Looking Back

I’m still considering older folks who have trouble coming to grips with aging and their physical limitations. Rather than accepting their present situation, or looking toward the future, they seem to be looking back to yesteryear and lamenting their lost abilities. Although Jesus was speaking specifically about the coming of the Kingdom of God, I find His warning about going back for possessions, or looking back on one’s former life, as being applicable to aging. “Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it” (Luke 17:32-33 NIV).

White and Black

Many older folks have a hard time accepting the limits of age when they can no longer do the things they once did. They rebel when they lose control of their lives, their finances…and especially their driver’s license. People of faith are not immune and the Lord must sometimes pry our fingers off this earthly life. Jesus reminds us we actually have no control over life, “And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black” (Matt 5:36 NIV).

The Character of Christ

A preacher told me that after three years a congregation takes on the personality of the pastor, “If your church is failing after three years look at yourself.” From a worldly perspective I understand what he was saying. However, from a spiritual perspective God never intended for the church to take on the personality of the preacher, but rather the personality of Christ. Paul said, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Col 1:17-18 NIV).

A Diet of Milk

As a journalist I must be conscious of giving readers credit and not dumbing down the content of articles. Hence, I’m sensitive to sermons where I hear preachers giving their congregation milk, rather than the meat of the Gospel. Certainly, the immature in Christ need the milk of the Word; however, when pastors offer nothing but milk their membership will not mature. The writer of Hebrews said, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Heb 5:13-14 NIV).

Merry Christmas 2017

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 NIV).

Down From the Cross

“In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him” (Mark 15:31-32 NIV). Satan would have us think that we can save ourselves. We need to be reminded that Jesus did in fact come down from the cross; however, it was not to save Himself, but rather He came down from the cross to save you and me. 

Consider the Cost

In the last couple of weeks our municipality passed their 2018 budget and already they have put out two Amended Supplemental Budgets for 2018…and the year 2018 hasn’t even started yet. Spiritually speaking there is a budgeting process to being a disciple, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish’ (Luke 14:28-30 NIV). As believers we must consider what Jesus expects from his followers.

Listen to Him

Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John. Peter’s reaction was to offer to build three shelters — one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Isn’t that just like believers today…we want to build the Lord a mega church, a vibrant youth group and a spiritual shelter for the homeless and disenfranchised. And yet God doesn’t want us to build anything. “Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him” (Mark 9:7 NIV)!

Lessons in Trees

The disciples sat at the feet of Jesus where He explained parables and spoke from firsthand experience with the Father. The Son of God, who had all the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven at his fingertips, said to the disciples, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door” (Matt 24:32-33 NIV). Many of us love holding the Word of God, the Bible, in our hands, but we tend to forget that God also has lessons written in creation.

Procrastination

In the Parable of the Ten Virgins you have to give the virgins credit for keeping themselves pure, being dressed appropriately for the wedding banquet and having lamps. However, five of the virgins were foolish and failed to take any extra oil with them. When their lamps started going out they were forced to run to town to buy oil. Jesus said, “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matt 25:10-13 NIV). Jesus tells us to keep watch, but the parable implies more than merely keeping watch; we must be ready and prepared. Unfortunately, too many people think they can make a last-minute Wal-Mart run and still make it back before the Lord shuts the door.

Calling Attention

Many of us were raised with our mothers telling us not to air our dirty laundry in public – meaning it is better to handle issues behind closed doors. However, John shows us there is a place for exposure…even in the church. “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church” (3 John 9-10 NIV). While there is something to be said about doing things privately, a case can be made for bringing things out into the open. I especially appreciate John’s willingness to expose people and attitudes that are destructive to the Kingdom of God.

Raising the Living

Paul was speaking specifically to Agrippa, but others would have been included in his remarks when he said, “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead” (Acts 26:8 NIV)? While raising the dead might be hard to comprehend, we know that with God nothing is impossible. However, it occurs to me that it might be easier for God to raise the dead than to bring life to the living who are dead in their sins.

Stump the Preacher

During my youth my church would occasionally have a Sunday night event called, “Stump the Preacher.” Most people would ask questions that came up during their Bible study. However, we teenagers would often don our Pharisee hat and, similar to the Jews who tried to trap Jesus with a question he couldn’t answer, we’d try to trap the preacher. As a kid I loved those iron-sharpening-iron sessions and my preacher had such a grasp on the Word of God that he never failed to have an answer. Today’s pastors and ministers might likewise be able to answer any and all impromptu Bible questions from their membership, but I can’t think that many would allow themselves to be put in such a precarious position.

Authorities Determine Your Rights

During a local public meeting a pro-immigration activist said, “It’s important to recognize the right of all individuals to migrate…This is a critical moment when many immigrants are facing threats from the current administration.” In the days surrounding the birth of Jesus, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world and everyone went to their own town to register. I’m trying to imagine the activists of that day telling the Roman Empire that all individuals have a right to migrate. “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:4-7 NIV).

Jesus in a Rocking Chair

We recently inherited two rocking chairs. One is a big sturdy oak chair with a deep seat, wide arms and well worn. The chair, which belonged to Bill’s grandma, rocked children and grandchildren many a mile. The other chair, which belonged to his step-grandmother, is knitting chair about a third the size, low to the ground, has no arms and appears to be in pristine condition with little, or no use. This little one seater chair could hardly accommodate a plump grandma, much less a grandma and grandchild. Of course there is no Bible account of Jesus in a rocking chair, but if there were I know which chair we would find the Lord sitting in. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt 19:14 NIV).

