We were returning home from a business conference at the University of Minnesota Morris when we had car trouble in Starbuck. It was about 5:30 p.m. as our car rolled to a stop in front of the convenience store at the intersection of Hwy. 28 and the Main Street of Starbuck.
Being from out of town and about eighty miles from home, I looked at my wife and said, “This should be interesting.”
As we walked into the convenience store, I asked the manager “Who should we call for help?” Without hesitation he said, “Call John Perry” and handed me the phone book but we did not get an answer. A customer filling gas came in and asked how he could help; he said that John lived near him.
Another employee, a young man named Patrick, said John was his step Dad and he would call him on his cell. We were impressed with this small town kindness.
John and Audrey arrived quickly and towed our car to John’s Star Motors. The initial diagnosis was serious—transmission problems.
We called to find a ride home and our neighbor, Jane, graciously agreed to make the trip. Expecting a two hour wait, John and Audrey suggested we have dinner at a fund raiser being held at the old train depot a few blocks away. Incidentally, this is a type of event that was recommended at the conference to enhance our communities—farmers market, benefit meal, and local entertainment.
We, the outsiders, walked in with a tentative nature to be met with friendly servers. After we told of our blight, they jokingly said this supper was planned just for us—they knew we were coming! Again we experienced the delightful small town kindness.
We ate with two couples; the women happened to be sisters. We visited like old friends; we shared our meal interspersed with good talk and humor. They also informed us that John Perry is a good guy and that they always take their car to him. We were relieved to hear the high recommendations.
We finished eating and walked up to the convenience store to meet our ride and visited with many friendly, helpful people.
The next day John looked at our car and called to say he had good news; it was not the transmission but an axle failure. He would have the car ready in a couple of hours. We were more than pleased. We were more than impressed.
Does the community of Starbuck realize how special it is? Everyone we met was welcoming, helpful, and honest—the customer at the gas pump, the convenience store manager, Patrick, the people at the community supper, and John and Audrey at Star Motors.
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone in Starbuck for the kindness shown to a couple of “wayfaring strangers.” We certainly felt God’s hand in this unplanned and possible trying situation which became an experience of grateful praise to Him as well as His people. Thanks to all of you, especially John and Audrey Perry—we are strangers no more.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Passionate About Nothing
The following is a quote from the book "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. My daughter was reading this book for her book club. She gave me a copy of my own after she saw me reading hers.
On page 111, Donald Miller says:
I Peter 1:13-19 says (ESV): 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Hebrews 2:3-10 (ESV): 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
5 Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, "What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.“ Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Enough said.
On page 111, Donald Miller says:
“A friend of mine, a young pastor who recently started a church, talks to me from time to time about the new face of church in America—about the postmodern church. He says the new church will be different from the old one, that we will be relevant to culture and the human struggle. I don’t think any church has ever been relevant to culture, to the human struggle, unless it believed in Jesus and the power of His gospel. If the supposed new church believes in trendy music and cool Web pages, then it is not relevant to culture either. It is just another tool of Satan to get people to be passionate about nothing.”
I Peter 1:13-19 says (ESV): 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Hebrews 2:3-10 (ESV): 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
5 Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, "What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.“ Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Enough said.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Remembering Fred, farmer and soldier
Fred was one of my neighbors; he was a World War II Army Veteran. He died recently at home on the farm.
About ten years ago we had some business to discuss since our farms border each other. I put on the coffee pot and we discussed our business. Then I tried to get Fred to discuss World War II. As usual, he was reluctant. He turned the tables on me; he said “Where did you serve when you were overseas?” I replied, “Clark Air Base in the Philippines.” Fred said, “I was in the Philippines. Did you ever get down to the American Military Cemetery outside of Manila?” I told him I had and as a matter of fact, I visited it with a Danube native, the late Bruce Grosklags, an Air Force Veteran who served in Viet Nam.
Fred had a story about that cemetery. “We were bivouacked outside of Manila. We would march out to the field or jungle, be there about 2 ½ weeks and then march back into Manila for a few days of rest. One time when we were marching out to the jungle, the old Sarge said, “Look to the right boys, they’re starting an American Military Cemetery.” They were already in the process of burying bodies.”
An aside, some facts about this Cemetery: it is the largest military cemetery outside the Continental United States: buried there are 17,202 American soldiers and 514 Filipino Scouts who served and died with them. Listed on the walls are names of 36,285 American soldiers missing in action. If we put just the Missing in Action in a straight line, single file, on three foot centers, the line would stretch to just under 21 miles long.
Buried in this cemetery are 28 Medal of Honor winners, twenty pairs of brothers are buried side by side. All this, a sobering reminder of the high price paid for freedom.
“Two and a half weeks later” Fred said, “we were marching back to Manila. We were tired and disgusted. The old Sarge said to the troops, ‘Tighten it up boys, we’re getting close to the American Cemetery.’"
Then Fred said, “Not another word was spoken. Cigarettes were put out, chin straps tightened, weapons in place. As they walked by the American Cemetery, the only thing you could hear was the in-cadence click of their heels as they hit the road.”
Fred sat quietly at our table and did not say anything for a long time. He then looked up at me and said, “Jerry, there is nothing much left to be said.” I agreed.
Fred Nyquist and his wife Jeanette were both World War II Veterans. Jeanette died a number of years ago. They were active in the American Legion; they worked hard to uphold the high ideals of that organization. It was a job well done. We thank them. Blessed be their memory.
Even though they are dead, freedom lives. Yes, freedom lives and many men and women paid a very high price to keep it. It would do our country well in these not too heady days to remember this. I must admit some days I feel it is already too late. Even though, I have peace, we are in God’s hands.
Note: I was asked by the Legion to say a few words at Fred’s funeral and this was what I shared.
About ten years ago we had some business to discuss since our farms border each other. I put on the coffee pot and we discussed our business. Then I tried to get Fred to discuss World War II. As usual, he was reluctant. He turned the tables on me; he said “Where did you serve when you were overseas?” I replied, “Clark Air Base in the Philippines.” Fred said, “I was in the Philippines. Did you ever get down to the American Military Cemetery outside of Manila?” I told him I had and as a matter of fact, I visited it with a Danube native, the late Bruce Grosklags, an Air Force Veteran who served in Viet Nam.
Fred had a story about that cemetery. “We were bivouacked outside of Manila. We would march out to the field or jungle, be there about 2 ½ weeks and then march back into Manila for a few days of rest. One time when we were marching out to the jungle, the old Sarge said, “Look to the right boys, they’re starting an American Military Cemetery.” They were already in the process of burying bodies.”
An aside, some facts about this Cemetery: it is the largest military cemetery outside the Continental United States: buried there are 17,202 American soldiers and 514 Filipino Scouts who served and died with them. Listed on the walls are names of 36,285 American soldiers missing in action. If we put just the Missing in Action in a straight line, single file, on three foot centers, the line would stretch to just under 21 miles long.
Buried in this cemetery are 28 Medal of Honor winners, twenty pairs of brothers are buried side by side. All this, a sobering reminder of the high price paid for freedom.
“Two and a half weeks later” Fred said, “we were marching back to Manila. We were tired and disgusted. The old Sarge said to the troops, ‘Tighten it up boys, we’re getting close to the American Cemetery.’"
Then Fred said, “Not another word was spoken. Cigarettes were put out, chin straps tightened, weapons in place. As they walked by the American Cemetery, the only thing you could hear was the in-cadence click of their heels as they hit the road.”
Fred sat quietly at our table and did not say anything for a long time. He then looked up at me and said, “Jerry, there is nothing much left to be said.” I agreed.
Fred Nyquist and his wife Jeanette were both World War II Veterans. Jeanette died a number of years ago. They were active in the American Legion; they worked hard to uphold the high ideals of that organization. It was a job well done. We thank them. Blessed be their memory.
Even though they are dead, freedom lives. Yes, freedom lives and many men and women paid a very high price to keep it. It would do our country well in these not too heady days to remember this. I must admit some days I feel it is already too late. Even though, I have peace, we are in God’s hands.
Note: I was asked by the Legion to say a few words at Fred’s funeral and this was what I shared.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
At Least I Don’t Have Idols
We think we don’t have idols. I mean there are not any little carved, distorted, gold-plated men on my shelf that I worship every morning. Oh no, I don’t do that; I must be home free. No we are not.
What do you have in your life that you treasure--your wife, your husband, your children, your reputation, your land, your money? Yes, we should be good stewards of them but if asked by God, could we live without them and not be angry with God?
In Genesis 22 we have the account of the proposed sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham. Isaac was the son of promise; the son of Abraham’s old age. Isaac must have become the center of Abraham and Sarah’s lives. A life of drudgery, hard work, old age, and routine was thrown into disarray, happy disarray, with the presence of a baby boy who grows into a lad. Isaac had become an idol in their life.
God asks Abraham to sacrifice his own son. Any man would have to be angry with God, especially Abraham who had his son of promise in his old age. Why Lord? Why now? Isaac had pushed God out of the center of the life of Abraham.
The question we need to ask ourselves is this, “Would I be willing to sacrifice my _______________ (fill in the blank) who has become the center of my life, my idol?” Could we still praise God without our “idol”?
Oh, how the thought of this hurts. Timothy Keller in his book “Counterfeit Gods,” Dutton 2009 says in part: “Something is safe for us to maintain in our lives only if it has really stopped being an idol. That can happen only when we are truly willing to live without it when we truly say from the heart ‘Because I have God, I can live without you.”
The mere thought of this makes the back of my arms get goose bumps. Forgive me, Lord.
What do you have in your life that you treasure--your wife, your husband, your children, your reputation, your land, your money? Yes, we should be good stewards of them but if asked by God, could we live without them and not be angry with God?
In Genesis 22 we have the account of the proposed sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham. Isaac was the son of promise; the son of Abraham’s old age. Isaac must have become the center of Abraham and Sarah’s lives. A life of drudgery, hard work, old age, and routine was thrown into disarray, happy disarray, with the presence of a baby boy who grows into a lad. Isaac had become an idol in their life.
God asks Abraham to sacrifice his own son. Any man would have to be angry with God, especially Abraham who had his son of promise in his old age. Why Lord? Why now? Isaac had pushed God out of the center of the life of Abraham.
The question we need to ask ourselves is this, “Would I be willing to sacrifice my _______________ (fill in the blank) who has become the center of my life, my idol?” Could we still praise God without our “idol”?
Oh, how the thought of this hurts. Timothy Keller in his book “Counterfeit Gods,” Dutton 2009 says in part: “Something is safe for us to maintain in our lives only if it has really stopped being an idol. That can happen only when we are truly willing to live without it when we truly say from the heart ‘Because I have God, I can live without you.”
The mere thought of this makes the back of my arms get goose bumps. Forgive me, Lord.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Not So Supreme Court
"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. " 1 Corinthians 4:3-5
The media is full of positive and negative information about The Supreme Court appointee Elena Kagan. I find it interesting that with her assumed approval, a nation founded primarily by Protestants will have no Protestants on The Supreme Court. I realize all groups have a part in “The Great American Experiment,” yet I feel Christians as a whole, Protestant and Catholics, are being marginalized in our culture and politics.
Our founders understood “our rights” came from the Almighty God alone, our Creator. No judge, no king, no potentate, no congressman, no senator nor governor gave us our rights, God did. No man may take our “inalienable, God-given rights and dignity” from us. America was the first country to put this most important fact in writing. Our God is a God of liberty, freedom and might.
These same leaders knew as men, that we are all sinful by nature. Left to our own selves, we sin.
In light of this fact, our founders developed the idea of checks and balances. Power was shared in three branches of government. Each branch is accountable to the other two branches. Left unchecked and left non-scrutinized, men will sin and let power go to their head.
It was quite a system with the help of God that they developed. They codified our inalienable rights which come from God alone and they put in place a system of checks and balances to bring restraint and control upon us wayward, sinful men.
I smile when I read about the highest court in our land, the Supreme Court. They may be supreme in the USA but their supremeness ends at our shores. Their influence and power is held in check by the other branches of government, or should be. This may be a more appropriate comment in these days.
There is much to concern us about this appointment. We as citizens of this country need to exercise our freedoms and participate in the process. Remember the Supreme Judge of the entire world is God; the same God who endowed us with our rights. It’s good to know He was, He is, and He will be the Supreme Judge and Ruler of the world. Yes, He is on the Throne. He will return some day and He will judge the world. No Supreme Court Justice will make any difference. Our advocate by our side at the bar of justice will be Jesus. When we are pronounced guilty by The Judge, Jesus will say, “He is mine, put his sin upon my account.” Because of Jesus Christ, His taking my sin upon Himself, I walk free—what a Savior!
