I've spent years preaching, teaching, and counseling with this truth undergirding it all: You can trust God because he loves you and always does what is best.
Now I'm in some tough times and I have a hard time trusting God.
I've been leading the Sunday Night Bible Study at church for the last few months. We are studying Genesis and just finished a lengthy section on Jacob's life. He is a great example of someone who looks a lot like me. Trusting God one day; panicking the next. Building an altar to Almighty God one day; grasping control of his life the next.
Jacob is unique because God chose him and his family to bring the Messiah into the world. And God chose me and my Christian family to take the Christ to the world.
God never gave up on Jacob even when Jacob was living as if God didn't exist. The promise God gave Abraham (Jacob's grandfather) was for Jacob, too. God would bless his family. God would use his family to bless the world. God would bless those who bless Abraham and curse those who curse Abraham. That applied to Abrham's grandson, yet Jacob lived a life marked by fear and deceit.
When we take our focus off of God we live like that. But we don't have to. We can live with confidence and assurance because…because you can trust God because he loves you and always does what is best.
God kept speaking to Jacob. He kept guiding Jacob. He chose to use Jacob for the awesome task of bring the Messiah into the world.
So take heart, Bob! God keeps speaking. He keeps guiding. He chose you (and you!) for the awesome task of taking the Christ to the world. In hard times, trust God.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Saturday, August 04, 2018
Live By The Golden Rule
I've been observing, both near and far. It's time I said something. I hope you hear it.
Treat people as you would like to be treated.
You name the realm of life…this applies.
Politics. Do politicians want to be treated the way they treat their colleagues or constituents? Surely not.
Business. Do corporations, business-people, and consumers was to be treated the way they treat other corporations, business-people, and consumers? Surely not.
Work. Do employers and employees really want to be treated the way they treat one another? Co-workers, do you really want to be treated the way you treat your co-workers? Surely not.
Marriage and Family. Do we really want to be treated the way we treat our spouse and family? Surely not.
Must I go on? I can. You can, too, because you see all this going on around you.
The problem is we don't see it going on inside us.
Here's the problem. We are all broken people, broken by our own sinfulness. "Wait a minute," you say, "I'm not a sinner. I've never done anything really bad." Can I just cut through the nonsense and tell you that even you are a sinner. You may not understand what sin really is but that doesn't change the fact that you are a sinner. I am, too.
A big problem with sin is how it impacts our ability or willingness to treat others with kindness. So we are cold, rude, mean, vindictive, hateful, bitter, ugly, hurtful, manipulative, inconsiderate. And we often like it. We like it so much that we don't think about changing.
As I read the Bible I don't find accounts of men and women who realized they needed to change and willed themselves to be better. I see just the opposite. Like you and me, the people in the Bible don't see their sin-fed problems and just continue in them unless something outside of them happens.
In our world, an addict has to hit rock bottom, a family has to fall apart, and business has to go bankrupt, dreams have to come crashing down, etc., before we put much serious thought into changing.
In our world people are valued and praised and rewarded for using people rather than loving people. Listen to the lyrics of popular music. Listen to the chatter in your workplace. Listen to the sounds at the local athletic event. Listen to interviews of pop culture icons. Listen to the speeches and soundbites of the politicians.
Sin impacts how you relate to others and there is nothing you can do about it.
But God can. All the people in the Bible who changed did so by the power of God, not their own. God can do the same for you and me if we'll stop living by our own desires and look to Jesus Christ for help and leadership and change.
We are all sinners and our sin is between us and God creating a gap that we cannot cross. We are separated or alienated from God. But God loves us and demonstrated his love by having his son Jesus Christ die for the penalty and punishment of our sins so we don't have to stay separated from God but can be reconciled to him through the death of Jesus. Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved from their sin and its penalty. They will be accepted into God's family.
And each day you can get out of bed with the thought that today you are going to follow Jesus in your thoughts, actions, and attitudes. You can't do it yourself, but God can do it in you.
One of the changes you'll see in your own life will be in how you treat others. When you see the change in your own life you'll realize that Jesus is the answer to other sin-fed issues you have. God can change them, too.
You'll also realize that following Jesus Christ is the answer to the sin-fed problems people around you experience. I'm not saying that by following Jesus Christ nobody will treat you bad, but you won't treat others that way. And a lot of the problems I experience are brought on by the way I treat others.
I hope the right people hear this. Especially me.
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12).
Treat people as you would like to be treated.
You name the realm of life…this applies.
Politics. Do politicians want to be treated the way they treat their colleagues or constituents? Surely not.
Business. Do corporations, business-people, and consumers was to be treated the way they treat other corporations, business-people, and consumers? Surely not.
Work. Do employers and employees really want to be treated the way they treat one another? Co-workers, do you really want to be treated the way you treat your co-workers? Surely not.
Marriage and Family. Do we really want to be treated the way we treat our spouse and family? Surely not.
Must I go on? I can. You can, too, because you see all this going on around you.
The problem is we don't see it going on inside us.
Here's the problem. We are all broken people, broken by our own sinfulness. "Wait a minute," you say, "I'm not a sinner. I've never done anything really bad." Can I just cut through the nonsense and tell you that even you are a sinner. You may not understand what sin really is but that doesn't change the fact that you are a sinner. I am, too.
A big problem with sin is how it impacts our ability or willingness to treat others with kindness. So we are cold, rude, mean, vindictive, hateful, bitter, ugly, hurtful, manipulative, inconsiderate. And we often like it. We like it so much that we don't think about changing.
As I read the Bible I don't find accounts of men and women who realized they needed to change and willed themselves to be better. I see just the opposite. Like you and me, the people in the Bible don't see their sin-fed problems and just continue in them unless something outside of them happens.
In our world, an addict has to hit rock bottom, a family has to fall apart, and business has to go bankrupt, dreams have to come crashing down, etc., before we put much serious thought into changing.
In our world people are valued and praised and rewarded for using people rather than loving people. Listen to the lyrics of popular music. Listen to the chatter in your workplace. Listen to the sounds at the local athletic event. Listen to interviews of pop culture icons. Listen to the speeches and soundbites of the politicians.
Sin impacts how you relate to others and there is nothing you can do about it.
But God can. All the people in the Bible who changed did so by the power of God, not their own. God can do the same for you and me if we'll stop living by our own desires and look to Jesus Christ for help and leadership and change.
We are all sinners and our sin is between us and God creating a gap that we cannot cross. We are separated or alienated from God. But God loves us and demonstrated his love by having his son Jesus Christ die for the penalty and punishment of our sins so we don't have to stay separated from God but can be reconciled to him through the death of Jesus. Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved from their sin and its penalty. They will be accepted into God's family.
And each day you can get out of bed with the thought that today you are going to follow Jesus in your thoughts, actions, and attitudes. You can't do it yourself, but God can do it in you.
One of the changes you'll see in your own life will be in how you treat others. When you see the change in your own life you'll realize that Jesus is the answer to other sin-fed issues you have. God can change them, too.
You'll also realize that following Jesus Christ is the answer to the sin-fed problems people around you experience. I'm not saying that by following Jesus Christ nobody will treat you bad, but you won't treat others that way. And a lot of the problems I experience are brought on by the way I treat others.
I hope the right people hear this. Especially me.
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12).
Saturday, May 05, 2018
Breakfast
I'm sitting across the table from Riley. He's eating cereal. I'm drinking coffee. Deana is still in bed.
It's 7:30. AM. I've been awake since 4:00 and up since about 4:45. AM. A!M! In the morning.
We bought melatonin last night. A couple of friends talk about it. Maybe it will help me sleep a little later. I forgot to take it last night.
But really, I wake up at moderate noise and since we now experience apartment life, moderate noise happens a lot. I wake up to moderate light, too. If I wake up and it's fairly daylight, I can't go back to sleep. Our apartment complex is well lit. And a light on a building across the way shines perfectly through the slot in the blinds where the cords go…right into my eyes if I'm sleeping on my left side.
I know, the fix is easy. Don't sleep on my left side and put a pillow over my head and play some white noise and… And I've tried the PM meds but don't want to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen so often. Maybe melatonin is the key. Or getting back to my high school graduation weight. Or even my college graduation weight. Or, hey, my seminary graduation weight would be an improvement. I have a Master of Divinity. Too much candy, I guess.
