LET'S BE HONEST

Let's be honest. Aren't there times when believing is very hard--when life isn't working--when your faith seems not to work? But belief in God and Jesus is easy when life is not tested and when faith is not tested. A faith that is true faith calls for examination.

I love the honesty of the Scriptures. Those who talk of it being a book of "goody-goody" things all the time--a book of just trite sayings to make people feel good have just not read the Scriptures. The Scripture is most of all honest. And it points us beyond ourselves to "light and truth" for living life in a questioning, struggling, disbelieving world.

For example, Psalms 42-43, probably originally one psalm. (Remember, psalms were songs, written to be sung by the Jewish congregation. As you read this psalm, can you believe it was sung in worship? Would you sing it in your time of praise and worship?)

This (these) are written in a time of distress, discouragement, hardship. And not only are the circumstances not good, but enemies or unbelievers are attempting to provide more reason to disbelieve God's goodness and even His existence. Job's friends had much advice for Job, but Job was honest and knew what his circumstances were, better than anyone else (except for God).

Notice thoughts that reoccur in Ps. 42-43, "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (NIV) (See 42:5, 11; 43:5)

What is the composer doing? A little pep talk during the time of discouragement. He honestly expresses his discouragement, but attempts to point himself to the help, which is God, the Savior. When we are down, we too, often give ourselves a pep talk--a little "self-talk"--to attempt to have hope in the midst of turmoil and depression. (This is a good thing, by the way.)

But the psalm writer is honest about his feelings. Note 42:9, "I say to God my Rock, 'Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?'" (NIV)

And notice a very similar thought in the questions in 43:2, "You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" (NIV)

Honest questioning in the midst of turmoil. But in each time of asking questions, there is a contrast. "God, you are my Rock--God you are my stronghold."

If indeed You are this, God, then "why"?

But what we find, (for use in corporate worship) is a faith in the midst of honest questioning and need. This becomes a tested faith, a faith that understands the genuine circumstances of "God is good and loves me," but also the "things are not going as they should if God is good and loves me." This is honest faith--honest trust--honesty seeking a reason to believe and hope.

But notice, the Psalmist keeps coming back to the right place for help with the questioning. "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." (42:1) And, "I say to God, my Rock," ... and "Vindicate me, O God," ... "You are my God my stronghold'.

But notice especially 43:3. "Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell." (NIV)

What is most needed when times of discouragement and lack of hope come, when questioning is where you live, is the genuine light and truth.

And where are genuine light and truth found? The Psalmist sings (and believes and points others) to God Himself--to His Person and His presence.

Light points the way when in darkness. Truth helps us make wise decisions when we are tempted to believe untruth--things false and dark and wrong.

If indeed, God is a good God and a loving God, then He is also the source of light and truth. Henry Blackaby said in Experiencing God that we do not have the FULL TRUTH until we have God's truth on a subject. Many do not believe that, and therefore they will not seek, nor find, the real truth of their situation.

When in discouragement and questioning, one needs God's light (Himself and His Word), and truth (same sources).

"Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me"--let them guide me instead of my anxious thoughts, my doubts, my discouragement.

And where do the "light and truth" of God lead us? "Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell." In other words, let light and truth bring me to YOU. Back to His Presence--to Him--to the source. This is not just living by my faith or my hope nor even the words of a book or a philosophy or my doubts. But going back to the original Source of everything--God Himself. The One who wants a relationship with ME!

Then, (43:4), back to church (corporate worship), back to praise, back to God Himself, who is the believers's joy and delight. Faith is not dependent on circumstances--neither is joy. It is based on God Himself and a relationship with Him. Gaining His perspective from Him Personally--not just the words of someone else (even a preacher).

Honesty--you and I need it, in the midst of hard circumstances. Honesty--they are found in God's Scriptures, the songs and writings of those who have gone before us, attempting to live by faith in circumstances where the goodness and love of God are tested against doubtful and hopeless times.

The pep talk for those times--"Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

I need the pep talk right now. Do you?

Be honest!

ALL RELIGIONS ARE THE SAME

A few days ago, I heard again the belief that "all religions are the same," or something to that effect. (I can't find the post to respond to it now.) But to me, that just does not make sense. It is not intellectually compelling nor satisfying for me.

There are certainly differences in the major religions of the world. Islam, Judaism and Christianity are all monotheistic (i.e., they believe in one God only). Hinduism believes in polytheism (many gods), and Buddhism may believe in god or may be atheistic.

Islam, Judaism and Christianity believe in life after this life in a place of bliss or torment. Others may believe in reincarnation, and in Buddhism, if I understand (which I admit, I do not totally understand), the goal is to be "blown out" or absorbed into the world soul. It is to be removed from the endless cycles of being born and reborn (reincarnation) due to how one's life is lived.

All certainly try to have us become better people, as do some other philosophies of life. This may be living by ethics and doing more good than evil or having the right mindset toward things, so that one does not worry over suffering that cannot be changed.

So how can one say that "they are all alike." They seem to have different purposes, different ways of achieving their ends, even different ways of looking at life (Islam, Judaism, Christianity are moving linearly, while Hinduism and Buddhism are cycles of life, to be repeated and hopefully, at some point, left behind).

Could it be that there is one God; one who did create this world; one who did set up the idea of ethics or doing good toward others? Could it be that this God seeks people to be in relationship with Him, even though they, on their own, do not seek Him or His ways? Could it be that this God set us rules about what is right and wrong?

I have read books by John Hick, Wilfrid Cantwell Smith, and others who say that "all religions are alike." But I just don't feel their arguments are compelling for me. Yes, I grew up in a "supposedly" Christian nation with Christian parents in a Christian church. Yes, I have read the Bible extensively and believe it to be God's revelation to humans. I have also read lots on this pluralism issue (many religions being equal). But for me, the "all" argument is just not satisfying to my mind, nor to my heart.

I also believe that the majority of real "followers" of other major religions do not believe that each is equally valid. They must believe that "theirs" is the one most satisfying, most beneficial, most compelling to them and their walk of life. Otherwise, why stick with it--why continue to practice it? And for many, who have switched their "religion," there must be some reason they have moved from one to the other; not believing each was equally valid and alike, but they must have come to believe, probably not only with the intellect but also with the heart, that there is some compelling difference. Therefore they sought after that rather than the other.

Each person has the right to his/her own decisions as to what religion (or none) to practice. Each person has the right to believe what she/he wills to believe. And each person is accountable for making those decisions, if indeed there is a God.

What for me is compelling is that there is one God, the God of Judaism and Christianity--Yahweh (or Jehovah). He is Creator of the world and all that is in it. He is the sustainer of it all, so that it is still here by His design and His mercy. He is also the redeemer of His creation, sending His Son, Jesus, to earth as a model and example of how to live to please Him. But also, Jesus, as One who was sent to redeem us from our wrongdoing, our attempts to do what displeases God, our moving away from what is best for others. This, to me, is the God, revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures and revealed even more in the New Testament teachings of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

I respect people of other faiths and those of none. I try to show them honor and friendship and support. I genuinely care for those who disagree with me. (One said, "we should learn to disagree agreeably.") But I also believe in the one who said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." And I believe that He also said, "When you have seen me, you have seen the Father." (John 14:9)

Dialogue--not angry argument. Openness to truth--not closedness (by either side). Genuine love for others, even if we disagree. (At some point, we will.)

Don't let others make the decision for you. Read the documents for yourself and see what compels you most. For me, that is the God of Judaism and Christian faith--Yahweh. And that is why I celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas, once again. I could never repay the debt I owe Him!

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE?

Was watching a Hallmark Channel movie with the wife last night. At one point, the oldest child had to babysit the others so the mother could work. When the mom got home, the toddler had awaken in the night and done some mischief in the bathroom. Later, mom was asleep and the toddler woke up and put peanut butter all around the room, including mom's nose--a big mess to clean up. Interesting movie.

After being awake in the night, I went back to bed and back to sleep. I often have dreams when that happens. My dream--I was climbing a high and challenging hill--very hard to get myself up there--a real struggle. And I climbed it twice. When I got there, there were three kids, (not mine), two older and one baby.

The second time I got up there, I was focusing on something else when I noticed that the baby was getting very close to the edge of the 100 foot drop. I could not, or did not, move to get there, but asked one of the other kids to "please grab the baby, because he is so close." The child tried, but it was too late. The baby had gone over the edge.

We went the long way around to get there--a long path. When we got there, the baby was very bloody and in very bad shape. I picked up the baby and tried to call the parents, to tell them what had happened, but with no success. My cell phone was destroyed also, and I was fiddling with that. That took my focus and attention off the baby.

