to remember; anniversaries, birthdays, special events, good times and some tragedies. I call them ‘Spiritual Markers’. The Bible gives us examples of the importance of creating such markers to remember important events of the past. Examples are seen in the annual Passover Meal, Feast of Tabernacles, Last Supper, etc. The Apostle Paul never forgot his day of conversion. He talked about it and other markers for the rest of his life. When Joshua led the descendants of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land they took twelve stones, one for each tribe, and piled them up to make a monument. When asked, “What do these stones mean?” The answer was given that this will serve as a monument (reminder or marker) for the generations to come. It would be important for them to remember their past to make the most of their future.

As you go through life I encourage you to set aside your own Spiritual Markers. They serve to remind us of the importance of all of life’s actions and it’s frailty as we make the most of today’s opportunities. There are times we gulp the moments in our fast paced world so quickly that we seem to fail to realize that once lived we don’t get that moment back. It is important to pause to reflect and make the most of each moment. Some moments are worth marking in a special way. We live in a sin-scarred world so some days will just stand out due to a tragedy that can’t be prevented. However, if you focus on making each day special, as I learned from my mother, you can still transform the tragic markers into days when you may have a tear but it trickles into the upward curve of a smile as you are left with good memories.

I call them spiritual because these markers are good for my soul even though one may not think them always to be pious. As in this important case; while my wedding anniversary is in August, I have a Spiritual Marker on March 23. I try to do something special for my spouse on that day because I will always remember March 23, 1980, it was early Sunday afternoon. My girlfriend and I had been to Pizza Hut for lunch after we went to church together. She was wearing a white dress with a floral pattern. She met me at church that morning in her car so after lunch I took her back to her car in the church parking lot. Ours were the only two cars there. Before she got out of my car I told her I wanted to ask her something serious. She never knew what to expect because I was always up to something (remember the legacy of fun from my mother). I looked her in the eye and asked her to marry me. She hit me in the arm and told me to stop kidding around. I should have taken notice that this spunky response was an indication that life with her would not be dull. Then, reality set in with her and she realized I was not kidding. We have been seriously having fun since then.

A good life is not made so much of many great events but of many everyday occasions that we make great. As stated earlier in this writing we live in a sin-scarred world. There will be tragedy and loss. I still miss talking to mom, but I remember her every time I smile and on June 14 I do try to something special in her honor. Begin today setting Spiritual Markers in your life. Spiritual Markers really make a difference, if you think not check with me and my wife on March 23…better make that the 24th!

Get Out!

2009-06-12T03:27:00.000-07:00

I took my kayak so far up river that I could not hear a man-made sound. Sometimes I enjoy getting out and away from the daily distractions to hear God in a fresh and clear way. It is easy to get so caught up in the busy, noisy routine of one's world that it can be helpful to break out and make a change that will allow one's perspective to be changed. God will often reveal himself, a new truth or remind us of an old one in a fresh new way when we step out or 'get out' in some new fashion. You may not need to paddle far away as I enjoy doing on occasion but I encourage you to find a regular way to get out. Even Jesus found it necessary to take time to get out while he was on earth as he would often take time to get away, alone, to pray and commune with his Father.

I am convinced that one of the reasons for much of the unnecessary conflict and dysfunction in families and churches is often a case of ‘cabin fever’. Cabin fever is actually in the dictionary. It is described as extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time. I have often described this as the illness that causes many churches, families and individuals to suffer those signs of irritability. Over the years I have discovered that many of the families that suffer from dysfunction remain in closed circles almost isolated from other real social interaction. I have also discovered that many of those who seem to instigate the most trouble in churches never go on a mission trip. However, they never seem to miss a business meeting.

Therefore the prescription (trust me I am a Doctor) may be more simple for some than they realize; Get Out! (I realize some are making their own joke about removing the trouble maker from the family or church. I am not advocating kicking them out in that sense but moving toward a redemptive, healing and growth process). Too many suffer from staying in their small circle and become enclosed or isolated in their own little universe. Sometimes it just helps to get out and get around others to see there is another perspective. You may not realize how consumed you are in your own ego. It is always helpful to get out and do something for someone else.

Speaking from my own experience, one of the best things that ever happened to me was going to the other side of the world, reluctantly mind you. I was sort of pushed into going on a mission trip to Kenya many years ago. You see I was never a big fan of flying. I joked that the Bible said, “Lo, I will be with you… (I realize that remark is not that funny but it was my lame excuse to stay away from flying.) However, once in Kenya God opened a whole new world and perspective for me and I have not been the same since that experience. Africa was a completely different world than the one I had been ‘handling’ in my own wisdom and know-how as an experienced pastor of some years. However, God had to get me out to the other side of the world to get my attention and cause me to slow down, I am pretty hyper, to allow me to hear him. I heard him loud and clear and have not recovered from that conversation to this day. I came back and people noticed a difference. I will never be the same.

Therefore, I continue to practice ‘getting out’ whenever I can whether it is a mission trip (that can be across the street), a simple prayer retreat (that could be in the back yard…sometimes one needs to get farther from the routine of the day. Yesterday I needed to get far enough up river to be away from man-made sounds…depends on how much has cluttered into your world lately). Anyway, people have realized that I am different. So they are not surprised when they come to church and I tell them to “Get out”!

Jesus was different also. He was not really into religion as much as he was into God. Remember it was the religious leaders who were most frustrated with him because he was different. He did follow and fulfill the commandments (the rules or heart) of God’s true teaching which he summarized by loving God completely and loving all other people as we love and care for ourselves (Mt 22:37-40). But he practiced ‘getting out’ and I am glad he did. Had he not gotten out of Heaven and made his way here to pay for my transgressions (and yours if you trust his gift of atonement) I would be hopelessly doomed. Getting out is a good thing in many ways.

So, when things seem to be closing in on you and you or your family is suffering from ‘cabin fever’, ‘Get Out! Break out of your routine. Go on a prayer walk, go on retreat, find a mission activity to do or go on a mission trip. It will open your eyes and ears to see and hear God in a fresh way. Trust me I'm a doctor!

Lighten the Load

2009-06-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

Travel sounds glamorous until you do it on a regular basis. As a pastor and Director of Missions for nearly 30 years I have traveled quite a bit in ministry. I have shared the gospel in five of the seven continents. It they are correct about global warming I may be closer to covering all of them than I originally thought. The worst stretch of travel was a period of less than four weeks where my wife and I traveled over 15,000 miles visiting eight different states and three different countries. We literally lived those weeks packing and unpacking and lugging suitcases around. As our gate changed at a busy airport terminal during that time I had to begin pulling all those suitcases hurriedly to the other end of the terminal when I began to wonder, “Do I really need all this stuff? What could I do without? What is really holding me back and creating an unnecessary burden?” It is better to travel light and enjoy the journey.

Then I began to realize how often we go through life carrying emotional, psychological and spiritual baggage that burdens us and keeps us from traveling light and enjoying the real journey. On a daily basis I encounter people weighed down by depression, anger, guilt, shame, fear, unresolved problems of the past, loneliness, worry, doubt…some of these suitcases and similar baggage sound familiar? Are you carrying around baggage that is keeping you from joy and weighing you down? When we carry excess baggage we cannot enjoy the freedom of the journey as intended. Jesus traveled light.

I remembered his words in Matthew 11:28-30 where he said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Here is the simple formula to lighten the load in life and enjoy the journey. First, come to him. The answer to all burdens or problems in life begins with a spiritual solution so he is the place to start. He truly offers rest for those weary from a burdened journey, if they are willing to come to him. Then he says learn from me. He had more pressure than any of us will ever know. It is quite a job to have to save all mankind not to mention growing up as a young boy and never doing anything wrong. Mother was proud of me but she graded on a curve. Jesus never made a mistake no matter what. He never worried, never lost his temper, never got depressed, never panicked and he was in some tougher spots than we will ever know. So, he says we can learn from him. What can we learn? Let go of whatever is holding you back and completely trust him with your life. We can learn that no matter what we have done or has been done to us, we can drop all the baggage from the past or present and follow his plan for our day and the rest of our days. His way is easy. He has an answer and solution for all the baggage that is slowing you down.

Feeling guilty or ashamed? Leave that baggage at Romans 8:1 and 1 John 1:9. Angry? Drop that luggage at Ephesians 4:26 and Matthew 5:23 & 24. Forgive and forget. Worried? Leave that load at Philippians 4: 6 & 7 and Matthew 6:34. Fear weighing you down…every Angel comes from Heaven with two words from God, “Fear not”. Leave that baggage with the messenger from Heaven. Burdened with loneliness? Leave that oversided bag at Hebrews 13:5. I think you get the idea. No matter what has happened or will happen you don’t need all that stuff that your are carrying, which is really holding you back, and causing you to trip and stumble time after time. The worst that can happen on the journey when you follow him and travel light is this; you die and go to be with him in heaven forever! So lighten the load and enjoy the journey.