Don’t fear the days ahead. Remember, this is how we are to live. I Peter 2:13-17 says, “13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” It is good to be reminded of this." (Notice, in verse 13 supreme is in the lower case.) Yes, we will face trials but God is still on the Throne. He is Supreme!
The media is full of positive and negative information about The Supreme Court appointee Elena Kagan. I find it interesting that with her assumed approval, a nation founded primarily by Protestants will have no Protestants on The Supreme Court. I realize all groups have a part in “The Great American Experiment,” yet I feel Christians as a whole, Protestant and Catholics, are being marginalized in our culture and politics.
Our founders understood “our rights” came from the Almighty God alone, our Creator. No judge, no king, no potentate, no congressman, no senator nor governor gave us our rights, God did. No man may take our “inalienable, God-given rights and dignity” from us. America was the first country to put this most important fact in writing. Our God is a God of liberty, freedom and might.
These same leaders knew as men, that we are all sinful by nature. Left to our own selves, we sin.
In light of this fact, our founders developed the idea of checks and balances. Power was shared in three branches of government. Each branch is accountable to the other two branches. Left unchecked and left non-scrutinized, men will sin and let power go to their head.
It was quite a system with the help of God that they developed. They codified our inalienable rights which come from God alone and they put in place a system of checks and balances to bring restraint and control upon us wayward, sinful men.
I smile when I read about the highest court in our land, the Supreme Court. They may be supreme in the USA but their supremeness ends at our shores. Their influence and power is held in check by the other branches of government, or should be. This may be a more appropriate comment in these days.
There is much to concern us about this appointment. We as citizens of this country need to exercise our freedoms and participate in the process. Remember the Supreme Judge of the entire world is God; the same God who endowed us with our rights. It’s good to know He was, He is, and He will be the Supreme Judge and Ruler of the world. Yes, He is on the Throne. He will return some day and He will judge the world. No Supreme Court Justice will make any difference. Our advocate by our side at the bar of justice will be Jesus. When we are pronounced guilty by The Judge, Jesus will say, “He is mine, put his sin upon my account.” Because of Jesus Christ, His taking my sin upon Himself, I walk free—what a Savior!
Don’t fear the days ahead. Remember, this is how we are to live. I Peter 2:13-17 says, “13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” It is good to be reminded of this." (Notice, in verse 13 supreme is in the lower case.) Yes, we will face trials but God is still on the Throne. He is Supreme!
Friday, May 07, 2010
When the Streets of Minneapolis come to Fairfax, Minnesota
I’m in the property management business in Minneapolis. I live 40 miles from Fairfax, Minnesota. I see Minneapolis influencing Fairfax more than Fairfax influencing Minneapolis.
In the last six months, street problems in Minneapolis have increased significantly. I know the statistics don’t recognize it yet but for us “front line people,” we see the change. I start checking properties at 6:00 a.m. In the past, I have felt safe but now the hair stands up on the back of my 62 year old head. Probably it is just because I’m an old man; it may be, but I think not.
In the last two weeks at least nine people have been murdered on the streets of Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. One of the deaths was the execution of Maplewood Police Sgt. Joe Bergeron. It is not just the killing but theft, assault and robbery have also increased. We see more prostitution and street level drug dealing. As unemployment benefits run out, some people feel forced to do things they once thought abominable.
Earlier this week in Fairfax, Minnesota, a 14 year old paper delivery girl was abducted and sexually assaulted. Yes, the streets of Minneapolis have come to Fairfax but do any of us give a damn?
Locally, I hear very little talk of this incident. Probably I’m on the outside looking in but I hear very little concern on the radio or in the press. Most internet comments for the paper were: “Lock him up and throw away the key” or “Cut his nuts off.” I can understand the deep feelings and frustration. Crime must be paid for; punishment must be meted out but what have we, as professing Christians, done to influence our culture for good or have we just become professional complainers after the fact.
I believe we live with our heads deeply planted in the sand. What message are we sending to our sons and daughters when we fail to openly discuss such things as sexual assault, physical violence, drug dealing, and prostitution when they are out in the open? You say, “Jerry, it may be happening in Minneapolis but not here.” Tell that to the young girl and her parents in Fairfax.
Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.” Some days I cannot find much cheer and to my limited vision I don’t see much overcoming. In Rev. William Hendriksen’s book “More Than Conquerors,” copyright 1939 (before World War II), he said this in part on page 99:
In the last six months, street problems in Minneapolis have increased significantly. I know the statistics don’t recognize it yet but for us “front line people,” we see the change. I start checking properties at 6:00 a.m. In the past, I have felt safe but now the hair stands up on the back of my 62 year old head. Probably it is just because I’m an old man; it may be, but I think not.
In the last two weeks at least nine people have been murdered on the streets of Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. One of the deaths was the execution of Maplewood Police Sgt. Joe Bergeron. It is not just the killing but theft, assault and robbery have also increased. We see more prostitution and street level drug dealing. As unemployment benefits run out, some people feel forced to do things they once thought abominable.
Earlier this week in Fairfax, Minnesota, a 14 year old paper delivery girl was abducted and sexually assaulted. Yes, the streets of Minneapolis have come to Fairfax but do any of us give a damn?
Locally, I hear very little talk of this incident. Probably I’m on the outside looking in but I hear very little concern on the radio or in the press. Most internet comments for the paper were: “Lock him up and throw away the key” or “Cut his nuts off.” I can understand the deep feelings and frustration. Crime must be paid for; punishment must be meted out but what have we, as professing Christians, done to influence our culture for good or have we just become professional complainers after the fact.
I believe we live with our heads deeply planted in the sand. What message are we sending to our sons and daughters when we fail to openly discuss such things as sexual assault, physical violence, drug dealing, and prostitution when they are out in the open? You say, “Jerry, it may be happening in Minneapolis but not here.” Tell that to the young girl and her parents in Fairfax.
Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.” Some days I cannot find much cheer and to my limited vision I don’t see much overcoming. In Rev. William Hendriksen’s book “More Than Conquerors,” copyright 1939 (before World War II), he said this in part on page 99:
“The light shines in the darkness: the churches are lampstands. But the darkness hates the light: the World persecutes the church.”
“Whenever in history the church is faithful to its calling and bears testimony concerning the truth, tribulation is bound to follow. Aside even from this fact, the church is in the world. Hence, it suffers along with the world. Children of God do not escape the horrors of war, famine, and pestilence. The church needs these tribulations. It needs both the direct antagonism of the world and participation in the common woes that pertain to this earthly life as a result of sin. The church, too, is sinful. It is in constant need of purification and sanctification.”
“These tribulations, therefore, are employed by our Lord as an instrument for our own spiritual advancement. We see God’s footstool. Let us not forget his Throne! To be sure, we say that to them that love God all things work together for good, but do we really believe it?”
“Hence, when the world is enkindling the flames of hatred and slaughter and when the earth is drenched with blood, may our tear-dimmed eye catch a vision of The Throne which rules the universe. In the midst of trial and tribulation may our gaze be riveted upon the One who is King of kings and Lord of Lords.”As Christians, may we not remain unmoved about what’s happening around us. Let’s go into the world and be agents of change. Let’s reach out to the hurting even if it is sexual perverts, prostitutes and street hustlers. We seldom, if ever, touch shoulders with these people. Jesus did and He was criticized for it. If we do so also, we will be criticized. Most will consider us weird. Standing for truth, ministering to the down and out will cost us. Are we willing to pay the price? In the meantime, keep your eyes on the throne. God is still in control. Keep your eyes on the cross. It is our only hope and it is the only hope for the world. Jesus will come again and set all things straight. In the meantime, let’s be an army on the move not one sitting in the barracks (the church) complaining. God help us in these days.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Waiting in the Check-out Line--God’s Charity Case
Mark 10:25 - "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
I was coming home late from work and had to stop at the grocery store. I was tired. As I stood in the check-out line, I noticed the woman ahead of me. She was about 25 years old; she looked haggard and worn out. She was distracted by her three children, the oldest possibly seven years old.
I noticed what she had in her cart—convenience food, chips, frozen pizza. When she checked out, she used her food stamps and some card I assumed had something to do with welfare. For some reason, the card wouldn’t work and after a five minute delay, she sheepishly gathered her stuff and walked out of the store with a look of dejection.
Here I am, a hard working guy, a taxpayer, one who has never been on welfare myself seeing her wasting my tax dollars on convenience food, chips, and frozen pizza. How disgusting! Yet I’m not different from her; I have eaten too much of these things myself and I have received charity from other people. I was agitated; not only was I delayed but as she walked out the door, I’m sure she saw my self-righteous, indignant look. Yes, I stripped her of some of the last dignity she may have had.
The sight of her and her children walking away from the check out counter in humiliation disturbed me; my mind would not rest. I thought, here I am passing judgment upon this woman because she is on charity when in reality I am God’s charity case. Grace is an undeserved gift from God. Who am I to pass judgment upon her? Of all the people that night, I should have known better. I was the one to be pitied, not her. I couldn’t choose; God chose me. God loves me not because of what I’ve done but because I’m His. God is, and has been, gracious to me. God gave His Son to die for me; I did not deserve it and I have the gall, even if it were for one minute, to pass judgment on this dear woman or any one else for that matter.
I’m not any different than her; I just haven’t been publicly humiliated yet. By the grace of God go I. I’ve asked God for forgiveness. It amazes me how disgusting I can be sometimes.
I was coming home late from work and had to stop at the grocery store. I was tired. As I stood in the check-out line, I noticed the woman ahead of me. She was about 25 years old; she looked haggard and worn out. She was distracted by her three children, the oldest possibly seven years old.
I noticed what she had in her cart—convenience food, chips, frozen pizza. When she checked out, she used her food stamps and some card I assumed had something to do with welfare. For some reason, the card wouldn’t work and after a five minute delay, she sheepishly gathered her stuff and walked out of the store with a look of dejection.
Here I am, a hard working guy, a taxpayer, one who has never been on welfare myself seeing her wasting my tax dollars on convenience food, chips, and frozen pizza. How disgusting! Yet I’m not different from her; I have eaten too much of these things myself and I have received charity from other people. I was agitated; not only was I delayed but as she walked out the door, I’m sure she saw my self-righteous, indignant look. Yes, I stripped her of some of the last dignity she may have had.
The sight of her and her children walking away from the check out counter in humiliation disturbed me; my mind would not rest. I thought, here I am passing judgment upon this woman because she is on charity when in reality I am God’s charity case. Grace is an undeserved gift from God. Who am I to pass judgment upon her? Of all the people that night, I should have known better. I was the one to be pitied, not her. I couldn’t choose; God chose me. God loves me not because of what I’ve done but because I’m His. God is, and has been, gracious to me. God gave His Son to die for me; I did not deserve it and I have the gall, even if it were for one minute, to pass judgment on this dear woman or any one else for that matter.
I’m not any different than her; I just haven’t been publicly humiliated yet. By the grace of God go I. I’ve asked God for forgiveness. It amazes me how disgusting I can be sometimes.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
We have no reason to be bored
She is 18, a college freshman; smart, pretty, but she tells me she is bored. The classes are boring, her friends are boring, and everything is boring.
Her mom and dad want her to get a 4-year degree “in something.” They both have 4-year degrees “in something.” Dad is a fork lift operator and Mom works in the office of a school.
She would really like to be a mechanic; she loves fixing cars. She says, “Apparently Mom and Dad don’t want their daughter to come to the family reunion with scared up, oversized hands with ingrown dirt.”
I can understand teenagers who are bored with life. I believe that’s part of being young. We make the mistake of comparing ourselves to others, and we feel inferior. We all make a common mistake—we compare ourselves to other people’s “highlight reel as it were.” We only see their victories and spectacular accomplishments. We don’t see the hard work it took to achieve their “highlight reel as it were.” We don’t see the long streaks of being “bored” in their life; we don’t see their everyday struggles. As a result, we view our life as boring.
Let’s be realistic, much of our life is boring. We think life is a connection of random happenings which hopefully come together to mean something. Life is joy mingled with tears. We like the joy; tears we can live without. We try desperately to star in our own “highlight reel.”
What saddens me is when I find adults who are bored with life—no purpose, no vision. We should know better but we don’t. A psychologist I know says, “We have all become perpetual adolescents.”
I think it is time to grow up… May we as Christians be brought to maturity by the power of the Holy Spirit. These times need mature people, mature Christians. Let’s put aside this silliness and grow up.
Her mom and dad want her to get a 4-year degree “in something.” They both have 4-year degrees “in something.” Dad is a fork lift operator and Mom works in the office of a school.
