Newsletter Articles
Truth in Love, Truth in Power by Pastor Tom
07/25/2008 -
July 2010
Five Keys to Joy & Laughter
We have a very tainted view of happiness and joy in our part of the world. We are trained from a very early age to do all we can to avoid pain, hardship and adversity. We are conditioned to think that more is better and the more of this world’s goods that we can accumulate the happier we will be. But is that true? And if not, what are the keys to joy & laughter?
Here are five keys to joy & laughter:
1. Be obedient to God – We are designed to be in right relationship with God. You cannot be content or lead a truly meaningful life outside of that. A car is designed to run on gasoline; you were created to be powered by God. Apart from God you are out of sync with the One who matters most. The Bible says to trust Him with all of our heart and He will direct us (Proverbs 3:3-5). If we really trust God, obedience is what it will look like.
2. Be faithful in ALL your relationships – If you cannot be trusted or be reliable to those you supposedly love the most, you will not treat others well either. Not treating the people in your life well is a sure sign of a miserable person. Whether it’s God, other people (Matthew 22:37-39) or your pets (Proverbs 12:10), one of the keys to joy & laughter is being faithful in all of our relationships.
3. Give regularly – We are at our best when the blessing of God channels through us. We do not want to be the place where God’s blessings go to die. We were never meant to hoard. So often we fall into the “collect the whole set” mentality. Whether it is baseball cards, Precious Moments figurines, classic cars like Jay Leno, or money – remember this, one day you will die and your collections will still be in the garage, on the wall or in the bank.
Joy and laughter are not a by-product of hoarding. Hoarding is actually a manifestation of fear and insecurity. One way to avoid the tendency to hoard is to be the cheerful giver of 2 Corinthians 9:7. I find it interesting that the word “cheerful” in that verse means hilarious. The Bible exhorts us to be a hilarious giver. I like that … it sounds like fun to me.
4. Be a realist with a positive outlook – A pessimist always takes the darkest view of things. He is a good one to borrow money from – he doesn’t expect to get it back. An optimist always assumes the outcome will be good; like the window washer who was an optimist and fell off the scaffolding on the 80th floor of a skyscraper, and someone by a 13th floor window heard him say, “So far so good.” A realist sees things as they actually are. I think Jesus was a realist with a positive outlook.
We need to recognize that the world is in a fallen, sinful condition, but we can still see the best in people and we can still treat people according to their potential instead of their past failures. We can prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I want to be a realist with a positive outlook.
5. Live Ready - How can we hope to be happy when a terrorist act could occur at any moment and with the nuclear threat that looms over us? It is the same principle involved with the imminence of Christ’s return – live ready. It most certainly is one of the keys to joy & laughter.
I remember hating school when my assignment was not done and dreading the test because I had not prepared. But I could take on the world when I knew I was ready. Both in the realm of the eternal and in this temporal world we dwell in, it is vitally important to live ready. Knowing I will die empowers me to live; and to live ready.
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8).
I look forward to the day that Christ returns! Why? Because I am ready. And I can rest in this life, I can enjoy this life, I can laugh and live knowing that whatever comes my way I can make it with God’s help. His Holy Spirit is real to me and I have the assurance that my eternal home will be in heaven! I have discovered that one of the keys to joy & laughter is to live ready.
So there it is; five keys to joy & laughter: Be obedient to God, be faithful in ALL your relationships, give regularly, be a realist with a positive outlook and live ready.
June 2010
Been There, Done That!
As a teenager it is strange to think that your mom or dad have been where you are. It’s hard to envision them in school or on little league teams or as cheerleaders. We can’t imagine them getting in trouble or being young and foolish…at least the young part. It is even scarier to think that they may have done some of the things we did or are doing! But when we think about their advice in those terms – it means a lot more. They can say, been there, done that!
Keep in mind, I’m speaking as a former child myself.
I have been thinking a lot about the fact that Jesus took on an actual physical body; after all, that is what Christmas is about. At first glance the physical body aspect of it doesn’t seem all that significant, but the more we look into it, the more important we realize it is. The incarnation – the taking on of flesh by God Himself (1 Timothy 3:16) is an amazing phenomenon! And the physical body is an essential piece of the puzzle.
The crucifixion involves intricately the physical body of Jesus. He could not have shed blood for the remission of our sins without a physical body (Hebrews 9:22). He had to have a back to be scourged so he could incur the stripes by which we would one day be healed (1 Peter 2:24). He had to have a brow for the crown of thorns to be pressed into. He needed hands and feet so they could be pierced and the prophecy fulfilled (Psalm 22:16). He needed a physical body so the work of redemption could be appropriated through Him to us.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). Without the blood stained ground beneath the Cross of Calvary – my sins would be yet a millstone tied around my neck. Sin would be my death sentence and I would be hopeless and helpless. But I have a future – an eternal future because Jesus can say of the bodily suffering on the Cross, been there, done that!
The Resurrection is another aspect to the ministry of Christ that incorporated His physical presence. Scripture goes to great lengths to point out that it was indeed a bodily resurrection and not just a spiritual deal. He was not a ghost or a spirit being, His body had risen from the grave! In one of His many post-resurrection appearances “…he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them” (Luke 24:38-43).
Jesus was offering his followers hope of a coming resurrection for all who believe. What would be their basis for hope? It would be Jesus Himself; it would be the fact that He had been there, done that!
When we think of the Bible, the life of Christ and Christianity we usually want to spiritualize it. We know it is spiritually significant but we think of it as unattainable and not relating to who we are or what we do. Jesus can look at us and say, it really is about life and all its experiences – and I understand; after all I’ve been there, done that!
The reality of Christ living here in the fashion of a man, enduring the temptation of the devil, the pain of rejection, the suffering of the Cross and reigning supreme in victory over death and the grave through the resurrection, is what makes Christianity unique and viable. It is not a set of rules to make you a better person; it is not a standard you must attain to or a series of hoops through which you must jump. It is not some distant memory or act of good will that worked for a while and now we commemorate from time to time in remembrance. It is about the incarnation, the crucifixion and the resurrection. All accomplished in bodily form on our behalf by the God of heaven and earth. Only Jesus can say been there, done that!
May 2010
The Way it Used to Be
Have you ever noticed how people tend to like it the way it “used to be?” I honestly think that it is one of those God-given tendencies that are part of us for a reason. It’s like a mom or a grandpa thinking that their child or grandchild is the cutest and brightest one out there. In the same way, God wires into us a propensity to look back on things with a fondness. It is kind of a self-protection mechanism that promotes good mental health (and no – that’s not an oxymoron).
Many of us look back on our school years or our childhood and romanticize that period of time. We talk about it as if it was a scene right out of Happy Days. But we forget all the angst (angst = anguish, worry, fear) over upcoming tests, oral reports, awkward moments in gym class, the struggle for acceptance among our peers, fear of bullies, not to mention uncertainties with members of the opposite sex and that nagging issue in the back of your mind – “What am I going to do with the rest of my life!” Ah yes … the way it used to be.
We see an inclination in the modern church toward “revivals” and “outpourings” and “new moves” of God. I really am not against any of those things. But I wonder how much of it is born out of our desire to revisit the early church. There is something about the thought of a grassroots move of God that appeals to us. As human beings we tend to resist structure and constitution and construction. We want it the way it used to be.
One of the problems with longing for the way it used to be is that we may not have an accurate perception of the way it used to be. Consider the early church in the book of Acts; do you realize that services ran long and people fell asleep? It’s true - “And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead” (Acts 20:9). If that happened today there would be a congregational meeting to oust the pastor and someone would say, “Why can’t it be the way it used to be.”
We forget that not everything came up roses in the early church. Remember the story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira? They lied to the church leaders (and to the Holy Ghost) and they died on the spot! Remember that the next time you say – “I’ll be in Sunday school next quarter Pastor.” Do we really wish it was the way it used to be?
And there was a lot of persecution in the early church. I know we deal with the separation of church and state issue – but they got whipped (Acts 16:23) and imprisoned (Acts 5:18), some early believers even got thrown out of the country (Acts 13:50). If this was happening today we would wonder where God was in all of this. We would long for the way it used to be.
When we contemplate the early church we think of how they had all things in common – our perception is a communal lifestyle. That is not exactly accurate – but it does appeal to those in the modern church who grew up in the 60’s & 70’s. Some still have an anti-establishment mentality that affects their view of structure in organizations. We want everything to look like Woodstock. We have not thought it through of course … and if it came right down to selling our property and giving the money to the church, like they did in the early church, most would not yearn any longer for the way it used to be. That, and the thought of sharing a bathroom.
But we do want all the benefits. We want all the miracles and none of the meetings. We want the grassroots “feeling”, but not the organization and structure that comes with a maturing church. We tend to forget that even in the book of Acts they had disputes and dissension. “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up…” (Acts 15:6-7); sounds more like a modern church business meeting than what we envision in the early church.
So off we go to book our plane tickets to the next great revival. I always thought signs and wonders should follow believers instead of believers following signs and wonders. We rush to the revival meeting around the corner, down the block and up your street. It couldn’t possibly be at our church! In the meantime, the local church – which is the
closest thing we have to the early church – struggles because of inconsistency in the body.
“Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not” (Matthew 24:25-26). Ah, the way it used to be.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In the weeks ahead I will be preaching a series out of the book of Acts called The Early Church in the Latter Days. I will attempt, with Gods help, to draw from the early church experience and see how it applies to where we are today. Please pray and study along with me, that we experience a fresh move of the Holy Spirit and that God is glorified.