Trump Commandment

2009-05-18T02:47:00.000-07:00

An angelic choir ushered Jesus into this world by singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” God still has goodwill for us and peace is still his eternal promise in Christ but quite frankly we don’t really see much peace on earth and goodwill among men is a pleasant surprise more than the norm in everyday life. In fact, the world seems to be growing more violent and I see less civility than I ever remember in my lifetime.

I know I now qualify for the senior omelet at the International House of Pancakes (I am not crazy about the omelet but it took me this long to earn it so by golly I am going to order it) but I miss the days when one could go to a store or order a sandwich and receive a courteous response at a regular practice. Gone also are the days when one could simply click a turn signal and the person in the car behind would slow, smile and wave you into the lane you needed. You might get a wave but it will be a less than friendly gesture. Well, when we get tired of rude treatment and the conflict of the world we can always go to church and find peace on earth and goodwill toward men…

Would that statement were always true, but we also seem to find reasons to differ in the body of Christ. At times the attitudes of conflict in the church rival those outside the church. We often can find more things to divide us than most groups I know. I am aware of actual church arguments over colors of carpet, storage closets and brands of toilet paper. While we may acknowledge and agree (when we are not arguing about those items) that arguing over those items are silly we often carry matters too far when we divide over scripture. Hear me carefully; proper interpretation of scripture is vital! Eternal destiny hangs in the balance. However, we must never let some of these matters divide us as we often do. There are obvious matters of scripture that are beyond debate such as the deity of Christ and salvation through his atoning grace, etc.

However, there are scriptures that God seemed to leave intentionally open to dialogue. Perhaps, he did this to allow us to draw together in our discussion and discernment and grow our faith as well as our love for one another as we work out these few verses in unity and harmony not letting them divide us. Sometimes our opinions change as we grow and learn. I even find disagreement with some of my own earlier writings as I have grown in my walk with my Lord, but I am still on speaking terms with the author.

In most card games there is a trump card that beats all others. Jesus gave a ‘trump’ for all interpretations, situations and other commandments when he was asked, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22: 36-40) When we let love become the determining factor in all our actions we may see the promise of peace and goodwill among men fulfilled after all!

Always a Missionary

2009-05-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

My elderly father fell. There was a possible broken hip and wrist. I was in Texas attending a conference when I got the call. As his primary caretaker, I got an emergency flight to admit him to the hospital. Once in the hospital delirium, the state of mental confusion that is often experienced by older patients, complicated matters. He became so agitated I finally had to have the nurses sedate him to keep him from further harming himself with his struggles from the confusion and agitation.

The situation continued to worsen as his wife died three days after he was admitted. My mother died in 1997. He remarried after her death and his second wife had been rapidly declining in a nursing home from a massive stroke. Now I had to break this news of her death to him, hope he would comprehend what I had shared in his state of mental confusion and then hope we would be physically (and mentally) able to leave the hospital for her funeral.

Just when it seemed things couldn’t get worse the nurse came into the room saying, “We need to move everyone into the hall a tornado is approaching.” So here I was in the hall with my bedridden father with whom I was waiting for him to gain enough clarity of mind to tell him his 2nd wife had just died and now a tornado approaching. Just then Daddy reached toward me and told me he needed to use the bedpan!

I share all this for a reason. First, never think, "Well it can't get any worse!" It can always get worse. In the midst of these escalating events my first thought was this, “Lord, give me a break! What are you doing to me?” Just being honest with you here! Then quickly I snapped back as the Holy Spirit reminded me that this was not about me. My purpose as his son was to take care of my father’s needs in his time of physical and emotional need. My purpose as God’s child is to reflect Christ in all I do, no matter what the conditions may be. It is not about me at all. Luke 9:23 tells me, as a follower of Christ, I am to deny self daily. Matthew 5:14-16 tells me I am to reflect Christ in my deeds.

I kept my cool and tried to reflect Christ in the middle of that moment. After all there were others who needed to be kept calm also. Our witness often can be the calm in the midst of life’s numerous storms for those around us. The tornado passed a few miles to the north. It destroyed a school, a church and several homes. No one was hurt. All can and will be rebuilt. The nurses cared for the immediate needs (thank goodness for nurses). I ministered to my dad in his growing time of loss.

The next day when his two physical therapists, who shared the frantic hallway with me and the other patients watching our behavior, came to the room they said, “You are a preacher, why does God allow disasters like the tornado?” I then had an opportunity to share about this sin-scarred world where bad things happen to good and bad people and how God’s love and grace is there in the midst of all (for more on this give me a call). As they were leaving the room one therapist looked at the other and said, “That makes sense. I never thought of things that way before!”

Here is the point. In all of life’s events, as a child of God, remember it is never about you! It is always about you being his missionary wherever you are and reflecting Jesus in all you do. So next time you are in the midst of a situation that seems to be escalating from one extreme to the next, don’t fret, God is with you and has you exactly where you need to be as his missionary to reflect his calm and mercy in the image of Jesus. Press on as his missionary.

Tired of church?

2009-05-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

Do you have times when you just get tired of church? Are there days when you seem to be going and not getting much out of the time you are giving? Perhaps you are too much into church and not enough into the founder. We Baptist are among the world’s worst at keeping busy ‘doing church’ rather than connecting with Jesus and then having fun ‘being’ the church. I often share my favorite poem to make the point;

Mary had a little lamb.
It would have been a sheep.
But it joined a Baptist Church and died from lack of sleep.

We can get so busy being religious that we miss Jesus. In fact, Jesus only mentioned church twice and he established the New Testament church. The Apostle Paul, whose inspired writings serve as much of the doctrine and guidance for the New Testament church never talked about joining the church or going to church. Rather he talked about being “in Christ” or “knowing Christ”.

Stephen Covey shared some interesting thoughts about people who become too centered on church in his popular book '7 Habits of Highly Effective People'. “Having participated throughout my life in organized church and community service group, I have found that attending church does not necessarily mean living the principles taught in those meetings. You can be active in a church but inactive in its gospel. In the church-centered life, image or appearance can become a person’s dominant consideration, leading to hypocrisy that undermines personal security and intrinsic worth. Because the church is a formal organization made up of policies, programs, practices, and people, it cannot by itself give a person any deep, permanent security or sense of intrinsic worth. Living the principles taught by the church can do this, but the organization alone cannot.Nor can the church give a person a constant sense of guidance. Church-centered people often tend to live in compartments, acting and thinking and feeling in certain ways on the Sabbath and in totally different ways on weekdays. Such a lack of wholeness or unity or integrity is a further threat to security, creating the increased labeling and self-justifying. Seeing the church as an end rather than as a means to an end undermines a person’s wisdom and sense of balance. Although the church claims to teach people about the source of power, it does not claim to be that power itself. It claims to be one vehicle through which divine power can be channeled into man’s nature.”

What I think Covey is saying in a wordy fashion (it is hard to sell books and get big bucks as a high powered lecturer if you sound simple) is basically this; a church centered life can lead to hypocrisy (putting on an act), insecurity, and low self esteem. That is one reason we see such behavior so often in long time church members who may even be leaders. The church, in itself, cannot lead to the life-changing behavior we need and actually seek. While church, as the corporate body of Christ, is and should be a major factor in our relationship and growth in our walk and pilgrimage with Him, it is not the end of itself. So if you are tired of church you may not need to 'drop out' you simply may need to 'hang out' with the founder.

As usual He, the founder of the church, says it best and I really like the way Jesus said it in Matthew 11:28-30 as shared in The Message; "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

My Child is Lost!

2009-05-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

Mark Twain said you could learn a lot of new things about a cat by dragging one home by the tail. Many of life’s lessons come the hard way and in difficult places. Often a teaching moment comes in unexpected ways and places. God taught me several things one day at the international airport in Zurich, Switzerland.

Here is the first, the cat dragging lesson. I was the leader of a large mission team. I learned that leading 51 people from 23 different churches, 5 different associations, leaving from 4 different airports can be a logistical nightmare. Especially when best laid plans are ruined with delays, cancelled and rescheduled flights that had my team scattered in across the Atlantic. Instead of all meeting in Atlanta and flying overseas together as planned, I arrived in Zurich with mission volunteers, safely in God’s hands but scattered over the Atlantic. I needed to locate much of my team.

The airline attendant was kind enough as she was doing her best to help but we were both frustrated with the difficulties of my messed up flight schedules that were compounded by our language barriers so we were struggling with both when a man pushed his way in front of me and said, in broken English; “I need help!” I gave him the look that crossed language barriers to let him know I did not care for his behavior as he cut in front of me as I was in the middle of my important business. The airline attendant did better. She scolded him saying; “You will have to wait. I am helping this man!” He cried out; “I’ve lost my child!”