She would really like to be a mechanic; she loves fixing cars. She says, “Apparently Mom and Dad don’t want their daughter to come to the family reunion with scared up, oversized hands with ingrown dirt.”
I can understand teenagers who are bored with life. I believe that’s part of being young. We make the mistake of comparing ourselves to others, and we feel inferior. We all make a common mistake—we compare ourselves to other people’s “highlight reel as it were.” We only see their victories and spectacular accomplishments. We don’t see the hard work it took to achieve their “highlight reel as it were.” We don’t see the long streaks of being “bored” in their life; we don’t see their everyday struggles. As a result, we view our life as boring.
Let’s be realistic, much of our life is boring. We think life is a connection of random happenings which hopefully come together to mean something. Life is joy mingled with tears. We like the joy; tears we can live without. We try desperately to star in our own “highlight reel.”
What saddens me is when I find adults who are bored with life—no purpose, no vision. We should know better but we don’t. A psychologist I know says, “We have all become perpetual adolescents.”
I think it is time to grow up… May we as Christians be brought to maturity by the power of the Holy Spirit. These times need mature people, mature Christians. Let’s put aside this silliness and grow up.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Temporary Dual Citizen
“Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.” - 1 Peter 1:17.
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” - 1 Peter 2:11-12.
I served in the United States military, the U.S. Air Force; I served for four years. I pledged allegiance to this country; I was willing to defend it, defend it with my life. I feel it was one of my obligations as a citizen of the United States of America.
When I served in the Air Force, I was not a Christian. I believe there was a God; I knew He had power, was Sovereign and I understood as soldiers, we were His agents of wrath (Romans 13:4 says “For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”). This is one of the purposes of government. I knew about God but had no relationship with Him. Once Christ found me, that all changed.
Because I am God’s child, my citizenship is in heaven (“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” - Philippians 3:20.). At the same time I live in the United States and I am a citizen. I have temporary dual citizenship— forever in Heaven, temporarily a U.S. citizen.
God through the Holy Spirit and the pen of Peter in 1 Peter 2:11 says we are to live as “strangers and aliens in the world.” Aliens are defined as “a person born in another country, a foreigner, and so not entitled to citizenship where he lives.” I have the best of both worlds—a citizen of the United States (although temporarily), born here, a native as it were. When I became a Christian, I was “born again” into the kingdom of Heaven, a citizen of heaven for eternity.
The good news is this—some day when I go home to be with the Lord, my temporary U.S. citizenship will end. That’s what I look forward to. In the meantime, I will live here; I won’t let my roots go too deeply into this life and this terra firma called the U.S.A.—my eternal home or citizenship as it were, is in Heaven.
This world is not my home, I’m just passing through says the Old Negro spiritual. It’s good to be reminded of that. All things on this side of heaven are temporary. Good news for this old country boy.
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” - 1 Peter 2:11-12.
I served in the United States military, the U.S. Air Force; I served for four years. I pledged allegiance to this country; I was willing to defend it, defend it with my life. I feel it was one of my obligations as a citizen of the United States of America.
When I served in the Air Force, I was not a Christian. I believe there was a God; I knew He had power, was Sovereign and I understood as soldiers, we were His agents of wrath (Romans 13:4 says “For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”). This is one of the purposes of government. I knew about God but had no relationship with Him. Once Christ found me, that all changed.
Because I am God’s child, my citizenship is in heaven (“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” - Philippians 3:20.). At the same time I live in the United States and I am a citizen. I have temporary dual citizenship— forever in Heaven, temporarily a U.S. citizen.
God through the Holy Spirit and the pen of Peter in 1 Peter 2:11 says we are to live as “strangers and aliens in the world.” Aliens are defined as “a person born in another country, a foreigner, and so not entitled to citizenship where he lives.” I have the best of both worlds—a citizen of the United States (although temporarily), born here, a native as it were. When I became a Christian, I was “born again” into the kingdom of Heaven, a citizen of heaven for eternity.
The good news is this—some day when I go home to be with the Lord, my temporary U.S. citizenship will end. That’s what I look forward to. In the meantime, I will live here; I won’t let my roots go too deeply into this life and this terra firma called the U.S.A.—my eternal home or citizenship as it were, is in Heaven.
This world is not my home, I’m just passing through says the Old Negro spiritual. It’s good to be reminded of that. All things on this side of heaven are temporary. Good news for this old country boy.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Almost a Christian
Acts 26:28: “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (KJV) “Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" (NIV)
"Almost a Christian—what a disgusting combination! But are there such people? And how may we know them?
"One who is almost a Christian has no personal religious experience. He has never consciously repented of his sins and asked God for pardon, nor believed that God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven all his sins. He has no daily fellowship with God in the Word and in prayer. He finds the Bible dry and uninteresting, and he can find no time for prayer and meditation. He has found in the Bible neither himself nor the “Pearl of Great Price,” and consequently he does not grow in grace.
"One who is almost a Christian makes no sacrifice. He may make large donations, but only of his abundance. It takes love for the Master and His cause to make one sacrifice. He who is but almost a Christian loves neither the Master nor His work. Christ wants to show him his sins that He may save him; but he does not want to be humbled and beg for grace. Therefore Christ can do nothing for him.
"Dear reader, do not be content to be almost a Christian. “Almost does not avail, Almost is but to fail.” Seek grace to become an altogether whole-hearted Christian who not only has had a personal religious experience but who lives in daily fellowship with Jesus Christ and is willing to serve and sacrifice for Him and His cause.
"Dear heavenly Father, we pray that Thou wilt make us true, whole-hearted Christians, that we may live in daily fellowship with Thee both here and hereafter; in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
This devotional is an excerpt from a book that belonged to Judi’s Grandma Nelson entitled, The Home Altar: A Book of Family Devotions for Each Day in the Year published in 1936 by The Danish Lutheran Publishing House, Blair, Nebraska.
"Almost a Christian—what a disgusting combination! But are there such people? And how may we know them?
"One who is almost a Christian has no personal religious experience. He has never consciously repented of his sins and asked God for pardon, nor believed that God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven all his sins. He has no daily fellowship with God in the Word and in prayer. He finds the Bible dry and uninteresting, and he can find no time for prayer and meditation. He has found in the Bible neither himself nor the “Pearl of Great Price,” and consequently he does not grow in grace.
"One who is almost a Christian makes no sacrifice. He may make large donations, but only of his abundance. It takes love for the Master and His cause to make one sacrifice. He who is but almost a Christian loves neither the Master nor His work. Christ wants to show him his sins that He may save him; but he does not want to be humbled and beg for grace. Therefore Christ can do nothing for him.
"Dear reader, do not be content to be almost a Christian. “Almost does not avail, Almost is but to fail.” Seek grace to become an altogether whole-hearted Christian who not only has had a personal religious experience but who lives in daily fellowship with Jesus Christ and is willing to serve and sacrifice for Him and His cause.
"Dear heavenly Father, we pray that Thou wilt make us true, whole-hearted Christians, that we may live in daily fellowship with Thee both here and hereafter; in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
This devotional is an excerpt from a book that belonged to Judi’s Grandma Nelson entitled, The Home Altar: A Book of Family Devotions for Each Day in the Year published in 1936 by The Danish Lutheran Publishing House, Blair, Nebraska.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Be not afraid – He has Risen
I woke up this morning to hear on the radio the complete hopelessness of the Veterans’ Administration hospitals. My thought had been when I get really old, then I would qualify for the VA Hospital. It is my back-up plan. (Be aware, in spite of what I hear on the radio, I hear the care is excellent in VA hospitals.)
In a meeting with a long-time tenant this week, he said unless things turn around in the next two months, he may shut down the business. He is fearful. Fear is all around. As Christians there is only one thing we should fear... "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:26-28). Fear God; beyond that don’t be afraid.
In this fear-laden time, it is fitting that this resurrection week remembrance should remind us that love drives out fear. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18.
In 1 John 4:19 it says, "We love because He first loved us." Who is He? Jesus. How did He first love us? He went to the cross willingly to bear our sin, die for us, in our place. He did all this when? Romans 5:6-8 – “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Why then should we be afraid? We are the undeserving benefactors of the greatest gift of all time (peace with God), the greatest sacrifice (Jesus death on the cross). This is all a demonstration of God’s love to us—all initiated by God. All this was worked out in the life, death, suffering, and resurrection of His one and only son Jesus. If this is true, why are we afraid?
In Romans 8:14-15 it says this about believers… “because those who are led by the Spirit of God1 are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba," Father'." (Abba means daddy).
Should we be afraid of the future? No, God is still on the throne with His Son by His side awaiting the command of the Father, to go get His kids (us). Yes, if we believe, why are we afraid?
Fear God alone; beyond that, don’t be afraid. The world is cowering, looking for hope and answers. Share Christ with them.
Jesus Christ alone is our hope and salvation. Let’s live like His children should live—sacrificially and courageously. God help us in these days. Don’t be afraid.
In a meeting with a long-time tenant this week, he said unless things turn around in the next two months, he may shut down the business. He is fearful. Fear is all around. As Christians there is only one thing we should fear... "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:26-28). Fear God; beyond that don’t be afraid.
In this fear-laden time, it is fitting that this resurrection week remembrance should remind us that love drives out fear. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18.
In 1 John 4:19 it says, "We love because He first loved us." Who is He? Jesus. How did He first love us? He went to the cross willingly to bear our sin, die for us, in our place. He did all this when? Romans 5:6-8 – “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Why then should we be afraid? We are the undeserving benefactors of the greatest gift of all time (peace with God), the greatest sacrifice (Jesus death on the cross). This is all a demonstration of God’s love to us—all initiated by God. All this was worked out in the life, death, suffering, and resurrection of His one and only son Jesus. If this is true, why are we afraid?
In Romans 8:14-15 it says this about believers… “because those who are led by the Spirit of God1 are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba," Father'." (Abba means daddy).
Should we be afraid of the future? No, God is still on the throne with His Son by His side awaiting the command of the Father, to go get His kids (us). Yes, if we believe, why are we afraid?
Fear God alone; beyond that, don’t be afraid. The world is cowering, looking for hope and answers. Share Christ with them.
Jesus Christ alone is our hope and salvation. Let’s live like His children should live—sacrificially and courageously. God help us in these days. Don’t be afraid.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tearing out our eyeballs
Galatians 4:15: “What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.”
I was reading in Galatians 4 when verse 15 jumped out and grabbed me. Paul asks “what has happened to all your joy?” Let’s be frank, how many joyous Christians do you meet? Yet, Paul asks the question implying we must be joyous.
Paul is writing the Galatians in a “pretty stiff” tone. Galatians 4: 20: “How I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!” Why the need for such a ‘harsh’ letter as it was? The reason wass the Galatians were turning back to old Jewish customs and legalism. Paul called them “weak and miserable principles.” The Galatians had given up freedom in Christ for old legalism and ritual. They were spiritual slaves; forgetting what they once knew and forgetting who they once were.
Paul asks them what has happened to all their joy. In Galatians 4:15 he goes on to say to them (in my paraphrase) “There was a time you would have ripped out your eyeballs for me and the truth; now you are upset because I have come to you in this letter to confront you of your spiritual bondage. Why are you bucky with me when I bring you the truth?”
Where is their joy? They are joyless because they have become legalists. The Christian faith for them has become a list of do’s and don’ts. Their life is a routine; it is weak and miserable. Their joy is gone because they live passionless, selfish lives. Paul says there was a day when you were zealous. You were willing to live a sacrificial life (the willing to rip out your eyeballs thing). (“It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.” Galatians 4:18).
If you want joy, trade in your legalistic, ritualistic life for one of passion and zeal; living sacrificially for God and others!
The key to joy is this—do you live life for something bigger than yourself? Are you willing to lay down your agenda for the cause of Christ and others?
Do you want joy? What does the Lord require of you? “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8.
Let’s go out and live this life with sacrifice and passion. Let’s be zealous for good and let’s walk humbly with our God. Let’s live to His glory, not ours.
I was reading in Galatians 4 when verse 15 jumped out and grabbed me. Paul asks “what has happened to all your joy?” Let’s be frank, how many joyous Christians do you meet? Yet, Paul asks the question implying we must be joyous.
Paul is writing the Galatians in a “pretty stiff” tone. Galatians 4: 20: “How I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!” Why the need for such a ‘harsh’ letter as it was? The reason wass the Galatians were turning back to old Jewish customs and legalism. Paul called them “weak and miserable principles.” The Galatians had given up freedom in Christ for old legalism and ritual. They were spiritual slaves; forgetting what they once knew and forgetting who they once were.
Paul asks them what has happened to all their joy. In Galatians 4:15 he goes on to say to them (in my paraphrase) “There was a time you would have ripped out your eyeballs for me and the truth; now you are upset because I have come to you in this letter to confront you of your spiritual bondage. Why are you bucky with me when I bring you the truth?”