April 2010
Stuck in Traffic
Did you know that Americans spend 3.7 billion hours per year stuck in traffic? I like sitting in traffic about as much as a weepy abscess. I’m glad that I don’t live in a city that suffers from that kind of congestion. I enjoy my five minute commute to work. But the fact remains that many find themselves mired in a throng of vehicles for hours per week and are frustrated by the lack of progress they seem to be making. They are stuck in traffic.
Sometimes we feel the same way spiritually. We want our relationship with Jesus to be a nice, steady flow of constant communication. We want the wind at our back and a downhill ride… both ways. Yet for all of our desire and even all of our effort, there are times when we feel stuck in traffic.
In New York City the average travel time to work for workers 16 years and older who do not work at home is 38.4 minutes. (This seems to imply there is such thing as a 16 year old who works at home. but, I digress). What if we are stuck in traffic spiritually? What if our prayers all return stamped “DENIED” and the Bible just won’t come to life for us?
Here are four things to try if you are stuck in traffic:
1) Wait – I know, you didn’t need me to tell you that, but there may be more to this than meets the eye. When we are stuck in traffic sometimes all you can do is wait. There are times spiritually when we are called to wait as well, but rather than think of the word “wait” in terms of sitting in traffic, think about what the person who works at the restaurant does. That person is a waiter; they wait on you. We are to wait on the Lord! Pretty cool when you think about it; in this case “wait” is a verb. So when you are stuck spiritually, make a conscious choice to wait on the Lord. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).
2) Be Patient – I used to pray for God to teach me patience; He kept teaching and I finally figured out that I should pray to LEARN patience. Trust me, I’m still workin’ on it. But being stuck in traffic can help us to develop patience, and being stuck in a spiritual desert can have a positive effect as well. “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:3-4).
3) An Alternate Route – If I lived in a big city and found myself in a traffic jam every day for 38.4 minutes I think I would look for another way. I would try an alley, a frontage road, a side street, a back street, wall street, easy street, Della Street, ANY street other than the one I am on. On long trips many of us take highways that bypass the coagulated traffic found in the heart of a booming metropolis. When I find myself stuck in traffic spiritually, I do the same thing, I take an alternate route. A few months ago I found myself in a bit of a spiritual slump. I would spend an hour or so attempting to connect with God and never really felt as though I had made my way into His presence. Rather than continue down the same route, I searched for a different way. I broke my routine of spending my time in the Sanctuary and moved to the library. Sitting at a table, the firmness of the chair and the brightness of the lighting all seemed to have jump started my time with God. I guess I just needed a change. If you are stuck in traffic, try something new; try an alternate route. And finally…
4) Mass Transit – It is interesting that the highways give preference to mass transit. In big cities where traffic is a major problem they often have carpool lanes. They open a way through the bottleneck of traffic to those willing to travel together in a carpool or some form of mass transit. The way to God can work the same way, Matthew 18:20 tells us, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” In another place we are reminded not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). In other words, take mass transit and you may find a clear path to God. It’s like the carpool lane! We gather together in the House of God on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) and celebrate what God has done. There is power in corporate praise. There is a special presence of God in the midst of those of like precious faith. We all bring our own measure of God’s Spirit to the gathering and sometimes those that are stuck in traffic spiritually benefit from others who are thriving at the moment. Whether I am in church or in the gym or on the highway, knowing I can draw strength, inspiration and courage from those around me, has kept me going more than a few times. No one said we had to travel this road alone; try mass transit.
If you are in a dry place spiritually today, take comfort in knowing that we have ALL been there. Good drivers get stuck in traffic and solid Christians hit a road block once in a while too. The key is to keep pressing in and pressing on. Don’t give up; wait on the Lord, be patient, look for an alternate route and try mass transit.
March 2010
Heaven's Courtroom
Before plasma TV, prior to the big screens, and long before DTV had ever been introduced, in the days of black & white television, there was a classic courtroom drama called Perry Mason. It had a run of 271 shows from 1957-1966. In it, Raymond Burr played a well respected defense attorney who would literally win every case against a prosecutor name Hamilton Burger (Ham Burger?). You can’t make this stuff up. It seemed every show unfolded the same way: First there was a robbery and a murder in which the perp was not revealed to the viewers. Next came the arrest of an innocent party toward whom ALL the evidence pointed. He had motive, he had opportunity, and his “I was at the movies … alone” alibi was less than convincing. The investigation and trial follow and then … in the dramatic conclusion …Perry would grill a backpedaling nare-do-well until he cracked under the pressure and would say, “Alright…I took the money …but I didn’t kill him!” To which Perry would declare, “I know you didn’t” and he would turn on his heels and point to some unsuspecting guy sitting in the back row of the courtroom, who we had never even seen before and say; “But he did!” The killer would confess on the spot and proceed to tie up all the loose ends for us as he spilled his guts to the stunned courtroom. Perry would move for dismissal, Ham had no objections and we were off to a commercial.
Did you know the Bible uses a lot of courtroom terms? Let’s take a look at heaven’s courtroom.
Witness - The Lord spoke to Paul in Acts 23:11; “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” That word witness means to testify; give evidence; bear record.
We sometimes get witnessing and apologetics mixed up and consequently fear them both. Apologetics means to be able to defend the faith. To be a witness we merely bear record of what we have seen God do. We can ALL do that!
Testimony - The final book of the Bible uses this courtroom term nine times; “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11). It means evidence given; report.
Testimony is a similar word to witness, it is just more personal. It involves what God has done for us personally. No one can debate your testimony. They can ask questions and seek clarification but you know what God has done in your life.
Judge – “…in righteousness he doth judge…”(Revelation 19:11). The word judge means to distinguish, decide, to decree.
I remember a very public trial from the past in which the judge who was assigned the case was nicknamed Maximum Bob. He was known for giving out the stiffest penalties allowed by law. I’m glad that it is God who presides over the courtroom of this world’s final judgment as the righteous and merciful judge of all mankind. But do not be deceived into thinking that this merciful God who is willing that none should perish, is a pushover. We do well to consider Romans 11:22: “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
Defend – In courtrooms there is a defense attorney whose job it is to defend the one charged with a crime. “The Lord of hosts shall defend them…” (Zechariah 9:15). To defend means to hedge about; protect.
Perry Mason was good, but I am thankful that my defender will be Jesus Christ! “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5). Perry may have been undefeated on TV, but this is not fiction. It is the real deal and I have chosen to have Jesus Christ as the one who makes intercession for me. (Hebrews 7:25)
Accused – “…for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10). The word in Greek, the language of the New Testament, means to be a plaintiff; to be charged with an offense.
The phrase, “the accuser of the brethren” is used very specifically of Satan himself. We are accused by the prosecutor as being guilty of transgressing the law. The problem for Satan is that Jesus has already paid the penalty – the law lost hold of us the day he died on Calvary’s cross. There is no punishment because the righteousness of God has been satisfied by Jesus! That is so cool. And it reduces the Devil to a bigger loser than Hamilton Burger; and that’s saying a lot.
The words come right out of Scripture and yet the writers of Perry Mason used the same terminology as they described the weekly courtroom confrontations between Perry and Ham. I find it interesting that many of the passages sited above are from the book of Revelation; the final book of the Bible and the book which contains the ultimate courtroom scene; heaven’s courtroom, the final judgment. Read carefully Revelation 20:11-15…
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Have you asked Jesus to be your defense attorney? In heaven’s courtroom, when the gavel slams down for the last time, judgment is final. No mistrials, no technicalities, no appeal process. Something to think about…
February 2010
Who Is In Charge Of This?
If I gave you an atom of gold for every second of time that has passed since the big bang supposedly happened … do you know how much you would have? You would have less than 1.5% of a one ounce gold coin. My point? Atoms are really small. That’s enough to get me wondering Who is in charge of all this?
When I try to comprehend the vastness of the universe, the length of eternity or the microscopic ridiculousness of an atom, my mind begins to overload and the shutdown and restart process begins. I realize in a very short amount of time that I cannot handle it, and I am left to wonder… Who is in charge of this?
All matter is made up of atoms. According to Richard Swenson M.D., the speaker at a Maranatha Academy fund drive dinner a few years ago and author of “More Than Meets the Eye”, the human body consists of 10 to the 28th power atoms. That is ten followed by 28 zeros. Different atoms have varying life spans. Now get this: 90% of our atoms are replaced annually and in five years every atom in our body has died and its place taken by new atoms. In the last hour alone, one trillion trillion of your atoms have been replaced! Who is in charge of this?
Life is like a wave or a flame in which no two moments are the same, no two moments are even made up of the same particles. So, Who is in charge of this?
Then there is the sub-atomic level; the microscopic world of elements smaller than an atom. Over 200 sub-atomic particles have been identified that are smaller than protons, neutrons and electrons…
THIS JUST IN: I have no idea what I am talking about!
…one such particle is called Xi. It has a life span of one ten billionth of a second! In the time it takes your heart to beat ONCE, this sub-atomic particle has gone through billions upon billions of lifetimes. Who is in charge of this?
When we think of the universe and eternity we understand that we are dealing in the infinite; Dr. Swenson wonders in his book if we are infinite in all directions. As science develops new technology and better microscopes we see more and more of God’s tiny but marvelous creation. The more we can see, the more we realize there are more sub-atomic levels out there that we were previously unaware of. And as we come up with more powerful telescopes we uncover stars and planets and galaxies that are far beyond the final frontier human imagination came up with on its own. Who is in charge of this?
Why did God create Xi? Perhaps it is just to cause even the brightest scientist with a new microscope to drop his jaw in amazement as he peers in and realizes that God created detail so small that we are just beginning to discover it even exists!