Immediately everything changed. I no longer worried about his previous ‘rude behavior’ that was now quite understandable. My business could wait. The airline attendant no longer worried about scolding the man who ‘interrupted’ her work with me. This was a priority! The airport was a moving sea of people. The panic of a small child lost in that mass of humanity needed no translation for all of us. Immediately we all went into action. Nothing was more important than the lost child. Even as you read this account you can sense the urgency in your own emotions. All available resources were immediately called upon until we found the child. When we found him we all shared a celebration of joy. When we went back to our previously frustrating task of getting schedules coordinated there was a difference. We were all smiling! We were relaxed our problems with language and flight logistics seemed insignificant. We had recovered a lost child!

Here is the life lesson for churches and believers. Nothing is more important than finding lost people. We get so caught up in things that we think are priorities at the moment. While they may have their importance they are not usually eternal and not worth the trouble and frustration we give them. Arguments, anger, personal agendas and frustration all fade away when we are looking for lost people. All things are placed in their proper perspective when we regain the urgency and understanding that eternal issues take priority and other issues are very much secondary especially not worth worrying or fighting over. Finding lost people is much more rewarding and fun than arguing over stuff!

A Good Trip

2009-04-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I was in Texas with my daughter visiting Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as she considered her future as a possible student there. We had a reservation in the guesthouse but the address was new to me. Although an alumnus, it has been several years since I had been on campus. Both city and campus had seen much change. Buildings stand where fields and trees once were while buildings that once existed are now gone. I must also admit some memory changes with age added to the confusion. I might as well be honest about it, adding sin to senility won’t help.

I’m used to travel in my work as a minister. One month I logged over 15,000 miles covering 8 separate states and 3 different countries. As you well know men don’t need directions. I have never been lost. But, I must admit, still being honest, that although I have never been lost (I knew I was still on God's earth and He knew where I was) I have had the opportunity for some unexpected scenery and unusual arrival on several occasions.

Even though we had been sent written directions with our reservations, I was going to a building that did not exist in my previous days on campus and a place I had never been before. We needed to check in before 11 pm and were running close on time as I was finding myself in unchartered territory and growing nervous, on the inside, as my daughter still needed to have confidence in Dad didn't need to see me panic. However, she was 21 and at this point she probably knew I was bluffing and lost (OK I admit it this time). Suddenly a campus security car came into view. I hit the brake lights hard to gain his attention and he stopped. Swallowing pride I asked for directions to the guesthouse. “Do you have a room?” He asked politely. I told him my daughter and I had made a reservation. “Follow me, I will take you there.” He wheeled his car around in front of mine and gave me an escort to the front door.

I immediately saw this as a direct parallel to John 14:1-3 where Jesus tells us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”, we now had confidence of safe secure arrival with someone who knew the way because he had been there before and could protect us along the way. Nothing could prevent a safe arrival to our final destination. What a sense of peace to follow the guard then walk to the desk and see my name in the register because I had a reserved room.

When you admit your need and trust Jesus as savior and Lord you are promised a reserved room in the Father’s house (v.2). He went there after His death and resurrection. He promised to return and take you there (v.3). He knows the way. If you know Him you do also. He has been through experiences that we face, as Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, and he is ready to lead us safely through all that faces us, even death. John 10:27-29 is the promise of security. Jesus is your assurance for a good journey and guaranteed safe arrival to a reserved destination! The journey is much easier when a safe arrival to your secure destination is guaranteed.

Get Connected

2009-03-12T16:19:00.000-07:00

My Space, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, E-mail, Cell phone, Text, Fax, Page…the list of ways people can connect, and communicate with each other expand so rapidly one almost has to keep a dictionary to know the language of connection or is it networking? Everywhere you go people you see people on cell phones, sending messages, getting e-mail on Blackberries while driving, eating, having conversations with other people (even while pretending to listen to sermons or other messages. I noticed a number of legislators working their Blackberries during President Obama’s first address to both houses of Congress).
We are wired (or wireless) to connect with each other. God created us to unite. We have one Heavenly Father and the purpose of Jesus coming here for his first visit was to provide a way for all to come together through salvation. Look at John 1:12-13; “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” His final prayer for us in Gethsemane was for unity; “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:23).
So we have been designed to be drawn to one another for unity. The evil one plus our sin nature is the reason for our division, whether we speak of wars or the short-lived squabbles between loved ones. The simple truth lies in the fact that the more we surrender our ego (self) to Christ (Read Luke 9:23) and follow Jesus the more we will connect with him and live in harmony with our brothers and sisters as the Kingdom of God grows.
Connecting with God is much simpler than all these other gadgets and devices. In fact, you don’t need a device. You simply say something as easy as, “Father in Heaven” and you have a private audience with the Supreme Being who is masterfully ruling the universe without missing a beat. In fact, He has been waiting for your connection. There is a contract but it’s really a covenant agreement. The Father signed it first through Jesus who wrote his name in blood so he means to keep his part of the contract forever. Why not join and get your ‘buddies’ in on this growing network?

“It’s OK, Nobody Died”

2009-02-20T01:36:00.000-08:00

I was in Trinidad doing some mission work. I stayed in the home of Pastor Shaheed Mohammed. His wife Pearl kept an immaculate home but she was so tranquil with her easy smile that it was a joy to stay in their home. I love the attitude of people who live on an island. They seem to have a relaxed way that we Americans desperately need to learn. Let me share an example.
One evening my friend and mission partner Rita, retired IMB missionary, and I were having dinner with pastor Shaheed and Pearl when Rita accidentally knocked over a potted plant arrangement. Flowers, dirt and sand went all over the floor and down the stairs making a dirty mess all over Pearl’s immaculate floor and stairs. Rita, like most Americans swift to act, jumped up, apologized continuously and began cleaning the mess from Pearl’s previously shining tile floor. Pearl remained calm, smiled and said, “Sister Rita, sit down. It’s OK. Nobody died!” We laughed but the message was clear. Although Pearl kept a spotless house, this was not worth the worry or fuss. It was time to enjoy dinner and a good time around the table.
Worry, stress and anxiety are so much a part of the American way of life that we forget that they are prohibited in the scriptures. Read Matthew 6:25. It is a command! Philippians 4:6 commands us not to be anxious about anything! Yet we stress, worry and literally fret ourselves to death everyday.
Most other cultures have a phrase or philosophy that describes a mentality that refrains from stress. In Kenya the Swahili term “Hakuna Matata” means “no problem”. Kenyans approach life with a “no problem attitude”. Hawaiians have a friendly hand gesture that means, “hang loose”. Hispanics are famous for being less stressed and time conscious than people in the USA. They say, “You Americans have a watch, we have time.” They never seem to hurry while we are always in a rush.
Could it really be that worry and stress are connected with trust in the Father? It really is a trust issue. The more we really trust God the less we worry. Thus the command! So, take a breath, remember that God is in control of things that you can’t handle, see how they will work in the future or figure out. Here is the best part, as much as Pearl’s, “Nobody died!” phrase was meant to calm Rita and let her know this was not worth the stress, when we really trust Christ even when somebody dies there is no reason to worry. With faith in the risen Christ even death does not have the last word!

Life is Good!

2009-02-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

February 26 is my 8th anniversary. I celebrate my only kidney stone. Eight years ago I woke at 2 AM on a journey that saved my life. My ‘alarm clock’ was a mild and unusual kidney stone. I never had a stone before or since. The doctors said men ‘my age’ rarely have their 1st stone. (Don’t you hate it when that phrase becomes part of the dialogue?) The scan showed a calcium deposit that led to another doctor (remember this pattern).There was an aneurysm on my renal artery. Others doctors and scans later revealed other aneurysms outside both kidneys and a very rare renal artery disease called Fibro Muscular Dysplasia. This is not the way one wants to learn new vocabulary words. One also does not like to hear doctors say, “This is now more complicated than my area of expertise.” Now we move to see special doctors in other states. Nothing gets your attention like a talk with the most prominent specialist in the field in the nation and hearing, “I don’t like the looks of this.” I will spare you details but there is no feeling like lying in a hospital room after having prayed with your family and seeing them walk out the door and then knowing you will wake up either in the recovery room or Heaven. There is reality! I had two life saving surgeries. The first was in June. I could not have the second until I recovered enough strength for the second in November. Major artery reconstruction was preformed and three aneurysms were removed. I was told how serious the condition was but reality set in after the 2nd surgery when the patient after me with the next surgery that day with the same condition and same surgeon died in the next bed in ICU. My doctor told us most that situations such as this do not find the aneurysm until the autopsy, after it ruptures causing death with no warning or symptoms. He said, “God still has some work for you!" So, as I begin each day ‘admiring’ the 25 inch scar around my 33 inch midsection and go through the day with no feeling in that area of my abdomen, I seek to make the most of the gift of life. I do admit times of frustration I when I see people throwing away the precious fragile gift of life wasting time, fussing, fighting and arguing over petty matters. I am amazed at the ways we find to become angry and unhappy when we live in such a blessed country and are so blessed by God. Do you know that your garbage disposal ‘eats’ better than much of the rest of the world? People in many countries who are caught worshipping Jesus are beaten or killed. We have total freedom to assemble and worship the risen Christ and a spring shower is enough to keep many away from church. Others go to church and fuss about anything and everything that displeases them rather than finding the unity in Christ that He prayed for just before going to the Cross (read John 17:20-26). I am reminded of an old TV commercial for cell phones. They end the commercial saying, “We’re, part of the AT&T wireless network…and we get it!” I often think we could do a similar commercial but we would have to change the words and say, “We are Christians living in America, saved by the abundant grace of Christ, living in a free nation to enjoy life at the fullest…and we don’t get it!” I Thessalonians 5:16 commands us to “Rejoice always” yet we often sit in the middle of God’s blessings and frown. Next time you think you are having a bad time, remember the blessings you have here in America, read I Thessalonians. 5:18 and move on. You could have been born in India as an ‘untouchable’ (how would you like a life of cleaning out sewers with no hope of bettering your status in life?) or in you could have been born in Pakistan or Cambodia and not had the freedom or blessings that you have. John 10:10 says Jesus came to give abundant life. Let other stuff go and live! If I can rejoice over a 25-inch scar and celebrate the 8th anniversary of a kidney stone, you ought not to look too far to find your own reason to rejoice.
Happy Anniversary!