Where is their joy? They are joyless because they have become legalists. The Christian faith for them has become a list of do’s and don’ts. Their life is a routine; it is weak and miserable. Their joy is gone because they live passionless, selfish lives. Paul says there was a day when you were zealous. You were willing to live a sacrificial life (the willing to rip out your eyeballs thing). (“It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you.” Galatians 4:18).
If you want joy, trade in your legalistic, ritualistic life for one of passion and zeal; living sacrificially for God and others!
The key to joy is this—do you live life for something bigger than yourself? Are you willing to lay down your agenda for the cause of Christ and others?
Do you want joy? What does the Lord require of you? “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8.
Let’s go out and live this life with sacrifice and passion. Let’s be zealous for good and let’s walk humbly with our God. Let’s live to His glory, not ours.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
“…because it is in their power to do it.”
Micah 2:1: "Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.”
I heard the story of a mother and daughter shopping at a mall at Christmas time. They were having difficulty finding a parking place in the crowded parking lot parking; parking places always seemed to be at a premium. When they finished shopping, they would put their bags in the car, hop in, and put the transmission in reverse so the back-up lights would come on. Immediately, cars would stop and wait for them to exit. They purposely would not back out; they just sat there until all the cars went past. They thought it was funny!
How mean! Why would someone go out of their way to make one more small irritation in the life of someone else? “Because they can:" it is in their power to do it.
What do we do to purposely aggravate each other in coy ways? We might think others don’t see, they may not, but God does. He knows our hearts and our minds.
Why do we do it? Because we are held captive by the stain of sin.
Come to Jesus and be free of this sin stained bitterness and resentment. Do good rather than be a coy, deceptive irritator. As one who knows, you’ll sleep better at night.
I heard the story of a mother and daughter shopping at a mall at Christmas time. They were having difficulty finding a parking place in the crowded parking lot parking; parking places always seemed to be at a premium. When they finished shopping, they would put their bags in the car, hop in, and put the transmission in reverse so the back-up lights would come on. Immediately, cars would stop and wait for them to exit. They purposely would not back out; they just sat there until all the cars went past. They thought it was funny!
How mean! Why would someone go out of their way to make one more small irritation in the life of someone else? “Because they can:" it is in their power to do it.
What do we do to purposely aggravate each other in coy ways? We might think others don’t see, they may not, but God does. He knows our hearts and our minds.
Why do we do it? Because we are held captive by the stain of sin.
Come to Jesus and be free of this sin stained bitterness and resentment. Do good rather than be a coy, deceptive irritator. As one who knows, you’ll sleep better at night.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Keeping Our Vows
Since Jerry is on vacation, we are going back into the archives for the Blog this week. We selected this one as the husband referred to here passed away recently. We dedicate it to his faithful wife and the memory of her husband.
It was the first snow in the area last Sunday morning; roads were icy. Attendance was down at the church where I preached. An interesting fact: we had four people in wheel chairs in attendance. Of all the people, these people or their caregivers responded most to my message.
I spoke from Psalm 112:7, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” We talked about trials and tribulations and God’s sovereign rule. We discussed how we do not like God’s sovereign hand sometimes; we also talked about (Psalm 73:16, 17, 21-22) how when we try to understand God’s plan, it can be oppressive, sometimes making us bitter and angry towards God.
A woman stood next to the handicap elevator; she stood behind her husband’s wheelchair. He has a brain tumor; and depending on the day, one day interacting and communicating, the next day, totally silent. It was a silent day. She is in her 60’s, still beautiful with a pretty smile. She graduated from high school with my brother. I remembered her and her husband; rock-solid farming stock; Dutch; resolute; determined.
She shared with me her everyday battle. She was not complaining in the least bit but I believe she needed to talk. And oh, did she teach me something!
Her social worker encouraged her to put Bill in the nursing home so she could rest and “do what she wanted to do.” She told me she got angry and told the social worker, “Forty five years ago, at the altar where we married, I committed myself to him and God. I promised I would be there in sickness and health and I intend to carry that out now, out to the end, Good Lord willing.” As she told me this, tears rolled down her face.
Her life is not easy. On certain days she feels so alone, tired, hopeless, and frustrated but she loves her man and she intends to keep her promise no matter what!
Last Sunday, I humbly stood in the presence of a true hero. A faithful wife, mother, caregiver and Christian woman who is willingly sacrificing her self for the love of her husband—a Christ-like example in these times. We prayed and tears rolled down my face.
It was the first snow in the area last Sunday morning; roads were icy. Attendance was down at the church where I preached. An interesting fact: we had four people in wheel chairs in attendance. Of all the people, these people or their caregivers responded most to my message.
I spoke from Psalm 112:7, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” We talked about trials and tribulations and God’s sovereign rule. We discussed how we do not like God’s sovereign hand sometimes; we also talked about (Psalm 73:16, 17, 21-22) how when we try to understand God’s plan, it can be oppressive, sometimes making us bitter and angry towards God.
A woman stood next to the handicap elevator; she stood behind her husband’s wheelchair. He has a brain tumor; and depending on the day, one day interacting and communicating, the next day, totally silent. It was a silent day. She is in her 60’s, still beautiful with a pretty smile. She graduated from high school with my brother. I remembered her and her husband; rock-solid farming stock; Dutch; resolute; determined.
She shared with me her everyday battle. She was not complaining in the least bit but I believe she needed to talk. And oh, did she teach me something!
Her social worker encouraged her to put Bill in the nursing home so she could rest and “do what she wanted to do.” She told me she got angry and told the social worker, “Forty five years ago, at the altar where we married, I committed myself to him and God. I promised I would be there in sickness and health and I intend to carry that out now, out to the end, Good Lord willing.” As she told me this, tears rolled down her face.
Her life is not easy. On certain days she feels so alone, tired, hopeless, and frustrated but she loves her man and she intends to keep her promise no matter what!
Last Sunday, I humbly stood in the presence of a true hero. A faithful wife, mother, caregiver and Christian woman who is willingly sacrificing her self for the love of her husband—a Christ-like example in these times. We prayed and tears rolled down my face.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Who would want a God who is forgetful?
The story is told of a rural Minnesota couple in their early sixties enjoying each other’s company one fine winter's evening. They were discussing something they had just seen on television which suggested writing things down so that you would remember them better. Then the wife said, “I’d really like some ice cream.” The husband said, “I’ll get you some ice cream.” The wife said, “You better write it down so you don’t forget.” The husband said he would remember. She then asked for strawberries on the ice cream and suggested he should write that down but he insisted that he would remember. The wife then announced that she would like some whipped cream on top and that he really should write that down. Again, he assured her that he would remember. After about 20 minutes in the kitchen, the husband returned with a plate of fried eggs and bacon for his wife. She looked at him and said, “Where’s the toast?”
Ah, forgetfulness and growing old seem to go hand in hand. Forgetfulness is a trait we humans dread. We want to be alert, in control, on top of everything even if it is just ice cream and strawberries.
Both Jeremiah 31:34 and Hebrews 8:12 say: "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." I love what scriptures say. It’s good news but then I must admit, I have a big problem getting my insignificant human brain wrapped around such a magnificent thought. How can the God who names each one of the stars, forget our sin? Psalms 147:4 "He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name."
How can the God who numbers the hairs on our head “remember our sins no more?” I don’t believe this struggle is a lack of faith, but a struggle with the complexity, magnificence and goodness of our God and Savior.
It seems to me that God just can’t forget my sin and remember the names of all the stars and number of hairs on my head. He must be storing them some place in an old bag to pull it out and beat me over the head when I screw up.
The devil loves to harass and discourage us with memories of our past sin, even the sins forgiven through the blood of Christ and remembered no more. It’s the devil’s lie.
We are blessed to have a God who knows the name of all the stars, knows the number of hairs on my head and knows exactly where each sparrow falls. This same God remembers all this and more and yet forgets all my sins forever. Ah, this is good news for this sin-laden but forgiven country boy. I praise God that He remembers and forgets. I don’t understand it but I sure am blessed. This is good news; very good news for all of us who believe.
Ah, forgetfulness and growing old seem to go hand in hand. Forgetfulness is a trait we humans dread. We want to be alert, in control, on top of everything even if it is just ice cream and strawberries.
Both Jeremiah 31:34 and Hebrews 8:12 say: "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." I love what scriptures say. It’s good news but then I must admit, I have a big problem getting my insignificant human brain wrapped around such a magnificent thought. How can the God who names each one of the stars, forget our sin? Psalms 147:4 "He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name."
How can the God who numbers the hairs on our head “remember our sins no more?” I don’t believe this struggle is a lack of faith, but a struggle with the complexity, magnificence and goodness of our God and Savior.
It seems to me that God just can’t forget my sin and remember the names of all the stars and number of hairs on my head. He must be storing them some place in an old bag to pull it out and beat me over the head when I screw up.
The devil loves to harass and discourage us with memories of our past sin, even the sins forgiven through the blood of Christ and remembered no more. It’s the devil’s lie.
We are blessed to have a God who knows the name of all the stars, knows the number of hairs on my head and knows exactly where each sparrow falls. This same God remembers all this and more and yet forgets all my sins forever. Ah, this is good news for this sin-laden but forgiven country boy. I praise God that He remembers and forgets. I don’t understand it but I sure am blessed. This is good news; very good news for all of us who believe.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Worshipping the god of things as they are
The story in scripture of David verses Goliath is found in 1 Samuel 17. It is a gripping story, one that clearly is a biblical favorite. It is one of the first stories we teach our children. In some ways we consider it a “kids” story, simple, straightforward. Study of it reveals a deep and abiding story that has much to teach us young and old.
David was still very young, not a man, when he came to fight Goliath. In the Moffat Translation, 1 Samuel 17:42 says “He (being Goliath) despised him (David) for his youth.” David, a young shepard, untrained as a soldier, should not fight or even dare challenge a trained barbarian such as Goliath. Something different was in the air.
As we get older in age, something different or change, is harder to accept. As a culture, change is harder to accept since we have lived in a time of unchallenged ease. Change makes us older ones fearful of the unknown, doubtful of any benefit, if any. Yes, we too like to worship at the altar of “the god of things as they are.”
The Israelites and their King Saul were huddled on a mountainside staging for a battle with the Philistines. The situation was complicated by the daily taunts of a nine foot nine inch giant called Goliath. Send someone to fight me; whoever loses will become the subjects of the other side. Not a pleasant situation. In 1 Samuel 17:11 it says, “On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.” Yes, they were afraid of the dire situation. The Israelites were waiting for the inevitable defeat.
Young David comes with just a sling and 5 stones; no armor, no spear, no sword. He realizes that the Israelite army’s only response will be a tame, spineless submission to the playground bully. David gets fired up and says, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” Clovis Chappel said, “We like these brave and burning words, all of us. David refused to worship ‘the god of things as they are.’ We rejoice that he will not allow bullying wrongs to go unchallenged today just because they went unchallenged yesterday!!"
Youth throughout the centuries have blazed the trail to right all wrongs. We battle-scared veterans sit on the sidelines in arrogant smugness thinking we know better, and in some ways we do, but sometimes we have left no room for the Living God of Israel to do His mighty work. Yes, we sit and grouse while a world goes to hell—many of them our own flesh and blood. We are lukewarm and passionless and we like it that way. This should not be a matter of young or old but a matter of the condition of our hearts.
Where is our passion for Christ as we sit on the sideline smugly saying something new won’t work? Are we so bored with life we won’t even consider the enthusiasm of the young? “It won’t work” we say. Our churches languish in the same old rut. How many people have come to know the Lord in our church in the last year? What, as a church, have you been praying for? Or have you prayed at all?
Let’s look forward; let’s not worship at the altar of ‘the god of things as they are’. Let’s leave room for the working of “THE Living God.” What have we in the church left unchallenged as we worship at the altar of “the god of things as they are”?
David was still very young, not a man, when he came to fight Goliath. In the Moffat Translation, 1 Samuel 17:42 says “He (being Goliath) despised him (David) for his youth.” David, a young shepard, untrained as a soldier, should not fight or even dare challenge a trained barbarian such as Goliath. Something different was in the air.
As we get older in age, something different or change, is harder to accept. As a culture, change is harder to accept since we have lived in a time of unchallenged ease. Change makes us older ones fearful of the unknown, doubtful of any benefit, if any. Yes, we too like to worship at the altar of “the god of things as they are.”