I write all this to remind us that God is in control. Indeed, He sees it all. In fact, He is toying with the minds of the most brilliant scientists in the world who think they actually KNOW something. He chortles at the idea of an educated and gifted scientist pitting his three pound lump of grey matter against the creative God of the heavens and the earth. God is in charge of all this.
And so I ask the same question that is rolling around your mind; “How does this apply to my life?”
Well, do I have to sit and worry that my atoms will be replaced on time? Do I have to check on my Xi to make sure they had a fulfilling one ten-billionth of a second? I hope not. God is in charge of all this. He is micromanaging every aspect of your life … even though it may well be infinite in all directions!
If that is true; I guess I can trust Him with my future and my job and whether or not I will eat today or have a roof over my head tomorrow. Matthew 6:34 tells us not to worry about tomorrow; God is in charge of this. We do not need to help Him along or take over when He sleeps because Psalm 121:3 reminds us that “…He that keepeth thee will not slumber.”
It does not mean we don’t have to DO anything … it does mean we can do our part and relax in the fact that God is in charge of the rest. Who is in charge of this? The God of all creation who loves you and me and provided a way for us to spend all of eternity with Him through His Son Jesus! Just think, all of eternity … Oh Oh … I’m starting the shutdown process again…I better go…
January 2010
Deepening the Well
It seems impossible that we are a decade past the dreaded Y2K. 2010 seems almost surreal; like a year right out of Star Trek (the original of course). Time hurries on, and as we forge ahead into the New Year we do so without knowing all that lies before us. The eternal optimist says, “It’s all good”. The pessimist says “We’re doomed.” The latter is fatalistic and the former is naïve.
As Christians, how ought we to see the year ahead? What should our approach be? I believe that we live in an opportune time. The God who set eternity in our heart is stirring an interest in the future even within the secular realm. From wildly popular movies like 2012 to specials on the History channel dealing with the Mayan calendar and Nostradamus, it is evident that people are searching for the truth; and that’s exactly what we possess in the Gospel message!
Still, we cannot deny the reality that we are headed for troubled times. Even the best case scenarios for the economy are bleak. The Christian will face increasing persecution as the world becomes more pluralistic and frowns more and more on the exclusiveness of our message. Adversity is a part of life and 2010 will have its share and then some.
So for the Christian in general and the people of Central Assembly in particular – the best thing we can do is be prepared. We cannot change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our sails. For some, that means filling the fruit room with dehydrated food and bottles of water. You could store dehydrated water but what would you add? Some tuck their cash into their mattress and others convert cash to gold. You gotta do what you gotta do I guess; but I am talking more about being spiritually prepared.
That’s why I believe God has laid it on my heart to proclaim the theme for 2010 to be “Deepening the Well.” The idea is to deepen our walk with God so that in our hour of adversity, when a loved one dies or we lose our job or the diagnosis from the doctor is devastating or people we care about disappoint us; we will still be able draw from the well of life.
The year will begin with a series of messages on the Christian disciplines designed to carve a toughness groove in our hearts and minds. We will deal with some of the obvious disciplines such as prayer, fasting and the study of God’s Word. But I want to look beyond the obvious into the lost art of waiting on God, solitude, meditating on God’s Word, silence and even the discipline of fellowship. Its all designed to deepen your spiritual reservoir and carve a toughness groove in your brain.
Financially as a church we have tried to get ahead of some of the needs we can foresee such as the parking lot, carpeting and some work in the sanctuary. We must do the same spiritually. We must be ready when the trial comes our way – it is too late at that point to draw on the resources that being spiritually equipped could have provided. Once the economy crashes it doesn’t do any good to say, “Oh, I meant to get out of debt!” The time for action was way before that moment.
Spiritually we must deepen the well today so that we can endure troubled times tomorrow. We must be prepared so we have the wherewith all to be able to point others to Jesus when the world is crumbling around us.
So let’s embark on the journey together. Let’s dig in and let’s draw close to Jesus. I am going to challenge you to participate in the disciplines. We may go places we have never gone before. Let’s systematically and progressively rearrange our lives around becoming like Jesus. That’s what a disciple does; or more accurately; that’s what a disciple is. Let’s make 2010 a year of “Deepening the Well.” It’s the CAG way.
December 2009
Traditional Rivalry
I remember watching the NBA championship back in 2008. Part of the reason I was interested is that it was a traditional rivalry. The Boston Celtics and The Los Angeles Lakers had met in the finals ten times prior to that season with the Celtics winning eight of the head to head match-ups. The rivalry goes back to the 1960’s; the days of Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell; and it helped revitalize the NBA in the 80’s when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were stars; and here we are again.
As I watched Derek Fisher shoot free throws I noticed the muscle tone in his arms. This guy has a set of pipes! I had observed a few nights earlier the same thing about Leon Powe of the Celtics. My thought was this – these guys are devoted to their craft. They spend hours and hours keeping themselves in shape. They lift weights, they run and they eat right to keep the dreaded body fat down. And they spend hour upon hour in the gym honing the skills that go with being a professional basketball player. They become known as gym rats as they shoot free throws into the late hours of the night so that they might someday, somehow, reach the zenith of their profession.
It reminds me of another traditional rivalry – self-discipline vs. amusement. Jesus pointed this out when the disciples kept falling asleep while He trudged on in prayer, “Watch and pray,” He said, “that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Here is where some definitions can help us.
Self- discipline involves a behavior that brings about a state of order by training and self-control. It is the act of denying self and controlling impulses.
Amusement is a word that we use without understanding its true meaning. In order to do that we must look at the root word which is “muse”. Muse means to think or meditate upon; to comment thoughtfully. Amuse therefore, means the opposite of that. It has become synonymous with an activity that requires no thought or effort whatsoever; hence; the traditional rivalry of self-discipline vs. amusement.
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The traditional rivalry of self-discipline vs. amusement is brought out well by this passage of Scripture. “Watch” means to keep awake. Why didn’t the disciples stay awake? The answer is simple – they were tired. I believe they wanted to stay awake – their spirit was willing. But you see – this is the crux of the matter (crux = a vital, basic, decisive or pivotal point). Desire is not enough. Desire; which is “the want to” – isn’t enough to get it done. You also need its partner in practicality & productivity – self-discipline.
To merely have the desire makes you just like everybody else. Everyone wants to do the right thing. To couple that desire with self-discipline makes you one of a select few. In the traditional rivalry of self-discipline vs. amusement – amusement wins more often than the Celtics.
Most people aren’t readers; why? It is easier to be amused. To be amused requires no effort and no thought. Most people are out of shape. Why? It is easier to eat a piece of cake when we know we should be having a salad instead. Less than 50% of the general population are in church on a given Sunday. Why? It is easier to sleep late than it is to get up and go to church. The traditional rivalry rages on.
So who are the difference makers in the world? Those who are exceptional at something are most often those who are self-disciplined. Success in any field – whether it is basketball, business or parenthood requires more than the average guy or gal is willing to give. The spirit is willing but…
Roy L. Smith said, “Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability.” “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment,” according to Jim Rohn. And I am afraid that Marie Chapian has it right when she says, “Lack of discipline leads to frustration and self-loathing” Indeed it is nothing new; in fact it is a traditional rivalry.
Jesus seemed to understand the traditional rivalry , “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Self-discipline vs. amusement; which one is winning in your life?
November 2009
How Big is God?
I used to live in Superior’s East End; God’s country; the home of scenic Newton’s creek. Living in that part of town I would drive by the Oil Refinery on almost a daily basis, and I marveled at how big those huge white containers were that store gas or oil. It made me wonder, how big is God?
Those huge vats at Murphy Oil have stairways that go up the side for the workers to climb to the top. As a youngin’ I used to picture the tanks empty and without a roof. I would try to imagine what it would be like to walk up the stairway and attempt to fill the tank by pouring into it a gallon size container (picture a gallon of milk) at a time. As I prepared to write this I called a guy who retired from Murphy Oil and asked him how many gallons each of those tanks hold? I was stunned when he told me that some are 100,000 barrel tanks. That means 100,000 barrels of liquid fit in each tank - and each barrel is 50 gallons; that’s 5 million gallons PER TANK! It makes me wonder how big is God?
The next disturbing trail of thought asks the question; how many of those huge 5,000,000 gallon tanks could we fit in Lake Superior? I don’t know the answer, but allow me to throw some facts and figures at you; Lake Superior, a.k.a. the big pond, has 17,549 miles of coastline. Now get this, our big air conditioner contains 6 quadrillion gallons of water. That’s 6,000,000,000,000,000; a six and 15 zeros. That doesn’t do much for me either, so let me illustrate what one quadrillion is in pennies:
This is barely over ONE quadrillion pennies. Lake Superior contains SIX quadrillion gallons of water in it. The block of pennies would have to be SIX times as big as it is in the illustration above in order to picture the amount of gallons of water in the big Lake they call Gitchi Gummi (i.e. Big Water). So, how big is God?
If you took all that water and spread it over the United States, the entire country would be under 9 and a half feet of water.
Now that’s just Lake Superior. How many Lake Superior’s could we fit into the Pacific Ocean. Once again my research fails me…but I do have more mind boggling stats for you.
Remember that Lake Superior has 17,549 miles of coastline? Well, the Pacific Ocean has 84,297 miles of coastline! At 65.3 million square miles in area, it covers about 32% of the Earth’s total surface.
Its maximum depth is 35,798 feet, that’s almost seven miles deep! Think of the volume of water! I am left to wonder…how big is God?
Now…did you know that this great big world we live in would fit inside the sun 1,300,000 times!? And they say the sun is a slightly less than average star. And think of all the stars there are out there! How big is God?