The Ultimate Game

2009-01-24T15:51:00.000-08:00

Every year the NFL concludes their season with the Super Bowl, the ‘Ultimate Game’! I wonder how the ‘ultimate game’ could played again every year, but that may explain why I am not the sports fan I once was. I thought Walter Cronkite (who was once the most trusted voice in news...when news voices could be trusted) put it in proper perspective when, years ago, the first Super Bowl was played at the Super Dome in New Orleans. Here was human arrogance at it’s best; the ultimate game, at the ultimate stadium with an opinion from the ultimate news voice (see what time has done to all). But, Walter did not disappoint. He looked into the face of the reporter and said, “I think it is fascinating to see this much attention and this many people focused on something that has no real historical significance whatsoever.” Way to go Walter! After all, it is just a game. Don’t miss the point. Sports and hobbies are not bad or wrong. In fact, they can be good and helpful. However, when we spend too much time and get too caught up and place out treasure in the wrong place…well someone far wiser than me (or even Walter Cronkite) said it better; “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…but store up treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
It is vital that we never lose sight on what is of real value. Eternal things are the only things that have real value. They take priority over all else. All else should come as an afterthought or things to do when eternal things are settled and taken care of. I think of how much time I once spent in front of the mirror and money once used on hair spray or other items to make sure every hair was in it’s proper place and stayed that way. Now, that seems foolish since it is becoming easier to comb my hair with a wet rag and go. The point is this; we need to spend our time, energy and money on that which will be a lasting investment. According to Jesus, the only investments that will last are those that are eternal. What is eternal? Your salvation is eternal. Do all you can and invest all your time and energy to find Christ as your Lord and Savior. Then lead others to that same eternal treasure. You see the second thing that is eternal is relationships. Yes, you can carry relationships into eternity. Your relationship with your Heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit will move into the next life. Although Jesus tells us that our relationships will be somewhat different in Heaven, we will no longer marry or be given in marriage, He also tells us that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven. I believe that our relationships of love with our fellowman are meant to be eternal treasures. So, each day focus on the real important 'game' of life that is super and ultimate.

Strength, Humility and Hope

2009-01-21T12:17:00.000-08:00

It is a grand time in our country. We have a new president moving into the White House. There is no other country on the planet now or in history that exhibits the civil transfer of power as does the United States of America. No matter how one voted, this is and should always be a time of great celebration of our freedom and unique strength as a nation. I hope our new president finds a special place in the White House. I read that there is an unpainted section of the White House on the Truman Balcony. It is exposed charred wood that was burned when the White House was occupied by the British and burned in the war of 1812. History can be quite interesting. This section was left exposed as a reminder of that occupation for three reasons that we should always remember as a nation and as children of God today.
As is often indicated in the Old Testament, and today, we are still people of a short memory. We frequently need historical reminders of God’s grace and providence in our spiritual lives as well as in the life of our nation. As we stand at another significant time in the life of our nation I thought it would be appropriate to remember the three reasons for the exposed charred wood on the Truman balcony.
First, it is a reminder of STRENGTH. The United States of America was strong enough to be established as a free nation where people could live and worship freely. This freedom gave us the strength to come back from the British invading and taking the capital. We were strong enough to regain the White House and rebuild it and it remains a symbol of strength today. We must never forget that strength that comes from freedom.
Second, it is a reminder of HUMILITY. We must always remember that we can fall. We must never take our sovereignty or strength for granted. We have previously had foreigners invade and burn our capital. We must never become too proud.
Finally, there is always HOPE. No matter how dark the days may seem there is always hope when men seek freedom. That is the American dream. Even when the President of the United States of America had to flee and run for his life as the White House was invaded by a foreign power and burned there was hope for the future. All was not lost. The war was won. The White House was regained. The country became stronger. We must always have hope.
As a follower of Jesus I find eternal strength in Him as I can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13), I seek to follow His eternal example of Humility (Philippians 2:1-12) and I find my hope for eternity through faith in Him (John 14:1-6). As an American I ask that you will join me in praying that our elected leaders will find and follow that same triune of Strength, Humility and Hope.

The Best Investment in Uncertain Times

2008-11-22T04:54:00.000-08:00

We are in the midst of some of the most uncertain times most of us can remember. All the things we once trusted for a secure future seem to be eroding. Our retirement, savings, jobs and financial security are just the tip of the iceberg. By the way, the icebergs seem to be melting under us. Many are worried about the future of the planet on which we live. For the first time in my memory the future of our country has come into question. A recent study has indicated by the year 2025 the U.S.A. will decline in financial and military influence in the world.

Religious people are looking at signs and seeking to fill in prophecy charts to find answers. False prophets will continue to take advantage of these times and confuse many. They have done this for years. People have incorrectly been looking for the Antichrist and other signs of fulfilled prophecy to be ready and get the jump on being prepared for the end of things for thousands of years. In Paul’s days there were many who quit working because they thought it pointless since the signs pointed to an immanent end of the world as they knew it. Paul wrote that those who did not work shall not eat. Evidently he would not be in favor of government welfare for able bodied citizens.

Many thought Kaiser Wilhelm was the Antichrist and World War I was Armageddon and the end was near. Obviously that theology has changed. But we seem to be a people of a short memory as were the Israelites. We continually mistakenly look to false prophets, mistaken interpretation of prophecy, the next Antichrist and miss the point of the message God gave us about the end.

First, there will be an end to things as they are. All things that are created by God change and move toward a conclusion that is purposeful. Second, he has given us the knowledge we need to follow toward that end. We are going to be held accountable with how we spend our lives here. That is the best way (and only way) to prepare for that conclusion. Placing faith in Christ or rejecting the offer of his salvation for one’s sin determines one’s final destination in either Heaven or Hell but God has clearly indicated that there are still degrees of reward or judgment depending on what one does with the time and opportunities here. That is the simple purpose of life.

The twenty fifth chapter of Matthew is one of Jesus’ most clear teachings on the end times. He tells us that it will come unexpectedly. By the way whenever we die that is the end time. I have conducted funerals for babies less than one year old and people nearly one hundred. Jesus has not yet fulfilled his prophetic promise to come again but for them that was clearly the ‘end time’. It can come for us when we are completely unaware so we must always be ready for life to end and be prepared.

He also tells us that each has been given certain expectations and opportunities in life and it is anticipated that we will use these as our ‘investment’ into eternity by giving and multiplying them for God’s benefit more than our own.

Finally, he tells us that the way we conduct ourselves by showing love to those who need it most is the best way we can prepare for the end. As we do this we show how we love Him. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'”

So stop worrying about tomorrow. You can be secure in your investments. The future is not uncertain. Your life, as you know it will end. You will have to give an accounting for your ‘investment’. Show love for everyone you encounter today. Make the most of what God has given you for His glory. Tune out the false prophets. Put down the eschatological charts and get busy sharing love and taking care of the “least of these” around you each day. It is the best investment you can make to prepare for the certain future that is ahead.

Do You Want To Be Well?

2008-11-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

I begin this writing with a disclaimer. It is longer than most I have written. It also contains some personal confessional truth I share from my spiritual journey that I hope will be helpful as you move along your way. Try as I may I could not find a brief way to properly share some of what I thought was important truth. D.T. Niles once described evangelism as, “One beggar showing another where he found bread.” I share the following in that same spirit.