Scorched Earth Policy

In order to keep the wildfires from jumping lines and roads the firefighters in California are setting backfires. President Trump sets a lot of verbal backfires in an attempt to contain his adversaries, but his method often resembles a scorched earth policy. We believers possess the same flame throwing weapon as the President. James said, “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:5-8 NIV).

Exposed

During my second visit to a church the pastor mentioned the article I’d written about my first visit. He told me that someone in his congregation had later asked him if he was mad about what I’d written. I understand. I too hate it when someone takes a picture of me that exposes how I’m actually seen by others…warts and all. However, I can’t very well go to the photographer and ask him why he didn’t airbrush away the imperfections, photo shop the roll around my middle, or brighten the color of my hair. The Lord told John to write to the seven churches in Revelation and according to the footnote in my NIV Bible it appears that the church letters, along with the entire book of Revelation, was sent to each church. I have to wonder if some of the people in the seven congregations weren't a little bit tweaked about what John had written.

Do you Hear What I Hear?

Without her hearing aids my 94-year-old mother-in-law is totally deaf. I’ve learned that even with hearing aids it is important to speak more slowly and face to face so that she can read lips and facial expressions. There are some people who are deaf to the Word of God and no amount of consideration for their disability will make a difference. Jesus said, “Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! ...He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God” (John 8:43-45, 47 NIV).

In Remembrance of Me

I placed the empty thimble size cup back into the communion tray and making eye contact with the server I mouthed a thank you. The server responded, “I love you” and then proceeded to take the tray to the man standing in the foyer. Once again the server told the man, “I love you.” I now have another image of Christ as he served the first communion to his disciples. On the night of his betrayal Jesus gave thanks for the bread and the cup, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” I participate in communion and loudly proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes, but in that proclamation he whispers to me, “I love you.” (1Cor 11:24-25 NIV).

The Measure You Use

People of both genders are coming forward with accusations of sexual misconduct leveled against people in power — politicians, movie moguls, TV personalities, etc. I find it interesting that the abusers who once held power over their victim’s careers are now having their own careers destroyed by exposure. Jesus said, “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more” (Mark 4:24 NIV).

Transparency

Transparency is a big buzz word in the political arena. Generally speaking, politicians don’t want to be transparent, but they want the appearance of transparency. It gives me pause to think about transparency as it relates to people of faith. While Jesus had selective conversations meant only for his disciples, His message to the world was clearly seen. The Jews accused Jesus of subverting their law and questioned him about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus said, “I have spoken openly to the world, I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said” (John 18:20-21 NIV).

Scripture Fulfilled

Fulfilled is defined as a feeling of happiness or satisfaction. I can understand God feeling satisfaction when Jesus lost none of those except the one doomed to destruction. However, it is hard for many of us to wrap our heads around the feeling of satisfaction in the fulfillment of Scripture because men cast lots for the Lord’s clothing, when Christ was thirsty on the cross and asked for a drink, or when his bones remained unbroken at the time of his death. Peter said, “But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus” (Acts 3:18-20 NIV).

Pay For Play

Many people were outraged by the perceived pay-for-play schemes of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. However, we need look no further than local government and yes, even in the church, to see similar tactics of favoritism, endorsements and elevated status. We people of faith would like to believe we are above such manipulation; however, even in the time of Jesus he taught, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely” (Mark 12:38-40 NIV). I haven’t seen anyone walking around in a flowing robe, but I have encountered church leaders who think that the Spirit within them is superior to the Spirit that is within in others.

Always at Work

God created the heavens and the earth and rested on the 7^th day. Some might think that since that time God has been resting on His laurels. Not so…God went right back to work for you and me. The Jews persecuted Jesus because he healed on the Sabbath, Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working” (John 5:17 NIV).

A Good Conscience

When a local elected official continued to miss official meetings one supporter came to her defense saying, “I’m sure she had a reason, she is a very busy person.” It goes without saying that the elected official, as well as everyone else, can make a claim of busyness. However, constituents have an expectation that elected officials prioritize and perform their duties and serve the needs of citizens. Likewise, the Lord has an expectation that believers will perform their duties and serve others. A claim of busyness isn’t valid and Paul is a good example of one who didn’t conjure up excuses, “Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day” (Acts 23:1 NIV).

Count Your Blessings

By definition, a blessing is asking for God’s favor and protection. Recently a spiritual group reported on their annual event of “Animal Blessings.” As though to showcase their all-inclusiveness and outreach into the community they boasted that this year’s event included blessing a roly-poly bug and a stuffed animal. I’m now trying to figure out how an animal, or an inanimate object, knows when they have been blessed. The Psalmist wrote, “May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him” (Psalm 67:5-7 NIV). 

Happy Thanksgiving

I’m thankful for the insight of Gabriel, the angel who stands in the presence of God, “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37 NIV).

Principals of This World

I overheard a woman in the checkout line talking to the sales clerk about her vegan son. Exasperated she said, “He won’t eat anything that has a mother!” It is so easy for people to become obsessed with food choices, diets, and perceived healthy lifestyles. Paul reminds us that the death of Christ freed us from human restriction and fad diets, “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self–imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence” (Col 2:20-23 NIV).

Two Masters

A local museum got caught up in being promoted as a place for paranormal activity. While they are receiving worldwide PR, they now feel the label may detract from their stated mission of history and education. The ghost branding may well stick simply because there are a couple of people in the administration who, by all appearances, believe in the paranormal. I suspect the museum will try to find a way to straddle the line, which is a similar tactic we see in liberal churches, as well as in individual believers. For instance, those who stand on the Bible yet practice astrology and rely on their horoscope. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matt 6:24 NIV).