Riley just refilled his cereal bowl. Maybe he'd eat just one bowl of cereal if he had a Jethro Bodine bowl. Raise your hand if you know what that is.
Deana's still in bed.
I like to grind coffee beans and did this morning before 7:00. It didn't stir anyone. Not that I did it on purpose to stir them, of course.
My breakfast was an English muffin with peach preserves and a banana. And a cup of coffee. Or two. Half a pot, actually. Maybe the caffeine is why I sleep like I do!
Riley's breakfast is fueling him for a baseball game. The Baptist Prep Eagles are playing in their regional tournament today. They have already qualified for the state tournament. Today's game will determine their seeding.
(I've been meaning to look this up. Is "seed" the proper term? Or is it "cede" or something else?)
The Eagles have had a 5-year drought with no appearances in regionals or state. These are exciting times. Worth getting up early for. Worth an extra bowl of cereal. Worth the 2-hour drive.
I don't get to have breakfast with Riley very often but today is special. Because of the baseball but mostly because I get to have breakfast with Riley.
It's 7:30. AM. I've been awake since 4:00 and up since about 4:45. AM. A!M! In the morning.
We bought melatonin last night. A couple of friends talk about it. Maybe it will help me sleep a little later. I forgot to take it last night.
But really, I wake up at moderate noise and since we now experience apartment life, moderate noise happens a lot. I wake up to moderate light, too. If I wake up and it's fairly daylight, I can't go back to sleep. Our apartment complex is well lit. And a light on a building across the way shines perfectly through the slot in the blinds where the cords go…right into my eyes if I'm sleeping on my left side.
I know, the fix is easy. Don't sleep on my left side and put a pillow over my head and play some white noise and… And I've tried the PM meds but don't want to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen so often. Maybe melatonin is the key. Or getting back to my high school graduation weight. Or even my college graduation weight. Or, hey, my seminary graduation weight would be an improvement. I have a Master of Divinity. Too much candy, I guess.
Riley just refilled his cereal bowl. Maybe he'd eat just one bowl of cereal if he had a Jethro Bodine bowl. Raise your hand if you know what that is.
Deana's still in bed.
I like to grind coffee beans and did this morning before 7:00. It didn't stir anyone. Not that I did it on purpose to stir them, of course.
My breakfast was an English muffin with peach preserves and a banana. And a cup of coffee. Or two. Half a pot, actually. Maybe the caffeine is why I sleep like I do!
Riley's breakfast is fueling him for a baseball game. The Baptist Prep Eagles are playing in their regional tournament today. They have already qualified for the state tournament. Today's game will determine their seeding.
(I've been meaning to look this up. Is "seed" the proper term? Or is it "cede" or something else?)
The Eagles have had a 5-year drought with no appearances in regionals or state. These are exciting times. Worth getting up early for. Worth an extra bowl of cereal. Worth the 2-hour drive.
I don't get to have breakfast with Riley very often but today is special. Because of the baseball but mostly because I get to have breakfast with Riley.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
When Believers Pray
I have to share with you what God did over the last few days. Riley's truck is not new. OK, it's old. But he likes it and it is what we have. He needed front brakes and rotors so we took it to a trusted mechanic who has worked on this vehicle and others of ours.
After doing the brake job the mechanic took it for a spin. It overheated quickly. Pretty good leak in the coolant system. Pretty good bill, too. We had some money saved up so we spent it all on that. We rarely have money saved up so the timing was good.
But that wasn't the end of it. The engine was missing - not gone, but not running right. Cylinder 6 was the culprit. The mechanic discovered this at 6:00 Friday night so we left the truck there (we had come by to pick it up thinking the work was finished) and he would look at it Monday.
Possible solutions ranged from $50 to $1500. And we had just spent all we had.
We spent Friday night through Monday morning praying. We could pay the $50 bill but not much else. We asked others to pray with us. At church Sunday afternoon our pastor and his wife joined Deana and me for a prayer meeting. We needed God to do something.
So Monday comes and I expect a call fairly early giving me the news. No call. Finally, I called just before lunch. He said it wasn't either of the problems he would have guessed so he was still searching.
Monday afternoon I called again. He said he tweaked a thing or two and all is well. As well as a 20 year old truck can be, I guess.
No extra charge.
We needed God to either heal our truck or somehow get the work paid for. I don't know which happened - and I'm OK not knowing. But I do know that we needed God to do something and he did.
I will ever praise him because he met our need, and even more - he loves us enough to do it.
When believers pray...they are blessed.
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Things Change
Today I announced to my church family that I have accepted a staff position with another church. That is harder to do that it seems. I have served Cross Road Baptist Church for eleven years. That is 20% of my life, more than half of my married life with Deana, and almost two-thirds of Riley's life. This is the longest job I've ever had. The next closest is six years.
God works in mysterious ways. That means I don't always understand why God does what he does. And I believe this is the work of God in my life, the life of CRBC, and the life of the church I'll soon serve. But I don't really understand it.
God is good all the time. That means that even if I don't understand (even if I don't like) what God is doing, it is good. God can do nothing else. Goodness is his nature so everything he does is good.
My time here is filled with great memories. We've seen many people give their lives to follow Jesus and have baptized them. Those are precious memories. We have travelled the globe engaging in God's work. I have fond memories of those who have gone with me and those who supported us in prayer and resources. We have mobilized to serve our community and almost every member has been a hands-on participant. I won't forget those people and mission moments.
I've worked alongside and prayed with some wonderful Christians. They have helped me mature as a Christian and as a pastor. Whether it was a challenge or a victory, we did it together. I'm glad the Lord works like that.
I've been their pastor as they welcomed babies into the world, married their children, reached milestones, and mourned the loss of loved ones. I've celebrated and mourned with them. Some of the best people I have known are part of the CRBC family.
There is a lot I don't know but this I do know: Following Jesus with others who follow Jesus is worthwhile.
Thank you, CRBC, for letting me be part of your lives. Thank you, Lord, for calling me here and keeping me here for these eleven years.
God works in mysterious ways. That means I don't always understand why God does what he does. And I believe this is the work of God in my life, the life of CRBC, and the life of the church I'll soon serve. But I don't really understand it.
God is good all the time. That means that even if I don't understand (even if I don't like) what God is doing, it is good. God can do nothing else. Goodness is his nature so everything he does is good.
My time here is filled with great memories. We've seen many people give their lives to follow Jesus and have baptized them. Those are precious memories. We have travelled the globe engaging in God's work. I have fond memories of those who have gone with me and those who supported us in prayer and resources. We have mobilized to serve our community and almost every member has been a hands-on participant. I won't forget those people and mission moments.
I've worked alongside and prayed with some wonderful Christians. They have helped me mature as a Christian and as a pastor. Whether it was a challenge or a victory, we did it together. I'm glad the Lord works like that.
I've been their pastor as they welcomed babies into the world, married their children, reached milestones, and mourned the loss of loved ones. I've celebrated and mourned with them. Some of the best people I have known are part of the CRBC family.
There is a lot I don't know but this I do know: Following Jesus with others who follow Jesus is worthwhile.
Thank you, CRBC, for letting me be part of your lives. Thank you, Lord, for calling me here and keeping me here for these eleven years.
Monday, January 08, 2018
What Happened?
It must have been the late '80s because I was working for a company traveling from town to town selling industrial safety products to different types of businesses. Highway 80 is a quite road I was on between Waldron and Danville in western Arkansas. There wasn't much going on this late afternoon. Hardly any traffic competing for my space on the road. And hardly any thoughts competed for my brain's attention. I was zoned out headed home.
Then all of a sudden…out of nowhere…I thought my car was about to vibrate off the road. Could it be the Second Coming? Could it be an earthquake? Could it be a nuclear attack? No. It was an airplane.
Not far from where I was toodling along on Highway 80 is the Fort Smith airport which serves as the training facility for the Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Wing. I've read that in 1988 the 188th acquired the F-16. My guess is that a pilot was out with the new ride having a little fun. I might have done the same thing! He spots a lone vehicle on a secluded roadway, drops down to treetop height, and punches it right over my head.