Jesus encountered many in His brief time on earth to improve their life here and for all eternity. He is still doing so today. However, not everyone who encountered Jesus then or now had or has their life improved or changed. That fact always astonishes me. Why would one not take every opportunity to have things better, especially forever? Perhaps an encounter with Jesus from the 4th chapter of John gives insight. Jesus came to an invalid at the pool of Bethesda. He had been in this condition for some time. The pool was a common place for blind, lame & paralyzed people to gather. There was a common suspicion that magical healing powers were in the waters which was fed by an underground stream. From time to time air pockets would form in the feeding current and the pool would bubble. The belief had formed that an angel was stirring the water with a healing touch and the first one in the water during this supernatural ‘therapeutic’ moment would be healed. So there would be people waiting for the bubbles and a desperate scurrying to be healed. There are some so desperate to be healed that they will try anything. These are the poor souls that are often most vulnerable to scams and con artists. But that is another article.

The pool was also a gathering place for many who did not believe in the superstition but knew many charitable people would come there to give to the sick. This was long before government welfare so this was a common practice. Some had no intention of seeking to be better. They had given up on improving their situation. They just came to receive aid as they remained in their situation. This prompted the question of Jesus. “Do you want to be well?” While it is not God’s purpose to heal all physical sickness, as Jesus did not do so then nor does He do so today, God does seek to give us a changed abundant life (see John 10:10). “Do you want to be well?” is the tipping point question still today.

Even God, with all of his life-changing power, does not force change or improvement on those who seek to remain in their current situation. The invalid in John’s Gospel explained to Jesus that he did indeed wish to be well & was desperate to do all he knew & was doing all he was able to do in his limited physical (and current spiritual and intellectual understanding) would allow. Jesus then changed his life. As a preacher of that life-changing gospel who has traveled and ministered to individuals and churches on five of the seven continents over the past 30 years I have often wondered why so many are intent on staying in their ‘crippled’ condition.
I have come to the following conclusions: There are some people who are simply content in their current situation. I am reminded of a story of a new county agent that drove to an old rural farm in his newly assigned district in his new Government Issue truck with the label on the door. There was an old farmer dressed in his bib overalls, one button undone, hoeing preparing to plant his crop in the old fashioned way he had done for years. The new agent, with his new government issue uniform and all the enthusiasm he could muster, went to the old farmer who never paused in his hoeing. He introduced himself and said, “I am here to help show you how you can farm better than you have ever farmed before.” The old farmer still continued to hoe as he had done in the past and said, “I already know how to farm better than I have farmed before.” Some people are never going to change, even if it is for the better. Change takes work. Depending on the depth of change it may require physical work, emotional work or the work of faith. Some change requires all three. Some have such an ego that they do not wish to admit that they need change or improvement. To admit a need for change means admitting there is something wrong with the current condition and they have developed an ego that will not allow that assessment. Others are in such a state of denial for several reasons that they do not see that they need change so they choose to remain ignorant or superficial. Some stay in their state of sameness, illness or refusal of change that necessitates growth because they enjoy the attention they receive from illness wrongly portraying that attention as love.

There are other reasons but those who are not interested in growth have probably not read this far so I will not address them. What I do want to address is change. In his book entitled Deep Change Todd Hunter writes, "We live in a tumultuous time. Change is everywhere, and we are surrounded by circumstances that seem to demand more than we can deliver. We are all regularly lured into playing the role of the powerless victim or the passive observer. In such roles, we become detached, and our sense of meaning decays. We look at everything in a superficial way. We see little potential and have little reverence. To choose to play either of theses roles is to choose meaninglessness or the slow death of the self. We has always been embedded in a dilemma. We have always had to agonize over the choice between making deep change or accepting slow death.” The term ‘slow death’ jumped out at me as I moved my elderly father into my home to become his caretaker. It is sad to watch this man whom I once looked upon as my role model slowly waste away but the more tragic episode in his final chapter of life is the glaring evidence of the reality of his choosing a ‘slow death’ years ago as he chose to let life pass by. He simply chose to stop challenging himself in his ways of thinking and forming a growing world view. It is sad to see this in my father but he is not alone.

There is a spiritual sadness in those who do the same. I know pastors and church members who seem to have a preference to cling to ego, tradition and old mind sets rather than go through the work and often fearful challenge that is involved with what is necessary to really be well or have real change. They are often just going through the motions. We all find it hard at times. We know what is to feel tired and feel like there is more demanded than we can deliver and we become weary and want to stop growing. But, I believe those who truly seek to be spiritually whole/well have a conscience that will not allow them to stop growing. We also have seen the ‘slow death’ in others and do not want to go there.

This type of growth is not cosmetic or superficial. Hunter writes, "...differing from incremental change in that it requires new ways of thinking and behaving. It is change that is major in scope, discontinuous with the past and generally irreversible. Effort at deep change distorts existing patterns of action and involves taking risks. Deep change means surrendering [But] most of us build our identity around our knowledge and competence in employing certain known techniques or abilities. Making a deep change involves abandoning both and “walking naked in the land of uncertainty..."However, we must realize that this is the true adventure of faith. Jesus tells us in John 3:8, "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." This is the adventure of those who are born again and trust Jesus as he says, “Do you want to be well?” Trust Him, choose life, read, study, learn grow, test everything and hold on to the good (I Thessalonians 5:21) and let go of old ways that are slow death that are holding you back from following Him more completely. It is a glorious journey!

Pursue Truth

2008-11-03T11:47:00.000-08:00

If you live long enough you just may hear anything. I have heard how I can buy houses with no money. I can send a vow of $10 or more and receive untold riches. I can have a medical miracle or financial prosperity from God by sending for, and properly using (they come with instructions to follow which usually include being on a regular mailing list to solicit funds) any of the following “free” items; miracle manna bread, anointed oil, miracle water, green prosperity prayer cloth and (my personal favorite) the red blood of Jesus prayer handkerchief. I can also lose weight while I sleep, have great abs without difficult exercise by ordering any number of exercise aids, usually for $19.95. I can take a certain pill and eat all I want and not gain weight. I can also take 5 strokes off my golf game with any number of instructions, videos or gadgets again usually for that magic price of just $19.95 (I wonder if I tried them all would they combine and take off the 72 strokes that make par and I simply would not have to go to the course? Then I could do something else with that money spent of green fees…maybe send in another vow and get another prayer cloth.). Then there are other examples of marvelous things that politicians will tell you they will do for you when they get in office. If you are still buying those promises I may need to send a red blood of Jesus prayer cloth to you. I can’t guarantee it to give you that miracle the politicians and others are promising you but you can use it to cry in when you realize you have been duped again.

These are just a few of the things you can hear from watching TV (especially if you do not require as much sleep as the normal person), listening to some speeches, sermons or much that is going on around you each day. How do you know how to filter out the nonsense and discern the truth? How do you know who or what to believe today? One politician tells us one thing while another says the opposite. Then if they are selected to run on the same ticket they suddenly agree. Someone once said the only way you can tell when a politician is lying is to check and see if their lips are moving. However, politicians are not the only ones to lead us astray. It is hard to know which newscaster to believe. One certainly can’t trust advertisers. One commercial tells us soda is the way to go. Then we hear that one diet soda a day will cause weight gain. One doctor may recommend surgery while another says change your diet. I really worry when they want their money up front, which may mean they don’t think my prospects look good enough to pay later. It can really become troubling when you don’t know which preacher to trust. While these other issues are important eternal issues hang in the balance with these messengers.

Truth is far too important in any matter to be lost by the way it is clouded by presentation. Remember that was the tactic in the Garden of Eden. The original deceiver was crafty and made deceit look attractive. The problem with far too many of us lies with the truth that we share the same problem of Pilate in John 18:39. He stood face to face with Jesus, God in flesh, truth incarnate (see John 14:6) and asked him the question, “What is truth?” Yet before Jesus could answer that profound question Pilate turned and addressed the Jews. Quickly seeking to remove himself from involvement from this difficult situation. You see too many of us are more worried about the easy out than the truth. Truth may not always lead to what initially seems to be the easy road but Pilate, like the rest of us would have fared far better if he had remained in contact, conversation and communion with the truth, Jesus. The truth is always the best solution in the conclusion of the matter. It may not be pleasant to deal with at the moment but the end result is well worth it.

Who can you believe? You can always trust and believe Jesus! His eternal word and His teachings will always guide you and will never go out of style. The problem stems from the fact that far too many do not actually read, study, understand or follow His word or teachings. I have seen far too many so called ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’ preachers skip or misuse the Bible for their own agenda rather than shape their lives, agenda and ideas to the truth of the Bible. I watched one of the most popular pastors in the country; in the largest church deliver a very positive message but it was roundly incorrect in its theological content. However, his congregation nodded in approval. They were either unaware or unconcerned with the fact that they were in church and were hearing a non-Biblical message. (To his credit he has admitted that he is not a theologian and his ‘call’ is to uplift and encourage people. My concern is that one can be uplifted and encouraged by reading Prevention magazine. When one comes to church one should hear life-changing eternal truth that comes from faith in the resurrected Christ and not hear simple positive philosophy.)
Far too many people in the pew or watching TV will place unwavering trust in the presentation of some polished preacher or gifted speaker. Jesus tells us in John 10 that his sheep know him and will listen to His voice. Life here and especially in eternity depends far too much to trust anyone but Jesus. Let us not make the mistake of Pilate and walk away from truth. Take time to stay the presence of Jesus and learn how to know when you hear His voice and not be deceived by another. Too much is at stake!