At that point, I thought to pick up the baby, and attempt to take the baby to the parents. But when I picked up the baby, the baby was beginning to get stiff, in the process of dying. I felt so terrible, and prayed, "Please God, no--please God, no!" I had not only been negligent about watching the baby, but I also had focused more, at a crucial moment for the baby, on a thing, the cell phone, than I had the gravely ill baby.

Then I woke up. Yes, I saw a t.v. show that replayed during my sleep. But could there be a message for me--and for you? For the believer in Christ, while we are climbing our high hill or ladder, could there be people who are very near the edge and needing someone to save them from falling off? Could there be some that need our love and tender care--our attention to them, instead of our attention to "things" in our lives?

And then a phone text from my daughter this morning--a Scripture verse from 1 John 5:14-15: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."

There are people I need to pray for. There are people I need to rescue and hold and pay attention to. There are people I need to be alert for. There are people that I need to focus more on than I do the concerns or things in my life. They do not ultimately belong to me. I am a babysitter, watching SomeOne elses' kids.

So what is the message--for YOU--today?

LOVE PRAYS

Love prays. If you are a person of prayer or if you generally aren't, if you pray, you will tend to pray for those close to you. Paul mentions his prayer for the Thessalonian church in 1 Thess. 1:2-3.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy apparently had good memories of the church in Thessalonica. So not only did Paul pray for the believers there, but they all prayed. "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers."

One thing for us to do for people we are thankful for is to "thank God for them." Thank God for putting them in your life. Do you do that? Did you create all the relationships you have--family members, friends, colleagues--especially those you have lots in common with? Not really. The one who brings us together and the one who binds us together is God. He provides those whom we love. Therefore we should give God thanks for those people we love.

Paul apparently felt this love for the Thessalonian church as he did for the Philippian church. Those were two churches that especially blessed him and gave him joy (a theme of Philippians). So he gives thanks to God when he prays.

What is Paul reminded of when he thinks of the Thessalonian believers? (v. 3) There are three Christian graces mentioned here that we find in other New Testament letters as well--"faith, love and hope." (See 1 Corinthians 13, for example)

But not only are the graces--things given by God--things not deserved or earned--mentioned. But how they were lived out in the believers.

Notice "work, labor, endurance" (patience or perseverance).

The three graces--things given the believer by God--will produce something. They will not just be something hoarded and kept, but will lead to action.

"Work produced by faith"--Genuine faith will lead to work, service, acts coming forth from that faith. James said that "faith without works is dead." If one has faith, there will be some actions that will occur as a result of that faith. Faith is proven out by work (service) that is done from that. (See James again)

"Labor prompted by love"--Labor is not the same as "work" mentioned before. This word refers to toil, hard work, something that may take long hours and arduous service. The word, "love," is agape, God's kind of love that is self-sacrificing, caring for others with no thought of return, a giving love. It is produced by the Holy Spirit of God living within and producing His love in the believer, the disciple, the follower of Jesus. It is beyond a human kind of love.

Think of a mother "laboring" when she has her child. Going through labor is not a fun thing, it seems, but it is done to produce fruit of the husband and wife's love, and done to introduce this new life--this new love into the world. But think also of a man or woman, working hard to provide for their family. They may work very hard, even at tasks they do not like, but they do so to provide, out of their love for their family. This is what Paul saw in the church members in Thessalonica. They "labored out of love" and did it all for the good of others and the God they loved as well.

"Endurance inspired by hope"--Endurance, patience, perseverance, continuing on despite hardship and discouragement and trials. How does the believer do this when they get discouraged and down, like every one else at times? Out of the hope that we believe in. Paul saw this in the Thessalonians. Hope is not just an "wish--I wish it will happen, but am not sure it will." It is instead dependent on faith and trust in God. God will bring about what He said He would. It WILL occur. Therefore, this hope is based in God and His trustworthiness--His ability to produce and His willingness to do so--and His always following through on His promises.

So they could endure hardship (2 Timothy says, "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ). Because they knew, in time, the promise would be fulfilled. The savings bond would be good for the face value, not because of government backing, but because of God behind it all.

And the hope is in One worthy of hope--the Lord Jesus Christ--the Master, Jesus the Messiah. That leads to a belief, a trust, a hope that one day that same Lord Jesus Messiah will return for those who persevere in faith, love, hope in Him.

Circumstances change. People change. God and His Son, Jesus Christ, do not change, and are therefore worthy objects of our faith, love, and hope.

So one can work in faith, labor from our sacrificial love (produced by God in us), and endure in hope that God will follow through on His promises. And all of that is based on the rock-solid Lord, Jesus Messiah.

Who do you give thanks for when you pray? Do you especially pray for those who "work from faith, labor out of love, and persevere in hope"? Who could you give thanks for and pray for today? Would you pray these Christian graces and these actions for me today? (Thanks.)

Would Paul pray for you because of these characteristics? Would other believers see these things in your life and give thanks for you because they see the nature of God and the character of God being produced in your life?

Let work be produced from your faith in Jesus. Show labor prompted by your love of Jesus and those He loves. And continue in endurance with assured hope in Jesus that He will follow through on His promises in time. He is something you can "bank" on. Will you?

GRACE TO YOU

Years ago now, I went to a Christian missions conference. And one song they did was this: Grace to you, grace to God, God's great grace to you. As you walk through this life, through joy or strife, God's grace, God's grace to you." (I think a second verse was "peace to you ...")

This often was a greeting we find in Paul's letters. In fact, a very common greeting among believers in the early church was grace and peace.

In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul greeted this church with those words.

Apparently Paul, his ministry partner, Silas (2nd missionary journey), and Timothy were the ones sending their greeting to this church in Thessalonica. Silas or Timothy may have been Paul's secretary (technically called an "amanuensis") for the writing of this letter.

Paul writes to the church or assembly of the Thessalonians. Why were they a church? Because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) and His Father God. A church is a church only as they are those who have accepted faith in God through Jesus. A church is a church only as it follows the teachings of God and Jesus. Otherwise ... well ...

If you look back at Acts 17:1-9, you find the beginning of the church in Thessalonica by Paul. Paul goes to a Jewish synagogue, as was his pattern and teaches about Jesus being the Messiah that they were looking forward to. He was there 2-3 weeks. It says he was there for three Sabbath days, reasoning with them about Jesus being Messiah.

Some believed him and accepted the message about Jesus, including some Jews, God-fearing Greeks (Gentiles) and several prominent women.

But a problem arose and Paul and Silas had to leave this city. Jason, who had hosted Paul (he was a person of peace--see Luke 10 for this idea), was taken into custody but released. Paul and Silas moved on to Berea to continue their missionary work--evangelism and church planting.

But a church apparently formed from those who accepted the message of Jesus as Messiah. Was it Jason who helped it form? Was it the God-fearers and prominent women? Probably. (Remember, Paul was only there a maximum of three weeks, according to Acts 17.) So in time, Paul writes this letter to the church in Thessalonica that had formed and was meeting.

Now back in 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul writes a greeting which is also a blessing, "Grace and peace to you." Grace is the mercy and favor given by God. It is not deserved or earned, but granted as a gift from God. The Thessalonians had received it, but Paul is blesses them with this reminder they had it and a prayer that God would continue to give them His grace in days to come as well.

Peace is not the absence of conflict, but strength and a feeling of "all-rightness" even in the midst of conflict. It is based on one's relationship with Jesus the Messiah. If you have this relationship, you can have peace inside even when turmoil is occurring. Jesus had it, and we need it. Paul here reminds the Thessalonians that they possessed it but also blessed them by asking that more be given them. Thus Paul begins with this blessing, this prayer, this greeting--"Grace and peace to you." And all because of Jesus the Messiah and His Father God. It is a blessing and a gift of God granted through His Son, Jesus.

So today, I greet you and bless you by asking for grace and peace to be yours today, as you go through whatever you will go through. May you feel the favor of God and the overwhelming peace that only God can give as your day progresses. And as you read this, I hope you will also give this as a prayer for me too--that I will experience and feel these as my day progresses.

Bless someone today by asking for grace and peace for them, even if you do it silently. Or say it to them, as a blessing and a reminder. Maybe you need to write someone or some former church, like Paul did here, to greet them with this wonderful blessing.

Grace and peace, my friend! All because of Jesus the Messiah and God His Father.

WAITING IS NOT EASY

I think waiting is the hardest thing we do. Maybe not, but that is what I am experiencing now.

It has now been three months that I have been unemployed. I resigned my church effective September 1st and now it is December 1st. And I seem to be no closer to my next step--my next assignment--the next call of God than I was three months ago. As I hear of unemployment statistics--(by the way, pastors who resign are not able to get unemployment, at least not to my knowledge)--I understand why they talk of people just giving up looking for jobs after they have tried for some time. People just wonder if anything they can do will help and wonder if anyone cares. I guess this experience has been one in which I, at least to some extent, understand people going through job searches.