My immediate thought was, "Oh no!" A second later, "What was that." Another second later I looked up in time to see the jet disappear. An hour later my heart rate returned to normal.
The only other experience I've had with something like that was several years ago on the weekend of the air show at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville. Deana, Riley, and I were about 15 miles away from the base, it was an cloudy day, and we were headed to get some lunch. Just toodling along with hardly any traffic around us.
Then the clouds opened up and a black disc swooped down, then right back up. For just a moment we saw what could only be explained as a flying saucer from outer space carrying aliens to attack us and carry us off into an alternate universe. That was the only plausible explanation.
The next day's newspaper carried a story about the new stealth bomber making an appearance at the air show. The pictures in the paper looked a lot like the spaceship we had seen the day before.
Oh.
Add to these two events the time the army helicopter landed in our backyard and you have the three times I've had weird things happen to me involving the United States military. Each time I asked myself, "What happened?"
Many more times in my life have I asked that question when something goes wrong or I'm hit by something unexpected. I just don't understand. Maybe you feel that way, too. A divorce. Losing a child. Getting fired. An expensive repair. Blown up friendships. Repossession. Foreclosure. The diagnosis.
"What happened?" Most often the answer is, "I don't know." But in every situation you can add to that, "But God does."
Have you come to the point where you can trust that if God knows that is good enough? You'd like to know but you don't have to know?
Here are a couple of verses from the Bible that help me when I'm wondering what happened.
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9).
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
The promise of these verses is that God acts in the lives of those who love him to help them when they aren't sure what happened.
Then all of a sudden…out of nowhere…I thought my car was about to vibrate off the road. Could it be the Second Coming? Could it be an earthquake? Could it be a nuclear attack? No. It was an airplane.
Not far from where I was toodling along on Highway 80 is the Fort Smith airport which serves as the training facility for the Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Wing. I've read that in 1988 the 188th acquired the F-16. My guess is that a pilot was out with the new ride having a little fun. I might have done the same thing! He spots a lone vehicle on a secluded roadway, drops down to treetop height, and punches it right over my head.
My immediate thought was, "Oh no!" A second later, "What was that." Another second later I looked up in time to see the jet disappear. An hour later my heart rate returned to normal.
The only other experience I've had with something like that was several years ago on the weekend of the air show at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville. Deana, Riley, and I were about 15 miles away from the base, it was an cloudy day, and we were headed to get some lunch. Just toodling along with hardly any traffic around us.
Then the clouds opened up and a black disc swooped down, then right back up. For just a moment we saw what could only be explained as a flying saucer from outer space carrying aliens to attack us and carry us off into an alternate universe. That was the only plausible explanation.
The next day's newspaper carried a story about the new stealth bomber making an appearance at the air show. The pictures in the paper looked a lot like the spaceship we had seen the day before.
Oh.
Add to these two events the time the army helicopter landed in our backyard and you have the three times I've had weird things happen to me involving the United States military. Each time I asked myself, "What happened?"
Many more times in my life have I asked that question when something goes wrong or I'm hit by something unexpected. I just don't understand. Maybe you feel that way, too. A divorce. Losing a child. Getting fired. An expensive repair. Blown up friendships. Repossession. Foreclosure. The diagnosis.
"What happened?" Most often the answer is, "I don't know." But in every situation you can add to that, "But God does."
Have you come to the point where you can trust that if God knows that is good enough? You'd like to know but you don't have to know?
Here are a couple of verses from the Bible that help me when I'm wondering what happened.
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9).
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
The promise of these verses is that God acts in the lives of those who love him to help them when they aren't sure what happened.
Friday, December 22, 2017
'Twas Three Days Before Christmas
The Christmas tree with the frosted tips to look like snow. The jillions of colored lights on the tree. Andy Williams singing in the background. My favorite Christmas song was "Ding-a-ling the Christmas Bell" by Lynn Anderson. I bought it on iTunes a couple of years ago. The kitchen counter was always loaded with food. The kitchen table was where the men would eat and later play dominoes.
I remember the gas wall heater we'd back up to then turn around when our backsides were too warm. And I remember the "cold room." Heat never reached there, not even when central heat and air was installed years later. Even the closed in back porch where the kids always ate was not as cold as the "cold room." I'm not sure why, but I always think of the "cold room" when I hear John Denver's "Grandma's Feather Bed." When my grandmother passed away a few years ago, it was in that room that we spent hours looking through boxes and albums of family pictures.
At the heart of our family's Christmas celebration was the true meaning of Christmas. We didn't read the Christmas story but many of us were coming from a church service. I knew I was loved and love like that has just one source. I've grown up to realize the importance of letting the people you love know you love them. The Christmas gatherings for my side of the family were last weekend. The whole, big, extended family still gets together on Christmas Eve but I haven't been able to attend that in a while. I haven't seen my big kids on Christmas Day in many years. But the day we get together isn't as important as letting them know you love them.
And I do. It is a rare occasion that I speak to my big kids or my parents and not tell them I love them. Christmas is part of a grand love story that tells us that God loves us and gave his Son to die for our sins. Easter is part of the same story. And the story never ends because God's love for us never ends. I want my love for my family to never end. Memories help. I see my cousins mostly at funerals these days - like the one earlier this month for my uncle. He was the one who would put on a Santa Claus outfit and walk by the living room window on Christmas Eve. (I think it was Ricky! Maybe it was…)
Was Jesus born on December 25? Does it matter? What matters is that Jesus - the eternal Son of God - entered our world as a human to make a way for sinners like you and me to reunite with our loving creator. That changes this life and eternity. So I will celebrate and pass along the greatest love story ever told.
I still love a Christmas tree decorated with colored lights. Blinking. Because when you sit in the dark living room the lights on the tree will all blink off at the same time once or twice a night. Keep your yuppie white lights; take me back to an old farmhouse with wood floors, a wall heater, a cold room, presents under the tree, food in the kitchen, a domino game, and family.
Friday, December 08, 2017
God's Already Here Doing Things We Can't Imagine
Have you ever heard someone say, "I really need God to show up"? Sometimes that is in the form of a prayer request. It's important to believe that the presence of God is essential in our lives. But does he need to show up?
Churchy people sometimes say, "God really showed up and showed out today." Really? God isn't already here? Maybe they don't mean what they say but what they say.
The Bible tells us that God is omnipresent - he is everywhere. Psalm 139 says that if I go to the highest peak in the mountains, God is there; if I go to the lowest valley under the ocean, God is there; if I fly through space, God is there. Where can I go that God is not already there?
Where you are today…God is there. Where you will be tomorrow…God is already there. He'll be there when you get there. The problems that tomorrow will hold are no surprise to God…he's already there. Can you find a bit of peace and comfort in that? Even in the turmoil that accompanies your trek through this life, God is there and he knows and he is in control.
Christmas reminds us that God is with us. That's what the name Immanuel means. Prophets and angels said Jesus would be Immanuel - God with us. When Jesus was about to return to heaven he told his followers that when he leaves the Holy Spirit will come. For all who believe and follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit is not only present in this world but present within us.
What about God showing out? Again, I think it is important to believe God does amazing things. In fact, according to the Bible, everything God does is "showing out" because his ways are higher than our ways. Not only is he omnipresent, he is also omnipotent! He has all power! Amazing power! He can part the waters of the Red Sea. He can turn water in pots into wine. He can raise the dead. He can take on human flesh and become a man.
Paul says God does things that are our ability to imagine. We can't even accurately ask for what he can do. From our perspective, everything he does blows our minds. If not, we aren't really paying attention!
For where you are now and what you need from God, he is present and powerful. Christmas reminds me that God is omnipresent and omnipotent. That's what I really need…all year long.
Churchy people sometimes say, "God really showed up and showed out today." Really? God isn't already here? Maybe they don't mean what they say but what they say.
The Bible tells us that God is omnipresent - he is everywhere. Psalm 139 says that if I go to the highest peak in the mountains, God is there; if I go to the lowest valley under the ocean, God is there; if I fly through space, God is there. Where can I go that God is not already there?