My mind is aching and racked with pain. But I do know this, we serve a big God. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Well then, how big is God? I don’t know the answer to that either, but I do know that He is big enough to meet my need and your need. He is bigger than your problem and able to handle your crisis. The Bible says that He can do exceeding, abundantly, above all that we are able to ask or even think! (Ephesians 3:20). Remember, this is the same God who created Lake Superior and the Pacific Ocean and the Earth and the Sun and the entire Universe…and what ever is outside of or after that!
Man, I’m glad I serve a big God. From now on, whenever I see only the magnitude of my problem, I am going to ask myself, how big is God?
That’s a mind blowing, mind boggling, mind expanding question. I guess the answer is, “big enough.”
October 2009
Hope in the Window
Have you ever heard of Thomas Kinkade? He’s the artist who paints those pictures of idyllic neighborhoods with lots of trees or lighthouses surrounded by babbling brooks or cascading waterfalls. One of the characteristics of a Kinkade painting is that there will be a building with a light on in the window. In fact, he has a trademark phrase associated with his work; he is the “Painter of Light”.
Kinkade’s parents were divorced when he was five years old, and in an era when it was uncommon for children to suffer such a fate, his art became a refuge, and his theme became “light” … hope in the window.
In the words of Kinkade himself, “The underlying theme of all my work is light. Light generates so much hope. People often come to me and say, ‘I wish I could enter the world of this painting.’ And I always want to tell them, You can enter this world. You may not live in a house like this, but you can know the beauty and joy I try to paint. You can have a life built on peace and hope and faith in God."
Jesus said, “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Whoever follows Jesus will have hope in the window.
It is difficult to go home to an empty and dark house every day. And even worse to live in an existence void of hope; all too many live there. The human creature has an amazing level of resiliency; he can endure tremendous abuse and suffer great lack and somehow survive. But hope is an essential ingredient to life.
Without hope people glaze over and gradually slip into some sort of auto-pilot. It is a characteristic seen in the homeless. They are merely functioning, surviving and existing. There is no hope in the window.
Spiritually we see the same thing. Many of the people we encounter every day are missing something. Yes they are functioning – and some do not realize that they are missing anything – yet. But one day, in the form of a mid-life crisis or deathbed regret, they will realize they have lived a life without hope in the window.
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
Life without the hope that Jesus brings is empty indeed. Jesus gives us hope for wisdom and understanding. He provides hope for tomorrow and for a place in eternity that will be the culmination of our existence – not merely another existence. It is the promise of a rest that fulfills and a peace that endures; it is hope in the window.
And still some refuse the light of hope. Jesus understood why and explained it this way; “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:19-20).
Thomas Kinkade lived in darkness for much of his life, but now says, “Nearly twenty years ago, I had reached a state of disillusionment and skepticism, and I needed a vision and purpose. It was at this time that I met God in a real way and I became a Christian. I recognized that I was a sinner and without hope, and that only through faith in Jesus' death on the cross for my sins could I be saved. The truth of God's Word hit home to me in a profound way, and by grace through faith I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.”
For Thomas Kinkade there is hope in the window, and it is reflected in his paintings. If you love Jesus I trust that it is reflected in your life too. If all the shades are drawn on our lives and no one can see in – how can they know that Jesus is the hope in the window?
If you despise the light then you have a different problem. You love your sin. God is offering to you this day something new – life and light and hope. God threatens the rebel heart, but to the hurting, He is hope in the window.
September 2009
The Bridge of Forgiveness
The Bridge on the River Kwai is a British World War II movie starring Alec Guinness and William Holden. It is the movie in which British POWS march in while defiantly whistling a song called "Colonel Bogey March" that we parodied as kids by singing, “Comet, it’ll make your teeth turn green…” But I digress.
The basic plot of the 1957 film is that British soldiers held prisoner are forced to construct a bridge that will aid the Japanese in their military efforts. Conflict ensues over whether it should be built with integrity to demonstrate superiority in British ingenuity or sabotaged to stall the Japanese war machine.
In the end, the bridge is wired with explosives that are detonated sending the first Japanese supply train to cross it plunging into the river below.
Forgiveness is a bridge; and like the Bridge on the River Kwai, it can lead to conflict within. The bridge of forgiveness forces us to choose between what is right or the vengeance and resentment that feels so satisfying at the moment.
There isn’t any among us who hasn’t experienced hurt. Regrettably, it is an ingredient of the human condition as part of the fallen world in which we live. Some hurts are superficial – though still painful. A word spoken in anger, a sharp tongue that cut in an area of our life left open and vulnerable.
Unforgiveness can reside in any of us. No one understands betrayal like Jesus does. He invested hope and effort into the life of a man named Judas, and all He got out of the deal was hurt. How could Jesus possibly forgive? How could He forgive the cruelty of the Roman soldiers who tore away His flesh, pounded nails into His body and humiliated Him at every turn? Maybe the only question more difficult to answer is, how can you forgive those who have hurt you?
The bridge of forgiveness is constructed little by little. It is not a one time effort that we put into place and never have to deal with again. Like the British prisoners, we must wake up every morning and continue the work. The mistake many make is failing to realize that forgiveness is a choice and not a feeling. If we wait to feel like forgiving – we will never get there until the offending party somehow “makes it up to us.” But true forgiveness is not dependent upon the other person. It is a choice we make. Forgiveness is a bridge I must build.
The problem for many is that we begin to build the bridge and then we sabotage our own efforts. We take the proverbial one step forward and two back. Other times great progress is made and as the bridge of forgiveness nears completion; the explosives are detonated and the bridge is destroyed. We are left standing on the edge of the cliff of bitterness and the span that leads to healing seems wider that ever.
The problem with blowing up the bridge of forgiveness is that is it is a bridge you will have to cross over yourself. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that forgiveness is imparted to us as we forgive others.
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).
I don’t know how you could read that any other way. God’s forgiveness is not unconditional.
“And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses” (Matthew 18:34-35).
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25-26).
Building the bridge of forgiveness is a decision you have to make. “If” is not a small word. “If” is the decision word. “If” is the word the bridge of forgiveness is built upon.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32).
The bridge of forgiveness leads to life, it leads to healing and it leads to restoration – not necessarily with the one who hurt you – but restoration of a right relationship with the One who created you. That is not a bridge you want to burn.
August 2009
Why We Want To Be Your Church
They say the only constant is change. For over eighteen years here at Central Assembly, Pastor Paul Anderson faithfully fulfilled the duties of Pastor. At the end of May he retired. Now, as Bob Dylan once said, “The times they are a changing.’”
I guess the headline could read: “Local boy to be installed as Pastor”. You see, I am a local boy. I grew up in God’s country; the east end of Superior. I raised my family in the same part of town. I was born here and have no desire to live anywhere but in the 880.
I know the weather isn’t the greatest, spring could be a little longer for sure, but thirty straight days of 90 degrees gets old too. I’m glad we don’t have hurricanes and I sure don’t want to spend part of my spring filling gunny sacks with sand to make sure the levee doesn’t break. I’ve quoted Bobby Dylan; now let me quote Dorothy Gale from the Wizard of Oz, “there’s no place like home”.
I started coming to Central Assembly in 1983 while I worked as a machine operator at Georgia-Pacific. Somewhere in that period of time, I began to feel the call into ministry, and when the plant closed in 2002 I began the process of becoming credentialed with the Assemblies of God.
Why We Want To Be Your Church
My first staff position was as a part-time non-salaried teaching pastor. I loved it. In 2005 I was hired fulltime as the youth and associate pastor. I loved that too! In fact, to this day when I pull into the driveway at 3000 Hammond Avenue, I have to pinch myself. I am that one in a million person who is doing exactly what they want to do - and found someone to pay him to do it; me and George Kessler.
Maybe you are reading this and you do not have a church home. I am inviting you to try us out! We want to be your church.
A time of change is a great place for a new beginning. It is a natural on-ramp that will help make a tough, but good decision just a little easier.
I bet I’m a lot like you, very reticent to venture into the unknown. I know that when you step into an unfamiliar environment you will feel a little uncomfortable, but I can promise you a warm hand shake, a relevant sermon and even a laugh or two. You may even discover what I discovered, church is fun.
You will become part of the family very soon if you choose to plug in and be involved. You will make new friends and my guess is, you will find some old acquaintances here too.
We want to be your church because we need you. We can accomplish more with you than we can without you. Church is like a lot of other things - the more the merrier.
And I have a hunch you need us too. It is essential to belong to a community of believers. It is important to belong to something bigger than ourselves. Working together toward a worthy cause and belonging to a larger community are vital ingredients in a life well lived. Sustained happiness apart from those elements is virtually impossible.
And maybe … just maybe … we can help point you toward a deeper understanding of the Bible and a richer relationship with God through His Son Jesus. These are the truths that will enable you to trade your worry and anxiety for a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light.
If you don’t go to church anywhere, we want to be your church.
If you want to talk to me, come on by, we’ve got the coffee on.
July 2009
Imagine
John Lennon was one of the Fab Four – The Beatles. They took the world by storm in the 60’s and impacted music forever. They had unprecedented success, popularity and influence.
Does it sound unrealistic for one band to hold ten of the positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at the same time? The Beatles did during the week of April 4, 1964. As amazing as that is - try and wrap your brain around this – those ten of the top 100 included THE TOP FIVE! Try to imagine an artist with that kind of dominance today…
The influence they wielded extends even to the present. They have helped to establish trends in music, fashion, and virtually every aspect of pop culture and beyond. That may explain why Lennon felt bigger than God;
“Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first - rock and roll or Christianity.” That philosophy spilled over into his music. Listen to some of the lyrics to a song he wrote and named “Imagine.”