Today I feel no closer to the next step than three months ago. I wonder whether I have missed the call of God when He called. I have done supply preaching about every other week, but no one has called back. One that was pursuing me however, I closed the door, just not feeling God's move in that way. Did I miss it--miss something?

I have felt myself in limbo--caught between here and there. I feel known but not known. I feel like I have some acquaintances but few real friends or people who know me. I feel indecisive or weak. I feel like I do not know how to make myself known--almost like Elijah felt when he felt like the "only one of God's prophets left"--so that even God did not know He existed. (Neither of these, however, was or is true.)

I have some people who have given me advice, and at times, I even feel like Job with the advice of his friends (were they really his friends?).

Am I supposed to plant a church? Am I supposed to pastor an existing congregation? Am I supposed to teach? Am I supposed to go back to substitute teaching (Yech!) or work at some secular job, and if so, what skills do I have with all of my years of ministry fulltime (33 since seminary and two years before that)? What am I supposed to do when I grow up (I'm 60 by the way)?

I read an article online today of a church planter who talked about giving up fulltime ministry and seeking to work in the secular world. He is retraining himself to do computer programming, but he talked about how hard it is to find a job and do that which he is in process of doing--especially in our economy today. (By the way, he is not 60.)

Does God have a plan in all of this? Well, of course He does. But there are times when we cannot see it or feel it or touch it. And that is hard for people who so often live by five senses, and that includes religious workers as well.

Today I played guitar and sang. I sang Michael W. Smith's, "This is the Air I Breathe." And I guess at this point, I am "desperate" for Him--for God, for His Presence, for His Purpose to be fulfilled and His direction to be made known. I sang another of my favorites, Dallas Holm's, "Waiting."

"Can't see the light at the end of the tunnel; can't see that far down the road.

Waiting in darkness, I'm tempted to stumble; weary from bearing this road.

Desperately weighing all of my options; scheming to find my own way.

But after all my planning is over, this is the most I can say:

Lord, I'm waiting, I'm waiting,

and I'm not gonna move til I'm able to prove Your will.

Lord, I'm waiting, waiting; listening for You with my heart."

I also sang "Spirit Song,"

"Oh may the Lord of God enfold you, with His Spirit and His love.

May He fill your life and satisfy your soul.

Oh may He have the things that hold you,

and His Spirit like a dove

will descend upon your life and make you whole.

Jesus, Jesus, come and fill your lambs;

Jesus, Jesus, come and fill your lambs."

I am a lamb needing filling by the Spirit today.

Does anyone really know that I am here? Does God know where I am? Of course He does, even if others do not or even if they do not acknowledge me or in their busyness, do not notice this plight. We all live busy lives, focused on our things. And we often do not hear those who are not squeaky wheels. Squeaky wheels draw attention to themselves.

Unfortunately, I too have been so busy with life at times to not notice when others around me are hurting, struggling, have needs spiritual, financial, emotional, etc. Is that a lesson I am learning through all of this? I hope so, but who knows? It may be forgotten when I am through this crisis.

Yes, there are some possiblities--in January or February or ? In the meantime, I wait. I wait on God to supply in the meantime. I wait on God to give me directions to go. I wait on God to help me know what I can do in the waiting time.

You ever have an experience like this? Probably. What did you learn from it? And what did you learn that could help others around you cope when they go through something similar or something very different? Or when we work through the time of waiting, do we just forget it and move on, instead of it being an opportunity for us to disciple others--minister to others--support others? (2 Corinthians 1 talks of letting our experiences be later times for us to minister to others.)

"Waiting--and I'm not gonna move til I'm able to prove Your will."

God, I'm still waiting.

GIVE THANKS!

"Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son."

Today I give thanks because I am not worthy to be in the presence of the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah said in Is. 6, "Woe is me. I am a man of unclean lips and live among people of unclean lips (and unclean lives--my paraphrase).

Who is worthy to be in the presence of total holiness--"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord"? No one, on our own. But God made a provision. As with Isaiah in chapter 6, God made a way for cleansing to occur. In Is. 6, an angel of God came and brought cleansing, but the New Testament provision was the Messiah, Jesus. "For God so loved the whole world that He gave His one and only, unique, one-of-a-kind Son, Jesus ..."

"Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son."

"And now, let the weak say, "I am strong."

Let the poor say, "I am rich" because of what the Lord has done."

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12, "For when I am weak, I am strong." In Isaiah 61, Messiah would bring good to those who were left out. He would provide for their needs. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, God would "bless the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, etc."

We are only strong and rich because of what the LORD has done. Not of ourselves--not of our power or riches or abilities. All because of Him and His provisions.

Not worthy or able to be in the presence of One totally Holy. Not able to provide for our needs whether emotionally, physically or spiritually. That is the human being--one created by God. We cannot create ourselves in any way, from beginning to end--from birth to death. It is all of God.

Worthy only because of God and His provision through His Son Jesus the Messiah.

So today--Thanksgiving--give thanks with a grateful heart--give thanks to the Holy One, the Righteous One, the Providing One, the Giver who is also LORD and Master of all. Give thanks for what you can NOT provide for yourself. And that is everything.

So should we not, on this day above all, but really on every day, give thanks to God. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness and covenant love is everlasting." (Ps. 100; 136)

Yes, truly give thanks for His provisions for YOU today and throughout your time on earth, and afterward as well.

"Give thanks, give thanks, give thanks."

THANK YOU!!!!

Tribute to Mary Meek--My Sister

I have not blogged in some time. Today I want to share with you the sermon I preached last week at my sister, Mary Meek's, memorial service in Florida.

October 22, 2011

We gather today as family and friends to celebrate the life of Mary Meek. Those of you who believe in God do not grieve “as those who have no hope.” Because we believe that Mary too
knew Jesus, and is with God in heaven because of that faith—that belief in Jesus Christ. Therefore, I expect to see my sister once again when my day of death comes.
Mary had a very full life for 76 years. Wife to Don, mother to James and Tina, grandmother to Jesse and Elizabeth. (Mary’s middle name was Elizabeth). She was the third child of the six of Cecil and Vesta White. I am her baby brother.

Mary worked at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC upon her graduation from college. She later worked for many years for Senator Hartke of Indiana. Then she and her husband, Jim, began a business, the Ad Agency, where she served on the business side. While later living in Hawaii, she helped begin a nursery in their home and worked for a lawyer. After Jim’s death, she married Don Meek, the doctor who delivered both of her children years before in Washington, DC. With Don, she lived a very full life of travel to such places as the Panama Canal as
well as other places in the US for doctor’s conventions. Don gave her the best care during the past 9 years of her fight with cancer. We all are grateful for him.

James (her son) called her Omni—interesting nickname for his Mom. As a teenager, he began calling her “OmniMom because of who she was and all the incredible things she did everyday. She always knew the right answers and the right things to do and say.” As he said, eventually he cut it to Omni and it stuck. He said, “She was as much as an earthly mother could ever know or do, my Omni.” Pretty good name, for omni means” all,” and Mary was “all” to so many. She was all wife, all mother, all friend, all poet and writer, professional. In her life, she seems to have done many things, and done them all quite well.

A few years ago, she got information about each member of the Bradley (my mother’s family) and compiled a book for a family reunion about each one—first and second generation. Lots of good family history there.

When I graduated from 8th grade, Mary worked for Senator Hartke, and she paid my way as a
reward to Washington, DC where she spent a week of vacation with me, showing me famous sites. Some places, like the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, where our money is printed, she had not been to before that herself. She treated me to concerts of Peter, Paul and Mary at Rock Creek Park, the musical “Oliver” at the National Theater, trips to Smithsonian, the Capitol, Washington’s home at Mt Vernon, and many other great places. What a great week to spend with my sister, and to learn of the history in our nation’s capitol! It was also my first airplane flight, flying alone. What an adventure, and Mary loved to have adventures.

Later after my kids were born, whenever Mary visited us, she would always bring “a little something.” That meant she had brought a little gift, generally not of much monetary value, but something thoughtful she thought would be liked. Certainly it was her way of expressing love to us—all of us. The last “little something” that she brought me was back in August when she brought a coffee mug with a picture of her and Don on it, and it said, “Enjoy coffee with Mary and Don.” It is one of the last pictures I have of my sister, and it is the one I will cherish the most as
I drink my coffee and remember my sister who loved me and who I loved back. Mary, thanks for the memories and the adventures and the “little somethings.”

When Mary lived in Washington, she went to church at National Presbyterian Church with senators and others. Since I was in ministry then, she gave me a book about love written by her pastor. I cherish that book because of who gave it to me.

Mary may have been Omni to her kids and to some here, but she knew the great Omni of all—God. One who is Omnipotent—all-powerful; One who is Omniscient—all-knowing; One who is Omnipresent—always present and available. That is why prayer is available to us—because God is all powerful to effect circumstances; all knowing and all caring for each one of us; and always present, therefore available whether we walk strongly through this world or walk “through the valley of the shadow of death,” as Mary did last Sunday, on her birthday.