Where you are today…God is there. Where you will be tomorrow…God is already there. He'll be there when you get there. The problems that tomorrow will hold are no surprise to God…he's already there. Can you find a bit of peace and comfort in that? Even in the turmoil that accompanies your trek through this life, God is there and he knows and he is in control.
Christmas reminds us that God is with us. That's what the name Immanuel means. Prophets and angels said Jesus would be Immanuel - God with us. When Jesus was about to return to heaven he told his followers that when he leaves the Holy Spirit will come. For all who believe and follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit is not only present in this world but present within us.
What about God showing out? Again, I think it is important to believe God does amazing things. In fact, according to the Bible, everything God does is "showing out" because his ways are higher than our ways. Not only is he omnipresent, he is also omnipotent! He has all power! Amazing power! He can part the waters of the Red Sea. He can turn water in pots into wine. He can raise the dead. He can take on human flesh and become a man.
Paul says God does things that are our ability to imagine. We can't even accurately ask for what he can do. From our perspective, everything he does blows our minds. If not, we aren't really paying attention!
For where you are now and what you need from God, he is present and powerful. Christmas reminds me that God is omnipresent and omnipotent. That's what I really need…all year long.
Tuesday, December 05, 2017
The Gospel, Sin, and Shame
I've just started reading The Imperfect Disciple by Jared C. Wilson. He spoke at a seminar I attended recently and we all got a copy. Jared writes with a style that makes me feel like we are sitting around the table drinking coffee and eating pie.
Here's what he wrote that I want to share with you. "Jesus found it imminently agreeable to air out people's shame that he might cover it for them. You cannot vanquish what you cannot expose."
Take a second and read that again. The difference between the way Jesus deals with sin and shame is so different from the way most of us deal with sin and shame. We want to deny we've sinned and hide the shame that accompanies sin. We want to keep our image pristine. Never let them see you sweat.
But the truth is that sin has already made an ugly mark on our lives. Each of us is marked and marred. Many of us put make-up on to cover the shame. We may hide behind a false front hoping nobody notices. We've learned to be proud, so the shame is embarrassing. I know, I've been there. At any given moment you could look at me and you'd be looking at a person marred by sin and shame.
But Jesus wants no part of hiding our sin. He wants no part of covering up our shame.
Jesus died for your sins to vanquish them from your life. Jesus offers forgiveness and restoration so you can be free from the shame. But Jared Wilson points out that you cannot vanquish what you cannot expose. Keep you sin and shame hidden. Don't let anyone know. Convince yourself that it's not that bad. Do that and you'll forever miss the love and joy and peace and freedom Jesus wants you to know.
Or confess you sins to Jesus. He will forgive you. Admit your shame and Jesus will restore you. The gospel is the good news that Jesus died to make right what is wrong in your life.
Wilson also wrote that we turn the gospel into law when we take the good news and turn it into practical, self-help advice. The gospel is not "3 Steps to a Better Life," the gospel is that Jesus died to make right what is wrong in your life. The only steps you must take are to follow in his.
I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Imperfect Disciple by Jared C. Wilson. I'm sure it's available at Christian bookstores and online retailers. Or you could've attended the seminar I did and got yours for free, too!
Here's what he wrote that I want to share with you. "Jesus found it imminently agreeable to air out people's shame that he might cover it for them. You cannot vanquish what you cannot expose."
Take a second and read that again. The difference between the way Jesus deals with sin and shame is so different from the way most of us deal with sin and shame. We want to deny we've sinned and hide the shame that accompanies sin. We want to keep our image pristine. Never let them see you sweat.
But the truth is that sin has already made an ugly mark on our lives. Each of us is marked and marred. Many of us put make-up on to cover the shame. We may hide behind a false front hoping nobody notices. We've learned to be proud, so the shame is embarrassing. I know, I've been there. At any given moment you could look at me and you'd be looking at a person marred by sin and shame.
But Jesus wants no part of hiding our sin. He wants no part of covering up our shame.
Jesus died for your sins to vanquish them from your life. Jesus offers forgiveness and restoration so you can be free from the shame. But Jared Wilson points out that you cannot vanquish what you cannot expose. Keep you sin and shame hidden. Don't let anyone know. Convince yourself that it's not that bad. Do that and you'll forever miss the love and joy and peace and freedom Jesus wants you to know.
Or confess you sins to Jesus. He will forgive you. Admit your shame and Jesus will restore you. The gospel is the good news that Jesus died to make right what is wrong in your life.
Wilson also wrote that we turn the gospel into law when we take the good news and turn it into practical, self-help advice. The gospel is not "3 Steps to a Better Life," the gospel is that Jesus died to make right what is wrong in your life. The only steps you must take are to follow in his.
I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Imperfect Disciple by Jared C. Wilson. I'm sure it's available at Christian bookstores and online retailers. Or you could've attended the seminar I did and got yours for free, too!
Monday, November 27, 2017
God Directs Our Paths
I'm looking for a job. The church I serve has to cut back the budget and that includes salaries. I've been bivocational before so this is not too big a shift for me.
I used to think that the goal of every pastor should be to get a church that can fully support him financially. But the truth is that most churches are small and therefore cannot fully support a pastor and/or staff. This brings to life a biblical reality for both the pastor and the church that gets hidden in our modern concept of the church.
Many churches - mine included, according to a seminary students research - rely on the pastor and staff to do the ministry. And pastors should be involved in the ministry of the church. But one man, in the case of a smaller membership church, cannot do all the ministry that ought to be done.
The Bible shows us a church where all the Christians are involved in ministry. In fact, this is necessary for the church to be what it is to be. Paul illustrates this by comparing the church to a human body. Each part of the body is important and has its own functions. The whole body suffers when one part of the body suffers.
So the church needs all the believers doing what they are designed and gifted to do in order for the church to function properly. What typically happens is that when one believer does not do his part somebody picks up the slack. But that person isn't necessarily designed and gifted for that task. So although the task gets done it gets done with less effectiveness - perhaps efficient but not effective. And the body of Christ suffers for it.
Churches need to see that each person has equal responsibility for the ministry. The pastor and staff are to lead and equip. And they are to do their part of the ministry but not all of it. Having a bivocational pastor often positions the church to have a broader participation in ministry.
From my personal experience, not having a job away from the church has sheltered me from many people who need a Christian's ministry. Let me say that more accurately: I let myself become sheltered from people outside the church. Not every pastor does this but I did.
At the last job I had outside the church I had opportunities everyday to shares God's love and the gospel with people who did not attend church. They were all around me. Sometimes they even sought me out for spiritual help. Honestly, very few - almost none - come to the church office looking for spiritual guidance.
It's been easy to become isolated. That's not good.
So working outside the church will help me overcome the tendency toward isolation. And that's good. The substitute teaching I am doing now is a great way to be around people who really need to know God's love and hear the gospel.
But the opportunity to make what I need to make is not there, so I'm looking for a job. This will be good for everyone: the church, me, my family, and people outside the church. I believe this is God's direction for his glory and my good.
I used to think that the goal of every pastor should be to get a church that can fully support him financially. But the truth is that most churches are small and therefore cannot fully support a pastor and/or staff. This brings to life a biblical reality for both the pastor and the church that gets hidden in our modern concept of the church.
Many churches - mine included, according to a seminary students research - rely on the pastor and staff to do the ministry. And pastors should be involved in the ministry of the church. But one man, in the case of a smaller membership church, cannot do all the ministry that ought to be done.
The Bible shows us a church where all the Christians are involved in ministry. In fact, this is necessary for the church to be what it is to be. Paul illustrates this by comparing the church to a human body. Each part of the body is important and has its own functions. The whole body suffers when one part of the body suffers.
So the church needs all the believers doing what they are designed and gifted to do in order for the church to function properly. What typically happens is that when one believer does not do his part somebody picks up the slack. But that person isn't necessarily designed and gifted for that task. So although the task gets done it gets done with less effectiveness - perhaps efficient but not effective. And the body of Christ suffers for it.
Churches need to see that each person has equal responsibility for the ministry. The pastor and staff are to lead and equip. And they are to do their part of the ministry but not all of it. Having a bivocational pastor often positions the church to have a broader participation in ministry.
From my personal experience, not having a job away from the church has sheltered me from many people who need a Christian's ministry. Let me say that more accurately: I let myself become sheltered from people outside the church. Not every pastor does this but I did.