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
I like to imagine too. My imagination takes me in a different direction however…
Imagine sold out worship. It isn’t hard to do. What if we lived in anticipation of the times we gathered together in worship? Imagine getting up for church on Sunday morning with a sense of expectancy and a desire to hurry to get there so you get a good seat and begin to enter in! What if the opening prayer was uttered and the music started to build and we just began to pour out our hearts to God? Imagine the sounds of praise shaking the rafters of the building and ascending into the very throne room of God. Imagine every hand lifted toward the heavens and every voice echoing words of adulation and every heart engaged in sold out worship.Imagine.
Imagine fervent prayer. It’s easy if you try. Every prayer meeting full, every heart bowed to our great God and King. What if we expressed every desire and with thanksgiving made every need known to the One who shaped us and formed us out of the dust of the earth. Imagine intercessors called by God to stand in the gap for those in need or under attack. Imagine every off hour in church filled with people laying prostrate before God, seeking His face and wanting more and more of Him. Imagine fervent prayer.
Imagine disciplined study of the Word. Imagine all the people – hungry for the Bread of Life! Try to picture every Christian rising early to spend time in the infallible Word of God. Imagine the Bible becoming as much a part of our person as our cell phone, our purse or our wallet. Imagine the heart of God beating within each one of us. Imagine all the people, living life with God’s peace.
John Lennon was rich and famous and had it all. But on December 8, 1980 he was shot to death outside of his luxury apartment building on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Today, John Lennon knows whether or not there is a heaven. He doesn’t need to use his imagination any more.
We have yet to realize what we can only now imagine. But imagine sold out worship, fervent prayer and disciplined study of the Word. If we all did our part – it could happen. Imagine all the people … loving Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
June 2009
The Central Assembly Membership Confidence-Plan
I notice that many companies are trying to improve sales with “Ownership Confidence” plans that make certain guarantees in the event of financial distress in your family. I think it’s a good idea – maybe we should think about in the church too; after all, we are supposed to be as wise a serpents (Matthew 10:16) and even the unjust steward was commended for at least being wise in the ways of the world (Luke 16:8).
So its time for me to unveil my “Central Assembly Membership Confidence Plan”. Our lawyers have been putting in long hours haggling over the details, the fine print and all the legal and spiritual ramifications it entails. I think it is finally ready – and we never needed it more! It is designed to help you (heretofore referred to as the attendee) to feel confident in putting your name on the dotted line as a member with this local fellowship.
My proposal starts with a secure tithe pledge on the part of Central Assembly (heretofore referred as the church). As a member in good standing, in the event you lose your job, the church will pay your tithe for the first three months, should the Lord tarry – or 5000 miles, whichever come first.
Next: If you fall below the poverty line you will be covered by the Pot Luck exemption clause. This exempts you from bringing a hot dish to all authorized fellowship events. Just bring a Jell-O salad and you’re in. The Pot Luck exemption clause does not include wedding showers, meals ministry obligations or funerals and is good until your unemployment runs out or we get sick of miniature marshmallows; in which case a two-third majority vote would be required to get you to bring a tossed salad instead.
Article III has to do with the price of gasoline. In the event that gas prices soar above the $4.00 mark and you meet certain income guidelines, the church (heretofore referred to as Central Assembly) will have Dave Ball pick up the attendee (heretofore referred to as you) on his way to church. Keep in mind that Dave runs 15 minutes late and has more speeding tickets than Goliath had toes. This is known as the “hair straight back” feature of the Central Assembly Membership Confidence Plan.
Another feature of the Central Assembly Membership Confidence Plan is the special offering immunity arrangement. Just a quick visit to our bookkeeper’s office where your first born is chipped and hamstrung and you are free from that pesky special offering. No more donating to missionaries, Convoy of Hope, special speakers and yes - even Pastor Appreciation day! That adds up to big savings here at Central Assembly (heretofore referred as the church).
And finally, should you have the misfortune of having your hours reduced at your place of employment; we will grant you free treats and beverages in the Holy Ground Coffee Shop. We call this our extended visitor plan. That’s right – we will treat you just like the first timers and cover the cost of your entire family’s snacks during fellowship time. No more standing off to the side with that despondent “I can’t afford a seven-layer bar” look. Now you are guaranteed to confidently hold your own Styrofoam cup just like the other members! Its all part of the Central Assembly Membership Confidence Plan and applies as long as the Holy Ground Coffee Shop is a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Assembly of God.
You are not eligible if you are an active employee of the church. Sedentary employees are covered. This plan does not include dealer tax, federal, state or local tax, dealer prep or options. Everyone is eligible for coverage except in unusual circumstances – in order to save time and free up our phone lines, remember this – yours is an unusual circumstance. For complete plan details call the number and see if you can crack our voice mail system code and actually speak to a person who doesn’t understand the plan either. Side effects may include jaundice, drowsiness, apathy, shortness of breath, anxiety often described as a sense of impending doom. Please do not operate heavy equipment while adjusting to being on the Central Assembly Membership Confidence Plan.
Don’t you wish doing the right thing guaranteed no more bad things would happen to you in life? But life doesn’t come with a consumer confidence plan. Life is not quite as easy as buying a car. And yet there are some things we can know. The book of First John is tucked into the back of your Bible … not the Gospel of John - though it is written by the same guy. The book of First John is the book of assurances – it tells us how to “know” many things. We can know that we know Him (1 John 2:3-5). We can know that we are in the last days (1 John 2:18-20). We can know that we have passed from death to life (1 John 3:14-15). We can know the Spirit of God and if we are of God (1 John 4:2-6). We can know that God dwells in us and that we dwell in Him (1 John 4:13-16). And we can know that we are born again and have eternal life (1 John 5:18-20). We can even know how to have confidence that He hears our prayers (1 John 5:14).
That sounds better than any consumer confidence plan or ownership assurance plan – it’s even better than the Central Assembly Membership Confidence Plan. We’ll get our attorneys back to the drawing board and keep working on it. Thanks for reading …
May 2009
The Leaving of a Legacy
“I want to leave a legacy.” Those are the words to a popular Christian song some years ago. As of May 31, 2009 that’s what we will have left of Pastor Paul’s 18 year ministry at Central Assembly of God in Superior, Wisconsin. What that legacy is will be determined by time, opinion, perspective and ultimately by God Himself.
This article deals with one man’s opinion – mine.
I remember the first time I met Paul Anderson; it was when, as a member of the pulpit search committee, I knocked on his Barker’s Island hotel room door circa 1990 to deliver a packet of information from the church. That meeting is blurred in my mind. The nearly two decades since are as clear as the spring air.
Paul’s legacy in my mind is written in his faithfulness. He never claimed to be flashy or flamboyant; in fact I remember him telling us early in his ministry here, that he is “a plodder”. His teaching was solid and produced a steady growth in us. Paul was always true to his calling. He loves us, he loves ministry, but most of all, he loves the One who called him; he loves God. That’s a solid foundation for a legacy.
Opportunity is a rich part of Paul’s legacy as well. At least eight people received ministerial credentials under his ministry from the Assemblies of God. That is an amazing statistic. He was never afraid to use home grown people to minister in our own congregation and release them into ministry beyond. I remember going into his office on February 15, 2000 and crying on his desk because I knew God had called me into ministry, but I didn’t know how to get there. Paul’s words were encouraging – and the information he passed on would be what got me started. What seems like a lifetime later finds me a member of his staff. I have found myself in Paul’s office looking for help many times since - and in tears a few more times as well. Paul has been more than gracious to this middle-aged rookie. He has been more than a pastor to me; he has been my friend.
Paul brought me to my first pastor’s roundtable, a meeting in Duluth with numerous area ministers. As we went around the room to introduce ourselves I said I was the youth pastor at Central Assembly. When it came to Paul – he referred back to me and said that I was more than a youth pastor; I was his associate. It is hard to imagine what those words meant to a ministry novice, coming from a veteran pastor in front of many respected peers.
Remember the “Hope for the Hurting” stewardship campaign? The large wall posters that adorned the front of the sanctuary pictured a hand reaching down to help a another hand. Paul and I were the “hand models” for that photograph. And Paul was that hand pulling me into ministry as well. I will always owe my ministry to the opportunity Paul gave me. There is not another Pastor that would have seen in me the potential that he did. There was too much in the way, too many obstacles and too many unconventional circumstances. But Paul believed in me, he encouraged me, he hired me. I am forever grateful.
For ten consecutive years, from 1991 to 2001, every Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. we prayed for an hour. Many times it was just the two of us. For 500 weeks we met and prayed. I heard his heart and felt his warmth. He cared about us. I listened to how he related to and connected with God. I learned from him. His consistency is reflected in the fact that he never missed a Sunday in 18 years due to sickness – a streak Brett Favre would be proud of. That’s close to 900 sermons. Over 18 years a plodder covers a lot of ground.
Perhaps the most important part of Paul’s legacy will be what he didn’t do – he didn’t quit. In his darkest hours, when the forces of hell raged against him and it seemed everybody else had piled on too, Paul stood. When lesser men would have folded, when others would have looked for a way out, Paul pressed on. He endured to the end. It was the right thing to do; and that was enough of a reason. Paul and Ilene found a way to carry on and now he passes on a church with great possibilities in the midst of a harvest field ripe and ready. The day of in-gathering will come, and some will forget that Paul helped to set the stage. But on that glorious day, when we stand at Christ’s judgment seat, Paul will receive the grand reward. Jesus will look him in the eye and say, “Well done, Paul. Well done.”
Paul, I want to say “thank you”. They are insignificant words unless they convey what fills my heart - gratitude and a life given meaning and purpose through the opportunity you gave me. To God be the glory!