Established By God

I find the upcoming Alabama election with controversial candidate Judge Ray Moore fascinating. The uproar reminds me of same atmosphere that was present when Jesus was before Pilate. The religious and political leaders conspired to have the Lord crucified and Barabbas released…and the people in the crowd, the voters of that day, believed that they controlled the narrative. We would do well to remember that whether it is Obama, Trump or Moore, it is God who purposed these people for their position. Paul said, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Ro 13:1 NIV).

Reviewing

Scripture often uses repetition to emphasize the importance of an issue, but generally speaking we don’t see New Testament writers reviewing their own material. I’m seeing a pattern with today’s preachers, similar to a teacher reminding his students of a previous instruction, where they review past lessons. The pastor will refer to information given in the adult Sunday school class, the Wednesday night Bible study, or last week’s sermon. Such refreshers work well if preacher is talking to the same audience; however, it is of little benefit to those who missed the previous lesson. Often these reviews overshadow the actual lesson, which leaves one with the feeling that the speaker wasn’t prepared and fell back on old material. Paul sets a standard and serves as an example to those who preach the Word, “We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor 2:6-8 NIV).

Happy Thanksgiving

I’m thankful for the insight of Gabriel, the angel who stands in the presence of God, “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37 NIV).

Riding for the Brand

I recently watched an old western on TV where Sam Elliot’s character talked about riding for the brand. In essence the brand was a ranch’s trademark and riding for the brand meant you signed on to the mission — loyalty, dedication, duty, etc. It is becoming more and more obvious that people in the media, politicians, civil servants and yes, even people of faith, are trying to become their own brand. Sometimes people of faith start writing and believing their own press and forget the brand they ride for is not their own, but that of Jesus Christ. Paul said, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men” (1 Cor 7:23 NIV).

Open Doors

During a recent visit to a struggling church there were only three of us in attendance. One man was at retirement age and the other man was well beyond retirement. Both gentlemen have had heath issues and are unable to keep up with the facility maintenance. The pastor said, “Once in a while we have visitors and can fill a [pew] row. We don’t have any youth programs, so I can see why people with children want to go other churches. We continue to be faithful here until God says shut the door…which may be sooner rather than later.” As an observer it appeared to me that the Lord had already shut the door. I couldn’t help but wonder if, rather than praying for the Lord to shut the door, they should be praying for the Lord to open a door. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me” (1 Cor 16:7-9 NIV).

False Referrals

More and more people try to tap into the Christian Ear for referral traffic. Their messages are often written in a foreign language, or with broken English lacking basic grammar. Not surprising, the comments have nothing to do with the subject even though they say, “This is just what I needed and will you write more on this subject.” As believers we too must filter out Satan’s referral traffic that would have us believe that all religions lead to God and, as the bumper sticker purports, all faiths can “coexist.” Jesus states clearly, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7 NIV).

Veterans of Faith

In honor of Veterans the small congregation sang the hymn, “Onward, Christian Soldiers.” The pastor said, “There are also veterans of the faith who are Christian soldiers in His kingdom. As a military veteran (US Navy and Army National Guard), the comment gave me pause. A veteran is someone who has had long experience in a particular field; however, I’ve never applied that title to my Christian walk. The writer of Hebrews said, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Heb 5:13-14 NIV).

Sufficient

The last few weeks I’ve felt overwhelmed with coordinating my life, as well as the lives of my husband and mother-in-law. We’ve had an overnight hospital stay, multiple doctor appointments and visits to an attorney to cross our T’s and dot the I’s. I finally told the Lord that I’ve reached my limit and I can do no more. You wanna know what he told me…My grace is sufficient you. The Lord’s words to Paul should strike at the heart of all believers, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9a NIV).

God is a Jealous God

The banner in an inclusive spiritual center displayed a potpourri of beliefs, but the only two I recognized were the Peace Sign and the Star of David. The leader said, “All faiths and all religions welcome you on your unique path to the Creator.” One need read no further than the first two Commandments to understand what God demands from those love Him, “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand ‹generations› of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Ex 20:3-6 NIV).

Life for All Who Believe

The recent mass shooting at the Southern Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas is tragic; as was the shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, the loss of life is not the same. Generally speaking people of faith are comforted knowing that those who died during worship are with the Lord, but we don’t know about those who died while on vacation. While some would have been believers, others would not have accepted Jesus before their life was taken. Jesus prayed for his disciples, “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours… None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:9,12b, 20, 21 NIV).

God’s Relocation

In a telephone conversation I spoke to a liberal minded woman who moved to the area a couple years ago, “We didn’t know this was such a religious community. We should have done our homework better.” I defended the community’s right to practice religion, but I’ll admit that my first reaction was one of indignation that a perceived overly religious community factored into a site selection for retirement. I then remembered my husband and I once talked about relocating, but decided against a move because of the lack of medical facilities, grocery stores, and yes…the absence of a church that taught the Bible, rather than the denomination. It gives me pause to consider Abraham’s only consideration for relocation was God’s direction, “‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you” (Acts 7:3 NIV).

Always Open

Yesterday I visited a church whose publicly scheduled worship time was 1:30 p.m.; however, when I arrived the doors were locked. The worship time listed on the door was 2:00 p.m., so I went shopping for 30 minutes and returned. Still the doors were locked, but it just so happened that members of the church dropped by at the same time and explained that they no longer have afternoon services. I suppose it was no big deal from the church leadership’s position, but from a visitor’s point of view the lackadaisical attitude spoke volumes. John reported on the schedule for the New Jerusalem, “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there” (Rev 21:22-25 NIV).

Servant and Friend

Jesus told his disciples, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15 NIV). I know the Spirit reveals to us as much as we can absorb, but there are times when I just don’t understand what God is doing, or why He is doing it. In those instances, I feel more servant-like simply because I’m doing what the Lord commands, but not fully understanding the purpose.   