I want to read some Scripture to remind us of the Omni-God today. Only He can give us comfort and strength to cope with the loss to us that Mary’s death brings. Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the
sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Mary went back to be with God Sunday when earthly death came upon her. She is in His presence now.

I am also reminded of Proverbs 31 when I think of Mary. “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” I believe Mary lived to bring “good, not harm, to all of us, all the days of her life.” She lived to serve us and help us. We are grateful for that and better for that.

I also am reminded of Revelation 14:13, which says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Many of us will continue to be blessed by the good deeds that she did toward us. And that is a legacy Mary leaves to family and friends whose lives she touched. We are better people because of Mary’s touch, and hopefully we too will pass along those good deeds to others as we live our life on earth.

I think Mary would point us to God today as we grieve and feel lost. We cannot talk to her and touch her and see her now. But we have many good memories and through a relationship with the Son of God, Jesus, we can be assured of heaven and get to see Mary again.

Many years ago, Robert Morris made this statement. It is a good reminder to us today. He said, “I hate funerals, and would not attend my own if it could be avoided, but it is well for every man to stop once in a while to think of what sort of a collection of mourners he is training for his final
event.”

Life on earth is short—76 years is not really a long time compared to eternity. My parents lived almost 92 and 100 years, but again, very short in comparison. But while there is time, you and I have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those we touch. We have a chance to help people learn to live for the best and better things of life. We have a chance to reach out to God and help others reach out to God-- for His friendship, His help, His love. NOW is the time—we never know when our day will come to leave—but it will. We only have NOW to influence
others in right ways.

How is your life different because Mary Meek touched you? And how will others lives you touch be different because you touched them?

Thanks God for Mary. Thank you for touching us through her. And thank you for touching her, so that she is with you today. That gives me comfort and strength to go on. And that gives me a challenge to touch others for “good and not for evil”—that when my day comes, the mourners will be there who say, “He made a difference in my life.”

“Thanks be to God who gives us the victory over death through our Lord, Jesus Christ!”
Let’s pray.

HELP!

So often when bad circumstances come, our prayer or our cry is "Help--get me out of this!" But what would be a better response? (Now, I am not a sadist, ok?)

Ephesians 6:19-20--Paul writes, "Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I may fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." (NIV)

Paul is writing while imprisoned. Paul is not free to come and go as he wishes. Yet he is not asking for prayer for escape here nor for release. He asks for pray to seize the moment--to make the most of this opportunity that may only come in this way. Similar to what he talks of in Philippians 1, where he told of opportunities and fruit that came because of his imprisonment.

"God, where are you?" So often we wonder this and we even ask this when in turmoil or hardship. But what was the attititude of Paul? "God, use this circumstance for your glory and as an opportunity that some will come to know and worship You."

When I am in turmoil, I can curse God. Or I can complain to God. Or I can pour out my bitterness about what I am going through. But you and I, those who are believers in Christ, at least have another choice. We can pray for God to use this suffering and pain in the lives of others around us, especially those who do not yet know the gospel as we know the gospel.

When I curse and complain and whine, I am just like others in the world. I am no different from everyone else. The world doesn't need that model--they already have enough of those. They need models of faith--models of conquerors through Jesus--models of how to live above circumstances BECAUSE of a genuine worship and belief in God. That is where we are "peculiar" people--using the words of King James Old Testament. I like to use the word "weird." Weird people because despite circumstances, we continue to have faith--to believe--to trust--to look up to God and look to Him to help us be witnesses of His goodness, His grace, His mercy, His love.

The gospel is a mystery! Why would a Holy God love a little, sinful person like me? Why would the Son of God come to earth to model a life of faith in God for people who so often turn away from God's ways of living life? Why would Jesus, a perfect person, be willing to die for my wrongdoing and your wrongdoing when He never did any wrongdoing? That is a mystery worth investigating! If you are interested in philosophy, here is a wonderful philosophy worth checking out and "loving the chase--loving the wisdom" of learning more.

"Fearlessly make it known--declare it fearlessly as I should." Paul's request for prayer is that he would not get sidetracked from what he should do while the circumstances are not good. (By the way, we often get sidetracked when the circumstances are good also--riches, wealth, houses and lands often lead us to trust in ourselves and our stuff rather than relying on God. We think, we've got all we need, so we forget who was the Provider of it all.)

Get me out of this, or help me make the most of this opportunity to demonstrate God's love, God's provision and God's faithfulness? Which is the BEST choice for the follower of Jesus?

Does it take prison for us to realize this? Does it take bad health or hardships at work or loss of a job? But what could be our prayer or could we have others pray for us as we go through normal trials of life that everyone experiences at one time or another? Could it be that we would be bold declarers of the mystery that we understand about Jesus?

How could God use your circumstances today to fearlessly make known Him and His gospel?

GO SO THEY WILL COME

Go so they will come. That would be the need now. But sometimes, they will come now, and that is exciting when they come--and come for the right reasons.

I began reading Isaiah the other day, and when I came to chapter 2, verses 1-5, I had to pause and reflect. I hope you will do the same.

"In the last days"--does this refer to now or the future reign and rule of God--a time when time here is no more? Would be great if these things would characterize now!

God's mountain--God's temple raised above all others--chief--most important. Notice in the NIV, "all nations will stream to it." (v. 2)

Quite a contrast here--God's temple on His mountain raised to the highest, and yet the nations STREAM to it. Normally streams stream down, not up. Obviously the idea of many moving toward God--but taken literally, and even truthfully, this would be a work of God. Only God can make a stream run up--and only God can cause people to come to Him and worship Him for the right reasons.

All nations--God is all about people from every nation worshiping Him--listening to Him--obeying Him. In Genesis 12, God told Abram that through him and his family all the nations would be blessed. The Great Commission says to make disciples of "all nations." None is to be left out.

But how will the nations hear "without a preacher"--and preacher doesn't just mean those ordained to the gospel ministry by a church. Every believer should be a preacher. (I believe the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20, is for everyone, not just the apostles and not just for those the church calls to preach/teach/lead).

The nations are all around us. Look at the names of the doctors in your community. Look at the names of those who run the motels (or own them). In fact, we have almost always been a nation of nations since the founding fathers came here from another nation. So should we not share with those from other nations? That is us! When they hear--when they see this in us--when they feel our Christian love and our walk matching our talk, some will come to worship the same Lord we do. In fact, many already do.

Notice here why the many peoples will come to the mountain/temple of the Lord. (v. 3) "He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths." They go to be taught by God. But they go not just to be taught. They go to learn in order to DO. Teaching/learning is not enough by itself. We should learn about God and learn His ways in order to obey them, perform them, live them. (Sounds a bit like the last of the Great Commission--"teaching them to obey all that I commanded you."

Today, so many go for the wrong reasons. They go to hear the good preaching or teaching. They go to enjoy the good music and praise. (Actually God should hear our praise.) They go to see friends, to make contacts, to get an emotional high. Some of these could be ok, but a major reason to go is in order to learn to do--to live for Him--to be changed by God's teaching to be more like Him and live His ways HERE IN THIS WORLD.

I notice also in v. 4 that God will cause the fighting one day to cease. He will cause people to make implements of war into implements to grow crops and to harvest. But God also wants this now, as He wants believers to get on His agenda, and quit the fighting and bickering about things that don't really matter. He wants us to quit quarreling over petty things and to do so to get on with His agenda, and be models and examples for others of what it looks like to have Him as our Lord, Master, Ruler. Some believers today, even in churches, need to "beat their swords into plowshares" and to get with God's purpose of making disciples and teaching people to obey God rather than their agendas which do not honor God.

This mountain/temple/church is not My church. It is God's! Therefore, the purpose and agenda should be all about Him and not about me (and you).

As more people of the world come to seek God, then "nation will not rise against nation nor train for war." Instead they will learn from God and obey what He is teaching. Part of that message is to be united and get along, to forgive and cooperate.

And v. 5 says to "walk in the light of the LORD." God is a god of light--of goodness--of righteousness--of love, peace, joy, mercy. As we learn about (and from) Him and obey Him, we become like Him also. We become people who live His light--His goodness, righteousness, love, peace, joy, mercy toward others. We are called to live our lives to honor Him--be those who reflect Him to others. That would be more than just on Sundays--it would be 24/7.

When we take up God's agenda, and live it out, we are those who draw others to Him--help others see Him--help others want Him. We reflect the one we are most like.

So what can you and I do to prepare for this time, if indeed it is a time after a return of the Lord? (Some believe, 2nd coming of Christ) One thing I notice is that they WANTED TO GO to Him for the right reasons. We need to let His agenda, His purposes, Him be what we want, and then obey. We also need to WANT to go--WANT to learn--WANT to be changed and obey.