May God grant you strength for your days, fruitfulness in a new ministry, rich blessings of provision and joy unspeakable. Paul, I pray that He sends people your way for you to refresh, bless and empower as you have me. I love you, my friend.
April 2009
Spring 2009 Scripture Clothing Collection
Hey it’s that time of year! The days are longer, the sun is warmer, the old men are out making rivers in the alley and the heave in the sidewalk outside the main entrance of church is almost back to level; that’s right – time to break out the Spring wardrobe. We can tuck the long sleeve shirts and sweaters away for a while and move the trendy tops, and polo’s to the front of the closet. We can put the wool shirts and flannel sheets away for a couple months and move the shorts and pastels up a few drawers.
This is the time of year when puzzled husbands,while stumbling over a bevy of shoes, stare into their wives burgeoning closets and hear the befuddling words; “I have nothing to wear.” For a woman it is a springtime right of passage. It’s like a nesting instinct, a sort of migration that takes place as the lakes open and the swallows return to Capistrano. It is the annual pilgrimage to the Mega-Mall for a new spring wardrobe. It is not that last year’s stuff is worn out – it is just out of style; although who decided that – no one seems to know. Maybe it’s the same guy who is making all the money on gasoline. No one knows who that is either. But I am here to help. You know me. I want to introduce to you the Spring 2009 Scripture Clothing Collection.
So sit back and read some excerpts from this year’s catalog. I will provide some suggestions right out of Scripture of things to wear that will add to your appearance as well as your relationship with the One who decided that seasons were a good idea in the first place.
Isaiah the prophet tells us to put on righteousness (Isaiah 59:17) and strength (Isaiah 51:9). I believe these go well together. Righteousness is simply right living – and as you make decisions that are pleasing to God you will discover strength is a natural outflow of that. These are staples in the Spring 2009 Scripture Clothing Collection.
The Bible reminds us to “be clothed with humility” (1 Peter 5:5). Humility is seeing yourself as God sees you. It involves not seeing yourself as more than you are (Romans 12:3) as well as not seeing yourself as less than you are (Ephesians 2:10). People that have an inaccurate picture of themselves tend to dress inappropriately. You wear clothes that don’t fit – and the only one fooled by that is you. See yourself as you really are. Accept who you are. Celebrate your gifts and attributes and let the rest go. Why do we want to work so hard to be something that we can never be?
Paul the apostle was a tent maker but may also have been a fashion critic on the side. He tells us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14) and the armor of light (Romans 13:12). Again, these are two very complimentary pieces. At the celebrity award shows – the critics rave about who is wearing the dresses of the biggest name designers. Well, how about wearing the work of the One to whom every knee will one day bow, whose name is above all names. You can’t get a more prestigious name brand than that. And as you do you will have a radiance that will shine even on our most overcast day.
But smart shoppers don’t just want to wear something that’s stylish – it must be durable as well; so I recommend putting on incorruption and immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53). These are guaranteed not only to last a lifetime – but for all of eternity.
Durable, yet practical, also describes the whole armor of God available in the Ephesians section of our Spring 2009 Scripture Clothing Collection catalog (Ephesians 6:11). It is a complete ensemble that goes with any of the accessories found in the New Testament.
A vital part of the 2009 spring collection is love (Colossians 3:14). The writer of Colossians says it is a must before you ever leave the house! If you want your attire to really shine – you must be dressed in love. It won’t change your apparel – but it brings it all together in a way that will cause the world to take notice. In fact, it will make or break the outfit.
Do you want to look thinner? Isaiah 61:3 suggests putting on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. As Don Moen sang; “Praise looks good on you”. I believe it. If you can praise even when you don’t feel like it – you begin to move into a whole different fashion realm; you are past the red carpet and on the streets of gold. You will inspire others to new heights and joy will radiate from a person who not only looks good – but feels good too.
The collective result is that you have put on the new man or woman of Ephesians 4:24 for spring 2009. The beauty of this is that the Spring 2009 Scripture Clothing Collection is within reach of everyone. It is affordable, attractive, and guarantees the approval of the One who matters most. But on top of that, the Scripture collection for 2009 are clothes that feel good to wear. They are comfortable and tailor made to fit you as an individual.
To view more of the catalog – read your Bible every day. You can phone any time – God is standing by 24 hours a day to take your order. And of course, the call is toll free.
March 2009
Your Caricature
Sandy Allen died this past August; she was 53. That would not be noteworthy except she had a distinguishing characteristic; the Guinness World Records listed her as the world’s tallest woman. Allen had been hospitalized in recent months (in rooms 110 – 112) as she suffered from a recurring blood infection, along with diabetes, breathing troubles (the air is thinner up there) and kidney failure.
Her height peaked at 7’7”, the result of a tumor which caused her pituitary gland to produce too much growth hormone. She underwent an operation in 1977 to stop further growth; but a family friend says that over the years she became proud of her height, "She embraced it, she used it as a tool to educate people." Allen appeared on television shows and spoke to church and school groups to bring young people her message that it was all right to be different.
Do you know what a caricature is? According to dictionary.com; a favorite resource of mine because I can click on the microphone and hear the word pronounced; I am not sure why I find that entertaining – but I do (try it); but back to what a caricature is – it means a picture or description ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things. What does your caricature look like?
Have you ever seen a caricature of Jay Leno? What is his distinguishing feature? You got it –a protruding jaw. How about Louie Anderson the comedian? He’s overweight. What stands out about Late Night host Conan O’Brien? His large poof of hair! What about Jason Alexander who plays George Costanza on Seinfeld? That’s right – he’s bald. And your caricature?
I think those people did okay by embracing their distinguishing feature don’t you? That is what Sandy Allen did with her height. I have always felt that the most important prerequisite to being attractive is to be yourself. You cannot be comfortable or cool by trying to act like someone else. Some people try to do that and instead of impressing people, unwittingly make fools of themselves. And even if you did impress someone - now you have to maintain the charade - better to be the best YOU you can be.
The key to being yourself is to learn to enjoy your caricature. We must learn to accept ourselves – warts and all. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try and improve aspects of our lives that we can control – but we can learn to live with the flaws or distinguishing characteristics that are outside of our power.
What do you consider your flaws? What does your caricature look like? Are you overweight or do you have a big nose (like me)? Do you think you are too short or too tall? Do you have big ears – or do they just stick straight out? Some people think they are ugly or they have funny hair or they are big framed or too skinny. Others have disabilities that make them feel self-conscious.
Some people try really hard to cover their perceived imperfection – like the tall girl hunching over or the bald guy with the comb-over. It doesn’t fool anybody and only becomes the source of more angst – and we don’t even know what angst is (dictionary.com - click on the microphone).
Scripture instructs us to love God, love our neighbor, love our enemies and love ourselves. Love is not a feeling – it is a choice; an act of our will. The word love means; to will good. We are to love ourselves and to accept ourselves. As we do, we actually become more attractive because we stop trying to cover imperfections and act like somebody else who we think is cool. Do you have a healthy relationship with yourself? Can you embrace your caricature? If the answer is no – how can you expect to have a healthy relationship with anybody else? You cannot love your neighbor or love your enemy until you love you.
Many of the people that make poor life decisions suffer from a distorted self image. They do not like themselves and therefore cannot imagine that God can care about them. Nothing could be further from the truth:
“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” (Psalm 139:13-18).
The bottom line is that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. God knew exactly what He was doing. You are not a mistake or an imperfection like a car made at the factory on a Monday. God saw your substance when it was as yet unformed – He has all your parts written in His book and even “…the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30).
The trick is to accept yourself – learn to love your caricature and to BE yourself. Paul had to work on it too;” Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).
Job suffered and came to the conclusion that God somehow knew what He was doing; “Thine hands have made me and fashioned me… ” (Job 10:8).
If someone drew your caricature what feature would be exaggerated? Are you good with that?
February 2009
Living Lost
Have you ever been lost? Lost is a frightening and frustrating place to be. One of my daughters didn’t step off the elevator with her mom when she was just a couple years old, and the door closed between them as the elevator headed to a different floor with my terrified little girl inside. She was lost and scared.
Many a man has driven in an unfamiliar city down an as yet unknown highway and found himself lost. Sometimes they drive for many miles covering a great distance without realizing they are lost … though his wife probably knew it for some time. But some people are living lost, and that is a perilous state to be in.
In the religious world we associate hell with being lost, but hell is the destination, not the state of being lost. We usually know where we WANT to go; but as Dallas Willard says, we are not lost because we are in the wrong place; we are in the wrong place because we are lost. That is part of the deception of living lost.
Living lost is a tragedy of epic proportions. Some people live like the guy who drives for miles and miles without realizing he’s lost. He is oblivious to his lostness. Many are those in this condition who pass us by every day on life’s road. The emptiness in their eyes tells the story. They drive to work and home; the routine becomes the destination as purposelessness saturates who they are. They stop at various points along the way in an attempt to fill the emptiness, but the void seems insatiable.
Others are lost but won’t admit it. It has become a point of pride, a matter of who’s right and who’s wrong; and they can’t bring themselves to the place where they say the words that are the beginning of hope, “I’M LOST!” They insist on finding their own way and the result is a deeper and deeper journey into the maze of life and a tougher road back to reality.
Some know they are lost but don’t know how to get on the right road. I have known that feeling as I drive by my exit and can see where I want to go and have no way to get back to it. The miles are agonizing as you travel down life’s highway with every road sign blaring “WRONG WAY”.