One Body

In my first visit to a local Mennonite congregation some of the ladies welcomed me; however, none of the men spoke to me, nor did they make eye contact. For my second visit to the same church two young fathers introduced themselves and shook my hand. During the service the speaker welcomed guests and I laughed to myself because out of 125 people, it was obvious I was the only visitor. The women of this denomination wear mid-calf dresses, long hair concealed by black head scarves and no jewelry or make-up. Needless to say I stood out like a sore thumb. This congregation separates themselves by gender during worship with the men sitting on the right side of the church and woman on the left. Following the service, I complimented the speaker on his message and told him I appreciated the welcome from the two young men. He said, “Maybe none of the men spoke to you the first time because of your perfume.” The man’s calculated attempt at superiority was both wasted and transparent...I happen to be allergic to perfume. Paul said, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:3-5 NIV).

Power Source

We have so many power sources in the house that I literally do not need a flashlight or nightlight to walk through the house when it’s dark. Those glowing red, green, blue and amber LED spots show the computer, the printer, the TV cable box, coffee pot, CO2 detector, alarm clock, cell phone charger, etc. In the spiritual arena it’s no wonder that people fail to see the light of Christ in us when we walk around giving credit to so many other power sources — natural talents, finances, health, social status, heritage, linage, and self-esteem, self-righteousness. Jesus told his disciples, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light” (John 12:35-36 NIV).

Better About Serving

During a church visit a man stood up in front of his electric wheelchair to give a brief witness and testimony, “I’m grateful to God that I am here today. It is only by His grace that I’m able to get out among God’s people. I need to be better about serving God because He is so good to me.” It struck me that most of the lame, the blind and the crippled in the Bible wanted to follow Jesus only after they were healed. I see Paul’s thorn in the flesh as the best example of a person determined to serve the Lord within the confines of their disability. “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:7 NIV).

Pleasing Men

There was an element of displeasure from a pastor on the article I wrote about my visit to his church, “You write some unflattering comments…I suppose you are writing from the truth of what you experience.” When I looked at the flipside of his comment it became obvious he expected me to use flattery when reporting on his congregation. Paul puts such worldly attitudes in their proper perspective, “On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else” (1 Thes 2:4-6 NIV).

Do Not Look Somber

I visited the Church of the Firstborn who, generally speaking, does not seek medical treatment, but relies on faith for physical healing. There was no structure in the service, but one of fluid individual testimony, witness, confession, repentance and thanksgiving. The group shared their burdens, pain and grief and asked for prayers that they might be overcomers. However, I was struck that the service lacked joy, praise or even the opportunity to say amen. It occurs to me that the Lord’s instruction on fasting could and should be applied, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matt 6:16-18 NIV).

Feeling the Burn

I burned my thumb taking a pan out of the oven and spent the next two hours sitting around with an ice bag on it to stop the pain. I was reminded of my Grandma Colby, who was a no nonsense, black and white believer. Grandma accepted that some people would go to hell; however, it was the pain associated with a small burn that caused her empathy for those who would suffer in eternity. Jesus said, “And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell” (Matt 18:9 NIV).

Lack of Storage Space

During a church visit a young woman greeted an elderly woman who then apologized for not immediately recognizing the greeter, “My eyes don’t focus and my memory is not good. I have pressure in my head and I think if that would go away I’d have more room for my memory.” I’m going to tuck that gem away for future use…It’s not that I can’t remember, I’ve just run out of storage space. “The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot” (Proverbs 10:7 NIV).

Logo

A member of a local organization retired and as a parting gift he received one of the large signs of the organization’s retired logos. The recipient said, “Logos have always been a transition...they show where we are going and where we’ve been.” My old church changed their logo every time there was a change in preachers. Albeit there were not many administration changes in 50 years; however, looking at the history of the church logo they can be traced to the presiding preacher. It occurs to me that the logos have one thing in common — they are about the leadership’s vision, rather than the mission of the organization. I suspect that the change in logo, church or otherwise, has more to do with human legacy than with mission. Believers need to be reminded that Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NIV).

The Best of the Best

The local print newspaper is promoting it’s annual “Vote for the Best of the Best 2017.” Readers are to vote for the best restaurant, the best dry cleaners, the best insurance company, etc. The contest appears somewhat slanted because the newspaper gives you the list of candidates to choose from; however, that’s not to say they would reject your entry if you submitted a name that wasn’t on their list. One of the categories is for the best church and in order to win the title a church membership simply needs to vote for themselves. I can imagine God doing an eye roll. Paul said, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise” (2 Cor 10:12 NIV).

Making a Name

Mary anointed Jesus with perfume and those present protested that it was a waste because the perfume could have been sold and the money given to poor. Jesus came to her defense. I find it interesting that immediately following this incident Judas Iscariot went to the chief priest with a plot to betray Jesus. It’s possible the loss of revenue was a concern for Judas; however, I suspect his motivation had more to do with Jesus saying, “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Mark 14:9 NIV). I wonder if Judas was trying to make a name for himself and he felt his notoriety might somehow overshadow the worldwide memory of Mary. 

Unfinished Business

I attended a meeting where only three of the six committee members were present and for my report I pulled the list of committee members from the official website. Much to my chagrin one of the men I reported as absent for the October meeting had died in August. Hopefully the error didn’t add to the family’s grief; however, the reality is that when we die we will all leave unfinished business. Jesus told the Parable of the Rich Fool, “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21 NIV).

Heaven on Earth

Many of us contemplate heaven and the reward for our faithfulness, obedience, loving our neighbor, displaying the Gifts of the Spirit, etc. However, as I read the Lord’s model prayer it occurs to me that we don’t have to wait until heaven…the Father’s kingdom and His will can be done on earth. Jesus said, “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’” (Matt 6:9-13 NIV).