At the last job I had outside the church I had opportunities everyday to shares God's love and the gospel with people who did not attend church. They were all around me. Sometimes they even sought me out for spiritual help. Honestly, very few - almost none - come to the church office looking for spiritual guidance.
It's been easy to become isolated. That's not good.
So working outside the church will help me overcome the tendency toward isolation. And that's good. The substitute teaching I am doing now is a great way to be around people who really need to know God's love and hear the gospel.
But the opportunity to make what I need to make is not there, so I'm looking for a job. This will be good for everyone: the church, me, my family, and people outside the church. I believe this is God's direction for his glory and my good.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
I'm Thankful
I am thankful to God for…
- Salvation through Jesus Christ (the first Thursday of August 1972)
- The Bible, God's Word to me/us
- My family - I have the best wife, sons, and daughters-in-law
- Cross Road Baptist Church
- The ministry opportunities and extra income through substitute teaching at Baptist Prep
- Friends who nudge me toward Christ-likeness
- Prayer that helps me focus on what is really important
- A nice, safe home in which to live
- Reliable transportation for my family
- Songs that lift my soul
- The opportunities to play catch with Riley
- The call to ministry (the last Thursday of June 1982)
- Peace that passes understanding in the midst of great life-storms (the last Thursday of May 1992)
- Jubilee Quartet (George Latham, Jack Hearrell, Johnny McCoy, Ricky Pruitt, Donnie Martin, Carri Corbitt, Ben Wiles)
- Second chances
- Technology that allows me to reconnect with friends I would otherwise seldom or never be in touch with
- The view of the world through my Canon 70D
- The piano lessons I took in elementary school
- My journey to missional via NOBTS and Dave McClung
- "An active mind and a keen imagination" (so said the fortune cookie)
- Christians at all places on the planet who are faithful to the Great Commission
That is a good start for my list. What are you thankful for? More importantly, is your thankfulness directed toward God? He is the source of all things and provides for us and blesses us beyond imagination.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Decisions
Sometimes making a decision is the hardest thing for me to do. Then there are times when I can make a decision quickly, easily, and without regret.
The difference between these two decision-making abilities has little to do with the magnitude of the decision. Life-changing decisions can be easy and they can are hard. Seemingly inconsequential decisions can also be easy and hard. Maybe it's more about my frame of mind or my perceived reactions and responses to the decision. I really don't know.
My wife has an easier time deciding what she doesn't want to eat that deciding what she does want to eat. For example, when we are planning a meal (at home or out) she's pretty clear that she doesn't want this or that. She's not hungry for it or it doesn't sound good or she already had that this week. On the other hand, I don't go through that progression when deciding what to eat. My lack of decision making in this regard really is that I just don't care. I don't have a preference so anything is OK. Almost anything; there are a few things that I'll never eat!
I try to read from Proverbs every day. Recently, I've read that there are decisions that people can make that seem like good decisions but end up with terrible outcomes. "There is a way that seems right to man but in the end leads to death." The Bible also teaches that the ways that I think aren't on the level with the ways God thinks. His ways are higher than mine. Those truths can put some pressure on my decision-making!
Here are some tips for those of you who sometimes have trouble with decisions like I sometimes do.
Pray. You can never overestimate the power of praying. Prayer is a lot of things and talking with God about decisions you face is one of them.
Read the Bible. The Bible is a treasure, in part, because this is a significant way that God speaks to us. I am routinely amazed that what I read in the Bible speaks directly to something I am dealing with at the time.
Ask for help from godly people. My wife and I were making a huge decision several years ago. I asked a close friend and pastor to pray with us about it. A few days later I informed him of our decision. He couldn't believe we made the decision we did. It was against how he felt God was leading. We hadn't even talked with him after asking him to pray with us about it. Instead, we jumped into what turned out to be a huge mistake. Ask for help from godly people and allow God to speak to you through them.
Ask yourself a few tough questions. Does this honor God? Does this conflict with God's mission? Does this participate in God's mission? Does this harm my family? Does this build up or enhance the local church?
What would you add to these that have helped you make good decisions?
The difference between these two decision-making abilities has little to do with the magnitude of the decision. Life-changing decisions can be easy and they can are hard. Seemingly inconsequential decisions can also be easy and hard. Maybe it's more about my frame of mind or my perceived reactions and responses to the decision. I really don't know.
My wife has an easier time deciding what she doesn't want to eat that deciding what she does want to eat. For example, when we are planning a meal (at home or out) she's pretty clear that she doesn't want this or that. She's not hungry for it or it doesn't sound good or she already had that this week. On the other hand, I don't go through that progression when deciding what to eat. My lack of decision making in this regard really is that I just don't care. I don't have a preference so anything is OK. Almost anything; there are a few things that I'll never eat!
I try to read from Proverbs every day. Recently, I've read that there are decisions that people can make that seem like good decisions but end up with terrible outcomes. "There is a way that seems right to man but in the end leads to death." The Bible also teaches that the ways that I think aren't on the level with the ways God thinks. His ways are higher than mine. Those truths can put some pressure on my decision-making!
Here are some tips for those of you who sometimes have trouble with decisions like I sometimes do.
Pray. You can never overestimate the power of praying. Prayer is a lot of things and talking with God about decisions you face is one of them.
Read the Bible. The Bible is a treasure, in part, because this is a significant way that God speaks to us. I am routinely amazed that what I read in the Bible speaks directly to something I am dealing with at the time.
Ask for help from godly people. My wife and I were making a huge decision several years ago. I asked a close friend and pastor to pray with us about it. A few days later I informed him of our decision. He couldn't believe we made the decision we did. It was against how he felt God was leading. We hadn't even talked with him after asking him to pray with us about it. Instead, we jumped into what turned out to be a huge mistake. Ask for help from godly people and allow God to speak to you through them.
Ask yourself a few tough questions. Does this honor God? Does this conflict with God's mission? Does this participate in God's mission? Does this harm my family? Does this build up or enhance the local church?
What would you add to these that have helped you make good decisions?
Thursday, November 02, 2017
Vocation and Purpose
I am subbing in Bible classes today and plan to read from Isaiah 61 and Luke 4 in each class. In Isaiah 61, God tells Isaiah what his purpose is. Luke tells of Jesus in a synagogue. Jesus takes the scroll and finds the Isaiah passage and reads it. Then Jesus says that those verses are fulfilled in him. In other words, Jesus claimed for himself the purpose God gave to Isaiah.
In John's gospel, Jesus says that we are sent just like he was sent. God gave Isaiah a purpose statement; Jesus claimed it for his own; Jesus passes it along to Christians.
Everybody has dreams and goals for what they want to do in life. Vocation and purpose aren't the same things.
Vocation varies from person to person. Doctor, lawyer, mechanic, baseball player, teacher, business owner, short order cook, etc. People do a lot of different things for vocation.
Vocation is how we spend our time making money to spend on needs and wants. Hopefully, vocation also provides vacation! Through vocation we satisfy inner longings and meet needs of others.
Purpose is God-given and is constant throughout a person's life and from person to person. We all have the same purpose although we may have different vocations.
What is your purpose? That question is intriguing, mesmerizing, even haunting. We ask our children, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" When we're grown we ask ourselves, "Why am I doing this?"
Purpose! Let's look to the creator of the universe to find our purpose.
Here is what Jesus read that day in the synagogue:
The Spirit of the Lord is on mebecause he has anointed meto preach good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisonersand recovery of sight for the blind,to release the oppressed,to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.(Luke 4:18-19)
In another gospel passage, Jesus said that he came to seek and save the lost. Another time he said that he didn't come to be served but to serve. And he said he was sending his followers just as he had been sent.
The Great Commission tells us to make disciples. The Great Commandment tells us to love God and love others.
Can you see a common theme? That is your purpose. Mine, too.
Our vocations may differ. They have to, actually. We can't all be bakers or line workers. We need as many vocations as is necessary for society to thrive.
The problem occurs when we try to equate vocation with purpose. Vocation and purpose are linked but not the same.
