Enemies of the Truth

We often avoid confrontation and being truthful because we know when we speak the truth, we make enemies. The same can be said for speaking the truth to one another in the church. Paul’s concern for the Galatians led him to chastise them for now knowing God, but turning back to weak principals. Paul said, “I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you…Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth” (Gal 4:11, 16 NIV)?

Slander

It’s hard to grasp, but there are people in the church who claim to be Christians, but are not. It’s not up to people of faith, either leadership or laity, to come up with a litmus test, because the Lord will reveal their slander. Jesus said to the church in Smyrna, “I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Rev 2:9 NIV).

You Ought to be Teachers

Rather than cultivating and training new teachers, my church leadership stays with the status quo and allows only a handful men teach. The writer of Hebrews said, “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 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 5:11 -14 NIV).

Persistence

Older folks struggle with the new progressive church and they continue to ask church leadership for compromise and to reinstate some traditional elements of worship — hymns, Sunday school, Sunday night worship, youth groups and children’s church. Even though their requests fall on deaf ears, it forces pastors to defend their personal direction for the church. The Parable of the Persistent Widow is applicable. Jesus said, “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming’” (Luke 18:2-5 NIV)!

Out With the Old and in With the New

For almost 13 years, five days a week, I’ve written a daily blog. I decide it is now time to organize the posts and see if there is a book hiding somewhere in the blogs. I’ve now sorted through two years’ worth of posts and I’m amazed by the pattern emerging. In general, every time a new pastor is hired it’s out with the old and in with the new. Elders, programs, music, staff, and membership are replaced with the new pastor’s vision. Casualties are strewn everywhere. Churches are not growing, but rather decreasing in attendance as they are deconstructed and reconstructed in the image put forth by each pastor. Paul said, “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains” (Phil 1:15-17).

For Our Good

LifeWay, one of the nation’s biggest Christian retail chains, will close all of their 170 brick-and-mortar stores. Sadly, my local Christian book store is also closing, a causality of shoppers turning to the internet and mainstream books stores. The community of believers will grieve this loss, but Paul reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Ro 8:28 NIV).

Worship In Style

Most of us don’t give much thought to how our worship has changed as we age. The writer of Hebrews said, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff” (Heb 11:21 NIV). I’m now imagining how believers worship the Lord while in a wheelchair, on a walker, or using a cane.   

Spreading the Message

My book, The Church Down the Street (working title), has a lot of quotes from pastors, speakers, teachers and lay people. Once published, the words and messages that I heard in a Sunday morning worship service will not be lost, but rather they have the potential to reach a national audience. I’m reminded of Mary, who poured perfume on the head of Jesus. Those present at the event were indignant at the waste of perfume. Jesus said, “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 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 14:6-9 NIV).

Wise Counsel

I submitted my non-fiction book manuscript to a publishing company, but the sample contract they sent back to me gave me pause. With counsel from some fellow writers I changed directions and submitted the manuscript to literary agent who, if he accepts the manuscript, will walk me through the publishing landmines. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22 NIV).

Transition

A few years ago I bought a new NIV Study Bible and it’s still new. I keep using my old Bible even though some of the pages are falling out and the corners are turned up, the index tabs are no longer readable and the leather cover is worn and torn. My old Bible is so comfortable that the only way to transition to the new Bible is to throw the old away. It’s painful…I even dug it out of the trash once to compare it to the new Bible. I think of the followers of Moses having to transition from the Law to the grace found in Jesus Christ. Paul said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17 NIV)!

It’s Who You Know

Beyond writing the manuscript, there are a lot of moving parts to publishing a book. I’m now focused on the introduction, the foreword and endorsements. As for the endorsement, an expert in book marketing suggests getting anyone famous that you know personally to write a two-sentence testimonial. And, if you don’t know someone famous, maybe you know someone who knows someone famous. Humm, I don’t know anyone famous. However, I’m determined to find someone with name recognition, so yesterday I sent an email inquiry to former Governor Mike Huckabee. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matt 7:7-8 NIV). Spiritually speaking it really is Who we know.

Penetrating the Soul

I’ve been thinking of the difference between praise song and hymns. While praise songs glorify God, they do not have the same depth that is found in the words of a hymn. I can tell that writers of hymns have spent time studying the Bible because I hear the Word of God in hymns. However, I’m beginning to suspect that many writers of praise songs are simply writing catchy, repetitive phrases, similar to a jingle. The writer of Hebrews said, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double–edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb 4:12 NIV).