What Can I Do?

As my mother-in-law settles into our home she frequently asks, “What can I do to help?” Often I can’t think of anything she can help with because what I prioritize as needing done are things that only I can do — writing, organizing my work space, coordinating schedules. I never thought of helping others as being a God appointed position in the body of Christ, but there it is tucked between some of what many of us consider to be the weightier positions described by Paul. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues” (1 Cor 12:27-28 NIV).

Cover-Ups

One media headline read, “The Harvey Weinstein cover up: How censorship, settlements and silence kept the allegations out of the news.” Cover ups are not unique to Hollywood, the media and politicians, we also find them in the Bible, in today’s church and in our families. Wives engage in cover-ups for husbands, parents for their children and people of faith for their religious leaders. Paul said, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat...So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Ro 14:10b, 12 NIV). We understand that sins which have been covered-up will be exposed. However, not many of us consider that the part we played in covering up the sins of others will also be exposed.

Looking Down on You

Once again I attended a public meeting and heard a civil servant take a condescending tone with members of the community…and get away with it. Government employees who look down on the citizenry seem to forget that they work for the people. Similar situations can be found in the church where sometimes we too forget Who we work for. I’m reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim 4:12 NIV).

All Have Sinned

For exercise I walk in an event center at the county fairgrounds and fairly often I encounter a county deputy supervising inmates in orange jumpsuits who are working to set up, or dismantle, the structures used at community events. I know the inmates are incarcerated for an offense, but because I don’t know the nature of their offense it is easy for me to say, “Good morning. How’s your day going? Nice day today, isn’t it?” It occurs to me that if I actually knew what each man was sentenced for he would no longer be just an inmate, he would become a thief, a sexual offender, or an abuser in domestic violence. Something similar happens when believers look at one another. Knowing that we are all sinners is not the same as knowing the sinner’s sin. The idea of sinners wearing a generic orange jumpsuit sounds more palatable to me than having other believers know we are hypocrites, liars and adulterers. Paul said, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Ro 3:22-24 NIV).

De-Valued

We listed a five-year-old chest freezer on a Buy-Sell-Trade site for $250, which I thought was a bargain. It didn’t surprise me when people emailed to ask if we would take less, but I was outright offended when one guy offered to take it off our hands for $100. We did sell it at our price, but some people just don’t understand the value of an item…even the Gospel. The writer of Hebrews said, “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith” (Heb 4:1-2 NIV).

RIP

Jacob (Gen 47:29-30) and Joseph (Gen 50:25) both died in Egypt and each was adamant that their bones should be removed from that country and buried with their fathers. I never fully appreciated the burial request of Jacob and Joseph until we moved my mother-in-law into our house and realized that we’d inadvertently left Grandmother Ethel’s urn buried in the flower garden in the backyard. The house is for sale and we can’t leave Ethel with foreigners, so naturally we’ll go back, dig up the urn and bring her to a new resting place. “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place” (Exodus 13:19 NIV). 

Generational Faith

I attended a worship service where the pastor’s sermon contained no illustrations, antidotes, jokes, examples, or any other extra-biblical material. I found the verse by verse message refreshing and as I left the service I complimented the pastor to his wife. She said, “Thank you…but I wish he would use some of them sometimes. He’s not formally educated [Bible college], he just learned at his mother’s knee.” I’m reminded of the sincere faith of young Timothy, a faith which also lived in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. I don’t know whether the pastor’s mother is still living, but the generational faith she passed down to her son lives on. Paul told Timothy, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self–discipline” (2 Tim 1:6-7 NIV).

Learning a Lesson

My strategy in moving Ruth, my mother-in-law, into our home was to first move the personal items that she needed, and then gradually move the things she wanted to keep. In essence, with each load we left behind things she didn’t want, or didn’t know what to do with. Last weekend other family members came to help and their strategy was different. They wanted to see what they were dealing with so they pulled everything out of cupboards, closets and drawers. I have to admit that even I was overwhelmed looking at a lifetime of miscellaneous items, treasures and memories all strewn across countertops, tables and chairs. Some items had Ruth asking herself, “Why do I have that and I wonder who gave it to me?” Sayings of the wise from Proverbs, “I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw…” (Proverbs 24:32 NIV).

Focus on the Person

A pastor spoke on forgiveness and how to love our enemies, “Loving our enemies can be hard because so often when we look at people and see their sin. Stop looking at the sin, look at the person and our hearts will change.” His comments gave me pause and I’ll admit that I often can’t see beyond a person’s sin, particularly when it is blatant — homosexuality, lying, stealing, hypocrisy. Paul said, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col 3:13 NIV).

The Law (Bible Knowledge)

During a press conference a reporter asked a Las Vegas sheriff what law enforcement could have done to prevent the mass shooting. Without judging the question, the sheriff simply said, “We can’t prevent something we know nothing about.” I’m reminded of Paul struggling with having a full understanding of sin, “What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead” (Ro 7:7-9 NIV).

Heart Transplant

The pastor’s new sermon series was on living for God with your whole heart. “Oh, you may have asked God into your heart when you were saved, but have you given your heart to him? Have you asked him to give you a new heart?” His comment gave me pause. If we are honest, most of us like our hearts, even though we admit they need to be improved, cleaned-up, and strengthened. We just don’t think in terms of needing a heart transplant. Ezekiel wrote, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Eze 36:26 NIV).