When You Change The Way You Look At Things, The Things You Look At Change

2008-08-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

What do you do when things don’t go as planned? All can recount times when we thought we were doing our best to move in God’s direction and life threw us a huge curve. We have been progressing in sincerity, prayer and earnest work and we meet with a dead-end. Either something has gone wrong with God’s leading or our expectations. What do you do? How do cope with the reality? Do you lose faith? Do you press forward harder into the wall? Or do you step back and try to revaluate the situation and learn something new that may be the reason God allowed the dead end. God has historically allowed His children to hit walls to teach lessons in faith, perseverance, growth and deliverance. Remember the descendants of Israel went from Egypt to the wall of the Red Sea before they were miraculously delivered.
Paul is another classic example in Philippians 1:12-18. He surrendered to preach, following God’s leadership, leaving a successful lifestyle and wound up in a Philippian jail. He had not committed a crime. His street preaching was stirring up problems for the locals who wanted to keep religion under their control. They had enough connections with the legal authorities to trump up charges to get him arrested. Not only was he taken off the streets where he was previously preaching but there were people who began preaching simply to keep things stirred to keep him in jail. The normal human response might be, “This is the thanks I get! Why try?” Paul was the same person who wrote that we know God’s will by having a renewed mind (Romans 12:2) so he was not used to thinking the same old way. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Paul knew when God closes one door it is to lead you to open another. Remember who is in control of all eternity. God is working all things toward His purpose and that may not always be to your personal convenience at that moment. Paul knew it was not about him but God’s purpose. We become confused, defeated, discouraged if we look for what we think is best for us. In his human nature Paul could not be satisfied with being in chains (Not in his best interest). However, as a believer he had given over his interests to God’s purpose and that was to advance the Gospel. All believers are to deny self (ego) and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). It is not about us!
With a changed way of looking at things, this became the ideal advancement. You see the most difficult task for street preacher is to keep people from walking away. Now as a prisoner Paul was surrounded by guards who could not leave. He had a captive audience. Immediately his situation had changed because his perspective had changed. He could preach long and hard and the guards had to stay and listen. When they were converted a shift change would bring a new audience. What a set up God had given him! God wanted revival among the Praetorian Guard so he had his best preacher arrested.
What about the work outside? God in control of that also, Paul’s preaching was an inspiration to other preachers so they began preaching and as far as those who preached from false motives? So what, Christ is still preached and that is what we wanted so they are actually helping the cause also. You can’t defeat God and His purpose. No matter the method, odds, or the motives God turns everything toward His eternal will. All through history He has turned Satan’s efforts into His victory. Herod tried to kill Jesus as a baby and God used that event to fulfill prophecy. Satan tried to tempt Jesus as an adult and this gave us insight to conquer temptation today. Satan thought he had Him on the cross but this gave salvation for whosoever places faith in Jesus.
If you want to turn things around get on God’s side. Change your way of looking at the situation. Stop thinking about how things affect you and your feelings. Turn your thinking around. Ask what can I do to accomplish His purpose here? When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change!

What is God Teaching You?

2008-08-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

God is always seeking to work in our lives to shape us more into the image of Christ. He seeks to teach us with relationships with other people, through His word and with situations and circumstances in our life.

Some situations and circumstances are out of our control and allowed by God to teach, shape, mold or mature us. In these situations and circumstances we can either:

Learn and grow by adapting, changing and growing through those things that we cannot change.
Deny, rebel and fight those things we cannot change insuring increasing unhappiness and despair.

Some situations and circumstances are the result of our own conscious or unconscious patterns of behavior. In those situations and circumstances we can either:

Continue in those patterns that bring or enhance love, grace and joy to our lives and those we touch. Recognize and change behavior patterns that bring frustration, despair and discouragement. Behavior is learned. Therefore, behavior can be unlearned and changed. That is how we grow.
Continue to repeat and recycle the same patterns and fail to learn and grow.

If you are not interested in learning, changing and growing you need not continue reading, however if you are interested in learning, changing and growing look ahead at the following questions and be honest with yourself. You may want to get a separate sheet of paper or two or even a trusted friend to help with the following:

What do you think God is teaching you?

Through recent events in your life?

Through events of the past year?

Through events of the past five years?

What pattern(s) of behavior in your life do you see that bring fulfillment and joy?

What pattern(s) of behavior in your life do you see that cause struggles, frustration and discouragement?

Where do you see that you need to focus the most energy & effort on change?

Where or to whom can you go to get help in these growth areas?

When will you start?

Mission, Possible!

2008-08-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

A frustrated pastor entered my office and said, “I don’t think my congregation respects my leadership.” I responded by asking him, “Where are you leading them?” There was a very long awkward silence as he gave me a ‘deer in the headlights look’ followed by, “What do you mean?” The rest of the visit was a delicate discussion where I tried to tactfully explain this truth; if you don’t know where you are going, you can’t lead and you certainly can’t expect people to respect or follow. Knowing where you are going is vital to everyone whether you are the lead dog or just one of the pack. Of course, as children of God there is no, “just one of the pack!” Each one of us is a unique creation of God. He tells us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” in Psalm 139. In the entire world and in all creation there has never been anyone like you. No matter what Shirley McLane tells us, we have not been here before, this is it and you are special!

Now that we have that established you need to realize that God created you with intention for a reason. He has a purpose for you. Rick Warren was not the first to realize this. Life is far too precious and brief to miss your purpose. Far too many people drift through life day after day hoping things will happen or wondering why they can never catch a break that others seem to catch. Others just seem to exist. What a tragic way to spend the precious fragile gift that only God can give us. So, how does one avoid the dilemma of the pastor I introduced to begin this article? It can be very helpful to write a personal mission statement. When we put something in writing it means we have given it thought and intention rather than just ‘wishing’ it so. Creating a written document gives direction, foundation and focus. The U.S. Constitution is our written foundation. We continually refer to that document to keep us focused and keep us on track as a nation.

A mission statement can be simple or it can have a beginning statement with other refinements giving clarity. They can evolve and be fluid as your life changes and matures. The point is to move through life with purpose rather than drifting and then looking back with regret. My personal mission statement is this: My mission is to know Christ and make Him known. This is a simple, yet to me, profound, way to express a way to give intention to all I do as a husband, father and child of God. All activities evolve out of these principles.
I accomplish my mission by:

daily by learning, understanding and becoming acquainted with Him through prayer, reading and study of the Bible, as well as other books and occasions to better know Him,
sharing Him in word and deed in all my actions first at home with my relationship with my wife and family, then with all I encounter
and finally my mission is to make Him known by reflecting His truth and nature as I live abundantly in all I do.

This gives me a proper foundation, purpose, integrity and fullness on a daily basis. Give it some thought. You have a purpose. You have a mission. This is your life make the most of it!

"I tried as hard as I could"

2008-08-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

I have always been a sports fan. In July of 2005 I witnessed retirement for two athletes, the likes of whom we may never see again. Lance Armstrong won his 7th consecutive Tour de France. Before Lance, the previous record was 5. It is mind-boggling to think of racing a bicycle up French mountains and country roads for over 2,200 miles, especially for a cancer survivor. Lance inspires us to ‘Live Strong and ‘Never give up’!
I think of believers in Christ, who should be people of eternal hope and joy, after all we are the resurrection people, but many become discouraged wanting to give up. I think of preachers become comfortable with less than their best effort. Then I see Lance pushing on. He won 7 tours by winning one at a time. He won by competing as hard as he could each day, one pedal at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed or lazy and let discouragement defeat you. The mountain is climbed one step at a time. Wasn’t it Jesus who said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”?
Jack Nicklaus retired from competitive golf with a birdie on the 18th hole at St. Andrews, the home of Golf, in the British Open. Most fans expected him to make the putt. No it was not for the championship trophy as in days of his glory and youth but he tried as if it were. That was how he played and lived. He won more major tournaments than anyone in golf history. He influenced golf as much, if not more, than anyone in history. But that’s not why I watched that final putt.
Jack has long been known as a devout family man. In spite of demands from golf and business his family is his priority. Recently, upon receiving the ‘Sportsman of the Century’ award, he took the stage before an auditorium filled with successful celebrities and athletes, as well as a TV audience of millions, and said his greatest accomplishment was seated on the front row. He smiled at his first (and only) wife and five children. They smiled back as the greatest sportsman in 100 years acknowledged his family as his accomplishment.
In one of the numerous interviews given by Jack Nicklaus, I believe one quote sums up his life philosophy and offers inspiration. He said that he always “tried as hard as he could” no matter what he did. As a husband, father, in golf, business or whatever, he tried as hard as he could. He gave all his best effort.
I Corinthians 10:31 says it this way, “Whether you eat, drink or whatever, do it all to the glory of God”. I figure if Lance can put forth that kind of effort to ride a bike and Jack can do it to roll a ball into a hole in the ground, why can’t I give my best for a savior who gave it all for me? Give it your best. Eternity is worth it!