Still others have no predetermined destination so they wander through life aimlessly searching for meaning in all the wrong places. They are cast adrift on the great sea of life with no objective or target, and as a great philosopher once said, without a destination there is no favorable wind. The result is a meaningless existence, a pointless life, a colossal waste of what might have been.
If I am living lost there are some things that are going to be true of me;
1) I am missing out on God’s will. God has wired each of us to enjoy and to be good at certain things. Our calling will fall in there somewhere. If I am living lost, I am truckin’ down the wrong road and heading in the wrong direction; or maybe like so many; just driving around in circles, never arriving where God intended me to be.
2) I am plunging myself into a life of meaninglessness. I am out of place, I am a square peg in a round hole – because I am not where I belong. I am living lost. This can be true physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Over the course of time while living lost we get worn down and some measure of depression is the inevitable end.
3) My potential is draining out of me like sand through the hour glass. Psalm 90 says we get 70-80 years (the average life) to accomplish what God has for us in this lifetime. When we get saved … when we find our direction in life … we have to make the most of our time that is still before us. To continue living lost is to continue to watch your life blood pour out of your main arteries and not do anything to stop the bleeding.
Just because we WANT to be in the right place does not mean you aren’t living lost. You want to KNOW that you are heading in the right direction and on the right road. When we drove to youth convention recently, we printed out address to address instructions; we knew every turn; the course was plotted out before us. The Bible is life’s map. It will show you the plan (Jeremiah 29:11-13), the way (John 14:6), and the destination (John 14:2). Read it every day, follow the directions and it will keep you from living lost.
January 2009
One Thing
Have you seen those “One Thing” commercials and billboards with people in the medical profession cloaked in surgical garb and perched in a serene setting with a blurred background, saying something like; “If I could tell you one thing, I would tell you not to smoke.” or “…I would tell you to wear your seat belt” or “…I would tell you to get exercise everyday.”
The point of the commercial is to get you to look at one thing – the most important thing as far as your health goes. The thought being, you can’t do everything but at least do the most important thing.
Did you know the Bible ran a one thing ad campaign two thousand years ago? The Apostle Paul said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
Paul wanted to emphasize one thing - the most important thing. And what is the most important thing? Funny you should ask. I believe the most important thing is to get our will, which is the CEO (chief executive officer) of our being, to fall into line with the will of God. That is the pressing toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, that Paul referred to.
The thing that works hardest against us to that end is that we are so fragmented in our lives. We are going in a thousand different directions. We are not even sure what we are trying to accomplish in life. Somehow we have ended up with a schedule to follow, somewhere to be, and a honey-do-list of sorts that absorbs our days – but we have lost track of the one thing that ought to drive our existence … being in the will of God.
“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4). Is that the kind of focus we have?
We cannot do everything and be everything and know everything. That’s the point – let’s do one thing; let’s work toward being in harmony with the will of God. Some would be overwhelmed at that thought alone – they would say, “But I don’t know the will of God.”
I can understand that statement, we may not know the entire will of God; but we can act on what we do know. And in the meantime we can pursue the knowledge and understanding of more of God’s will. It is important! It ought to be our life’s work – it is the one thing.
Remember the story of Mary and Martha? They were sisters who knew Jesus back in the day. When Jesus came by their house to visit, Martha felt compelled to entertain and cook a meal while Mary wanted to make the most of the time with Jesus and sit at His feet and learn what the heart and mind of the Master was like. And like modern day sisters, Martha complained that Mary wasn’t doing her share; interestingly enough Jesus talked about the one thing, the most important thing…
“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).
So picture me in hospital scrubs, sitting nonchalantly on the edge of a desk with a hazy, sterile looking backdrop … “If I could tell you just one thing, I would tell you to read your Bible every day. That is how you get to know Jesus and understand the will of God.”
December 2008
The Power of Unanswered Prayer
Some people give up on God because they pray and He doesn’t seem to answer. Maybe they misinterpret God’s silence. It makes me think of the power of unanswered prayer.
Paul had a thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7) that God allowed to keep him humble. Paul prayed three times for the malady to be removed; but God didn’t take it away. Oh, the power of unanswered prayer.
And this same great Apostle, to whom God revealed the mystery of the Gospel message, was thrown in prison! What’s up with that? Here is a guy whose life was radically changed by Christ, obeyed the missionary call and totally and completely gave up everything for the work of Jesus – and he gets tossed in the hole. Go figure. Why didn’t God deliver him? It’s the power of unanswered prayer.
I love the letters of Paul found in the New Testament. Did you know that four of them; Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians were written from his jail cell? They are known as the Prison Epistles. If God had answered Paul’s prayer to be delivered from prison, he may not have had a reason to write letters to the churches he had helped establish; but stuck in the confines of his prison he sought the Lord and penned words breathed by God Himself. The power of unanswered prayer.
Joni Eareckson Tada was paralyzed and left a quadriplegic in a diving accident in 1967. God never answered the prayer of a community for a miracle of healing. Oh, the power of unanswered prayer. She later became the founder of Joni and Friends, an organization accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community. Her book, her movie and her testimony have impacted millions.
I am amazed how God can speak through His silence. God is profound in His silence.
So often we forget that this is a faith journey; we do not walk by sight. We are coerced by false teaching and misled by charlatans to believe that if we do everything correctly God is obligated to prosper our bank account and answer all of our prayers when and how we see fit. Those teachers have neglected the sovereignty of God and underestimated the power of unanswered prayer.
I believe that God answers prayer differently as our walk deepens. As parents we respond to every cry of an infant; but as a child matures and grows we leave them more and more to fend for themselves. We help where needed but we also understand that trial and testing builds courage, confidence and strength. Some things can never be learned unless God remains silent. It is the power of unanswered prayer.
Even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in the hours preceding His crucifixion (Luke 22:42), asked for the cup of suffering to be removed and His Father was ominously silent. Oh the power of unanswered prayer.
It is in our days and hours of uncertainty that we learn to trust God. If we get the answer we want every time, we will never grow. A teacher never gives the answer during the test. Faith is proved and faith is cultivated in the din of God’s silence.
This rich truth does not make life any easier – but it can help us to understand that we may not always get what we want when we want. We can pray making our requests known and rejoice in God’s blessing, but if not, we can grow in His silence while we learn the power of unanswered prayer.
November 2008
Money in the Bank
The stock market has been the headline in the paper and on the national news for quite a while now. That says a lot in the midst of a war and the stretch run of a highly contested presidential election. In high school I didn’t know anything about the stock market … don’t you think they should teach about that sort of thing? And even today I know precious little; here is what I do know (at least what I think I know):
Stocks are initially issued by companies to raise capital (money). Once issued, they are then held by investors and can be bought and sold. Current market prices vary with supply and demand. When a person purchases more shares in a company, they have a higher ownership in that company. Shares are the form in which company stock is sold.
The stock market has been the lead story recently after experiencing record drops followed by huge surges only to plummet again. The predominant attitude is uncertainty. A recent headline in our local paper read; “STOCKS AREN’T MONEY IN THE BANK”.
I suppose the interpretation is that the stock market is not the sure thing it was once perceived to be. The expression “money in the bank” is a reference to something assumed to be rock solid and unshakable. The problem in this case is that money in the bank isn’t even money in the bank … if you follow the way I’ve drifted.
We hear so much about preparing for our financial future … social security, IRA’s, 401k’s, 403b’s and lol’s. And it is good wisdom to have a plan and to be prepared – but some people are excessively consumed with it to the degree that they place their hope and trust in their investments. Life becomes a big game of Monopoly. The Bible reminds us to keep things in proper perspective;
“Thus saith the Lord, ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
I find it interesting how little it all really matters … in the end. Money is so fragile. The stock market could crash – we know that. So people put their money in the bank instead because it is insured up to 100,000 dollars. But if the financial system crumbles and the banks fail where does the government get all the money to cover the losses … and what does money mean at that point anyway? Money in the bank just isn’t money in the bank anymore.
I love the fact that God saw all of this coming and addressed it in Scripture. When I say that, our ears perk up for a prophetic scripture that says on a certain date the financial system collapsed, but God addresses it from the perspective of what is important to Him, the human heart:
Paul told Timothy, the youthful Pastor, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
And Jesus Himself warned us that having lots of money would put up additional obstacles along the road to heaven; “…But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:24-25).
Even in the times of prosperity, and we certainly have experienced those, the psalmist cautions us “… if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” (Psalm 62:10).
“They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches. None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: For the redemption of their soul is precious…” (Psalm 49:6-8).
So what is money in the bank? What can we really count on? Not just the trends, the cycles and the shifts of what we hope or wish or want or figure. What can we invest in that is the proverbial sure thing? In the economic world – there is no sure thing. In life however, we have an unchanging God who is not just a piece of the rock – He is the Rock! He is the one sure thing. And we know He loves us, for He said; “I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3.). He will not change His mind; “For I am the Lord, I change not;” (Malachi 3:6); “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8).
Jesus Christ is the ultimate investment plan, He will see you through the uncertain times, provide for you when other investments falter, and no one can top His retirement plan. He’s money in the bank.
“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” (Proverbs 11:28).
October 2008
Dragging an Anchor
Many years ago my Uncle Tom, for who I am named … had his young son Billy out in the boat fishing. Once they found a spot in the middle of the lake they dropped anchor and put their lines out and began to strike fear into the hearts of all fishkind. There is nothing quite like a father and a son building a relationship while they conquer the sea together. But, as we know, all good things must come to an end; and so with the lake depleted of pan fish and lunch beckoning they decided to head home. As my uncle reached for the oars, Billy asked if he could row back to the cabin; “I don’t know Billy, it’s a lot of work” was my uncle’s reply. But Billy was determined to try his hand at rowing the boat ashore. So they changed seats and Billy began the journey with enthusiasm.
