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