Choose any vocation you like, then use it as a platform to live out your God-given purpose. I've experienced personally how to use vocation as a platform for purpose. Whether I've been a training manager for a call center, pastor of a church, or substitute teacher in a school, I have been able to accomplish my purpose. Choose a vocation that will help you reach people with the gospel.
Monday, October 30, 2017
A Halloween Thought
Tomorrow is Halloween. You know what that means, right? Some people will go all out to decorate and dress up. A few will get all weird. Another group will boycott the festivities.
I remember Halloween when I was a kid. We'd all pile into the back of a pickup and go down the street stopping at clusters of houses where porch lights were lit. A sweet old lady would come to the door with a tub full of candy and give each of us one or two pieces. Hard candy, chewy candy, basically just raw sugar. But no candy bars. Sometimes a popcorn ball or apple.
And we didn't complain. We didn't know Halloween was anything different. To us, Halloween was a bunch of parents taking a bunch of kids to a bunch of houses to get a bunch of candy. "Trick or treat!" and "Thank You!" were just as much a part of the night as the gum and jaw breakers. Everyone smiled. Nobody dreaded the kids coming to their door.
"Trick" was just part of the greeting but not part of the reality. Until we got older. I never saw the fun in the shenanigans. Causing people hardship so I can have fun just isn't fun. And it's no way to treat somebody.
I'd like to see kids having fun like we did. Without the risk of mean people doing mean things to them. Without the danger of collateral damage because bigger kids won't act their age.
Be safe. Be smart. Happy Halloween!
I remember Halloween when I was a kid. We'd all pile into the back of a pickup and go down the street stopping at clusters of houses where porch lights were lit. A sweet old lady would come to the door with a tub full of candy and give each of us one or two pieces. Hard candy, chewy candy, basically just raw sugar. But no candy bars. Sometimes a popcorn ball or apple.
And we didn't complain. We didn't know Halloween was anything different. To us, Halloween was a bunch of parents taking a bunch of kids to a bunch of houses to get a bunch of candy. "Trick or treat!" and "Thank You!" were just as much a part of the night as the gum and jaw breakers. Everyone smiled. Nobody dreaded the kids coming to their door.
"Trick" was just part of the greeting but not part of the reality. Until we got older. I never saw the fun in the shenanigans. Causing people hardship so I can have fun just isn't fun. And it's no way to treat somebody.
I'd like to see kids having fun like we did. Without the risk of mean people doing mean things to them. Without the danger of collateral damage because bigger kids won't act their age.
Be safe. Be smart. Happy Halloween!
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Let Go
This morning I was making lunch to take to school. I brown bag it, as they say. Usually a sandwich, some pretzels, a granola bar, maybe some carrots. Less than half the time I remember to put in napkins.
Today I remembered! But it wasn't napkins; instead I grabbed the paper towels. And therein lies the problem…and the lesson for today.
I held the roll of paper towels in my left hand, took the loose end in my right hand and gently tugged. The grip I had on the roll with my left hand was either too loose or too tight. I haven't figured that out, yet. But when I tugged the roll came out of my left hand, hit the floor, and began to roll away.
Picture this: the floor is filled with paper towels. That's what I perceived would happen so I let go of the loose end that I held with my right hand.
Guess what happened. That's right! The roll hit the floor but didn't empty its entire contents. I picked it up, rolled up the few sheets that had spooled off, tore off the two sheets I wanted, stuffed them in my lunch bag, and went on my way.
Here's the lesson for today. When you drop the roll of paper towels, let go of the loose end you are holding.
No, really, here's the lesson. Life can quickly unravel and when it does you may (probably will) just stand there holding on to the other end of what's unraveling. Let go. How many people cling to the trouble in their lives and things just get worse? Too many. I have. You probably have, too. Let go.
Instead, cling to something that will not unravel. Hold on to something stable.
In our morning devotion yesterday, my wife and I were talking about the emptiness that is left when a loved one dies. The same sense of helplessness and hopelessness can follow losses of many kinds, not just the death of a parent. If your job is the most important thing to you then if you lose your job you can fall into despair. If a person is at the core of who you are and that person leaves or hurts you or dies then your life can unroll like the paper towels.
But if you have Jesus at the core of your life then you will have stability even when circumstances are unstable. If you have Jesus at the core of your life then you won't feel hopeless when relationships crumble or dreams take a bad turn or you stumble.
Why? Because Jesus never changes, he his dependable, he is a sure foundation to build your life upon. Nothing can be for you who Jesus is. So let go of the other stuff and stand firm in Jesus.
Today I remembered! But it wasn't napkins; instead I grabbed the paper towels. And therein lies the problem…and the lesson for today.
I held the roll of paper towels in my left hand, took the loose end in my right hand and gently tugged. The grip I had on the roll with my left hand was either too loose or too tight. I haven't figured that out, yet. But when I tugged the roll came out of my left hand, hit the floor, and began to roll away.
Picture this: the floor is filled with paper towels. That's what I perceived would happen so I let go of the loose end that I held with my right hand.
Guess what happened. That's right! The roll hit the floor but didn't empty its entire contents. I picked it up, rolled up the few sheets that had spooled off, tore off the two sheets I wanted, stuffed them in my lunch bag, and went on my way.
Here's the lesson for today. When you drop the roll of paper towels, let go of the loose end you are holding.
No, really, here's the lesson. Life can quickly unravel and when it does you may (probably will) just stand there holding on to the other end of what's unraveling. Let go. How many people cling to the trouble in their lives and things just get worse? Too many. I have. You probably have, too. Let go.
Instead, cling to something that will not unravel. Hold on to something stable.
In our morning devotion yesterday, my wife and I were talking about the emptiness that is left when a loved one dies. The same sense of helplessness and hopelessness can follow losses of many kinds, not just the death of a parent. If your job is the most important thing to you then if you lose your job you can fall into despair. If a person is at the core of who you are and that person leaves or hurts you or dies then your life can unroll like the paper towels.
But if you have Jesus at the core of your life then you will have stability even when circumstances are unstable. If you have Jesus at the core of your life then you won't feel hopeless when relationships crumble or dreams take a bad turn or you stumble.
Why? Because Jesus never changes, he his dependable, he is a sure foundation to build your life upon. Nothing can be for you who Jesus is. So let go of the other stuff and stand firm in Jesus.
Monday, October 23, 2017
First of Many Trips
A group from our church went to Colorado Springs last week to serve alongside a family who recently moved there to plant a church. We believe God is leading us to commit to a longterm relationship that will involve supporting financially the family and the church when it is started, praying for the family and the community where they live, and going regularly to serve with them as they need us to.
This was our first trip. Our goal was to prayer-walk the area where David and Carrie hope to plant the church, encourage them and their daughter Ruthie, and help form or strengthen relationships with people in the neighborhood. We were able to do all of this.
David had us prayer-walk (and prayer-drive) through a neighborhood they feel God is leading them to live in and start the church. Our team broke into three small groups and walked the streets. We all had opportunities to greet and talk with people who live there. The streets where my group went had a small park. We talked with three families that were there. The other groups found people to talk with, too. As we drove through the larger community we prayed for schools, public safety, churches, homes, businesses, and anything else the sights and the Lord brought to mind.
We spent a lot of time with David, Carrie, and Ruthie. Hopefully, having friends from Arkansas in town was encouraging. They moved out to Colorado a couple of months ago. New town, new home, new school, new friends... We wanted to provide a little familiarity in the midst of all this newness. I remember a time when our family moved to a new city when I was in sixth grade. After four or five months, we moved back to the town we left and into the same apartment. New can be exciting but also challenging.
Our third emphasis was to help, if we could, form or strengthen relationships they already have. My wife, son, and I visited with Carrie at the school where she teaches and where Ruthie attends. We talked with administration, teachers, and coaches. Some in our group prayer-walked through the apartment complex where our friends live. They had the opportunity to talk with a few people who also live there and hopefully they will connect with the church planters.
Do you know that our church and their apartment are 954 miles apart? That's a lot of driving, bathroom stops, eating breaks, etc. But it was worth it. A lot of people make that trip just for the natural beauty and recreation it affords. That in itself would be a great trip and we did see and experience some great sights. But we went with spiritual goals also in mind and I'm glad we accomplished them.