The Israelites and their King Saul were huddled on a mountainside staging for a battle with the Philistines. The situation was complicated by the daily taunts of a nine foot nine inch giant called Goliath. Send someone to fight me; whoever loses will become the subjects of the other side. Not a pleasant situation. In 1 Samuel 17:11 it says, “On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.” Yes, they were afraid of the dire situation. The Israelites were waiting for the inevitable defeat.
Young David comes with just a sling and 5 stones; no armor, no spear, no sword. He realizes that the Israelite army’s only response will be a tame, spineless submission to the playground bully. David gets fired up and says, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” Clovis Chappel said, “We like these brave and burning words, all of us. David refused to worship ‘the god of things as they are.’ We rejoice that he will not allow bullying wrongs to go unchallenged today just because they went unchallenged yesterday!!"
Youth throughout the centuries have blazed the trail to right all wrongs. We battle-scared veterans sit on the sidelines in arrogant smugness thinking we know better, and in some ways we do, but sometimes we have left no room for the Living God of Israel to do His mighty work. Yes, we sit and grouse while a world goes to hell—many of them our own flesh and blood. We are lukewarm and passionless and we like it that way. This should not be a matter of young or old but a matter of the condition of our hearts.
Where is our passion for Christ as we sit on the sideline smugly saying something new won’t work? Are we so bored with life we won’t even consider the enthusiasm of the young? “It won’t work” we say. Our churches languish in the same old rut. How many people have come to know the Lord in our church in the last year? What, as a church, have you been praying for? Or have you prayed at all?
Let’s look forward; let’s not worship at the altar of ‘the god of things as they are’. Let’s leave room for the working of “THE Living God.” What have we in the church left unchallenged as we worship at the altar of “the god of things as they are”?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
I’m Sick of Winter or Grumbling at God’s Providence
“Boy, this is some kind of winter, huh? Cold, snow, windy, more snow, more wind.” I bet you’ve heard or said these words in one way or another this winter.
John Dinsmore Johnston was a missionary who visited our church years ago. He has had an interesting life; a native of Ireland, he ended up a prisoner of war of the Japanese for four years during World War II. He wrote a book entitled “The God-planned Life: Memoirs and Letters”. John told us of his father, a humble Irish farmer with a strong faith. Whenever any of his children would grumble about the weather, his dad would chastise them with these words spoken in a strong Irish accent, “Who is this who riles at God’s providence?”
Do we have any right to grumble at God’s design for this winter in Minnesota? We do not. God is in control of all of nature. God is not a wimp. He stands up and proclaims His power. He doesn’t hide out behind His providential power or distance Himself from His actions. Isaiah 45:7 says, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.” All of us amateur mini-god’s better take note.
In the Book of Nahum, Chapter 1 starting in verse 3a it says this…"The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.” He then follows with one of the most concise lists of what He has done or is capable of doing.
1. His way is in the whirlwind (v.3)
2. His way is in the storm (v.3)
3. Clouds and dust are His feet (v.4)
4. He dries up seas (v.4)
5. He makes rivers run dry (v.4)
6. He makes cities wither (v.4)
7. He makes blossoms fade (v.4)
8. He makes mountains quake (v.5)
9. He makes hills melt away (v.5)
10. He makes the earth tremble (v.5)
11. He makes all who live in the world tremble (v.5)
12. He shatters rocks (v.6)
And then He says this is verse 7a, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
Before we complain or grumble, we need to think about why He does this. Job 37:13 says: “He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth and show his love.” Ah, we must be careful in drawing conclusions as God displays almighty power whether it be love or His punishment. In either case, our response should be the same. We should be found on our face repenting in dust and ashes. Repent for what, you say? For questioning His sovereign hand and for grumbling about it, forgive us Lord. "Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage." (Jude 14-16)
John Dinsmore Johnston was a missionary who visited our church years ago. He has had an interesting life; a native of Ireland, he ended up a prisoner of war of the Japanese for four years during World War II. He wrote a book entitled “The God-planned Life: Memoirs and Letters”. John told us of his father, a humble Irish farmer with a strong faith. Whenever any of his children would grumble about the weather, his dad would chastise them with these words spoken in a strong Irish accent, “Who is this who riles at God’s providence?”
Do we have any right to grumble at God’s design for this winter in Minnesota? We do not. God is in control of all of nature. God is not a wimp. He stands up and proclaims His power. He doesn’t hide out behind His providential power or distance Himself from His actions. Isaiah 45:7 says, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.” All of us amateur mini-god’s better take note.
In the Book of Nahum, Chapter 1 starting in verse 3a it says this…"The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.” He then follows with one of the most concise lists of what He has done or is capable of doing.
1. His way is in the whirlwind (v.3)
2. His way is in the storm (v.3)
3. Clouds and dust are His feet (v.4)
4. He dries up seas (v.4)
5. He makes rivers run dry (v.4)
6. He makes cities wither (v.4)
7. He makes blossoms fade (v.4)
8. He makes mountains quake (v.5)
9. He makes hills melt away (v.5)
10. He makes the earth tremble (v.5)
11. He makes all who live in the world tremble (v.5)
12. He shatters rocks (v.6)
And then He says this is verse 7a, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
Before we complain or grumble, we need to think about why He does this. Job 37:13 says: “He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth and show his love.” Ah, we must be careful in drawing conclusions as God displays almighty power whether it be love or His punishment. In either case, our response should be the same. We should be found on our face repenting in dust and ashes. Repent for what, you say? For questioning His sovereign hand and for grumbling about it, forgive us Lord. "Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage." (Jude 14-16)
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Are you Changed?
The disciples of Jesus were flawed men like us. They were called of God, used by Him, yet like us, sinners on this side of Heaven.
The disciples seemed to be enamored with greatness. Time has not changed much; today we too are enamored with greatness. We covet the symbols of power, wealth and greatness. They, in and of themselves, cause no problem unless the pursuit of the symbols of greatness move into first place in our life dethroning God from His rightful place.
The disciples asked Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Jesus calls a little child among them and Jesus said in Matthew 18:2-4: "He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Children are usually trusting of their fathers, have no agenda, are willing to learn and don't have a chip on their shoulder. Most of the world doesn't trust anyone; most have an agenda (what's in it for me attitude). Many of us feel we have arrived (we don't need to learn anything new) and most of us have or have had a major league chip on our shoulder. In reality, left to ourselves, we think we are pretty hot stuff; God is not impressed with us.
Jesus say, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, will never enter the kingdom of heaven." His words, not mine. Don't get angry with me.
Are you changed by your relationship with Christ? How has he changed your life? Are you transformed? Are you still walking around in the same body but the chip on your shoulder is gone? Now is your agenda the Lord's? Are you willing to learn from the humble carpenter of Nazareth? If you are, you have been transformed. If not, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.
On that day, many will say "Lord, Lord". Jesus will reply, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers" (Matthew 7:23).
Many of us are Christian by culture and we have not been changed. Have you been changed? Have you been humbled? If not, what are you waiting for? Come to Jesus and live!
The disciples seemed to be enamored with greatness. Time has not changed much; today we too are enamored with greatness. We covet the symbols of power, wealth and greatness. They, in and of themselves, cause no problem unless the pursuit of the symbols of greatness move into first place in our life dethroning God from His rightful place.
The disciples asked Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Jesus calls a little child among them and Jesus said in Matthew 18:2-4: "He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Children are usually trusting of their fathers, have no agenda, are willing to learn and don't have a chip on their shoulder. Most of the world doesn't trust anyone; most have an agenda (what's in it for me attitude). Many of us feel we have arrived (we don't need to learn anything new) and most of us have or have had a major league chip on our shoulder. In reality, left to ourselves, we think we are pretty hot stuff; God is not impressed with us.
Jesus say, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, will never enter the kingdom of heaven." His words, not mine. Don't get angry with me.
Are you changed by your relationship with Christ? How has he changed your life? Are you transformed? Are you still walking around in the same body but the chip on your shoulder is gone? Now is your agenda the Lord's? Are you willing to learn from the humble carpenter of Nazareth? If you are, you have been transformed. If not, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.
On that day, many will say "Lord, Lord". Jesus will reply, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers" (Matthew 7:23).
Many of us are Christian by culture and we have not been changed. Have you been changed? Have you been humbled? If not, what are you waiting for? Come to Jesus and live!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Future is not what it used to be or…
Mickey Newberry wrote the song entitled “The Future is Not What it Used to Be” which was recorded by Ronny Milsap. It is a story of a man and a woman; a story of sin and dejection all overcome with love only to have the relationship slip out of their hands. The relationship was good; at times it held so much promise; in the end the hope of a future together was lost.
In some ways the future seems to be deteriorating, if not already lost. This week I saw a pro-life organization buy an ad for the Super Bowl to celebrate the life of Tim Tebow, Heisman winner, Florida Gators quarterback, and strong Christian witness.
When Mrs. Tebow was pregnant with Tim, she encountered a disease that forced the doctors to recommend that she abort Tim. The family, devout Christians chose not to abort Tim. What a blessing of God today to have a fine young man as Tim Tebow.
But, the future is not what it used to be. I thought I lived in a country that would celebrate such an inspiring story but the future is not what it used to be. No, the release of the information about the ad caused shrieks and shrills of horror from pro-choice groups, politicians, commentators of the same ilk. This doesn’t need to be turned into a trumped up political hand wringing issue. Why can’t we just celebrate a God-inspired story? What people cannot celebrate such a story? I guess America can’t. The future is not what it used to be.
In the same week, the President, during the State of the Union speech, directly insulted the Supreme Court on a decision they made last week. A basic principle of our Constitution is the Separation of Powers; it is one of the pillars of our Constitution. But I guess it’s ok to insult another branch of the government. Numbskull Senators and Representatives rose to their feet to clap in agreement with the President’s crass comments, doing so directly in the face of the Supreme Court, seated in their presence. I guess in America, the future is not what is used to be.
Yet some things are and will be the same now and in the future; especially for believers. Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” He hasn’t; he won’t, and the future is what it used to be.
In John 17:15-17 Jesus said: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”Jesus still protects us and He will make us mature and bring us home to the Father. The future is what it is supposed to be.
God said in Colossians 1:13-14, “For he (being Jesus) has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
We are still redeemed and forgiven. The future is what it is supposed to be.
Revelation 22:12-13 it says: "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
The future is in the hands of God only; He is the First and the Last. The future is what is is supposed to be.
In some ways the future seems to be deteriorating, if not already lost. This week I saw a pro-life organization buy an ad for the Super Bowl to celebrate the life of Tim Tebow, Heisman winner, Florida Gators quarterback, and strong Christian witness.
When Mrs. Tebow was pregnant with Tim, she encountered a disease that forced the doctors to recommend that she abort Tim. The family, devout Christians chose not to abort Tim. What a blessing of God today to have a fine young man as Tim Tebow.
But, the future is not what it used to be. I thought I lived in a country that would celebrate such an inspiring story but the future is not what it used to be. No, the release of the information about the ad caused shrieks and shrills of horror from pro-choice groups, politicians, commentators of the same ilk. This doesn’t need to be turned into a trumped up political hand wringing issue. Why can’t we just celebrate a God-inspired story? What people cannot celebrate such a story? I guess America can’t. The future is not what it used to be.
In the same week, the President, during the State of the Union speech, directly insulted the Supreme Court on a decision they made last week. A basic principle of our Constitution is the Separation of Powers; it is one of the pillars of our Constitution. But I guess it’s ok to insult another branch of the government. Numbskull Senators and Representatives rose to their feet to clap in agreement with the President’s crass comments, doing so directly in the face of the Supreme Court, seated in their presence. I guess in America, the future is not what is used to be.
Yet some things are and will be the same now and in the future; especially for believers. Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” He hasn’t; he won’t, and the future is what it used to be.
In John 17:15-17 Jesus said: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”Jesus still protects us and He will make us mature and bring us home to the Father. The future is what it is supposed to be.
God said in Colossians 1:13-14, “For he (being Jesus) has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
We are still redeemed and forgiven. The future is what it is supposed to be.
Revelation 22:12-13 it says: "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
The future is in the hands of God only; He is the First and the Last. The future is what is is supposed to be.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
It is not My Agenda
"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, Lord, but only with justice-- not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing." Jeremiah 10:23-24
It was late Friday afternoon; I was catching up on paper work when Judi called to tell me the highway department had pulled the snow plows off the road due to the high winds, drifting snow and extreme cold. Temperatures were forecasted to go down to 23 below zero; a cold, windy, dangerous night on the Western Minnesota prairie. Reluctantly, I decided to stay the night at our daughter’s place. I washed clothes and visited with her; it was a good evening but inside of me I just wanted to be home. I was internally grousing. I didn’t get my way.
I left early on Saturday morning heading home. The drive was very quiet. It was 23 degrees below and very little, if any, traffic. I listened to classical music and prayed as I drove.