Covered

My husband’s Great-great grandmother’s rocking chair was passed down through the family and for the last 30-years the chair has sat unused, but on display, in my mother in-law’s living room. “We brought it from Oklahoma and left it as it was. I never did anything to it.” When the chair came into my house I removed a variety of thin cushions that were 10 layers deep…cushions of feathers, foam and quilted throws. When I finally got to the original seat of the chair the webbing was stretched and concave leaving one to sink well below the frame. Next I began removing layers of fabric from the back of the chair that had accumulated over the years. Each new layer had been carefully safety pinned to the old layer and the layers included a bath towel, a curtain and a thin quilt. The last two coverings of cotton and upholstery material literally disintegrated in my hands as I removed the pins. I’m reminded of the Old Testament sacrifices which had to be offered over and over and over again. In essence the burnt and sin offering sacrifices covered, but could not remove sin. As Christians we are made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews said, “Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself” (Heb 7:26-27 NIV).

In Spirit and Truth

I’ve attended many Christian conferences and conventions where I experienced dynamic, Spirit-filled worship services. Recently during a local church service, the worship leader said, “Worship like you’ve never worshipped before!” His words were an attempt to solicitant an emotional response, but I really didn’t know what to do with them. By charismatic standards, the approximately 50 worshippers seemed subdued and the praise song selections just didn’t match the motivational words of the leader. Jesus said, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24 NIV).

Arbitrator

When there is a conflict with another person many of us petition the Lord to settle the grievance. Naturally, we want Him to look favorably on us and get the other person in line with our point of view. In the Parable of the Rich Fool a man wanted Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:13-15 NIV). I suspect that in our personal prayers many of us fall into the habit of asking the Lord to be an arbitrator. However, it now occurs to me that rather than simply solving an issue there is a form of greed behind those requests.

Taking a Knee

In an act of defiance NFL football players decided to take a knee rather than pledge allegiance to the American flag and honor the National Anthem. I am offended, but rather than have my angst spew all over the blog I looked for a spiritual application. Eureka…Maybe the Lord is putting these guys on the field to practice taking a knee. “It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Ro 14:11-12 NIV).

Simply Stated

As a pastor prepared for communion he tried to put the Lord’s Table in historical context. I knew he wanted to wind up with Jesus at the Last Supper; however, he was all over the map with Moses, Passover, killing the lamb, the blood on the door jambs and the Lamb of God. Certainly the pastor knew his material, but he failed to present it in a succinct manner and the importance of communion was lost in the Old Testament desert. Paul said, “…The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor 11:23b-25 NIV).

The Journey

During a church visit my pew-partner explained that she too was a first-time visitor. She shared with me that years ago she had joined her husband’s church out of obligation; however, he was no longer living and she knew she needed a connection to God. “I’ve gained a lot of weight and I worried that I might not be dressed right, but the woman who invited me to this church said my clothes wouldn’t matter.” The pastor’s welcome from the pulpit could not have been more profound and appropriate as he noted that we are all on the same journey, “We’re just going at a different pace.” Paul reminds us, “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters” (Ro 14:1 NIV).

Give Thanks

A pastor explained that as time went on in his marriage he got used to his wife doing things and began to expect it. “When I opened my dresser drawer to get out clean clothes I never thought about how they got there. I took it for granted.” Making a spiritual application he continued, “Even in our church walk we begin to take God for granted. We stop saying thank you to the Lord!” Paul reminds us, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Col 2:6-7 NIV).

Sowing

With fall around the corner one pastor reflected on farmers and their harvest. “Farmers reap a harvest in the fall because they planted in the spring.” Making a spiritual application with a profound twist he said, “You cannot sow un-forgiveness and expect to reap forgiveness.” In my mind failing to forgive is a personal, internal issue between believers and the Holy Spirit...and I place sowing a category of being a deliberate act. I’ve not considered, although I should have, that we can unconsciously sow un-forgiveness, as well as other sinful attitudes. Paul said, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Gal 6:7 NIV).

Taking a Knee

In an act of defiance NFL football players decided to take a knee rather than pledge allegiance to the American flag and honor the National Anthem. I am offended, but rather than have my angst spew all over the blog I looked for a spiritual application. Eureka…Maybe the Lord is putting these guys on the field to practice taking a knee. “It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Ro 14:11-12 NIV).

Walk Down Memory Lane

I visited a Pentecostal church and as I settled into the pew I had an immediate feeling of homecoming. While I have no connection to the denomination, I do have a relationship with the pews themselves. For over 30 years I sat in these same pews at my previous church. Apparently when my old church was remodeled they passed the pews on to the Pentecostal church. The Lord blessed me with wonderful unexpected memories. “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways” (Psalm 139:1-3 NIV).

Voice of Thunders

Late Sunday evening our community experienced an extended period of lightning and window rattling thunder-bumpers. As I watched and listened I wondered what these particular thunders were saying. John reported, “And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.” (Rev 10:4 NIV.) 

Cleaning the Inside

My mother-in-law’s upright freezer resided in her garage and was layered with dust. As I prepared to move the freezer to my house I removed the contents and started to wash down the outside, but after one swipe it was obvious the water would be filthy in no time. Remembering how I was taught as a child to wash dishes I switched course and started on the inside first. For all practical purposes once the inside was clean, the freezer was clean…especially considering that it was going back into a garage setting. Jesus said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean” (Matt 23:25-26 NIV).

Bigger Barns

As elderly folks relocate to assisted living or nursing homes it is often up to the children and grandchildren to dispose of their lifetime collections. My 94-year-old mother-in-law, who just moved in with us, is in remarkably good shape for her age. While we physically moved her possessions, we are leaving it up to her to sort, discard, save, or give away her treasures. She continues to say, “Why do we save stuff? Why did I keep all these things?” I’m reminded of the parable about the rich fool. The man produced a good crop, but lacked storage space, “He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods” (Luke 12:17-18 NIV). The fool’s life was demanded of him that night, so not only was all his planning for naught, others were left to either benefit from, or dispose of, what he had prepared for himself.