Too Much Church?

2008-08-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

I recently turned 56 (you don’t celebrate, you turn 56. Later I will hit 60, hopefully, and after that who knows, but that is another article.). I tell people I have been attending church for 56 years and 9 months. I have attended churches around the globe and have discovered that we (self included) church people can be quite strange at times. When we focus on Jesus, which is the point, we are at our best. When we focus too much on church we can have some problems. Years ago Stephen Covey shared some interesting thoughts in his popular book '7 Habits of Highly Effective People' about people who become too centered on church. He shares the following thoughts:
“I believe that almost anyone who is seriously involved in any church will recognize that churchgoing is not synonymous with personal spirituality. There are some people who get so busy in church worship and projects that they become insensitive to the pressing human needs that surround them, contradicting the very precepts they profess to believe deeply. There are others who attend church less frequently or not at all but whose attitudes and behavior reflect a more genuine centering in the principles of the basic Judeo-Christian ethic.
Having participated throughout my life in organized church and community service group, I have found that attending church does not necessarily mean living the principles taught in those meetings. You can be active in a church but inactive in its gospel.
In the church-centered life, image or appearance can become a person’s dominant consideration, leading to hypocrisy that undermines personal security and intrinsic worth. Guidance comes from a social conscience, and the church-centered person tends to label others artificially in terms of “active”, “inactive”, “liberal”, “orthodox” or “conservative”.
Because the church is a formal organization made up of policies, programs, practices, and people, it cannot by itself give a person any deep, permanent security or sense of intrinsic worth. Living the principles taught by the church can do this, but the organization alone cannot.
Nor can the church give a person a constant sense of guidance. Church-centered people often tend to live in compartments, acting and thinking and feeling in certain ways on the Sabbath and in totally different ways on weekdays. Such a lack of wholeness or unity or integrity is a further threat to security, creating the increased labeling and self-justifying.
Seeing the church as an end rather than as a means to an end undermines a person’s wisdom and sense of balance. Although the church claims to teach people about the source of power, it does not claim to be that power itself. It claims to be one vehicle through which divine power can be channeled into man’s nature.”
While you may not agree with all he says, I hope it will stir you thoughts but more than anything else I hope you will agree, as I stated in beginning; when we focus on Jesus, which is the point, we are at our best!

Did Jesus Gripe?

2008-08-12T10:14:00.000-07:00

They seem to be everywhere. They gripe and complain about everything. They find fault at every turn in life. You see them on the news griping and complaining about having to wait in lines for food, water or gas after a hurricane. I am amazed at how easy they complain and never once consider those who died or lost loved ones just a few hours earlier in the same storm who would gladly stand in the line had not that same storm taken their lives. I realize that there are many more who do realize the grace bestowed on them and express gratitude whenever possible. Those are the ones whom unquestionably reflect the light of Christ. But, what about those complainers? They taste food (not their own cooking) and it is not flavored or seasoned to suit their palate. They watch sports but the athletes and coaches (who are playing and coaching a game at a level beyond their abilities) never perform at a level that pleases them. No one ever drives as well as he or she does. No one at the work place knows what to do as well as they do. However, they are rarely ever promoted to the area of responsibility to fix those things that they know more about than everyone else. So, they just gripe and complain at every turn. And they go to church! Goodness knows they go to church! That is where they ‘enjoy’ most of their griping and complaining. And make no mistake about it. This is a lifestyle that they choose and have developed a warped sense of enjoyment, which will be discussed in more detail later.
There is something that one needs to experience to know the full understanding of studying all week to prepare a Gospel message to deliver eternal truth that may effect the eternal destiny of a listener. Then internalizing the message to communicate it in a manner with few notes as to communicate it in a conversational manner to keep the attention of the listener so they will hear and understand eternal truth. After taking hours to do the former one then stands and delivers that message, live, in front of a large audience as well as they possibly can with every intention of making sure that eternity will matter for the listener. There are few experiences on this planet like having the first person rush up to you after such preparation and delivery and say (speaking the truth in love, in their mind); “Pastor, you had a double negative in your first sentence!” I guess we all get what we come for when we go to church.
Jesus was God in flesh. Being fully human he had the complete range of human emotion. Jesus wept. John 11:35 is everyone’s reminder of the shortest verse in the Bible. The second shortest verse is I Thessalonians 5:16, the command to, “Rejoice always” but that is another message. Jesus was angry, (all four gospels record anger when he saw people using the temple for personal gain) but he did not sin. Anger is a proper human emotion. We should be angry at such things as abortion, child and spousal abuse and any evil behavior. But our anger should always be channeled toward righteous redemptive reforming action and never sin. Jesus laughed. Although there is no single verse that points to Jesus laughing, I am certain He did. Children always were attracted to Jesus. Have you ever seen children running to play with a sourpuss? Jesus was (and still is) fun to be with!
Jesus showed us all the human emotion and behavior we should model and copy and those He never demonstrated should never be practiced by us. Jesus never worried. Jesus was never afraid. He always had complete trust in the Father. Again, these are all other messages. At this moment I want to address the fact that Jesus NEVER griped or complained. And believe me, if anyone had a platform for a complaint, Jesus with His transition from Heaven’s throne to the poverty stricken life of suffering that led to the cross He endured for our sin, could have an excuse for a note in the suggestion box of live but He bore it all and scorned the shame without complaining, making excuses or griping.
It is easier to find fault than to be positive. That is one reason so many choose that pathway. It is the way of least resistance.

Who Speaks for God?

2008-08-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

“God told me...” is a phrase that is frequently heard in the Christian community. “I feel led...” or “I have been praying and I have a peace about...” are also popular phrases. All too often they mean, “This is how I want to obtain MY mandate!” When I hear someone say “God told me…” I like to tease and ask “What did His voice sound like when He told you? I always thought he would sound like James Earl Jones or have an English accent was I correct? Or when they say they were “feeling led” I like to ask, “was that similar to the sensation you feel when you bite into a peppermint patty?” You can tell why I am not invited to a lot of parties.
I am also not too impressed when someone has a “sense of peace” about doing something even if it is a result of prayer. Even a two-year old has peace when they get their own way. Leaders of cults pray and gain peace from the lack of a conscience more than real direction from God. The peace of God, from prayer, is affirmed by scripture, prayer, circumstances and the church, not simply the whim or feeling of a single individual.
I don’t diminish the fact that God speaks and leads. He does! Nor do I discount the importance of prayer in seeking God’s direction. It is essential, when done properly. However, I am incredulous when those or similar phrases are used for the advancement of a personal agenda, idea or desire. Call me a skeptic but when anyone claims a direct word from God as if they just got off the phone with Him, I worry. Claiming a word from God or wrapping God around personal desires should always stir caution.
Declaring a word from God is serious business. The famous preacher of England, C. H. Spurgeon, said he “trembled” lest he should misinterpret the Word. Our Biblical forefathers also had a high view of God’s holy voice. It should never be used lightly or to promote a political or personal agenda, idea or desire.
So, how does one know what God is saying or to whom God is speaking or leading? Who does speak for God? You see, God still speaks quite nicely and clearly for Himself through His Word, the Bible. Henry Blackaby said it well in Experiencing God; “God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.” It is our task to be in a church, to pray, read, study and obey what He has already said rather than claim or look for a new word. Don’t be fooled. Get into God’s Word and into a fellowship of Bible teaching believers. That is where He still speaks and leads most clearly! So, who Speaks for God? He does quite well for Himself!

What Does China Know?

2008-08-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

The recent Olympics saw President Bush make a public visit and statement to a church in China. This was, like all Chinese events, very controlled as this was a church that was registered with the Chinese government. The real spiritual movement in China is flourishing with the house churches that the government is aware of but does not control. Even the paranoid Chinese government cannot control the Holy Spirit. This event reminded me of an old article I penned when our president visited China in 2005.

I am again reminded of the way God desires us to unite beyond all the restrictions that governments, prejudice and even religion seeks to separate us. When we seek that which we have in common, which can be found in the love of Christ, rather than that which we have that can divide us we can do so much to better the world in which we live and reflect that love of the God in whose image we are created. The article was written to encourage churches to come together but it makes the point that all of us should find reasons to unite in love.