I needed gas, a couple of parts for our cars and, if schedules permitted, I also needed a haircut. At 7:15 as I pulled in to a very quiet gas station, my lights landed on the sign for an auto parts store that I had never noticed before. I sat in my car, gathering the fortitude to get out and fill up the gas tank, when I noticed a pickup pull up next to the auto parts store. A man got out and walked to the store with hunched shoulders and steam rising out of his mouth, crystallizing on the cold air.
I went to the store, bought my parts and then he started to talk. No other customers showed up as he told me about his life. He questioned if his children would have as good a future as he had growing up. We discussed spiritual issues. I wanted to get home but God had another agenda.
I went to get my hair cut; I was the second person through the door. My barber was a military wife who grew up in California. Here she is living in 23 below temps of Minnesota, possibly pregnant after four miscarriages, contemplating all this while her husband receives his notice for his fourth overseas tour of duty in the war zones. She was afraid, cold, tired and lonely. We talked. I suggested we pray; she said “We better not do it here.” I told her I would go to the car and pray for her and I left with tears in my eyes. She managed a smile from a face covered with tears. I wanted to get home, but God had another agenda.
I am old enough to know better. Yes, it’s not about me and my agenda, it’s about what God wants me to do. No, I am not the center of my world; it’s not my agenda. Yes, I wanted to be home but God had something more beautiful, rewarding and humbling.
Yes, we grouse rather than get on our face and thank God for His sovereign hand. John Piper once said in part…
“Our life is on loan from God (Luke 12:20 - "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”) and our life belongs to Him. God created our life, gives it to us, and takes our life according to His own will and owes us nothing. It is a gift to learn this truth and dedicate our lives to their true owner rather than defraud Him until it is too late.”
Acts 17:24-25 says "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else."
Our God is good; it’s His agenda, not ours. We would all do well to remember that.
It was late Friday afternoon; I was catching up on paper work when Judi called to tell me the highway department had pulled the snow plows off the road due to the high winds, drifting snow and extreme cold. Temperatures were forecasted to go down to 23 below zero; a cold, windy, dangerous night on the Western Minnesota prairie. Reluctantly, I decided to stay the night at our daughter’s place. I washed clothes and visited with her; it was a good evening but inside of me I just wanted to be home. I was internally grousing. I didn’t get my way.
I left early on Saturday morning heading home. The drive was very quiet. It was 23 degrees below and very little, if any, traffic. I listened to classical music and prayed as I drove.
I needed gas, a couple of parts for our cars and, if schedules permitted, I also needed a haircut. At 7:15 as I pulled in to a very quiet gas station, my lights landed on the sign for an auto parts store that I had never noticed before. I sat in my car, gathering the fortitude to get out and fill up the gas tank, when I noticed a pickup pull up next to the auto parts store. A man got out and walked to the store with hunched shoulders and steam rising out of his mouth, crystallizing on the cold air.
I went to the store, bought my parts and then he started to talk. No other customers showed up as he told me about his life. He questioned if his children would have as good a future as he had growing up. We discussed spiritual issues. I wanted to get home but God had another agenda.
I went to get my hair cut; I was the second person through the door. My barber was a military wife who grew up in California. Here she is living in 23 below temps of Minnesota, possibly pregnant after four miscarriages, contemplating all this while her husband receives his notice for his fourth overseas tour of duty in the war zones. She was afraid, cold, tired and lonely. We talked. I suggested we pray; she said “We better not do it here.” I told her I would go to the car and pray for her and I left with tears in my eyes. She managed a smile from a face covered with tears. I wanted to get home, but God had another agenda.
I am old enough to know better. Yes, it’s not about me and my agenda, it’s about what God wants me to do. No, I am not the center of my world; it’s not my agenda. Yes, I wanted to be home but God had something more beautiful, rewarding and humbling.
Yes, we grouse rather than get on our face and thank God for His sovereign hand. John Piper once said in part…
“Our life is on loan from God (Luke 12:20 - "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”) and our life belongs to Him. God created our life, gives it to us, and takes our life according to His own will and owes us nothing. It is a gift to learn this truth and dedicate our lives to their true owner rather than defraud Him until it is too late.”
Acts 17:24-25 says "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else."
Our God is good; it’s His agenda, not ours. We would all do well to remember that.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
When the earth quakes
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 - There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Psalm 31:15 - My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.
Matthew 10:29-31 - Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Lamentations 3:37-38 - Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?
Isaiah 45:7 - I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.
Acts 17:24-28 - "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'
Exodus 4:11 - The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
John 9:1-3 - As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
Romans 8:26-28 - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 11:33 - Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Psalm 31:15 - My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.
Matthew 10:29-31 - Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Lamentations 3:37-38 - Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?
Isaiah 45:7 - I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.
Acts 17:24-28 - "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'
Exodus 4:11 - The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
John 9:1-3 - As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
Romans 8:26-28 - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 11:33 - Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Where is your Brother?
Genesis 4:9 - Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
1John 4:19-21 - We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Matthew 18:15-17 - "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Matthew 5:23-25 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
Luke 17:3-4 - So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
1 John 3:10 - This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:13-14 - Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
James 2:14-17 - What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
1 John 2:9-11 - Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
Romans 14:13 - Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
Psalms 133:1 – How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
1 John 3:16 - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
Now is the time for you and me to be concerned about our brother and whomsoever God has entrusted to us, so that it will not be necessary for God to ask that question on the Day of Judgment.
1John 4:19-21 - We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Matthew 18:15-17 - "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Matthew 5:23-25 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
Luke 17:3-4 - So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
1 John 3:10 - This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:13-14 - Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
James 2:14-17 - What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
1 John 2:9-11 - Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
Romans 14:13 - Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
Psalms 133:1 – How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
1 John 3:16 - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
Now is the time for you and me to be concerned about our brother and whomsoever God has entrusted to us, so that it will not be necessary for God to ask that question on the Day of Judgment.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Vision 2010 – Called from Darkness to Light
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:27-19
Hebrews 13:15-16 - Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Philemon 6: I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Titus 2:11-15 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Galatians 6:2 - Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
John 17:15 -- My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Jude 24-25: To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:27-19
Hebrews 13:15-16 - Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Philemon 6: I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Titus 2:11-15 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Galatians 6:2 - Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
John 17:15 -- My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Jude 24-25: To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Dinner
I would like to share the following which is written by Ravi Zacharias from his book, Jesus Among Other Gods, (Nashville, Word Publishing 2000), 44-46.
“Some years ago, we were spending Christmas in the home of my wife’s parents. It was not a happy day in the household. Much had gone wrong during the preceding weeks, and a weight of sadness hung over the home. Yet, in the midst of all that, my mother-in-law kept her routine habit of asking people who would likely have no place to go at Christmas to share Christmas dinner with us.
“That year she invited a man who was, by everyone’s estimation, somewhat of an odd person, quite eccentric in his demeanor. Not much was known about him at the church except that he came regularly, sat alone, and left without much conversation. He obviously lived alone and was quite a sorry-looking, solitary figure. He was our Christmas guest.
“Because of other happenings in the house, not the least of which was that one daughter was taken to the hospital for the birth of her first child, everything was confusion. All our emotions were on edge. It fell upon me, in turn, to entertain this gentleman. I must confess that I did not appreciate it. Owing to a heavy life of travel year-round, I have jealously guarded my Christmases to be with my family. This was not going to be such a privilege, and I was not happy. As I sat in the living room, entertaining him while others were busy, I thought to myself, This is going to go down as one of the most miserable Christmases of my life.
“But somehow we got through the evening. He evidently loved the meal, the fire crackling in the background, the snow outside, the Christmas carols playing, and a rather weighty theological discussion in which he and I were engaged—at his instigation, I might add. He was a very well-read man and, as I found out, loved to grapple with heavy theological themes. I do, too, but frankly, not during an evening that has been set aside to enjoy life’s quite moments, not someone’s polemical mind.
“At the end of the night when he bade us all good-bye, he reached out and took the hand of each of us, one by one, and said, “Thank you for the best Christmas of my life. I will never forget it.” He walked out into the dark, snowy night, back into his solitary existence.”
“My heart sank in self-indictment at those tender words of his. I had to draw on every nerve in my being to keep from breaking down with tears. Just a few short years later, relatively young, and therefore to our surprise, he passed away. I have relived that Christmas many times in my memory.
“The Lord taught me a lesson. The primary purpose of a home is to reflect and to distribute the love of Christ. Anything that usurps that is idolatrous. Having been lifted beyond the prejudice of culture, Jesus repositioned for the disciples the place of wealth. So staggering was the impact that many of them in the years to come would leave their own homes to go to distant parts of the world in order to proclaim the heaven-sent message that redefined their earthly homes. Eleven of them paid for that message with their lives.
“The first time I walked through the noisy streets of Bethlehem and endured its smells, I gained a whole new sense of the difference between our Christmas carols, glamorizing the sweetness of the “little town of Bethlehem,” and the harsh reality of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Ah! But it is not a part of the wonder of God’s disclosure of reality that He point to what we live with to show us what true living is meant to be?
“For the disciples, Jesus’ answer to their simple question—“Where do You live?”—was to lift them beyond race and culture, beyond wealth and power, beyond time and distance to make them true citizens of the world, informed by the world to come. He brought them into a dramatically different way of living and thinking from the one to which they were accustomed. He showed them the inclusiveness of His love for the whole world. But implicit in that was the exclusivity of His truth, for which they were willing to give their lives. We have reversed Jesus’ order. We have made truth relative and culture supreme and have been left with a world in which wickedness reigns.
“Jesus brought truth to light and a different world to His message. In Him my heart finds its true home.
“G. K. Chesterton has captured the wonder in how Jesus’ earthly address changes ours, as only he can do.
"A child in a foul stable,
Where the beasts feed and foam;
Only where He was homeless
Are you and I at home;
We have hands that fashion and heads that know,
But our hearts we lost—how long ago!
In a place no chart nor ship can show
Under the sky’s dome.
To an open house in the evening
Home shall men come,
To an older place than Eden
And a taller town than Rome.
To the end of the way of the wandering star,
To the things that cannot be and that are,
To the place where God was homeless
And all men are at home."
G.K. Chesterton, “The House of Christmas,” from Robert Knille, ed., As I Was Saying (Grand Rapids: William B. Erdmans, 1985), 304-5.
“Where does Jesus live? Come to Christ and see what it means to live.”
From the Seehusen's to you--God bless you and your family this Advent Season.
Jesus, welcom to our world. May we follow where you lead us. May we use all our gifts and talents to Your glory. May we go to a hurting world even when we want to come home and be cozy and comfortable. Forgive us. Amen. Amen
“Some years ago, we were spending Christmas in the home of my wife’s parents. It was not a happy day in the household. Much had gone wrong during the preceding weeks, and a weight of sadness hung over the home. Yet, in the midst of all that, my mother-in-law kept her routine habit of asking people who would likely have no place to go at Christmas to share Christmas dinner with us.
“That year she invited a man who was, by everyone’s estimation, somewhat of an odd person, quite eccentric in his demeanor. Not much was known about him at the church except that he came regularly, sat alone, and left without much conversation. He obviously lived alone and was quite a sorry-looking, solitary figure. He was our Christmas guest.
“Because of other happenings in the house, not the least of which was that one daughter was taken to the hospital for the birth of her first child, everything was confusion. All our emotions were on edge. It fell upon me, in turn, to entertain this gentleman. I must confess that I did not appreciate it. Owing to a heavy life of travel year-round, I have jealously guarded my Christmases to be with my family. This was not going to be such a privilege, and I was not happy. As I sat in the living room, entertaining him while others were busy, I thought to myself, This is going to go down as one of the most miserable Christmases of my life.
“But somehow we got through the evening. He evidently loved the meal, the fire crackling in the background, the snow outside, the Christmas carols playing, and a rather weighty theological discussion in which he and I were engaged—at his instigation, I might add. He was a very well-read man and, as I found out, loved to grapple with heavy theological themes. I do, too, but frankly, not during an evening that has been set aside to enjoy life’s quite moments, not someone’s polemical mind.
“At the end of the night when he bade us all good-bye, he reached out and took the hand of each of us, one by one, and said, “Thank you for the best Christmas of my life. I will never forget it.” He walked out into the dark, snowy night, back into his solitary existence.”
“My heart sank in self-indictment at those tender words of his. I had to draw on every nerve in my being to keep from breaking down with tears. Just a few short years later, relatively young, and therefore to our surprise, he passed away. I have relived that Christmas many times in my memory.