Perspective

Friday my mother-in-law moved in with us and that night our water heater died. Of course it was weekend and we needed a specific type of water heater. On Monday the plumbers located the right unit in a town 200 miles away, but it was inadvertently shipped to Denver rather than Montrose. Laundry piled up, we heated water on the stove to do dishes and took showers at the homes of family members. Last night we rejoiced when we had hot water for the first time in five days. However, God has a way of putting our trials in perspective and I need look no further that Texas or Florida to realize that five days without hot water is really not that big of a deal. 

Know That I Am God

I visited the Quaker Silent Worship Group who have no introductions, announcements, hymns, prayers, or preaching. For an hour we sat in meditation with only a cough, a sneeze and stomach growls breaking the silence. The lack of a preacher might be explained by a poster on the wall which read, “Be patterns, be examples in countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come; that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them. Then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone (italics included).” George Fox, Quaker 1624-1691. There was no mention of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or any higher power. However, the Spirit within me spoke loud and clear, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalms 46:10 NIV). 

When She is Old

There have been a few times in my 47-year marriage when I’ve threatened to send my husband back to his mother, but she has always turned me down. Recently we made the family decision that Ruth, 94-years young, should give up living alone and driving her 1986 Lincoln and come to live with us. I may not be able to send Bill back to his mother…but I can bring his mother to him! Proverbs speaks today, “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22 NIV).

Food at the Proper Time

Last week nine ducks visited my back yard and I made the mistake of feeding them. After only two days of giving them a hand-out the flock gathered in the breezeway and quacked until I came out. The situation felt remarkably similar to the boy who drove up in front of his girlfriend's house for a date and rather than walking to the door and ringing the doorbell, he honked the horn and she came running. Good grief…now I have duck poo to wash off the sidewalk. The psalmist wrote, “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing” (Psalm 145:15-16 NIV).

Opening the Eyes of the Blind

Being a person of faith is no guarantee that we understand what we need. As Jesus left Jericho there were two blind men sitting by the roadside. “Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him” (Matt 20:32-34 NIV). Even in the lives of mature believers there are still spiritual areas where we are blind and we too should be telling the Lord, “…we want to receive our sight.” 

Which Ones?

The rich young man asked Jesus what he needed to do to get eternal life and Jesus told him to obey the commandments. In typical young adult fashion, the man inquired, “Which ones?” (Matt 19:18a NIV). His question makes me laugh…heaven forbid that he should try to follow all the commandments. Today’s believers do something similar as we parse out Scripture looking for the minimal requirements needed to be called a Christian.

Altar Call

I recently visited a church that was more of the faith-healing and talking-in-tongues variety. Clapping, swaying, dancing to a tambourine and waving flags apparently loses something in small groups and we numbered only 10. There was an altar call following communion and an older couple went forward where there was laying on of hands and anointing with oil. It seemed to take considerable time before the Spirit moved visibly in these folks and they returned to their seats. When no one else went to the altar, the leadership then went into the audience and approached people in their seats. It became uncomfortable and awkward as I began to realize that if you don’t go to the altar, the altar comes to you!

Some Churches

I attended a church who described themselves as a full-gospel church. “Some churches just want to use the New Testament, but we use the whole Bible. They say we don’t need that stuff back there [Old Testament].” Holding up her Bible she said, “This is the Word of God…the whole thing. Jesus is in the Old Testament as much as he is in the New Testament.” Her comments were intended to elevate her own church and/or cast a shadow of discrepancy on other churches; however, I must take exception to the statement. In two years of visiting over 120 churches I have yet to find any church that teaches only from the New Testament. The body of believers understand that, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16 NIV).

Prophecies Will Cease

I was unfamiliar with a body of believers who identified themselves as a Five-Fold Church, but have since learned they take their charge from Ephesians 4:11. Paul said, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers...” Prospective members are asked to fill out a 100-question survey that helps identify one of the five categories in which they are best suited, or qualified. I wonder how this body of believers reconcile Paul’s thoughts, “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears” (1 Cor 13:8-10 NIV).

Producing Fruit

As we reflect on our Christian walk we can sometimes identify the fruit we’ve produced in the kingdom and many of us measure ourselves by the Fruit of the Spirit — love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22). It gave me pause when I came across the fruit of lips, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Heb 13:15 NIV).

Fading Glory

I normally wear shirts and tops that have long or ¾ length sleeves. Recently Lydia, my 11-year-old granddaughter, said, “I can’t believe you wear long sleeves in the summer.” I didn’t explain the reasons for my wardrobe choices — cold-blooded, fair skin that burns, thin skin that bruises easily, parched arm skin and sagging biceps. Nor did I tell her that, similar to Moses, we aging Christians are not immune from having fading-radiance-syndrome. According to my NIV Study Bible notes, “Moses put a veil over his face, “So the Israelites would not see the fading away of the radiance but would continue to honor Moses as the one who represented God.” (Ex 34:33 NIV).

Mandatory

As I watch TV coverage of the flooding in Texas I’m stymied by those who are given a mandatory evacuation notice, yet before making a decision on whether or not to leave they consider their own evaluation, or they ask for prayer on their decision. While I understand petitioning the Lord for direction, the word mandatory seems pretty self-explanatory to me. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

Sending Rain

A woman interviewed on TV shortly after abandoning her home to the flood waters from Hurricane Harvey said, “We have no electricity and no water.” She sighed, “I’m humbled…if people aren’t humbled by this something is wrong!” Jesus said, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt 5:44-45 NIV).