In His Time

Last week I received a letter from the publishing company that is reviewing my book manuscript. I have to confess, I was nervous opening the letter, which could have been an acceptance or a rejection. The letter stated, “Your manuscript has an excellent chance of success if accepted. We are excited about your book and look forward to possibly partnering with you.” Not yet an acceptance, but definitely not a rejection. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3 NIV).

Martha, Martha

The media and political parties are making preparations for the 2020 election cycle. In our respective parties some are like Mary, who is not distracted by the political landscape and is at peace. Others are like Mary’s sister, Martha, who for the next year and a half will be on their knees in prayer and wringing our hands. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:40-41 NIV).

Personal Trainer

I’m not into weight training and body shaping, but I go to the gym everyday simply to walk three miles on the treadmill. As I get acquainted with the gym community, a few fellow members let me know they are also physical trainers. I have to laugh. From their perspective they no doubt view me as someone who needs a trainer. Mature believers often do something similar when they assess a fellow believer as weak in faith and then all of the sudden the mature believer becomes a self-described spiritual trainer. Paul said, “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Ro 14:1-4 NIV).

Without Unity

Following the United Methodist Church recent vote to uphold the rules from the Book of Disciplines that no gay or lesbian people can serve as clergy, and same-sex marriage is forbidden, there is talk within the denomination about a church split. My local newspaper interviewed the Methodist pastor, who supports LGTB clergy. She said, “I still think they are lovely people even though they don’t believe the things that I believe. And that’s where some of this grew from, and it’s been a struggle for years, trying to continue to live together. I mean there are not a lot of churches where you can sit in the pew next to somebody and have a completely different belief system than they do and still call yourselves united and together.” The Apostle Paul disagrees with this type of sentiment. Paul said, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Cor 1:10 NIV).

The Gospel in Hymns

In one church, at the conclusion of singing hymns, the speaker said, “If we’ve taken heed to the words of the songs we’re singing today we could probably all go home.” Reciting a few phrases and verses he said, “Living he loved me, dying he saved me …One day he’s coming, Oh Glorious day. Those messages are on my heart.” I understand that praise songs are a means of worship, but repetitious phrases of praise do not contain the Gospel message that is found in traditional hymns.

Catering Service

Today’s church is being engineered so we can no longer invite just anyone to our church. The effort to specialize in attracting certain demographics (family, young adult, charismatic, all-inclusive, etc.) dictates what type of people the church intends to serve. The United Methodist Church voted to affirm the rules from the Book of Disciplines that no gay or lesbian people can serve as clergy, and same-sex marriage is forbidden. An openly gay bishop in the denomination is reported as saying she is concerned people won’t want to be a part of a church that doesn’t cater to others like themselves. I’m trying to wrap my head around the idea that, rather than growing and maturing disciples of Christ, churches now see their role as catering to certain groups of people.

I Think Can Do That Job

On more than one occasion I’ve heard someone in church leadership (teacher, deacon, or elder) say the Lord has called them to preach and they simply step into a pulpit position that is open, or they start their own church. No doubt the Spirit calls us to ministry, but I’ve yet to encounter any of these presumptive pastors who then go on to seminary, or take online classes for the ministry. It’s as though they feel their success as Bible study leader or Sunday school teacher is all the credentials needed in order to be a preacher. Which begs the question, are people in the pew looking at preachers and thinking anyone can do their job?

Stop Sinning

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church recently voted to affirm the rules from the Book of Disciplines that no gay or lesbian people can serve as clergy, and same-sex marriage is forbidden. The local Methodist Church, who is committed to inclusiveness, is rebelling against the decision. The sign at the entrance to the church reads, “WE LOVE YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.” Certainly, we all come to the Lord as sinners and imperfect people and the Lord, as well as the church, accepts us as we are at that moment. However, once we become a Christian we can no longer remain in our sin, but we are a new creation and we are to take on the likeness of Christ. In many respects we are all like the man by the pool at Bethesda. Jesus asked the invalid if he wanted to get well and then healed the man. “Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (John 5:14 NIV).

Whatever You Do

With the exception of the introduction and the conclusion, the non-fiction book I’ve been writing for the last six months is complete and in the hands of a perspective publisher. It remains to be seen whether the manuscript will ever be published, but the effort I invested in the project has produced fruit in me. Paul said, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17 NIV).