It became evident in a short time that this was not going to be easy. The sweat was glistening on young William’s brow and the heat was unforgiving … but despite his Dad’s repeated efforts to assume control, Billy was resolute that he could do it.
The afternoon sun was now high in the sky and its ultraviolet rays were indiscriminately beating on the young boy still so firm in his decision. As time wore on his body grew weary and the pace slowed to a crawl; it was all this helpless Dad could do to keep from taking over.
Finally, with the beach in view and the perspiration flowing freely, my uncle began to encourage him … “You can make it son” was his patriarchal cry! And make it he did. His arms were heavy with fatigue, his face flush and his body drenched … but he did it. He made it.
It wasn’t until my uncle disembarked and began to pull the boat up on shore that he realized he had left the anchor out. Billy was dragging an anchor.
I know you are not surprised that there is indeed a Bible verse that ties in perfectly; “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1)
I wonder how many of us are like Billy; we are determined … and we want desperately to make it through life … but we are dragging an anchor. Rowing a boat is not easy. I don’t think life is meant to be easy either; there are winds of adversity that blow even for the one who trusts in God. Psalm 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions (troubles) of the righteous…” That’s the nature of the game. But that doesn’t mean we have to go through life dragging an anchor.
The writer of Hebrews, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says that we can lay aside every weight; that means we can put away or cast off the burden we are carrying and shed the things that hinder our journey through this life.
What kind of anchor are you dragging?
Sin is a heavy anchor to drag through life. It keeps us from heading in the right direction and arriving at the destination God had charted for us. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years on what could have been an eleven DAY trip if they had followed the address to address map that God had given them. Instead they walked through the desert dragging an anchor.
Another anchor is guilt and shame. This can be the result of sin or it can be falsely imposed by the accuser of the brethren in those that are susceptible to that kind of thing. Guilt and shame are a heavy load because we were never designed to carry them. We were created in an environment absent of sin and therefore never equipped to drag such an anchor on our voyage. God however, did provide a way for us to free ourselves of the burden of guilt; we can confess our sin and He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). That’s the good news of the gospel!
We also need to listen to the voice of truth. If the devil or someone else tells us a lie - that doesn’t mean we have to believe it. That’s why it is so important to study the Bible. It is the truth and the truth will keep you from dragging an anchor through life.
Others are dragging an anchor we know as addiction. It may be alcohol, street drugs, prescription meds, gambling, cigarettes, pornography, or even food. Whether your addiction is legal or illegal doesn’t matter, you are still dragging an anchor. And it doesn’t have to be that way.
My uncle loves his son, he wanted to help but he just didn’t know about the anchor… let me assure you of this, your heavenly Father knows about your anchor. His desire is to help you to lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. He is not out to pile guilt and shame upon you, He wants you to be able to row through life without dragging an anchor.
Let me tell you how, first you need to admit you need His help. We are all sinners and there is nothing we can do to pay for our sin without God. Secondly, we must confess our sin and ask God to forgive us. And finally, we need to repent which means we choose to change direction in our lives. We change our minds morally about sin. We have recognized that our sin grieves Jesus; therefore we do not want to sin anymore.
I wish this was a magic formula that made life a downhill ride, but at least we can lose the anchor; we can lay aside the weight and the sin that hinders us from becoming all we can be for Jesus. The abundant life in Christ is not easy – but it is full. So why not cut ties with your anchor; let Jesus navigate from here on out, and join me on the great adventure! Let me know how I can help.
September 2008
What You Don't See
The 2008 Summer Olympics from Beijing, China are in the books. As we watched the coverage, we stood in amazement at the performance of the worlds top athletes. I have always been a sports fan and as kids we would emulate certain athletes that had unique traits like Joe Morgan flapping his elbow while batting or Louis Tiant completely turning his back on the hitter in the midst of his pitching motion, or how about Willie “Pops” Stargell doing the windmill with his bat at rhythmic intervals while sizing up the pitcher. I guess we thought we would play as well as they did if we could pick up their mannerisms. The game of the week - that’s what we see, but of course there is much more to how the athlete got there – that’s what you don’t see.
I thought it was a stroke of genius when I was watching the Olympic gymnastic competition and a commercial for our local gymnastics club was broadcast. What timing! Parents of five year olds around the area are scrambling to get their child enrolled so they can be ready in time for the 2020 Olympics. Many at this point think that the only thing standing between them and a place on the medal stand is twelve years and a new red, white and blue leotard.
But how silly it is to think that we could play like pro athletes merely by imitating their style; and how unrealistic to think that just by signing up we can be a world class Olympian; so why would we think we can do what Jesus did simply by acting like Him in ministry opportunities? That’s just what we see – that’s just the game of the week - there is much more to an Olympic competitor than that; and there is a lot more to the life Jesus lived while He walked this earth in the frailty of a human body. It’s what you don’t see.
We watch the drama of the competition and in the immortal words of the late Jim McKay - the thrill of victory – but that’s really all we see. What makes the difference is what you don’t see. Athletes don’t wake up one day to discover themselves at the Olympics or in the World Series; they work hard behind the scenes long before. They eat right – giving up the treats that are part of our daily regimen. While we push the snooze on the alarm clock for the third time – the world-class athlete is already out doing road work. They train for their skill and they discipline their bodies throughout the day. It is not just a weekend hobby or a leisure activity done for fun; to some degree, it becomes who they are.
When Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12) I believe He was talking to us. But I do not think He meant that it would automatically begin to happen if we would just call ourselves “Christians.” To think that by attending church or watching TBN I will be able to do what Jesus did is as foolish as buying a Peyton Manning jersey and thinking I am an NFL quarterback. (…although I could have been if coach would have put me in back in ‘82 – but that’s another story…).
Jesus didn’t just show up at the big crusades and preach an anointed message. He didn’t just make His way to the front of the crowd and perform miracles. Those things that we read about in Scripture happened as a result of the things He did behind the scene; what you don’t see.
Jesus fasted and prayed for extended periods of time. “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.” (Matthew 4:2)
He spent hours and days in solitude to cultivate His relationship with His Father. “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12)
Jesus was a student of Scripture and long before the world ever saw a manifestation of His power, He was obedient to His earthly parents – think about that! What humility! (Luke 2:50-52). That’s what you don’t see.
He worked hard when He was tired and ministered when He had already put His eight hours in; “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” (Mark 6:31)
He was not born with a silver spoon in His mouth and His behind the scene life was not an easy one. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;” (Hebrews 5:8). That’s what you don’t see.
To be an Olympian takes a commitment to the disciplines that bring about a lifestyle and a source to draw upon for the times when you need to get it done. To do what Jesus did requires more than a WWJD bracelet, a fish on your bumper and a Cross around your neck; it will require the lifestyle that cultivates a relationship with the One who is the source of the power. That’s what you don’t see.
Now excuse me while I go return my Peyton Manning jersey and my red, white and blue leotard.
August 2008
Six Lionfish
I saw a story on the news July 2, 2008 that gave the account of a new aquatic crisis we are facing. It is the story of the lionfish. The lionfish are native to the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean. Because of their exotic beauty they are often kept in either public or private aquariums.
Divers off the coast of North Carolina were not expecting to see what they found in August 2002 - the beautiful lionfish on the wrong side of the planet! Common to the warm waters of the western Pacific, lionfish were now found to inhabit the coral reefs along the southeast coast of the United States and are apparently working their way northward.
Scientists expect lionfish to continue to disperse throughout the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys. There is also increasing concern that lionfish, which have no natural enemies, may adversely impact native fish populations. In addition, this fish has venomous spines and may pose a danger to both divers and fisherman.
The most intriguing aspect of all this to me is how slowly and how subtly and how harmlessly it all began. Apparently, six lionfish were accidentally released in Biscayne Bay, Florida, when a beachside aquarium broke open during Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Today, the natural beauty and benefit of the coral reefs is in danger of being overrun by lionfish.
Six lionfish …
There is a story found deep in the heart of Scripture (1 Kings 21) that revolves around a man named Naboth and his family-owned vineyard. Naboth by all accounts was just an ordinary guy. He worked hard and was loyal to his family and his heritage. But he had one thing that was unique about him – King Ahab wanted his vineyard. The King even offered him more than fair market price for his land. Even so, Naboth didn’t feel good about selling out his family inheritance; it meant more to him than money could buy.
The tale goes on to tell how the Queen got involved … good ol’ Jezebel was not about to be denied. She cooked up a scheme involving hiring false witnesses to fabricate conspiracy theories against Naboth – frontier justice was carried out and Naboth was stoned to death and Ahab got his way and the vineyard. The Old Testament version of Eminent Domain I guess.
Just think, all of that – the lies, the slander, theft, and murder …all began with the sin of covetousness. Left unchecked, Ahab’s covetousness resulted in significant damage to his environment. Six lionfish …
What’s my point? My point is that it almost always starts small and escalates into something bigger. You start out one place and over time; slowly, subtly, and in seemingly harmless increments, you find yourself somewhere you didn’t intend to go and somewhere you never thought you’d be. And it all started with six lionfish …
Ironically the Bible warns us about lionfish …sort of; “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion (fish), walketh (swimmeth) about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Six lionfish …
Sin is never content where it is at. Like the six lionfish, sin will multiply and consume more and more of who you are and what you have. With no natural predators sin seems to increase unhindered; like those six lionfish …
When God’s wrath is introduced into a situation sin will be eradicated. The question is – how much of the environment will have already been eaten away and what will the price of the collateral damage be?
If only we could have kept those six lionfish from being introduced into our environment...
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