Prepare the nations for this time. They are all around you, even now. Reread this passage in light of Genesis 12:1-3 and Matthew 28:18-20, and see how God may want YOU to live it out.

THOSE WHO CAN DO--THOSE WHO CAN'T TEACH

Heard this statement long ago and I really don't like it! "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." The idea is that those who are able to perform in a job or a vocation, do that. Salesman sell and businessmen do a business. But those who are not able to sell or run their business instead go into teaching others to do these things. It says that the successful people perform in the field of study; others who can not perform have to teach others. I don't like that, and I don't believe that. Maybe one reason is that I am gifted and skilled in teaching. And it is a spiritual gift given to some to teach. (See Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, and Ephesians 4:11-13)

But as I get older, I realize that there is some truth in this also. Those who have learned to do in ministry and the church teach others or should teach others to do ministry. But that is not just something that should wait til the minister gets older and is unable to "do" ministry anymore. Ephesians 4:11-13 says that the gifts to the church, the "apostles, prophets, evangelists and the pastors/teachers" are given to the church to "equip the saints (everyday believers) for the work of ministry" so that the "body of Christ will be build up."

Too often, though, we have seen this as just preaching or leading a Bible study for others. Has this equipping occurred from this style we've depended on for so many years? Look at the state of the church in our country today, and tell me what you see. Do we see the church growing, reaching, making disciples, so that the "gates of hell shall not prevail against it"? Maybe there is a need to spend more time "making disciples" and "teaching them to observe (obey)" than has been done just in two or three sermons per week.

But too often, too, I think we have seen teaching, whether the pastor doing the teaching or Sunday school teachers doing the teaching as "imparting knowledge" rather than helping people be "transformed by the renewing of their minds" (Romans 12:2) or seeing "life change" (a term thrown about today a lot). "Transformation" requires time, and energy, and as is said today, "life on life." It is, again, as is often said today, "doing life together." If focuses on the quality and time in relationships--time being together, time doing together, time challenging one another to live out the faith, live out the truth found in Scripture. It is found in being "missional" (another catch-phrase today), doing missions together--God's mission--"making disciples, baptizing, teaching to obey Christ's teaching."

I like the verses in 1 Thessalonians 2 (esp. 7 ff), where Paul talks about "doing life together." He says, "we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that were delighted to share with you NOT ONLY THE GOSPEL OF GOD, but OUR LIVES AS WELL, because you had become so dear to us." (NIV)

Discipling (another catch-phrase today)--not just imparting knowledge through preaching and teaching, but as the gospel is shared, sharing our LIVES as well. Being transparent about our struggles living the gospel, so that others can be open and honest about theirs. But then challenging one another to grow and mature and change. Being accountable to others who will pray for us, encourage us, live life among us, so that we will learn to "live out" the teachings of
Scripture.

It should be that in all of life, whether "pastors or teachers" or regular people in all walks of life, believers should seek to be equipped and to "equip others for the work of ministry." It seems that this is the way that the "gates of hell shall not prevail against" Christ's church.

How are you "doing life together" with others? And how are you "equipping others to do the work of ministry"? You shouldn't have to be old to do this or unable to "do" anymore, in order to teach and equip others. You should just be faithful, available, and teachable to God and by God. (2 Timothy 2:2)

"As you go, make disciples; as you go baptized; as you go teach them to obey Christ's teachings." (Matthew 28:19-20) Not just for the old but for every believer, every follower of Christ.

Those who can should do; but those who can do also should teach!

Where are you in this? "The gospel of God, but also your very life as well--shared."

Here's How It Works!

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

“And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and even to the remotest parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

College students—but they got it. They invited—they brought—they found seekers—and the seekers had their lives changed.

Mary Jo was an English major. She had classes with a guy named Steve. Mary Jo had the Lord in her life. Steve did not. She brought him to our church and Christian small group. And Steve came to know Christ.

Two years later, Steve brought his brother to “fun things” because Mark really was not into Christian things—like Bible studies and worship. But eventually, through meeting other believers at the fun stuff, and through the invitations from his brother, Mark came and accepted Christ.

Mark, a couple of years later, had a new roommate. Mark invited Shane to our group, because Shane seemed lonely and in need of friends. Shane learned a lot about Jesus, and one day I got to lead him to Christ.

Notice the four generations of Christians—from Mary Jo to Steve to Mark to Shane. Sounds a bit like 2 Timothy 2:2 in action. “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

The chain kept extending and three new believers came out of this all. The angels in heaven rejoiced (Luke 15)

But that was not the end of the story.

Mark, who was president of our Christian group, had a poster on his door, inviting people to Baptist Student Union. One day Mark was in the hall, and an international from Thailand stopped Mark and asked him, “Are you one of them? Are you one of those who read the Bible?”

Mark said, “Well yes, I am.”

And Tanitje, a Buddhist, said to him, “I would like to study the words of Jesus.”

So Mark found time to meet with Tanitje and read and explain, as best he could, the words of Jesus. But summer came, and Mark was going home. Tanitje (nicknamed To) wanted to continue, so Mark found a female student who would be there in the summer. And she met and explained the words of Jesus to him.

When both Mark and Jenny were leaving campus, they asked me if I would meet with him, and of course, I did. We studied in the gospel of Mark.

In chapter 1 of that gospel, Jesus called Simon and Andrew, fisherman to follow Him. Simon and Andrew had to leave their family and their family business to follow Jesus. And it said, “At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Mk 1:18 NIV)

Now to be Thai is to be Buddhist. For a person to accept Jesus would be turning your back on family and culture and nation. But the very second week I met with To, that was the challenge in the words of Jesus that we read. And I thought, “God, you are not making it easy.” It would be a very big challenge to someone to leave family, culture, and nation behind if he came to follow Jesus.

When I was called away to a ministry in another part of our state, I turned over the “studying the words of Jesus” to a professor friend of mine, Larry, who met with To until he left to go back home.

Through all of that time with Mark and Jenny and me and Larry, To still did not, to my knowledge, follow Jesus, though he had the interest to “study the words of Jesus.” I emailed him a few times when he got back home, and even had some friends of mine look him up when they were in Thailand to teach English. But, as far as I know, he was exposed to the teachings of Jesus, but didn’t accept.

But this is how it works and how it should work. We pass along the message from one person to another person to another person. It reminds me of a wonderful chorus that was popular when I was a teenager. “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it. You spread His love to everyone; you want to pass it on.”

One by one by one. For some, that leads to changed life and a path to heaven. For others, it leads to, at least, hearing the words of Jesus. We all must decide for ourselves. The college students “got it”—the how of sharing and bringing and being with others. Do we?

Blog closing

Since I will be leaving the church as pastor, effective September 1st, I am closing this blog down. To continue reading posts from me, go to samspews.blogspot.com

I will continue to write and share on that blog. Hope you will find it, join in, enjoy it and be challenged.

Sam

LEAVE, TRUST, BLESS

LEAVE, TRUST, BLESS

When has God told you something illogical or scary? What did you do when it happened? (Genesis 12:1-4)

Abram—son of Terah. (End of chapter 11) Had left home, Ur of Chaldees with father and wife and nephew, Lot. Settled for a while in Haran—Terah died. Were on their way to Canaan before.

Now God comes to Abram. Leave your country, people and father’s household. Where? Didn’t say yet. Leave—all that is familiar—all comforts you have—even family members behind.

1) At times, God tells us to leave our comforts behind to follow Him. What most gives you security? What do you cherish most? What do you count on more than anything else—even God? Leave it all behind!

The challenge for the believer is to follow God above everything else—to cherish God above all else—to trust God above everything.

“But where God?”

2) Go to the land I will show you—For Abraham, they went in the direction that they had been going before—with his father—toward Canaan.

Henry Blackaby says in Experiencing God, “when you are not sure where the next step of God’s will is, you follow the last thing God told you, until God closes that door.” You pursue God in the same directions until God changes the plan.

Now, you have to be sure that is God’s plan and not just that you are getting comfortable—the easies—the path with the least problems. But you also have to note that sometimes, God uses the problems to move you into another path—a path with more challenges, but also more rewards.

We often do not have the whole plan at the time—but God wants us to trust Him on the journey—trust Him above knowing the plan—knowing where—knowing the next step. We have to trust God—not ourselves. We have to trust God—not our comfort. We have to trust God for the next step and the next breath in life. “Go to the land I will show you.” As you move along, God will show you when He wants you to “stop and sit a spell.”

Blackaby says “to know God’s will, you have to seek to know God. We need to know God more than to know His will.”

In Jeremiah, we find this: Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me,” (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NIV)

Would you say that you know God? Have to keep seeking God—keep reading His Word and praying and obeying to come to know God personally.