I have challenged our church to not see the praying, giving, and going that we have already done as enough. I hope our people will catch the vision of a longterm partnership with the Fox Family and the North American Mission Board that will result in people hearing the gospel, following Jesus, and a church planted and thriving in Colorado Springs.
This was our first trip. Our goal was to prayer-walk the area where David and Carrie hope to plant the church, encourage them and their daughter Ruthie, and help form or strengthen relationships with people in the neighborhood. We were able to do all of this.
David had us prayer-walk (and prayer-drive) through a neighborhood they feel God is leading them to live in and start the church. Our team broke into three small groups and walked the streets. We all had opportunities to greet and talk with people who live there. The streets where my group went had a small park. We talked with three families that were there. The other groups found people to talk with, too. As we drove through the larger community we prayed for schools, public safety, churches, homes, businesses, and anything else the sights and the Lord brought to mind.
We spent a lot of time with David, Carrie, and Ruthie. Hopefully, having friends from Arkansas in town was encouraging. They moved out to Colorado a couple of months ago. New town, new home, new school, new friends... We wanted to provide a little familiarity in the midst of all this newness. I remember a time when our family moved to a new city when I was in sixth grade. After four or five months, we moved back to the town we left and into the same apartment. New can be exciting but also challenging.
Our third emphasis was to help, if we could, form or strengthen relationships they already have. My wife, son, and I visited with Carrie at the school where she teaches and where Ruthie attends. We talked with administration, teachers, and coaches. Some in our group prayer-walked through the apartment complex where our friends live. They had the opportunity to talk with a few people who also live there and hopefully they will connect with the church planters.
Do you know that our church and their apartment are 954 miles apart? That's a lot of driving, bathroom stops, eating breaks, etc. But it was worth it. A lot of people make that trip just for the natural beauty and recreation it affords. That in itself would be a great trip and we did see and experience some great sights. But we went with spiritual goals also in mind and I'm glad we accomplished them.
I have challenged our church to not see the praying, giving, and going that we have already done as enough. I hope our people will catch the vision of a longterm partnership with the Fox Family and the North American Mission Board that will result in people hearing the gospel, following Jesus, and a church planted and thriving in Colorado Springs.
Monday, October 09, 2017
Hold My Hand
Yesterday my wife and I had supper at a burger joint in the local shopping area. It was good. And fun.
We had to park in front of Victoria's Secret. But we didn't have to walk in front of the store because the burger joint was on the other side of the parking area. Just my luck, as soon as I walk in front of a lingerie store somebody would take a picture, post it, and start a scandal about a pastor…
We walked across to the burger joint and Deana decided she wanted to go to Bath and Body Works before they closed. So we walked back across to Bath and Body Works, which is next to Victoria's Secret. Lucky for me that Deana didn't think about Bath and Body Works until we had crossed the parking lot and moved down a little so that when we went back to Bath and Body Works I didn't have to walk in front of Victoria's Secret and thus start a scandal.
As one might expect, Bath and Body Works was having a sale. Not just on a single item, though. You never get to buy just one thing on sale there. The sales at Bath and Body Works (I'm told) are when you buy 3 or 5 or 80 of something. The sale Deana found was on 5 of one item. They have these little bottles of perfume that you stick in a warmer that you plug into the wall like a night light. As a matter of fact, some of the little warmers have night lights on them.
So Deana bought 5 of the little bottles of stuff. She thought she had a warmer at home. Apparently she did not.
A few minutes ago she called. Her boss needs something from the Apple Store (same shopping area). She's talking about that and seamlessly says, "Can I get one of those plug in thingies?"
We love the Apple Store and Apple products. We are well stocked. We have plenty of chargers and adapters for the home and each vehicle. I can't imagine why she wants to buy another one.
"What?" I say.
"I thought I had one but I didn't find it so can I get one?"
You know those Christmas lights that look like icicles? At our house those are charger and adapter cords. That's where we keep them in December.
Come to find out, she was talking about going down to Bath and Body Works (she'll have to walk past Victoria's Secret) to get one of those plug in warmer thingies.
"Ah, OK. Go ahead and get one."
You know how you always had to hold your mother's hand when you went to a busy store at Christmas time? I was one of those kids. I'd get distracted with the toys. Next thing you know, I'd hear my name over the intercom. I should've held my mother's hand.
On the phone with Deana today my mind took a journey to the Apple Store. I'm looking around at all the cool stuff. I'm playing with stuff. I'm thinking how expensive the accessories are. All of a sudden she says, "Can I get one of those plug in thingies?"
She took my mind to the Apple Store and let go of it. Then she walked down the sidewalk to Bath and Body Works (past Victoria's Secret) to get a plug in thingy.
Ladies, the moral of the story is this: never let go of your husband's mind when you suddenly have a story shift. It's OK when you are talking with your girlfriends but not when talking to your husband.
We had to park in front of Victoria's Secret. But we didn't have to walk in front of the store because the burger joint was on the other side of the parking area. Just my luck, as soon as I walk in front of a lingerie store somebody would take a picture, post it, and start a scandal about a pastor…
We walked across to the burger joint and Deana decided she wanted to go to Bath and Body Works before they closed. So we walked back across to Bath and Body Works, which is next to Victoria's Secret. Lucky for me that Deana didn't think about Bath and Body Works until we had crossed the parking lot and moved down a little so that when we went back to Bath and Body Works I didn't have to walk in front of Victoria's Secret and thus start a scandal.
As one might expect, Bath and Body Works was having a sale. Not just on a single item, though. You never get to buy just one thing on sale there. The sales at Bath and Body Works (I'm told) are when you buy 3 or 5 or 80 of something. The sale Deana found was on 5 of one item. They have these little bottles of perfume that you stick in a warmer that you plug into the wall like a night light. As a matter of fact, some of the little warmers have night lights on them.
So Deana bought 5 of the little bottles of stuff. She thought she had a warmer at home. Apparently she did not.
A few minutes ago she called. Her boss needs something from the Apple Store (same shopping area). She's talking about that and seamlessly says, "Can I get one of those plug in thingies?"
We love the Apple Store and Apple products. We are well stocked. We have plenty of chargers and adapters for the home and each vehicle. I can't imagine why she wants to buy another one.
"What?" I say.
"I thought I had one but I didn't find it so can I get one?"
You know those Christmas lights that look like icicles? At our house those are charger and adapter cords. That's where we keep them in December.
Come to find out, she was talking about going down to Bath and Body Works (she'll have to walk past Victoria's Secret) to get one of those plug in warmer thingies.
"Ah, OK. Go ahead and get one."
You know how you always had to hold your mother's hand when you went to a busy store at Christmas time? I was one of those kids. I'd get distracted with the toys. Next thing you know, I'd hear my name over the intercom. I should've held my mother's hand.
On the phone with Deana today my mind took a journey to the Apple Store. I'm looking around at all the cool stuff. I'm playing with stuff. I'm thinking how expensive the accessories are. All of a sudden she says, "Can I get one of those plug in thingies?"
She took my mind to the Apple Store and let go of it. Then she walked down the sidewalk to Bath and Body Works (past Victoria's Secret) to get a plug in thingy.
Ladies, the moral of the story is this: never let go of your husband's mind when you suddenly have a story shift. It's OK when you are talking with your girlfriends but not when talking to your husband.
Friday, September 22, 2017
Be a Quitter
So earlier this week I said not to be a quitter. You can read about that here. That was about not quitting things you shouldn't quit. But what about some things you should quit? Shouldn't you quit the things that you should quit? Of course! And what kind of person would you be now if you had quit then?
I am a procrastinator. As a matter of fact, when I wrote the previous post I asked you to check back for this post. I set a reminder for 9:00 this morning to write that post. The reminder popped up and I reset it to 11:00. I am writing this at 12:30. Procrastination clogs up productivity and creativity. Procrastination irritates the people at home and at work. Procrastination will likely cost you more money because you didn't act in a timely manner. It will likely cost you better grades because you didn't study like you should have. It will cost you opportunity.
I should quit procrastinating. You know the thought running through me mind right now, don't you? "I'll quit procrastinating later."