Praiseworthy

In the epistles Paul teaches, rebukes, offers encouragement and gives praise to the churches. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thess 1:2-3 NIV). It occurs to me that in all the worship services I’ve attended, in my own church as well as those I’ve visited as a reporter, I hear praise for the work of individuals and their performances, but I’ve not heard leadership praise the Godly character of their church. I’m now wondering why church leadership fails to give praiseworthy sentiments about the body as a whole.

Surveillance

On weekdays I take my exercise walk in a fairgrounds facility. Occasionally there are a few senior-age walkers, but normally it's only the fairgrounds staff doing upkeep and maintenance. One-day last week there were about a half a dozen of us in the facility when a pair of newly purchased sunglasses went missing. The owner of the glasses questioned everyone to no avail. A couple days later I learned that surveillance tape clearly showed a man in his 80’s keeping his eye on others while he stashed the glasses in the waistband of his pants. I’m surprise and disappointed because I’ve visited and been cordial with the man on many occasions. Often we are too trusting, even amongst fellow believers. Paul warns, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us” (2 Thess 3:6 NIV).

God’s Provision

It offends me to see a panhandler holding a cardboard sign that says, “Veteran…anything helps.” As a veteran myself I am well aware of all the numerous organizations available for helping vets. I also see beggars holding signs that say, “Christian needs help.” While there is no way of actually knowing whether the sign-holder is a veteran or a Christian, soliciting handouts implies that they are not being provided for. The Philippian church had sacrificially given to meet Paul’s needs and he reminded them of God’s provision for Christians, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19 NIV).

Supplying Pods

In my community we hear very little in the media about the homeless situation until winter approaches and then people and organizations scramble to keep transients from freezing — tents, sleeping bags, blankets and food. I don’t want to downplay the efforts of people helping those in need; however, at some point the homeless, like the Prodigal Son, have a responsibility to make different lifestyle choices. Reading the parable, I suspect that if the owner of the pigs had given the prodigal some of the pig’s food to eat this lost son might not have returned home to his father. In my mind the items collected for the homeless may be no better than the pods used to feed pigs.  “So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death” (Luke 15:15-17 NIV)!

Signs of the End of the Age

Some believers look at the recent eclipse as an end-times sign. Jesus said, “Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’” It remains to be seen whether or not this event is a precursor of the Lord’s return as mentioned in Scripture. However, I have to give these folks kudos for looking into God’s Word rather than simply looking at the sun to experience the solar eclipse. “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other” (Matt 24:29, 30-31 NIV).

Eclipse

I didn’t try to find special glasses, construct a homemade viewing box, or consider driving hundreds of miles to get the best view of the full eclipse. No doubt there will be plenty of news video available to show the event. However, I do find it interesting that people are going to such lengths to look at the sun…yet so many ignore the Son. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11 NIV).

Late Bloomer

The other day a friend asked me if I wasn’t about ready to retire. I had to laugh because career-wise I’m a bit of a late bloomer. I started collecting Social Security before I began writing for an online newspaper, so now receiving Social Security and also having to pay into it at the same time. The retirement question made me think of God sending Moses back to Egypt to free his people from slavery. “Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded them. Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh” (Ex 7:6-7 NIV). I can almost hear the Hebrews telling Moses, “Aren’t you about ready to retire?” 

Praise of Men

President Trump has a thick skin when it comes to his critics. However, I also see him as thin skinned when it comes to his desire for praise. While many people crave praise from men, in Trump’s case it’s as though if people won’t praise him, he will simply praise himself. It occurs to me that President Trump may in fact, “…love praise from men more than praise from God” (John 12:43 NIV). To his credit the President is a quick study and a fast learner, but when it comes to his love of the praise I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes a Road to Damascus encounter with the Lord to get his attention.

Good Reputation

Recently a local resident, who is an in-your-face community activist and a constant thorn in the side of many, had a fire in his home. The man’s caustic and condescending character has left him with a bad reputation and when his children tried to raise funds for him on social media one Facebook post simply said, “karma.” Most of us cherish our reputation among people of like precious faith; however, we often underestimate the importance of a good reputation in the world.  Although Paul was speaking directly to overseers and deacons, his words are applicable to all believers. “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap” (1 Tim 3:7 NIV).

In Weakness

I have a hard time being around people who are boastful and talk about themselves all the time. The Apostle Paul was compelled to boast even though he knew there was nothing to be gained by it, but unlike most of us, Paul boasted about the things that showed his weaknesses (2 Cor 11:30). On a human level this just makes me laugh. Most of us can’t even acknowledge we have weaknesses, much less boast about them. So often I fail to grasp that the Lord’s power is made perfect in weakness. Paul said, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10 NIV).

Firsthand Experience

On the road to Damascus Paul’s encounter with the Lord resulted in blindness and he was led by the hand into Damascus where he remained blind for three days (Acts 9:1-9). Paul’s “come to Jesus moment” was profound. I can’t help but wonder if that experience played a role in Paul’s thought process when he encountered Elymas the sorcerer. Elymas opposed Paul and Barnabas and Paul sentenced him, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand” (Acts 13:10-11 NIV).

All Who Sail With You

The Apostle Paul warned the pilot and owner of the ship not to sail from Crete, but they did not heed his advice. The ship was caught in a northeaster and battered for many days. When the crew gave up all hope of being saved Paul said, “Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’” (Acts 27:23-24 NIV). I’m now pondering the lives of unbelievers who sail through life with me — co-workers, associates, neighbors, acquaintances, etc. We believers may never know if we’ve ever saved another person’s life, either physically or spiritually, but God is gracious to let others sail with us.