3) Trusting God will bring blessing.
a. Some of that blessing will be for you—“I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you and make your name great.”
b. But part of that blessing is for the benefit of others—“You will be a blessing –on peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Certainly for Abram, this meant the Jewish race and Jesus the Messiah, who would come to bless the world.
i. Notice the blessing is not just for you—you are to be a blessing to others. Song, “Blessed to Be a Blessing.”
ii. If you being blessed but not being a blessing to others, that is sin—that is wrong—that is not God’s intention. Song—“Is Your Life a Channel of Blessing?”
c. The blessing comes as we trust God and obey Him. The blessings come as we leave and go where God tells us.
d. The blessing does not come when we are disobedient—for us or for others. Who should be blessed because of your life?

God told Abram to leave comfort and security and home behind. God told Abram to trust Him for the next step—trust Him along the way—Trust Him above everything else. And God told Abram for doing that—he would be blessed AND be a blessing to others also.

4) So Abram left, as the LORD had told him.

Could we say that of you? Did you leave it behind for God? Did you trust God above all comfort and security? As God has blessed you, have you been a blessing to others?

Could be a new task within the church God wants you to do. Could be a new way of doing something that God has not shown you yet. Could be tithing or making a new friend to cultivate for Christ. Could be to invite neighbors to your home to make friends. Could be to make time to get acquainted with some of the Hispanics in our community. Could be—you fill in the blank.

That is discipleship—that is following Jesus—that is making disciples of all nations—that is passing along what you have learned to faithful people who will pass it along to other faithful people.

What is God saying to you today?

Because of You

You are God's gift to me, and I'm His gift to you.
Together we can be more than we could see
Because He first loved us.

Because of you, submission feels like freedom.
Alongside you, serving gives me joy.
Because of you, life's journey is a pleasure.
You point me to the Lord.
Yes, you point me to the Lord.

All love is meant to grow, and your love's overflow
Has brought my heart great cheer with children we hold dear,
Because He first loved us.

Because of you, I love the Lord more dearly.
Alongside you, I feed upon His word.
Because of you, I see the Way more clearly.
You point me to the Lord.
Yes, you point me to the Lord.

The years have come and gone. Life's storms have made us strong.
The two we used to be, God molded into "we,"
Because He first loved us!

Because of you, submission feels like freedom.
Alongside you, serving gives me joy.
Because of you, life's journey is a pleasure.
You point me to the Lord.
I'm so glad you point me to the Lord!

HAPPY 34th ANNIVERSARY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!

To Faithful Ones

Today a longer post--my sermon from last Sunday (Aug. 7, 2011). Some is sketchy--sermon notes:

In marriage, we are to be faithful to our spouse and faithful to our vows. In contracts and commitments to others, we are to stick with what we said--be faithful to them. And with our God we are to be faithful in our commitment as well. Paul talks about that in 2 Timothy 2:1-7.

Paul--writing to Timothy, a young pastor--close relationship between the two. A discipling relationship. Paul getting ready to die and no longer be available to Timothy, so he leaves behind his last words of advice.

Be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus--Is easy to get sidetracked from grace to works--from grace to law. We are though, saved by grace--not anything we do--not anything we earn or deserve. And Timothy, as well as any other follower, is to continue to live by grace--not law, not works--but all by the grace provided for us through Jesus Christ.

Paul is reminding a pastor of this--Timothy. No one is immune to living life the wrong way for God--even pastors and church leaders.

v. 2 A verse about discipleship--following faithfully--being true to God and His kingdom purposes.

Paul said, "You've heard me say these things when many had gathered, but not everyone has heard or heeded. Even believers sometimes don't hear and heed." "So what does Paul tell Timothy to do, if this is true? "Entrust what is important--entrust the teachings to those who will be faithful." Reliable men--trustworthy people--people who will hear and heed.

Several times in life I have heard that what a disciplemaker is to look for in a disciple consists of three things--summarized by the letters "FAT."

1) Faithful--reliable--people you can count on--people who listen and heed--people who obey God.

2) Available--Many people are too busy. Many are not interested because they are involved in other things and they will not make time--not give time to God and His purposes. Those who are not available to the disciplemaker will only waste his or her time in a relationship that is designed to help the person grow. Genuine followers don't HAVE time; they MAKE time! It is that important to them.

3) Teachable--Some people, even believers at times, have their minds made up. They are not teachable by someone attempting to help them grow in the Lord, nor are they teachable when God speaks directly or indirectly to them. Many of these will give up reading God's Word or attending Bible study or worship. Many of them will give a discipler their time but then won't attempt to make any changes, even when God shows them what and how to do it. Teachable.

Timothy is told to look for those who are faithful--available--teachable. Those who are really serious about their faith and growing in their relationship with the Lord. But there is another part of verse 2 also. Paul said look for those who are faithful to teach others--concerned with the lives of others who need the Lord and need to grow in faith.

Just knowing should not be enough for a believer--and it WILL not be enough for a disciple. The disciple--the real follower of Christ--will want to pass on what he/she has learned to someone else. Hymn--"Because I Have Been Given Much, I Too Must Give." I must share--I must teach others and pass along the goodness of God to others who need the goodness of God."

Paul says to Timothy, "spend time sharing with those who will be faithful to bear fruit--who will be faithful to pass the message--pass Jesus--pass the kingdom of God along to others."

Then Paul gives three examples of commitment like this:

1) A good soldier--wants to please the commanding officer--so he does not get sidetracked by things that aren't important. Endure hardship, sharing Jesus like a good soldier.

2) A winning athlete--It takes dedication to be that. It takes listening to the coach--and working hard--and faithfully doing what is necessary--refraining from many things that hinder or do not help. It also takes living by the rules. God sets the rules--He is the player/coach. If you don't play by God's rules you don't win the race God wants for you.

3) A hardworking farmer--He gets his work done--he gets his crop to produce. He bears fruit. If he is a tenant farmer--working for someone else--he works hard to benefit not only himself and his family but also his employer as well. When the owner succeeds, the tenant succeeds. The Owner is God.

This is faithfulness--this is working to bear fruit--this is focus on others not just self. This is being faithful, available and teachable. And Paul especially is talking about bearing fruit for our Lord.

When a person is really involved in growing and maturing in God's work, he/she doesn't have time to cause disunity and problems. They are seeking to unite with others to see God's tasks accomplished.

Verse 7 is the invitation for Timothy and us. "Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight in all this." Listen to what Paul says and see whether it rings true from God, or is it just the babbling of a man--a preacher? What will you do with this?

Are YOU a faithful one--passing it along to others who will pass it and Him along?

MY PASSION

As I seek the Lord, here is the vision He is sharing with me. It comes out of whose I am and who I am.

I am sixty years old. At this point in my ministry, I am not about numbers but about life change. I am about not attenders but disciples. I am not about sitters but about actors for God.

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” I am not just about one church or one city; I am about the peoples of the entire world that Jesus died for, out of God’s love for them. (John 3:16) The church in America is in desperate need—the people in America are in desperate need—but they also need to embrace a worldwide, a global vision, as the task they are called to by Christ.

I am also about not how many people are in one church, but how many believers are in one Christian. I am about not how many walnuts are on one tree but how many trees are in one walnut and on one walnut tree.

I have to be about discipling. (2 Timothy 2:2) I am at the same point as Paul was—nearing the end of ministry, possibly. But I am passing along what I have learned to everyone, but especially to the faithful who will be faithful to pass it along to other faithful ones who are able (and willing and empowered) to teach others.

I “pray the Lord of the harvest to thrust out more workers into His harvest field.” (Luke 10:2) Many of those workers are not yet reached. They are not yet saved. They need to be discipled to become followers of Jesus. They then need to be discipled to spiritual infants and spiritual children and spiritual adults who will then get on board to disciple others. Many within the church have been believers for many years, but have not progressed beyond spiritual infancy and spiritual children.

What I am about is life change—transformation. What I am about is quality not quantity—not just baptisms and new believers, but believers that are equipped to be workers and disciplemakers of others. What I am about is not just the church or town or state or nation that we live in, but the world—it is all God’s kingdom—it is all His purpose. He told Abram, “I will bless the nations through you.”

This is the kind of ministry or church I am seeking to be involved in. This is my vision and my purpose, given by God. As I look at myself, this is God’s gifting to me and God’s passion for me.

I am seeking now where God can use me best within His passion and purpose and vision and harvest.

Back to the Future

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Where do you live? Many people, especially as they get older, attempt to live in the past—the “good old days,” but is there a better option?

There were a series of movies years ago now titled, “Back to the Future.” They dealt with time travel to change situations that occurred. The main actor would find a situation that needed change, but the only way he could change that was to go back in time. And it was exciting to see how he went back to another time in his life or the life of others to change circumstances. Then, however, he had to return to his own time or he would be stuck in a time before he was born. And that too would alter what was going on now.