“The Lord taught me a lesson. The primary purpose of a home is to reflect and to distribute the love of Christ. Anything that usurps that is idolatrous. Having been lifted beyond the prejudice of culture, Jesus repositioned for the disciples the place of wealth. So staggering was the impact that many of them in the years to come would leave their own homes to go to distant parts of the world in order to proclaim the heaven-sent message that redefined their earthly homes. Eleven of them paid for that message with their lives.
“The first time I walked through the noisy streets of Bethlehem and endured its smells, I gained a whole new sense of the difference between our Christmas carols, glamorizing the sweetness of the “little town of Bethlehem,” and the harsh reality of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Ah! But it is not a part of the wonder of God’s disclosure of reality that He point to what we live with to show us what true living is meant to be?
“For the disciples, Jesus’ answer to their simple question—“Where do You live?”—was to lift them beyond race and culture, beyond wealth and power, beyond time and distance to make them true citizens of the world, informed by the world to come. He brought them into a dramatically different way of living and thinking from the one to which they were accustomed. He showed them the inclusiveness of His love for the whole world. But implicit in that was the exclusivity of His truth, for which they were willing to give their lives. We have reversed Jesus’ order. We have made truth relative and culture supreme and have been left with a world in which wickedness reigns.
“Jesus brought truth to light and a different world to His message. In Him my heart finds its true home.
“G. K. Chesterton has captured the wonder in how Jesus’ earthly address changes ours, as only he can do.
"A child in a foul stable,
Where the beasts feed and foam;
Only where He was homeless
Are you and I at home;
We have hands that fashion and heads that know,
But our hearts we lost—how long ago!
In a place no chart nor ship can show
Under the sky’s dome.
To an open house in the evening
Home shall men come,
To an older place than Eden
And a taller town than Rome.
To the end of the way of the wandering star,
To the things that cannot be and that are,
To the place where God was homeless
And all men are at home."
G.K. Chesterton, “The House of Christmas,” from Robert Knille, ed., As I Was Saying (Grand Rapids: William B. Erdmans, 1985), 304-5.
“Where does Jesus live? Come to Christ and see what it means to live.”
From the Seehusen's to you--God bless you and your family this Advent Season.
Jesus, welcom to our world. May we follow where you lead us. May we use all our gifts and talents to Your glory. May we go to a hurting world even when we want to come home and be cozy and comfortable. Forgive us. Amen. Amen
Thursday, December 17, 2009
What’s all the hub-bub about?
He came into my office already possessing a negative attitude. He asked, “Do you get involved with all this hub-bub concerning Christmas?” I told him, “Yes, but I try my best not to go overboard.” We talked; he, like many, knows the Christmas story. But, he said his sporadic childhood church attendance at a Catholic church didn’t leave much of an impression. He, like the world, knows the story but the meaning has been lost in the shuffle or should I say, lost in the “hub-bub”.
Why all the hub-bub? God comes to earth in the person of Jesus, walks among us, dies for our sins upon a gruesome cross, takes God’s wrath intended for us, and by God’s power, Jesus is raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. We are pardoned slaves to sin who will live eternally. It is all a gift to us and we shall reign eternally with God. This should all be a comfort to those of us who believe.
Some may say they know the Story. They think they even know what it means but how is Jesus going to make tomorrow any better than today? We sinners are all short-sighted. Does God care that I lost my wife and the loneliness and tears have been crushing? Does Christ make any difference today and in the future? Remember these things in these perilous days:
1. God cares about your tears. He keeps track of them. Psalm 56:8 says, “Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll-- are they not in your record?” God Himself will wipe our tears away. “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Rev. 7:17.
2. Your prayers are heard—the angels gather them up. Rev. 8:3-4: “Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.”
3. Your death is precious to God. “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: 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.’ I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one ‘like a son of man’ with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.” Rev. 14:13-14.
4. We are slaves to sin, purchased by Christ to serve God and reign with Him eternally. Rev. 5:9-10: “And they sang a new song: ‘’You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
5. Do not be afraid! For Jesus Christ is with us now and He will return. He has and will always be in control. Rev. 1:12-19: “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
Lift up your head; you are a child of THE King. Yes, though we may suffer for a little while, God cares, God rules and we will reign with Him, and He will come again. Don’t be afraid. Jesus was born God man—the manger is empty. Jesus was slain for our sin—the cross is empty. Jesus was dead and is now alive forever—the grave is empty; our God reigns. That is what all the hub-bub is about.
Why all the hub-bub? God comes to earth in the person of Jesus, walks among us, dies for our sins upon a gruesome cross, takes God’s wrath intended for us, and by God’s power, Jesus is raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. We are pardoned slaves to sin who will live eternally. It is all a gift to us and we shall reign eternally with God. This should all be a comfort to those of us who believe.
Some may say they know the Story. They think they even know what it means but how is Jesus going to make tomorrow any better than today? We sinners are all short-sighted. Does God care that I lost my wife and the loneliness and tears have been crushing? Does Christ make any difference today and in the future? Remember these things in these perilous days:
1. God cares about your tears. He keeps track of them. Psalm 56:8 says, “Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll-- are they not in your record?” God Himself will wipe our tears away. “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Rev. 7:17.
2. Your prayers are heard—the angels gather them up. Rev. 8:3-4: “Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.”
3. Your death is precious to God. “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: 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.’ I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one ‘like a son of man’ with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.” Rev. 14:13-14.
4. We are slaves to sin, purchased by Christ to serve God and reign with Him eternally. Rev. 5:9-10: “And they sang a new song: ‘’You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
5. Do not be afraid! For Jesus Christ is with us now and He will return. He has and will always be in control. Rev. 1:12-19: “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
Lift up your head; you are a child of THE King. Yes, though we may suffer for a little while, God cares, God rules and we will reign with Him, and He will come again. Don’t be afraid. Jesus was born God man—the manger is empty. Jesus was slain for our sin—the cross is empty. Jesus was dead and is now alive forever—the grave is empty; our God reigns. That is what all the hub-bub is about.
Friday, December 11, 2009
When People Are Afraid…Remember this…
Luke 1:74 : “to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear”
The Age to Come vs. The Age that Has Been
“The central and simple message of the New Testament is that the promised age to come has dawned, the promised victory over what has emptied life of meaning and filled it with confusion and dismay has been won. . . . Were it not for the resurrection, Paul suggests, abandoning ourselves to a life of empty party-making and a fatalistic sense of doom would be quite logical.
There is no hope in ‘this age.’ It lies under the judgment of God. It is all, despite its brilliance, now dying. It has no future. It can offer many pleasurable experiences, many momentary distractions, but it is doomed. It has no long-term future and can offer no meaning besides what it manufactures for the moment, which is as fleeting as the morning mist.”
- David F. Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant (Grand Rapids, Mi.: Eerdmans, 2008), 203.
Evil and the Purposes of God
“The mystery of iniquity is at work in the world during this interim time, and it is not always clear how its malignant work is being checked, overridden, or woven into the glorious purposes of God. We need to remember, though, that while Judas betrayed Christ, and woe to him for doing so, it was God’s plan that Christ was thus betrayed. Evil by its very nature opposes the purposes of God, but God, in his sovereignty, can make even this evil serve his purposes.”
- David F. Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant (Grand Rapids, Mi.: Eerdmans, 2008), 206.
About Martin Luther
“They came to Martin one day, and they said, 'Martin, it is all over with the Reformation cause now, for the Emperor of Germany has sworn a solemn oath to help the Pope.' 'I do not care a snap of my finger for both of them,” said he, “nor for all the devils in hell! This is God’s work, and God’s work can stand against both emperors and popes.'
"There was a man who trusted, really, intensely, and because of this he was not afraid. Is not that much better than being afraid, and then having to trust to banish the fear? Now, God is with me, and come what may:
“Should earth against my soul engage,
And hellish darts be hurled;
Now I can smile at Satan’s rage,
And face a frowning world.
“Let cares like a wild deluge come,
And storms of sorrow fall:
I shall in safety reach my home,
My God, my heaven, my all.”
“Oh! If we can all get to this brave assurance of faith, happy shall we be in the midst of the worst trouble."
~ Charles Spurgeon, The Fear of Temporal Trouble (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1991) 29
“When we fear God and God only, we are no longer bound by all of the other fears that would hold us captive. The fear of death, the fear of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of insignificance—all of the fears that know us by name and haunt us in the dark of the night become powerless when we know the fear of the Lord. And if this is not enough, we discover that perfect love casts out all fear. Not even God will hold us or control us by fear. When we fear Him, we in essence begin to live a life where we are fearless."
"The freedom to love and the freedom from fear make us an entirely different species within the whole of humanity. This may be the most extraordinary mark of the Spirit of God within the heart of humanity: the freedom to live out dreams greater than ourselves. Yet, if we were honest with ourselves, the church would be the last place most people would go to have their dreams nurtured, developed, and unleashed. "
- Erwin Raphael McManus, The Barbarian Way, (Nelson Books, 2005) 101-102
The Age to Come vs. The Age that Has Been
“The central and simple message of the New Testament is that the promised age to come has dawned, the promised victory over what has emptied life of meaning and filled it with confusion and dismay has been won. . . . Were it not for the resurrection, Paul suggests, abandoning ourselves to a life of empty party-making and a fatalistic sense of doom would be quite logical.
There is no hope in ‘this age.’ It lies under the judgment of God. It is all, despite its brilliance, now dying. It has no future. It can offer many pleasurable experiences, many momentary distractions, but it is doomed. It has no long-term future and can offer no meaning besides what it manufactures for the moment, which is as fleeting as the morning mist.”
- David F. Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant (Grand Rapids, Mi.: Eerdmans, 2008), 203.
Evil and the Purposes of God
“The mystery of iniquity is at work in the world during this interim time, and it is not always clear how its malignant work is being checked, overridden, or woven into the glorious purposes of God. We need to remember, though, that while Judas betrayed Christ, and woe to him for doing so, it was God’s plan that Christ was thus betrayed. Evil by its very nature opposes the purposes of God, but God, in his sovereignty, can make even this evil serve his purposes.”
- David F. Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant (Grand Rapids, Mi.: Eerdmans, 2008), 206.
About Martin Luther
“They came to Martin one day, and they said, 'Martin, it is all over with the Reformation cause now, for the Emperor of Germany has sworn a solemn oath to help the Pope.' 'I do not care a snap of my finger for both of them,” said he, “nor for all the devils in hell! This is God’s work, and God’s work can stand against both emperors and popes.'
"There was a man who trusted, really, intensely, and because of this he was not afraid. Is not that much better than being afraid, and then having to trust to banish the fear? Now, God is with me, and come what may:
“Should earth against my soul engage,
And hellish darts be hurled;
Now I can smile at Satan’s rage,
And face a frowning world.
“Let cares like a wild deluge come,
And storms of sorrow fall:
I shall in safety reach my home,
My God, my heaven, my all.”
“Oh! If we can all get to this brave assurance of faith, happy shall we be in the midst of the worst trouble."
~ Charles Spurgeon, The Fear of Temporal Trouble (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1991) 29
“When we fear God and God only, we are no longer bound by all of the other fears that would hold us captive. The fear of death, the fear of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of insignificance—all of the fears that know us by name and haunt us in the dark of the night become powerless when we know the fear of the Lord. And if this is not enough, we discover that perfect love casts out all fear. Not even God will hold us or control us by fear. When we fear Him, we in essence begin to live a life where we are fearless."
"The freedom to love and the freedom from fear make us an entirely different species within the whole of humanity. This may be the most extraordinary mark of the Spirit of God within the heart of humanity: the freedom to live out dreams greater than ourselves. Yet, if we were honest with ourselves, the church would be the last place most people would go to have their dreams nurtured, developed, and unleashed. "
- Erwin Raphael McManus, The Barbarian Way, (Nelson Books, 2005) 101-102
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Doubting what God says or I’ll believe what I want
About 10 years ago, I was preaching in a small rural church from Isaiah 47. In verse 13 it says this: “All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you.”
I did not dwell on the astrology; it was not the center point of the sermon. After the service a young woman in her 20’s said this to me, “I don’t care what you said about astrology, I’m still going to read my horoscope.”
God shows us astrology is of no use. The young lady was not going to listen to God’s word or Jerry’s. Notice, she said, “I don’t care what YOU said.” I may have said it but it was and is God’s word whether we like it or not.
I have wondered over the years, is God offended by my unwillingness to trust or believe what He says?
Sometimes we can become arrogant, little pipsqueaks, thinking we know better; think we are smarter than God Himself. (i.e. I’m going to believe in astrology whether God likes it or not.) God has cared enough to preserve this word for His honor and glory and for our benefit. Much blood has been shed so that we have God’s words in our own language, holding it in our own hands. How stupid can we be! I mean like God would purposely mislead us! Why should we doubt Him? That is not His character and surely not His plan. I may not understand everything in His word and I don’t understand everything but God’s Word is His word and I should not doubt what He says.