What Does China Know That Can Help Us?
Dr. Bill Drees
It was a typical Sunday evening in November, 2005; I was recently making my way to one of the fifty churches that make up the Kershaw Baptist Association which I have the privilege to serve. I was listening to PBS on the radio when the story suddenly caught my attention. They were discussing matters brought to attention by the President’s recent trip to a government-sanctioned church in China. The discussion turned to the underground church that is flourishing in China. The Chinese government is one of the most oppressive governments in the world yet they are aware of the growth of the underground church. The next remark by the reporter got the attention of this old DoM. “As long as the underground churches remain independent and do not form associations, the government does not fear their power”. I couldn’t turn my radio up fast enough! What? Could it be that the Chinese government better understands what we have been trying to get our own pastors and churches to grasp? There is power when churches come together and form associations!
To those who ask; “Do we need associations today?” If China does not fear our military or economic power yet fears churches coming together to form associations, that should tell you something about the power of associations. When the body of Christ comes together in a community, county, state and nation …well, isn’t that what we preach about? Yet, too often we try to do it as ‘lone ranger’ congregations and pastors. I meet with and talk with DoM’s from our state and all over the nation and find similar situations. Pastors and churches are so busy doing individual ministry that they often fail to know and see the advantages of coming together as a local association, state convention or denomination.
It is frightening how often I encounter church members and pastors who do not realize the resources that they already have at their disposal as a member of the association. I wish more of our pastors and churches knew more about who we are as Southern Baptists and how we really function with associations and denominations. It will make them proud. It is also amazing how much more we could all do if we would take full advantage of the very thing that the Chinese government fears. We have the freedom to come together; pool resources (as Paul did with churches in the New Testament, we didn’t invent this idea) to reach out in ministry and evangelism in a way that none of us can do individually. Yet, while we have this freedom we rarely take full advantage of the opportunity to get together and truly marshal our forces in Kingdom ministry.
We have good participation from most of our churches, but I could not help hearing that radio broadcast proclaiming the threat and fear that churches forming into associations caused the Chinese government and I wondered, “How much more could we threaten and strike fear into the heart of the enemy if we really came together as fifty churches with one heart and mind?” Isn’t that what Jesus prayed in Gethsemane so the world would know God sent Him (John 17:21)? Do we still need a local association of churches today? I still think our heavenly Father likes to distribute power through us coming together in that fashion. I don’t think the Chinese government fears the power of an association of churches for nothing. Think we can learn from them? We still have that freedom to come together in a powerful way, wouldn’t it be a shame not to take full advantage of what we already have?

Discuss, Decide then Support

2008-08-10T04:51:00.001-07:00

Religious people can be a strange bunch. I can say that from experience attending churches since I was conceived. I turned 56 in June. I tell people I have been attending church since I was 56 plus nine months. In other words I grew up in church. I have served as a pastor for 20 years with ministry experience in four different states. I am in my 10th year as a Director of Missions serving 50 different congregations and I have preached on 5 different continents. I have been in so many churches I am surprised a steeple is not growing out of my bald spot. However, I am still often dumfounded at the way we do our business.

We seem to specialize on reasons to disagree. Jesus prayed (John 17:20-26) for us to be “one so the world would know the Father sent Him.” But, we stay so divided that they stay away as if we had rabies rather than the message of eternal life. We are often so afraid of change and fear new thoughts or ideas as if the truth could be threatened by something new. Our culture or surrounding world (which is our mission field) changes regularly however, two things never change; the Gospel and mankind’s need for that Gospel. Our task is to get into the changing culture with that timeless Gospel that meets the needs of today’s culture, like sprinkling salt onto food to change the flavor, to borrow an old teaching from a wise man.

Traditions and ways of the past are often guarded as if they were sacred or military secrets. Once a deacon asked me, “If I disagree with you, as my pastor, do you think I am led by Satan?” I responded, “Heavens no! I welcome civil disagreement. Anyone seeking truth seeks other opinions and if they point to truth, he leaves his old ideas and follows truth.” My way or the highway people with personal ego and agenda become threatened when challenged.

Jerry Porras writes in Success Built to Last: Creating a Life That Matters of successful businesses having “naked conversations” where things are openly discussed in such a manner that outsiders would think they are fighting. Even the CEO will allow employees to freely disagree with him because they know they all have the same goal; the best product. They discuss, decide, then unite and support a decision that helps the company because it mutually benefits all. This is valuable for moral and the bottom line as all work together for the common good.

Too often we see personal ego get in the way in church to the point that we discuss, argue and if I don’t get my way I won’t go along. We divide, hide, isolate when we should come together more than anyone else. After all we really do have the best ‘product’, salvation. When we unite and are open with our discussion and work all receive the rewards, which are eternal.

Listen Carefully

2008-08-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

“You can hear a lot by just listening.” I think Yogi Berra said that, if not it sounds like one of his but the problem I wish to discuss comes from the fact that lately not too many of us really seem to be listening. As a professional speaker, well I have been paid for it, I am careful to listen to myself and others. I am often amazed by what I hear and how others seem unaffected by what I think should get us riled up.

Some of it is the stuff that causes my wife to wish I would go in the other room when I critique the TV announcers. Why do they have to say “First-ever”? Isn’t that redundant? Sportscasters speak of “good speed”. Then is bad speed’ better than slow? Now I admit that these are just things that irritate a perfectionist but there are better examples that have more lasting and serious consequences.

In this political season we should listen carefully to what is said and what is not said as our countries’ future is at stake. Politicians are masters at avoiding the question and making one think they gave an answer. Just because they are smooth talkers does not mean they will be the best for the job. TV personalities sound impressive and even spiritual as they speak of “following one’s own truth” or finding “your inner truth” however, none of this is Biblically based. In fact the Bible speaks of following Jesus as truth and your inner truth is sinful. So be careful.

More importantly are those who speak from pulpits. As one who will be judged for what he says I am very careful and invite the audience to listen and correct me when I am in error. That is why I took no shortcuts in education and study and continue to do so. Eternity hangs in the balance. I am constantly amazed at what I hear and people sit and nod approvingly.

Just because they have a great delivery, an impressive church, large following, deep voice, TV studio, great hair (that lets me out) or any or all of the above does not necessarily mean they are sharing the truth. Remember Jesus did not have an impressive production from a stadium or mega-church but when he spoke “the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not at their teachers of the law. (Matthew 7:28-29). We still do well to listen to him.

Labels are Best on Soup Cans

2008-08-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

I couldn’t believe my ears. I was accused of labeling a pastor with one of those popular names that describes a certain theological viewpoint. For those who really know me and my views the accusation was so ridiculous that it was laughable were it not harmful to anyone who might hear and believe it. All gossip and slander is harmful and evil. That is why I long ago memorized Proverbs 26:20 and share it as often as possible; “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

Since the early 80’s I have written articles against labeling people. In fact, when the trend to use certain labels almost as a weapon to describe people in our denomination seemed to reach a frightening peak, some may not remember or have served in some states where that once happened; I wrote an article telling everyone clearly how to label me. I said that I was a “Fundamentalist, Conservative, Moderate, Liberal, catholic Christian.” You see, I studied the root meaning of the words and I believed in the fundamental truths of the scriptures, I was cautious and discrete at times so meant acting conservative. The Bible taught moderation and I believed the scriptures. I believe in being liberal with grace and love and I am a member of the universal church (Catholic with a little c). So there, now you know what to call me, or at least something to call me in public.

Seriously, I guess I have such an aversion to labels because I grew up in racially divided Mississippi in the 60’s. Labels were used to make people seem less than the creation of God that they were. Labels often were used to allow people to demean, disrespect, belittle and even kill their fellowman and think nothing of it. When I was 12 years old three young men were murdered 90 miles from my home. The group that committed the horrible crime was made up of some of the cities’ leading citizens, law officers and led by an ordained Baptist preacher. The last words two of these young men heard before their brutal murder were the labels that were used demean them before their illegal execution. Their crime was simply trying to help obtain the right for American citizens to vote.

As you can tell, I strongly oppose labeling people. Noted Psychiatrist, Dr. David Burns writes in 'Feeling Good', “Labeling is a distorted thinking process that causes you to feel inappropriately indignant and morally superior. It’s destructive to build your self-image that way. In reality, every human being is a complex mix of positive, negative and neutral attributes.” I do realize that there are descriptive terms that often have to do with political or theological viewpoints. It is sometimes helpful to properly use those terms to make a point or describe a viewpoint.

Some choose willingly to call or describe themselves by a certain viewpoint and it is their choice and right to do so to attempt to describe their viewpoint, theology or political philosophy. There is nothing wrong with that, if THEY are the ones who use a label as a matter of self-description. However, a label, even self-imposed, can still give the wrong impression as they are then often open to different interpretation and as Dr. Burns stated we are too complex for such a simple label. As for me I would much rather be described as one who always seeks to discern the complete truth of the Bible and especially enjoy the label as a follower of the author of the book.