Many get stuck in time, though, and never return back to our own time (the future when you are back in time). They get stuck in old ways of doing things—the “same-old, same-old,” the familiar and well-worn paths. But they either ignore or don’t realize that the time they live in is no longer the way it once was. The world around them has changed, yet they have not grown and therefore have remained the same, and they are a person now out of time with outmoded or useless tools to cope, to create, to make their way in the new world. Such does the church and Christians find itself today.

The Israelites found themselves in such a time in Exodus. God sent them Moses to lead them out of slavery into a “land flowing with milk and honey.” But they found that the journey was not easy—the path had many turns—and they found themselves unprepared for this new world they lived in. Despite their instructions to follow Moses and the “cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night,” (God Himself or at least, God’s way of leading), they wanted to go back to Egypt. The known, even if very uncomfortable (we often forget what it was really like “back in the good old days), often becomes preferable to the unknown of what is going on now, since I need new skills to cope with what is from what was. In essence, we need faith, but we’d rather walk by what we can see and touch and do than by trusting the unseen, the untouchable, the heavenly provider. (We like to walk by sight, not by faith.) So we do all we can to go back to Egypt, to live the known, to do it the way we are comfortable with and live in the past. We do not “press on” as Paul mentioned in Philippians 3.

But maybe we need to go back to the future in the skills we have learned to cope, the tools we have been given for the journey, and then use what we have learned to live in the now and the future. Some of our skills are applicable to the present. I am finding now that small group skills I learned at the beginning of my ministry are very beneficial to leading today. I am going back to things I learned but applying them to new ways of doing in the present. That is not getting stuck in the past, but applying things from the past that may work or may aid in ministry now. There is a difference in being stuck in a rut from using what has been learned and then adapting to the now. There is a difference in “there is only one way to do this—the old way—the tried and true way—the way we did it 50 years ago,” to what things from the past are still beneficial today and what things are not. What skills are still necessary and what things or ways of doing need to be put away for the now and the future.

Sometimes today I find myself in a time warp—I live with people who either live just in the past, or live just in anticipation of the future (heaven) yet do not live in the now or for the now. (There is the old say, “There are some people that are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good”—lots of truth in that about some, even today.) And that is frustrating and not beneficial.

Adaption and change—not fun, but necessary. What have I learned from the past that can be refined, tweaked, adapted, and yet still be relevant and beneficial in the now.

I am returning again to some small group processes I learned many years ago, in ministry among college students, and finding that they are important to this generation and people looking for groups to fit into, friends to do life with, and those longing for relationship. There is a restlessness and need for others that characterizes today, and groups help supply some of that, especially in the context of the church and its ministry. Hence the importance and success of cell groups, small group ministry, groups that meet outside the church and reach those not touched by the church that concentrates within the walls of the building.

We go back for things that still work—things that are adaptable—experiences and learning (skills) that can be used to the glory of God and for His kingdom today. But we do not live in the past, nor just in the future (heaven). We live in the now with what is helpful and we consider other things “garbage” in relation to knowing Christ and living for Him now to affect others for His kingdom. (Matt. 6:33; 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:2)

Back to the future!

Guest Blog by Pam White: Rooting out Bitterness

Bitterness is a weed. It comes uninvited, hides among the good plants, and often sinks its roots deep before it is noticed. It robs the desired plants of nutrients, and mars the beauty of the carefully landscaped garden. If ignored, it may eventually suck the life out of the plants around it. Given these considerations, shouldn’t we be surprised to find that many of us actually fertilize bitterness?

Unfortunately, many people, even Christ followers, tend their mental gardens something like this:

· Replay the way you were wronged, over and over in your mind.

· Play the “if only” game as often as possible.

· Envy the good fortune of others who have not suffered as you have.

· Dwell on how unfair life has treated you.

· Determine never to trust again.

· Determine never to love again.

· Convince yourself that not loving and not trusting are “for my own protection.”

· Plan ways to get even with those who have hurt you.

Most of these are thoughts, not actions (“revenge” being the exception). Yet their destructive effect is the equivalent of pouring Miracle-Gro® on the weeds in the garden of my life!

How does God instruct me to weed my garden? The following principles are based upon His Word.

· As often as the offense invades my mind, meet it with renewed forgiveness, even if I must daily forgive my offender. Matthew 18:21-22 instructs, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

· As often as my improper response to the situation invades my mind, accept God’s forgiveness and forgive myself, even if I need to repeat it daily. Isaiah 6:7 says, “your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

· Love, even though I know it is risky. I Corinthians 13:5 says, “It [love] does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

· Learn to trust again, even though I know it is risky. I Corinthians 13:7 reads, “It [love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

· When “if only” comes to visit, accept that the past will never change. Redirect my thoughts to the present and future, which can still be impacted for good. Romans 15:7 tells me to “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Jeremiah 29:11 assures me, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

· Refuse to let my mind dwell on the source of my pain. Consciously redirect my thoughts toward the positive. Philippians 4:8 puts it this way: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

· Be thankful, even when I have to search for a reason to be so. Let my grateful thoughts become words of thanks, expressed to God and to others. Philippians 4:6, commands, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Colossians 4:2 echoes the idea with “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

· Choose happiness for the good fortune of others, rather than envy toward them. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” and Romans 12:15 carries the thought further: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

· Ask God to not let my pain be wasted. Ask Him to use it as a tool to bring about good, and to make me more like Him. Romans 8:28 assures me that “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 1 Peter 4:12-15, 19 and Matthew 5:10-12 also address this principle.

· When life gets me down, look UP to the almighty God. Psalm 121:1-2 tells me to “lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.“

· Remember that God is in control, and thank Him that I am not! Matthew 6:25-27 is an assurance of God’s wisdom and providence. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

· Wear the full armor of God. The root of bitterness tries to grow in the soil of my mind. Even though the initial attack was likely outside my mind and outside my control, the ongoing battle is very much my responsibility to fight. My success or failure depends upon whether I choose to fight in my own strength, or in the armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-17 commands, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

· Tend the fruit of the Spirit. There is little room for the root of bitterness to grow where the soil is crowded with fruit planted and tended by God. When I yield to the Holy Spirit, He will reap a beautiful harvest in my life, as described in Galatians 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Following these principles from God’s word is like applying Weed B Gon MAX® to the bitter root. God knew His children would struggle with bitterness. He has provided the gardening tools to eradicate the problem. James 1:21 says, “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

Life hurts. Yet I have options on how to respond to pain. I can choose to nurture the root of bitterness, and allow my garden to be overtaken. As the weeds slowly destroy me, they may spread to others, especially those closest to me. Or, I can choose to attack the root of bitterness, and kill the invader which attempts to root out the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life. I must keep on guard…weeds spring up daily. Therefore, I must choose daily to tend my garden with the principles found in God’s word.

HARD TRANSITIONS

There are some hard transitions in life. In fact, at many transitions in life, we want to go back to the previous stage, because we know what to expect there and do not know what to expect of the one ahead. Someone once said that we go through all of life, at least transitional stages, as amateurs. You just get good at dealing with a stage, and another one comes.

As I near or am at another transition, it becomes hard. I am at a stage where I have more knowledge and wisdom (at least I think so) than ever before. And yet, my physical stamina and energy is waning. (Maybe I just need to take off some weight and exercise more [and eat better].)

For the reason of the white hair and the age, many think I "cannot cut the mustard anymore," and maybe there is truth to that. It is frustrating to know you have so much to give, and yet not to be able to give it or to feel that others will not give you the chance to give it anymore. I guess that is what we face as we face retirement.

I still have 5-8 years before full retirement. Still lots to give--even in retirement, though in different ways from before. But the transition seems to be occurring, at least in the minds of others.

At age 60, one is not supposed to like to play choruses on his guitar--but I do. At age 60, one is supposed to be set in their ways and "old-thinking," at least in the minds of some, but I don't consider myself that way--at least not TOO much. At age 60, one is not supposed to like to learn new things, but I still do. These are generalizations, but many in the world think this is the case, I believe.

So in some ways, I feel stuck by the mindsets of others--the stereotypes of others. Not yet to the next stage, (at least I don't think so) and yet there in the minds of many others. (Sometimes I am just too philosophical--part of my personality. For those of you aware of Myers-Briggs, I am INFP and the F is about equally T).

I think I have blogged about this a bit before, in a post I titled, "Too."

As I thought about the next stage today, though, I thought that love will enter into the picture too when the next stage comes. In the winter stage, we cannot DO what we once could. We cannot perform as we once did. We cannot produce for our company or church or ... as we once did. But maybe we will be loved for a different reason.