Romans 1:21-25 says this: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.”
Left to ourselves, our thinking will become futile, our hearts will be darkened. Praise be to God He has NOT left us to ourselves. In Romans 11:33-36 is says: "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
In spite of my sometimes doubting nature, God remembers that I am but dust yet He forgives me and even forgets my sin. Oh what a Lord; what a Savior! His Word is truth. Enough said!
I did not dwell on the astrology; it was not the center point of the sermon. After the service a young woman in her 20’s said this to me, “I don’t care what you said about astrology, I’m still going to read my horoscope.”
God shows us astrology is of no use. The young lady was not going to listen to God’s word or Jerry’s. Notice, she said, “I don’t care what YOU said.” I may have said it but it was and is God’s word whether we like it or not.
I have wondered over the years, is God offended by my unwillingness to trust or believe what He says?
Sometimes we can become arrogant, little pipsqueaks, thinking we know better; think we are smarter than God Himself. (i.e. I’m going to believe in astrology whether God likes it or not.) God has cared enough to preserve this word for His honor and glory and for our benefit. Much blood has been shed so that we have God’s words in our own language, holding it in our own hands. How stupid can we be! I mean like God would purposely mislead us! Why should we doubt Him? That is not His character and surely not His plan. I may not understand everything in His word and I don’t understand everything but God’s Word is His word and I should not doubt what He says.
Romans 1:21-25 says this: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.”
Left to ourselves, our thinking will become futile, our hearts will be darkened. Praise be to God He has NOT left us to ourselves. In Romans 11:33-36 is says: "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
In spite of my sometimes doubting nature, God remembers that I am but dust yet He forgives me and even forgets my sin. Oh what a Lord; what a Savior! His Word is truth. Enough said!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Harvest Struggle
It’s another dreary, cold, windy November day. I address issues at work via the phone while I sit at the kitchen table; it’s frustrating and tiring but I am warm and dry.
I look out across the field to see Blake and his crew from Heller Farms lifting sugar beets in the south field. The fall has been wet and dreary. Harvest is a month behind schedule. Farmers have fought mud, rain, snow and high moisture crops. Profit margins are disappearing if not already gone. Drying costs and field loss from a month too long in the field has taken $80 to $100 an acre from the bottom line.
The men and women who farm, those who provide us with food and fiber, have had a monumental struggle. We have had over 16 inches of rain since it started to rain after a cool, dry summer. The farmers work 18 hour days fighting mud and mess. The mud puts added stress on the equipment causing break downs, adding more stress to an already over-stretched fall schedule.
If you are a farmer in West Central Minnesota this fall, you have been cold, wet, tired and fed up with everything but you cannot quit and you must carry on no matter how depressing the situation.
Farmers provide food and fiber not only for us but also for people in other countries. On the whole, their hard work and sacrifice goes unnoticed. Dr. Norman Borlaug, the father of the Green Revolution, also known as bio-tech farming, and the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner for his work in plant genetics said this: “You can’t build a peaceful world on empty stomachs and human misery.” We have Norman Borlaug to thank and every farmer who uses his advanced plant genetics. American farmers, thank you for enduring your private misery so the world can be well fed and warm.
In these days, we have some well fed, often overweight people complain about bio-technology farming. Dr. Borlaug said this:
Most Western environmentalists "have never experienced the physical sensation of hunger. They do their lobbying from comfortable office suites in Washington or Brussels. If they lived just one month amid the misery of the developing world, as I have for 50 years, they'd be crying out for tractors and fertilizer and irrigation canals and be outraged that fashionable elitists in wealthy nations were trying to deny them these things."
Despite the private misery of Western Minnesota farmers, most of us will sit down to a “more than adequate” Thanksgiving dinner. Will we stop for a moment and be appreciative for the personal sacrifice made by the American farmers and their families? We owe them a debt of gratitude. Thank you to all you “tillers of the soil.”
May we all be grateful this Thanksgiving Day. Thank you Lord, for giving us men and women willing to endure mud, cold, and rainy, dreary, long days and nights. May the Lord’s peace, strength and protection be with them this fall.
I look out across the field to see Blake and his crew from Heller Farms lifting sugar beets in the south field. The fall has been wet and dreary. Harvest is a month behind schedule. Farmers have fought mud, rain, snow and high moisture crops. Profit margins are disappearing if not already gone. Drying costs and field loss from a month too long in the field has taken $80 to $100 an acre from the bottom line.
The men and women who farm, those who provide us with food and fiber, have had a monumental struggle. We have had over 16 inches of rain since it started to rain after a cool, dry summer. The farmers work 18 hour days fighting mud and mess. The mud puts added stress on the equipment causing break downs, adding more stress to an already over-stretched fall schedule.
If you are a farmer in West Central Minnesota this fall, you have been cold, wet, tired and fed up with everything but you cannot quit and you must carry on no matter how depressing the situation.
Farmers provide food and fiber not only for us but also for people in other countries. On the whole, their hard work and sacrifice goes unnoticed. Dr. Norman Borlaug, the father of the Green Revolution, also known as bio-tech farming, and the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner for his work in plant genetics said this: “You can’t build a peaceful world on empty stomachs and human misery.” We have Norman Borlaug to thank and every farmer who uses his advanced plant genetics. American farmers, thank you for enduring your private misery so the world can be well fed and warm.
In these days, we have some well fed, often overweight people complain about bio-technology farming. Dr. Borlaug said this:
Most Western environmentalists "have never experienced the physical sensation of hunger. They do their lobbying from comfortable office suites in Washington or Brussels. If they lived just one month amid the misery of the developing world, as I have for 50 years, they'd be crying out for tractors and fertilizer and irrigation canals and be outraged that fashionable elitists in wealthy nations were trying to deny them these things."
Despite the private misery of Western Minnesota farmers, most of us will sit down to a “more than adequate” Thanksgiving dinner. Will we stop for a moment and be appreciative for the personal sacrifice made by the American farmers and their families? We owe them a debt of gratitude. Thank you to all you “tillers of the soil.”
May we all be grateful this Thanksgiving Day. Thank you Lord, for giving us men and women willing to endure mud, cold, and rainy, dreary, long days and nights. May the Lord’s peace, strength and protection be with them this fall.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Riding with the King
"'The popular perception of Christianity in America, prior to the last 10 to 15 years, has been that being a Christian meant you were soft—you were considered weak, kind of a pushover,' says Pastor James Trapp of the Atlanta Falcons. 'You’re the guy who was going to turn the other cheek. But you read in the Bible that some of those guys were brash and bold and forceful but still had a heart and a desire for God.'” From an article in Time Magazine entitled “God and Football: the NFL’s Chaplains Give Advice”.
Nehemiah 13:24-25 says: “Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah. I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: "You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.”
Not many sermons are preached from Nehemiah 13. In this chapter we see another side of the passionate “Rebuilder of the Walls of Jerusalem.” Nehemiah lead the wall rebuilding effort in Jerusalem then returned to Babylon. In a short time, he hears of more problems in Jerusalem and he returns to set things right. He returns to do some hair pulling and head slapping.
I agree with Pastor Trappp’s comment on the image of Christian men. We are perceived as wimps and pushovers. Today, the church likes the image of the limped-wrist Jesus, walking in a white robe, never bothering anyone or standing for anything. Yes, in many ways that’s Christian men today. Jesus was not like that. He spoke the truth using God’s word which gave him authority and a presence which was granted respect. The people delighted in Him. Read Mark 12:37—“David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight.”
Jesus over turned the tables of the money changers in the temple. He told it like it was (read the Gospels), He was a carpenter who did not use power tools. He was a man’s man yet he carried out his life with authority and grace.
As men, if we lead a limped-wrist, passionless life, it is easy. Note any dead fish can float downstream. If we live this way, no demands are placed on us; no one confronts our mushy nice guy faith. Yes, it’s an easy superficial, disconnected life, and it blunts our influence and witness upon our culture.
In Revelation 19:13-16 it says this regarding Jesus: “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
NOTE: The Armies of Heaven were following Him; commentators feel that they will be those of us who are believers. Are you ready to ride with the King?
When we consider the passionate and zealous hair pulling and head slapping Nehemiah, I wonder, would he qualify as a church deacon or elder? Oh Nehemiah, you had passion and zeal. I wonder do we have any passion or zeal left.
Look forward; rise up of men of God. Let’s ride with King Jesus.
Nehemiah 13:24-25 says: “Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah. I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: "You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.”
Not many sermons are preached from Nehemiah 13. In this chapter we see another side of the passionate “Rebuilder of the Walls of Jerusalem.” Nehemiah lead the wall rebuilding effort in Jerusalem then returned to Babylon. In a short time, he hears of more problems in Jerusalem and he returns to set things right. He returns to do some hair pulling and head slapping.
I agree with Pastor Trappp’s comment on the image of Christian men. We are perceived as wimps and pushovers. Today, the church likes the image of the limped-wrist Jesus, walking in a white robe, never bothering anyone or standing for anything. Yes, in many ways that’s Christian men today. Jesus was not like that. He spoke the truth using God’s word which gave him authority and a presence which was granted respect. The people delighted in Him. Read Mark 12:37—“David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight.”
Jesus over turned the tables of the money changers in the temple. He told it like it was (read the Gospels), He was a carpenter who did not use power tools. He was a man’s man yet he carried out his life with authority and grace.
As men, if we lead a limped-wrist, passionless life, it is easy. Note any dead fish can float downstream. If we live this way, no demands are placed on us; no one confronts our mushy nice guy faith. Yes, it’s an easy superficial, disconnected life, and it blunts our influence and witness upon our culture.
In Revelation 19:13-16 it says this regarding Jesus: “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
NOTE: The Armies of Heaven were following Him; commentators feel that they will be those of us who are believers. Are you ready to ride with the King?
When we consider the passionate and zealous hair pulling and head slapping Nehemiah, I wonder, would he qualify as a church deacon or elder? Oh Nehemiah, you had passion and zeal. I wonder do we have any passion or zeal left.
Look forward; rise up of men of God. Let’s ride with King Jesus.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
No Greater Love
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other”. ~ John 15:13-17
I was home sick with the flu when the phone rang and a familiar voice said, “I’m coming through your area tonight, could I stop and see you?” The familiar voice was the voice of my young Special Forces friend, Ross. I hadn’t heard his voice for quite a while. He was coming even if we had the flu!
We had a great two-hour plus visit. During his four plus years in the military, he saw three tours of duty in different war zones. He now works and attends college full time; he expects to receive his college degree in less than one year.
I asked Ross, “After being out of the military for three years, what is the bottom line lesson learned from your military experience?
He answered quickly and decisively, “Two things.” He said, “I learned what is the greatest love—we must be willing to lay down our life for our friends. Number two, anything worth pursing requires sacrifice.”
As we approach this Veterans Day, it is good to be reminded of these “old fashioned truths.” Old fashioned they may be but true--willingness to lay down ones life and being willing to live a sacrificial life for the benefit of others.
Yes, we ought to listen—in the world there are two kinds of people, those who talk and those who do. Let’s honor and respect those who have done!
Jesus did; He laid down his life for us and He asked us to do the same. May we lay down our lives and live a life of sacrifice to God’s glory.
To all who do this, may God bless you. And yes, to all you Veterans young and old, thank you again. Amen.
I was home sick with the flu when the phone rang and a familiar voice said, “I’m coming through your area tonight, could I stop and see you?” The familiar voice was the voice of my young Special Forces friend, Ross. I hadn’t heard his voice for quite a while. He was coming even if we had the flu!
We had a great two-hour plus visit. During his four plus years in the military, he saw three tours of duty in different war zones. He now works and attends college full time; he expects to receive his college degree in less than one year.
I asked Ross, “After being out of the military for three years, what is the bottom line lesson learned from your military experience?
He answered quickly and decisively, “Two things.” He said, “I learned what is the greatest love—we must be willing to lay down our life for our friends. Number two, anything worth pursing requires sacrifice.”
As we approach this Veterans Day, it is good to be reminded of these “old fashioned truths.” Old fashioned they may be but true--willingness to lay down ones life and being willing to live a sacrificial life for the benefit of others.
Yes, we ought to listen—in the world there are two kinds of people, those who talk and those who do. Let’s honor and respect those who have done!
Jesus did; He laid down his life for us and He asked us to do the same. May we lay down our lives and live a life of sacrifice to God’s glory.
To all who do this, may God bless you. And yes, to all you Veterans young and old, thank you again. Amen.
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