We have addictions we should quit and when we do we will have more time, money, opportunity, friends, etc. What is your addiction? Drugs? Alcohol? Sex? Laziness? Shopping? Netflix? Social media? Gambling? Video games? Feel free to speak up if I haven't mentioned your addiction.
Maybe it is easiest to illustrate what addictions cost you by looking at the person addicted to alcohol. He usually spends money he doesn't have on alcohol. That leaves little or nothing for groceries or rent or other necessities for his family. He is usually not nice to be around so his wife and kids suffer the loss of quality time with a husband and father. He may cross the line at work and lose his job. His drinking may lead to doing something illegal so now his financial problems are multiplied and his relationships at home suffer even more while he serves his time. We've all heard stories of or have a personal connection to a person injured or killed by a drunk driver. Now, like the cloud of an atomic bomb, the problems and misery spread out and engulf many people.
Your addiction may or may not follow this storyline but I know it is very similar because whatever you should quit but don't will always cost you.
Maybe you need to quit biting you nails or having a sour attitude. Maybe you need to quit procrastinating or making hasty decisions. Maybe you need to quit a bad relationship or an addiction.
Maybe you need to quit trying to run and control your own life; let Jesus lead you. His Spirit longs to do that and is ready. And very capable.
What is it that you are doing that constantly brings trouble and problems? Quit it and start doing the right thing. The right thing always includes following Jesus.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Don't Be a Quitter
What kind of person would you be now if you had quit then?
It depends, right? Quit what?
I quit baseball when I was 12 or 13 years old because I was no good at it. Actually, I was pretty good except when the ball was headed toward me. The last year I played, I struck out all but once. Rarely did I even swing. Why? Because I had been hit by pitches too many times. And I had taken a ground ball off my nose and a fly ball off by forehead. The one time I did not strike out that year was a walk and after I made it on first base I almost got picked off because I wasn't paying attention…I hadn't been there much.
If you read this blog very often you probably know that I love baseball. I know a lot about the game. I know much of the intricacies that should make me a good player or maybe a coach. But when I could have formed and honed the skills I quit. I don't have any thoughts that I could have been a pro ballplayer but I do wish I had played longer.
Quitting relinquishes opportunity.
I have a friend who quit on his marriage. He messed up and she was pretty made at him, understandably. But he couldn't see a reason to try to reconcile so he quit. Quitting relinquishes opportunity.
I've worked with people who were on the cusp of solving a major problem but just didn't finish. They were done but they weren't finished. They just couldn't make themselves try one more solution or brainstorm one more time or work late one more day. Another company finished and got the business. Quitting relinquishes opportunity.
We have no way to know what will happen next if we keep on trying. We can be certain of what will happen next if we quit.
All this applies to quitting something you really should stick with. Check back in a few days for some thoughts on sticking with something you really should quit.
It depends, right? Quit what?
I quit baseball when I was 12 or 13 years old because I was no good at it. Actually, I was pretty good except when the ball was headed toward me. The last year I played, I struck out all but once. Rarely did I even swing. Why? Because I had been hit by pitches too many times. And I had taken a ground ball off my nose and a fly ball off by forehead. The one time I did not strike out that year was a walk and after I made it on first base I almost got picked off because I wasn't paying attention…I hadn't been there much.
If you read this blog very often you probably know that I love baseball. I know a lot about the game. I know much of the intricacies that should make me a good player or maybe a coach. But when I could have formed and honed the skills I quit. I don't have any thoughts that I could have been a pro ballplayer but I do wish I had played longer.
Quitting relinquishes opportunity.
I have a friend who quit on his marriage. He messed up and she was pretty made at him, understandably. But he couldn't see a reason to try to reconcile so he quit. Quitting relinquishes opportunity.
I've worked with people who were on the cusp of solving a major problem but just didn't finish. They were done but they weren't finished. They just couldn't make themselves try one more solution or brainstorm one more time or work late one more day. Another company finished and got the business. Quitting relinquishes opportunity.
We have no way to know what will happen next if we keep on trying. We can be certain of what will happen next if we quit.
All this applies to quitting something you really should stick with. Check back in a few days for some thoughts on sticking with something you really should quit.
Friday, September 08, 2017
62 and Sunny
At the moment, it's 62 and sunny where I am. The morning sky is beautiful as the sun makes its way to apex. The trees' leaves are still wet with dew as are the rails on the deck. The droplets of water glisten. I took the trash can to the curb this morning. The dew on the grass was cold to my bare feet.
Not everyone has the beautiful morning I have and the prospect of such a perfect day. In southeast Texas millions of people are recovering from a massive hurricane that dumped billions of gallons of water in the form of rain on them just a few days ago. They may notice a clear sky and a comfortable temperature, if that happens to be the case today, but they are focused on something else.
Millions of people living in Florida are in the path of another hurricane that threatens to bring horrible devastation to most everything in its path. They are asking themselves, Do I stay or evacuate? I have family members who are in Arkansas today trying to get home to Florida. They are asking each other, Do we stay here are try to get home?
People in the Pacific Northwest are under a cloud of dangerous smoke from wildfires. The cloud, the residue, the air quality, the threat to property are all concerns for them today.
And these are just a few of the issues people in the United States are facing today. Look at news from around the world and the different circumstances are multiplied by thousands.
It's not 62 and sunny everywhere.
And other circumstances in your life that seem to be perfect don't mean everyone else is having a perfect day. While we all live under the same general circumstances like a morning sunrise, grass that needs to be cut every week or so, death of loved ones, jobs to go to, classes to attend, etc., it's the specific circumstances that attract our attention. And the specifics can vary vastly from one person to another.
My father-in-law died this week. Billions of people didn't know him and his death made no impact on them. Lots of people know someone who knows him and expressed sympathy. Many friends feel sorrow. The family is impacted more than anyone. Even the death of a great person effects people differently. The specifics of the circumstances make the difference.
Every person you see today is experiencing many of the same things you are but they also have circumstances specific to them. That's why some people are having a great day while the person in the next cubicle is having a terrible day. How we respond to people around us is important.
We shouldn't be critical of someone struggling with something we cannot see. We shouldn't be jealous of someone whose circumstance are better than ours. We shouldn't refuse to help others or reject the help others offer.
We should love them and be kind. We should help them see how God is the rock of stability in even the most stormy times. We should praise God in our good times. We should praise God in our bad times. We should trust him always and always express his character to others.
Not everyone has the beautiful morning I have and the prospect of such a perfect day. In southeast Texas millions of people are recovering from a massive hurricane that dumped billions of gallons of water in the form of rain on them just a few days ago. They may notice a clear sky and a comfortable temperature, if that happens to be the case today, but they are focused on something else.
Millions of people living in Florida are in the path of another hurricane that threatens to bring horrible devastation to most everything in its path. They are asking themselves, Do I stay or evacuate? I have family members who are in Arkansas today trying to get home to Florida. They are asking each other, Do we stay here are try to get home?
People in the Pacific Northwest are under a cloud of dangerous smoke from wildfires. The cloud, the residue, the air quality, the threat to property are all concerns for them today.
And these are just a few of the issues people in the United States are facing today. Look at news from around the world and the different circumstances are multiplied by thousands.
It's not 62 and sunny everywhere.
And other circumstances in your life that seem to be perfect don't mean everyone else is having a perfect day. While we all live under the same general circumstances like a morning sunrise, grass that needs to be cut every week or so, death of loved ones, jobs to go to, classes to attend, etc., it's the specific circumstances that attract our attention. And the specifics can vary vastly from one person to another.
My father-in-law died this week. Billions of people didn't know him and his death made no impact on them. Lots of people know someone who knows him and expressed sympathy. Many friends feel sorrow. The family is impacted more than anyone. Even the death of a great person effects people differently. The specifics of the circumstances make the difference.
Every person you see today is experiencing many of the same things you are but they also have circumstances specific to them. That's why some people are having a great day while the person in the next cubicle is having a terrible day. How we respond to people around us is important.
We shouldn't be critical of someone struggling with something we cannot see. We shouldn't be jealous of someone whose circumstance are better than ours. We shouldn't refuse to help others or reject the help others offer.
We should love them and be kind. We should help them see how God is the rock of stability in even the most stormy times. We should praise God in our good times. We should praise God in our bad times. We should trust him always and always express his character to others.
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