Maybe in the winter stage of life, we will be loved and accepted not for what we can DO for others, but for WHO we are, or who we have been. And maybe that is the best stage yet. Truly loved for who we are, not just for what we can do for others.

But I guess the final stage before the final transition is one where we are loved because of who we've been. Years ago, I had some friends dealing with aging parents. One Lutheran lady gave me a definition of alzheimers that I liked, and it helped me deal with aging parents and nursing homes and life being tough. She said, "Alzheimer's is when the mind has gone on to heaven but the body has not yet followed."

I am not yet to Alzheimer's (at least to my knowledge). I am not yet to retirement (though I am beginning to look forward to it). I still have lots to give--through mentoring, through challenging other, through thinking and encouraging and teaching (my spiritual gifts--the two latter). Physically I can't do what I could, but there is still lots of value within. But still it is frustrating when others do not see that or give you a chance for that.

Maybe winter will not be so bad. Loved for who I am; not for what I can do for others anymore.

And as the transitions come, any of them, (marriage, family, empty nest, career change, aging, disability, etc.) there is a need to "walk by faith, not by sight." Faith--the evidence of things not seen--Read Galatians 2:20 and Hebrews 11.

What hard transition are you going through? Walk by faith in God and not by what you can see (or others think they see in you--they could be wrong). "Trust in the LORD (Prov. 3:5-6).

FAILURE

Failure comes to us for many reasons. As Proverbs tells us, it may come from laziness. It may arise from a lack of preparedness. It may come also from a lack of experience. Or it may come from working outside of our area of giftedness--trying to do what we were not created to be or do.

This week, I have had this feeling of failure. In Bible school, I have been working behind the scenes, attempting to run the sound and media system--not my area of expertise. Attempting to run a DVD player and a computer, moving from CD to DVD to MP3 to PowerPoints. And doing it all at another church from mine--with a sound system I am very unfamiliar with. (By the way, in the past, I have tried NOT to know much about the sound system. I have felt at my own church, there are other things I am called to do, and that is not one of them. (See Acts 6, where the apostles had a different calling from waiting on tables, so others were selected to serve in that area.) Whew! I appreciate greatly the guys who do this at our church.

Each evening, there has been some major snafu during our opening exercises. The PowerPoint didn't come up, or the music would not play (CD in DVD player), or moving from one to another, something was not found. The "behind-the-scenes" job has been unfortunately in the forefront, as everyone has been waiting for the technology and they have had to "adapt" and change the plan due to all of this. Very frustrating for me (and them) and very embarrassing. Not to mention--God's best has not been accomplished for the kids.

Failure--feelings of failure--feelings of embarrassment and disappointment--feelings of failing God and others.

I am reminded in Ephesians 4 that there are many different people gifted to serve God's purposes and ministry. Each is gifted in different ways. I am reminded from 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 that people are given "spiritual gifts differing." I am reminded in 1 Peter 4:10 ff., that "each is given a spiritual gift, to be used in the body of Christ and to benefit others.

Often our world is very specialized. And yet, a small church pastor is called to be a generalist in a specialist world. He is to be knowledgeable of many things. He is expected to be good at everything (but no one is good at everything--nor apparently from the Scriptures, were we meant to be). I have my strengths and weaknesses, just like everyone else. In a large church, the pastors can specialize more than in the small church. But that is where the equipping comes in--helping others learn to find their gift in ministry. In large or small church, God calls every person to find their niche in serving God--and pastors are to be equipping others to find and perform their ministry.

Failure may come as we attempt something outside our gifting. Failure may come with lack of knowledge. Those are some reasons for failure.

How does one find his or her "niche"? By attempting--by trying on hats and seeing whether they fit. That is one way. What are you interested in? What do you do well? How are you wired? (By God, by the way--He made us the way we are).

One major way of failing though is when we do not try--when we do not attempt. There is an old saying, "Fail to plan and you plan to fail." Another one from that would be "Fail to attempt and you will fail as well." The one who fails most is the one who never tries.

Seek to discover your gifting. Seek to find the way God wired you. Try something new. Try something challenging. Listen to believing friends you trust who may be able to see something in you that you don't see in yourself.

But also realize that in many areas, we can grow in our knowledge and expertise. A gift may be our gift, but just need more experience. So give the attempt some time--some experience, before you cross it off your list as "not my gift."

"I do not like green eggs and ham. ... "Try it, try it, and you may. ... I do SO like green eggs and ham. I do so like them. Sam I am." (Thanks to Dr. Seuss)

So why do you fail? Could it be because you've never really tried?

(By the way, I think next year, I will find another way to serve in Bible school and leave the media to those technologically experienced and gifted.)

LOVE READING BIBLIOGRAPHIES

I confess--I love reading bibliographies! Now I didn't say biographies (although those are not bad). And I didn't say autobiographies (not bad either), but bibliographies.

At the end of some books there are lists of books that the authors have consulted in doing their research or study for the book (or article) they wrote. And I just love reading these. Strange (you got it!)

When I was a freshman in high school, I took typing class. My teacher, Mary Ellen (had to call her Mrs. Dorris in h.s.--fun to call her Mary Ellen now), challenged me. I told her I didn't like to read. She told me I should read things I liked. At first, on the book orders, I just ordered sports books. But she gradually challenged me to branch out. Stupidly (thankfully now) I listened to her. I ordered Doestoevski's, Crime and Punishment (a book about an ax murderer--the murder happened on page 50, and then 250 more pages of his guilt, his fear of being caught, and finally freedom on a technicality). I also read some science fiction by Ray Bradsbury and a play by Arthur Miller (I really branched out). When I could select what I read, rather than teachers telling me what to read, it was fun (at least some of it.)

A few years ago now, while teaching a seminary extension class, I quoted some statement I remembered, but could not remember whose book it was in. I mentioned that, and one of my students said this of me, "Brother Sam, you sure must like to read!" I had moved a long way from Mary Ellen's class, when I said I didn't like to read.

My wife may wish I didn't like that so much. There is one corner of our living room that she can't attempt to dust, because I have so many books, piled high and beside one another, that to attempt it would be to push over the leaning tower of Pisa. Actually, I think no dust can get to that table or two where my reading clutter is piled.

Actually, I realized today that I am not really Sam White--an individual. There are hundreds of people living in my body (is that demon possession?) through all of what I've read. I am really a composite of people, Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline, Devotional Classics), Henry Blackaby (Experiencing God), Moses, Isaiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, and many others (Bible), Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People), and Henry Nouwen (too numerous to mention.

I have visited England and Narnia through C.S. Lewis; Russia through Tolstoy; China through (I don't remember who). I have visited Israel and Egypt and Turkey through the Bible (all the while sitting in my easy chair). I have gone back in history and gone forward in history and even lived in my own time through books.

Bibliographies--I love them! What they do for me (other than getting my adrenaline running faster) is to show me more books or articles to read. (Unfortunately, as Michael Card said in a song years ago, "So many books, so little time.") Reminds me of the definition of a classic book. It is a book that everyone wishes they have read but doesn't want to take the time (or energy) to read. (Began but have not gotten very far in War and Peace.)

When I see a bibliography, it shows me more books, some of which, the titles look intriguing--for future reading. I think these are actually inventions of Amazon and Barnes and Noble-- conspiracies to make money from me--and they have done quite well. That is where my kid's college money and inheritance have gone! (Do you think maybe they can sell them and get some of their inheritance when I die?)

Yes, Clint, I like to read. I like to ponder and think. I like to travel through books. I like to learn and grow and increase. I like to be challenged (though I don't always like to change).

I believe through books I have gained knowledge I would not have gotten otherwise. But also, I have grown in compassion and heart knowledge. I have come to appreciate different viewpoints from my own and cultures that I did not grow up with in a very small town. My horizons have been greatly expanded.

God has made me the person I am through the experiences of life I have had. And an important part of that for me, has been reading.

If you don't like to read, I challenge you (as Mary Ellen did me) to find something you like. Begin there. But then, branch out. I also challenge you to "read the bibliography." It will uncover more books or articles that may be of interest to you. Then take the time--make the time--find the time to sit and read (you can use your Nook or Kindle if you must--I still like the smell of dusty pages). Do not neglect great devotional literature, and especially the Bible (in a version you can understand or prefer). Build not only your mind but your soul as well. (Want suggestions, contact me.)

And see what God will make of you--where you may travel--what experiences you may have--and how much richer your life and your ministry and your service to others will be.

Present Bibliography--What I'm reading now: (Now slow down your breathing, please!)

Richard Foster, Devotional Classics

Douglas Steere, Prayer and Worship

Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch, ReJesus

Lesslie Newbigin, Gospel in a Pluralist Society

Bible--Proverbs, Luke

Quote I recently came across (I don't remember where)--"You don't read the Bible. It reads you." Think about that one a while!

Carpe' Diem! (Actually this came to me from a movie, Dead Poet's Society)